First, you will need:
•    Vintage window – These can be found at garage sales, estate sales, swap meets, antique stores, or by calling window replacement companies. These also come in a variety of sizes.
•    Adhesives – I use both wet and dry. Dry – adhesive tabs of your preference. Wet – UHU Glue stick.
•    8-10 pictures depending on the size of your window – you can use black and white or color. Don’t be afraid to mix the two together too!
•    Patterned paper – this part is up to you really. You can use the same paper in each window, use 2 different papers, etc. I used a line of papers and then cut the paper in half to mix it up a bit.
•    Embellishments – buttons, ribbons, chipboard, transparencies, paint, tags, glitter, treasures, mementos, flowers, etc. I use things that remind me of that person or event. Concert tickets, trinkets, doo-dads, etc.
•    Paper Trimmer
•    Ruler
•    Exacto Knife
•    Cardboard  - cut to match the size of your window, this will be the backing. Spray with acid free spray.
•    Staple Gun

Now….on to the fun part!
•    First you need to measure the panes of your window. Cut your paper ½” over the size of the pane. This will ensure that you don’t see cardboard through your window. I usually lay my cardboard down first and work on that. Once you have your paper cut to the proper size use you adhesive and adhere the paper to the cardboard.
•    Great! Now for the fun part! Arrange your pictures on the cardboard however you want. I usually have to lay my window down a few times to make sure the wooden panes aren’t cutting off anyone’s face. Once you have the pictures where you want them, use your adhesive to secure them to the patterned paper and cardboard.
•    Add your embellishments
•    Once you are done, carefully put your window and cardboard together. Lay them on the floor and use the staple gun to secure the backside of the cardboard to the window. I usually staple around the entire window. If you want to hand this on the wall, you will need a picture hanging kit.

Questions? Email me: hellohollyw@cox.net

Happy Creating!

This Monday, June 2nd, there is a fabulous fundraising event happening in Pasadena. I have donated an original artwork:

A TASTE OF ART – SECOND HELPINGS.

The event, to be held Monday, June 2 at Gale's Restaurant in Pasadena, will
feature original paintings, jewelry, sculpture and photographs by national and
local artists. The sale takes place in a party atmosphere with delicious
appetizers, specialty wines and a martini bar. Proceeds from the evening will
once again benefit the AIDS Service Center.
An exclusive meet-the-artist cocktail party will begin at 5:30 p.m. for patrons
with an admission of $200. General admission to the art sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. where admission is $75 in advance, $100 at the door. Sponsor tables are also available.
A TASTE OF ART got its start when a group of friends got together for dinner several years ago. The topics of food, wine and art came up, as always, for this group of Pasadena and Altadena residents has worked, traveled and cooked together for over a decade. The group includes Gale Kohl, Kathy Mangum, Tom Fitzgerald and Kyle Barnes. That evening they decided to combine their passions
for great food and wine with their contacts with artists, creating a unique fundraiser. Once again, dozens of artists have volunteered original works for the fundraiser, with 100% of all art sales going to the AIDS Service Center.

For more information visit: Aids Service Center

Unfortunately, I will not be at the meet-the-artist party and it is a crying shame because all that food sounds really good. But also, I think one of my favorite artists, Belinda Del Pesco will be at that party and she is a really good hugger, so give her a hug for me. One of my other favorite artists, Maria Hammon, also donated art to the cause, but, ahem, she won't be at the party either. See, it's JUNE and Mercury is in Retrograde and it turns out that it really IS impossible to be in two places at the same time. But, chances are there will be photos of Maria and me together at the same time that night. So, yeah. We'll be together but not there.

Anyway, lots of good art, lots of good food, excellent cause. Go eat, drink, buy art. Belinda will hug you.

Here's a creative collaboration between the Monterey History and Art Association and the Naval Postgraduate School that I admire! AND NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL TO HOLD SPECIAL HOTEL DEL MONTE EXHIBITION AND EVENTS

Monterey History and Art Association and the Naval Postgraduate School are collaborating on a "Relive the Magic: Hotel Del Monte," a very special exhibit that will be on display from Saturday, May 31, 0208 through August 31, 2008. The exhibit and special events will be held at the Monterey Maritime & History Museum located at 5 Custom House Plaza in Monterey. (831) 372-2608, extension 17. All exhibition programs are free and open to th epublic. The museum is open Tuesday through Sdunday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

"Relive the Magic: Hotel Del Monte" is an exhibit on the exciting history and legacy of the elegant resort that forever changed the Monterey Peninsula. The exhibit features rarely seen artifacts from the 1880's through 1940's. Railroad and banking baron, Charles Crocker, wanted to build a hotel that would impress the world. He chose Monterey for the site; built a rail line (the Del Monte Express) to transport his guests; purchased thousands of acres of real estate around th eMonterey Peninsula; created a botanical garden surrounding his luxury hotel; and developed state-of-the-art recreational facilities (such as the race track and tennis courts).

Opened in 1880, and built at a cost of $1 million on 125 acres, Hotel Del Monte was a significant influence in the development of the travel and tourism industry in the United States - at the very inception of luxury transcontinental travel by rail (the Pullman parlor car was patented in 1878; Hotel Del Monte opened in 1880). Hotel Del Monte, known as "The World's Most Elegant Seaside Resort," shaped the way people thought of recreation and it was single-handedly the catalyst for today's modern recreation and tourism business on the Monterey Peninsula.

The hotel took a new course in 1919 when Samuel F. B. Morse formed Del Monte Properties Company. He purchased the Hotel Del Monte and its associated properties - nearly 20,000 acres scattered around Monterey, Pebble Beach, Pacific Grove, carmel, and Carmel Valley. He refined the hotel's image for elegant service while transforming the resort into the world's largest sports empire.

Hotel Del Monte became a Navy command during World War II, and the Navy subsequently purchased Hotel del Monte to provide a new home for the Naval Postgraduate School.

The Monterey History and Art Association, which operates the Monterey Maritime and History Museum with its new Jo Mora Room, Mayo Hayes O'donnell Library, Casa Serrano, Doud House, and the Perry Downer Historic Costume Gallery, is the oldest cultural institution on the Monterey Peninsula. It began its work 72 years ago, and is still going strong today as a leader in the historic preservation of Monterey's artifacts, historic properties, and the precious art created by many of its famous residents.

For more information, contact Tim Thomas at Monterey History and Art Association at (831) 372-2608 ext 17 or John Sanders at (831) 656-3346 at the Naval Postgraduate School.

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Now, what creative collaborations can you pursue for your business? They're a wonderful catalyst for publicity, new audiences, and increased profits!

One of my favorite artists passed away this past week, Robert Rauschenberg. The art world has lost more than just another artist. Rauschenberg was an innovator and an explorer. Years ago, I saved up enough rationalization to purchase a very expensive art book of his works. A few years ago, John and I were fortunate to be able to see an exhibit of his work at MOCA in LA.

The exhibit was huge, displayed in several rooms. There were prints, collages, assemblages and installations. It was so exciting to actually see up close that which I had only seen in smallish photographs. After savoring the first few large works, looking at every detail and then looking again to be sure I did not miss any nuances, I then had to look again because John noticed something I had overlooked. We became totally overwhelmed and had to go outside and rest our eyes for the overload of stimulus.

Back we went for more. It was the absolute best exhibit I have ever attended. We talked about it for days and days and finally had to go back and see it again. There was so much more to see the second time because we were somewhat prepared for the overload. I wanted to live in that museum for a week...at least...and just feast on the ideas and executions of his art works. I loved the textures, the layers, the colors, the juxtaposition of unlike objects that suddenly made sense together and the series of an idea developed over and over.

I never met him, but I feel as though there has been a loss in the family.

Have you ever faced the predicament involved in having to figure out a gift to give to a teacher or a coach when you have several people involved in the giving? 

Oh, just thinking of what to get, how to get the funds together, and coordinate everyone.  It all seems to cause a little extra stress for me.  Specially at the end of each school year when we all seem to be running around like chickens without a head.  At least that's how I feel each year in the month of May for some reason. Well, this year I found a marvelous new alternative!  There is a new website run by two local moms here in the Bay Area. It's called From Everyone.  Their mission: "to make group gift giving simple, thoughtful and convenient for all." What a great idea!  I hope it can help you as much as it is helping me this year!

That's right ladies - but this isn't an ordinary sample sale. This is an insane bridal mecca for all things fashionably fabulous (with some beauty and pampering tossed in too.)

Encore Bridal, known for new and nearly new couture at amazing prices, is blowing out their current inventory on Saturday, June 14th from 10am to 6pm.

This swanky shopping day is taking place at the Belamar Hotel in Manhattan Beach. Located at 3501 Sepulveda Blvd.

Prices will be discounted an additional 10-30% from the already affordable online prices. And new inventory will be debuted at the event, so be first in line to take a look at the possibilities.

In addition, get makeup tips and mini trials by makeup artists, skin and beauty tips from skin experts, and complimentary hair consultations from top stylists.

Sign up to win over $1000 in raffle prizes and more!

Bring the gals, shop til you drop, and run away with a fabulous Monique, Vera, Oscar, or other designer gown at a fraction of the price.

Attendance is free, to register for an appointment, please click here. Hope to see you there!

There is fabulous diva buzz going on about the film Two Lovers, which is now in the Cannes film festival. Starring Gwenneth Paltrow and Joaquin Phoenix, our own diva Julie Budd has a featured part in this highly anticipated flick. We can't wait to see it!