tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79384974012466394302024-03-12T19:43:04.941-07:00Everyday GypsyI am a chaotic crafter and this blog follows my chaotic crafting life (including jewelry making, sewing, general crafts, drawing, visual journaling and anything else that strikes my fancy) as I try to keep up with my family and home.Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-45423701937377776012011-09-16T23:59:00.000-07:002011-09-17T06:53:44.761-07:00It's Party Time......<div style="text-align: center;">Once again it's party time. The wonderful Lori Anderson of <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Pretty Things</a> is once again hosting <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/">The Bead Soup Blog Party.</a> An amazing event considering she is the one hosting, matching partners, taking care of the details necessary to make such an event a success, just generally being on top of it all as usual. And there are 362 people participating. It is absolutely mind boggling to me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But not to delay, my wonderful partner for this party is <a href="http://www.futurefamilyrelics.com/">Polly Barker</a> from Chanute, Kansas. Polly sent me a wonderful collection of beads. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7IEGmoefME/TnPy19z306I/AAAAAAAAAPc/kjX2oO0L3q4/s1600/DSCN0637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i7IEGmoefME/TnPy19z306I/AAAAAAAAAPc/kjX2oO0L3q4/s320/DSCN0637.JPG" width="314" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bead selection included a beautiful floral pendant, so reminiscent of a lovely</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">summer day. It also included a tube of delicas, three strands of crystals, a beautiful</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">length of blue silk, and a wonderfully unique clasp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJUMidkUe6M/TnPy8bCAFvI/AAAAAAAAAPg/H-HGw27XlTk/s1600/DSCN0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AJUMidkUe6M/TnPy8bCAFvI/AAAAAAAAAPg/H-HGw27XlTk/s320/DSCN0641.JPG" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you can see, the floral clasp is so cute with the little bee hook.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7mcUrGtLSs/TnPzB46zM9I/AAAAAAAAAPk/F6LRTn_lKVo/s1600/DSCN0642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w7mcUrGtLSs/TnPzB46zM9I/AAAAAAAAAPk/F6LRTn_lKVo/s320/DSCN0642.JPG" width="182" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this picture of the pendant doesn't do it justice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>And now without further ado...</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCaZ66ezbEo/TnP1wbQ8ZdI/AAAAAAAAAPo/dmfkanSea0k/s1600/DSCN0646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GCaZ66ezbEo/TnP1wbQ8ZdI/AAAAAAAAAPo/dmfkanSea0k/s320/DSCN0646.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I sewed seed beads onto all of the edges of the silk cord.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ0F82WfmQg/TnP19Hh4gyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/wKgXcMvTuOU/s1600/DSCN0649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lQ0F82WfmQg/TnP19Hh4gyI/AAAAAAAAAPs/wKgXcMvTuOU/s320/DSCN0649.JPG" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was able to frame the pendant with two sterling beads and pulled the silk cording through the </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pendant. I knotted the cording on each side of the framing beads.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JaHe9GHPjzM/TnP2UvV7UtI/AAAAAAAAAPw/q1lHnePegVg/s1600/DSCN0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JaHe9GHPjzM/TnP2UvV7UtI/AAAAAAAAAPw/q1lHnePegVg/s320/DSCN0656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div align="center">The pendant was so beautiful that I wanted to keep it in the front of the piece, just off-centered.</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mh0g5voyHs/TnP3WvLGw5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/rPwIbnz7UtI/s1600/DSCN0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3mh0g5voyHs/TnP3WvLGw5I/AAAAAAAAAP8/rPwIbnz7UtI/s320/DSCN0653.JPG" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used the crystals to create a meandering daisy chain to draw attention upward to the cute clasp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Again a big thanks to <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/">Lori Anderson</a> for being the driving force of this wonderful adventure, and a big hug to my partner <a href="http://futurefamilyrelics.com/">Polly Barker</a> for my wonderful soup ingredients. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So don't linger here too long, there are 361 more blogs to go visit. You can find the complete list <a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>Thanks for stopping by,</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em> </em></span></div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-10215930503046383842011-08-01T22:08:00.000-07:002011-08-01T22:08:44.337-07:00It's Party Time Again!<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The amazing Lori Anderson is again hosting her wonderful <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html">Bead Soup Blog Party</a>. For those of you who are not familiar with this, it's really pretty cool. Lori is an absolutely brilliant host. You sign up to participate through her blog <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2011/07/bead-soup-blog-party-sign-ups-three.html">Pretty Things</a>. She then picks your beading partner with whom you exchange a set of beads (including a clasp, focal, and accent beads). You then get to put your thinking cap on and create a necklace or what not with your beads and on party day you simply post your wonderful creation. I really enjoyed the last one. I spent three days Blog Hopping and checking out everyone's marvelous work. You cannot believe how many marvelously talented people there are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bead Soup Blog Party" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/limamikealpha/BSPB4-225px.jpg" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to start. </div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-59070457418380486542011-08-01T05:24:00.000-07:002011-08-01T05:24:03.864-07:00I've really got to get with the program....<div style="text-align: center;">Like many, I created this blog with the intention of sharing my creative adventures with others and to try to keep myself accountable for my other everyday adventures (sounds so much better than household duties). While my creative adventures have continued, my sharing has not. This problem is directly related to the second reason I started blogging. Accountability. I'm great in the planning, collecting of materials, projects, and usually the completion of a number of projects, it's the reporting part of the process that I seem to fail at. (This is where my creative projects get in the way of household duties and other things.) Anyway, think of this as my clean start. Below are a few pictures of a few of my more artistic projects.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAbq3S3rsWY/TjaZpExC9NI/AAAAAAAAAPE/L1U13Pk2sNk/s1600/DSCN0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAbq3S3rsWY/TjaZpExC9NI/AAAAAAAAAPE/L1U13Pk2sNk/s320/DSCN0404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASZ2oJIvQc8/TjaZtkXgQAI/AAAAAAAAAPI/LzbfuVpmdT8/s1600/DSCN0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASZ2oJIvQc8/TjaZtkXgQAI/AAAAAAAAAPI/LzbfuVpmdT8/s320/DSCN0408.JPG" width="289" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGlPz3rnUX0/TjaZy29RpWI/AAAAAAAAAPM/o9Rvxe7Ed94/s1600/DSCN0412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DGlPz3rnUX0/TjaZy29RpWI/AAAAAAAAAPM/o9Rvxe7Ed94/s320/DSCN0412.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gWREmpV4Ks/TjaZ2bVfp2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/E-o8mCPnxs8/s1600/DSCN0427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7gWREmpV4Ks/TjaZ2bVfp2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/E-o8mCPnxs8/s320/DSCN0427.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl8R2Qd4aFE/TjaZ5Ovn_uI/AAAAAAAAAPU/pDHqvOD7aXI/s1600/DSCN0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pl8R2Qd4aFE/TjaZ5Ovn_uI/AAAAAAAAAPU/pDHqvOD7aXI/s320/DSCN0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Consider this my new beginning in the world of blogging, crafting and keeping accountable and organized. Hope you check in often, I hope not to disappoint.</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-84898043990779958822011-04-16T09:54:00.000-07:002011-04-16T09:54:03.452-07:00Unveiling the '7000 Bracelets of Hope'..<div style="text-align: center;">Today's the day. It's the day that those of us participating in <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/04/bracelet-blog-hop-7000-bracelets-of.html">Lori Anderson's latest Blog Hop</a> show what we made. A Blog Hop is a sort of party where the participants and those that follow their blogs are invited to hop around to a host of blogs that are participating in a similarly themed party. This one just happens to support <a href="http://www.globalgenesproject.org/">The Global Genes Project</a>. This advocacy group is sponsoring a campaign to show support for children who suffer from rare diseases and their families. The bracelets will be donated to this group for distribution to the families of these children to show that people do care and support them in their battle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been blessed with two healthy children. Their medical needs run along the lines of colds, sprains, and routine checkups. I cannot even comprehend how overwelming, stressful, and scary it would be to have an ill child, let alone one suffering from a rare disease. I hope that this campaign provides the families with a tangible representation that they are not alone in their struggles. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">After raiding my bead stash, this is what I created.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsGsMnNqA_g/TakX_at025I/AAAAAAAAAOY/WIHgwJRTo3Q/s1600/7000+bracelets+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jsGsMnNqA_g/TakX_at025I/AAAAAAAAAOY/WIHgwJRTo3Q/s320/7000+bracelets+021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEoeZYzkhlc/TakZO7KnorI/AAAAAAAAAOo/s12FlQEvtKg/s1600/7000+bracelets+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cEoeZYzkhlc/TakZO7KnorI/AAAAAAAAAOo/s12FlQEvtKg/s320/7000+bracelets+010.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lnkfeYfH5TA/TakZ3p8MHXI/AAAAAAAAAOs/D4q1kcgWHvk/s1600/7000+bracelets+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lnkfeYfH5TA/TakZ3p8MHXI/AAAAAAAAAOs/D4q1kcgWHvk/s320/7000+bracelets+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I used Dyed Imperial Jasper Sapphire lentils, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver findings and sterling chain to create this bracelet. I attached an adjustable toggle clasp and a small charm that says 'Hope'. I hope that who ever receives this bracelet knows that I am thinking of their children and families. I hope that they know that their are not alone in their stuggles. I hope that they know that a miracle is always just around the corner.</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">When I finished this bracelet, I looked at all of my leftovers and thought, 'Earrings'. So I made a pair of earrings to match the bracelet. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-jBXsOM7eg/TakcLSU7w8I/AAAAAAAAAOw/QEbzvPInQvA/s1600/7000+bracelets+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" r6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L-jBXsOM7eg/TakcLSU7w8I/AAAAAAAAAOw/QEbzvPInQvA/s320/7000+bracelets+018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, go on now. Hope on over to <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Lori Anderson's Blog</a> and follow the trail. I am positive you'll find many beautiful and unique things along the way.</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-56671339777333531662011-04-08T15:11:00.000-07:002011-04-08T15:11:14.710-07:00Wishing for a spring day....Yep, I'm still wishing for a nice, sunny, spring day. At this point, it <br />
doesn't even have to be warm out. Just seeing Mr. Sun would be fabulous.<br />
But since the real thing doesn't seem to be coming for an extended<br />
visit any time soon, I'll just have to make due with this sunny face.. <br />
Cute garden decor, huh?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yxIdAkYyAVM/TZ94FElCESI/AAAAAAAAAOA/g4h_w-IwL7A/s320/march+011.JPG" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, even without the sun shining there are signs that spring is on its way..</div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNHbFLF4b94/TZ94_jV1aOI/AAAAAAAAAOE/qSPQB9GrzG8/s1600/march+004.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jNHbFLF4b94/TZ94_jV1aOI/AAAAAAAAAOE/qSPQB9GrzG8/s320/march+004.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubkr63ED62w/TZ95jqbSLCI/AAAAAAAAAOI/lY9PAH8vPWg/s1600/march+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubkr63ED62w/TZ95jqbSLCI/AAAAAAAAAOI/lY9PAH8vPWg/s320/march+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh1HJvVk92E/TZ96pxLxgpI/AAAAAAAAAOM/RkXcVXDU6gU/s1600/tulip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bh1HJvVk92E/TZ96pxLxgpI/AAAAAAAAAOM/RkXcVXDU6gU/s1600/tulip.jpg" /></a></div><br />
All these pretty flowers seem to know that spring can't be far away. The blue of this flower reminds me that I am participating in a Bracelet Blog Hop - 7000 Bracelets of Hope hosted by Lori Anderson of <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/04/bracelet-blog-hop-7000-bracelets-of.html">Pretty Things</a>. You may recall that I participated in her Bead Soup Blog Party back in February. I'm looking forward to raiding my bead stash and finding some fabulous blue beads with which to create a bracelet. When finished all the participants will post their creations on April 16th. The 7000 Bracelets of Hope project is sponsored by <a href="http://www.globalgenesproject.org/">The Global Genes Project</a>. This is the advocacy group which launched this program ass a way to show support to those families who have a child with a rare disease. Come back and check it out on April 16th. I better get hopping as this is just next week. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And speaking of hopping, Easter is coming soon. So my chaotic crafting has turned toward making Eastery crafts. Check out <a href="http://quiltedcupcake.blogspot.com/2011/04/free-polka-dot-bunny-tutorial.html">Quilted Cupcakes</a> adorable bunnies. I think I'll have to make a basket of these cute little </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> guys.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trxRJHiohFg/TZ9_HWFUjaI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/X2m3ePOiZCk/s1600/QuiltedCupcake_Bunny.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" r6="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trxRJHiohFg/TZ9_HWFUjaI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/X2m3ePOiZCk/s320/QuiltedCupcake_Bunny.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Have a wonderful weekend. Hope the sun is shining in your corner of the world.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-42064951879953416462011-03-30T12:48:00.000-07:002011-03-30T12:48:12.333-07:00Spring Is here?<div style="text-align: center;">Notice the question mark. Spring may have arrived on the calendar, but it is hiding its sunny face </div><div style="text-align: center;">from us here in the Pacific Northwest. I woke again to another day of rain, wind, and cool </div><div style="text-align: center;">temperatures. I am really getting the itch for some sunny days and better weather. Gardening </div><div style="text-align: center;">isn't my thing, but about once a year I get the urge to plant something. So off to the nursery</div><div style="text-align: center;">I went to gather a few posies and a few new pots with which to expend my yearly gardening</div><div style="text-align: center;">energy. I think it turned out pretty good. I'll just leave the rest of the spring gardening</div><div style="text-align: center;">to my husband.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx7ijrecC2U/TZOHfyGaWPI/AAAAAAAAANg/CjNXzuus764/s1600/march+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dx7ijrecC2U/TZOHfyGaWPI/AAAAAAAAANg/CjNXzuus764/s320/march+001.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eynCyRLNNYw/TZOHzsF3ZsI/AAAAAAAAANk/YfXL2O4PDNw/s1600/march+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" r6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eynCyRLNNYw/TZOHzsF3ZsI/AAAAAAAAANk/YfXL2O4PDNw/s320/march+022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband with the green thumb.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This rainy weather really doesn't do much for my energy level and neither did my late night </div><div style="text-align: center;">last night. I'd like to say I spent it crafting, but I stayed up til 2 a.m. reading.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyone who knows me well, knows I really enjoy books. My husband always knows</div><div style="text-align: center;">when the UPS man has delivered an Amazon box on our doorstep. A new book </div><div style="text-align: center;">usually puts a smile on my face and a spring in my step. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last nights nocturnal reading was 'Left Neglected' by Lisa Genova.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zog-5HxJXJA/TZOH5W31_eI/AAAAAAAAANo/3SWSNxeEcvw/s1600/left.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zog-5HxJXJA/TZOH5W31_eI/AAAAAAAAANo/3SWSNxeEcvw/s1600/left.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some of you may recognize her name from her previous book 'Still Alice'.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just love her books. I think its because she depicts situations that could</div><div style="text-align: center;">happen to any of us. Her books truly touch me because I can honestly put myself if the </div><div style="text-align: center;">shoes of these women she writes about. Women who are in the full swing of life, with</div><div style="text-align: center;">careers, families, problems. Women who are so busy taking care of everyone and</div><div style="text-align: center;">everything, that they really don't have time for what is to come. Ms. Genova writes</div><div style="text-align: center;">about women who face neurological issues that bring their current lives to a halt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have to admit I spent a few tears reading this book, just like 'Still Alice'. My husband</div><div style="text-align: center;">can't quite understand how I can lay in bed, reading and crying and not wanting to</div><div style="text-align: center;">stop reading. These are such well written stories, that while the situations are dire and</div><div style="text-align: center;">not without consequences, I come away with the feeling that these women, find something</div><div style="text-align: center;">so much richer, more valuable somehow than what they have lost. This book</div><div style="text-align: center;">conveys the idea that our careers and material things (things that we think truly define us) </div><div style="text-align: center;">can be wiped out in a heartbeat. That the true test of our success in life is how a person can </div><div style="text-align: center;">learn to live a life that has a 'new normal', and that our families, friends and the time</div><div style="text-align: center;">we spend with them is invaluable. I know that life seems to move so much faster than</div><div style="text-align: center;">it used to. These stories just show the possibility of gaining a richer life experience by</div><div style="text-align: center;">taking the opportunity to drop the trappings of our 'faster than light' lives.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-14587155135015176972011-03-18T09:32:00.000-07:002011-03-18T09:32:08.092-07:00Happy St. Paddy's Day....<div style="text-align: center;">Well it's St. Patrick's Day. Went looking for a little leprechaun and his pot</div><div style="text-align: center;">of gold, but he wasn't to be found. I created a cute little pot of shamrocks and daffodils </div><div style="text-align: center;">to decorate for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RX9uuMJdHAY/TYKyy5EQiEI/AAAAAAAAANM/r1r-aZ7nXcA/s1600/kkk+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RX9uuMJdHAY/TYKyy5EQiEI/AAAAAAAAANM/r1r-aZ7nXcA/s320/kkk+037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> If you haven't seen Phyllis Hoffman's magazine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate.aspx">Celebration</a>, your should really go take a look.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tWKPXi4WxNk/TYKxcMwIpcI/AAAAAAAAANI/18ByECOXGqc/s1600/hoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tWKPXi4WxNk/TYKxcMwIpcI/AAAAAAAAANI/18ByECOXGqc/s1600/hoffman.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This year I'm using some of their recipes for a St. Paddy's Day dinner. We are</div><div style="text-align: center;">having Corned Beef Sandwiches, coleslaw, herb roasted potatoes and Chocolate Guiness</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cupcakes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think it turned out well. Normally, I'll cook a corned beef brisket with cabbage and potatoes, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but I thought we needed a change. Ok, I needed a change. I have to say I am</div><div style="text-align: center;">really getting tired of cooking and for the last few weeks have relied on magazines</div><div style="text-align: center;">for recipes and inspiration. Good news is that I am cooking and some of it is actually</div><div style="text-align: center;">eaten by my particular kids, however some of it hasn't turned out well. It looked</div><div style="text-align: center;">good in the magazine, but my finished product just didn't do it justice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, enough about cooking. That's close to housework in my book and I don't like to do</div><div style="text-align: center;">housework. I do it, but I don't like it. Long before kids, I could spend an entire Saturday cleaning the house and then sit down and enjoy the fact that the whole house is clean. Not any more, housework gets done sort of in shifts. So my house does get cleaned, just not all at the same time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8KRLIp-HhaU/TYK5z5nRSiI/AAAAAAAAANU/16J6BH2i5E4/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8KRLIp-HhaU/TYK5z5nRSiI/AAAAAAAAANU/16J6BH2i5E4/s1600/untitled.bmp" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Enough about housework and cooking, I need to get my focus back on beads and other crafting adventures...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-9598121939636962292011-03-02T09:55:00.000-08:002011-03-02T09:55:46.429-08:00The Party Aftermath...<div style="text-align: center;">It's been quite a busy few days. As you all know, I was participating in Lori Anderson's (of <a href="http://www.lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Pretty Things</a>) Bead Soup Blog Party. I spent the weekend visiting the blogs of all 210 participants. What an amazing group of artists. It was truly a path of inspiration. Again I need to thank Lori for all of the work she put into hosting this. Not only was it fun, but it was education and inspirational. And another thank you to Valerie Norton of <a href="http://www.hot-fused-glass.com/">Hot Fused Glass</a> for the absolutely wonderful 'Soup' she sent me to work with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">I've always been a chaotic crafter and this week has been no exception. I finally got new valances made for my kitchen. I have to say they turned out great. I was tired of the old ones, they just seemed to blend into the walls and I needed a change. I don't think my husband quite understood. He doesn't understand my need for change. But it sure makes me feel better. Maybe it's my itch for spring to come. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v5JbrlENCzI/TW6AFTBfMzI/AAAAAAAAAMw/aEtoinJRIjY/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v5JbrlENCzI/TW6AFTBfMzI/AAAAAAAAAMw/aEtoinJRIjY/s320/010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I've also been able to get some beading done. A local bead shop has started carrying Chinese crystal. I have to say it certainly has the sparkle. I'm still a Swarovski girl, but it was fun trying out some new beads. With Mardi Gras coming up, I thought they would add to some charms I purchases the last time I visited New Orleans. (I probably should mention that my husband is from New Orleans.) So every year around Mardi Gras he gets a hankering for King Cake. Ok, I have to admit we all love King Cake. There are few foods that I order and have sent to the house, but <a href="http://www.randazzokingcake.com/">Randazzo's King Cake</a> is one of those things that I do. I can't wait til it comes. Yum. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">These are some of the pieces I made with the Chinese Crystal.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1Fg7rxuLOro/TW6C7abStnI/AAAAAAAAAM0/GmIcGNvc7HE/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1Fg7rxuLOro/TW6C7abStnI/AAAAAAAAAM0/GmIcGNvc7HE/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HdjxabMEH9Y/TW6C_JA-GVI/AAAAAAAAAM4/kAT24aTSC8c/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HdjxabMEH9Y/TW6C_JA-GVI/AAAAAAAAAM4/kAT24aTSC8c/s320/019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G0IL8Uwqw9I/TW6DCjmJtBI/AAAAAAAAAM8/N2tJgh0pbS8/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" l6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G0IL8Uwqw9I/TW6DCjmJtBI/AAAAAAAAAM8/N2tJgh0pbS8/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We are planning on having a few friends over this weekend for a Mardi Gras Dinner. I think I have my bling to wear. Beads, doubloons, King Cakes and Hurricanes are all synonymous with Mardi Gras. And having company over is just what I need to get motivated to get some spring cleaning done. I better get busy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Til next time.....</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-40167825430380954902011-02-26T06:27:00.000-08:002011-02-26T06:27:07.303-08:00It's Party Time...<div style="text-align: center;">Ya Hoo!!! It's finally time for the "Bead Soup Blog Party." </div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, a big thank you to Lori Anderson of <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Pretty Things</a> for hosting</div><div style="text-align: center;">this party. You can <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/bead-soup-sign-ups-begin-today-jan-7-14.html">Click Here</a> to see the blog hop list..</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">My 'Bead Soup Blog Party' partner is Valerie Norton of <a href="http://www.hot-fused-glass.com/">Hot Fused Glass</a>. This is the </div><div style="text-align: center;">wonderful 'Soup' she sent me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1qFZpbxiO9c/TT9bspETW2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/wUr1G4auKVQ/s1600/DSCN0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1qFZpbxiO9c/TT9bspETW2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/wUr1G4auKVQ/s320/DSCN0227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NKqSTfZp-Is/TT9dG8eWn7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/a5NPXbWys6Y/s1600/DSCN0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" l6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NKqSTfZp-Is/TT9dG8eWn7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/a5NPXbWys6Y/s320/DSCN0225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And now to end the suspense, this is what I created:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xtg96oWM0Sw/TWhXyZ7BPSI/AAAAAAAAAL4/nJaOUcMG-lw/s1600/116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" l6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xtg96oWM0Sw/TWhXyZ7BPSI/AAAAAAAAAL4/nJaOUcMG-lw/s320/116.JPG" width="165" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The pendant that Valerie sent me was so beautiful, that I didn't want to make the necklace too busy. I wanted the pendant to really stand out. The clasp and the bezel for the pendant were both 'hard anodized' copper and I wanted to stick with the very rustic, elemental feel of that. So picking through my 'Soup,' I chose the Venetian glass beads and a few of the spacer beads. From my stash, I chose a piece of black Greek leather and a length of chain that was similar to the finish of the clasp.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used the leather to string the Venetian glass, spacer beads and the pendant. I really wanted the </div><div style="text-align: center;">pendant to be showcased. Separating the clasp, I linked the chain to one side of the clasp and then used the loop tied on one side of the leather to attach the other side of the clasp. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think my necklace turned out fantastic and I can't wait to wear it. It's one that I think is truly a statement piece. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you Valerie, for sending me such wonderful 'Soup' ingredients.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please go out and follow the above link to see all of the other 'Bead Soup's.'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com95tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-47696577768158711212011-02-21T20:17:00.000-08:002011-02-21T20:17:41.181-08:00I almost made it...<div style="text-align: center;">Well, I didn't exactly post when I said, but it's only been a few days. I have been busy coming</div><div style="text-align: center;">up with some designs for new beading classes I would like to teach at a local bead shop. It's also time</div><div style="text-align: center;">to start working on my 'Bead Soup'. It's been simmering for a few weeks and as the party date is Saturday, February 26th, it is time to get cookin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/bead-soup-sign-ups-begin-today-jan-7-14.html"><img alt="" height="225" id="Image5_img" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_K5Q2tTIPCZU/TOBZiYbdDjI/AAAAAAAAGAA/3Vk0OYjEcGs/S1600-R/BeadSoupPartySaveDatess225.jpg" width="165" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/2011/01/bead-soup-sign-ups-begin-today-jan-7-14.html">Click here</a> to see all of the Bead Soup Blog Party Participants.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, a big thanks to <a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Lori Anderson</a> for hosting this party.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Participating in this Blog Party has helped me discover so many others who</div><div style="text-align: center;">love to bead, create, and craft,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have mentioned before that I have many creative interests. I do like to knit and crochet also. I think I mentioned that in a previous blog. Last week while on a little getaway, I was able to visit a wonderful yarn shop in Port Orchard, Washington. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know if many of you have read Debbie Macomber's books, but she has written many enjoyable books. Many of which have taken place in the Seattle area (as she lives in Port Orchard). She has a Blossom Street series that uses a yarn shop as the center of the lives of the characters of this series of books.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEfKSkvNzyQ/TWM16xG79TI/AAAAAAAAALc/DOPoCwhePKI/s1600/057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OEfKSkvNzyQ/TWM16xG79TI/AAAAAAAAALc/DOPoCwhePKI/s320/057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB-nuHCGVRk/TWM2J2131iI/AAAAAAAAALg/jWH_ZIbCUu4/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zB-nuHCGVRk/TWM2J2131iI/AAAAAAAAALg/jWH_ZIbCUu4/s320/059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.agoodyarnshop.com/">A Good Yarn Shop</a> is a wonderful place to visit if you have a little time while in<br />
Port Orchard. And right across the way is the <a href="http://www.springhousegifts.com/pink/tearoom/default.asp">Victorian Rose Tea Room</a> where my husband and I enjoyed a very nice lunch. (I should let you know that he is the one that discovered this was nearby and suggested we go visit. He must know I like these kinds of places. He's a very, sweet guy.)<br />
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Well, I'm off to get my 'Bead Soup' cookin....<br />
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</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-72257696006226405782011-02-17T17:06:00.000-08:002011-02-17T20:13:25.751-08:00Poor excuse for a blogger...<div style="text-align: center;">Well its been awhile since I posted on my blog. No excuses. I just didn't. I really need to make</div><div style="text-align: center;">this part of my routine so that it becomes habit. With that said, I think I'll just talk about</div><div style="text-align: center;">what I did do. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Martha's influence visited my kitchen in the form of organizing my cooking utensils in a few</div><div style="text-align: center;">different pitchers. I think it looks pretty cute. It took my husband well over a week to</div><div style="text-align: center;">realize that I had make that little change. I guess it felt huge to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpn3A5Yjaxc/TV2_tIrvlNI/AAAAAAAAALA/iaCYwlTpDpU/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gpn3A5Yjaxc/TV2_tIrvlNI/AAAAAAAAALA/iaCYwlTpDpU/s320/012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Since I last blogged, I also finished crocheting an afghan and actually sewed together an</div><div style="text-align: center;">afghan that I knitted over a year ago. It felt great to get that bag of yarn out of our office</div><div style="text-align: center;">and out into the family room to actually be used. I have such a huge stash of yarn that I</div><div style="text-align: center;">hope to make afghans out of all of it until its gone. You know its bad when you have</div><div style="text-align: center;">to keep your yarn in the attic because you have no other space because of all of your</div><div style="text-align: center;">other crafting supplies all over the house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I have the most unique anniversary, Valentine's Day. This year</div><div style="text-align: center;">we decided to go away to a very nice resort, The Alderbrook Resort in Union, Wa.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUkAR1YPIRs/TV3BwvWMqlI/AAAAAAAAALE/oeNAduIaz4w/s1600/imagesCA23JDX5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FUkAR1YPIRs/TV3BwvWMqlI/AAAAAAAAALE/oeNAduIaz4w/s1600/imagesCA23JDX5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We had a very nice time. It was very relaxing and peaceful. The food was wonderful and so was</div><div style="text-align: center;">the service. I highly recommend it if you are need of a night or two away. We even woke up to a beautiful rainbow, which was very nice considering all the rain we have been having (of course we do live in the Pacific Northwest and that's kind of par for the course here).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OKTepfyIV0/TV3CyYLRaxI/AAAAAAAAALI/xtEav4KZoCI/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7OKTepfyIV0/TV3CyYLRaxI/AAAAAAAAALI/xtEav4KZoCI/s320/053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That was enough to put a smile on my husband's face and mine too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAeGQliAolU/TV3FuBJn2FI/AAAAAAAAALY/DgN6K2wMreQ/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" j6="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAeGQliAolU/TV3FuBJn2FI/AAAAAAAAALY/DgN6K2wMreQ/s320/040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">But as with all things, our little escape came to an end and it was back to reality. My next focus is to </div><div style="text-align: center;">work on cleaning up my beading table/room. I have a Bead Soup that needs to get cooking and I don't think I have any space to do any work. Although I will say that I find it equally challenging to create in a neat area. I need to create an organized, clutter that feeds my creativity and lets me walk around my bead room without tripping over things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I am vowing to write again. tomorrow. Til then......</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-84247638831465275822011-01-31T16:29:00.000-08:002011-01-31T16:29:22.075-08:00A lovely day in the Pacific Northwest...<div style="text-align: center;">I am almost ashamed to be so happy about our weather today, when it looks like most of the </div><div style="text-align: center;">country (including my parents in Ohio) will be facing what looks like a heck of a winter</div><div style="text-align: center;">storm. But here in Western Washington, we are to be blessed with a week of clear, sunny</div><div style="text-align: center;">skies. After last weeks rain, its nice to see Mr. Sun. We don't often see his cheery face</div><div style="text-align: center;">around here in the winter. While out running errands today, I had to stop and take a few</div><div style="text-align: center;">pictures to show what a sunny, winter day looks like in Washington.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdQ4Pc1H-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/wd2P-EXl1jY/s1600/DSCN0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdQ4Pc1H-I/AAAAAAAAAKo/wd2P-EXl1jY/s320/DSCN0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is a picture of downtown Seattle with the Olympic Mountains (across Puget Sound)</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the background. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdRlcYi3EI/AAAAAAAAAKs/RE1XVHmwxFI/s1600/DSCN0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdRlcYi3EI/AAAAAAAAAKs/RE1XVHmwxFI/s320/DSCN0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdSqXIlhoI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Oin2c7nan1A/s1600/DSCN0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TUdSqXIlhoI/AAAAAAAAAK0/Oin2c7nan1A/s320/DSCN0232.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These silly looking things are the snags left when the city of Sammamish cut the trees down. I</div><div style="text-align: center;">guess the original idea was to turn them into Totem Poles, but the cost was prohibitive. So</div><div style="text-align: center;">for the winter, the city had the snags covered in sweaters. They look silly enough in the</div><div style="text-align: center;">pictures, but up close they look even sillier. I have to say this is the first time I've ever</div><div style="text-align: center;">seen a tree wearing a sweater. At least they all coordinate.</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-79162757600008662552011-01-25T15:48:00.000-08:002011-01-25T15:48:04.648-08:00My Bead Soup has arrived...<div style="text-align: center;">I received a most lovely packet of beads from my Bead Soup Blog Party partner, Valerie Norton of</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hot-fused-glass.com/">Hot Fused Glass</a>. Ohhh, I can't tell you how excited I am and the tingle I got when I opened her</div><div style="text-align: center;">package. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9dDyk74wI/AAAAAAAAAKY/4zAh7Afmf6E/s1600/DSCN0222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9dDyk74wI/AAAAAAAAAKY/4zAh7Afmf6E/s320/DSCN0222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I have to say I really admire her Dicroic Glass pendant and clasp. Her work is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get started. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9bspETW2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/crEzEZGkcl4/s1600/DSCN0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9bspETW2I/AAAAAAAAAKU/crEzEZGkcl4/s320/DSCN0227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9dG8eWn7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/vqxZNJIAp_g/s1600/DSCN0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9dG8eWn7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/vqxZNJIAp_g/s320/DSCN0225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't wait to get started. But I need to let them sit out so I can get the ideas percolating in my head. I don't know about everyone else, but the planning and dreaming is as much fun as creating the finished piece. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to Valerie for a beautiful set of beads and findings to work with. I can't wait to see what all my fellow Bead Soup Blog Party goers create.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TT9dG8eWn7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/vqxZNJIAp_g/s1600/DSCN0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-87529592272659665622011-01-21T18:03:00.000-08:002011-01-21T18:03:48.008-08:00I wish Martha lived here......<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1062530416"></span><span id="goog_1062530417"></span>Well, I had great hopes at the end of my last post. I've managed to continue my dejunking of our home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I tell you, clutter breeds. But I'm staying one step ahead of it. Now I have got to get my husband on</div><div style="text-align: center;">board. He is definately a keeper and I'm not. I think he feels that if you buy it once, you should keep</div><div style="text-align: center;">it til you die so that you don't have to buy it again. Or somebody might need it someday. I've got to </div><div style="text-align: center;">work on changing that mentality, because our garage has become a staging area for Goodwill or a </div><div style="text-align: center;">storage unit for our posterity. I am convinced clutter causes stress. I know I get stressed everytime I </div><div style="text-align: center;">go into our garage.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bead Soup Blog Party" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v466/limamikealpha/BSBP125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lorianderson.blogspot.com/p/bead-soup-blog-party.html">Bead Soup Blog Party</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> On the brighter side, I've exchanged a few e-mails with my Bead Soup Blog Party partner</div><div style="text-align: center;">Valerie Norton of <a href="http://www.hot-fused-glass.com/">Hot Fused Glass</a>. Check out her blog and her </div><div style="text-align: center;">Etsy Shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/artfuladornments">Artfull Adornments by Valerie</a>. I had quite a bit of fun putting</div><div style="text-align: center;">together her "Bead Soup" and hope she likes it. A big thank you to Lori Anderson of</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lorianderson.blogspot.com/">Pretty Things</a> for hosting this wonderful blog party. I can't wait to see what </div><div style="text-align: center;">everyone else creates with their 'Soup.'</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been busy doing some crafting that is totally unnecessary, but totally fun. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The next holiday is Valentine's Day and while I was out at Michaels Craft</div><div style="text-align: center;">Store, I found these really cute scrapbook embellishments that I just had to have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo2XlYloUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/wt4Jbu03C-A/s1600/DSCN0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo2XlYloUI/AAAAAAAAAKA/wt4Jbu03C-A/s320/DSCN0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I thought I would decoupage these cute little cutouts onto small pieces of painted wood. Sprinkle </div><div style="text-align: center;">a little of Martha Stewart's Glitter over them while the decoupage is still wet. (I have never used this product before, but it is absolutely the best. It is so fine and powdery. It adds the perfect glisten without being obvious like coarser glitters.) </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo3c89gclI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ZLTLHVF54hY/s1600/DSCN0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo3c89gclI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ZLTLHVF54hY/s320/DSCN0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo34UlMQoI/AAAAAAAAAKI/V-pSm9DAMlU/s1600/DSCN0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo34UlMQoI/AAAAAAAAAKI/V-pSm9DAMlU/s320/DSCN0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo4KPy5pxI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Sq5OKvT9fe0/s1600/DSCN0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TTo4KPy5pxI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Sq5OKvT9fe0/s320/DSCN0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">After the decoupage has dried, I used a tacky glue around the edges to attach pieces of ribbon to </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">frame the little Valentine's. I used pieces of ribbon I had to create a loop and bow to hang these</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">adorable little Valentine ornaments. I just love making things that give me instant gratification.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope everyone has a good weekend. Hopefully, I'll have my Etsy Shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/everydaygypsydesigns">Everyday Gypsy Designs</a> filled this weekend.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-81496445011646227102011-01-12T17:42:00.000-08:002011-01-12T17:42:32.902-08:00Martha definately doesn't live here.....<div style="text-align: center;">I went to bed last night with high hopes of getting up bright and early and starting my new plan</div><div style="text-align: center;">of attack. Get this house in shape! But being the procrastinator that I am, I was able to elude</div><div style="text-align: center;">my plan yet another day. I had to exercise (that is one of my New Years Resolutions),</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5W96-NupI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ykMaWrMSBPw/s1600/blog+etsy+pics+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5W96-NupI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/ykMaWrMSBPw/s320/blog+etsy+pics+002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(These are my feet, in my sneakers, in the parking lot of the gym)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I had </div><div style="text-align: center;">to do a topical cleaning of the kitchen and baths, I had to play with my beads, and I had to</div><div style="text-align: center;">watch Martha Stewart. Notice that 'I had' to do all these things. Not only do I have crafting</div><div style="text-align: center;">ADD, I also seem to suffer from cleaning ADD. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As I was saying, I had to watch Martha today. Boy, I can sure tell you that Martha doesn't</div><div style="text-align: center;">live at my house. Do you really think her home is as spotless and organized as she portrays in her</div><div style="text-align: center;">books and on her shows, or is she just 'putting on airs.' I truly hope she has a disorganized </div><div style="text-align: center;">closet or two. A junk drawer somewhere where she has no idea what is in it. Perhaps a </div><div style="text-align: center;">dirty towel left lying on the floor.... A spoiled carton of milk in the fridge (I have to honestly</div><div style="text-align: center;">say that one has never happened in my home. My kids drink so much milk, I have to</div><div style="text-align: center;">restock the fridge a couple of times a week). Anyway, one can only hope. Martha</div><div style="text-align: center;">did share a couple of ideas that might help me solve some of our kitchen clutter. I'm</div><div style="text-align: center;">going to give that a whirl and see if it works. If it does, I'll have to share it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I subscribe to numerous feeds and such from not only bloggers, but stores, companies, magazines, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I did recieve one from Better Homes and Gardens - Life Made Better that suggested 18 things to get</div><div style="text-align: center;">rid of that you won't miss. Now I do have to say that my past purging attempts have gotten rid</div><div style="text-align: center;">of a lot of stuff, I seem to have missed a lot too. Things like extraneous kitchen utensils,</div><div style="text-align: center;">coffee mugs, extra plastic containers, magazines, unread and read books, clothes, clothes, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and clothes, food, and linens. They mentioned other things, but I'll just say that I am on</div><div style="text-align: center;">top of those (ha, ha). Thats my 'Mission Possible,' if i decide to accept it. I'll let you know</div><div style="text-align: center;">how it goes. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, I did play with my beads and little bit of my fabrics and such. I'll just leave you</div><div style="text-align: center;">with those images for know.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5VM5Xlk6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/AfmNW03OVSo/s1600/etsy+pics+jan2010+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5VM5Xlk6I/AAAAAAAAAJw/AfmNW03OVSo/s320/etsy+pics+jan2010+014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5UwvESrAI/AAAAAAAAAJs/3t1bNvT3BR4/s1600/blog+etsy+pics+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5UwvESrAI/AAAAAAAAAJs/3t1bNvT3BR4/s320/blog+etsy+pics+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5VdRP8paI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/p9329LPesT4/s1600/Beading+Pictures+2-2009+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" n4="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TS5VdRP8paI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/p9329LPesT4/s320/Beading+Pictures+2-2009+030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-34577060733556256702011-01-10T16:31:00.000-08:002011-01-10T16:31:16.086-08:00New Year Resolutions....<div style="text-align: center;">Well its 2011. A new year and I've made a few resolutions..</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. I am going to exercise regularly and eat better... (I am almost sure I'm not alone on this one)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. I am going to get my blogging act together and make regular posts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. I am going to get my Etsy shop up and running.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. I am going to get my house cleaned out and organized (again)</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. I am going to get my crafting mess cleaned up and organized (I have trouble creating in a neat environment, but we'll give it a whirl.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That should do it. I think this is the same list I had last year...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But this time I'm really going to do it. Don't laugh.<br />
<br />
I've been working on a few new designs. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSuj8auQtFI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Lh2LPO0bvk8/s1600/jan2010+pics+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSuj8auQtFI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Lh2LPO0bvk8/s320/jan2010+pics+189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSugRInyLpI/AAAAAAAAAJY/tuEq_yBfovA/s1600/jan2010+pics+190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSugRInyLpI/AAAAAAAAAJY/tuEq_yBfovA/s320/jan2010+pics+190.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSugihu-hpI/AAAAAAAAAJc/81qBFemJWXk/s1600/jan2010+pics+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSugihu-hpI/AAAAAAAAAJc/81qBFemJWXk/s320/jan2010+pics+193.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSug0Cna_NI/AAAAAAAAAJg/2OIBmXngp_E/s1600/jan2010+pics+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TSug0Cna_NI/AAAAAAAAAJg/2OIBmXngp_E/s320/jan2010+pics+192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> I suffer from beading ADD I think. I love to try anything new and will devote my time</div><div style="text-align: center;">to making a certain style of jewelry for awhile and then I have to try the next new </div><div style="text-align: center;">thing. Like I said I have beading ADD and I have it BADD.... don't laugh</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then I have to admit I have crafting ADD. I love to bead, but I also get</div><div style="text-align: center;">occasionally sidetracked to pursue other crafting adventures. Needless to</div><div style="text-align: center;">say that my house is cluttered with not only beads, but fabric, yarn, paper, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and all the things that go along with crafting with those materials. Oh, I am</div><div style="text-align: center;">really ill (with the crafting bug).</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"></div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-66724251441670645022010-06-24T16:10:00.000-07:002010-06-24T16:10:45.984-07:00A Chaotic Craft Day....<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Well my great plans for cleaning and organizing the kitchen and mudroom (I read that these are the key areas to organize in a household) fell by the wayside, as I was blindsided by the crafting bug. I must say I do love to make things, but I also really like the sense of accoumplishment I get when seeing the completed projects. And by using up supplies around the house, I'm kinda cleaning up. Let me live in my dream world for a moment.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Anyway, while my kitchen awaits its redoing, I was able to make a Chocolate Sheet Cake. My poor family has been without baked goods for awhile and I thought it was time to fix that. Really, I just had a craving for chocolate (gooey and creamy are the best). Anyway, tomorrow I think I'll cook my mother's Texas Sheet Cake recipe and see how it compares.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCPjrdqDVEI/AAAAAAAAAIg/Sb2XniM3j5I/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCPjrdqDVEI/AAAAAAAAAIg/Sb2XniM3j5I/s320/030.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"> also spent some time sewing a cute little Fourth of July dress for my granddaughter, I have to say it came out pretty darn cute. </span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCPj5px6HxI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Am-DtI7SgFQ/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCPj5px6HxI/AAAAAAAAAIo/Am-DtI7SgFQ/s320/031.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">So even though I didn't get any great cleaning done today, I did get some chaotic crafting done. (The weather was too nice for cleaning anyway.) And I didn't even show the earrings and bracelet I made. I'll save that for tomorrow. I told you I was a chaotic crafter.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Til tomorrows' adventures in chaotic crafting....</span></div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-40693076545912770602010-06-22T14:37:00.000-07:002010-06-22T14:37:01.514-07:00I'm really not procrastinating....<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I'm really not! I got up bright and early this morning. Usually I'll lie around quite bleary-eyed until I can gather the energy to get up and get ready for the day. But I got up and actually put together 23 pairs of earrings. I guess it's time I come clean on what is really the mess in my house. It's me and all of the crafty and artsy supplies I have gathered. It's quite sad. I'm so good at gathering materials, it's just that I lack the commitment to get everything done. My intentions are good, really! So between my knitting, crocheting, beading, drawing, sewing, embroidery, paper crafting...(I think you get the idea), I've got enough supplies to last until the end of time without ever having to buy a thing. Anyway, I actually got some jewelry made and packaged as my friend is going to add them to her table at a local farmer's market. I'm sort of excited. It's been quite sometime since I've sold some jewelry. We'll have to see how it goes.</span></div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">On the brighter side of things, the sun is out. It's June 22nd and the sun has finally blessed us with its appearance. For those of you not living in the Pacific Northwest, you may be sweating like no tomorrow, but we are actually freezing. My furnace is still on. It seems like summer is taking its own good time getting here. Hopefully before July 4rh...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I'm off to make my list for tomorrow and I'l leave you with a picture of Northwest Sunshine..</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCErZF_n57I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/2f1qyRgJA14/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TCErZF_n57I/AAAAAAAAAIQ/2f1qyRgJA14/s320/022.JPG" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This is why what we suffer through 9 months of the most awful weather...</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-90954316132828048272010-06-21T09:39:00.000-07:002010-06-21T09:39:44.124-07:00Procrastination is the Name of my Game<span style="color: #0b5394;"> Well that certainly was a sad start to my blogging life..</span><br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The fact that it took me this long to get going on a second entry shows a huge part of my problem. Great ideas, but lacking in the follow through department. If there isn't a Procrastinator's Anonymous, there should be. And I could be their charter member.</span></div></div><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span><br />
<div align="center"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Anyway, as with all my great ideas, a certain amount of research must be done. So off the library I went. I have to tell you there were a bunch of books on the topic of organizing, decluttering, destressing. There were so many, I was starting to feel stressed.</span></div></div><br />
<div align="center"></div></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TB-PP5ayQFI/AAAAAAAAAIA/AGkPRJEWbcA/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485260374434529362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TB-PP5ayQFI/AAAAAAAAAIA/AGkPRJEWbcA/s320/025.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394;">When I got home and started surveying the mess, I realized that all of the magazines I had been reading all said the same thing. I must not be alone. This problem I have must be an epidemic...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TB-RbNrxi3I/AAAAAAAAAII/7Tl0yrNvpio/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/TB-RbNrxi3I/AAAAAAAAAII/7Tl0yrNvpio/s320/028.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">From my initial research I have made a list of what I have discovered in my research.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">1. We have way to much stuff and need to get rid of some of it.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">2. I have got to get my kids on board. They do generate some of the mess. (I admit alot of it is mine.). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">3. Everything needs to have a home.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">4. We really need to think before we buy.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">5. I need to use lists to organize and prioritize my days, weeks, etc. (I've always made lists, I just need to follow them.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Looking forward to my next blog.....</span></div>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938497401246639430.post-51248745489354784002010-04-14T19:47:00.000-07:002010-04-14T21:07:41.317-07:00My First Blog!<div align="center">Thanks for stopping by my blog.What does one write in their first outing. I truly enjoy reading the blogs of other creative people.It is really wonderful to read about their projects, their inspirations, their points of view, their families. So I thought that a blog would let me share my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">creative</span> adventures and encourage me to be more accountable in my creativity. I am really great at coming up with ideas. Gathering supplies. Starting my projects. I'm just a little lacking in the follow through. Needless to say things are starting to pile up around the house. My husband is kind and doesn't say much. I'm not sure if my messes bother him or not. He never says. However they are now really bothering me. So another thing I would like to do with this blog is to document my adventure in cleaning up my home (basically my craft mess and any other chaos I find along the way). I envy my friends whose homes I walk into and they look like a page out of Better Homes and Gardens. Believe me, Martha doesn't live at my house. Today's sunny weather encouraged me to freshen up our front porch. A general cleaning, along with a new doormat, and a fresh wreath really brightened things up and me too! Perhaps tomorrow I'll be ambitious enough to tackle my crafty mess.</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 232px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460197339094408418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RifJcAZW8AA/S8aEjPBBXOI/AAAAAAAAAGE/gyY5FVBtfEA/s320/011.JPG" /> Can't wait until my next posting.....</p>Everyday Gypsyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06869352122417128337noreply@blogger.com0