Alicia + Jeremiah Wedding Reception Darlington House La Jolla, CA

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Coming up... this weekend

It's Thursday and I am already preparing for the weekend.  I need to make sure I have enough cards to mount the silhouettes, paper to cut the silhouettes, glue and bags to put them in. And one more thing, a Scrapbook.  I believe most folks love added value. I try to do a little of added value. I will provide a scrapbook at no extra cost. The scrapbook is used to mount the silhouettes of the guests and guests sign their names and leave a note. This way, my clients will have something tangible from me to remember their special day or special event.

The handcrafted silhouette is cut out by me, Sylvia aka Sylhouettes by Sylvia. This is something special my clients enjoy and I have receive only  positive feedback.  A little added value is something the clients deserve. And...not only do the guests receive a special memory of a very special day. The client does too.

I just keep sayin'

I am going to keep up with this blog and I continue to procrastinate on sharing events, I am at every weekend.

I am going to post a few photos and make sure that things will get consistent.
Events are so worth sharing. I always have a great time and enjoy meeting friends and family.

So here are a couple of photos of a birthday party. Birthday parties like this one is at the park. Mom and Dad are keeping things fun and simple for their little guests. Here you see a mom signing the guest book for the birthday girl. The guest book is filled with silhouettes of guests so they can sign their name and leave a birthday wish for the birthday girl. Guests take home their silhouette too. Everybody gets in on the fun.

At another birthday party a mom made the banner and then she gave it to me.

Anne+Cory in Style Me Pretty Little Black Book I posted this wedding in August. This wedding was amazing and the back story is a fairytale come true. Anne + Cory wed at the historic Los Angeles Athletic Club  especially remodeled for their wedding and featured in Style Me Pretty "Little Black Book".

It's Been a Long Time... since my last post.

Yes, it's been a while and I am back up again. In the sense that I haven't blogged much. The silhouette events are still strong and as they continue to come up, I will post the past and current events. Udating my posts should keep me busy for a bit. I received the Gigmaster 5-Star Performer Award for 2011. Thank you to all who have booked Sylhouettes by Sylvia via Gigmasters. This is my second award. I love my connection to Gigmasters. I  am focused and hopeful, I may acheive  another one!!

September! So Much! So Beautiful! So Amazing!

September has much to be said for, amazing weddings, events and connections. A great summer I had indeed. So many wonderful experiences.  And as we go into the fall season, I don't even know where to begin except for at the beginning. Aurora and Eugene wedding began the month of September to a lift off of amazing! Another great wedding in the first of the month of September was at the Darlington House, La Jolla Alicia + Jeremiah Wedding. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet and work with Zapher Dajani, Founder of The Abbey Catering and Design.

September 8th, introduce the second week of the month with another fabulous event hosted by  The Knot ,"Cocktails and Connections" showcased several unique wedding ideas, including Sylhouettes by Sylvia. I can't say enough about the venue- Rancho Las Lomas, one word-"stunning"! Property owner Jeanne Lawrence, equally as stunning and such a gracious host. Natalie Good, her talents amazed everyone! A Good Affair Events and Productions provided the most amazing decor, florals, colors,  vendors and need I say more.  No wonder they are The Knot's 2011 Best of Amazing Picks. Amazing!
And that is it for the first part of the September. 

Labor Day Weekend 2011

End of summer signified by a Labor Day holiday. Hot days are still ahead of us. I like that part only a little bit. Great for outdoor  events and long evenings. Events I cut silhouettes for  this weekend were eventful and fun. Very impressionable, Eugene + Aurora wedding on Saturday, September 3. Guests were memorable and absoluetely friendly.   I found out some history and quite romantic about this wonderful villa.....

Villa Collazzi

Villa Collazzi

The Alverno Villa is a duplicate of the Villa Collazzi located on the outskirts of Florence Italy. Villa Collazzi has been occupied for several centuries by the Bombicci Fomi family, and legend has it that the Villa is the only one ever designed by the immortal Michelangelo. The Villa del Sol d’Oro is one quarter scale to the original. Nestled at the foot of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains in the picturesque City of Sierra Madre, the Villa was built in the “pure” Italian Renaissance Style in 1922 by the famous Pasadena architect Wallace Neff and was completed by 1928. The estate wasbuilt by Dr. Jarvis Barlow for his wife, who had visited the Villa Collazzi and wanted a house just like it. This design was a radical departure from the Mediterranean style that that Neff perfected in his other homes. He used entrance rotunda and iron work in several of his later homes. Originally built on thirteen acres of trees and flowers overlooking the entire San Gabriel Valley, the Villa had five master bedrooms, four bathrooms, and ample help quarters, one of the first electric elevators in the area, porches on three sides, and spacious patios. On the grounds were garages, stables, caretaker’s home, swimming pool, bath house, and tennis courts. The building is comprised of two stories and a tower. It is said that the walls aremade of two rows of hollow tile to keep the building cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The lower story houses the reception rooms, dining room, drawing room, and library. The upper floor includes the living quarters and a spacious ballroom. The tower was built to obtain a better view of the valley.

Alverno Villa

Dr. Barlow himself supervised the planting of the trees which included: orchids, tulip, Japanese Magnolia, strawberry tree, flaming eucalyptus, monkey tree, camphor, sapoitas, English Yew, coral, and carob. To frame the southern façade, a sunken garden was added, lined on either side by Italian cypress. The Villa is now part of Alverno High School, a private Catholic girl’s school, which
has been educating young women since 1960.

My Passion for Silhouette History

Something has to be said about rates for a silhouette artist today... I love the history of the art and rather keep it the way it was intended. As it was never intended for aristocrats, to trace lineage.They used oil paintings from famous painters of their era. Silhouettes were gawdy for the rich, back in that day.

Silhouettes were for the average working folk. Many times, traded for a meal, a nights rest as a silhouette artist would travel from township to township. Oil paintings didn't belong in huts and small cottages anyway.  There were no cameras at the time to  capture images. Silhouette art was very practical centuries ago.
As silhouette art moved to the U.S.  after many folks immigrated from Europe. Silhouettes art also followed and artists traveled to local and world fairs, for a minimun fee for each silhouette. And as time has progressed, compared to the world of art, silhouettes remain "A Lost Art".  However, not so lost. In order to share with the others in this day in age a fee within reach, (compared to todays standards) it is not impossible. In my opionion it is not worth putting a hole in the pocket book to experience a lost art.

I love that I can share my art at will. I love that I can offer a very fair price keeping loyal to my passion of silhouette art and the history of silhouettes. And I do! It would not be practical for me to trade for a meal. However, a tattoo, or maybe something of value. It has been done. I value my talent and more importantly, it is to be shared.

Labor Day Weekend Two Events Prepare for Traffic!!!

I am looking forward to this weekend. Labor Day Weekend! On Saturday, September 3rd,  I am going to be at a  beautiful historic venue for Aurora's wedding. Cutting silhouettes at the Villa del Sol d'Oro Alverno Villa in Sierra Madre . I am told at this point I will be stationed at the  library. Sounds pretty cool. I can't wait to be a part of this lovely event. I will be there for three hours.

Following the lovely event on Saturday, I will be Alicia's wedding to perform silhouettes on Sunday, September 4th at yet another historic venue. The Darlington House in La Jolla. This too is a beautiful estate turned into an event holding venue near the ocean. I can't wait to be yet at another historic venue cutting silhouettes. I have a love of history and enjoy being at historic venues. It adds to the classic style and appreciation of the era of silhouette art. But no matter where I do silhouettes and who I do them for. The individual who have me at their events have an appreciation for the art. It makes it fun no matter what.

La Valencia Hotel- Stirdivant/Wason

August 6th, I was anticipating this wedding for almost a year. About 9 months. Many emails back and forth with Kimberly. She sent me profile photos of her and her fiance, to cut out and send to her in advance. I also did her wedding party and family members in advance too. I sent them all in the  mail. And much to my surprise and very honored Kimberly used my silhouettes for her wedding invitation. They were beautiful. Unfortunately on my way to the wedding a major traffic jam and I was extremely late. Not perfect and on occasion it does happen. However, I never once was this late. As a result, I didn't appear very professional.

What I wanted to share with you are the photos from the photographer at Ventana Photography who recently sent the link to me. The photos are lovely and reflect what a great wedding Kimberly and Roger had. However, I would like to add an note about the day coordinator from Kelly Instone Weddings  whom did not make my bride aware of my status. As a result my bride was not happy with the unknown during her wedding day.  A lesson learned and a new method on my part on how to handle matters so I am positive my brides of the future are aware of any issues.

Enjoy the photos....Kimberly and Roger La Valencia Hotel La Jolla

Anne and Cory Wedding

August 20th we were at the Los Angeles Athletic Club for Anne and Cory's wedding. Anne was a delight to work with and her mother as well. Warm and very sweet people. The venue was not only beautiful but included a history of LA that no other could. We arrived early to set up and met Nam of  Modern LA Weddings who was absolutely wonderful to work with and very organized. We set up a wall of silhouettes of the bridal party. Anne provided a beautiful memory book she found on Etsy for the silhouettes to be mounted in for her keepsake. Mebo Photobooth is a fun idea for any event and I love their work. I worked with them at a wedding at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion and we had so much fun. The band Los Sindicate was providing entertainment. Jasmine Star Photography and JD provided the photos of this elegant event. Jasmine Star is an acclaimed international photographer.  Florals and designs were created by Shawna Yamamoto. This was just a wonderful event. I really enjoyed working with Anne and her mom.

We can all hang out and have a cup of tea...

Well, it's the end of the month and I have been busy. I have a few photos I need to insert so I will include a couple but..... before I do. Wanted to say. I went to the OC Fair and visited the Silhouette Artist there this summer, I worked with Nancy Marie at the Queen Mary and I rather enjoy her. I worked with her before, but I didn't get a chance to hang out with her much at that time. We had a chance to really chat and get to know each other a bit. She is delightful.

Then I visited the Silhouette Studio at Disneyland a couple of times to meet with their silhouette artists. But not much a warm welcome. We chatted, but not very much. I wish that we could all be one unified artist meet up group and share stories and tips.  Since there are a few of us around this area with Disneyland and so many entertainment venues .

I have been in this business a long time and there are a handful of  silhouette artists out there are in this big world. Compared to the giant list of artists in the world of oil, water color, paint, photography, etc. I just can't seem to really build a bond with the other artists.   I don't know what it is. Is it just me?I have called on a  few artist for some favors and help now and again. We are few and see the world through a different point of view. I guess that is what makes us unique.  I still enjoy looking at their work and love having them out their loving the same thing I do. Be nice to go out and have tea one day?

Finally recovered!?

Silhouettes, is pretty much all I look at these days. I can't help it. I went to Temecula the other day. I looked for old  antique silhouttes. I couldn't find any and I don't know why. About a year ago I saw several, but really not interested in buying any. The ones I saw were the ones painted on the glass frames. I wanted an original cut silhouette and they were very expensive. I forged on looking for silhouettes. None. I saw none. I will have to go back and look for again on another day, at another place maybe. So I have been cuttin some silhouettes of the days of the Roaring 20's and I left some on my bed. I was very detailed about some of them. And my dogs felt it necessary to use the silhouettes  as their pillows and thrashed them about. It's back to square one. I have a few examples of  the ones that were not thrashed. They are not mounted just placed gently on a book for  now.

One Heck of an Adventure!

The day starteid out kinda chaotic. Traffic seemed a bit heavier than normal Saturdays as I headed out  to my first event in Beverly Hills at Fago de Chao, I arrived late. I realized my scissors were not in my pouch with me. I was horrified! Thank God there was a mall next door and I purchased a small cuticle set. However, not what I am used to, it worked. I was so embarrassed. I went home to look for my scissors and they had fallen out of the bag and were in the trunk the entire time. Why didn't I think to look for them in there????

Traffic was stop and go all the way to my next event in San Diego La Valencia Hotel La Valencia Hotel. Not slow and go like usual. STOP and GO. I was late. And parked my car at the first parking structure I could find. Not at the hotel as suggested. I ran to the hotel to get started and stayed an extra hour to make up the difference for being late. I left and went to the parking structure and when I got to the structure the gate was closed shut. The car was unattainable. I was in La Jolla and no way to get around and no where to sleep. All of the hotels were sold out and needless to say, in La Jolla nothing under $300.00 per night. Now if I was going for a weekender to have fun, fun, fun. Maybe it would be worth it. But for a quick nap to get home. Nah uh.

Denny's here I come and I ended up in Pacific Beach, thanks to Costas my taxi driver. We walked and walked and walked in my formal dress and shoes and my bag on wheels in tow with my supplies. We walked down a street of drunks, street entertainers, bars, and need I say more. Alas! a tattoo parlour we can peek our couriousity and kill a few more hours hopefully. I saw a couch, I could rest my toes.

We meet the tattoo artist at Black Rose Tattoo. We talked, asked questions and eventually he asks what are we doing in Pacific Beach. Long story short....I cut out his silhouette, he gave one of us a free tattoo. Artist to artist appreciation thing. And before we know it it is four in the morning  and time to leave. We walk over to Denny's have a couple of cups of coffe and Costas comes back to pick us up at five am. Yesss!

We drive back to La Jolla and the gate to the parking structure is up. The car is free to go and we can drive home. An all nighter in . We save a few hundred bucks and finally get to sleep at 7:30 am. What a day! What a day! Who would have thought a silhouette job would have brought me to pull an all nighter? I am getting to old for this. But it was an adventure. I had a good time.

Not looking to do this again anytime soon. ha ha!

La Jolla Inn- $300.00 for one night. Only one vacancy in town.

August

It's hot! Just like it is supposed to be in August. I spent my last day of July at the OC Fair and enjoyed every minute of it. I walked through the Carnival of Products and wished I could buy a lot of the products just to try them.  I love the OC fair. I love the the atmosphere of the fair and to see everyone who goes to enjoy the atmosphere of the food, rides, animals, games and the new products. Not to forget the highlight to see the performance of the shows and work of the artisans. Andof course my favorite the silhouette artist. I love to see the silhouette artist maintain the tradition of the art at the fair. I applaud the life of the art and the ability to keep it alive.  To make it available to many who still find it fascinating and enjoy the art. Living as close as we do to Disneyland there are so many folks who find it a joy to get their silhouette at the fair.

One Forty Eight

I finally made a short video. It is a compialation of some of the weddings and events I have been to. I am usually so busy I don't have time to take pictures. So this is what I have to share. This is not a tutorial or alot of silhouettes. I hope you enjoy. Click on the title and you will see the video

Emmy's Bat Mitzvah-Bel Air- Red 25 Events

A magical evening in Bel Air, Emmy's Bat Mitzvah. Sylhouettes by Sylvia was a part of the magic. An event put together by Red 25 Events and very successful. I can't even begin to explain the magic. So take a look at the photos by Kevin Lubera Photography.  Click the link on the title and you can experience some of the magic Kevin posted on his blog and graciously shared with all of us. Thank you Kevin for capturing a magical evening.

Carmaggedon shmarmagedon 7.16.11 Event

One of the biggest parts of doing Silhouettes at events is driving to get to an event.  ON TIME. Even though it goes without saying. If not for our GPS's or a well thought out mapping system, we must prepare for traffic and other unforeseeable circumstances when getting to events on time.

Alas! the announcement of Carmaggedon! I was going to be in a mess of traffic on the weekend of July 15. I had an event  to do on July 16th in the Bel Air area and because of the media, I planned on leaving very early to make sure I would not be late.

Traffic was light and the 405 Carmageddon did not occur as planned. Yes, I did plan an alternative route avoiding the 405 fwy. However, the traffic was moving right along on all freeways. I did not have any problems and arrived at my destination two hours early. I had planned on three hours of slow and go traffic on the roads. Thank goodness for planning ahead. Instead I would have like to have stayed home those extra hours.

Without the hoopla of the big Carmaggedon delays, I would have been stuck in regular Saturday traffic in L.A. anyway. So even though I imagined extra hours lounging around at home. The delays of traffic at no matter what amount, sitting in my car for any extra time than necessary is not a trade off. Instead, I had lunch in Brentwood and thank you Carmaggedon for my very early arrival at a very successful event. Many were told to stay away from the 405 and they did. It's just that I  was one who was in it and it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be. I have my very own Carmageddon story to share with the rest of the world.

Now for Carmageddon II in eleven months... do I dare?????

Good News and Old News

First the Old News, as I was reminiscing about Knott's Berry Farm in my last blog. Coincidentally, a couple of days later friend sent to me a photo of the time when Knott's Berry Farm had first started Halloween Haunt. During the early years before the host of the "Elvira Show the Mistress of the Dark" it was the pioneer of night thriller was "Seymour the Master of Macabre". We laughed as he brought back many memories for us. I especially liked watching him on TV on Friday nights and he would pop up on the corner of the screen and tell a joke relating to the  thriller or scary movie. He was quite witty and funny too. Thanks BV for sharing.

Now we move on to the Good News!!! More events to come this summer, I have already have had a few great and wonderful events this summer  all over the Soutland. I am very excited for the ones I have coming up. It's the time of year when we have so much going on in addition to  weddings, birthdays, family reunions. I am so glad that I have one of these beauties come with me as my assistant they help me to keep the flow moving. I can get so many more silhouettes done as long as I have them mounting the silhouettes on the 5x7 card for the guests to take home.

Mad Hatter Bridal Shower in San Diego

It's a short week. Well it feels like one. Saturday is only a few days away. And with the 4th of July on Monday it feels like it was as Sunday and now Saturday is already coming up fast. I have a bridal shower to cut silhouettes at in San Diego. And the theme is Disneyesque Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland. I have a feeling it's going to be tall hats that I will be cutting. Or sorts of hats. Maybe other sorts of things. like that. Umm  now my imagination is starting to warm up. I better start to get ready. Well, here's a hat of sorts. I am getting pumped up. I may have to change my white lace table cloth to red. Umm... I 'm starting to getting to like this. Antique stores, downtown Fullerton, here I come.