Sunday Inspiration

Today was my inspiration day to work in my craft room creating a few more necklaces. A two of these will be posted to my 1000 Markets site and the other two will be taking to the Salon consignment.

Three of the necklaces are extra long so that they can be doubled, the other is 17" on sterling silver with stones and chain that match a bracelet already posted in my 1000 Markets shop and earrings in the same champagne quartz. The blue necklace and earring set also matches a bracelet in my shop. Click on either of the word bracelet to see the items. Yes, the earrings are one of my new designs that I mentioned in a previous post.

Hope you had an inspiring day and I'll be back tomorrow with another fantastic craft how to.

Saturday Ho Hums

Well today is supposed to be my jewelry design of the week and I have been remiss and now most of the day is gone and I still haven't ventured into the craft room. I've blogged and tweeted and started my marketing of the new book, but have only made a couple of items this week and one of them was a special order. So, today I will show you a couple of my favorite designs that I have completed this year. Both of these items are offered on my 1000 Markets site for sale, so if you love them and want to see more information about them you can check them out here. The first is a triple strand necklace featuring faceting moonstones, jasper and fine silver links and the second is a sterling silver charm bracelet with freshwater pearls, champagne quartz, jasper and smokey quartz.

Ready for anything

I know a lot of you read my posts and are thinking when is she ever going to tell us what she is doing....well that is today. My list of things I'll be doing this year.

• Marketing my "Gem Tree Sculpture" book (due out next week)
• Volunteering at the PVGMC annual show in the kitchen for 4 days June 4-7
• Working at the antique mall on our booth 1 day a week
• Watching my 11 yo nephew for 3 weeks starting July 6th (zoo, NW Trek, Mt. Rainier, Westport, Pacific Science Center) are a few things on the list for that time.
• July 25-26 Tenino Rock Show, demonstrate gem trees and jewelry design
• July 30- Aug 2 NFMS/AFMS rock show in Billings, MT to compete for my Masters in Gem Tree Design and to teach a couple of gem tree classes
• Aug 15-16 Yelm rock show, demonstrate gem trees and jewelry design
• Sept Western WA State Fair - volunteer at our gem club hobby booth for a couple of days
• Sept 19-20 Castlerock rock show, demonstrate gem trees and jewelry design
• Oct 9-11 Shelton rock show, not sure what I'll be doing yet as this is a new show
• Nov 13-15 Opal show, demonstrate gem trees and jewelry design
• Nov 13 Craft show at Russell Investments
• Dec 9-10 Craft show at the VA Hospital in Seattle, WA

All of this plus lots of other things I just haven't planned yet, like an open house for my jewelry designs.....another gem tree workshop or two this Fall, more blogging, tweeting and creating jewelry....oh and did I mention that I still have 3 gem trees to make for my competition in July along with getting my display case perfected.

I may have to schedule some time with my husband...LOL.

Featured Artist - Heaven Sent Crafts

While checking out all the wonderful artists on the 1000 Markets site that I belong to, I found this crafter and artist. What a great idea to re-use old computer disks, playing cards and board games and make them into something useable again such as these journals.

Heaven Sent Crafts is a new site out on 1000 Markets, but I feel that they will be a popular one. Check them out for yourself.

Wicked Recipe - Cookie Ice Cream Cups

Just had to share this recipe. I have guests over occassionally and for dessert and I like to serve simple ice cream and cookies. This would be so much more fun.

Head on over to The Idea Room blog and check it out.

Tuesday Tunes - Dreams

Sometimes we just need to dream a little. What's your dream? Where are your dreams taking you? Since this blog is titled Doodles and Dreams I felt it was appropriate to talk about my dreams and yours. You get to read my random thoughts daily and they are pretty random. Sometimes I'm in the mood for music and sometimes a little food and other days I just like to ramble a bit. My goal not my dream was to blog every day and so far this month I'm doing pretty good. It is a bit of work, but I find I love it. I even started two new blogs, one on antique and collectibles and the other is on crafting. I've added the links to the list if you want to check those out.

So think about your dreams and where you want them to take you. Sit back listen to the new mix for the week and plan your dreams.

Crafty Monday - Ankle Bracelets

Found this great tutorial on making ankle bracelets and since warmer weather is hopefully upon us, now would be a good time to make a few for yourself or friends. They appear to be relatively inexpensive to make with all the supplies available at either Michaels or JoAnn Fabrics. So, head on over to All Things Heart and Home and give them a try.

Have a great Monday.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Let us remember the true meaning of this holiday tomorrow and celebrate those that gave their lives so that we could remain a free nation.

Jewelry Items for the Week

This week was all about earring wires. I now make my own and am always trying new styles. The curly cue styles are for removeable charms.
Here are a couple made into earrings.

If you are interested in any handmade ear wires made into earrings, I have them listed on my 1000 Markets site. My favorites are the charm earrings...I have a couple of styles that I use along with some purchased thin hoop earrings. The charms are just crystals, gemstones and pearls that can be taken on and off the earrings.

Friday Special

Today's blog is all about my day yesterday. I worked from home half a day waiting on the oven repair man...yes, my oven was acting up, but nothing dramatic that a service call couldn't handle. Then yesterday afternoon my work associates and I took the afternoon off (in celebration of myself and two other gals who are being laid off) and went to the Conservatory at our local park and then down to the waterfront. Oh and then we went to one of the downtown restaurants and had drinks and half price appetizers. What a way to go. So I am including some of my favorite pics from the outing. My last day there isn't until 6/30, but the other two gals are next week and the first of June.

Most of the pictures are from the park and Conservatory, but there is one of a squirrel. I can't resist taking pictures of wild creatures that appear tame. All the squirrels in this park were coming right up to people as I'm sure they are used to being fed. It was a beautiful day as you can see and we all enjoyed the outing and drinks afterward. Thanks to all those that came out to wish us well in our future endeavors.

Featured Artist - Sharon Foster

Today I'm featuring the art of Sharon Foster. Sharon creates mostly ACEO's. ACEO's are Art Cards, Editions and Originals in the form of a card 2.5 x 3.5 inches. All of the art I found on her site were originals and had wonderful bright colors. I have fallen in love with these little art cards and now am thinking that I will have to make myself some.

The Associated Content. com provides this description: ACEOs are collectible little pieces of art. An ACEO is always two and one-half inches by three and one-half inches. That is the size of a standard sports trading card. The rule about size is the ONLY rule in the ACEO world. An ACEO can be created in any medium the artist desires: paint, colored pencils, ink, etc. There are even ACEOs made from wood, clay, fabric, and metal.

ACEOs are tiny art works that can be matted and framed to hang on the wall. Many people display their ACEO collections in the same kind of plastic sheets and albums that sports card collectors use. You might slip an ACEO into a greeting card as an extra surprise for a birthday, anniversary, or Christmas.

Sharon's art can be found on her 1000 Markets site. Here are a few more examples that I just love.

Wicked Recipe Wednesday

This recipe isn't that wicked, but it is wickedly good. I've made it a couple of times and found it light and the perfect dessert for a family function after a large meal.

Pig Pickin’ Cake aka Mandarin Orange Cake

A Pig Pickin is a ritual in the South -- particularly in the Carolinas and Georgia whereby a whole pig is roasted over wood coals for hours until done, when the meat falls off the bones and folks just gather round and "pick off the meat", thus it is called a "pig pickin" , which is in "northern talk" a pig roast.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
1- 18 ounce yellow cake mix
11-ounce can mandarin oranges with juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
9-ounce carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
8-ounce can crushed pineapple, with juice
3.4 ounce (4-servings) box instant vanilla pudding

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 9-inch cake pans or one 9 x 13 pan. In mixing bowl, combine cake mix, mandarin oranges, mandarin orange juice, eggs and oil. Beat for 2 minutes with electric mixer. Pour into pans and bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Cool in pans for 5 minutes, turn out of pans and finish cooling on wire racks.
In a mixing bowl, combine whipped topping, pineapple, juice from can and vanilla pudding mix.
Frost between the layers of the cake and on top. Store in refrigerator.

In the Pink

Today's tunes are all about Pink. You know there aren't a whole lot of songs with the word Pink in the title. Obviously, the first song is my favorite and it brings up all kinds of memories of the movies. Enjoy the tunes....they will only be here for a week and then it changes.

Crafty Monday - Tissue Box Cover

For our craft day I found this tutorial for a reversible tissue-box cover. A bit of a reminder from the 70's when these were really popular...hummmm, but I bet we could make it better with some of the great fabrics we have available today.

Canadian Living : Crafts : Sewing : Home craft: Sew a reversible tissue-box cover

Posted using ShareThis

Simple Pleasures

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that brings us joy. A really good creamy bar of chocolate, a nap on a rainy afternoon, a walk in the park with the dogs, a blooming cherry tree, a cup of coffee with real cream, comfort food in the form of chicken and noodles over mashed potatoes (yes this is a family thing) and spending time with my husband.

In a study commissioned by the National Lottery, Dr Richard Tunney of the University’s School of Psychology found that it’s the simple things in life that impact most positively on our sense of well being.

The study compared the ‘happiness levels’ of lottery jackpot winners with a control group, using a ‘Satisfaction with Life Scale’ developed by the University of Illinois. Respondents were asked how satisfied they were in relation to different elements of their life, their different mood states explored, how often they treated themselves and what form this took.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t the flashy cars and diamond jewellery that upped the jackpot winners’ happiness quotient. It was the listening to music, reading a book, or enjoying a bottle of wine with a takeaway that really made the difference.

Dr Tunney said: “Modern-day pressures take their toll on everyday happiness. As a result we try to make ourselves feel better and happier through personal rewards and treats. We’ve all heard the saying ‘a little bit of what you fancy does you good’, and treating yourself is the ideal way to keep spirits lifted when you’re down in the dumps.

So, enjoy life as it is presented to you today. Find something simple that will make your day joyful or plan something special for someone else. Giving to someone most often brings us greater joy than receiving.

Jewelry Item for the Week

I have been so lax in my jewelry designing this week. We went to the beach last weekend and then on Mother's Day I came down sick with the dreaded cold that just wants to hang on. I do have a special order set to show that was created in just the past few weeks.

These are blue sapphire briolettes on 14 kt white gold. The sapphires I found at one of the gem shows in Tucson. Two necklaces are pictured, one on a small white gold chain with a single large briolette and the other is the majority of the other sapphires suspended on a thicker white gold chain. The earrings were also in white gold with more briolettes. After this set was finished the friend, who will remain nameless, wanted a couple more single sapphires for earrings that would go with the single briolette necklace. The other photo, not very good, and taken with my phone's camera, is of a hand made fine silver tear drop on a white gold chain.

I'll get back to it this week and have some fun Spring things to show off next Saturday.

Unusual Items

One day when I was shopping at a local antique mall I found several interesting items and started snapping photos of them with my phone camera. I found several old fans and cameras, but one of the most interesting is a oval photo of two women posing with a lion statue. Now what would have possessed them to take that photo and what story is behind it. I love the bird cage and the model ship.

If you find you are in the mood for re-decorating your home, office or studio, don't go to some import store or fancy home store, check out your local antique stores.

All the items found in the photo were at the South Tacoma Antique Mall in Lakewood, Washington.

Featured Artists from 1000 Markets

Sorry about missing yesterday's Wicked Recipe, but never fear it will be back next week. The cold that has been going around has gotten me down. I am on the mend and my head isn't in a cloud any more...okay not as much as it was. I created a special spotlight on some of the artists/crafters on 1000 Markets. Click on any of the photos to go directly to that product on the artists shop.




Some of these are fanciful and others are useful, but I was immediately drawn to them when I saw them.

Artists are: Flyleaf Books, Elenamary, Delightworthyn Art/wares, Isette, Emily Balivet, Carolina Cottage, Thyme2dream, Bella Beadjeweled, Mary Ellen Golden

Tuesday Tunes

Some oldies but goodies. These are dedicated to the kiddies I graduated with in 1978. Yes, I am showing my age now. Choose your favorite and take a trip back in time. Remember I change the tunes each Tuesday unless I get a request to post a particular mix again. Happy Tuesday.

Crafty Monday - Altered Art Keys

You ever had one of those days when you just couldn't get going...well besides being sick, today was one of those days. I have no ideas, no motivation and just want to lie in bed. So, for our crafting Monday, I dug up one of my blogs from another site to share with you today. So, here is an idea to reuse some of those old keys you have that you don't know where they came from or which lock they unlock.

One of the fashion icons this season is keys used as charms or pendants. Some of them were created for that use out of silver or pewter and others have been altered from original keys or old antique keys. Here is a fun tutorial on creating altered art keys. Thanks to Images by Kim (Kim Newberg) for posting this fun idea on re-using discarded items such as keys.

www.squidoo.com/embellishedkeys

Words to Live By

Just for today do not worry
Just for today do not anger

Honor your parents teachers and elders

Earn your living honestly

Show graditude to every Living thing

As the mantra suggests, live each today for today, don't worry about tomorrow. I believe we have enough worries in our life, so I would also add to only worry about those things you have control over and then don't worry about them, fix them.

Happy Mother's Day and Have a great day.

New Jewelry Item for the Week

One of the markets I belong to on 1000 Markets (Jewelry Artisans' Marketplace) is hosting a challenge this month on "Grandmothers Jewelry Box" where we create a piece of jewelry that our grandmother would have worn. My grandmother on my mom's side was a jewelry maven. I loved to play with all her trinkets, beads, bracelets and clip earrings. One of my favorite pieces she had when I was a teenager was a turquoise and heishi bead choker....not your typical grandmother piece of jewelry, but she wasn't your typical grandmother. I remember she bought me hot pink velvet hot pants (remember the 70's) when I was 12. I think my mom was horrified, but I loved them.


Here is a piece that I created in remembrance of her. This is a style typical of the 60's when Jackie O. was in the White House with her famous pearls. This piece is made of turquoise with sterling silver beads from a vintage necklace. With the way my grandmother loved beads, she would have worn this to church instead of pearls.

8 Things

Need inspiration, join in and tell us all about yourself.....here is a little about me.

8 Things I'm Looking Forward To (no particular order)

• Having more time to do more of what I want
• Making jewelry full time
• Organizing my house
• My massage
• A weekend at the Beach
• Warmer weather
• Getting my book published
• Gem Tree competition in Montana this Summer

8 Things I did Yesterday

• Went to work
• A load of laundry (I still have to take it out of the dryer)
• Made dinner
• Had a glass of wine with my mom
• Worked on putting together a Spotlight for a blog next week
• Worked on a DVD slideshow movie for my mother
• Cleaned up dog poo in the house.... (bad Leo)
• Searched for a piece of jewelry to post on 1000 Markets (no I didn't find the one I was looking for)

8 Things I wish I could do

• Be home full time now instead of after 6/30
• Travel to Europe
• Host family functions (our house is too small)
• Drive a convertible with the top down
• Paint more
• Earn a living by doing something fun
• Have less stress in my life
• Drink as much water as I am supposed to each day

8 Things That or Shows I have Watched

• Dancing with the Stars
• American Idol
• Cupid
• Castle
• Kyle XY
• Yes Man (with Jim Carrey)
• 27 Dresses
• House Hunters International (I love to see what is available in other countries)

Okay, now it is your turn.

Featured Artist - Pretty Purse Designs

I was in the mood for something that would remind me that it is Spring. These great purses and accessories can be found on the 1000 Markets site and are created by a wonderful artist from Pretty Purse Designs. I love the cupcake purse and the floral key fob. Her prices are great. For a purse expect to pay around $38.00 and the gadget case is $12.00. I know I will need the gadget case.

Check out Pretty Purse Designs and find your favs.
Happy Thursday!

Wicked Recipe - Banana Pudding

I love banana pudding and have made it the old fashion way for years with the homemade custard and bananas on top of vanilla cookies, but Paula Dean's cookbook featured this one and I had to give it a try. Be warned this is very rich!

Not Yo' Mama's Banana Pudding
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
Ingredients
2 bags Pepperidge Farm Chessmen cookies
6 to 8 bananas, sliced
2 cups milk
1 (5-ounce) box instant French vanilla pudding
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping thawed, or equal amount sweetened whipped cream
Directions
Line the bottom of a 13 by 9 by 2-inch dish with 1 bag of cookies and layer bananas on top.
In a bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix and blend well using a handheld electric mixer. Using another bowl, combine the cream cheese and condensed milk together and mix until smooth. Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture. Add the cream cheese mixture to the pudding mixture and stir until well blended. Pour the mixture over the cookies and bananas and cover with the remaining cookies. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

The Blog Line up

I've decided on the line up of my blogs for this month and maybe next month as well.

Monday - All about Crafting (a tutorial or idea for a craft project)
Tuesday - I'm in the mood for Tunes
Wednesday - Wicked Recipes (I'm talking chocolate or lots of butter) Paula Dean would be proud
Thursday - Featured Artist from 1000 Markets or Etsy
Friday - Potluck, you never know what you might get
Saturday - New jewelry design or jewelry item for the week
Sunday - Inspirational

As I'm writing that out, I realize I didn't give myself a day off. Well we will see how it goes for awhile.

Tuesday Tunes

I was thinking ahead as I already had a playlist created for today. Too bad I already used my Yellow Sunny Tunes last Tuesday because it was so rainy and now look at today...rainy and windy, but never fear I have tropical tunes to get us in the mood for the sunny weather yet to come.

Click on one of your favorites and sing along.

If you came out here to check out the old time gospel tunes....never fear, I will bring them back for next Sunday's post.

Exciting Printer Giveaway

One of the blogs I follow regularly The Glamorous Life Association is giving away a new Kodak Esp 7 all-in-one printer. I went out to the Kodak site and found that even in my meager printing, I overpaid by over $100 each year. Here is the Kodak site to check out to see if you would earn some savings by changing printers.

Also, to get in on the giveaway, click on the link to The Glamorous Life Assocation and enter yourself. All you need to do is leave a comment on what you would do with the savings.

I'm always up for a good giveaway.

For Those That Need Comfort

Today I attended a memorial service of a very special person. She was unique in her own way and to her family and friends enjoyment. She was the person who hired me at my current job 12 1/2 years ago and was a mentor and inspiration. I don't usually like to attend funeral or memorial services because I always cry, but I feel the need to say good-bye and hope that I will see them again.

This post is dedicated to Anastasia Hart and her fighting spirit against the cancer that wanted to control her and eventually did. I think she got the better end of the deal and will now live forever in our hearts.

I have put together a list of old time gospel tunes, choose your favorite and play to remind you of those you love and those you have lost. The first song on the list was my step-fathers favorite "Amazing Grace", he is now in a better place and by playing this song I will always be reminded of him. Further down on the list is "The King is Coming" which is my mom's. Mom this one I added just for you. Love to you all.