Hap Hap Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Holiday!
Mine was a very nice one filled with much happiness...
Oh and looky what I'll be doing this Spring...yup beekeeping.
This is something I've been wanting to do for a few years now, so this will be the year!
It should be an adventure and I hope you'll have fun following along on this adventure with me...

It's that time again, time for the new DOTM. This Month's Design of the Month is something fun and personalized...

Is there something you'd like to say? Something you'd like the world to know?
Maybe your New Years Resolution? A favorite quote? A saying? Kids names? The possibilities are endless...
Plus, you can pick the color of lampwork beads you'd like....How fun is that!
You can check them out here. Plus on Monday Jan. 4th, I'll be adding a few new things on my website too.

Have a Safe and Happy New Year Everyone!
xo

Wishing You a Very Merry Christmas...

Wishing you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas.
xo

Holiday Gifts

Every year I make (most) of my holiday gifts.
Which also include foody gifts...
This year I made Pomegranate Jelly and Cookies (4 different kinds)
I'm lucky enough to live in central California where we grow tons of pomegranates. I love them! So when I found this recipe I knew I had to try it! And instead of pressing tons of pomegranates, I bought the juice (Costco) which made it so easy peasy...My friend Melissa loaned me her Cuttlebug machine to make my tags, which I think turned out pretty cute. Thanks again Melissa!

I'm warning you...

I'm warning you now, these are so addictive! Before you know it you will have eaten the whole tray of these crunchy, buttery, salty, sweet, chocolaty treats. I'm just warning you...

Saltine Cracker Toffee

Ingredients

• 4 ounces saltine crackers (one sleeve)

• 1 cup butter


• 1 cup dark brown sugar


• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips


• 3/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C).


2. Line cookie sheet with saltine crackers in single layer.


3. In a saucepan combine the sugar and the butter. Bring to a boil and boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour over saltines and spread to cover crackers completely.
4. Bake at 400 degrees F (205 degrees C) for 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle chocolate chips over the top. Let sit for 5 minutes. Spread melted chocolate and top with chopped nuts. Cool completely and break into pieces.

Snug as a Bug

(please excuse Kurt's "painty" hands)

When I realized a couple months ago that Molly did not care for wearing hats much, I was rather bummed. But we are trying really hard to over come this because she looks so darn cute in them...

xo

Etsy shop update

I just updated my Etsy shop with some new goodies...
I still have a couple more things here that I'll try and get photographed and listed over the next couple days...
The Etsy show last night was fun!
I meet a couple people that I've only talked to on line, so finally meeting them in person was nice...
A few good friends ventured out in the rain to say hi, plus I meet a lot of new friends from the show.
All in all it was a great night!
xo

Over the river and through the woods...

To The Cirque du Noel Etsy Holiday Craft Show I go...
If you are local, I hope you'll stop by tonight.
December 10th 6-11pm.
The Big Red Church, corner of Van Ness and Yale, Fresno, CA
xo

LOVE ♥

I love, love, love this time of year...
xo

Miles and Miles of Fun...

This weekend we hit the road...
After a four hour drive, our first stop was Anaheim California, no we didn't go to Disneyland. We went to a Air Brush Show for Kurt. When we were done there we hit some of my favorite stops...
Rogers Gardens (love this place!) Versailles (for the best Cuban food) and Sprinkles (for dessert) It was a fun and looong day...
Sunday we headed up to San Francisco for Wicked (which was so good) After we grabbed a bite at Cheesecake Factory (I like their Spicy Crispy Beef) and then headed home.
We were anticipating coming home to freshly fallen snow...but the storm was a little delayed, it just started snowing about 15 minutes ago (so pretty)
I'm taking it a little slower today...I feel like I'm boarder line on getting sick, I think I just over did it a bit...but it was worth it!

I also will be putting the Money Order in the mail today (to the Toys for Tots)
Thank you again to everyone who placed bids!
xo

Ahh Friday...

I finally feel like I've got a handle on things around here...
The Toys for Tots auction was a huge success!
Again, thank you everyone who placed a bid/bids. Thanks to you, so many children will have a very Merry Christmas this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I've been working over-time on getting things made for my show next week. I've been making mostly repeats of things I've made in the past, but I also have been working on new things too.
Like the bracelet above...something fun and colorful, that you can wear year round.
Do you you like?

Today I'll be turning up the Christmas tunes and decking the halls...
Our tree has been up for almost a week now and it still sits bare. But not for much longer...
Ho Ho Ho

We have one Wicked weekend planned!
We are taking the kids up to San Francisco to see Wicked. So looking forward to it...
Hope you have a great weekend too!
xo

P.S. My email link on my site is now working again. I'm not sure how long it was down? So if you sent me a email and I never responed (I never got it) so please send me a new one. Thanks

Going, going, gone...

Today is the last day to get your bids in for the Toys for Tots Auction over here.

Bidding ends at 6:00pm PST (West Coast Time)
xo

Let the Auction Begins!

UPDATE...I'm having problems with my contact link on my website. I'm working on fixing this now. But if you'd like to place a bid on the Toys for Tots beaded goodies, please use this email address-

gardenpathbeads@gmail.com

Thanks xo

Ho Ho Ho
Today the Toys for Tots Auction begins!
Head on over to my website and see the goodies I have to offer this year...
Bidding starts today and runs through Thursday, December 3rd 6pm (my time) There is a clock on the sidebar is case you need help. Plus, if you are new to this, please read how it works before you place a bid. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask...
Ho Ho Ho
xo

Design of the Month (December)

This month's design is great for all the people on your list that love to bake.

This cute little green cupcake with fluffy white frosting come with your choice of pink or lavender flowers. If you'd like to order one, you can check them out here. Plus there is free shipping...

I'll be back Monday with the Toys for Tots beads, have a wonderful weekend! xo

Thankful for...

Things to Be Thankful For

Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have enough to eat.

Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have been surrounded by friends.

Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.

Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because it means you have a home.

Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.

Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.

Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means you can walk.

Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it means you can hear.

Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we have freedom of speech.

Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means you're alive.

Wishing you and your family a Very Happy Thanksgiving...

On Monday Nov. 30th the Toys for Tots Auction will begin!

I hope you'll come back and check it out...

xo

*Cheese Tray and Lampwork Spreader are from a few years ago. I fused wine bottles, etched them (this one with a Thanksgiving theme) and made matching Lampwork beaded spreaders.

Black Tuesday

In honor of Black Friday...Today I'm having a 20% off in my Etsy store.
xo

Popcorn weekend

It was a movie filled weekend. With a double feature at the Grimes' Saturday night. Food Inc. was one I missed in the theater, If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. It gives you an insight on how some of our food makes it to the grocery stores and to your local fast food chains.
Then we rented Twilight. Which I liked better the second time around. When I saw it in the theater last year, I thought it was a bit cheesy. But I'm thinking it was because I had just finished the books, which I really enjoy. So the movie just couldn't compare.
Then today I stood in line (maybe with some of you?) to see New Moon. Which was good. The second book was probably my least favorite, but it turned out to be a good movie!
So all in all it was a fun weekend, Movies, popcorn and M&M's (of course)
xo

Christmas Kitties

Once in a while I get asked "where do you get the ideas for your beads?" While there are many answers to this question, from books I read to everyday life...The Christmas Kitties are from my Aunt Linda. Growing up my Aunt gave each one of us kids a Hallmark Christmas Ornament every year for Christmas. One year (I don't remember the year) mine was The Three Kitties in Mittens. 3 little kitty heads popping out of a mitten...I love that ornament! So that is where my inspiration came for these beads, which I started making last year around this time...The ones above are now on my site if you'd like to see them...

It will be a working weekend for me, but I'm hoping to catch a movie too...maybe New Moon? Or maybe 2012? I'm not sure yet...Hope you have a great one too

xo

Comfort Food

Last week I received my book order from Amazon. Nothing is better than a BIG box filled with new books, right? One was The Pioneer Woman Cooks. It's filled with lots of what I'd call "comfort food" recipes. Ree loves to cook with butter and cream!
Because next week, Kurt has kitchen duty...I'm hoping he'll try the Mac & Cheese on pg. 96 or maybe this weekend he'll make a batch of Cinnamon Rolls on pg. 36.
I could use a little comfort food...
xo
P.S. I may have a couple new beads on my site tomorrow...meow

George (aka) Yogi

Yesterday while playing at the torch, I was making monkey heads for a special order I'm working on. I started playing around and added a body to one of the heads...

When I opened the kiln this morning, I realized he looked more like a bear than a monkey.

So he now sits next to his picnic basket.

xo

Cirque du Noel

I'll be selling here on Thursday, December 10th 6-11pm.
The Big Red Church, corner of Van Ness and Yale, Fresno, CA
I hope you'll stop by and say hi...

Today I'm hitting the ground running. So if you don't hear from me for a couple days, know I'm working hard behind the scenes on lots of fun things...
xo

So many things, so little time...

I bought this pattern, to make this sweet little teacup home.

Now I'm hoping I have time to make at least one before the holidays...
(in my spare time...lol)

I also signed up for a holiday boutique, which is in less than 4 (short) weeks...

I'm still working on the Toys for Tots goodies which I'll list right here (on my blog) on Monday, November 30th

I'm pluggin' along on bead orders...

I've got a few new Fairy Doors ready to fire...

And I'm leaving in a couple days for a class up north (with my friend Julie) which I'm really looking forward to.

So now I'm off to fill up my coffee cup (one more time) and to get my day started...
xo

Mother's Cookie Giveaway Winners!

#3
I'd like some animal cookies, please!
Maria, only YOU would get into something like this! ;)
Gwen

#14
I love MOTHER'S cookies!
Peggy from OR

Congrats to Gwen and Peggy!
Send me your mailing addresses girls and I'll send you some Mother's Cookies!
Thanks Mother's Cookies for the fun giveaway!
xo

Ho Ho Ho

It's beginning to feel (a tiny bit) like Christmas...
This weekend I went to the Christmas Open-House of Chocolate Soup. Bought a couple things on my holiday gift list and a couple things for myself too, isn't that how it works?
I figured out which photo we'll be using for our holiday cards this year, I just need to get my paper/goodies and make them now.

I also put up my Holiday Beads on my site. I'll be taking orders for some designs, plus I'll be adding lots new things (as they are ready) that I won't be taking orders on. So check back often, you never know when something new will be there.

Plus, I'm taking orders for the new Fairy Dust Pendants. You can pick from either Pink or Lavender. Right now I'm hoping the turn around time will be 5-7 days for things...but I may have to chance that, we'll see how it goes.
UPDATE-Bead order turn around time is running from 7-10 days.

Have a great week!

xo

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?