Glass blowing class in East Falls

Here are some photos from the glass blowing class we took last week at East Falls Glassworks. we had a lot of fun! Having seen glass blowing on tv, it seemed very intimidating, i'm so glad to have finally given this a try.
our teacher (in purple below) was great, and walked us through every step of the way to help each of us make a glass paper weight and an ornament. the whole process took several hours, and we had to let our pieces cool slowly (in a kiln) overnight.

me spinning the hot glass

shaping the glass

torching glass to soften enough to stamp my initials, and flattening the bottom

ryan also had a great time! i know he thinks of me as the artist in the family, but he has that spark in him too, and its fun to see it come out!

ry heating the glass in the oven!

dipping the hot glass into colored glass pieces, and shaping

shaping the glass.

 

 

The final products! we were really pleased with how these turned out! ryan's paper weight (the green one) has more bubbles, something we were both trying to achieve by poking the hot glass with the metal tools.

ry's paper weight, and mine

my ornament and ry's

This is something we would both try again. it is fun to do with a friend or group. ryan wants to go back to make holiday gifts! so don't be surprised if you get a paper weight from us next year!

Painting at the Main Line Art Center Members' Exhibition

in front of my painting at the Exhibition

I've been taking painting classes at the Main Line Art Center, and have really been enjoying them!  I decided to participate in the members' show which is running from December 17 until January 15th.  Ryan and I had a great time at the opening night reception.

me and Ryan in front of my painting

"apples" (NFS :)

other interesting paintings

more paintings

more paintings and prints

<3

the Vivi doll!

the Vivi doll 2010

 Here is a picture of the doll I made inspired by and created for my niece Vivi!  I used stretch jersey fabric, buttons, and stuffed it with recycled bamboo and recycled rayon stuffing.  The doll is super soft and cuddly.  Ryan asked if I was sure I wanted to give it away, because he caught me hugging it throughout the time I was creating it.  It was really fun to make.  I drew a free hand pattern for the body, and then draped and pinned the shirt and leggings to get general shapes for the clothes.  I definitely learned a lot, and I think it would be a lot faster the next time around, if I decide to do another doll. <3

date night!! Verdade and the social network in Bryn Mawr!!

movies

Oh yeah!!  Ry and i have been doing date night about once a week for the past couple weeks.  it's something we've started before and then dropped.  hopefully, we will stick with it this time around.  it's super fun!  the idea is not to necessarily go out for dinner or a movie (although that's what we did this week), but just to spend some dedicated time with each other doing something fun, and special.  we've done movie night at home, and even walked around the mall, or gone for a walk or bike ride near our house.  fun!
this week, we decided to go see the social network the story of the facebook start-up and rise.  we stumbled upon an interesting Mexican restaurant slash tequila bar a block from the movies and had great time. yum and fun!! <3 xo

ry at Verdade

emmys: my best dressed!

These are my favorite looks from the Emmys this year.  Meaning, gown is gorgeous, hair and accessories work well with the gown, and the overlook works on the person wearing it.  For example if the whole look is great for a 50 year old and a 20 year old has it on...just doesn't work!!!  I did see this happen with one Glee star (not pictured), everything was fab, but the whole look was much too old for her!!

It's hard not to post every dress that i love.  There are so many beautiful people in beautiful dresses, but so often the entire look is thrown off when one component (like hair, or shoes!!) doesn't work with the dress.  To those gorgeous people, better luck next year?

yay!! favs. both hot and stunning!!

gorgeous navy and midnight blues! gorgeous!

stunning, beautiful, hot!

honorable mentions, very nice!!

and honorable mentions, nice!

Love these award shows!
(photos from: nydailynews, yahoo, and harpersbazaar, huffingtonpost)

summer recap..not that it's over yet!!

donkin donuts, mc donalds, wawa, starbucks coffee drinks...

To keep cool this summer, i've consumed more than a-healthy amount of frozen coffee drinks.  they sure are good!!!  I think the best is donkin donuts, although i am happy with almost anything cold, coffee, and sweet!

V and Ryan... too cute!!

Otherwise, summer was mostly a few fun visits with my niece, V, some fun girls weekends, spending time with friends in VT, one night of "camping", and i did a little painting!  summer is the best, yay summer!! <3

us at the sugarbush farmers' market in VT

Bebz and me at the lilith fair

and Tar at the lilith fair!

out with Amy and Jen celebrating Amy's bachelorette!!

still life #2 of the season

Oh yeah, and ryan and i just had our two year wedding anniversary.  we went biking, had a lunch in the park and saw a movie.  ahh... love!

our 2-year wedding anniversary date!! <3
(like our date outfits?? i do!)

Amy's Bridal Shower!!

Sunday was Amy's bridal shower, it was a total success!  She definitely had a great time as evident by the her smile in every picture snapped!  There were a ton of games, food, photos, flowers and gifts.  My favorite game was Amy vs her mother-in-law for "who knows Arturo (Antonio) best".  Her cousin Jason was the only guy allowed, he shot the photos.  Nice job Jason, and thanks for letting me use them!

I made chocolate chip cookies (Ryan helped, but I really ran the show) to give as favors for the guest.  They came out well, but there aren't any good photos of them!  Ryan asked later if "anyone said that they were the best cookies they had ever eaten" haha... that got a few laughs.

Some of Amy's friends also compiled a recipe book with recipe contributions from most of the attendees (about 35 women)!

 Amy and her M-I-L

 bride-to-be and her recipe book

Can't wait for the Mazin-Marrufo wedding in October to celebrate with my dear friend!  Amy + Arturo = L-O-V-E!

 Amy's bridesmaids

women on Amy's side of the family

Mazin women

more friends

me and Am

On a sentimental note, celebrating with Amy yesterday also makes me appreciate the wonderful friends and family that made my bridal shower a special day for me.  Of course Amy was there! <3

A Yummy President's Day

In honor of President's Day the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. displayed presidential portraits, made of cupcakes! The artist used over 5,000 cupcakes to create the faces of Presidents Lincoln and Obama. What a fun idea! For a cute story on the event, NPR has more!

Photo found on New York Times blog The Caucus

New Year's Miami Style

New Year's was a hodgepodge of activities..we started at Ryan's cousins Erica, Rose and Howard D.'s for champagne and cheese, then met up Aviva and her parents on our way to Lincoln Road for some people watching and entertainment. We ended up at another cousin's for a late night party water-side. I had fun wearing my Miami inspired dress! It was an action-packed night, and a lot of fun. <3

Roof-top at midnight.

With Aviva, Ester and Alex S.

Ryan knows how to take a good picture!