Friday, October 31

Periwinkle Blue & Silver

Are you a blue-lover? I noticed throughout these posts this week, that I tend to make a lot in blues and pinks. Hmm.... I need to work on that! I think that I am limited in the other colors just for the mere fact that if I don't tend to like the color, then I don't know how to design with it.

Do you know what I mean? Do you tend to do the same thing?

I think we all tend to sway towards using colors we are comfortable with, right? I mean, I never ever use my SUP! Bold Brights color line with the Red, Orange, Green, Blue basic colors. In fact, I think I still have my original packs of bold brights from 3 years ago and am no where near needing to replace them!

Oh, well! I will pay more attention to trying different color combos! Until then, please enjoy this beautiful periwinkle blue and gray lampwork keybling! Bold sterling silver balls and bead caps give this keybling some special detailing! Visit me at the show this weekend to make it yours (or email me if you aren't local and can't come to the show). I hope to see old and new customers alike!



Have a great Halloweeny day! ETA: SOLD!! THANKS!

Thursday, October 30

Lilac & Daisies

Daisy and Lilac flowers pop into my head when I see this fun keybling! These super cute lampwork beads had an odd combination with an almost orangey-yellow. So, since the Swarovski crystal orange color didn't quite match, I decided to pull the yellow out of the beads. I think the final result came out quite nicely! Obviously, not for the mellow or mild, this keybling is shocking to the eye and is sure to bring some comments AND compliments!



See this at Sunday's show!

Wednesday, October 29

Sand and Surf

Beach lover? Surfer girl? Everytime I see this color combo, I immediately think of water and sand! Aquamarine and a variety of brown crystals by Swarovski (the finest crystal bead you can purchase) sure do sparkle in this OOAK keybling!

This weekend is one of three shows I have coming up this fall! So, don't fret, if you can't make it this weekend, I will give ya details on the others soon! I would post them now, but I am unsure of the hours, so I don't want to give you the dates with incorrect hours, so once I get the times finalized, I will post the deets on those!

If you are not local and want to know how to purchase my items, just leave a comment on this post (with a way I can find you) OR zap me an email. My addy is in my profile at left!




See you tomorrow with something else NEW!

Tuesday, October 28

Sapphire & Emerald KeyBling

Emerald and Sapphire gem colors are the main inspiration for this keybling! If you have a 'May' or 'September' baby (sister, friend, coworker) in your life, she would probably love this for Christmas! I don't know about you, but as I get older, I find it is getting harder and harder to buy things as gifts for people. Probably because as we get older we tend to acquire more and more each year, which makes us face trying to find something new or different for the person we love so much!

I am so glad that I have been blessed with 'creativity'! I can usually conjure up something even at the last minute, if need be. Seriously, that is something I am truly thankful for!

((WOW, where did all that come from? HAHA!)

These lampwork beads in a serene blue and garden green really pull the Emerald and Sapphire Swarovski crystals together in this keychain! Nothing plated is used in this keybling! ONLY sterling silver! So, you don't have to worry about it wearing down to that cheap-brass over time! Only the highest quality materials and highest quality workmanship here!



See this one at the VFW this Sunday or email for details on how to make it yours!

Monday, October 27

Rosey Violets KeyBling

As promised..... another beautiful 'KeyBling' for you to oogle and drool over! Yummy shades of Rose Satin and Violet by Swarovski, these crystals are to die for! Lampwork in a geometric dotted mauve, transparent pink and opaque violet rose, these match the crystals perfectly! If you don't know what to give to your bestfriend or boss for Christmas, and you know that they LOVE BLING... then this is the perfect gift! Everytime they use their keys, they will think of YOU and the time you took to shop for them! What could be sweeter than that?




Have a great evening!

Sunday, October 26

VFW show this next Sunday!

Two new 'KeyBlings' have been added to this next weekend's show where I will be selling my artisan items!! If you are local, or even not so local, and care to come see me in person, I will be at the VFW from 11am to 3pm next Sunday!

Located on HWY 231N, just south of the State Police Post in Jasper, the VFW is easy to spot! I will be showing new items all week that will be available at the show! Check out my posts EVERYDAY (maybe even 2-3 times a day!) to get some glimpses of what I will be selling! Everything from keychains and bookmarks to bracelets, earrings and custom (made-per-your-request) items, I will be showcasing it all! I will also be drawing for a gift certificate, too! So, be sure to come out and get your name in on the drawing!

The first keybling here, (minus the keyring, I will add that later), is made of beautifully crafted black and white lampwork beads, sterling silver findings and super-sparkly Swarovski crystals in jet black, white alabaster, crystal clear and crystal silver shade. This one should be easy to find in your purse!

TOP ONE IS SOLD TO CHAS! THANKS, I HOPE YOUR MOM LOVES IT!

This Sapphire-inspired keybling is seriously STUNNING! (say that 10 times fast!) Wonderful hues of blue, including the newly added Swarovski crystal color "INDIGO", and Crystal clear Swarovski's really make this one SHINE! I love this one because of the way the crystals just look like they are dancing all around the keychain! TOO PRETTY This one is $38, tons of crystals, perfect lampwork and a lot of sterling brought the price up on this one! BUT, it is gorgeous!!




Come see these in person at the VFW in Jasper, IN this weekend!
More posted SOON!

Friday, October 24

Eli and Isaac's pumpkins.....

How HILARIOUS is the fact that Isaac's smirk is just like that of his pumpkin's?? HA HA!!!! That is just tooooo funny, if you ask me!





I am not too keen on 'scary' Halloween themes, but I do have to admit that Eli's pumpkin is way cool!







Enjoy your evening!

Family Fall Break Friday - 1st Annual!!!!!!!

Today's first annual 'Family Fall Break Friday' was deemed a success! We had entirely too much fun this afternoon carving our pumpkins! Of course, the kids didn't do the actual carving, because that would involve KNIVES! ACK! But, they did get to pick out their design and begin the actual carving by punching the little dots along the stencil's line. Then all you have to do is a dot-to-dot cutting along the dots to get your image.

KayLee picked out this one... which took me nearly two hours to slice and dice. But, boy was it worth it! Isn't this just too cool? I love how the bat looks like it is flying out of the word 'or' and how the 'I' in 'trick' is dotted with a moon. AW!



Back with a few more pictures soon!

Thursday, October 23

Parent ~ Teacher Conferences!

I hope that Eli and KayLee's teachers aren't diabetic. Not for the obvious health reasons, but because they are getting some Lindt chocolates from me in just a little bit! Today is their parent-teacher conferences and I thought that I would show my gratitude by giving them a little something. Chocolate truffles say it all, right? ;o)

I used some past SUP! paper, cardstock in Kraft and Apricot Appeal and some honkin' prima flowers with a biggie copper brad for a splash of shine to decorate the outside slip cover! I hope they like their little 'thank you' gift. I do have some Halloween pails to give them next Friday with some candy (and some stickers for them to give to the kids on their papers and stuff like that). But since I have to go in and give Eli's class their Halloween party cupcakes, I will give the pails to them (and the teacher's aids, too!) next Friday.

I didn't realize it had been Monday when I last posted! This week has flown! I have been busy with Isaac at home yesterday and today all day, since the school's have been letting the kids out at 12:30pm so they can hold their conferences. Tomorrow is a full day off for the kids (Fall Break) and I plan to have the kids each carve their own pumpkin and we will make some Halloween cookies and rake the leaves in a pile to jump in. Our family doesn't have many traditions, like nearly none. So, I called Scott at work this morning to see if he can manage to stay home tomorrow to join in on the first annual 'FALL BREAK FRIDAY' TRADITION with the above activities. He said it sounded like fun and that he would try to work it out so he could stay home!



Have a SUPAH DAY!

Monday, October 20

Halloween Songs

If you would like to hear some Halloween Spirited Songs.... CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little saying I came across...

The best way to your future is to create it.

I don't know where I saw this, but it has stuck with me, so I thought I would share it with you.

Have a great day!

Saturday, October 18

Robbi's Watercolored Card

My supah sweet friend, Robbi (from Canada), sent me this detailed picture of a card she did! Isn't this just stunning? She used gold embossing powder and Tombow markers for watercoloring in the details. I like the fact that she softened the vine of flowers with a yellow shadow, giving it some depth. Here is a link to her Iris Card she made, too.

Robbi has been toying with the idea of starting her own blog, don't you think it is time?



Thanks for sharing your talent, Robbi!

Thursday, October 16

Check out this new paper~crafter!

Miss Elizabeth Baird is just a mere 7 years old!

What a talented CUTIE!

Blueberry THREE and FINAL

Apparently, I need to take a photography class! This picture looks sooooo shady! HA!

I have other cards I could show ya with the Maine Blueberry paper line, but I think you get the idea! HA! Time to move on, even for me! Still, I really do love this Not Quite Navy and Old Olive with Bashful Blue color-combo. Very attractive, IMO!





I have some holiday inspired items to show you tomorrow, so check back!

SheetLoad of Cards Announcement

Yesterday SheetLoad of Cards made an announcement with some changes that they are implementing as of now; and it effects me as well. AND in a GOOD WAY! HEE HEE!

Alicia has decided that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do the mini-issue on the 15th which, of course, I was a sketch AND sample artist for. If you don't know what that means, it means that I had to come up with the sketch and then ALL of the samples for the entire issue on the month I was assigned. Well, since she has decided to cancel the mini-issues, she has honored me with a full "sketch artist" position!!! YEAH, like OMG!

I am so flattered and so excited to be placed among the other sketch artists!! They seriously ROCK! I will also be helping out making some samples using the other gals' sketches on the months I have been assigned, as well! So, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for December's issue for me, but check out November's issue before then, too, on the 1st of the month. The sketches are always so great and are very helpful in stretching your papers into a ton of cards with less paper-waste!

Back soon!

Wednesday, October 15

Blueberry TWO and Josh's College NEWS

Another day, another Blueberry inspired card! I used my scraps from making the birth announcements I posted earlier last week or so to make these cards from yesterday, today and the one tomorrow. I got about another 4 or so, but they aren't totally finished with sentiments yet, so if I ever get to those I will post them for you.

The days are just flying by for me right now.

I had to place my order for Josh's senior pictures today. And, I guess it really hit me when he came home from school today and told me that ISU had been at the high school today for a college fair of sorts and they told him basically he was accepted. He had applied online a couple of weeks ago and didn't plan to hear anything yet since his SAT scores won't be in until next week. WELL, ISU said that as long as he scores a 800 or higher he will get in. He is good to go, I am sure. You get like 500 points just for filling out your name correctly! HA HA! He was happy but not excited and I asked why. WELL, he said that it wasn't 'for sure' yet, so he's keeping his cool.

WOW. VERY mature and adult of him. WHAHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhh, Yeah, he's growin' up.





See ya'll tomorrow!

Tuesday, October 14

Blueberry ONE

Another CRAZY DAY TODAY! Barely surviving, I have found my way to the computer finally. Using Blueberry Maine paper by Stampin' UP! and some accents of Old Olive on a base of Not Quite Navy, I threw together this fun card last week when I was in a paper-passion-mood!

I will post another tomorrow, but for now, I am GOING TO BED! Having just five hours of sleep makes a woman cranky!



Have a Happy Hump Day!

Monday, October 13

Two for the Show....

Here's two KeyBlings that will be up and showin' off at this weekend's art show! If I don't sell them you can get dibs on either (or both!!) if you email me first! I am making it simple and putting $34 on each one. I think the lighter of the two (on the right) is worth more than that because of all the sterling beads, but I am soooo tired from getting my items together and pricing and packaging, I am just throwing out a price at this point!

I had an exhausting day with Eli and KayLee at home sick, so today was not productive at all in getting things done. Talk about refereeing fights, I can only imagine what people were saying about me in the pharmacy! Anyhoo.... BUT at least they are fine with just some bronchial congestion and a cough or two. No fevers or painful ear infections, just some sore throats and runny noses and a Funny-Sounding KayLee's voice to entertain us!

ETA: SOLD ON BOTH!!!!! THANKS SO MUCH!!!!!!



Back tomorrow with some pics of cards!

Sunday, October 12

TONS

... to show you.... well.... maybe not.

I have taken pictures of the cards I made last week and a few jewelry items that I got finished up on Saturday, but I haven't had time to take pictures of today's wares yet! I will take pictures of today's items tomorrow and will try to share something with ya. I am SUPAH busy, but am very excited with all that I got done over this weekend!

If I had ANY energy left I would get my butt out of this bed and go get the camera, but seriously, I am just too pooped to poop! So, I will get to it tomorrow. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I will email everyone back tomorrow or Tuesday, replying in the order they were received.

Blessings on your night!

Friday, October 10

Recipe for Niki - HEE HEE

OK... SO, I got to reading the recipe for 'Nicole' and thought... Hmm.... Does that REALLY SOUND LIKE ME???? Sorta, not really, uh.... let's try ' Niki ', which is the name I went by until 1994 when I got divorced and entered the corporate world.

'Niki' just did NOT sound professional, so I went to my given name and have kept it ever since. I DO LOVE the name Nicole. I do feel like a REAL NICOLE now, although my sister and parents are the only ones that call me Niki still to this day. Anyhoo, NIKI's recipe is OMG totally 'ME'!

Have a great weekend! { I may sneak in a post or two if I create something I feel I just have to share since I am alone and don't have KayLee here to 'Oooo and Ahhh' for me! }




The Recipe For niki



3 parts Ingenuity

2 parts Savvy

1 part Moxie



Splash of Nonconformity



Limit yourself to one serving. This cocktail is strong!

My PERSONAL Recipe!

Is this not the most fun thing ever? HA HA! I LOVE MINE! Oh, and all it involves is putting in your first name! Ha Ha!

I am going to be MIA this weekend from the blog. I am on a jewelry-making-extravaganza for the next 48 hours! Dear hubby took the kids out of town to his parents', Josh is at his dad's and has some school functions to attend tonight and tomorrow for Business Professionals of America and I have FOUR, yes, FOUR art shows coming up! YIKERS!

The first one is next weekend, so I need to get a TON done! And, of course the only way to do that is to AVOID THE PHONE and COMPUTER!!!!!!! So, either leave a message and I will call you back, or email me and I will either get back to you late at night or early the next morning. I am going to check email before I go to bed and that is it! (Well, if I can control myself, that is! HA HA!)

Have a SUPER WEEKEND and let me know the results of YOUR RECIPE!! My kids' were right on, except for Josh. So, I used Joshua and then it did sound like him, although I question the whipped cream part! ;o)




The Recipe For Nicole



3 parts Poise

2 parts Attractiveness

1 part Pizzazz



Splash of Success



Finish off with an olive

Wednesday, October 8

Birth Announcements of Cooper - 3

The two final designs for Cooper are two of my favorites. I love the scalloped side and triple-brad detail of the first picture. And the second one has a chunky grosgrain ribbon, and a funky floral, almost sunburst print that is not too feminine when splashed with the Taken with Teal focal colored paper.

I really hope that Dave and Lindsey enjoy these as much as I enjoyed making them!




Something new coming UP! Enjoy your day!

Tuesday, October 7

Note

If you were expecting an email from me, or emailed me earlier today about something, I just want to let you know that I CAN NOT get into my email.

I DO obviously still have internet access, but my email, which is through my ISP is not available. There must be something down. So hopefully I will get back to everyone tomorrow!

Hope you are enjoying your evening!

Birth Announcements of Cooper - 2

Lindsey and Dave better not keep one of each of these announcements as keepsakes or they won't have very many left to hand out! Old Olive is one of my favorite Stampin' UP! colors and this BlueBerry Maine patterned paper line is just SUPAH CUTE! There are a few more additional paper designs, one with polka dots and two others with bold graphic flowers and another monochromatic Old Olive vine design that I didn't even use. I was afraid that they would be too 'girly' for Cooper's announcements. But I really love (and used!) the stripes and checkered papers a ton!

I used my Spellbinder's Nestibilities to make the large white circles in the lower picture and a Prima paper flower with a sparkly stickled-center makes the top one POP!




TWO MORE TOMORROW! And I should have some lampwork gift items for you to see SOON!

Monday, October 6

Birth Announcements of Cooper - 1

One of my lampwork friends ordered some birth announcements for her friend, Lindsey, who just had this beautiful baby, Cooper. Isn't he just the sweetest? OH MY!

I used this gorgeous BlueBerry Maine paper series by Stampin' UP! to come up with a variety of styles of birth announcements. Here are two of the six designs, the other four will be posted tomorrow and Wednesday. Old Olive, Bashful Blue and Taken with Teal composes the color pallet for this fun collection!




Check back tomorrow to see some more!

Sunday, October 5

What are you?


I am an
Iris


What Flower
Are You?


"You are a very sensual person. You like to experience all the sights, smells, tastes and textures the world has to offer. Ordinary be damned, because you want to do it all."

Thursday, October 2

The NEXT SURVIVOR SERIES

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes.

They will also attend cubs, brownies, sea cadets or similar.

There is no fast food.

Each man must:
take care of his 3 children with nightly baths,
keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework,
and complete science projects.

He must also cook nutritous meals,
do laundry,
handwash delicates,
run items to the dry cleaner,
NOT forget to pick them up,
and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each week, keeping in mind what each child will and will not eat according to their likes and dislikes.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and relatives, and send cards out on time--no emailing.

Each man must also take each child to a hair appointment,
doctor's appointment,
a dentist appointment
and a trip to the pharmacy while the child is ill.

He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to A & E.

He must also make gingerbread men or chocolate cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house;
planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times,
INCLUDING WINDOWS.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep and all chores are done.

The men must:
shave their legs,
wear makeup daily,
adorn themselves with jewelry,
wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,
keep fingernails polished
and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks,
the men will have to endure severe abdominal pain,
persistent lower back aches,
and have extreme, unexplained mood swings,
but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend:
weekly school meetings,
concerts & plays,
church,
and find time at least once a week to: spend the afternoon in a park or a similar setting.

They will need to
read a book to the kids each night
following their bath which will only be deemed successful as long as:
the child is not scalded or frozen by inappropriate water temperature,
the child does not get soap or shampoo in their eyes,
AND they remember to wash behind the child's ears.

AND in the morning, they MUST:
feed them,
fix their lunch,
dress them,
brush their teeth
and comb their hair by 7:00 am so that they may:
run the children to school ON-TIME.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will be required to know all of the following information:
each child's birthday,
height,
weight,
shoe size,
clothes size,
teachers name,
best friends name
and doctor's name.
the child's weight at birth,
time of birth, length of labor,
each child's favorite color,
middle name,
favorite snack,
favorite song,
favorite drink,
favorite toy,
biggest fear
and
what they want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

The last man wins only if...
he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over again for the next 18 to 25 years EVENTUALLY earning the right to be called Mother!

Wednesday, October 1

Psi Iota Xi - Country Auction - October 14th

Here's an invitation for the locals!! My long-time family friend, Sandy Baker is a past sorority member of Psi Lota Xi and current Vice President of this local chapter. They are hosting a fundraiser on October 14th at the Jasper Knights of Columbus. Monies raised at this fundraiser goes towards wonderful local philanthropic projects.

This is an actual AUCTION, not a silent auction, just in case you prefer one over the other. The bidding starts at 6:30pm, and I will be there with bells on! So, if you can join me, please do so! IF you would like to go, please email me so I can reserve you a seat and have you be recognized as a guest. I will let Sandy know you are coming so they can make arrangements to be sure there will be enough seating for you and everyone else! There are no commercial-type items at this auction, so there will be a ton of unique, artistic originals to bid on!

Hope you come join me and Sandy!

Howdy!