tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82459607885179587042024-03-05T21:43:06.024-05:00All the Pretty ThingsWelcome at 'All the Pretty Things' Here, we create... well, just that: pretty things! Designer jewelry, accents, home decor, candles, and much more – we have put together a gallery of little pretty wonders, each and every one of them a delicate piece of art. Each of our items is one of a kind.
Thank you for shopping with All the Pretty Things. Enjoy!Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.comBlogger600125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-85804993141253857382016-05-01T00:15:00.000-04:002016-05-01T00:15:16.549-04:00(Orthodox) EasterAs usual, every four years or so we celebrate really, really later - it has to do with the moon cycle and the new / old calendar. So here we are, starting the month of May with Easter!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvSotcqx7mMkSjSk1dGXAeJfag98LVMyB40SCHPmb4nhZA4OKEMpXrDufMBTfrNX4FPCj0aSKmUxlzVjEVhuWMF_zakNDQGANhKRzQJl4kxs-SiyEgHF82QSuZ2OAdtE83urnfn56ebU/s1600/2016+Easter.sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christ Has Risen! ~ All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkvSotcqx7mMkSjSk1dGXAeJfag98LVMyB40SCHPmb4nhZA4OKEMpXrDufMBTfrNX4FPCj0aSKmUxlzVjEVhuWMF_zakNDQGANhKRzQJl4kxs-SiyEgHF82QSuZ2OAdtE83urnfn56ebU/s320/2016+Easter.sm.jpg" title="Christ Has Risen! ~ All Pretty Things" width="207" /></a>This time my house had to be pleased with the harmony... as there was no time to clean anything (we usually do a serious spring cleaning at Easter, complete with washing all the windows, the walls, the doors... it's crazy, time-consuming, but oh, so squeaky-clean!). Not this time. It was barely time for cooking, we just finished the eggs :) The special meat-loaf was a must, but no sweet bread (Florin is the one eating it, and he's in Germany this week, we'll probably make the sweet bread next week). The cheese 'Pasca' is done as well, so I consider it done.<br />
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But I filled the house with flowers and hopefully good spirit. Which is, ultimately, what matters. Knowing what we celebrate and why and understanding the gravity of the moment. Preparing for Christmas is a joyful journey - preparing for Easter is a mixed one. On one hand, you must be sad for His pain and for what He went through for us, on the other hand, you must be happy knowing it's just a few more hours until everything is beautifully right in the world!<br />
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So from our family to you: may you be blessed and may your path be lighten up.<br />
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Christ Has Risen!<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-69150553079555886032016-04-23T12:33:00.000-04:002016-04-23T12:33:45.546-04:00Hello... still from this sideI have neglected the blog, not because I have nothing to say, but because I couldn't get together for long enough to say it.<br />
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Paraphrasing Adele (I love that song *a lot*): Hello!<br />
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No, I am not calling you from the other side :)<br />
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I've been busy, as predicted. Not done yet, almost there. Courses are done, I still have to mark the finals for the one I TA-ed, but my courses are done. I had wonderful professors (as usual), and I learned a lot this term. It was quite a challenge: for one of the courses we had insanely long assignments every three weeks (26 questions for each, and each questions would take me on average 1 hour to study, and another to write a solution). The other course was as challenging, however extremely practical, we had to literary go and try different tools for each unit. This professor went above and beyond his "duty": he came to my Master thesis presentation (and asked a lot of questions!) and then for his course project, he gave me a subject that fits into my research. Isn't that nice?<br />
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The thesis went well, I finished it and I will start soon the next phase with it. I presented it, I defended it, I am done - Master of Applied Science in Software Engineering. It seems so long ago!<br />
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The child and husband are both healthy and going on. I will have some news from hubby's side of the business, soon. He's busier than usual, but I guess that is good. I just don't seem to catch a break :)<br />
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On the artsy side, I let everything slide... something has to give, as I have discovered neither the time machine (or at least that magical gadget Hermione got from Dumbledore in her third year) nor a way to clone myself. I am not even sure I'd go with the clone, as I wouldn't want someone else to live parts of my life. I had some pale trials back in January to make some enameled pieces... they are still waiting to be finished. I have also tried metal clay again (copper this time) and, believe it or not, it is not yet fired! I am looking forward to fire them at one point.<br />
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Right now all I can do is admire the beautiful spring weather (chilly, but very sunny) and inch forward, one baby step at a time!<br />
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In March we took the High Performance Team to a camp in Tucson, Arizona. On the last day we visited the Bioshpere 2. I hoped for some life science extraordinaire, however, while in life science I've seen more interesting museums, that place is an engineering wonder! If you ever have the chance to see it, don't miss it - it's impressive to see how they built it.<br />
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Much to my surprise, what is the path to the actual domes peppered with?!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWz-31aatGHsPU0O4mWyxLMy5T32fVnHc0tDfLi33ha9waTm-iFw4EmvkD9c4IzxrbcRA3gvlaiEGHWdSNZRjK8Ngcg0LUZbb7REu22xgfK9qS1YmdejvqoEG8ahVMggygD90-4gMX8k/s1600/Malachite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWz-31aatGHsPU0O4mWyxLMy5T32fVnHc0tDfLi33ha9waTm-iFw4EmvkD9c4IzxrbcRA3gvlaiEGHWdSNZRjK8Ngcg0LUZbb7REu22xgfK9qS1YmdejvqoEG8ahVMggygD90-4gMX8k/s400/Malachite.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Boulders of Malachite and Azurite, from the hills (and desert) around the Biosphere. See, there is some pretty to look at even when I make nothing else but mathematical formulae. One day I will get to Tucson and do nothing but visit the places where Turquoise is mined :)<br />
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Right now... I have to get back to my study, I still have two huge exams at the end of the month. And tomorrow is Palm Sunday, next Sunday is Easter... baby steps...<br />
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And with this, I am going to thank you for stopping by and wish you all a great St. George day!<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-58687932991753578152016-01-17T01:59:00.000-05:002016-01-17T01:59:43.295-05:00A New Year!Happy New Year! I know it's not that new anymore, but I still write 2015 everywhere, so it's new for me :)<br />
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This past week, walking to and from the office, I've been thinking I haven't chosen my word for 2016 yet. I need something full of energy - the first third of the year will be brutal. I take 2 very intense courses, one extra, I TA a lovely course (the good news here is that this term students seem to be more interested, more aware, more present than the ones last year), and I have exactly 6 weeks to finish, defend, and send the corrected thesis to the department.<br />
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And while I am not going to think past next week, I know the rest of the year will be as crazy. Between the three schools (Florin's, William's and mine), home and everything else, it'll be a miracle to navigate through.<br />
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That being said, my energetic word for 2016 is <b>bold</b>. A little bit of "to boldly go where no one has gone before", a little bit of "adventurous", a lot of "fearless", some "daring" and a bit of "audacious" (in the good sense), my word of the year will help me stay focused and courageously inch forward, one step at a time.<br />
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What is your word / goal for the New Year? </div>
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-6791298744591378642015-12-09T21:42:00.000-05:002015-12-09T21:42:28.270-05:00Art Bead Scene - Ornament Blog HopIn a moment of insanity (it looks like I have lots of them lately), when Heather Powers posted on <a href="http://www.artbeadscene.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Art Bead Scene</a> there will be an Ornament Blog Hop I said 'yes!'.<br />
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Then I had that moment of lucidity that follows the insanity: now what? I had no clear idea... so I did what I do best, leave it to brew. I don't know about you, but for me it really works (the trick is to tell yourself to brew the idea, not to forget it). Half of my work ideas come in dreams; I wake up in the morning and I suddenly have the solution of whatever issues I had.<br />
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This time I didn't dream about it, though. Couple of weeks ago, at Dee's studio, I simply rummaged through my IKEA box of boxes, looking for items. It had to be metal / wire, but I wanted some colour as well. I kept digging until I recovered an adorable blue cab with a matte finish, like etched glass (it is not glass, some sort of resin). From previous experience I know it's hard to use them in bezels, the finish is finicky and burnishing the bezel around is not looking good on the cab. While thinking of this, I kind of made the back for it, from copper, hammered and stamped. I thought one of those net-like bezels from wire would work best, I made the first raw on the net, then realized it will never go well with just the net, as the wire was too think (24 ga). There is a solution to every problem - and I found mine immediately :)<br />
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The cab is quite small (about 1" in diameter) and the ornament looked like it was missing something. Luckily for me, I always carry wire and enamel with me now.<br />
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This is what I ended up with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F_TcyTLVaREFCloatqeMmFjefn_KSa3gh5yPwdAB-nrZf86nwtzHBMoyWWVhndaZ6I7MfjgSsaZv32z_JU0vBqOSurVMSg9EUdP63JsdFW3J_Q-JUY4t-YonTshGC1LaTM2RZzgQB5o/s1600/ABS.Tree+Decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Mystical sea creature: copper, enamel, wire working, blue resin cab, Art Bead Scene Ornament blog hop :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3F_TcyTLVaREFCloatqeMmFjefn_KSa3gh5yPwdAB-nrZf86nwtzHBMoyWWVhndaZ6I7MfjgSsaZv32z_JU0vBqOSurVMSg9EUdP63JsdFW3J_Q-JUY4t-YonTshGC1LaTM2RZzgQB5o/s320/ABS.Tree+Decoration.jpg" title="Mystical sea creature: copper, enamel, wire working, blue resin cab, Art Bead Scene Ornament blog hop :: All Pretty Things" width="170" /></a></div>
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Isn't it adorable? What you see is the actual size (just a tad larger in real life) and the funniest part is that today I was wearing a dress in exact those 2 blues. So I think my ornament will end up being a pendant soon :) What's best than a piece that can be both?!</div>
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I am searching for a name - something with fish net / octopus / sea life comes to mind... I haven't figured it out yet. I might add the 3rd 'leg' - I had three of them, but for some unknown reasons, one decided to melt while torched... before I even touched the enamel. It just warped itself out of solid state into a semi-liquid state. Strange, I know, as all three legs were made the same way, from the same piece of wire, same torch. Oh, well, I will survive. Maybe it's some mystical sea creature - two-legged, yes, I actually like that. </div>
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"Mystical sea creature" :) </div>
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Thank you for stopping by - we'll all be hopping from the <a href="http://www.artbeadscene.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">ABS' site</a>, I'll try to add the list link here as well. </div>
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Wishing you a peaceful season: may you celebrate what you believe in with your loved ones!</div>
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-50152370036850363382015-11-27T20:45:00.003-05:002015-11-27T20:45:16.516-05:00CC7A November - hosted by ChristineWe are coming to an end with the CC7A. I would like to thank all my wonderful partners 'in crime' for their support during this year. And to promise everyone I am, indeed, going to post the August and September pieces soon.<br />
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November was hosted by lovely Christine and her choice of picture was one very matching the weather outside:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKOZ918dMa6jjxtCCJ3A4uXYes1y6qOIwJTOiaTI5A64GFxzUBLgh4mL9t5iwdF2F4DHRzs3nICeAnSRT5Y1Wcy2HC_VrgMCzin__qHycf3xDy2j3__nDJnIoNq25zXYq3GUK3ioCRLo/s1600/HighLonesome.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKOZ918dMa6jjxtCCJ3A4uXYes1y6qOIwJTOiaTI5A64GFxzUBLgh4mL9t5iwdF2F4DHRzs3nICeAnSRT5Y1Wcy2HC_VrgMCzin__qHycf3xDy2j3__nDJnIoNq25zXYq3GUK3ioCRLo/s320/HighLonesome.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yup, all the leaves are gone by now. The sky might not be as brilliantly blue, or not today (it's raining), but the branches sure look like that.<br />
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I wanted to make something that matches the empty branches, but I felt it'll make me way to sad and right now that's the last thing I need. So I deviated just a tad :)<br />
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First it came the flower. As my enamel colours are very limited, I am truly happy I still have a bit of the aqua, we will pretend it's the colour of the sky. The flower was ready on Sunday, however I wasn't ready to finish it until today. I knew how I wanted to finish it, which in my mind was the same thing as being done... sorry... I run a lot like this lately.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrDRdrK-ANDHwV_9xCv3WLX7wMjkfMlOOtygu5YMlh6CHq6ePi5EZ0KPQ5M2FHZzzgNXRLR0bbLDtLL0VeB7unEK70RZx1z0ur8G6HI-E5cKmIdvh2_TXN1BauPDvSsEW3uXOxhZmkf4/s1600/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrDRdrK-ANDHwV_9xCv3WLX7wMjkfMlOOtygu5YMlh6CHq6ePi5EZ0KPQ5M2FHZzzgNXRLR0bbLDtLL0VeB7unEK70RZx1z0ur8G6HI-E5cKmIdvh2_TXN1BauPDvSsEW3uXOxhZmkf4/s400/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.01.jpg" title="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I looked for a bit of fabric to match the flower, but all my fabrics were turquoise or deep blue. Too deep and dark for what I wanted. I recently received some silky scarfs from my mom, but those weren't in the colours I wanted either (although beautiful nonetheless!). As I was scratching my head, I remembered I bought some mohair / wool mix yarn, in some blue-grayish hues. That should do it, right?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKb5I4ZiHDpWMFr8iv4n04iXDGcSc0mckQIRvBGkhrkTvMW0qYdYeoxGIIYYuXpLh95ItbJmzkgEfzPFPJZlKuce-qoqORAFmIutDIElsP6QZ0Qwd5stFgw8X_pIBJZ4FzKXbtD_xDTk/s1600/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKb5I4ZiHDpWMFr8iv4n04iXDGcSc0mckQIRvBGkhrkTvMW0qYdYeoxGIIYYuXpLh95ItbJmzkgEfzPFPJZlKuce-qoqORAFmIutDIElsP6QZ0Qwd5stFgw8X_pIBJZ4FzKXbtD_xDTk/s400/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.02.jpg" title="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" width="275" /></a></div>
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Luckily for me, it continues beautifully from the end of the flower (where the blue of the enamel is not that bright). I wrapped a piece of wire in the yarn, then crocheted the neckpiece with the yarn and another, thinner wire. I also used the thin wire on the flower 'hanger' - for some empty branches.<br />
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Being completely exhausted already (not from this, from my crazy life in general), I couldn't bear the thought to make the clasp, so I used one of two clasps I won (long time ago) from Cindy Wimmer. I just love this clasp - I think I'll just have a session of clasp making soon, so I have them when I need them :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDrBmCIvUQbI8jdEM2dJyLWELD6hIHvNiwZJQ8Kxoi8_ZPbdgZDEtB0xKtkjtUAnEhB9nEBeRFLfc-tvpX7Nlgqu_LDiG6TjvQz3axy90IQIt0One5OdVx9XBAWvBzo2bZFTBW63Ff6w/s1600/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDrBmCIvUQbI8jdEM2dJyLWELD6hIHvNiwZJQ8Kxoi8_ZPbdgZDEtB0xKtkjtUAnEhB9nEBeRFLfc-tvpX7Nlgqu_LDiG6TjvQz3axy90IQIt0One5OdVx9XBAWvBzo2bZFTBW63Ff6w/s400/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.03.jpg" title="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is the result - I'll give it a wear soon; I am a tad worried about those 'branches', I want to see if they can be worn or not. If not (if they catch the blouse material) I have an idea to replace them with a bit of embroidery thread; it won't have the same curly effect, but it'll be fine, I think.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOi9c1sO2HplHkz52tqy_eTiYVUo_yQgyJJBBqRCVjcBbyf1NEZ_WIluBh23TgjyJr9ZM66XA2fRZuNLdNi84YCJGnqHOZbVSJXCTmzpRO1haVLzIz6KvHmx7xs8ma7H6hE-0Ic9TUxg/s1600/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOi9c1sO2HplHkz52tqy_eTiYVUo_yQgyJJBBqRCVjcBbyf1NEZ_WIluBh23TgjyJr9ZM66XA2fRZuNLdNi84YCJGnqHOZbVSJXCTmzpRO1haVLzIz6KvHmx7xs8ma7H6hE-0Ic9TUxg/s400/CC7A+2015.11.Sky+flower.04.jpg" title="CC7A November ~ Sky flower: enamel on copper, natural fibre, copper wire, wire wrapping, Cindy Wimmer clasp :: All Pretty Things" width="238" /></a></div>
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And no, my little foldio still cannot 'host' an entire necklace. I'll give it a try in natural light tomorrow, hopefully you get the idea of what it looks like.<br />
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Thank you to all who visit, I know I've been mostly invisible the past few months, I promise I have good excuses for that. I'll update the blog soon.<br />
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And, again, thank you so much to my great CC7A partners and virtual friends. You have been so patient with me, and I hasn't been a great host.<br />
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Please visit all the wonderful ladies, I am sure they've made beautiful pieces - Happy Thanksgiving to all who are celebrating it this weekend (we did so in October).<br />
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<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)</div>
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Alicia (April host) ~ you are here<br />
<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)<br />
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<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
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<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
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<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)<br />
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-73502469370711806322015-11-21T00:38:00.001-05:002015-11-21T00:40:39.593-05:00A Time To Stitch #8 - Blog HopIn coming in to write this post I could not believe I haven't posted in 4 months. Wow. Yes, I am still alive, and I'll write something one day about this summer and fall. Write now I am just grateful we are healthy and alive.<br />
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A Time To Stitch is the baby of <a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine </a>and <a href="http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Therese </a>- a bead weaving challenge, usually. This time ~ with a twist: we were supposed to make a beaded bag. Or amulet. Or medicine bag. Or... </div>
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Procrastination runs high on my list of vice and this year just made me more adept at tasks slalom (it should be made an Olympic sport, I'd be champion); I might have dropped some posts here and there, though (I am still to write the CC7A posts for the past two meets, for example). However, when Therese's e-mail came three weeks ago as a reminder (thank you, Therese!) I made a promise to myself to not back off... I need to get back into a somewhat regular schedule of postings. I miss this part of my life, truly. </div>
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However, I am in the final stages of writing my thesis and things are more hectic than I ever imagined. So I put it off for tomorrow. And tomorrow. And... yesterday arrived with me only knowing what I want to make, but not having anything to show for. I contemplated backing off and I said "no!". </div>
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Up to the the studio I picked two of the boxes: one with leather, one with seed beads. My mom sent me a while back some deer skin. Soft, beautiful and the only thing I knew I could manage with such short time on my hands. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vjkEt2J6Qh49QsdKdwtJsryPo_7SAIVC8KlShmWFOLnBPSni8ZRKN7RPQ-2UWQT5RjbJ-HYRxlflxaObZnMTvS0bpFfwwZ4fuphpQn72WRbCrm6DAEnJDKK9JNv1ymVfaH9soFZtvAM/s1600/ATTS.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vjkEt2J6Qh49QsdKdwtJsryPo_7SAIVC8KlShmWFOLnBPSni8ZRKN7RPQ-2UWQT5RjbJ-HYRxlflxaObZnMTvS0bpFfwwZ4fuphpQn72WRbCrm6DAEnJDKK9JNv1ymVfaH9soFZtvAM/s400/ATTS.03.jpg" title="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I knew what I wanted: a turtle. Why? We live very close to <a href="http://www.conservationhalton.ca/crawford-lake" target="_blank">Crawford Lake Conservation Area</a>, a place where 40 years ago (in the 70s) archaeologists discovered an Iroquoian Village. The story of the discovery itself is amazing: the conservation area has a wonderful lake, a meromictic lake. What is a meromictic lake? A body of water with a very deep basin, so deep that it rarely gets disturbed and it receives no oxygen. Thus it is perfect for conserving organic samples, which otherwise would quickly decay. That's how, by studying the lake, scientists discovered corn. And they figured out a settlement must be close by. They were right. We visit the Village at least once a year; we never grow tired of the longhouses, the Native stories, the maple syrup, and the amazing natural environment (the park is part of the Niagara Escarpment). Back to my turtle: the Iroquois were structured in three clans: the Turtle Clan, the Wolf Clan, and the Bear Clan. I love all the symbols behind all three clans, however I am very, very fond of the Turtle Clan. I <a href="http://www.oneidanation.org/culture/page.aspx?id=1280" target="_blank">studied</a> a bit what each clan's responsibility was and to my delight, the Turtle Clan is the Keepers of the Knowledge.<br />
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From the link above:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>In the Iroquois Creation Story, the earth was created on the back of a turtle. It was there that life began to grow. The Turtle Clan represents the shifting of the earth and the cycles of the moon. The people of the Turtle Clan are considered the well of information and the keepers of the land. The responsibility of the Turtle Clan is everything that has to do with the environment.
</i></blockquote>
How could one back out of beading a turtle with such deep meanings?<br />
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As usual, it wasn't the smoothest of the journey. I started it two times and didn't go very well. Third time was a charm in my case, though.<br />
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I took no pictures of the process, so without further ado I will share my Turtle Clan Bag.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tq9JS9O_0gAptJ0-U5SBCp01Mm04DzajR9Lk4GcchA3z_5A123QrffMeaRBYFgXUpT6DljWqNbuKss1U8aQDIBJGF-4GZlQH8qCHA4DFFNOxgkHVK_7BtGPFpqSXY1qS8U6QCXCP5Ok/s1600/ATTS8.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin, Czech beads :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Tq9JS9O_0gAptJ0-U5SBCp01Mm04DzajR9Lk4GcchA3z_5A123QrffMeaRBYFgXUpT6DljWqNbuKss1U8aQDIBJGF-4GZlQH8qCHA4DFFNOxgkHVK_7BtGPFpqSXY1qS8U6QCXCP5Ok/s400/ATTS8.01.jpg" title="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin, Czech beads :: All Pretty Things" width="292" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVXOdDn3ufLiTooqip0KA8ZEGphDm6YMhTa3iIUoWxAbN4Y0aglV8Kz0hjQSnEZ_AJlnTasiZuVgNyvRULFzvk6X-YSSThmu73M6IbI6-vjLEc3un759O6aOhXdSs1DsRx2ca9KQEn9c/s1600/ATTS.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin, Czech beads :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVXOdDn3ufLiTooqip0KA8ZEGphDm6YMhTa3iIUoWxAbN4Y0aglV8Kz0hjQSnEZ_AJlnTasiZuVgNyvRULFzvk6X-YSSThmu73M6IbI6-vjLEc3un759O6aOhXdSs1DsRx2ca9KQEn9c/s400/ATTS.02.jpg" title="A Time To Stitch #8: Beaded bad ~ Deer skin, Czech beads :: All Pretty Things" width="333" /></a></div>
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It is small, 3.5" (it's an approximate square). As you can see, I ran out of my original Czech 6.0 mix, but at that time it was already dark outside and I knew I would not survive a repeat of the entire patterns. I simply moved onto another 6.0 type :) and hoped I'll be forgiven.<br />
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I intend to fill it with some lavender and keep it at my desk - a reminder that I chose my new academic life (I have days when I wish I could blame someone else!).<br />
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Thank you, Therese and Christine for hosting this challenge - it's always fun to try new things.<br />
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Thank you all for stopping by - please make sure you visit everyone else and enjoy their bags!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Our 2 <b>hosts: <a href="http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Therese</a> & <a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Christine</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jenny</a></div>
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<a href="http://beadsong.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Bobbie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://acbeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Ana</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blogspot.amybeads.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Amy</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Cynthia</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Karin S</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://zingalasworkshop.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Maryanne</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Liz</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lori-finney.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Lori</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cavecreekbeads.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Paula</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Jasvanti</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dagi</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Kepi</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wescottjewelry.com/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Samantha</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Alicia</a> <- you are here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt;" target="_blank">Motidana</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Becky</a></div>
</div>
<br />
<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-82464439298480251572015-07-18T03:16:00.000-04:002015-07-18T03:16:32.285-04:00Pine Ridge Treasures' Beach Blog Hop 2015Hello and welcome to a special blog hop, hosted by lovely Lisa of <a href="http://gratefulartist.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Pine Ridge Treasures</a>.<br />
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Back in March she sent us a kit of cultured sea glass and some other elements:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1bk8D_gt4Qy6CPUss9PcGV5mjVVryw3lLsZVK8S6XpO0TxQZxu3dNduc-P7SGOUVKzl_elaB2mjVHbPSK9RBJPjzwgH46PSOcpfzQo1SA2QjWowuChyPs_sL7-zJL2Ai9qvFT6T_kUo/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1bk8D_gt4Qy6CPUss9PcGV5mjVVryw3lLsZVK8S6XpO0TxQZxu3dNduc-P7SGOUVKzl_elaB2mjVHbPSK9RBJPjzwgH46PSOcpfzQo1SA2QjWowuChyPs_sL7-zJL2Ai9qvFT6T_kUo/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I was so enchanted by my glass ~ I love sea glass (even when it's cultured) and the colours of my package was speaking of dark nights with purple dreams.<br />
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But then my crazy life intervened and while the package was always on my mind, the same mind wouldn't come up with a design.<br />
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I tried this: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-8U9MGP0kBcXQUlN0Ky2EvwVaBU26nf-YW4ZdTTkiGXr60cnGUfhQonypDGmaDHDaXwIH9_RUV7n7RXQ9W_7MLl5LID4IkFr-ax8W4g132x9Re6QdtTA3bs5-PLUM8pyIVm5pKOd0s/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAn-8U9MGP0kBcXQUlN0Ky2EvwVaBU26nf-YW4ZdTTkiGXr60cnGUfhQonypDGmaDHDaXwIH9_RUV7n7RXQ9W_7MLl5LID4IkFr-ax8W4g132x9Re6QdtTA3bs5-PLUM8pyIVm5pKOd0s/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="345" /></a></div>
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It looked beautiful on the mat, but it was definitely not me. Back to thinking.<br />
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Earlier this week it became this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BimyoVBlLbUoyyqj5HmknVa23v0YCm2BPh8-qZEsFBWvg12fymAAXN5k9Hx6gbOJUBIJhmZetD6_FY2gTwIoMwlpCR85Pa0gnowURxDyptef4K1ZmUueiLReQdayxRPoKiy-Nz-ShUs/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BimyoVBlLbUoyyqj5HmknVa23v0YCm2BPh8-qZEsFBWvg12fymAAXN5k9Hx6gbOJUBIJhmZetD6_FY2gTwIoMwlpCR85Pa0gnowURxDyptef4K1ZmUueiLReQdayxRPoKiy-Nz-ShUs/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25283%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I tried to knot the seas glass, thinking I can wrap it around my wrist as well. But I did't like it either.<br />
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So Friday evening I was in panic mode and went back to what I feel it is me: wire :)<br />
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I have created 2 different tassels: one using fabric scraps from a dress I always loved to pieces (the blue & white material), a gorgeous piece of lace sent by my mom, and a leather flower (also sent by my mom). I added one of the glass pieces, wire wrapped, and one of the 2 boat charms. Instant love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4mb_aGGLGYosYeAiKGtC46mOz2CYWDhLky8dR80uSVKT2czSkYxF9HV-_2Yq8H_YLz3yaD0zh2D2jDm5usIg3gU8VNPuc0C6_cLtU967Al06qE9yaMR0uLeFmezeBUlqOcVK8p2SbaQ/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4mb_aGGLGYosYeAiKGtC46mOz2CYWDhLky8dR80uSVKT2czSkYxF9HV-_2Yq8H_YLz3yaD0zh2D2jDm5usIg3gU8VNPuc0C6_cLtU967Al06qE9yaMR0uLeFmezeBUlqOcVK8p2SbaQ/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25284%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="295" /></a></div>
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The second tassel is even more simple in design: a wrapped wire circle, added a few small glass pieces, in an asymmetric design; with a few of the elements: 2 of the beach glass pieces, the other boat charm, and one of the metal beads made into a small charm. Love? check!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv07myFUgO6oP_1GRtLqCwSbDwAmDP8S98Y8ZWJJwaN6scVUPpiMMMTVanjrOhgRpPDVX2fWN3PGmNLkmLiIusm6GfBCGsI9tcMtoUTIBTWajmow1pzdqksdTWV1Gb4HvN0C0RugeJFk/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDv07myFUgO6oP_1GRtLqCwSbDwAmDP8S98Y8ZWJJwaN6scVUPpiMMMTVanjrOhgRpPDVX2fWN3PGmNLkmLiIusm6GfBCGsI9tcMtoUTIBTWajmow1pzdqksdTWV1Gb4HvN0C0RugeJFk/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25285%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="271" /></a></div>
Now what to do for the actual necklace? I must admit I am not 100% in love with this one ~ the left side with the 4 long tubes is beautiful and perfect; the asymmetric left side... not so much. I have the nagging feeling I will end up taking that part off and coming up with something else. In the meantime, it is usable and beautiful.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMvzJW8obqzSUKWiReKxV0p2mWQA2yN4Q-V67L4b3LI2X-CUYWVSM7PamEFXCff-d94EE1fuyqswMgE6lp4_S5jG6_9nR2tNPV6-so5C03hbr5U8MBTiQS87Ue707PuIDPzUlH3k8uJc/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMvzJW8obqzSUKWiReKxV0p2mWQA2yN4Q-V67L4b3LI2X-CUYWVSM7PamEFXCff-d94EE1fuyqswMgE6lp4_S5jG6_9nR2tNPV6-so5C03hbr5U8MBTiQS87Ue707PuIDPzUlH3k8uJc/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25286%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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The best part of this? it really is 3 necklaces: the simple, flowing one, with no tassels.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk14Je0tb3ROXj-rr-IKZWLMMWFsUkFMRV6Yu08SpKBYhQoW9QZ1-W6r_t9KsnNTM08UNQBwerA6nY0jkAPQzJhl8tFdi-mDdbCtZ4p1geaX3CLidHH47QiSETcGmh61RkVZlD-ChmcU/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUk14Je0tb3ROXj-rr-IKZWLMMWFsUkFMRV6Yu08SpKBYhQoW9QZ1-W6r_t9KsnNTM08UNQBwerA6nY0jkAPQzJhl8tFdi-mDdbCtZ4p1geaX3CLidHH47QiSETcGmh61RkVZlD-ChmcU/s320/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25287%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
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#2 with one of the tassels.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_B-1y07O1chg4N8IQJ04IuttV5KW5MZ9y1xdC-kUjtymzzOjyL1ixIViuMIK0YqIYmraWTSz7yCb-HqP7Fanm9dl-JqFEhCYCpj7SelQVucT_UVgy6iGWDpjNvPmY0a0I8-IGzKvj-c/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_B-1y07O1chg4N8IQJ04IuttV5KW5MZ9y1xdC-kUjtymzzOjyL1ixIViuMIK0YqIYmraWTSz7yCb-HqP7Fanm9dl-JqFEhCYCpj7SelQVucT_UVgy6iGWDpjNvPmY0a0I8-IGzKvj-c/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25288%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="258" /></a></div>
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#3 with the other tassel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmcH0t3CpWKPuXq2ed1Sup8guCdqbCDEqsL0FX8E2NpKhj-oCloPzVksBZHfEzVhK44dTwzUC3Nna_CNMYU6IDc20PrXHtuX7w-5FYqVo6YhyZ1WwESc7WBYFQqlEVhW-MLFSK0-zPs/s1600/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTmcH0t3CpWKPuXq2ed1Sup8guCdqbCDEqsL0FX8E2NpKhj-oCloPzVksBZHfEzVhK44dTwzUC3Nna_CNMYU6IDc20PrXHtuX7w-5FYqVo6YhyZ1WwESc7WBYFQqlEVhW-MLFSK0-zPs/s400/Beach.Sea+glass.Wire+wrapping+%25289%2529.jpg" title="Beach blog hop: seaglass, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry, 3-in-1 necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was my journey; thank you for following along!<br />
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Thank you, Lisa, for the wonderful kit and the opportunity to get out of my usual gemstones 'box'. Obviously I didn't get too much out of the box :) I still have tons of the glass which I hope to put to good use (I love the lovely lavender shade! or that star). I also need to find a name, Starry Night comes to mind (especially for #1 or #3) :)<br />
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Please ensure you visit the group - I am looking forward to seeing what beauties have been created!<br />
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Your hostess: Lisa Lodge, <a href="http://www.gratefulartist.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Grateful Artist</a>
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Carolyn Lawson, <a href="http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carolyn's Creations</a>
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Candida Elkins Castleberry, <a href="http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Spun Sugar Beadworks</a>
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Becky Pancake, <a href="http://www.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Becky Pancake Bead Designs</a>
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Kari Asbury, <a href="http://www.hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog" target="_blank">Hippie Chick Design</a>
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Susan Anderson, <a href="http://www.lamaintresor.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">La Main Tresor</a>
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Kim Dworak, <a href="http://cianciblue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cianci Blue</a>
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Margaret Pelech, <a href="http://www.bigmargaret.com/396287453" target="_blank">Margaret Pelech's Blog</a>
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Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, <a href="http://liraysadesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">LiRaysa Designs</a>
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Carol Briody, <a href="http://www.cbriody.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Beads Life</a>
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Karin Grosset Grange, <a href="http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr/" target="_blank">Ginkgo et Coquelicot</a>
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Shaiha Williams, <a href="http://www.shaihasramblings.com/" target="_blank">Shaiha’s Ramblings</a>
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Gloria Allen, <a href="http://gloriaallendesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Gloria Allen Designs</a>
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Rosee Floss Hanemaayer, <a href="http://www.silverpennyartisans.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Silver Penny Artisans</a>
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Saundra Farren, <a href="http://www.somethingbysaundra.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Something by Saundra</a>
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Beti Horvath, <a href="http://www.stringingfool.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stringing Fool Jewelry</a>
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Chris Eisenberg, <a href="http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wanderware</a>
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Alicia Marinache, <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/" target="_blank">All the Pretty Things</a> <i><- you're here</i><br />
Veralynne Malone, <a href="http://www.veradesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Designed by Vera</a>
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Linda Anderson, <a href="http://www.fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">From the Bead Board</a>
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MaryAnne Kelly Hobbs-Fernie - TBD
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Kelly Fletcher – TBD
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Diana Chavis - TBDAliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-81740509961885821952015-06-26T09:41:00.000-04:002015-06-26T09:41:39.824-04:00CC7A, June edition - hosted by Sally RussickWelcome to a new installment of our CC7A Odyssey. Speaking of Odyssey, William had a new colleague this year, fresh from Greece. A lovely young man, who's favourite author is... Homer! Can you imagine being 12 yo and having read Homer? I think I'll have William read some serious classics this summer.<br />
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But I digress :) This month is hosted by Sally and she chose soft summer hues as her palette:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCloTS6sq2fgi_hyfy-bdSzVH8yCq_2NzOmJqK_ikIRKr4TEuGNmCX5t_PMiM8tRHrTL9sGz0iu674SLWv2jVOdEyW5kGMThXmnB19iPtU9GIsDqZHYuI1HTFdpQyOYAXU3nrL_2eTSc-E/s640/Summer+Hues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCloTS6sq2fgi_hyfy-bdSzVH8yCq_2NzOmJqK_ikIRKr4TEuGNmCX5t_PMiM8tRHrTL9sGz0iu674SLWv2jVOdEyW5kGMThXmnB19iPtU9GIsDqZHYuI1HTFdpQyOYAXU3nrL_2eTSc-E/s640/Summer+Hues.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
At first, I thought it will be a huge challenge for me, as I am never soft. Colours or otherwise, I am a very energetic person, moving from A to B with the speed of light (or not moving at all, extremes is my middle name :) ) and that shows in my designs too. They are always full of colour, full of energy and rarely soft. Make than never.<br />
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You know how recently I tried (for the 2nd time) enamels. My first attempt this time has not be overly successful: I was using transparent flux over copper, and transparent enamels. Nice effect, but not the bold colours I have bee expected. I figured out it was transparents, when I was thinking I am using opaques. So I tried again, white base and opaques on top. Bolder, but still not what I wanted. Then it dawned on me and I made one more try: white base, followed by layers of transparent. Victory!! I'll show you the 3 levels at the end of this article, 'cause now it's all about soft summer hues, and not bold summer hues :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7EW_BYTOjLtrJw7DTXqW3ptw8Q9HNIy3MtYzPtOKMMepA56wjKBhTYwqnV5BxU8-40U5wQo85CLMSBU4O7uYf7XVGVpxXG7UE1lMA5Y-23zW7Aj0719fwKewQaZLuYABhan7XM2_kRU/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7EW_BYTOjLtrJw7DTXqW3ptw8Q9HNIy3MtYzPtOKMMepA56wjKBhTYwqnV5BxU8-40U5wQo85CLMSBU4O7uYf7XVGVpxXG7UE1lMA5Y-23zW7Aj0719fwKewQaZLuYABhan7XM2_kRU/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am not as soft as Sally's image will imply, however I am not sure I can go any softer!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqPDKLMPIzq23YFAPBmuTTtzsFAgWImGUa5PnQSErvXsgKPuSu7xoXFdlxYqhzPnR_GmpOIoPzU3LdvwNs2ABxRkN8igxP3tl7_mqbW5YBhpiFDmfJtxMExN2xeUq9fwSf2Wj7b7cjpw/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%252812%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqPDKLMPIzq23YFAPBmuTTtzsFAgWImGUa5PnQSErvXsgKPuSu7xoXFdlxYqhzPnR_GmpOIoPzU3LdvwNs2ABxRkN8igxP3tl7_mqbW5YBhpiFDmfJtxMExN2xeUq9fwSf2Wj7b7cjpw/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%252812%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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The stones are soft, aren't they? All 3 on the right are Crazy Lace Agate, the one on the left it is a Rhyolite.<br />
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Every year, around Christmas and June I seem to create a small collection... what for? It's quite simple: for William's teachers. I think I should revisit the past 6 years of these mini-collection and really have done them as such.<br />
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Anyhow, I keep digressing (sorry, my brain is quite fried these days). This is my Soft Summer Hues interpretation and I am definitely sticking with it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBCbDn4jEkmNw0nbx7YK3XCGzjQmtOk0MBC52wW4wn_GqJvTe4P_F8_lB1hrmNf8yjiqDpl2EIIyZzh-pJc8xYlblqSq4kDlqUq9OCmfZ_v6vLUoZZhWR-JPiJDvvSG7XXQEpqDwPYko/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%252811%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtBCbDn4jEkmNw0nbx7YK3XCGzjQmtOk0MBC52wW4wn_GqJvTe4P_F8_lB1hrmNf8yjiqDpl2EIIyZzh-pJc8xYlblqSq4kDlqUq9OCmfZ_v6vLUoZZhWR-JPiJDvvSG7XXQEpqDwPYko/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%252811%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="197" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjmbC0UPsfqCfTE2xh_a5Kuf5WoWYYl7vZJDFth6lyFS1QgdZUnFJfZcmcSX4Su_jQV12UnBhjMG3WEIlV7fENNWBU8pgLpSoP0adb-aa-kGdmDpGSrYtb1xenmslGadlkKYXwncQOL8/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjmbC0UPsfqCfTE2xh_a5Kuf5WoWYYl7vZJDFth6lyFS1QgdZUnFJfZcmcSX4Su_jQV12UnBhjMG3WEIlV7fENNWBU8pgLpSoP0adb-aa-kGdmDpGSrYtb1xenmslGadlkKYXwncQOL8/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25285%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="341" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxUZQTMaAOdvAnrvutl__idg_iyEgygOVBv1IlZmXGexew81-DxaTygKRSNsDroMPdKat8mkmbAxNLmVbK2wWd70hAPN5DacSxQP0vOFozDDPn1fXVCgn0qWfB0faFPzslCus9jjKT1w/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Rhyolite, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxUZQTMaAOdvAnrvutl__idg_iyEgygOVBv1IlZmXGexew81-DxaTygKRSNsDroMPdKat8mkmbAxNLmVbK2wWd70hAPN5DacSxQP0vOFozDDPn1fXVCgn0qWfB0faFPzslCus9jjKT1w/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25286%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Rhyolite, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="295" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-qTX52CjH4MnwuyYYg9Nkx6yXmBYspK7RIhHFIE-VUslgQjm-ji5spt7oM8CBeliF_XJ5hWsde4Gzi8qyGU6YnSP2DYNh9Uk0nIoFXUYrNhfpJCsgLwBx232_KyU_OGK052E3W42E10/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-qTX52CjH4MnwuyYYg9Nkx6yXmBYspK7RIhHFIE-VUslgQjm-ji5spt7oM8CBeliF_XJ5hWsde4Gzi8qyGU6YnSP2DYNh9Uk0nIoFXUYrNhfpJCsgLwBx232_KyU_OGK052E3W42E10/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25287%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="381" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVWHfhcjYDIINW-UwVJwYD5j6tWeWKGA7sWfCpieeqQekSTtOYuLTDSw1fbMIh3lYTiFrRn_1GsC2ubDuo3l93myQAKDEyEfc5mTol3OInFDr52TL0EukKFqWg7LVTJaXPcTleWPU3ko/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25288%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVWHfhcjYDIINW-UwVJwYD5j6tWeWKGA7sWfCpieeqQekSTtOYuLTDSw1fbMIh3lYTiFrRn_1GsC2ubDuo3l93myQAKDEyEfc5mTol3OInFDr52TL0EukKFqWg7LVTJaXPcTleWPU3ko/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25288%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="390" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6NZIx_wxsMESjKop0Dtf0N3mJK8mSSuW1ca704gy48vn2o50GmoEJoW1ZsTkJaQOo4CqIdORC-AO7mPfEjybtiozz1qR5ugeJ4NaoBo4zx6L4dJpNGMO6hLT40XgVBLoNIukwijHb9k/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25289%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6NZIx_wxsMESjKop0Dtf0N3mJK8mSSuW1ca704gy48vn2o50GmoEJoW1ZsTkJaQOo4CqIdORC-AO7mPfEjybtiozz1qR5ugeJ4NaoBo4zx6L4dJpNGMO6hLT40XgVBLoNIukwijHb9k/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+Crazy+Lace+Agate+OOAK+jewelry+%25289%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, embroidery thread crochet, Crazy Lace Agate, wire wrapping, ooak necklace, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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As you see, the necklaces are quite unique in their own way: the enameled charm, the stone, the wrap, the colours of the neckpiece; while they are linked by the similar elements. I am so grateful for my box of embroidery threads. It is a blast to open that box and search for colours that will work for a certain piece. Whipping up the neckpiece is a fast affair for me, as crochet is in my blood and in time I've also learned to make the wire wrapped ends perfectly the same for all.<br />
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Every finding is hand made (except for the jump rings) and you don't want to know how I flame-painted the hooks at the end! It's quite a funny story :) The wrapped links have a double job: link in the fabric elements to the wire elements (by using the lovely size 6 seed beads) and to serve as a possible shortening / lengthening elements for the necklace. It took me a while to think the neckpieces, but I am (at this moment) almost as proud of their design as I am of the enameled pieces.<br />
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That was my journey for this month's CC7A; thank you, Sally, for getting me way out of my comfort zone and having to travel where I haven't traveled before!<br />
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Please make sue you visit everyone else in our small, but mighty group:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)<br />
Alicia (April host) ~ you are here<br />
<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)</div>
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I haven't forgotten about the enamel progression, here it is:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mavnvIZrULyrhzd5zYVIyftEVgMumr8mQQV_Uj9vg-BavUDDSL7_gw1ysw1kXOU1L4AVIzHIbAKC7WPtIxnBN9fJOzUeuJkebTvC31jrSJ4rF30zqUxlGZmzlqNL-yZ8SNhyB1-Hd5o/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+OOAK+jewelry+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mavnvIZrULyrhzd5zYVIyftEVgMumr8mQQV_Uj9vg-BavUDDSL7_gw1ysw1kXOU1L4AVIzHIbAKC7WPtIxnBN9fJOzUeuJkebTvC31jrSJ4rF30zqUxlGZmzlqNL-yZ8SNhyB1-Hd5o/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+OOAK+jewelry+%25282%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is transparent flux, with transparent enamel on top. Soft :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9yvS6vR_kfN0hkNO-sWF6Gt-y8Uy1y4vapgsRuEqBVeIKWzGDZMOEqHPgiXwvD7R5ef_i8tK38nEj0uNtGwSlyz8T3K3Gfr2-Bskij93mMN1R-GHlO2pghOQqYEv-wyKycYV_ZTI360/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamelOOAK+jewelry+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ9yvS6vR_kfN0hkNO-sWF6Gt-y8Uy1y4vapgsRuEqBVeIKWzGDZMOEqHPgiXwvD7R5ef_i8tK38nEj0uNtGwSlyz8T3K3Gfr2-Bskij93mMN1R-GHlO2pghOQqYEv-wyKycYV_ZTI360/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamelOOAK+jewelry+%25283%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is white base, and opaque enamel on top. Better, but not very fond of the result.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklu1P_GsRNe__aWM9H63-wqhugfuUNZ6wev18YzaGejtoUJZmgyBPQkbBHATN9vh6PPLiSK5kVtslCm2Az7IEJItWNs5Chyyqt_6z1DPvoUbucB6qRVv3vS7QhWOhvq_20dIBiYp9cpc/s1600/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+OOAK+jewelry+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklu1P_GsRNe__aWM9H63-wqhugfuUNZ6wev18YzaGejtoUJZmgyBPQkbBHATN9vh6PPLiSK5kVtslCm2Az7IEJItWNs5Chyyqt_6z1DPvoUbucB6qRVv3vS7QhWOhvq_20dIBiYp9cpc/s400/CC7A+June+2015.Soft+summer+hues.Copper+enamel+OOAK+jewelry+%25284%2529.jpg" title="CC7A, Summer Soft Hues: copper, enamel, ooak components :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Bingo!: white base (1010, 2 coats) with transparent enamel on top (2300, Opalescent Green, 3 coats),Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-11717418166926654332015-06-25T18:21:00.001-04:002015-06-25T18:22:35.380-04:008 Illusions you can do with waterNow that the summer vacation has started, we can have fun and experiment :)<br />
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8 Illusions you can do with water<br />
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-22641748743411336832015-06-14T19:33:00.000-04:002015-06-14T19:34:31.152-04:00Work in progressAs you know by now, I am in love with copper, glass, and stones (precious or semi- or simply stones). I found myself working more and more just in these 3 mediums, and while I don't spend too much time designing or making a lot these days, I try to do something every week. Of course, that means not much gets finished; no matter how much I try to hammer, solder, tumble, and put the finishes touches in less than 2 hours, it never works.<br />
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Thus, some work in progress ~ and hopefully you'll see the finished items some time this century as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eIFT6o6-aO2aoF3qpj0WZzjP5rWBBbIhPwWX5MGor3VTY7WOOLfNVF2-aP2nAT9Bpo9z1AcExhEp7Ueoke7Dy4RdOZO9nij9WluLV5nFYXPglMcfL5deRqXCGFfd6VcGEt4UbVHCI5Y/s1600/Copper+pendant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copper pendant ~ washers, metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2eIFT6o6-aO2aoF3qpj0WZzjP5rWBBbIhPwWX5MGor3VTY7WOOLfNVF2-aP2nAT9Bpo9z1AcExhEp7Ueoke7Dy4RdOZO9nij9WluLV5nFYXPglMcfL5deRqXCGFfd6VcGEt4UbVHCI5Y/s400/Copper+pendant.jpg" title="Copper pendant ~ washers, metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Besides the 4 elements above, one thing I truly love in life is circles. Maybe because they are such a perfect shape, no angles, no start, no finish, Extremely versatile shape. The pendant above gave me some troubles (the washers did not want to stay soldered to each other), but I still love it. I am not sure if it's finished or not, I think I will add some heat patina and evaluate the status again. I love the rough look on some of the washers and I think once it has patina and a neckpiece it'll be done. Right now, at least, I don't feel like adding anything else (but I am known to change my mind a lot). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_r8bad8OliQ0vO0DB5bdjFsGRjO4L2m8Eu3Ixhy7uoQXzRbrefToKPexh0D-FMenYAKMgmoohtVqeI8uyJeVMYM033G1ZBRuOUwlKvbiheOmkieN261Rm1zJo6GDFRRz3ehrHkL4fZQ/s1600/Copper+ring+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_r8bad8OliQ0vO0DB5bdjFsGRjO4L2m8Eu3Ixhy7uoQXzRbrefToKPexh0D-FMenYAKMgmoohtVqeI8uyJeVMYM033G1ZBRuOUwlKvbiheOmkieN261Rm1zJo6GDFRRz3ehrHkL4fZQ/s400/Copper+ring+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Aah - this piece... THE ring. I can't start telling you how much I love it and for how long I dreamed about making it. And guess what, apparently I need to dream about something long enough, 'cause this time the soldering went really, really quickly and well. I have tried this new copper paste solder (from Tucson ;) ) and I am purely in love!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZzOt5GPSR6YJaqfcsGHgti7Mazsl9PAF58DHxxSSKhKguAY-P5P90Lfqbq37ADETpnqOnhbOVf1HirlWtPg50ETo3X_JJzbZoR5C1XPap-ScBWzbUfrQhDEc8psSWBKrlOzY0u7aQ-s/s1600/Copper+ring+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ZzOt5GPSR6YJaqfcsGHgti7Mazsl9PAF58DHxxSSKhKguAY-P5P90Lfqbq37ADETpnqOnhbOVf1HirlWtPg50ETo3X_JJzbZoR5C1XPap-ScBWzbUfrQhDEc8psSWBKrlOzY0u7aQ-s/s320/Copper+ring+%25284%2529.jpg" title="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="225" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhJLGMEr6NJ4lRCaVWkF4fLK3_jxWL4Vo_K5WoJU50pukV7zBlWjR5Sno5jBkUe8qFhbjVD-fHvwc8s-x6cv1te9OndPl3xjr_2GfSoOUQ41xCK9cHCOPJ7AcyficIbnRW8_8nfAu0iI/s1600/Copper+ring+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzhJLGMEr6NJ4lRCaVWkF4fLK3_jxWL4Vo_K5WoJU50pukV7zBlWjR5Sno5jBkUe8qFhbjVD-fHvwc8s-x6cv1te9OndPl3xjr_2GfSoOUQ41xCK9cHCOPJ7AcyficIbnRW8_8nfAu0iI/s320/Copper+ring+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="252" /></a></div>
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The ring is not fully finished, it had been in the tumbler for a while, but I think I'll use the dremel on it first, heat patina as well, then give it one more tumble.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeSc_Qpf1bM9Gm_KA2kSuLJk6tGp2iBY6L25Y29hZjaRq2zYWIWVEa1h1WENT6wLSMf4R-avJhLDgcq1VlQ8Wsryvw3aNJsma_R0le4z6HcTJvRyc6Yyee07nJXBwPZjrDsx8UmxPjmE/s1600/Copper+ring+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeSc_Qpf1bM9Gm_KA2kSuLJk6tGp2iBY6L25Y29hZjaRq2zYWIWVEa1h1WENT6wLSMf4R-avJhLDgcq1VlQ8Wsryvw3aNJsma_R0le4z6HcTJvRyc6Yyee07nJXBwPZjrDsx8UmxPjmE/s400/Copper+ring+%25283%2529.jpg" title="Copper ring ~ metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="324" /></a></div>
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When I tumbled the 2 pieces above I found this ring waiting patiently, God knows for how long... rustic and very simple. I like it :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XM397JqK6USh52rQO_g8meMpbdradRd5q6zPUWood1Jpcu9_bfhvQucunCgrMUsHgoFBMITHsgnPuWkl1SpI5JxEQHprIVSUaax-4GtuvhiBXdmdw1OAW82JFjxY-QLCdaqnEhUvioU/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Copper links: wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XM397JqK6USh52rQO_g8meMpbdradRd5q6zPUWood1Jpcu9_bfhvQucunCgrMUsHgoFBMITHsgnPuWkl1SpI5JxEQHprIVSUaax-4GtuvhiBXdmdw1OAW82JFjxY-QLCdaqnEhUvioU/s400/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25281%2529.jpg" title="Copper links: wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now onto the perfect combination of the 2 'loves' (metal and glass): enameled copper. Last week I made the links and today I enameled them. I wasn't very sure why the colour won't show better... until I arrived home and discovered my mistake: for some unknown reasons I thought 1000s are the transparent codes and I happily used 2000s, which I was sure are the opaques. You guessed it, it's the other way around.<br />
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Oh, well - I still like the end result, a lot. But I think I'll give it a try next week with the opaques :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtMLhzAG0GIEMzjVGVuLOiyt0YiauX2vPFj8I9UIyx6V97HuElr63A9zTeQKfISXImq8ExyjIs8DCwymMJNYB1IiXO5U63XYObbD1m2P9bJaBblyaFlHETAkFEx1ui1YU0J2QulqCqnc/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtMLhzAG0GIEMzjVGVuLOiyt0YiauX2vPFj8I9UIyx6V97HuElr63A9zTeQKfISXImq8ExyjIs8DCwymMJNYB1IiXO5U63XYObbD1m2P9bJaBblyaFlHETAkFEx1ui1YU0J2QulqCqnc/s320/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25286%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" width="156" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j2LNzlJTbqMshb868wK6oriYsTUCQ-rvw6N0ogvZ2_rUrdbzkPcegJo_zqNTzb8-YXKlRctsLh2-e4PDEpFA7TyZzQWpxNCKk_XNXg5kdf_ZQ7xVes4HnfbxXW1X4sw0bBZnuGR6Rbg/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j2LNzlJTbqMshb868wK6oriYsTUCQ-rvw6N0ogvZ2_rUrdbzkPcegJo_zqNTzb8-YXKlRctsLh2-e4PDEpFA7TyZzQWpxNCKk_XNXg5kdf_ZQ7xVes4HnfbxXW1X4sw0bBZnuGR6Rbg/s320/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25282%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" width="197" /></a></div>
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Crazy Lace agate in a cute trapezoidal shape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMOwzMYL1zcflgNmdBZbo072XdEscGaLHx8VLj8CaVmsTGvNwOGk_A_oGNFlj81cUzU1HWr8U7Fuhk2t20jcgpgap5aWyypyTGRM893HOTQyNcSWnGnHk_K-50_Il-x4ALTfjwXf9h7U/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMOwzMYL1zcflgNmdBZbo072XdEscGaLHx8VLj8CaVmsTGvNwOGk_A_oGNFlj81cUzU1HWr8U7Fuhk2t20jcgpgap5aWyypyTGRM893HOTQyNcSWnGnHk_K-50_Il-x4ALTfjwXf9h7U/s400/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25283%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" width="306" /></a></div>
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Crazy lace agate (again)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNEu4YGwqwXh24QWZO1fSKWZWx-sxoKvhMAP9Wh2bfAkStcQGqeYcBgjXDnT_0ZmDoaJGIakVq9R7LQxavKvP1MjYwLPqGr5J1zoccJkpiLZRLr1FgvBCaCDupQ4WVXjkqS9RRDVvYng/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNEu4YGwqwXh24QWZO1fSKWZWx-sxoKvhMAP9Wh2bfAkStcQGqeYcBgjXDnT_0ZmDoaJGIakVq9R7LQxavKvP1MjYwLPqGr5J1zoccJkpiLZRLr1FgvBCaCDupQ4WVXjkqS9RRDVvYng/s320/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25285%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUtab28ws_Xlxl3XlwZoiD_JknB3pMEWOOiwtSztuNNUulfCUbd8R_ceVsgctzTbkLAaqnD04ZHHo_5C9Qm3eaYKSziVqEhVWl8aOCPo36BVdnipCCzaKvqhT86lJXm2JZqbs_whucjk/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUtab28ws_Xlxl3XlwZoiD_JknB3pMEWOOiwtSztuNNUulfCUbd8R_ceVsgctzTbkLAaqnD04ZHHo_5C9Qm3eaYKSziVqEhVWl8aOCPo36BVdnipCCzaKvqhT86lJXm2JZqbs_whucjk/s320/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25284%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, crazy lace agate :: All Pretty Things" width="225" /></a></div>
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And, of course, one more crazy lace agate (someone went to the store last week and found herself loose in the gemstone area)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OHr9EmTW1JA3yWSDSG1B-YepX5aWuyVHSDzEN0grbTJj63G_RkKlZ2xdbBCwnhT6EgmzAjTGQQAZfPu1RYz_qVP4lgKhUOTXtqtMUeHOqpefI8SQViz70h_q6ydqkN3zOT06GPoegjo/s1600/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, rhyolite :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OHr9EmTW1JA3yWSDSG1B-YepX5aWuyVHSDzEN0grbTJj63G_RkKlZ2xdbBCwnhT6EgmzAjTGQQAZfPu1RYz_qVP4lgKhUOTXtqtMUeHOqpefI8SQViz70h_q6ydqkN3zOT06GPoegjo/s400/Enamel+copper+stone+pendant+%25287%2529.jpg" title="OOAK Pendant: copper wire, Thompson enamel, metal working, ooak jewelry, rhyolite :: All Pretty Things" width="272" /></a></div>
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This one - I cannot capture the frame well in the picture. If you wonder, yes, I wanted the 'rough', ragged look of the half-fired enamel. Why? because I love the feel and look of it. The stone is a Rhyolite. The pendant is quite big now - all stones are about 2 in in height, so you can imagine... (mental note: add a ruler or quarter to the pictures, for easy visual reference).<br />
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That was my WIP report for the week... now that I figured out the transparent / opaque mystery, I itch to get back and re-do the links / frames. Patience is the name of the game, I guess.<br />
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Thank you for stopping by!<br />
<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-74215704898672381932015-06-06T00:58:00.002-04:002015-06-06T00:58:37.494-04:00ATTS 7 - Bead EmbroideryWelcome - to a new challenge :)<br />
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This time it is one of the ATTS (A Time To Stitch) - can't believe <a href="http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Therese</a> and <a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine</a> have arrived at number 7 already. The ATTS 7 is all about bead embroidery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8h-IGgDQuFYQpdDH97s00HHUDU1Yk0eO2N152Xo9YDFwDkbWP7LAeb9mD7x9Kt7o83aRo3_LTRAASoA2BRcmcOulYbBjc_I8iOIGpUhQewMJnJliPvj2CBZwYyhrvtZOQGMWZ8_BKck/s1600/ATTS+7+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8h-IGgDQuFYQpdDH97s00HHUDU1Yk0eO2N152Xo9YDFwDkbWP7LAeb9mD7x9Kt7o83aRo3_LTRAASoA2BRcmcOulYbBjc_I8iOIGpUhQewMJnJliPvj2CBZwYyhrvtZOQGMWZ8_BKck/s1600/ATTS+7+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As you know, seed beading is not my forte (or my favourite medium), however, I love trying it every now and then. I have been pleasantly surprised in the past by the ATTS challenges, in the sense that I enjoyed them immensely.<br />
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I approached this challenge with the same attitude: I'll enjoy myself... I chose one of Marie's cabs, from the <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2015/04/bead-peeps-swap-n-hop.html" target="_blank">Bead Peeps challenge</a>, the oval black and glittery one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN4VQ9ITq0HUQUR06hcKIq7Jxugo_d-dB1sC8seOm0gxFoUwg2dAvKYRTL2ERHlCpu2cnu6X85r2_KrOvJ76IiPKVOykjE_z004ZH96N-6q0fIVlOv0Ahf5cglCQBxeVNtYVuRhrjUrM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIN4VQ9ITq0HUQUR06hcKIq7Jxugo_d-dB1sC8seOm0gxFoUwg2dAvKYRTL2ERHlCpu2cnu6X85r2_KrOvJ76IiPKVOykjE_z004ZH96N-6q0fIVlOv0Ahf5cglCQBxeVNtYVuRhrjUrM/s400/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+%25285%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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But that's where my luck fled me and went somewhere else :)<br />
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I tried to use some of the seed beads Marie sent, along with some I had. The issue? I don't use small size beads, I mostly have #6 and #8. For this type of embroidery I need #11, #13, and #15 to make it work. I had some #11, and some incredibly teeny-tiny #15, however not of the same type of bead... they would not work together. This is the first attempt:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp6BEsmvAkimXWW7UBvLxPQjCm4K2AW6t0fkNKbrWJ9ZLQ0PocS7nXXTkmZ1Wq7_IRejdBrSWHeGLUhdRV8Bx3mEN1l2mlDORgxYU6DQpjZv924d5VVz8U-mPI1sevJZtBx3VCVqJYi0/s1600/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp6BEsmvAkimXWW7UBvLxPQjCm4K2AW6t0fkNKbrWJ9ZLQ0PocS7nXXTkmZ1Wq7_IRejdBrSWHeGLUhdRV8Bx3mEN1l2mlDORgxYU6DQpjZv924d5VVz8U-mPI1sevJZtBx3VCVqJYi0/s400/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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OK... back to the drawing wall. Now what? A trip to the LBS... which left me a few dollars poorer, and in no better shape. Why? Our LBS (which has pretty much everything) doesn't have different size seed beads in the same type! I found either #11 and #15 in Toho or some #10 Czech or a #13 Czech... but no <b>three</b> sizes in the same type. I got the Toho and #13 Czech, came home happy... and, to my complete dismay I discovered the #13 are so in diameter. But the height of the bead is almost nonexistent. And for the peyote bezel it's the actual height that matters.<br />
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I was sitting at the desk quite lost. Then I remembered I didn't visit Sally's post for the CC7A, so I did that. Aha! Sally's piece for the May CC7A had an interesting beading. I decided that's what I will try, and using just the #11 I proceeded to try to implement it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRibU2pj79o-TilLGmpBJo29K20XHpiELwxyMZuMF1wKDTvvnbjWZvFnFsnlv3MsRLrUfYfImpC_WAWIrKQ4DMBDNWk2vKhToB7xHbjk9yTtm-f4lJQSSLrhDCWCe6zzsPXtUeYpif1E/s1600/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRibU2pj79o-TilLGmpBJo29K20XHpiELwxyMZuMF1wKDTvvnbjWZvFnFsnlv3MsRLrUfYfImpC_WAWIrKQ4DMBDNWk2vKhToB7xHbjk9yTtm-f4lJQSSLrhDCWCe6zzsPXtUeYpif1E/s400/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My piece is far (very, very far) from being perfect - but it has some embroidery around it after all :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2R9TDF0qJf_nyOlGwvsBqWLcQ_-KooT2xSASuiQ4XB0vMF31-GhSggPn1Ny8YpqxD5JqWJ6ZgF_NFUoCe0GzVh8Fa4vMHpoh_10tlGAIroMzyevYgRqumqTAkcJcWBx9Hy18I5qp3Io/s1600/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2R9TDF0qJf_nyOlGwvsBqWLcQ_-KooT2xSASuiQ4XB0vMF31-GhSggPn1Ny8YpqxD5JqWJ6ZgF_NFUoCe0GzVh8Fa4vMHpoh_10tlGAIroMzyevYgRqumqTAkcJcWBx9Hy18I5qp3Io/s400/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25284%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The back was the funniest part to do, and it's also very far from perfect, but it holds itself.<br />
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The most interesting part? The bezel itself is done with a white thread. For some unknown reasons, I changed to black for the back, and the transparency of the dark purple beads had picked that up: can you see the subtle difference between the side and the back? I won't lie to you, that's the part I like best and I'll try to remember you can have some interesting effects just by changing the thread!<br />
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I started to make a rope for it, using the gold border (the #15s)... and that's how far I got... the seed beads are too tiny for me to ever manage to finish that, I am sorry to admit it. I get some points for trying, hopefully :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpboVb95rCLg-lZHeHtKT53lJYlG6Y90qPZ4vr5MJJsyoMNbt5l8yliTakCD_tqiaPe1yLaiijXcJgg-6_xVrP6Us3tYVemkBwbhcvlqbeeKqJyEquz-rhVG4CuUuHp_WGZjUxfotW7ic/s1600/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpboVb95rCLg-lZHeHtKT53lJYlG6Y90qPZ4vr5MJJsyoMNbt5l8yliTakCD_tqiaPe1yLaiijXcJgg-6_xVrP6Us3tYVemkBwbhcvlqbeeKqJyEquz-rhVG4CuUuHp_WGZjUxfotW7ic/s400/ATTS7+Bead+Embroidery+%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If someone has an idea on how to use the purple #11s in a nice rope, with the gold #15s as accents (very rare accents!), please let me know. If I finish the rope, I can finish the necklace and be happy :) (I am such a simple creature, finishing a piece can make me very happy!)<br />
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This was my adventure in seed beads land ~ while not very successful in results, I consider it very successful in the learning experience. That's what matters most in my eyes.<br />
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Please make sure you visit the rest of the group, I assure you they're more accomplished than my attempt. I know that before visiting anybody else, trust me!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b>Therese (Host)</b></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christine (Host</a>)</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://amybeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Amy</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beadlolabead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lola</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lori-finney.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Lori F</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kimmykats.com/" target="_blank">Kim</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Becky Pancake</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Karin G.</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Debbie (Kepi)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">LizE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://zingalasworkshop.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Maryanne</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cavecreekbeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Paula</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thecraftersapprentice.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Wendy</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.honeyfromthebee.com/blog" target="_blank">Janet</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jasvanti</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Ginger</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/" target="_blank">Alicia</a> <- you are here</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beadsong.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bobbie</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Shirley</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.saturdaysequins.com/" target="_blank">Sarah</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cynth</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theneedtobead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lizzie</a>
</div>
Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-43663890238245155062015-05-29T21:58:00.000-04:002015-05-29T22:01:04.943-04:00Our resident Robin familySince we moved here, in Birdland (as Aldershot is lovingly called) we had the opportunity and humbling honour to watch birds nesting around our house. If it's in the bushes around the house, or under the roof, I scarcely recall a year without birds. For a few years in a row, we had a family of doves - and one year they had 3 series of baby birds! It was always spectacular to watch the entire process.<br />
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Around 2010, Robins decided we are harmless and they can safely raise their family with us. I am not sure if it's the same family or not... all I know is that there is a family of Robins laying eggs every year in a nest close to the house.<br />
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This year they took residence on top of our backyard TV, which is mounted right under the roof, with a mere 20-30 cm between the top of the TV and the roof bottom. Apparently even the shape of the TV box is what they are looking after, so it was with awe we watched them tirelessly building the nest, straw by straw.<br />
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I couldn't check when the eggs were laid, so I missed that Robin-egg-blue this year! However, when we came back from Arizona, I saw the Mommy and Daddy bringing worms. I knew the babies must be out, although I could see little.<br />
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About 10 days ago I started to take daily pictures (it's a long post)<br />
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May 18: there is four of them, but you can barely see two.<br />
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May 20: not much of a change<br />
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May 21: Sleeping and in action, this is probably the first born<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDFMivgEIgJC-LEP87U4u6RtSFUEsnnXnB-9UpiHbKfqEAO2rpcMK-H3OzNKuwn2RRwXUDtFXgO1OYBNP30hz5Ty4Wf8IP5z8x7V_kYRAal7PF2JUlY5Y5C8u42V4U0xB42bFr4IwAQ4/s1600/2015.05.21+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDFMivgEIgJC-LEP87U4u6RtSFUEsnnXnB-9UpiHbKfqEAO2rpcMK-H3OzNKuwn2RRwXUDtFXgO1OYBNP30hz5Ty4Wf8IP5z8x7V_kYRAal7PF2JUlY5Y5C8u42V4U0xB42bFr4IwAQ4/s320/2015.05.21+%25282%2529.jpg" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BnS67pNxzDz8nUYwhEXWApTll9RCv3yiUM8yZDVUQoLwZmBjsDHUt7JuLe1woav36K8NOVRZAydg4GouWGvuhed1aON6RJnjs3G2-ulLduLrh4aEfnasXuPLqtLgYBcvcAFr6H2yxc8/s1600/2015.05.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BnS67pNxzDz8nUYwhEXWApTll9RCv3yiUM8yZDVUQoLwZmBjsDHUt7JuLe1woav36K8NOVRZAydg4GouWGvuhed1aON6RJnjs3G2-ulLduLrh4aEfnasXuPLqtLgYBcvcAFr6H2yxc8/s320/2015.05.21.jpg" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="259" /></a></div>
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May 22: They're growing fast, and they've started to look better :)<br />
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May 23: Feathers are growing in, look at that :) Eyes are still closed shut... patience is the name of the game<br />
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May 24: I was still using the phone, so pretty impossible to get a close-up shot of the Mamma Robin, so please excuse the quality of the 1st picture. All four are very hungry; it's so cute how baby animals have a feature that's huge on them until they grow into it (for dogs it's the ears :) for the baby birds - the beak!). <br />
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May 26: They are getting bolder every day and still very, very quiet<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOjrWG_dovEh4jhCjGlcw67ZLHsozSCMVJfTVLZ2UUZQFMaBVQpQTgAUTjOAPbNpKElmgKr3tQcZgrdfTq3W_Q-5hnp3CJEdvedcfmgtd400hEClE_WS4oCq4MFSZw5eyngGR6Sopurc/s1600/2015.05.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOjrWG_dovEh4jhCjGlcw67ZLHsozSCMVJfTVLZ2UUZQFMaBVQpQTgAUTjOAPbNpKElmgKr3tQcZgrdfTq3W_Q-5hnp3CJEdvedcfmgtd400hEClE_WS4oCq4MFSZw5eyngGR6Sopurc/s400/2015.05.26.jpg" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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May 27: the big ammo came out, I took the Canon, with the tele-lens. Now we can see something (pictures are taking from inside, behind the glass door to the patio)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmoYJVqkv-wEs2lKY6iQZ67J9T6bcDEepEjs1Mil86yLwQOaFhvDQYQqDwU7sdRMCtebZIxcLgOmUO26gg81IPNZVTCLvMdWM8fHZecHk0j-oKjX18FJc2y5ZNWn_GVyl2knHh3mFdbo/s1600/2015.05.27+Robin+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmoYJVqkv-wEs2lKY6iQZ67J9T6bcDEepEjs1Mil86yLwQOaFhvDQYQqDwU7sdRMCtebZIxcLgOmUO26gg81IPNZVTCLvMdWM8fHZecHk0j-oKjX18FJc2y5ZNWn_GVyl2knHh3mFdbo/s400/2015.05.27+Robin+nest.JPG" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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May 28: Fully grown wings! I knew the time when they are going to be out of the nest will be soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oMGW7gd0SCmW3832G4ijLrFkppg4_OpopsnehtabKsWbz2zkSeU5nB2g9f5QIodAJz4O3f_J0hXhsng2e1a-qwzox_WLhat21sqShk8xZa_fcnVJH0FaLtshwqu0qMPaun7ZzQGWQoY/s1600/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oMGW7gd0SCmW3832G4ijLrFkppg4_OpopsnehtabKsWbz2zkSeU5nB2g9f5QIodAJz4O3f_J0hXhsng2e1a-qwzox_WLhat21sqShk8xZa_fcnVJH0FaLtshwqu0qMPaun7ZzQGWQoY/s400/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25284%2529.JPG" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkasi3GfVnK4ae-xCh_oIhCBrbBDdAu6th5zeVq-yqC_P7pXBRWRD9PhgwGpcExgdgSLL0R5j2zig9ycoVrN80xTbGwtp1_HN06ohojOimMZ9BiqcrF4gEd73jJJZLKxLAEKDIDuBgV3Y/s1600/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25285%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkasi3GfVnK4ae-xCh_oIhCBrbBDdAu6th5zeVq-yqC_P7pXBRWRD9PhgwGpcExgdgSLL0R5j2zig9ycoVrN80xTbGwtp1_HN06ohojOimMZ9BiqcrF4gEd73jJJZLKxLAEKDIDuBgV3Y/s400/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25285%2529.JPG" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk8-wTyp9Ki-wDwHO3Iy-byoXfeFxGcdhBGF0m8JI8JmivKP0jIXok7GqlnbjTbs-DuC8wzJuR8JjTe4eZLqctGaQ7mtW4MY2V0wOz-F_Yx1AfV5f0m4f6IgjKEhZ687XEIuZKDMg9K0/s1600/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25286%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk8-wTyp9Ki-wDwHO3Iy-byoXfeFxGcdhBGF0m8JI8JmivKP0jIXok7GqlnbjTbs-DuC8wzJuR8JjTe4eZLqctGaQ7mtW4MY2V0wOz-F_Yx1AfV5f0m4f6IgjKEhZ687XEIuZKDMg9K0/s400/2015.05.28+Robin+nest+%25286%2529.JPG" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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May 29: When we came back from the farmer's market, they were still in, still quiet... but flexing those wings a lot.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBTQW9Yur79SDqrdyWmJUGfqB26dSYu6B2oblaDza7f3UAYAQ-0gWxEeTLrH4yoIrFrw94eR11BcYvHvFsC9B-SM3EaLreAbXr5e_uMqyEB4Py9BqHyqoLC8nB5MKC_1M2tYZWS5MVtA/s1600/2015.05.29+Robin+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBTQW9Yur79SDqrdyWmJUGfqB26dSYu6B2oblaDza7f3UAYAQ-0gWxEeTLrH4yoIrFrw94eR11BcYvHvFsC9B-SM3EaLreAbXr5e_uMqyEB4Py9BqHyqoLC8nB5MKC_1M2tYZWS5MVtA/s400/2015.05.29+Robin+nest.JPG" title="Robin nest, baby birds ~ the miracle of life :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sadly, by early afternoon, in a space of 3 hours - they left the nest. We missed the moment (I would have loved to see how they hop out of the nest!). I know they are still safely somewhere on the ground, in the wooded area of the backyard (the space between our yard and our neighbour's is separated by a line of tall cedars, we have a mini-forest in our backyard), I saw one of them hopping around and spreading its wings and jumping on low branches.<br />
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I hope they will survive - I am also very happy the four of them got to this point in their lives.<br />
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Bitter-sweet feelings... for birds I've know for less than 2 weeks (maybe 6 in total, if you count when their parents started to build their home). I wonder what kind of feelings I'll have when our own nest will become empty, with the little bird flexing his wings out in the real world...<br />
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Then, just like Scarlet O'Hara says, "I'll think about this tomorrow".<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-4990879568653061212015-05-27T22:59:00.000-04:002015-05-27T22:59:26.855-04:00Tutti-Fruity - real life versionI have been MIA for a while, a long while. I miss writing every now and then, at least, and I definitely miss creating something, anything, on a regular basis. But I do what I can :)<br />
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We knew this year will be taken to a whole new level of craziness. Why? Florin has been named the National Shotgun Coach for the Junior Team - yay! congratulations to my lovely hubby and coach!! On top of that, being a PanAm Games year, and Toronto being the host, he has also been asked / tasked with being the coach for the team. Which meant a couple of extra trips for him, as coach.<br />
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What's wrong with that? Absolutely nothing - however, if he's not here, half of me is not here... which means half of the work doesn't get done. On top of that, I get some extra work on my plate, from all the 'make the luggage-unmake the luggage' every 3 weeks.<br />
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With all the extra training and competitions this summer, we had to also re-arrange our school's travel schedule. And our personal one - so we had a very early vacation this year, and I'm afraid that's all we'll get.<br />
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Which gets me to the tutti fruity subject.<br />
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This is what we've been up to so far this year:<br />
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In February we took our first real-real vacation in 10 years. Last time we went to the Caribbean, on a vacation, in an all-inclusive resort was exactly 10 years ago, almost to the date (early April then vs. mid-February now). Oh, what a beautiful trip! All I had to care about was packing for all of us for a week. That's it! This time we chose the Dominican Republic, we wanted to see how the small islands are - they are wonderful!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N3Nnp0phOlnbmPL8SNAmn6V_zEIEnk5uho-YWb0AmDNfHR80zjuXllhWtLH_jAfKaWestE_VEIwh1QaeGmAd-t0w0GiB8eh1pa-MQ7tsey7iemfyDQ-3jZNILKCkSC8QVXG5CWcUiTA/s1600/DomRep+Feb+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe vacation, February 2015 ~ beaches, safari, all inclusive, relaxing vacation :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-N3Nnp0phOlnbmPL8SNAmn6V_zEIEnk5uho-YWb0AmDNfHR80zjuXllhWtLH_jAfKaWestE_VEIwh1QaeGmAd-t0w0GiB8eh1pa-MQ7tsey7iemfyDQ-3jZNILKCkSC8QVXG5CWcUiTA/s400/DomRep+Feb+2015.jpg" title="Dominican Republic, Bahia Principe vacation, February 2015 ~ beaches, safari, all inclusive, relaxing vacation :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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We had sun, beautiful beach, a 'safari' (a trip through the mountains, to learn more about how they live and what they do there), waves, pool, full service... and, of course, hats! :) It was a wonderful trip and sadly it's already so long in my past, it almost feels like it happened eons ago. Oh, well, no complaints.<br />
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Exactly a month after this trip, we went on our first training camp with the team - in Puerto Rico. It looks like the year of the islands :) A huge difference between the 2 islands, though. With one thing in common (besides gorgeous beaches and warm weather): people in the South know how to enjoy their lives. Thankfully for us, we have never been truly caught in the work-home-repeat circle of life in Canada (and North America, in general), but we can still feel it around us. We (the generic 'we') always seem to rush somewhere, to be in motion. The entire society seems to be afraid of stillness.<br />
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Not so much in the Caribbean: they are ok doing absolutely nothing. Which is comforting to me, I like to stop and stand still quite often. How else would you capture the moment?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIo4xKICKx1N3X-bMJyashhg-xFlcToA8xvn6GIHRMGNUMzZzLDxZ9wW5ETZw7gfbSAagdmdfNYcOzcH3WLWoQjtzMMjESZIeqxU6eU8Nfm36Wt8fYBmsA4w-UR_2NoCNpuv57pwv9zE/s1600/Puerto+Rico+Mar+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Puerto Rico High Performance training camp, March, 2015 ~ Arecibo Observatory, beaches, Olympic Park, Trapshooting Academy :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIo4xKICKx1N3X-bMJyashhg-xFlcToA8xvn6GIHRMGNUMzZzLDxZ9wW5ETZw7gfbSAagdmdfNYcOzcH3WLWoQjtzMMjESZIeqxU6eU8Nfm36Wt8fYBmsA4w-UR_2NoCNpuv57pwv9zE/s400/Puerto+Rico+Mar+2015.jpg" title="Puerto Rico High Performance training camp, March, 2015 ~ Arecibo Observatory, beaches, Olympic Park, Trapshooting Academy :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Same ocean, different view - gorgeous beaches, the sunset is the view from our hotel - very relaxing, the team (having fun now and then, and working hard at training), plus a visit through the rain forest, over the mountain, to the largest radio telescope in the world, the Arecibo Observatory. And, of course, the hat!<br />
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Back home we barely had time to get back into the rhythm, with Easter coming and passing quickly afterwards, and the busy schedule at all our respective schools... and we had to go again. This time to Tucson, AZ, for the Canadian Trials for PanAm Games. We spent about 10 days in Arizona, in the middle of the desert, in a very dry heat and dry everything. Florin loved it. William and I - meah. Yes, it is nice to be in a warm area, absolutely. But after a few days I had enough of the acres and acres of dry, cracked land, with nothing but cacti. I am not the type of literally hugging a tree, but I do draw comfort from touching the leaves, the grass, I love just lying on the ground and watching the clouds in the sky. Towards the end of the first week, all I could think of was "if I want, I cannot hug a tree here!". But the area is absolutely gorgeous otherwise, a great place to visit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP26zTX9nxN6UPqNIR-JfSMJ-AfJZvorE7FCO28R53GOB3kVhGH7UF753wVYo_XEHb1pfLPl0ZR28ikHNRMrcG5JLuCf4kINVoEeiPhSLqgBmEnOUSKgwibkbVdCVkPTgNiun1oQGRNM/s1600/Tucson+-+May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Tucson, AZ May trip: Desert Museum, Old Tucson, Airplane Museum, Cacti, Canadian Trials Shotgun :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdP26zTX9nxN6UPqNIR-JfSMJ-AfJZvorE7FCO28R53GOB3kVhGH7UF753wVYo_XEHb1pfLPl0ZR28ikHNRMrcG5JLuCf4kINVoEeiPhSLqgBmEnOUSKgwibkbVdCVkPTgNiun1oQGRNM/s400/Tucson+-+May.jpg" title="Tucson, AZ May trip: Desert Museum, Old Tucson, Airplane Museum, Cacti, Canadian Trials Shotgun :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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This time we explored a little bit more: we went to the Museum Desert, to an Airplane museum, we hiked those mountains you see in the middle / bottom picture (another strange feeling: to hike and be surrounded by cacti), we even stopped at a lapidary / metal-smith store on my birthday. Yes, of course I bought myself something - it was my birthday, after all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GT7AUx8hyq84VCqO7-Tu01_G7-KWvVQLFa9ibBMjJX1gIJ3wdxTfIfMbzoRsI2zO-pYpe42Ls8FBhexMe1_5SeVzSHsd8aHUVbHN3mNttWtBiPKkzCLt_PtOj5XhsPoQ0dJ3UieAT70/s1600/Tucson.Blue+Chalcedony.Turquoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Happy birthday to me: Blue Chalcedony & Hachita Turquoise :: All Pretty Things" border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GT7AUx8hyq84VCqO7-Tu01_G7-KWvVQLFa9ibBMjJX1gIJ3wdxTfIfMbzoRsI2zO-pYpe42Ls8FBhexMe1_5SeVzSHsd8aHUVbHN3mNttWtBiPKkzCLt_PtOj5XhsPoQ0dJ3UieAT70/s400/Tucson.Blue+Chalcedony.Turquoise.jpg" title="Happy birthday to me: Blue Chalcedony & Hachita Turquoise :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Beauty 101 :) Two (very expensive) Blue Chalcedony cabs, and two (decently expensive) Hachita (New Mexico) Turquoise. I am still in hoarding mode with them, admiring them and deciding on a design. I know what I want to do with both sets: a pendant and a ring. It's the pendant that I am still thinking on how to make it, but I will come to a conclusion soon: I have decided to use what I already have around in the house, 'cause I do have tons of beautiful gemstone cabs that are waiting to be used. And wore too!<br />
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This is my Tutti-Fruity story - Happy Anniversary to my lovely hubby who's training part of our high performance team away from home right now. 19 years together - can you imagine?! I just checked and the stone for 19th anniversary is Aquamarine. Which is the child's birthstone too. But check this one out: next year is our 20th anniversary... gemstone? Emerald!! Whose birthstone is that, eh?!<br />
<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-87884707635802619442015-05-26T01:06:00.000-04:002015-05-26T01:06:03.674-04:00CC7A May - Tutti Frutti, hosted by Therese FrankHello again, and welcome to a new CC7A get-together - the May edition, hosted by Therese of Therese's Treasures.<br />
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For this month, Therese picked up a very cheerful picture of flowers, springy and happy and colourful. Tutti Fruity is her theme.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7Zf6bnybHjzcGlVaipvwE9887YYeGFHupY7xAyaSQ5dnRZD3FEHhSEN369nxaxXwWskL06Y0GSHnbCvB2hAEXj5rtAh6cKOVGD9HL4RtWeBtrQ4WXa3vAW6T5xYdCNvh2XOzLuTXYKw/s1600/tuttyfrutti.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7Zf6bnybHjzcGlVaipvwE9887YYeGFHupY7xAyaSQ5dnRZD3FEHhSEN369nxaxXwWskL06Y0GSHnbCvB2hAEXj5rtAh6cKOVGD9HL4RtWeBtrQ4WXa3vAW6T5xYdCNvh2XOzLuTXYKw/s320/tuttyfrutti.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Lovely, isn't it?<br />
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Yesterday was a very busy day (we celebrated our 19th Anniversary a couple of day in advance - since hubby is on his way to Ohio today) and at one moment we took a mini-stroll through the mall. Might not seem very romantic, but it was in a way - we haven't just walked through the mall, aimlessly, hand-in-hand, and not necessarily needing to buy anything since... I can't really remember, probably since the winter William was born and we used the mall as our park (that winter was a horrific one, incredibly cold, and we wouldn't dare to get the poor newborn baby in the frigid Canadian weather for more than 5 minutes).<br />
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Anyhow, you might ask yourself 'ok, nice, what has this to do with anything tutti fruity?!'.<br />
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Not much, but this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GqhCY-dHVnTNn5kHNnZxjsrIdNCGfCds_a-VrXNexRK7jnGuq68WujI0UHPfMWwxiObIK4VKlEFcnU5Yr5QUDrym-iC3wV7Soimw725mtPEGLRRPI6X12CL08q9be7gmwtR_rCeLUvI/s1600/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GqhCY-dHVnTNn5kHNnZxjsrIdNCGfCds_a-VrXNexRK7jnGuq68WujI0UHPfMWwxiObIK4VKlEFcnU5Yr5QUDrym-iC3wV7Soimw725mtPEGLRRPI6X12CL08q9be7gmwtR_rCeLUvI/s400/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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A brand new store has popped in the Burlington Mall (we still call it 'the small mall' after all these years) and I had to take a picture of its banner :) foretelling, eh?<br />
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Well, going back to our business - the jewelry. I bought a couple of painted mother-of-pearl eons ago (literally 5 or 6 years ago!)... then on our 2nd trip to Myrtle Beach - that's 2013 - I found these lovely matching beads (the rondelles are plastic, the orange pillow beads are some sort of stone, don't ask me what kind, though). The entire group has been waiting patiently in my stash... for a long time...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOfKswkIX6GS0mkBntaUpu4IrDmiUQ44HbKcRTW93K6tmwJi-YUM7ujuxSeZd_O6QpUvcKksBHuYukHEWiukRxB-JcSylRbz0TMWy6uj-JToEvaINncvS-pB5H0-8xYuho0gccl27lv4/s1600/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOfKswkIX6GS0mkBntaUpu4IrDmiUQ44HbKcRTW93K6tmwJi-YUM7ujuxSeZd_O6QpUvcKksBHuYukHEWiukRxB-JcSylRbz0TMWy6uj-JToEvaINncvS-pB5H0-8xYuho0gccl27lv4/s400/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Until this Sunday, when I decided it is time to use them:<br />
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I kind of tutti-fruity on materials, as well as techniques. We have shell, stone, and what looks like plastic beads... we have copper, antique copper, and thread; then we have swirls, wrapped beads, wrapped elements, swirls connectors, crochet thread and what not :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsqKTrQztGSoevyEeaoxdqU2sY-B1UaEMlmBdkoBDZSP0luLGIM9SZ1_huG_lMhwHqOYISA9EeckDdWPKy4pddxVC50OYLt6b7Gf17uDi5_pQ6hJnunBPLHoThV8peOrrkgHZ64YkHgw/s1600/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25286%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsqKTrQztGSoevyEeaoxdqU2sY-B1UaEMlmBdkoBDZSP0luLGIM9SZ1_huG_lMhwHqOYISA9EeckDdWPKy4pddxVC50OYLt6b7Gf17uDi5_pQ6hJnunBPLHoThV8peOrrkgHZ64YkHgw/s400/CC7A+2015.05+Tutti+Fruity+%25286%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look at the braid for the neckpiece - that's 2 different hanks of embroidery floss, coming from my magic box (the one I won at an auction 5 or so years ago and it's brim full with embroidery floss in all the imaginable colours! I always find something matching in there :) )<br />
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As I was taking pictures, I realized I did't like the ends of the braids, so I quickly added one rondelle on each and now it has a more finished look.<br />
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One in one, I am happy with my version of Tutti-Fruity - I realize I'm heavier on orange and yellow than the picture, but I'm happy and I hope Therese will be too!<br />
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Please make sure you visit the rest of the group, I am sure they have had as much fun as I did!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Emma</a> (October)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)<br />
Alicia (April host) ~ you are here</div>
Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-32093514088040176492015-05-16T18:25:00.000-04:002015-05-16T18:25:05.026-04:00CC7A - May get-togetherHello again, and welcome to another monthly installment of the CC7A, 2015 edition!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizngYUZ48BYWreWX5a2Ci2RaDss-6KohXaedasUE5jClaSbB6yQklXFvFjC8SrZKkuflGETJF2WyAkOd3Uw4yduGXRj0Wdvi534JRHatuO7D-DQ6q15mhau5mvdmHkZhyTTZBdmghepTM/s1600/CC7A.2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizngYUZ48BYWreWX5a2Ci2RaDss-6KohXaedasUE5jClaSbB6yQklXFvFjC8SrZKkuflGETJF2WyAkOd3Uw4yduGXRj0Wdvi534JRHatuO7D-DQ6q15mhau5mvdmHkZhyTTZBdmghepTM/s1600/CC7A.2015.jpg" width="244" /></a></div>
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In case you missed it last year, it's a small group of very talented artists, from Canada and US, and we meet 7 moths of the year to have fun and do what we love most: create.<br />
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Last year we based our creation on the same small package of items we sent each other. This year, being a tad crazier for me re: schedule, the format will change slightly.<br />
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For 2015 what we do is pick an image and get inspired by it.<br />
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Therese will be the host in May and this is the picture she picked for us:<br />
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A beautiful springy palette, don't you think?<br />
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The reveal for these monthly get-together is the 26th - hence I am inviting you to come back at least on the 26th to see what everybody created with Tutti-Fruity :)<br />
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The CC7A composition:<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Emma</a> (October)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)<br />
Alicia (April host) ~ you are here</div>
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... yes, I know how to count the months, we have all decided July is mostly a crazy summer month, with vacations and kids out of school... so we have decided to keep this fun and not very stressful, and skip July altogether.<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-84423205070823910212015-05-02T00:00:00.000-04:002015-05-02T21:48:53.811-04:00Bead Peeps - Swap 'n Hop; the reveal!The time to reveal the Swap 'n Hop has arrived! Welcome!<br />
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For a reminder of what I received and what I sent to my lovely partner, Maire of <a href="http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Thistledown</a>, please check my previous post: <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2015/04/bead-peeps-swap-n-hop.html" target="_blank">Sweep 'n Hop ~ my partner</a>.<br />
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Maire sent me a whole box full of treasures and there was no way I would use everything. However, I tried my best to try a little bit of everything.<br />
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First in line was the ceramic cylinder. I had 2 of them, in a bluish - purplish shade. I looked for some sort of gemstones to add and I found this strand of faceted amazonite. A tad towards greenish-bluish, but with some grey veins that went well with the purple. I added 2 of the purple crystals from Maire's stash, as 'bead caps' for the ceramic cylinder. Then I figured out a tassel is requested and used some of the waxed linen from a previous swap to achieve that goal.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBsgHvRL3JCRBEExPby6GVaGyik2Zch4be-cDN0VC_2FoKO4rA95ea0jdHMUH6MtRVS86BrBN42grxMdMTOWSR_1B9GwJjUg6qtxwxpiNJv9KZGxKC4e2-h-gV7TFsacPSGcA10SsNYo/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Universe+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ ceramic, amazonite, tassel, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpBsgHvRL3JCRBEExPby6GVaGyik2Zch4be-cDN0VC_2FoKO4rA95ea0jdHMUH6MtRVS86BrBN42grxMdMTOWSR_1B9GwJjUg6qtxwxpiNJv9KZGxKC4e2-h-gV7TFsacPSGcA10SsNYo/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Universe+(2).jpg" height="261" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ ceramic, amazonite, tassel, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoiDKRbbpfDrO72v8L6YTq7jGoIWV0b9uoRSaScJ-XDe3n5ZfHxgHm2kJ5cdeFp3Aob8eHeq_BhM2vJaS6zrDnRHZTsKqdw-hOkBT4vUCEI4Cj2Uw1cHbwHINd_LfS7mmU7JiDOB0ljc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Universe+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ ceramic, amazonite, tassel, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoiDKRbbpfDrO72v8L6YTq7jGoIWV0b9uoRSaScJ-XDe3n5ZfHxgHm2kJ5cdeFp3Aob8eHeq_BhM2vJaS6zrDnRHZTsKqdw-hOkBT4vUCEI4Cj2Uw1cHbwHINd_LfS7mmU7JiDOB0ljc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Universe+(1).jpg" height="320" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ ceramic, amazonite, tassel, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="245" /></a></div>
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'Universe' was born - I love this universe.<br />
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Next, I had my eyes set on the cabs... I did wrap one of the mokume cab, although I am not extremely happy with it. Hopefully I'll change my mind by the time I add the necklace part :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVgfOZC-HtFlWs4yx6Qex_eHj_yewLdAC7OJlKd7WFCKaV-x8zx9BjsA9fb7VOYMXvto6lfwNPEtQGyQOmJPf69uFq1BgiXE7Qrbzs7dqxeDSaFocHRL5iI5aefW4yCvypBpu1UasQqQ/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Kaleidoscope+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ polymer clay cab, wire wrapping, copper :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVgfOZC-HtFlWs4yx6Qex_eHj_yewLdAC7OJlKd7WFCKaV-x8zx9BjsA9fb7VOYMXvto6lfwNPEtQGyQOmJPf69uFq1BgiXE7Qrbzs7dqxeDSaFocHRL5iI5aefW4yCvypBpu1UasQqQ/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Kaleidoscope+(1).jpg" height="400" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ polymer clay cab, wire wrapping, copper :: All Pretty Things" width="246" /></a></div>
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Not in love with the wrap itself: it's not perfectly symmetrical and it's incredible hard to make it asymmetrical in a 'good' way; the colour of the wire is not matching very well (or showing very well), but I refused to use brass :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYGQb6OsmDdA7DCk1ZzXY8hjaoJRTmO9eRokj_cD5it3zFAzAM8dhoyG2moUeNii-eGtIoq5B5IUrCealpzxK4z1gu_jH1FaDeP15pRkY-JvcLPH8n_JeuqIQQUQ9mCvxcYqIXFnt_fM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Kaleidoscope+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ polymer clay cab, wire wrapping, copper :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYGQb6OsmDdA7DCk1ZzXY8hjaoJRTmO9eRokj_cD5it3zFAzAM8dhoyG2moUeNii-eGtIoq5B5IUrCealpzxK4z1gu_jH1FaDeP15pRkY-JvcLPH8n_JeuqIQQUQ9mCvxcYqIXFnt_fM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Kaleidoscope+(2).jpg" height="260" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ polymer clay cab, wire wrapping, copper :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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The green glass beads are a nice match for the necklace part. But I didn't want to string them, and I didn't have the energy to wire-wrap them either. I'll figure it out, no worries :)<br />
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So far I had used one cab, one ceramic bead, and a couple of crystals. The content of the box was looking back at me, reproachfully. I could hear the beads asking 'is that all you can do?!'. Alas, I knew I can "do" more, had only I had time.<br />
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Then I decided time will be made for this and I picked up the brass leaf made by Maire herself. Good - what next? I spilled my 'everything I need' box (it's a big Ikea cube, filled with boxes that contain: tools, wire, beads, and more... all I think I can use in one session at the jewelry studio) looking for something to match. I came across the polymer clay beads by Elaine Robataille (a fellow Canadian), the ones I received in last year's Bead Soup swap (the linen from the 'Universe' is from the same swap). Ah, things started to get shape. But brass and orange didn't make for a very cheerful combination. And I needed sunny and cheerful.<br />
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Out came the bright yellow seed beads Maire sent and a brass branch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepWYsRDNTodPlJcUX_O8-G8dZS0EPBfarK8kp-i9h4cOpg3LHasrNLKqFRnBl2pMPpOnq3Yijiklh02qxNh5X9EgbT84mbuOdIT46E7GP6tSZxQf8lxVdla6td7rcIc-RChkM5rbow2I/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgepWYsRDNTodPlJcUX_O8-G8dZS0EPBfarK8kp-i9h4cOpg3LHasrNLKqFRnBl2pMPpOnq3Yijiklh02qxNh5X9EgbT84mbuOdIT46E7GP6tSZxQf8lxVdla6td7rcIc-RChkM5rbow2I/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(1).jpg" height="400" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="275" /></a></div>
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Now we were talking! I decided this will be the focal. What to do for the rest of the necklace?<br />
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A couple of connectors, polymer clay by Elaine. Good...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lL7qklRo-tjmNFxEeaNf5PCH8qj8mEx-bzJyU_yEMf2ePOAaCtguQH0OjmcVuF8gaQWtIg3f3pfSQOximMFPqx7EXoqvwM03y3wziQon9scYvsR5e1NNzFNHtKFeBzfEb9R0EPFmVIc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lL7qklRo-tjmNFxEeaNf5PCH8qj8mEx-bzJyU_yEMf2ePOAaCtguQH0OjmcVuF8gaQWtIg3f3pfSQOximMFPqx7EXoqvwM03y3wziQon9scYvsR5e1NNzFNHtKFeBzfEb9R0EPFmVIc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(3).jpg" height="377" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Adding the brass branches, to have a nice link to the focal. Still a bit too serious and sad.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvONsVpL6VMcmScU2Kj-t10QTaxEkp6eYMnyKrTWg_3dAWYcmy8pFE6tXNQhgQzFTn2JhxAUYwoTUV09iR3zPxJWAXJMOmxkQ4UyVcL4UtcLzII95FCP44wxarDFGuQk5Dnbq7RvKXYUA/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvONsVpL6VMcmScU2Kj-t10QTaxEkp6eYMnyKrTWg_3dAWYcmy8pFE6tXNQhgQzFTn2JhxAUYwoTUV09iR3zPxJWAXJMOmxkQ4UyVcL4UtcLzII95FCP44wxarDFGuQk5Dnbq7RvKXYUA/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(5).jpg" height="400" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="256" /></a></div>
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Ah, yellow seed beads to the rescue! Now this is more like spring: forsythia-like branches and orange blooms. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfEACO3gxIqY_IGdIehyhMDqnHNn5NZKT0uGwr46jCizDuRe1_Px8yn2s6FenC92y9mIoNc-pgVV2cjHqj2UNVPqpwXY7TkjpYt3M-2mzXDdDhghURj62UGY9GeJpOpThMas9RNk4I7A/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfEACO3gxIqY_IGdIehyhMDqnHNn5NZKT0uGwr46jCizDuRe1_Px8yn2s6FenC92y9mIoNc-pgVV2cjHqj2UNVPqpwXY7TkjpYt3M-2mzXDdDhghURj62UGY9GeJpOpThMas9RNk4I7A/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(6).jpg" height="400" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="296" /></a></div>
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It instantly made me smile, so I was happy. Happiness comes in yellow right now, so I continued with a perfect forsythia wreath:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70oERB4-LzheGg7fEnF3G5S7PlnJeBzxMoTS2-FVko6MzQpF0zaIs7PBcienzwRpehE27fdFcLaIR83qxz47NRhDcoXo1prQj3hO8JFgjw7WhBXm7a-Cj4rc7HeOzL06_Mc4x0PqHQkI/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ forsythia wreath, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70oERB4-LzheGg7fEnF3G5S7PlnJeBzxMoTS2-FVko6MzQpF0zaIs7PBcienzwRpehE27fdFcLaIR83qxz47NRhDcoXo1prQj3hO8JFgjw7WhBXm7a-Cj4rc7HeOzL06_Mc4x0PqHQkI/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(2).jpg" height="343" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ forsythia wreath, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Doesn't it look like candy?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPGXGbHYyQcWjuUQy_7fQIPo2XyLRRRbdexuay1TXjtN0ZBcc-LTv7AtOLIMuTz2s5yQVWHWoaVTeX3evWqli9nv8xW17yPG4Va5bNXAr24BJFu8RT6PqAjczkJ32LauYVhEGPpZa-qA/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPGXGbHYyQcWjuUQy_7fQIPo2XyLRRRbdexuay1TXjtN0ZBcc-LTv7AtOLIMuTz2s5yQVWHWoaVTeX3evWqli9nv8xW17yPG4Va5bNXAr24BJFu8RT6PqAjczkJ32LauYVhEGPpZa-qA/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(4).jpg" height="400" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="206" /></a></div>
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I still had the neckpiece itself to make. I picked up Maire's sari silk, which was now matching the whole thing perfectly. But it was too much yellow, and in my life everything must be in balance. Luckily for me, from a few good years back I had a small leftover piece of orange sari silk.<br />
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Ah! Now that's what I call perfection.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAOj86o07NRJgkfhAUmVWonW5_HYMYr2-WGNfjlJlC5nigzQJxM7tPOD588sH2ddnd1mnrkfo3aPIUrAOnabTCzkZ6mJJGEBYrtZzhyphenhyphenBjY8Cf8XOLTGbJLqXLG6LEySEPf7h_MC98CAs/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, sari silk, forsythia wreath, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAOj86o07NRJgkfhAUmVWonW5_HYMYr2-WGNfjlJlC5nigzQJxM7tPOD588sH2ddnd1mnrkfo3aPIUrAOnabTCzkZ6mJJGEBYrtZzhyphenhyphenBjY8Cf8XOLTGbJLqXLG6LEySEPf7h_MC98CAs/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Nature+in+Bloom+(7).jpg" height="640" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop ~ flowers by Elaine Robataille, brass leaf by Marie Covert, brass branch, wire wrapping, copper, sari silk, forsythia wreath, ooak necklace :: All Pretty Things" width="499" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nature in Bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The necklace itself received the very appropriate name of 'Nature in bloom'.<br />
<br />
Funny enough, both necklaces have the exact same length. I think I reached some sort of an internal sensor :)<br />
<br />
I would like to take this moment to thank Maire again - it was very nice meeting her and leaning more about her; the lovely package she generously sent gave me lots and lots of ideas (I still have pieces to use, obviously!); which is one of the reasons I participate in these challenges. Working with items someone else picked for you is very interesting and a sure way to start your creative juices flowing.<br />
<br />
Thank you to the hostess of the swap as well, I know there is an incredible amount of work behind these challenges, and I am thankful to all who take upon themselves the tasks of 'herding' an insane amount of people.<br />
<br />
Lastly, I would like to thank you for stopping by - please leave me a word if you're inclined to do so :) And before you leave, please ensure you will visit the others too!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 269px;"><colgroup></colgroup><tbody>
</tbody><tbody>
<tr height="17"><td colspan="3" height="34" rowspan="2" style="height: 34px; width: 269px;"><h2 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from <a href="http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/">http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com</a></strong></h2>
</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Linda</td>
<td>Anderson</td>
<td><a href="http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com/">http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Marica</td>
<td>Zammit</td>
<td><a href="http://www.beadlovelies.com/">http://www.beadlovelies.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Jessica</td>
<td>Hocutt</td>
<td><a href="https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com/">https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Kristina</td>
<td>Hahn Eleniak</td>
<td><a href="http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com/">http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Debbie</td>
<td>Jeffries</td>
<td><a href="http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com">http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Rosantia</td>
<td>Petkova</td>
<td><a href="http://bairozan.blogspot.com/">http://bairozan.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Shalini</td>
<td>Austin</td>
<td><a href="http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/">http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Catherine</td>
<td>La Vite</td>
<td><a href="http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com/">http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Annica</td>
<td>Larsson</td>
<td><a href="http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/">http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Lori</td>
<td>Schneider</td>
<td><a href="http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/">http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Divya</td>
<td>N</td>
<td><a href="http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/">http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Mowse</td>
<td>Doyle</td>
<td><a href="http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/">http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Fay</td>
<td>Wolfenden</td>
<td><a href="http://torchfairy.blogspot.com/">http://torchfairy.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Kathy</td>
<td>Lindemer</td>
<td><a href="http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/">http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Claire</td>
<td>Fabian</td>
<td><a href="http://saraccino.blogspot.de/">http://saraccino.blogspot.de/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="18">
<td height="18" style="height: 18px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="19">
<td height="19" style="height: 19px; width: 79px;">Janice</td>
<td style="width: 123px;">Warden Bergeron</td>
<td style="width: 333px;"><a href="http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca/">http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Natalie</td>
<td>Davidson</td>
<td><a href="http://www.northshoredays.com/">http://www.northshoredays.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Deb</td>
<td>Fortin</td>
<td><a href="http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca/">http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Inge</td>
<td>von Roos</td>
<td><a href="http://ingetraud.wordpress.com/">http://ingetraud.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Karen</td>
<td>Mitchell</td>
<td><a href="http://overthemoon-design.com/">http://overthemoon-design.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Robin</td>
<td>Reed</td>
<td><a href="http://willowdragon.blogspot.com/">http://willowdragon.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"><b>Marie</b></td>
<td><b>Covert</b></td>
<td><a href="http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/"><b>http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com</b>/</a> <i><- my partner!</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"><b>Alicia</b></td>
<td><b>Marinache</b></td>
<td><b><a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/">http://www.allprettythings.ca</a> </b><i><~ you're here!</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Nan</td>
<td>Smith</td>
<td><a href="http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca/">http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Johana</td>
<td>Nunez</td>
<td><a href="http://artincendi.com/">http://artincendi.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Kelly</td>
<td>Hosford Patterson</td>
<td><a href="http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/">http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Lori</td>
<td>Blanchard</td>
<td><a href="http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/">http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Sue </td>
<td>Kennedy</td>
<td><a href="http://suebeads.blogspot.com/">http://suebeads.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Shai</td>
<td>Williams</td>
<td><a href="http://shaihasramblings.com/">http://shaihasramblings.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Niky</td>
<td>Sayers</td>
<td><a href="http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/">http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Melissa</td>
<td>Trudinger</td>
<td><a href="http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/">http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Candida</td>
<td>Castleberry</td>
<td><a href="http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com/">http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Erin</td>
<td>Guest</td>
<td><a href="http://www.renlish.com/">http://www.renlish.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Nicole</td>
<td>Rennell</td>
<td><a href="http://nicolerennell.com/blog">http://nicolerennell.com/blog</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Ien</td>
<td>Temaluru</td>
<td><a href="http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com/">http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Robin</td>
<td>Showstack</td>
<td><a href="http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/">http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Sam</td>
<td>Waghorn</td>
<td><a href="http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk/">http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Marianne</td>
<td>Baxter</td>
<td><a href="http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com/">http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Elsie</td>
<td>Deliz-Fonseca</td>
<td><a href="http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/">http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Shai</td>
<td>Williams</td>
<td><a href="http://shaihasramblings.com/">http://shaihasramblings.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Lee</td>
<td>Koopman</td>
<td><a href="http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/">http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Jayne</td>
<td>Capps</td>
<td><a href="http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com/">http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Marti</td>
<td>Conrad</td>
<td><a href="http://marticsclay.blogspot.com/">http://marticsclay.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="18">
<td height="18" style="height: 18px;">Tina</td>
<td>Bosh</td>
<td><a href="http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/">http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20">
<td height="20" style="height: 20px; width: 79px;">Eleanor</td>
<td style="width: 123px;">Thomas</td>
<td style="width: 333px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null">http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Jeanne</td>
<td>Steck</td>
<td><a href="http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com/">http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Gloria</td>
<td>Allen</td>
<td><a href="http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/">http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Rachel</td>
<td>Mallis</td>
<td><a href="http://www.mintmonarch.com/#%21blog/c1jlz">http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Andrea</td>
<td>Glick</td>
<td><a href="http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/">http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Stephanie</td>
<td>Stamper</td>
<td><a href="http://skwds.blogspot.com/">http://skwds.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Chris</td>
<td>Haussler</td>
<td><a href="http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/">http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Betony</td>
<td>Maiden</td>
<td><a href="http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/">http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Kari</td>
<td>Asbury</td>
<td><a href="http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/">http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Jenny</td>
<td>Kyrlach</td>
<td><a href="http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/">http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Colleen</td>
<td>Foley</td>
<td><a href="http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com/">http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Marybeth</td>
<td>Rich</td>
<td><a href="http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/">http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Marcy</td>
<td>Lamberson</td>
<td><a href="http://www.studiomarcy.blogspot.com/">http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Dyanne</td>
<td>Everett-Cantrell</td>
<td style="width: 333px;"><a href="http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com/">http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Ginny</td>
<td>Lones</td>
<td><a href="http://www.skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com/">http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Maria Rosa</td>
<td>Sharrow</td>
<td><a href="http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com/">http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Loretta</td>
<td>Carstensen</td>
<td><a href="http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com/">http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Dolores</td>
<td>Raml</td>
<td><a href="http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com/">http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Michelle</td>
<td>McCarthy</td>
<td><a href="http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/">http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="18">
<td height="18" style="height: 18px;">Louise</td>
<td>McCormick-Glazier</td>
<td><a href="http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Heather</td>
<td>Richter</td>
<td><a href="http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Tammy</td>
<td>Adams</td>
<td><a href="http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/">http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Shirley</td>
<td>Moore</td>
<td><a href="http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/">http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td colspan="3" height="51" rowspan="3" style="height: 51px;"><strong>Seed Beaders</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
</tr>
<tr height="17">
</tr>
<tr height="24">
<td height="24" style="height: 24px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Susanne</td>
<td>Stelljes</td>
<td><a href="http://pearlify.blogspot.de/">http://pearlify.blogspot.de</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Sheila</td>
<td>Prosterman</td>
<td><a href="http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com/">http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Pallavi</td>
<td>Asher</td>
<td><a href="http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/">http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Jami</td>
<td>Shipp</td>
<td><a href="http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com/">http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Peggy</td>
<td>Kosier</td>
<td><a href="http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/">http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Andra</td>
<td>Weber</td>
<td><a href="http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com/">http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Catherine</td>
<td>King</td>
<td><a href="http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com/">http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Krafty</td>
<td>Max</td>
<td><a href="http://kraftymax.com/">http://kraftymax.com </a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Sierra</td>
<td>Barrett</td>
<td><a href="http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com/">http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Lois</td>
<td>Sherwood</td>
<td><a href="http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com/">http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Katy</td>
<td>Heider</td>
<td><a href="http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com/">http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Rebecca</td>
<td>Robertson (White)</td>
<td><a href="http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/">http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Heather</td>
<td>Richter</td>
<td><a href="http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/">http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Brandy</td>
<td>Collier</td>
<td><a href="http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com/">http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Stephanie</td>
<td>Haussler</td>
<td><a href="http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com/">http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Lori</td>
<td>Blanchard</td>
<td><a href="http://alainnjewelry.wordpress.com/">http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Kathleen</td>
<td>Breeding</td>
<td><a href="http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/">http://99bobotw.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Becky</td>
<td>Pancake</td>
<td><a href="http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/">http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Renetha</td>
<td>Stanziano</td>
<td><a href="http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/">http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Tami</td>
<td>Norris</td>
<td><a href="https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/">https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Ginger</td>
<td>Bishop</td>
<td><a href="http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/">http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17">
<td height="17" style="height: 17px;">Peggy</td>
<td>Johnson</td>
<td><a href="http://charmbarn.blogspot.com/">http://charmbarn.blogspot.com</a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-78153809114606229212015-04-27T22:29:00.003-04:002015-04-27T22:29:54.814-04:00Bead Peeps - Swap 'N Hop<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhlSto_LSDSIs1iNiSnPbRbp_MPLG5AMCE1PTXy7EBIO3IZemOFo8NAqGPgCaq8I6Q70IsXUVcdIpai5Lkfz63pGs8eESQlPDXngcZNK1VK8_swZpBaakrSDciZ-fI5uDHTtYp9KivUc/s1600/1480535_810213955705203_2429396695560873897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhlSto_LSDSIs1iNiSnPbRbp_MPLG5AMCE1PTXy7EBIO3IZemOFo8NAqGPgCaq8I6Q70IsXUVcdIpai5Lkfz63pGs8eESQlPDXngcZNK1VK8_swZpBaakrSDciZ-fI5uDHTtYp9KivUc/s1600/1480535_810213955705203_2429396695560873897_n.jpg" height="320" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal :: All Pretty Things" width="179" /></a>I just realized I never talked about one of the challenges that comes up soon. A new (to me, at least) group, Bead Peeps is hosting a Swap 'N Hop challenge (very similar to Lori's wonderful BSBPs from the past). The idea is exactly the same: you register, you get partnered, you swap goodies, you make things with your package of goodies, you post your results.<br />
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The sign-ups were all the way back in January, the swaps took place at the end of February, early March. The reveal itself is on Saturday!! Screetch... I never talked about my amazing partner! or about what she sent me or I sent her. Apologies to all.<br />
<br />
I'll take a moment now to rectify that.<br />
<br />
I first was partnered with Tammy Adams of <a href="http://www.paisleylizard.com/" target="_blank">Paisley Lizard</a>. Why 'at first'? because apparently there was a mistake made during pairing and Tammy was not to be my partner. Sad face. However, I got another, equally wonderful partner: Maire of <a href="http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Thistledown</a>. Happy face!<br />
<br />
Maire and I exchanged a few emails, trying to learn more about each other. We found lots of similarities, some crazy ones too :) And we figured out we both have the same eclectic style, loving metal and stones and what-not.<br />
<br />
I put together my package: not a very big one, I am afraid, but all items were very dear to me: a ceramic leaf from Marla's Mud, a glass cab by one of the CC7A artists, <a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese's Treasure</a>, a few brass elements, etched by myself, polymer clay by Tina @ Bead Comber, a shell I picked in Myrtle Beach a couple of summers back, and a few accompanying elements.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9kEu7AjTpnu3X-RSg-FEwXlBn-LsJNzOwpvBQ1NuY-3DV_vBxDcpfHEDXsv54b8YH9YABKpFVSxs8VGeDJe05ge_eA8d1GiNKUTjXGJNcge1zRtCU0Jxfo0wI9zF2mp764euMjO9p7A/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ ceramic, Marla's Mud, Therese's Treasures glass cab, Myrtle beach shell, Bead Comber's polymer clay :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd9kEu7AjTpnu3X-RSg-FEwXlBn-LsJNzOwpvBQ1NuY-3DV_vBxDcpfHEDXsv54b8YH9YABKpFVSxs8VGeDJe05ge_eA8d1GiNKUTjXGJNcge1zRtCU0Jxfo0wI9zF2mp764euMjO9p7A/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package.jpg" height="265" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ ceramic, Marla's Mud, Therese's Treasures glass cab, Myrtle beach shell, Bead Comber's polymer clay :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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The package from Maire gave both of us some palpitations - somehow Canada Post messed up their info an on USPS' side it showed that the package is lost somewhere here, in the city. Luckily for us, it was at the post office, just not marked as such.<br />
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I came home and started getting through my treasure - and what a treasure box it was!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pPkFRH18DE83IwM2plnU1Y7a3kPYGYpFGjxiqY-6RcrIi1ubg5lel7r3shbvpYh7GXwgSDciMsPNnMGXdAi9PQ9Mrcc3J4Br1mmLm17yJAYGBwZmZA_u9wXhuESQ0vtVOLrb8-YwvGE/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pPkFRH18DE83IwM2plnU1Y7a3kPYGYpFGjxiqY-6RcrIi1ubg5lel7r3shbvpYh7GXwgSDciMsPNnMGXdAi9PQ9Mrcc3J4Br1mmLm17yJAYGBwZmZA_u9wXhuESQ0vtVOLrb8-YwvGE/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(1).jpg" height="180" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LCP9LmIeeaHGj8EWYBhTzRls5vWLt0ORV6OBCQ1wtd5QmyhWfJNKXSkv7n1KkRPLD_Q21aD9S31RMO7FnT4jConAxUErNCxcJKChWr8x2Vddco-UQjvxRi-8XWtnJcbEgT4G_WXRJDc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LCP9LmIeeaHGj8EWYBhTzRls5vWLt0ORV6OBCQ1wtd5QmyhWfJNKXSkv7n1KkRPLD_Q21aD9S31RMO7FnT4jConAxUErNCxcJKChWr8x2Vddco-UQjvxRi-8XWtnJcbEgT4G_WXRJDc/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(2).jpg" height="180" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
She painted the box! With spring elements, that were more than welcome in our crazy end of March / beginning of April (it's still barely over 10 C here).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgWsNSnnxMs5Ah5x-0VOYx6CdhJDLCVCQZv0NnxpaxypWcq54ybdNr57jsqn_dCvZ5BkokjT087k3P2gBXzTLDVERrfLa8jasYZXfJ2pGtG96E7mz-zqE1Ch-4QH-t-yxC_4a5gDcZM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZgWsNSnnxMs5Ah5x-0VOYx6CdhJDLCVCQZv0NnxpaxypWcq54ybdNr57jsqn_dCvZ5BkokjT087k3P2gBXzTLDVERrfLa8jasYZXfJ2pGtG96E7mz-zqE1Ch-4QH-t-yxC_4a5gDcZM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(3).jpg" height="320" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Maire of Thistledown :: All Pretty Things" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />She added a sparkly card...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvbbUV7u08zuFbPWZt4Gv95APexw6heM-SakbcHJ3UpxAey8Gu0TZTzp2NXngqsHs7eEm5wvztLPg3k03ufzRTBO1M88X630FqQnhYo9JlkvctA3s1sSLje_ojL2zLP5HwsemLKMFFJw/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Texas key chain :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvbbUV7u08zuFbPWZt4Gv95APexw6heM-SakbcHJ3UpxAey8Gu0TZTzp2NXngqsHs7eEm5wvztLPg3k03ufzRTBO1M88X630FqQnhYo9JlkvctA3s1sSLje_ojL2zLP5HwsemLKMFFJw/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(4).jpg" height="299" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ Texas key chain :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
... and some cute items from her son to mine. The funniest part is that the state key chain is made in... Canada! :)<br />
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And then I started to unwrap goodies:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu7zlW66mO77Mhb4Rxetn2C7v4awDyw9cJe32lVMQIA9tRM9u6_mIFNep9f0oSGXKE-3ey4ego2M56HQ_R-Z7JtOwC0NdMfpcu-eqO5ctWHaTznsCSyKf20DfxT83DFkj-QJ5Plh_VGM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ raisin cab, seed beads :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu7zlW66mO77Mhb4Rxetn2C7v4awDyw9cJe32lVMQIA9tRM9u6_mIFNep9f0oSGXKE-3ey4ego2M56HQ_R-Z7JtOwC0NdMfpcu-eqO5ctWHaTznsCSyKf20DfxT83DFkj-QJ5Plh_VGM/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(5).jpg" height="266" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ raisin cab, seed beads :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
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Beads in all sort of sizes, shapes, and colours, plus resin cabs she made - love them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV0HCFhdn09ok8ytmbKfq6sSthXYbUckmL1Cf1Qemft4-o_PRP5D2PGxHNc0t1b6kEKb3HoRbJGxwf-lTNSvuFOq3nk4VEuwgnNVGye6TZ1F78Cc-QuDWeVyLYgk7xrhg8cGG-ywOOa4/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, ceramic, crystal :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV0HCFhdn09ok8ytmbKfq6sSthXYbUckmL1Cf1Qemft4-o_PRP5D2PGxHNc0t1b6kEKb3HoRbJGxwf-lTNSvuFOq3nk4VEuwgnNVGye6TZ1F78Cc-QuDWeVyLYgk7xrhg8cGG-ywOOa4/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(6).jpg" height="214" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, ceramic, crystal :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Somehow our minds really worked on the exact same wave length! The colours we sent each other were similar, the components too - look at the beach elements... in the same pink as the ones I sent her! isn't that funny? Mother of pearl components, beautiful glass and a couple of ceramic tubes I fell in love with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZtsV8oR8YaMBQF06cqUcSosDaSGq3Sq_NTbixx5QRkizlf5cgXtyFiiXlZEfK0GUA_Ab09QiMd4ZBitxuEJldJ0hrcDKOq8918KVOZu9d98stvh4_o25ocu6t-2TLiCVgYgvsQEF1no/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, wood, crystal :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZtsV8oR8YaMBQF06cqUcSosDaSGq3Sq_NTbixx5QRkizlf5cgXtyFiiXlZEfK0GUA_Ab09QiMd4ZBitxuEJldJ0hrcDKOq8918KVOZu9d98stvh4_o25ocu6t-2TLiCVgYgvsQEF1no/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(7).jpg" height="215" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, wood, crystal :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More beautiful beads, along with some wood / nutshell carved ones. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3OhAbipV9dJ_NzaaaRAao_j-BTUcDFCXmX6dQ4YpJOo6ZK4hF7LRyNCXpiPmpV_4xf9HGkFZYDbdxFNOPbcIUhiNUL9ZnNuZ-5BrlursHe8-mAZUAqvLOF9aYGrvYYqRFpupk1Girs8/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, polymer clay, crystal, seed beads :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3OhAbipV9dJ_NzaaaRAao_j-BTUcDFCXmX6dQ4YpJOo6ZK4hF7LRyNCXpiPmpV_4xf9HGkFZYDbdxFNOPbcIUhiNUL9ZnNuZ-5BrlursHe8-mAZUAqvLOF9aYGrvYYqRFpupk1Girs8/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(8).jpg" height="241" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ glass, shell, polymer clay, crystal, seed beads :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More polymer clay (made by my lovely partner), more beautiful colours, some beautiful turquoise like beads, and a hunk of sari silk! I <strike>hoard</strike> cherish the silk whenever I can get my hands on it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgk6vEZ6iRCRrEsGNRMc06PMmsw_jzvV8oRCHTmtJn-LatB3-t3PA__MKDult2zK2tzVDVzWR_hxi8oCGT9YdzHbaUbjo8KtdfsUXqlvdatF7wIhRFTororVl4tMG6UDT7osCQcRSY6s/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ wire, copper, brass, metal leaves, tree of life, fancy clasp :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgk6vEZ6iRCRrEsGNRMc06PMmsw_jzvV8oRCHTmtJn-LatB3-t3PA__MKDult2zK2tzVDVzWR_hxi8oCGT9YdzHbaUbjo8KtdfsUXqlvdatF7wIhRFTororVl4tMG6UDT7osCQcRSY6s/s1600/Bead+Peeps.Swap+N+Hop.Package+(9).jpg" height="241" title="Beed Peeps Swap 'n Hop, May 2 reveal ~ wire, copper, brass, metal leaves, tree of life, fancy clasp :: All Pretty Things" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wire and findings, including a couple of clasps, and brass elements she cut and etched and hammered herself. Look at those oak leaves and the tree of life! Absolutely in love! One of my favourite symbols is the tree of life, and the Celtic-like depiction is perfect, as I love all thing Celt as well :)<br />
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My family always teases me (in a loving way) when I get a package - I get so excited and happy! This time was no different, I almost jumped and I sure annoyed my boys with the 'oh, wow!' that came after unwrapping each little package.<br />
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I have already started to work on them (of course, we are just 5 days away from the reveal!!) and I absolutely love what comes from them. I will not be able to use everything by Saturday, but I will hopefully make justice to the generosity and kindness of my partner!<br />
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Thank you, Maire, again!<br />
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And to you, my lovely visitor, my thanks for stopping by today - please make sure you come again on Saturday, it's going to be an amazing party!<br />
<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-31865125787446662482015-04-26T19:54:00.000-04:002015-04-26T20:39:21.358-04:00CC7A April - Spring pastels; the revealHello and welcome to my (lately) very sporadic online presence :)<br />
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Today the lovely Creative Continuum of 7 Artists group is presenting the reveal for April, 'Spring pastels', hosted by yours truly. The picture I chose is one of an Easter basket, with pastel eggs (traditionally they should be red, bat that's next to impossible to achieve here :) although I aim every year).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsDRf0yjJbHFkxXOuIm5ns2bbDazwducfvp8Qh-PXE3zZ8Bxyzv3TrgnlFZKapOIp9N3LLfIiGcZmTc1nvmR2vIn3ScdTmyNdZPOpHOUcrD4AnMqbwV_TBxTVLi2mvrkDy3fwcA8QHAQ/s1600/CC7A.2015.04+April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A Spring Pastels - the inspiration :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsDRf0yjJbHFkxXOuIm5ns2bbDazwducfvp8Qh-PXE3zZ8Bxyzv3TrgnlFZKapOIp9N3LLfIiGcZmTc1nvmR2vIn3ScdTmyNdZPOpHOUcrD4AnMqbwV_TBxTVLi2mvrkDy3fwcA8QHAQ/s1600/CC7A.2015.04+April.jpg" height="228" title="CC7A Spring Pastels - the inspiration :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I had a few ideas on what I wanted, but, alas, no time! The term ends this month, and the exams needed grading, my thesis needed writing, and my family needed tending. So my fabulous idea had to take a waiting :) But now I needed another one, one simpler and hopefully as effective.<br />
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It had to involve metal. But after that - I was lost. I tried the lucite flowers I had... nope, not working well. I had a few gorgeous polymer clay flowers, but in the wrong colours, there was nothing remotely pastel about them. Stones, gemstones, crystals... nothing was getting together. Maybe because our spring isn't much of a spring yet and definitely *not* pastel.<br />
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I actually ended up putting out almost everything I could get my hands on - until my eyes fell on... an item I never used :) Now was the perfect time.<br />
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Please allow me to present you the piece that surprised me. Thoroughly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOfC-BwZly2SEoUnednzBfRIPu-s9tgQNcLe3GGJfhLvCioJpy9-JGijsUNyEvXj6XVYjwSNZZNG1cFsSw8g6A4RUz34Lh55fIQFHnJoTz7N7UjAFAXUTWfWbO3nJkYEZ8P13u_PnaUY/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipOfC-BwZly2SEoUnednzBfRIPu-s9tgQNcLe3GGJfhLvCioJpy9-JGijsUNyEvXj6XVYjwSNZZNG1cFsSw8g6A4RUz34Lh55fIQFHnJoTz7N7UjAFAXUTWfWbO3nJkYEZ8P13u_PnaUY/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.1.jpg" height="400" title="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" width="293" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijqBY8RBBK4zknK786xwMQvfgNJ3bj9nNFRzT_Usm1xtWO3lBuIN7l1888h1Fqv6sT1sbY6385e5SrxBQZFWyIRSXWrMT1yEUdA66dI9dAV7EuJhY-3ee31LEJeJ4zn3OE44rwozGV7k/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijqBY8RBBK4zknK786xwMQvfgNJ3bj9nNFRzT_Usm1xtWO3lBuIN7l1888h1Fqv6sT1sbY6385e5SrxBQZFWyIRSXWrMT1yEUdA66dI9dAV7EuJhY-3ee31LEJeJ4zn3OE44rwozGV7k/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.2.jpg" height="321" title="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiBFdgn7pevOtnHCEPHgsrbQVFEx7W92fXUMX2k_CFi7kMYNkJkV8DZwco9T7KH52oStfL1_Lv4E7kmKbbcPcgTFrhQWwi7mleA0OBOfuBrUGYyRAfXBeBNkU7Hr65O0xm58B55BkN6g/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSiBFdgn7pevOtnHCEPHgsrbQVFEx7W92fXUMX2k_CFi7kMYNkJkV8DZwco9T7KH52oStfL1_Lv4E7kmKbbcPcgTFrhQWwi7mleA0OBOfuBrUGYyRAfXBeBNkU7Hr65O0xm58B55BkN6g/s1600/CC7A+2015.04.Pastel+Spring.3.jpg" height="335" title="CC7A Spring Pastels: copper, wire working, buttons :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Buttons :) I honestly never thought I'd be using them like this (although I bought them 2 summers ago for a jewelry piece... then decided they don't work together well). I wish I had take a picture of the frame behind them, the cutest thing ever. But I was so excited to have the buttons, that I simply went on 'sewing' them on until it was too late to do anything about it. I should have patina-ed both the frame and the hook, and I might get to that point. So far I just like the playfulness of the piece.<br />
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P.S. The elephant came with me from our February trip (I still haven't wrote about the trips we had this year, I will one day). It was 'living' on my mantle and seemed a perfect match for the 'framed buttons'.<br />
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With this, my friends, I will let you visit the rest of the group and see what beauties they made:<br />
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Alicia (April host) ~ you are here</div>
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<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)</div>
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<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
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<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
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<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Emma</a> (October)</div>
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<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)<br />
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Thank you for stopping by! Make sure you have a wonderful, very pastel spring :)Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-58649890187539000252015-04-07T08:29:00.000-04:002015-04-07T08:29:37.938-04:00The Creative Continuum of 7 Artists - 2015Hello again, and welcome to another monthly installment of the CC7A, 2015 edition!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizngYUZ48BYWreWX5a2Ci2RaDss-6KohXaedasUE5jClaSbB6yQklXFvFjC8SrZKkuflGETJF2WyAkOd3Uw4yduGXRj0Wdvi534JRHatuO7D-DQ6q15mhau5mvdmHkZhyTTZBdmghepTM/s1600/CC7A.2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizngYUZ48BYWreWX5a2Ci2RaDss-6KohXaedasUE5jClaSbB6yQklXFvFjC8SrZKkuflGETJF2WyAkOd3Uw4yduGXRj0Wdvi534JRHatuO7D-DQ6q15mhau5mvdmHkZhyTTZBdmghepTM/s1600/CC7A.2015.jpg" height="320" width="244" /></a></div>
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In case you missed it last year, it's a small group of very talented artists, from Canada and US, and we meet 7 moths of the year to have fun and do what we love most: create.<br />
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Last year we based our creation on the same small package of items we sent each other. This year, being a tad crazier for me re: schedule, the format will change slightly.<br />
For 2015 what we do is pick an image and get inspired by it.<br />
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I will host April and today I am revealing the picture we will all use:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFij8oOpYkuNI_lzK8MR8RQzHAgl1UEPNOLapssoJ80JR0IBjIFcesGH4hFm2vnAlNuqqUkvevV6EPTsinHIFRi5HyE1B4YEkH26NUGbaPl76BHxPf6krMFBLVc3BweB-x2X3FTJmZsiQ/s1600/CC7A.2015.04+April.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFij8oOpYkuNI_lzK8MR8RQzHAgl1UEPNOLapssoJ80JR0IBjIFcesGH4hFm2vnAlNuqqUkvevV6EPTsinHIFRi5HyE1B4YEkH26NUGbaPl76BHxPf6krMFBLVc3BweB-x2X3FTJmZsiQ/s1600/CC7A.2015.04+April.jpg" height="228" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is April and both my friends and I celebrate Easter (they all did last Sunday, we, as Orthodox, will celebrate this coming Sunday), so a basket of our Easter eggs from last year seems fitted. The palette is just a guiding idea, I am quite enamoured by that pink Easter Cactus bloom in the background. as a side comment, all my cacti is in bloom... again... and they were in bloom at Christmas too! I don't think they can make up their mind on what holiday cacti they are :)<br />
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The reveal for these monthly get-together is the 26th - hence I am inviting you to come back at least on the 26th to see what everybody created with my eclectically colourful picture.<br />
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The CC7A composition:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Alicia (April host) ~ you are here</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a> (May host)</div>
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<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a> (June host)</div>
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<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a> (August)</div>
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<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a> (September)</div>
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<a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Emma</a> (October)</div>
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<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a> (November)</div>
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... yes, I know how to count the months, we have all decided July is mostly a crazy summer month, with vacations and kids out of school... so we have decided to keep this fun and not very stressful, and skip July altogether.<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-62022281309297385952015-03-29T11:47:00.000-04:002015-03-29T11:47:39.328-04:00Circle of Love challenge - the reveal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA38AH_RLKGZtmGhzcdQ9ZN9nAicMJMPZM9psW7n5nfHhF9uVnhEZWl-S5VbbT_MwY0kYkM_AMKcKCw8e2TaYp7KULwMj4TnpPnET9I-ImL3LSbQX0wN4zio8GBy5dscwffHEWrb0vbY/s1600/Circles+of+Love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdA38AH_RLKGZtmGhzcdQ9ZN9nAicMJMPZM9psW7n5nfHhF9uVnhEZWl-S5VbbT_MwY0kYkM_AMKcKCw8e2TaYp7KULwMj4TnpPnET9I-ImL3LSbQX0wN4zio8GBy5dscwffHEWrb0vbY/s1600/Circles+of+Love.JPG" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
Incredibly enough, 2 months have passed and I all but fallen off the side of the Earth. I haven't, I hope to be able sometimes in April to come back and give you a somewhat detailed account of my crazy life. In the meantime: we are all healthy and kicking, just way busier than normal (and it doesn't look like we'll stop anytime soon, so I am trying to adjust).<br />
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With this preamble, please accept my apologies for being late to my own party (shame on me!) and please allow me to welcome you to the party the CC7A is hosting: The Circle of Love.<br />
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If you recall, I tried to send every one of the CC7 artists a gemstone doughnut. Most have not received (we figured out it is custom related, lesson learned), but they graciously went and either found a doughnut in their stash (we are all hoarders, don't you know it?!) or bought a similar one.<br />
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I invite you to see what they all created with their 'circle of love' for the larger 'circle of love' (I am in a fractal-like state of mind, but that's entirely another story!)<br />
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<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/2015/03/blue-goldstone-blog-hop-and-cc7a.html" target="_blank">Christine Altmiller</a><br />
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<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/2015/03/cc7a-circle-of-love.html" target="_blank">Cynthia Macatha</a><br />
<a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/2014/07/the-creative-continuum-of-7-artist.html" target="_blank">Emma Todd</a></div>
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<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/2014/07/cc7a-july-reveal.html" target="_blank">Monique Urquhart</a> (she'll post a tad later)<br />
<a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.ca/2015/03/cc7a-circles-of-love.html" target="_blank">Sally Russick</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/2015/03/circles-of-love-challenge-hosted-by.html" target="_blank">Therese Frank</a></div>
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As for what I made? Of course I couldn't resist and got myself the turquoise doughnut and this is what it became: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY28gkIJIG8_BqjP2BOTEPpQmXAmsInPcWGch3pCITj_gQ6GiQjGharpVwOaXc-usdWGHsRsgMbzPl6z1XwDZSKZPKBg-7W7J2DYpMhfIuMkujGEThGqtKfj1hIHvuAAIKTgOHbWIN_4/s1600/CircleOfLove.01.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFY28gkIJIG8_BqjP2BOTEPpQmXAmsInPcWGch3pCITj_gQ6GiQjGharpVwOaXc-usdWGHsRsgMbzPl6z1XwDZSKZPKBg-7W7J2DYpMhfIuMkujGEThGqtKfj1hIHvuAAIKTgOHbWIN_4/s1600/CircleOfLove.01.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" height="400" title="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="231" /></a></div>
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The infinite links were done some time ago, for another necklace, which I never finished. They matched this new design so well, I could't resist using them! The 'leaf' is from a set my mom sent me - I still have a few components to re-use from it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXPyE-4ZwGRsBwjz8vpfolQwhz5N-Ak4DhRJUwRd0KIQGPECeKaZLSaj1DHTeJ3tijmXpdGSksrMg5WS_xTnbehBDLlcYezs7n2mHNjPDCDvhhWr83666PPVUohl2018xYIZqoJK-eBI/s1600/CircleOfLove.02.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXPyE-4ZwGRsBwjz8vpfolQwhz5N-Ak4DhRJUwRd0KIQGPECeKaZLSaj1DHTeJ3tijmXpdGSksrMg5WS_xTnbehBDLlcYezs7n2mHNjPDCDvhhWr83666PPVUohl2018xYIZqoJK-eBI/s1600/CircleOfLove.02.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" height="213" title="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made the 'hurricane' links myself, and it wasn't very easy on my hands. But I love the chaotic look they have and they seem to match the rest of the links very well. At least I like them :) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUupRnpadiOy4VI8jUPs08NG4JYhvBjm-iO-DaTWtvynF87RBNq3jtpW6bXoFdz3DZiViKtt-3rE_aUubw8FRn-cDsbxu3uCWQip95y09LbStHvHrN1rRqzmy2jSkhHyijK1IsvikFz8U/s1600/CircleOfLove.03.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUupRnpadiOy4VI8jUPs08NG4JYhvBjm-iO-DaTWtvynF87RBNq3jtpW6bXoFdz3DZiViKtt-3rE_aUubw8FRn-cDsbxu3uCWQip95y09LbStHvHrN1rRqzmy2jSkhHyijK1IsvikFz8U/s1600/CircleOfLove.03.Turquoise.Copper.jpg" height="400" title="Circle of Love, CC7A - turquoise components, copper, wire wrapping, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="185" /></a></div>
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As you know by now, I need fabric or pure metals on the skin, so while the necklace has a hook (I will replace it, it is ugly), I decided to make it length extendable. This cute little link does just that: allows the chord to be lengthen or shorten as you wish. </div>
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Thank you for stopping by, and please make sure you visit the rest of the lovely ladies of the group: <a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/2015/03/blue-goldstone-blog-hop-and-cc7a.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Christine</a>, <a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/2015/03/cc7a-circle-of-love.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Cynthia</a>, <a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/2014/07/the-creative-continuum-of-7-artist.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Emma</a>, <a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/2014/07/cc7a-july-reveal.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Monique</a><span style="text-align: center;"> (she'll post a tad later), </span><a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.ca/2015/03/cc7a-circles-of-love.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Sally</a>, and <a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/2015/03/circles-of-love-challenge-hosted-by.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">Therese</a>.<br />
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-9656552267864057482015-01-18T20:45:00.000-05:002015-01-19T20:41:44.702-05:00The circle of love ~ CC7AWhile writing my Christmas cards I thought to extend the <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2014/01/introducing-creative-continuum-of-7.html" target="_blank">CC7A</a> for a little while. Luckily for me, the lovely ladies (<a href="http://onekisscreations.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Christine</a>, <a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Cynthia</a>, <a href="http://sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally</a>, <a href="http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Therese</a>, <a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Monique</a>, and <a href="http://apolymerpenchant.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Emma</a>) all agreed so here we are, with the first extension (more to come on another extension, soon).<br />
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Unfortunately my plan failed miserably - at least for the US letters. I added in the envelopes these lovely circles of love, meant to create a larger circle of love:<br />
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There are jasper, cherry quartz, turquoisite (hematite) and orange calcite doughnuts - not very large, but quite lovely.<br />
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The problem, you'll ask? We can only assume there is some sort of machine that squeezed my envelopes when crossing the border (the Canadians received the envelope just fine)... because none of the stones made it across the border.<br />
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Since we are all <strike>hoarders</strike> artists, most of them found a similar item in their own stash or just bought a similar one (I still feel bad at the thought! it was meant to be a gift for a get-together).<br />
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This being said - we agreed upon a date, March 28th to show what we all have created with the gemstone doughnuts.<br />
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I hope we'll see you on March 28th to see what we made - well, we'll see you at the beginning of March, with a preview of the stone.<br />
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<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-58408881289283231892015-01-03T19:53:00.000-05:002015-01-03T19:58:36.563-05:00Muffin Tin challengeStarting the year with an artsy-creative challenge; what could be better?<br />
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Right before the year ended (last year, that's it - 2014, of course), Heather Powers of Humble Beads posted a little challenge: you're supposed to fill up at least half of a muffin tin with all the ingredients for a project and then... finish it!<br />
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Finishing projects is what I am not so good at ~ mostly because I am still experimenting a lot. I do the experiments, then never add the details to be 'done and wearable'. However, I figured I was behind with some Christmas gifts anyhow, so... muffin tin it is!<br />
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Oh, I don't have one - we don't eat muffins :)<br />
Hopefully the doughnut tin will work:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9ZR1HqdQQEl61Xh4wrxIQtweCiD5xn0slsc-OT4JVgj7JoMhl-SKnON8sgiOqbd2CVjgAxQRNlqgu4nbioFDXcWxW9iwek4OFU2-e2Bebsd0xlDRiG4yCqAttK4PMJ3adIHcSd5ZBcs/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Muffin Tin challenge: angel charms, sterling silver, sea glass, wire wrapping, bookmarks, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9ZR1HqdQQEl61Xh4wrxIQtweCiD5xn0slsc-OT4JVgj7JoMhl-SKnON8sgiOqbd2CVjgAxQRNlqgu4nbioFDXcWxW9iwek4OFU2-e2Bebsd0xlDRiG4yCqAttK4PMJ3adIHcSd5ZBcs/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(2).jpg" height="226" title="Muffin Tin challenge: angel charms, sterling silver, sea glass, wire wrapping, bookmarks, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since this is really a mini-doughnut tin, I could not add the wire and findings to it. The exercise of gathering all the main items for projects together was an excellent one, though. My modus operandi is usual: grab some focal and then start working :) This was completely different: the time spent to figure out how to put the little angels together (as in what goes best where) cut the actual production time by a lot. It really separated the time into 'design' and 'implementation' (I will always be a software engineer at my core, sorry!) and made the implementation so much easier than usual. Funny that after 20 years of doing this in real life I never was organized enough to apply the system to jewelry making. Thank you, Heather, for such a huge eye opener!<br />
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As you can see, these are really 8 projects, not all different. One of the sea glass pieces (the one on the far right) has been replaced in the meantime by a shell, I haven't added it. So it's really 7 completed projects, and 3 designs. I hope that works for the challenge :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcnyM51e8kpRMK1B5VsvOhM-sumW7gfI9MtrTSEWNu5ENQVq12AQGMhVP_epo-f-X9c808E_evS-v725wtx3km-7jy8D7AzBWIq6xH-o_9tOMJeUDdaZffjVSHIhCmHeMWxjS1a9qMV8/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Muffin Tin challenge: angel charms, sterling silver, sea glass, wire wrapping, bookmarks, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcnyM51e8kpRMK1B5VsvOhM-sumW7gfI9MtrTSEWNu5ENQVq12AQGMhVP_epo-f-X9c808E_evS-v725wtx3km-7jy8D7AzBWIq6xH-o_9tOMJeUDdaZffjVSHIhCmHeMWxjS1a9qMV8/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(1).jpg" height="240" title="Muffin Tin challenge: angel charms, sterling silver, sea glass, wire wrapping, bookmarks, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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The angels are the cutest thing ever! I'm glad I had left exactly 4 pairs of wings to make them, and that I got those large lucite flowers recently (couldn't resist them). At first I wanted to use some of the girls' (the intended recipients) birthday Swarovski crystals... but an angel with a blue or green face is not something I found appealing :)<br />
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Recently we have visited a friend, whose wife just published a book for children. A fantasy book. I gifted each pair of sisters with the said book - and what goes perfectly well with a book, but a sparkly, fancy bookmark? Mind you, one pair of sisters got their angels, but I forgot the bookmarks at home :) I'm getting old and I need to start using other ways of organizing myself than my own brain...<br />
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I love all the pieces, but that sea glass wrapped in copper is truly special! The colours the glass picks, and those light opaque streaks through... they give it a very interesting aspect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qgPQT2PAnBumV-3v14Y3Zhh5zsGvZjfHBwPqgcKyS4TKtDe1LcWyRhOTzz6YjIXbz9UQzoFHp5_5QPQho13KxNSuwJtc04tBpzqN1YKUNvb3NqP-3gjkcO6eDkEFXGLqXev52Tz2Jus/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Muffin Tin challenge: sea glass, wire wrapping, leather, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qgPQT2PAnBumV-3v14Y3Zhh5zsGvZjfHBwPqgcKyS4TKtDe1LcWyRhOTzz6YjIXbz9UQzoFHp5_5QPQho13KxNSuwJtc04tBpzqN1YKUNvb3NqP-3gjkcO6eDkEFXGLqXev52Tz2Jus/s1600/Muffin+Tin+challenge+(7).jpg" height="400" title="Muffin Tin challenge: sea glass, wire wrapping, leather, ooak jewelry :: All Pretty Things" width="267" /></a></div>
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This is the story of my first muffin / doughnut tray challenge (and I'm sticking to it!)<br />
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Thank you, Heather for pushing me (I thought I'll never be done by today, considering it was a few days before Christmas and I touch almost no artsy anything until about mid-January) and for making me realize the system should be employed (even if not within a muffin tin) with all the projects. I should put more time into designing start-to-finish and I'll probably have more finished pieces :)<br />
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Thank you for visiting!<br />
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You can check other 'art' muffins at <a href="http://www.humblebeads.blogspot.ca/2014/12/new-year-muffin-tin-jewelry-challenge.html" target="_blank">Heather's place</a>, come check them out!<br />
<br />Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-22513951858398701332015-01-02T15:28:00.000-05:002015-01-02T15:30:14.468-05:00Happy New Year and 2015 Word of the Year!A new year has just arrived! Are you excited? hopeful? happy to see it here?<br />
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New Year's arrival is a special time, a time of renewal, a time of counting your past year's blessings and maybe plan for more in the days and months to come.<br />
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Lots of people make 'resolutions'. I explained before I am not, simply because making one is a sure recipe or ensuring I am 100% not going to achieve the goal :) Instead - I decided to choose a word for the year. <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2013/01/focusing-on-life-in-52-pictures.html" target="_blank">2013's word was 'Bloom'</a> and it sure was a good word to focus on: emotionally and physically (surrounding your life with real, fragrant blooms is always wonderful). <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2014/01/word-of-2014.html" target="_blank">2014's word was 'Attain'</a>. Oh, my, was that a good focus for my first year returning to academia. Sure, I worked my behind off, and sure, it wasn't easy at times. However, it was fun and exciting, and I attained most (if not all) my goals for the year. Yeah!<br />
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In the last week of 2014 I started to think what should my word for 2015 be? I didn't have any ideas yet, just left the thought at the back of my brain, it (the brain) does a great job of subconsciously working on background tasks.<br />
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Then we left to spend New Year's Eve at our friends' house - a tradition we started 4 years ago and we managed to keep (with one exception). The child plays with the girls (his age), and we have more than 24 hours of chatty-chatty-chatty. We don't see each other very often (work and training schedules are crazy for all of us), however they are the type of friends you simply pick the conversation up where you left it months (or a year) ago and it's like not a blink has passed. A rare friendship we all cherish (including the kids! they are amazed how they are able to do exactly the same - and it's hard at 12-14 to have such gasps in contact and still feel you just saw each other days ago).<br />
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A., whom I know since we were kids (we grew up in the same small town back in Romania), loves coffee. So much so that he gets himself all sorts of appliances - the latest being a semi-manual Espresso / Cappuccino machine. You have to watch him preparing the coffee ~ Starbuck's barristers are nothing compared to A.'s art :) He's even making those fancy decorations on top, with the foamed milk!<br />
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And I finally arrive at my point for the post - my first coffee of the year looked like this (after I stirred it a bit, it was fancier before):<br />
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Do you see the bird flapping her wings?! I do... and so my focus word for 2015 is:<br />
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What do you do in terms of New Year's resolutions / plans / goals / focus?<br />
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Do you have a list? do you accomplish it? Would you prefer a word? What will be your personal 2015 word?<br />
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Whatever your tradition is:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">I wish you a very </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Happy, Peaceful, and Brilliant </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">New Year in 2015!</span></div>
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Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-38029533033557439242014-12-20T08:43:00.000-05:002014-12-20T08:43:28.736-05:002014 Holiday Ornament ExchangeWelcome to the 2014 Holiday Ornament Exchange reveal, hosted by the lovely Sally Russick of The Studio Sublime.<br />
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The idea behind this event is quite simple: Sally is tasking us with creating an artistic holiday ornament and sending it to our partner. This year I have been partnered with Susan Kenedy of <a href="http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sue Beads</a>, who makes awesome glass beads!<br />
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Look at the pure beauty she sent me:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuHMH7iUWiYd8WXznGUtB_fTwI9QmmbAar4eu09iFWf83Yvrv1G6nWrisWlwZuN7Wp1Moi2ftvW68nL_2WpZKagkWx06onUAdV41XwGD8JWOF74qbB5BxDBR_v0VeR1b0jf-rIy8JcDs/s1600/2014.Ornament+swap.FromSue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014 Holiday Ornament Exchange, red lentil with gold leaf by Susan Kenedy of Sue Beads" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuHMH7iUWiYd8WXznGUtB_fTwI9QmmbAar4eu09iFWf83Yvrv1G6nWrisWlwZuN7Wp1Moi2ftvW68nL_2WpZKagkWx06onUAdV41XwGD8JWOF74qbB5BxDBR_v0VeR1b0jf-rIy8JcDs/s1600/2014.Ornament+swap.FromSue.jpg" height="400" title="2014 Holiday Ornament Exchange, red lentil with gold leaf by Susan Kenedy of Sue Beads" width="200" /></a></div>
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Red and gold - perfect for Christmas! It will take a place of honour in my special table tree (which is, in fact, a jewelry tree, made of iron), very soon (I am finishing decorating the big tree and the house).<br />
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In making her something I scrapped many plans. I wanted this and that, or this or that, and nothing 'clicked' with me. So I went back to wire and a beautifully green-bluish seed beads, plus some pearl lentils, added 3 coral beads and, voila!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbvwVnJSrJKxuZ1qdWhCGAEBz4ivYA-4vlNhf80v3LbaEvS-dxI61eaNhSl57Qqi0u81k484eessj9t3ZNbC8xGRKosEzGNqmMtFAFsdgPFNJA-5j2aZATwTia1l_aiT5u9v2AHfsIqY/s1600/2014.Ornament+swap.ToSue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="2014 Holiday Ornament Exchange: Holy leaf, copper, wire work, pearls, coral, ooak :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbvwVnJSrJKxuZ1qdWhCGAEBz4ivYA-4vlNhf80v3LbaEvS-dxI61eaNhSl57Qqi0u81k484eessj9t3ZNbC8xGRKosEzGNqmMtFAFsdgPFNJA-5j2aZATwTia1l_aiT5u9v2AHfsIqY/s1600/2014.Ornament+swap.ToSue.jpg" height="400" title="2014 Holiday Ornament Exchange: Holy leaf, copper, wire work, pearls, coral, ooak :: All Pretty Things" width="346" /></a></div>
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A holy leaf :) One can wear it as a pendant or have the tree wear it as an ornament, whichever they choose. I hope Sue likes as much as I love her gold-leafed red lentil! We both went for lentils and leaves - minds thinking alike, isn't that funny!<br />
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A big thank you to Sue for her awesome ornament and an equally big thank you to our hostess, Sally. Please make sure you visit everyone in the group (it's a cozy get-together) and let them know how you like the ornaments we have created this year!<br />
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Wishing you all a wonderful Holiday Season: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!<br />
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1. <a href="http://www.sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally Russick</a><b> </b> and <a href="http://pixiloo.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Tanya Goodwin</a><br />
2. <a href="http://veradesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Veralynne Malone</a> <b> </b>and <a href="http://www.sallyrussick.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sally Russick<b> </b></a><br />
3. <a href="http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Trudinger</a> and <a href="http://www.beadsforbusygals.com/" target="_blank">Elisabeth Auld</a><b></b><br />
4. <a href="http://treasures-found.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Erin Prais-Hintz</a> and <a href="http://thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lesley Watt </a><br />
5. <a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog" target="_blank">Jenny Davies-Reazor </a>and <a href="http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Patti Vanderbloemen </a><br />
6. <a href="http://www.kimmykats.com/" target="_blank">Kim Bender-Hora</a> and <a href="http://ebbeadandmetalworks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth and Evie McCord</a><br />
7. <a href="http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Becky Pancake</a><b> </b>and <a href="http://www.islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lynne Bowland </a><br />
8. <a href="http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Therese Frank </a> and <a href="http://baublicious.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Karen Williams</a><br />
9. <a href="http://melissameman.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Meman </a><b> </b>and <a href="http://www.craftygallindadesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Linda Hanes </a><br />
10. <a href="http://www.sandivolpe..com/" target="_blank">Sandi Volpe</a> and<a href="http://www.lindasbeadblog.com/" target="_blank"> Linda Landig </a><br />
11. <a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/" target="_blank">Alicia Marinache </a> and <a href="http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Susan Kennedy</a>
Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8245960788517958704.post-6219191637942027732014-11-25T00:00:00.000-05:002014-11-25T00:00:06.503-05:00Art Charm Exchange and Charity Auction, 2014 edition - the reveal!Welcome to a new event: the reveal for the Art Charm Exchange and Charity Auction, hosted by Jen Cameron of Glass Addictions.<br />
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As you might know from previous posts, once a year Jen is organizing a charm exchange. With a twist, everybody makes an extra charm, which Jen is auctioning, and the profit goes to Beads of Courage. Every year, to make the challenge more interesting, Jen chooses a theme and this year the theme was 'Soar'.<br />
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Of course I turned the word over and over: a feather, a bird, a wing... the word itself stamped... nothing felt good. Or interesting. Or right. So I put it aside and went on with my summer.<br />
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During our travels we stopped for a long while in Pennsylvania, where our campsite is by a small creek. A creek we swim at the end of the day, to relax the muscles in the cold water. And then, at the end of the day, when you try to relax not only muscles, but your brain too, when you simply absorb nature and you just 'are' for a few moments (before both the kid and the dog ask for attention, how do you dare to get away from them for 30 milliseconds?)... then I saw them and found my inspiration. Pennsylvania is a magic place for me: one with fireflies and stars (we are almost at the top of the Appalachians there). And now, after many years, the place is offering me something as special as the fireflies:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0jCrNZobjh7sgE5sMLUg-fVNEvotsSmiIbEF_sZrvJVoTbDOO3YTq0jzTLdxmCEQiDC5tRE_wyNwXBKcO5bvMg5Xel0fZsSr77Q9d-q88_Ng4DIklRvZ7ZUPRcQHQSt8C2vqJcyLKfs/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0jCrNZobjh7sgE5sMLUg-fVNEvotsSmiIbEF_sZrvJVoTbDOO3YTq0jzTLdxmCEQiDC5tRE_wyNwXBKcO5bvMg5Xel0fZsSr77Q9d-q88_Ng4DIklRvZ7ZUPRcQHQSt8C2vqJcyLKfs/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(6).JPG" height="266" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies :: All Pretty Things" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dragonflies! I watched them for minutes in a row: their translucent, fairy-like wings, their hovering flight, precise, delicate, yet very strong, their humming. And it occurred to me: maybe they aren't exactly eagles, but keeping proportions they sure can soar!<br />
<br />
Light bulb on. I only had to get back home to implement it. And that I did - after I managed to buy all the Vintaj metal from Buffalo's Hobby Lobby :) I used a technique I only used twice before: embossing the metal charms, then patina with Color Me + polishing, buffing, the whole 9 yards.<br />
<br />
In the end, this is what I sent Jen:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Catching dragonflies!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I wonder where he</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>has gone today.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ by Chiyo of Kaga</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOlrLOVyuFZb1llcypRvrfQLLefYK-rlbQ12abgSli7zIbd-UEmdRsvCju7DjOSljT27r7MNEdPbflCjYwEK-Fg8U7Ql0Gn8qcVYh0bFrqAF0vfPt_w5bBfnUc1nyKWYE-jn6ADs2K9c/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOlrLOVyuFZb1llcypRvrfQLLefYK-rlbQ12abgSli7zIbd-UEmdRsvCju7DjOSljT27r7MNEdPbflCjYwEK-Fg8U7Ql0Gn8qcVYh0bFrqAF0vfPt_w5bBfnUc1nyKWYE-jn6ADs2K9c/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(2).jpg" height="640" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" width="460" /></a></div>
<br />
Purple dragonflies...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Dyed he is with the</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Color of Autumnal days,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>O red dragonfly.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ by Bakusui</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrKAfhh2xk51Z8qbg0KpZurf-JJZysKBDdzuYWXs5oAOSms4DX-9UyUMfL6xTgtBQoIbaH2YDDF6CtZcriO12P4Alw-HPaJ8tJq0Q__4l7rtcQ9_AAdt60g9U32He3ApE-wmaSpcGJiw/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrKAfhh2xk51Z8qbg0KpZurf-JJZysKBDdzuYWXs5oAOSms4DX-9UyUMfL6xTgtBQoIbaH2YDDF6CtZcriO12P4Alw-HPaJ8tJq0Q__4l7rtcQ9_AAdt60g9U32He3ApE-wmaSpcGJiw/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(3).jpg" height="640" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" width="420" /></a></div>
Red dragonflies...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The dragonfly!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Distant mountains reflected</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>in his eyes.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>~ by Issa</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ba8aPgk5PVE_ZdljPY-CKnG7XLMth6FfXehziCvXzcVtncFjluDi-b3CSparCK2C2NESqGoiOO2D238l66JwccAf8W6wETC4DLJYPjkPAjRJBqwErX-Q8Z0K2ABcnWL73bfu1lA-KeE/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ba8aPgk5PVE_ZdljPY-CKnG7XLMth6FfXehziCvXzcVtncFjluDi-b3CSparCK2C2NESqGoiOO2D238l66JwccAf8W6wETC4DLJYPjkPAjRJBqwErX-Q8Z0K2ABcnWL73bfu1lA-KeE/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(4).jpg" height="400" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work :: All Pretty Things" width="272" /></a></div>
Blue dragonflies...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4je_KVba8qBhl9-i5NJYKVd0gpStw8A0D_Cuxk8f4LE_jjcwpE7hj6t2tqMWyymYq35jQ2b7Twq1ZAAxrJsssvCfPC1F-zejQ6xVOeHHRHkSzmIB0g761gLH-fCyoYMdYrG4ZRjWTdhM/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work, ooak art charm :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4je_KVba8qBhl9-i5NJYKVd0gpStw8A0D_Cuxk8f4LE_jjcwpE7hj6t2tqMWyymYq35jQ2b7Twq1ZAAxrJsssvCfPC1F-zejQ6xVOeHHRHkSzmIB0g761gLH-fCyoYMdYrG4ZRjWTdhM/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(1).jpg" height="400" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: vintaj, embossing, patina, metal work, ooak art charm :: All Pretty Things" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
All sent with a dragonfly haiku (the most known - to the west - form of Japanese poetry). As delicate as the insect itself.<br />
<br />
Wait... what's the big one, you ask? Oh... I decided instead of making an extra charm to make an extra something else. A bit bigger than a charm: a pendant. A dragonfly pendant :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-BzVH2aK-KcrF143oc2pPshDx6TD-ZXhEFZsU2HJs1sodClzVc8HMuMd1HGVQEeayNKiT8IPAMA886Sp8FNDAv8NWI8B2W_6EwDGmUxUcAI3eRCymCOptLlJWsv8wKDt-xuScyFWt8/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: wirework, copper, facetted agate, ooak pendant :: All Pretty Things" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-BzVH2aK-KcrF143oc2pPshDx6TD-ZXhEFZsU2HJs1sodClzVc8HMuMd1HGVQEeayNKiT8IPAMA886Sp8FNDAv8NWI8B2W_6EwDGmUxUcAI3eRCymCOptLlJWsv8wKDt-xuScyFWt8/s1600/2014+Art+Charm+Exchange+-+Soar.Dragonflies.Embossing+painted+vintaj.Copper+wire+wrapping+(5).jpg" height="400" title="Art Charm Exchange (Bead of Courage): Soar! Dragonflies: wirework, copper, facetted agate, ooak pendant :: All Pretty Things" width="397" /></a></div>
<br />
This is the story of my dragonflies. They came to visit me one calm afternoon on the bed of a creek close to Susquehanna. I invited them to Soar! for Jen's challenge and they quietly accepted the challenge. Then they revealed their beauty in unique forms - and hopefully they'll do a good job in raising good money for the kids who suffer.<br />
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I am not going to show you what I have received ~ you'll have to visit them and the entire group. Trust me, it's a visit for the soul, you won't regret taking the time!<br />
<br />
Before you go visit - remember: there is an auction taking place <b>right now</b>, right <b><a href="http://www.ebay.com/usr/glassaddictions" target="_blank">on this ebay auction site</a></b>. Every year there are some serious beauties there and just in time for Christmas too!<br />
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Thank you, Jen, for all the incredible work that's behind the group - and thank you all for sending such beautiful and special charms!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Our host: <a href="http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog" target="_blank">Jennifer Cameron</a></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-reveal-and-auction.html" target="_blank">Alenka Obid</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.allprettythings.ca/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-and-charity-auction.html" target="_blank">Alicia Marinache</a><i> <- you are here</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/2014/11/BOC2014.html" target="_blank">Andrea Glick</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blueberribeads.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Caroline Dewison</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://badatbeingmom.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cassi Paslick</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fulgorine.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Cate van Alphen</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cheri Reed</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.wanderware.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Chris Eisenberg</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tealwaterdesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cory Tompkins</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.beadsforbusygals.com/" target="_blank">Elisabeth Auld</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.glassaddictions.com/blog" target="_blank">Genevieve Gabbert</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jami Shipp</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog/beads_courage_charm_swap_and_charity_auction" target="_blank">Jenny Davies-Reazor</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jillybeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Jill Bradley</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kim Dworak</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Lee Koopman</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.windbent.net/" target="_blank">Lennis Carrier</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lesley Watt</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mallory Hoffman</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Trudinger</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Michelle McCarthy</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Monique Urquhart</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://mlbetterly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Moriah Betterly</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://nedbeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Nancy Dale</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://wirednan.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Nancy Smith</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Niky Sayers</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://shaktipajdesigns.com/blog/" target="_blank">Perri Jackson</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Renetha Stanziano</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.shaihasramblings.com/2014/11/art-charm-exchange-auction.html" target="_blank">Shai Williams</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sheila Prosterman</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://susandolphindelaney.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Susan Delaney</a> <i><- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Susan Kennedy</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://artisticaos.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Terri DelSignore</a><i> <- One of the charms I received</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/" target="_blank">Toltec Jewels</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://culturezine.com/blog/" target="_blank">Vanessa Gilkes</a></div>
Aliciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09637712312686274989noreply@blogger.com18