Begin the Beguine...or Starting Again

Begin the Beguine is a 1982 Spanish film about a man who
returns to his homeland after many years. Its original Spanish
title is Volver a empezar, which means Starting Again;
the English language title refers to the song "Begin the Beguine"
by Cole Porter.

Starting again....
Well that's me in a nutshell. Where did this last month go?
I feel like such a slacker, but I know I've been busy doing
things, they just didn't include blogging. I really blame it on
FaceBook. It seems I do spend way to much time hanging out
there. Shame on me...

So I'm just gonna pick up and carry on like today is the first day.
Last month one of my favorite bead artists, Kristie Roeder of
Artisan Clay was having a contest/sale anticipating her 300th
sale on Etsy. Kristie was giving away all kinds of neat things...
for every piece you bought you got a copper raku piece for free.
For the 300th sale (that was me)there was a surprise and
for the one who spent the most money (me..lol. But I didn't
spend that much) there was another.
And then she packaged everything up and stuck a beautiful
button on top. Well, I made out like a bandit and it felt like
Christmas at my house when I was opening everything up.
Thanks Kristie! I love it all!

My purchases above. See the beautiful button in the center?
I got one of her grab bags with tons of beads in it.

Kristie's beautiful copper beads. There were two donuts, but
one went home to New Orleans with Beverly. I'm sure she'll
do something fantastic with it. She said she'd whip me up
something using the heart...I better get the beads together
soon, maybe I can wear it on the Bead Cruise? Huh? Bev?


This was part of the give away. A surprise for me, and this
is a beautiful necklace. I love wearing it!

Another great part of the give away for being the 300th
customer. This is HUGE...when Krisitie said she was giving
a box away, I thought "ok, what a cute little trinket box this
will be". It is so kewl! 6 x 6 inches and I love it!
So Kristie, my apologies for taking so long. And a great big
THANKS for all the great gifts. I love the copper beads so
much I think I am gonna horde them for a while.

June ABS Challenge

Farbstudie Quadrate (Color Study of Squares).

Wassily Kandinsky, born in Russia in 1866. He is credited

with painting the first modern abstract works.

This is the painting chosen for this months ABS challenge.

And what fun this is gonna be...color, color and more color!

Any and every crayon color in the box can be used. Three

great prizes from three great ceramic artists. Monday is

the first Featured Designer of the Week. So get your

entries in...you could be featured!

It's Michigan Fiber Festival Week!

Don't forget the Fiber Festival in Allegan this weekend! I'm not

taking classes, but I do intend to look around this weekend. It's

one of the weekend I treasure the most. It gets my juices going

for the feel of fiber in my hands. I have plans for knitting my first

sweater (for a new baby), I'm working on a project with Liz from

primoriginals...I'm not saying what that is till I'm ready to get

started, but its gonna be fun and I am so ready to feel wool...hint,

hint. If you like primitive works go check out her Etsy store.

I have a hard time picking my favorite pieces.

Back to the Festival, I believe I saw Tari Sasser's name, from

Creative Impressions in Clay as a vendor. I hope so, cause

I want to check out her scissors tips and stitch markers.

I've we're lucky we'll have as beautiful weekend as we had for

the Blueberry Festival.

I'm loving the low 70's and no humidity...so fresh and stimulating.

Last years purchases from Tari.

Last, but for sure not least, its Heather's Birthday today...say

Happy Birthday to her if you know her.

Monday, Monday

Yesterday we had some stormy weather, the kind of thunderstorms

that I like. They just blow up out of nowhere. I like to lay in the grass

and watch the clouds explode into giant mushrooms. Then when the

lightning strikes too close I get up and run for cover. One of these days

I might not be so lucky as to not be hit by one of them. I feel like I

dodge a bullet every once in a while.

But today is absolutely gorgeous! There is zero humidity and the breeze

is almost too cool. SHUT UP! I didn't just say that did I? Anyway,

the windows are opened and the house is airing out.

Love it, love it, love it!

Bailey got to play outside for a while yesterday. I think she is gonna

need an exercise program after she recovers. She looks like she's

just about ready to stick an apple in her mouth. Part of that is because

she is in desperate need of a grooming.

Since it is so beautiful outside I took pictures of these pieces that

I purchased from Chinook Jewelry. I had money that I put aside

from the B and B. I had made up my mind I was gonna get these

before I went to the show, and I forgot my list of vendors that

I wanted to get to look at...that worked out just fine because these

are just beautiful. Mellisa ships really fast too. Thank you!

My favorites are the seashell buttons, and the music sheets, and the

puppy paws, and.....;^O , oh all of them are great.

I'm off to enjoy the day. Hope you all have a great one too!