Saturday, December 07, 2013

Saturday Smiles

I found my camera today!!!
It was in the drama bag I took to camp this summer.  Pretty ridiculous!  I can't believe I didn't find it until now.
So, I took some really quick photos of the work I've been doing this semester.
All our final projects are due in a week and a half, and I'm NOT ready for the semester to be over!



These Leaf Pendants are my favorite pieces from this semester.
First I pressed some leaves into the copper to create an impression of the veins.  
Then I cut out the leaves and fold-formed them to give them the texture and curve of a leaf.
Finally, I attached a wire stem.


I had some fun creating copper bangle bracelets.  
I cut the wire, soldered it together, then hammered them all over.
They are fun to wear!  
I'm not sure yet whether I'll leave them as they are or wrap them with fabric, bead, chain or wire.
Probably I'll mix it up and do a bit of all of those.


These are some Word Pendants I created. 
 The top left one is a leaf impression like the Leaf Pendants, except I didn't cut it out.
The other three are fold formed pieces that I soldered onto nickel, 
and then attached onto a leather backing.


I desperately wanted to try my hand at enameling this semester and finally
got the got the courage to try last month.
These are some pendants I made, and I am in the process of creating necklaces from them.
My favorite one is in the top right hand corner.
It's this fabulous mix of blue and lavender, with sparkles of turquoise.
I struggled with the bottom two so much, and they both look horrible in this photo.
The bottom left one doesn't show it's amazing black and green color well in this photo.
Beth calls it my "Galaxy Piece", because it looks like deep space.
And the bottom right one is this amazing dimensional red, 
but I had to re-enamel and re-enamel and re-enamel for it to look good.


Here is one of my wave pendants.  I made three of them- One is at school in the student art show.


Here is another of my wave pendants. I'm not finished with this necklace yet.
One of the things I really like about this piece is that I made the clasp myself.  


Not the most elegant of clasps, but I am pleased with myself.
I want to make more!

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Saturday Smiles

Wow.  I can't believe I haven't posted since September.  That's crazy.
I normally try and post a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week, but since I haven't posted in so long I think I'll share a couple of the things that have kept me busy over the last two months.
*****

I'm taking a couple of classes up at UAF (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Advanced Metalsmithing and Beginning Ceramics.

I've got a TON of stuff done in Metals, but I've only taken one picture.   My camera is still MIA, so all of the following pictures are from my phone.  And no, they are definitely not the best.

Enameling, butterflies, and pendants, oh, my.
My metals bench from a couple of weeks ago


I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying the ceramics.  I've never done anything in clay before, and it's fun! I'm noticing how weak my shoulders and arms have become after my last spinal surgery.  

My first bowl

We had the assignment of making between 4 and 10 bowls using different methods-  coiling, slumping, draping or pinching.  We made that many with the understanding that we were going to give some to the local food bank for a Empty Bowls fund-raiser.

Our next assignment was to reproduce an ancient vessel.  I chose to make a reproduction of an Egyptian Canopic jar, primarily because my girls and I love cats.  If I was going to have some ancient thing hanging around the house I wanted to make something I liked.  And it looks like I've got a really fun cookie jar.

Our class projects with my professor on the left
My cat jar is front and center

Our next project was to create a narrative teapot.  I really was annoyed by this one- a teapot that tells a story?  Talking it over with my sister and my professor, I ended up deciding to make a representation of some of the books my daughters and I have read together over the last year.  I've turned completely around and I love my teapot now.  It's been incredibly fiddly and annoying, but so much fun.  This project may be my favorite...

My teapot of books and character bits

And the lid

I haven't completely finished with this project- it's not glazed yet, but I really like what I've done so far.

So the sum up is this:  I'm crazy busy!  As a student, a mom, a wife, a reading tutor, a sister, a daughter and a jewelry designer.  Plus, I'm the primary taxi driver and cook for our home.  My house is currently a shambles and the girls have taken to begging for me to do laundry on Fridays...  And my husband has been wearing my socks (because I don't wear mine out like he does, so I have more pairs).  

Anyway, I love my classes!  And we are surviving.  And we've got an end goal now.  I've probably only got a couple of years of part time classes and I will be certified as an art teacher.  I'd rather be a drama teacher, mind you.  But nobody hires those full time...  I'll have to pass a couple of tests, but I'm not overwhelmed yet.  (Mind you, I haven't looked at the math portion yet.)

I hope I can keep up with blogging better now that I have an end goal and am adjusted to the pace, but I don't know...  

P.S.- PLEASE don't tell Jake I said anything about him wearing my socks!

Friday, September 27, 2013

Saturday Smiles

I LOVE my classes!

I can't believe how much I love playing with clay- squishing and forming it, turning it into pretty useful things.

And metal-smithing!  Yes, I love making pretty jewelry.  I love making components I can use to create my own jewelry.

I am crazy busy.  Running from class to work to picking up kids, to class.  And I'm loving it.  I need to take some photos of what I'm making!

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Saturday Smiles Late

Wow.  Okay, I haven't blogged in something like three weeks, and I honestly forgot.   I've been crazy busy with work, school, jewelry making and mommy-ing.
My job as a reading tutor for the school district has begun again, and I'm having fun and working crazy hard. I've got four little groups of students and I have an extra helping this month because one of our tutors is in France helping with her sick father. I'm so looking forward to her return!  I normally have about 6 or 7 students and right now I have 10.
My classes have started and I am having so much fun!  I'm taking beginning ceramics and advance metal-smithing.  It's fun to try new things when I don't have a lot of emotion invested, which is where the ceramics comes in.  And I'm doing what I want to do in Metal-smithing.  So far, I've done a lot of rolling press leaf imprints and some fold-forming pendants. Nothing is complete, but I like working on several little projects at once so that I can leave something in the pickle or whatever.  I'll take some pictures this week of the works in progress and share them.
Plus, I've been doing my wire-work at home to get ready for the Christmas bazaars. I should do quite a few pieces to get ready and I just don't know how I'll accomplish all of it!
So, too busy.  But having fun.  That's me.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

I admit it.  This has been a HARD week.  For many reasons.
First, I started work again.  I'm a reading tutor during the school year, and I enjoy it very much.  However, it's hard work- it involves lots of brain work and dealing with kids who often have issues.  They are great kids, and I have to figure out how to work with them and help them learn.
Also, both of my girls complained and whined their way through this week.  They are readjusting their sleep schedules and trying to deal with homework, new teachers and new friends.
Deborah's best friend moved away over the summer.
Abigail has realized she knows very few kids at her new school.
They both HATED school this week and they made mornings miserable for everybody.
I did smile this week, though.  About several things.

1) I made new jewelry!
I made some pretty things, but my camera is still MIA.  Blech.

2) Abigail got to go berry-picking with her class and she loved it.


3) Deborah has been recommended for the local youth orchestra by her orchestra teacher.
And she wants to audition.  We'll see how it goes.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) School Started!
My girls were gone at school all day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Peace and quiet reigned. And...

2) Abigail likes her new school!
Which is a miracle and thrill.  She has never really liked school, and we finally put her in the potential pool for one of the local charter schools which spends a majority of their time outside.  Her name got drawn out of the hat, and she was excited at first.  As the first day of school approached she started saying no, she didn't want to try a new school.  But she liked it!  And she wanted to go back.

3) I don't have to start work until next week!
I start tutoring next week on Tuesday, and I am thrilled to say that I'm enjoying the quiet at home while they are gone. Quiet and peace is an amazing gift.  I've gotten a surprising amount of work done without their constant presence.  I like my job.  I like getting paid.  But I also like accomplishing some much needed jobs. The job will come soon enough.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
****

1) Farmer's Market
Beth and I have been selling jewelry as fast as we can make it, and we are really struggling to keep up.  I always remind myself at this point:  Must keep up with the inventory better during the coming winter... Will I do it this year?  I don't know...

2) Summer BBQ
Hanging out with friends and eating grilled halibut and s'mores.

3) Fresh Tomatoes
All I planted this year was a cherry tomato bush, and I've actually kept it alive.  Plus it is fruiting like crazy. I have more than 20 little tomatoes ripening, and they are so pretty.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Kid Stuff

I've got two adorable things my girls used to say...

My oldest daughter, Deborah (now ten years old and entering 5th grade) used to say she was going to "cl-olor a picture" instead of "color a picture". She said that up until she was in kindergarten.  I miss that one.

My youngest daughter, Abigail (almost eight and going into 3rd grade) used to say she was going to take a shower and wash her chest and her "nibbles", rather than her "nipples".  Harder to catch this one and help her fix it since most people don't go around talking about their nipples.  She really didn't get the difference until she was in first grade.  She still sometimes substitutes and "F" for a "Th", but she knows the what they sound like now, she just kind of lets it slide every once in a while.

It's true that I want my girls to grow up, change and experience life, but there is a part of me that misses their baby hugs, smiles and words.  I don't want them to be trapped in eternal child-hood, but much of that time was precious, simply because it is forever gone.  Except for in my memories.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
****

1) Rock Skipping on the river
Jake, the girls and I went for a walk last Monday and spent time skipping rocks.  We had so much fun!

Abigail is learning, and really struggling since her Dad is a lefty.  
At the end of our river walk I was able to get her to throw they with her right hand & she did better.
Jake is amazing!  He got a rock to skip about 10 times and it looked like it was walking.
skipping rocks on the Chena

2) Lovely summer
I've enjoyed this summer so much!  Most of ours summers are wet, cloudy or covered in smoke from wild fires.  This summer has been beautiful and warm with lots of golden sun.  I've thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I'm shocked that we only have one more full week til school starts.

3)  The Fair
We went to the fair last Sunday, and has FUN!  Wild and crazy fun.  Rides, animals, beads, crazy loud music, fair food...  We spent way too much money, but came home tired and happy.  I'm so glad we went!

Abigail and Deborah with their pixy sticks 
Abigail in the bouncy house (they LOVED this ride & it was worth the money!  
They got to jump in there forever- probably 15 minutes.)
Deborah riding Sunshine

Sleepy Critters

Tree Wing Studio is giving away one of her precious little sleepy critters beads.   I don't want you to go over there and try to win something, because I want to win!  However, I am going to show you how sweet and adorable her beads are, and I am going to say her deadline is coming quickly...


Friday, August 02, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I found another wire artist I like!
Cheryl Parrott Jewelry's Etsy shop is a delight.  I love the organic nature of her jewelry and how she captures different seasons.  I want to grow up to be just like her.
I want to share some of my favorite pieces she has made:




She makes amazing pieces and I am so pleased to have found another wire artist. I wish I could work in silver wire as she often does, maybe soon.

2) My girls, my sister and I went to Chena Lakes Recreation Park on Thursday.
We had so much fun playing in the water.  I waded around while they swam, then we had a wonderful picnic.  I've got a sunburn for the first time in about 10 years.

3)  Pearls, pearls, pearls...
I've made about three pearl wire necklaces this week, and hope that they sell out again! 

at the beginning

in white pearls

Friday, July 26, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturday I post about a few things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) My girls have gotten along really well this week.
The difficult neighbor girl has been gone all week, so my girls have played with each other and had a delightful week.
Okay, so here's the honesty...  We have a neighbor girl who plays my girls off of each other.  She'll be friends with Abigail one day, and say that Deborah is horrible and come up with an idea for a club so that they can leave Deborah out.  And then she'll do the opposite the next day.
I want them to learn how to get along with difficult people so I have not forbidden them to play with this girl. BUT.  I wonder sometimes if I should.
That's bad, isn't it?  I should be the "nice" mom or the pro-active 'soccer' mom, but really, I just want everybody to get along and stop being so mean.

2) More new jewelry
My camera is still MIA...  So no good pictures.  But, believe me.  I've made a lot of new stuff, and I'm happy with it all.

3) Fun Movies



During the summer, Beth and I watch movies and bead like crazy people in the evenings to keep up with the demand of Farmer's Market.  Over the last week we have re-watched the Harry Potter movies and had a lot of fun.  I discovered I never saw the third one, and she never saw the last one.  It's fun to watch them again, and see what we missed the first time.  It's great to watch them straight through and see the over-all story-lines.  Plus, they are good beading movies because we'd already seen most of them.
We've also re-watched the Spiderman movies and the X-Men movies.



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Saturday Smiles

For the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop post, please go HERE.

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I had a good market week.
I sold quite a few things last Saturday and Wednesday!  Which meant...

2) I made a LOT of jewelry this week.
I normally make jewelry like crazy during the summer to keep up with the demand, but it seems like I never can quite keep up with the special requests.  I was able to make quite a few pieces this week and have fun, too.  I'm not ahead, of course, but I might just be caught up finally.

3) My girls were baptized last Sunday!
I wanted this to be something they chose, something that would be meaningful to them and mark a day they could remember.  Jake and I talked with them and explained how baptism is a picture that shows their choice to follow Jesus and live for Him, and they got it. They talked to me and to our Children's Minister about wanting to be baptized like Jesus.  And we got to do it in the Chena River last Sunday!  My heart is so happy when I think about their baptisms.

Abigail

Deborah

The prayer afterwards with Pastor Andy Ekblad and Children's Minister Emily Miner.

Bead Hoarder's Blog Hop Reveal

My friend, the talented Lori Anderson of Pretty Things has done it again. She has created a brilliant blog hop and invited all her beady friends to participate with her.  This time she came up with the idea of using all the special beads and pendants that you're too in love with to actually use...  Your special hoard of bead treasures.  For more about this particular challenge, go HERE.



Oh, my...  Am I a bead hoarder...  In fact, I'm completely unwilling to show my bead stash and storage methods because it is OUT OF CONTROL.  I still have kids who get into stuff so my beads are mostly corralled in the hall closet, but they have escaped and spilled out...  I find beads most everywhere- under the dining table.  In the couch.  In the bathroom...

I chose to work with a very special pendant my sister gave me two Christmases ago.  The pendant is a butterfly wing under glass, and I've been too in love with it to do anything.  I also felt guilty spending time on a piece for myself.  Isn't that silly? Thank you, Lori!  I don't think I would have stopped and made something for myself if you hadn't come up with this wonderful idea.

I'm delighted with the piece, but incredibly frustrated with the pictures.  Somehow I've misplaced my camera, (my girls probably 'borrowed' it again) so I used my I-Phone to take the pictures, and they are horrible. Really horrible.  The color is a little odd, and they are out of focus.  I hope I can find my camera tomorrow and replace these pictures!

On the Wing

I wrapped a wire frame for the pendant and added a pearl and a Swarovski butterfly to accent the wing. Then, I wire wrapped crystals and some of the butterfly beads I've been hoarding and turned them into a rosary style chain.  I added more chain to add space and light to the piece and also to draw the eye back down to the pendant..

On the Wing


I'm so pleased with my butterfly wing necklace.  Thank you, Lori!  

To see Lori's post and the list of participants, please go HERE.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) A week of No Expectations!
Okay, so I LOVED being at camp and teaching drama, but wow.  I came home exhausted, and I'm finally rested after this week.  I didn't have many appointments, and we skipped Farmer's Market on Wednesday so I am feeling lazy and rested.

2) My girls have had sibling bliss for most of the week.
Deborah & Abigail have had very few arguments and have played well together most of this week. I'm loving it.  I can't tell if it's a left-over from camp or just growing up, but they are getting along.  We've all enjoyed the peace and quiet.

3) Bead Creativity
I've had a lot of fun making new things this week.  I need to take pictures of the new material, but I'm delighted with the amount I've gotten done and the fact that they are pretty and that they worked.  I completed about ten pieces this week and I like them, which doesn't always happen.  Sometimes when I'm done with a piece, I'm just glad to be done with it.
I was talking to my sister this week about the fact that I don't do the same thing over and over and over because I get bored very quickly.  I like to try and make something completely different every time.
No, I don't achieve a wonderful and unique piece every time I start something, but I don't want to do the same thing over and over.  I don't know how artists can do it!  I know that we have to eat, but I made about five forget-me-not necklaces and I was done.  I never wanted to make any more again.  I might actually be in a place where I'm willing to do some more soon, but then again...

Saturday, June 29, 2013

My Country 'Tis of Thee Blog Hop

I have totally disappointed myself this week.  I expected to be able to work on my project while I was teaching drama at camp, and this was a COMPLETELY foolish expectation.  I barely had time to sleep, much less bead.  So I am not done yet.  I have my inspiration, an idea and a goal, but it is not complete.
*****

I studied France because my mom's family fled France to escape religious persecution.  They were French Huguenots (similar to the AnaBaptists at the time) and were escaping death. Approximately 500,000 French Huguenots were put to death by the Catholic church in France.

I am proud of my French heritage and have studied the language and the country, but researching why we left was a little shocking.  Since most of my jewelry is inspired by nature- flowers, leaves, butterflies-  I thought it might be better if I looked in that direction.  After discovering the national flower of France, I felt more confident.


The national flower for France is the Iris.

Which is represented by the Fleur-de-lis or "flower of lily".

This one is fun since it also shares the French flag colors: 
Blue, White and Red or simply the Tricolor.

So, I have my inspiration, and some ideas percolating in my head.  I expect to have a finished piece soon.  I am so sorry I don't have it finished!

Please visit all the other bloggers participating in this challenge.  The listing is here on Wired Nan's Blog.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a few things that make me smile over the last week.
*****

1) Bingle MADD Camp
I got to teach at a Music/Art/Drama/Dance camp this last week!  I loved teaching and working with the teenagers. I taught drama and script-writing, worked my behind off, and had a blast.  I got to do this last year and loved it then, but this year was better for a couple of reasons.
The primary reason was that my husband came, too.  He taught a song-writing class and worked with the worship team.  What a joy to spend our free time together!  I love getting to hang out with my Jake, doing fun things and sharing the beauty of Alaska together.
Jake leading worship with one of his students

The other reason this was such a great year was that the director gave the counselors an option to choose classes, too, which strengthened the relationships this week.  By the end of the week we had spent a LOT of time together and seen each others' strengths, weaknesses and sheer goofiness...

I've got more pictures of this week, but I'm so tired I'm not finding them on my phone. =)  I'll share more when I'm more coherent.  I slept a lot today, but apparently not enough...

2) My kitty
My poor Luna missed me so much while I was gone.  She has not left my side since I got back.  She's behind me on my chair right now.  Poor lonely girl.

3) The cool of Fairbanks
Ha!  Never thought that would make me smile!  It was about 85 degrees out at the camp this week, and while it's still hot here, at least our house has good windows and a few fans!  Our cabin would get up to about 95 at night, and we didn't dare leave the door open because the mosquitoes this year are voracious, plus they swarm.  We've had a particularly bad case of mosquitoes because of the relatively warm, long and wet winter.  (It only got down to -50ish this last winter and it didn't last long, plus our spring took forever.)   I've got 22 mosquito bites on my right leg alone...

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Summer Elements Blog Hop

I feel so lucky to participate in a SUMMER Blog Hop!
My favorite season is summer.  Probably because I live in Alaska and love the long summer nights we enjoy, and favor them as a response to the dark, dreary winters.  And this year summer took so long to arrive!  Seriously, we had snow only a month ago... It snowed the first two weeks of May, and that is NOT NORMAL!!!.

I am so thankful for summer here in Fairbanks.
I love the flowers that grow here, I love spending time with my family outside, I love my camping memories.
My dad was a forester, so as soon as August would hit and the tree-culling season was over we would go camping.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are of camping and exploring the woods during late summer.

My dad, my sister Beth, and me

Now, I love biking with my girls and hanging out on trails with them.  This is one of my favorite pictures of my girls and me.  We're watching ducks on the river walk in Fairbanks.

Deborah, Abigail, and me behind Pioneer Park several years ago

The best way to welcome summer is with a barbecue, friends and s'mores.  We got to hang out with our Life-group a couple of weeks ago, and just enjoy the arrival of the mosquitoes and the sun.

This great photo was taken by my friend, David at our Barbecue

Maybe because I grew up with a botanist for a daddy, maybe because I love to garden, maybe because God has continued to use butterflies powerfully in my life to remind me of His plans for me...  for whatever reason, I am drawn to Botanical imagery.  Flowers, leaves and butterflies are a constant theme in my jewelry and in my personal life.

I finished this one this week, and it sold within a couple of hours of putting it out.  
I didn't even get to take a decent picture.

I love Lucite flowers, particularly combined with Swarovski crystals.

Flowers and butterflies, leaves and outdoors...  That's what summer means to me.

These earrings are my latest summer project.
Silk flowers, Swarovski crystals and butterflies.

I'm still in the process of deciding if I like them enough to make more but I think I'll be making a few more just to see what happens.  I have a yellow pair, and a pink pair. They are certainly a fun mix of high/low elements, and they have wonderful movement and sparkle.

Thank you for hosting the Summer Elements Blog Hop, Toltec Jewels!  Thank you for allowing me to participate. =)    
Dear reader, Go forth and discover some other wonderful Summer Blog fun!


The Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants: 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/
Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/
Cheri Reed                        http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/
Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/
Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/
Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/
Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/
Susie Harris                        http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/
Andrea Glick-Zenith           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/
Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett                     http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com/
Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/
Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/
Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/
Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/
Karla Morgan                    http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/
Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/
Dyanne Everett-Cantrell     http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/
Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/
Shaiha Williams                  http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/
Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/
Lennis Carrier                    http://windbent.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/
Sue Kennedy                     http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) I really am better.
I missed posting last Saturday because I was still pretty messed up from the car accident. No, I'm not at full strength yet and I'm going to be doing some doctor visits for a while, but I really am better.

2) I've sold two of my pearl vine necklaces in the last week.


A white pearl necklace completed and lovingly photographed

A cranberry pearl necklace in progress on my bead tray

One of the ones that sold had turquoise pearls, which look like blueberries, while the other was the cranberry style.  It's great they sold, but it means I need to get cracking...  I just didn't get much inventory built over this last winter. I don't know why....  Some winters I'm fantastic at trying new things and just get tons of stuff made, but not this year.

3) The girls and I spent some time at Pioneer Park on Tuesday and had a blast.

Abigail on the new rope climbing tower

Saturday, June 01, 2013

YUCK

I was in a car accident today.  It's not a terribly severe one, but it is the most severe car wreck I've ever experienced.  My girls were in the car with me, and both of them were pretty shaken.  Maybe at how shaken I was?  I don't know.
We had to wait FOREVER for the police to show up.  I don't know if it was shift change or just what, but they didn't get to the scene for about 40 minutes.  Nobody was severely injured, so it was just frustrating, not life-threatening.
I've got mild whiplash (which is pretty freaky when you have a metal plate and screws in your neck), and Deborah has a pretty bad seat-belt rash.  Abigail is fine for now, but we are waiting to see how she feels tomorrow.
The accident was totally my fault and I feel so STUPID!

Thank you, God for watching over fools like me!

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I post about a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
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1) Summer Break!
We've had 80's and sun, sun, sun.  My girls and I have spent most of the week outside, and we've had a lot of fun.
Summer Fun with our Life Group friends

2) Deborah's Birthday Party
A couple of friends from school and a lot of friends from church met us at a park.  The kids played, ate cupcakes while the parents chatted.  Fun was had by everyone involved.

3) VBS Decoration
Vacation Bible School is next week and we've been setting up and getting ready for the big day.  I LOVE VBS!  And I'm excited to get to work with kids all week.  I get to do science experiments and hands-on activities with the pre-schoolers, and it's just plain fun.  We're doing a castle, knights, queens, and princesses theme, and it promises to be a blast.


Wednesday, May 29, 2013

My Deborah turned 10!

I can't believe my baby is so big!  She's double digits now!


This year, Deborah wanted a 'Brave' themed birthday.  The girls just saw the movie, and are in love with Merida and Elinor.  I admit, this is a princess I can be happy about them copying.