It must be football season~

My creativity has jumped! Loving this. The NFL Theme is like a huge cup of creativity. First I have to share a culinary first for me. I. Made. Wings. Our local spot closed.... :(........so I decided to attempt my own. I used a recipe from Ina Garton, the Barefoot Contessa, on FootNetwork.

First some of these

and some of this

with these

gave us these!!!!!

Tastey!!!!!

Now, on to projects. First is this necklace. I have been playing with these floral components from Sleeping Dog Studio. Now, understand that I have to look at, hold, play with some things until they speak to me.  Well, they finally did. I used some glass beads from Indian Creek Art Glass, some enameled headpins from Sue Beads, and some antiqued copper chain.  I think it turned out really well.  In fact, my daughter said that she may have to "borrow" it.  :)

Oh, and there are a few great beads from Kelley!  Thoughts?

Next, some earrings.

Hand wrapped with some great disc beads from HMB Studios.

These started as a bracelet from Forever 21. It was just too good and I had to take it apart.

Now, these are my fav! I love hammering silver! Gets that aggression out!  12 g silver pounded into sticks and 20 gauge hoops. I do love that rustic feel to hammered silver. But I do have a question - for all you metal workers out there - how do I buff them out? Is there a special tool? Do I get a Dremmel? I would love to know.  I also love how they look on my daughter!

Today rocked! I mean, you know when you get into the groove, really into the groove?  Well, I was there! :)  In fact, probably TMI, I sat downstairs working, drinking water for almost 3.5 hours. Forgot to go, if you know what I mean........Love the groove! Felt really good.

I hope that you all had a good weekend.

Go Skins!!!!!

Yup. Mine. All. Mine.

Uh huh. Mine. 

and

All. Mine.

Kelley of Kelley's Bead Studio made these beautiful beads. Had to have them. My daughter and I were looking at her blog and all she could say when she saw these pink beads was COVET. So, 'nuf said.  Thank you Kelley, for being gracious on a Saturday morning and answering my email. You are wonderful and oh so talented. 

I can't wait to get these and just hold them in my hand for awhile. Then we shall see what they say to me.

Friday Joy!

I know that I haven't posted Friday Joy in a while, so here it is.

Fall - It is slowly coming! This morning was intoxicatingly beautiful. As we left the house for the bus at 6:25 this am, the sun was just coming up, it was 65 degrees out - sweater needed, the glow from the rising sun playing off of the leaves that are just starting to turn color.  I do love the fall! The need for a sweater, the wearing of jeans, being able to have the window open at night with a cool air coming in. And of course, Football. My family seems to be a bit brighter and happier with the coming of fall.

Fall is amazingly peaceful. It signals the beginning of cooler weather, the approaching holidays spent with family, the hope of snow, and for me, promise. I love the colors of the leaves. Watching them change. Each morning this week I have seen a tree with just a hint of color and it is wonderful. I keep forgetting my camera! Grrr. I have to say, this is my favorite season. Each day is filled with promise. I can feel my creative muse slowly returning. I am ok with the shorter days. I am ok with the cooler temperatures. I love a good cup of tea or coffee and the sofa. I love eating wings with friends and watching football!

This morning I ready two great posts, one from Amy of Copper Diem and one from Lynn Davis of LLYNN.  Amy's was about her bucket list and remembering to live in the moment, not waiting until.....not living for tomorrow to be able to......so powerful.  Lynn's was very similar. She quoted a line from a James Taylor song - "The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time".  Again, powerful.

I think that we often move too fast and are always looking towards tomorrow for "something", something that today can't bring or do. I know that I do. I need to be here, be present and enjoy.  Today can do! Today can bring something wonderful. You can do something from your Bucket List! Do it! Life goes by too fast not to. My kids get older, my parents get older, time with my husband goes by and we don't stop, even for a minute, to enjoy and be grateful. There is so much to be thankful for - bask in it, love it, be thankful. Life is short, enjoy every moment. Drink it up.

Well, there it is!

Happy Friday! May you enjoy every moment of it.

Bead Giveaway by Laura of Beads by Laura

Check this out!

Laura of Beads by Laura is having another giveaway. Hop on over to her blog and check it out. (boy, I send you all hopping all over, you must be in great shape!)

Always and Forever!

Thank you! Thank you for being my best friend, for being there for me, for laughing and crying, for unconditional love, for our children, for everything. I love you more today than yesterday, cliche I know.  It still feels like we just met! I am truly lucky that I married my best friend. Thank you for the first 20, may we have many, many more 20's together!

September 8, 1990

Vail, Colorado

The early years

Tomorrow is our 20th anniversary - crazy I know. 20 years, seems like yesterday. Here is a photo from one of our first dates. 

We look like kids!  But then we were.

Pictures

Here is why one always needs a model.......

No one wants to see my old skin! :)

A few new pieces.

Here are a few pieces that I created this weekend. Hope you enjoy.  The first is a fun bracelet which had one of Kelley's eggs, one of Heather Power's beads, and one of Jubilee's little raku house beads.  I love, love this bracelet. It's called Green with Envy.

These next few are created with some fun charms.  All are on brass chain and can be worn at different lengths.  The first is Robot Love.

The next is A Bug's Life.

And the last is Always on Film.

I would love to know what you think.

Andrew Thornton's Thursday Giveaway!

And I am a day late in getting this up. Seriously, if you luv crystal, hop on over to his blog and check it out!!!!!

Yumminess!

A wonderful giveaway!

Janet of Singingwoods is having a wonderful giveaway. You should hop on over and check it out. Her bit on faerie doors is great as is her jewelry!