thought for today

......what we have when no one else is around.....

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(a sneak peak at the bottom dangle of my newest piece)

same kind of difFerent As me.

If God brings profound things in our lives at just the right time, then I must believe He has done it this past week. One of my daughter's friends (also her boss~thanks Booney), suggested a book for her to read. She then shared it with me (thanks Mel), and being the visual person that I am, the website first caught my eye~never mind the title~I have felt this way all my life. If I can suggest any book I have ever read (not including The Bible), you must read this one. Trust me.

My dh has been gone since Thursday on a dove hunting trip in south Texas. Yesterday morning he called from the field. He sounded so happy, as not only is he enjoying the trip, but also the unusually cool crisp weather we are experiencing. He is with two other fellows AND his brother, John. I have never known two brothers who love each other more. That has always been one of the reasons I admire my husband as much as I do. His family loves unconditionally.
I have been busy working on several new pieces for my October Sales, using the charms I had made right after the hurricane. This necklace touches me, as I remember what it is to be a mother. One with unconditional, never failing love. That is what I want to always be.

Last night I finished this necklace for my sister-in-law, Barbara. She is John's wife. We both call the same part of Texas home. How did God know to bring two boys all the way from the east part of Houston into our lives? Divine timing is everything.

And last, I am showing you this piece. Do you remember my little muse picture posted some time ago? She is on a cabinet card I found in a Katy antique shop. She now sits looking at me as I design jewelry. I love that.

Odd Shots on Monday

Friday afternoon, home from work, I look across our back yard. Perched on top of the fence~this is what I see. Another fallen tree, this time in our neighbor's back yard. However, it fell in such as way that it landed on their/our fence. Hurricane Ike has been gone for 2 weeks, and he is still rearing his ugly head!

Go see Katney today for more wonderful odd shots today~

Last week I received the most exciting invitation to join a new group, Bokeh rama; and it has the most beautiful "out of focus" shots. This is one of the shots I will be uploading to the group.

What is bokeh (from the Japanese boke, blurr)? This is a photographic term describing the subjective aesthetic qualities of out-of-focus areas in an image produced by a camera lens. For example, causing an out-of-focus background image may reduce distractions and emphasize the primary subject.

If you have the time, take a look at the pictures, you will enjoy!

pushing past hurricane ike

" rhinestone dreams"
*****
I am working on new pieces that will be for sale in my next show in October.
It began with a vintage rhinestone brooch. It could be taken apart to use as a shoe clip or clothing accessory. Quite unique. This piece features one-half of the brooch. I added crystal quartz, swarovski crystal beads and rondells, yellow jade and faceted pineapple quartz. I wanted it to be simple yet elegant, not overworked. A piece you could wear with jeans and starched oxford shirt, or your favorite little black dress. The options are endless~

*******

Please continue to pray for Houston and the surrounding Gulf Coast, as many people are hurting and will have to totally rebuild their lives. Thank God the damage was property and not person; but the pain is still very real and will be here for sometime to come.

last of the girls for awhile

"straight shooter"

ribbon & lace

*****

I finished the last of the mexican calendar girls pendants using a piece of khaki colored ribbon and cotton lace. I added one of the vintage rhinestone horse shoe buttons, wire wrapped a crystal quartz, then added a sprinkle of golden freshwater pearls. This one just didn't want to leave the work table.

Odd Shot on Mondays

Even a hurricane could not keep the hummingbirds away!

(We forgot to take down the feeder Friday in anticipation of Hurricane Ike). They were busy eating during the strong winds we were still having on Saturday morning. We had to find a little humor in the midst of it all.... Visit Katney for more odd shots today.

Side note:

Thankfully, the only "real" damage we experienced was a large tree limb that broke out of our oak tree in the front yard. It missed our front porch by less than 6 inces. Having no electricity for 16 hours was a little tuff. But, after all was said and done, we were surely blessed.

Hurricane Ike

This is a statue commemorating the storm that devastated the island city of Galveston, Tx

in 1900 (AFP/File Photo)

*****

Memories of killer 1900 storm haunt Galveston ahead of Ike

Galveston's history of barely surviving the "Great Storm" of 1900 makes residents inclined to prepare for the worst.
The 1900 hurricane produced a storm surge that submerged Galveston and killed 6,000 people.

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My dear friends~even though times are much different than 1900, and preparations have been made ahead of time, the storm is a real threat to our lives and properties. Please pray for my family, and all my fellow Texans, as we now watch and pray as Hurricane Ike approaches the Texas Gulf Coast.

*****

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Psalm 91:1

(less) words wednesday

Odd Shots on Monday

While in San Antonio one must stop at El Mercado.

I had never seen such a colorful display of guitars for sale.

******

Go to Katney today to see more odd shots.

Can you relate?

These very small vintage German dollies came from Carmi. All the way from Kleinburg, Ontorio, Canada. I am so excited to use them in some of my jewelry pieces I will be working on this weekend. I have seen them used in many ways, but I am thinking of something different. Because they are so small, I must be careful to not let them get lost~

...which can happen.

It happens! Really!

As happened with this piece that I didn't finish in the Jane Wynn Captured class I took at Art & Soul in May. Whew~glad I found it, and hope to finish it as well. I have alot to add and rework, and will enjoy doing it.

I will show you how it all turns out!

(Really it was in another room~but just as hidden....not lost).

~wings to soar~

Amazon remembered! My pre-ordered copy of Kelly Rae Roberts new book~Taking Flight Inspiration & Techniques~to give your Creative spirit~wings~ arrived this week! I am totally inspired by her Gratitude, the Introduction AND Chapter One. Her first project~Learning to Soar~included the wonderful D.J.Pettitt. I must say, I can't wait to read the rest of the book, and see what Stephanie Lee, Mati Rose McDonough, Laurie Mika, Christine Mason Miller, Jennifer Valentine and wow~Judy Wise~also have to share with Kelly. This is a keeper.

And, look who's been visiting our house. Actually there are many. This was one I caught.

My prayer today:

Lord give me wings to always soar higher than I think I can.

let me always be thankful

I have been behind in thanking (on my blog) some wonderful friends when given the following awards. You know who you are~and it is you who have blessed me. Never forget that each and every award made me smile a smile of gratitude when you gave it to me~!

Thank you Colette and Anita! You're both so very talented and it is your blogs that I LOVE.
And, fellow jewely designer, Molly. You're a wonderful new blog buddy, and it is your work that is BRILLANT.
And, thank you Sis, your sweet spirit always warms my heart. This is a beautiful award from a beautiful person.

*******

Tonight, I am feeling like the picure on top says~

(I found this cabinet card in Second Street Antiques, and I just had to bring her home. Of course, I tweeked her in PSE6 & Picnik).

So again, THANK YOU, thank you, thank you.....and please understand if I do not forward any of these awards. ALL of my blog friends deserve them, so I send each and every one to YOU!
******
Thank you for thinking of me!
xoxoxo

Jewelry Project 6 ~ Mixed Metal Earrings (Recycled)

This was my interpretation of the second project, Folded Earrings, completed in June, as I followed along in Deryn's Summer Jewelry Challenge. As mentioned, we are using the book, Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet written by Mary Hettmansperger.

I shared then, that they had taken one too many folds. So....since I really wasn't happy with the end results, I decided to take them apart for the next project in the book~Mixed Metal Earrings.
I began by hammering the base pieces of copper metal flat. Initially I had texterized and torched them, so once folded flat, the inside was now the side I liked best. Once trimmed, filed and folded to the size I wanted, brass eyelets were used at the top to hold the earwires. The antique brass filigree fans, bought from The Artful Market, were wrapped around the bottom of the earrings, secured with the mini brass nuts & screws, brought home from the class I took with Susan Lenart Kazmer in May. Lastly, I wire wrapped a copper washer and beautiful multi-colored czech crystal bead on top.

What I learned, once again, if I am not satisfied, take it apart and start over. Recycling is always a good thing.

Odd Shots on Mondays~Not Yet

My entry was taken yesterday morning traveling home from East Texas. Is that driving rain on our truck windshield? No, not yet. But, Hurricane Gustav IS expected to travel into East Texas; just south of my father-in-law's house in Linden, Texas. We had made plans to go there prior to the storm development. Needless to say, it was a very quick trip.

So what IS that on the windshield? We call them "love bugs". They are anything but. They cause a real mess on vehicle grills, mirrors, AND windshields. Looks like my dh has some power washing to do.

Go see Katney for more Odd Shots. All the details are just a click away at the Odd Shots camera logo in her side bar.