Seasons Blog Hop -- Reveal!

In February, Lisa Lodge with Pine Ridge Treasure put out the word for a blog hop revolving around a "season".  Each participant (35 in all) received a package containing a combination of beads, a pendant, findings, and an art bead or two from Lisa's beading table. The idea was to create a piece of jewelry representing one of the four seasons of the year that had an impact on our life; i.e. college years, motherhood, first love, etc....  For me, the impact is present day ....

Spring Sprung For Me This Year

For the first time in several years, the rains came in our area during Spring. We have been in drought for quite a few years now.  The animals, plants, rivers, and lakes have all suffered! Many people's wells have gone dry. But this year, the rains came!!!!! Woohoo!!! We will not have to worry about our wells this year!

While we would have loved for the rain to come as gentle cleansing rains, it didn't. We had monsoons, high winds, hail, and tornadoes. However, the important thing is --- the rains came. So we aren't complaining. Everything was green during Spring and so far continues to be green. The burn ban we have been under for the past few years is OFF!  This year at 4th of July, we did not have to worry that anything will catch on fire or a stray cigarette thrown out someone's car window will cause one either.  

Therefore, when I received Lisa's package, it was exciting to find she had sent me ---- GREEN!!! It was so fitting for this past Spring & the color is perfect.  

And the finished products -------

 

 

 

Now it's time to go blog hopping

 

 

 

Your Hostess: Lisa Lodge, Grateful Artist

 
Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Cassi Paslick, Beads: Rolling Downhill

Stephanie Sanner Haussler, PixyBug Designs

Leah Mifflin Tees, My Beady Little Eyes

Karin Slaton, BackStory Beads

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams  ME

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Eleanor Burian-Mohr, The Charmed Life

Alicia Marinache,  All the Pretty Things

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Toltec Jewels, Toltec Jewels for Jewel School Friends

Lennis Carrier, Windbent

Erin Kenny, Beadifultherapy

Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress

Cilla Watkins, Tell Your Girlfriends

Renetha Williams Stanziano, Lamplight Crafts

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Sierra Barrett, Giraffe Can Has

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Shirley Jones Moore, Beads and Bread

Dawn Horner, Northern Adornments

Charlene Bausinger Jacka, Clay Space

Tara Plote, The Newbie Beader's Blog

Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks

Miranda Ackerley, Daze and Days

ZnetShows Partner Picks Summer Challenge and Giveaway!

At the beginning of June, Bill Zhang with ZnetShows asked his Design Team to "partner up" for a Summer Beach-theme Challenge. To sweeten the deal, he's added a Giveaway into the mix!!!

 INSPIRATION:  THE BEACH

 

Instructions: Each person picked 7 different items from Znetshows.com's showroom of beads for their corresponding partner.

 

These are the items my partner, Christina Miles, picked for me based on beach pictures like the ones above.










This wonderful stash of surprises arrived the second week in June. The creating fun began ------

Pendant made from Cultured Sea Glass shield triangle pendants (P46-B39) with Glass Wine Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

These are matching earrings made from Cultured Sea Glass triangle pendants (P46-B39) and Glass Wine Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06). 

I forgot to attach the ear wires before I took the picture :(

An anklet with Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03) and Base Metal Flat beads (MO259-AS) 

A loose choker necklace of Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03), Black Cable style faceted Chinese Crystal Glass Rondelle beads (RS114-02AB), Flat Base Metal beads (M0044-AS), Red Bamboo Coral beads (CB157-01), Wine Glass Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

Cuff bracelet with Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03).

These earrings can be worn separately or with any of the above pieces. The turtles originally had a hoop at the end of the face where the mouth would be. I felt it detracted from the turtle, which is one of my favorite animals, so I removed it or rather my husband helped me. Then I sanded off the remainder. Now, the turtle stands out! Next, I punched holes in the shell & on one foot. So much better! I used the Base Metal Turtle Charms (M0044-AS), Green Fire Agate Barrel beads (BDS1848-03), the Red Bamboo Coral beads (CB157-01), and the Wine Glass Teardrop Pearls (BDS1867-06).

Beautiful Peacock Chinese Crystals Glass Rondelle earrings. (RS114-106)









Check out the rest of the Design Team's creations -- Go to ZnetShows.blogspot.com

Be Healthy, Eat Peppers!

 

Peppers come in a WIDE variety from Bell Peppers to Hot Peppers

In Texas, we are able to easily purchase any variety you might want. However, in other parts of the United States or the world, only a select few peppers are available. Wherever you are in the world, consider the potential healthy benefits of these vegetables that are really considered a fruit.

Beneficial For Persons With:                                             

• Heart Disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Arthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
• Lupus
• Diabetes
• Macular Degeneration
• Chronic Fatigue
• Cancer

Peppers Help Maintain or Improve Health

Peppers are full of vitamins and minerals the body needs to maintain nutrient stasis or stability. They come in a variety of colors: red, yellow, green, black, orange, brown, and purple. It is interesting that each color represents a different family of phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have antioxidant abilities to help neutralize free radicals that damage cells in the body. As a result, they can help prevent or reduce symptoms of pain and inflammation.

Peppers are also a rich source of Vitamins A, B6, C and K, fiber, Lutein and Zeaxanthin, Beta-carotene, Lycopene, and minerals.

Daily add Color, Flavor & Crunch to your meals with a healthy cup of a variety peppers!

SUMMER ELEMENTS BLOG HOP

THANK YOU RITA! for the reminder on this Blog Hop. I couldn't find my NOTE anywhere!

Back in April, Rita with Toltec Jewels invited participants to share in celebrating their favorite elements of Summer. We could share "jewelry and/or beads, of course, but also pretty photos, a
summer recipe, a campfire song, a craft, family memories, a poem -- anything you like!"  A very broad spectrum of ideas came to mind because so far this summer has been FULL and it's only just begun.

A Much Needed Vacation

In July, my husband and I are going to Cabo San Lucas for a week!!!!! We've never been & can hardly wait.  Everybody pray for no hurricanes until later in the year --- well, how about pray NO HURRICANES AT ALL! 

 

Here's a taste of the awesome beaches!!! Isn't this pretty?!!  Looks relaxing! :)

In preparation for this trip, I decided to make an anklet to wear on the beach.

 Reminds me of the beach, what do you think?

In the meantime, I was thinking of this lovely, light summer cake I used to make for my kids. Who are now all grown up, married, & doing their own things. But it's a very tasty cake and yet very very easy to make. On hot summer days in Texas, we enjoy this taste of cold & sweet! One of the best things about this cake is that you can make it a day or two ahead. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator & you'll be good to go! :)

Raspberry (or Strawberry) Jello Cake

Ingredients

• white cake mix
• raspberry or strawberry jello - the large box (you can use any flavor you desire but these are the two my kids preferred)
• cool whip or whip cream
• sprinkles if desired

Directions

1. Prepare white cake mix according to directions & bake in a 9x12 pan.
2. Remove from oven & using a serving fork poke a plethora of holes in the cake.
3. Let cake cool for about 30 min.
4. Prepare jello with only the hot water - do not add the cold water into the mix. Stir the jello mixture until jello is well dissolved.
5. Pour jello mixture evenly over cake. It will be fairly saturated.
6. Place cake in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours or until jello is set.
7. Remove cake after about 3-4 hours. Cover top with cool whip or whip cream. Sprinkle with candies if desired & replace in refrigerator until ready to serve. Cover with saran wrap or foil. 

 

On a much different note -------   MY CACTI ARE BLOOMING!!!!

                   I have been waiting for years for this cactus to bloom & it is HERE!!!! finally

I've been waiting 13 years for this to bloom! :)

These bloom yearly!


Pretty soon the blossoms will fall & the prickly pear will ripen for us to make jam with!

The bees love these blooms!

The hummingbirds love these cactus blooms!

& they love these Aloe Vera blooms too!








LASTLY,  Here is one of the beautiful Deer that's eating my flowers. :(  She was born on our property last year. This year she has a fawn & snorts at us from time to time to let us know this is HER PROPERTY & she means business!!! It's really hilarious!

I took her picture at 9 pm out my living room window. She knew I was there & she's watching me!

Thanks Rita for hosting this Blog!  It was fun to reminisce a little & to stop to "SMELL THE ROSES!"  Come & join me in blog hopping!!!

The Summer Elements Blog Hop Participants: 

Toltec Jewels (Hostess)     http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/

Marlene Cupo                   http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com/

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

Ailsa Cordner                    http://www.bramalfiebeadsetc.co.uk/

Robin Reed                       http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/

Nan Smith                         http://www.wirednan.blogspot.com/

Sherri Stokey                     http://www.knotjustmacrame.com/

Christie (Charis Designs)    http://charisdesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/

Carolyn Lawson                 http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/

Susie Harris                        http://jewelleryjunkie.blogspot.com/

Andrea Glick-Zenith           http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/

Nelly May                          http://smellynelly.blogspot.com/

Melissa Trudinger               http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/

Dini Bruinsma                     http://angazabychanges.blogspot.com/

Kathy Lindemer                 http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/

Cory Tompkins                  http://tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/

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

Karen Martinez                 http://www.fairiesmarket.blogspot.com/

Liz                                    http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/

Jasvanti Patel                     http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/

Solange Collin                    http://www.blog.ahowinjewelry.com/

Gerda                                http://gerdascraftsblog.blogspot.com/

Karla Morgan  (ME)           http://texaspepperjams.blogspot.com/

Anindita Basu                     http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com/

Alicia Marinache                http://www.allprettythings.ca/

Andrea Trank                    http://heavenlanecreations.com/

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

Mischelle Fanucchi             http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Tanty Sri Hartanti               http://tjewellicious.blogspot.com/

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

Mary Govaars                    http://mlhjewelrydesigns.com/

Becca Sirevaag                  http://godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com/

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

Regina Wood                     http://www.gina-design.blogspot.com/

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

Kathleen Breeding             https://www.facebook.com/99BOBOTW

Beadalon Design Contest!

http://www.beadalon.com/designcontest2013.asp

This looks like a heap of fun & a way to win a fabulous prize!

ZnetShows Baby Conch Creation

The baby Conchs were in the mail last Sunday when I got home at 2 a.m. ---- YEAH!!!

Aren't they cute?!!!

First, I made a Celtic Chainmaille bracelet of silver and gold.

Second, I added all the beads - baby Conchs, Czech & Chinese crystals, Malachite chips, and Citrine.

Asymmetrical earrings to match with a tiny bit of Celtic Chainmaille. 

 The complete set. It sounds so musical when worn! I love it!

Blu Mudd Design Team Reveal!

In April, Moriah Betterly of Blu Mudd put out the word on her Facebook page! ---- Make a beautiful creation with one of her interesting & unique ceramic pendants! ---- Sign me up!

We had to choose one pendant from the selection & design a necklace around it.

My pendant

My thoughts were on silk and beads with a little wire wrapping. I took one of my husband's ties apart for the silk. I used a variety of beads in my stash: blue dyed shell, pearls, seed beads, jasper, Czech crystals, agate, and silver. Then silver wire seemed to look the best with the pendant. So the work began.........

 VOTE  HERE  NOW  FOR  YOUR  FAVORITE of the 22 creations posted!