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

Customer Appreciation

You guys seem to love Halloween as much as I do! So in appreciation, I'm going to take orders for a limited time for some of my past Halloween designs...including my Trick or Treater's! These have been very popular over the last few years and I enjoy making them. Along with a couple other past favorites to round out the list.

Happy Halloween!

xo

Honey...

Does this shadow make my butt look big?

Silver, the new gold?

Yesterday I received an interesting email about the price of silver. Silver prices are at the highest I've ever seen them! Although I LOVE the way sterling looks, I'm wondering if it's worth the price? For example, a small sheet of copper costs me $11, now for that same size sheet/same gauge in sterling silver, it costs me over $300. Is it worth it? I'm not sure...I sure do love the look of sterling silver though and even better when it has a patina finish...

xo

It's Back...

The first signs of Fall...

The shorter days...

The cooler mornings...

and these little cute things growing in the trees....

I love Fall!

xo

Goodies are now up...

Goodies are now up! Click here

Jacks

Today I will be putting some new things on my website, Halloween, Fall and some Jacks!

Let Me Count The Ways...

Dishwasher, Dishwasher how do I love thee? Let me count the ways...

1) You are so pretty, all sparkling and new. (no more yellowing white)
2) You clean my dishes, better than new. (bye bye dish pan hands)
3) You are as quiet as a mouse. (it no longer sounds like a 747 landing in my kitchen)
4) You are worth your weight in gold. (I feel like I won the lotto)
5) I promise I will never take you for granted again...(never, never, NEVER!)

Jack

I've been busy making lots of Spider Pendants this week! But, yesterday I took a break and went through some photos of past beads I've made and found this one. I completely forgot about Mr. Jack. So I went to the torch and made a couple. This one is for Anthony (my son) because he's coming up this weekend to help me with a photo project I'm working on. And if you know Anthony, he has a great sense of humor...so I know he'll love the saying. Plus he's a Jack in the Box lover! I know, it's not my favorite either...

I'll take In n' Out Burger any day! Speaking of In n' Out, which is known for it's simple menu. Did you know they have a secret menu? I personally have never tried ordering anything on the secret menu. I like the single cheese burger with everything on it (grilled onions please). But one day I'm going to give it a try!

Plus, A Happy Birthday to my sister, Pam today!

Who looks as young now as she did in this picture from the 70's! Loved the 70's

Happy Birthday Pam!

Have a great 3-day weekend. I will have some new things on my site next week, maybe even a Jack or two...

xo

September Design of the Month

The new Design of the Month is now ready...
Something fun for Halloween!
If you'd like, I can also make them into earrings, just add a note in the message box when you are checking out stating "Make into Earrings please" and I'd be happy to do that for you!
You can place your order here
ox