Friday, April 30, 2010

DIY Cupcake Kit Giveaway! Open until May 5th! Cinco de Mayo!

This giveaway is for the US only - sorry International friends : (  Don't worry I'll be doing another giveaway soon!
Please leave a comment here if you would like to win this DIY Cupcake Kit! The winner may choose Classic Yellow Cake Mix or Devils Food Cake Mix (hermetically sealed). The kit includes: cake mix for 12 standard cupcakes, rainbow sprinkles, 12 cupcake liners, a PDF to make your own Cupcake Toppers (as shown in the picture) and last but not least a tote bag sewn by me with fabric I designed : ) The lining of the bag is a pretty white background with butterflies that match the outside of the tote bag! A perfect gift for a friend or a good excuse to bake some cuppies of your own! Please note frosting not included! Open to US only! Sorry International peeps...I'll be doing another giveaway soon Worldwide Welcome!

Here's what's inside:


Happy Baking!

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Earth Day Giveaway!


Earth Day Giveaway!, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

Please leave a comment here to win this pink daisy pin topper handmade by me and also a packet of Shasta Daisy seeds! Giveaway open to anyone World Wide who cares about our planet Earth!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Lark Who Goes There?


I pretty much fell in LOVE with this shop LARK in Australia! Just wanted to share their darling goods with all of you : )
How much cuter can you get with this picture??? Hello!
Check out their website you'll love it!

Friday, January 29, 2010

A Week of Rain in the Desert!

So this has to be some kind of record for us here in Tucson. We've lived here 5 years and I'm serious when I say it never rains (except during monsoon season and little bit in the winter). It's rained pretty much every day for a week! I love it!
The freshness it brings the desert is like no other....which inspired me to do some yard clean up. When we first moved here I was so diligent about keeping up with the yard but I lost interest especially the watering part. One summer I literally had to water our garden patch 3 times a day. It was like having a full time job!It was a hard realization to come to.....a California garden isn't the easiest to maintain in Arizona!
We'll see how this Spring and Summer goes. I planted snapdragons, violas, pansies, hibiscus, ivy and primroses so far. It makes having neighbors drop by feel so nice when there's a big pot of color greeting them at the front door instead of an empty pot of dirt and cobwebs!
We have this messy tree in our front yard called a Sweet Acacia which is so high maintenance. It spills yellow puff balls in the Spring, brown hard pods in the Summer and leaves in the Fall!!!! So in order to keep the landscape rocks clean we need to vacuum our yard!!! How ridiculous does that sound? It's true. I had to take some pics so you can see the difference. Black n Decker makes a Leaf Hog which sucks everything up but not rocks! A bit hard on the back but good exercise right?
So here's the Before, In Between and After shots. Amazing huh?

We still have a long way to go with the vacuuming.....we've only tackled under the Sweet Acacia tree so far....but at least it's a start! So it's suppose to be sunny and 60 today : ) I've been waiting to take pictures of all my flowers so I'll be out in the yard later today to snap some! I can't wait to post them!

Monday, January 11, 2010

El Charro Cafe


Hubby and I love to eat at El Charro Cafe up in Oro Valley. They have been featured on the History Channel because they were the originators of the chimichanga! I was happy to find out that they were handing out free calendars on New Years Eve! Lucky me for two reasons ~ first of all I love to get about 6 calendars for my house every January to start the New year off right and second.....I LOVE pinups! I guess this pretty girl isn't exactly a pinup but she's the same retro style I always seem to gravitate towards : )
I joined "project 365" on flickr where you are suppose to take a picture every single day and post a little something about it. This is the pic I used for Day 7 : )

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Black Friday!

Hello friends!
Did anyone brave the crowds yesterday for Black Friday? Hubby and I did a little bit but not much. It's hard to get him to shop any day of the year let alone Black Friday! We did however make it to Target and a couple of other stores close by. It wasn't as horrible as I thought it would be ....then again we went at a normal hour and not at 4:00am like so many of you brave people do! I just can't open my eyes at that hour. Plus there wasn't any one particular item I was feeling the urge to buy since we mostly hand make our gifts and do a lot of baking.
Anyway, I have started decorating for the holidays and wanted to share a couple of pics. For more of my Holiday decor please go to my Pinks & Needles blog!

tacky cupcake decorations in apothecary jars


faux cupcake and candy canes
 
sneak peek of our tinsel trees


Monday, November 2, 2009

And the Winner is.............

Catherine of Mrs. Toad Designs!!!!
Thank you to all who participated in Pinks & Needles First Blog Giveaway! Catherine will be receiving this handmade Holiday Cupcake Ornament made by me with lots and lots of LOVE!!!
Be sure to check out Catherine's blog at:
Mrs. Toad Designs
See you all for our Big Re-Opening of Pinks & Needles on Etsy Monday November 16th! Tons of fun Holiday gifts will be available! We'll be hosting another Blog Giveaway for the month of December - please stay tuned!

See you all for our Big Re-Opening of Pinks & Needles on Etsy! Tons of fun Holiday gifts will be available! We'll be hosting another Blog Giveaway for the month of December - please stay tuned!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Halloween Party!


From Left to Right: Danielle the Pirate, Julie as Miss Piggy and Me as a Corpse Bride

it was such a fun party to get ready for!!! I have always loved Halloween but this year was a new and different experience for me. I really went all out on the hair and make up! The lashes were out of control - it was like seeing with tunnel vision!!!! My inspiration came from Miss Chevious on You Tube! She's fabulously talented make up artist! Check all of her videos out! You won't be disappointed!!!

Monday, October 19, 2009

My Very First Blog Giveaway!!!!!


Choose which blog you would like to follow by clicking on "Follow Blog" at the top of the page. I keep 4 blogs current (listed below)! Choose to follow 1 or more. The more blogs you follow the better your chances for winning! I will enter your name in once for each blog you follow : )

Pinks & Needles Blog a place to keep up to date with my Etsy shop Pinks & Needles!
California Girl Confections a place where I share recipes!
California Girl at Heart a place where I share fun things!
California Kiss Studio a place where I share art!
I will be giving away a lovely handmade surprise to the Lucky person who's name I pull from a hat on November 1st!!!!!!
Please note: you can comment here but in order to be entered into the drawing you must "follow" me at 1 or more of my 4 blogs : )
Thank you so much! I look forward to my first giveaway!!!! If you are already a follower you will automatically be entered into the drawing!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Candy Wrapper Collage

This is a bunch of ATC's I made out of different candy wrappers. A lot of layering, cutting and gluing went into these little babies : )

Monday, September 21, 2009

Amy's Birthday Gifts


Amy's Birthday Gifts, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

Miss Amy had a birthday not so long ago : ) She's my artist friend who paints exquisitely!!! Her style is very unique and thought provoking. Check her website! I can not stress enough how much I PROMISE you will love what she does!!! I wanted to do something special for her because she's an amazing person with a huge heart. And since gift giving is one of my passions - it was a win win ! Amy paints a lot of dessert items so I thought maybe....just maybe if I sent her some cupcakin' paraphernalia she might just take it upon herself to whip up some sweetness of her own! We shall see!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Re-Ment Bakery Chocolate Shop Open For Business!


bakery chocolate shop, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

Well I'm sure you're as surprised as me that I actually blogged today! It has been crazy busy in my little Etsy shop lately! I have however taken a little bit of time here and there to enjoy some "setting up" time with my Re-Ment. For those of you who are unfamiliar you have to check out their website! It's all in Japanese but just start clicking around to see all the wonderful pictures they have! Re-Ment is short for "Reform the Entertainment" - which I take to mean miniature heaven! My Blythe dolls love the fact that I take the time for them as well as set up places for them to enjoy! Like here in the Bakery Chocolate Shop!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Charlotte "Chuck" Charles is here!


I've been drooling over Gentle River for a long time and finally made the decision to adopt her! She arrived today and I have to say she's even more beautiful in person. She was more than ready to pop out of her dark cardboard box and into a colorful world of fun as soon she debuted on my doorstep all the way from Hong Kong. The first thing she did was leap over a bowl full of cherries! She's pretty sassy and seems to be adjusting just fine considering she's got a houseful of siblings. Welcome Home Chuck!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

I Think I've Gone Bananas For Blythe!


Ok seriously if you'd have asked me a year ago if I wanted a Blythe doll I probably would've said....."Hmmmm....I think I'll take the money and buy myself a pair of Lucky jeans instead!" But now if you ask me today I absolutely will say "Yes in a heart beat"!!!!! I don't know what it is about these magical little dolls but they bring so much joy and happiness to me personally. It took me a long time to figure out which one to get because there are 1000's to choose from so I spent hours narrowing it down to my all time favorite Milky Way Sugar. She's so gorgeous and perfect! Her long brown hair has a tiny little flip at the ends and her eyes are beautiful no matter which setting I put them on. My favorite is the light blue that looks off to the side- so much personality! I've enjoyed sewing her different dresses and putting her in poses! She's the perfect model ; ) So here she is Tisley Sue! I'm hoping to get a few more very soon. The Rosie Red Encore & Cousin Olivia are next on the list!

Monday, September 15, 2008

Octopussy


This is an amazing print I just purchased! Had to share! Isn't she gorgeous? I love everything about this picture. Pinups and Octopie are two of my favorite things and to find them together wrapped into one was a real treat! I wish I could give you all the link but it's no longer available : (

Friday, August 8, 2008

A Retro Collecting I Will Go!



My obsession for years hasn't changed a bit! I think I was suppose to grow up in the 50's but alas I was 20 years too late : ) I cannot explain my love for the Vintage, the Old, the absolute Kitschy.... all I can say is Bring it On!
My parents live in Santa Barbara and I have to tell you ....I'm so glad they do! There's a little shop on State Street called Lewis and Clark ~ chock full of fun frivolities! Looky here I what I snatched up last week. I'm giving my mom the cherry napkin but the towel and the tiny wooden ornament will stay with me : )

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Recycled Material Gift Tags ~ In Honor of Earth Hour

















I love hand made gift tags and was invited into Orgasmic Swappers for a small tag swap! I ended up making these for 3 partners. They each received all 4 tags! Bottle caps are a great way to announce messages ~ dontcha think?
Recycling is so important to me...for so many reasons.
Did anyone else partake in Earth Hour last night? No lights on from 8pm-9pm. Interesting.....considering I was home alone. It was so dark!!!! Scary!...just kidding...but it did make me think twice about flicking the switch!

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Etsy (Finally) Open for Biz!


Scattered About, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

Hi all! Well this chick has been very busy! I finally (after days, months and years of thinking about it) opened up my etsy store! It took a lot of time as I'm sure my fellow etsy-ers know! I've learned a lot in the short 5 days I've been open for business! Take good pics #1 rule in my book! Your pics are like the frosting on the cake! Please come visit my Etsy shop and look at all my creations!
Pinks & Needles

Friday, February 8, 2008

I'm in Love with Enid Collins Handbags


Enid Collins Handbags!, originally uploaded by Gigi & Big Red.

I've been dreaming of finding some good Enid Collins bags and low and behold look what I found today! I didn't purchase them but I had to take a picture. They were both in very good condition too. What I'm really hoping for is one of her wooden box bags! This antique mall was so big and packed to the gills with great stuff ~ a wee bit over priced of course but a fun place I definately want to go back soon when we have more time to ding around.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Getting ready for my Birthday!

Coconut Buttercups I love to bake especially around my birthday! I used silicon baking cups in a rainbow of colors for these Coconut Buttercups! I know I use a lot of coconut in my baking but it's my husbands favorite!!