Friendships Last a Lifetime

Well with school starting up I feel like I've missed Summer. Not that I'm in school or even planning on taking any classes it really shouldn't matter but apparently it does. For as long as I can remember school starting was the end of Summer and the beginning of a new year. Now 30 years later it still appears that I think school starting is the end of a very long vacation when in fact I should be feeling that I'm always on vacation. It must be that we were so busy this Summer and I lost track of time.....yea that's it.

Well I've kind of digressed from where I wanted this post to go so I'll start over.

With all the kids starting back to school this month, along comes all the new friends they will be making. Of all the things I miss from being in school, it is the making of new friends and getting reacquainted with old friends that we missed all Summer. I do make new friends all the time through my crafts and blogging but the web really doesn't make friends does it? Is it the same type of friendship as those we had when we were working or going to school? I don't think so, but here for those kiddy's that are going to school and those adults that want a remembrance of new friendships and old, here is a great take on a friendship bracelet based upon a designer bracelet. The tutorial is by Kirsten Gail of Studs and Pearls. She has it posted on Craftster.

I love the mix of chain and thread although I can see using ribbon or leather for this look also. Humm I have lots of leftover leather and tons of chain, I may have to try that out.

Have a good day all and remember friends and keep those friendships alive. Call someone, have lunch, go shopping or send them a letter via snail mail. They will appreciate it and you.

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.

At Summer's End

As the Summer is ending, and all the things I wanted to get completed weren't, I realize that I'm probably not the only one in this predicament. We have adopted a very cute dog, had our grandson and his mom out for a week vacation, set up jewelry and gem tree demonstrations at two shows and made it to the beach almost twice a month for a weekend. I really wanted to finish writing my book, garden a little more, remember birthday's better, walk the dogs each night, create new jewelry designs, update my web site and generally be more relaxed. Everything just got away from me this year, although I do plan on finishing the book this Labor Day weekend....it's still Summer, so maybe I can still do some of these things. Alright who am I kidding, we really didn't have a Summer here in the Pacific NW.

Now is the time to plan for Fall and Winter. So, I put on my list: update web site, create new jewelry designs, walk the dogs each night, remember birthday's better and relax more. Yes, I know those sound like my plans for the Summer, but since I really didn't complete them I have to add them back in plus add more. What that more is, I don't know yet, but I'm sure that it will be more than I can accomplish.

Here is a new picture of both dogs playing. I'm not sure where they get all their energy, but I wish I had some of it.