Sunday, September 30, 2012

I Heart Macro and a Note...- What Do They See?

I Heart Macro,
sort of this week.
These are just sweet photos of the pets.  

To my fellow bloggers in the Sequins Blog.
Due to a family activity this week, I will be late in commenting on your blogs.
Thank you for your Patience.


What do they see?

What do they think?

I'm sure we'll never know.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Sequintastic September Blog Hop

Today is the day!!
I'm very excited to show you my sequintastic creations!
But first,
since this is not my first attempt at using sequins,
I have to show you this.
I made this when I had cataract surgery earlier this year.
I looked at the ugly eye patches from the hospital,
so,
I made this!

Here's a picture of me wearing my sequined eye patch!

The doctor even took my picture wearing my eye patch out of the hospital.

So, you can see I do take a different approach to using sequins.

What do my sock covered feet have to do with sequins?
No sequins on the socks.
Well, they are covered up now.

Here's how they looked when it was warmer!

They looked great with my sandals!!
See, you can use sequins in so many places!!!

I also make shrines out of tin boxes.
I only used one star sequin on the inside of this shrine, 
but on the outside...

I used sequins to show the love of God for all of us!
I especially liked the angel sequins!

Here's a shrine I made to honor
the Mother of God.  
On the inside, I used on sequin, but
on the outside

I used butterfly sequins to honor 
Our Lady!

Now that you've seen how I've used sequins,
Check out these other bloggers and see how they've used their sequins.

Participants!!!!


Dita... http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com

Ambra... http://chicandfrog.wordpress.com

Audrey... http://hotpinkquilts.blogspot.com

Stacy... http://iridalsattic.blogspot.co.uk

Karen W...  http://baublicious.blogspot.com

Lori...  http://www.prettythingsblog.com

Lisa... http://lisabinkley.typepad.com

Carmi... http://resincrafts.blogspot.com

Dawn Marie...  http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com

Jeannie... http://site.jkdjewelry.com/blog

Shirlee... http://www.shirleestuff.blogspot.com

Linda... http://www.lilysofthevalleyjewerly.blogspot.com

Corrine... http://www.sparkledaysstudio.com

Gutukas... http://atradimutakeliais.blogspot.com

Shannon... http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com

Mallory... http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com

Cyndi... http://www.beading-arts.com

Maneki... http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.com

Maryanne... http://zingalasworkshop.blogspot.com

Ine... http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com

Karen... http://www.overthemoon-design.com

Kepi... http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com

Jennifer... http://jenniferstumpf.blogspot.com

Misty...  http://thejollyfatelf.blogspot.com

Dot... http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com

Hope... http://craftyhope.blogspot.com

Cynthia... http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com

Micheladas... http://www.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Shirley...  http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com

Karla... http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com

Eleanor... http://eleanorpigman.blogspot.com

Therese... http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Rita... http://www.toltecjewels.blogspot.com

Robyn... http://rcponders.wordpress.com

Stepha... http://skwds.blogspot.com

Sue... http://suebeads.blogspot.com

Cate... http://fulgorine.wordpress.com

Amy... http://Loraamyjames.com



Friday, September 28, 2012

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1)  For me, sleeping in is to sleep beyond 5 AM.  This week I slept in for two days until almost 7 AM.  I knew it was "late" for me because I could see that it was light outside.  Pixie enjoyed sleeping late, too.  The girl is a late riser unless I wake her up!

2) There was another trip up to Jenny's, but this time it's for fun.  Nick will be arriving later today.  We're having a family weekend, and we will be enjoying our "extended" family at the Multiple Myeloma Run for the Cure during the run and afterwards for Mexican Food.  It's an event we look forward to doing.

3) Lunch with friends is always good!

Thursday, September 27, 2012

I'm really Not a Holiday Bead Maker Person

I don't know why,
I just have a few holiday beads in my Etsy store.
Right now,
only a few could 
remotely be considered 
holiday.
For example,
I do have a 
The cat has orange eyes.
That could be considered Halloween, right?
Well, maybe. 

I also have some 
They're sort of Halloween or Thanksgiving.
Well, sort of, I guess.

Then there's the 

That's sort of Christmas,
Well, maybe, sort of, I guess.

How about the 
That's Christmas,
sort of, I guess.

This might explain why my kids get some of their presents wrapped in 
Target bags.

Or why the few decorations I put up at Christmas,
are still up from last year.

I wish I were more of a holiday person.
How do you feel about the holidays?
Are you a holiday person?
I'd love to hear!

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Check Out My New Etsy Banner!

So,
How do you like it?
I love it!!!
Ingrid McCue designed it for me!!
I love what she did!!

If you would like to get a hold of Ingrid,
go to her FaceBook Page,
and send her a message.  
Here's the link to her FaceBook Page.


Just click on her name and you'll get there!

Thanks, 
Ingrid!
LOVE
MY
NEW 
BANNER!!!!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

This Month's Beads for Beads of Courage

Just thought I'd show you what I've been making.

A few monster and eyeball beads
 
 Some seasonal colored beads.
See the pumpkin pie?

Always the food beads!
We must have those.

And Lots of red beads.
Now, why all the red beads?
This Sunday
Nick, Sara, Katie, and Bobby 
will be participating in the
Multiple Myeloma Race for the Cure
in St. Paul, MN.
I plan to string the beads into four strands and ask the runners to wear them for the
Beads of Courage kids.
I think they will.
There are so many children with cancer, especially blood cancers.

So, stay tuned!!
You'll see photos of the run either Sunday or Monday.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Symbols

Even though we are only heading into October, I have started to think about the holidaze--Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I don't make many "holiday" beads for my Etsy Store. 

This year, I've decided to add a few. 

When it comes to the symbols of Thanksgiving and Christmas, I try to be generic.  For example, take a look at this pine cone.   Even though it is neither Thanksgiving or Christmas, it gives me sense of home and family which, to me, equals either holiday.

I remember going to the Sandia Mountains, just outside of Albuquerque, and picking pine cones for decorations around the house for the holidays.  I remember the smell of the pine trees as the cold wind blew through the mountains.  I remember the prickly touch of the pine  aneedles as we dug through the needles to rescue the best pine cones.  I remember the pine nuts that we found and the ones that we bought to feast on for the holidays.  I remember the taste and feel of the pine nuts on my tongue.  The pine cone is the perfect symbol of the holidays for me.

So far, I only have the pine cone listed in my Etsy store.  I made a tree, but I dropped it and it broke.  Sigh!  Trees are another post entirely.

What symbols remind you of the holidays?  Trees?  Stars? Angels?  Turkeys?  I'd love to hear which symbols you like that remind you of the holidays.  Leave a comment and let me know.  





Sunday, September 23, 2012

I Heart Macro!!!!! - The End of Summer

Last night was our first
hard freeze and the first day of
Autumn.
Freeze and wilt is the pattern. 
Summer is over.
What was there yesterday
is 
not 
today.
Even these pods will be damaged.

These were too fragile to survive even as low as they were.

This flower is no more.

Good bye summer.
Hello, autumn.

I heart Macro!!

Saturday, September 22, 2012

I Remember...

When I was in school, I learned that what looks like a bug was called an exoskeleton.  I don't know what kind of bug this was, but it shed its skin and became something brand new. 

Really, it stayed the same on the inside, but it's outer shell was new.  I guess because yesterday was the last official day of summer, I started to think about changes and changing. 

As I age, I have started to think about how things have changed.  I suddenly understand the "old folks" talking about the way things used to be.  I really do remember when I was little playing outside by myself, even as it got dark.  I walked to the store alone when I was 4.   My mother never had to worry about where I was or if I was safe.  We could sleep out on the porch on hot summer nights, and not lock the door, waiting for the cool desert breezes to flit in and out, and it was safe.

I remember the first computer that I ever saw took up an entire room.  Cards flew out of it, and these cards were read by specialists covered from head to toe in gowns that reminded me of doctors.  They even wore masks!  Now, I hold a computer in my lap, and there are no cards to read.

I remember the days that were fun and free.  When I was in college, my nickname was  "Butterfly" because I flitted around campus from person to person and task to task.  I remember my first job after college and how different the working world was from the world I enjoyed in college.

I remember my friends from high school and college, and I'm grateful that I have been able to reconnect with so many of them on Facebook.  They've made my life better and more fulfilled. 

I remember feeling invincible!  That was a wonderful feeling.  I no longer feel that way.  I'm settling into my "older age" and noticing the obituaries now.  I see people younger than me who die of natural causes.  I am shocked that I have lived this long. 

I wonder how much longer I will live.  I hope that there will be enough time left to shed more exoskeletons.  I look forward to the changes, the wrinkles, (not really), the joy of looking back and seeing those exoskeletons shed one by one.  Soon, I'll be saying, "Sonny, I remember when..."  There goes another exoskeleton.


Friday, September 21, 2012

Three Beautiful Things This Week!

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.


1) The weather has cooled off, at last!!!  The temps have been pleasant, so Pixie and I have been able to walk.  She loves her walk, and she loves seeing her friends along the way.  If I'm not fast enough, she lets me know!!


2) Got new tires today.  Ouch!  The cost was expensive, but the safety is worth it.  I'm glad I was able to afford them.


3) Tried a new restaurant this week.  It was good.  I'm not sure I'll go back often, but it was good to try it.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

How Could I forget?

Yesterday was
National, yes I said,
National,
Talk like A Pirate Day!!!


Arggggghhhhh!  Mateys!
'Tis me Who Forgot!

Therefore, I declare today to be
Makeup
National
Talk
Like
A
Pirate
Day!!!

Arggghhhhh!!!  Mateys!!!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Playing with Polymer and getting ready for teh show

I've been playing with polymer clay.
I've always wanted to make a gingko leaf pendant.
The gingko leaf is the sign of hope.
Anyway, here are my latest efforts with the gingko.

These leaves remind me of wood.
I like them, but I think I added too much of the gold mica dust.
I'd wear one of these, though.

Since I took the photo, I've taken off more of the gold mica dust.
However, I like these leaves because they remind me of leaves embedded in stone
aka
fossils.
I'd wear one of these, too.

I've wanted to make wings for a long time.
I made these
stained glass wings.
I like them.
I'm keeping one of them, and I'm wearing it!!!

So far, these are my favorite wings.
I have to practice making these a little bit more, but
I think this will be the design I want to develop.
I'm keeping one of these, too!
So what do you think?
Would you wear one?

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

I'm Getting Ready for My LAST Show!!!

And I'm thrilled!!!
That is, unless I make A LOT of MONEY,
and then, I'll think about the spring show!!!
So, I decided to think in terms of 10.
I will be taking 10 of my bigger items.
The beads I hope to sell off because people love my work, 
and
the prices will be very 
LOW.
I'm just ready to be finished.
Shows are a lot of hard work,
and
sometimes, they just aren't profitable.
So, here's what I'm doing with bracelets.
I wanted to make 
ONE SIZE FITS ALL,
so I've been playing with copper wire and lots of old beads that I bought.
I want to use them up.

I made some frames.

Each one is unique.

So today, I started to add beads.
The look so much prettier than the photos show.

I still have to add a patina to the copper.

Once the patina is added, and I've cleaned it,
I'll show you the bracelets again.
This is really a work in progress!!!

Monday, September 17, 2012

Be Ready, Be Very, Very Ready....

To enjoy a visit to

The puns alone will make you laugh.
The glass will make you smile!!

Maxine has a variety of items in her store,
including a 
Nose Ring.

Yes, she says,
See what I mean?

Do you have difficulty understanding your Mummy?
Well, Maxine helps you to deal with her.
 
 Do you like sports?
How about bowling?
Maxine does that, too!
I love it!!!

And there's 
MORE!!!

Dead end Dollies, 
anyone?
Part Zombie, Part Gentleman...
Collect them all!
They are collectibles!
 
See what I mean?
Now, that you're ready,
Be off!
Go enjoy, Maxine's store!!!
And be sure to smile!!!
 


Sunday, September 16, 2012

Happy Birthday, Jenny!!!!

Just wait until she sees this!!
Her eyes are going to roll, 
and
she's going to say,
"MOTHER!"
Then, I'll know I'm in trouble!
te-he~!!







Saturday, September 15, 2012

The results of today when torching for Beads of Courage.


Mandrels Dipped? Check...

Today is the day!!!
The Beads of Courage Flame Off!
I am participating in this at a distance.
I will be working with the Arizona team, at a distance.
The rules are simple, torch for two hours for Beads of Courage and send your beads into the BOC Headquarters before October 1.  So, tomorrow, I will be torching for BOC, and I'm looking forward to it!!!

I counted the beads in my bead bowl, and I have 115, so tomorrow, the rest will be gravy.  I sure hope the kids like them!!

I'll show you the results on Monday or Tuesday before I send them off.

If you have the urge, you can donate, too.  Clean out your bead boxes.  You can also make a cash donation.  There are so many ways to help out.
Here's the link to Beads of Courage.  Click HERE!


Friday, September 14, 2012

Three Beautiful Things This Week

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) At last, it cooled off!!!  I can't tell you how happy that makes me.  I could wait forever until our next ninety or above day!!!

2) I have grape colored fingers right now.  A friend dropped of a zucchini, some tomatoes, some candy, some homemade raspberry jelly, some home made grape jelly, and some wild grapes.  (Yes, she picked the grapes and raspberries herself!)  Nummy, and I had some of the grapes.  They were soooooooooo good!

3) Life is sweet right now.  Even when there is a storm, something good comes out of that storm.  Thank you, God!!!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Summer You Are a Heartless Wench!

It was another day of record breaking heat.  I know I will regret this when it's -40 degrees and snow up to my chest, but I am so tired of these HOT summer days. 

Whine!  Whine!  Whine!

I just don't do well in this extreme heat. 

Rant over.

It will be better tomorrow.  See you then when I am not a pile of sweat. 

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

A reminder: Saturday is the day!!!

that I'm torching
at a distance for Beads of Courage
with the Arizona team.
When I send in my Saturday beads,
I'll also be sending in some other beads that I've already made.
Wanna' see some?
Okay.
Because we are at the start of the 
Holidaze,
I decided to focus on some 
Spooky Beads.
 How about some lips?

Or a BIG Nose!


Anyone want some 
eyeballs?

There will be more to come, but I thought the kids would enjoy these
Body Parts!

See you on Saturday!!!!

Monday, September 10, 2012

For those who Have NEVER seen this Before...

Pixie is up and walking!
Yes, I said, 
WALKING!!!

See, she's standing, not laying down!
AMAZING!
We walked a mile today.  
Here's what happened when we got home.

She was tired and ready for her nap.
It was a little bit cool this morning!
Sleep well, sweet Pixie.
Sleep well.
And she did for the rest of the day!

Sunday, September 9, 2012

I Heart Macro - The firsts of the lasts

At Last,
the heavy heat of summer is starting to give into the cooler air of 
Autumn.
These are some of the firsts of the lasts.



I Heart Macro!