Ta Da!

How many of us have waited for this day to arrive? Ok, apart from the last minute panic of getting pieces done....how many of us have waited for today! :)

362 people participating!

Wonderful.

Lori Anderson

Superwoman Extraordinaire!

Thank you Lori, for this amazing party.

Ok, ok. Without further ado.......

Here are the ingredients that Joanna Matuszczyk sent me.

I immediately fell in love with the focal. So light, summery and fun. 

The clasp is beautiful also. She sent me flowers! I love flowers.

Purple is my favorite color!

Thank you Joanna.

Here is the completed piece.

 Now in this post here I talked about how the ideas were flowing, absolutely flowing and how I had almost disastrous results.

I tried to wire wrap a few things, two different ways. Purple wire! It didn't work out so well. I will share that at the end.

See how beautiful the clasp lays - so pretty.

I knew that there would be silver chain in this - coordinates with the clasp.

Now, Joanna did send ribbon and I tried and tried, but just couldn't seem to

make it work. It all looked ugly. Ugly I tell you. The ribbon would have been a

step out of my box, but I couldn't seem to leave the box.......

I strung/wire wrapped flowers and a few drops/beads on chain and the wire wrapped these wonderful green squares.

Love these green squares.

Such a great piece.

I did my usual sit, touch, play, move, walk away, shop for a few more ideas, sit,

touch routine and have to say that this came really easily for me.  

It must be the great beads that Joanna sent me. 

I managed to save two of the green beads to make earrings with.

I love the color combo, the clear flowers and those green squares!

Now, for my almost disaster. I was wire wrapping beads around the frame of my focal,

and it snapped in half! HALF. 

I promptly hollered for my daughter to come down. 

She came running, must have been the tone of my scream. 

With tears in my eyes, I handed her the pieces and told her to "fix it". 

SHE DID!

She glued, painted and sprayed and you can barely tell that it broke. 

Thank you Caroline!

THANK YOU LORI! 

You  have gone above and beyond to organize all 362 of us.

Now for the fun part,

THE BLOG HOP!

Seriously, this is the best part.  

Getting to see what everyone created, meeting new people and making friends.

You are here, Courtney Breul and my partner Joanna Mutuszczyk

Mix up your visits, hop around and enjoy.

Here are the partners:

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York

2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson

3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino

4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner

5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier

6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins

7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor

8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen

9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller

10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare

11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman

12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps

13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka

14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson

15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy

16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price

17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland

18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John

19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel

19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel

20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou

21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase

22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb

23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign

24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall

25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll

26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley

27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala

28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman

29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz

30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle

31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen

32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards

33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson

34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier

 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander

 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye

37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock

38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone

39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf

40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi

41. Cherrie Fick and Cathie Carroll

41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick

42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg

43. Chris White and Norma Turvey

44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer

45. Christie Murrow and Dana James

46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins

47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford

48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis

49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering

50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith

51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes

52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher

53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya

54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk

55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young

56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent

57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj

58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman

59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald

60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick

61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner

62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert

63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez

64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris

65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith

66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday

67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman

68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore

69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones

70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz

71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim

72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable

73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag

74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post

75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton

76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter

77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride

78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller

79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley

80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson

81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor

82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen

83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman

84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy

85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora

86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg

87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann

88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay

89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh

90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski

91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan

92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean

93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis

94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt

95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski

96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio

97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts

98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker

99. Kari Carrigan and Laura Twiford

100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck

101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto

102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark

103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika

104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen

105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec

106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson

107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long

108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson

109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney

110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson

111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger

112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy

113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw

114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher

115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca

116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser

117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse

118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington

119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton

119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter

120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson

121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir

122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank

123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks

124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron

125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe

126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon

127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore

128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller

129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke

130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson

131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum

132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr

133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp

134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara

135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James

136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz

137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi

138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman

139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper

140. Mary McGraw and Laurel Steven

141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner

142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners

143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy

144. Missy Rappaport and Mags Sarri

145. Molly Alexander and Poranna

146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell

147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry

148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson

149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna

150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers

151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari

152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan

153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag

154. Pat Haight and Mary Shannon Hicks

155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka

156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe

157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain

158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins

159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub

160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya

161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs

162. Rochelle Brisson and Teri Baskett

163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell

164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams

165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin

166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small

167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner

168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk

169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley

170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley

171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman

172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin

173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor

174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa

175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton

176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin

177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones

178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser

179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk

180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager

181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad

For a total of 362 people making jewelry!

Amazing! 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bead Box

Heather of Humblebeads started this wonderful traveling box filled to the brim with beads! I have entered my name into the hat to win a visit from it. 

It is currently with Janet of Singingwoods.  She is looking to send it on to one lucky person!

Oh please, oh please let it be me. 

Hope on over to her blog and check out the great details.

Singingwoods.

Happy Monday!!

Soup Teaser!

Here is what I made!

Do you love it?

What, you can't see it clearly?

I will work on that. :)

Be sure to check back on the 17th!

Thoughtful

I sit here today watching all the coverage of 9/11, ten years later. I am still at a loss for words. 

That day, for  me, was very hard.  I am very lucky that I was not directly impacted. I had a co-worker who was on the phone with a client in NYC and she heard the first plane hit!  

My mom called me and told me that she saw the news that a plane had hit the first tower and asked if we were all ok (I live in DC and my husband is a Lt. with the Metropolitan Police Department) I was able to get my husband on his cell phone, we talked very, very briefly. His last words were "I don't know when I will be home". I was shaken to my core. While everyone else was fleeing the city, he was one of the ones moving directly into what was happening.  He did come home around 11:00 pm, safe. 

I sit here watching the coverage and all of those feelings are coming to the surface, again.  It is compounded by the heightened threat level. My daughter and I were at the mall yesterday and saw 6 police officers, armed, automatic rifles, pump action shotguns, etc.  Un-nerving to say the least.  I am hoping that nothing comes of all of this.

Please be safe!

I will occupy my time today watching football (Go Skins!) baking cookies and working on my Bead Soup! I can't believe that the reveal day is next week!!! EEK!

I am also participating in Lorelei's Lima Beads Challenge, and my beads arrived yesterday!!! These colors are soooooo wonderful.

They are even better in person.

I am off to grocery shop, do a bit of laundry and enjoy my day. 

May your Sunday be a good one. 

Monday and the dragon in the oven

To say that I had immediate inspiration with my bead soup is an

understatement.

I immediately headed out to the bead store this morning

( 50% off fire polished and 25% off all czech glass) and had a great time!

Found exactly what I needed.

Came home and went down to the bead table. Look at my "ingredients"

I sat down an started. My first idea didn't pan out ~ moved onto the second one.

Almost had disastrous results! ( more on that later)

Disastrous I tell you.

Moved onto idea number three.

That one is working out on the ole bead table.

On to the dragon in the oven.

Tonight's dinner is roast chicken. I left the kitchen only to come back to this....

Does it look like a dragon?  She is convinced it looks like a dragon. Needless to say, the wings, head and tail fell off when it went into the oven.....

She says that she knows exactly what needs to be done "the next time!" :)

Love her!

Hope your long weekend (if you got one) was wonderful.

It came! It came! It came!

My bead soup ingredients arrived on Friday!

I am sooooo happy. 

Joanna, I love it all!

Do you know what this is? Restraint! It took great control to get the camera 

BEFORE I tore into the package.

Wonderful card and packaging.

All my ingredients.

I am in love with the colors and those flowers!

Ribbon! Three colors. How did she manage to get them all rolled up 

so neatly?????  Joanna uses fiber really well. This will be 

a challenge for me. But, that is what this is all about, yes? :)

Love this butterfly focal and clasp. The focal is very light weight, not sure

what it is made from. 

So it is Sunday, I am sitting here enjoying my pumpkin spice coffee 

(I love Green Mountain Coffee and my Keurig)

and relishing in the fact that it is Sunday and I still have another day!

I am mulling over ideas and playing with my soup ingredients

I hope you all have a great Labor Day weekend!

Bead Soup

Here is an actual shot of what I sent Joanna! I can't wait to see what magic she creates.

Lots of color and fun! 

I can't wait for my ingredients to arrive so I can cook away. 

Happy Wednesday.

I am back.

It has been a bit of an emotional roller coaster ride.

Some expected, some not.

I am tired.

Enough.

I know that my soup arrived safely! I can't wait to see what Joanna creates.

Hopefully my soup will be here this week. :)

We did the fair just before I left for Seattle.

And then a few shots from the airplane on my journey home.

I love clouds!

(can you tell?)