Challenge of Color

I signed up for Erin's Challenge of Color Blog Hop.

Each participant picked one color, I picked red (thinking of Christmas)

Then I was assigned the color palette above (nothing like Christmas)

This is what I made...

I made a lampwork focal, added coral disks, faceted Czech glass, Agate beads (in browns) and brass findings.

It was a color palette I probably would have never tried if I didn't sign up for this challenge. 

Thanks again Erin, it was fun!

Here's the list of the participants and their color palettes:

1	Norma Turvey	Teal	Color Crave
2	Jeannie Dukic	Green	Mineral Tones
3	Mary McGraw	Teal	Embellished Hues
4	Jo Tinley	Red	Decadent Tones
5	Rebecca Anderson	Pink	Tulip Tones
6	Kristi Jaro	Red	Temple Entrance
7	Stephani Gorman	Green	Dew Tones
8	Melissa Meman	Green	Fruit Star
9	Kathleen Lange Klik	Teal	Silk Hues
10	Cynthia Riggs	Red	Autumn Comfort
11	Heidi Post	Teal	Flora Bright
12	Cece Cormier	Teal	Merino Teal
13	Amy Freeland	Gray	Cultured Tones
14	Alice Peterson	Blue	Island Play
15	Rose Noble	Gray	Autumn Stacked
16	Kristina Johansson	Yellow	Sunny Flower
17	Kirsi Luostarinen	Teal	Dragon Hues
18	Tari Kahrs	Orange	Citrus Tones
19	Mallory Hoffman	Purple	Petaled Dark
20	Molly Alexander	Brown	Peppered Tones
21	Regina Santerre	Red	Frosted Berry
22	Emanda Johnson	Teal	Color Purl
23	Amy Severino	Orange	Winged Tones
24	Bobbie Rafferty	Teal	Lime Hues
25	Tanya Goodwin	Gray	Pecked Tones
26	Lisa Lodge	Blue	Nocturnal Tones
27	Hope Smitherman	Blue	Bloom Tones
28	Linda Landig	Green	Cacti Dark
29	Ambra Gostoli	Teal	Perched Autumn
30	Lori Bowring-Michaud	Blue	Sharpened Blue
31	Pippa Chandler	Teal	Hungarian Hues
32	Keirsten Giles	Purple	Mineral Brights
33	Jennifer Justman	Blue	Autumn Rays
34	Sandy Richardson	Purple	Moroccan Brights
35	CJ Bauschka	Teal	Teal Air
36	Shaiha Williams	Teal	Sushi Hues
37	Kay Thomerson	Purple	Autumn Spectrum
38	Sally Russick	Purple	Golden Gate Tones
39	Cilla Watkins	Purple	Autumn Infused
40	Shirley Moore	Purple	Frozen Heather
41	Jenni Connolly	Gray	Paw Tones
42	Tamara Soper	Green	Field Tones
43	Sharyl McMillian-Nelson	Blue	Nested Blues
44	Jen Velasquez	Pink	Sweetened Tints
45	Maria Grimes	Red	Bright Bloom
46	Elisabeth Auld	Gray	Petaled Tints
47	Susan Kennedy	Pink	Zinnia Tones
48	Shannon Chomanczuk	Gray	Autumn Leaf
49	Holly Westfall	Yellow	Sprinkled Tones
50	Patty Gasparino	Red	Color Carton
51	Angela Little	Pink	Singapore Brights
52	Lizzie Zawinski	Green	Budding Hues
53	Kristen Stevens	Pink	Scooped Tones
54	Dawn Doucette	Brown	Jarred Tones

Naughty or Nice

I found someone's "wish list" under her bed (wink wink)

And what a list it is...

I'll let Santa know she's been a good doggy this year...

~Suitcase Bed~

~Monkey Toy~

~Holiday Hat~

~New Leash~

~Food Bowl~

~Fav Child t-shirt~ (funny)

~Chihuahua Necklace~ I think this was for me?

~Pink Robe~

~Oh Christmas Tree Hat~

Yes, it's quite a list...

xo

Enameled Flower Challenge

Lorelei held a Jade Scott Enameled Flower Challenge...

This was the flower I used for the challenge...I loved the pink and copper colors together.

So what did I make?

I decided to make it into necklace.
I soldered the flower into a domed copper cup and riveted tiny vintage enameled flowers, also in domed copper cups. I then stamped the words "and smell the flowers..." and I added one of my tiny lampwork bees (hovering over the garden of blooms)

Thanks Lorelei! This was a fun challenge!

Here is the list of the other participants...
 1. Lorelei Eurto
2. Serena Trent
3. Susan Raber
4. Shawna Tobias
5. Lucid Moon Studio
6. K Hutchinson
7. Gigi
8. Lois Moon
And also!
http://cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
http://mariagrimes.blogspot.com (you are here)

http://peacockfairy.blogspot.com/ 

The perfect ending

Last nights sunset was the perfect ending to a wonderful few days.

We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Santa Barbara (or paradise, as my dad would say) then headed up the coast to my favorite getaway place. There is nothing more relaxing than waking up to the smell of the salty air mixed with the pine trees. 

xo

Save the date...

Save the date...

Thursday, December 1st the Toys for Tots Auction starts!

Plus I'm getting ready (but not until after Thanksgiving) to load my site with holiday goodies, including ornaments, jewelry and even a fun kit!

Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 

xo

It's coming very soon {and the winner}

A couple weeks ago while in Vegas, Molly and I had some extra time to play.

Our medium of choice...paper clay.

The little owl on the holly branch is my favorite, the little tiny red heart (below it) will dangle from the branch.

I think I'll offer the owl ornament as part of my Toys for Tots sale, which is coming very soon!

In case you are not familiar with this event, each year I offer fun things for sale (hopefully you'll love them and want to buy them) then I donate 100% of the money to The Toys for Tots. It's a win win for everyone!

If you'd like to be notified (via newsletter) when I have everything listed, just sign up for my newsletter.

Now for the "Vampire Heart" giveaway winner. I went to random.org

And the number was 26, which is GwynnieB, Congrats Gwynnie! Send me your mailing address, so I can send you your heart.

I myself can not wait to see the movie (loved the books too)...but not this weekend, too many screaming girls :o)

xo

Winter Goodies {a giveaway}

~Let it Snow Bracelet~

I added a few new goodies to the store today...I've been working on "Winter" things.

You can check them out HERE.

But, before you go...I'm having a little giveaway.

In honor of The Twilight saga....

To enter-

Just leave one (1) comment below, letting me know if you plan on seeing the movie.

If you'd like to earn extra chances, here is how...

Facebook about the giveaway = another chance*

Blog about the giveaway = another chance* 

*Make sure you leave a separate comment for each one you do (with the links)

I'll have random.org pick the winner this Friday!

Good Luck

Contest is now closed...winner will be announced shortly 

TGIF

It's a good day for dad's veggie soup...

I actually make this soup all the time. But I have made a few changes along the way. I now make it in a crock pot, because it's so easy and I love the way it makes the house smell...

If you'd like the original  recipe it's here.

Vegetable Beef Soup
2 medium Zucchini (cubed)

 2 medium carrots sliced 1/4 inch thick (I used a small bag of mini carrots)

10 white button mushrooms, sliced

2 stalks celery sliced 1/4 inch thick

1 large russet potato-peeled and cubed
2 onion-sliced
1 lb. Beef (cut in cubes)

1/2 lb green beans cut in half diagonally

4 cups vegetable broth

3 cups canned crushed tomatoes -drained

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

2 tbsp chopped garlic (I love garlic)

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp dried

1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried

Add ground pepper to taste 

Saute' the beef in a pan with a little oil over high heat, until beef in browned.

Add the cooked beef and all the other ingredients to a crock pot. Cook for 8-10 hours on low.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese...

Have a cozy weekend...

xo

NEW Design of the Month {November}

 ~Angel Dust Necklace~

I'm a little late with November's Design of the Month...better late than never...right?

You can check out the details here.

xo

Home again

Home again.

No matter how comfy hotel beds are, it always feels good to come home to your own...doesn't it?

When we left home the temps were in the low 80's, feeling a lot like Summer. But, we came back to a light dusting of snow on the mountain tops around us. What a difference a week makes.

I love walking around Vegas at night. It's a visual overload. Where else can you go from New York New York to Paris to Venice and then to Egypt all in one night.

The Bellagio fountains are always fun...

Friday after SEMA we headed to the race track for the invitational Optima Challenge. Let me just say, Kurt had a BLAST! Kurt use to drive race cars back in the day, so he was definitely in his eliminate. The event was televised by the SPEED channel, not sure of the air date yet...

l

Speed TV putting cameras in Kurt's Tahoe.

I had my pocket camera with me, so I took a quick shot of Kurt coming out of one of the turns.

Colby Donaldson (from Survivor) and Molly (Molly's a Survivor fan, wink wink)

Today I hit the ground running. So much on my to-do list this week, so I hope it's a productive one.

Have a great week!

xo

Vegas Baby

(Kurt's TV interview) 

We've been in Vegas this week (SEMA show for Kurt) 

While the guys have been at the show during the day, Molly & I had crafty time in the hotel. I found a Hobby Lobby here (first time I've been to one...omg, fun store!) and bought a block of paper clay and have been making lots of fun things! Can't wait to share...I also found a huge bead store yesterday! HUGE...I spent 2 hours there yesterday...fun fun!

I was packed and ready to head home today but Kurt has been invited to The Optima Challenge, which will be televised on SPEED™.

So instead of packing up to head home, we are packing up and heading to the race track. 

See ya next week

xo