AvenueA

New listings on Etsy

I have listed a new collection of necklaces and a new Avenue Cuff.  The "Gypsy" Collection is a limited collection so click on over to Avenue{A} and check it out!!!

 

 

Oscar Night

Watching the Oscars....am totally inspired by some of the colors I am seeing ! What was your fave?

Cute Spring Project

First, let me just apologize for being gone....busy!  No excuse...I know!  Second, let me just thank you for checking in daily {I can see people are checking the blog daily}.  It means so much that you read my blog....so thank you!  kiss...kiss ;)

Now back to my post.....

Saw this fun tutorial on the Whipperberry Blog today.  It is a project that can be customized for any season, event, or decor.  I know most crafty people have a flower paper punch and some paper laying around {maybe just a few pieces} lol ;)   As a matter of fact you probably have this exact punch....I know I do!!

It is super-easy and super-cute!!!

I am hard at work in the studio creating a new collection.....and working on 2 special little projects for 2 of my cutest, craftiest friends!! {you will get the deets soon!}

{A}

She Art Workshop....You gotta do it!!!

I blogged about the adorable Christy Tomlinson's new online class 

{The She Art Workshop}

 a little while back....but I wanted to remind you {if you haven't already} to SIGN UP!!!! 

This is such a cool class...you will learn how to use mixed-media to create amazing canvas art. 

Here are the deets on Christy's Blog.

I am taking it....and you should too!!!  It is a 3-week course that you take online.  Video tutorials allow you to work at your own pace as the class will be open for a total of 6 weeks.  So join me for some artsy fun!!!! It is only $35....what a great deal for an opportunity to spread your artistic wings!!!

Registration ends on Febraury 27th....what are you waitin' for.....GO...SIGN UP!!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Here's to Love, Kisses, and Hugs.....Hope your day is filled with all of them!!

xoxo,

{A}

Colors of Spring

I know that many of you are dealing with some pretty miserable weather...even here in Orlando we have had our share of cold weather {cold being a relative term!}.  It is tough to feel "Spring-y" when it is freezing outside; especially when so many of the cold-weather clothes are black and grey! I try hard to purchase gloves and scarves in bright hues to keep the basic dark colors more cheery. Like this one I picked up at Old Navy...for $1 ! :)

BUT....Good News!!!!  SPRING is right around the corner!!!! Whoo Hoo!!! 

Spring starts a little earlier here in Sunny FL than in other areas; but the new Spring Collections have already hit the stores and it is always fun to buy something bright and cheery when the weather is dreary {hey...that rhymes}; even if you have to hang it in your closet for a few weeks before you can wear it!!!

Have you ever wondered how designers choose their color palettes for their collections? Who are the infamous "They" that make these decisions, that guide trends in fashion and home decor?  Well....PANTONE is the "they" of the color world.  For the last 4 yrs. or so Pantone has been the leading authority on color; helping and inspiring designers with their creativity and designs.

Pantone chooses a Color of the Year and I am so excited that it is a beautiful shade of....you guessed it.....PINK!!!!  Honeysuckle to be exact!!!!

 

 

 

I am beyond happy that this color is going to be available in Spring Fashion and Home Decor.  As I posted earlier this week....I LOVE Pink!!!  This is actually my favorite shade!!  So when you see this color when you are shopping....you can thank Pantone.  Here is what "they" have to say about their Color of the Year.....

" Honeysuckle, a vibrant, energetic hue, is the color of the year for 2011.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.  In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues, explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.  Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

I could NOT have said it better!! That is exactly how I feel about Pink. It makes me happy, lifts my spirits and makes my day go "dynamically"!!  You might think...come on Angela....really?  A color makes you "happy", "uplifted" and "dynamic"?   YEP...it sure does!!!!  Don't know why...it just does!!! 

My second fave color is Turquoise {which coincidentally was the Color of the Year in 2010!}  It is a close second to Pink!! They chose turquoise last year for it's ability to evoke a feeling of escaping to a tropical island.  Wouldnt' we all love to do that?

 

As our country and it's citizens continue to struggle to recover from our recent financial woes....I think it is great to see that the color people at Pantone choose a color each year that can help consumers "feel" better. 
 I believe in the power of color.  When you walk into a store and the products are displayed and merchandised by color....aren't you completely drawn to it?  Don't you just have to touch it?  Some are drawn to shades of blues....some are drawn to shades of pink or green.  Either way...you are drawn.  THAT is the power of color!!!

The Spring Color Trends for 2011 from Pantone are below.....they are all beautiful!  Do you have a favorite? 

Honeysuckle

Regatta

Coral Rose

Beeswax

PeaPod

Blue Curacao

Russet

Silver Peony

Lavender

Silver Cloud

 

Do yourself a favor...go out and find something for yourself in your favorite shade...a new shirt or dress.....a new handbag or pair of shoes.  Even if you can't wear it just yet....it will make you feel "happy and uplifted"....I promise!!!

Cheers to color!!

{A}

Feelin' the LOVE....

I admit it.....I LOVE....LOVE....LOVE Valentine's Day!!!  It is all about love, hugs, kisses, smiles, happiness.....and PINK!!!!  The decorations are so stinkin' cute I can't stand it!!!  My husband {Mr. Wayne}...can't stand it either...no....I mean it....he can't stand that I decorate for Valentine's!!! lol  He says..."it's not even a holiday".  SO?????  I tell him it makes me happy....so he rolls his eyes and says....ok.  {like he always does...lol} 

This weekend was pretty dreary and drizzly so I got out the V-day decs I have collected and the new things I picked up this year. Here's the mantle.....

 

I left my the photos of my girls on there as they usually are...because I love them and it's about the love!  The garland & puffy hearts are from Michael's.  I got them last year, but they have them again this year.  The heart-shaped lights are from dollar-spot in Target....I love Target!!  The pink gerbers are also from Michael's....love pink...love gerbers!  In the scroll frame is the Becky Higgins' Valentine download that can be found
HERE on her blog.  They are adorable and can be framed and given as a gift!

 

Now....I must admit....I did this on purpose!  When Mr. Wayne saw this {our bedroom door} he just looked at me and said...."Really?".  Yep...really!  LOL

 

Here are the photos of the kitchen....the owl placemats make me smile!!  And those Fuji mums look like paper but are silk!!!  So fun!

 
 

 
{You can see the other Becky printable in the frame}.  The paperwhites were a gift from my sweet friend Tami.

I also added some window clings to our bathroom mirror.  I thought it was a great way to start the day....feelin' the love!   I told Wayne that when he gets up in the morning he can know how much I love him when he sees it.  {insert eye rolling here}  :)

 

And then of course the front door with my newly planted containers.  I did, however, leave my favorite door mat in place....{wink}.

 

So.....that's my little photo tour of my "LOVE-ly" Valentine's decorations.  They make me smile and they are staying up for the ENTIRE month of February!!! 

That's right Mr. Wayne....don'tcha just LOVE it?  ;)

love, {A}

Chores are fun...{Project Idea}

I always love to surf the net and look for great blogs and sites that have creative ideas for all aspects of life.  I have noticed how many amazing blogs there are out there for party planning and creative living....you could spend hours.....days.....looking at all of them!!  I came across this site How Does She? a few weeks ago.  It is a beautiful site with all sorts of wonderful ideas for holidays, entertaining, homekeeping, cooking & baking....and more!!

This project caught my eye. 

 

I have two daughters {Riley, 12 & Mackenzie, 11}. 

{ Cute....aren't they?  ;) }

 
We are always trying to teach them responsibility around the house and now that they are older it seems even more important to give them "chores" so they don't grow up to be slobs!  lol

We have tried chores charts before and quite frankly....I can't keep up!!  This seems to be easier to manage and it is super-cute to have out on the counter!  It can be customized to match your decor; but it looks adorable the way it is!!!!  It is made with 2x4's, paper. popsicle sticks and Mod Podge.  Now......I think you could use paper mache boxes if you want an easier/quicker option or you don't want to ask the hubs to drill some holes in wood for you!!!  :)   I also love that it is for multiple children!!  She suggests allowing them to "draw" the chores each week.  Here is the link to the step-by-step......and.....she even includes the PDF for the chores!!!  How Does She? Chores Project .  All you do is print them on your favorite paper!!  Easy...breezy....lemon squeezy!!!

I think I might try to make my own version of this idea...how 'bout you?  If you give it a try....send me a pic!!  I will blog and share it!!!

{A}

Check out Suze's CHA Wrap-up!!

Although I didn't attend CHA Winter this year....I kept up with the "deets" on my adorable friend Suze Weinberg's Blog!  She did a great job showing you an assortment of booths and products!!  Go check it out.....

I will post more links to blogs with CHA memories for you this weekend!! ;)

{A}

Have been under the weather....will be back soon!