One More Day!!

We are so excited that the 2013 SoCal Social is tomorrow!

It is going to be such a fabulous day of meeting new and old friends, shopping, eating and of course swag and giveaways! Woohoo!



We have sent out a couple emails in the last week or so with details on the parking, registration location, schedule, etc. If you didn't receive an email - please let us know!

If you aren't able to join us this year, make sure you follow along on Instagram at #socalsocial - you will be able to keep up on the fun all day long!

See all you fabulous attendees tomorrow!

Bev & Viv

Cut It Out: Frames and Wood Shapes

Cut It Out Frames are one of the hottest crafting supply on the market right now!

You have probably seen these darling frames out and about the interwebs - let me show you a few adorable inspiration ideas!

Cut It Out frames are such fun shapes and since you can paint them any color you like, they make a fabulous pop of color on a gallery wall like this pretty display from Your Home Based Mom.

 

Or take a look at this fun Organizational Wall that Jen from Tatertots and Jello made! I love the look of the stacked frames!

 

 

Cut It Out carries a huge selection of frames in all different sizes and shapes. You can get single or double frames as well.

 

They also have other shapes as well! Alphabet and numbers are available, as well as cute holiday phrases like "Gobble" "Halloween" "Elf" and lots more!

 

I love the idea of using the frames to make Christmas gifts too! Take a look at this sweet Interchangeable Holiday Frame from Lolly Jane - I know of several people who would love to receive something like this! This shows it paired with a little Easter pennant - but you could make up a Christmas, Fall, and Summer banner to gift with it!

 



You can shop for the frames online on their website here, and you can follow along with them on Facebook as well!

FloraCraft - Styrofoam and So Much More!

Odds are if you are a crafter, you have worked with Styrofoam™ at some point in your crafty adventures!



FloraCraft is the maker of Styrofoam™ - and so many more fun things!

 

 

One of my favorite things about the FloraCraft website is their Make It: Fun page! It is full of all kinds of projects and inspiration. Check out this fun Halloween Countdown display!

 

 

Or what about these Decorative Cones? These would be great for Halloween or Christmas!

 



 



Make It:Fun is also partnering with bloggers over the next few months - one of which you may know!

 

Check out my Spooky Family Photo frame - I used Styrofoam for the frame and their awesome Burlap Ribbon for the bow!

 

 

You can follow along with FloraCraft on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for more inspiration!

 

 

Crafting with Yarn and Lion Brand

One of my favorite crafting materials is yarn!! It is so versatile - you can knit, crochet, or craft with it!
Plus there are so many yummy colors, styles and textures.

We are so thrilled to be sponsored again this year by Lion Brand Yarn!

Here's a little bit about Lion Brand from the company!

Lion Brand is a family owned and operated business that has been providing quality yarns for crafters since 1878. This year marks Lion Brand’s 135^th anniversary, and they’re celebrating a long history of inspiration, education, and innovation.  Lion Brand is devoted to supporting and encouraging you with yarns, patterns, how-tos and ideas, and looks forward to supporting the future generations of knitters and crocheters over years to come.

Lion Brand prides itself on the great quality of yarns that are available, and has just released a few new yarns to get you ready for Fall crafting.  One of the newest releases is Heartland, a sensationally soft, premium acrylic, available in 16 heathered shades inspired by the natural beauty of the American landscape.  The subtle shades of this made in America yarn suggest landmarks like the Redwood Forest, the Everglades, and Yosemite National Park. 



 

Another new release from Lion Brand is the yarn, Unique.  Each ply of Unique yarn is printed in a multicolor pattern, which creates a stunning and bold tweed effect as it is knitted or crocheted. In addition to working up beautifully, Unique is also easy-care and lofty, making it a perfect choice for sweaters, accessories, and home décor.

 

 

Lion Brand is a great resource for buying yarn as well! They have a huge clearance section right now. It would be perfect for stocking up on products for Christmas crafting!

 



 



You can find projects, yarn types, tips and more on the Lion Brand website! You can also follow along with them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.

Sponsor Highlight: The Duck Brand

We are so excited to that the fabulous Duck Brand is sponsoring the SoCal Social again this year!  They have totally transformed the concept of duct tape as boring, gray and utilitarian and made it vibrant, colorful and creative.

We love the Duck Brand because they have taken duct tape out of the garage and into crafty supply closets everywhere!  Perhaps you've heard that kids have been making wallets out of Duck Tape?  It's a very fun project for kids and grown-ups, alike.

Here's a great example from Kim at Seven Thirty Three. Her nephew specifically requested a duct tape wallet for his birthday.

Duck Tape is so fun and versatile that it was even used on Project Runway last season!

It's great this time of year for pumpkins, too!!  

I have done several, including a zebra striped, houndstooth and skull patterned pumpkin.

We love these fun pumpkins from Kim at Sand and Sisal.

And more fashion:  How about jazzing up some plain black boots with The Duck Brand's cheetah print?

That's exactly what Kaysi from Keeping It Simple did!

Jewelry?  Yep!

Check out this Anthropologie knock -off using Duck Tape and paper clips from Sugar Derby.

Or this fun, colorful bracelet...

From Heather at Dollar Store Crafts.


Let's move on to the home decor possibilities, shall we?

Connie from Measured By The Heart added some oomph to a plain lampshade.

You will have to see this Hello Kitty Cat Feeder from Plucking Daisies in order to believe it...

Valentine's Day?  Christmas?

Lots of possibilities for this wreath from Poppies At Play.

Want a whole bunch of Duck Tape ideas?

Check out this round up of projects from Saved By Love Creations.  The possibilities are just about endless!

You can visit The Duck Brand at their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on both Twitter and Instagram.

Queen Bee Market - Fabulous and Fun Handmade Shopping

So I will warn you all here - I am going to gush now.

One of our favorite sponsors this year is Mique from the Queen Bee Market. I have to say that I adore Mique - she is so supportive and encouraging and she is so talented too!

Mique is the genius behind the Queen Bee Market - my favorite place to buy handmade awesomeness!

The next Queen Bee Market is November First and Second - just around the corner!

 

 The market is my go-to place for Christmas shopping - and let's face it, shopping for me too! There are all kinds of vendors, housewares, jewelry, clothing, treats and more! You can see a list of the vendors here.

 



 

If you sign up for the QBM Newsletter - you'll receive a coupon off of admission too!

 

There is a new addition to the market this year. On Friday night there will be a Girls Night Out event, hosted by the gals from the Elevate Conference.

 

 

 

This event will be full of treats, giveaways, pampering, and of course SHOPPING!! After the market Ashley from The Shine Project with be a special guest speaker too!

The event will be from 7:30 - 10:00 on Friday, Nov. 1.



Tickets are $10 for presale and $15 at the door - if it doesn't sell out early! You can purchase tickets here. The tickets are limited so don't wait!

You don't want to miss out on the Queen Bee Market - it is 4-9pm on Fri. November 1, 9am-3pm on Sat. November 2nd.  It's $3 for general entrance.  Kids 12 and under are free and military are free with ID. 

You can follow along with all the market details on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
We'll see you at the market!

Back at Avila's for Amazing Mexican Food!

One of our favorite parts of last year's Social was dinner! The food and service were so fabulous.

We are so excited to be returning again this year to Avila's El Ranchito Restaurant for the last part of our event - it's the perfect way to close out the day!

Let me start off by saying the food at Avila's is amazing! We love the fajitas, the enchiladas - the guacamole! It is all so yummy!

 

 

One of their most popular items is this Botana platter. But you'll want to check out their whole menu HERE, it is full of yumminess! I have friends that swear by the Avila's soup. That is definitely on my list to try next!

 

 

One of our other favorite things about the Avila's in Orange is the beautiful building!





 It was built in 1891 as a Baptist Church! The gorgeous stained glass windows are the originals from the church - the minister's wife ordered them in the late 1800's. The restaurant has old, dark wooden floors and the sides or the booths are old pew sidings. The old altar is intact too!

The history of the Avila family is amazing.  It truly is representative of the American dream. Here's an exerpt from their website - sharing a little bit about the family -

"When Salvador Avila came to the United States from Guanajuato, Mexico with his wife and children, he came with hope and the American dream in his heart. Four decades later, Avila and his children own and operate one of the most well known and highly successful groups of Mexican restaurants in Orange and Los Angeles Counties, Avila's El Ranchito restaurants.
It all started in the kitchen over 40 years ago. Mama brought with her recipes that have been in her family for generations, paying strict attention to freshness and quality.

It was Papa, though, who had the idea to involve the whole family and create a truly special restaurant. The entire Avila family pitched in and help at the first El Ranchito when it opened in Huntington Park in 1966 with only five picnic tables. Even Grandpa Poldo offered a helping hand by washing dishes.

Today, the 40-year tradition that has made their authentic Mexican cooking legendary continues to be served at the family's eleven restaurants. It is still a family business, family owned, family operated and family loved. Mama and Papa eventually shared the responsibility of running El Ranchito with their children and now their grandchildren. Each restaurant is under the personal care of a family member, guaranteeing the reputation the family has earned for treating the customers "like part of the family.""

The service at Avila's is fabulous too. We were so happy with how well they took care of us last year! And let's face it - when you're listening to fabulous speakers, eating yummy food, and winning lots of prizes - you want a great place to hang out in! Avila's is definitely that place!

Source - The V Spot

We would love for you to visit Avila's - try them out before the event! You'll love them as much as we do!
If you're not in the Orange area, they have 11 locations - you can find one near you!

You can find out more info at Avila's El Ranchito Restaurant - they have menus, locations and lots more online!

You can also like the Avila's El Ranchito in Orange Facebook page to stay updated! :)