My World

Fall is here

2009-09-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

It's still hot, but I noticed the leaves are starting to change color on the very top of the trees. I'm looking forward to a quiet and uneventful fall. Jaden is now settled in Kindergarten and I've got my new schedule down. It's time to return to the garage and pick up the torch.

Here's a few pictures from our last summer getaway to Lake Almanor.

And the Winner is...

2009-06-24T20:15:00.000-07:00

Teresa of TSmithDesign! Teresa gets to pick one pair of earrings from the pictures below. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who commented and have a wonderfully fun Summer!

Summer is Finally Here!

2009-06-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Today, the official first day of Summer is the last day to enter my Summer inspired FREE earring giveaway. For complete details, click http://chicbeads.blogspot.com/2009/04/new-summer-line-free-earrings.html Unfortunately, I only have have one pair of earrings completed, which is the Spring Blossom stud earrings. I currently have 2 more in the works and they will be ready this week just in time for the giveaway! When time permits, I'll be adding a few more to the line.

I hope all you Father's, Grandfather's, and Dad's to be had a beautiful Father's Day today!

Happy Birthday Mom! Love you!

Newest Ring

2009-06-15T19:48:00.001-07:00

I love lily pads, so I decided to make another lily pad ring. It's a lot different from the first.

After sawing out the shape, I took a torch to it to see what added interest I could achieve. It curled up on some of the edges and I was able to get reticulation in spots. I think the unexpected color of the carnelian looks grand!
It still needs a bit more polishing and I should be able to get it listed in the next couple of days.

End of Another Weekend

2009-06-07T21:50:00.000-07:00

I headed out of town Friday to celebrate my Dad'd 65th Birthday. Jaden had fun as he got to visit two sets of Grandparents. We spend the night and it was the first time he slept in his big boy bed that his Great Grandma bought for him. After lunch, we headed back up the hill to home.

Today we continued with tending to the house. Dave cleaned out the garage and tended to yardwork. I continued to paint which included floor boards and an accent color for Jaden's new room. This will be the first time I've decorated his room since he was a baby; I'm totally excited about it. He's also excited cause he'll be getting bunk beds and hopefully a brother soon to share his new room with. I'll post pictures as it comes together.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Etsy Finds for Dad

2009-06-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd get a head start this year on Father's Day and as usual, I found some great gifts on Etsy. You can find cards, golf markers, tie tacks, key chains, jewelry, clothing, and many more items. In addition to the handmade and custom gifts, you can find vintage items as well.

Here's a few gifts that I found:

Click on the picture to see all the great Father's Day gifts!

Find of the Week - Contemporary Metal Jewelry

2009-06-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Recently, Duffydesigns joined our Metalsmith's in Action (MSIA) team on Etsy. I was so intrigued by her work, I had to ask her a few questions! Here's what Duffy had to say:

Tell us a little about yourself?
I didn't start my arts education until I was 30! Got involved with the local art museum's art school and found a real calling. Started jewelry after I got out. I had majored in printmaking. Found classes for metals at Penland Craft School in NC and Arrowmont in Tenn. Great places. I'm now a grandmother but still going pretty strong.

What inspires you artistically?
I have gotten to love copper...colors and the way it works. I love to make little silver cases, too, to hold collections of sorts...like shells, rocks, and the mosaic beading thing.

I love your mosaic jewelry; what are your favorite pieces to make?
The bead mosaic is a wonderful way to incorporate color into jewelry and it is unique. Mary Kanda is the jeweler who came up with the idea. I have to give her credit. I took her class at Penland in NC. The beads are glued into the form on their sides then a grout is applied. You can use colored grout or black. It's very tedious, but I love the effect.

Favorite items to use?
My favorite thing is to use found shells and river rocks. They are just so "earthy", which is the look I like best. It's fun to make a mosaic with the shells and find similar colors of semi-precious gem stones that are cabochons.

I've enjoyed being on Etsy and feeling like I'm in a group of like-minded people. Metalsmiths in action is a great group.

To see more of Duffy's beautiful artisan jewelry, go to www.duffydesigns.com.

Thanks Duffy!

Last TBall Game

2009-06-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Jaden's last TBall game of his first season. The weather was great and all the teams got to play on the "big boy" field, which was a huge deal for our little man. Coach Paul and Laurie were great with the kids and left such an impression on "stepping forward and squashing the bug (the ball)" that Jaden wants to play again next year. We had a BBQ and bounce house afterwards at the park and it was a blast!

Fun Friday

2009-05-29T21:07:00.000-07:00

This morning we had our home study for the foster agency. It went pretty well, but we still have some things that needs to be addressed. It's kind of funny; you know those items around the house that you tend to "let go" and say "I'll get to it or fix it later" and later never comes??? All I can say is that in this process, all these things that we have "let go" in the short 2 1/2 years we've been here have been addressed. It feels good.

After lunch we went to my aunt's house for a swim. When we got there, the kids were swimming and the adults were BSing by the pool. Jaden kept asking for us to get in so he could take off his arm floaties. We got in eventually and the floaties came off. He was swimming! He had tried a few weeks back while on vacation, but he kept sinking. He did so well today. He even jumped off the diving board.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, they sure grow up fast!

New Metal Beads

2009-05-27T15:48:00.001-07:00

Aren't these great! I found these at a local bead shop and I can't wait to make something with them. They have a copper base with sterling detailing. Absolutely fabulous!

I bought one focal bead, some round and oblong beads, bead caps, and a clasp.

I felt like a pirate holding his booty when I took this picture!

Make a Difference this Memorial Weekend

2009-05-23T10:42:00.000-07:00

This Memorial weekend, Fetchdog.com is supporting the DogTags Program.

To support these veterans, www.FetchDog.com will donate $2 for every item purchased between Friday May 22nd and midnight Monday, Memorial Day 2009.

We need your help to make this event a stunning success. Please pass on this message in any way you can; articles, blog posts, Twitter, or even just an email to a friend will help us support this great cause. Help us to serve those who've served us.

Disneyland Vacation

2009-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

We had fun, but we're glad to be back home. Here's a few of my favorite pics:

Fabulous Friday!

2009-05-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a crazy busy week. Not to much out of the norm except that we're getting ready for Disneyland. Our 5 year old is beyond excited and I have to admit I am to! I've never been and my husband went when he was 8. Upon our return, I'll post pictures!

Wishing all of you a happy Mother's Day!

Have a great week!

Beverly

New Summer Line - FREE Earrings

2009-04-20T22:10:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking about a new line for this summer that's simple, mixed metals, and have clean lines that visually takes you straight to summer! So, my question to use is what item/thing(s) make you think of summer??? I always think of flip flops when summer rolls around.

Let me know what gives you fond thoughts of summer and you'll be entered to win a pair of earrings from my new summer line! Comment by June 21 and I'll randomly select one person that week.

Note: You must comment on this blog entry to automatically be in the drawing!

I look forward to reading your comments!

Conscious Discipline

2009-05-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

I took another foster class this weekend and the subject was conscious discipline. It was eye opening and it pretty much enforced that we have (and need to have) control over ourselves. In no way can we control another person. I know it sounds simple, but it's our emotions that get in the way of our decision making. Here's some quotes that I heard this weekend:

"If you think you are too small to make an impact, to go bed with a mosquito!"

"Children can only see the world through their own eyes."

"Don't worry that your kids won't listen. Worry that they are watching you!"

"That old law about an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind."

"Relationships are like savings accounts. You can only get out of them what you put into them!"

"If you want a rainbow, you first must put up with the rain!"

And my favorite:

"I commit to having positive thoughts because thoughts decide my feelings.
I commit to have positive feelings because feelings decide my actions.
I commit to having positive actions because actions become habits.
I commit to having positive habits because habits become my values.
I commit to having positive values because they become my destiny."

Find of the Week - Beautfiul OOAK Pillows

2009-04-30T19:35:00.001-07:00

These beautiful pillows were made by The Beaded Pillow, a newer shop of Etsy. Aren't they gorgeous!

The maker of these pillows is a former on-air talent (broadcaster, d.j.) turned professional writer for an international company, turned interior redesigner. With time on her hands, she then started making jewelry, right before everyone else did. With the jewelry market saturated and tons of beads in her possession, she decided to start beading pillows.

Two great sources from whom she gets materials is her Moms who's a quilter and a friend who makes drapery.

Her favorite part of the process is choosing which fabrics to use and pairing it with beautiful and unique beads. Some of her favorite beads are glass seed beads, but sometimes people give her old jewelry, which she takes apart and incorporates onto a pillow.

My personal favorite is the Giraffe pillow. What makes each pillow so unique is that no two are alike and the detail is amazing! She also does custom orders! Click the link above to see all her other lovely creations!

1st Runner Up!

2009-04-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

As you may know, we've been trying to get votes for the zootoo.com 1 million dollar makeover for our local shelter, the Butte Humane Society. With all of the community support, we ranked in second position out of ten. With that comes $50,000! To read all about it, click here.

Sincere thanks for helping us out!

New Little Flower Earrings

2009-04-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

This is the first pair of my new summer line earrings! The flowers are made from sterling sheet and the center is from balled copper. These are the first pair from my summer inspired line.

Proud of My Little Man

2009-04-22T22:09:00.001-07:00

After school today, we decided we would clean up the bike trail instead of the park. I realized if we went to the park, more playing would be done than picking up trash!

It was hot, but we filled the bucket. He was so proud of himself that he wants to do it again. What could make a Mom more proud...

Earth Day

2009-04-21T23:00:00.000-07:00

I couldn't find anything going on in my area on Earth Day, so I decided I would take my son to a local park and pick up trash. He doesn't know about it yet, but I'm pretty sure he'll be up for it.

For those of you that are local, CSU Chico has turned Earth Day in to an all-month event. For more information about what the university is doing, visit: http://www.aschico.com/earthmonth

One of the most beautiful parks in our area will be benefiting from Earth Day this Saturday. Volunteers will be picking up garbage, pulling weeds, and performing maintenance on trails. If you would like to participate, click on this link for contact information: http://www.chico.ca.us/general_services_department/park_division/documents/EDflyer2009.pdf

On a final note, the Nature Conservancy has some great Earth friendly tips. You can visit their site at http://my.nature.org/earthday/.

As always, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Things to Learn from a Dog

2009-04-13T15:45:00.000-07:00

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride (teenagers excepted).
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
When loved ones come home, always run to greet the.
When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and way your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout...run right back and make friends.
Bond with your pack.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

First TBall Game!

2009-03-31T22:36:00.000-07:00

OK, so tonight was Jaden's first TBall game for his first season playing. The little guys and gals looked so cute in the outfits! It was so much fun to watch and they all had a great time.

Easter Funny - Peep Show

2009-04-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

ZooToo.com Million Dollar Animal Shelter Makeover

2009-04-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, tons of Butte Count residents came out to support the Butte Humane Society (BHS) shelter as the director from zootoo.com came to visit. We held signs and hooped and hollered to show zootoo.com how much the community supported BHS. With that said, BHS is amongst the 10 finalists that will compete to receive the 1 million dollar makeover.

One of the key factors in the makeover is the community support. We need you! Here's how to vote for BHS:

How to Vote:

Register on Zootoo.com
Upload a photo of you and your pet.
Choose Butte Humane Society as your shelter
Vote for us up to 10 times per day April 13-19^th. If you need help registering download registration details , call the shelter or come by. If you do not have a pet - come to the shelter on Saturday and Sunday and we will take one of you with our animals and upload it for you.

People from anywhere in the world can vote! So PLEASE pass this information along!

For complete details, visit the BHS web site at:
http://www.buttehumane.org/page/shelter-makeover.php

Please register and cast your vote at zootoo.com. There are many animals that need your love and support! I personally thank you for doing so!

Beverly

Fostering/Adoption

2009-04-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have made the decision to add to our family through the foster adoption route. We have one biological child of our own and feel like we have enough love and space to have another child in our home.

We started the process in January and after scheduling issues and a couple interview, we now have to go ahead from CDSS Adoption Services. Now the paperwork has begun and the home study is underway. We've taken our pre-service classes and look forward to taking many other classes. One class I just took was the Personality Type and Parenting Style class which is based from the Myers Briggs testing. It confirmed a lot about my self and I now have the knowledge to see how other people, including children, perceive me. I recommend this type of class for anyone at all at any age!

Needless to say, I've put my jewelry on the back burner while we go through the process. It's kind of bittersweet, but I know that it will still be there when I'm ready to return to it.