Gifts from the Heart

We are proud to offer a new release by the legendary Howard Terpning.  This release, White Man Fire Sticks is now available, but in a very limited quantity. White Man Fire Sticks continues Howard’s exploration of the world of the Plains People. 

As someone who has survived records and cassettes I can testify that I truly believed that the CD would be the last advancement.  But now that we have the simplicity of downloading music online we can ask ourselves if we should get rid of our CD’s?

What is creativity?  People often associate this question with artistic abilities.  Maybe they remember art classes where they didn’t feel as talented as their peers.  You might hear answers like: “I can just draw stick figures”... The truth is that creativity is found in our daily living.  From the quality of our thoughts to the way we improvise solutions to emergencies.  It’s innate and has helped us to grow, but frequently taken for granted.  Still, it’s with us to guide our path.

Folksinger Bob Dylan once said, “Take care of all your memories.”  And we are here to do just that for you—take care of your memories.  Whether you have trinkets from a vacation or World War II memorabilia, we can help you customize a frame design suitable for housing your memories that also fits with your home decor.  Getting those memories out of the closet or the drawer and displayed on the wall lets you enjoy them over and over.

On May 11, 2012 proud parents Jenny and Steve Young along with big sister Sierra and big brother Luke welcomed a handsome baby boy into the world.

Imagine your fondest memories hanging in the den or living room for you to enjoy every day.  Souvenirs and mementos from a fun vacation can be displayed in a beautiful shadowbox.  Vacation memories can be prominently displayed in your home instead of packed away in a closet or attic.  Just come in to our gallery with your items and we will be glad to create a one-of-a-kind memory—custom made just for you. 

Located on Lyons Avenue in Newhall, Clarice’s Cake and Candy Supplies has been serving the Santa Clarita Valley for 35 years, and just last month, Nanci Olmos, celebrated her 25-year anniversary as owner.  From cake decorating classes, candy making, baking supplies and more, residents have been coming to Clarice’s for years to get every baking item you could ever imagine or want! 

With summer upon us, it is time to take extra good care of our skin and Ma Maison has just the right addition to your daily routine: French Milled Shea Butter Bar Soaps.  Bar soaps seem old fashioned but they are truly making a big comeback because of the naturally rich oils and emollients that are being added to a classic well made bar of soap.  Let’s talk about some of the benefits:

Well summer weather is upon us, and it is time to enjoy the outdoors, and visit B&R Gallery.  We are expanding the Canyon Country location by adding on 3,000 square feet of Gallery by adding on upstairs, so we will have more artwork, and surprises in store for you as well as more artwork by local artists, and photographers.

Summers are special in the Santa Clarita Valley.  The hot temperatures add sizzle to our lively concerts, wonderful parades, and the hundreds of ways we find to liberate our creativity.  We hesitate to call our personal creative output “Art,” but, like beauty, it is in the eye of the beholder.  Fortunately, that beholder is you!  To begin, all you need is to grab what is accessible right in front of you.
You might make a 4th of July collage from last year’s leftover holiday plates and paper cups.  The kids could get creative with those clay flowerpots that have been taking up space on the gardening bench with some pictures from the garden center catalogue and glue.  Adding glitter to the shells from last summer’s beach forage could have a second life when hung from the branches of an unassuming tree.

This term does not apply to just the wilderness anymore.  For the last several years, in the home décor industry we have seen the uprising lifestyle trend that the indoors have been moving outdoors.  With the economy influencing decisions to dine and entertain at home, consumers are using their outdoor spaces as prime extensions of their living space at home.  Outdoor entertaining areas are a must in new home building and remodeling.  Especially in parts of the country where the outdoor entertaining “season” is longer, as in Santa Clarita Valley where we can really maximize our time outside for many months.

Father’s Day is almost here and what will you get for dad this year?  Instead of running out and buying yet another shirt or something else he really doesn’t need or want, think about what is near and dear to him.  What might he want to show off in his office or den?  Think about hobbies, collections, or his favorite sports team.  It might be fun to drag out his old football jersey from high school, or find his service medals and give them the recognition they deserve.  At FASTFRAME, we can help you create a shadowbox filled with some of his favorite things. 

Nationwide, forecasts for jobs have increased and also here in Santa Clarita, yet there are still many people that need employment.  Each day I drive down Lyons Avenue and pass the new library that is being built.  I wish that an art center was being built, and if we can, build an art center that would create jobs for many people.  How can this city of Santa Clarita ever have an art center?  Maybe new city council members TimBen Boydston and Bob Kellar can help make this happen.  In the meantime when Disney completes the plans to have new Disney Studios here in SCV there will be many people hired... and this is supposed to happen sometime soon.

It has been almost a month now since we heard the sad news of the passing of Thomas Kinkade, one of the most successful artists and painters of all time.  Known as the “Painter of Light” he brought joy and beauty to people everywhere and his art graces the walls of countless homes across the globe. While his passing signals the end of a highly productive artistic career, it certainly does not signal an end to the appeal and acceptance of his art, as witnessed by the unprecedented demand for his works over the past month.

Local author, Brandi Junious, has recently published her first environmental children’s book titled A World Without Trees. A World Without Trees explains the effects of deforestation on animals, habitats and the environment as a whole.  The story, conveyed in a child-friendly fashion, helps kids in and out of the classroom understand the impact humans have on the environment and encourages them to preserve it. 

Barbara, my wife of 31 years, along with our sons Derek and Steven are blessed to have lived in the Santa Clarita Valley and be surrounded by so many great people and families.  There is so much to be thankful for, especially when you look at what is happening in the rest of the world today.  With much to do here in Southern California we have the opportunity to enjoy our lives with loved ones and friends. 

Inside what?  You might ask.  They don’t even have a building to call home!
Exactly!  We don’t, and that is why I’m writing this article.