WOW..

I felt so lucky this week, first I received my gift from Nina Designs for being a winner on the BSBP with a little gift from Lori tucked inside.  I love the little silver plated charm and will be incorporating it into something lovely very soon. The little gift Lori tucked in was so special and means so much to me. I think there was some esp happening because the beads Lori sent are the perfect match to fabric I just purchased to sew a summer dress. I was wondering what accessories I would wear and now I know. Thank you thank you Lori, you are one very special person.

Super cute silver plated charm from Nina Designs

Absolutely gorgeous beads Lori tucked in the package

Beautiful earrings made to go with my new summer dress!

Next little parcel to arrive was my package from Alenka of Pepita Handmade. I was so excited to participate in Alenka's First Blogoversary Giveaway and Blog Hop. Alenka packaged all the components, mixed up the packages and then addressed them...so even she did not know what she had sent to the participants. I was thrilled to get a gorgeous clasp because it will go so well with another piece from Alenka. The reveal date is August 11, 2013. I hope everyone will come back and see what I and others will create to help Alenka celebrate her First Blogoversary.

Alenka asked that we post what we received with a link to her blog. Don't forget to join us on August 11th.

Super cool clasp from Pepita Handmade

lovely lovely Larimar....

Larimar is the embodiment of the tranquil Sea and Sky energies.  Its soft, soothing blues and calming turquoise is streaked with white patterns that resemble sunlight dancing beneath Caribbean waters. As a soothing Water element stone, Larimar cools hot tempers and guides excessive passion into peace.

It is also said to help with healing, something much needed right now. I should mention this is my absolutely without a doubt my most favorite stone.

Stefilia's Stone

...excitement is rising...

....for many reasons - one - my daughter is on the mend, slow but steady - everyday gets better and little milestones are conquered each day - yeah what a relief, two - I have a cousin coming from Australia for a visit (we have never met but after some ancestry searching found each other and now she is coming - way way cool!), and three - Bead Hoarders Blog Hop is rapidly approaching! This is going to be a great summer.....

I have been intently following the interest in the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop and am so excited...what a great summer diversion. Oh what to create, because I like all my beading friends have some serious hoarding going on....where to begin?

First off this is what I made in my in between life times this week....just needed a little diversion.

Blue Beauty

I used Pepita's beautiful polymer leaves with these turquoise roses..so so pretty.

Why Not

I love elephants, I heard they were a symbol for good luck...and I need a little of that right now!

Now for some stash that I have been hoarding...

I love love love diachroic and this is only a couple from my serious addiction!

Scarab and others just screaming to be turned into something Egyptian!

Summer of Color - Week 2

Unfortunately I missed Week 1 of the Summer of Color but was so intrigued I just had to enter Week 2. I loved the colors for Week 1 and could have been so creative but oh then Week 2 colors were picked .....squeal....Hot Pink and Orange. Who could not love these two colors, especially when mixed together.... they are summer itself. One of my favorite designers is Betsy Johnson and this necklace was inspired by her. Hope you like it! I am so looking forward to Week 3.

Betsy J

...things can only get better from here...

I have had one heck of a week, but things are only going to get better from now on. Molly came home from the hospital, still a long way to recovery but she will get better quicker at home I know. Still  - super scary - I am not a doctor nor a nurse, so this is all a huge learning curve for us - sleepless nights and wondering if whatever we do hurts her more.  She is tough and so very positive though, she makes things easy and is such a joy.

I've fallen in love with viking knit jewelery and found it was something I could do with a sick child and it didn't require a lot of attention to detail. I also tried my hand at resin casting and the first batch of cabs was (I thought) a big success. I watched an on line tutorial (sorry can't remember by who) and made the ones I have used in Fire and Ice. It was a bit messy but I will definitely be doing this again. I can slip this pendant off the viking knit rope, wear the rope plain or put on a different pendant - so cool!

Tori was also from an online inspirational picture on viking knitting.  I purchased the pink stone in Victoria at my favorite store- Aurea, I think it is dyed agate but not sure, I just knew I loved it and had to have it. The pink wire viking knit chain was made on the long drive home (14 hours) - it really passed the time away nicely. Also new for me was the wire coiling.....love love love it.

...bead freak...

.....an affectionate name my husband has given me as well as the name of one of my favorite bead stores in Vancouver. I always find something to delight my senses and this time was no different.  They have such unique beads and focals there, it is a must stop for me. The focal I bought from Bead Freaks is actually a little bottle complete with stopper, I used turquoise, red coral, brass beads, glass rounds and seed beads. I thought the red really set off both the turquoise and the brass focal.

Marrakech

This has been a hard week for me and my family, but we are strong and will carry on. My daughter Molly, was hit by a car going very fast while she was crossing at a crosswalk. She is seriously hurt but in time will mend. It makes you realize that you need to spend every precious minute you have together. I have two gorgeous daughters and their strength and determination amaze and astound me. I am so proud of them and so honored to be their mother.

Molly

Meagan

and how does a person top last weeks event?

I guess you just move on...I think, no I know, my husband would like me to move on; as incredibly proud of me as he is the constant comments from me about being a winner are wearing him down....you know like - "how about a coffee for the winner" or "are you taking the winner out for dinner"! But my favorite "the winner needs to go get some more beads". Okay I have had a swelled head for the last week..... I am still walking on air and have those random little inside giggles....it feels really really good.

With all the excitement I didn't talk about my little vacation. It was great seeing my brother and sister and my husbands sisters and a few friends. I would have to say the majority of our holiday was visiting, catching up and eating.  The weather cooperated and it was a great break.  I did lots of bead shopping, visited my favorite store and they oohed and aahed over my necklace. They certainly boosted my ego. I came home with a stash of some awesome beads, some great photos and yes an outfit or two. I even had several  people stop and ask me if I sold my jewelery.....wow!

View of downtown Vancouver from Stanley Park

Bridge in Stanley Park

Driving through the mountains

 My favorite store was holding a demo on viking knit but unfortunately I couldn't stay. I have wanted to learn this technique for some time so was disappointed to say the least. Not to be beaten I purchased the necessary tools and pulled out the ever handy iPad and watched a tutorial! I knitted all the way home, very relaxing and lots of fun. My first viking knit project, and I am sure there will be many more pieces to come...

Cirque

Glad to be back and looking forward the Blog Hop in July with Lori.