Changed my Header

For some reason or another my other header picture didn't work anymore. So I changed it to this newer one. It is a silhouette I did of a couple who are going to be married this summer in La Jolla, CA. They put their silhouettes I cut out on their wedding invitations. I am pleased and honored at the same time. My work is on their wedding invitation. And for as long as I have been doing silhouettes for people this is still an honor and privilege. I don't take this lightly as this is a lasting memory. At the same time I am thankful, to my bride and groom. Thank you for appreciating my work. Your wedding invitation is amazing.

June Coming Up!

Memorial Weekend my weekend to take a nice break. Before June. Spending the last weekend in Palm Springs is just what I needed. Enjoying my time with friends at an estate in the foothills of the city, a pool in the backyard and playing zumba on the xbox... Several events in May and many more to go to in June. I had a lot of fun going to the fundraiser events I did for Haskell Elementary School another school. Another event; a luncheon awards for St. Edna's Sub Acute Rehabilitation Center. An award winning center. Looking ahead for June, weddings and graduation and birthday parties. Looking forward to connecting with people and creating memories.

Busy Month

Sylhouettes by Sylvia... got to be better at writing in this blog. I was reminiscing of the days when I worked at Knott's Berry Farm. I worked eight hours each day cutting silhouettes, long lines, the noise of the rollercoaster roaring past me, the loud screams of the daring riders from all different parts of the world who came to ride the "Corkscrew" and the "Parachute Ride". Running by to go on the next ride. Stopping quickly to ask me what it is I do at my little booth. Many faces from different places. Locals at night came to dance. A variety of people from all different kind of places. I was quite young and who knew how that experience would prepare me for now.

Not much different are the distractions of going to the receptions, weddings, and birthday parties. As I cut out silhouettes of each and every person. The loud music, the announcements, toasts, singing, relatives and friends cheering and greeting each other, reuniting. Drinking, and/or talking, celebrating with happiness and joy. Babies, wiggly, crying, restless and/or just plain not in the mood to sit on mom's lap to have their silhouette done. I cut away, the silhouette profile of each guest.

My job is to capture their profile although no matter how hard they try, they just are not able to sit still. Big an little. Little wiggly ones especially cannot sit still. Lo and behold, I stll must get their profile.

Busy Weekend Coming Up

This coming weekend is going to be a busy one for Sylhouettes by Sylvia. A wedding on Saturday night is on my calendar at the Historic Fullerton Ballroom. A beautiful venue. I anticipate this one to be a fun group. On Saturday a double header, a 1st Birthday Party at Hillcrest Park in Fullerton another fun group. Babies and more babies. Fun, fun, fun. Then to finish up the weekend, a wedding set in beautiful Calamigos Ranch in Malibu. An elegant and romantic setting for a evening wedding reception. I can't wait to do silhouettes for these events. I am excited and honored to be a part of everyone of these special days.

Email Photos, I cut silhouettes

Often times I will get a call to do a silhouette for someone who just can't find a way to meet up with me, or get to the next local fair. The best solution is to send me a photo of their loved on or self to get a silhouette done. Or for their wedding party and I will send the silhouette back to them in the mail. Here's a couple of examples of emailed photos and silhouettes I have mailed back to the the happy receiver. Just in time for Mother's Day or special event they want and need a silhouette.

Thanks again for really making the volunteer event ROCK.

We secured Sylvia to be both our entertainment and recognition part of our Annual Volunteer Recognition event. Our highly valued volunteers watched Sylvia weave her special magic with her scissors and were utterly delighted to receive a special keepsake as an expression of our appreciation. "SylhouettesbySylvia" served as fun ice breaker as our volunteers and clients mingled around her to watch each other getting their silhouettes done. We feel that Sylvia's presence greatly contributed to making this years event memorable!
Ruth Weaver,
Board Member. Shanti Orange County

Volunteers deserve a Silhouette by Sylvia

For all the work a volunteer does throughout the year, the time given, true altruism. Community leaders and givers. Nothing asked for in return, the pure simple giving. I must say. I applaud their efforts. April 16th, 2011 Shanti Orange County the Agency with the Giving Heart, will acknowledge and honor their volunteers. A non profit agency who serves the HIV/AIDS community with services to help people living with HIV disease, cope and manage their lives. Shanti OC provides case management, mental health services, support groups, lectures on how to access HIV medical treatment, and medications to live a longer and healthier and a better quality of life. They save lives. I think this is awesome. But on Sat. April 16th this is about the volunteers and how much they are appreciated. Sylhouettes by Sylvia will be there cutting silhouettes for these wonderful folks. I am honored to be able to spend my time with such devoted people to a cause that most tend to not want to discuss or acknowledge for a variety of reasons. My scissors and paper are held high to you.

Spring,Weddings,and Birthdays

Weddings and Birthdays, this is the season. Springtime and summer the excitement begins. I look forward to being able to be a part of special days ahead. Bridal Expos and Fairs are just as fun too. As brides to be are planning their weddings, cake tasting, make-up trials, d.j.'s, photo booths, photography specials and food tasting. So many decisions to make. The wedding excitement and to be there on the very day of the wedding. It leads up to one amazing day.

Slow start to a the new year 2011

Got the flu right off the bat to start off the New Year 2011. Got better, got sick again, so things slowed down for me physically and productively. Me slowed down, couldn't go any faster than slow or not at all. Had good plans to get off to a jump.

So now it's March and I am finally feeling better with some aches and pains. But I think I am going to get it going now??? My computer got sick and crashed too. Ughh! But to look at the bright side of things. I had to get a new one. How did I pull that one off? And did I? And during all of this, I also got an award from Gigmasters my booking site. Rising Star Award 2010 for my category Silhouette Artists. Never expected it. So here's to awards and a little boost for the not so good start. Worth all my efforts in trying to stay healthy and keep up with my life.

Weddings, Baby Showers, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthdays...

To each their own individual event. To each their own touch. All sentimental and all memorable to those who book me for their event. And as for me, early on in the whole scheme of things. I am contacted as the process begins and the details are discussed. And alas, as the days draw near to the very special occasion. (And sometimes it is a very last minute call). And things are buttoned down as they say. On the day of the event, I arrive at the time arranged, dressed up, supplies in tow and ready to cut. My specific working location is usually unknown to me until I get there. But it always works out great and very do-able. Now and again, I could hope for better spot or brighter area. I put on my bright smile and scissors in hand the silhouettes are cut and pasted on the white cards for the happy guests to take home.

I keep in the fore front of my mind the effort of each event, whether it be a wedding, baby shower, bar/bat mitzvah or a birthday party, etc. how much effort, time and energy is spent in making their day a very happy memorable day for the families and friends they share their celebration with. I am a part of it and what I create stays with the guests and the hosts. What a wonderful experience! I have an art that will last a lifetime or pass on for generations to come. And to know that, and I have been doing this for years... is even better. Wow!

Another Month Flies By...

And I haven't made time to keep up with this blogging thing. Oh my. Well, let's see. I have been cutting silhouettes at some weddings and that has been keeping me busy. I guess I will include a couple of the double silhouette I have done for my wedding couples.

My problem is that I get so busy with cutting silhouettes of the guests, I don't have time to stop and take photos of my area and finished product. Maybe the photographers will send me some later. The reviews I get back are great though. I am proud of those.

Take a Pose

I have a collection of different silhouette cuttings and these are just two of several of these type. My plan was to put them in a setting that would be very appealing. But I put these two in a square black frame.

Barbie Themed Birthday Party

This weekend I was quite busy. A Wedding in Manhattan Beach, Barbie Themed Birthday Party and Oktoberfest in Huntington Beach with Weiner-dog Races. Talk about variety. A few quiet moments. Aahhaah! yep! So, I thought it would be fun for the 13 year old recipient to not only get her silhouette done. I would give her a Barbie Silhouette that seems to be part of the popular Barbie thing now, as for the party decor. Just a fun party idea.

September Here I Come

Well, It's September and I have lots to do. I have been picking through some things and recently found a silhouette of Jasmine (my daughter) I did of her when she was about 7 yrs and a recent on I did of her. You could see the similarities in her profiles from then, and now.

Well it's about time-Ava's Birthday Party

I couldn't post anything for awhile cause the little circle wouldn't stop spinning. I finally figured out what to do. So.... in the meantime Sylhouettes by Sylvia has been a little busy. Not too much but has been a little busy I need to get caught up here. So for now. I am going to post some pictures from Ava's Birthday Party

Sylhouettes by Sylvia and more.....

So Today I am adding pictures to Picasa and realize that they will link to my blog. an aha moment for me.So click on Miss Huntington Beach and you will see my work and as I blog I will add more pictures and more artwork..

April Showers, Mother's Day, Babies, Weiner Dogs, Walks Grads and More

Okay, So It's been a month and  life has been a little hectic. But I still accomplished much. Not as much as I wanted. But yes I did accomplish what I set out to do. Sylhouette's by Sylvia is doing well. March I did March of Babes Walk a March of Dimes sponsored Event at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.I was there for about 3 hours.  And per the organizer of the Family Fun Zone. Sylhouettes by Sylvia was the Hit of the walk. I had fun doing the event. Following that event I immediately drove to a 5o year birthday party. A private event at a yacht club in Long Beach. I cut silhouettes there for about  2 hours. It was a beautiful day overlooking the water.


For Mother's Day I cut Silhouettes for a Kindergarten class and they presented the silhouettes to their moms at their annual Mother's Day Breakfast. The mothers were so happy to get something very different. A keepsake and I created it.


Then it was dogs at the Old World Village  Crafters village. Weinerdog races every third Sunday of the month.  Then it was off to a Graduation party.


Now I have a Carnival this Friday, and AIDSWALK O C at the Great park on Saturday. Maybe Sunday will be Chivo's Birthday. That will be fun. 

The Beginning

This is the place for where it began for me. A litle cart. A little old man. Who knew at the time for this moment in time, I was a little girl. My mom worked in those shops in Fiesta Village at Knott's Berry Farm. She became friends with the concessionaire who owned the little Silhouette Cart. That little man with the cane and his partner whom is not shown.

I spent a lot of time at Knott's Berry Farm while I was growing up, it was very much like my very own playground. As time would have it, the little cart became a permanent fixture in Fiesta Village. Growing up KBF as we would call it, the sounds of barking seals, tooting trains, the mixture of Mexican Folk music and the Merry Go Round organ in the background. I can remember as I watched Frank the Monkey Man, he was the Organ Grinder, as the children gave their pennies to the little monkey and I could hear the laughter, and cries of children at the same time. It all seemed very natural. Watching tourists from around the world buy their souvenirs, stand in line to buy their tickets to go on rides or wait in line to eat. The aromas coming from around, food, cotton candy, the Animal Farm nearby and yes the horses. The good ol Animal Farm and the Stage Coach.

And yes, people stood in line to get their silhouettes too. And as I got older I too found my place at KBF, I soon began to work there after school. At the Silhouette Stand in Fiesta Village. Within a few short months I too was cutting silhouettes. Growing up at KBF, it seemed natural for me to sit in that chair as I made the transition from my playground to workplace. Not only did I know KBF like the back the of my hand and grown accustomed to the lifestyle of an amusement park setting, I now was officially employed as a Silhouette artist at the age of 14 years.  To Be Continued.

Busy Week

Well, where do I start. I have been trying to create a website and when that is done I will add my link. Being creative is something I love to do. However, doing that and being sick at the same time is almost like hitting a brick wall at 90 mph. I wasn't feeling very focused. Knowing what I wanted. But not knowing how to get there. So I thought I would take a slight break. I have redone my silhouettes to give them more of an appeal as far as presentation is concerned and. I will include some of the pages. However, I have much more to accomplish with many more ideas to complete. It will come together. Problem is. Is that I have already done it all. Just not very good at recording it all and lost a great deal of it during the moves. I have tried to dig some of it up but to no avail. Some of it will slowly surface.

Well it's been a long time...

Yep, I lost touch for awhile with the ol' blog here. Just after I started a relationship with it. I wanted to get this thing started and then a series of events got in the way,  like life got . I hope the blogger can forgive me. As I start anew, I promise to write most everyday. Add a new piece of artwork or picture or perspective to go with it. It's still early in the year and Sylhouettes by Sylvia has gotten off to a slow start. But we will get there. God willing. It's Holy Week and Easter is around the corner. Maybe it's a better week to get this blog off the ground.