Getting Ready For Holiday Open Houses

This past week, I was fortunately enough to get in on a good bead sale. That was great for me, since I'm getting ready to have a few jewelry open houses for the holidays. The above necklace is made of turquoise and white freshwater pearls.
This next one is made of lavender freshwater pearls and hematite beads. I love the black and lavender combination.

This last one is made of pink coral.


This necklace I made for one of my daughters roommates. She was telling me that Christmas this year would be easy since they all like jewelry. I asked her what they liked. She mentioned that one of them likes summery sparkly things. I had these glass crystal beads on hand, and so whipped it up real quick. I think she'll like it.

Trunk or Treat

Last night we had our annual ward Trunk or Treat. The weather was perfect, except for the mosquitoes. Even though everyone was calling me Pebbles, I was actually just a cave woman. You see, Pebbles has red hair, I don't.





Here is a picture of my "cave." At first I was wondering how I was going to decorate our van, but then I remembered all the sheep skins we had from my sister-in-laws mission to New Zealand. Then I remembered the brown blanket we had. Perfect for the dirt floor. Of course every cave has its bats. My cave finally became a reality.



For treats, I figured since we knew everyone there, I decided to make them. Clubs and rocks (or you could call them dinosaur droppings). For the clubs, all I did was melt chocolate and dip pretzel sticks into it, and let harden on wax paper.

For the rocks or dinosaur droppings I just made no bake cookies.



No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk (NOT condensed)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa

In medium saucepan, combine and cook over medium heat. Let boil 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in

1/2 cup peanut butter
3 cups quick oats

Quickly spoon onto wax paper or aluminum foil. Coookies will harden as they set.

My New Favorite Piece

Just about every time I make a new piece of jewelry, it becomes my favorite piece. These beads are green glass cubes and clear glass faceted round beads. I got in on a good bead sale at the local craft store, and came right home and put this one together. Can't wait til I have time to make the rest of jewelry. It might be a little while, as we have Trunk or Treat at church tonight, preparation for the football game on Friday, and a container gardening class tomorrow. Who says stay at home moms are not busy?!

More Jewelry

A friend told me about a local business that is closing up shop and selling all their displays. They had several of these necklace forms, and a really nice earring display that they aren't ready to give up yet. Their last day is Friday and they told me to come in next Thursday. I think I may check with them before. It's really pretty cool, in fact I think I would like to have it to put my personal earrings on. It's really European looking and would go in my bedroom nicely.

This necklace I made several months ago is made of turquoise freshwater pearls and abalone. I just love the big pearls.


This necklace I made several years ago. I knotted it. Boy, was that a lot of work, but I really like the way it turned out. It is made of black onyx beads, hematite hearts and crystal beads. The necklace is a little longer than I usually wear, but it goes nicely with some of those winter turtle neck type tops and dresses.

Bamboo Jewelry

I mentioned in an earlier post, that my sister gave me a goodie bag full of fun stuff for my birthday. These bamboo beads were among the various things in there. I decided to make an earring, necklace and memory wire bracelet with them. I just love bamboo! These beads are very light and colorful. Memory wire bracelets are very nice too, as they will fit just about any wrist.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

WOW! I can't believe my baby is 15 today! Where did the time go? Just yesterday, I was sitting in the hospital holding my 4th bundle of joy. AND, what joy all my little bundles have given me. Sure wish I could turn the time back so I can hold them once more in my arms.

I do realize that there is still so much to look forward to. As they grow and learn, it is nice to sit back and watch them. It is not easy, as they make mistakes, I want to jump in and make it all better, but I know I have to step back, and let them learn. Hopefully they know I am still here for them whenever they need me. It's a lot like our Father in heaven. He steps back and lets us learn, but He is still there for us...all we have to do is ask.

Jewelry Sets

Yes, this year I turned the big 5-0! For my birthday, my sister gave me a bag full of a variety of things. One of the things I got were some blue crystal starfish. I have been eye-balling these for quite some time and was so happy she gave them to me. I had them for about 6 weeks, trying to figure out how I wanted to string them up. Finally, I finished them up and have really enjoyed them.

Christmas is coming soon! Each year on my husband's side, we rotate family names. This year, we have his oldest sister and her family. After seeing these beautiful shiny black glass beads, I decided to make her this necklace and matching earrings.

My youngest son plays on his high school football team. GO PANTHERS!!! Anyway, for an upcoming fundraiser, I made this necklace and earring set to be auctioned off.