Let it Snow?

This week I've been trying to get into a holiday mood. It sure does not help when it's been hovering around 80 degrees though...So to help things along I cranked up the AC and most of what I have been working on has had a "snow" theme. This bracelet is ready to go, so if you are interested, it's on my site.

I also made Anthony (son) a little something...This weekend is his first solo wedding photo shoot. Although I know he's a little nervous, I know he'll do great job! In case you can't tell, that is a piece of cheese...

I have NOT heard back from our winner of the 300 blog giveaway and I have no way to contact her. So if you know Susan B. let her know she has won something (Carrot Nose Necklace) on my blog and to contact me ASAP. If I don't hear back from her soon, I'll pick a new winner...

Plus, there is still time to put your name in for the Mother's Cookie Giveaway, which ends next Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

Special Orders...

For the Bee Keeper's Wife...

I really like the Sterling Bee Skep...

For the daughter who is off at college...

xo

DOTM, Holidays and Fairy Dust

I've been very busy in the studio for the last few days...

Making The Design of the Month earrings, working on a couple new designs for the holidays and a few more Fairy Dust Pendants. Which I put on my site.

xo

Design of the Month (November)

November's theme is Thankful...
Earrings in Amber and Lavender with Fall Green Leaves. Amber Swarovski Crystals and Sterling Findings. They are ready to order on my site.

xo

HaPpY BiRtHdAy AnThOnY

(Anthony age-3)

22 years ago today, my one and only was born! (he was almost a Halloween baby)

HaPpY BiRtHdAy AnThOnY

Tomorrow we'll be celebrating with dinner at his favorite place and instead of birthday cake, he requested his favorite...Homemade Blackberry Pie

xo

Crossbones Inn

Remember the Fairy Witch from last year?

And this is my costume this year...a tatted up arm of koi fish.

Are you ready for Halloween?

Fairy Dust.·´*·¸.·*¸.·*¸.·♥

Tiny little fairy heads sit on little tiny bottles of Fairy Dust (German glass glitter) About 1 1/4" high...
I put them on my site, but they sold out fast. I'll be making more though...
xo

We Have a WINNER

We have a Winner for the 300 Blog Give-away!
I went to Random.org to get our number...
Number 15 was picked!
Which is Susan B.
Congrats Susan! Send me your mailing address and I'll send your Carrot Nose along it's way!
Thanks again everyone
xo

Mother's Cookie Giveaway

Kellogg's contacted me a couple weeks ago, asking if I'd like to host a Mother's Cookie Scavenger Hunt,
I said "Mother's Cookies! You bet!"
If you'd like a chance to win a bag of cookies, all you have to do is leave a comment below and you are entered. I'll draw the lucky winners on Nov.10th...Sweet!
Please only one (1) comment per family.
Please include your name is your posting, in case you are a winner!
Good Luck!
Plus, you can play the Scavenger Hunt (above) for coupons off their yummy cookies!

Full Fall Weekend

We stocked up on Fall Flowers...

We went and got apples and cider...

And had 2 cords of firewood delivered...Today I'll be up in the studio working on some new Winter designs so I can have show and tell tomorrow!

xo

Wired

Today I have a couple new bracelets! Both are copper wire wrapped with my new copper tags...I'm having fun making them. If you'd like to check them out, I have them on my site.
Have a great weekend...
xo

Cleaning

This week I've been cleaning up the studio.
Is it just me? How do things get so out of hand, so fast!
I guess I really should be cleaning up (a little) each day, but it seems time gets away from me and before I know it, it's dark out and I'm ready to call it a day...
But now everything is so neat and tidy, ready for me to start thinking about the upcoming season.
I also cleaned out the bead bowl, I broke them up into two sets and listed them on ebay this morning. You can check them out here.
Tomorrow I'll have a couple new things on my website too...
xo

300

Five Hours = 300 minutes
October 27th = 300th day of the year (301st in leap year)
Trescientos = 300 in Spanish
HBO = Channel 300 (DISH Network)
Perfect bowling score = 300
Chocolate doughnut = 300 calories
Today's Blog Post = 300th

Today is my 300th post!
I think a giveaway is in order, don't you agree?
All you have to do is leave a comment (just one please)
And I'll have random.org pick the winner.

What will the winner receive?

How about a Carrot Nose Necklace...

I'll give everyone a chance to leave a comment, so you have until Monday October 26th to leave a comment and I'll post the winner on Tuesday October 27th (the 300th day of the year)
Good Luck!
xo

A Worthy Cause

Every year, I like to donate something for breast cancer awareness month. A few weeks ago while at a bead show, I stopped by Green Girl Studio's table and saw their pewter "Grow Strong" beads. Greg was telling me it was the breast cancer awareness bead (I think he said for 2007? Sorry I don't remember the year) So I wanted to use one in my piece this year. I love the bead so much I bought a few of them for myself. If you'd like to place a bid on the bracelet (thank you if you do) or would just like to view the pictures, please click here. Thanks!

I also added a few more copper tags/charms on my Etsy store.

Plus, only a couple more days to get your photos in of your "furry" friends dressing in their Halloween best over on Molly Blog...

Have a great weekend...
xo

P.S. Come back on Monday for something special, maybe a little giveaway?

Conjoined Twins

Aren't they the cutest!
xo

Pay back?

For years it's been some what of a little joke (between Anthony and I) It seemed all the cards I gave him had dogs on them. I didn't notice this until he pointed it out. But once he did, I now always get cards with dogs...
Now that he has a cat of his own (Ringo) is it pay back time? This is the birthday card he gave me this year! Funny!

Halloween

31+Crow+Boo=Halloween
I've been playing with some new techniques with copper, etching being one. It's a lot of fun!
I made 2 Halloween necklaces (both the same) I put one on my website, one on Etsy.
I'd love to know what you think of them, would you like to see more them? All kinds of different ones? Send me a email or leave a comment.

Don't forget this is the last week to get your Halloween picture of your furry friend over on Molly's blog...
Deadline is October 18th, voting starts on October 19th.
I'm working on prizes this week!
xo

My Man

1. Who is your man? His name is Kurt
2. How long have you been together? 30 years this Sunday
3. How long did you date before you got married? 1 year (exactly)
4. How old is your man? 51

5. Who said "I love you" first? I don't remember...but I'm sure it was me.
6. Who eats more? Probably me
7. Who is taller? He is
8. Who sings better? Me? I think because he won't sing, I'm a shower singer.
9. Who is smarter? He is by far! After all he married me :o)
10. Whose temper is worse? Mine
11. Who does the laundry? I do
12. Who takes out the garbage? He does
13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do
14. Who pays the bills? He does
15. Who is better with the computer? I would say he might be
16. Who mows the lawn? We both do
17. Who cooks dinner? We both do, but mostly I do
18. Who drives when you are together? He does, even though I'm the better driver :o)
19. Who pays when you go out? He does
20. Who is most stubborn? About the same
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me! He is never wrong (NEVER!) lol
22. Whose parents do you see most? Mine, his parents are no longer with us.
23. Who kissed who first? I think he did
24. Who asked who out? He did
25. Who proposed? He did
26. Who is more sensitive? ME!!!
27. Who has more friends? He does
28. Who has more siblings? I do
29. Who wears the pants in the family? He thinks he does, but we know the truth :o)
30. Who wanted kids first? Our plan was to wait 3-5 years after we got married. But we ended up waiting 7 years. It was one of the happiest days in our lives when we found out I was finally pregnant.
31. How did you meet? He saw me at the laundromat doing my wash one day and he told his friend "I'm going to marry that girl" (what? Can you believe that? But that's what he says) He followed me home (without me knowing) and for the next few weeks he found out where I worked, where I hung out. ( can we say stalker!) On October 11th 1979, he finally got up the nerve to introduce himself and we've been together ever since...We married exactly one year later on October 11th 1980...29 years ago this Sunday.
Happy Anniversary Honey...Here's to the next 29...

New Goodies

Today I have lots of new goodies!

I have Fairy Doors, a new coffee theme bracelet (which I really like)

Plus, I added some copper goodies in my Etsy store.

I hope you enjoy...

xo

Winning is Sweeeet!

My mom and I have a long going contest every year, who can grow the largest pumpkin. The winner receives a homemade pumpkin pie (of course) So who was the lucky winner this year? ME!
ok...it wasn't because I actually grew the largest pumpkin, the truth is I would have won if I only grew one the size of a Jack Be Little...my mom never planted her pumpkin seeds (shame, shame) So I guess I only won by default, but it's still sweet to win!...Thanks mom, the pie is delish :o)

B-Day Getaway

Somebody "kidnapped" me for a little b-day getaway to the beach (my favorite place) It was a fun filled few days of trying some new things. Like Brown Butter Cookies, which I think are one of the best cookies I've ever had. They are a dense shortbread cookie made with browned butter and topped with sea salt, so rich and tasty (thanks Gwen for telling me about them)
Then when I saw a write-up last month in the Sunset magazine about Ruddell's Smokehouse and their fish tacos and how he drove 2-hours out of his way just to have one, I knew we had to try them. We tried two kinds, the smoked salmon and the smoked pork loin, both were very good! (and I don't even like fish) And yes, I think I'd too drive 2-hours out of my way to have them also!
Last but not least, we tried The Sea Chest Restaurant one night. We both had the lobster, which was wonderful and the sunset view was bad either...
Today it's back to reality...
While we were away, Fall arrived. It is chilly this morning...40 degrees, ok chilly for me. And it will be warming up to a balmy 70 today, but I think it's time for a little Halloween decorating today, did I mention I love Fall?

As far as beads go, it looks like I'll be pretty busy with making Designs of the Month for the rest of this week. Plus couple of you have asked when I'll be adding the Fairy Doors to my site. It will be this week. I just need to take pictures of them.
xo

Design of the Month

Today I'll start taking orders for the new Design of the Month...

Fall Acorn Pendants

The copper charm is hand-stamped with the word...Fall

I then added a lampwork acorn dangle, perfect for Fall, don't you think?

You can place your order here.

Plus, if you ordered one of my Rosie the Snowgirl tutorials,

you were entered into a drawing for a "Rosie" bead and 2-snowballs.

This morning I mixed the tickets well and picked one...drum roll please

and the winner is...Thais Yost
Congrats Thais Yost
Send me your mailing address Thais and I'll send Rosie along her way.

Thank you if you bought my tutorial, and your nice comments about it.
I've also received emails (from non-bead makers) asking if I will be making more Rosie's...the answer is yes!
Soon, very soon...

xo

The Last Day...

Today is the last day to be in the drawing for a chance at Rosie the Snowgirl bead with 2-snowballs when you purchase the tutorial.
I'll announce the winner tomorrow!

Plus, today is the last day to order September's Design of the Month!
Tomorrow I'll share Octobers Design...October already?
xo

Via

Last weekend while sitting in Starbucks, I see this sign...3 more days until Via

ok, I'll bite..."What's Via?"

He says "It's a new microground coffee. You just add hot water"

And gave us some samples...

Today I gave it a try, it's pretty good...I was thinking it might taste like instant coffee, but it doesn't...I think it's great for traveling or maybe even camping.

It goes on sale tomorrow.

xo

Graffiti

When they are babies, tiny and small...



Start thinking about the words you'd like to put on them...



I picked boo and Pie anyone...
Then print them out.



Take your printed words out to the garden and
tape them onto your "growing" pumpkins...






With a toothpick or something sharp (I used a lampworking tool of course) poke little holes along the lines (make sure you didn't miss any lines) Now remove the paper and connect the dots. Make sure you do not cut very deep into the pumpkin. I just lightly "scuff" the skin, that's all it takes. Don't worry, it will heal.



Now, sit back and watch your pumpkins grow.
As they do, the part you "scuffed" will scar over and grow...making for some fun pumpkins!

Pie anyone...
xo

Deep in the Woods

Deep in the woods...
Where moss grows on trees...mushrooms sprout in the filtered light.
If you look very closely you'll find tiny little doors...
Fairy Doors...

I've been thinking about making these for almost a year now. Last week I finally decided to give them a try. Each one about an inch tall, in a garden setting with little pebble porches.

I think they turned out kind of cute...

Have a wonderful weekend.

xo

Pumpkin Spice

It's time to break out the espresso machine.
One of my favorite Fall treats are Pumpkin Spice Lattes, here is a yummy recipe.
xo

David

After a two year loan to the United States ,
Michelangelo's David is being returned to Italy .

His Proud Sponsors were:

My sister shared this with me, I just had to pass it on...too funny!
xo

Fall la la

Happy Fall...
My favorite season!
Although it doesn't feel much like Fall here, as we are hovering in the 90's.
But I know it's coming...I see lots of acorns in the trees.
Fall la la la la....la la la
xo

Facebook

If not, what are you waiting for?!
You might even get a free bead from me...
I started something new, every now and again I'll give something fun away...
I might announce, the "next" order placed on my website will get a free bead included in your package. Which I did this weekend. Susan happened to be placing an order when I announced the free bead give away. But Faith was the first person to place an order from my FB friends, so they both got a free Snowgirl beads! Then I announced the next person to leave a comment on my FB wall would get a free Halloween surprise bead. Congrats to Jackie, she won that one!
Because I have customers/friends in different time zones, I'll be mixing up the times I'll post these announcements. I love give aways...so I thought this might be a fun!
I think I'll limit the times you can win to once a month...
That way more people will get a chance.
After you sign up on Facebook, don't forget to add me as your friend (so you can see my wall)

It's a busy week here.
I received a lot of Halloween orders over the weekend, which will keep me pretty busy for the rest of the week and probably into next. Plus I'm working on a few custom orders...
Which I'll share pictures of soon.
xo

Sweet...

Last weekend we went berry pickin' at my friend, Donna's farm.
The Sweetwater Berry Farm.

Kurt came along too, only after I said "no jam for you if you don't help!"

He did good...

Donna (above) and her husband, Mike own the u-pick berry farm. Right now it's raspberry season. Blackberries just ended. They also have tomatoes, zucchini, cantaloupe, flowers, jams and honey.
xo

My First...

There are so many "firsts" in life....
First kiss (his name was Donny)
First date
First pet
First child (love you Anthony)

Here is my first tutorial!
Her name is Rosie...the Snowgirl
Anthony (son) took all the photos, which turned out so good!
And if you've seen my studio, which is in the attic above the garage with A-framed roof lines, it was not easy for Anthony to get those pictures!

I will be offering this tutorial at an introductory price until September 30th.
Plus, for every tutorial purchased on or before September 30th, you will be entered into a drawing for a Rosie the Snowgirl bead and 2-Snowballs.
I will post the winner here on my blog, on October 1st

If you'd like one, please head over to my website or my Etsy store.
Thanks!
xo