From Slovenia to Japan

I won the most amazing earring from Alenka of Pepita Handmade

way back on November 9th.

Apparently, it takes a long time to ship from Slovenia to Japan.
I entered into google maps and it said, "we could not calculate directions."
It seems the postal service had the same problem.

Despite all this, and just in time
 to help make gingerbread "structures" with my son's class
they arrive!

I was just on the wrong side of the camera
to show you what they look like on.

They are more beautiful than I imagined,
 and much, much lighter than you would think.

Thank you Alenka for sharing your jewelry with me.
They are a fine example of wearable art,
 and I adore them.

It's almost Christmas!

The tree is up.

(There are presents under it now too.)

The cards are mailed.

(And seem to be arriving on time.)

I made an advent package for Miranda's swap,

(Advent numbers found here)

and received one too from Miranda herself.

Here's where I am today.

(#25 is under the tree.)

I finished the treats for the cookie exchange.

Though all my favorite cookie recipes didn't meet the allergy requirements.

So I ended up making Merry Marshrooms.

(From desperation comes inspiration, right.)

Recipe:  Dip big marshmallows in candy melts.

Immediately dip in sprinkles 

(TIP:  if you don't dip to the bottom of the dish the candy wont sully the sprinkles.)

set aside till the candy hardens

Voila!


UPDATE:  So I forget everyone doesn't have the same background info I do.
There are several ways to melt Wilton candy melts, but I use a double boiler.  Actually I use one little sauce pot sitting on top of another because I refuse to pay $40 for a double boiler.  The bottom one holds water & the top one the candy melts.  I have set an electric stove eye about 1/4 the way to high and an gas stove between an 1/8 & 1/4.  Keep stirring, and it'll be perfect for dipping.

I put 3 in a treat bag.  I figure that's enough for a cavity or two.

(TIP: I cut the top off the treat bags so they are more appropriate in size 

and even cut the twist ties in half.)

I'm the baker not the chef.  SO I'm trying to figure out how to ask my dear husband

if he could make a turkey for Christmas.  He made 2 beautiful hams like this one for Thanksgiving, 

but I'd really like some turkey.

All the gifts that have arrived are wrapped.

Nope!  Hubby just called and said he has another box.

Good thing I didn't put the wrapping supplies up yet.

I found a bunch of great gift tags on pinterest if you need a few

here's my Christmas board.

Merry Christmas from me and my guys!

HBBH #2

Wow, what a busy holiday season! 

First a little info on HBBH:

Shelley Graham Turner & Marlene Cupo are amazing, outstanding, phenomenal women.  Who's combined genius have lead me and many others to create beautiful pieces for not one but TWO "Holiday Bling Blog Hops."

This is the reveal day for the second as I'm sure you've deduced by now.

On the first reveal day all I could show you was what I had sent since I didn't have a gift to reveal.


Well, I think Marlene and Shelly must have felt bad for those of us with partners who didn't follow through because this time I was paired with someone who could be my wiser, prettier more talented twin.  We're both Navy wives, crafters and moms.  She's much more active in sharing her work than I am, but I've made a great big leap forward recently.  I had my first craft table on the first of December.  I'll post more about that later.  

So take the time to meet...

Tammie Everly of TTE Designs.  She's an amazing partner.  

She sent me an ornament, a set of beads and a gorgeous necklace and earring set.

She considered my favorite colors when making these pieces.  

(orange like the sunset and teal like the sea)  

The mermaid is in fact something we both shared having lived in the Hampton Roads area before.  

 

 The city of Norfolk has many mermaids.  There is even a tourist map to find them all.  I believe surrounding cities have gotten involved now as well.  The last time I lived in the area I lived in Ocean View and this is the mermaid from the library there.

 You can see more Norfolk mermaids here.

click "the mermaids" then photo gallery

 

Here's a few more close ups of Tammie's amazing clay work:

Here's a quick peek at what I sent...

but please take time to visit Tammie's blog as well.

sea urchin "tree"

washi paper to cover the opening

This is the Bella Necklace design by Maria Teresa Morgan.  Beadwork done by me and pattern found in the December 2012/January 2013 issue of Beadwork magazine.  I loved how this one turned out so much I made 2 more with other color combinations.  But more on that another day. 

Now it's time to go check out everyone else's "bling."

Merry Christmas Ya'll!

Shirley Moore	http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Ray	http://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley	http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamson	http://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewels	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merod	http://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars	http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogel	http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smith	http://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

My partner for HBBH #1 actually did ship me something about a week after the blog hop. 
Better late than never right. SO thanks Melinda.