Fun for friends

This weekend I taught myself 3 new things to overcome the, "I wish I had..." problem.  First let me tell you why I found myself at my table.  This Friday I realized I had 2 party invites for Saturday night.  Mind you I'm a stay-at-home mom and the definition of a homebody so this is a blue moon situation for me.  I unfortunately was on meds that made me super dizzy and had to stay home, but I wanted to make something for my friends.

First was the birthday party of a friend and neighbor who happens to be a photographer.  My original idea could not be accomplished with the supplies I had or could get locally so what I ended up with is above.  I had never used my dapping block before and had never used my stamps on anything but an aluminum can and some washers.  My husband walked in and was surprised.  He thought I bought it.  I'm still deciding if he was a little too surprised.  I do have a hard time sitting down at that table unless I am truly inspired.  Pam's work is inspiring.  Check out her gallery if you get time.

 

 Second was my neighbor and walking buddy's graduation party.  She is finishing up her masters while being a wife, mother and one who has already succeeded in her chosen career.   She's always learning something it seems.  In the year and a half I've known her, she's learned Japanese, cake decorating, Scuba diving and a few more things while finishing her degree.  I'm so happy for her and proud of her dedication.  Since typical graduation gifts are for someone who's life is yet to begin I was at a loss.  I've made her at least one piece before and for the life of me couldn't even remember what it looked like. So what so I do.  Well, I had an idea, and in theory I had everything I needed, but it wasn't working. So here's what we ended up with.  It's my first polymer clay bead.  She loves it which is all that counts in the end.

Live the life you imagined. -Thoreau

I actually used Martina's flowers as bead caps this time.

 What did you do this weekend?

Bluebirds Fly

bluebirds fly bracelet 

By now you can probably tell I have a thing for Rebekah Payne's polymer clay creations.  You should check out her etsy shop, Tree Wing Studio.  The piece above is her creation for the Flap Your Wings Tribute Challenge.  It's still looking for a home.  The proceeds will go to charity. Check out the link under the photo for more details.  Oh and check out her blog for a great giveaway.

I love getting mail!

Here are a few of my birthday gifts to myself.  Yes, I know my birthday isn't for another 10 days, but who says I can't start celebrating early?  No one, that's right!

Ok I'm sure you've noticed by now, but I don't edit my pictures. So all these pieces are so much more amazing in person.  First up Suburban Girl Studio! These shells are so realistic you almost expect them to be covered in sand. They're my new favorite finds.

 

Next Tree Wing Studio!  The delicate details are astounding and they are even signed.

 And then we have Captured Moments! I bought this to make a bracelet for my friend and another to prevent me from keeping her's for myself.

Last but certainly not least we have Floridity.  I love these eggs!  I can't wait to make the sweet little set I have in mind.

I've since ordered her kit from the last Cup of Bead Soup, and impatiently await it's arrival.  Well, now that I've shown you what I've received time to buy some more.  No wait make something with these then buy some more, right?  But let's be honest, we all know how this story goes.

Flap Your Wings-a tribute to Judy Glende

It seems many truly wonderful people leave this world too soon.  Though I did not know Judy she will be missed by many.  I had a chance to read her blog and look at some of her pieces though, and she was quite an inspiration.  Here is my piece in her honor.

This is a quote pendant that reads "[Life is not measured by the number of] breathes you take, but the moments that take your breathe away."  It's 50mm or 2in tall.  I've placed cicada wings and a metal butterfly over the quote, accented with shells from Okinawa beaches, dried Queen Anne's Lace, pearls, some metal bits and a few crystals. 

I have to say the tiny shells inside the larger one is actually a complete pair.  Though adorable they were not enough of an impact so I added another pearl per my son's suggestion.  Great thanks must go to my son for the placement & color ideas for the 2 pearls on the right side of the pendant.  Sometimes you put so much thought and effort in to something you reach outside yourself and ask someone, "what do you think?"  I never expected him to say,  "you need a blue pearl one here and a pink one there."  I was impressed and followed his suggestions.

Since I've never sold my jewelry before I'd be honored to accept bids for this piece in the comments or you can email me (see link top left of blog).  I'll send the winning bidder this pendant and I'll donate the payment amount & my matching gift to the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.


I know Judy did not battle breast cancer, but this is a charity I've worked with for many years.  My mother lost her mother to breast cancer when she was only 5 years old.  Early detection of any cancer can give you more time with your family.  Be proactive.  Take care of yourself if not for you, but for those who love and depend on you.

If you would like to donate in memory of Judy Glende, these are the charities her family chose:

 The Mustang Alley Horse Rescue

1020 Walters Road

Greenville, TN 37743

or 

  Massachusetts General Hospital

 Department of Dermatology Melanoma Research Fund

 55 Fruit Street

 Bartlett Hall Room 622

 Boston, MA 02114

Thank you to Tania Spivey of for creating this opportunity 

to celebrate a life well lived.  

 

Please visit the other Flap Your Wings Design Challenge Participants.

THE PARTICIPANTS

1. Tania Spivey

2. Lori Anderson

3. Kashmira Patel

4. Gail Accinelli

5. Rebecca Anderson

6. Rebekah Payne 

7. Amanda Doyle Tibbetts 

(Amanda regretfully couldn't participant in the

 reveal but will be making a donation)

8. Kim Ballor 

9. Rochelle Brisson 

10. Sandra McGriff 

11. Lana Kinney 

12. Kym Hunter 

13.  Terri Wlaschin 

14.  Ginger Bishop (You are Here)

15.  Shannon Chomanczuk 

16.  Kelli Jacobson

17.  Patricia Gasparino

18.  Deana Hager

19.  Erin Siegel

20.  Deborah Wenske Brooks

21.  Lynne Bowland

22.  Alicia Marinache

23.  Pam Ferrari

24.  Shirley Jones Moore

25.  Joanne Tinley

26.  Shanti Johnson

27.  Lorelei Eurto

28.  Antiquity Travelers

29.  Shelly Joyce

30.  Marlene Cupo

31.  Dee Torcherer Elgie

I must add one more thing.  You know how from time to time if you're looking you'll see little unexpected pleasures around you?  Some call them miracles.  Well, there is one hidden in this project.  For some unexplained reason the center of the quote has dark spots.  One is heart shaped the others dots.  To me it looks like a heart-shaped thought bubble.  "Think of love" or "remember you are loved" comes to mind ever time I look at this piece now.  

Remember You Are Loved!

UPDATE:  CLOSED 

The winning bid was $30. Thanks so much!

$60 will be donated to Susan G Komen in Judy's name.

(You can thank my Hubby for all these details.)

NEDbeads bracelet giveaway-Wow!

Nancy the incredible beader who writes NEDbeads is giving away this amazing piece of wearable art. This piece took almost five days to complete.  How many of us have the combination of time, patience and dedication to actually complete a project like this?  I know I hope to one day, but at this point do not.  You have to appreciate the detail in this cuff.

Ok so I have to show you the clasp too.  It's an great accent to her excellent work.

Ok almost done singing the praises of this remarkable talent, but before I conclude I want to show you this:

 Lady Dragon Tears

Her Etsy shop, NEDbeads, has some great pieces including the one above.  I love how classy and sophisticated it is, but yet if you really look at it you see a dragon's head.  In my opinion the dragon head gives it a unique slightly rebellious feel which had me loving it, and even debating my hatred of pink.  There are some tutorials available as well for the dedicated or brave seed beader.  If my beads ever arrive I plan to dive into one of her tutorials soon.

Finally!

I don't know what I've been doing with my time, but it does seem it's not what I'd like to do with it.  I took the time the past few days to finally finish something on my bead table.  So here's the Twisted Sister bracelet I finished yesterday.  This Tapestry Beads kit by Jill Wiseman was quick simple and even easy enough for a beginner.  If you give it a try just make sure to read the "adding and ending a thread" section.  If you are like me and can complete a project from simply looking at the diagrams & photos great, but don't skip that section it's full of good info.

This kit was a Christmas gift purchased from Fusion Beads, but I'm glad it came with information on Tapestry Beads.  Now I have to figure out which one I want to try next.

Center Stage Bracelet

Shell Game Bracelet

Kumhimo-these end caps are available too

Happy birthday lil man!

Today my little guy is 9 years old!?! Where do the days go? 

He had a lot of fun with his buddies monkeying around at Kids Adventure Land at the Ocean Expo Park.  He's the one sitting on the top of the center post.  Looks like we've been watching a bit too many monkey shows on Nat Geo. 

Happy birthday to one amazing kid!