Art Opera, Red Bank, NJ April 7-11, 2010!
Art Opera Overview! Again Art Opera will be held April 7-11, 2010 in red Bank, NJ at the Oyster Point Hotel and St. Anthony's Hall.
If you haven't registered fro Art Opera yet, look at everything that's going on:
-Wednesday Night is the Dinner Soiree w/mini group workshops and presentations from: DMC Floss (Liz/Allison), Parcel (Nancy), Lisa Kettell and more. Receive these project kits, supplies and treats inside your goodie bags. Munch on candies from handmade candy cones hanging from your chairs. Enjoy a vintage seaside setting w/lanterns and more. Guest Speakers, Art Opera Awards, Queens of the Sea Pageant w/a royal court, Gourmet Dinner, sweets and more. (Full attendees get this complimentary ticket, however there are tickets available for the dinner for those of you who are ala-cart attendees, vendors, or want to come)



-Thursday, Friday and Saturday (sat.morning) Workshops with top instructors: Ruth Rae, Traci Bautista, Suze Weinberg, Lisa Kettell, AnnDenise Anderson, Jenny Hernandez (polka dot pixie), Linda Hahola, Jenny Heid, Joan Kettell, Terri Ventura, Pamela Huntington, Heidi Wallingford, Kecia Deveney (lemoncholys). All classes include either breakfast or lunch, depending on the time of your workshop. 5 Full attendee packages are available, and 10 ala-cart (single Workshops) are available. Walk-ins the day of the workshops will be available for some of the workshops only.
AnnDenise Anderson's Classes:

Jenny Hernandez aka Polka Dot Pixie Classes:

Heidi Wallingford's Classes:

Pamela Huntington's Classes:

Ruth Rae's Classes:

Terri Ventura's Class:

Joan Kettell's Classes:

Suze Weinberg's Classes:

Traci Bautista Classes:

Kecia Deveney's Classes:

Lisa Kettell's Classes (Me):

Jenny Heid and Aaron's Nieradka's Classes:

-Thursday Night Sparkle Gathering

-Friday Night Private Attendee, Guest, Vendor Party at Monmouth Antiques starting at 7pm. Visitors to the shoppe will receive Art Opera shopping discounts, take part in amazing antique and art giveaways, treasure hunt, catered food and fun. (this is complimentary and is available to all attendees, guests, vendors)
-Saturday and Sunday is the vendor soiree at St. Anthony's Hall, just around the corner from the hotel. Inside the vendor soiree will be vendors, artisans, book signings, make/takes, mini workshops, demo's and more.
(The 2 day vendor soiree is free for attendees, guests pay $10 at the door each day, or go to the Art Opera Website and print/write down the code to bring w/you to save $2). Below is a list of the vendor soiree mini workshops, make/takes and demo's which are either free or for a small fee.
-Saturday and Sunday are additional small demo's and mini workshops at: Monmouth Antiques, Plum Cottage and Carla Gizzi, the schedule is on the Art Opera Blog!

For the whole photo gallery of amazing workshops, instructors, props, decor, vendors, location, to do, inside the shoppes, the oyster point, etc., click on the Art Opera Photo Gallery Album on Flickr
and/or Join the Art Opera yahoo Group!

Art Opera Shopping and Mini Workshop w/Carla Gizzi!


Post Three of two posts I did on the Art Opera Blogof my adventure to the Antiques District in Red Bank, located on Front Street, where a lot of Art Opera happenings will be occurring. Post One showcased Monmouth Antiques, Post Two showcased Laura and Plum Cottage, right across from Cheryl at Monmouth Antiques, and today Post Three will spotlight Carla Gizzi Design and Studio located a few steps down from Monmouth Antiques.Let me just say, one glimpse into the window and I knew I had to go into this store. Peering inside gave me whimsical chills, opening the front door and I was in an enchanted world.

Carla's store offers an array of wonderful new and vintage treasures from handmade jewelry, papers, dolls, ornaments, frames, mirrors, trinket boxes to mosaic lined furniture and accessories that Carla hand applies to each one. Her store is intwined in a cupcake chic color palette mixed wit muted vintage tones, and modern bright, all of it works fabulously.Once you enter the store, you will not leave, same as Monmouth Antiques and Plum Cottage. Carla, like Laura and Cheryl will be housing mini workshops/demo's in their stores throughout the weekend of Art Opera. I will post the schedule tomorrow.For now, enjoy the photos of this fabulous store, to visit Carla, check out the website at:
http://www.carlagizzi.com
To visit the rest of the photos from the fun things happening at Art Opera this year visit:
Lisa's Art Opera Flickr Gallery

Scrapbook Paper Line Pre-Order Starts Tuesday at 9am!
I have been un-veiling snippets of my line for almost a month, and now I am happy to unveil its purchase/pre-order release!

If you have a store front, online store, host/create art/design events, or are a designer, please contact me for a wholesale price list and order info.

For retail customers please contact me to pre-order the paper.

Note: My papers are sold in 10 sheet minimums for retail customer ordering. All wholesale orders are priced differently and so is the quantity, you must have a tax Id no./resale no., to purchase wholesale.

All papers will eventually be added to my Etsy location and websites, along with a catalog and design team works. For now all orders can be placed directly to me until then. These papers will be launched at Art Opera in April 2010 in Red Bank, NJ






These photos above are just previews of the collection there is over 40 papers now to start, by mid summer there should be over 120 papers in the line, along with other goodies.

I will also list the stores and locations where you can purchase the paper in your area, where it will be included in kits and whose guest designing over the coming weeks!

Art Opera attendees, the paper will also be available for sale during the event!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Red Velvet Cupcakes for Art Opera Pre-Party!

I hosted a Favor & Fun Pre-Party for Art Opera, some of the ladies came over to help make the badges, candy cones & medallions. For the event I decided to make Seaside Red Velvet Cupcakes with creamy vanilla butter cream frosting.

Baking has always been a passion of mine, I'm always on the search for that rare or unique recipe to try, if I can't find what I'm looking for, I'll try and make it from scratch until I get it right.

Red Velvet Cake is a wonderful old fashioned cake that has made a trendy comeback and become a favorite cake taking the baking world by storm over the last 3 years. Everywhere you look the option is: Vanilla Cake, Chocolate Cake or Red Velvet Cake, especially when it comes to cupcakes. These popular favorites are joined w/creamy frosting and sweet decor.

I have had Red Velvet Cake that is so moist, light and delicious, while others have been dry, bitter and average, that includes frosting. To me frosting really tops off the cake with added flavor and just the right blend of sweetness.

There has always been the debate on who makes the best cupcakes, the cupcake wars is what I call it. But what it really comes down to is your own taste buds and what you deem as good, as sweet and delicious, what perks up your taste buds and brings a fabulous ecstasy to them. To me I love my frosting creamy and not too sweet, or bitter, a happy medium of both, while my cake, moist and semi firm.

In the hunt I have found some incredible Red Velvet Cupcakes, some that use buttermilk, some that use vinegar, some with cocoa and with all of the above.
Here is my recipe which combines it all.

Red Velvet Cake
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 cup (2 sticks butter), softened, at room temperature
2 eggs
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 ounces red food coloring or red coloring from Wilton
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vinegar (white distilled)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
-Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt, set aside.
-In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and butter, beat until light and fluffy using an electric mixer.
-Next add in the eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well each time
-In a small bowl, mix the cocoa and food coloring together with a spoon, then add to the creamed sugar mixture, stir in with spoon.
-Now add half the sifted flour mixture and half the buttermilk to the creamed mixture, then add in the rest of the flour mixture and buttermilk, once mixed, add in vanilla and vinegar.
-Pour batter into cupcake liners nestled inside a cupcake pan, bake for 20 to 25 minutes.


Frosting:
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
6 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup melted marshmallow or marshmallow fluff
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions:
-Place the butter in a large mixing bowl. Add 3 cups of the sugar, the milk and vanilla, beat until smooth and creamy using an electric mixer, (about 5 minutes).

-Add the remaining 3 cups of sugar, 1 cup at a time, make sure to beat well after each addition.

-Melt marshmallows until smooth, remove from heat, add to creamed mixture, blend until the icing is thick enough to spread onto cake.

-Finally stir in some drops of food coloring or a tiny dot of Wilton cake coloring and mix thoroughly, pipe onto your cupcakes using a Wilton cake decorator gun and the 4B Star Point Tip!

Tips:
-Keep in mind oven temperatures vary, so always watch your cake batter through the window of the oven. Opening your oven door too many times to check can cause baking issues from the air flow coming in an out, so make sure you set a timer.

-When filling cupcake liners with batter, if you fill to the top you will have big top muffin style cupcakes, if you fill 1/4 inch below the liner top, you will have normal sized cupcakes with a nice arch.

-Cake flour is a better flour to use.

A Preview Of My New Scrapbook Lines!
Doll House Curiosities and Sweet Shoppe Carnival!
Both these lines reflect my love for paper, vintage, dolls, and everything in between that I refer to as: Cupcake Chic! A line which isn't afraid to speak to our imagination and reflect on our childhood playtime.


Yesterday I received a sampling of the papers in the mail, and I was overcome with joy, an artful moment of pure bliss. I will be un-veiling the complete line at Art Opera in Red Bank, NJ April 7-11, 2010, www.artoperanj.com where I show the preview and share a paper project kit with attendees during the group night festivities, along w/Parcel-Nancy, and DMC Embroidery-Liz/Allison.

I will introduce the line by CraftSassy, how its produced, and make available for sale to all the attendees and guests throughout the event. The quality of these papers is extraordinary, the way they formatted and printed them, the paper weight, you couldn't ask for a better quality product from such a quality and supreme company, I heart them, glad I found them.


The Paper is available in 2 sizes: 12 by 12 and 6 by 6. I'll also introduce Vellum, and other styles as well. Stay tuned for more previews, designer layouts and projects using the papers mixed w/my doll parts and accessories. Stay tuned for the Vintage Cameo Line and more.




If you are interested in purchasing before Art Opera please let me know!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

Doll House Curiosities, Sweet Shoppe Carnival, Scrapbook Paper?

Hello Everyone,
Many of you know how much I love paper, fabric and clay. I am a paper and fabric addict, I love it, even if I don't need it, I buy it, but there are times when I'm just not satisfied with it. I go to a store and sometimes I feel un-wowed, sometimes I feel too excited, it just depends on the store or the day.

I find myself buying more on line, so many fabulous sites to choose from, so many fabulous design teams and products, it can be pure eye candy for the artful soul. This is what lead me on my newest journey, my own paper.For years artists, hobbyist, and people have bought my artworks, my books, zines, dolls and art supplies, all which I hand make or created down to every last detail, paying attention to what my customers have requested or wanted to see. After many trial and errors, finding that golden serendipity moment, I woke up one morning and said Magic Paper, paper revolving around imagination, around what is whirling around in my head, and in others imaginary worlds. So I went for it and designed my new line line of scrapbook papers broken into 2 collections:

Doll House Curiosities and Sweet Shoppe Carnival!

Both these lines reflect my love for paper, vintage, dolls, and everything in between that I refer to as: Cupcake Chic! A line which isn't afraid to speak to our imagination and reflect on our childhood playtime.
These papers also were made to coordinate with my doll parts line, the new chip board and wood transfers, handmade flowers and double stitched ribbons. This line of scrapbook papers and accessories will be available April 2010. You can purchase the line through me, in other online stores, some store fronts and more to start.
I will be un-veiling the collection at Art Opera, Red Bank, NJ April 7-11, 2010 at the orientation soiree and for sale that weekend at the vendor soiree. If you are a store who wants to carry the line, you may contact me regarding wholesale pricing and minimums. To buy visit my etsy store www.moonfaires.etsy.com and my website www.moonfairesworld.com for the complete styles and listings. Stay tuned for the list of stores carrying it, and where to review it.
Design Team has already been picked, but apps for guest designing and the 2nd half of new designers will be up mid year!

Magic and Joy,
Lisa!

New Swap: Sweet Shoppe ATC!


Think: Cupcakes, Tarts, Pies, Cakes, Wedding Cakes, Birthday Cakes, Cookies, Sugar Cookies, Lollipops, Ice Cream: Cones/Sundaes, Chocolate, Hearts, Lintzer Tarts, Candy/Jelly Apples, Bubble Gum, PopTarts, Opera Cake, Cotton Candy, Soda Pop, Soda and Milk Shakes, Cherry Desserts, Blueberries, Blue Raspberry, Key Lime Pie, Donuts, Twizzlers, Smarties, Gumdrops, Sugared candies, heart and swedish fish, Hersey, Godiva, Ladure, Vintage Bake and Confectionary Shoppes, 1950s Soda Shops, 5 & 10's, 1900's Coffee and Cake Cafe's, the list goes on.

Sign up deadline: March 15, 2010

Deadline to Mail: May 15, 2010

2 for 2 swap, make 2 get 2
I will assign your partners on March 16, 2010
So you can mail directly to them.

-You may sign up here as well, or contact me directly!

This is open to the faerie zine and art opera members as well. Those coming to Art Opera, will be kept together as partners so they may pick up their swaps at the event, all others will be paired accordingly and you will mail to your partner.

Thanks,
Magic, Blessings and Tons of Sugary Sweetness!
Lisa!