Sunday, March 29, 2009

Katie Holmes: Fashion & Jewelry Icon

Katie Holmes
Gracing the cover of Glamour magazine on newsstands this month, Mrs. Tom Cruise has made a name for herself both on and off-screen. Katie's risk-taking wardrobe choices and mix and match approach to jewelry have made her one to watch.

Katie is a romantic at heart, and it's reflected in her jewelry choices. She has no problem wearing a vintage bejeweled brooch as a hair accessory for a big awards show. She also loves diamonds and sparkles, though she knows what works and tends to shy away from oversized pieces, in favor of classic settings and stones.

She wore an interlocking ring plus a candy colored amethyst lavender cocktail ring, piles of thin gold bangles and a gold watch to a recent photo shoot. Although most of us would have a hard time pulling off so many pieces of jewelry, Katie wore them well.

For a movie premiere, Katie donned stunning sapphire stud earrings that dressed up an otherwise basic black ensemble. Though the choice wasn't exactly cutting-edge, sapphire earrings became an instant hit because she wore them so well. She rocked the same earrings during several casual public appearances. It just goes to show that when she finds something that works, she isn't afraid to wear it multiple times.

Katie is a classic beauty, so it's only fitting that she knows that sometimes, less is more. For another recent photo shoot, she wore a pair of simple pearl stud earrings as an elegant and stylish compliment to a white collared shirt. We love that Katie would look chic and sassy in any type of jewelry, but she's not about all the latest fads. She sticks with chic and stylish necklaces, earrings and bracelets that are understated. When she does mix it up, she still manages to look as pulled together as the classic beauties of the 50s and 60s. Katie is one to watch.

The Week Ahead


I thought I would post this pretty blue and white image to begin the new week. I love the simplicity of this little corner. I would love to sit on that gorgeous cane chair whilst I chatted on the phone to my mother or a close friend!

This week we have a number of big installations happening which will mean a very busy, yet exciting week ahead. I also have a gorgeous house to share with you all which I have just finished working on for one of my lovely friends. I hope to post photos of it tomorrow night so stay tuned...

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Hey Chickie - Happy Spring! Tilda with chicks

Happy Saturday everyone! I finally got a few minutes to be able to craft! YAY! Poor hubby and my daughter had a nasty flu this week, and then my allergies were attacking me big time! But all is better now! I used one of my new Tilda stamps from the Easter Collection that I received from Diana at Magnolia-licious! Thank you Diana! Diana announced the exciting news this week that she is now offering free shipping in the US and Canada on all Magnolia-licious orders! Now how cool is that??!! THANKS DIANA!!
This is #339 Easter Tilda, and I colored her with my Copic markers. (#'s listed below) I really love dimension in my cards, so I cut her out and popped her up off my card. The DP is by Imaginisce and cardstock is Bazzill. The card measures 6" x 6", and the scalloped square base was cut with my Expression machine and the Storybook cartridge which are all available at Hallmark Scrapbook. The little tag was cut with my Cuttlebug machine and a Cuttlebug die, and the circle and scalloped circle were cut with my Nestabilites. Added some doodling and that was it for this one.

Thanks for stopping by to see me today. Be sure and head over to Magnolia-licious to check out the adorable new collection called Chasing Butterflies. They are the cutest set yet, and they're now available for preorder! Diana also has a great value for you with the Chasing Butterflies Bundle where you can save some money, and don't forget about the FREE SHIPPING!! Have a wonderful Saturday and hope to see you back again soon!! HUGS!
Oops! Forgot to list the copics:
Y21, YR24, YR21, E35, E39, YG25, YG67, E000, E02, R20, R35, R46

Friday, March 27, 2009

A new favorite piece :: just listed in my Etsy shop!

This morning, I was reading one of my new favorite blogs, 100 Layer Cake, and I came across one of my favorite wedding inspiration boards ever... and what are the beginnings of possibly a favorite wedding dress too! I was instantly inspired:




The inspiration board was made by the talented Jenna for her upcoming wedding and the dress will be made by her sister, Sarah, of hello, handmade (board and sketch credits go to Jenna and Sarah).
I love Marie Antoinette fashion and have been inspired before. Also, you know that show stopper hat I made for the Novel Romance bridal show last month? It is featured top right of this blog in the logo photographed by the fabulous Lisa Warninger (whom you already know and if you don't... you need to know of!). I received so many inquiries about that hat (expect to see more of that hat in the future)! BUT... that hat took forever to make. I think I was up until 4am hand sewing it together... so naturally, I have to price it accordingly. Anyhow, with this new inspiration and with current interest in the hat, I've decided to make more for the fashionably adventurous bride (yay, right??). Here is the newest of a whole new line I'd like to build on that is much more friendly on the wallet:




This piece is completely hand sewn and features something new and something old... lots of luxurious silk, lace, just the right amount of sparkle and a pretty ostrich plume (I'm on an ostrich kick as of late - expect to see much more ostrich!). In my SHOP right now. Enjoy!

Basket Case

Here is another cookie cutter that I bought ages ago and am just getting around to using....an Easter basket!

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I wasn't sure about the "grass" when I was decorating them, but now that they are finished, I'm glad I added it.

easter baskets resized



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I like them mixed in with the Easter chicks. :)

To make the basket cookies:


easter basket sketch

{isn't this cookie "sketch" cool?!?}

  • Using a #2 tip, outline the bow in pale yellow (Spectrum Lemon Yellow).
  • With a #3 tip, outline the basket in purple (AmeriColor Violet).
  • Still using the #3 tip, make the basket handles, pulsing the icing bag as you run it along the cookie to make bumps.
  • With a #2 tip, outline the eggs...one each in pink (AmeriColor Soft Pink), blue (Spectrum Sky Blue), and yellow.
  • Thin all of the icing with water until it is the consistency of syrup. Cover with a damp dishtowel.
  • Before using each color, run a rubber spatula through the icing to break any large bubbles. Transfer to a squeeze bottle.
  • Fill in the basket in purple; use a toothpick to guide the icing to the edges.
  • Fill in the bow and one egg in yellow.
  • Fill in the blue and pink eggs.
  • Let dry at least one hour.
  • With a #2 tip, add the detailing to the basket.
  • With a #2 tip, add the detailing to the bow.
  • Using a #1 tip, pipe Easter grass along the edge of the basket in light green (AmeriColor Leaf Green).

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Looking for more Easter cookie ideas? Check out these posts:


My husband Jim jumped up from the computer last night and said "Trishy, come see this photo, you have to put this on your blog, this is what you are always talking about!".


The caption on this photo reads as follows: CFA volunteer David Nicholls escaped his Narbethong home with only his wedding album.


I felt such a swell of emotion, this is the only posession he saved from his home, aside from people my photos are the only thing I would try to save if my home was on fire. What else is there to say?

Photo by Norman Oorloff

You can see more photos and read more about what is happening here:
Victoria's killer fires NEWS.com.au