It Was Fun And Games!

It was a lot of fun and games this week!

can't resist a little pug love! (courtesy of Pinterest)

But I'm going to begin with the "games" ~
My sweet he-man has participated in the Senior Olympics here in Tucson for the past four years.  

His event is Power Lifting and we're proud to say that he's  medaled each year ~ Silver the first two years, and Gold the last two years.  

On Friday he dead lifted 475 lbs. and won the Gold!

Lazy, unmotivated, uninspired are words that will never find their way into our vocabulary when it comes to describing sweet man ~ he's our hero and we are SO proud!!  

As if that wasn't enough "fun" ~ I was honored to be invited to a special birthday celebration for my sweet, dear friend, Kiera.

old photo from our Making Memories days

Kiera threw an amazing party where we could visit, craft, scrap, and have just plain old fun ~ for 15 hrs!

thank you "Nadines" for an incredible cake!

Peggie, Kiera, Alex, Karen

Kiera and MaryAnne

Laura and Joan (they're sisters)

Linda and Rhonda (they're cousins)

Laughing, creating, noshing, drinking ~ a fabulous time was had by all!  Thank you, sweet Kiera, for making this possible!!

Now, I did manage to get some things off the workbench this week, as well ~

I hope your week was a good one and that this new one is it's equal.  

Thank you so much for taking the time from your day to visit with me!  
Love and blessings, always ~ 

Karen

Color Me Surprised!

Last Monday night as I was sitting with my iPad and catching up on Facebook, I came across a posting from my friend Riki...WOW!!

Color me surprised ~ I won Riki's fabulous 

Goodie Giveaway!!  Read about it here

My package of treasures arrived this week 

and I have to tell you...I can hardly wait to start using them in my creations ~ FANTASTICO!!  Take a peek...

scrumptious vintage lace and gorgeous jet beads and rhinestone chain

amazing antiquities of all proportions ~ DAZZLING!!

Thank you, dear Riki, I'm over the moon about my good fortune.  I'll be using some of these in my upcoming class with Riki at....

next month, and I can hardly wait!  

January is winding down, but the hive's been abuzz with new conceptions and creations.  

The spark and impetus behind me is an upcoming and exciting Trunk Show in Phoenix, and 

Tucson Rodeo Days.  

Here's a taste of what I've been working on this week...

Madonna ~ front

Madonna ~ back

Western Collection #2

Western Collection #1

Mardi Gras

Be sure to visit my Facebook page here for the latest updates from my workbench.

Please note that all creations are one-of-a-kind and are available for purchase unless otherwise noted.

Saturday night my honey man and I were finally able to get ourselves to the cinema where we saw the outstanding

Sunday afternoon brought our week to an end with a lovely baby show for our sweet Chiara.  

She is due mid-February and we're wagering little Hutson won't wait that long!

Our Shotzie was part of the Marissa-Shannon-Melissa team that showered Mrs. Jones with this over-the-top Big Top event! 

Food, decor, attendees, FABULOSO!!

And on that note, I will finish my posting for this week.  

I wish you blessings and joy, and especially good health.  Thank you for spending this precious time with me.

You are in my heart, dear ones!

xoxo

Karen

Do You Know My Friend Katherine?

Do you know my friend Katherine?  If you do, I know you'll be smiling and shaking your head "yes," as you read on...

I met sweet Kasia, aka Katherine,  a little over a year ago through blog land.

She's one of my dear Canadian friends and the author of Chatelet, an amazing blog. Katherine is one of the most loving and giving people I know ~ a truer heart does not exist.

One day, in the midst of all the Christmas festivities, I received a package in the mail....

Of course, I recognized the return addy, but had not expected this ~

First, I opened the beautiful card ~

A sweet message was written on the back of the card and it was readable through the lovely organza fabric ~ Katherine, so talented!

And here is the most beautiful Christmas gift of all....
a hand crafted star to crown our Christmas tree!

I know I've said this many times ~ I'm so blessed with the richness of my family and friends ~ but it bears repeating, and dear Katherine...you are a blessing to me! 

While I wax poetic on you, my blessings, let me share Saturday with you...

Dear Sandra will celebrate her birthday on 
January 24th, and we always celebrate our birthdays in a grand way. 

This year Sandra's desire was to enlist my teaching so she could try her hand at soldering.

I decided to set up the soldering station in the house. Normally, I like to work outdoors with this medium as it's more pleasant, but 30 degree temps in a very dry climate does not a comfy workshop make!

My kitchen is pretty fireproof, so I set up on the ceramic stovetop...

Torch station, waiting in the wings

Sandra arrived and we began our day with a yummy breakfast, a la Starbucks...

"Class" started with tips on safety,  and navigating the art of the soldering iron.

Sandra prepared her inchie charms....

 And dug...

right in!!

The results were stunning ~ an awesome student!!

We enjoyed a most delicious lunch at the Hess family's favorite Mexican bistro...

Putting smiles on Tucson faces since 1922...

Back to work ~ time to tackle the torch!

Working from the ground up, Sandra learned to cut and prepare metal, flood solder, and cold connect an  heirloom jewel.

And she proudly wore her finished work of art!

It was a wonderful celebration of Birthday

and friendship!

a lovely gift from my "star" student

I wish you a beautiful week, my dear ones...your blessings are there ~ don't miss them!!

xoxo
Karen