Treasuries!

One of the things I love about Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Swaps is the community that it builds. Yesterday I had a pair of earrings in a Treasury, now I have pair of Vampire Vamp Wings included in a Treasury inspired by "things with wings". What fun! And my piece is next to my former swap buddy's Lynne Bowland of Island Girl Aztec Lovebird


The curator of this particular Treasury is Heidi of Expostfacto. Check out her shop!

My Bead Soup Partner, Angela May, has received her package from me and has blogged about it here -- I think she likes is!

Look what I got in the Mail (and email)!

I have been emailing back and forth with my Bead Soup Partner, Angela May at Lady Hawthorne about our bead soups. We were both having a bit of a time getting it together and, come to find out, our soups crossed in the mail. I have not heard whether she has received hers from me yet, so I will not show what I sent, but I will say that the color scheme of what I received is very similar to what I sent. Yes, we do have a lot in common -- maybe we are telepathic too, who knows!

Here is a close-up of that gorgeous stone bead -- this digital images does not do it justice! Crack quartz, glass and Czech beads with silver end caps and a lovely filigree clasp. I cannot wait to begin designing in my head. I already have some ideas.

Also, there has been a flurry of activity on the Bead Soup yahoo Group with several of the participants making Etsy Treasuries. Here is one by Hope Smitherman of CraftyHope where my amber and honey quartz earrings have been featured. I just LOVE that! (click on the image to enlarge)


Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Hop has a reveal date of September 17th, so go on over to her blog and check out the list of over 360 participant's blogs.

Other than that, I have been busy trying to prepare for next weekend's four day Quilt Retreat. I usually end up bring almost everything but the kitchen sink, but I am trying to pare it down this time. We shall see if I succeed.

Bead Soup Teaser #1

I uploaded a photo of the lovelies I sent to my Bead Soup partner, Angela May at Canterbury Cottage and then whiled away the better part of an hour playing with photo effects on Picnik. I cannot wait to see what Angela does with them. More sneaks to come . . . stay tuned

I have been looking forward to this day for a while, . . .
The list is out and I know who my Bead Soup Blog partner is. It is Angela May (a.k.a Lady Hawthorne). She has a lovely blog called Canterbury Cottage. It looks as though we have some of the same interests and we are both Texans.Stay tuned to see what we get up to in the next few weeks.

There's an App for that

In 1991 Hersey's had a Valentine's promotion where you could send chocolates and tulips to your sweetheart. My husband and I were to be married just two months later and we were separated by half a state, so I did it. I sent him chocolates and tulips. The message on the card from me said: "Tulips for now, two lips forever."
Yeah, I know, kind of cheesy. But now, every time my husband sends me flowers, there is a tulip or two included -- and our florist loves it!

The little quilt (17"x17") below has been accepted into a juried exhibit at our local art center. The theme is two-color quilts. It is called "Tulips for Now". If you have a smart phone, you probably know what it is. If you don't, it is a QR code, sort of like a SKU code read both directions. Guess what this one says.

I will be offering patterns for different short saying to be made into quilts or cross-stitch pieces in my etsy shop really soon.
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UPDATE: I have a listing for custom orders HERE Please check it out.

Here's why you haven't heard from me . . .

You guessed it . . . my laptop and my netbook have been in ICU for over a week. Do not click on fake security alerts. I'm just saying . . . .

It's my Birthday I can to what I want to . . . tomorrow

Today is a very special day for many special people. Two weddings today: a sweet young couple with families from far away places, and a lovely, mature couple on the second time around. Beaming and blushing brides, proud and nervous grooms, beautiful music, flowers, dresses and jewelry. What's not to love about a wedding? And twenty-three years ago today, on my birthday, my husband was ordained as a deacon in the Episcopal Church, and the next day I met him for the very first time. I'd say I received the best birthday present every (thank you, GOD!)

Now that I am celebrating my 39th birthday (yet again), I think it is time to get out the fire extinguishers.

Oh, and tomorrow is Father's Day -- I Love you daddy.

Pewter Wings Take Flight

What do you do when your beloved pet dies? I was contacted by Marlene, who missed her sweet cockatiel Miah. She has a little shrine for her and wanted to add my parrot wings to the arrangement.
Marlene asked me to used Miah's coloring to inspire me and this is what I just finished.

I hope she likes it

In other news, it is my birthday week (39 . . . again!) and I will happily send a little something extra for purchases from my Etsy Shop from now until June 19th 11:59pm.

Fairy Tale Bead Swap

Lori Anderson has done it again. Hop on over to her blog and see the list of talented beaders and check out what they have done. My mom recieved and enormous stash of lampwork beads from Stephanie Hassler and ended up making several lovely pieces.

Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Courtney Breul, Beads By Breul

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Evelyn Hall, Dragon Lady Evelyn

** My Mom-- Sandy Richardson, Sandy's Coloring Box

Dana James, Dana's Jewelry Design
Tara Plote, Newbie Beader

Christine Brandel, A Hot Piece of Glass

Lisa Sittniewski, Alterity Art

Joanna Matuszczyk, Filcowe

Jenni Connolly, Jenni Bead

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Elisabeth Auld, Beads For Busy Gals

Sally Russick, Wireworked

Mary McGraw, MK's Creative Musings

Norma Turvey, Moonlit Fantaseas

Erin Prais-Hintz, Treasures Found

**Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs

Shai Williams, Shaia's Ramblings

Johanna Rhodes, Fire Phoenix Creations

Sandi Lee James, Do Be Do Bead DoSweet Addy Designs
Valerie Norton, Hot Fused Glass

Now Hop on over to Mom's and Stephanie's blogs and see what they did with their beads. Enjoy the hop!

The "Also Ran" I am very proud of

I have posted this mini before, but I wanted to show the new base I made in class with Michael Proctor at ReaperCon.The base is mostly tree-bark and some tiny weedy bits with some sculpting. Everything was then primed and painted. I am very excited about this development in my progress.

I also have my first commission lined up!