Bead Challenged Bliss...

I have a very dear friend who recently purchased a necklace for an upcoming trip she is to take.  The necklace had no matching earrings.  So she purchased some beads and findings and asked me to make them for her.  I was delighted and said of course I would be happy to.  That was before I saw the findings.
My first attempts were not working.  I was struggling as the tiny...very tiny...little loops on the circles do not open.  They are fixed in place.  I usually do wire wrapped loops and attached them during the wrapping process.  Even with all my tools and both of my hands I could not get my loops attached to these little fixed circles.  And I realized that my wire wrapped loops were too long for the top hanging bead.  Drat!

I was certain that I would not be able to make these earrings and that was very disheartening to me.  Hmmm...this is the modern world with internet!  I Googled YouTube and found a nice easy to understand tutorial on how to make "chandelier earrings".  With renewed confidence I went back to the jewelry table and tried my new-found method.  With only a few tries I was able to get one little bead attached to one little circle.  I destroyed a few of my sterling silver headpins in the process but persevered.  Having a couple more hands...maybe eight like an octopus might have...would have helped.  Success!  I am pleased with the results and managed to make a matching pair of chandelier earrings for my friend.  I do believe the person in the video has had a lot more experience and therefore has perfected her looping techniques.  I will keep trying.

This is much more my comfort zone.  A lovely beaded headpin with a wrapped loop which attaches it to the fixed larger loop on the Dogwood charm.  However, I am glad I tried something out of my comfort zone as that is how we improve our skills.  It felt so good to actually create something with beads and findings.
Summer is glorious here in the pines.  I do hope you are enjoying your summer/winter doing what gives you bliss.  Are you learning any new techniques or crafts?
Welcome to my new followers and thank you all for commenting.  I really enjoy reading them and visiting your blogs.  Happy Hearts are Creative Hearts.  Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts.  Happy Creative Hearts Dear Blog Friends...

Bunny Pincushion Threesome...

As I wrote on a previous post here I am making these really cute bunny pincushions for gifts.  Here are the latest threesome I cut out and am preparing.  I have used wool for the brown and tweed bodies.  Wool felt for the pink and orange ears.  For the beige ears and back pocket I used a good quality flannel that I had just a scrap of to see if it would work.  It did and I like the result.

I have not named these as I think the recipients might like to name them.  This one is very stylish with orange ears and orange heart button.  The orange with yellow polka dot neck ribbon and peach bow adds to the charm.

This bunny has pink ears and heart button with a soft pink tail.  The pink neck ribbon is embellished with a little rose applique that I stitched onto the ribbon.

Now you might think this one is weird but I think of this one as my lop-eared bunny.  I was actually trying to create the lop-ears and think these look pretty cute.  The back scissor pocket is also the same flannel as the ears.  A white heart button and beige ribbon with small lace flower centered with a root beer brown bead.  These bunnies are such fun to make and will be well received gifts.

Here is another batch of get well cards sent to Mr. C.  Thank you Terrie, Theresa and Gail.  Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated.  Mr. C is continuing to improve however he is having some tests done to determine the extent of his concussion damage.  We are thinking positive thoughts for good results.  He may have physical therapy in his future to help his off-center leaning which is causing muscle spasms in his back.  Over all we are very fortunate and thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes.
Thank you to everyone of the fire fighting personnel that saved Idyllwild in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California.  Idyllwild is deeply entrenched in my heart as I grew up there summers and other weeks of the year.  Fond memories of simpler times.  Where I live now reminds me very much of Idyllwild with the pine trees and the beauty of nature. Cooler weather has once again returned here.  The sky is blue and life is good.  I am enjoying domestic chores and some creative time.  Mostly I am enjoying just being with my husband as we never know what is around the bend...Blessings!

Serene Sunday Outing...

Sunday we took a drive with some friends to enjoy our beautiful surroundings we live near.  Our first destination was Big Springs Gardens for brunch.  I didn't take many photos as I was merely enjoying the beauty of it all.  For detailed info please click on the link I included.  This is a privately owned property. Unfortunately there were no fish in the giant pond as an otter had just visited and eaten all of the fish.  In past years we have watched giant Osprey swoop down and catch a fish for their meal.

This is the private residence.  The entire grounds that are open to the public are very picturesque.  I neglected to take a photo of our brunch area.  It is peaceful with waterfalls and live music playing. Sometimes a harpist and sometimes a trio are playing quietly for your enjoyment.

With our tummies full from as much food as we desired we strolled over the bridge and enjoyed lots of plants and flowers.   We spent several hours here just relaxing and enjoying.  Don, the owner, was very pleasant and we enjoyed catching up with him and his hopes of a foundation forming to preserve this beautiful piece of serenity he has built.  He is getting along in years and 118 acres is a bit much for him to continue to maintain.  I am hoping the right people come along to maintain and preserve this amazing gift.

Next on our day of enjoyment we visited Sardine Lakes just a few miles further. This is a smaller lake that is a fishing paradise.  Mr. C took his son and grandson here fishing one time and they couldn't keep all the fish they caught.  They said the fish were practically jumping into their boat.  They were throwing them back in the lake for others.

This is a small floating bar that sits on the lake.  Mr. C loves to sit here and enjoy a drink.  Part of the allure of Sardine Lakes is that they also have a very home-style rustic restaurant that serves dinner in only two seatings per weekend night...and only during open season.  The snow in winter months closes this place and all of the highways leading to it.  We have dined here several times and taken friends and family here.  The charm of the place and the excellent food by a French chef was the draw.  We found out yesterday they have changed chefs after 20+ years so I am not certain what it will be like next time we come for dinner.
It was a very long day of exploring and sharing and enjoying.  One last stop at the Downieville St. Charles Bar for a refreshment and then back home.   Mr. C took a really long nap afterwords.  3 hours and then up for 2 hours and then slept the entire night.
I had a successful and enjoyable day as I managed to NOT get carsick.  Every road we were on was a windy road and I usually get horribly ill.  This time I got to sit in the passenger front seat and I did all my Bonine and Ginger preparations just right.   Thankfully it was a wonderful day and the weather was perfect!  A huge thank you to our friends for driving all day.
Summer is progressing along and our weather continues to be glorious.  A tad warm in the sun but so beautiful.  My beloved Idyllwild in Southern California appears to be saved from the raging forest fires they are experiencing in Riverside County outside of Palm Springs.  Thank you to all the firefighting personnel and thank you to the Idyllwild Town Crier for the excellent updates.
I am hoping to get creative this week. What are you doing to enjoy your summer/winter?

Handmade Cards & Plantings...

What a wonderful surprise I had when I recently gathered my mail at the local post office box.  These were addressed to Mr. C and I rushed right home to have him open them.  He was very surprised to get mail from my blogging friends.  Thank you so very much for brightening our day and for helping Mr. C get well.  I put a little something in the return mail for each person.  Thank you to Annie, Dawn, Dogwood and Paulette.
Mr. C is continuing to gain strength and he is now able to accomplish one major task each day before he runs out of steam and hits his pain level.  He is working on a big project for the Bub Streamliner  that has held world records at Bonneville.  This year he is fine tuning and prepping all the wind-speed stations for the 10 mile course for the meet to be held in latter August.  I have been driving us and helping him with this task.  Hmmm...that could be why you don't see anything clever or creative from me and my rooms lately.  Being an assistant (sounds so much better than "grunt") is taking most of my time of late.  I am still sorting and finding lots of supplies in my studio.  I am rather enjoying the treasure hunting.
 

The rest of my time you might find me outside doing weed detail.  I hate bark that we put down years ago and so when I come across it I "accidentally" gather it up in my debris piles and chuck it in the hefty bags.  I would much rather have plain old dirt (ours is red clay soil) to deal with rather than the bark that harbors weeds, mold and insects.  YUCK!!!  This newest greenery Mr. C planted before his accident is known as Sweet Box.  I am hoping the deer do not wish to eat it since we planted it out front by the raised porch entry to the house.

We actually planted four of them and so far they are looking pretty good.  Nice and green.  Now to get them to grow and fill in this space.  These photos are before the weeds took hold and I must get out there and utilize my amazing detailed de-weeding skills.  
Our weather continues to be glorious!  Blue skies, sunlight, white puffy clouds and a gentle cooling breeze. Gosh it sounds as delightful as it really is.  Triple digits are predicted for three days this week.  Until then I am busy doing what little bits I can do.
May you each be enjoying either Summer or Winter depending on where you are.  July is officially the month to celebrate ice cream so I think I shall go and do my bit to honor my favorite food.  I could honestly live on ice cream.  Our family grew up eating ice cream and I still love it. My mom would always make home made ice cream in August complete with us kids turning the handle while the ice and salt did the freezing.  I think fresh peach was one of my very favorites that she made.  We also got to go to Sav-On and Thrifty for ice cream cones.  But the very best most special treat was to go to Curries for a sugar cone filled with ice cream.  That was up-town in Downey CA and expensive so it didn't happen very often and that is probably why it was so special.
Thank you for indulging my travels down memory lane.
Do you like ice cream?   What flavor is your favorite?
Find and enjoy the best of everyday...especially the tiny moments of bliss...

Beaded Plug Charms...

I shared about my "Big Easy" phone I got to replace my cute little one I lost.  I like to have a special charm on my phone but this one had no loop I could attach to.  Then I remembered a wonderful little plug that Robbie had gifted me with.  Robbie does beautiful bead work and quilting which you can check out here.
I put several hearts on this one.
 

Here is a close up of the little plug which fits right into the speaker jack on the phone.

Because Robbie had given me two, I also made a charm for my Nook e-reader.  These little beads were gifted to me from a friend's visit to Maui.  She knows how much I like blue.
Thank you Robbie for being so generous with me.  I apologize for not sharing one of them like I was supposed to do.  I will be happy to buy some from your little bead store.  Just email me the info please.

In my sorting through stuff in the studio I came across my label maker and decided to clean out the box it sits in.  I save bits and pieces of the label tape.  If I make a mistake I save it.  And every time I print a label there is a good one inch of wasted tape.  Oh No!  I do not waste anything.  I save these and then use them like I would use scotch tape.  I seal gift wrap, envelopes, baggies, and what ever else needs a bit of tape.  What would you use these bits of perfectly good label tape for?
Summer is progressing nicely.  Our weather is glorious.  It is time for me to get back to doing my weed duty.  I read that if you pour boiling hot water on weeds they die.  Have you tried this?  I don't like to use expensive weed killers that are poisonous.  I have an electric tea kettle and think I shall take it outside and boil some water and try this method.
Mr. C is finally sleeping and that will really help him heal.  We have been very fortunate and appreciate all your kind well wishes.
I have been enjoying viewing blogs that are participating in Where Bloggers Create 2013 hostessed by Karen of My Desert Cottage.  The amazing inspiration of each space is truly overwhelming.  Thank you to each blogger who is participating and sharing their creative spaces.   I didn't participate as I was going to be gone.  Maybe next year I can be part of this fabulous tour.
Happy Blissful Creative Hearts Dears...