July 4th Holiday Craft

Here's a little tutorial for creating some colorful red, white and blue paper baskets for your upcoming July 4th holiday! Personally I think they came out A-Dorable!!

This video was so much fun to make. The music has a lot to do with it. It reminds me of old movies where music quartets wore red and white striped jackets singing under a gazebo. Famlies sat on their blankets enjoying their picnic lunches while kids flew their kites. Yeah, those would be some nice summer memories.

Ever wonder how women got through the day in those ankle-length dresses and men in jackets when it was 100 degrees outside? I'm breathing heavy just thinking about it. Think I'll stick to watch'n the movies, LOL! I guess what parasols were for back then.

Enjoy!

Melanie

Father's Day paperbag book

Here one of the five creations for the Tour de Freaks Blog Hop on the 20th of this month. However, being that the hop is the 20th and Father's day is the 21st, I thought it would be better to share this now for those who might be interesting in creating one for their Father/Dad. I'll make something different for da Hop!

Make sure you come back for the video tutorial tomorrow (by noon). It'll take some time to put together.

Lat-uh gat-uhs!

Mel

Decorative Pencil Box

Here's a little something I created as a challenge project for a friend. Think she'll like it? Of course, it works just as well as a paintbrush holder.





Come back tomorrow for sneak peeks in the new 2009-2010 SU! catalog.

Stamp Club Projects

A view of the two projects the Metairie club completed this past weekend. There was another, unfortunately a photo wasn't taken of it (yet).

Tomorrow will be a day of creating (that's what the goal is).

Research Rose Garden

Here are the more images of the roses I capatured during my visit to the Burden Research Center.

I'll start first with this bright and cheery yellow rose. There were quite a few yellow roses, but this one seemed to be the hardiest. It's it amazing how the leaf color works together with the colors of the rose.

Here is the lavender-mauve rose I had one of the boys go back to get the name. Sadly I can not remember. I believe it was "Parfume Mauve"? Hum. I just might go back and write the name down. Since visiting this garden I've decided I'd like a rose garden of my own in the backyard. Keeping up with anything else is to time consuming for me (personally) with all that I have going on in this household. OK...back to roses.

NOW, here's my favorite "color" rose (since visiting the center). It's called "Tuscany". How appropriate! Those multi-tones immediately remind me of a Tuscan sun hitting those stucco homes. Shades of Yellow, Salmon, Orange, Peach. What else is in there?

Here are two of my favorite shots that really show off the colors. It looks as if there are some pinks and reds in this rose. These colors are so summery, it reminds me of a fiesta.

This is a nice back view of the rose. The white of the sky silhouettes this rose nicely. Which photo do you like more, the one above or below?

Thought I'd share one more photo, of brotherly love. I was trying to get a photo of the boys but the little guy had something on his mouth and his big brother was trying to clean it. How rare is THAT?! I don't ever remember cleaning the face of my siblings, LOL!

Have a great day!

Melanie

Spring Flowers

Two weeks ago I took the boys to the LSU Burden Research Center here in town. The facility has rows of bedded roses. Our original goal to the center was to take the nature walk currently under construction; but there were so many mosquitos we decided to just walk the isle of roses (secretly this was my original plan...only they didn't know that).

You can see here how far back the rose bed goes. There may be close to 10 rows or more. It was rather hot out so we didn't stay long, just enough for me to enjoy their beauty.

Here I sent one of the boys to the back of the row on the right to find out the name of the lavender-mauve rose that had the light perfume scent. He was NOT a happy boy.



While there were quite a few roses in bloom, they weren't at there peak. I might be a little to early in the year to see them in all their glory. Still, I managed to get great shots of some real beauties. Don't ask what the names were, I only remember two. Here are some of my favorites.

Look at the layers of colors on this rose. Isn't she just lovely?



Here's another view, with some buds faded in the background. Look at way the layers of petals encircle each other. This particular rose reminded me of our Louisiana camelias.

What's more delicate than a soft pink rose?

THIS soft pink rose. What's most attractive about this particular variety, are the dark green leaves against the pale pink petals. Notice how the lower petals fall away to allow the center of the rose to stand more upright. Just beautiful.

After 20 minutes of taken photos we had to hit the road. The little one was hot (as you can see from the sweat dripping on his face).

The roses they are smelling are some of my FAVORITES for color. I have photos to share, but you need to relish the ones I've posted above, so I will wait and share the remainder of my photos tomorrow. Until then....goodnight.

Carousel Notes Purse

Recently a fellow demo (Jan Tinklenberg) created a project with the SU! Carousel Notes (which are large 6" scalloped notecards and 6x6 chocolate envelopes). I've changed a few things here there, added my own stamp set and Walla!


Wouldn't this make a great one-af-a-kind Mother's Day gift or a special gift for someone? I'll be offering this special class at my home in just two weeks! Each workshop guest receives one full pack of Carousel Notes and Afternoon Tea designer paper. If you'd like more details and aa few more 'sneak peeks' of this great project, just send me an email info@rubbapalooza.com.

Can't make my class, order this project via mail and receive the step-by-step tutorial.