Cozy, Christmas, Crazy Time

Now, we are not going to get into that "It's such a stressful time of year" thing are we?  Nonsense! We will make yet another fond memory.

I got this great picture from the following blog: http://blogs.kqed.org/bayareabites/2009/12/17/champagne-holiday-cocktails/
Great resource if you will be playing in the Bay area!


I love champagne bubblies , along with a pretty presentation that will twinkle & sparkle as the Christmas lights bounce off the glass.  I like this recipe, found on http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/r/poinsettia_cktl.htm

Ingredients:

• 1/2 oz Cointreau or triple sec
• Champagne
• 3 oz cranberry juice

Preparation:

1. Chill all of the ingredients beforehand.
2. Pour the Cointreau and cranberry juice into a chilled Champagne flute.
3. Stir well.
4. Top with Champagne.

So, the lights are on, our drink is on, what should we make with our Brother (sewing machine that is!) ?

Fun little crossover for mall hopping, hands free to wrestle your bargains away from your fellow shoppers.

Oh, you prefer the more traditional Christmas colors?

Don't forget a little sewing sing along!

The Long ride home...

This is the time when we are reminded of home, family, blah, blah blah. Not usually the sappy kind, but I really did enjoy my last visit back to AZ.


Usually I try to fly through the drive, up and back.  Not this time. I lingered for awhile in a little town called Quartsite. Wow, what a quirky , crazy place. The locals were friendly, getting their drink on at "Silly Al's".  I was fascinated by  the metal artwork located in random spots through the main drag.


My favorite was the groucho marx cactus:

I proceeded to the lovely town of  Blythe,

where I shot this one off

There really is something special about the South West.

Inspired me to make this:

I loved collaborating with my favorite photographer to capture this Route 66 vibe! Check out his blog

http://garrettero.blogspot.com

I look forward to making more car inspired accessories!

Let's hear from an ole' favorite:

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Dia De Los Muerto...Mi época del año preferida

Finally!!!!!!!!!!
Dia De Los Muerto will be celebrated at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.  I have been to both this one, and the Olvera Street fiesta. Here are a few pics:

Olvera Street Ofrenda 2008

Forever Cemetery 2009

The following is a link to this years event:

http://www.ladayofthedead.com/index.html

There will be great food, tequila, art exhibits, Aztec dancers, live entertainment after dark, and an Ofrenda Contest! You really must check out the artwork in the mausoleum.

There are also some great vendors, selling dia de los themed items.

If you choose to stay in (crazy!) , you might enjoy:

picture credit http://www.letsgettwisted.net/margaritamachines.html

Recipe from the Garrettero Cantina

2 oz. Tequila

1.5 oz Lime Juice (Sorry, it's gottsta be fresh squeezed)

1.5 oz Triple Sec or orange liquor

1 oz simple sugar (make ahead of time by melting equal part sugar and water , stove top in saucepan , and refrigerate. ex: 1 cup ea. ingredient)

The best way to concoct this, is to multiply the recipe to the number of drinks desired, stirring into a pitcher.  NO ICE! 

Then serve as needed, pouring over large amounts of ice.

Where is she taking us with this?

You guessed it! Dia De Los Muerto inspired handbags, journal covers, laptop sleeves & pillows!

Thanks For Visiting!

Don't forget to see this fantastic movie, with a face only a mother could love:

A sip of yesterday...

Still lovin' it after all these years...

Stepped out recently to catch a glimpse of the surf, a sip of something sweet, and a feel of nostalgia. I have been going to this place for almost 10 years now, and it never disappoints me.

French 75 Bistro is a wonderful place

It was like looking into a time machine! Decorated in a art deco flavor & specializing in old school drinks, and champagne cocktails.  Here is a link, that reflects the current musical venue. This guy was great. I was expecting big band, or old jazz, which would have been grand, but was pleasantly surprised , when I heard some Barry White as I walked in the door. Here is a link before I go on about the happenings here...

http://www.french75.net/specials.shtml

So, we had the R&B music,  people bringing sexy back on the dance floor, pretty ladies in tight pencil skirts, looking retro, and a couple doing a little of the dirty dancing,  locking eyes to Barry. My man hates this type of music, so luckily, the songbird  began a little Santana. Out to the dance floor, walks a young lady , wearing a 70's looking silk blouse, that had srtipes on it, resembling a sarape. It sounds awful, but it was just perfect with the now latin turn of musical events. The people watching was fabulous.

Oh wait! That's not people it's food!

The bartender made me a lovely chocolate martini, and was not offended by my suggestions for ingredients.  I love it when a bartender really wants you to enjoy your drink. This guy has served me before, and his drinks have never let me down.

Try this delicious Chocolate Martini

Recipe courtesy of my irish twin

Equal parts  Godiva chocolaté liqueur, vodka, and Bailey's Irish Cream. I use 2 oz each, and shake it up till it's nice and frothy. Yummy served in a Martini glass, previously drizzled with chocolate syrup and placed in the freezer.

It was just lovely to visit a place that excels in providing an ambiance.  You just feel Girly & Pretty & Lucky!!!!!!

Inspires me to make a few retro, frilly, accessories...

"Dee-Lucks" Laptop Sleeves:

 "Kiss Me You Fool" cosmetic bag:

"Take Me On Your Vespa" hand bag:

Now to leave with the Lady Of Song

Another Day in the life of a "Borracha Crafter"

Awe...........
A day off yesterday.  Needed a break from all the swirlies in mi cabeza. Strolling the beach...
Damn do I feel lucky!!!!

Here is a few pix for my Bud/Irish Twin. After the phone chatties, and a scolding for complaining about the heat, while he was  in a stuffy office in ARIZONA!
This car was parked right next to me when I was leaving the sand:

Upon return to my humble castle, 

I enjoyed a very simple balcony bebida.

Herradura Reposado & Sol Cuartito

No projects to post yet, but they are definitely in the works!

Nothing better than a some SoCal Surf tunes to sew by!

Tiki Inspiration...

I'm still jealous JENN!!!!!! She's in Hawaii now, I'm not. Still reminiscing about my own wedding on the island. Here in Huntington Beach, it is very warm, pushing me towards the need for cool refreshment.
Had to re-enact my favorite Big Island Bev:

Snappy Courtesy of Garrettero Kustom Photography

The Vog Cutter

Incredibly simple to make. Just make a Gin & Tonic, and splash in Guava Nectar to taste. 

I tasted this gem at a restaurant called The Frog Hopper. Their food was delicious!

http://www.fishhopper.com/kona/oceanviews.htm

If anyone out there is considering a destination wedding, I say DO IT!  We rented a house on the beach, flew our family out, and performed the nuptials on the sand, next to the house we rented.  We had a simple BBQ, flowers & cupcakes form the local Safeway, and spent far less than a fancy hotel wedding would have cost.

My Irish Twin made my cake top , (he makes unbelievably awesome Dia De Los Muertos art),  my father in-law made a cupcake stand into a tiered cake looking thing, and my nephews and all the kids helped decorate the mini cake with flowers.

What a memory.  Just another reason why I FEEL LUCKY!

The day after the wedding, we were sipping coffee on the Balcony, and caught this pic of a hula chick, performing on the rocks , right before our eyes! 

Very Special Indeed!

This flood of memories, and reviewing pictures of our visits there, give me some pretty powerful TIKI Inspiration:

Tiki iPad Sleeves

Well, back to reality. Let us prepare to knock out another work week. But before we part, lets listen to a little number, that just might "tide" us over until TIKI TIME:

My evening on the Island...

Completed my Hawaii themed gift, while sipping on a  new concoction:

VILLA ITALIA

3 oz Villa Italia Grapefruit Soda + vodka (to taste/tolerance)

Chilled Martini glass- pour directly in with a little stir

Soda can be found at TJ's for $2.99 a bottle yummy!

Here is a glimpse at the apron, and journal cover for Jess:

shhhhhh!!!!!!! She doesn't know about it yet!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HULA CHICA!

She really does know how to Hula

Time to make stuff....Island Dreaming

My friend Jenn, soon to by Mrs. Wang, is getting married in Oahu within a few days.  She's got me thinking about my wedding in Hawaii, and longing for all that is "Tiki".

Hmmm...what to make?  My pal Jess, aka Hula Chica , has a birthday in just a few days.  Today I will take some recycled material from a Hawaiian dress, and fashion a ruffle girlie journal cover for Hula Chica to use in her studies.

Setting the mood with Hawaiian tunes courtesy of my Irish twin, a pineapple smoothy for breakfast, and of course......"Tiki Time" in the afternoon

Is this not something to look forward to ?

Picture courtesy of Garrettero Kustom Photography

Tijuana Jerry

1oz Sailor Jerry, 1oz Silver Tequila, 3/4 oz 
 fresh lime juice & 1/2 oz agave nectar.
 Salting the rim and mint garnish optional ---do put in lime wheel

Now a little music to get us rolling!

I'm jumpin' in!!!!!!!!!

My first entry on my first blog....NO!!!!! Don't fall asleep yet.
Drinks, travel, sewing & song. These things make me happy, and I plan to share a little fun with you.

I'm going to start with a peek at my favorite drinking buddy, and my Irish twin.
We recently imbibed at a fantastic Downtown spot in Phoenix, and discovered a tasty gem called "Ginger Girl". Loooooooved it. Big bro simulated this bev by using Hendrick's Gin 
and Canton Ginger Liquor. 

This is a pic directly from their website. If ever in Phoenix, you owe yourself the experience. 
Food is reasonably priced, and there is something on the menu to pleasure everyone! Ambiance is delightful. You'll feel like Ginger, when you slide into the seat, and  sip at their shiny, elegant bar. (I just avoid looking in all the mirrors in order to maintain my euphoric delusion!) 
http://www.myfloristcafe.com/menu.html#/2


Ginger Liquor...

Ginger Candy......

You can get this at Trader Joe's. Nice little afternoon snack.

Sipping, snacking and sewing. Inspires my latest projects:

I adapted a Simplicity and McCalls pattern for the lap top sleeves. The journal is all mine.

Well, this was fun. Please keep in mind, my site is still being developed.  More links soon.
Have a great weekend, and check out this catchy tune. They just look so happy.


Smoochies,
Marie