BeadCamp...

Well the day has arrived, BeadCamp meet and greet tonight!!!! How exciting…5 days of learning how to work with glass rods and make lampwork beads. Now my hope is my hands will hold out and not act up with my arthritis- Keep my eyes on the prize

                                             
THEN mom comes and a weekend of family fun will ensue including Christmas in January, birthday celebrations and just lots of wonderfulness. How blessed am I~very~

                 

















And another bead soup blog party brought to us by Lori Anderson is about to begin, lots of jun stuff going on in my world so stay tuned for what is coming next...

Another anniversary...and many more to come!

Today marks our 27th "official" year of marriage. What a roller coaster ride it has been, but we love each other unconditionally so with that we can argue and fuss, but still have each other at the end of the day. I would not even know where to start to explain this adventure so I will not for today because I have a picnic to plan and the rest of a weekend to enjoy with my lover, my friend, my husband!

Here is a snap from our anniversary eve...lovely setting on Kings Bay with the full moon lighting our way~

Happy Memeorial Day, be safe everyone and remember the reason for the Day!

Peace

Earring Reveal

My partner Nicole Valentine Rimmer and I have communicated---- a lot! We talked of color and metals, then we got to the discussion about where her earrings were, Ugh. Not in her mailbox, which led me to the point I told her I may not ever want to have to ship out of the States, but she convinced me, quite easily I might add to not let "this" stop me. What is "this" you ask, well I mailed her earrings in what I thought was plenty of time for her to get them for the reveal, but alas unless they appear today, which would be awesome, she will have to wait to see these...Now you really did not think i was going to ruin her surprise did you, lol...They are sparkly though, hehe~

Good things come to those who wait!

Nicole is an artist. She not only blessed me with a beautiful pair of earrings, but I got a bonus and was sent earth tone glass beads that have been etched, awesome effect to the beads---love them both.

Handblown glass beads with handmade earwires!

Now to decide-To bead or not to Bead....hmm, I think that is an easy answer today! Thank you Nicole for the lovelys and the penny charm. I have decided where those two etched beads will go...for another reveal:-)

Now hop on over to others pages and enjoy the earrings on display...Thank you Jessica for putting this together! I know I appreciate those who put thier time into manning these hops!
Happy Beading~

Update---they have arrived...Thanks USPS for taking your sweet time on this. I've heard she likes them so all the better. I used sterling silver wires due to my partners sensitivity to other metals. Add some seaglass and rondelles all-a-sparkle and tada, some lovelys for a spring day!

Blog Hop:

Jessica murray: Http://whimsicalweavings.blogspot.com

Inge von Roos: ingetraud.wordpress.com

Nancy Smith: wirednan.blogspot.ca

Marianne Baxter: http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/

Leah Tees:  mybeadylittleeyes.blogspot.ca

Andrea Trank:  www.heavenlanecreations.com

Miranda Ackerley: http://blog.mirandack.com/

Cheri Mitchell-Reed: http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/

Susan Kennedy: http://suebeads.blogspot.com/

Michele Dotson: http://star-jewels.blogspot.com/

Deanna Cox: www.deannaaki.WordPress.com

Shelley Graham Turner: www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Ingrid McCue: www.wrappedinsilver.com

Lennis Carrier:  http://windbent.wordpress.com

Ginger Davis Allman: http://thebluebottletree.com/

Mary Anne Flesch: www.handcraftedserenity.blogspot.com

Nicole Valentine Rimmer: www.nvalentine.blogspot.com

Stephanie Weiss:  uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com/

Silvia Sernicola: http://pipa-the-latest.blogspot.it/

Karla Morgan: www.TexasPepperJams.blogspot.com

Kay Thomerson:  http://KayzKreationz.blogspot.com

Paula Hisel: http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html

Carol Dillman:  http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/

Spun Sugar Beadworks: Spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com

Tara Plote:  http://newbiebeader.blogspot.com/

Rachel Baron: http://rbarondesigns.blogspot.com/

Laurie Keefe:  http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/

Kashmira Patel: http://sadafulee.blogspot.com

Gina Hockett: http://www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com

Shellie Grindy: http://www.creativeeclectica.com/

Shai Williams: http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Dyanne Cantrell: http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com

Mimi Gardner: www.OtherCuriosities.blogspot.com

Jessica McMullen: http://pheonixgatedesigns.blogspot.com/

Jennifer LaVite: www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com

Laura Medeiros: http://zoeowyn.blogspot.com/

Alenka Obid: www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com

Elsie Fonseca: http://www.ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Cheryl Dunham: www.renaissance-jewelry.blogspot.com

Sandra McGriff: http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tania Spivey: http://moobiegrace.blogspot.com/

Facebook:

Beccy Peterson: Beccy's Baubles

Ani Forsyth: Veil Dancer

Mowse Doyle: https://www.facebook.com/MowseMadeThis

Mischelle Fanucchi: www.facebook.com/micheladasmusings

Marde Lowe: FanciMar Designs

Sierra my girl

Sierra my girl...R.I.P

It was a beautiful day, February 23, 2013. It was a saturday, so I was home soaking up my weekend. It came to a crashing halt about 3:30 in the afternoon when I looked out the door and noticed my world start to spin. My world being my faithful Rottweiler Sierra. She has been my constant companion, well for the most part, since she was born. She appeared to be in distress, going in circles. I ran outside and started yelling for my husband. By the time he arrived I had gone through her first grand mal siezure with her. Scary is an understatement, it turned my tummy and upset me greatly. However, I have a yankee foundation to life and handle things like this with strength and courage. We could not figure out how our healthy girl had just had a major siezure. The vet was called and he said to keep her calm and see if she could make it though to Monday. Poisin control was called and my husband beat himself up over the bug poisin he had just recently dispersed! So all night we worried, but just figured she had gotten into something, which is so not like her at all. Then came Sunday, she was wiped out for most of the day. I sat with her outside under out Cedar tree and just read all day caring for her and loving her. She had two siezures back to back that night. As we are in a 5th wheel at this time it was close quarters for sure to help a 130lb Rottwieler not hurt herself while she siezed!!! But we pulled that off and to the vet we went on Monday, bloodtests were drawn and phenibarbtal was started, heavy dosing for 3 days to get her levels to a therapeutic state. Well bloodtest showed nothing---good and bad really as we still had no idea what the heck was going on, but we trust the vet and followed the advice given. My girl was never the same after that day...my husband remained with her, sleeping on the livingroom floor~do you call the main area a livingroom in a 5th wheel, hmm good question~anyhow he was steadfast in his care of our dog. She had one more siezure on the 25th and then we were siezure free for a good week. However, this medication affected her in a negative way as well. She slept for 22 hours a day, could not get her rear quarters to cooperate; swaying like a drunken sailor she did. We tapered the medication down some, as was adviced and that was not helpful either. On March 1st my husband had to travel to visit with his mother. I was not going and had not planned on it, but now plans changed and Sierra traveled with him and did not stay home with me. Well she could not because I had to work and could not leave her alone. So she traveled, which she has always done with us. this time it was a bit different as we backed the vehicle up to the steps to help her get in the back of the van. What a freaking crazy time that was...but we got her in and off they went with meds in hand. I did not learn until later that when he arrived at his desination 2 hours later she would not get out of the vehicle. Now mind you she is one of the most obedient dogs I have ever met, but she was not doing it, so she slept while the neighborhood children played in the tree beside where she slept in the van. When they returned home on sunday morning she was not getting out either, but me I was not playing and made her get going----she needed to move around at least a little...
That was on sunday the 3rd of march, the beginning of her final week with us here on earth. She took a turn for the worst on the 6th, having another siezure and the vigil began to ride "it" out, whatever "it" was. Come friday she could not settle, even after being administer valium. Off to the vet we went. She was given more sedatives in hopes that the bump back up in phenobarbital would work, but she was not responding and all the meds were not helping. She was up the entire night on Friday, I know this as so was I trying to calm her. By 6:30 am I woke my husband to tell him that we needed to call the vet and that we would probably have to make one of the most difficult decisions we could possibly have to make~~~However, although difficult it was necessary. I loved that dog and could not watch her suffer one more day. She had watched over me and helped me be safe during some difficult times in my life and she deserved to be free from the bind that had a grasp on her. It was the longest,yet the shortest 20 minute ride to the vets office that Saturday morning. She was not herself at this point and almost did not know who I was, but allowed me to continue to pet her and comfort her. She was crossing the rainbow bridge by 8:30am on March 9th and the pain has not gone away yet! I miss her dearly and so does my husband. It is in hindsight that I remember some tell tale signs that something was wrong with her, minor, but all the same some signs. It's clarity in retrospect, gotta love it! However, she was such a loyal dog that never she complained so we really had not idea. It has been determined that she was probably suffering from a brain tumor which was casuing the siezures she was experiencing.
It is another day to think about my girl and feel a trigger of pain for the loss and void that was left when she did...Love you Sierra~

Sierra August 5, 2005 to March 9, 2013

If It Should Be...

If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold back any tears.

Earring Blog Hop~Happy Patriots Day!

Tourquise, hemalite, swarvorski and
silver

glass on chain

Whimsical Monkey throws an earring blog hop! this will be the second hop I am doing in as many months...I love earrings too, so how appropriate is this! Now if I could just figure out how to get the button for the swap on this page, lol-I have CRS when it comes to remembering how to operate this blog. I really wish I had more time to use it so I could remember. Oh well-I remember so many other things that its all good.

Sterling silver chain, swarvorski
Crystals and glass beads

Reveal day-Bead Soup #7

My Goodies from Leanne Loftus

                      Bead Soup #7~1st Reveal

I just love the color blue, match it with earth colors and I am ecstatic!

It's funny, you are paired with someone who you do not know and yet Lori Anderson chose my partner, Leanne of First Impression Design, who sent me just that---the colors of nature, with the focal piece being blue~How cool is that?

The textures of the colors and the rawhide were comfortable in 

my hands and held a visual appeal as you can see. Sometimes creating pieces takes me sooooo long, but somehow this just worked and worked up fast! Must have been the BLUE, right-lol~

Ready, set, GO!

I think timing is everything and I desperately needed a distraction, but that is for another post~ Anyhow, it was a lovely day and distract I did. I posted myself outdoors under my cedar tree and just got busy. I look forward to the day when my tools are already in the outdoor environment of a workshed, but for right now I don't mind transporting my tools and supplies. Good exercise as I always need ok forget something in the 5th wheel={house}. Good things come to those who wait, yes they do. So that stated and without further ado here is the link to blog hop the websites of all the people who Lori so graciously joined to create this event. I know I'll be taking my time to peruse the collection of goodies everyone has created. Hey and I still have a stash to make more lovely pieces! Thank you Leanne for a beautiful soup mix to work with:-)

~~~~Now for my reveal~~~~~

Sierra

Sierra

Until next time...Happy Beading!!

Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca/
Amber Dawn Goldish	www.InventiveSoul.blogspot.com
Barb Solem	http://www.vivimagoopresents.com
Bev Breisinger	http://countryfrogcreations.blogspot.com
Birgitta Lejonklou	www.lejonklou.blogspot.se
Breana Fry	www.vault31.blogspot.com
Brenda Sue Lansdowne	http://www.bsueboutiques.typepad.com/
Bridget Torres	www.Shears58.com
Carol Dee Myers	http://caroldeezigns.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Chenault	www.carolynchenault.wordpress.com
Cassi Paslick	http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com/
Cece Cormier	Http://www.thebeadingyogini.com
Cheryl McCloud	www.cherylmccloud.blogspot.com
Cindy Wilson	www.itsmyseaofdreams.blogspot.com
Crystal Thain	http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Cynthia Riggs	http://cynthsblog.blogspot.com/
Dana Hickey	http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com/
Dana James	http://danasjewelrydesign.blogspot.com
Darlene Fortier	www.darliciousrejuvenations.blogspot.com
Deana Hager	http://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Deanna Cox	www.deannaaki.wordpress.com
Deb Brooks	http://www.fromtheheartcreations.blogspot.com/
Debra Behrends	http://www.hopefuljourneys.blogspot.com/
Denielle Hagerman	http://www.somebeadsandotherthings.blogspot.com/
Denise McCabe	www.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Diana Frey	www.dianafrey.blogspot.com
Diana Welte	http://lilyweeds.blogspot.com
Dini Bruinsma	http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl
DiYana Alcalde	http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com/
Dolores Raml	http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/
Donna Millard	http://fyrebeadz.blogspot.com/
Dot Lewallwn	http://speediebeadie.blogspot.com/
Duane Clark	http://biz-e-bead.blogspot.com/
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/
Eleanor Burian-Mohr	http://cornerstoregoddessjewelry.blogspot.com/
Elisabeth Auld	www.beadsforbusygals.com
Elizabeth Owens Dwy	www.1996shabbylane.blogspot.com
Emily Greer	http://www.gaiacopia.com/blog-2/
Enikö Fabian	http://perleni.blogspot.co.at/
Erin Grant	http://ErinsJewelryCreations.blogspot.com
Eva Kovacs	http://ewagyongyosvilaga.blogspot.hu/
Eva Sherman	http://evashermandesigns.blogspot.com/
Gina Hockett	www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Grace Rotenberg	http://rivkasmomcom.blogspot.com/
Gretchen Nation	www.artfoodlodging.blogspot.com
Hannah Rosner	http://goodrivergallery.wordpress.com
Heather Davis	http://www.blissfulgardenbeads.com/
Heather Marston	http://www.cswdesignsbyhehe.blogspot.com/
Heather Powers	http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.com
Ingrid McCue	www.wrappedinsilver.com
Jacqueline Marchant	http://jaacquelinesjewels.blogspot.com/
Jan Petek	www.janpetek.com
Janeen Sorensen	http://wildvanilladesigns.com/
Jane-Michael Stallings	http://www.craftvacuum.blogspot.com
Jasvanti Patel	www.Jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Jayashree Paramesh	www.nchantme.com
Jayne Capps	http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Jean Yates	http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Cameron	http://glassaddictions.com
Jennifer LaVite	http://www.drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Joan Williams	www.lilrubyjewelry.com
Jodie Marshall	www.Marshalljodie.blogspot.com
Judy Riggs	www.rigglettes.blogspot.com
Julie Anne Leggett	www.thepeacefulbead.com
Kat Barron Miller	http://mkpbeadart.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer	http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Kim Hora	www.kimmykats.com
Kim Houston	http://thepinkmartiniboutique.blogspot.com
Kim Sparks	http://beadabunch.blogspot.com
Krafty Max	http://kraftymax.blogspot.com
Kris Lanae Binsfeld	www.cherishdesigns.wordpress.com
Krista French	http://expressyourfaith.webs.com/apps/blog/
Kristen Stevens	http://kristen-beadjourney.blogspot.com/
Kristi Harrison	http://kristibasket-itsanewday.blogspot.com
Kumi Fisher	http://maliekaidesigns.blogspot.com
Laren Dee Barton	www.larendeedesigns.blogspot.com
Laura Bracken	http://laurabrackenblog.blogspot.com/
Laura Demoya	www.Thebeadtherapist.blogspot.com
Laurie Hanna	http://jewelrybylh.blogspot.com/
Laurie Keefe-Cecere	http://treeofliferootedinmysoul.blogspot.com/
Lea Avroch	http://www.LAJewelryDesign.blogspot.com
Leanne Loftus	Http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com
Lee Anne Messerschmidt	http://wiredhammerednworn.wordpress.com
Leslie Schenkel	http://twistedchicken.wordpress.com/
Linda Anderson	http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/
Linda Djokic	www.lutkaandco.com
Linda Murphy	www.bonitabead.blogspot.com
Linda Sadler	http://idalouisejewelry.blogspot.com/
Lisa Liddy	http://lisaliddy.wordpress.com/
Lisa Suver	http://fanceethat.blogspot.com/
Liz DeLuca	http://www.creativeartyfacts.blogspot.com/
Liz Engriser	http://www.beadcontagion.blogspot.com/
Lola Surwillo	http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen	www.designsbyloretta.blogspot.com
Lori Bergmann	www.LoriBergmann.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Lori Poppe	http://lorillijeanscreativecorner.blogspot.com/
Lori Schneider	www.Beadaddicted.blogspot.com
Lyn Foley	www.lynfoleyblog.com
Maddison Langford	http://maddy-moo.blogspot.com
Magdalena Sikora	http://porannagazeta.blogspot.com/
Mallory Hoffman	http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/
Marcella Austenfeld	www.goodtogojewelry.blogspot.com
Marcy Lamberson	http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com
Maria Clark	http://sweetwillowdesigns.blogspot.com/
Maria Rosa Sharrow	www.willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Marianna Boylan	www.stargirlshop.blogspot.com
Marie Covert	http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Marti Conrad	www.marticsclay.blogspot.com
Mary Ellen Merrigan	http://www.MaryEllenBeads.com
Mary Harding	www.maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com
Molly Alexander	http://beautifullybrokenme.blogspot.com
Nan Emmett	http://spiritrattles.blogspot.com/
Niky Sayers	http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Pam Chesbro	http://afortunatesoul.blogspot.com/
Pam Farren	http://www.re-maker.blogspot.com
Pam Sandy	http://pamseclecticstuff.blogspot.com/
Pam Traub	http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com
Pamela Gangler	http://shealwayslovedpink.blogspot.com/
Patricia Buchanan	http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/braceletstoo
Patricia Johnson	http://patricialjohnsonglassart.blogspot.com
Patty Miller	http://cabaribeads.blogspot.com/
Paula Hisel	http://simplybeadiful.weebly.com/simply-stated.html
Peggy Gabrielson	http://georgiamountainarts.blogspot.com
Perri Jackson	http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/
Rachel Baron	http://www.rbarondesigns.blogspot.com
Rachel Stanley	http://2catchahummingbird.blogspot.com
Rain Hannah	http://honeyandollie.com
Rana Wilson	http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano	www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Robin Reed	www.willowdragon.blogspot.com
Rochelle Brisson	http://www.acreativechelle.blogspot.com
Rose Rushbrooke	www.roserushbrooke.com/blog/
Ruth Szapa	www.trudicrufus.blogspot.com
Sally Russick	http://thestudiosublime.com  (my partner)
Sandi Volpe	www.sandivolpe.com
Sandra Pendragon	http://sandrapendragon.blogspot.com/
Sandy Richardson	www.SandyColoringBox.blogspot.com
Sarah Small	http://bysalla.blogspot.com
Shannon Hicks	http://uptwnsh-fallingintothesky.blogspot.com/
Shari Replogle	www.playswithpaper.blogspot.com
Sheila Daniels	http://www.cheekymagpie.com
Sheila Davis	http://www.stonedesignsbysheila.blogspot.com/
Shiraz Biggie	www.secretsongdesigns.blogspot.com
Shirley Moore	www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Skylar Bre'z	http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com/
Staci Smith	www.stacilouiseoriginals.com
Stacie Florer	http://www.soultosubstance.com
Stacy Pomerleau	www.craftenvilleblog.com
Stephanie Weiss	www.uniquelymebwd.blogspot.com
Sumi Rani	www.HundredColors.blogspot.com
Susan Sheehan	http://susanasheehan.blogspot.com/
Suzette Bentley	http://elliesbijoux.blogspot.com
Tamera Norris	www.beadsinspireme.com
Tracy Choy	www.bumblebeadsdesigns.Blogspot.com
Tracy Stillman	www.tracystillmandesigns.com
Valerie Norton	www.hot-fused-glass.com
Vicki Holliday	http://flopcatdesign.blogspot.com/