Catching up...

Finally finding a few moments to B R E A T H E! Seems I've been playing catch up since I got home last weekend.

It took a few days to recover from the flight home - or should I say from the day trying to GET home! I arrived at the Miami airport at 10:00 am on Friday and made it home to Fort Wayne, Indiana at 2:30 am. Kinda hard on these aging bones! First problem - all flights were oversold, next problem - I had to connect through Atlanta where they kept closing/opening the airport due to heavy fog. When I did finally get home, my luggage did not. You'd think with all that time waiting, the luggage would make it. *Sigh*. I'm just happy to be home! I don't think I will have to travel again for work until next April - hooray!

Now for a little eye candy - I've been holding this one back for a few weeks, not because I wanted to, I just didn't have time to sit and post...

In October I received a happy little package from my pal Monica. It always brings a smile to my face when I see unexpected packages from friends. I usually receive my mail in the afternoon and there is no better way to end a day than to see such happy packages in the mailbox. This one was no exception. I bring the package into my office and set it aside. Complete my work for the day and savor the fact that I have something neat to look forward to.

Then I tear into the sucker like I haven't had mail in months. Paints a pretty picture doesn't it? I'm usually alone so I can do it with reckless abandon and not worry about the sideways glances! I can squeal with delight and begin to imagine the possibilities!

In this package, I found a beautiful pincushion - lovingly created by Monica, it is pictured at the top of this post. What you can't see is the really cool tag that spells out 'Girl gone thread wild' in thread (of course). She had some listed in her Esty store, but it looks like they are sold out and I can see why. I LOVE mine!


And dolls, glorious dolls! See that cute little green one with the stamped body and hips just like mine?

How about the orange and black dolls with the cat face buttons? Cute overload!!! I have actually added beads to one of them and meant to send it out to a family member with an October birthday, but time got away from me. I will take photos of it and post it here at some point later and then send it on to it's intended recipient.

And last but certainly not least is the yellow doll with a wonderful face by Dottie Hoeschen. I love those faces - I just bought a couple more the other day. She does incredible work!

Here's a photo of the entire booty. I am a lucky, lucky girl!



I wanted to let you know too that I have many email messages/comments in my inbox that I am still sorting through. There are several that I want to follow up on - Sue and Timaree, I'm looking forward to reading the stories of your fathers. I also like to visit any blogs of folks that are new to post. I start to do that and find that I follow link after link and before I know it, an hour (or more) has passed and I still have not commented on the original blog I visited. There is just so much great stuff out there and never enough time in the day to see it all.

And one last note... did you notice my new badge in the upper right corner??? It's almost that time... for the One World One Heart annual giveaway. The brilliant idea was conceived by Lisa (Oceandreamer) and is one giant giveaway in which hundreds of bloggers participate.

It is SO much fun! A great way to get to know other artists as well as win some really neat items. I found many of the blogs I follow today through this event last year. If you get a chance, please click on the badge for more info. It doesn't happen until February, so there's plenty of time to prepare!

For those of us in the United States - we have Thanksgiving coming up this week. I have so much for which I am thankful. I'm doing my best to get another post or two up before the weeks end.

Tagged again... and out of town!

I was tagged by Lynn and I think someone else - sorry I can't remember . This is the third or fourth time I've been tagged. It seems everyone I know that blogs has already been tagged so I'll spare you all anymore tags.

I'm supposed to post 7 little known facts about me - Since I've done this before, how about a few items related to well known people.

1. I have held an official Superbowl ring in my hand. I was talking to Dave Butz (Washington Redskins) at the time and he was gracious in taking it off so we could examine and admire it.

2. The woman that handed me Dave's ring... Sharon Costner (mother of Kevin - yes that Kevin). I was involved in a conversation with Dave Butz, Sharon and Bill Costner. We were at a celebrity fund raiser (I think it was to benefit an Olympic team).

3. Many years ago, I went to the home of Erik Estrada in the Hollywood Hills. Him, his wife, my date and I were getting ready go to an outing together. He graciously let us use his pool house to get ready for our outing. In that pool house... is where he stored the motorcycle he used in CHiPs. There was no way for me to resist, I HAD to climb up on it and take my photo. I didn't tell him.

4. I've crossed paths with O.J. Simpson twice, once in Laguna Beach, CA and once in New York, both completely by accident.

5. I was filmed shotgun shooting in a show that aired on the History Channel, the show was titled - History's Mysteries - Amazon Women. In the show, they show a friend of mine shooting a shot gun for the first time.

Back to just me...

6. When I was 21, I collected my mail general delivery as I did not have an address. I also did not own a car and used the public bus system to get everywhere.

7. In 2000 I suffered from liver failure and was nearly killed by a simple medical procedure that was supposed to help diagnose the issue causing the liver failure, but instead caused acute pancreatitis. I spent 9 days in the hospital and was not properly diagnosed (with chronic hepatitis) for another year. In 2002 I went through weekly (self administered) interferon shots and daily anti-viral pills. I managed to beat the virus after 48 weeks of treatment.

So now that's out of the way... I'm out of town until October 29. I'm traveling to Oregon to see friends and to just relax! One of my plans while I'm there is to meet Lisa - another beader I've come to know through my blog... how fun is that?

I hope you all have a great week - see you when I get back!

Remembering Cindy...

Have you noticed the new Remembering Cindy button on the right side of my blog? ------>

I want people to know the effect this amazing woman had on many folks within the beading community. I didn't know Cindy long enough to call her a friend, I was very new to beading when I discovered the forum where she spent a good deal of her time sharing with other beaders. I did exchange a few email messages with her and in them she was so very encouraging ad I began my journey with beads. I was lucky enough to get one of the last copies of her book and did participate in the Mystery Image Challenge she started. It was my first piece of flat bead embroidery and is included in Panel 2. There are beautiful images of the panels in the shop and on Dulcey's blog.

Below is text taken directly from the blog of Dulcey Heller,

Cindy McCornack was a friend and mentor to beaders, in person and online. She lived in Alaska, but had friends all over the world through the online beading community, especially the Bead Art forum. Among the things she left for beaders was her book, Exploring Beaded Art Dolls, full of instructions, inspiration, and photographs of beaded art dolls that she and her friends created.

When Cindy was diagnosed with lung cancer, the Forum responded with flowers, gifts, support, and contributions. In thanks, Cindy began the Mystery Image Challenge. Inspired by the Mat-Su Valley Bead Society in Alaska, she cut an image into rectangles, emailed the rectangles to interested participants who were to bead the lines with black beads, and then embellish the rest of the rectangle. No one knew the finished image except for those who created the central face blocks: Cindy herself, Marya LeMieux-Ruibal, Mary Elter, and Rebekah Hodous.

Cindy died in 2005 of her cancer before being able to complete the project. Moderators of the Bead Art Forum have since completed assembling the Mystery Image Challenge. These four completed panels are now for sale in the Remembering Cindy Etsy shop. All profits after expenses will be donated to the American Lung Association in Cindy’s memory.

Also for sale in the shop are some of the dolls that were made for her during her battle with cancer. Her partner, John, gave them back to the Bead Art Forum for this purpose. There are also items that have been donated specifically for sale in Cindy’s memory. Those who would like their own small memory of Cindy’s Mystery Image Challenge can also purchase postcards of the four panels. Again, all profits after expenses will be donated to the American Lung Association.

Please visit the Remembering Cindy Etsy shop (she would have loved Etsy). The shop will be open through the end of 2008, closing in early 2009. Cindy is missed, and we want to help fight that disease that took her away from us, with funds from your purchases in the shop.

Thank you.

An art trade

I just finished a doll for a young friend out in Texas. I have not met her in person as yet, but she is a member of my extended family.

And I know her Uncle (my Mr.) thinks the world of her.

At only 10 years old Legacy is already an extremely talented painter. I have included just a small sampling of photos of her work throughout this post. I'm so excited about this trade!


Details on the doll... the mermaid form was made by oh sew wonderful Monica Magness and is about 6 inches tall, her face was made by very talented face artist Jen Martin.

(Click image for a larger view)
Her face is held in place by peyote stitch, I used two beautiful transparent amethyst luster leaf beads for her 'bra'. I added a 8mm light amethyst AB Swarovski crystal (margarita 3700) bead for her belly button and lots of peachy/yellow fresh water pearls for her 'scales'. Her fins on the front are decorated with size 12/0 dark turquoise beads mixed with size 15/0 metallic transparent violet AB seed beads.

On her back - I made my usual spiral on the back of her head for a nice base for 'hair'. Her 'scales' on the back are represented using vintage light turquoise sequins held in place by the same size 15/0 metallic transparent violet AB seed beads found in her fins. The bottom of her fins on the back are covered with size 15/0 teal beads.

Her 'arms' are 3 strands of beads with two ending with a drop bead and one strand ending with a purple pressed glass triangle bead. Then there is her hair... my very favorite part of beading a doll is the hair. It really isn't anything special - stitch wise, it's a basic fringe stitch. I try to incorporate all the colors used in the doll in the seeds beads used for the hair and end each fringe strand with a larger bead. In this one I added a few shell beads as well for texture, and, well because - don't all mermaids have shells in their hair?

I have not named her, I thought her new owner would like the honor of doing that.

Legacy... you just keep getting better and better! I hope you like your doll.

Kitten update

(April 16 - birthday - photos are clickable for a larger view)
My precious little kitten is 19 weeks old now... oh they grow up so fast! Several people have asked me how he and the mama kitty are doing, so I thought it time for an update.

(19 weeks old)
First - we changed his name. Originally we called him Jet, but it just didn't seem to fit - his name now is Mocha. I call him Mocha Java among many other cutsie little names that no one should use as an adult - I just can't help myself. Because of the lighting in this photo he looks more white than is true, he's actually getting browner every day.

Mama kitty came to us named Heidi, we have since changed it to Katrina because she does resemble a hurricane a bit in her ability to clear a room just by getting close to it.

(March 2008)
When she first came to us, she had been shaved - we were told she was flea ridden and very matted, she looked pitiful!

She now has the most beautiful thick soft coat. She becomes sweeter every day and it's such a pleasure to watch her become acclimated to her new home.

She has been the best mom and a joy to witness with her baby, but she did go into heat twice before the kitten was 8 weeks old. So, we took her in to be spayed when Mocha was 8-9 weeks old. She was still lactating when we took her in but within about a week her milk dried up. After her recovery from surgery and she was reunited with her kitten, he kept trying and trying to nurse. We kept stopping it, but once we understood it wouldn't hurt her we let nature takes its course. He STILL tries to nurse, especially when he's tired. Mama is mostly tolerant and lets him, but he's now almost as big as her and she's finally protesting when he tries it - although I did manage to snap a photo of them yesterday when he was at it again.

Are you thinking pink?

(Top card in photo by Freebird, isn't it wonderful?!)

Yet? Still? I know I AM!

Anyway, I wanted to show another runner up item I have donated for the Pink Artist Project.

Not too long ago I answered a call for artists from Mother Henna for an Inspiration & Healing deck of cards. The project guidelines requested 2 pieces of art in your chosen medium from 16 artists which would be made into cards.

Each participant received 2 decks of cards for their participation. I'm thought I'd share the beauty and offer up my second deck of cards for the Love Squared drawing and let me just say... they are magnificent. Here I have displayed just a couple of the many wonderful images found on these cards. I wanted to show the backs too with a wonderful image by Mother Henna. Many of the participants are names you might even recognize from visiting their blogs :-)

Please check out Mother Henna's blog if you are interested in reading more details on that collaboration.

In the meantime, have you purchased your chances to win the fair Lady?

Celebration winner...

is Noel... of A Muzeing Journey. Congratulations Noel! I know you will put the kit to good use and turn it into something beautiful. I will get it out in the mail by the end of the week.

Thanks again to everyone that participated in this drawing and to those that have followed my blog over the last year. I am thankful for the support and the inspiration you provide with your comments.

In other news - when I returned from my trip to Kentucky, I came hope to an extremely thoughtful gift and wonderful surprise from my friend Kathy Wagner of Kathy's Quilts.


Some beautiful fabrics


And matching beads and thread.

I appreciate it so much Kathy, these are some of my very favorite colors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You made my day... my week!

More good news - I finished beading my doll for the 2009 BFAC auction. At times, I never thought I'd finish her - I'll hope to post photos in the next few days - once I am able to set aside some time to get the images ready.

Now on to the remaining 3 months of the Bead Journal Project - I'm looking forward to finishing up, I have ideas for the last 3 pages and am already mulling over ideas for the next year of pages.

On things unrelated to beading...I spent some time at my son's house this past week, my grandson is playing soccer and baseball so I try to make it to as many games as my work schedule will allow. I enjoy being a spectator and interacting with the kids which are 7-9 years old.

While at my son's earlier this week he showed me his latest Wii purchase - The Wii Fit. It is a BLAST. Exercise hasn't been that much fun in ages!


The kitten is growing like a weed and is cuter every day. It has the most adorable gumdrop nose. It runs, jumps and tries it's best to be quite ferocious - to no avail, it just makes us laugh. We still have not figured out it it's a male or female

It will be 6 weeks old tomorrow night and is such a delight to watch, I could spend hours just watching it play - such a zest for life in that little body. That baby can be running one minute and fall fast asleep in the next minute. Oh, to be young and carefree.

A celebration...

In honor of a year of blogging and passing the 150 post milestone, I put together a bead embroidery cuff kit. Following are close up photos of each of the items shown above.

a 6 inch brass cuff blank and a spool of thread

Pellon Peltex as the stabilizer to bead upon

and Ultrasuede to back it.

A few small focal beads


Size 11/0 green seed beads


pink charlottes


size 11/0 triangles that reflect beautiful colors


size 11/0 pink lined seeds


green pearls


transparent pink seeds size 11/0


green seeds in 8/0 and 6/0


pink drops


8/0 hex beads


pink fire polished


satiny celery hex beads


pink Swarovski butterfly


small green bugles


burgundy size 15/0

Do you think you can make it work as a cuff? Use some, use them all - whatever suits you. If you would like to have the kit, please leave a comment here, if you don't have a blog - please leave a link or an email address as a way to contact you in the event you win. All comments posted through midnight (Eastern time) May 25 will be eligible. I'll announce the winner on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day here in the US).

I also wanted to thank some special folks - those of you that have consistently left comments and have encouraged me (whether you realized it or not). I tried to track (added them up) comments made on my blog, the folks that commented most consistently to date:

(77) Monica
(67) KV ***
(44) Helene ***
(32) Freebird ***
(29) Dot
(28) Tammy
(25) Beadbabe ***
(24) Phyl

Thank you ladies so much, you inspire me! My hope is to send each of you a little something via regular mail. Those names in bold - I need your mailing address. Please contact me via email (through my profile here) so I can get your address.

Winner!

I picked the name for Spring doll/sachet drawing. Tammy, I thought of you as I did it - it would NOT have made a good video as I as multi tasking. I was on a conference call when I pulled the name. Picture headset in place, reading glasses, hair in pony tail, wearing sweats (not terribly presentable). The things one has to resort to without enough hours in the day!

Anyway... the important stuff - the winner is...

MONICA - from Girl Gone Thread Wild.

Monica, I'm so pleased you finally won something - it seems you've entered just about every drawing I have had with this being your first win. Congratulations! I know you've been working hard on our doll (Love Squared), you deserve a break and a little treat!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated. I hope to have another drawing in the not too distant future.

Happy Spring!

I have been very lucky in the last several weeks, incredibly lucky - I think it's time to give back again... don't you?

Up for grabs is this cute little altered child. This is a kit I won on Pat Winter's blog - she offers these kits as well as other wonderful items in her Etsy shop. They are fun to work with and they smell heavenly. In addition to the items Pat included in the kit - I added a vintage celluloid flower basket charm, this little one looked to me as though she would love to carry a basket of flowers.


She is just over 3 inches tall and is stuffed with Lavender - so she is very aromatic. Would you like to call her yours? If so, leave a comment here with a link back to your blog or website. If you do not have a blog or website - you can send me an email through my profile and I will add your name to the 'hat'. I will close the post for comments on Wednesday March 26, midnight eastern time and will draw the name the following day.

I'd love to say I'm celebrating spring here in Northeastern Indiana, but we are under another winter storm watch, from the weather website...

SNOW IS EXPECTED TO DEVELOP NEAR LAKE MICHIGAN DURING THE EARLY MORNING FRIDAY. AS THE SYSTEM CONTINUES TO MOVE EAST...THE AREA OF SNOW WILL EXPAND...AND SPREAD EAST DURING THE DAY FRIDAY. BY 8 AM EDT / 7 AM CDT SATURDAY...POSSIBLE SNOW ACCUMULATION WILL RANGE FROM 4 TO 8 INCHES...WITH THE HEAVIEST SNOW ALONG THE INDIANA/MICHIGAN BORDER.

I am sooooooo ready for spring!

Winners...

That's right - winners, plural.

First, I'm a winner (and a grateful one at that). Before I threw all the names in a hat for the drawing, I discovered a surprise in the mail for me. I received a beautiful crocheted bag from Phyllis. Phyl, I want you to know I LOVE the colors.


Take a look at this wonderful button.


And the inside is just as beautiful!

Thank you so much for the unexpected surprise, I appreciate it more than I can articulate.

Now, for the winner of the beaded doll kit ... it's KATIE! A big thank you to all of you for participating. Check back, I'll have another giveaway within the next week or so.

*Note to Tammy, I tried to videotape it just for you - and I had a little technical difficulty. Maybe next time.

Have a wonderful week!

Life (and mail) is so good...

I am thankful for yet another wonderful week of connections via this blog, the web and the wonderful items sent to me from friends near and far.

First up... I won a drawing over at Clevelandgirlie's blog, a beautiful little quilt that defies description. I don't sew - I am in awe, it is amazing - just look at the detail on this piece.

The sunflower - can you see the beads in the middle?

The cat

and the crow...


And the other goodies she included (as if the quilt wasn't enough).

a hand painted cards, beads and charms


And that's not all!!!

I won another drawing recently for one of Cinda's groovy denim bracelets. It not only looks good, it smells good too!

And would you look at the embroidering she added... how sweet is that?


Now last, but certainly not least... a box arrived yesterday stuffed full of wonderful smelling products from Sue at OldTimer & Lily. This is another drawing I entered and was lucky enough to win (I know - it's an embarrassment of riches). I was treated to some amazing luxury soaps as well as some wonderful body lotion, face cream, sugar scrub, cocoa butter & milk bath and healing body butter. I can't say enough about the fragrances - they are clean smelling and not too heavy, just the way I like them. If I didn't convey the message clearly yet, let me say it again... A M A Z I N G!!! I'm a little embarrassed to admit that I was so excited to try the products - I didn't stop long enough to take a photo.