Victoria...

I went to visit my beautiful sister and her husband last weekend, well actually an extended four day weekend. We had so much fun and it was so nice to get away from the cold. The weather in Victoria was exceptional - sweater weather. We just had such a good time, shopping (yes for beads), touring the sites and going out for totally awesome meals (oh yum) and just having a good sister fix - it was great. Although I didn't do any beading (just lots of planning) I had some incredible photo opportunities. I went to my favorite store in Victoria, Aurea Gems and Essential Luxuries, I picked up some to die for crystals and a gorgeous turquoise cab - talk about spoiling myself. I can't wait to start creating. I messed up on our flight home (like I was 12 hours late!) but that provided extra time for my husband and I to do some up island sight seeing.  We had to rent a car to drive back to Alberta ($$$$) and we had to fight mother nature all the way - she was throwing everything at us, but we finally after driving for 15 hours made it home. I have updated my photos page with pictures from Victoria and some from on the way home.

I did finish this piece before we left and wore it while in Victoria and received lots of compliments. I have to say that this is a Jean A. Wells inspiration,  Jean's jewelery is gorgeous. Jean had made a necklace and used a rattle bead made by Sharon Driscoll. I fell in love and had to have one and this is what I made.

What to do during a blizzard...

Snuggle up and bead of course. Winter has really arrived, it's been snowing and blowing and snowing and blowing....but that's what it's like in Edmonton and you just get used to it. I have to say with all the snow the trees are really pretty and I couldn't resist braving the elements to snap a few pictures.

Winter Wonderland
 

Buried Berries

....and once all the picture taking was done, the beading began. I have been busy with the Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 and I am super excited to send my little gift off to Sonja. I hope hope hope she likes it. I also decided I needed something new for the pending holidays so I spoiled myself with a couple of pieces.

Lone Star

My partner from the last Bead Soup Blog Hop, Ginger had sent me a beautiful rivoli that I hadn't used and the colors in my bead crochet rope called out for it to be the center of attention.

I am a silver girl and I found these wonderful silver balls at a local bead store that I couldn't resist. I have not worked in RAW very much but gave it a try and really like the outcome, so Christmassy. I am going to work on some earrings to go with it and maybe even a necklace...why not.

Silver Balls

Is it me or is it in the air...

Christmas, it is almost on top of us and I am getting in the spirit. Especially with  Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 happening very soon. I have just found out my partner is the lovely and talented Sonja Stille.  Sonja is the mother of two young boys and loves making jewelery as much as I do. I am so excited that Sonja is my partner and feel through our correspondence I am getting to know her. WOW, another wonderful friend for me to cherish.

Even though we have had snow that is here to stay, I still have that fall feeling....the leaves are pretty much gone now and the only crunch is the crunch of snow underfoot. I made leaves from polymer clay for the October Fest hop, and I couldn't resist another pair of "Fallen Leaves" earrings.

Fallen Leaves

I have also been busy finishing up a project that I had started but wasn't feeling good about it until I pulled it out and took a critical look at it and came up with a simpler design. I like what it came to be so "Berrylicious"

And what would a day be without the love I receive from my two little fur babies

MoJo and Rockstar