On the personal front...

Today was a big day in our house.  Bright and early my girls had appointments at the same time to go to the orthodontist.   Samantha has had braces for a little over a year and a half, and today she got them off!!!  Her smile is bright, straight, and beautiful.

 

While she was getting her hardware off, Sara was getting hers on!  Done with one, and on to another.  Sara has a lot of work ahead of her because she sucked her thumb until she was almost 6.  We tried to get her to stop.  Really we did!  Sara first had a palate spreader put in.  This is an awful contraption that goes across the roof of her mouth.  We had to use a little wire to turn the "key" on her palate spreader, which did exactly that...spread her palate.  Today she got her top 4 teeth bracketed.  In a couple months she'll get the palate spreader out and a tongue crib in.  This is another contraption that will "retrain" her tongue movements, because her tongue goes into the gap between her top and lower teeth, which keeps them from growing in properly.  Then when her front 4 teeth are straight she'll get a retainer.  THEN when she's about 12 she'll get her full set of regular braces.  ugh!  Lots of work to be done here, but it will be so worth it in the end.  Here's a pic of Sara just getting started with her braces today...

There's my morning, and there's my girls and the story of their teeth.  lol.  Fascinating, no?

Beads, beads, oh glorious beads!!!!  :)  I have THREE orders on their way to me in the mail.  Waiting on pins and needles to get them in.  I've got some good stuff coming up!!!

Tucson Gem and Jewelry Show...2012

Have you been reading about people who are lucky enough to go the Gem Show in Tucson this year?  I've been envious of all the things they will get to see and all the classes they will get to take.  But (heavy sigh) it hasn't been in my cards.  So I got very excited when I was told about a new sweepstakes being offered by Artbeads.com.  They are giving away a trip for two with 3 days accommodations and classes and good stuff for next year's show!  I entered right away.  That would be sooo much fun.  So, I am sharing the info and link with you so you can enter, too.  Good luck!!! 

Click here to enter.

Made some quick and easies

I have some beautimous things coming up, but I'm not ready to post them just yet.  Stayed tuned for that!!!!!
Today I rediscovered Stretch Magic.  Have you used Stretch Magic before?  Very fun product.  But you have to know the trick.  The first time I bought this product years ago I didn't know "the trick".  Nope.  My knots would come undone immediately and whatever I strung on them would fall right apart.  I got so frustrated I gave up and didn't touch it again.  Until today.  It came about because my daughter, Samantha, has a bracelet that is stretchy with skull beads that was a gift to her from a friend in Finland.  So it is a special bracelet for her.  BUT a couple months ago it got twisted and tangled and could not be undone.  Of course she came to the bead lady who is conveniently mom and asked to have it fixed.

So it sat for a while.  And sat some more.  Until today.

What's "the trick" to Stretch Magic?  Glue!  You have to put a dab of glue on the knot!!!  'doh!  Why didn't I think of something so simple?  Isn't it so true how the simplest things can escape you?  The glue of choice from many out there is GS Hypo Cement.  It has a super-fine applicator and is supposed to be the bee's knees.  Unfortunately, I'm not patient enough to wait for something to be shipped from online right now, and my local craft stores don't carry it.  So I used Super Glue LocTite Control Gel.  I have to say that it has worked pretty good!  It has a good applicator, dries quickly and leaves no mess.

After I remade Sami's skull bracelet, which got me a big smile, a "thank you mommy" and a voluntary hug, I was ready to try some more!  I looked through my little stash and found a few things to work with.  First, I found some leftover beads from a past project and made little Sara a bracelet.  The bright blues and greens are so cheery and fun...just like her!  It's a touch big on her wrist, but I intended it that way because she's only 9 and still has lots of growing to do.  Here is Sara's bracelet...

After I did Sara's, I was still super-excited about this quick, easy and fun product, so I did some more.  Here's what was next:

I just looove this one!  I think it looks really great considering how simple it was to do.  And then finally I did this one:

The photos were taken inside, so the colors did not show up well.  The main color is amethyst.  A little bit of shades of pink.  The big beads are ceramic and the heart is a Swarovski to add a hint of sparkle.  The funny thing with this one was that I totally intended it to be symmetrical all the way around.  I got it done and it was too long.  Then I took some off and restrung.  I finished it, put on the glue, let it sit for a few seconds and pulled the knot.  Too soon!!!  It came undone and most of the beads came off.  I lined up the beads again and strung them on, finished it again.  Glued the knot once, let it dry.  Glued the knot again, let it dry.  I set it down to take a look and realized the patterns are totally off.  lol.  I guess this bracelet had a mind of its own and decided it was going to be an asymmetrical style.  That's ok.  It works, too.

On a personal note...I am very proud of my son, Tyler.  He has been on his new job for a few days now.  We worked VERY hard in a job search for him.  We went driving just about every day to any place we could think of to pick up applications, come home, fill them out, go out the next day and drop them off.  Days of picking up.  Days of dropping off.  Days of following up.  It lasted about 5 or 6 weeks of that.  And finally the perseverance paid off.  He now works for WalMart in the Tire Center.  Way to go Tyler!  Also, his girlfriend Michelle was told at her interview on Monday that she will most likely get the job and that they just have to check her references!  Woo Hoo!!!  It will be so nice for them to be getting paychecks and to start saving some money.  Then they won't be living in my family room forever!  lol 

Now we just have to wait for the Union to call Jeff and put him back to work.  I love my husband, but when he's home all the time I think we drive each other just a little bit crazy.  lol.  Nah...he's a good hubby.  I love having him around.  Actually, he's been oh so very helpful to me with the kids and stuff.  I've been so terribly exhausted lately and he has really come to my rescue.  I love my man!  But please do put out some positive energy for Jeff to get back to work as soon as possible. 

Ok.  That's it for now, but remember...I have some really pretty things coming up soon so stay tuned!

Holiday update and a new BJP year!

 Happy New Year to all of you!  I hope that you all had a marvelous holiday season.  For me, it was exhausting, but it was really good nonetheless.  First, my oldest baby and his girlfriend, Michelle, moved in with us.  Now we have a family of 7 in a 3 bedroom house.  Tyler and Michelle have been assigned to the sectional sofa in the living room.  Unfortunately, there are no extra beds or rooms other than that.  At least they have a roof over their heads, are getting good meals and aren't freezing out there.  Here's a pic of Ty and Michelle:

Tyler and his girlfriend, Michelle.

They are both searching hard for work, but this is an awful time of year to be looking for a job.  Everyone is telling them "middle to end of January."  Please keep good thoughts, prayers, whatever it is that you do for these kids so they can get on their feet.

Getting ready for the holidays was hectic.  I was the designated cookie maker for the family get-togethers this year.  I had big plans of making several dozen of 4 different kinds of cookies.  But, *sigh* I only made 3 kinds.  Well, I only made two.  Michelle had been wanting to make cookies, too, so she and Sara teamed up to make the chocolate chips.  They turned out great!

Sara and Michelle baking cookies for Christmas

Then, during the week before Christmas, my best friend from high school (who I haven't seen in 22 years!!!) came to Phoenix and stayed with us for a few days!  It was so much fun to get to know her again, talk, get caught up, etc.  I felt bad because my house and lifestyle is not very exciting, so I didn't really know what to do to entertain.  One day we took a car trip in a big circle through the different areas around Scottsdale, and we had a great lunch at a place called Island's.  Oh my, do they have the best dang burgers on the planet!!!!  We had a very nice time together, and it better not be another 22 years until I see her again!!!  We had lost touch just up until a few months ago, and she tracked me down through Facebook.  The wonders of modern technology!  Now I know how to reach her, and I vow not to lose track of her again!!!

Angela!

Of course, the kids all got just about everything they wanted for Christmas.  I know we spoil them.  But they are only kids for a short while.  Does anyone remember my computer that crashed and died on me a few months back?  Well, we had the hard drive wiped clean and had windows reloaded on it.  The kids got that for their room for Christmas, and they were sooooo excited!  We got a wireless adapter thingy and I got them hooked up to the internet, and they couldn't be happier.  They have very tight restrictions on where they can go and what they can do, but they haven't argued one bit about it.  Right now they are having a lot of fun on a website called "Club Penguin".  Keeps them busy!

Sara and Matthew

Unfortunately, I didn't have much opportunity to get photos of Sami during the week of Christmas.  One of her very good friends that moved away to Arkansas came in town to visit her dad, and Sami was invited over to their house for a few days.  She had a great time visiting with Lejend, and I'm happy that even though she has moved away that they have stayed in touch.  Unlike me and Angela when I moved away!

Oh!  And I nearly forgot!  The other morning there was a knock at the door.  I got up to go answer it, and I was a little irritated.  I was sure it was going to be yet another salesman wanting to fix my windshield.  We get LOTS of different types of door-to-door salesmen, but especially ones who want to fix my windshield.  So I opened the door with a scowl on my face...and I couldn't believe it!  Unannounced all the way to Scottsdale, AZ from Denver was my parents!!!!  They didn't tell us they were coming, so we were all shocked, and happy and surprised.  We had a nice few days visiting with them.  Pop took the little ones hiking up Camelback Mountain, and for the first time ever they made it to the top!!!  Me and mom looked at each other's bead work, oohed and ahhhed, and I showed her how to do a couple stitches.  Years ago I got her into some heavy duty scrapbooking, now I have gotten her into beading.  lol  Like mother, like daughter. (Notice, the wall behind them is also Sara's Art Wall. :)

Mom and Pop

Bead Journal Project 2011

OK!  Now on to the beads!!!  I did not finish last year's project.  I think I only got through June.  The reason is that my carpal tunnel has gotten so bad that I can no longer do bead embroidery.  My hands hurt up to my elbows within about 5 minutes, and it is just too painful and frustrating.  So this year I am going to do something different.  I know that 99% of the people in the BJP do bead embroidery, so I hope my ideas can still be appreciated even though they are not the norm.  My goal this year is to learn a new type of bead weaving stitch or method or idea every month for the next year to expand my knowledge of beads and to find as many ways of expressing myself through beads as I can...that doesn't hurt my hands.

Each month I will make a necklace and bracelet set.  This month I chose to do wire crochet.  I was surprised at how fast they worked up!  I chose 4 different types of beads.  There was a czech glass green square, a Czech glass maple leaf in cobalt luster, a pearlized glass garnet nugget and a copper-ish serpentine glass square.  I used 26g silver craft wire and a simple, plain silver toggle for the closures.

I was pretty pleased with how it turned out.  I call it "Joyful Chaos", which describes my last few months of 2010.  There were a lot of happy things going on, such as my son coming home and Angela coming to visit, but it was also very chaotic and stressful at the same time.  Here are some pics for you to see.

(Just a note...the silver chain at the top is not part of the necklace...that is Michelle's chain that she already had on.)

And a close-up...

Here's the bracelet, and I also made a matching wire-wrapped ring in 20g silver parawire.

I didn't post anything for New Year's.  I think because I convinced myself I had to come up with something profound to say.  But I had nothing.  I just want to say that I appreciate all of you.  So many of you have become personal friends in 2010, and I hope to become friends with many more of you in 2011.  May all of you have a blessed, happy, healthy and prosperous 2011!!!

Nicole's Bead Backing

I have recently received a new "must have" item in the mail from Nicole Campanella.  If you haven't been introduced to Nicole yet, she is an extremely talented bead artist and author.  In addition to many step by steps featured in quite a lot of publications, she has also written her own books.  You really must visit some of her websites to see more about her (I'll put her links in at the end of the post.)

But what I want to tell you about today is a great product called "Nicole's Bead Backing".  If you have been a follower of my blog over the past year plus, you may have heard me tout the virtues of interleaving.  Well let me tell you...this Bead Backing is a great product to have.  It totally eliminates the need for fabric and other backings for stabilization.  It is stiff but not hard, easy to bead through, and can be cut to any shape you want with no fraying of the edges...it stays exactly as you cut it.  And I double checked...it is also acid-free so it won't eat up your threads.  This is what her insert says:

"Use each piece as is or cut to size.  Superior texture and thickness for flat beadwork, applique, or gluing on cabochons, glass beads, stones, shell and other natural materials.  Bead Backing is also perfect for sewing or gluing on ribbon, lace, or floss to add to your beading designs.  Use beading supplies and any beading technique you desire."

Multi-color packs

Newest color added

And I couldn't say it better in my own words.  This product is great for bead embroidery!  It comes in 14 or 15 different colors...I think the original package came in 14 colors, but she now has a light camel color as well.  You can buy a sample kit of all the colors that come in sizes of approximately 4"x4", and some are a little bigger.  You can also buy half sheets of all the colors that are 9"x6".  And now you can also order the newest color in 12"x9" sheets.  I love the new color because it is so neutral and can go with so many colors and types of beads.

I would really recommend trying Nicole's Bead Backing.  I think you will really love working with it!  To see more about Nicole, her work and shops here are her links:

www.nicolecampanella.com
www.beadwright.etsy.com
www.beadwright.artfire.com
www.beadwright.blogspot.com

Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your Bead Backing with me!  I will definitely be using it, and I hope you all give it a try, too!!!

Free Gift Cards!

Did you hear about what Artbeads.com is doing?  They are giving away 10,000...yes, I said 10,000 free $10 gift cards before Christmas!!!

All you have to do is send in the email address for 10 friends who you would like to have win one.  I know I'm going to enter in 10 friends to win.  So, make your list, check it twice and click here to send in their names.  Your lists must be in to them by December 22 so they can mail them out before Christmas.  Better get busy!!! 

Joy in the Mail

Blogging is more than just writing down words and posting pictures.  It is also about making friends, connections that would not otherwise be if it were not for this wonderful blogging world.  If you have followed my blog at all over this past year plus, you will know that I am the biggest fan of Lynn at Beading Heart Art.  I am so thrilled that she and I have become friends, sharing life experiences with each other and passing love and hugs back and forth through our email.  Before we became friends, though, I just sat in awe at her work, waiting for each post she made with scrumptious new photos.  She does the most amazing bead work, and I am constantly in wonderment at the art she creates.  I have never seen such precision, such detail, as I see with her work.  She makes it look so effortless, but hers is the mark I strive for. 

So along comes the mail truck and I went outside to bring it in.  There was a box for my little Sara.  Her birthday is this week...she's going to be 9!!!!  And she got a package from Grandma and Grandpa.  She will be happy.  I think I'll hide it from her until her birthday comes.  And there was a package for me.  An unassuming video sized box with my name on it.  And the return name was Lynn's!!!

I tore into the box.  I am not one for neatness when it comes to packages, saving the wrapping for another day.  Nope.  I dive right in!  The first thing was that a flurry of irridescent flower-shaped sequins fell into my lap on the front patio.  lol.  I think I missed a few picking them up.  In my head, of course, I'm wondering what beading project these will next be seen in.  I have a love of interesting and pretty sequins.  I don't think Lynn knew that...but the sprinkle of flowers made me smile right away. 

I unwrapped the gift and in my hands was a post-it note holder.  Doesn't sound exciting?  Well, let me tell you...you may have never seen one of Lynn's post-it note holders!  The outside cover is a luscious deep blue velvet...just perfect for my screen name, Indigo.  I loooove those deep blues.  On the cover was the most interesting beaded flower I've seen.  I have no idea how she made it with such a 3-dimensional look to it.  I think it might be the Tuscarora technique she used to write about, and then it looks like a second layer stitched on top, but I could be wrong.  I just know that it's stunning!  Take a look...

 

 And here it is from a side view so you can see the dimension...

The inside is a beautifully coordinated floral fabric, with a note just for me.  I am going to post the note where I can see it and give myself a smile each time I pass it.

Lynn spent time on the back, too.  If you look at her work, there is always something interesting to see from all the angles, and this note-holder was no exception.  Here is the zipper stitch she did around the back with a little detail in the corner.  Oh, and I forgot to say that the covers are sturdy, perfect for long-lasting use.

I looked around and around the edges in amazement.  She finished the edges in an unassuming picot stitch.  But what I marveled at was that every stitch was perfectly spaced and placed just so.  I so envy her abilities at precision.

There was also a little scroll in the box with a ribbon tied around it.  I opened that up last, and she sent me a beautiful hand-written note.  In this day and age of high speed internet, I think we sometimes forget how much more meaning a hand-written note carries with it.

This may be "just" a post-it note holder to some, but to me it is a work of art.  More than that, though, is that it was a gift from the heart from someone I consider to be a dear friend, and for that I will always treasure it.

If you haven't been to Lynn's blog, Beading Heart Art, you really should go there and click through all her postings and see all of the divine art work she has done.  You will surely be inspired.

Bead Journal Project 2011 and a New AMC Show

I have made the big decision to join the Bead Journal Project for another year.  Last year I only finished I think 6 months of projects.  It started out very well, but I chose a very ambitious size of 5"x7".  My carpal tunnel got so bad it was to the point that I could no longer do bead embroidery, even for 5 or 10 minutes at a time.  At that rate it would take several months for me to finish just one project.  I was very frustrated because I was enjoying being a part of the group so much.  When the call came out for the new registration I thought to myself that there's just no way I can do it.  And I ignored all the posts on the blogs and Facebook to join.  I was sad.  I really wanted to join.  So then I thought, I can beat this!  I'm not going to give in to carpal tunnel!  I just have to get creative, right?  I mean, there's nothing in the rules that says it has to be bead embroidery does it?  I just have to think of some other format of beads that I can express myself with each month that won't be so taxing on my hands.  So tonight I made a leap of faith in myself that I can overcome and I joined the 2011 Bead Journal Project.

Here is my call to all of you.  Have you joined the 2011 BJP yet?  There is still time!  Registration doesn't close until December 8th.  For those of you out there who think that you can't or aren't good enough...this is not a competition!  This is self expression, and all the work is beautiful and done just the way it was supposed to be.  If you would like to learn how to do bead embroidery but don't know how, I have started a series on how to do bead embroidery with step by step instructions on different stitches on my Videojug pages.  There are videos along with text, and of course if you have any questions you can always ask me.  Do you have any friends who might want to learn how to do this?  Send them to my video links...they're very easy to follow.  Don't want to learn bead embroidery?  Well, I'm not doing it this year, so think of some other creative form of beading for personal expression.  After all, the rules say that they just need to have beads.

Some main characters: dad, Rick; mom, Lori; son, Carl.

And now, I am off to watch our family's favorite new drama series on the AMC channel, "The Walking Dead".  Haven't heard of it?  It's about zombies!!!  My son Matthew especially loves zombies.  The show is very well done, great special effects and the story line is suspenseful.  If you have not seen this show, you really should check it out.  I think they show repeats on Sundays to get people caught up, with a new episode also airing Sunday nights and repeats of the new show throughout the week.  The kids are not allowed to stay up late on school nights, so they get to watch the new show repeats on Friday nights.

Sara's Dress & Ring

Hi, all.  Did you have a good Thanksgiving for those of you in the states?  We did.  As a matter of fact, I am cooking a turkey dinner right now.  We always go to relative's house for dinner, and I never have leftovers for turkey sammies.  I just didn't want that again this year, so we are having our own 2nd Thanksgiving dinner at home.  The kids are starving and the house is smelling pretty good, so tummies are grumbling.

Sara picked out a sparkly red dress that she just had to have for the holidays this year.  I was thinking something practical that she could also wear to school, but no.  She saw that dress and I could not get her to look at anything else!  So I caved in and bought her the impractical but pretty sparkly red dress.  And, of course, the shoes to go with it because white sneakers with hot pink laces just would not do.

She wore the dress the first time on Thursday, and will wear it again for Christmas.  Then, I got my order in the mail from Bello Modo.  Usually they put a free little goody in the package, and guess what I got? Three 4mm Swarovski bicones in green, white and red.  So guess what I did with it.  I made Sara a Christmas ring to go with her sparkly red dress for Christmas next month.  She really loves it.  Here are some pics...

Sara in her new red dress...

And here is her Christmas ring...

lol...she's been painting with watercolors all day...can you see the paint still in her fingers even though she washed them?

Anyhow, there's her ring.  I'm getting better at wrapping them and getting the sizing right.  Sara's turned out to be the exact size I was shooting for, and I was very happy about that.  What do you think of it?  It's much daintier than the other ones I did.  We both like it.  I'm thinking about making more with the 4mm bicones.  What do you think?

Pilgrim Hats

Ok, I did my mommy time with Sara tonight and made yummy pilgrim hats.  I got the idea off Facebook that my step-brother posted.  Of course, the professionals do it so much neater, but an 8 year old does it better!  That's what I say anyways.  The store did not have yellow frosting in a little tube for the hat buckles, so we substituted white.  So instead of brass or gold or whatever yellowish metal it was that they used...we'll just pretend they used silver instead.  Works for me!

What we did was melt some chocolate chips over a double boiler (but I don't have a double boiler so it was a pot and a metal bowl--works!).  While they're melting you put out Keebler Fudge Stripes cookies, bottom side up.  When the chocolate is all melted and stirred smooth you get a toothpick in each hand.  Put a large marshmallow in the chocolate and swirl it around to get it coated.  Poke the top of the marshmallow with one toothpick so you can pick it up and put it in the center of a cookie.  Use the other toothpick to hold the marshmallow down while you take out the first toothpick.  Then smooth out the chocolate on top.  When you're all done with the marshmallows, put the pan in the fridge to chill the chocolate back up.  Take them back out in a few minutes and then draw little icing squares on the fronts for the buckles.

Sara had a good time, as I'm sure any kid would have a good time playing with marshmallows and chocolate!  Cute, easy, fun idea.  Now we have something for all the kids to munch on tomorrow at our family's house.  lol  Not that there won't be enough...but this is KID stuff, after all.  May be too late for you to do it this year, but keep it in mind for next year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!  May yours be filled with love and laughter...and good eats.