Sunday, January 31, 2010

at the Parfumerie....



I'm always learning in the business of painting signs...
and so I like to share the fun tidbits I encounter along the way....

come with me to Grasse, France....

awaft with aromas....
the perfume capital of the world & the birthplace of
Chanel No5, Yves Saint-Laurent and Dior perfumes...
and so many other famous & delightful olfacotry treats!


Situated in Provence in the South of France on the Mediterranean coastline.

Year round the air is perfumed ....

Mimosa in February, Violets in March, Daffodils in April, Orange Blossoms & Roses in May, Tuberoses from June to September, Jasmine from August to October and of course Lavender all summer long!

Some are picked carefully by hand at sunrise, when the perfume is at it's peak...others are picked throughout the day. In early days, the process of "enfleurage" took place next, where the flowers were spread over sheets that had been coated with odorless vegetable or animal fats, to which they transferred their perfume.









But what I found so interesting was that it was not always this way, the perfume industry in Grasse was actually born out of neccesity:

In the 1600's the town was actually known for it's 'evil smelling streets.' It was home to a thriving animal skin trade; tanners would meet on the banks of a torrent, the Foux, to scrape, wash and soak their leather. This resulted in a nauseating odor that permeated the city, leaving women to run perfumed hankies under their noses to avoid the nasty smell!

More innovative tanners began using perfumed fatty ointments to make 'scented skins' which were resevered for the making of gloves for the pretty Parisian ladies. So was born the profession of "Perfumer Glovers".





Today, about a ton of petals are treated daily! Perfumers are referred to as "Noses". A "Nose" can distinguish between more than 10,000 seperate scents. There has never been a "Nose" in the world who wasn't either a native of Grasse or at least a visitor to the town.


Grasse is also known for perfume flavored breads and ice creams!
yum... I think.. maybe you should try it first, let me know...

So that is Grasse, and all I learned, which leads me to my new sign....

(you knew that was coming right??)



which I'm off to list in my etsy shop!

Thanks for coming along & I hope you enjoyed our journey!!

Au revoir!!

Saturday, January 30, 2010

It's official...she hates me




She knows how much I really don't care for snow...yet she insists on dumping it on me.

She goes by the name 'Mother Nature'.
I think her and the weatherman are in cahoots....
he said, and I quote, "1 to 3 inches possible"....







does this look like 1-3 inches???


It's not even over yet!
It's been snowing all day...a complete whiteout!







Here's out in front of the house, you know, where the road is....see the plow??
Me neither!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

The Letter B


is for Balls....







Bikes

& Beaches

and for Beautiful skies like this...

so I can play with all three!!




I'm participating in Jenny Matlock's AlphabeThursday's ...

click on the link above to visit all the fun posts and to visit Jenny's wonderful

blog...she will entertain you to pieces!

Monday, January 25, 2010

Monday Monday

I've said it before...Monday is the root of all evil.

Before I tell you about this particular Monday ...did I ever tell you that I built my website myself?...
yes, writing html code is sorta a hobby of mine.
(Ya, I'm a little nerdy).
Currently I'm working on a new website, hopefully soon I'll be able to unviel it, my new blog banner is a part of my new web design....
I like to think I'm pretty computer savvy...anyways, back to Mondays.

This Monday was no different...
woke up to rain and wind, 50mph wind...stuff flying everywhere outside.
Then we lost power. Ok...I'll survive, they'll have it back on soon I'm sure.
Call them. Yup..about an hour they say.

What to do till then?...can't paint without my lamp, can't cut signs, can't get on the COMPUTER...can't get on the treadmill...geez...I never knew I took that stuff
for granted but I did!

Sure enough, about an hour, powers back!!! YAY!!
Quick, turn on the computer. Whirl...here it comes.
Come on, hurry up. What's this black screen?????
Hellloooooo screen....where are you?????
Oh no. No screen. No monitor. It's fried.

Run to Best Buy, buy a new monitor.
Ok, please let this be all it is, just the monitor (like that wasn't alot???).
Hook it up, turn on the computer. No screen. No monitor. ...ok, don't cry.
Call Dell...they'll figure it out with me.

Hello? Hi Juan, ...here's my story....

Ok Ms. Small, let's try a couple of things...unplug this, plug in that, now plug in the other thing...ok now turn on the power button on the monitor.

The what?
The power button on the monitor.
Oh, the power button.
Yes. It's on the side of the monitor, just hold it down.
Oh...ok...I see it...it's under a sticker...
Wooooo hoooo... there's my screen!!!!

The POWER BUTTON... who knew???
{Juan, you can stop laughing now!!!}

So it turns out Monday is NOT the root of all evil...the POWER BUTTON IS!!

happy happy Monday!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Comment # 19 ...you won!

she said....
"Did you say german glass glitter? I SO love glitter!! I am already a follower!

It is beautiful! Just beautiful! And what a kind gesture to auction one off on e-bay! I am going over!

Lou Cinda :)"

and it said....

True Random Number Generator

Min: 1
Max:40
Result:
19
Powered by RANDOM.ORG
Congratulations Lou Cinda!
Thanks so much everyone for participating...
I simply loved reading your comments!!
You are all the sweetest, dearest people!!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Love ~ the giveaway & the donation

Here it is...my newest sign and the first giveaway of the year...



'Amour' ....I know, it's not Italian...it's FRENCH!

(forgive me Dean, but French is the language of love, oui?)

and just in time for Valentine's day!





Completely handpainted...it measures 18"x8" and has been adorned with silver german glass glitter for yummyness & twinkle!
The giveaway rules are the same...

1. become a follower (if you aren't already)
and leave a comment on this post....maybe you'd like to share what love is to you??

=(1 chance)

2. post about this giveaway on your blog, then come back here and let me know in another comment...

=(2 chances)

and the winner will be chosen via random.org on

Friday, January 22....hmmmm...about 7pm.

Now, part two of this giveaway takes me to a more serious subject. I've done a second one of the 'Amour' signs and listed it on ebay.

This is a special listing with 100% of the profit going to Save the Children

here is my description from the auction page....

This auction is listed for the sole purpose of supporting "Save the Children" with 100% of the sale price going to their emergency relief efforts in Haiti. With nearly 4 million children, almost half of Haiti's population is under the age of 18. Before the devastating earthquake, it was hard for them to imagine a life that was free of violence and hunger. Now, their desperation is beyond anything I can imagine.
Small efforts on the part of people like you and me may make a difference
.





I felt compelled to do something, and like many people it is so hard to find what one can do, (unless you have an unlimited amount of funds!)

But here was something I could do, and I know it works because I've listed before with 100% profits going to the 9/11 foundation back in 2001...that was a very successful auction which raised $150.00 for a sign I painted...I was soooooo pleased!

I am hoping this auction is successful as well, and know perfectly well there will be some who will comment that my 'offering' isn't politically correct, but to them I say phooey! This is about saving children and they don't give a hoot about politics. There, I've said it, just in case I hear from Pat Robertson or some other completely ignorant fool.

You can visit the auction here

LOVE sign for Save the Children

(and bidding on it will make me squeal!!!)

Thanks so much to all ... I love you!

Friday, January 15, 2010

2 more days & I'm getting excited!



Just two more days til my next giveaway and I can't wait!...must give you a hint on this new sign...can you hear the music? Dean is singing to you...it's your hint!

Just in case you can't hear, let me sing it to you....



In Napoli where love is king
When boy meets girl here's what they say

When the moon hits you eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool
That's amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk down in a dream but you know you're not
Dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore!





see you Sunday lovelies!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Sign preview!

coming soon!

Monday, January 11, 2010

A YUMMY giveaway!


Sharing a great giveaway with you...but more so a beautiful blog that I recently found.




Well, ok...Jenny found me but then in turn, I found her!


Jenny has a giveaway going on now...


a $50.00 gift certificate to her favorite online gardening shop






which was also a great find....(heirloom tomatoes!! yum!)







and I'm thinking...blueberry bushes!!! double yum!


don't miss out! But if you do...well all the better for me! LOL:)


have a wonderfully warm Monday everyone!


¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ paula

Friday, January 8, 2010

time-out to laugh!


We all love photoshop and how it can fix any of life's little problems...it's like this little miracle tool...make your teeth whiter, your belly just a little slimmer, even fix that piece of hair that's out of place...there, now I look
GOOD!

But what happened here? Someone actually got paid for these...now that's funny!!

meet Mr. Toomanyhands...


hurry, take the picture...I can't feel my legs!!!


invisible purse available on page 13...


i love you so much, i could give up my right leg for you...


...or my left...



need more chuckles....check out more photoshop disasters here!

hope your weekend is all giggles!

paula:)

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

on vacation....


Not me silly,
my etsy shop!
It's taking a little vacation later today while I catch up on orders....
promises to be back open in time for my next giveaway with new signs!!
I'll be around, minus the high heels...painting my little heart out & blogging!
If you've ordered a sign..thankyou & ...I'm working on it & will be in touch:)

¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ paula

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

for love of Annie





Because I simply adore Annie Leibovitz's photography...I can't wait to get the new Vanity Fair.
Such a shame this man has been torn from my list of 'most admired'. Truly his loss. I forgave him once, many years ago when he was scheduled to speak at a business dinner my husband and I attended...then he cancelled at the last minute. Back then I could forgive...not this time.
anyways...back to Annie...

The Boss 1987


Cate Blanchette


my last cover of hers I grabbed....


her photography is so stunning...her magazine covers are collectors items.

I, the collector, will be hoarding this one!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

January 2, 1987


...the
BEST
day of my life.








The day I put on my Mom's wedding dress and married my

best friend.

Happy Anniversary Darling...love you more!


¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*´¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ paula