Willy Wonka and Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room

I had heard the hype.

And I have to agree...

It was over the top and

nothing to compare it to, 

other than I expected Willy Wonka and Howard Shultz

 to step out from behind the copper roaster 

singing,

Hold your breath

Make a wish

Count to three.

Come with me and you'll be

In a world of pure imagination.

Take a look and you'll see

Into your imagination.

We'll begin With a spin

Traveling in the world of my creation.

What we'll see will defy explanation.

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it...

Yep that about sums it up our experience at 

Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room.

I was completely sucked in and felt like I was visiting another planet

and I never wanted to return to earth.

Oh my one could come here in the morning 

for espresso and stay for some Serious Pie 
at the attached Tom Douglas restaurant. 

What's not to like?

Don't miss the coed bathrooms with a view of the roasting room while you wash your hands,

or the gift store with $150 barista aprons and bags that really were that awesome,

or the dog bowl outside that will make your dog feel like he is at Disneyland

(except the water was frozen - come on Starbucks couldn't you have sprung for a heated bowl :)

I really do need to go here often just to remember how wonderful imaginations can be.

It's less money than a trip to Disneyland - by a little.

 The copper roaster even has holes poked in it that allow the sunlight 

to reflect a map of the world on the floor.

Hmm wonder when that happens?

It was a seriously delicious cappuccino that went down 

with a Tom Douglas croissant

much too quickly :(

I may have to return tomorrow :) because...

What we'll see will defy explanation.

If you want to view paradise

Simply look around and view it...

Silhouette project on wood -sure to elicit a huge grin!

Truth be told,

I love making gifts and feel slighted if I don't.

This was the only craft gift made this year 

and I couldn't wait,

but told my son and daughter-in-law to open it tonight

so they could hang it on their tree and enjoy it before Christmas.

 I first bought a wood round at Michaels,

then stole this photo of my son and granddaughter Sophia

from Instagram.

I glimpsed that profile and thought it would be the perfect silhouette.

 Next I enlarged it until I got the right size,

then I tried drawing over it with marker,

and cut it out with sharp scissors and an xacto knife.

 I put the silhouette under frisket

and again cut through it along the silhouette.

 Then I peeled off the frisket backing 

and stuck her beautiful face to the wood round.

Then the fun part was next;

I stenciled black acrylic paint over her sweet face,

removed the frisket carefully,

drilled a hole,

tied red gingham ribbon,

put it in the mail,

 and shipped it all the way across the country.

And of course I forgot to take a photo of the finished piece.

The kids were nice enough to take a picture and send me a photo 

 with the model in the background.

Wouldn't this be a fun project to do every year and add to the tree

with the recipient's age on the back?

Now I just need to remember this idea...

Advent calendars iPad style

We made the cutest advent calendars this week in class.

We started with the 17th and went to the 25th since this was the date they were taking them home.

And it would have been too much to cut out 25 openings

This is my quick sample.

First draw a simple line drawing on the iPad,

then save it to photos and import it in for a second picture.

On the first one draw the numbers on the flaps you want and color in the whole page.

This is your top page.

On the second page color in only where your doors will open.

Then decorate these openings with advent images.

Here is an example of images I photographed and imported.

 Then print out both pages on an 8 1/2 x 11" paper.

 Cut apart, cut open doors,

then glue both together,

and watch your kids smile.

This trimester in Wednesday's iPad art class

we are doing projects that involve printing and cutting 

so I am scurrying to come up with new ideas 

and it is trial and error to see what works.

This one worked beautifully.

And of course you do not need a iPad - colored pencils and markers will work too.

Need a project for your kids between now and Christmas,

just do it.

a Pink Cat at Christmas time

Meet Cedric and me.

If you would like to know how he turned pink one Christmas,

then sign up for my newsletter over there on the right.

You will learn the whole story as well as receive free downloads,

recipes, art techniques and lots of ideas to make you smile.

Just do it...

'Tis the Season

Here are some snippets of my past week.

Ho ho ho, hope you are enjoying the season.

Our church had a "selfie" booth at our 

'Tis the Season party.

It was fun to be silly - not something I do often.

 It seems as if I have not sat down for months.

How did life get so hectic and filled to the brim with so much to do?

Then you add the holidays and everything just goes ballistic.

Not how it should be during advent. :(

So last night I finally settled in with the newly decorated mini tree

and relaxed and read just a little bit.

 And I may have enjoyed some Gluhwein too.

This guy has been visiting the yard lately.

He even laid down in the corner the other day.

There is so much new home construction around us 

and I think he has nowhere to go.

Hope he's enjoying the season.

It was the least we could do 

to let him have some nibbles and a place to chill.

20% off Etsy Sale starts today on Wonderful Wednesday

Yep you survived Black Friday, Cyber Monday etc.

so you deserve a reward.

How about a sale on Wonderful Wednesday and Terrific Thursday?

I happen to think those names are much more fitting.

So everything in my Etsy shop will be 20% off for my blogging friends

with the code GOODFRIENDS

on both these days.

Enjoy!
Click here.

Christmas cards ready to deliver Holiday Cheer on Etsy!

 I have cards ready to deliver holiday cheer to your loved ones.

 Each is handmade with washi tape and a stud or stitched.

There's bear decked out for any festivity and 

a girl and fox/cat ready to spread the Word.

 These three gain some height and deck the lights.

 A nativity scene sheds some light on the world

 and this little bird sings in a winter wonderland.

 They can be mixed and matched and you can get them 

here.

Pam's Postings

I have a newsletter!

Just hit that little button over on the right column 

of this blog and you will be signed up.

I will be sharing info about art (duh),

recipes,

musings about mindfulness,

videos with techniques,

contests and giveaways,

and even free downloads.

This little dog is just waiting for you to download him

after you sign up.

He can be printed as many times as you like

and for as many thank yous as you need to write.

Yep he is, so join the fun now, 

and he can come live with you.  

How much fun is this going to be?

LOTS

I promise!

Ho Ho Ho It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

everywhere you go...da da da da da.

You don't want to hear me sing this - really.

But in other news I will at the artEAST Art and Craft Fair tomorrow

at Blakely Hall in the Issaquah Highlands 11-6 along with 20 other artists.

There will be craft projects 

and yummies 

and the trees will be decorated

 and the trolley will be free and running from Blakely to Issaquah.

So get in the spirit and shop local 

and come see me.

Ho Ho Ho.

Happy Gobble Gobble Day!

I wish you a joyous day with family and friends

remembering the small and large blessings.

And may it be filled with laughter and storytelling,

and turkey or bacon...

My iPadders drew turkeys this week 

and I made this collage but then realized that I really needed to share 

the turkey in a submarine made by a first grader (with a horse no less),

and the one above transferred into a winter scene.

Ahh imagination is a a blessing to be thankful for.