Thursday, April 30, 2009

Art Bead Scene Entry


It's finished! And wouldn't you know it.
Today is the day with the least amount of sunshine possible.
The picture doesn't begin to do it justice, ah well such is life.
The art bead was made by me, in Heather's (polymer clay)
class on the bead cruise. It was just so perfect for this month's
challenge. I added a strand of pastel button pearls,
galvanized size 11 one cuts and a strand of size 8 seafoam
green seedbeads. In that strand I added a few mother of pearl
flowers and some sterling. I think Venus would approve.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Local Yocal...


I stopped into my local bead store today. Just to
look around, nothing else. Sure, sure. Like that ever really
happens. They are stocking the most beautiful filigree items.
In copper, brass and silver. Way over priced....
Like that big filigree pendant, which I paid $12.00 for...sheesh.
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
Now they have chain. And then there was some stones I
couldn't live without...

A Miracle and other wonders in my world

Who knows what prompts Mother Nature into growing
things that just should not be there. I planted these
daffodils at least 15 years ago. I think they came up the
first year and after that they never showed up again.
Did they lay dormant all these years waiting for the
right atmospheric conditions? Did the deer usually get
to them before they could blossom? Regardless of what
prompted them, they are there in the pasture surrounded
by deep grass...a miracle!






This is Katie, the k-9 wonder dog. She the girl of our best
friend. One of those designer dogs, you know, a Labradoodle.
Part golden Lab, part poodle. Only 9 months old and monster
of a dog. But really pretty sweet. I asked Jim as I petted
her and pulled out gobs of hair "aren't these dogs suppose to
be hypoallergenic and shed free?" Jim says the only ones
who believe that are the breeders that sell them! Wouldn't
want that mess in my house. There's something to be said
for small dogs, like my Bailey. Maintenance free,
just the way I like things.

I caught this picture of her just as she flopped down to play
with me. Reminds me of a Muppet.

And last a picture is of my nephew. He's 5 months old now.
Mom and I are going out to see him ( and his mommy and daddy,
of course)in June. Before he gets past the baby stage.
His little shirt says Captain Crabby...
now I ask you, does he look the least bit like a crabby baby?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Kindle2 Update

I got my Kindle2 just a couple of weeks ago. I absolutely
love it! I can't believe I didn't know about this sooner, cause
it would have saved me a lot of money for books I bought over
the year. Even though you have to purchase the books anyway,
through Amazon. I just finished reading The Host by
Stephanie Meyer. I got so caught up in it, I have been staying
up way past 2 in the morning reading for the last few days.
I'm getting kind of tired here...lol! Maybe the novelty of it
will wear off in a bit, but I really enjoy reading, so maybe not.
I do have to force myself to do something else other than read.
I made another playlist for reading by. He's a Korean composer
and pianist. Great music to relax by.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Mixed Tapes Challenge - Class of '73


Class of '73...that's me.
I've been spending the last couple of days
tripping through memory lane with my husband.
Humblebeads has a contest going on...
Share your favorite high school songs,
make a playlist, find some pics from your
high school days. Three chances to win some
great Humblebead prizes. So I've put together
my playlist for your listening enjoyment.
Yes, I know all the words to the songs and the
memories they dredge up are the most fun.
Thanks Heather for the laughs.

Friday, April 17, 2009

My Metal Pendants








I have things I want to talk about but
no time to do it...so here's a picture or
three of some pendants I made on the
Bead Cruise.
From Mary Hettsmanberger's class.
Okay it wasn't under my bed, but we did have the
biggest dust bunny rolling down the hallway
this morning. Unbeleiveable! Did you know
people actually make critters out of rolled up
dust bunnies they've collected...I don't think so.
So I'm off for now......cleaning...lol!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Okay, I've been seeing this a lot lately
and I decided I would like to participate.
If anyone else is interested:

Pay your Art & Creativity Forward!

Creative people are adventurous!
So, if you would like to participate,
please leave me a comment and your e-mail.
The first five people will receive something
from me in the mail.
Here are the rules, and happy posting!

This offer does have some restrictions and
limitations so please read carefully:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like
what I make.
This is an adventure!

2. What I create will be just for you with love
and good wishes.
It will be made of actual materials,
not of cyberspace.

3. It will be done this year (2009).

4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be!

5. In return, all you need to do is post this text
on your Blog and create five things for the
first 5 people to respond to your post.

6. Send your mailing address after I contact you.

IMPORTANT: This offer is null and void if you
do not post on your own blog to pay this forward.
This text was used from
everyheartscraft.blogspot.com
Thank you and spread the love!

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Will the real Venus please stand up?


This month's theme over at the Art Bead Scene is the
Birth of Venus. It's a beautiful beautiful painting by
Sandro Botticelli, c. 1482–1486. Since I don't have
my entry quite done yet I thought I would treat you to
something I've been saving for just the right time, when I
don't seem to have much going on.
There's an earlier version of the Venus,
The Venus ( or woman)of Willendorf:
She was created between 24,000 BCE – 22,000 BCE.
If you want to read a little more about her go to
Wickipedia. Because the other Venus I have to show
you is the one created by me in a lamp work class at
the Bead and Button show a long time ago.
After you look at this you'll understand why flame
and sculptural glass are not the thing for me to do!

Venus of Willendorf (above)
I present to you my version of the Venus:
Backside

Profile. Isn't she a hoot? Those aren't eyes on top
of her head. Somehow her lips ate her eyes... No
comments are necessary, I'll wrap her back up
and put her away. Tomorrow I'll show my entry for
the Art Bead Scene...its much prettier!

Monday, April 6, 2009

A Day at the Beach

I'm not sure how this will work, I've never
done my own video before...so have a look:


We went to the beach today.

The wind must have been blowing 35 mph.

Needless to say, the waves are beautiful and

the sun was bright, but with a temperature of

35 degrees, we froze our butts off. The sand

just about took the paint off our truck..ok it

wasn't that bad!



Its mine!


Okay, so I gave it lots of thought and today I bought it!
Soon I will have it in my sweaty little hands.
I can hardly wait. Thanks everyone for all the input.
The first thing I'm putting on it is the Twilight Saga.
So Beverly, you will be getting those books after all.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Kindle


I'm not much of a gadget girl...I don't need
an iPod, iPhone, Blackberry or any other
technological wonder. A simple cell phone
(with camera) is about all I can handle.
But I found this the other day while looking at
Amazon and since then I have been lusting
after it. Trying to figure out ways to get
this electronic marvel for myself.
I love to read, I buy books by the bag full,
usually I pass them on to my sister or friends.
But buying books can really add up. I save
my favorites for myself, but I am running
out of room to store them. Here is the answer
to my problem: The Kindle!
It will store up to 1500 complete
books for me to reread over and over again...
Just think of the possibilities...more room in your
carry on or suitcase when traveling...those books
get heavy. No piles of books sitting around the house,
on the nightstand or in the "library".
I need that room for my special bead books.
One of these days it will be mine. I just have to figure
out when and how.......

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Blogging is like...


exercise or dieting. You know how
you go at it religiously and slowly you
drop a day or maybe two and then it
seems like you quit all together? That's
kind of the direction I see myself going in
lately, at least with my blogging. Or maybe
my life just got really boring and I don't
have much to talk about. Yeah, that's
it...I've become boring. I've been
waiting for the daffodils to push up and
bloom. And I have seen signs that this
could be happening.


Actually, I've purchased a couple of really
great beading books and have enjoyed
pouring over the pages. Lot's of inspiration
going on there. The two books I got are:

A Charming Exchange
by Kelly Snelling and Ruth Rae

Semiprecious Salvage
by Stephanie Lee

Love them both, but my real favorite is
The Semiprecious Salvage. I find myself
thumbing through it quite a bit and actually
reading (I know that sounds bad). Usually
I look at the pictures or jump right to the
directions. But Stephanie has little stories
written through out the book, like pages of
a journal. She has some very interesting
ideas for making found art items.

And last, but not least Nancy at the Rabbit Muse
is having a great sale in her Etsy shop. 25%
off everything till April 5th. That's no joke
either. I'm gonna roam around her shop and
see if there's something I might need. So hop
on over and see what she has, you won't be
sorry!