THANK YOU, Thank You, thank you!

I was hoping to get back to the Bead Soup blog list and finish reading all the reveals, but it just "ain't gonna happen". Thanks to all who visited this blog, #95, in the middle of the list and thanks especially to those who commented and added to my followers list.

I did this with my mom (#96) who had a blast! We both were pushed outside our comfort zones and challenged to produce something completely different from our usual pursuits.

So, life goes on.

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My Applique block for our Raffle Quilt 2008

This week I will be going on a four day quilt guild retreat. This involves hanging out with my creative sisters of the thread: sewing, quilting, laughing, eating, and laughing and eating some more. This is a time for me to "fill the well". I do not get to quilt much between retreats and so this is my only dedicated creative time. I will also be taking on an office in the guild, president.

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I know . . . "What was I thinking?"

One of my Retreat Quilts -- the top was started and finished in 4 days.

I have been part of this guild for 16 years and it is my turn to serve. I know there is a really short and effective word I could have said, but I could not seem to make it come out of my mouth. The guild has been my sanity and my support through my personal trials these last few years and I love the members as sisters.

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This retreat I am looking forwards to working with Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts inspired designs. I am quite taken my the works of Margaret MacDonald and her husband Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Maybe I will end up with some Mackintosh Roses similar to these:

What do you do to "fill the well"?

Do you have a community of like-minded artists you "escape and create" with?

Do you have a dedicated creative time?

Color Challenge Blog Hop

Erin Prais-Hintz over at Treasures Found is having a blog hop! We all signed up for a challenge to make a necklace with colors inspired by Paint Store Color Chips. I got these:

The names of the colors are Jaunty Red, Perfect Harmony, Worn Sail (cream), and Bauhaus Gold.

As a matter of fact, I told my mom about the challenge and she said she wanted to "play" too, so I cut my sample in two and gave her half. Check out her blog too.

So, you want to see wha t I did for my challenge? I Love the colors and was thoroughly taken by them -- even my opening photo (top) shows my inspiration: the Jaunty Red berries of our Yaupon holly bush. The coral and fancy jasper work in Perfect Harmony with the Bauhaus Gold of the faceted citrine. (Sorry, I just couldn't work in the Worn Sail, oh, wait -- I just did!)

Jaunty Red Berries

I was also inspired by two of my favorite Etsy designers: Liz Martin at Mostly Details who sent me a batch of beautiful orphan lampwork beads including these three in the perfect colors and Lynn Davis at LynnDavis who gave me the gorgeous pewter connector some time ago. It was waiting for just the right project.

What do you think?? Leave a comment for a random drawing (deadline Midnight Sunday December 5th). The winner will receive something special from me, just for you.

Here's the list of the rest of the incredibly talented Jewelry Artists who are participating in the challenge.

Now, HOP ALONG!

Alice Peterson
Amy Freeland
Beth McCord
Brandi Hussey
Cary Scholes
Catherine Pruitt
Cindy Wimmer
Claire Maunsell
Cory Tompkins
Courtney Breul
Cristi Clothier
Cynthia Riggs
Emanda Johnson (X You are Here)

Sandy Richardson (Emanda's Mom -- unofficial hopper)
Erin Prais-Hintz
Holly Westfall
Janea McDonald
Jeannie Dukic
Jennifer Cameron
Judy Campbell
Karyn White
Keirsten Giles
Kelly Morgan
Kristie Roeder
Kristin Stevens
Lisa Godfrey
Lisa Tracy
Lori Anderson
Mallory Hoffman
Marie Voyer-Cramp
Mary McGraw
Nicole Keller
Nicole Valentine
Paige Maxim
Patty Gasparino
Rebecca Anderson
Renate Stark-Krammer
Rita Parra
Shannon Chomanczuk
Sheila Summers
Stefanie Teufel
Yelisa Rojas