Early July Morning, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Friday, August 31, 2012

FOTO FRIDAY

These last couple of days, I have been so preoccupied with the The Weather Channel and Hurricane Isaac, I plumb forgot about

FOTO FRIDAY

Just to let you know, Ashley and Jeremy road out the storm just fine down in Baton Rouge. They were only without power for about 24 hrs, not bad at all. And Scott up in Monroe, did fine too. They just got a little wind and rain.

But anyway.....

I joined a photography club about a month ago, and have been basing my Foto Friday's on their weekly challenge. This week, I have had a problem trying to figure out what I would like to use for the challenge. The challenge is...DECAY. The first thing I thought of was tooth decay. EWWWW! Then I remembered the tree in the back.
I've taken quite a few pictures of this tree since we have moved in, and I wanted to do something else. Then I remembered the old rotten log on the property back behind us, so I headed over to take a picture of that log "decaying." 
Then I looked up
                                                                  Oh my!!!!
Can you see all the butterflies?
Here, let me blow it up a little bit more for you.
They look a lot like the butterflies from the butterfly release my daughter and her husband did for their wedding.
Goes to show you, how if you don't keep your eyes open and look around, you could easily miss so many of God's beautiful creations. 
Looks like I need to slow down just a bit.

Monday, August 27, 2012

QUESTION ABOUT NEW ORLEANS

Alright, all my Louisiana Friends, I got a question for you.


In December, Bill and I are planning a trip down to Baton Rouge to visit with Ashley and Jeremy. While down there, we are wanting to take a side day trip to New Orleans. I've only been there a couple of times, and the only time Bill has been was to do some hurricane clean up. 


We don't want to spend a lot of money, and there are some things I know I would like to do.

Of course there is the French Quarters and Jackson Square
And beignets at Cafe Du Monde!
We would probably stop by the Gumbo Shop for lunch.

I'd like to ride on the street cars. If I had the choice of one, it would be the one that goes to St Charles of course.

I'd also like to go see one of the cemeteries. I heard the St Louis Cemetery #1 is within walking distance to the French Quarter area. Just wondering if it is a safe walk. I'd just like to go and take pictures, not necessarily go on a tour.

At the end of the day, I would like to head back to Baton Rouge by going over the Lake Pontchartrain causeway, northbound from Metairie to Mandeville. This is the longest continuous bridge over water in the world you know.  

So, anyway, I was doing some internet surfing, and thought probably the best way to find out what the best things to do was to just ask my friends that have frequented NOLA. Any info would be greatly welcomed. Also any good tips would be nice too.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Curtain Jewelry

If you are wanting to see my Bead Soup Blog Party reveal click here and you will be taken there....

Alright, so I promised you an explanation as to why in the world I made curtain jewelry for one of the pieces in my Bead Soup reveal.

Ok, now, here's the story. As you know, we just moved. In our home are window treatments. Some I like, others, well, not so much. In our master bedroom, all that was left were some ugly torn up blinds. I still have not replaced them as of yet, as I am looking for some inexpensive bamboo Roman shades that allow us total privacy. Most just have partial privacy, and that is not going to work in a bedroom.

So, anyway, the rod was left, and I really like it. It does have one problem, though, some of the hardware is missing. I've been looking all over for the clips that you use to hang sheers, but all I find is the entire kit, and I don't need the whole thing, just the clips

I decided I could probably make some and this is what I came up with.

First off you will need alligator clips. Ones that have holes in them. I really wanted gold, to match the metal in the existing rings, but, no luck. I found these silver ones at Hobby Lobby, and then bought some gold wire, so it will be silver and gold.
First, I strung my beads onto the wire
Then I threaded the wire into the hole and wrapped the wire around the clip. 
I know it's hard to see, but after a few times around with the wire, I brought the wire up between the two "flaps" on either side of the clip.
Then I slid the beads down to the clip,
Made a loop and wrapped the wire. I elected to use the messy version of wrapping, which I liked best for this project.
As you can see the loop on the wooden ring is partial open, allowing you to easily put your beaded clip through. 
Then you clip onto the curtains.
Sorry things are a bit blurry, but I think you get the idea. Boy! I really need a macro lens, but that will have to wait...maybe for Christmas?

Anyway, I didn't wind up actually putting these in our bedroom. I wound up putting them up in our family room. My mom calls our family room the "Pipe and Slipper's Room" and actually it tends to have that feeling. We have a pool table in there, and it has a very nice paneling on the wall. I figured I had to do something to lighten it up a bit.
Here are the curtains that were on there before. Not only are they heavy and oh so not my style, but they were faded and dirty.
And this is my after curtains. You know, I really like this idea. I just might have to do this in my bedroom too, but maybe get some fun beads for in there, like flower beads, or butterfly beads, or SHELLS!!! Ya, Shells!!!!!
Here's another look.
If you want to see a closeup of the beads, just click on the picture, you will see a larger picture.
Oh, and eventually, I want bamboo blinds on these windows too, but that will have to wait.



Friday, August 24, 2012

COME AND GET IT, SOUP IS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally! The soup is ready!!!! I had a ton of ingredients and it has been simmering a long, long time, so lets get started!

First, I would like to remind you of all the stuff I got from Shawn
There was so much, if you'd like more detail go to my blog here to see all the pretty stuff she sent me.
Now for the reveal...

I fell in love with these at first sight, and just wanted to leave them as is. I had to do more though, but what? I loved the humming bird toggle that was in my ingredients. The first thing I thought of, was to make earrings out of the toggle, but I couldn't get them to lay right, so I decided to use it as a focal. I thought it was perfect addition to this necklace.


Ok, now I REALLY want a macro lens for my camera (sorry so blurry), but anyway, don't you just love this bead? Instead of stringing it onto a necklace I decided to use it as a focal. I did a little bit of wire wrapping and hung it with the green beads that were in my package. I added some root beer colored crystals and flanked it with some of the filigree beads Shawn sent me.
Ok, on to the next piece.
Some more wire wrapping.
These earrings make a good match.
This next piece is meant to wear off centered. Again, I was sent a gorgeous toggle, too pretty to put at the back where no one could see it, so I used part of it as a side piece along with a white and green freshwater pearl. I also did some more wire wrapping and wrapped some purple wire I had on hand to make a bail for the drop. Then I added purple beads that were in my bead soup ingredients, a little bit of chain and crystals I had on hand and vola! I guess you can tell I like a wee bit of bling...
Here is a closer look.
Ok, now the next piece is not a piece of jewelry, at least not any of us would wear.
It is jewelry for my curtains. I will be blogging on these in a few days. Yes, there is a story behind my madness.
Here, we have a memory wire bracelet,
and earrings to match.
This next piece has been developing for awhile. I did quite a bit of wire wrapping on this one.
Can you tell what the black ring is?
I had some left over rings from a curtain rod, and so I upcycled!
Here some earrings that will match.
Shawn sent me a mess of these beads. They are so pretty, and all I could think of was to make earrings out of them, but nine pair? Then I remembered working with the young women at church making earrings to donate to the local cancer center. I actually have an appointment next week at our cancer center (no I do not have cancer, I just see a hematologist for my blood clot issues), and I plan to donate these to them. They will be donated in Shawn's name.
I had a few mismatched beads left over, so I made some knitting markers. This was actually my sister's idea. She is not only an avid jeweler and author of jewelry books, but also crochets a lot! You could also use these as phone jewelry too (to hang off your cell phone).
 I did a little wire wrapping and made some pendants. 
WOW! Hope I didn't bore you! I had a lot, and I've been a busy girl! Moving, getting settled in a new community, and making jewelry! It's been fun, though!

I would like to thank a few people for the opportunity to be a part of this Bead Soup.
First off my Bead Soup partner, Shawn Marie. I sure hope you go to visit her blog and see what she created. I'm sure you will not be disappointed! 
Then of course, there is Lori Anderson which this would not be possible without her and her long hours of hard work. You need to go check out her blog too. This time around there have been three different reveal dates, and she has done them all, and so far, what I've seen, like WOW!!!! Talk about talented!!!!

Anyway, here is the list of Blog Soup Party 6
3rd Reveal participants. 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous


Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels
Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs


Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lori Dorrington, Lori's Adventures in Etsy Land
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created
Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs


Foto Friday

WALLS

When we first looked at this house, I fell in love with it. Sure it needed some paint, but so do most houses you buy.
There was one room that most people would have had to paint

ASAP

But not me!

Most people would not only be bothered with the bright yellow walls, but also with the wild side of this room...the zebra pattern.

I actually like the quirkiness of it all, so I went with it. I actually nick named this house

THE ZEBRA HOUSE

Before we moved I headed to Mer Rouge and picked up that zebra picture in the center, and a zebra rug. I had big plans for this room. That is, until....


PAIGE SMITH!!!!!

Yes, she will NOT come off the wall, that is without taking the paint off. So there she is, and I have a dilemma.
Should I leave it. Probably not.

If I take it off then the paint will come off, and I will have to paint the whole room, as I don't know what color yellow this is. So, there she sits, until I figure out what to do with her and my pretty yellow walls.

So, now instead of the Zebra Room in the Zebra House, we have the Paige Smith Room.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

WASH UP!!! SOUP IS ABOUT TO BE SERVED

Ok, everyone, just a few more days until the 6th Bead Soup Blog Party reveal #3! Of the three reveals, this is the largest. I hope ya'll set aside some time this weekend to look at all the pretty things that people have been working on. Just to let you know, I have about 16 1/2 pieces (yes one half; not quite done with one of the pieces) that I have been working on for most of the summer, and I still have leftover ingredients! My partner Shawn, sent me gobs of gorgeous stuff. 
Here's a little reminder of some of the pretties I got. Shawn sent me some wire so that I might take up the challenge to do some wire wrapping. So, did I take the challenge? By the way, see those pretty string of beads to the left? You might be surprised as to what I did with them.
And what about these pretty little things? What did I  do with all these? Yet another surprise.
And these? Don't you love these unusual beads?
What about these cool toggles? 
So come by and visit me on Saturday, 25 August to see what I came up with, and if you have the time, go see what everyone else did with there bags of goodies. In addition to stopping by my blog, I hope you at least stop by Shawn's place to see what she did with the stuff I sent her.
I sent her a bit of Louisiana Bling.

Then of course you gotta go by our host, Lori Anderson to see her cool stuff.

Here are all the places you can go visit to see the pretties. 
Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads 
Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming
Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones
Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin'
Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage
Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads
Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations
Ann Sherwood, Ann's Blog
Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash
Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution
Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory
Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen
Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads
Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry
Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems
Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
Charlene Jacka, Clay Space
Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie're
Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On
Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales
Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads
Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design
Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design
CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations
Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry
Cynthia Riggs, Cynth's Blog
Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure
Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs
Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia
Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous


Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie
Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!
Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda
Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy
Geneva Collins, Torque Story
Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame
Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential
Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World
Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It
Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper
Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy
Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez
Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier
Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs
Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs


Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks
Jennifer L Justman, Soul's Fire Designs
Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu
Joanne Brown, Jo's Jewels
Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum
Joyce Becker, Joyce's Joyful Gems
Judy Riley, Three Red Beads
Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
Karen Williams, Baublicious
Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle
Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz
Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road
Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara
Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry
Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment
Linda Younkman, Lindy's Designs
Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads
Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures
Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta
Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
Lupe Meter, Gem's PC Corner
Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin
Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious
Mandy Williamson, Mimi's Beading
Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter
Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops
Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry
Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre
Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change
Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs
Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu
Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes
Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry Blog
Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival
Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter
Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua
Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities
Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts
Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color
Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals
Penny Neville, Copper Penny
Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs
Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads
Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee's Blog
Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog
Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road
Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do
Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories
Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla
Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings
*****Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire*****My partner
Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead
Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs
Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry
Sonya Stille, Dreamin' of Beads
Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick
Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads
Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought
Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria
Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs
Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse
Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas
*****Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo***** Me!
Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs