Headed to Boston

Okay, Kids. I'm headed to Boston for four days to enjoy the wedding of my terrific half-sister, Rosie.

Love that Boston Skyline!

According to weather.com, temperatures will be in the 30s the whole time and I didn't see any predictions of snow so that's a relief!

I managed to cram four days worth of clothing and necessities into my carry-on. I had to practically sit on the doggone thing to get it closed but hey, at least this way I won't have to wait around at the baggage claim area or worse, wait for them to deliver it the following day. Logan is famous for losing luggage.


Speaking of luggage, I know this is a dreadful picture but I wanted to show you the charm I made for my carry-on. Since I wear my St. Christopher medal on a chain around my neck, (along with St. Bernadette and a cross) I thought I'd put a St. Therese medal on my luggage. Sorry the picture is blurry but it gives you some idea, anyway. It's made with Swarovski crystals and firepolished Czech glass beads with silverplated filigree beadcaps. Fancy, huh?

Since I hate flying so much, I thought it might be a good idea to sort of cheer myself up by wearing something bright and colorful so today, the motto is: "Think Pink".
I made this set to wear to my friend Keli's bridal shower and liked it so much I decided to wear it today. It looks a bit cattywompus in the photo but that's just because it's on the hanger. When traveling, I always like to wear an attractive set of handcrafted jewelry--and carry plenty of business cards! You never know who might be seated next to you. ;)

Okay, well - I guess I'll toddle on out to the kitchen and fix myself a good breakfast. Dunno when I'll eat again because I'm not inclined to pay the outrageous prices demanded in airport eateries. haha That's okay - my brother Tony's wife, Maria is fixing me Shrimp Scampi for dinner. YUM!

Catch you all on the flipside Tuesday.

Be good to each other!

And the Winner Is.....

And the winner is.....drum roll, please

------>>SNAP of Texas, USA<<----

It's amazing there were actually had 401 entrants into this drawing. I was incredibly pleased and proud to have so many wonderful folks from all over this big ole world of ours stop by and visit my little ole blog. Wow. I had a great time visiting many of your blogs and entering your giveaways, too. Hope we can continue to mix and mingle and get to know one another.

After all, We Are All Connected.

If you didn't win and you'd like to purchase this bracelet, you may do so HERE

Have a beautiful day.

Take care of each other.

Come back soon!

Another Completed Project

Wanting to make a necklace similar to the one I made for my Mother, I'd purchased another little gold cross and some garnet bicones and briolettes and set them aside. When it came time to put the necklace together, do you think I could find those items?

Uh, that would be a big, fat NO. *SIGH* I hate when that happens!

Oh, well. Knowing I wouldn't be satisfied until the design in my head turned into mission accomplished, I stopped by the town's bead store - be it known herewith I HATE paying retail! - and picked up another whole set of the items I needed to complete the necklace.

Once all the pre-trip chores I'd scheduled for myself had been completed, I happily settled in at the bead board.

My necklace (top picture) is a bit different from Mother's but they have the same color beads and the same little gold cross and chain.
Yesterday evening I had made a much dressier one, using primarily Swarovski crystals and no chain or cross, just a double row of garnet beads and 10mm Czech glass faceted beads with the beautiful aurora borealis finish. It's quite elegant if I do say so myself. I may post a picture here later on.
For now though, *YAWN* I'm weary.

The winner has been chosen for the drawing and I WILL announce it - as promised - tomorrow.

Patience, gentle people!

Finally! Snowberries Two

At last - Snowberries Two is finished. I thought I would never get through with this necklace! It's been completed and ripped out twice but as they say, "The third time's the charm." YAY!

This is for my sweet Mother-in-Law, Mama Jean. Papa John bought it as a birthday gift for her. I made earrings to match and will ship it off to her tomorrow.

It's amazing to me how many hours I can sit at the bead board, totally zoned out. Repeating the pattern like a mantra -- small, large, small, bicone, small, large, small, berry---I am completly focused on the task at hand. I don't eat, don't drink, only take time to pee if I absolutely must.

Slowly but surely, the necklace takes shape in my hands. It is always a thrill to me when it is finally completed. This is the rush that keeps me so addicted to beading. That moment when the piece is finished and you hold it up and say, "I made that!"

So glad I was able to complete this before I left for Boston. Now that it's finished, I have plenty of time to make something for myself to wear to Rose's wedding. Thank goodness!

I've got some beautiful garnet beads, a gold cross, gold-plated pewter spacers and a lovely clasp all set aside.

I don't think it will be another Fireline-strung piece. Those take too much out of me! LOL

This is overwhelming

I truly cannot comprehend this:
over 200 visitors to my blog!

This is beyond my wildest dreams, really. It's been so interesting to browse through everyone's entries and learn about all the creative, funny, terrific people involved in this project. WOW.

I've stayed up w-a-y past my bedtime exploring, ever since the whole thing began on Tuesday. *YAWN*

Hard to believe this time next week I'll be all packed and ready to head up to Bean Town again. Wow. Lil ole me - who hates flying - will yet again take to the skies. Only for my dear sister Rosie would I head off again.
My Sister, Rose -- The Bride

So romantic, getting married on Valentine's Day, huh? Not only that but get this: she is going to be taken to the church via horse and carriage and once the vows have been exchanged, she and her new husband will ride to their reception in the carriage, too. Aw! Isn't that just too much?!

I'm so happy for her. She deserves every happiness and it's just such a thrill for me to be able to participate.

Meanwhile, I still cannot get myself started putting my stuff together to do my business taxes. I keep procrastinating and procrastinating - but the appointment has been made and now I really have to hustle. UGH! It's my first time doing taxes and I'm scared stiff, frankly.

But I want to do everything right this time. This business is my heart and soul and I so want it to thrive. Oh, I know, times are tough and people aren't really splurging right now but we'll pull out of this. I know we will. Better days ARE ahead, people. And I want to be ready!

*YAWN* Okay well - I'd better toddle on off to dreamland now. It's just about TGIF. YAY!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway - if you haven't already. Scroll down to previous entry to enter...The drawing takes place at 6 p.m. February 11.

ONE WORLD - ONE HEART

One World - One Heart Giveaway 2009

Hello Friends:


Today I've joined with nearly 900 other creative people in the oneworld/oneheart giveaway. I'm so excited about this and hope to make MANY new friends from all over as a result.

The concept is simple:
Each craftsperson offers up an item (or two or three) that folks can win simply by commenting on their Blogger page. Simple, right?

My offering is a beaded bracelet I call "Heartfelt." It is comprised of vintage heart-shaped beads I purchased from a young lady named Sarka in Czechoslovakia combined with garnet glass hearts wired to a goldplated chain and finished with a goldplated pewter toggle clasp. This bracelet currently fits wrists from 7 to 7.5 inches but can be sized smaller or larger if need be. Want it? You know you do!
Just leave me a comment ON THIS POST ONLY to be in the running.
Be sure to leave me an e-mail address or some way to contact you if you win! ;)

ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR LOVELY COMPLIMENTS

The winner will be announced on February 12. I can't guarantee I'll be able to mail the package that day as I'm headed up to Boston Feb 13 for my sister's Valentine's Day wedding and I won't return home till Feb 16. But I will get it to you ASAP after I get back.
Be sure to check out ALL the great - almost 900! - crafts people who have offered up a myriad of fabulous goodies at

One World/One Heart
And thanks for stopping by!

I'm Back!

Sorry I haven't posted lately --It took awhile to figure out why I couldn't post to my blog but I'm back, finally.

Had a grand time in Boston, but this Florida girl was not prepared for all the SNOW! When we landed in Boston, our captain announced that it was 18 degrees! brrrrrrrrrrr!
My homebound flight was delayed which bumped me from the connection in Charlotte -- it was a mess. I left my sister Pam's place about 12 noon and never reached my home until about 10 p.m. that night. Whew!

We had so much fun at my Mother's 80th birthday party and as she told me: "The best part was seeing everyone together." I'll say! It's the very first time that all eight of us were together in one place. It's such a wonderful thing, getting to know all my half-siblings -- three sisters and four brothers. Growing up a lonely only - because we lived apart - I never realized the joys of a large family so I'm definitely making up for it now!
Here's a picture of me with my sweet Mother and my four fantastic brothers. Aren't they all so handsome?
For more pix from the 80th birthday surprise party and my whole Boston trip, go here.

I'm headed back up for my sister Rose's Valentine's Day wedding. I had not expected to be able to go. The two events loomed large on the calendar and I elected to attend Mother's birthday gathering, offering regrets to Rose only to have her generously offer to pay my way back to attend the nuptials. I'm taking some extra days off work in order to really enjoy the family instead of flying in and flying out so quickly. Hopefully, I will not encounter any more snow! LOL

Meanwhile, I've been struggling to finish a necklace for my sweet mother-in-law-- another Snowberries piece, this time using purple Czech beads instead of red.

I had the whole thing put together last weekend and then noticed a minor flaw which I was unable to correct without tearing the whole thing up. Frustrated, I set it aside and worked on other things....including a number of Valentine pieces for my etsy shop.

February is a VERY busy month - two weddings, several birthdays, and lots of other stuff going on. My life is never boring!