Those were the days...

Well, I finally did it! I attended my first high school reunion last night. Talk about a surreal experience!!! I couldn't even focus for the first 30 minutes or so. They were SO many faces to study and determine whether or not I knew them. Wow, it was an interesting experience after 25 years to see all these people. We had 500 in our graduating class alone (85) and last night's event included 2 other classes as well. The pic above is my friend, next door neighbor and former classmate, Melissa Benziger-Crowley. Hubby offered to stay home and and babysit so that she and I could go. All in all, it was one of those experiences where I can say "been there done that". BTW - I did get to see and talk to my high school crush.

Giveaway!

Cindy of Sweet Bead Studio is having a wonderful and very generous giveaway! Click on the link, check out her designs, and enter for a chance to win one of 3 beautiful pieces...

Mama needs a new bracelet...

And this is the one she wants! It's called "Peace Dove Bracelet" and I love it so much. It's by Jes MaHarry who is a wonderful artisan jewelry designer. She sells her creations via her website and in the Sundance Catalog which is where this little beauty is.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that it's on clearance? Yep, it's marked down to $368 from $500. Hmmmph, I'd have to sell my WHOLE Etsy shop for it, lol. Bigger miracles have been know to happen!

Artsy Giveaway!

I was over at Chrissie Graces' blog earlier and found out about this artsy giveaway being hosted by Allen Designs. Click on the link and go check it out for yourself!

SO...What!

Yesterday was a trying day. When you have 3 1/2 year old and 16 month old boys running around the house things can get hectic, to say the least. Especially now that they are "partners in crime". I can't believe that my youngest is already getting into trouble with his brother, lol!

Anyway, I was exhausted yesterday and put off cooking dinner until 7:30 or so. I opened the fridge to get out the ingredients for Asian 5-spice Barbeque Pork Tenderloin and found a message in my container of black olives. It say's "So", and after the day I had yesterday this little message pretty much summed it all up.

New bracelets for my Etsy shop!

I haven't been in the jewelry making frame of mind for a few months now. In fact, today is the first time I've sat down to bead in about 2 months. It seems since March everytime I would sit down at my bead table I was hit with major anxiety. I'd sit there a few minutes then realize that it wasn't where I was supposed to be. So, I'd just get up and go do something else. Not a feeling that I am familiar with nor am I comfortable with it. Hopefully, I'll get my beading mojo back soon...Here are a couple of things I whipped up today. They're in my Etsy shop now and don't forget I'm offering FREE shipping this month!

I've been tagged!

For those of you who have tagged me before and I haven't played along, PLEASE forgive! For me it's really just finding the time to do these things. Chrissie Grace tagged me this weekend and I've decided to play along. So here goes...

Here's how it works:
* List Six Silly Things That Make You Happy
* Mention and link to the person who tagged you
* Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along

1. Buying new fabric - batiks in particular
2. Edward's Key Lime Pie
3. Getting packages in the mail
4. DVD players for the van - Chrissie, I had to steal this one from you, lol!
5. Going to garage sales
6. Sewing

Here are my 5 choices for this meme.
1. Sharon B of Livewire Jewelry
2. Sharon P of Bijoux Jardin
3. Kelly of Happy Shack Designs
4. Erin of Every Heart Crafts
5. Debbie of Praire Emporium

Budget Father's Day Gifts

I was browsing the blog of Chrissie Grace the other day. If you're not familiar with Chrissie's work, you should be. She's known for creating on a budget which is just what prompted my husband's Father's Day gifts this year. I knew I had plenty at home to create a gift for him that could be from our boys. My husband is a huge Florida Gators fan, so I headed to Hobby Lobby to pick up some Gator themed fabric ($4.50) that I had seen earlier in the week. Next stop, Walmart, for a picture frame ($3.00) to make a collage with pics of the boys. I had each of my boys do a handprint on fabric for the wallhanging. The pics you see here are the fruits of my "budget" labors. The wallhanging is my first official "art quilt". I'm pretty pleased with it! I'm sure my hubby will be thrilled with it too.

BTW - On Friday, Kristin of Waking Beauty Designs challenged her readers to create something outside of their comfort zones this weekend. This little art quilt is my answer to her challenge. Thanks Kristin!

From the mind of a 3 1/2 yr old...

here in florida we are known as the "lightning capital of the world". the summer thunderstorm that hit us this morning around 12am proved that point. this 30 minutes storm exhibited one lightning strike after another, non-stop. my oldest son noah does not do well with lightning or thunder, even though we've explained that thunder is "just the clouds bumping into one another" :wink: :wink:. so, last night he woke up screaming and crying that he was afraid of the thunder. my hubby went and got him to bring him to our room until the storm passed. while i was laying next to him trying to soothe him back to sleep the following conversation ensued:

noah: mommy, why is it raining?

me: well honey, God thought the trees and grass were thirsty, so he made it rain.

noah (very matter of factly): well, i should have gone outside when daddy got home and watered the trees and grass so that it wouldn't rain.

me: well, you could have but then other peoples' trees and grass would still be thirsty.

noah: why? (btw - this is his favorite question)

me: well noah, the sun soaks up all the water from everybody's yards each day so they get thirsty at night and need rain to help them grow.

noah: oh, okay!

the end...

On a happier note...

a few months back i participated in a challenge called "get excited...pay your art forward". 2 weeks ago i received a couple of gifts from some of the talented ladies whom i participated with. here are 2 of my latest gifts. that awesome sand dollar bead on the left of the photo is from geneabeads and i can't wait to use it. the lovely little canvas on the right was designed by laura pace. laura also sent me a wonderful recipe card for a decadent chocolate dessert. sorry that it took me so long to post about my gifts ladies. thanks to both of you for your generosity!

Reality Bites

I have SO much, yet feel like I have so little EVERYDAY. This economy is literally crippling my family. My days of being a stay-at-home mom are abruptly coming to an end. SO SO sad for my children! Wondering when this nightmare will come to an end and what will I have to sacrifice to see that light at the end of the tunnel...

Sorry to be such a mood spoiler...can't help it.

Two of My Bali Star Quilts

I'm not sure how many people actually read my profile here on blogger, but in addition to making jewelry I also quilt. For lack of any new jewelry to show you I thought I'd share a couple of my quilts. One is finished and the other is in process. The pink one is finished and ready for hanging, the other one is for my MIL and is ready to be sandwiched with batting and backing and machine quilted. They both consist entirely of batiks, of which I am a fanatical collector. I go to a quilt shop and head straight for the batiks every time! I can't get enough of them. Enjoy!

Adele - Hometown Glory

I was channel surfing a few minutes ago and came across this artist on MTV. I haven't watched MTV in years! Anyhoo, her name is Adele and she's from London. Look to your right and I have the links to her videos on YouTube. My favorite song so far is called Hometown Glory. Let me know what you think of her...

BTW - I can't get video to upload to my blogger posts. If you have any suggestions for me, leave a comment.

Book Review - Ancient Modern Polymer Clay + Wire Jewelry

I just got this book in the mail today. I haven't had time to give it a thorough read, but did browse through it quickly. I got it because I thought the jewelry designs were cool and I've spent quite a bit of time doing polymer clay over the years. If anyone else has it and would like to let me know what you think of it, then leave me a comment. Once the kiddies go to bed tonight I'll have time to look at it more in depth. You can check out a few of the pages over at Amazon.com

New Etsy Items!

Here are 3 new necklaces that are for sale in my Etsy shop today! I've got more to list later tonight. Don't forget FREE SHIPPING in JUNE. Stay tuned!

~~FREE SHIPPING IN JUNE!~~

Extra, extra read all about it! I'm offering FREE SHIPPING in my Etsy shop the entire month of June!

I'll be listing new items this week so check back often. Gotta make some room for some new summer items! Now go shop!!!