Hot from the Arena Creative Studios

Cachou Lajaunie

by Valerie Arena

This is a one of a kind handcrafted mixed media piece. It is an oval double sided decorative piece to add a little touch of France, a little mischief! The piece is hung by a cord wrapped and bowed in a lovely green sheer satin edged ribbon. The piece is 8 inches tall, 5 inches wide and three quarters inch thick. 

 Both sides are fully decorated so you can switch it around for something different. Both sides feature vintage advertising and an enameled fleur de lis accent, with a multidimensional look and feel. One of a kind art piece by Valerie Arena

This piece will be available for auction at tophatter.com in late February.

 Just One More Moment

by Valerie Arena

12 by 12 on thin canvas board. Holes on top with blue plastic lace hanger. Original, OOAK by Valerie Arena entitled "Just one more Moment." Depicting one fairy who just dares to dance longer as the moon disappears and the light comes in. This is a mixed media piece with watercolor, acrylic, decopauge, collage and gloss finishing techniques. This will be available for auction on February 27, 2012

 Fairy Playtime

by Valerie Arena

 12 by 12 on thin canvas board. Holes on top with blue plastic lace hanger. Original, OOAK by Valerie Arena entitled "Fairy Playtime" Depicting two fairies who dance in the moonlight. This is a mixed media piece with watercolor, acrylic, decopauge, collage and gloss finishing techniques. This will be available for auction on February 27, 2012

Asian Diner

by Valerie Arena

This is a handmade collage under glass. The glass is sealed inside the frame (with screws) and inbetween the two glass pieces is the collage. The collage is a variety of asian themed items, including your fortune cookie fortune! "You will receive a fortune (cookie)." This would make a fun and humorous accent to any kitchen! Handcrafted by Arena Creative.  This will be available for auction at tophatter.com on February 22nd, 2012.

Store:   arenacreative.artfire.com

Fire and Ice Restaurant in Trucksville, PA near Wilkes Barre and Scranton Top Notch!

My fiance and I have been to this restaurant twice now and both times were awesome!
The ambience is excellent.  We were there for an early lunch once and an early dinner.  Both times (11am, 430pm) were quiet and enjoyable.   The service was really good, the food quality was phenomenal!  I highly recommend it!

Some of our favorites are:

• Beer Battered basket of Shrimp (lunch) (yum, yum, yum)
• Lump Crab & Shrimp Cocktail Jumbo Lump Crab and Poached White Shrimp (appetizer) (extravagant, but oh so good!
• Cider-Soaked Double-Cut Prime Pork Chop well-marbled Chop marinated in a Brace’s Apple Cider, then Char-Grilled and finished with a Maple Glaze and Cranberry Drizzle, served with Pumpkin & Butternut Squash Risotto (dinner) (a quality looking, tasting and sizeable pork chop, exquisite! 

And my most favorite....

• Chicken Chasseur Sautéed Chicken Scaloppini with Forrest Mushroom Marsala Demi Glace, Oven-dried Tomatoes and Tarragon Butter served with Jasmine Rice and Chef’s Vegetables (Dinner) (this just melted in my mouth! the mushroom deme glace was superb, the rice was tender and flavorful and the vegetables featured a wide variety of non-traditional vegetables!)
• Orange Cognac Salad Field Greens tossed with Orange Cognac Dressing, dried Cranberries, candied Walnuts, and Gorgonzola (if you get a chance to try this...it is like having desert before dinner, the flavors are just so nice together! the dressing is smooth and the crunch from the candied walnuts just gives it a great punch!)

They have a website:
http://fireandiceontobycreek.com/index.html
I highly recommend them!

My feedback from customers

http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/feedback/arenacreative

My Grammy Predictions Part I

My predictions for the 54th Grammys


By Valerie Arena

Album of the Year: Adele 21

Record of the Year: Katy Perry: Firework

Song of the Year : Bruno Mars, Grenade

Best New Artist: Nciki Minaj

Best Pop Solo Performance: Adele: Someone Like You

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Coldplay Paradise

Best Pop Instrumental Album: Brian Setzer: Setzer Goes Instru-mental

Best Pop Vocal Album: Adele 21

Best Dance Recording: Skrillex Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Best Dance/Electronica Album: Skrillex Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: Tony Bennett and Various Artists Duets II

Best Rock Performance: Coldplay Every Teardrop is a Waterfall

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance: Mastodon Curl of the Burl

Best Rock Song: Coldplay Every Teardrop is A Waterfall

Best Rock Album: Foo Fighters Wasting Light

Best Alternative Music Album: Radiohead The King of Limbs

Best R&B Performance: Kelly Price and Stokley Not My Daddy

Best Traditional R&B Performance: R. Kelly Radio message

Best R&B Song: Cee Lo Green Fool for You

Best R&B Album: R Kelly Love Letter

Best Rap Performance: Nicki Minaj and Drake Moment 4 Life

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration: Dr. Dre, Eminem and Skylar Grey I Need A Doctor

Best Rap Song: I Need A Doctor (see above)

Best Rap Album: Jay-Z and Kanye West Watch the Throne

Best Country Solo Performance: Taylor Swift Mean

Best Country Duo/Group Performance: Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson Don’t you Wanna Stay

Best Country Song: Taylor Swift Mean

Best Country Album: Speak Now Taylor Swift

Best New Age Album: Al Conti Northern Seas