~ The Real Deal ~

After being consumed with fabric sea life over the last few weeks, I took some time off for a visit to my daughter who lives in the Bay Area.

On Monday we took a little day trip down to Monterey to go to the Aquarium.

I love aquariums.

They had a new expanded exhibit with umpteen kinds of jelly fish.

I love jelly fish.

It's back to the fabric kind of sea life for some time to come.

But let me just say that my file of inspiration has grown significantly.

~ Snow in Southern California ~

I am a person for whom the adage "variety is the spice of life" was coined.

At Christmastime I find this to be true when I go to decorate and find myself needing to mix it up and make it different than the year before.  To me, that is just part of the joy.

However in my current home I think that my snowy scene on my "mantel" will always remain the same.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

~ Summer isn't Over ~

Last Saturday I decided to go and browse some of my favorite antique stores in San Juan Capistrano.  It was a beautiful day and I started out with a delicious lunch at The Mission Grill.  Then I headed to The Old Barn Antique Mall with the express purpose of finding some coastal memorabilia.  I had been to these shops before but it's as if those items were all snapped up before they made it to the store.

And then ...  

While turning the corner ... the last measly corner ... I hit the jackpot. Dealer 91.  A treasure trove of coastal finds, reasonably priced and mine for the perusing.  After picking up and handling most everything, I decided on these three amazing finds.
{1} The  painted board, seen above.  Now hanging in my studio to remind me that in California ... it's always summer!

{2} The oil painting seen here.  I keep finding new reasons that I think it's breathtaking.

I was a bit chagrinned to see that there was a small splotch of paint on the frame ... the exact same color as my wall! I don't want anyone to think that I tried to paint the wall without removing this lovely work of art.
My walls  were painted before I hung anything on any wall.

I'm just making myself clear.
  

{3} Last, but not least is this stunning piece of metalwork filled with nautical goodness.

It serves as a table of sorts and is large enough to balance a plate and a glass at the same time.

Can you believe my luck?!?

~ Water Colors ~

I often reserve my Saturday morning for exploring the local landscape and seascape.  Last Saturday I went down to "The Strands" at Dana Point.  I was so, so delighted to find that the sidewalk alone was worthy of the time that I spent. 
Get a load of these waves! 

And fish!

And crabs!
Oh, I was definitely not feelin' crabby.

Because, for starters ... this was my view.

And this ...

And this ...

And on closer inspection ... this!

This is my palette: turquoise + ocean blues + a touch of pink.

What's your palette??

 

~ Color Day: Red, White, Blue ~

Truth be told ... I really don't have any red in my home, other than at Christmas.  But I revel in red whenever I see it ... and I love to see it in the summer!

This picture above was taken last weekend at Balboa Island in Newport Beach. Just a fun little beach house along my walk that wanted to stand up and salute.
There are also umpteen fun little shops on Balboa and I saluted almost every single one.

This piece of patriotic happiness is from a trip to San Franciso two summers ago.
Taken on Pier 39 (duh) ... on a clear and sunny day.

This is actually wallpaper from a friend's beach house.
I hung out in that bathroom probably longer than I should have ... just to inhale it's beauty.

OK ... so this letter "S" is in my studio.
It stands for ... Studio.
Or Sewing. Or Sea
Or Sand or Sun.

This small quilt ... I want to say I made it around 2007 ... is from a Jo Morton pattern.
With my own embellishments.
It's almost impossible for me to follow someone else's pattern exactly, which I find highly annoying.

This boat with it's own red, white and blue flag is from my Permanent Wave quilt.
You can find that pattern here.

These fireworks are from 2008 in Tempe AZ.

I suspect that at the moment I took this picture the temperature was still topping 100 degrees.

That made no difference, whatsoever.

Because I love fireworks.

Happy Birthday America.

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

~ Underwater Patchwork ~

On my favorite beach walk, not far from my home ...

... I am facinated by this tile mosaic.

I can't help but see the possibilities in fabric.

And then I must remind myself that if I just turn around ...

The possibilities are endless.

I sure do love the ocean ... in pretty much any art form.

How about you?

Linking to:
Creative Me!
Life, Love & Hiccups
Coastal Charm
Turquoise Lovin'

~ Just Breezy ~

I apologize in advance to those who live on the East Coast or anywhere else where it's frigid cold today, but here in southern California it has been in the mid- 80's. Farenheit. Delicious.

I came straight home from work and removed the sweater I had no business wearing in the first place. I opened my windows and let in the sun and the sweet fresh air.

And then I put away the rest of my Christmas decorations.

I can not begin to tell you what a surreal experience this was. Everytime I picked up another Santa to wrap and put in the bin, I said to myself, "Ho, Ho Hold it right there ... what on earth is this guy doing out in the middle of ..."

And then I remembered it was January. Weird.

However, I am so, so happy to have my home back to normal ... and my flip-flops on. I'm happy to see my carpet again, because the bins have been there since before my trip.

Even though I know this won't last until Spring, I'm glad I got a sneak preview.

Do tell. What crazy weather are you dealing with?

Linking to Turquoise Lovin'
Linking to Wow Us Wednesdays
Linking to Open House Thursdays

~ SoCal to NoCal ~

Yes ... I have been MIA for several days. And, truth be told, I did not have my regular camera with me. Just my phone. But, let's just say a good time was had by all. I travelled from the Southland to the Northland with Daughter #1. We crossed several bridges.

We didn't let a gloomy day ruin our view of The Presidio.

We saw the last remnants of Christmas eked out on the trees in Berkley.

We weren't exactly sure what season we should be celebrating what with all the fall colors

We saw a very interesting Christmas tree at a local mall.

Celebrating what all malls celebrate this time of year.

We had this guy along which upped the fun factor immensely.

I am so OVER Christmas and I promise that this is the last post with references to it for at least ... ummmm .... ten months or so.

Stay tuned for some pictures of some Victorian Homes. Absolutely scrumptious colors.

Linking to The Girl Creative

~ Seeing Red ~

Although at one time red was a staple in my decorating scheme, it hasn't been for years. And in my new home, there are only touches of red in my studio ... what with all that fabric and all. However, at Christmas red sparkles as it adds a certain colorful detail announcing the season. From berries ...

... to some very special candles that were a Christmas gift my very first, married, Christmas and I cherish them.

Because I have a lot of blue, I love to see it contrast with those touches of red.

I exchanged the brown clock in my family room with this red one from my studio. Is it a clock ... or is it a piece of candy that can tell time? Hard to say.

More berries on a wreath that is hung on a wall, but will soon make it's way to the front door. The live wreath on my front door is now officially deader than a doornail. Shame.

I hung this sparkly ornament on the guestroom door so my grandson feels right at home.

I love the red trim around this pillow. I love that the pillow is blue but still hits you in the heart with that lovely red trim.

Last, but not least, I put a touch of red in the guest bathroom. Every so often I have some fun with my Bernina that embroiders.

I will miss the red when it is gone in a couple of weeks, but I'll squeeze out every ounce of scarlet goodness while I can.

I wish you a pre Christmas week that is full of joy and devoid of stress. That is the plan around here.

Linking to Tuesday's Treasures
Linking to Coastal Charm
Linking to Wow Us Wednesdays