Mayhem, Sorting, Purging...

I love love love beads!  However, when I am in the studio and I am supposed to be cleaning and organizing which for some unknown reason is very hard for me to do as I get going down memory lane, I seem to have clumsy fingers.  I dropped this little open snack baggie of pearls (not precious) and my oh my how they bounce on a linoleum over concrete floor.  That really set me back a bit.  I will be finding beads for as long as I live here.  Of course I found a few tiny buttons from who knows when I dropped them while picking up beads.  Mayhem...   Of all the commercials on TV those are a few I like.  Mayhem cleaning the house as I can relate to that completely.

As for the sorting...here I am sorting some little animal beads purchased long ago in a wonderful little antique curiosity shop that was very eclectic.  The shop is no longer in business.  I believe they are fetish beads.  I certainly do hope so for the price paid.

These are hard to see in the baggies but I don't want to expose them to the air too much.  They are antique coins that have been embellished and made into pendants.  Very pricey just to have sitting around...yet not so pricey for the work involved to create them.  I purchased these from a local woman who made them.

Here is purging of fabrics, punches, paper products and other assorted items.  It is all going to a good home.  It seems no matter how much I purge and eliminate I still have an entire studio overflowing with supplies and goods.  I shall continue to practice my mantra..."Use what I have!"

Mr. C looking dapper!  Or should I say, Mr. C looking fop!  A new word I have learned from Annie while she is doing her altered dictionary.  Check out her wonderful blog freezeframe.  I am always so happy when I am inspired by other's creative talents.
I am in full Summer lazy mode now.  I love Summer the best.  Our weather has been intermittent...warm, cool, yet dry.  Very dry with no rain at all.  I would totally welcome a good drenching.  My prayers are in full replay for no forest fires.  I am terribly saddened for Colorado Springs and all they have endured.  Healing Hugs for everyone affected.
I haven't been very creative of late.  However I am completing something that I will share very soon.  What are you working on?  Are you trying new crafts or sticking with your favorite tried and trues?
Thank you very much for the lovely comments you leave.  They really brighten my days and motivate me to continue creating.  Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts...

Scarves & Pond Bears...

As I have blogged before I am participating in the Pink Scarf Project that Vicki is so generously hostessing.  You can read and see gorgeous scarves on her blog 2 bags Full.  This seems like a huge success so far.  If you would like to participate you still have time.  The ending date is September 15, 2013 (I believe).  To be certain my scarves arrive in time I am mailing them this week.  I like to be prepared ahead of time.

I didn't just want to wrap them in tissue and send them off.  So I purchased some lovely pink tulle and ribbon.  Then I stitched up individual bags for each scarf.  I also made a special hand written tag for each scarf and attached it with ribbon.

Here I am ready to mail off the five scarves I have.  I made four of them and a dear friend hand knit one of them with the most beautiful soft pale pink and white yarn.  It reminds me of cotton candy.  Thank you Bev.
Vicki will post photos of them when she does her next showing on her blog.  I cannot even imagine the time involved with coordinating this project.  Thank you very much Vicki.

 A few weeks ago these beautiful purple Iris's were blooming at our pond.  I really look forward to them each year.  We also have yellow Iris that bloom however they are not my favorites.

Here is a side view of one end of the pond with the Iris's.  A few weeks ago a large pond rock was missing. Mr. C and I upon inspection found some deep impressions in the gravel walkway.  We also found the rock at the bottom of the pond where it will stay until we get some strong helper to lift it out and back into place.  Damage was also done to the new retaining bender board that Mr. C just repaired earlier this year.  So we thought that this damage might have been done by a bear.  Deer do other damages.  Hmmm...

So about 8:15 pm last evening in the dusk I happened to look out the upstairs window and saw something.  I was so surprised I could barely tell Mr. C to quick come and look.  A very large brown bear was just getting out of the pond and sauntered off across our driveway and on down the lane.  From the wet trail I believe it was a mama and her cub.  I thought I saw a smaller one but wasn't sure.  This morning Mr. C and I took a walk to assess the damages this time.  Oh yeah!  Plants smashed down, pond plants ripped up and floating aimlessly, Lilly buds torn off and adrift, more edging broken and lots more large divots in the gravel walkway.  My green frog statues were tumbled into the pond.  And along the previously wet tracks across the driveway...dried muddy very large and smaller bear footprints walking side by side.  We have alerted the neighbors to be careful and keep track of their pets.  Life in the forest is certainly interesting.  We have had a bear for the last three years and know because it gets the trash and spreads it all over.  Our neighbor next to us had seen it and warned us.  I saw one run in front of my truck one day.  Somehow having them in the pond is very alarming.  I for certain will not be going down there to turn off the water or check the mail or whatever.  I like being inside with the doors locked.  Upstairs is even better.  I truly lost sleep last night for all the excitement.
Nighty Night and Sleep Tight my faithful followers...

Shopping Bag Upcycle...

Besides this being my favorite store which I drive one hour each way in order to shop this wonderful store, they have nice sturdy brown paper bags which are free with your groceries.

Even the artwork on the bags is fun.  However...in our eternal strive to be more earth friendly and environment sensitive we are buying reuseable shopping bags that are rather boring and plain.

 
Here is a fabric version made for me by my friend Catherine.  Thank you dear!  It has approximately the same dimensions as the paper bag but so much more personality.  And it is hard to see that there is a long pocket on the side for that bottle of Perrier or wine.

Inside is also a pocket which can be handy for a shopping list and glasses or the quick wallet to pay for shopped items.  These bags are very light weight and fold up pretty flat.  Easy to store.

 When I attempted to make a bag, the bottom was a little lax in strength and support.  So I turned to my very old standby...plastic canvas.  It has the right amount of strength and support without adding weight or bulk.

Here is the bag inside bottom that I have covered in vinyl cloth so it can be cleaned off...somehow milk always dribbles.  I added the ribbon tab so it is easy to lift out and replace down in the bag bottom.

Here is my fabric version I made.  I used two different fabrics from my wonderful stash.  Thank you to my best ever Sister-In-Law Joanne I have many home decor fabrics to select from.  Lots of them are sample pieces and not yardage but they work perfectly for these types of projects.  I really love this cheerful floral.

Here is the side view with a pocket.  I added the ribbon ties that keep the sides in check much better.  When  needed just untie or loosen the ribbon for more room.  I did line this with plain muslin however I neglected to add the inside pocket/s.  I made this bag with a soft yellow floral for Catherine to celebrate her birthday tomorrow.  Happy Birthday my friend!

While I was cutting and sewing I also made this bag for myself.  My floral fabric has a very pale blue background and we all know how I love blue.  Now to go shopping...
It felt good to be sewing yet I found I made some frustrating mistakes.  This means I need to sew a lot more to keep up my skills.
Still weeding outdoors.  I seem to have a permanent job as the weeds keep growing and reproducing in the thousands.  Soon Mr. C will need to get out the power equipment and really weed whack the major areas.  I don't do that and don't want to do that.  I am more of the detail weed removal system on my hands and knees to really get the job done.  Tedious but then again it gives me time to really thank Nature for all her beauty.  I have heard it said, "Weeds are merely plants that no one wants!"  I actually enjoy many of them with their tiny little flowers and perfect little stems and leaves.
Summer is here and I hope you are enjoying all it brings with so much to do and all the family and friends who get together for picnics, reunions, graduations, weddings etcetera.
Blissful Creativity to each of you...

Creative Ways Abound...

I often hear someone say they are not creative and I am hard pressed to remind them that being creative is all about so many different ways of doing things.  Recently Mr. C and I were enjoying some pretty hot summer days and working outside.  I love to watch cooking shows and one of my favorites is Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian.  She had made white gazpacho and it looked really good.  This is my version and I called it Springtime gazpacho because I made mine a lot less white with more of a green color.  While we were sipping our lunch treat Mr. C says, "this would be really good with some shrimp!"

And that is how creativity comes to be.  The second time I made this delicious refreshing Springtime gazpacho I combined it with shrimp for a more filling and refreshing Springtime Shrimp Cocktail Gazpacho!
This is light and very easy on the calories.  The white you see is Vanilla Chobani Greek Yogurt sprinkled with dill.   I hope you try your version and enjoy a refreshing lunch on the deck.

Here is Mr. C getting creative.  Living here is always a challenge with plants, weather and critters.  Deer especially.  Our lawn takes a real beating every year.  Last Fall Mr. C re-seeded the lawn and the little black headed birds ate all the seeds.  No new grass grew!  After all the work he did and to have no results was not  a good thing.

This time Mr. C got creative and carefully hid each and every seed just perfectly.  So far with fingers crossed no birds have eaten the seeds.  It only took several hours to do a small little patch of lawn.  He still has the entire rest of the lawn to re-seed.  If only the little birds would just eat their seeds I so generously give them!

And of course, my favorite way to be creative is with fabric, lace, ribbon and buttons.  My sewing machine and I made this little fabric envelope for a dear friend who is making a very big life-style change right now.  Theresa dear I hope this is your first official mail you receive in your new home.  Hugs to you...
Theresa does not have a blog but she does read them.  Her generous mail art with beautiful handmade cards and ATCs always brings a smile to my face and I am blessed to have "met" her through an ATC swap.  Thank you my friend.
Our weather has been cold and drizzly.  We welcome the moisture.  Yesterday was my very favorite blue sky with white puffy clouds.  So very beautiful.  Another way to be creative is to view the clouds and really see them and the shapes they form...just like when we were children and had very few cares or worries in our world.  I hope you take the time to relax and enjoy your ability to be creative...
After all...Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts!

Beads and Blossoms...

Beads.  Beads.  Glorious Beads.  I am definitely cash poor but bead wealthy.  In my sorting a while back I discovered lots of beads I had forgotten about.  I love the feel of beads.  I love the look of beads.  And...I love to create with beads.

Here are some of my more sorted beads by colors.  These tend to be considered "bead soup" as they are mixtures of all types and sizes.  This is a great way to keep leftover beads from projects when you just have a few remaining.  Pretty soon you have a nice assortment to either use separately or use together in a project.

This container looks a little messy however I have my methods.  My organizing skills are a constant exercise in organizing.  Hmmm...that rather sounds like something I said to Mr. C recently, "If I felt better, I would feel better."  To me it makes total and complete sense.
So back to my beads...I thought I should have some new simple jewelry pieces to fill in my options.

Here is a pair of earrings I just made to compliment my necklace you have seen before.  The necklace is also featured on my blog banner.  It is one of my forever favorites.  The green stones are Chalk Turquoise.  I paired them with small vintage black beads and my very best Swarovski bicones in crystal clear.  The Swarovski beads really add just the right touch of bling.

Then while my beads and jewelry tools were out and covering my work table I decided I needed a simple set to go with the black casual clothes I wear in summer.  Earrings and a necklace.  I used gemstone black agate rounds with my favorite Swarovski bicones in crystal clear.  The earthy cool of the agates and the sparkle of the bicones really compliment one another.

I kept the design very simple so as not to scream attention.  This necklace has my favorite magnetic clasp.  The length is known as "Princess" and is 18 inches in total.  It falls just below my collar bones and therefore does not draw any unnecessary eyes to my "turkey" throat that Mr. C so graciously points out all too often.
Simple is very much my style...in clothing and in jewelry.  

This is a photo of my Japanese Maple which is growing very slowly.  The dark purple is dramatic.  The bright green with the beautiful white blossoms is Mock Orange.  I originally planted six of these as a hedge but that never came to fruition as the deer eat the mock oranges down to tiny little sticks.  The plants are barely surviving from all the chomping year to year.  This one somehow was able to grow some tall shoots that the deer can no longer reach and that is why I am able to have these delicious orange scented blossoms for a few weeks each Spring.  I took this photo from the upper West side deck.
Prayers and Healing Hugs continue for Oklahoma and the devastation of such a massive tornado.
Our weather is once again much chillier here.  The sun is shining but the warmth is not being felt.  This year we have had so much more "Delta breeze" than I can ever remember.  I call it wind!  And it is cold!  I will try to save some up for when Summer is here and the temperatures are much warmer...as in hot...the way I prefer it to be.  I am probably part lizard.  A nice warm rock to rest upon sounds pretty good to me.
Creative Bliss to each and every one.  Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts...