Why Does It Always Surprise Me?

When it behaves the same way EVERY year....March weather, that is.  Okay, we've been spoiled of late with temps pushing the mid-high 80's for the past two weeks, but seriously...hail in the 'hood today? 'cmon!  And to show you what's still coming, dh had to drive to San Diego today and here's a pic of what he traveled through in the San Diego mountains ~

check out the view in the side mirror!

Henceforth, I shall refer to this month as "March the Merciless!"

The previously beautiful weather allowed me time to flit about to the thrift stores and my favorite antique mall.  Believe it or not, I hadn't been since last November!  So, let me share with you some of the goodies I found...

loving maps of all genres ~ guess that's the teacher in me!

gorgeous sheet music

a jar of buttons that I really bought for its ground glass jar stopper

a special treat for the oh-so-patient dh who collects these creatures!

sweet little tin and tiny bottle 

darling little sewing box

more printed goodies, including a dance card!

would you believe, $19???  Perfect for my first jewelry "trunk show!"

Well, my wanderings were very fruitful, but they were stowed for the time being as other fish were waiting to be fried ~ March, April, and May are teeming with special events in our lives ~ Christening, First Holy Communion, Bridal Shower, and a dear friend's wedding ~ just to name a few!

I can now share a very special shower gift that was first shared by dear Nancy Roach for Lacey's bridal shower.  You may have seen one before....it's a candle basket.
Here's what's so special about this candle basket:
You take a large basket...

Buy 9 pairs of candles... each pair signifying a special event in the newlyweds' life...

check to be sure they all fit...

make the tags and begin assembling...

admire and photograph...

add matches and the special poem that explains the candles

 And you have the most unique shower gift!  Thank you, Nancy love, for this fabulous idea!

Since our special bride is carrying a bouquet of vintage brooches,  my girls thought it fitting to include one with the candle basket!

 If you know a bride to be who might be thrilled with such a gift, email me and I'll pass the poem on to you.

Our Scrap Happy group met for our once a month 16 hr. marathon, and I managed to finish a bracelet...

I also finished bridal shower invitations for an upcoming April shower and rehearsal dinner invites, but none have gone out yet so they must wait for a future blog...

I've spent the past 48 hours frantically working on getting paperwork ready as I meet with our CPA on Wednesday.  I'm always his last day client and usually his last appointment....procrastinate? Moi? lol!!
After Wednesday I'll be such a happy camper!

I hope your week is snow-less, warmer, "footloose and fancy free!"  Spring really IS right around the corner.  Thank you so much for being such a great friend and visiting with me today!
xoxo
Karen

A Little of This and A Little of That...

When I look back over the past two weeks I have to stop and catch my breath.  The Bead Soup Blog Party was an amazing first-time adventure for me.  

When I blog hopped to take in the creation of the participants, I was blown away by the genius of it all!  If you haven't already, I encourage you to visit some of these talented artists...they will truly inspire you...no matter what your medium of choice.  You can find their buttons after this post.


So, while I was busy cooking up the "soup" and sampling what others were cooking, a few things were put on the shelf ~ until today...


Our Tucson Swap Queens had an amazing February "LOVE" themed mini matchbox swap. 

Our gracious host, Queen Kathleen, chef extraordinaire!

chose a FAB menu of bruschetta based on the same menu found at Postino Winecafe' in Phoenix

warm artichoke spread on toast

The combinations were over the moon!


Roasted Red Pepper(chopped) with  Goat Cheese
Salami with Pesto
Brie with Apple(Granny Smith) and Figs drizzled with honey
Mozzarella with Tomato and Basil (fresh leaf)
Proscuitto with Figs and Mascarpone
Warm Artichoke Spread
Smoked Salmon with Pesto
Tomato Jam and Goat Cheese
Ricotta with Dates and Pistachios
White Bean with Chopped Tomato (Humus)


It was an amazing evening and no one went home hungry!  
One thing I did realize was that we need to swap first and eat later....otherwise we miss seeing all the treasures!  It's too much like little ones at Christmas! lol
Here are a few pix I managed to take...


These are from my amazing "cupid," Sharon...

love this uber-modern take with cool copper charms and mesh w/sparkle!

the treasures blew me away ~ a vintage red dress pin and 2 Patricia Healy copper charms!!!

this was Sharon's darling daughter's idea!!

I played "Cupid" to Rose and here's what I created for her...

all wrapped up

unwrapped

the matchbox with a "Rose" theme

and all the contents

This month we are altering a 6 cup egg box, an idea I "borrowed" from the lovely Cassandra at Artful Adventure.  We'll be swapping at the end of the month and I promise to showcase all the egg boxes!

Remember I told you I was cutting back on my swaps so I could work on my jewelry?  Well, I've been busy and here's a peek at some that I've finished....
My dear sil, Anna Marie, placed an order for a vintage necklace and matching earrings...

vintage clasp on brass disc

Swarovski pearls and crystals with crystal rondelles

vintage chain

double chain - sorry for the blurriness

the earrings with the Swarovski elements

I had another custom order from dear friend, Karey-Ann.  This time it was for a small, 3/4 inch cuff ~ in her signature color, pink.

Thank you so much for stopping by today....I love your visits and cherish your friendship!  Have a most beautiful week, dear friends.
xoxo
Karen

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3 (NRSV)

I'm In The Soup!

Boy, am I in the soup!  Bead Soup, that is.  As you might remember, I posted about being chosen to participate in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party.  If you didn't see that post click on the "posted" link and you will see ALL the wonderful beads I received!

 Well, it's reveal and blog hop day!  I'm so excited! I've had my bead creations completed for some time now and I've been itchin' to show you...so, without further ado....here they are!!

First up is the beautiful necklace I was able to create with the gorgeous lamp work, Czech, and pressed beads that Linda at Linda's Bead Blog sent.  If you click on the link for Linda you will see what she created with the beads I sent to her!  The focal piece is a stunner...it's made from bone and comes from the Baltic region.  Isn't that rose charming?

Here are some close-up shots of the necklace detail....

gorgeous lampwork bead

We were able to add some of our own beads as well, so I thought a cute little bee would be a perfect touch, along with the beaded rosary chain.  What do you think?

Well, dear generous Linda sent so many beads that I couldn't resist more beading.  So, I gave in to something that makes me weak in the knees....a charm bracelet!

Isn't that toggle clasp fabulous?!  Linda has exceptional taste!!  Take your time and see if you can count all 27 charms!!

I consider myself SO lucky to have been chosen by Mr. Random Number Generator, and I will forever be grateful for having had this experience.  I had a fabulous partner, Linda;  a wonderful coach and mentor, Lori; and 197 other Bead Soup Sisters who were a world of support, encouragement, and fun on Facebook.

Well, the soups cookin' on everyone's blog who participated, so hop on over to Lori Anderson at Pretty Things and see all the links which will connect you to the most wonderful eye candy created by the most wonderful people in bead land blog land!

Thank you one and all and thank you for visiting, sweet friends!
xoxo
Karen