Ziggy Stardust Does the Time Warp...

"Ziggy played guitar, jammin' good with Weird and Gilly"...Ziggy Stardust

To those friends who chose to pass on tonight's edition of "Every Wednesday Girl's Night Out"... not to rub salt in the wound, but you picked a hell of a night to miss!

For those who have been reading along these past three months, you know that my friend Jackie and I have been ditching our hubbies, just about every Wednesday night, to solve the world's problems over dinner and drinks, and enjoy some great little concerts put on by some of the best tribute bands around - all over at the LV Hilton.  It really is mindless fun, and if you walk in with no expectations, other than to hear some covers of some really great classic tunes, sometimes you are VERY pleasantly surprised!  Tonight came in at, probably, #2 for us...we still have Which One's Pink, the Pink Floyd Tribute band, in first place, and I think Jackie would throw down and fight anyone who disputed that fact.

David Brighton's performance as David Bowie (http://www.davidbowietribute.com/) tonight, was pretty incredible...from his voice (as well as the solid band), down to the look and mannerisms!  Some of the greatest known hits ("Fame", "Golden Years", etc.) led the evening, followed by the "Ziggy Stardust" tunes of the 70's, and on through the 80's.  The evening ended with a rousing, audience involved, rendition (by David and his lone female backup singer/organist) of "Time Warp", from The Rocky Horror Picture Show fame.

How to wind down after such a great evening?  Post to the blog!  Next week?  The band playing homage to my "boys", Page and Plant!

"It's just a jump to the left, and then a step to the right.

With your hands on your hips, you bring your knees in tight.
But it's the pelvic thrust, that really drives you insane......
Let's do the Time Warp again......
Let's do the Time Warp again!"

Dripping In Jewels...

Because Mother's Day is just around the corner!  Got some new creative "mojo" workin', thanks to the class last week.  Even dipped into that beloved brass stash of mine for this one - all dripping from the neck of one of my favorite pincushion dolls, who desperately needs, and deserves, a dress.  Perhaps that should be next on the creative agenda...I have a feeling she will, sadly, still need that dress next week - the beads are calling!

And, a hearty "shout out" to Kathleen of fadedcharmcottage for letting me play on "White Wednesday" - there's some really incredible blogs and creativity to be found there...check it out!

Girly, "Frou-Frou" Things...

"Frou-Frou" - n. 1.  Fussy or showy dress or ornamentation...thefreedictionary.com

Well, the Vertigo is still with me on one side, but with the motion sickness medication, it's "manageable".  I spent the week agonizing over whether the inner workings of my head would be "still" long enough to take a class this week, and was thrilled yesterday when I was actually there!  I have looked forward to this for so long.  This was a Victorian/Edwardian style beaded pendant class taught by "quilter, turned beader", Heather French...of the much loved "French Roses" quilt pattern fame, for you sewers.  Our paths have wended their way through the same sewing/teaching "haunts", and mutual friends, all these past years, but I was never able to actually put a face with a name until yesterday.  What an incredible talent Heather is...in, seemingly, everything she touches!  Her designs, from the quilting to her jewelry now, have never failed to amaze and delight me.

The beading was worked on a screen base (something I'd not attempted before), and then attached to a filigree backing.  We were offered up three different pattern options - I chose what I love, which is the free-form beading.  I know that I will be going back and attempting the other two patterns, as well...probably as soon as this evening if I know myself.  In addition to the numerous little seed bead fringes, Charlottes, crystals, and pearls, I incorporated some of my vintage buttons into the piece, as well as the beautiful old brass stamping it now sits atop.  Thank you, Heather - what a great "frou-frou" day it was!

It's a Flashback!

My week in pictures...

It was like some big, ol' retro flashback goin' on, right in my head!  My mother-in-law flew in from Denver last week, and Thursday night I treated her to Sandy Hackett's (the comedian, Buddy Hackett's, son) "Rat Pack Show" at the Sahara hotel (which, coincidentally, is the last remaining original "Rat Pack" resort on the Vegas Strip where Sinatra and the boys used to play, and also the setting for the first Ocean's 11 movie).  The show was pretty wonderful - it showcases Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Joey Bishop.  Handsome performers, all, and all of their voices were "spot-on"...we both thoroughly enjoyed it, so I guess it would also come highly recommended then, too!

Saturday landed me in bed (where I crawled from the floor), for a full 48 hours, with a vicious attack of James Stewart Vertigo.  The picture is that big, because that's how it hit me...I liken it to sitting in the middle of the "ride" (more of my flashback memories) on the floor of the Funhouse at Lakeside Amusement Park (an extra large wooden platform) and holding on for dear life while it spins uncontrollably fast!  If you're "lucky", the least you get out of it is a wood burn where you hit the floor when you fly out of control and off the disk...if you're like me, you get the wood burn AND you are sick for days because your head is still spinning for that long!  This part of the flashback is not highly recommended.

Monday night found a "wobbly" me, with my mil in tow again, at the LV Hilton for Trent Carlini's version of Elvis - I told you it was like one big flashback!!  Incredible performer - if you ever get to Sin City and want to see "The King", check out his show - "One Night With You"...you'll be glad you did.  If you're a local and are interested in how we get to so many great shows, drop me a line and I'll let you in on the best deal in Vegas.  I could tell you here, but then I'd have to kill you!

"I See a Red Door....

and I want it painted black..."

Another Wed. night; another tribute band concert at the LV Hilton; another great evening out with wonderful friends, fun covers of music from the Stones, and lots of laughs!  While it's completely unrealistic to compare the real boys (I was lucky enough to see them in person a few years back, here in Vegas - 13th row...close enough to touch 'em) to ANY tribute band, the group Rolling The Stones had us tapping our toes and singing along last night, for sure.  Jackie informed me that she hates "Paint It Black"...I don't know, Jackie, but that's borderline un-Stone-merican!  She did "give me" "Sympathy for the Devil", though, so we'll have to let her slide...this time...she's just so young!  I did tell her that if the "real deal" ever comes back to town, we will be there.  And yes, Jackie, I probably still would!

A Helping Hand...

One of our "jewelry friends" is a Las Vegas Metro policewoman.  She's a tiny little thing, our Ronna is, but full of spunk, and I would hate to be one of the bad guys.  She contacted us the other evening to ask for donations for a silent auction, as Metro is trying to raise money to send the families of the 4 officers who were killed in the line of duty in Vegas last year, to Washington, DC next month. This event happens every year in May, in our capital, to recognize fallen officers across the nation.

I was able to finish up two necklaces for their cause last evening, before my company flies into town...one, a hand formed/hammered copper piece with glass pearls and fire polish "peas"; the other, a brass leaf with Swarovski crystals and carnelian agates.  Glad to be able to "give back" - thanks for asking, Ronna!

Ribbons and Brass...

Have I told you how much I love my dear friend, Carole (The Ribbon Lady)?  Well, I do...aside from her friendship and getting over just to see her (though far too few trips lately), I never go that I don't find something wonderful that I can't live without!  Yesterday, when I went to drop the hats off, it was in the form of beautiful plaid silk ribbons (about 2-1/2" wide - the "Watch Plaid" is actually a silky sort of organza, and is SO yummy) and vintage brass pieces, though the "damage" could have been much worse...I do have to try and contain myself and pick what I think I can use these days, as my stash seems to be taking on a life of it's own...and I thought that only happened with fabric!

When gently placing these newest acquisitions with the rest I have amassed (from friends and/or purchases over the past few years), I realized how many beautiful pieces I have. Just like buttons, I have an affinity for the old brass pieces. Everything down below is vintage, save for the bird, under the owl head, which is a reproduction piece from an old mold. I realized this "collection" really is taking on a life of it's own, and needs to be used...fast! It's a shame to hide these beautiful pieces away, so I'll be creatively brainstorming this weekend.  Cleopatra was actually "five" to begin with (I bought a vintage lot a few years back), and one was turned into a fabulous necklace for my daughter last year so technically, it is "one down", but I'm off to a rather slow start with the rest of it, I think!  Hello...I am the Queen of "De-nial", and I have a slight problem!