Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Fighting Cancer
It is so weird sometimes, when things are on our minds. The other day, I made a visit to the dermatologist to get a couple of moles taken off. They were new ones that I just noticed. Both were dry, itchy, and irregular shaped, all the signs of ones that need to be removed and checked. I am one of those who, as a young girl, spent many hours on the beach and at the pool slathering baby oil all over me to get that tan, AND...on top of that I am very, very fair. Still a very light natural blonde with very fair skin. I know it is probably only a matter of time before I pay for those actions.
As I was sitting in the office, I picked up a magazine and found an article that caught my eye. It was about a lady who started Ears To You, a non profit corporation who gives earrings to women undergoing chemotherapy. I thought how cool, I should see about donating some earrings to our local cancer center if they would have any.
One other thing that I have been working on for several months, is growing my hair out to donate. My daughter has just donated her hair for the 5th time. This time she donated 14 inches!!! She has always been known for her beautiful long blonde hair. She first donated her hair when she was about 14. She had been babysitting for a couple of little girls from church, and they were playing with her hair. They asked if she was a princess, because their daddy said that all princess have long hair. This got her to thinking about all those girls who have lost their hair due to various reasons, from cancer to alopecia, etc. This time her hair is much shorter than it has ever been. She feels like Rapunzel in the new Disney movie, because it is about that short now, and it looks good. She will continue to grow her hair and donate, as long as her hair keeps growing fast. I think she realizes that it won't always grow so fast....just look at me, her mother. Anyway, slowly, I am trying to be able to do the same.
Today, I made a hair appointment, and am thinking that maybe I will have enough to donate. I've been looking at the Pantene website for a few weeks now. My daughter has always had to donate at least ten inches, but Pantene only asks for eight, and I think I am almost there. If not this time, the next time I go in for a trim.
Well, I mentioned earlier about how sometimes things that pop into your head are a bit strange. Thinking about all this cancer stuff, I mean. Just to let you know, my biopsys came out fine, thank goodness! One thing I did find out tonight, is that an old friend of mine was just diagnosed with beast cancer a month ago. She starts chemo tomorrow. At one time, we were pretty close. Our daughters danced together, and we both took adult tap classes and had a blast! The last time we danced together, was in a recital and I was 6 months pregnant with my youngest (who is almost 17 now). Boy, how I miss that time! Anyway, my mind will be on my friend. It's been some time since we've talked. Thank goodness for facebook, lol, as that is how we now keep in touch. I feel she will be fine. It will be a long hall, but I have had several friends that have survived cancer, and the doctors tell my friend they can cure her, which is great news. So, Robin, hang in there, you have many people who are rooting for you, and who will be keeping you in their prayers, including me.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
I Am A WINNER!!!!
Today has been a pretty busy day, as much of my life has been lately. I decided to check my blog, and what do I fine?! A nice little note on my blog under my Phone Wire Jewelry from Elisabeth of Beads for Busy Gals. My name was drawn for some really nice goodies, I can't wait. You should go check out what I won, and also check out her blog.
Elisabeth, you made my day! :D THANK YOU!!!!
Elisabeth, you made my day! :D THANK YOU!!!!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Phone Wire Jewelry
I have had these buttons for years. I believe I bought them when Ashley was little thinking I would make her a dress or something and use them. If you look at the upper left hand side of the picture, you will also see some wire. This wire came from my dad. He has quite a bit of it and gave me some. It is actually old telephone wire from the Kennedy Space Center. Years ago, like in the late 60's early 70's they were redoing the telephone wire, and there was gobs of this stuff in the trash. My dad asked if he could have some, and they told him to take as much as he wanted, so he did. I can remember making jewelry with it as a kid.
Halloween is coming up, and I wanted to make some jewelry to wear during this fun time of year. I decided to use the phone wire with these buttons. Now, what? At first I thought about putting them into a necklace, but it was a bit much. So this is what I came up with:
A pair of bat earrings,
spiders and their web,
I was on a roll. I started going through my stash and came across some crosses someone gave me last year. I thought, "Hmmmmm, I wonder what these would look like with the phone wire." And this is what I came up with :
So, what do you think?
Oooops!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
"Oh, Them Cotton Fields!"
In 2001, we moved from the area we live now, to Indiana. At the time I was homeschooling our four children ages 13, 11, 8 and 7. We had a really nice homeschool group. In this group we went on a lot of fun field trips. One field trip we went on was to a cotton field. The kids had so much fun playing in the harvested cotton and riding the farm equipment. I had enjoyed all the cotton fields in the area. When we moved back four years ago, one thing I was excited about were the cotton fields. To my surprise, they were gone, replaced with corn and soy...something we had A LOT of in Indiana.
This past year, I noticed the cotton fields were back. I was so excited, and knew that I wanted some pictures. Soon, I heard and saw the crop dusters flying overhead. I knew that the cotton would be opening and ready to harvest, so I had to get out there and take the pictures. This would probably be my last year to live around the cotton fields again.
Here are some of the pictures I took of the cotton fields around close to our home...
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wooden Daisies
Aren't these the coolest?! Wooden flowers in four different finishes.
Here is that cool fuzzy wood pendent I sent to my BSBP partner. Not sure what I was going to do with it, not sure if I might take it apart or not, but I just love the daisies!
Here is another cool pendent I found. I paired up with black wood beads. Below is a closer look at the pendent. Strings are woven through it.
Jewelry, Squirrels and Colorado?
As I have mentioned before, this summer has been a busy one. One of the things I was able to do, was to go to Colorado with my parents. Both my mom and dad were born and raised in Colorado, so I have several family members there. Growing up, I remember going to Colorado every year. It was so fun visiting with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
This trip was not only to visit with some of my family, but to also close down my parents small apartment there. You see, they live in Florida (where I grew up). In past years, they have traveld to Colorado several times a year. Now that my grandmother has passed away, they probably won't be going as often, and it is cost effective to let the place go. Since they will only be going one or two times a year, they can just rent a motel.
The trip was not only a trip of work, and visiting with family, but my mom and I also made some jewelry. The two weeks we were gone, was a very busy one, but one can always find time to make jewelry, right? Well this time anyway. I thought I would share some of the stuff I made.
For my birthday, my sister sent me several jewelry making things, one of which were these Eiffel Tower charms. While in Colorado, my mom and I went bead shopping, and I bought some white and pink beads which had black veining. I had brought some crystals from my stash at home, and this is one of the pieces I created.
This is the necklace I made to go with the Eiffel Tower earrings.
Now this next piece, I made from some stuff I brought from home. I had bought these beads and focal the same day I bought my BSBP partner's soup. I used turquoise glass seed beads, crystals, and glass pearl seed beads.
This next piece, I had already made before we left. We really got into the butterfly mode this summer with my daughter's wedding. I had seen these butterfly charms and really did not know what I was going to do with them, I just liked them. They are plastic, but since they were so fun, and I did not use them for the wedding, I decided to play with them, and this is what I came up with. I like them, and wear them quite a bit.
This last piece, I made at the library here at home. I had the privilege to teach several classes on jewelry making. If you click here you can see a blog on one of the classes I taught.
The place I took these pictures was a nice little park just across the street from where my parents had their apartment. You could actually see it from their 6th story place. As I was taking these photos, I noticed a little visitor spying on me.
I think he thought I might have some food, because....
He kept getting closer, and closer. I think if I had had something for him to eat, he would have taken it right out of my had. I'm sure, people bring them something all the time, and that is why he was not that afraid of me.
Isn't he cute!!!
After I got in the car, I noticed he came up to where I had been taking pictures to see if just maybe, I might have left him something. Sorry, little guy, I had nothing for you. What a nice experience I had with this cute little guy.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Caribbean Seas
As I have mentioned before, I got some really beautiful beads from my Bead Soup partner, Heather Marley. If you have been keeping up with my blog, ya'll know what a wild summer we have had. Between one of my sons graduating from high school and starting college, my daughter graduating from college, getting married (in Washington DC plus two receptions--one in Indiana and the other one here in Louisana),and her and her new husband moving to south Louisiana, then I went to Colorado to visit with family after which I return to no internet for two weeks. Now...we are in the middle of a move to Kentucky. Needless to say, I was shocked that I was able to even participate in this party. But, I did it and this is what I came up with.
At first I played around with the beads A LOT! Hmmm. What should I do with them? I wanted to do something different than I did last year. First I thought maybe I could make a long necklace incorporating each kind of the beads that were sent. Then I thought about all the multiple strands everyone was wearing and thought maybe I could do something like that. As I thought about it, I decided to maybe just do a lot of different necklaces, then you could wear them altogether, or one at a time, or maybe even wear different combinations of necklaces. So, now I'd like to introduce you to all the necklaces I made.
This necklace is made of green and blue sea glass beads, and blue rectangular glass beads. I added some blue crystals I had on hand. I made this one choker style, so you can double it up and wear it as a bracelet.
I just love these colors! Reminds me of the Caribbean Sea.
The next piece is about 17 inches and made of greenish blue (or blueish green) fresh water pearls, blue rectangular glass beads, sliver flower beads, and the blue crystal beads I added from my stash. You can't tell in the photos but the crystals next to the pearls sparkle, reminding me of the moon shining on theCaribbean Sea at night.
I think this next piece is my favorite. It's also 17 inches. I used the freshwater pearls and crystals, and the clasp...oh I just love it. I thought it was so pretty I used it as a focal.
This next piece is very different. Again, it is 17 inches. I used all the beads in it. The focal is a green glass square bead, and some beads that heather sent me that I had not used are the blue speckled beads.
I had to show you the speckled beads up close, aren't they pretty?
So, here they are all together. Well, that's it. I would like to thank Heather for all the pretty beads, and Lori for hosting the party. Now it's time for ya'll to visit all the other sites. I know it is a lot, but maybe you can take several weeks to visit, or just hop around, but for now at least go see Heather's creation with the beads I sent her click here to see her blog. And I hope you all go see my sister and her partner's creations too. I highlighted their names and my soup partner, Heather and my name below.
Here is everyone:
The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke
1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare
11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou
21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle
31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
35. Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick
61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz
131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson
81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski
91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck
101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson
111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119. Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson
121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson
131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven
141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya
161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
****170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley **** (my sister)
171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad
For a total of 362 people making jewelry!
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