Where Women Cook Giveaway....And The Winner Is! Hastypearl

Where Women Cook Giveaway

...And The Winner Is!

Hastypearl

Thanks everyone for supporting me with my Second Hastypearl Giveaway!

In celebration of being featured in the Sept/Oct/Nov 2015 issue, 

I hosted a Giveaway, 

and I extended the fun to Hastypearl's Face Book, 

Instagram and 

You...my Hastypearl Blogger friends.

I left the time frame open, to like or comment on all venues, for 10ten10 days!

It was fun watching the names roll in and thinking...

oh, I'd Love it if SHE won :)

I literally thought that with Every name! 

But, because I promised to be Honest, and because its super fun to 

let the random process do the selecting, 

I wrote your names on paper.

Cut them out.  

Put them in one of my prettiest glasses...

actually, a gift from Tiffany's ;)

...so I took EXCELLENT care of you.....

I put my little fingers, with my fingernails still packing heavenly 

Bees Wax from an amazing over the weekend

 Michelle Belto Encaustics Workshop...

and.....

...........drummmmmmm roll please......

The Winner is....Jean Thompson!

Not her actual New name, as she is a newly wed...

but she will Always be Jean Thompson to me!

Congrats, Jean!

I'll message you for your address and soon you will 

receive a copy of 

Where Women Cook.

I know that you will love reading it.

So, thanks everyone that signed up, 

and those that just enjoyed me celebrating 

a really wonderful event in my life!

I'm still pinching myself and 

pretty sure that I will, for a Long Time!!!

I've said thanks a million times already 

to Anne Christian Lorys photographer Extraordinaire

 and Jo Packham, Amber Demian and Brandy Shay

 of Stampington & Company, Somerset Studios.

I'm almost embarrassed to do it again, 

but I wouldn't have been in the magazine Without them :)

Dreams Do come true!

Hope one of Yours comes true for YOU today !

...thanks again, guys...

and as always

...I'm so glad that you stopped by for a little visit....

Laura aka hastypearl  

Happy 100 Postings, Hastypearl !!!!!! My First Give Away :)

Celebrate!

Happy 100 Postings, Hastypearl !!!!!!

My First Give Away :)

I looked back at my First posting, on this blog, and it was ALMOST one year, ago!

I sure didn't time it that way, its just the way that it happened.

I'll say the typical phrases, like...How did the time Fly by so fast, because what can you say when it really feels that way?!

I can honestly say, that it has been a Pleasure to meet with you, and do nothing more, than just 

Share my Art and Life.

I've tried very hard to be true to that and to make reading my postings, worth Your While.

Every week, I get a report on the visits to Hastypearl, and it has Astounded me, just the sheer 

Geography of where You have all Come From!

As I've said before, this Blogging experience, has Stretched my Borders and brought me 

New Friends and Lots of Encouragement!

So...I thank you for Participating in this Journey with me!

Soooo, I've Participated in Give Aways before...and even Won one before, but I've Never DONE One!

So, as I Promised in my last posting....

Lets Do It!!!!!!!!

I spent a morning playing in my studio a while back...and yes, you've seen mostly Vintage Inspired Art

from me, but I secretly also enjoy a more Abstract Contemporary Vibe....

so, how about this....

if you would like to get in the Game, and would like to leave a comment below, or on Facebook, 

Larry and I, will make a Very Scientific selection...really...we will...and if I can find my way back to you to get your address, I will send you this Mixed Media piece, 

as a THANK YOU, for being such sweet readers! 

Ill leave the Give Away open until the evening of  March 23, my son Phillip's Birthday!

Yes, you can sign up, Phillip! ;)  

*

Along with Rust (my monitor is reading bright reddish orange), Chocolate Brown, Mossy Green and Shimmery Gold acrylics, I used a Great piece of unique Antique extra wide trim, and wove in and out, some beautiful Gold threads and some Hand Dyed Ribbon.

I hope that You like the colors.

Its really very pretty, in "person"! 

I photographed it in a frame that I use for staging my art, that has a mat for an 8 x 10 opening...

That size frame will be easy for You to find!

So, again...Thank You... from the bottom of my heart, for Receiving Hastypearl, and making me feel at home in this crazy, swirling, giant, blog world! :)

And why not lets say...Here's to Another 100 Hastypearl Postings!!!!

xoxo Laura

Want to Meet My New Friend? Meet Marilyn Stephens! Interlaced - Textile Arts Hastypearl

Want to Meet My New Friend?

Meet Marilyn Stephens!

Interlaced - Textile Arts

Hastypearl

I recently wrote on this blog, about how surprised I have been, about the personal connections that can be made on Social Medias.

Now, maybe those of you that have long been using them, will recognize that as a Novice Mistake.

I acknowledge...that I am THAT Novice...and I did make THAT Mistake :)

Long before I started writing this blog, or joined FB, I was a blog Reader.

Little by little, I found blogs that appealed to me...and not surprisingly, most have been written by people that express themselves is some form, artistically.

Initially, my decision to join Facebook, was for my business, Hastypearl.

I had NO IDEA, that its Greater Good, would be about meeting people from all over the world, who I would  eventually consider to be... my Friends!

Now, there are those, that think these things are random, but for me, I think there is an amazing amount of Providence involved. 

Especially when those very Meaningful Connections, begin to change your life.

One of those Special Connections for me has been...Marilyn Stephens!

Marilyn lives in Cornwall, England.

She is an Extraordinary artist...for sure.

But I think what I've learned Marilyn's REAL Gifting is, is what I call...

"Coming Up Under People".

She is People Supporter.

A People Builder.

One of the ways that I've seen her do that, is her persistent Promotion of artists/people on FB.

And when you Support people, there is usually a positive response.

You want Solid evidence of that?

That's easy.

Without being a Famous Celebrity or Rock Star ;), she gained 500 FB friends, on the DAY that she opened her Business/Artists page called, Interlaced-Textile Arts. 

And in a very short time, she as added another 200.

My guess is, Marilyn is or has made Many of those 700, feel like her Special Friend, just as she has me!    

Recently, out of the blue, she asked for my address.

She didn't elaborate.

I sent my address.

What I eventually found in my mailbox...Took my breath!

The images you are seeing, are of the gift that she sent.

Today, as I sat enlarging and brightening these pictures to post, I kept seeing the  

THOUSANDS of TINY, TINY stitches.

Some of them are mere specks.

On and On they appear!

Without knowing all of my personal Joys...she featured the word...Sing.

Yes, its a simple word, that could apply to many...but I don't care about that...It Applies To Me!

Those that know me, know that I have loved Singing, since I was a very young girl.

Marilyn, you hit the mark with that Choice!

Then, yes, shes seen pictures of my home, but whether she registered, that this gift, would literally be the exact color scheme of my decor...I'm not sure.

But THEY ARE!

And Yes, the Leaves, the Leaves, the Leaves.

They Represent me.

I hope all of the rest of my days, will be filled with Nature and Gardening!

These, handmade cards, were included, and sent with special sentiments, that meant so much!

I guess, what I am trying to convey, and this will probably embarrass her, but, I don't think, that there are Many people that would GIVE, this Caliber of Gift!

Sell...Yes!...but I am Blown Away by this Excessive Generosity and its Impact on Me is Great!!!

  

I will frame this, and display it and I cant wait for my guests, to see it.

(Marilyn and I recently teased about swapping houses! Oh, I would Love to do that!)

Its likely, that my friends, wont ever physically Meet Marilyn, but I think they will quickly learn a lot about her, just by studying this piece.

I hope You have, too!

Im so grateful for Unexpected New Friends...and for Marilyn The Generous...for Sure.

Thank you so much for this Gift from the Heart, Marilyn! 

Please visit her blog and see her ongoing work. She is a Very prolific artist.

Before I go, I want to mention, that this is my 99th Hastypearl posting! 

HOW can that Be?

Im hoping to do something Special for number 100.

Im thinking maybe a give away!

Ive never done that and I know it would be fun :)

Im not sure what it will be, but I hope you will check back in and see!

If you would like to receive an email, letting you know when I post, just sign up for that on the right side of the page! 

xoxo as always, Laura  

South Central Texas Plants...Waking Up! 2014 Hastypearl

South Central Texas Native Plants....Waking Up!

3-2014

Hastypearl

Those of you that have read this blog for long, know that I'm Serious about my garden.

38 years of  Serious.

I know the challenges that my garden brings, just like All gardeners have challenges, 

and still...

we All keep at it!

This posting, was done because of some Facebook conversation today, 

in celebration of our 

State Flower...the Bluebonnet.

Bluebonnets are in the same family as many of your beautiful, Lupines.

In the Hill Country where I live, temperatures can be 8 degrees lower than San Antonio, 

which is just a few miles down the road.

Over the years, we have watched as we head out IH10, the Interstate to California, 

that after we pass 

Loop 1604 to higher ground, the temperatures, as it were... drop like a rock.

So, when I head into the metropolitan area of San Antonio, 

gardens can be a good bit farther "along", 

than mine.

That's the Fun of living where I do.

I'm also actually thinking of this posting as a gift, 

to some friends who are 

"SOTIREDSOTIREDSOTIRED" of snow!

Not sent as a Bragging, but rather sent in LOVE.

I'm hoping that you will Remember, and send us a photo gift, 

when we are in the serious "scorching" days of August... 

The kind of endurance testing "scorching", that if you EVEN THINK of saying your 80 degree days are 

SO HOT...

we will be LIKELY...to Bite your heads Off! :)

So...my gift to you....a few Texas Natives...that are Waking Up! 

Texas Bluebonnet

Lupinus Texensis

...find a field of these and you will notice Two things...

an Amazing Aroma and Children, having their pictures taken :)

Mexican Plum

Prunus Mexicana

I jumped the gun a bit with this Mexican Plum photo, as it is just before peak bloom, but I couldn't wait!!

I promise that my neighbors, have driven past this Spring bloomer for years, and never once stopped their cars, to get out and smell the most AMAZING grape fragrance!!!

But Laura and the Bees will be there together, Smiling and Sniffing away ! 

I've actually thought about placing a sign under it saying...

"Have you Smelled this tree, today?" :)

Texas Redbud

Cercis Canadensis var. texensis

We can also successfully grow, in our shallow soils and rocky alkaline limestone, 

the Mexican Redbud and the Oklahoma Redbud.

There is even a White...Redbud.

I wonder why we don't call it a... Whitebud?  ;)

Agarita

Mahonia trifoliolata

Sadly, home builders and home owners, Remove this beauty.

If they had ever smelled the flowers or seen the HOST of bees and butterflies pollinating their little hearts out, maybe they would have been slower to remove it only to replace it, with something that requires water and attention.

Close you eyes and imagine warm Butter and Honey...that's what an Agarita smells like to me!!!

As I approached this plant to take it's picture...at 20' away, I could already smell it!

So, there Dear Ones... Those still Buried in snow, 

is 

My Texas photo gift of Early Spring to you.

Reminding you to HOLD ON!

It wont be much longer!!

I will Remind you, when our temperatures are down from 100plus to 85 degrees at 10 p.m., 

and our plants to survive, have long since gone into a self induced temporary dormancy...

to Please Send Pictures of your Lavish Gardens.

And remember...No Bragging!

I love that you come here to read my blog...

xoxoLaura

Dance and Swing! Fiber Art Collage Hastypearl

 

 

 

Dance and Swing!

 

Fiber Art Collage

 

 

Hastypearl

 

Dear Readers,

I thought it might be fun, for you to see what I've been up to in the studio!

 

After all of the holiday decorating, and shopping and lists were starting to look complete, I slipped up to the studio, for a quiet time of Playing and Making, for two certain ladies... 

Katherine Anne and Savanna Grace!

 

 

I started with simple Line Drawings.

 

For these two Young ladies, I thought the Dress would be appropriate.

But for you, it could be an Animal, Toy, Flower...Anything!

 

While there are dozens of stitches to be used (and can be Googled), I wanted a very simple and straight forward stitch, to "Draw" the dresses with.

 

 

 

I'm very attracted to the shapes of the 40's and 50's.

Maybe, its because the 50's were when my Mother, was actually sewing dresses like this, for me!

 

 

I have saved fabric scraps for years.

You probably have as well.

Start by cutting and tearing and layering out a composition, that looks good for your collage.

 

I hadn't even thought about it, but my Son pointed out to my Grand, when she was opening this piece, that the floral fabric I used here, was on their sofa, that we had given them.

I love it when those kinds of things happen!

I had inadvertently selected a fabric for Her piece, that I had years ago selected, for myself!

 

Next, comes the really fun part!

 

Dig through your buttons, or notions, laces and trims and continue building your collage.

 

One hint I have learned along the way...

 

Sew your buttons and trims on now, otherwise, they will show through to the back of your piece.

I think it looks much nicer, if there aren't threads and stitches showing on your completed back.

 

I learned that the Hard way...you can thank me later ;)

 

 

Add Words if you like!

 

I was reluctant to use this trendy technique for a long time, but sometimes, it is useful, to develop the theme.

 

I have a weakness tendency, with some pieces, to add and add and add.

With these two pieces, I wanted to keep it very simple and let the Line Drawings, lead.

 

At this point, you can stitch or glue this completed layer down, to your background.

I used a measured, torn piece of watercolor paper, but you can use Anything that you want for your background.

Sometimes, I glue a simple saw tooth hanger on the back.

These pieces are so lightweight, that they can be hung on a wall, with a simple straight pin.

 

For these two pieces, I glued two simple loops of ribbon on the top, for hanging.

 

I love Weldbond glue, for these collage projects.

It dries clear and is Super strong.

I buy Large bottles online.

 

Make sure that you sign and date your piece.

It will serve as a timeline, for the one that you share it with.

 

This piece, didn't really compete this year, with the Nerf gun that my Grand was playing with, but long after the Christmas toy is gone...her piece from Grandmother Pearl, will remain :)

 

 

 

"As to dancing, my dear, I Never dance, unless I am allowed to do it In My Own Peculiar Way.

There is no use trying to describe it:

it has to be seen to be believed.

Did you ever see the Rhinoceros, and the Hippopotamus, at the Zoological Gardens, trying to

dance a minuet together?

It is a touching sight."

 

Lewis Carroll 1873

 

As Always, I'm so glad that you stopped in, to read my Hastypearl blog.

 

I hope that you will try your hand at your Own collage!

Who you share it with, will love that you spent the Time on them.

 

xoxo Laura

 

...oh and...I would love for you to subscribe (see that opportunity, on the right sidebar of the blog) to receive notice of these postings!

 ...And I thank you for your past comments, whether here or on Facebook!

 

You would be surprised, how you can connect with Amazing, Special People, who are blogging away the interesting things that happen in their lives.

I personally, have been blessed by many Wonderful Connections!

 

Now...time is a wasting...Get To DANCING! :)