Spring Fun

I joined this fun swap over at GypsyMermaidLife
a bit ago and was finally able to complete my contributions... sorry soo slow...
This is a fun swap where you mail your items in and then they get sent to some one else... I like that because it's a surprise as to who winds up with what...


The theme was garden/tea....

And you had to include a pretty bird and a butterfly... my butterfly is funky, the body looks like a big cigar or something..but in all... fun stuff!

Can't wait to receive my swap items in the mail!! They will be strung on a garland or ribbon and I will be able to hang them up and add some fun Spring freshness to our abode... goodness knows we have Spring fever bad here!!lol!

Happy Wed. everyone.

XO

Fun Spring Necklace

Fun Spring necklace here! I used vintage elements like the pendant and the large crystal on the back pendant... Some is silver plated some is sterling... there are crystal Swarovski crystals.. Rose quartz and the Bali silver head pins...

Didn't the back pendant turn out cool? And I used a unique heart clasp... You know the fun thing is.. I can keep adding or taking away as the inspiration hits! I will eventually list this in the store as well...I think I need to find some rhinestone buttons and add them some how..!!

I can't wait for time in the studio to solder!! Its been 'burnin' in my brain' to do some..unfortunately I haven't had a chance.. I have an idea to solder a larger charm for Bennie's great-granddaughter that was born just a week before Bennie passed... Some little something that her dad & mom can hang in her nursery.

I also have an idea for a unique 'bridal party' gift.. some kind of charm to commemorate the date.

I have a realtor coming tomorrow to start the process of listing the house.. I'm really nervous but then again I'm not. Kind of interesting turn of events everyone... DH and I just recently (as in the past 4 days..) received job offers in of all places... Idaho!! Don't get me wrong... luv ya Esther Sunday! but talk about a curve ball. This is just soo out of the blue.

But...but... we all wanted to move to Texas.. and the warmth..and the sunshine...and the warmth... lol...secretly I have always wanted to live in Texas...But a few Summers ago I was able to visit Idaho and it was beautiful....

Here's the thing, I would only have to work 3 to 4 hrs. a day and work at home via a company laptop!! I would be a safety officer of a growing trucking company... DH would actually with his job offer work only two weeks a month and make the same amount he slaves for being gone soo much.. The boys are only getting older and quite frankly they need their dad to keep them in line... it's something about when dad's deep voice says 'knock it off'..

We are soo torn up with confusion right now... not sorrow..just confusion. I mean, is this some way to throw us off target? I did check..and there aren't as many flea markets in the area of Idaho we would move as Texas..but there are sooooooo many more than here..(we have 2..both seasonal )LOL.. Some Bible believing churches.. And shopping!! So it wouldn't be bad there..in Idaho, just cold like here in the winters. That is the huge thing about us moving, we can not afford to keep wasting money on trying to stay warm!! I know that we would not have near as large of utilities in Texas as here or Idaho.. I don't know..I'm just really confused now.

Sorry for such a long winded post.. Can anyone tell me a little more about Idaho?!!

Hope your Monday went well.

XO

It's a Family Birthday!

Yay!! Happiest of Birthdays my baby!!! You are our peace maker... our love.. you are always there to help and to give a hug!! All of 9 years old...hmmm..sometimes I think you are wise beyond your young years.... Your family looooves you!! So thankful for you..
I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday... the cord would have killed ya... you came just at the right time.... our beloved son and brother... Happy Birthday to you!! May you be blessed with many more years.

Marshmallow can be yummy!

During our travels today... I stumbled on these yummy teeny pink and yellow ducklings.. Oh my gosh! They are yummy. I've never been a big fan of marshmallows... too sticky too sweet...well #3 is a big fan of marshmallows and since it's his birthday tomorrow I figured I would indulge him. We arrived home and let me tell you, these amazing confections are delicious.

I found these babies at well... can you guess? Okay..okay.. I'll tell ya... Williams Sonoma! Can you guess I looove this place? It actually wasn't my idea to go in there tonight, it was DH.

I found a scrumptious sounding recipe that I will have to try. It is from The French Laundry Cook book

INGREDIENTS:
3 envelopes of unflavored Knox gelatin
1/2 cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups corn syrup
1/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar for dredging
PREPARATION: In the bowl of an electric mixer, sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water. Soak for 10 minutes. Combine sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan.

Bring to a boil and boil hard for 1 minute. Pour boiling syrup into gelatin and mix at high speed. Add the salt and beat for 12 minutes. Add vanilla and incorporate into mixture. Scrape into a 9 x 9-inch pan lined with oiled plastic wrap and spread evenly. (Note: Lightly oil hands and spatula or bowl scraper). After pouring marshmallow mixture into the pan, take another piece of plastic wrap and press mixture into the pan.

Let mixture sit for a few hours. Remove from pan, dredge the marshmallow slab with confectioners' sugar and cut into 12 equal pieces with scissors (the best tool for the job) or a chef's knife. Dredge each piece of marshmallow in confectioners' sugar. Yield: 12 large marshmallows

Recipe Source: French Laundry Cookbook by Thomas Keller

Enjoy! and Happy Spring!

XO

old stuff

Well, I was cleaning out the studio and found these two older collages I've done.... look familiar?
Gosh... I can't believe I have soooooo much stuff stashed places. The studio was the children's play room...and class room ( I used to home school when they were smaller) till I kicked 'em out and made it mine..ALL MINE !Muaw hauaw haw!!! LOL! just kidding... seriously, I can't believe what pack rat I am!! It's amazing what you can accumulate over 7 years.

This one I really like! Seein' I have boys and all... I made this one into a larger soldered charm and was able to sell it at Assemblage Studio. This cleaning out is really time consuming, but I know if we put some effort into it.. the house will fare well and we will be able to sell in a reasonable time. I think it's going to be funny at all the things we find that were 'mysteriously' lost over the years! Like the first T.V remote ( had to buy a universal one.. ) Those all important Star Wars pieces that because they are lost... Obi One's ship wont fly! Hey maybe the galaxy will be saved after all..LOL

Thank goodness it's almost the weekend! Hey.. #3...my youngest..my baby will be turning 9!! Yay...

Happy Thursday..XO

Fruits of the Spirit

Well, busy busy here... who's not right? I so wanted to get into the studio and create but I have been trying to get things into storage and 'de cluttering' as folks have suggested. I have been trying to get to figure out what needs to be painted and I'm concerned about if I need paint over some of the things I've done on the walls..
One thing I love, and I think I will leave is this stencil I did at the top of our living room. It's a 'Tree of Life' and I painted the 'Fruits of the Spirit' under every other one... Anyone know them?
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is...
love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.


I just really want to thank every body who has been visiting my blogs lately and leaving comments! You have really been making my day!
Anyone ever feel 'scattered' in a million places? I do.. So much so that it is starting to affect my health...and I am so glad I just took the night to go to a Bible study with DH... So sorry for not coming to visit today.. I will try and stop in tomorrow and say "Hi"..
Happy Wed...
XO

Fun stuff!

Fun stuff today! I went to the one and only antiques mall here... and found some fun things..This is my favorite! It's just a white statue of fruit..but is soo reminds me of Carmen Miranda!! Cha Cha Cha!!LOL
This will be going in the store, I just have to figure out a price. There is a tiny leaf broken off, I couldn't really tell till I REALLY looked for it.. I think it only adds to the Shabbyesque of it

Vintage Fire King!! It is so funny how you can be combing booth after booth..it seems that folks would try and keep tabs on what their 'neighbor' booth prices are and stay competitive with them. Maybe they are smart and pricing things lower to keep things moving in their booth..

My point is that I was able to pick it up at a wonderful price and will be putting it in the store. I love Ironstone more for my kitchen....

And lastly.. Estate silver plate! I finally found some knives. I'm on the hunt for some trophies!! What do you guys think of Estate silver? I think it adds a lovely touch to everyday meals.

Have a wonderful Monday everyone!! P.s.. Thank you for your well wishes about moving.. this is actually the first house we have ever owned and now it will be the first house we have ever tried to sell.. any pointers?

XO