First Custom Bridal Head Dress

Oh, I'm so excited that I just had to share this with you! I was asked to make a bridal head dress for a wedding in two weeks. The bride-to-be was ecstatic! You should have seen me trying to locate a form for the base. I don't even know where to purchase supplies for bridal accessories. So, being adventuresome, or crazy!, I made my own form, padded it and covered it with satin. Of course I made my own pattern as well. I hand sewed all 40 Swarovski AB tiny crystals to the hat, along with many, many more tiny seed pearls and six or eight black crystals. A wispy feather plume was attached. Next I made two satin roses--first time for that, too. Inside, I placed a few Swarovski Jet AB crystals to pick up the black sash on the wedding gown. They appear to be water droplets on the roses. There are several strands of the tiny pearls strung from one side of the hat. If I am fortunate enough to get a good picture of the bride wearing my head dress, I'll pass it along to you.

Pleasant dreams of dancing pearls, crystals, gowns, feeling happy... Sleep tight! 

Susan's Sea Glass

I just love Susan of Liliana Designs. She makes lovely sea glass jewelry and is a lovely person as well. We are fellow Etsyians or Etsy artists. Susan has added some valuable insight into how to determine whether or not so-called "sea glass" is, in fact, real sea glass. Check out her fan page for more info. Liliana Designs.

Therese

Autumn's Pitiful Hanging Laundry

This morning, after winds and rain of last night took their toll, I decided to see if some jeans would line-dry outside. I love hanging laundry during the summer, missing the fresh outdoors smell in the winter months. Summer means ironing is next to nil. My first floor laundry doesn't have a dryer yet, and, believe it or not, I'd rather hang the entire load than run downstairs to put it in the dryer! Is that lazy or what! I hate basements.

Here are the pitiful-looking jeans trying to dry themselves in the cold day's sunshine. A pretty pot was blown off my deck last night and broke, so I placed it in my dying ground cover garden for next summer's imagination. A clump of snapdragons have found a cozy niche' under the deck. I'll miss the summer days.

New Shop: Fairy Queen Crochet

I've been looking around and discovered this really cool shop: Fairy Queen Crochet. She has wonderful chokers, pendants, etc. Very creative! I'm sure you'll like it as much as I do if you take the time to look at everything.

Happy shopping!

Sharing a Special Link

Oh, my! What can I say? Please use this link and watch the video posted on Wondrous Strange Designs' blog.

Descendents from Goro Fujita

Something New

Hi. It's Monday, actually Tuesday, and I finally got into my Google account after two days. Why does everything have to be so difficult!

Thought I'd make up some wonderful paper collage cards for my shop. I listed ten of them today. If they do well, I might open another shop for art / paper art pieces.

Let me know what you think. I love designing these little note cards and gift tags. It's great fun, especially since each is one of a kind. I never get bored!

Off to bed. It's after midnight again. Pleasant dreams of colors, patterns, shapes swirling around in your head. Pleasant dreams of new adventures... of trips to "Never, Never Land"... of flying objects... sheep!

Little Cardmaker

She's My Everything Treasury

What a lovely title. My Mother-Daughter Lime and Blue Scarf Set is featured in this Etsy treasury. How nice. There are some really cute children's items in this one.

Pleasant dreams of laughter, of squeals, of dancing crayons...

Mother Goose

October is Here!

My mom celebrates her 80th birthday today. We surprised her last night with a party. While we were at the restaurant, my good friend was there with her entire family to celebrate her mom's 95th! Whoa! Should I ever live to be 80, let alone 95...!

Here's a little poem I wrote about the season:



Queen of the Harvest

Queen of the Harvest dances in,

  Winter is on her heels.

Crisp air swirls around our heads,

  So fresh and cool October feels.

See the animals making ready for the winter,

  Loads of carrots put out back for the deer.

And never enough corn for all of them,

  No partiality shown, that is clear.

 Mounds of pretty mums in front yards,

  Black crows on tall cornstalks, nearby.

Geese heading south in formation,

  Squawking on their way as they fly.

The harvest moon has come and gone,

  It arrived earlier than some would have thought.

But if you looked up at night in late September,

  You might have missed it not.

November winds await their entry,

   As Halloween trick-or-treaters draw near.

Quickly we squeeze in more October fun,

   For little ones, we dispel any fear.

Orange pumpkins competing for doorsteps,

  Jack 'o lanterns will be carved from some.

During daytime, children laugh at the faces,

  A quick glimpse at night and they run.

Let’s finish putting up the decorations,

  For Halloween night is on its way.

More images of witches and spooky ghosts,

  More colorful leaves and bales of hay.

One more thought: Let’s dunk for apples,

  Or eat warm donuts with crisp apple cider.

Hot coffee or tea or just a nip,

  While we share stories around a bonfire.

October is great, but it all too quickly passes,

  Of its goodies, you can’t get your fill.

So eat, drink and be merry,

  Enjoy, eat it up, if you will.

Pleasant dreams of moons, jack o' lanterns, apple cider, Halloween, cornstalks, little critters, corn...

Queen of the Harvest

My Little Treasury - Someone Chose Me

Today I was happy to see that I was chosen for another treasury on Etsy. Bella Donna chose my Halloween Harvest Scarf for her lovely treasury. Please check out her shop and The Scarves of Autumn Treasury (links above).

Thank you for reading my blog. Once again, I'm excited to have been chosen for someone's treasury. Happy days of autumn to you all.

Pleasant dreams of pumpkins, apple cider, Halloween, hay rides, hot chocolate, blowing leaves, breathtaking colors...wonderful!

Harvest Queen

New Discovery on Etsy - Yummy Scents

Bulletin: Just discovered on Etsy (well, actually, I just discovered it). It's fabulous! I'm ready to order for Christmas and for me! Click on their name: The Abbey James Company

Pleasant dreams... whatever scent you like...Um-m-m-m.

Sweet-smelling Therese

Last-Trip-Up-North Treasures on Camera

Possibly our last trip up north this year, we went to visit "Uncle Bob"--our dear old school teacher friend. Bob is in assisted living. We walked the beach behind his home for a final trip of the year and snapped photos of interesting little treasures. I hope you enjoy them.

Beautiful Sandy Waters on East Bay of Lake Michigan (next 3 photos)

 

Underwater Zebra Mussels, Lake Michigan

Little Beach Blossom

While walking along the beach we spied these beach chairs showing off their colors

 Shoreline Shell Treasures

 Slow Path to Nowhere (can you see the trail)

 Low water this year left lots of algae along the beach and in the water

 
 Wild Turkeys off the beaten path (I scared them off)

Thanks for letting me share. It's so sad to see summer ending and everything changing. Even the water looks more blue and less aqua. Yet we had so much fun just taking in the glory of Lake Michigan.

Pleasant dreams of beaches, last glimpses of colorful beach chairs, brilliant falling leaves, slightly nippy night air, and all good things that autumn brings...

Barefoot-in-the-Cold-Sand Girl

Bridal Jewelry - Opinions, please...

Dear blogger friends!
I was asked to make bridal jewelry for a local shop. Here is my first attempt...HELP! There are tons of Swarovski crystals and Swarovski / Czech glass pearls in each one. There are actually only two sets here, though it looks like more.

Opinions, please. Be honest. Let me know what I need, if anything, and what I might do differently. Tell me if it's too loud or big or whatever... I will be making a couple of more delicate necklaces as well. Everyone has different taste.


So let's hear it!

Thanks. I would most appreciate it!

Beginner of Everything, Jack-ette of all Trades

Loyalty

Today the pastor at our church sermonized about the virtue of Loyalty, the first part of a series called, "Lost Virtues". It is unsettling to have believed all along that you were loyal, then to discover that you are truly lacking in that area.


What is loyalty? Well, it's not only being true to your spouse, significant other, kids, parents and friends, but it encompasses significantly more.


A friend is a friend in times of trouble as well as in the good times. When people are making fun of a friend, do you stand beside him or do you crawl under the rug?


Do you gossip? Do you talk about your friends and family to other people when you're angry with them? Do you walk away from a relationship rather than trying to work through a bad situation? Do you leave an organization you've committed to for a little disagreement instead of listening to the other side's point of view? Do you hang in there through the good and bad?

Employers aren't loyal to their employees, employees aren't loyal to the employers, sales people aren't loyal to their customers, people aren't loyal to their beliefs, and on and on.


Oh, boy! After listening to a half hour to an hour, where you could have heard a pin drop, was I ever feeling sheepish. From now on I'm going to try to remember that I can't take back what I say, so it's best to keep quiet if I have nothing good to say. A real challenge for a true "chatter box" like me.


Oh, but I'm loyal to all my Blog Followers!!!


Pleasant dreams. It's late and Monday is a work day. Dreams of far away places...as in "Six Days, Seven Nights". Not being stranded on an island but sleeping on an island in one of those cute little huts, sipping on pineapple juice and coconut rum. Nighty, night.


Your Loyal Companion

My Recollection...9/11

Everyone's posting thoughts on 9/11, today. Not 7-11, but, rather, 9/11, the number we'd like to forget. Today is coming to a close, but I'd like to write about my recollection of that infamous event:

Our company had just downsized, leaving me without a job. That was the very end of August. On September 11, I was enjoying not having to go to work by watching the Today show on NBC. In a moment of time, a news flash came into my living room, LIVE. As I saw the plane going into the tower, I thought it was a joke or an accident. It never occurred to me that, perhaps, it was really happening and that, perhaps, it was the act of terrorists. That is, until I saw the second plane appear and people in the studio yelling something about another plane flying right into one of the Twin Towers.

It all looked so phony, like I was watching a terrorist movie. It was a terrorist movie--really happening right now! LIVE! As I watched.

I got on the phone and called my husband at work. He hadn't heard. I called relatives and friends who were working to see if anyone had heard an announcement.

It reminded me of the time JFK was shot. The time the nun in my classroom at St. Tim's said to get down on our knees and pray. Oh, how I remember.

September 11 was my sister's wedding anniversary. I wondered how she was feeling.

Then I remember, later, painting the back door on our house while President Bush gave the nation his plan of action. It was freaky, scary, just listening to the President talking that way. Even he sounded scared.

You know the rest. Now, I'll not say, "Pleasant Dreams" tonight. This is a solemn occasion and a time to ponder on all that happened that September 11, a day never forgotten.

Sleep well knowing that we are here today, safe for the time being. We've lived through it. But what about
those people directly related to the incident. They will go on living through it for who knows how long, maybe the rest of their lives. I wonder if they can ever feel safe.

Beach Glass, Stones, Fossils for Me?

Last week we went to a friend's lake house on Lake Erie. Two of my sisters were finding lots of beach glass, but me--nope, not me. I'm just not that observant. Finally! I found two pieces of white beach glass. Until then I was collecting seashells, beach brick pieces, slag, stones and one Petoskey stone. Either a Petoskey stone or a fossil stone. We couldn't figure out why a Petoskey would be laying on Lake Erie shores.

I just visited a couple of Etsy sites where people sell the same beach items. I just loved looking. However, my husband is planning on learning to use a jewelry drill to make holes in my beach treasures. I can hardly wait. I also found a pendant that is a piece of beach slate. It's really great looking!

Well, off to bed for me. Pleasant dreams of summer's last beach walks--at least barefooted! Sleep tight.

Stoned, Old Fossil

German Chocolate or Bust!

Anyone who knows me also knows that I love to make up my own recipes. For my sister's birthday last week, I was asked to bring a cake. Her fav is German Chocolate.

I have a recipe that uses cream of coconut and is similar to a Jello Poke Cake, so I invented my own variation of that dessert:

1 box German Chocolate Cake Mix

2 8-oz Containers Cool Whip

2 cans German Chocolate Frosting

1/4 - 1/2 cup milk

Eggs, oil, water as listed on box

Bake cake as directed in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Open one can German Chocolate frosting, reserving one-third for later. Mix remaining two-thirds frosting with a little milk to thin it down. As cake cools on rack, poke holes all over  top with a knife, then pour/spread the thinned frosting mix over the cake. As it melts, spread it around and into the holes.

Mix the reserved one-third can frosting with an 8-oz. container thawed Cool Whip (whipped topping). Set aside. Take a second can of frosting and spread over cake while slightly warm.

When cake is completely cool, spread frosting/Cool Whip mixture over top. Chill for an hour or so. Top it off with another container of plain, thawed Cool Whip or chocolate Cool Whip. Refrigerate overnight.

Optional: Sprinkle toasted coconut, chocolate shavings, pecans over top. I prefer it without any additional.

The cake was a birthday success. I was asked not to lose my recipe, and I heard "YUM-M-M", so I guess that means they liked it!

Happy Birthday to all September birthdays out there. Pleasant dreams of chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!

Chocolate Lover

Fairy Me by Tarja

Hello, everyone! I'd like to introduce "Fairy Me by Tarja". She creates fairies from your photos by placing the subjects in wings and under toadstools and in the grass, and everywhere else in fairyland. I just love it! Fantastic work! Use the link above and see some of her work.

Tarja is one of the nicest people. Thanks, Tarja, for being so supportive!

Pleasant dreams of fairies, mid-summer night's dreams, lightening bugs and all that summer represents. I'm clinging on tightly to every minute. Nighty night.

Fairy Godmother

Bridal Jewelry and Cheesecake!

Have you ever had a good feeling about something? Well, once again, I've had a small opportunity come my way. It's so itty, bitty, but I still see great potential in it.

I was asked to display bridal jewelry and scarves in a cheesecake shop (of all things). It's a neat, clean, trendy-looking, little place with some tables and chairs for enjoying dessert and a cup of coffee. The owner said that lots of brides-to-be make her shop their first stop in wedding planning, and that would give my jewelry exposure. I'm sure you couldn't miss it with her awesome display area right off to the side of the wonderful baked goods counter.

I've got to say, they have got to have the most wonderful cheesecake, and so many different flavors. I love cheesecake. Actually on Saturday, my granddaughter and I split a slice of their Reese's Peanut Butter Cup cheesecake. My husband tried German Chocolate Cake--two layers of cheesecake, two layers of chocolate cake and German Chocolate frosting. The only reason I was there was because my daughter had asked me to pick up a custom order for her. Otherwise this opportunity wouldn't have come my way. See how the Lord (or fate, if you like) works!

Wish me luck. My hair accessories--started out as bridal hair accessories--have been selling fast at my niece's salon and spa. People buying them have friends inquiring. Lots of younger women. So, it's looking pretty good for me, so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Please say a prayer for me. Sometimes I need it badly. Don't we all!

And, I won't stop creating my scarves and jewelry for Etsy, either. So there's another prayer I need. Time!

Wish I could quit my day job!!!


Pleasant dreams of brides and crystals and pearls and cheesecakes dancing and shimmering. What a combination of things "sweet"!

Bridal Baby

A Story of Daisies

Memories of hours spent painting pictures of flowers, not knowing what the heck I was doing or how to use oil paints.Total frustration!

Memories of friend Marilyn and I sketching pictures of girls and fashions, then asking her mom to judge them. That didn't always go over so well.

Summer of 9th grade, we decided to take High School Art. But making tile ash trays wasn't exactly what I had in mind. So... After causing some trouble, I was told that I was finished. "Out!"

Fast-forward 8 years, a young married woman, I placed daisies, a gift from my husband, in a tall mug, part of a set we purchased together . The turquoise paint I had mixed just made the whole thing. I don't know when it disappeared, but I am saddened at the thought of losing something so precious. I still have hope.

One of my first charms--a daisy that speaks of love. After all, "daisies do tell". From my husband:

Today I spotted daisies on someone's blog. An artist friend, Dora , is their painter. If you like daisies at all, or, for that matter, watercolors, you will truly enjoy hers.

Pleasant dreams of daisies spinning and bending in the wind; dancing to the music...

Flower Child at Heart

That Butterfly Bush

Know what? We just love that butterfly bush! I purposely planted it right next to our deck, where we eat, so that we could sit and watch butterflies all day long. (If you believe that one... Who has all day long to sit around!)

A short lunch break this afternoon, with sandwiches and iced tea, proved its worth. Four Monarchs, a hummingbird moth and several bees were flitting around, collecting nectar together like one big, happy family. Bees, plump with nectar and buzzing rather loudly. Occasionally one or two smaller butterflies joined the party. Not one insect bothered another. Nature at its best. Truly.

Pleasant dreams of deep purple blossoms with "the birds and the bees"...and the butterflies!

Queen of the 
Butterfly Bush

(Hope you don't mind seeing these photos again.)