Sparrowsongs

The Engagement of a Pixie and a Jeepster

2011-11-06T15:46:00.000-08:00

Saturday was traffic school. Complete with the boring teacher, Red Asphalt 3 and lame people who can't seem to fill out their name and address unless the teacher held their hand...and I'm sharing the road with these people? Why was I there? NOT GUILTY on charges of speeding on Carlton Ave....but I couldn't get out of it........so!....what started out as a bummer day turned into one of the best nights of my life. As you know, the divorce was finally final on Friday after the ex fought over trivial things for a whole year. Scott and I have been anxiously awaiting the end of my marriage for quite some time....months and months!

Dinner out was planned for our usual date night when Twizzlers are in Sac with their mama. Scott's friend Ricky D just opened Cypress in Walnut Creek. It's a wonderful restaurant with amazing cuisine. We arrived there and were seated at the high tops near the piano toward the lounge area, which was perfect due to the fact that Paul Roth was on the piano on this night and we had met before a few times...fab player, fab singer! The place was packed early and everyone was buzzing about doing their thing. Ricky, Demetri and a host of Scott's other acquaintances greeted us and chatted with us about the resto scene in the WC.....a typical night out.

We ordered salad and crab cakes for our apps and two glasses of champagne. We talked for a bit and decided on our entrees...... pan seared chicken with a mustard sauce and potatoes for me and rabbit over parpadelle pasta for the man. The rain was falling outside and Casablanca played on the screen in the lounge. Paul played "As Time Goes By". My Jeepster gazed into my eyes for a very long moment and I couldn't tell you exactly why then, only that he and I were both smiling...both so in love with each other. He knew why. I told Scott how I was so happy that I was finally legally divorced..... free!...free to love him even more than I did, free to open my whole heart to him, free to be able to begin our life together. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black velvet box in the shape of a heart, took my hand and said "Pixie? will you marry me?" I could hardly breathe and said "Yes..oh Yes, YES!" We embraced and I buried my head on his shoulder, hugged him and cried. As I gained a little composure, he took my hand and placed a beautiful emerald and sterling ring on my finger.

Paul played, "It Had To Be You" for us and the couple at the next table bought us champagne, a round of applause from everyone at the restaurant and congrats from Ricky and the crew. We were their very first proposal at Cypress..... Paul played Moon River, The Way You Look Tonight and lots of other romantic tunes as we tried to eat our meal and dessert...we were so happy and giddy and twitter-painted and kissed and kissed and looked lovingly into each other's eyes with "I love You" over and over again......sigh.........so romantic!

Months ago we agreed to wear each others birthstones as our wedding rings. He found my ring...an antique (which is what I wanted) emerald ring from England. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. His ring is titanium with a thin, crushed turquoise band around it.

We agreed that our wedding would reflect our personalities and be unconventional in many respects. Our date is April 14, 2012. Six months to plan, which is going to be so fun for us. A small gathering of friends with my love in full Scottish attire. YES.....he will be wearing a kilt in his Johnston clan colors. They are truly beautiful...teal and blue and green with thin black and yellow striping. It's taken all the self control I have not to look at wedding gowns and try them on. I can't wait to find the "one"! This will certainly be a culinary event. Good Scotch will be involved and great food.

I'm a happy, happy, happy PIx! I'm in love with someone who loves me more than life and would do anything for me and walk to the ends of the earth...(that's what a Jeepster is by the way). We are extremely compatible and perfect for each other. I love his kids and he loves mine AND they dig each other too.....

Stay tuned for wedding news and updates.........and a whole bunch o' love!

Tiger Pen for Penscapes

2011-03-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Time to reveal painting secrets to painting on tiny cylindrical surfaces....here is a (almost) step by step on painting the Siberian Tiger pen, a commissioned piece for the Admiral.

Hey there, Hey there Mr. Roboto!!!

2011-03-17T10:46:00.000-07:00

Bots are cool....time to scour the bottom of my tool box for more fun stuff to create with.

These will post on Etsy soon.

Shell Lockets at Cottage Jewel

2011-03-17T10:11:00.000-07:00

I will be teaching a class on making these little beauties on March 17th at 4:30 at Cottage Jewel in Danville. My love these days is creating unusual art to wear. The tiny scallop shells are perfect to house little pictures, sealife and treasures.

Painting In the Middle Of The Night

2010-12-15T15:14:00.000-08:00

The stresses of life can be easily diffused when you dive into what you are passionate about. Cooking, gardening, playing your favorite instrument or just taking a walk in nature can soothe the soul. For me it has always been the creative process. I recently read a great quote that goes like this: "Every creation of an artist should be the true expression of the adventure of her soul."

Since I am the adventurous type, it seems natural for me to go to those "soul places" to explore the many ideas along the paths, valleys and mountains of my mind and heart......and soul.

Recently, I was having relationship struggles and "me" struggles, so I painted a red tanager for a friend of mine....in the middle of the night.....all at once. My daughter once likened me to this free red bird in a poem she wrote for me (see older posts).......my cage door has swung open and I am now able to explore this world and myself through new eyes, a new and healing heart.....and most of all freedom. The Red Bird will always remind me of this time in my life...she's becoming my avitar as I learn how to spread my wings and fly.

The Amarillo Indy: Writing with the Right Stuff

2010-11-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

The Amarillo Indy: Writing with the Right Stuff: "CBS New Sunday Morning had a feature on fountain pens."

You can see my 3 bird pens that I painted at about 1:25 minutes in the segment....right after Richards segment.
Out of all the pens at the show....it was nice to see mine.
All the filming and interviews remain on the cutting floor.
That's show business!!!

Time Flys.....

2010-10-27T09:34:00.000-07:00

.....when you're having fun...and when you are not. A lot has happened since the last time I was here. many changes....some hard, but necessary....some fun and exciting.
One of those changes is helping a friend create a new company. It's been a welcome thing to keep me busy, as I continue to look for full time work. Check out Penscapes.com. (Hand painted Fountain Pens) to see what I've been up to.
Creating for Cottage Jewel Christmas open house lately (pictures to follow soon!)
Hope you are all well out there and I promise not to neglect you by not blogging....totally my bad!!! It won't happen again!!!!

Make art....be happy!
Tweet and Sparkle, Deni

Pet Portraits by Sparrowsongs

2010-05-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yeah!!!!....I am almost finished with class at Las Positas and ready to branch out into the world of Pet Photography. Although I have shot families and weddings, senior portraits and head shots......I REALLY enjoy interacting with animals. One of my assignments for class was to choose an independent project. I chose to be a "Pet Photographer". A fellow student said, "You have a unique style and a gift for capturing an animals soul". Nice.

My first endeavour will be to pass out flyers at a special event my vet is having and drum up some business that way.....also I will have a prize drawing to give away as well. Wish me luck!!

Haven't Blogged in awhile

2010-03-16T16:21:00.000-07:00

Gee how time flies when you are in a family crisis. The last couple of months have been the darkest days of my 45 years on this planet. Although I can't go into detail about the crisis, I will say that the Lord of Hosts is truly faithful in taking care of His own. Even when bad things happen to us or those we love, He is still constant in His love and care for us. He promises that time will heal us, faith will carry us and LOVE will be the glue holding us together, that LOVE will be the very thing that holds our hands as we walk through another bleak and hopeless day, that LOVE will whisper in our ears at night as we close our eyes and pray for good dreams and not bad ones. That LOVE will drown out the despair until laughter and joy appear again to brighten our days and give us hope for a future that will promise that He will be there when the next thing comes our way....good and bad.

Strawberry Fun at Lisa's

2009-11-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoons creating art is one on my favorite things...
Lisa, Carol, Kathie and I sat in her beautiful studio in Fremont and I taught them the fine art of a velvet strawberry pincushion. These gals were rockstar sewing goddesses.....and their creations and color combinations were nothing short of amazing. A delight for the eyes .....

not to mention the envy of all the other pins and

needles that don't have one!!!!

Strawberries of a different kind

2009-11-13T09:51:00.001-08:00

What fun it is to teach an old dog a new trick!!!

I have been creating velvet strawberries for about 7 years now and discovered recently a new love.......being able to print directly on fabric from my inkjet printer!!!!

Now, I can incorporate my art and illustrations in these little works of art....useful works of art. Filled with a mix of sand and emery, this pincushion promises to keep your needles and pins sharp!

Next up.......wee little purses...stay tuned!

2009-11-13T09:42:00.000-08:00

Dreamscapes & Seascapes for Cottage Jewel, Danville

A labor of love...for sure! These took ages to make since my paws are still sore and not fully strengthened from surgery last year. Little birdie and seahorse worlds under glass......inspired from vintage parlor domes of the Victorian era where they would put preserved flowers and animals under glass for safe keeping.....and to keep the elements at bay.

"...why, all birdies and seahorses wear crowns, they're just invisible

to the eye in real life......"

A poem from a loving daughter

2009-10-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

My girl, Sara has a gift....an amazing gift: of words and insite and heart.
She surprised me with this poem last week. It touched my soul deeply and my heart immensly. She gets me....that's hard to do.

"Mothers who love your children, do not set them too soon in the study of history; let them dream while they are young. Do not close the soul to the first breath of poetry. Nothing affrights me so much as the reasonable, practical child who believes in nothing that he cannot touch." -Edward Laboulaye
Thank you mother, for bestowing in me the talent and the heart of a poet. I owe it all to you. Please remember, there is no cage that can contain you, you hold the key to any lock that stands in your way: imagination.

For the woman who sacrificed all for me... my heart is forever kindled with yours.

NO CAGE TOO VAST

Sara Giancarla Juliani

midnight eyes kindled with two
twinkling stars
like the lullaby she used to sing me to sleep
when i was but a mere yolk in her viscera
tranquil dove is she
pale plumage of austere allurement
she cannot fathom her demise
her liberty seized,
by golden-crowned kinglet of domesticity.
now she, with wings of winter wren folded
and pinned to
suburban house with cracked green trim
two brown-speckled eggs so lovingly hatched
and the incessant call of her mate,
to the mercies of this cruel blizzard
pelting her with a hail of woes
she's withstood many an avalanche before
but none so bad as this.
the winter wren wonders
if it will ever fly again.
she is stout and tough with
melodious songs enough,
but i would also declare her a scarlet tanager,
the red bird of the sun
bold and unafraid,
wings ever-desirous
to lift toes off dirty paved streets,
the sky disappearing from view,
ever moving forward into sunbeams
she cannot decide which to be.
one day the hook will push up and outward,
the bar will drop,
and gentle breezes carry the wire door
farther beyond yourself,
until the universe has its way,
its natural order
the cage begins to falter,
as gingerly one foot steps towards freedom,
her bright pinions shudder hesitantly
will i be a winter wren forever?

Christmas Sneak Peek....

2009-10-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

As an artist....who sells to retail establishments, one must start working early in the year to prepare for the holidays. I've been in love with the sea for some time now and wanted to reflect my dreams of the sea into my art this Christmas. Marcia at Cottage Jewel, in Danville loves the sea as much as I, so with a perfect business marriage arranged, I began working last week with an abundance of seashells .....starfish 12" large, pink sea urchins and giant scallops, not to mention the arsenal of glitter and vintage goods at my fingertips down in the studio (see older blogs for pictures of where I create). Here for you, is a special sneak preview of the work being accomplished...enjoy, And, come gather some seashells at Cottage Jewel this holiday season!

The Fox and the Child

2009-09-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

Wow....get your hankys ready and settle in for a most beautiful film. Made by Luc Jacquet (who filmed March of the Penguins). A stunning masterpiece that made me want to go camp out at Lake Chabot and wait for foxes or coyotes or mountain lions to come around so I could befriend them!
Eye- candy to be sure..sad in some parts but the film really captures the innocence of ten year old thinking and wonder. I LOVED it!!!!

unconventional still life

2009-09-02T22:32:00.000-07:00

I came across this artist (Kimbrini......on Flicker)

who photographs "found" animals and pays tribute to their

untimely deaths in beautifully and haunting photographs.

Fox....just made me want to weep.....

beautiful, fragile and peaceful at the same time.

What a sensitive heart.

eeeensy bears, oh my!

2009-06-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

I used to create these little guys along time ago. My hands got broken.....and I couldn't sew teeensy anymore. I still have troubles sewing, but I love them so much that I can't resist making them from time to time........her name is Papillon.

Kaleidoscope Frivolity

2009-05-13T22:52:00.000-07:00

Oh, I know it's a huge waste of time looking for minutes on end at the amazing, intricate patterns inside of my Kaleidoscope......hey, I would say looking for hours, but there are dishes to be done and kiddos to pick up from school. Karima from Castles In The Air filmed the inside of one of my kaleidoscopes for their blog.....cool.....so here is my attempt at turning, whilst filming, whilst trying not to drop my toy...it took me 8 tries. I am not as professional as Karima.
Hope to see you at a class so you too can make your own.....and waste minutes. Hey, the dishes can wait!

"Under the sea...under the sea..."

2009-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

I love that little mermaid song!!!

Well, most of you know about my Dreamscapes.......(see older posts) Here is a Seascape!

Seahorses dressed up to go out on the town!

They are just as delightful to make as the Dreamscapes...I am a happy camper!!!

Did you know that seahorses are a master of disguise? Yes....the larger ones can't hide as well with camouflage techniques, so they dress themselves up in barnacles and sea shells to hide among the seabed. I'm just taking inspiration from them.......I am not really that loony!

Spring Art Classes

2009-04-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a listing and pictures of the classes that I will be teaching at

Cottage Jewel on Railroad Ave, Danville for the month of May.

Please call Marcia at Cottage Jewel for times

Butterfly Under Clock Glass: This beautiful wall hanging is 7~1/2" diameter. You will learn the spreading and mounting technique using real butterflies. We will use collage elements and pretty papers to embellish our creation. $45 per student. May 14th

Kaleidoscope: Oh, the magic of Kaleidoscopes! No two patterns will ever be the same. You will learn how to construct one from acrylic pieces and embellish the outside tubing with pretty papers and decorations. $45 per student. May 28th

Castles In The Air Class

2009-04-30T11:49:00.000-07:00

What fun I had last evening with Carol and her daughter, Rebecca! I taught them the ways of the makings of a Kaleidoscope at Castles In the Air~ Berkeley, CA. We crafted ours from acrylic pieces, we put all kinds of fun and bling in the chambers in which to create fab designs......then we did collage on the outside of the tube housing until we were crazy in love with them!!! The gals did truly wonderful work!!!

If you have never been to Castles......you must GO...now....go...go!!!! I can't say enough about this little shop of fun and delights. Located on Fourth Street. Have a burger and pom frites at Cafe Rouge' and an alfrajore cookie at the Pasta Shop Market, then buy all the dresden and German glass glitter your arms and your friends arms can carry, and go home and play!!

I will be teaching another kaleidoscope class there hopefully in the summer.

For my other class schedules around the bay area, you need only look to the next blog.

Happy Creating!

Tweet & Sparkles,

Denise

Starfish wishes

2009-03-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

"Starfish are amazing creatures, and I think when they go dancing under the sea, they dress up in the prettiest shells and sparkle that they can find...... that is, when we're not looking."

-Denise Juliani

Christmas Open House at Gardenseed

2008-11-11T11:22:00.000-08:00

5 little elves worked thru oodles of sparkle, tinsel, bling and goodies to bring you an AMAZING opening for Christmas. The store sparkles from floor to ceiling!!!!(not an exaggeration!)

Robyn, Lyn and Ane really out-did themselves this year. Gardenseed is by far the BEST boutique in ALL of California, possibly this side of the Mississippi!!!

You must visit if you can, you will be astonished, amazed,

and awestruck by the beauty that is Gardenseed.

My Amazing Young Man

2008-11-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Anthony.......well what can we say...Charming, funny, handsome, smart and athletic!

November Musings

2008-11-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

I LOVE the holidays....Christmas is already up at my house. I don't really celebrate Halloween, so I decided the decorations would go up on Oct 30th from now on. It was nice to see the manger and the sparkle and dwell on the meaning of Christmas on such a dreadful, scary and gloomy Halloween day. Now I can really get in the mood for all the fun, frivolity and shopping!!!!!!
My newest project is paper mache' clay dolls.........I will post as soon as I've finished.
Just bought the new Richard Marx cd's....totally awesome!!!! And looking forward to David Cook's cd this month as well.
Anthony is graciously allowing me to photograph him tomorrow, so I will post those as well. My kids have taken their pictures SOOOOO much by me, that I have to bribe the boy. My girl; well, she's still a rock star and loves her picture taken.
I can't wait to see Phantom of the Opera on December 6th (a birthday present from the hubby)!
I know that I will cry through the whole thing...I LOVE the theater!
So long for now.

My Beautiful Girl!

2008-11-02T17:27:00.000-08:00

Sara.......A heart of gold, eyes that sparkle and a very contagious laugh!!!!

Butterfly Dreams

2008-08-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

I have been looking for a way to mount my butterfly specimens so that they are not just in the old riker mount cases....boring! boring!
So here is what I came up with. They are now mounted under clock glass and embellished with banners and sparkly crowns.
You know me......everything must sparkle!

Digital Designs

2008-07-14T12:59:00.000-07:00

I LOVE Photoshop!!!!!

My husband recently got me an old book of animal illustrations and field guide. The animals inspired me to put them into fairytale worlds of their own.

Kaleidoscopes

2008-07-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

"Try to come up with something new and unique for this holiday season...." she says. OK!! Here it is; my version of a favorite childhood toy. Kaleidoscopes are like snowflakes, the designs inside are never the same twice. And decorating the outside is just plain fun! Find them on my Etsy store this Christmas season.

Fledglings!

2008-06-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

They have flown the nest.......Houston; we have lift off!!!

How much they have grown in just being 16 days old. The family is doing well.

Darcy and Elizabeth (look on older blogs to see them) are teaching them well. I can't wait to

see their progress in the next few days. Now that I am still recovering from surgery, I can afford the time to lay on my bed and watch them. How delightful they are....I'm so proud!

Colors of the Rainbow

2008-06-08T20:57:00.000-07:00

Back in 2001, a friend of mine gave me a SLR film called Agfa Ultra 100. I was at Family Camp and was trying out my macro lens for a camera that I just picked up at a garage sale. My friend told me about the high color saturation that this film had and recommended that I shoot flowers. What happened next was one of those rare moments of discovery that would set me on the path of a new and exciting creative outlet...........macro photography.

To really look at God's natural world up close and personal. Every caterpillar hair, every bug antennae, every sparkle of a delicate butterfly wing made me quiver with delight! I was bitten bad by the shutter-bug! Since that wonderful discovery, I have added 100's of images to my greeting card collection. Then in 2003, my images evolved...........and sparkled! By hand-glittering each flower petal, I was able to marry two of a gals favorite things (almost) FLOWERS & DIAMONDS; all in one little card!

For inquiries on purchasing cards, go to http://sparrowsongs.etsy.com/ and visit my store, if you see an image that you like, email me and I will gladly add it to the store.

Small Wonder

2008-06-06T14:23:00.001-07:00

Meet one of the twins....11 days old now, almost a fledgling!

They are beginning to "peep" like mom and dad and

poke their wee heads
out if the nest to investigate their new world.

"...these are a few of my favorite things..."

2008-06-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

"One should fill ones nest with delightful treasures, things that inspire you to dream and create".

My Studio

2008-06-06T13:40:00.000-07:00

Here is where all the magic happens..........in the basement. Cool in summer and COLD in winter!!! I have been creating since I was 2 years old, when my mama said that I drew a perfect bunny with my crayons. I used to love to sharpen the metallic crayons when I was little to make fairy dust and to watch the teeny flakes sparkle.

My husband calls me "crow-girl" affectionately because our nest sparkles......I love sparkles! I can't wait to see how God is adorning my house in heaven....."Angels; more sparkle there....and more birds over there please" Wow!

I have been inspired to get more personal on my blog and

show you some of my treasures.

Eye candy, if you will.

Enjoy.

The Baby Birdies Have Arrived!!!!

2008-05-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

After much anticipation, the twins were hatched on May 23rd. We hadn't realized they were here until Memorial Day, when we heard hungry chirping from the nest!!! They are a bundle of gray fluff and oh so cute! Darcy and Elizabeth are fab parents....ever so attentive.

Hand Surgery

2008-05-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

On May 23rd I will be having carpal tunnel surgery and trigger finger release as well. This will be the last blog for a few weeks until I heal up! We will do the right hand first, then the left.
It will be nice to just chill for a bit and catch up on movies and books....and sleep!
I can't wait until my hands are all better so I can get back to CREATING.
Until we meet again......

My Beautiful Children!

2008-04-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Sara

Anthony

Charlie

Dreamscapes

2008-03-04T22:28:00.001-08:00

My Dreamscapes at Gardenseed in Danville, California
They are my passion right now. There is something very wonderful about creatinglittle birdie worlds that sparkle and delight!

Charlie Chaplin-Juliani

2008-03-03T19:45:00.001-08:00

My furry child!

My First BLOG!!!!!!

2008-03-03T19:08:00.000-08:00

My passion is creating one of a kind designs using birds and sparkle and a bit of whimsy!
This blog will eventually be taking you to my studio, introduce you to my friends and family,
and have alot to do with my beloved pets!
I hope that you will enjoy this little slice of internet e-pie.
OH, the places we will go and the things we shall see!!!!
Stay tuned!