tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7617460940279259032024-02-08T00:36:01.061-05:0013 Black Cats DesignsRandom Blatherings of 13 Black Cats Designs featuring new artwork, random thoughts, acknowledgements and what-nots13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-55397242171057331282012-09-07T12:35:00.000-04:002012-10-01T12:04:16.023-04:00How To Make A Pottery Barn Skeleton Vase<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I know it has been a while, a very, very long while but for those that may not know I am in the middle of rebuilding my life. </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">On January 31st, shortly after my last post here a fire consumed my home and everything with it including my beloved pets. Only Samhain and I remain along with my turtle Fred. While I am not able to create on the scale I was for a while I can show you some things I am doing to pass the time while I rebuild my home.</span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Pottery Barn Skull Vase Tutorial</span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNBzKeEesO4FGlVCXcvoSTl1Q53QeHGre-QOPL_m6CHoy36SYKUA_NZdmDfn6fi8L-VzqI5zBIkAQeNigeC174CxjFNFM47D9k4HXBg5fLZrKzso9_2L3OP69TzDceaElilZIbfzEneVi/s1600/pottery+Barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNBzKeEesO4FGlVCXcvoSTl1Q53QeHGre-QOPL_m6CHoy36SYKUA_NZdmDfn6fi8L-VzqI5zBIkAQeNigeC174CxjFNFM47D9k4HXBg5fLZrKzso9_2L3OP69TzDceaElilZIbfzEneVi/s400/pottery+Barn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I LOVE these vases but at $150.00 each and the fact that enough people bought them for them to sell out had me thinking of a way to recreate them for myself.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EAV3W5CPvASzb2mbabEg7Mr2y1OGSi5g17TZNB2N0wmr0Q8i-I4DX3wBOVrfJ-TJ3lZoB30zpF0jQ8Aty19MwVCV0NARxjESkz3me-pp7CGGDJBE_3VxjqTpK3DcR5mSksHFFGl7wsvO/s1600/DSC01495+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EAV3W5CPvASzb2mbabEg7Mr2y1OGSi5g17TZNB2N0wmr0Q8i-I4DX3wBOVrfJ-TJ3lZoB30zpF0jQ8Aty19MwVCV0NARxjESkz3me-pp7CGGDJBE_3VxjqTpK3DcR5mSksHFFGl7wsvO/s320/DSC01495+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supplies</td></tr>
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<b>You Will Need:</b></div>
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• A package of Sculpey, Fimo or Premo Polymer Clay - Transparent is best</div>
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• Sculpey tools or make-shift ones found around the home</div>
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• Glue (depending on the type of vase you use) I used Elmers China and Glass Cement</div>
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• Aluminum Foil</div>
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• Heavy Duty Elastic Band</div>
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• Toaster oven or regular oven</div>
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• Spray Paint Satin Finish in Ivory</div>
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• Van Dyke Brown Acrylic Paint</div>
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• Paper Towels</div>
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• Vase of your choice</div>
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• Plastic to protect while painting</div>
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First Step:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ydhKTe6RBNvYS7xkzAomIXAOjWhqbz7WJJrwXb1uq0OV7DPqBPgpzEs0_7y6yXPEfL2O7uAUBTdbIyEzoEyB36hyphenhyphenxvj3P3qt2TI1-jK0kuTdE-4F30_CONwj2qy-bmWSKViR__ZbfkY/s1600/DSC01496+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36ydhKTe6RBNvYS7xkzAomIXAOjWhqbz7WJJrwXb1uq0OV7DPqBPgpzEs0_7y6yXPEfL2O7uAUBTdbIyEzoEyB36hyphenhyphenxvj3P3qt2TI1-jK0kuTdE-4F30_CONwj2qy-bmWSKViR__ZbfkY/s320/DSC01496+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick sturdy foil draped over the top of the vase for clay support</td></tr>
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Lay the vase down on it's side and wrap a thick layer of foil over it but not around it as you will have to remove this later. The thick layer is meant to hold it's shape when you remove the foil for baking.</div>
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Condition your clay by kneading it until it is soft. I used a half a package for my skull. If you would like to have a skull closer to that of Pottery Barn then you can use less.</div>
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Roll the clay in between your palms loosely so it forms a sort of UFO shape. </div>
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Place the ball on your vase and begin to push down to flatten the edges while pinching the bottom to make the jawline. </div>
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Use your finger to smooth the surface.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwBu2OgoQTPyIR1uT1SSu8bhk7eBRc30jDG7WXZlqw_Pn1h8a9Sfwklq7YnLbyW_EW7YanUJwLrBtiufmXAoB92UMI_Kn1oynCEE0qawSIxeh0DU8ipI_Grw3LI-TCWLzMjDeOjfHJSEH/s1600/DSC01497+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwBu2OgoQTPyIR1uT1SSu8bhk7eBRc30jDG7WXZlqw_Pn1h8a9Sfwklq7YnLbyW_EW7YanUJwLrBtiufmXAoB92UMI_Kn1oynCEE0qawSIxeh0DU8ipI_Grw3LI-TCWLzMjDeOjfHJSEH/s320/DSC01497+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock the ball of clay into a UFO shape</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V1tALQL8G_oKR8bh7_HivCWbLf9r6z5ov8QGKcd-h7OBbky45gBc7AtTneUxC78kNFtEy-YhPusz6Jv3ri9dKZLrUXTZ2ikQUWPD7KmBRd-z4HGEDEUEJ9Toua9xtLP5AS1PzEHiOlu8/s1600/DSC01498+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4V1tALQL8G_oKR8bh7_HivCWbLf9r6z5ov8QGKcd-h7OBbky45gBc7AtTneUxC78kNFtEy-YhPusz6Jv3ri9dKZLrUXTZ2ikQUWPD7KmBRd-z4HGEDEUEJ9Toua9xtLP5AS1PzEHiOlu8/s320/DSC01498+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatten the ends of the skull while shaping the jawline</td></tr>
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Now take your tools and begin to shape the face as so:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4CdeIQUQ91OXd_iPhKzUJvP3ildDYjmz7HfpChbAuFL7acxtkiP0cXIjke30uPF1Zyn9JXSkg1KQHp-TTC2XkYuTr8_Vp2al4Kcaebve906Prv8W6j3yCmdeJYefCUh3aaVp4NNmLrfd/s1600/DSC01499+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4CdeIQUQ91OXd_iPhKzUJvP3ildDYjmz7HfpChbAuFL7acxtkiP0cXIjke30uPF1Zyn9JXSkg1KQHp-TTC2XkYuTr8_Vp2al4Kcaebve906Prv8W6j3yCmdeJYefCUh3aaVp4NNmLrfd/s320/DSC01499+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a rounded end to make the eyes</td></tr>
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Rock the tool back and forth facing away from the nose to create a more almond shape for the eye sockets.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtN9eX1NekaaDsa_PLD0-M8e3oSZ5sGAkw3HT9y5_AluelIzWGva6UQ6zWuV4olzV0YrgdOBUK61wzwDwBhtWwCcvBhw4gIHSDdWFAsMzgS7TSM6gj-XRjGvpZXFm1FGtS6-Wp8u1LgmB/s1600/DSC01500+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTtN9eX1NekaaDsa_PLD0-M8e3oSZ5sGAkw3HT9y5_AluelIzWGva6UQ6zWuV4olzV0YrgdOBUK61wzwDwBhtWwCcvBhw4gIHSDdWFAsMzgS7TSM6gj-XRjGvpZXFm1FGtS6-Wp8u1LgmB/s320/DSC01500+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use a pointed tool to make the nose</td></tr>
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Do the same for the nose<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKIu5CFWfJtW99LNNFPtzKMO0iAuHSXzIU2A4_AmWCpzXj9Qe4nsIQTtw_WUZ7qOQCc4f_BCnZR6WyYhg6XcElo7Zx6G8pB88NkGWyMh1u7PKlyQ7yeOUuPh5JxX_KgMxzD7MU4lYwC_9/s1600/DSC01501+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKIu5CFWfJtW99LNNFPtzKMO0iAuHSXzIU2A4_AmWCpzXj9Qe4nsIQTtw_WUZ7qOQCc4f_BCnZR6WyYhg6XcElo7Zx6G8pB88NkGWyMh1u7PKlyQ7yeOUuPh5JxX_KgMxzD7MU4lYwC_9/s320/DSC01501+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cut in teeth</td></tr>
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"Cut" Three lines for the teeth making sure the top teeth are a bit bigger than the bottom like so:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0N163w-cR_Jm2ghxwyb8UiWGr0M0wD8oqn050043sPoPq5T3FlfjXr9OGHy_0E_8hp9oiTSYGH1RXE3Emaf5IvE02JMj0dqzUnIEumuXax7NxP39t1H7IkWuH6n7oeC8gaJ135dtrIkh/s1600/DSC01502+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0N163w-cR_Jm2ghxwyb8UiWGr0M0wD8oqn050043sPoPq5T3FlfjXr9OGHy_0E_8hp9oiTSYGH1RXE3Emaf5IvE02JMj0dqzUnIEumuXax7NxP39t1H7IkWuH6n7oeC8gaJ135dtrIkh/s320/DSC01502+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lines for teeth, make tops bigger than the bottoms</td></tr>
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Then cut the teeth vertically also making sure the top are larger than the bottomCarefully remove the aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet with some balled or rolled up foil underneath to support your skull.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SGxtppr0K5xhSej1tnxauFFEZ6F-zBiSgnfTvPTw-8tJh9TwSkwClT-h5AxL1JLMwYnRxDt2DYhD_n7jZrV469ZkuF-ecDuZXPDDzlzfqooHNwtC2DnJpqe00aYqrzXhWar1mqt4jexG/s1600/DSC01503+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SGxtppr0K5xhSej1tnxauFFEZ6F-zBiSgnfTvPTw-8tJh9TwSkwClT-h5AxL1JLMwYnRxDt2DYhD_n7jZrV469ZkuF-ecDuZXPDDzlzfqooHNwtC2DnJpqe00aYqrzXhWar1mqt4jexG/s320/DSC01503+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ball up the foil underneath for support</td></tr>
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Bake according to the directions on the package. Usually 30 minutes for each 1/4 of an inch at 275 degrees F. Mine baked for over an hour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCaCZD6HkpJ-lbf-qh1rHnGj8P4CPIlcKfzOMrl0KYKadJYIWdsqsi2DSIHAxAhao7BgXkqGSnbOwUddnrPvgEKE0JSugQ45umXz8adjZ-kvajMJWRIgPerXY7nUaYnoomz2GY7__TrO4/s1600/DSC01511+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCaCZD6HkpJ-lbf-qh1rHnGj8P4CPIlcKfzOMrl0KYKadJYIWdsqsi2DSIHAxAhao7BgXkqGSnbOwUddnrPvgEKE0JSugQ45umXz8adjZ-kvajMJWRIgPerXY7nUaYnoomz2GY7__TrO4/s320/DSC01511+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secure with a rubber band</td></tr>
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After your skull has baked and thoroughly cooled adhere it to your vase. Hold firmly for a minute and use a strong rubber band to keep it in place as the glue dries.<br />
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Once the glue dries take your vase outside and give it a few coats of spray paint. (Just make sure it is not too windy or buggy. I had to do some sanding and fixing of little buggy corpses) <br />
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REMINDER: Several thinner, even coats from further away are best when spray painting. Too close or too thick a coat will cause drips.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimID_VOBbcypQd7zvB5Y6L9so0z0qdrNZ1_AVfuEjNzkvNN8Ww-yTgfpkxRmCk6ZiOzBi8XSQK85V6Pb7EgOJOUhxHgI2B3ky439e_1__BFVtzaazr6YZI-vfAe93FeNpMhtOsTU7T74i4/s1600/DSC01512+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimID_VOBbcypQd7zvB5Y6L9so0z0qdrNZ1_AVfuEjNzkvNN8Ww-yTgfpkxRmCk6ZiOzBi8XSQK85V6Pb7EgOJOUhxHgI2B3ky439e_1__BFVtzaazr6YZI-vfAe93FeNpMhtOsTU7T74i4/s320/DSC01512+1.jpg" width="188" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs a few more coats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E8rLt65d6bTThMnr82pM5OXruxtl83brnKUH8ldbL6W8gU7k0R7Ad4ODOaqmA_x09s3W30v-MQkeqk6ms3eUcUJIrrleCWJ52ZGwPTp39_4miiR4pCqRqNmN77Rjh5927glvJgMIKna_/s1600/DSC01514+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E8rLt65d6bTThMnr82pM5OXruxtl83brnKUH8ldbL6W8gU7k0R7Ad4ODOaqmA_x09s3W30v-MQkeqk6ms3eUcUJIrrleCWJ52ZGwPTp39_4miiR4pCqRqNmN77Rjh5927glvJgMIKna_/s320/DSC01514+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Happy Accident!</td></tr>
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It seems that it was a bit too moist out to really spray paint but it turned out ok in the end. If you would like to get a bit of a crackle effect try dabbing a VERY thin layer of water in little spots (I would suggest using a scrap piece of something handy to practice and make sure that is the effect you are going for) Very little moisture will work so don't go crazy.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3Tsk_j0t2abv-OvnApJymW_PdTuVZQhbFBbWTRDPl8JRVDnhjLidSMmms1DOAEsS4ESfBQhyXdJPy_j7f217R9DL0DZFa3OBys0OVQzdnrKxuOkzuroQvbX0nOaiPMK90OY8tr03br4n/s1600/DSC01515+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3Tsk_j0t2abv-OvnApJymW_PdTuVZQhbFBbWTRDPl8JRVDnhjLidSMmms1DOAEsS4ESfBQhyXdJPy_j7f217R9DL0DZFa3OBys0OVQzdnrKxuOkzuroQvbX0nOaiPMK90OY8tr03br4n/s320/DSC01515+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get Gloppy With It</td></tr>
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Now here comes the fun messy part. To antique your vase add a fair amount of water to your acrylic paint. It should be soupy but not too thick. Take a paper towel and drench it in the mixture then daub it on the vase working in small sections. Take a second paper towel and using a combination of pats and wipes begin to remove the paint. Do not remove all of it and try to keep the aging effect inconsistent. Take your time but know if you mess up (Are there really any mess ups?) You can wait for it to thoroughly dry and re-spray paint the vase to start over.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif45CRiu23gMY5z0_iMaTrOkgj29GzVqd8vrORvrReQ68kntL5yikhfLf-WoW9vLp6yW-GXGUnZdXr5ciR6PFkVj_6KVAWF_Bb7tnY-hJ1VUyEQjZBP9L2xgECDdjqrpVl6p9idhxDVccq/s1600/DSC01519+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif45CRiu23gMY5z0_iMaTrOkgj29GzVqd8vrORvrReQ68kntL5yikhfLf-WoW9vLp6yW-GXGUnZdXr5ciR6PFkVj_6KVAWF_Bb7tnY-hJ1VUyEQjZBP9L2xgECDdjqrpVl6p9idhxDVccq/s640/DSC01519+1.jpg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I prefer the matte look however you may spray your piece with a clear gloss<br />
It is your vase, Have fun with it!</td></tr>
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Well, there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my first tutorial of this caliber!<br />
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My vase ended up costing a little less than $30 but that is because I had to buy a vase and supplies as opposed to using ones I had. I did use a 40% coupon for Michaels (or ACMoore, I forget which I was in at the time) to lessen the cost of the vase.</div>
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Please feel free to share this tutorial but make sure you give credit (It is just the polite thing to do) If you make a vase please also share what you have done. I am considering making a few tutorials as a way to pass the time and I would love to see what all of you have done too!</div>
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<br /><br /><strong>Thank you </strong><a href="http://networkedblogs.com/CPl5e" target="_blank"><strong>Knock Off Decor</strong></a><strong> for featuring this tutorial on your site!</strong></div>
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-88589100054201186422012-01-24T12:27:00.000-05:002012-01-24T12:27:37.246-05:002012 GBK Golden Globes Gifting Suite Part Three<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stories From Both Days</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSiYvwM9fJPexDGgoASWl-1skgEyAKcDnuf6oj6GIt5jqhOLxzlPYbKINJ58WtnFhwfzEqf1sHLiDR6j1K4caajMdJn9GCDBjnj93Tds5h5cKm2I_euGn07VkBY6F-jT7bDjvxyukpYAi/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSiYvwM9fJPexDGgoASWl-1skgEyAKcDnuf6oj6GIt5jqhOLxzlPYbKINJ58WtnFhwfzEqf1sHLiDR6j1K4caajMdJn9GCDBjnj93Tds5h5cKm2I_euGn07VkBY6F-jT7bDjvxyukpYAi/s400/table.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Artisan Group's Table Display</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Normally I write about each day at the lounges but some unforseen "distractions" has muddled my memory as to when people came around so I am going to pick a few photos and tell a bit of a story about them. If you would like to see all the photos of the Gift Lounge visit <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.277384288974387.64095.173843802661770&type=3" target="_blank">The Artisan Group's Facebook Page</a> and don't forget to like them while you are there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdb003XM7gEgWwjMLgKBGCeDya-MNWp5Hu_5nz-1GW2pW2URxrorhX5zE33_mN9ACUnAcua0nGDWXs4zGyvs0JhEC1_SY760EhCCcK_BXJjmf3kS-yrrqssQp8XO9KM1d9Qc0lOAxdA26/s1600/jeremy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdb003XM7gEgWwjMLgKBGCeDya-MNWp5Hu_5nz-1GW2pW2URxrorhX5zE33_mN9ACUnAcua0nGDWXs4zGyvs0JhEC1_SY760EhCCcK_BXJjmf3kS-yrrqssQp8XO9KM1d9Qc0lOAxdA26/s320/jeremy.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeremy Irons with <a href="http://www.sariblue.com/" target="_blank">SariBlue</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I was pretty excited to meet Jeremy because he was in one of my all time favorite movies. When he came over to our table I introduced myself and said "I know you have been in a ton of movies and have done a lot of amazing work both in film and out but I must tell you that you were in my all time favorite movie" To which he replied "Really? Which?" and I said "The Lion King" which was greeted with a confused smirk, chuckle and a bit of shock. I really do not think he was expecting that but it is the truth.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbq74KMPd9YDvOKrAh7QJPUu22gW6lpka90uYiEjhjzlAq35xzNl_c7lFlTnIOLt3TWJdthmCzwWfQQGylsclS9a3UYyouUZevSqljQCnicrcIyO_J7FyIaz6Ocvmqo9Euuw8S2tFGgFt/s1600/baliee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbq74KMPd9YDvOKrAh7QJPUu22gW6lpka90uYiEjhjzlAq35xzNl_c7lFlTnIOLt3TWJdthmCzwWfQQGylsclS9a3UYyouUZevSqljQCnicrcIyO_J7FyIaz6Ocvmqo9Euuw8S2tFGgFt/s320/baliee.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailee Madison with <a href="http://thewritestuffdesign.com/" target="_blank">The Write Stuff</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">What a sweet little girl! The last time I saw Bailee she was practically half the size she is now. While she flitted around the table like a hummingbird on a sugar high, delighting in everything we had, Valerie and I chatted with her mother. Through the conversation I found out a little something about Bailee, something she likes more than anything and it just so happens that I can make what she loves. I have made arrangements to get this item to her and as soon as I know she has it I will post a little story about it. I don't want to ruin any surprises after all.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkez0XFZTdPq4J3hUljXQQ7k3Jq0ZnSfnxTenSpbudnMQX2VkIMHe_ekqRdZDjnCihACIGmg89DNX939yhxqW6jAJtvD_TypPhHMrlWrsxdgwn3i5PAKERws7vRt0GWOL6APtxGSylHWy/s1600/janina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkez0XFZTdPq4J3hUljXQQ7k3Jq0ZnSfnxTenSpbudnMQX2VkIMHe_ekqRdZDjnCihACIGmg89DNX939yhxqW6jAJtvD_TypPhHMrlWrsxdgwn3i5PAKERws7vRt0GWOL6APtxGSylHWy/s320/janina.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janina Gavankar admiring <a href="http://juditb.com/" target="_blank">JuditB Jewelry</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Once Janina came to the table it took her a split second to remember us and she gave Valerie a big hug. Last time she visited us was at the Emmy Gift Lounge and she chose Gary Hirsch's <a href="http://www.botjoy.com/" target="_blank">Bots </a>as her favorite thing in the whole lounge! This time she picked a most beautiful bracelet by <a href="http://lapisbeach.goods.officelive.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Lapis Beach</a> and featured it on her website.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Janina wasn't the only one...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv4gZ2OerYLjdpiGvwPrl35Ko7hbyt9MN3d0nIrmqGag4awp-Pm9d6IezCzbvKcAEhzrKaw5w78Z_xMGBjUwu4FIRqy1am_J9PkqX4QTpi6pSxLrso2qXdWofPIDhaTPp3WDgaG69d2-R/s1600/Raphael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidv4gZ2OerYLjdpiGvwPrl35Ko7hbyt9MN3d0nIrmqGag4awp-Pm9d6IezCzbvKcAEhzrKaw5w78Z_xMGBjUwu4FIRqy1am_J9PkqX4QTpi6pSxLrso2qXdWofPIDhaTPp3WDgaG69d2-R/s320/Raphael.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raphael Sbarge, Valerie and Me (and darn-it I am actually wearing heels)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Raphael was one of the nicest celebrities (actually the ones that stopped by our table were all very nice) He was genuinely interested in everything on the table asked questions and told us he had a surprise for us. We had to wait a little while but when the surprise came it was a <a href="http://ttlrn.com/?p=923" target="_blank">big one</a>! There will be 8 pages total and four have already been posted. We can't thank them enough for the feature!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another great surprise came when Actress Tess Hunt and Glee Actor Josh Sussman made this as a thank you to our group:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/35399511?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/35399511">Thank You Artisan Group</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user3144819">Tess Hunt</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This has to be one of the coolest things and it is so great being able to see a true reaction to your gift as it is opened. (My gift is opened just after the 7:00 mark) Oh and Tess, we certainly don't mind the video being long..<br />
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Well, that is it for today, there will be a few more stories soon so while you are waiting hop on to Twitter tonight at 8pm EST and join in The Artisan Group's Twitter Party. You can win fabulous hand-made items like the celebs got and it is a ton of fun. Just follow @TheArtisanGroup and @BlackCatDesign and brush up on your trivia! See you there!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-66124778647990138932012-01-21T17:51:00.000-05:002012-01-21T17:51:32.386-05:002012 GBK Golden Globes Gifting Suite Part Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It is setup day!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA4yshoHfrYFaMUXNvLughRWXDLSkcOVCqW9hRiOalkeqKS6P9LcqcyyoJIHUr4Ggi_IiBgx1eCG4WlAr1kGwh7Orl-VXNiQeWBUvCHF-0TmQMCBCGWP7IG9ciASEBt7rKFERagkFAkUv/s1600/P1120974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuA4yshoHfrYFaMUXNvLughRWXDLSkcOVCqW9hRiOalkeqKS6P9LcqcyyoJIHUr4Ggi_IiBgx1eCG4WlAr1kGwh7Orl-VXNiQeWBUvCHF-0TmQMCBCGWP7IG9ciASEBt7rKFERagkFAkUv/s320/P1120974.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We are lucky to have two members that happen to live in the L.A. area and we were grateful for the help. Both <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/hrtsofstone" target="_blank">Rachel Leathers</a> and <a href="http://www.rotemgear.com/" target="_blank">Jean Roth</a> came to the hotel to help unpack, put the risers and backdrop together and unwrap all the displays. There was a lot to do and they both made it smooth. Setup didn't take long and cleanup wasn't bad which left us plenty of time to make sure everything was perfect.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z0NWR5OaObY" width="420"></iframe></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">After bidding goodbye to Jean and Rachel, Valerie and I headed back to the room to get ready for the industry mixer. This is where agents, publicists, PR people and the like head in and look around at the vendors. It is also a chance to meet the other vendors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">When we came back to the roof where the event was to happen, we were once again blown away by how lovely the venue looked.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGYF_GuYDZfisBSbpJwd-cAI_0Bd31DSWqOZ_cy3R0CELft8uWE_P_33GXCfxGsrWKVdajpPiT68yM1l9pbisU1nO2upOtNX_aB7hoS1miRPUHcCEs11v95I7NIkz70MGcV2kiYEzuMbh/s1600/P1120981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsGYF_GuYDZfisBSbpJwd-cAI_0Bd31DSWqOZ_cy3R0CELft8uWE_P_33GXCfxGsrWKVdajpPiT68yM1l9pbisU1nO2upOtNX_aB7hoS1miRPUHcCEs11v95I7NIkz70MGcV2kiYEzuMbh/s320/P1120981.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking from our table to the entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNkXgomm6xqevECAsZKztPRNEi9QVY8Ki-0_NY3UmC_f-wkrCFM32Ac2j_5mE2NeMn9NqbqyVB8QaqoiTaEpizX8UshxCxzdDJKmmH1HR-v2bx5OX6eLVaOH76y6ZFk6H0Mok9u9lc4aT/s1600/P1120988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNkXgomm6xqevECAsZKztPRNEi9QVY8Ki-0_NY3UmC_f-wkrCFM32Ac2j_5mE2NeMn9NqbqyVB8QaqoiTaEpizX8UshxCxzdDJKmmH1HR-v2bx5OX6eLVaOH76y6ZFk6H0Mok9u9lc4aT/s320/P1120988.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo wall for when the celebrities arrive</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtk93ebSXZgSok71lBVI8TgGTNClRqYHgsq4u37ZT6lorHIAOrfq7W4Dq6RiaNwguacJPMw3o_lnil0cRf72PgX7XLLWbFLb8KY8GUHJ7agjHV2XQBMu2Jz-1Ihrwll2nAMZFL85tZn2r/s1600/P1120990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtk93ebSXZgSok71lBVI8TgGTNClRqYHgsq4u37ZT6lorHIAOrfq7W4Dq6RiaNwguacJPMw3o_lnil0cRf72PgX7XLLWbFLb8KY8GUHJ7agjHV2XQBMu2Jz-1Ihrwll2nAMZFL85tZn2r/s320/P1120990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How gorgeous is this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWWEsqK2Y0CaUtbvzqpHAQv9bScM60-ZKEYSZZMRaoM_I03ygLh_M7CO-cZffy5PUlRi_monyflmUOlbTDfxBZoUK7M24BN6rzxKrjN8wQdWTH1BR9glbUmg7zIvuv29FuRgyjSNhNvJ-/s1600/P1120983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWWEsqK2Y0CaUtbvzqpHAQv9bScM60-ZKEYSZZMRaoM_I03ygLh_M7CO-cZffy5PUlRi_monyflmUOlbTDfxBZoUK7M24BN6rzxKrjN8wQdWTH1BR9glbUmg7zIvuv29FuRgyjSNhNvJ-/s320/P1120983.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Yup, that is cake! Well, sort of, the outside was but the inside was not. It did have to be there for three days afterall.<div><br />
</div><div>The rest of the night was mingling, seeing the now familiar faces of the talent agents and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px;">hors d'oeuvre</span>s.</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>Stay tuned for Part Three!</div><div><br />
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</div><div>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div></div></div></div></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-41862741881921360972012-01-19T11:17:00.000-05:002012-01-19T11:17:20.724-05:002012 GBK Golden Globes Gifting Suite Part One<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yup, it is that time again, awards time and once again I flew out to California to represent the fabulous artists of <a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/" target="_blank">The Artisan Group</a> as well as myself.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The next few days will be behind the scenes, great photos and a few fun stories about my time there. So let us see, where to start? I guess the flight out would be a nice start. Last year at this time (if you happen read my blog at all) I was stuck for 10 hours in an airport because of a crazy snowstorm, not fun at all. This time the flight was smooth and I got to L.A. a day before set-up.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOYf5bpqef2-gCTXUUVS53YduG0h7nGaFmm58OILjkCjaT2rt_0gpWF0LJulPf2qpkqVwijZ89czFXL3K6WDT19kzfTag73GouW1uJWbBhVtXH1UsdpqnojObTTLjwlmtqFbA-RsGafFw/s1600/P1120970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfOYf5bpqef2-gCTXUUVS53YduG0h7nGaFmm58OILjkCjaT2rt_0gpWF0LJulPf2qpkqVwijZ89czFXL3K6WDT19kzfTag73GouW1uJWbBhVtXH1UsdpqnojObTTLjwlmtqFbA-RsGafFw/s320/P1120970.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s1600/P1110951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s1600/P1110951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s1600/P1110951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s1600/P1110951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The beautiful L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills was to be the backdrop for the event and I must say, it was beautiful and I enjoyed my time looking around and having a hot apple cider with cookies while I waited for Valerie to arrive.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZz0pmtQr32jlAueW71YdzRP1Od6Em7x0u52gENpubfa-ZWOXFpr8hP1MwjsWrzMeeP3ETWKjpXwwhh81asg5vUc77O32UD0patmYa0ns9ija2NaUb9QZShRQ5nb9ysIDZs3ZY_ED40-o/s1600/P1110941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxZz0pmtQr32jlAueW71YdzRP1Od6Em7x0u52gENpubfa-ZWOXFpr8hP1MwjsWrzMeeP3ETWKjpXwwhh81asg5vUc77O32UD0patmYa0ns9ija2NaUb9QZShRQ5nb9ysIDZs3ZY_ED40-o/s320/P1110941.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How beautiful is this room?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s1600/P1110951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZcvtcF8YM9ltsPQ1kRh3uU9ru_Vc76GtUh5CUmRjbNibExQNVND7I2JXaQ8sjovWwenn9bE49tYknKPgD_z-YUH8MlMEpokPDsMRpV3j827MV0rlaXLPNtkf91gzy_PQlUthMHYIpsKaA/s320/P1110951.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I didn't have to wait very long before Valerie pulled up, I saw her this time because the balcony overlooked the street.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x1N4sBwh5PazXizR_q99pZY5MdACV6cR3enhrYB98GVqIegyTcmkNStIj2hjSmhqaZ3NeRipqjsvNr1F40CD-eAetIEP_4oWPNwTlg6Q0sIESZLI-C2i4vtIMvOCie2bGmWwKtFP0KVx/s1600/P1110963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4x1N4sBwh5PazXizR_q99pZY5MdACV6cR3enhrYB98GVqIegyTcmkNStIj2hjSmhqaZ3NeRipqjsvNr1F40CD-eAetIEP_4oWPNwTlg6Q0sIESZLI-C2i4vtIMvOCie2bGmWwKtFP0KVx/s320/P1110963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Hi Val!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQWG7tsrV2Hf3ABB_StgoIhrAZ1bNMo0qIboLenAaRc3mZwd2OPovrP-E2yx1XgIqb3nr48A1OM7ZfFsRa8yk-ZNq2hfmPtKO8iH1XSxk2qEF7f6NrNZEkKAZs_ZIOIszzqV5bjH1c5gF/s1600/P1110953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQWG7tsrV2Hf3ABB_StgoIhrAZ1bNMo0qIboLenAaRc3mZwd2OPovrP-E2yx1XgIqb3nr48A1OM7ZfFsRa8yk-ZNq2hfmPtKO8iH1XSxk2qEF7f6NrNZEkKAZs_ZIOIszzqV5bjH1c5gF/s320/P1110953.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of L.A. from the balcony<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After we got settled we decided to take a walk up to the roof and see the pool and where the event was to take place. If you squint really hard you can see the Hollywood Sign up in the hills (I will save the pool picture for later)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwDpLU2bJP8UZDrw8tn5RMAo_iu8CQCfZn1tvxt1wD9QIRNGifYzSbGDVR6Er9rtjJtSKG0Jh_VvXjfZpOYjcRxW1mC8seo4fAwJnbw6btPKFZXxxe7vA5jjn9Vlpra6uFCNebMYjIhbz/s1600/P1120972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwDpLU2bJP8UZDrw8tn5RMAo_iu8CQCfZn1tvxt1wD9QIRNGifYzSbGDVR6Er9rtjJtSKG0Jh_VvXjfZpOYjcRxW1mC8seo4fAwJnbw6btPKFZXxxe7vA5jjn9Vlpra6uFCNebMYjIhbz/s320/P1120972.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Since we were all settled in we decided to have one nice dinner because the rest of the time would be hectic working (but a ton of fun too!)</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwRHtHRIAo-cMo4GtYwJkBVg2S3JP_wkidbs99xbTde857uvQOO3pUYPwNRvCD0-E-DLSoqHJShXGFm4XiaM3_UUphU2FlN-uQ-VFut_-yxryCHsis_hMIE7_ehf4Y_1Dl0-vmJO111Vb/s1600/Spago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwRHtHRIAo-cMo4GtYwJkBVg2S3JP_wkidbs99xbTde857uvQOO3pUYPwNRvCD0-E-DLSoqHJShXGFm4XiaM3_UUphU2FlN-uQ-VFut_-yxryCHsis_hMIE7_ehf4Y_1Dl0-vmJO111Vb/s320/Spago.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Val saw Phyllis Diller, I saw the back of her head</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Settled and full from a delicious dinner and excited for tomorrow we headed to bed.</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Stay tuned for part two!</span></div></td></tr>
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</div></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-64630430795117619972011-12-01T10:54:00.000-05:002011-12-01T10:54:57.187-05:00The Real Meaning Of The Holiday Season - Year Two<div style="text-align: justify;">Well, it seems it is that time of year again, it seems like just yesterday that I wrote this <b><a href="http://13blackcatsdesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/real-meaning-of-holiday-season.html" target="_blank">post</a> </b>about why I dislike this time of year so much. I have to be quite honest, in this whole year I really feel that things are worse than they were before. From the behavior of people on Black Friday to the greed of stores cutting into the holidays of their employees. I see people struggling to buy expensive gifts out of their means to the recipients not appreciating what they were given<br />
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Then there is this gem:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k_XfV3qfmG0" width="420"></iframe><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">If this doesn't scream self-centered, unappreciative, spoiled brat I am not sure what does.<br />
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I don't understand how people are not angry with what the holidays have become. Everyday I see a boatload of wish lists of items that cost hundreds of dollars (some are in jest, I understand but most are not) After the holidays I can guarantee that these same people will be sulking if they do not receive a good portion on their list.<br />
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Last year I did a little experiment to try and make myself feel better about the holidays and to take my mind off of the people I miss so very much and I am going to do it again. I managed to give a smile or two to some people and maybe a happy tear to others. It would be great if maybe you can do this too, you would be surprised at how something so simple as a few little heartfelt words can make such a big difference, not even an iPad or a flat screen tv can do that.<br />
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Here are the rules once again if you aren't familiar with them from last year:<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>This is what I have decided to do (and you can certainly make your own rules as to how you pick people if you decide to play along) First take the first two people on your facebook account that pop up in your friends list on the side. Think long and hard of something to give that person and send that gift in words in an email or write it on a piece of paper to hand to that friend. Do it everyday until Christmas, or if you are so inclined until New Year's Eve.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>Now here is the catch:</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>1. You can not make it public it is a private thing shared in an email/paper between you and the person.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
2. You have to pick the first two people that pop up in your friends list and if they were chosen already you must go to the next one in line.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>3. and finally the most important rule, the gift can not cost money, none, ziltch, zippo. It can not be a tangible thing. This means you can not gift someone a luxury yacht, a giant diamond ring or a wardrobe full of clothes. I want you to think very hard about that person and what they truly need in their life.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i>To make it easier you may link to this post or copy and paste it into the email. Explain why you are playing along or not it is up to you. Maybe, just maybe it will make you feel better too.</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and in case you are wondering if I found what I want for Christmas the answer is no, I am still looking, it is not something to hold or unwrap, it is something to be found... a simple 5 letter word</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">.</div><div><br />
</div></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-26991813911433917042011-11-23T17:23:00.000-05:002011-11-23T17:23:39.553-05:00Buy Handmade and Support The Arts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/theartisangroup/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLJW6ad3tbXIu5HbU3uipS3cslqPyw9Eib_47ZHczitOcTXPDVwX_KFNCeN-6lzc3AzwkL3BN-vLDubzotFRzkPhoGOCl-oFSFgWvEmBVQ-jNZhF23Qw_yPG0RVgqnPmEzxqRdNUlDtbV/s200/Gift+Guide.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's that time of year again and what is better than finding that perfect gift for someone you love? Finding that perfect gift from a local artisan.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Artisan Group has top of the line artists that create an array of wonderful hand-made gifts for just about everyone on your list. Why not head over to their Gift Guide for a small sampling of what they have to offer? It is great to buy handmade, you are not only supporting small independent businesses but giving a high quality gift that was made with great care. Just click the logo above to be taken right to their guide and Happy Shopping!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">.</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-84340558655839876712011-11-18T16:25:00.000-05:002011-11-18T16:25:13.818-05:00Zooey's Gift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">For those of you that follow my blog you know that I will be sending this pendant to none other than Zooey Deschanel and I am so happy to do so. My group, The Artisan Group, which I am partnered with Valerie of <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/beezkneez?rf=238470888333656999&CMPN=zBookmarklet" target="_blank">The Beez Kneez</a> has been in direct contact with a total of four actresses. They will be receiving a bag full of handmade gifts from our members and everyone is busy creating and researching what each actress likes. Would you like to know which actresses will be receiving the other gifts from our members? Make sure you become a fan on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/13BlackCatsDesigns" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and you will be the first to find out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLfR7Ti0uWdvDgD1fBSy7-7xCLQdfbplmXOvLfpkzTcS-HPO23CYqvRF1PkNtuw1K9VtGkarVZ4DVT_tk0lE9IsSHkD_JxnNviNyuY1oxdrU8uzbL7f72mp0a01lUMRCTEItrR80aC6Li/s1600/Zooey+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLfR7Ti0uWdvDgD1fBSy7-7xCLQdfbplmXOvLfpkzTcS-HPO23CYqvRF1PkNtuw1K9VtGkarVZ4DVT_tk0lE9IsSHkD_JxnNviNyuY1oxdrU8uzbL7f72mp0a01lUMRCTEItrR80aC6Li/s320/Zooey+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zooey's Pendant</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMEqed4blniTuljiEBMoSeMqhG8uuevghKXu_f8Cr0xKVY6MLQcgOtT8-x_fQ8hoSE0tWuUY0xoCAGjBuscuXu5tradho-1q5mWSTmEx_8-nSItIO1r18qAHvprEQJIJ124tcHweJo4S5/s1600/Zooey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMEqed4blniTuljiEBMoSeMqhG8uuevghKXu_f8Cr0xKVY6MLQcgOtT8-x_fQ8hoSE0tWuUY0xoCAGjBuscuXu5tradho-1q5mWSTmEx_8-nSItIO1r18qAHvprEQJIJ124tcHweJo4S5/s320/Zooey+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tucked inside a little box</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0JUbjhd3u9DHO9Joa_Hze58ALCZSePFK7r0nO6Tq84TfNkGso-K4Cka7yBk6K_LqhflF0R537uufB6YJOVWZLeTr5R9FVyz2Hcxz2vfqszrQ7vWtY5SsyHGVYh_HhC_ayklnACe1yvE8/s1600/Zooey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0JUbjhd3u9DHO9Joa_Hze58ALCZSePFK7r0nO6Tq84TfNkGso-K4Cka7yBk6K_LqhflF0R537uufB6YJOVWZLeTr5R9FVyz2Hcxz2vfqszrQ7vWtY5SsyHGVYh_HhC_ayklnACe1yvE8/s320/Zooey+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All packaged up and ready to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">COMING SOON!</span></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44xK2g3PXP7CtNEld27qeI0ywtLl5FdA0WcF_Hslsx7PBLnqQOeulD4SC4Hw9NJf9g6wmMlThBSUB9BX8nB85CiOWWvIml3-rqc3XETiG1iZBuQ39Z9gaXpnZURT0JeBU4et-Mep91-Au/s1600/pendant+row.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44xK2g3PXP7CtNEld27qeI0ywtLl5FdA0WcF_Hslsx7PBLnqQOeulD4SC4Hw9NJf9g6wmMlThBSUB9BX8nB85CiOWWvIml3-rqc3XETiG1iZBuQ39Z9gaXpnZURT0JeBU4et-Mep91-Au/s320/pendant+row.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Floral Pendants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although the above pendants have been spoken for they will soon appear in my Etsy shop. I had to track down and order more of these settings, it wasn't easy but I found a handful and they are coming from a long way away. Stay tuned here and as soon as I get them in my hands I am going to paint them and list them.<div><br />
</div><div>Are there any flowers and colors you would like to see first?<br />
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</div></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-47565469575625566742011-11-14T15:48:00.001-05:002011-11-14T15:49:02.733-05:00We Are So Excited!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRyCKYCVl-LGATHxzoUR4volUpizIuYxy_-RMUaec-CV8o7hczJxzDGO5hZ1TDcQgkPxKLT5bqBDbuV8orRhotVPnS-NlP3eofIzcAGHuvrzGINWvDrdfL9V6L4MUMjIluFAeSGMFKVB5/s1600/Zooey+with+Necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRyCKYCVl-LGATHxzoUR4volUpizIuYxy_-RMUaec-CV8o7hczJxzDGO5hZ1TDcQgkPxKLT5bqBDbuV8orRhotVPnS-NlP3eofIzcAGHuvrzGINWvDrdfL9V6L4MUMjIluFAeSGMFKVB5/s320/Zooey+with+Necklace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">We are so excited to be sending this hand-painted necklace to none other than Zooey Deschanel along with some other gifts from the talented artists of <a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/" target="_blank">The Artisan Group</a>! Zooey is currently the star of New Girl and is an actress, musician and singer/songwriter. Not only will she be receiving my necklace but also some fabulous stationery, spa products, jewelry and much more from the other artists!</div><br />
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-49197316929981977602011-11-11T11:54:00.000-05:002011-11-11T11:54:01.276-05:00Thank You<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw2p_kGDCgFobLCzEzPY5yCBDgf7Or9WBMpsn27aeMoJe7Wwel9Vgan1U-lunmWyhV7qySZjpYLIWJ-mn6vbaVHVyHNkyF39BI007MXkrPno54XjF-o1KorNF1-Nn2C41x1DjuoF_f9HT/s1600/img011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWw2p_kGDCgFobLCzEzPY5yCBDgf7Or9WBMpsn27aeMoJe7Wwel9Vgan1U-lunmWyhV7qySZjpYLIWJ-mn6vbaVHVyHNkyF39BI007MXkrPno54XjF-o1KorNF1-Nn2C41x1DjuoF_f9HT/s320/img011.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sergeant Nicholas Cutro<br />
1st Infantry Division, Vietnam 1964-1965</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">This blog I think will be a difficult one, no, I know it will be. I don't normally allow people to peak into my private life often, or ever really other than rants from a job, how annoyed I am at driving anywhere or maybe a peek into what inspired a painting. Truth is that a lot of my personal life is painful to think about as it is filled with way too much loss on so many levels yet it does not compare to the loss many of our servicemen and women have.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not sure why I decided to write this post, well, yes maybe I do but I will get to that in a few.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Above is a photo of my father, Sergeant Nicholas Cutro, 1st Infantry Division - I am afraid I can not remember the Signal Battalion he was stationed with - Vietnam 1964-1965.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was able to watch The History Channel's program <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/vietnam-in-hd?cmpid=Social_Facebook_Vietnaminhd_11082011_1" target="_blank">Vietnam</a> yesterday. If my dad was alive today I know we would have watched it together. I get my love of history from him and to this day I have not found someone that would spend hours wandering museums with me reading everything it had to offer. I miss that.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My dad didn't share much about his time in Vietnam and that is understandable. The stories and photos he did share involved friends, boot camp and small stories that did not go into the actual horrors he lived through during his time there and I never asked. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My dad had a very hard life. His mother died when he was only four and his mother's sisters ripped him and my aunt away from their father and separated them. They were also abusive toward him yet my dad always seemed to have a smile on his face, even in the end. He was a first generation American and as soon as he could he volunteered to join the army and enlisted to go to Vietnam.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When my dad came home from service there was no one to pick him up or greet him at the airport and this was before people began to take things out on our service men and woman. When I was watching The History Channel's Vietnam I was moved by the entire program but one thing that was said hit the hardest and in a way inspired this blog. In one segment toward the end <a href="http://www.history.com/shows/vietnam-in-hd/bios/barry-romo" target="_blank">Barry Romo</a> had been talking about how proud he was to be returning home in his dress uniform until he reached American soil and found what awaited him, from people the refused to sit near him, to the whispers, points and and shuns. After 40 years, it brought him to tears.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now comes the reason for writing this blog today. I have swore many years ago, whether I agree with something or not it is irrelevant, that I will never, ever treat a vet the way my father and those that served were treated when they returned home. I would like to take a moment right now to say <b>thank you</b> from the bottom of my heart. Everyone screams freedom at the top of their lungs but not everyone will stand up and fight for it and to you I am grateful.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>My dad, whom I miss very much, passed away in October of 2001 from the effects of cancer due to being exposed to Agent Orange while serving his country.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">.</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-91147962025856235442011-10-01T17:07:00.000-04:002011-10-01T17:07:04.324-04:00The Artisan Group's Holiday Gift Guide<center><a href="http://pinterest.com/theartisangroup/" target="_blank"><img alt="Holiday Gift Guide" border="0" src="http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/VG1972/TAG_Gift-Guide.jpg" /></a></center><center><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;">For the past few weeks The Artisan Group has been putting together a holiday guide with all of our members lovely handmade items. Since there are over 450 members in the group there are many items to choose from so why not support handmade by clicking on the picture above?</center><center style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;">Also...</center><center style="text-align: justify;"><center><a href="http://fancy-designs.net/?p=1254"><img border="0" src="http://i55.tinypic.com/11vpnx5.jpg" width="400" /></a></center><center><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;">The Artisan Group is just a few fans away from kicking off a MAJOR giveaway so click above to read the rules, be sure to comment and like or follow and Good Luck!</center><center></center></center><center style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</center><center style="text-align: justify;">.</center>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-89868311345377390712011-09-30T17:42:00.000-04:002011-09-30T17:42:24.560-04:00Emmy Gift Lounge Wrap-up With Some CandidsThis is the last of my Emmy Gift Lounge write-ups. I think I will just post a few candids that we received thanks to our incredible photographer Eric! Most of these photos were a surprise to us. I certainly had no idea they were being taken.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXdF8ancqdd8K57-aLl8V52GDGGIuQhztwnHT9R4MfsKNn9aS308Jo8zyFdNrdO-0461pVJgGKw53w1dcka5sLaa9JpNwDGn_WVCwcOwS-hpmVB2Q_65YoSGjTZkOgXIp1YSLLaPQmm7g/s1600/IMG_8205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXdF8ancqdd8K57-aLl8V52GDGGIuQhztwnHT9R4MfsKNn9aS308Jo8zyFdNrdO-0461pVJgGKw53w1dcka5sLaa9JpNwDGn_WVCwcOwS-hpmVB2Q_65YoSGjTZkOgXIp1YSLLaPQmm7g/s400/IMG_8205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">America Fererra</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I had the pleasure of meeting America once before at the Sundance Film Festival. She remembered me from the last time which is very nice. I guess she doesn't often get told that someone's favorite movie by her is "Real Woman Have Curves" and is instead always associated with Ugly Betty, maybe that was why she remembered. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">She is such a soft-spoken person. America does not like to take photos with products which is fine but if you ask her to pose with you she will. I remember upon meeting her at Sundance she asked if she had to take photos and I told her no so when we met her again we didn't ask her to take a photo and instead used our valuable time to talk with her about the group. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Next is Nia Peeples. Again she remembered me and I had mistakenly mixed up her friends but she made a joke and we had a good laugh about it. At these events we are only supposed to have around 30 seconds to a minute with each celebrity but Nia stayed a very long time with us. I think she picked up everything on our table and from her messages and Tweets to us it seems she has to fight her daughter for some of the gifts we gave her.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9v2J-L7iC8SGCLGw2QiPWmiLS6btCyV_H2obyGPuUC4jJaKGq7gnuY5FzwNzbl4wEpblbSrcLP93kSs3eIeLG6dWQmGagWpa5B4yGChZAXViKlH04HKpm7l0OQh5TcLzmoPkccOHUTTe/s1600/IMG_8127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9v2J-L7iC8SGCLGw2QiPWmiLS6btCyV_H2obyGPuUC4jJaKGq7gnuY5FzwNzbl4wEpblbSrcLP93kSs3eIeLG6dWQmGagWpa5B4yGChZAXViKlH04HKpm7l0OQh5TcLzmoPkccOHUTTe/s400/IMG_8127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nia Peeples and Valerie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I love this photo! This is Valerie and she is showing Nia a wristlet made by Tina Dean Designs. The look on her face was just as she was told that it is made out of VHS tape...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGSQFEZgQ1QU-s1Zcw_QouMWBtzJ8Anth0w1IsM0EWMEFX4SysmNIL4JE9qmN_aMGESdUOzKNfSZa7JbN7_UCpEy0Sw3081SXJvv4hOF2P19MN9EJsyti9Ezpu41YvunrktgS-2PixrqX/s1600/IMG_8132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDGSQFEZgQ1QU-s1Zcw_QouMWBtzJ8Anth0w1IsM0EWMEFX4SysmNIL4JE9qmN_aMGESdUOzKNfSZa7JbN7_UCpEy0Sw3081SXJvv4hOF2P19MN9EJsyti9Ezpu41YvunrktgS-2PixrqX/s400/IMG_8132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
<div>and this was after when she was showing everyone in the room.<br />
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</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTds_sE0XBMeLINy-EnOWO9c4xj23QM6Sc7hoHn8a_kpPkdk7D_xZST3IorF2L-ZFFd2T3IQjSp0xiDdBfUPopJPTPrAiclrhypu6kTyzIDo5InyfsWBXFPysixpqLNSPiiNaTQRzV49b/s1600/IMG_8324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTds_sE0XBMeLINy-EnOWO9c4xj23QM6Sc7hoHn8a_kpPkdk7D_xZST3IorF2L-ZFFd2T3IQjSp0xiDdBfUPopJPTPrAiclrhypu6kTyzIDo5InyfsWBXFPysixpqLNSPiiNaTQRzV49b/s320/IMG_8324.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kQvqGBOO2FFztmd08BNnPKzJDlOABgMhSKOr9AeLJ2KHeOoSAh91gkUp_RdJqODMB0P-bPsZSnCkKWptyxa6mCgWGjrWBZMK1m3m2uTk9b0FZvvwhFdnGuqDKkDcE0MtBwCESZ6IFa7/s1600/IMG_8325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_kQvqGBOO2FFztmd08BNnPKzJDlOABgMhSKOr9AeLJ2KHeOoSAh91gkUp_RdJqODMB0P-bPsZSnCkKWptyxa6mCgWGjrWBZMK1m3m2uTk9b0FZvvwhFdnGuqDKkDcE0MtBwCESZ6IFa7/s320/IMG_8325.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div>Actress Beverly Mitchell was also very into our group and was kind enough to send one of our members a personal email. This is Beverly learning about "Plarn". The first photo is her trying to figure it out and the second is when she realized the purse I was showing her was made out of grocery bags.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK83BXAKiuYfBuIjmiVB3cCvc_adRr0MT2Chp4nwkdDloHClbr1E634y6RL0TjsgGBVMNoMNyyBjPmC8QZ-izmJ8EtZCa73QvJgYmLBY6hZr6yqS2C3ks-KQhshVojrF4EhQutFPh937er/s1600/IMG_8162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK83BXAKiuYfBuIjmiVB3cCvc_adRr0MT2Chp4nwkdDloHClbr1E634y6RL0TjsgGBVMNoMNyyBjPmC8QZ-izmJ8EtZCa73QvJgYmLBY6hZr6yqS2C3ks-KQhshVojrF4EhQutFPh937er/s320/IMG_8162.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRxQYOv0Ojay-nE49uOdaZfRcAhbCyZASkQDKz4P6HwBzhDchI-p0-vQ28D_nq-v1mQnnnIzQMCo6bjTUU97fqIQOdza-aS-vrwtwVQUZtG_JwobvhDMt2GfsZc1E3Dg15mf_0Va6ap5O/s1600/IMG_8165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRxQYOv0Ojay-nE49uOdaZfRcAhbCyZASkQDKz4P6HwBzhDchI-p0-vQ28D_nq-v1mQnnnIzQMCo6bjTUU97fqIQOdza-aS-vrwtwVQUZtG_JwobvhDMt2GfsZc1E3Dg15mf_0Va6ap5O/s320/IMG_8165.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Dot-Marie Jones of Glee visited our booth and loved the smell of Bellaroma's Banana Grapeseed facial scrub that she passed it around and she wasn't the only celeb that liked our members bath and body products!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh8N3RHTrk8kOKCQ8-wrMyi6ynTV1-cOYBr0JAqRB5tROCcJDJq-F5b8gL_-p1CIezSRBAEGWZ1-lSltbYo0k5BzeW3gWa7squEruQYLvFYApAGquMWkqK9zoonxVnX6YiaxDtSkDp4Od/s1600/IMG_8211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh8N3RHTrk8kOKCQ8-wrMyi6ynTV1-cOYBr0JAqRB5tROCcJDJq-F5b8gL_-p1CIezSRBAEGWZ1-lSltbYo0k5BzeW3gWa7squEruQYLvFYApAGquMWkqK9zoonxVnX6YiaxDtSkDp4Od/s400/IMG_8211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Glynn Turman and his wife</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">In case you were wondering what the look on Glynn Turman's face was all about, I just told him the sundae I am holding is soap from AJ Sweetsoap!</div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So as I wrap up the final post I will leave you with a few celebs that liked our whole group so much they held the whole bag for a photo-op! So thank you to all the celebs, press, and talent that passed by our table and stopped to talk with us and thank all of you for reading along as I shared some stories.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHAE3_G1ehOwwX-EymZ77HmgJltMOvTDJ2jrhRdqcUbxKUmOqE7_-GrkPnmh-RCrjx98UtrKTOxbM7Hv_lDHRVEyOAEAmuuCjL-Vj6E6JEFlScfsZoPJgCJq5nbWsYFn501hJhNRiHr0-/s1600/IMG_7868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhHAE3_G1ehOwwX-EymZ77HmgJltMOvTDJ2jrhRdqcUbxKUmOqE7_-GrkPnmh-RCrjx98UtrKTOxbM7Hv_lDHRVEyOAEAmuuCjL-Vj6E6JEFlScfsZoPJgCJq5nbWsYFn501hJhNRiHr0-/s320/IMG_7868.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqksmjkHIs0jFNsaGm0rTka3fqyMByVYTrd9mOj6HIW5lajmXkhXq0zq4A4TR-1q7mDtYjznCYiQSKwpnjXo2FvzCOcQlvTrFYayvGs8Yom8Du8djtEy71nIry6uIhgmndtr9p6-WOSyH/s1600/IMG_8173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqksmjkHIs0jFNsaGm0rTka3fqyMByVYTrd9mOj6HIW5lajmXkhXq0zq4A4TR-1q7mDtYjznCYiQSKwpnjXo2FvzCOcQlvTrFYayvGs8Yom8Du8djtEy71nIry6uIhgmndtr9p6-WOSyH/s320/IMG_8173.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">Rex Linn </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">and Joe Mantegna</span> </span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz7q6algTillSL49ns4r7VdAb2AyrwSJEj04zjyO61_eoGT77rO84RqWOIK_pg4Dk0jM8_R8lpvlS0t_nkEZiEGdthXBVS9V8m8ET9CvhBi1aG-VzGjP3AghDaA0eWVceZnbpcz0WhUeQ/s1600/IMG_8386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghz7q6algTillSL49ns4r7VdAb2AyrwSJEj04zjyO61_eoGT77rO84RqWOIK_pg4Dk0jM8_R8lpvlS0t_nkEZiEGdthXBVS9V8m8ET9CvhBi1aG-VzGjP3AghDaA0eWVceZnbpcz0WhUeQ/s320/IMG_8386.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIu1Q6g09HCiQMc5qzI1g9tTwITrBLkpJI29Pzo8El4OjEfNX5y48G3Y2Jwbs-U8ToMIjGMpiHGjTbyz5CfRTDaK3ztY9HAyLZE7ihh6_qZ9IlzXwOKOyjOhP5URwIAyULtc6FY0bHC3C/s1600/IMG_8491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIu1Q6g09HCiQMc5qzI1g9tTwITrBLkpJI29Pzo8El4OjEfNX5y48G3Y2Jwbs-U8ToMIjGMpiHGjTbyz5CfRTDaK3ztY9HAyLZE7ihh6_qZ9IlzXwOKOyjOhP5URwIAyULtc6FY0bHC3C/s320/IMG_8491.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">Tony Denison and P.J. Byrnes</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 14px;">.</span></span><br />
</div></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-26400738945359179212011-09-28T16:27:00.001-04:002011-09-30T11:26:50.712-04:00HUGE Blog to Blog Giveaway!<center><a href="http://fancy-designs.net/?p=1254"><img border="0" src="http://i55.tinypic.com/11vpnx5.jpg" width="400" /></a></center><center>Yup you read that right and I am participating in this incredible giveaway so click above to read the rules and Good Luck!</center><center><br />
</center><center><br />
</center><center>.</center><a href="http://fancy-designs.net/?p=1254"> </a>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-55042944370432650142011-09-26T14:35:00.000-04:002011-09-26T14:35:59.530-04:00Stories From GBK Primetime Emmy Gift Lounge<div align="justify">I have a few more stories to share from behind the scenes at GBK's Primetime Emmy Gift Lounge. Are you ready? (of course you are or you would have already closed the page) I will also unveil my most treasured photo at the very end</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOT8hZebIiKQxIQADduqmTmr6APdOkAno4_sXxb0teRGoXGeNtxQ23b0ezLo0KXuZ15zFDCvNhiZzSmei_C4hPyKtH37Bgl6dBDPtdlofxzBsdGdHBVxFW7sISI0039oY-fRnTYAsEt0o/s1600/james.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOT8hZebIiKQxIQADduqmTmr6APdOkAno4_sXxb0teRGoXGeNtxQ23b0ezLo0KXuZ15zFDCvNhiZzSmei_C4hPyKtH37Bgl6dBDPtdlofxzBsdGdHBVxFW7sISI0039oY-fRnTYAsEt0o/s320/james.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Woods and Ashley. Ashley is wearing Seeing Is Believing's ceramic pendant</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div align="justify">James. I did enjoy meeting him. Valerie had met him ages ago and they chatted a bit about that. (Valerie's husband just loves her James Woods story when she shares it and I am sure he is happy to hear I have one now too ;) After I told James about our group we got to talking about the pendant around my neck, it was a tiger, hand painted by me on canvas paper and set into a bronze pendant. He told me that he has some miniature paintings from France, painted on a turtle shell and from the 1700's. Quite honestly I could have talked to him all day, he is an intriguing personality.</div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtGgsPDn0ppoqxmNN30wfXJYbCGYBQBD7ZGYMUU2eB6QZnu5XQrlQqQ5J6dT7nGsAIHmJ_CJtP_vUopXvthGKefg9DL2IFa_qFooFfbLFnBQJk0towW9jPiXkSVIV5XNYqQwLy1E3efTR/s1600/trucco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtGgsPDn0ppoqxmNN30wfXJYbCGYBQBD7ZGYMUU2eB6QZnu5XQrlQqQ5J6dT7nGsAIHmJ_CJtP_vUopXvthGKefg9DL2IFa_qFooFfbLFnBQJk0towW9jPiXkSVIV5XNYqQwLy1E3efTR/s320/trucco.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Trucco with Autumn Bradley Designs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">First I would like to thank Autumn for sending this necklace to the show. Valerie got to put the necklace on and I got to take it off. All kidding aside though Michael is a pleasure to talk to. He remembered both of us from the Golden Globes and was excited to see what we had on the table. He chatted for a bit and I forget how it came around but he said he was old. I am not sure if he will stumble upon this but if he does, I was right, I am older than you and besides, you are a guy and guys always look better with age. Do cylons even age at all?</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2MWXV3CxtANEsfbPz5cfTWceXX4KwSZtqAB62VRE5et1riqPqmPUArPANi1PEa1GDXgQVPppU_xXctbxnoI7xQeU_lRRF1ETsqudx5ZcZ3EBIR4R7nFGnXR5c2KAIDz_e064EwF4Mv1S/s1600/_Nikki_with_Alan+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2MWXV3CxtANEsfbPz5cfTWceXX4KwSZtqAB62VRE5et1riqPqmPUArPANi1PEa1GDXgQVPppU_xXctbxnoI7xQeU_lRRF1ETsqudx5ZcZ3EBIR4R7nFGnXR5c2KAIDz_e064EwF4Mv1S/s320/_Nikki_with_Alan+sm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alan Cumming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Alan Cumming, you have no idea how excited I was to see him on the list. No really you don't. He has to be one of the best character actors there are (and regular one too) and I waited all day for him to come into the room so I can meet him. (I did see him once before, about two years ago when he floated by me on a Macy's Thanksgiving day parade float) I saw him arrive because our table was right next to the photo wall but he had walked past the door without coming in. This does happen from time to time so all the celebs do not have to wait if a room is busy and ours was pretty busy the whole time. It was a good 2-3 hours before he made it to our room (which is a very long time as most celebs are in and out quickly)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">When he finally came into the room Valerie and I shook his hand and I said how I was waiting to meet him. Alan is every bit as gracious as you would think he would be. I then told him about TAG and he ended up choosing Elle Moss Photography's self portrait to pose with. When he picked it up he said "She is absolutely stunning" and we absolutely agree</div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpht2hCCoFbNIs7LS4Sa612A-e3Gk7WDlV32tvL8Ti9-Nc6XfjSfop0rP2rYaejh7I8R33arKOq4eRhozAbStrD7ZHifdgV7WxxXqFnIFzoeW9ZDUfZKhacEyj45VW4-vN5cAqRDJEMBk5/s1600/alan+and+elle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpht2hCCoFbNIs7LS4Sa612A-e3Gk7WDlV32tvL8Ti9-Nc6XfjSfop0rP2rYaejh7I8R33arKOq4eRhozAbStrD7ZHifdgV7WxxXqFnIFzoeW9ZDUfZKhacEyj45VW4-vN5cAqRDJEMBk5/s320/alan+and+elle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elle Moss Photography and Alan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">and now for my most treasured photo:</div><br />
<br />
While the above photo is one I will always treasure because I admire Alan so much it is not the <em>most</em> treasured photo from the weekend's events. This one is. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUrXKJvSQqd6LXQcp0WJKQqvMINK_1sZ5vtr7crBPsgz-XI8GBeai3megCeXpOhpp4Vkm-QO-htSL7vpV3ZaUr72CV-RhU1ze8xEFb3ZMacPzTuAEvTxyxSXCYcU8xisn4zzbQPHPjuo6/s1600/BIRTHDAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUrXKJvSQqd6LXQcp0WJKQqvMINK_1sZ5vtr7crBPsgz-XI8GBeai3megCeXpOhpp4Vkm-QO-htSL7vpV3ZaUr72CV-RhU1ze8xEFb3ZMacPzTuAEvTxyxSXCYcU8xisn4zzbQPHPjuo6/s320/BIRTHDAY.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our waitress heard that we were getting together to celebrate our birthdays and surprised us with this.<br />
All four of us blew the candle out together.<br />
<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">"Huh?" you might be saying. "This is the most treasured photo out of all the celebrities and excitement? I don't get it."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Well here is why, it is not so much the picture of the dessert that makes it my most treasured but what it revolved around. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Both Valerie and I as well as two friends who live in California happen to have birthdays that fall with-in a month of each other. (from August - Sept) This year I changed my birthday as the day my real one was on was one of the worst days I have had in a while. I won't go into it because quite honestly I do not want to even think about it so I decided the day after my real birthday to change my birth date temporarily to Sept 16th to make up for it.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">After the show was over we all walked a few blocks down to Beso. I have been waiting to order the fried banana split since looking at the online menu for the past month. I had to make sure I tried everything but didn't fill up so I had room for dessert. The evening consisted of a delightful dinner, fun conversation about the days events and quite a bit of laughter so I just want to say thank you ladies for giving me a fun night out and some smiles, it made up for everything. I had a great time and I am hoping to do it again at the next show.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbG3_0JjtB0XC8oIIOngBv0HTBSWt4ql2x8mkBKjko0AwLtHlDxHy9mcw_5_BpsoxsHImNXNVIbx_XzVoEG-syddlev5w4yL9UIk0to_cYn-_3GF4RzMPAmgEtjv_CTRM5rSXkzEfTKmf/s1600/val+and+me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbG3_0JjtB0XC8oIIOngBv0HTBSWt4ql2x8mkBKjko0AwLtHlDxHy9mcw_5_BpsoxsHImNXNVIbx_XzVoEG-syddlev5w4yL9UIk0to_cYn-_3GF4RzMPAmgEtjv_CTRM5rSXkzEfTKmf/s320/val+and+me.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valerie and me...thanks for the fun time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stay tuned and I will share a few candid shots our wonderful photographer took as well as a few more stories for you very soon...<br />
<br />
<br />
.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-76339179082617157392011-09-23T19:13:00.001-04:002011-09-23T19:40:40.797-04:00Stories From GBK Primetime Emmy Gift Lounge<div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry for the delay as I know you have been waiting for pictures. Both Valerie and I have spent the last two days uploading, tagging, tweeting and sharing the photos with our members and now I have the time to write a little blog post about the experiences we had.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1UBubkTzBnXufzgaCWpdGNBKIO7MtOsARRyVPILw4uScoft3izCMNN8FOfitmHDwIgdTgTTACP6BuQ8IVt9iENyRkDzo98gjbWlCJTC1M6j-Mdm59T14xa2DgZJMD8atCE6dqNJFAwuG/s1600/Hector.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1UBubkTzBnXufzgaCWpdGNBKIO7MtOsARRyVPILw4uScoft3izCMNN8FOfitmHDwIgdTgTTACP6BuQ8IVt9iENyRkDzo98gjbWlCJTC1M6j-Mdm59T14xa2DgZJMD8atCE6dqNJFAwuG/s320/Hector.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Héctor Elizondo</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">First I have to say how honored I was to have people start to remember me not just by face but some by name as well. It is a pretty darn good feeling especially when you have met people maybe once or twice. I found myself getting pulled into photographs and not because I asked to be there but because they wanted me there. (anyone that knows me knows that there are giant chunks of time, sometimes years that go by where there isn't one photo of me anywhere) What could I do but hop in and smile (though I think I shall plaster a bit more make-up on next time) I made sure that any photo I got in did not taint another artist's photo op. I know how upset I would be if I got a photo of my product and saw the rep in it. So I was careful and happy to say that both Valerie and I managed to get every single member of our group at least two celebrity photos with their work and some as many as four! Pretty good feat since we had 30 members represented at the event!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another good feeling was that people were recognising my work on the table. Actor A.J. Buckley, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before chose my illustration to pose with but as he picked it up he said "This one is yours right?" and he was right.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4f9Tb1Lu90xKLX3ct24WF8SxIxuF3aCjF2NHIuSCOpZFQqkWArGqJcIAe2kRaGmilrQiiaA_qhVsAZKi03h63lUqsDDPc8VvL1FQVNY-aJOL0vtITo8UkgM-t1AepIWN1YJP4GCQTK80/s1600/AJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4f9Tb1Lu90xKLX3ct24WF8SxIxuF3aCjF2NHIuSCOpZFQqkWArGqJcIAe2kRaGmilrQiiaA_qhVsAZKi03h63lUqsDDPc8VvL1FQVNY-aJOL0vtITo8UkgM-t1AepIWN1YJP4GCQTK80/s320/AJ.jpg" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A.J. Buckley took a photo alone and with me</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">Robert Morse was another celebrity that remembered Valerie and me from the Golden Globes. I had handed him a dog for a picture and as I was walking away he grabbed my arm and I found myself in a picture again. He then posed for a photo with just Wags And Wiggles cute little dog and squeaky toy. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjollWWIRD8Uuqzp90Zg3hBP9UPjTQ0uMdWmcsQy3wiumo8KJAPsfHKhUL9f_YtU6PWG2LLz_CAD0VqFbLC-YSkWp1z5SzvglbtbRk9WHlckW3iFE044Z1cDRvrOxUPISmoA1ibAYMUex17/s1600/robert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjollWWIRD8Uuqzp90Zg3hBP9UPjTQ0uMdWmcsQy3wiumo8KJAPsfHKhUL9f_YtU6PWG2LLz_CAD0VqFbLC-YSkWp1z5SzvglbtbRk9WHlckW3iFE044Z1cDRvrOxUPISmoA1ibAYMUex17/s320/robert.jpg" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Morse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">One thing that neither Valerie or I expected was the amount of guys that appreciated hand-made items and how long they stayed at the table talking with us. Three guys in particular were very into our group, Jeff Probst, Jason Isaacs and Jordan Bridges. Jordan's wife is a jewelry maker herself and Jeff and Jason just really appreciated everything. While my friend Margaret would have died to be able to meet Jeff Probst I thought is was quite surreal to be speaking with Lucius Malfoy. All three men were a delight.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LIJdXh49G102gKiTASD7sGrRi1pHyZrTx5dTw9BDyE0JMoJcgND1N9rswDrVDHIry_A200gxUfZA9PqQVgmyEn8anHNjBKWZhYsYvE0OyqGPl3disuw641ucRgBZQDpN44YEUTSuQCgF/s1600/trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LIJdXh49G102gKiTASD7sGrRi1pHyZrTx5dTw9BDyE0JMoJcgND1N9rswDrVDHIry_A200gxUfZA9PqQVgmyEn8anHNjBKWZhYsYvE0OyqGPl3disuw641ucRgBZQDpN44YEUTSuQCgF/s400/trio.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff with Sweet Stella's, Jason with Joy Bots and Jordan with Papermuse Designs </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">The day was very fast paced as always but the events are becoming more like a get-together. There is nothing like big smiles from Rico Rodriguez, his family and agent. They are a blast to hang around and while Rico was making his rounds to the other tables I stood and talked to his sister Raini. I told her I missed her at the Kid's Choice Awards event and she said she was filming for Disney! Very excited for her! Just as Rico was being ushered out of the room to go to the next he ran back in and gave me a big hug. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4btbuEkNLoovMBoveb2GwCdR8FzjujfWQWpJtiwnmvPCpD_RASkkjuLEXrdedisdzaeOeasBdANTze1qHec7KLanIa3-TeASRANxieFWgYLU7FSPxrTJw0aHSqTAgUED7hg52cMjqtgG/s1600/Rico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4btbuEkNLoovMBoveb2GwCdR8FzjujfWQWpJtiwnmvPCpD_RASkkjuLEXrdedisdzaeOeasBdANTze1qHec7KLanIa3-TeASRANxieFWgYLU7FSPxrTJw0aHSqTAgUED7hg52cMjqtgG/s320/Rico.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a pleasure to see, Rico Rodriguez</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;">I have plenty more stories to come but I think I will stretch them out a bit so stay tuned. Besides, don't you want to see the picture I treasure the most?</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-39802772665919481382011-09-21T14:58:00.002-04:002011-09-21T15:35:42.170-04:00The Emmy's Whirlwind Part Two<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd7d2jT0YEUbw852kcIWDIijCb1QhyphenhyphenS4TStifsLWazf2UxuNdlNCrURdjEG1CeqF4zGYDdq-GEnx7fqgkla_HQF_PQfhigIJMMqhEgFlhl3lEzaKU2zfqTb3O58aZl8YJvxNaSH87Jm46/s1600/Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd7d2jT0YEUbw852kcIWDIijCb1QhyphenhyphenS4TStifsLWazf2UxuNdlNCrURdjEG1CeqF4zGYDdq-GEnx7fqgkla_HQF_PQfhigIJMMqhEgFlhl3lEzaKU2zfqTb3O58aZl8YJvxNaSH87Jm46/s320/Wall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GBK and Tic Tac Event Wall waiting for the celebrities to arrive</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Well now here comes the hard part, beyond the coodination, recruiting, organizing and actually making the product that goes into the gift bags, it is waiting for the photos to arrive. Yup, that is the hardest part next to waiting to see if the Spalsh Magazine interview you gave didn't make you sound like a total bumbling idiot (I did fine as I practiced in my head but then he asked me a question and my thought process flew out of the window and I became a mumbling fool) So since I am waiting for photos to share and stories to tell I will instead share some really great things that were happening yesterday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First lets start with this:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFKcInkoPB4vRYYOXpJ1NTpmu1mJv6m51MFdam08XLdoD3UvK_QUJ4tUt3YrqFxbL3htgMtY7Py8KRROHLwUIB49WWmvJhp03kI6dsyYohQ4jAoITxZLiyR4hp2g_dwc_Hi_l5Xb6fEuD/s1600/Nia-Peeples_TWEET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFKcInkoPB4vRYYOXpJ1NTpmu1mJv6m51MFdam08XLdoD3UvK_QUJ4tUt3YrqFxbL3htgMtY7Py8KRROHLwUIB49WWmvJhp03kI6dsyYohQ4jAoITxZLiyR4hp2g_dwc_Hi_l5Xb6fEuD/s400/Nia-Peeples_TWEET.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Nia has been wonderful to us from the second she met us, she is a bundle of smiles and fun. When she came into the room we gave her a little background on our group and she asked questions, picked things up and had a great time. I got to spend a little time with her daughters who I have to say were adorably dressed. They took a liking to one of our members <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Re-Zip-It/109791555741220">Zipper Bracelets</a> and I let them each pick one out to take home. We are so happy she liked us enough to Tweet us several times as well as share our <a href="http://pinterest.com/theartisangroup/">Holiday Guide</a> to all her followers but the biggest surprize came when she tweeted one of our members, Deb Soromenho of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1247158413#!/AWEjewelry">A.W.E. Shop</a> and said that she was wearing her earrings that she gifted in an upcoming episode of Pretty Little Liars!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We also received word from Beverley Mitchell who was just as radiant and nice as she appears on tv</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedEQCKGKGhsJDlVmCekW_jFcJpIWEYlr_SMTC7ns9yPjk7nK4dazqOPBkE3btm3Jddtuu4ADhfHmHUkpolViGu8YhT37IlYMBU_1-69ZLRZx_je3zOSWudiWEzClQzfzKx8D1ntInqWMN/s1600/Beverley_TWEET.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedEQCKGKGhsJDlVmCekW_jFcJpIWEYlr_SMTC7ns9yPjk7nK4dazqOPBkE3btm3Jddtuu4ADhfHmHUkpolViGu8YhT37IlYMBU_1-69ZLRZx_je3zOSWudiWEzClQzfzKx8D1ntInqWMN/s400/Beverley_TWEET.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Beverley also took the time to contact one of our artists Ilene Price of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/ilenepricedesign">Ilene Price Design</a> with a personal email saying her products embody everything she stands for. Yes the Tweets, emails and excitement were flying yesterday so much so it was hard to keep up! What a great feeling though and I am so happy that all the hard work everyone did paid off better than our wildest imaginations!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">OH! and I almost forgot this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKF2qiuojdHEbGdSsG_xvSBshtSMC7iHYOPSNNpMdD9IIQR_55Hmp114_X8S63Sl9gy55q2eNDq4fl6ZEi9mn38gwtVzBQNYoYAtviVIp6pafpY00tleXxtK8pRUxPwLVkarmXavZvf5S/s1600/janina+FAVORITE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKF2qiuojdHEbGdSsG_xvSBshtSMC7iHYOPSNNpMdD9IIQR_55Hmp114_X8S63Sl9gy55q2eNDq4fl6ZEi9mn38gwtVzBQNYoYAtviVIp6pafpY00tleXxtK8pRUxPwLVkarmXavZvf5S/s400/janina+FAVORITE.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Janina had picked Gary's <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Botjoy-The-Bots-of-GHirsch/219681501421048">Joy Bots</a> as her favorite thing in the whole gift lounge! The WHOLE gift lounge and let me tell you that duffel bag was HUGE! What an honor and congratulations goes out to Gary!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">If you would like to see more great press from The Artisan Group follow along on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/theartisangroup">Facebook</a> or our <a href="http://theartisangrouporg.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> and of course we have our very popular <a href="http://issuu.com/theartisangroup/docs/2011emmys">Event Guide</a> and our <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/artisangroup/postemmys/prweb8810802.htm">Press Release</a> online for you to see as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Stay tuned for photos of the event, hopefully they come soon...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">.</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-47797853645970883712011-09-19T14:33:00.003-04:002011-09-20T09:14:45.409-04:00What A Whirlwind! Part One, Meet And Greet<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWmJ_T5KuQp3Opceb_izrlqJSL1FQ0O07UcMu3Nm6TCAWyj9xCaOc39vtJh4s_etAU5VbB8Dv6NY9mcjpRzoHv_VCXIUv8y_iIbejYk3JdCZTsuQu2OmetJSxZzp2145PCGli8ALCXwqj/s1600/W+lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWmJ_T5KuQp3Opceb_izrlqJSL1FQ0O07UcMu3Nm6TCAWyj9xCaOc39vtJh4s_etAU5VbB8Dv6NY9mcjpRzoHv_VCXIUv8y_iIbejYk3JdCZTsuQu2OmetJSxZzp2145PCGli8ALCXwqj/s320/W+lobby.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The W Hotel - Hollywood, California</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">Months of planning, recruiting and organizing has come to a close as GBK Productions Primetime Emmy Awards Gift Lounge has finally ended and oh what a rush! When Valerie and I first arrived at the event in the W Hotel in Hollywood there were people scurrying around with glue guns, flowers, lighting and a whole plethora of fun things that will later make the event into a beautiful, warm hallway filled with pink trees and Tic Tacs!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzbS5YS4vw_FK6D-XQKSk8RcmFfRRJbdSM8lsqhmIb0T9MmMg4PeXmjpT6pfc_VYTUQe-DnjM4wAvro8RngEmjfRmi5UKqGlDHDcz0vUR0ddNuqnjbXRZyWBWOkHiSOlNh44J18yQs_Ze/s1600/tic+tac+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzbS5YS4vw_FK6D-XQKSk8RcmFfRRJbdSM8lsqhmIb0T9MmMg4PeXmjpT6pfc_VYTUQe-DnjM4wAvro8RngEmjfRmi5UKqGlDHDcz0vUR0ddNuqnjbXRZyWBWOkHiSOlNh44J18yQs_Ze/s320/tic+tac+sign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rather lage sign made of Tic Tacs welcomes attendees to the Gift Lounge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g_6fB_iHLxItBaw0SM-RxKg2qKbWgu9Z1-JygOnn-ig8DGtOzdXnank_g1qm1X2l4GK5ZkddnOahVf4gydNZB2CURBRtwJmVlicHhaCzZ5zCm-eAxdUUVhWdHUU2_nlCTCXpGyjxivPT/s1600/dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_g_6fB_iHLxItBaw0SM-RxKg2qKbWgu9Z1-JygOnn-ig8DGtOzdXnank_g1qm1X2l4GK5ZkddnOahVf4gydNZB2CURBRtwJmVlicHhaCzZ5zCm-eAxdUUVhWdHUU2_nlCTCXpGyjxivPT/s320/dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes that is a Tic Tac Dress and it took 3 people with glue guns all day to do it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkOntKxbfCkAYwp2Q5TGdnZ7QLXjQ-qGRDYEEAqzxJ_1YPiZ0JijEpDeJcM8G7IOvuOEpHZWTql-P2azoERZcnsYOJL07XQj9Udsdt94xCdBbnPLtasz0xoXeAH68kZlEbX9oPp7BcTZx/s1600/finishing+touches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhkOntKxbfCkAYwp2Q5TGdnZ7QLXjQ-qGRDYEEAqzxJ_1YPiZ0JijEpDeJcM8G7IOvuOEpHZWTql-P2azoERZcnsYOJL07XQj9Udsdt94xCdBbnPLtasz0xoXeAH68kZlEbX9oPp7BcTZx/s320/finishing+touches.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing Touches</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Our table was lucky enough to be placed in the very first room with the event sponsers Ancestry.com as well as CNN Heros, The Cravory and Haan Therapeutics. The best part was that we could see the antics that went on while the celebs posed for photos at the staging area. Nia Peeples, who is always such fun ended up laying down on her side as she hammed it up. We were also thankful to have a 10 foot table so everyone's displays had room to shine. Set up didn't take very long to do being we had a giant 5 foot banner to piece together (I am the putter-together-er as this is not a thing Valerie, um, I guess I can say enjoys, She does the budget which is something that throws me into a lobotomized state)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWcqqaKRYKfMsFzT_OIqQKw2-tJm0b5z2XaIXK8g_MK52q1x9ebKaYE9z7hX8Lcp_1rbuWja9oYhC9A6Zf81jK8_Y81bIGQG6LajnPJanCo6SlR6qJQkDqv4pUBFnfzGn2L6E92Ef0qSd/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" rba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHWcqqaKRYKfMsFzT_OIqQKw2-tJm0b5z2XaIXK8g_MK52q1x9ebKaYE9z7hX8Lcp_1rbuWja9oYhC9A6Zf81jK8_Y81bIGQG6LajnPJanCo6SlR6qJQkDqv4pUBFnfzGn2L6E92Ef0qSd/s400/table.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Display Table</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With our table set up we could walk around and see what others were doing so we walked along the hallway and got to meet everyone. Some of the sponsers I remembered from past events like the Wine Chateau and it was nice to say hello to them. Some sponsers ran up to us and told us they heard about us and couldn't wait to see our table! It was quite a surprise and an honor. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Walking around I noticed a table with these beautifully illustrated books on them. I got to chat with their rep and learned about the book, the more I learned the more I fell in love with the whole concept surrounding it so if you ever get a chance, pick up a copy of <a href="http://justlikeyoufoundation.org/index.htm">"Just Like You" written by Robert Kroupa</a> and pass it along to every child you know. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">While we were getting to know some of the sponsors, we had the pleasure of trying some very tasty h'orderves. My favorite was a skewer with avocado, mozzerella drizzed with balsamic, an olive and black, red, or yellow tomatoes. Music was playing and excitement was in the air but the night had to end and Valerie and I headed upstairs to our room.</div>That is a quick little behind the scenes for the first night. Our celebrity pictures should be arriving soon. I know our members are so excited to see them and as soon as we share them with <a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/">The Artisan Group</a> Members I will share them with you too and all the stories that go along with them...<br />
<br />
...but before I go here is a little look into the event just after we set our table, don't mind the music or quality as I had a little point and shoot to film with<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRp9GddTBPL--I_g9IT5glkOKkdu1EMNSjnRgl1O7-ynynaQ-BI1W7ODM9DA1Z_tbUSt3J6danww-RmeIBAA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">To read about other members experience visit <a href="http://tallguysties.com/bears/news/6-gbk-productions-primetime-emmy-awards-gift-lounge.aspx">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">.</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-78962787695125862202011-09-11T07:03:00.000-04:002011-09-11T07:03:28.631-04:00Today We Remember<div style="text-align: justify;">I don't often stray from art topics but today I am going to make an exception, I hope you don't mind.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">T</span>oday is a somber day, yet it is also a day filled with hope. 10 years have passed but for some, time has not moved at all. I can play that day perfectly in my head almost second for second and I am sure that it will always be there with me. If I close my eyes I can still smell the smoke that lingered even days after. I remember clearly the posters that lined the fences in downtown Manhattan and low-life vendors trying to make money with their T-shirts and memorabilia. I remember the eerie quiet of the week where no planes flew and I remember standing in Liberty State Park a week later, looking over at the smoldering buildings and not having any words, no one had any words.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I passed under the World Trade Towers quite often, went to events there, shopped there and had clients that worked there. I passed <a href="http://excitingny.com/nytour/wtcglobe.jpg">the globe</a> many times and went back to see it not long after they allowed people in the area.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It is hard to explain to those that do not live in the areas where these acts happened. It is something that we have lived with every single day since the World Trade Towers came down. Not one day has passed where there isn't a news story pertaining to 9/11, it is always here, always a reminder and proof of that came just a short time ago when many people panicked as an Earthquake hit the East Coast. Many flashed back to that day and the fear was very real. Normally being exposed to things for a long period of time you would become numb or desensitised to it but quite the opposite happens. I have a very hard time with footage from that day, even now as I write this there are tears in my eyes. If you did not know someone that died that day, you surely knew someone that did and quite often several people that did. Many also knows someone that responded that day and years later are fighting for their lives from being exposed to the toxic dust.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Yet here it is 10 years later and from the ashes life rises again. Buildings are starting to form a new skyline, a memorial is being finished and a <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-09-06/local/27074561_1_limbs-tree-pear">lone survivor</a> that has stood amongst the rubble, removed to be nursed back to health will again <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/20101222/downtown/911-survivor-tree-spreads-its-branches-over-world-trade-center-once-again">take it's place where it stood before</a>.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am not sure if I will make it to the museum, maybe some day I will. I am not sure of the emotions that will inevitably come while walking there though I am sure I will not be alone in the sadness. I think if I do go it will be something that just happens and not planned upon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do ask one thing, please. I do love your comments but if you wouldn't mind leaving anything political out. Everyday politicians use this event for many reasons. I don't want to taint the people's memories that have lost their lives, whether in the attacks, fighting overseas, or suffering from diseases because of the toxic dust. Let this be a day we remember them and only them and hope for a future of peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/13blackcatsdesigns/gifts?cg=196219091031131883&rf=238470888333656999&CMPN=zBookmarklet"><img border="0" height="120" nba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4-CsqNKK4EGM1Pif4dhGMDxxgzfbpZIJqLGq8rfief_rCnvjN7cBRi6nrCC6zxIpJPBSC91Ln9-hg7k2Z1RBRRtqsV1ffY7122AHz9xcHX6gpJ52bsEVT7kDqR7-fHlU4gqLmcT7SkZy/s200/pinwheel+row.png" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had actually drawn this several weeks ago on a scrap piece of paper while at work. There wasn't much happening, barely any customers and everything was straightened so to pass the time I got a piece of paper and started to doodle. I had stuffed the drawing in my pocket and when I got home tossed it on my pile of ideas and it sat there for quite a while. <br />
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Fast forward a bit to where Hurricane Irene was making its way up the East Coast. I didn't want to risk damaging my computer so I decided to go through my pile and see if I could entertain myself with a painting. I have to laugh a little now because as my basement was flooding and the trees were whipped to a frenzy I sat and inked out, then painted a simple little pinwheel. A little toy that relies on a gentle breeze to entertain. Funny how those things happen sometimes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td><div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_avery_label-106795261223206977?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999"><img alt="Pinwheel Avery Label label" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/pinwheel_avery_label-p106795261223206977z85od_170.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_avery_label-106795261223206977?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999">Pinwheel Avery Label</a></div><br />
</td><td><div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_invitation-161839929005895820?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999"><img alt="Pinwheel Invitation" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/pinwheel_invitation-p161839929005895820z7l4o_125.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_invitation-161839929005895820?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999">Pinwheel Invitation</a></div><br />
</td><td><div style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_sticker-217404605225122676?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999"><img alt="Pinwheel Sticker" src="http://rlv.zcache.com/pinwheel_sticker-p217404605225122676z8j73_125.jpg" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.zazzle.com/pinwheel_sticker-217404605225122676?gl=13BlackCatsDesigns&rf=238470888333656999">Pinwheel Sticker</a></div><br />
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-80940791534318841532011-08-29T15:58:00.000-04:002011-08-29T15:58:39.517-04:00A question posed to all of you...I hope all of those that are on the East Coast are drying out and have minimal damage from Irene. I would like to make things a bit more interesting for all of you and I am posing some questions over on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/13BlackCatsDesigns">Facebook</a>. Would all of you mind heading over and answering? It would greatly be appreciated!<br />
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-43522445499793723332011-08-17T22:16:00.002-04:002011-08-17T22:19:22.144-04:00Get Ready For Halloween!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Get ready for Halloween! In my opinion it is the best holiday of the year. The colors, the smells of spices and cooler air, the rustling of leaves ablaze in beautiful colors and of course black cats, yes Halloween holds a special place in my heart, it is a time for remembering those that have passed on and the Earth begins to sleep. The best part? Scaring the crap out of the kids that come to the door for candy (and a few adults too). You have to earn the candy around here. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I love designing for Halloween. Green and orange happen to be two of my favorite colors. I love the folklore surrounding some of the icons of the holiday and I have found that people who love Halloween are pretty passionate about it just as much as I am. It is the one day I truly enjoy.</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.zazzle.com/13blackcatsdesigns/gifts?cg=196546202217215067&rf=238470888333656999&CMPN=zBookmarklet" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVIxoi8j_uYF82EvoJsLhe9xwLopLr2Qf7EuFsRWKTzWke4-drqTp7EOaWF1vN-KT5JblTVcOXAkb-81-8gtsYNCvIxLDPqEMfei5tnwn87DQkhsamnlnDqsr3iew_PbnQVKFxQ7gxyhi/s640/Halloween.jpg" width="457" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Click the picture to see some of my designs, everything form Halloween Invitations to Trick Or Treat Bags</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">All of my designs are original, drawn by hand or rendered in Illustrator, are fully customizable and top quality. All designs can be made as Halloween or Samhain by simply changing the verbiage. If assistance is needed feel free to contact me via my shop contact form and I will be glad to help. </div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-59695317749335961812011-08-04T14:34:00.002-04:002011-08-04T18:53:39.605-04:00The Emmys Are Almost Upon Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It is hard to believe that The Emmy Awards are right around the corner. So much hard work and preparation is coming to a close. Not only have I been preparing for the gift bags but I have also been hard at work with Valerie from the Beez Kneez on our group <a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/">The Artisan Group</a> and getting ready to launch my Etsy shop in the very near future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The Artisan Group if you have do not know is a creative group of very talented artists that all pull together to exhibit at some of the top Hollywood Gift Lounges, not only will we be appearing at the Emmys but also at the Golden Globes and The Oscars of 2012. I could not be happier and more excited.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I wanted to do something a little different besides tile necklaces. I decided to really change things and head full steam into a new direction and soon all those wonderful things will be available for you to have as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The gift I will be giving will be a hand-covered frame with a hand-formed poppy flower and a brand new illustration from me. Of course it will be listed in <a href="http://www.zazzle.com/13blackcatsdesigns*">Zazzle </a>as soon as the boxes are packed and the frames are on their way to California. If someone perhaps does not like the illustration they can always change it out for a photo of someone they love. I wanted to do something useful and pretty, hopefully I achieved that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqhyt3Wo4yo3SJF8QLlLt_SiUbYryl8qvBwn6pTlg9a3XDZnvd6kPisF3McRbEvFF8wqvZTdszdS2NmHefv8sjqKjhewH1qjNRSM7cu0LDTHSj855hM_ecbVP9N9sz5xU6ch_1AtcPtwN/s1600/IMG_20110504_215610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrqhyt3Wo4yo3SJF8QLlLt_SiUbYryl8qvBwn6pTlg9a3XDZnvd6kPisF3McRbEvFF8wqvZTdszdS2NmHefv8sjqKjhewH1qjNRSM7cu0LDTHSj855hM_ecbVP9N9sz5xU6ch_1AtcPtwN/s320/IMG_20110504_215610.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the flowers that will adorn the frames. All hand-formed and punched out of acid-free paper</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqjDMS1QaXer4eBSZMwL8eFQ2ezX8H5GRc9TuxAQFKrlglxefDXxQby8mbEOTClMXsvyaOyNJyxReRAU65gY3Rz89VBi98wkxnSYwFylAgGK5LxBDDIB4RIaFbNfMIlTmLJrcdkM6lPzn/s1600/IMG_20110508_125624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqjDMS1QaXer4eBSZMwL8eFQ2ezX8H5GRc9TuxAQFKrlglxefDXxQby8mbEOTClMXsvyaOyNJyxReRAU65gY3Rz89VBi98wkxnSYwFylAgGK5LxBDDIB4RIaFbNfMIlTmLJrcdkM6lPzn/s320/IMG_20110508_125624.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The assembly line, well part of it, there were a LOT more petals to assemble!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6iOXMlaM9aeHTY7EiffdZwf9c5VGpGq79I9n3DsPFyy34tJZMDo4YbdMi90XuyvJBEne913GGIbEmEmbAH53PO5m3EpZU9dECwzkfiX6478XETGLF6Z2E32-VWfD2_TlUpGKnuMeaetX/s1600/IMG_20110504_215600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6iOXMlaM9aeHTY7EiffdZwf9c5VGpGq79I9n3DsPFyy34tJZMDo4YbdMi90XuyvJBEne913GGIbEmEmbAH53PO5m3EpZU9dECwzkfiX6478XETGLF6Z2E32-VWfD2_TlUpGKnuMeaetX/s320/IMG_20110504_215600.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The final frame before adding the illustration. This is the display piece going on the table.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx_Qp_iRxxz-FMMcPGupI_Yz4JivMn5c9OjEO-_NgKXMaqEy0e76tCEZf08aUcoIPGeENaIEENm2WrgYIzjwsw4dFVq1_llbRa4NUbtarggPonZidZF0OUDSRsbHUVvnmb4bPt3na__rl/s1600/IMG_20110712_204235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwx_Qp_iRxxz-FMMcPGupI_Yz4JivMn5c9OjEO-_NgKXMaqEy0e76tCEZf08aUcoIPGeENaIEENm2WrgYIzjwsw4dFVq1_llbRa4NUbtarggPonZidZF0OUDSRsbHUVvnmb4bPt3na__rl/s320/IMG_20110712_204235.jpg" t$="true" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All tucked away, waiting for a ribbon and a seal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d1E6El3kvqQ0Zfx7zMbAJyqN16zJq6KR3nayK1SYCu82s8R4ME8hKM7xgMk62OwJnKd3XAD-7Vq41NIX69bVMsH-KKEfm5MbWK5_THlleO8buJvTFkmMdtyXTU7TgFyEW8aXeermarrD/s1600/IMG_20110508_214701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d1E6El3kvqQ0Zfx7zMbAJyqN16zJq6KR3nayK1SYCu82s8R4ME8hKM7xgMk62OwJnKd3XAD-7Vq41NIX69bVMsH-KKEfm5MbWK5_THlleO8buJvTFkmMdtyXTU7TgFyEW8aXeermarrD/s320/IMG_20110508_214701.jpg" t$="true" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little tokens to hand out to the press and any of the children that acompany the celebrities</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_4bfq2MGRbH_LR5ao_QtAsCbi9hbHcEX_pQsh-H3yXrq_5KDiuV7hhcTBy-eYcKMHZ-f7x7FFW5TcjD7VIgNi-pRYid-ALVFY4pZzJWSWaJOi93qHvwsXY5Igqmh8qStLNaMPMXO1jGw/s1600/poppy+girl+gift+frame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_4bfq2MGRbH_LR5ao_QtAsCbi9hbHcEX_pQsh-H3yXrq_5KDiuV7hhcTBy-eYcKMHZ-f7x7FFW5TcjD7VIgNi-pRYid-ALVFY4pZzJWSWaJOi93qHvwsXY5Igqmh8qStLNaMPMXO1jGw/s320/poppy+girl+gift+frame.jpg" t$="true" width="299" /></a></div><br />
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I am so excited for this show, more than any I have done before and just wait to see what I have in store for the next show! I already have the supplies. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-31860248636368979392011-07-07T12:47:00.000-04:002011-07-07T12:47:11.526-04:00A Funny Little Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It is sometimes funny how things work out. I have been toying with the idea of combining two of my loves, painting and jewelry making, into one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifevaLOulky8LjbFAv_UBqvGBwpvJZ-P6ghRZwZWZgzMlnfq-09UsFFkv0mdeHUvY8pIqjxSqA45_aR_VUKb6GytaX3cWoVlnXoIY0eVX3sEHjletqMAM8d8wJElJCS36ioHx6trDPNToH/s1600/TIGER+fixed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifevaLOulky8LjbFAv_UBqvGBwpvJZ-P6ghRZwZWZgzMlnfq-09UsFFkv0mdeHUvY8pIqjxSqA45_aR_VUKb6GytaX3cWoVlnXoIY0eVX3sEHjletqMAM8d8wJElJCS36ioHx6trDPNToH/s320/TIGER+fixed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acrylic on canvas set in a metal pendant</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I recently posted a picture of two pendants I made some weeks ago and said I was thinking of making more in the future. Well the feedback was great and I decided to order some pendants of all different sizes to play around with. As I am chatting with everyone about it Kristal (a very talented person in her own right and co-owner of <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/atutudes">Atutudes</a>) asked if I could copy a photo she took. I told her it depends for fear it would be a human she wanted painted but asked her to send it and I will see if I could. When I opened up the email there in front of me was a beautiful cat with stunning blue eyes, yup, I think I could do it I said and she was thrilled.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Now here is where some panic set in, could I really create Sierra the cat as she looks? I have never been asked to paint a portrait before and was nervous it would not look like her but I grabbed my brush and tried, it is a cat after all and I stare at them all day. The portrait took me a rather long time compared to anything I have painted before, about three and a half hours and is roughly an inch and a half tall but Kristal was so happy when she saw it posted and that makes me happy too. I just wrapped it up all nice and snug and I am on my way to the post office. I am glad my painting found a home where it will be cherished.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66CaPTqi6nAuFhJmM8L1ZGkogf7XS3Ent_E2aS1k6seI5JzQeTARrI4Gkh2dZ8HvrQcO4hTdd_3V533z-CNmmucIjdZ2KpvHNCoGpCt60qeBwToooMaL5sXyeoZbt964I6-PbHKnPph9z/s1600/Sierra+07052011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="335" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi66CaPTqi6nAuFhJmM8L1ZGkogf7XS3Ent_E2aS1k6seI5JzQeTARrI4Gkh2dZ8HvrQcO4hTdd_3V533z-CNmmucIjdZ2KpvHNCoGpCt60qeBwToooMaL5sXyeoZbt964I6-PbHKnPph9z/s400/Sierra+07052011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra The Cat</td></tr>
</tbody></table> So what do you think? Should I continue with this new venture?13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-49111497149143442962011-06-23T21:13:00.000-04:002011-06-23T21:13:29.704-04:00H U G E Giveaway From The Artisan Group!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank You SO Much!</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">We did it! You all helped us reach 1000 fans! Thanks for sharing the love and to show some love back we would like to give you a chance to win the items from some of our artists - including me!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Head on over to The Artisan Group's <a href="http://theartisangrouporg.blogspot.com/2011/06/h-u-g-e-1000-facebook-fan-giveaway_21.html">Blog </a>for all the details and to see what you could win and while you are there pay the other artists a visit and "like" their pages or follow them on Twitter</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNHeRv1jBki2XIzwYprO2GzyNzKZN41CLDsDw1qdlhOAjZaMDA90eYSk0To_oKrq_EfLr8mWHObQs9XaU_1YieDpjth7zuPaN5nC4JWiJVQtRD5R5dTm7ftOzYDiYDJwC_sbAtic72BoA/s1600/13_Black_Cats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNHeRv1jBki2XIzwYprO2GzyNzKZN41CLDsDw1qdlhOAjZaMDA90eYSk0To_oKrq_EfLr8mWHObQs9XaU_1YieDpjth7zuPaN5nC4JWiJVQtRD5R5dTm7ftOzYDiYDJwC_sbAtic72BoA/s200/13_Black_Cats.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-26752179975282677072011-06-08T13:37:00.002-04:002011-06-08T13:38:23.071-04:00GREAT GIVEAWAY!!!<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/">The Artisan Group</a> has come so far in the short amount of time I have been working with them. It is amazing what can be achieved when you work together with like-minded people that have the same direction as you. In just 3 short months we have managed to gather nearly 300 of the most talented artists that are out there and are followed by nearly <a href="http://www.facebook.com/theartisangroup">700 Facebook fans</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">700! </span></strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Can you believe that? We are blown away by the support we received and in return we plan to share some love back.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Artisan Group would like to celebrate their fans by hosting an amazing giveaway! Twenty-four of our talented members have agreed to help sponsor our giveaway by donating a fantastic product from their shops.</div><br />
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Details are <a href="http://theartisangrouporg.blogspot.com/2011/06/gearing-up-for-our-1000-facebook-fan.html">here</a><br />
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We have many other fun things coming down the line so if you want in on the fun follow along, join in or if you happen to be one of the talented artists that we may have missed head over to <a href="http://www.theartisangroup.org/">The Artisan Group</a>'s site and apply.<br />
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.13BlackCatsDesignshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18315691407214514995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-761746094027925903.post-54217097854016340052011-06-07T11:32:00.000-04:002011-06-07T11:32:18.971-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkbBklWJr2fHmbGHpOLFidBvNwk3T67jlK8nanI3Og72rMFz0K_vmwg3W_MrwoB4FNDVTfV_WTV5zSi4IvkubsSIW9tV3KerxXfR0fomrW9ul5rhXrRDqEm9ifqN_qtJr6POIc8Kx_0R/s1600/my+bracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhObkbBklWJr2fHmbGHpOLFidBvNwk3T67jlK8nanI3Og72rMFz0K_vmwg3W_MrwoB4FNDVTfV_WTV5zSi4IvkubsSIW9tV3KerxXfR0fomrW9ul5rhXrRDqEm9ifqN_qtJr6POIc8Kx_0R/s320/my+bracelet.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">How wonderful is this bracelet? You know what makes it even better? It is on it's way to me!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This bracelet was custom made just for me by <a href="http://autumnbradley.com/">Autumn Bradley</a>. She makes Boho Rock and Modern Rustic Jewelry in her Hell's Kitchen NYC studio. She has great designs for men too so if you need a last minute gift be sure to head over to her site <a href="http://autumnbradley.com/">http://autumnbradley.com/</a> and take a look around.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprp_5vynVWWS8J22kdUapSSW6eLJeEfgia0GZeSzMDHSyZ-DZzgzDJEy7BwysvXxJcxAEWSJCHAvRansrqTs_JneaKEnmqHaB5wkVLlVOjQFV8p-lbdGj5SsZO6iqhsOsV5EpsGWPbBAQ/s1600/posy+ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprp_5vynVWWS8J22kdUapSSW6eLJeEfgia0GZeSzMDHSyZ-DZzgzDJEy7BwysvXxJcxAEWSJCHAvRansrqTs_JneaKEnmqHaB5wkVLlVOjQFV8p-lbdGj5SsZO6iqhsOsV5EpsGWPbBAQ/s320/posy+ring.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This ring is made by Stephanie Stargell. Recently she had some difficulty with her Etsy Shop (You may read about it <a href="http://stephstargell.com/2011/06/03/an-open-letter-to-etsy/">here</a>) and it took 6 very long costly days for Stephanie to get her shop back up and running. Since then she has opened a shop on <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/StephStargellDesigns">ArtFire</a> and is trying to make a transition over there. I would like you to take a look. She has over 2000 sales and 100% positive feed back from Etsy so you can shop with confidence and worry-free.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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