Joyfully Crafted

Gosh it has been so long, but still making jewelry!

2010-04-06T22:13:00.004-04:00

This is great for Mother's day for that special grandmom with lots of grandkids. I just made one the other day with 8 grandchildren. The charms are 1/2 inch thick sterling rounds so it is not too big for the wrist just perfect. The grandkids can been seen very easily which is great for that grandmom who loves to think and talk about her special grandbabies. Check out my website for a customized bracelet.
I am also working on a few new designs that I will be listing for ready to sell items for Mother's day.

I look forward to posting more. I have been busy with so much but who isn't. God was doing great things in my marriage. Some of it was hard but oh so worth it. God has so many blessings for us to have if we just do things the right way and not our sinful way.

Cheerleading is over for now. The kids are doing well. We are looking forward to having my two nieces for a week while their parents go to Las Vegas. After that week we will have my mom's dog for a week. And after that I will need a vacation. LOL! We are all missing Disney already except maybe my husband, but he does love it is just ready to go somewhere different.

So bye for now hopefully I will be back in a few days with some new photos.

Stored Closed until the New Year

2009-12-02T10:12:00.002-05:00

Goodness I am embarrassed that I have not been on for so long. I really want to take more time to blog, but lately God has been keeping me busy. He has done so many amazing things in my marriage, my life, and my family. I am thrilled to be spending more time in His Word, in prayer, and in discussion of Him. Because of that I have had only time to keep up with the holiday rush. I have lots of orders to do and I am going on a quick 5 day vacation. I plan to have all orders shipped before I leave. I do have a few I may mail when I return that came in late we will see. They will all be received by the holidays.

Some fun with the ladies from church

2009-10-15T22:22:00.004-04:00

A sample of the donations given.

Wow, it has been a whole week. I left to go to the ladies retreat in Wildwood, NJ last Thursday. I stayed two nights. I do miss my family when I leave, but I needed a break. Not from them I wished they had come, but just everything else. I was a little stressed. I have been working hard, making lots of photo charms, making lots of hair bows, working one day a week, so much cheerleading, and oh yeah I have 2 kids, a husband, and a home. So all that to say I was looking forward to getting away with our church and just having fellowship and learning about God. My dear friend Deb was my roommate and we had a great time. We had the best time with 3 other ladies from our church staying up late each night and chatting. The ladies were all different ages and the oldest two were the rowdiest. Knocking on doors, calling us on the phone, and coming in to our room to chat, it was really a great time. They had me craking up. We ate lots of food, walked on the boardwalk (it was so Hot 81 degrees), and took some fun workshops. We met up on the second night it was a 60's themed gathering. You should have seen the bell bottoms, peace signs, and wigs. Too funny. We even played musical chairs and the eldest ladies were not kidding around! I have to get some photos. We had some great testimonies of what God was doing in people's life. Some shared struggles we all face and we heard some encouraging words. Again a great time until I came home with a cold. YUCK! Sunday I felt just barely okay, but Monday and Tuesday I was coach bound. Just felt better on Wednesday and have been working to catch up on those two days missed. I am all caught up now. There is so much I want to get done I have a home show next week and the holidays are coming. Time slow down. LOL!

Attn: Gold Girls: New 14KT Gold Filled Charm Necklaces

2009-10-02T09:47:00.006-04:00

I just love it!

I received a request to do a special gold washer necklace similar to my flat ring of names so I decided to take the Gold plunge. I have had requests before, but I am a silver girl. Although my sister bought me a pretty top with gold buttons and I said I can not wear this with silver so I made myself something really small and delicate. The 14KT gold filled is not cheap, because it is real gold over metal NOT plated. I could not find it for sale in a thick gauge metal and I just won't make pieces using thin metal. I bought a Swanstrom disc cutter with washer add on and at first I thought it was not worth the hefty price tag of $300.(If you want some more information on the cutter contact me) It was marking the gold when you punched out the washers. At the price of a small piece of 14KT gold filled metal you do NOT want any marks. So you have to put a piece of paper on both sides of the metal to prevent any marking. It does wear very nicely. So now that I made myself a gold charm necklace, I will be a gold girl on some days. I look forward to making some gold girls happy this upcoming holiday season.

Some Jeep Fun

2009-10-02T00:06:00.003-04:00

Chris and Rach looking cool.

He got stuck behind the double flat so he decided to break out of line and he did finally get out.

We were heading to a craft show last Saturday. The kids were not excited, because it was 2.5 hours away. But it would have been a beautiful ride. We could have left them home, but still young enough that I can make them come. So I did. Well I did not get much sleep the night before and I was not up for a super long drive, but I wanted to get away for the day. So I grabbed my iphone next to my bed and googled craft shows with the date. Well I found the Jeff Daniels Jeep show in Harleysville, Pa. Well we had never been to a Jeep show and we have a Jeep so why not it was only a 1.5 hours away. It was a nice day and it did not start until 1pm. My kind of show, late! Anyway my husband cleaned the Jeep. It was funny seeing him prepare the Jeep as if he would have been frowned upon by the other Jeeps. He even ran to get the "BIG" tire put on the rim for the spare so all the tires matched. Whatever. LOL! So we headed on our way. Stopped for breakfast locally at the Philly Diner in NJ. It was yummy. We got to the Jeep show and there were tons of Jeeps. You could enter your Jeep in the show. There were all kinds of catergories, old, modified, lots of catergories. We got there about 2:30 pm and they had some Jeeps in the back going through the mud trails. I thought that was the most exciting part. Lots of hills, mud, smoke, engines roaring, and even a double flat ending with a Jeep rescue with handy winch. They had some food, music, Jeeps. My only want was some vendors selling Jeep accessories and maybe some hats and t-shirts.

Well it is almost Saturday and we might head to West chester, PA to check out Quadratec's Jeep show. Hopefully they will have some small Jeep accessories for sale since they sell them in a huge catalog.

I sure do love him!

2009-09-24T22:33:00.002-04:00

Okay I can not believe I am finding this out right now as I am blogging. Unbelievable! This is totally how my week is going. Our first wedding bands were the same. They were white gold bands with a yellow gold band in the middle. We had them engraved with Matthew 19:6 "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." Well when we got them they were engraved Matthew 19:16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" Totally not the right thing.
A few years later, we both got titatium rings that were matching bands.
Than in July 08, I took a class and made rings for both of us out of silver. He was not there so I sized it bigger than mine and it was a little loose. He ended up loosing it in his car. So I had promised to make him a ring but you know how that goes. I am always too busy. I will do it later. My family hardly ever gets jewelry gifts. LOL!
Well I have been busy lately but I was soldering and I thought I am in the mood to make a ring too! So I quick googled the verse I wanted. What God has put together... Well I should have looked in my bible!!! I can not believe it!!! The computer read Matthew 10:9 so I scribbled it down and off I went. The ring was easy to make surprisely. Sometimes the metal just does not line up right if you don't make them all the time. It flowed nicely no seemed to be found. Overall it was great, except now I am telling my husband. Hey, I love you Matthew 10:9 Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts. ????

Well would it really have been a replacement if I had gotten the verse, right? I don't think so. LOL!

Our August 2009 trip to Disney

2009-09-13T21:27:00.004-04:00

Okay this is a shot of our resort's water view from the main area called the hospitality house. If you read my previous post of how when ended up at Old Key West resort you will know I can't complain. (well, really complain) Our family was the first to arrive. We had a 7 am flight. I am not sure it was worth the early flight because at the cheap price we did have a layover. I think we were up too early at 4:30am because we were tired. It was just the only flight we could find before 7 pm at the $79 per person price. I am saying all this to say maybe I was a little tired. I was whining ALOT about the resort. I think I even teared up a little. I text everyone to warn them about the possibility that they might be unhappy. Don't get me wrong Disney, it is a beautiful resort, the staff was wonderful, the main pool was great, the room was way bigger than a value with a kitchenette. It is just SO far apart. You have to take a bus to your room. They have internal buses but who knows how often they come, so we always opted to walk to the first bus stop and any bus that comes along will stop at "your" bus stop the one that is walking distance to your room. This is a "home away from home" resort for Disney Vacation Club members and it feels like like a townhome and I was not fond of that feeling. You really needed a car here. I think I spent more money this time because I bought so many waters and snacks. We brought them back to our room verses just getting a snack on the dining plan at the resort. If you did that after the parks you had to stop and get off the bus to go to the small snack shop by the main pool and than get back on the bus to go to your room. Who wants to do that? So that was the consensus of our group. We missed the value resort. At a value resort, we could easily walk to get a snack, to go to a pool, to go to the main pool, or even go next store to each other's room. The snack and counter service at Pop Century is huge compared to OKW and it is opened 2 hours later. So at OKW you could get three choices for a food platter and Pop Century they are 12 choices, plus and ice cream shop, and you can easily walk to fill your drink cups. And I forgot to mention there are people walking around and it feels like it is happening but not anything you can hear from your room. At OKW it was quiet and hardly any people like a townhouse. I think some people will love this resort, the size of the rooms, the kitchenette, and the quiet feel of the resort. I think alot of people have a car who stay here and may even drive in with a snacks and a case of water to put in their fridge. (1 bedroom to 3 bedrooms have a full kitchen.
But for us we love the HUGE value you get at the value resort's for the GREAT price.

Hollywood Studios when we wore our made by us tee shirts. Toystory ride was lots of fun. I came in second after my brother. American Idol experience was neat. I think they have about 6 or more showings in a day with a fianl show of a winner from each round. They hold separate auditions for the chance to sing on stage. We waited in line and during that time they do interviews and record us yelling and even chanting some one's name. You file in to the seats and the area is suppose to represent the American Idol stage. The host tells you how everything is going to work with the cameras and voting. They introduce the judges. Ryan Seacrest is played on screen. The contestants come out and perform they are judged. The first girl that came out was pretty good, but I felt the judges were a little mean to her. The second girl had a promo before she came out. They played clips of us in line shouting her name and a short interview. I am not sure if she was picked earlier in the day. Anyway the third fellow came out and he was older and funny. I am not sure if they set up for 2 okay singers and 1 really good singer so the one gets voted in by us. The 6-8 people who got voted in their round come back for the final show at 7 pm. That evening you can see who receives a golden ticket to be guaranteed a spot in front of the audition process at American Idol. Not in fron of the main judges but in front of the pre judges. It was neat and I would love to see the final show now that I know how it works and they play it on the outside of the theatre on a big screen if you don't make it in.

We went to Typhoon Lagoon this day. We really enjoyed it. The wave pool was awesome. A small group of us went snorkeling with the shark and stingrays. Two of the group waited in line and felt the cold water and wimped out. (Ray and Bobby) It was cold, but seriously you got use to it in a minute. We ended the night with a dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming. I really enjoyed all teh food selection from different types of food. Italian, Mexican, American it was a yummy buffet. My niece got to dance with Cinderella. WOW!

We took off in between and split up. One group went to Animal Kingdom which was fun but super hot. Another group went back to Hollywood Studios to see the car show it got cancelled our first day from a quick lightening storm. The last of the group went to the OKW main pool with a slide. My husband came down with a fever this day, but he took some medicine and hung on like a trooper without even complaining or having a grumpy face. We ate at Wolfgang Puck for dinner in downtown Disney and we enjoyed it.

We went to Magic Kingdom after having a wonderful breakfast at Boma. It is located at Animal Kingdom Lodge and it definitely worth going out of your way. We got to magic Kingdom a little later did a few rides and during the parade the girls got their hair done at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. They had a wonderful time. The photo of the girls in the middle shows the Minnie shirts we made for them with crystals. This park is always a favorite. We finished the night off with the firework show called Wishes.

This was our Blizzard Beach day. Bobby, Ray, Chris, Kim, myself, and my 7 year old neice went on the Summit Plummet Water Slide. One of the world's tallest, fastest water slides. It is funny you see how high it is but yet we throw ourselves down it with little hesistation. We enjoyed ourselves. My little neice is young, but tall enough to go on some crazy slides and we just had to throw her down the slide. She was scared on one but was thrilled at the end of the ride. LOL! This park I wil warn you has a TON of stairs. They actaully have a ski lift but it was liek a 1/2 hour wait to ride so we walked up stairs all day. their pool is a wave pool but just bobbing waves not like the Typoon Lagoon which was our favorite.
The photos are from our dinner at the Backyard BBQ. My brother took the kids to the chaulk drawing area to draw The Best Family Vacation Ever on the ground and sign everyone's name.

We enjoyed this dinner. We got their a minute before it started so I would suggest arriving a 1/2 hour early. The food was alright BBQ buffet. The ribs were awesome. Adult beverages are only yucky beer and even yuckier wine. The country band played songs and I thought teh lead singer was really wonderful. The characters spread out to dance in areas with the kids. It is a little chaotic at first until the kids calm down and just dance instead of trying to capture the characters. As the night winds down the crowd thins out. Dessert is just ice cream popsicles.

The last day we went to Epcot and there were not many photos. We did lots in Future world and ate at the Coral Reef. The food was pretty good and the view of the water was great. My brother's family left and took one of my kids back to the pool. We went to the world showcase to eat our conter service in Morocco. It was fun and watched Illuminations firework and laser show. It was good and they had the world there because last year it was missing maybe it was being refurbished?

We had a wonderful time at Disney together.

a NEW addition to the extended family-Jasmine

2009-09-09T09:06:00.005-04:00

Well isn't she the cutest? She is even cuter in person. My mom just got this dog. I can't believe it. My mom is a little bit of a clean freak okay she is full fledge clean freak. LOL! Enough about her let's talk about cute puppies. My youngest is SO in love with this dog. The kids have been asking me for one lately but it just isn't practical for us to have a dog.

Jasmine the puppy has been doing very well. She has been sleeping at night, no mess in her crate, and is just as lovable as she looks. I keep getting a report each day on the dog and I am so surprised by how well she is doing. It has been sounding way too easy for a puppy. I though it would be way more difficult for my mom, but we will see...

I am back from my Disney trip. I feel like I talk way too much about Disney, but if you like it there my next few post will be about our recent trip. *** Also if you know of any groups that start out with Hi my name is.. and I am addicted to Disney feel free to give me all the information. We are already talking about going in December.

Old Key West resort in Disney

2009-08-18T23:12:00.003-04:00

Okay a few weeks back I got the best email ever. A little background: We all booked a trip to Disney, but my brother had to cancel due to money. My mom paid the upfront cost to reschedule the trip with us but one thing all the Disney value resort were full the best we could do was get them in the moderate resort, Caribbean beach closest to Pop Century where the rest of us would be. We called so many times to try to see if anyone cancelled. Everyday my brother's friend who works for Disney checked the reservation to see if anyone cancelled. It was totally full. Well I opened my email to find an offer for free upgrade to a deluxe villa resort. WOW! I could not believe it, but gosh I could not leave my family. But I did a quick research and the value resorts are $82 a night compared to a deluxe villa at $249 a night. I could never justify that cost, cause I do love the value resort price. Well I called and after a few holding times she said.... she would transfer all three of our rooms. What we all be together I couldn't believe it!!! I was so excited I had to hold in a scream until I got off the phone. On top of it all my brother's room received a $500 credit cause they had to downgrade him to a value before transferring him. So Free dining, upgrade for all three of our rooms, and a credit back. Who could ask for more? (Okay one more thing that would make it perfect. We only hope we can eat all together once we get to Disney, because sometimes they can squeeze more people in. We were not able to get my brother's four into our dining reservations because he booked so late.)
So as much as my husband does not want to hear it. I will miss Pop Century. It is my kind of place especially for the price. He loves to go to different places. So you can imagine he is getting a little tired of going to Disney. We enticed him with everyone going this year, we are going to the waterparks which we never did, and now a fancy deluxe villa.
The differences between the value room are we will get queen size beds, 150 sq ft more in our room, a patio, kitchenette(with fridge, microwave, toaster, and paper products), slide at the pool, restaurant at the hotel, and a boat to downtown Disney. We can't wait to have lots of fun. MICKEY MOUSE C YOU REAL SOON! I will be back with photos.

3 more days until Disney!!!

2009-08-18T22:59:00.004-04:00

We are getting ready to go back to Disney. We are all very excited!!! It is 11 of us going again. My family of four, my brother's family of 4, my mom, my sister, and Ray. Last year we had special shirts made and it was really fun to all wear the same shirt. It was easy to find each other and people just had fun seeing us all together. Well we did not plan too well this year. I thought we would just make our own shirts and I had an idea of using a Disney map and taking a Mickey Mouse selection. Well I thought it would be too much work so we made crystal Minnie head shirts for the little girls and me and my sister will have one as well. We recently had a pre Disney BBQ and everyone voted for the Mickey map shirts. I though great I never will have enough time and my brother came up with idea of each of us having a letter on our backs and when we are all together it will spell MICKEY MOUSE in the Disney font. LOL! So anyway this is the photo I came up with using the Old Key West area of the map for the middle, Magic kingdom for the left ear, and Epcot for the right. I will definitely follow up with a photo of all of us. Also I might have made the photo and printed all of the iron ons but my sister has done all the cutting and ironing. THANK YOU VANESSA!

Stores Closed for Two Weeks.

2009-08-18T22:57:00.001-04:00

Cheerleading Season is starting tomorrow

2009-08-09T23:41:00.006-04:00

Check Rachel out in a coach's magazine called CheerBiz from American Cheerleader. (she is doing the scorpion) It is an advertisement for next year's competition. I signed a paper to enter this competition and they take lots of photos. So it gave them permission to use photos even though I had no idea that a photo would be used for a competition ad. I was surprised they picked this one out of the hundreds that were taken, but excited! She is making a real cheer face so maybe that is what grabbed them. This was from a competition in April with the satellite (part time all star) team she was involved in. Tomorrow starts the rec local town team. My oldest is doing cheerleading for that older rec team as well as the junior varsity for the high school team. I am a little nervous she will not have enough time for school work, but she assures me that she will be alright. We will see. Anyway we are excited. We think we picked out the bows for the competition already so hopefully we can order the ribbon and get them started. I get help doing them but last year we waited until the last minute so that was stressful. Rachel is doing well in tumbling has her tuck on the floor with a spot. We are offering classes to the girls so more of them will be tumbling hopefully this year at competition. YEAH LBC!

This is a bow that did not make the cut.

Summer is almost over!

2009-08-09T23:11:00.003-04:00

So the jeep days will wind down. We just love going down the shore in the jeep with the top down. We pulled over to climb up on a jetty to watch the waves and looked back so we took a photo of the our jeep.

But back to school means my schedule will be more open to create new things. I am so excited I have a few new creations lined up to do. I have all the materials, drawn designs, and have practiced in my mind how to accomplish each piece. So hopefully September will be bring new things for the holidays. And best of all I will have my third ebook complete. I am so excited. I have written most of the words, planned out the project, and organized the helpful tips and tables. The ebook will do one complete project but in three stages. You can have a completed piece of jewelry at each stage so three different looks and three different skills to learn. I am super excited and have scheduled time to do it in September. Alot of times in the past year I have let my schedule run around my orders, but sometimes you just have to take the day off to create new things. So after September 8th I will be on a mission. A scheduled mission.

Look at this YUMMY appetizer

2009-07-28T22:32:00.003-04:00

This was made by my daughter Christina. She loves to cook and to cook alot. It was so delicous. It was a version of an appetizer we had recently out at a restaurant. Chef Christina's version: Fresh Jersey Tomatoes-they were so yummy with reduced balsamic vinegar topped with cilantro(we could not find basil) served with a garlic infused whole wheat Italian bread with melted fresh mozzarella. I seriously could have eaten the whole thing, but thankfully I had restraint.

Well we took a day trip to Cape May, New Jersey. My husband had a quick job down there and we traveled with him. My younger daughter went to the Jonas Brothers concert in a LIMO, but more about that when I get photos. Anyway we missed going to the Mad Batter on Wednesday when we just my husband and I went to Cape May. (He had the same job but the computer did not work so he had to go back-lucky me) So if you are ever in Cape May you gotta go to this restaurant called the Mad Batter. We usually visit for brunch and went there for Easter one year, but this was our first time for dinner. It isn't cheap, but we found out everyday if you arrive between 5 to 5:30 you will receive half off the second meal. Well we enjoyed our waitress, we enjoyed hearing the specials and they even told us the prices. I find it so annoying when a restaurant does not not tell you the prices for specials. What if it is some unique thing that cost $150? Anyway we loved the food. I think it may have been my best dinner ever.
My husband had salmon topped with lump crabmeat over mashed sweet potatoes.
I had petite filet Mignon with a crab cake with sweet potato hash and roasted tomatoes. I don't usually like sweet potatoes, but these were delicous.
My daughter had a Caesar salad with Thai buffalo wings.(2 appetizers her choice.)
Everything was wonderful my only complaint was my daughter's soda was not a free refill and the waitress asked her if she wanted a refill. First of all I am paying a decent price for my plate of food give me a free soda it is pennies. Second of all if it is not free refills ask me if she can have it than I will realize it is not free don't ask her I know she is old but I am sure she is not paying for dinner. Just a pet peeve. I will definitely go back again and again but drink water.

Okay seriously what took me so long??? Really

2009-07-27T22:22:00.002-04:00

Okay I am going to put in writing that my 14 year old daughter was right. (even though her reason was different than mine) She had been telling me to get an upgrade. I was a free agent so to speak. I was not in contract to AT&T, but I had an ANCIENT phone. Gosh if you saw it you would chuckle, but it worked and I could easily fit it in my pocket. I turned my house phone into a telephone and received a free phone for the house and it was newer than my phone, but so NOT user friendly. I still can't stand it. Yeah it has more gadgets like a camera but who cares. So I was talking to the phone agent and she was telling me about some different phones and I said well I am going to the mall today which I never do and I will go into the AT&T store and check them out. Well I was looking at this one phone that she and my daughter recommended for me, but they were out of stock. So I said well I really need a phone that I could check my email. He said well you should get an iphone. I remember when they first came out and they were so expensive and than you had to upgrade your service and I pay way TOO much money already for my phone. It feels like a car payment. Well he said it would cost me $105 for the phone with my upgrade and very little money to upgrade to the unlimited media plan. So I said okay that is easy. I paid my money and found out that AT&T does not insure the iphones. I thought great I going to break in the first week. (since than I bought a 2 year $70 protection plan) Well out the door I went and my life has changed forever. I know dramatic, but seriously. I LOVE it! I can check my email all the time, I need to be available to answer question, relist store items, email ebooks, and before when I could not check my email it gave me stress. Now no stress. Okay other fun things super user friendly I never even needed to look at the book. I can look up my map location, directions, check weather anywhere, and solve life's marital disagreements with one click to google. Like what length is the Pocono raceway?(my husband was right 2.5 miles)
Okay so my new best friend goes with me everywhere and keeps me available even on a day trip, weekends, and my upcoming Florida trip. 2 weeks long would nearly kill me with limited internet access. So yea I have the old 3G iphone but I got it at great price and I am beyond thrilled even after I got my first bill.

Look at my pretty earrings and more...

2009-07-22T00:34:00.006-04:00

I had these circles I made out of wire and I had some starfish on my work table. You end up accumulating left overs or unused pieces on your worktable. So I decided to make a pair of earrings to match my beach girl charm necklace. I love them and they are oxidized so you never have to worry about color change due to tarnish. I wore them on the beach and everything this past weekend. I would like to make some for my web stores if I ever get some time.

This was a custom order. I really liked how the earrings turned out. She wanted some shell earrings to match the bracelet, and she already has a seahorse beach girl necklace charm. NOTE: the beach girl bracelet stamped bar is not two toned but all oxidized it is a reflection from the light.

Is it too late to say Happy 4th of July?

2009-07-22T00:07:00.006-04:00

Oh my I embarrassed to have not been on here for so long. Sometimes I wish I could stop time to catch up. Life is just so busy sometimes that it is just nice when you have the holidays to relax and enjoy family. We went to my mom's house for a bbq. We had a nice time talking with my mom's friends and her boyfriend's family. I even got to see my brother, Kim, and my two nieces. (first photo, Rachel-my daughter-my niece Madison, my niece-Ashley) Well what a interesting time it end up being. I will tell you I was on the phone with Disney most of the day I actually depleted the entire phone battery. LONG story short. We went to Disney last year in August and had an awesome time. We got along so well, the kids were wonderful, and we just enjoyed each others company.(and LOVED Disney too!) Well Disney was offering their spectacular free dining again this year and my husbnad was so not into going. We went twice last year. I know crazy but we went with my family first than his family during Christmas who live in Florida. Okay I am making this much longer I just get so excited about Disney. Anyway we decided to all go again this year and we decided to add on the waterparks so than my husband was excited to go and at least do something different. All 11 of us. Mom, Ray, my sister, my brothers four, and us. We were so excited. Well my brother had some unexpected car expense that took alot of funds and they decided with much sadness that they would not be able to save money in time. I was rushing them a little because I wanted to make dining reservations once without all the rescheduling I did last year when we added family members each week.(It started as 6 of us and grew) So I canceled their reservation. Well at the bbq my mom said something about getting special shirts like last year.
SEE US looking so cool it was great and so easy to find each other.

Well my brother started to get real emotional about how last year's trip was his best time ever in life. He was very sad about his family not being part of the trip. Family memories and so on. It really choked us all up we hugged him and everything. My HERO mom decided to pay for him and let him pay her back. Well we tried to get him at the same resort and we could not but thay are next door currently at the moderate resort Caribbean beach. Hopefully we can change him and get him in all of our dining reservations. We are super excited and looking forward to making some new shirts instead of having them made this year to save a little money. We should do them DISNEY OR BUST. LOL!

Graduation 2009

2009-06-28T01:33:00.002-04:00

8th grade Graduation 6/17/2009 Christina CONGRATULATIONS!
Christina won the president's award with other fellow students, was a recognized as a member of the National Honor's Society, and was her class Vice President. She was also mentioned receiving the highest Math test score along with another male student. I don't say it enough, but I am way proud of her. Get them A's next year Christina.
My baby is going to high school. Please God protect her. I am not ready. I am scared she will get lost in high school not literally of course she is smart, but it is not like going to elementary school she is leaving which is K-8. Big difference and these kids today make me feel like I am getting old fast. I know our parents said the same thing but with the technology today there is just too much junk out there. But let us move forward with high hopes like that any moving that rubber tree plant. LOL!

Mini Photo album Post

2009-06-28T01:18:00.005-04:00

I am so behind here is photo of the gals plus my nephew. We had a nice time visiting with my mother in law. She made unexpected visit to NJ from Florida and stayed with her sister in law. From left to right staring at the top. Me, Sis in law-Kim, Mom in law-Georgia, Aunt Doris, daughter-Rachel, nephew-Vincenzo, and daughter-Christina. We had a great day and Christina made potato salad and it was YUMMY!

Me and my hubby

Me and my sis

Sis and Chico

Here is photos of a recent night on the town, well dinner anyway. LOL! We went out with my sister and her friend who was visiting from Brazil. She went to high school with him and he happened to be in the US for a visit. I remember him but it was 9 years ago, so it was nice to get to know him and find out more about Brazil and their culture and do this have this and hey I saw this show on the Discovery channel about these killer shells found in Brazil kind of questions. FUN TIMES!

Happy Father's Day

2009-06-28T00:40:00.004-04:00

Wow thanks for letting me be a part of your Father's day gift giving. I sure made alot of dog tags for some loved men out there. Holidays are very special and it is so nice to be able personalize keepsakes for other's to give. That is why I have always loved to personalize jewelry every since I started this is whole jewelry thing years ago. You know how people like to get tatoos to signify a time in their life. Well I don't have any of those but in my mind that is what I wanted to give people a jewelry tattoo. Corny but true. Anyway with these deadlines of needing it by a certain date it does get stressful, but they all made it in time. YEAH. I did make one error but we fixed that up in a jiffy. I really get frustrated at myself when I make a mistake. I really have the routine down the way jewelry goes from an order to a sealed mailing envelope, but deadlines and lots of orders make it just a little harder. So what is next Christmas? I am getting ready early. LOL! And really I should cause everybody on my list gets last. I wanted to make my father in law some stamped cufflinks, but I never did get to it. We will see him in August I will defintely have them in my hand if not sent before. I promise!

My pretty brown and blue bird bag

2009-06-06T15:55:00.004-04:00

I just received the prettiest bag ever sent to me from Charlotte. She is just the best ever at what she does. Her sewing talent is incredible. I absolutely love it and can't wait to use it. I still have another bag she made in my purse and it is in great condition so I am not sure what to do yet. She makes such wonderful stuff that I did not really need a new one just so wanted one.
I had picked this out recently from her STORE. It is just perfect for me. I like to put my lip liner, gloss, mints, business cards, coupons, and whatever else ends up in there. So not only is it beautiful it is very practical.
Charlotte is a friend I had met online on Ebay of all places. We got to chatting and became friends. She loves God and that is the best thing for a great frienship. She is such a wonderful encourager to me and I am so blessed with her friendship. We even met up one time for a meal in Lancaster, PA. What a neat thing to do after speaking with each other online. What a great family.
She did not let me pay for it though. What a stinker. I purchased it from her Etsy store and she refunded my money.
So if want an awesome bag check out her STORE. You will not be dissappointed.
Thank you Charlotte.

Beautiful Birthday Weekend

2009-06-03T23:56:00.005-04:00

Sunday when the birthday girl did not want her photo taken.

This weekend we celebrated my oldest 14th birthday. Whew! I am getting old. Anyway we did not really plan much ahead as life has been busy enough. So Saturday I slept in a little late. Everyone was already up and about. So we thought let's invite my family for dinner and my mom suggested we go to the Camden River sharks game. So we went to Christina's choice Texas Roadhouse. It was us four, my mom, Ray, my sister, and we brought my two nieces. It was a great meal and they brought over a saddle and had the all the people yell YEHAW for her birthday. No pictures of the game but it was alot of fun different than pro baseball. They play music and do lots of fun games during the breaks. After the game all the kids can run the bases. My husband took the kids down, Rachel took off, Ashley was not far behind, and Maddie my 3 year old niece lost her flip flop and got knocked over by about 4 kids. She was a trooper though got right up and ran the rest of the bases. LOL! Crazy kids.

Sunday in our jeep after church and on way to the shore.

Ocean City's shore view from the boardwalk.

Dad and Rach after playing mini golf.

We headed down the shore on Sunday for a quick bite to eat. We ate at Smitty's Clam Bar on the water where you can just sit outside on stools. I had baked scallops and clam chowder and it was yummy. Christina had fried shrimp and Chris had the chowder and grilled tuna. We had a great time and they were putting up the dinner menu around 4 pm and they had such yummy choices. We will have to go back soon for dinner. (Although it will have to be right at 4pm we drove by later and it was packed with no seats and lots of people waiting.) We walked the boardwalk looking in the stores and waiting until we were not full so we could eat dessert. We left the shore earlier than usual and decided to get WaWa ice cream to take home and eat.

What a wonderful weekend. Thanks Christina for your birthday celebration.

Oh my goodness I am freaking out, LOL!

2009-05-28T00:29:00.003-04:00

It was almost exactly a year ago we came home to our coffee cup spider on June 8, 2008. You can read here. I was going to get the clothes out of the dryer and for whatever reason I looked into the washer. I was not going to put clothes in and thank goodness I did not just throw in towels like I usually do. Oh my goodness can you imagine reaching in to this monster. I could not believe how big it was. The photo does NOT do it any justice. It looks like a baby. It was not it had a huge body and I was freaking out. Ugh! I am itchy right now and scared to do wash tomorrow. What was it doing in the washer??? It may have come up from the crawl space. I don't know but I hope if it had family they stay where they belong outside. We have not seen any bugs except the occasional centipede. We just had the exterminator out last week for a general spray. Well, I must admit I missed the first time killing it.(My husband always misses and they get away.) So I drop the first steel block on him, but did not get close enough for fear of the thing propelling onto me like an alien. It did not run after I missed it just spread out. So I quickly tore everything apart for another steel block to drop on it. This one killed it enough that it was stuck. EEWWW!!! So my husband had to get gloves for the clean up. I think I can pass on doing laundry tomorrow until my memory of the terrible thing fades. LOL!

Sunday's church what fun

2009-05-23T19:34:00.002-04:00

Well, a couple of Sundays ago we woke up late for church. Now we could have probably got ready real quick and been reasonable late to church. I asked my husband about having church at home. I thought it would be nice and relaxed since we were late. He agreed and I said I would get a quick shower and as soon as I was finished we could have church. Well as I got out the shower I was welcomed with my youngest and my husband scurrying around in the hallway laughing and being silly. Yo would have thought it was Christmas morning. I made myself a cup of coffee and turned to see this podium made of 2 card bard boxes taped together and a sign of the events. It stated that Daddy was the preacher and it had our music/song selection, Rachel was in charge of bible reading, and I was in charge of prayer request. They had so much putting that all together. It was funny to see their excitement. We sang songs, read the bible, and really got to talk with the kids in an interactive setting. We had alot of fun that Sunday. :)

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-22T00:07:00.005-04:00

Check out the new lowercase letters that will be for sale. So many of us want to have something different than the uppercase letters. The custom letters sell for $350and up and you need to wait weeks to receive. I have these for sale in my store Joyfully Crafted for $178 the price includes shipping. They measure (2mm) 5/64th of an inch for letters like b, d, f the other letters like a, c, e will measure 3/64th (1.2mm) the perfect size for stamping different blanks. Not too small not too big. I am excited to offer them to you. They were easy to use. Most custom letters do not have a thumb groove, but they are stamped with the letter on the side that you need to have facing you. The letters were easy to line up because each letter is perfectly on the steel stamp. They leave a nice impression in the metal very even and precise. No need to worry about hitting the edged of the stamp on your metal like you might do with other stamps if you don't hold perfectly upright, because these stamps are rounded towards the letter. I was very pleased with the lowercase letters and I hope you will enjoy them as much as me.

It is Starfish time

2009-05-13T18:15:00.002-04:00

I have made so many over the years. This is such a popular and unique item. There are not always my favorite to make those starfish can be difficult to get just right in between the glass, but when it is all done it seems all worth it.
I have so many exciting Beach themed items coming. I can't wait until they are done and selling down the shore. It is almost Memorial day weekend.

NOTE: I had an email from an how to make glass art pendant ebook customer asking me where do I get my plain metal ball chain from and it disappeared in my inbox. So I am hoping maybe you are checking in here. I feel terrible that I could not answer the email. http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Ball-Chain-and-More

Key to my beach house

2009-05-13T12:52:00.005-04:00

Well one can dream right? My new sterling silver skeleton key chain. Coming soon as a necklace.
I have been so busy with Mother's day orders that I have not had time to post here or do much of anything. Although I was thrilled to do so many gifts this season and I hope everyone had a wonderful day this past Sunday. Happy Mother's Day and thank you for letting me be a part of your gift giving. I am looking forward to doing some new designs that I have on paper and in my mind. Just have to get through some orders that came during and after the Mother's day frenzy.

Got to love the Beach in April

2009-04-27T01:28:00.003-04:00

I have a couple new oxidized beach girl designs. A beach girl seahorse charm necklace and my new rimmed charms that will soon be available with custom names.

Anyway guess where I was yesterday. The shore and it was hot. Today was 90 degrees and hot in the house. I feel like it is too early for air conditioning, but I loved the weather at the shore. And for anyone reading this who has ordered something. I worked twice as much today, I promise I did.

We pretty much decided on Friday night we were heading to the shore the next day. It was my sister's idea, she made me do it. She does not know we go all day and boy was she tired when we got home. We love driving to the shore in our 2 door Jeep wrangler with the top down. We drove my sister's 4 door Jeep down so we could all fit. I like regular 2 doors better even though there is so much more room in the 4 door Jeep. Anyway we are late starters. We left at 12:30 and I know this because I had to go to the post office by 1:00pm. LOL! We stopped first in Sea Isle. We rented bikes and drove them on the promenade (concrete boardwalk) over looking the beach. It was really fun. I am so surprised because I usually shy away from doing stuff like that. It was nice though because there were people but not lots of people so you were not afraid to run into someone. So after that fun we headed back to the jeep for juice and chips. We worked up an appetite. We headed to Stone Harbor. We go to that town alot. We walked around and looked in the stores until 5pm when our favorite little restaurant Marabellas opened up. We all got garlic and oil spaghetti. Loved it! We walked around a little more, but stores were closing, because most don't open until May 1st to May 15th. We started to drive home but we all wanted some ice cream. We stopped in Ocean City and went on the boardwalk for soft serve and my sister got a tye dyed sweatshirt that said Ocean City. It was REALLY colorful. I wish I would have brought my camera. I missed lots of photo opportunity. We stopped for a coffee at WaWa and back home we headed. It was a great day. Sun, fun and family. Not too many things are better than a day at the beach.

Finally a GIVEAWAY just in time for Mother's Day

2009-04-12T23:21:00.004-04:00

What your recipe for the perfect mom?
My Example:
1/3 cup of a great husband (Thank God for him)
1/3 cup of unconditional love (they really test this one when they get older)
1/3 cup of family fun (It is those times they will remember)

I will be giving away the winner's choice. The winner may choose from my new necklace, my favorite bangle, snake bracelet, or a set of charms. (The charms will be custom stamped and fit popular European style bracelets.) I am excited to see what my photographer friend Carrie from www.emaphotography.com decides to do on her blog. She has graciously agreed to do a giveaway on her website. You just have to give your recipe. We will randomly pick a winner on April 22nd. Just in time for the winner to receive a custom piece of jewelry for Mother's Day. I am off to list these goodies on my website.

Lindenboro BATC My Cheer Girls

2009-04-06T00:11:00.006-04:00

We went to Virginia for the Battle at the Capital cheerleading competition on 3/20 & 3/21. We had a great time. It was a pain curling hair both nights, but that is the life of a cheer mom, right? The girls competed on Saturday and did a great job. I was so excited until I found out that was only a qualifying performance. So Sunday was the day that really counted. So you could do awesome on Saturday to just fall apart on Sunday. UGH! What a way to scare us for the next day. The pee wees looked so great and really had a chance to win. The Juniors looked great also, but boy they had a lot of competition. Wow! But all we could ask is that they do their best and I think they came pretty close to 2 perfect performances. Okay I copy these posted performance from youtube. I bought the cd but could not upload it.

Okay my youngest is the third one from the front middle to start. She does a back handspring, than she does another one up the right side, bases a stunt on the right, dances in the middle, back handspring, does the last tumbling pass and than front spots in the pyramid. I was so proud of all the girls. They are young and worked so hard to look so wonderful. YEAH LBC!

Okay it is harder to point out my oldest there are so many of them. In the beginning she is in the 4th row 2nd from left. She is an awesome back spotter 1st stunt second group from left. Did you see that pyramid she is in the left group. She gets the flyer up and down and twisted around and back up again. They came in 5th of out 11, and they did so awesome all of the girls. YEAH LBC!

Sharing an email from an Ebook customer

2009-03-28T18:05:00.004-04:00

I thought I would share a question from a recent customer of my Stamping ebook. I hope anyone who has purchased my ebook on Hand Stamping or How to make glass art pendants knows I am always available to answer questions. I love when people ask me questions. I have been asked questions on starting their own business to where to buy a supply they may be looking for questions on how to do something they may have seen in my store. I am really going to try and finish my ebook this coming week on sawing and riveting silver. I have charts to help with sizing and I plan on doing using a few different skills to complete a project. I am excited for the ebook to be released. It will have a lot information to offer and plus I am available to answer any questions. Okay so the photo you see is a new marker that I am trying out.

QUESTION: I was wondering if you know some websites that sell design stamps. I need some a little bigger.
Also any advice on how to make the letters darker with the permanent marker? I have done a few pieces but they are not as dark as I like them to be.

ANSWER: You can try and contact infinitystamps.com they do custom work but custom design stamps will run about $120 and up. They are really good quality stamps and can set you apart from other sellers.
As far as darkening the letters. If you want something darker you can try liver of sulphur. It will darken your whole piece. I could give written directions but you can just read it here. Log in and find lots of neat information. http://www.artjewelrymag.com/art/default.aspx?c=a&id=906 I also just tried a different pen and I found it at the craft store around here and you can find it online at dickblick.com It seems to be darker and more resistant to water. I have not finished the trial on it to recommend them but so far much blacker and stays longer. Staedtler Lumocolor permanent black marker with .6mm point
Thanks, Tammy

Okay does anyone read my blog?

2009-03-05T23:31:00.006-05:00

Anyone? I advertise it on my website and Etsy store. Sometimes if I receive an email from people they will comment on different posts, so I know sometimes it is being read. I hardly ever have people post comments here. I would do giveaways but I would be afraid that I would be the only one here to see what I was giving away. LOL! Well I am having free shipping until May 1st for orders on www.joyfullycrafted.com I do sell alot of ebooks, so I wonder if I should do more jewelry making posts. Like add on techniques to the stamping ebook. If you are out there let me know what you want to see. I would love to answer questions. Or hear design ideas that you would like to see in my stores. Trades or advertisement opportunities, or carrying my items in your store. Did I forget anything???

I think everyone is on facebook. I know so may people who are on that website and can't get away. I have not ventured over there yet. I did not like myspace but I hear it is better.

My new favorite bracelet.

2009-03-05T23:05:00.007-05:00

Okay I am not a big jewelry wearing person. I know sounds weird from someone who makes it. LOL! Anyway I like things simple. I wear simple earring hoops, a simple light necklace, and usually one bracelet. Anyway I had this idea of this bangle with a slider charm and I remember when I first finished it I thought I really like the look of this, but I would hate wearing it. I showed it to my sister and we agreed cute look and someone else would love it with the sliding charm, but not us. We thought too much clanking for us simple girls. Well, I made it as an example for a custom piece. It such a different piece of personalized jewelry. I like to wear a piece if it is really different just to make sure there are no design flaws. My husband and I went out to dinner with his high school friend and his lovely wife. We all went to Scaturro's Restaurant and we loved it. We found out my husband's high school classmate is the owner. Anyway I decided to wear my sample. I wore it the next day, another day, and today. Well it is official I love it. It wears so nicely not noisy or bothersome. I actually enjoy playing with it sometimes, but I can totally forget it is on too! I am planning on making a version of the charm to go on those snake chain bracelets. It would be great I thought to buy a personalized charm with your kid's name or anniversary date to fit on the pandora, chamilia, biagi, or troll style bracelet. My friend has one and I am going to make her a charm for her new baby.

Sharing our birthdays

2009-02-19T23:28:00.007-05:00

Rachel and I just turned another year older. We have the same birthday on February 14th. For a long time it has really been just her birthday, but I have so much fun celebrating it with her. So this is what we did. The day before her birthday she had off from school. So I took her and her friend to Sweet and Sassy. It is a local place here in Cherry Hill, although they have them around so check out their website. Well they offer party packages but most start at $350 and are for 8 girls. I just did not want to spend that kind of money right now with trying to move. Plus with 8 girls it is too much planning and worrying about them that I did not want all the stress. They had a party going on when we were there and it is was okay. They do have the girls sing, dance, and do a small hair updo and makeup. I really like the details of each service with the personal princess for a day package they offer.
So anyway we got there and the girls got their robes on and stepped into a whirl pool for a feet soaking.

They got a full pedicure with sparkly cream, toe ring, and a funky zebra decoration on their toe. They loved it.

Next was a manicure, with ring, and nail art.

Than a full style choice updo with a make up application. Rachel enjoyed her birthday celebration and we added a haircut.

We than headed next store to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. It was me, both my daughters, her friend, and her friend's mom. We had a great time and yummy cheesecake.

So if you have a couple of girls that would love a full star treatment than they would love it.

The next day my family came over for our signature dinner of oil and garlic spaghetti with breaded chicken. And no birthday celebration is complete without Sweet Eats cakes. So delicious. Rachel got cookie dough cake and I got chocolate peanut butter silk.
OKAY the craziest part of the whole birthday was my mom's present. I got nice gifts thank you everyone. Gift cards and the week before my sister bought me an outfit because she knew that I did not have anything to wear to a wedding. OH MY GOODNESS. I forgot we got Elton John and Billy Joel concert tickets for me and Chris and my mom and Ray for July 3oth. It was a birthday present from my husband. I am typing as random as my thoughts. LOL! ANYWAY my CRAZY mother bought me a Coach big pocketbook and WALLET. I can not believe she did that. I will have to take a photo of it. It is so nice black and grey with silver hardware. She really over did it. But Thank You, MOM!

It has been so long...

2009-02-19T23:06:00.003-05:00

Gosh, where does the time go? I do have some excuses. I just put my house for sale. So that was alot of work. My husband had alot molding to put up. We never did get around to doing that for ourselves, but now it is up and freshly painted. We have done alot of painting, cleaning, and throwing away alot of stuff. I was thinking we should have done of these quick freshening jobs before, but we do have two kids and you know how your schedule fills up. (especially when it comes to the choice of painting) I do not think I like painting very much. I love my house and my street, but I think we need one more room to use for my workshop. And of course another bath and garage would be wonderful. Although as we look around in our buying price range we like our current house even more. So we will see what happens. It might not be the best time to sell a house, but good a time to buy one. If it is meant to be than it will all work out. In the meantime life feels a little crazier than normal. Looking for houses and being prepared for showings of my house. I will keep you posted. Here is picture of my freshly painted family room. Don't look at that silly window treatment, because I was asked by my realtor to put something up there so it would not look so plain.

Last Days in Disney

2009-01-23T08:51:00.005-05:00

Chris and I walking to our first film shoot.

Chris is driving the boat and calls me down in the ship to give me a warning.

Here I am getting LOTS of water dumped on me.

I know we just came back from Disney less than a month ago, but I miss it already. It would be great to live close and go for day or a night every two months. That would be a nice way to spread out the Disney fun to last all year around. Anyway the pictures are from Hollywood Studios. I had so much fun at this park. You have the HSM 3 dance show they put on with the songs from High School Musical 3. I love the new Disney parade at HS. I talked about it that last time. The new Toystory ride is really fun, but go there first to get a fast pass the rides wait is over 2 hours long. Christina and I went on The Tower of Terror. We all went on the Rockin Roller Coaster. My favorite is the Fantasmic the laser light, fireworks, and water show with all the characters. I never get tired of seeing that show. Well we went on the back lot tour which I had never done. Can you believe you can go so many times and still have stuff you have not done? Anyway they asked us to particpate in the show. We were like okay and they asked us who wants to do the least work and I volunteered not knowing that meant the most wet too! LOL! Anyway we were to be a movie scene. They us took to put on protective clothing and give us our jobs and they film each shot and put it together with sound to show how they put together a real film. The rest of the tour was great and the ending was really surprisng and fun but I will not ruin it for you go take a back lot tour.

Here is Rachel in front of the NEW attraction due to open Feb 2009. The real American Idol attraction where you can sing, be a judge, or and audience member. You can also be picked to sing in front of the REAL American idol judges if you are 16-28 years old. I guess that would happen on their next tour for next season. Neat! Read more on Disney's site.

Okay I think I can talk about it now

2009-01-21T23:51:00.003-05:00

Okay there they are my Ugg boots that I bought myself right before we left for Disney. I had thoughts of wearing them in Disney. I know what was I thinking. Not only was it too warm, but what would have I done if it had rained. I not only bought them for myself but I bought them for my oldest, my mom for christmas, and my youngest who is only 8 and is terrible with shoes. So this is how my obsession started, but I am better now really I am. LOL! They are expensive!! I do not spend a lot of money on clothes, because my style is very casual. (What not wear to wear would have a field day with me. My daily outfit now consists of jeans, uggs, a long sleeve shirt, and a zippered jacket.) Well because they were so pricey I became obsessed with keeping them clean. I personally would be in a Wawa getting coffee and someone would look clumsy with their coffee and I in my head was like you better NOT spill coffee on my shoes they are Uggs you know. And heaven forbid someone make a quick turn in my head I would be screaming Are you trying to step on my light sand UGGS, are you stupid??? I know a little crazy. Well my 8 year old the one really too young for this shoe responsibility wanted them the most, so the pep talk before she wears them to school starts, when she got home the inspection would begin, at home I would stare at her feet and say be careful your stepping on them or don't sit like that your toes is on the floor. My husband was so sick of hearing me caution everyone on the proper Ugg wearing etiquette that he was about to go make them dirty so it would all be over.
I took precaution by spraying them with the protector. I spilled RED powerade all over the table and thankfully because of the protection it splashed on my boots but beaded up and came right off.
I am doing better at this point and have stopped focusing on the condition of the Uggs. The only person that has a noticeable stain is my oldest who is got the rim dirty from the wet snow mixed with dirt, but we plan on cleaning them soon. It is a big project to clean them with the cleaner that you can buy directly from the company so we will get to it and I will let you know how it all works out.
Thanks for being supportive during my phase of needing to get over already. LOL!

Wedding Weekend

2009-01-11T23:17:00.008-05:00

Mr. and Mrs. Dale and Shawna Adkins.

My cousins Melissa and Tracy. Aren't they pretty.

Rachel and her two cousins. (Christina was not in any of my photos. I thought I took one of her in the baby. I think it may have been with the table camera.)

We had a little wedding get away in Conneticut this weekend. My aunt who lives in Virginia had been trying to get in touch with me about my cousin's wedding. It was only four hours away and the hotel stay was only $65, and I have not seen my cousin's in so long. It is ashame how you lose touch with family especially when they live so far away. My aunt, the mom of the bride, was so happy that we could attend the wedding. She has such a big heart. It was wonderful seeing my cousins they grew up to be such beautiful women. We left early on Saturday around 8:30 am. We were supposed to leave by 7 am, but when I went to bed without packing I knew that wasn't going to happen. We arrived in Connecticut around 12:45 pm. We checked in, changed our clothes, and off to the chapel we went. The wedding started at 2pm and we made a wrong turn. It was snowing too! We walked through the church doors at 2:03pm. Thank goodness we were trying to get in when the bride was coming down teh aisle. The church was so adorable and the service was beautiful. It was still snowing as we headed off to the country club. The food was deliciuos and we were starving. I think we tried every hors orderves twice as they came around to serve us. Okay the next part is going to be a shock to anyone who knows me well. My cousin Tracy had an 8 month old little girl Chloe. She was in the wedding party and you know how that goes you have to actually work. (pictures, dance, etc) Well she asked if Christina could keep an eye on her baby which she did, but I helped ALOT. Chloe was adorble, but she was tired. It was just funny for my husband, because I never take on baby duty. I am just better with the potty trained, feed yourself, and play with others nicely 4 year old and up kids. Well at 8 pm the last song was played and it was time to hit the snowy roads. The area got about 4 inches. We stayed up late in my uncles rooms talking as the kids hung out in our room. It was nice my kids are 13 and 8 and my uncles are 13 and 10. So they had a blast too. The morning came and we went to Dunkin Donuts for flatbreads and coffee. (I have to say when I was there I remembered that I do not recall grabbing my camera from the wedding. We were close to the country club so we stopped in to ask about the camera. They did not have it and I thought okay my fairly reasonable weekend away got really expensive. How could I not remember. I am thinking it was because I was holding the baby. My husband said check your bag. I did not because I would have remembered putting it in there. Wouldn't I? Well, I FOUND IT in the bag that I should have checked. My memory is terrible.)

Us in front of the diner. Also note my husband was wearing his throw back Reggie White Eagles jersey. The Eagles played and beat the NY Giants. There were lots of NY Giant fans in the diner since the stadium was right down the street and the game just ended. It was a play off game and since the NY Giants lost it was their last game. Thankfully we did not meet any overly unhappy fans. We did get a good luck next week, Go Reggie White.

The framed article that as featured in local paper.

Okay I feel like I am boring everyone to tears with all these details. We drove through Hartford, saw Yale University, and was heading to a diner that was on the Food Network's show Diner, Drive-ins, and Dives. Guy Fieri went on a New Jersey tour of Diners We went to the Tick Tock diner. It was really neat to go there and the food was good. We ate the Disco fries that Guy had. They were fries topped off with gravy and cheese.

Our day in Epcot

2009-01-09T12:22:00.006-05:00

Our next day was at the Epcot park in Disney. Sometimes we think about visiting Disney and going to the water parks, so if we ever do that we would only go the three parks instead of a day at each one. I will tell you that Epcot would never be taken off the list. I am not sure which one would I go back and forth with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
1)Magic Kingdom to me is where it all started and is the heart of Disney's magic.
2)Animal Kingdom is a beautiful park that you get the feeling you really went somewhere other than Florida.
3)Hollywood Studios is a neat place where I love the rides, the fun restaurants, the shows, the NEW parade is fun, and Fantasmic the night show is the best. Fun Place.
4) Epcot is two parks in one. You have the park with the rides that is enjoyable. The fun part especially the adults is the world showcase with the different countries. We love to walk through and I get excited to eat at the different restaurants. I still have yet to go and eat in Canada it is always booked far in advance.

Okay so here we are in Epcot and we go two days in a row because our family is scheduled to come the next day. We have lunch planned in Norway with the Princesses. We get in line to take a photo with Belle, which in this restaurant the photo is a gift to you as part of your reservation. (I need to scan in to show you) You start out your meal with a salad bar with the usual and some added Norway flair of cheeses and smoked fish. You choose your entree and I chose the lamb stew which was delicious. My favorite part is the dessert which is served family style and my waitress heard me say it was my favorite so she brought two. Ugh! Now we just had to eat everything on the dessert plate so as to not offend. LOL! It was a yummy rice pudding(for me anyway) with strawberries, flour less chocolate cake with raspberries, and a huge vanilla cream puff.

During the holiday you can find a show in each country to tell their holiday story. This was in Canada which was similiar to our Santa story, but with a few differences depending on the region.

This was in Germany and she was great and told the story of Christmas with Jesus and some stories of Toy soldiers and warm german spiced wine.

Very Merry Mickey Christmas Party

2009-01-02T15:46:00.015-05:00

Magic Kingdom Tree in the daytime from the railroad deck.

Magic Kingdom Tree at night.

We had a magical time going to the Very Merry Christmas Party. We had went before and had a great time. You do have to buy these tickets separately and they have the party on select night from November and this year's last night was December 19th. I was really excited that we just made their last night. I will tell you that if you are staying the week of Christmas you can see the same holiday parade and the same christmas show that before that week are only available to been seen at this party event. The party is located at the Magic Kingdom. They close the park down early and you can only stay if you have the special wristbands it is from 7pm to midnight but they let you in starting at 4pm. This was our first visit to a park since we arrived. We did ride some rides like the Pirates of the Carribean. Really this night is for the parade, fireworks, castle show, fun dance party, and the twas the night before x-mas show. Now we were with other people and I was afraid I was not going to make it to everything. You really have to plan this part with the events being at certain times. My husband was so proud of me, because I did not complain once. I was just glad to be with others and guess what I got to see everything on my list. I was looking forward to the parade and my thing is I want a good spot to view it.(I like to be in the front and be able to see everything even their feet) Now I know it is for the children and I will have you know I will let kids in front of me, but adults stay back. You do have to get a good spot early which means up to an hour before the parade you want to select an area along the parade route and plant yourself. Okay now for some photos. Now do not worry the rest of my Disney blog postings will not be as long, because I did not take many more photos.

Cute Jeana-Marie with a Christmas headband.

Goofy Claus at the eatery. They have a full DJ teaching a bunch of fun dances. Chris and Rachel did the YMCA, cupid shuffle, and many more. What a great time we had here.

Disney castle at the start of their fireworks display. Holiday Wishes.

Cinderella and Prince Charming in the holiday parade. This parade is one of my favorite. It is filled with so much holiday themed floats even dozens of toy soldiers marching down the path.

All of us pictured in front of the holiday lit castle.

Mickey and Minnie during the Twas the night before Christmas show. An awesome show with an orchestra playing the music, live singers and dancers, and lots of character play in the fun musical.

Another spectacular shot of the castle lit with thousands of Christmas lights.

Our second day in Disney

2009-01-02T15:20:00.008-05:00

Okay this was our second day in Disney. It was a relaxing day that started out with breakfast at Boma's restaurant located at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Wow what a wonderful place. I would definitely visit here again. The restaurant was a buffet that serves mostly american breakfast foods with a touch of some African choices. My husband were definitely up for trying some themed foods. We tried a poridge like grain that was served with sauteed tomato and onions. They also had a curried meat hash which my husband liked alot. I tried and was surprised I liked the curry flavoring, but I could only eat a small portion. They also serve a tropical juice punch with three juices that was delicious. We wanted to try Boma's for breakfast first, but we would love to go back for lunch or dinner that is when you can really get a selection of different African foods. We love to try different things and with a buffet it is great to try to a little if you do not like it go back and try something else. Okay besides the beautiful themed thatched roof restaurant we took a walk around the Animal Kingdom lodge. Wow! If I could pick anywhere to stay in Disney and money was a factor than this would be at the top of my list. It seemed very kid friendly but quiet. The pool was beautiful with a few hot tubs to choose from and best of all on the outskirts of the pool area were animals look outs. You could see a giraffe, birds, and other animals. So really neat.

The rest of the day we visited a couple of hotels to see their Christmas decorations. We took the monrail to visit the Floridian which is home to this enormous life size gingerbread house. We even bought a gingerbread house shingle. It was a soft moist gingerbread cookie. It was different but after the second bite I liked it. Later that evening we were going to the Very Merry Mickey Christmas Party.

Happy New Year and some Disney pics

2009-01-02T14:12:00.008-05:00

Wilderness Lodge Tree-each hotel and park has a themed tree they are so beautiful.

Chris wore the I am grumpy because you're dopey hat and Kev had the matching shirt and they did not even plan it.

Here is Christina at the restaurant. Now remember we left the house at 5 am to catch our 7 am flight.
Side note: This reminds me of us our flight we checked our bags at the airport and we were going to the security check. Well the electric went out in that section so we were routed to another area. That area had a super long line so we waited patiently. The clock approached 7 am as we were retrieving our belongings from the conveyor belt and we thought well they have to hold the flight everyone has been delayed. Right? No, we RAN to our flight as the closed the doors behind us at 7:03 am. WHEW! We just made it!

This is Rachel in front of Pop century's Christmas Tree.

We stayed at the Disney value resort Pop Century. This us walking to our room which was in front of the bowling pin pool. I love Pop Century the best it is the newest and the cafeteria is the biggest and it offers slushies (coke and blue raspberry) Rachel is pushing Kevin and Tammy's grand daughter Jeana-Marie. She was such a good baby.

I am going to blog over a few postings on our trip to split it up. Our first day we arrived early and met up with family to eat at the whispering cove found at the Wilderness Lodge. It was a nice meal of all you care to eat lunch of chicken, ribs, mashed potatoes, slaw, and beans for $18. I would have liked a dessert to have been included, but that is just me. I would not go out of my way to eat here again.

We were on in the Disney dining plan which you pay for ahead of time and it gives you a table service meal, counter service meal, and a snack. Depending on where you go it saves you quite a bit a money and you can only get that option if you are staying on site in a Disney resort and have a park package. They offer so many great deals through out the year it is very affordable to visit Disney with hotel, parks, and food included especially for a family of four.

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I have been home for several days. I am just now feeling back to a normal schedule. We came home late on the 27th. We had family over on the 28th, church on the 29th, more family over on the 30th, some lazy days, and my nieces over on the 1st. I have lots of ideas in my head and so many things I want to do. I don't know what to do first. I am looking forward to the kids going back to school only because that will open my schedule up during the day. They do not drive crazy they are too old. It is nice being home with them over the holidays. (Especially because I do not have to drive them to school and we can sleep in late. lol !)

Okay we had a great time in Disney. It is always a great time to visit during Christmas. I will say that it was not as exciting because we had just been there not too long ago. Do not get me wrong we had an awesome time it was just familiar. We did so many things that we had never done before. We had always left by December 21st so this was the first time to stay until after Christmas. It is their most busiest and expensive time of year to visit that is why we only stayed through the 26th. The parks were crowded but not too bad only Christmas Day. (If we ever did this again we would stay back at the hotel with family and maybe eat at one of the hotel restaurants on Christmas Day.) So anyway it was busy but we did not wait long for any ride. The fast passes are a great way to go on the popular rides without waiting. I am not sure why anyone would wait. Usually we would arrive in a park around 10:30 am (we are not early risers). Christina would take all of our park cards and get us a fast pass for the most popular ride. That gives you a come back time for the ride you just go through the line without waiting long at all. Within two hours you can go get a fast pass for another ride and so on every two hours from there. Now the only thing is you might be way on the other side of the park so it is a pain, but my oldest was happy to go get them. She knew exactly where she was going and we both a phone to keep in contact during her short travel. Okay I had promised to take photos but I was good only on the first day and thankfully my kids took some from there. I am just terrible getting photos. We really need to get a video camera both my husband and his side kick Rachel love to take them. We had forgotten the flip video, but that has limited abilities.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-17T17:29:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas. I closed up my store just in time. Yesterday evening I completed and packed up my last order for 2008. I am so thankful to all my wonderful customers. I really appreciate you and I am really looking forward to a wonderful new year. I am taking this week to enjoy time with my family in Disney. We are so excited. I will return refreshed and to an empty order list so that always gives me time to come up with some new designs. I would really looking forward to taking some time to finish my ebook. I have a few different ebooks in the works. Oh about Disney we are so blessed to able to go and visit with family. We are meeting them in Disney and staying through Christmas. It will be our first time in Disney on Christmas Day. We know it will be busy but we are not stressed about seeing everything. We have our favorite rides, shows, and parades so we will do them. We love eating at the different restaurants and since we already have reservation that is guaranteed fun. I am going to try take photos throughtout the vacation so I can blog about how wonderful Disney is especially during the holidays. I am not the best at taking out the camera, but I will try. I will not have access to the internet during our time away, but as soon as I get home I will return any emails.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May God be with each of you during this holiday season.

Santa came to my town early

2008-12-03T14:40:00.003-05:00

There it is all shiny and new and WAY better than my last over the stove microwave. My dear sweet mom and her wonderful microwave carrier Ray stopped over my house to deliver an early Christmas present to me and my family. Why so early you ask I suppose a two week storage and a new delivery day was not as easy as giving it to me now. I am so THANKFUL. It is wonderful so many buttons, a shelf, cooked my oatmeal perfectly this morning, and even has a brand name. We had another microwave ever so long ago from Home Depot with a corny name Ewave. Which means I am going to break 3 days after the in store year warranty. And that is exactly what it did. It would only heat for 2 minutes at a time so that is what we have been doing for over a year I think. No popcorn, no mutliple heatings of food. I know we were so deprived, but not anymore. Thank you MOM and RAY. We love it!

A side note: You can see my lovely tree in the microwave's reflection. That tree was up two weeks before Thanksgiving. Chris and Rachel put the tree up early. They were so excited they went out at 9:30 at night to get lights. I use to have a tree with red balls, crystal ornaments, and white lights. Well not anymore my husband has been trying to get multi colored lights on it for years. Well they won this year and it is a hodge podge tree with child made decorations. It is beautiful but not a show room tree like my other one. LOL!( That attitude came from years of helping my mom. She professionally decorated tons of trees with a million lights and perfectly selected ornaments for a garden center) Maybe I will take a photo of the front of my house with another hodge podge of lights inspired from Chris and Rachel watching HGTV. They are two peas in a pod. Me and Christina were warm and grinchy inside. LOL!

Thanksgiving is just a Memory

2008-12-03T13:36:00.002-05:00

But not a memory forgotten. Thanks to my wonderful and talented 13 year old daughter Christina. Okay this is not a photo of out dinner and no we did not eat outside. I did not take a photo. I know I am a terrible mom. Well my daughter loves to cook and be in charge. LOL! So she wanted to do it ALL by herself. Really I asked if she wanted help. It was just our family for dinner, but we had plenty for more. She baked fresh peanut butter and Hershey kiss cookies the night before. She was planning ahead knowing the oven would have a turkey in it. So I woke up in the morning and was drinking coffee and preparing to fill some custom orders before dinner at 4pm. Well the next thing I see is 2 pots full of peeled and cut potatoes. Wow, she doesn't mess around. Well it came time to put the turkey on and I started working in my area off the family room. I warned her that she had to clean out the turkey before cooking it. At first she was like no way, but I took too long to come and she had that turkey seasoned and in the oven all by herself. Well I will take you right to the dinner table. My husband helped a little cleaning some pots so she could reuse them. So this was the line up Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Corn, Cranberry Sauce, and Croissants all on the table HOT! I can't even do that. I told her most women cook their first turkey dinner after marriage and kids. So HOORAY Christina she is an excellent cook. Food Network has made a star.

LBC Cheerleading FIRST PLACE

2008-11-24T18:36:00.005-05:00

We are having a great season of cheerleading. My 8 year old competed yesterday 11/23 and won first place. My oldest is on the unlimited squad and they did great. They have a fabulous routine this year and they look so good. They won second and only lost by 2 points to a great team. I will get a video of them next competition. We have most of it but a whole group of girls walked in front of my husband as he taped. All the coaches, board members and team moms are volunteer. It is wonderful to be a part of an organization that competes so well and everyone does a great job of giving their time for the sport. I am proud of my youngest in this video she has been working on her round off back hand spring for awhile. She did it very well for this performance so I am happy for her. She finally has the confidence to do it without any hesitation. Thank you Courtney. She is her tumbling instructor who has been practicing with her each week.

I said I would do it!

2008-11-16T23:20:00.006-05:00

My sister was hosting a baby shower for a friend. She asked me to make her something for the soon to be mommy. I have been very busy with holiday orders and cheerleading. I take all names from orders and copy and paste them on to my order list to prevent any typos. I promised my sister I would do it and now it was Saturday night and I still had not made her anything. I had my nieces over, a friend, and I was rolling my youngest hair in curlers for the big competition on Sunday morning. Okay and the theme of the baby shower was butterflies and rainbows. Soon to be mommy likes butterflies and my sister's joke with her was life is not rainbows and butterflies. The time was 11:59 pm Saturday evening and still no gift has been created. I could not think of what to make. This is no time for a designer's block. I thought a butterlfy cutout or a butterfly soldered on with the baby's name. Well I came up with a butterfly shaped pendant. Right before I stamped I thought was it Lily instead of Lilly??? Well I looked at what I typed when I was on the phone with my sister no Lilly is what it said. I called my sister at 1:20 am right before I stamped it. Can you believe she did NOT answer? Well there I went and stamped it oh so proudly with Lilly Grace. I loved how it turned out. Ok I think you know where I am going with this. I called my sister in the morning and it was Lily. UGH! can you believe it. Thankfully, I can fix it, but darn it. LOL!

Crazy Cheer Season

2008-11-02T15:33:00.005-05:00

I do not why I agreed to make all the bows for each team this year, but I did. LOL! How many bows are you wondering, it is 160 bows. I had some help and thank you to those that helped. I ordered the wrong size ribbon so that set me back a little. Well more than a little like 3 weeks. So I was freaking out a little as the deadline approached. It has been hard to fit into my schedule, but I am almost done. I have them all made for our first competition (11/9) except for trimming some ends and attaching ponytails, but for the most they are done. I have 24 more to do next week, but I do not need them until 11/16. YEAH! So here is a yucky photo I just snapped of some of the bows. I have 4 full bags of them 134 in all. My daughter is wearing one of the bows with the original thinner ribbon, but I sent that back to get the wider ribbon. So back to making some new jewelry designs instead of bows.

HSM3 High School Musical 3 is coming out soon!

2008-10-12T18:24:00.005-04:00

Okay is this what happens when you get older? You just get goofier by the year. I am so excited for HSM3 to come out on October 24th. Okay if you do not about the movie. It is a musical from Disney about school kids. The first one aired on the Disney channel which I do not have, so I did not see that one until it was out on DVD. The second one was just okay and it came out on DVD. The third one senior year is coming out on the big screen (10-24-08) so it has to be the best by far. Disney will go all out for this one I just know it. Anyway back to me being too excited for this movie to come out.(Yes more than my kids) I received an email from Disney about the release and that I could buy tickets before to secure a spot on opening night. Well that is exactly what I did. We are all scheduled to go Friday October 24th to see HSM3 on the big screen. (Even my husband agreed to go with us girls LOL!) I just had to make some jewelry to sell online on Ebay for this joyous event. The boutique group I belong to the Lil Peas on Ebay is having a HaPea Holidays launch this Tuesday and this is what I will be auctioning off. I am going to have a reserve because I will just keep it if it does not get some decent bids. It will be a great personalized gift. Bracelet features a custom name charm and the necklace features a whole other side to have custom stamped with your choice text. Okay back to me being goofy, maybe I just like musicals plus it is good wholesome show so hard to find nowadays.

Getting ready for the holidays

2008-10-12T18:01:00.010-04:00

New sterling photo charm just listed in my Etsy store and soon on my website. It is great holiday gift. It will soon be available in a bracelet too! My personal favorite. It is nice heavy photo charm originally created by me and will hold a photo to treasure and even better it is totally waterproof.

Another new item for the holidays a four side sterling bar that you can have custom stamped with text or names. Something simple to wear everyday. I really like how this one turned out and so will you for yourself and to give as a gift.

I am still planning on finishing me ebook soon. I already had some holiday orders come in, but what is really holding me up is I have been working 3 days a week. It is only temporary while someone is out with an injury. I usually only work 1 day a week, so with my added cheerleading schedule with the kids it does not leave me with extra time for my ebook. It also has to be just the right time of day for photos and my schedule has to be cleared. If everything works out I might just say forget about everything for one day just to get some good photos taken. After that it will be out in no time.

Soon I will be posting the hairbows I will be making for the cheerleading squads. I have no idea how I will finish them. I had a mix up with the ribbon size so I will not have the right ribbon until next week and the first competition is the second Saturday of November. Okay as I typed that I started to panic. We have 160 girls all together on all the squads. I think I will be showing them how to do it. They are already going to help cut the ribbons, glue them together, angle and burn the ends so they do not fray. Next assemble them and glue the middle ribbon over the rubber band. Oh my goodness!

Some favorite photos.

2008-09-25T23:43:00.008-04:00

Okay this is classic photo. The Disney photo guy was kind enough to take a photo with our camera as well.

This was at MGM's 50's Prime Time Cafe. Our waitress was so great. She told us no elbows on the table and to eat our vegtables, but she was kind to us as only a mother would be. You would have fun at this neat restaurant.

Rachel is on right in orange and my neice Ashley is on the left. This was at MGM's new Toystory interactive parade. I loved it! It was fun but different than the other parades that I love. They completely stopped in a few locations for a long time. It was kind of like a dance and sing a long parade and I had a great time too! They get all the kids involved in the parade.

Okay who does not like a picture with a princess. We did not see many up close, but we waited to see Snow White. All the girls love those princesses even my oldest had fun.

Okay my youngest neice is almost three. She was not afraid of the characters, but when a girl like Mary Poppins or Alice came around, she was like Mommy they are so pretty. LOL! She cracked me up.

Oh my goodness! It has been so long.

2008-09-25T23:08:00.004-04:00

Check us out in our cool shirts from TheTieDyeGirl. Wow! It has been forever since I posted. I am so sorry. I came home from vacation and I was searching the Internet for information on Christmas day at Disney. (By the way if you have any advice I would love to hear about it.) Well, I got spyware on my main computer. It has been such a pain. I do not get why mean people create such ugly viruses. I do not know what satisfaction they can possibly get from ruining my computer. Thankfully I have a laptop, so I have been able to communicate and receive orders, but I did not have access to my photos, camera, photo editing software, and lots of other stuff that you don't realize you use everyday. Well, I am back up and running. It was a fun time being away, but I missed making jewelry. I look forward to creating some new pieces. It was nice to come home and have time to get some new things done, but than I could not take photos of it. LOL! Also when we came home our van stopped working. So we had only one vehicle and with two girls in cheerleading going different places at different time. Needless to say we needed to get a vehicle quick. We did not want a car payment, so my husband searched and searched for used vehicle. Ugh! There was nothing to be found except for yucky cars for way too much money. We thankfully finally found a decent Jeep Cherokee for a decent price and great condition considering the age. So hopefully we will get a few years out it. So anyway I am back on my blog and hopefully will be showcasing some new designs here for holidays orders.

Look what I made for myself! Also a tale about the cranky crafter!

2008-08-29T22:07:00.016-04:00

I made a Mickey and Minnie charm bracelet. I cut out two mickey heads and a heart by hand from sterling silver. I hand cut a bow for Minnie and soldered it on. I was so excited to actually make myself something. I never do that. I decided to oxidize the whole bracelet. I did not want any beads on it but I might add some more charms in the future. I guess that is how you get started with a few charms to having a bunch of special charms. I might also just leave it only for Mickey and Minnie. It makes me smile.

Okay the next subject at hand is the cranky crafter. I asked my sister if she wanted to help make autograph books special for the girls. She was more than happy to help. I knew only I could actually do anything on it and help pick out the goodies since I was paying for it. But no kids allowed. You can watch but please do not ask to touch. He He! Well my daughter was fine just watching, but boy she was singing alot last night and that was messing with my sister's creativity. She kept telling her to stop singing the same song.(you know how you just get that song stuck in your head) I told my sister she was the cranky crafter and she swears she is just intense. A little bit of perfectionist is in all of us. We get that from our mom. Well I loved the way they turned out. A trip to the craft store to get some sketch pads, ribbon, glue, paper and stickers and you will be on your way to a beautiful autograph/photo book too! (On hand supplies were Swarovski flatback crystals and glitter glue) They look so much better in person with their sparkly crystals and 3-d stickers. I might have to get some better photos. Thanks for letting me share, especially my bracelet. Which book is your favorite???

Vacation notice and new photos

2008-08-23T23:57:00.008-04:00

I will be closing my website and my Etsy store late Tuesday August 26th. So that is the last day to place any orders. I thought about leaving my Etsy store open during my absence, because I have seen other sellers doing this. But I think it would drive me crazy. I usually have my orders mailed out within 7-10 days of receiving payment and any details or photos. The thought of extending that time to 3 weeks because of my vacation would make me feel tense for sure. So I will reopen my stores on Tuesday September 9th. I am only leaving for a week, but I have to give myself time to get my current orders complete and get ready. I have a list here to do already. I am excited to be off for a week, but I do not like closing my store. I love what I do and I love creating all the custom pieces for each person. I will miss being a part of all even if it is only for just a little bit. I have lots to list when I come back from vacation. All around I have a full plate when I return. I want to finish my ebook. I have my only craft show of the year on September 20th. (I am not ready yet!) The kids go back to school. They also have started cheerleading so that is four nights a week between the two of them. Okay I am making myself have a panic attack. LOL! Let me just get through next week and go have fun for a week.

I made this for a friend to represent her daughter's cheerleading team. It is hand cut from sterling and stamped with the letters MOM.

I made this special for a customer and will be offering it in my Etsy store when I come back. Stamped with names and birth dates.

I hand cut this from sterling silver. I had ready made hearts but they are too thin. I will get some custom sterling shapes made when I come back from thick sterling.

I made this for fun. I had made a bird house before so I why not a dog house.

I will get time one of these days.

2008-08-23T23:43:00.006-04:00

I made this ring for a friend of mine. Actually she makes jewelry too! Can you believe it and we are still friends. LOL! I joke because so many people copy each other and compete instead of being happy for one another for being sucessful. Well she is great person and I had been wanting to make her one for awhile. I finally got some time a few weeks back and I made it. She took these photos for me and sent them my way. Thanks Erin! Check out her blog on the right The Vintage Pearl. She is a wonderful photographer and has so many fun photos of her family. I took pictures as I was making it for my new riveting ebook that I have been trying to finish for awhile. Life is so busy anymore and I feel like I run out of time every week. The day I made this I ran out of sunlight so I was unable to get all the photos for this project from start to finish. I guess I will have to make myself a ring. Hopefully soon!

Look at my new t-shirts

2008-08-23T23:35:00.003-04:00

Okay can you tell I love Disney! Well I had been looking for a neat shirt idea for a group to wear to Disney. I always found cute stuff for kids, but I never found anything that guys could wear also. Well I found these on Etsy and she made them all for me at the last minute. She was so easy to work with and I should be getting them on my doorstep anyday this upcoming week. I can't wait to post a photo of everyone wearing them. Check out her store THE TIE DYE GIRL.

I was on TV!!!

2008-08-12T00:28:00.007-04:00

Well kind of. I am excited nonetheless. I sell my ebooks on youcanmakethis It has been an unbelievable inspiration for me to share with others. Everyone at YCMT.com has been so encouraging and supportive. Well a few weeks ago, Kim from YCMT.com called me and left a message on my answering machine. Well I could not believe I had missed it. She was like a celebrity to me. Anyway she did not leave her number and I just had to talk to her. So I used my handy *69 for the last incoming call, because yes I have no caller ID. I spoke with her and she asked me if I would consider making a hand stamped necklace for an upcoming TV promo. I was like YES! Well it aired today and I saw my necklace on TV so that counts right? They did not point out my necklace, but I am totally honored and grateful she chose me to participate. YCMT.com is promoting my ebook from her frontpage. You can also see the youcanmakethis.com video clip HERE from the TV program Good Things Utah. (Just wait for the 12 second ad to play) It was a fun little show spot for all the awesome Ebooks you can get on that website. You can see my necklace on the model around minute 2:50. Mallory is wearing it on the right. I took a quick photo of her necklace before I mailed it off. I have a custom on sale in my Etsy store. I call it my Hot Pink Lady. They asked for hot pink and that is what they received. I guess to match her shirt and skirt. Thank you Good things Utah! Youcanmakethis.com is an awesome place to buy ebooks on a variety of subjects. Kim, it was great talking with you and thanks for choosing me. And a super big thanks to all the people who buy my ebooks. Coming Soon Sawing and Riveting ebook.

Sometimes you just need a reason to smile

2008-08-08T21:02:00.006-04:00

This was a request from a dear women from Sweden. Guess what? It is the funniest thing. She was having problems checking out so she she asked if she could send a payment through the mail. I said sure as long as can deposit into my bank. I was not sure if I could deposit a Sweden check or money order. She said she would send something that would work. Anyway, she sent me American cash from Sweden. Isn't that funny? Anyway it is so fun to stamp.

Well that brings me to my next subject. I want to start doing push ups to get my arms looking better. I also just want to get more active in general. I know I am busy through out the day, but it is not the same as being physical. Okay so I really have to do that and take a little more time watching what I eat. I do not really eat bad, but I probably eat more of my share of calories and I usually do not eat my first meal until like 2:30 in the afternoon. I am not sure what I am going to do yet. Maybe walking, gym, or just start eating better first. I would like to do Yoga, but I would want to go and take a class. I was having a hard time finding a local class. I am little worried though about getting fatigued or hurt. I feel like I am thinking like one of those famous people that get insurance on their body parts. I do not want my arms to hurt or ache so much that I can not get my jewelry work done. Isn't that crazy? I hit my hand the other day and I got so nervous that I jammed my fingers. LOL! So any suggestions are welcomed.

I am back from NYC

2008-08-06T01:46:00.006-04:00

This is not my photo but an advertisement of the Broadway show I saw in NYC for half price at $61. That means it would have been almost $130 with tax at full price. Okay let me start at that beginning. I got up very early on Saturday to meet up with my friend at 7:15 am that is super early for me. We took the Amtrak train in NYC. We walked really far to the Dylan hotel with our rolling bags, so we could drop them off at least since it was too early to check in. Okay we traveled down to the TKTS ticket center on foot. My friend was good at knowing where to go so I had not a worry and did not even look at a street sign. So Grease had an opening for a 3rd and 4th row single seat one right behind the other. So if you are ever in NYC between 10-2 pm they sell tickets that are left over for half price. So if you do not mind taking a chance you will save lots of money. Oh and we found out Taylor Hicks was playing the teen angel but guess what his understudy was on for this matinee. Oh well. So we walked to get some lunch at an empty Irish pub. I had a lamb burger and it was tasty and it poured the whole time we ate lunch. Once lunch was over the sky was clear again. We walked around a little bit before the show. Oh did I tell you my friend walks like she is being chased. YES she does! I had flip flops on and I was starting to feel pains and blisters. Okay I feel like this is so much information for one blog post. We saw the show and I am not trying to be negative, but had I paid more for this show I would not have been happy. Okay I think it is hard to connect with a new set of characters if you are attached to the old cast in the movie for one. This was my first musical and frankly I was more impressed with the awesome Christmas Carol show I saw in Disney last year. (It was unbelievable by the way!) Here was the other thing it should have been rated PG-13. There was cursing that was so not necessary. Here was the other thing that was embarrassing. My friend totally missed this part. LOL! There was a scene where the whole cast was out on the stage and two of them were singing a song on the bleachers while the rest were doing stuff to be in the background scene. Okay Rizzo and Knicky were laying on the floor making out. I was like what are they doing??? Than I watched all the kids pop up in there seat to lean and look at what these people were doing. They actually switched position to have Rizzo on top. YUCK! I finally blocked my view with the guy's head in front of me. Okay so I did smile alot at the singing but I loved the movie way more. Okay than we walked down to Time Square and it was loud, but an experience. LOTS of people and BIG billboards.

We went into the American girl doll store and I bought a wheel chair for my daughter. She has wanted one before, but they were out and shipping is alot because it comes assembled. My friend bought one also and wondered why she did, because of it's size. The AMG place held it for us as we walked around town. My feet were hurting and so were my friend's and it was time to go check in. We rested for a little bit at the hotel. It was a nice room with a beautiful bathroom. My friend was waiting to hear and meet her Australian online friend. The Australian friend came to the room to visit with us. She was super sweet and said she would be back after she and her friend did their Empire State building tour. My friend and I went to eat at a great diner near Times Square and I had a tuna sandwich that was so awesome. It poured again for like 10 minutes and we both forgot to bring our umbrellas. UGH! We went into a store to buy some snacks until it stopped.

Okay please read more later if I am boring you to tears. LOL! The Australian girl came back and they talked about period movies and more until 3:45 in the am. It was great to see my friend talk to her online friend in person. They had a blast. I was so tired when she left I fell right asleep. One of my dumb questions I asked her was "What language do you speak in Australia?" Apparently they speak English. LOL! She thought I was too funny. Well I have all my wonderful customers from Sweden and they speak English as well as their own language. So geography and history were never my strong point.

Okay now I had to get up in 4 hours to shower before our trip on the circle line tour. (me, my friend, Australian girl and her Australian friend) It was a three hour boat tour around NYC. It was informative and on such a beautiful day. So after the tour I went to Starbucks for a frozen coffee. We had lunch in Times Square and I had a slice of pizza. Now it was like 2 pm and the Australian ladies were leaving in an hour so we had to sprint to central park. I almost did not make it. I was getting a cramp, my feet hurt even in my sneakers, and I was totally out of breath. I know you are probably thinking I must really be out of shape which is true. But it was basically running and would you be prepared to run through the busy streets of NYC after eating and the added factors of heat and sweat. LOL! We made it and saw the park and they left to continue their travels to Connecticut. We walked down 5th Avenue, bought a book, picked up our bags at the hotel, went to the train, sat in pain, and arrived safely home around 8pm on Sunday. I had a great time, but I did start missing my husband alot by early afternoon when I officially woke up. Okay I am done my NYC story and I will post photos from my friend's camera as soon as she downloads and emails them to me so stayed tuned.

New York City here I come. LOL!

2008-08-01T22:33:00.006-04:00

Okay you might think I am crazy but I am not it is my friend who is crazy. My wonderful friend was going to go to New York city all by herself to meet an Australian women she met online in (ARE you ready?) a Jane Austen forum. It is too funny. Actually I believe it is women and not a man like her daughters says. Kids are too funny at sixteen. I thought it was kind of cool for her to travel into NYC to meet up with someone who is just going to be in the states for three weeks, but only one night in NY. So I leave tomorrow at the crack of dawn to catch a train into the city. We plan on dropping off our bag and maybe going to the ticket line in hopes of getting some matinee tickets for a show. We have no idea what else we will do except plan to meet up with an Australian women and her friend to talk about Jane Austen. I borrowed my friend's movie Pride and Prejudice so I could be somewhat in the conversation. I enjoyed it but I am not as knowledgeable as my jet setting friend. I found out the Australian girl will be visiting Walt Disney World so I will have lots to say on that subject. So I bid you all farewell until I return with hopefully lots of stories of my fun filled weekend. I have such husband withdrawal when I leave him, but I keep telling myself it is only one day.

Here is a photo of a necklace I made for someone from Sweden. It is a thick hand cut sterling washer and it is stamped on the other side with the word Mama and a heart symbol.

My bowl and my contribution.

2008-07-18T22:00:00.005-04:00

Okay so I do not want to bore you with my Peters Valley stories. I will just say it was a great experience even though I heard the fine metal department bonds the least. I think we did just fine. Thanks to Lauren and Karen for the ride down to lunch on the days I did not have my Jeep. Well every Sunday after lunch the Peters Valley staff gets an auction together that is open to the public as well as the students. The workshop teachers, helpers, and even students auction off their creations. You can get some wonderful pieces for a great price for even a better cause. The funds are given to Peters Valley to continue their great class offerings from well known designing teachers in all different art fields. Check out my bowl I won that was created by Alison from ceramics signed and dated. Thanks!

Here is my created donation. I am sending these off to be auctioned off during their Sunday fun. I know someone there will heart
Peters Valley like me and gladly give money to wear it with a smile. Thanks.

Here are our rings after a good tumble. Shiny things are so hard to photograph. I can see all kinds of things in that photo even my daughter. Today I poked a hole in a thick piece of paper to take a photograph of a bracelet. I just stuck the lens of the camera through the hole and at least I could not see myself. Although it is definitely not professional or taken in a fancy photo box, but if it sells and the person loves it than it works. Look at the bracelet to see the piece of paper. LOL!

Now doggy tags, what's next?

2008-07-18T21:44:00.003-04:00

I am not sure what is next for sure, but I get so much inspiration from my designing customers. I had a similiar charm for sale on Etsy. I had sweet customer contact me to see if we could stamp her dog's name and her number on the back. I thought sure I can do that, I think? I knew I had to start from scratch if I was doing stamping and to fit the name. I had to postpone my creating until I came back from my week away at Peters Valley. So this is what it looked like before I sent it off to it's new owner. It just arrived today and Gidgette's owner was happy and I quote. LOL! "WOW. I absolutely love how the birdhouse pendant turned out." Thank you for letting me create it. I look forward to opportunities to practice my skills.

I am back and I heart Peters Valley

2008-07-10T21:08:00.006-04:00

Here are some things I made while I was away. I made some new wedding bands for my husband and I, but I do plan on tumbling them to a shine. I made a faceted stone tube setting ring and some copper heavy gauge earrings. I was away for a 5 day metalsmith workshop. I took my family with me and we stayed in a rented RV at a campground. Our friends also came just for three days with their girls so everyone had fun. I left to go to the workshop each day from 9 to 5. I did have to drive about 45 minutes to get to the workshop location. I would return to the campground just in time for dinner, smores by the fire, and late night talking. My family did go visit the Orange County Choppers shop and forgot to take their video camera, but I got a t-shirt.

Okay so more about my workshop. I did think it was going to be different and at first I thought I would not take another workshop. I later changed my mind. I have learned a lot from books and once you know the basics nothing beats practice. I learned tips and tricks from the teacher and the students. I asked lots of questions. I learned I need more tools. (Do we ever have enough tools? LOL!) I also gained some confidence about making new things. I think most of all I had a great time working with the other students. They were all different and all amazing in their own way. I loved the location of my workshop. It was very rustic to say the least. I had to drive a 1.5 miles up a dirt/rock road to get to Thunder mountain where the fine metals department was located. We had lunch each day at noon located back down that dirt road in house. Each day it's workers made a great meal. Some of the students offered 10 hours of their time to work in different areas for a discounted workshop. A great non profit organization only alive with the support of it's students and others who purchase crafts and attend their yearly two day craft show. I would definitely take another workshop and if the timing is right and I have the money we will go again to a campsite closer to Peters Valley. I plan on supporting Peter's Valley by donating some creations to their weekly auction held every Sunday. They auction off crafts created by students, assistants, and teachers. I was the high bidder on a beautiful blue bowl with pretty flowers created by Alison the ceramics assistant.

Pleasures of meeting new people

2008-06-26T03:48:00.015-04:00

This is a new design that I have added to my store. Let me tell you a story about the pleasures of meeting new people. I met a wonderful women named Linda who lives in Sweden. She ordered a special necklace that she designed based on items in my Etsy store.

She came up with this name necklace pictured with 2-5/8 inch charms, a white pearl, and puffed heart charm. I actually call it my Sweden necklace now. I sell it on my website and in my Etsy store.

Well one might wonder why I would call it my Sweden just because one nice women bought one. Linda writes a blog in Sweden that focuses on scrap booking. It is a very popular site that receives a lot of traffic. She took a photo of her necklace that I made for her and posted it on her blog. I have received a lot of orders from other women for the very same necklace which is why I call it my Sweden necklace. I tried to read her blog, but it is another language. I have asked her and others what it said. She said she was happy with her new name necklace.

Maybe I should call my new design my "Thank you" necklace. I recently mailed out a live, laugh, love necklace to Linda. I told her how much I appreciate her recommending me to all her friends. I have had so many opportunities to meet terrific people from another country. Just recently I have been emailing with a women about some customs she ordered for her and her friend. I asked her what it is like where she lives and she shared some neat things with me. Also, all the ladies that order speak and write English very well. I look forward to meeting more people and making them smile with a custom name necklace. Thank you so much Linda. Read her blog with her new posting about her gift. If you scan down you can see a sentence in English.

Confessions of a Jewely Maker

2008-06-19T00:01:00.005-04:00

When I first started making jewelry I rarely had any of my jewelry on. I know terrible. I would often be asked so what do you do? Oh I make jewelry and sell it at craft shows. They would look at me and kind of look for any sign of jewelry on me. So I tried to wear a few pieces. Now I did enjoy seeing my jewelry on others it sparkled and they loved it. I made alot of crystal beaded jewelry and it was not my thing. I also should tell you it was not my thing probably because I am very plain jane and I rarely get all dressed up and jewelry is usually the finshing touch. I did enjoy wearing my beaded anklet but that was seasonal. So why am I telling you all this?

Well I think it officially started when I made these earrings for myself. I loved wearing them, but I realized I needed some other oxidized pieces to go with my new earrings. Kind of like a set, so I aquired a few pieces that were not perfect for sale but just fine for me. Now I get why people want a "set" of jewelry. I also am starting to get why people want different "sets" to match different outifts. Now for me I am very practical and I like to design that way as well. I now also have a set of shiny pieces of silver. I also have a few pieces that are multi colored so they will go with many items.(remember I said I am practical) Okay so it has happened I became a person who does not feel fully put together without a few pieces of jewelry on, even when I am running out to the store. (I even put make-up on) I am becoming high maintenance. LOL! So I went to the movies the other night. I wore the following; necklace, bracelet, earrings, ring, and an anklet. Wow can you believe it? I must say as I was out I thought you know on my other wrist it would look really nice with maybe a few light weight wire bangles maybe with a charm. (so look for them maybe in my store soon)

Note: I acquired my new necklace design because it was not perfect as I originally stamped the "l" as an "i", but it is fine for me. It is two 3/8 sized charms and 1/2 inch small but definitely there to be seen. So I hope you join me on my journey to make more jewelry for me and you.

Sharing my first creation for a man

2008-06-10T19:04:00.006-04:00

I have a dear friend who supported me so much when I first was starting out. She hosted one of my first at home jewelry parties, she bought gifts for others from me, and she has been so encouraging to me. She is still a wonderful friend of mine and we get together as couples to play games. Well her husband liks to wear jewlery and has mentioned to me before way in the past about creating jewelry for men. I was doing alot of bead stringing at the time and did not have the vision to create for a man. Besides my husband does not wear jewelry so I just did not have a clue. Well about three months ago I was talking to the husband of my friend about his work. I think he needed some encouraging at the time and I said I am going to make you a man cuff. So I asked him his favorite verse in the bible. Well Mother's day came along and it was so very busy so I had no additional time to create something new. It was driving me crazy, because evertime I saw him I thought of the "mancuff". LOL! Well finally I made the cuff and gave it to him and he loved it. His wife says it his favorite thing. I hope he finds it encouraging. Since then I have made a few men items that I have listed in my Etsy store. (I recently made a cuff for a husband and based on what was stamped inside I think she is pregnant. How exciting that I was a part of that news. Well, maybe.)

My Coffee Cup Spider

2008-06-08T17:18:00.004-04:00

Okay, now that I scared you with this horrific photo. Let me tell the story. We just got home late from my sister in law's house from a BBQ. The kids were in bed and my husband comes into our room saying there is a huge spider in the kitchen. I am thinking in my head yeah it is a spider but not huge, but he was very convincing. He said he went to go get a drink of water from the kitchen sink. He looked down and thought I should be screaming but he said it was so big he was in shock and just backed away from the sink. LOL! I love him but he is not the best bug killer. I went out to see this HUGE spider in my sink. OH my goodness. (Side note: kitchen sink was left a mess from making macaroni salad) So we tried to figure out how we were going to kill this massive spider as big as a full size coffee cup. My husband starts to boil water to flush it down the drain, but I just knew with it's size it would hold on for dear life and than crawl out later. So I thought we have to crush it but how it was almost on the edge and a pot is round so what can I use. I do not want to miss and have to chase this or worse miss it and wonder for the rest of my life when we will meet again. The spider was aware we were looking at it, but it stayed still so I thought I will use those steel block I have that I do not use. I thought it was brilliant and it worked. I held a 2.5 by 2.5 steel block over the spider and let it go and it barely fit underneath. So yes, I am a spider killer, but can you blame me.

Thank goodness my children are older.

2008-06-01T23:32:00.005-04:00

I will come back and post a picture from daughter's 13th birthday cake. Can you believe it? Well I can't sometimes. She ended up having a nice day. My husband went out to get her a cake from our favorite bakery Sweet Eats. She thankfully had her birthday celebration last weekend. She wanted to go to Clementon Park so we all went. It was alright. I only went because it was a birthday request and we gave her birthday present to her early. We bought her a flip recorder. It is too cool. It is a small recorder and you can easily take still shots off of it. It take 60 minutes of video and it is easily download so you can record more. It plugs right into your tv to watch or computer. Okay back to why I am so thankfully my kids are older. I was sick this weekend. It started Thursday night just not feeling myself. Friday was my youngest daughter's field trip to Wheaton Village where they blow glass. It was neat, but I used all my energy at the park and was basically useless for the rest of the day. Saturday I woke up with a burning fever. I called out a request for the thermometer, but it could not be found. I really just wanted to prove I was sick, because I feel guilty just laying around. My husband felt my head and said oh you are very hot. Well I took lots of medicine to bring down the fever, but I still felt terrible. I got up enough energy to help straighten up so my mom could come for pizza and cake later that night. My now 13th year old opened her present and had cake and we went to my mom's down the street to watch National Treasure 2. (I went in my pj's and laid on her coach fully medicated lol!) Well I woke up with that pesky fever again today and took more medicine and after sleeping all night I slept again from noon to 5 pm. I could not believe I slept so much. Well, I have been busy getting different emails and such so I have been trying to keep up with them. I worked a little tonight just to catch up. I had two orders that reached the 7 day mark so I stress. I say a week from ordering to mailing. I now I able to send them out. I also got some others done so I will be okay. I am just thankful my kids are older, because I can concentrate on getting better. They are able to do their own thing at their age. Except I was too sick to insist that my youngest brush her hair before playing outside, my husband could care less. I think only moms care about those things. LOL! My oldest even made me dinner tonight. Thank you. She loves to cook. Hopefully I am done with my sickness, because I need my energy this week. I have family coming in from Florida tomorrow. My husband's grandmother passed. She had 95 wonderful years. So I will be a occupied with family and the service, but I will be working at night.

An interview with me.

2008-05-28T17:00:00.010-04:00

Wow. How exciting to have been interviewed by such a creative photographer. Her name is Carrie and she is the creativity behind the camera from Emaphotography. I met her from Ebay and guess what she lives near me in NJ. She photographed my children and what an awesome job. I will cherish those photos forever and the photo cd is the best. So if you are in New Jersey and you have some children you would like memories of than check out her WEBSITE. I have posted a portion of the interview but for more check out her BLOG.

Interview:
What is your favorite all time piece of jewelry? It is funny I have a new favorite every month. I save my photos by the month for listing on Etsy. It is great to look at the photos of creations just over the last year. It changes, evolves, and new skills are shown.

So this is one favorite for May of 2008. Can you tell I like the beach?

Most popular item you sell for Adults? The current most popular item for ladies is the tab charms necklace.

I often create one of kind items for children for fun.
Here is an example.

Gifts? The title hand stamped necklace personalized
with names is a favorite gift.

I made progress now what?

2008-05-22T22:44:00.003-04:00

Okay I took a quick photo in the middle of me packing up some custom orders today. I thought I was doing good. I like to give myself at least week from ordering to shipping out custom orders. Sometimes it is sooner, but lately it has been a week. I hope that seems fair. I did have a few inquiries wondering when their item would get to them. I think they were just excited. Wow I made good progress. I have a few left from last week and they are scheduled tomorrow. They were photo creations and I like to do them all together. I was supposed to go to a craft show this Saturday and I am not going to attend. I can not think about too much because it is such a waste to not go after you pay for a booth. I just did not have enough time to prepare and it is alot of work to go there and be embarassed with little inventory. I was thinking of going to one in June down the shore, but we will see. It has been pretty steady from my Etsy store. I did get a little panicked today after I realized I made so much progress that I am almost all caught up. LOL! I should be excited I have a paper full of design ideas. Now I will have time to create some new pieces. I also want to write my next ebook Sawing and Riveting silver. I am excited about that being done. Hey did I tell you I am taking an awesome 5 day workshop in July. Oh I will tell you more about that later. I will learn so much. Talk soon.

Where have I been?

2008-05-17T01:22:00.003-04:00

Well we had a great time in Hershey park on Mother's day after Saturday's competition. The girls performance was wonderful. They won first, but best of all for all Level 1 they placed grand champions. That means they had the highest score overall. They were excited and it was great way to end the season. Sunday at Hershey park was cool and not too many people so you could ride one of thier popular rides and than get right back on. We rode quite a few, even Rachel who is usually scared. Actually her dad rode one that shot like an aircraft carrier shoots a plane. It was really neat. So I guess this is great time to visit an amusement park and get the most out of your visit. It rained toward the end but it was time to go anyway. I came home to a list of orders to do and sometimes I do not know whether I am coming or going lately. Mother's day was busy, but I have yet to get everything complete before I get more it is great! I am really excited, but really busy. I thought I had my first craft show this Saturday and I decided not to attend, because I was unable to prepare. I had too many current orders to fill. I realized just last night that it is actually next Saturday. I am too silly. I have a calendar I think I need to start using it. I guess because the weather is getting better that every weekend is filling up. I get a little tense when I have too many things lined up, but this weekend is packed and so far I am doing well. LOL! We have a chinese auction to go to tomorrow night and I have to still get cups, make my basket, and go early to help set up. Sunday is church and than I am taking my mom out to lunch for a belated Mother's day. Than it is Monday again and next weekend is filled already. I guess I will just take a deep breath and enjoy it.

Yeah for Mother's Day

2008-05-03T01:11:00.003-04:00

Beach girl stamped bracelet with sand dollar charm, Peruvian opal and pearl dangle. Something coming soon to craft shows and Etsy. What can I say I love the beach. Okay back to my title. I am so glad that Mother's day is almost here. I am tired. I am thrilled that I was so busy, but it has been a mad rush to get so much done in a short time that my back hurts. LOL! I usually try to give myself a week from ordering to mailing, but you know with gifts there is a quicker turn around time. Especially if you are like me and order at the last possible minute. I had a few that came in today that I will finish over the weekend, but I am all caught up. I hope everyone has a wonderful Mother's day weekend next week. My sister and I usually take my mom out to brunch and a walk around to some fancy stores that we just look around in, but this year we have to reschedule for the week after. We will be in chocolate town in Hershey, PA. My daughter has her last cheer competition on Saturday and they give the girls tickets to go to Hershey park on Sunday. I am so looking forward to having sometime with my family and relaxing a little bit. I will have to take some photos to share. Well I am off to bed to sleep in late.

Do you want to stamp?

2008-04-26T18:43:00.008-04:00

I love to stamp, so you might too! Well I help create this kit with all the necessary tools. You will have everything you need to stamp any metal you want brass, copper, and silver. I would have loved to buy a kit from one place with only one shipping cost. When I first started out I was forever looking for the best deals, but after you find them than you have to pay for shipping from each of them. So check out Chris's Etsy store for the kit or even if you are just looking to pick up some silver blanks or other tools and supplies. Coming soon custom design stamps to really add something new to your designs. Feel free to submit ideas for stamps you may be looking to purchase.

Handmade Invites

2008-04-18T22:00:00.003-04:00

Okay my intentions were to have some postcards made and they would be a fancy way to give out invitations to home parties or send with applications for craft shows. Well that just did not happen. I have been trying to take care of Mother's Day orders and have not had too much time to create new items for the upcoming home show that I will be attending. A couple of ladies that I met at local craft shows are hosting a home jewelry party. They are so dear, and it will be a perfect time for Mother's day jewelry. So I thought I have to get these handouts to my party host, but it was too late for a professional printing job. Well I digitally put together four photos in a 6 by 4 inch frame. I went to my local photo print and printed a bunch out for 19 to 29 cents a piece depending if you wanted it right now or come back in hour. I bought some nice paper from the local craft store with a 50 percent off coupon to use a backdrop. I cut the photos up into four and double taped them to the cardstock paper. I had also printed business cards with all the party info and double taped them to the other side. I think they turned out nice for the time crunch and the price. It is a crafty way of presenting your different works to your party guest.

Random Act of Beadiness

2008-04-11T10:26:00.004-04:00

I belong to bead group that exchanges ideas, encourages one another, and do fun exchanges from time to time. I have done this exchange before and it is so much fun. We all had to fill out a favorites list answering all kinds of questions. One group leader will pair you up with someone and you have to buy $10 worth of stuff to send their way. The list helps you know what the person likes and dislikes. It is fun to give, but it certainly fun to open a big box of surprises. So this is what I received yesterday at my doorstop. She so spoiled me.

Thank you Wendy so much for my big beautiful box filled with goodies. I got reeses cups that are so yummy my favorite so I took the picture quick yesterday. Pens, paper, a photo album in my favorite color green, a magazine love that, vanila cream my favorite smell, lip gloss never can have enough of that, and a big focal turquoise bead and my favorite beautiful teal lampwork beads. I do not have any of them but I think now I will have to get more. They are so beautiful. I think they could be used instead of money. I just have to make something beautiful. Thank you so much.

Wedding Photo

2008-04-04T23:39:00.005-04:00

I was just going through my wedding album to find a picture. Some ladies were posting their photos online to share, so since I scanned it here we are. It was so fun to look through our photos together. It is amazing what 11 years can do to a person. LOL! I thought I was fat and now I want to lose a little weight to be that fat again. LOL! We were and are still so in love. It makes me think of our kids being excited to look through all of our photos when they get older. I really need to get a video camera. Isn't that terrible that I do not have one? Video captures things differently that a camera, but photos are beautiful. (except school photos LOL! I don't like buying them) Boy I am tired. I am all over the place with the photo thing. Thanks for letting me share.

March is almost gone already?

2008-03-30T23:33:00.003-04:00

Look at my fishy. It was first a fun piece to match a new children's clothing line. I liked it enough to make another one and than oxidize it for adults. Somebody at a craft show down the shore will love it.

Okay back to my title. March is almost gone already? It is unbelievable. Is this what happens when you get older the time just starts to fly by?

Okay I have a funny story. My girlfriend took me out to lunch just recently for my birthday that was in Feb. Well she asked me how old I was. I said well I have been saying my new age long before I turned that age, because I knew it was coming. Anyway she is looking at me and says you are 10 years younger than me. I get scared. I said please do not tell me I am actually another year older than I am saying. She says NO you are a year younger. So I know I am SO silly for not knowing. (In my defense my younger daughter's birthday is the same day as mine so for the last 8 years it is really her birthday) I feel like she gave me the best birthday ever, a whole year. Yeah! I feel so young. LOL!

Finally completed!!!

2008-03-22T11:59:00.005-04:00

Well I am so happy to say I finished my ebook. I had a lot success with my How to make soldered glass art pendant that I just had to write another one for How to hand stamp pendant jewelry. I have been writing this for awhile, but never could seem to get enough time to finish. First of all the best time to take pictures in my house is around 3 pm and I always have to run and pick up the kids from school. On top of that Etsy sales have been keeping me busy and working a couple days a week and I told you I had kids right? LOL! Well with cheerleading and basketbal there for awhile there just seemed like there was never enough time in the day. Which is a topic of many of my post. I do not want to seem like I am complaining because really no matter what the days get filled with something. So if you have enough time and want to learn a new skill than go to my Etsy store or my website and purchase the new ebook. This ebook has all the information you will need to create your very own hand stamped jewelry with 47 pictures in 17 pages. Thanks for looking.

Strawberry Sass

2008-03-18T21:34:00.010-04:00

I made a sterling Strawberry necklace to match two designers on Ebay. We collaborated on a strawberry theme and the whole thing came wonderful and was photographed and modeled perfectly. Shelly made the adorable outfit and Rachael made the cutest bows. The necklace is a one of a kind creation. I had fun making it and I was please with the way it turned out. I do not list much on Ebay, but I am in a design group called the Lil Peas. So if you are ever looking for some children's custom boutique creations from clothing to jewelry to back packs. You can just search the words Lil Peas on Ebay to find high quality hand made creations made from an incredible group of ladies.

Down the shore in March

2008-03-15T23:06:00.003-04:00

We were down the shore last week for Rachel's cheerleading competition. We have been to a lot of competitions before, but this was totally different. It was a two day national competition, so each team performs both days. That way if you have a bad day you can bring up your score the next day. It was a great experience. We did not compete against another team, but our other teams did and they did well. We made a nice time of it. We got down the shore on Saturday morning. It was stormy day, but we ended up staying inside longer to watch the other teams. My husband even got into it. It was fun to watch level 4, 5, & 6 perform. The stunts and gymnastics they do is amazing. We packed a lunch of chicken salad, so we had a healthy lunch. We checked into a hotel at the Cape May shore. I washed out Rachel's fallen curls and we headed out to have a nice dinner. We ate at a great place called Lucky Bones. We have been to Cape May before, but have never eaten there before. The food, atmosphere, and our waitress were great. You could get a sandwich with homemade fries for $11 or a special fresh fish dinner for $24. We will definitely be back again. It was crowded for a March Saturday down the NJ shore. We went back to hotel and I rolled Rachel's hair and it turned out way better the next day. Sunday we went back to competition just me and Rachel. I did not want to pay another $40 for us all to get in. I know it can get expensive for sure. After the awards we were done by noon. We walked around the quaint shops and than headed out. We often take the long way so we can look at all the scenery. We stopped at a few chain stores looking for a new comforter with no luck. We stopped at Mack and Manco's pizzeria for their famous pizza. It was crowded and I know why their pizza is great. So we all had a great weekend. A nice young women offered to take this photo on the Ocean City's boardwalk. (Wasn't that nice) For whatever reason I forgot to take off my hood.

Awesome book.

2008-03-11T23:00:00.002-04:00

Okay is this coolest thing ever. Yes, it is and I am so excited to see the completed book. This is the cover of Volume III Handbook to the Handmade. I will be featured in Volume V and you can be featured in Volume VI. You can check out the information about the artist behind the book and the artists that are featured in the Etsy book by TimothyAdamDesigns.
The handbook to handmade is a monthly volume of 35 artists and their shops...this makes a great coffee table book. This book makes a great promotional tool to promote your shop and ETSY. The handbook is sent out to each of the 35 artists for them to use it as a promotional tool. Please check out here for more information on this incredible opportunity.

Finally I can see the light!

2008-03-04T23:21:00.004-05:00

I had these sterling silver circles for so long so I stamped them. I was working on a few orders on Sunday so I figured I would use it who doesn't need to LIVE LOVE LAUGH more OFTEN?

I have been so busy with orders, but I am all caught up. I still have to put everything together, print labels, pack everything up, but everything is in the tumbler. I feel like I accomplished so much. YEAH!

I have been grumpy lately. I work a couple of days a week and my boss called me grumpy yesterday. I wanted to say, "Who me?" but I knew I was a little. I have been trying to write another ebook and I seem never to have time to create new things or even order supplies. My husband is starting something new and I have been helping him. I have phone calls to return that just way on your mind until they are done. (Oh and in NJ new law no cell phones while driving or they can pull you over for just that. Ugh that is where I get all my phone calls done) LOL! Anyway, so I am always driving someone somewhere. We are going away this weekend for a two day cheer competition and I need to find a motel. I tell ya just that can take so much time. Oh and we are out bread and jelly two of our house necessities. I need to get with it. I know sounds like comlaining, and I am but I know I am blessed with so much.

Tomorrow is a big day

2008-02-23T17:39:00.003-05:00

I came back to add this picture. She had fun. Rachel is so excited to go to her competition tomorrow. They are not competiting, because they are hosting the competition. She is just excited to wear her uniform and perform with her new team.

I have been so busy lately doing jewelry orders from Etsy. It has been awesome, but I have been a little overwelmed. I love making jewelry, so it is not that. I do not know if I can keep working a couple of days week like I do now. I am working extra right now for someone so I have limited time to get the orders done. I usually manage my time well, but I just have a lot to do lately. I will see how the next couple of weeks go with orders. I am looking for some extra time to create new items that I have sketched on paper. I am also looking to write another ebook. I will be doing one for free to buyers as advertisement for my husband joining me to sell silver supplies online. We have alot going on as everyone does. Life just goes too fast sometimes. It is almost March.

I Had Baby Fever

2008-02-10T16:19:00.000-05:00

You can have your own sterling silver keepsake photo charm by visiting my etsy store or my website.
I wrote this earlier this week. I am feeling better now. LOL! I wanted to post it because I can not believe it. My heart is racing right now as I am typing. I know you all do not know me real well, but I am known NOT to be the baby type. I am not one of those women that rush to see a newborn. I do not love being in the nursery at church. I look at my sister in law at her age with a toddler and I usually want to run. I also do not babysit unless it is a emergency until age 4 than they can stay as long as they want.

I think it started last week at church we had a baby dedication, although the baby was more like a toddler and I just think it started there. I also think it is my daughter is going to be 8 and she is so affection but not a little girl anymore. And I am having another birthday so it is definitely now or never. I mentioned it to my husband and he said before he was excited. I said oh my don't say that. He said he could have another one.

But tell me I am too old. This will pass. I will be enjoying grandchildren soon enough. I am just getting to the age that I can run out with my husband and leave my kids for a couple hours. And most important I will not fit my size 5 family into a friendly economy sized and special priced Disney packages anymore.

Okay so now PLEASE tell me to get a dog or something.

Beach Girl

2008-02-07T19:45:00.001-05:00

It has been so warm the past two days that I got to thinking about the beach. I think it got up to 70 degrees here in New Jersy in February. That is crazy. Well before you know it our trips to the beach will start. I love going to the beach and so does my family. I do a few craft shows at the shore and I think this necklace would be popular. You can check it out here in my Etsy store.

Happy Birthday Month

2008-02-03T23:25:00.001-05:00

Well between January and February we have alot of birthdays around here. My birthday and my daughter's birthday is on the same day. It is fun even more so because it is on Valentine's day. Anyway my life has been busier than usual. We had a sickness in my extended family, but all is better and they are leaving the hospital for a full recovery. Well this week we have our first competition coming up with the new cheer team. I have a lot of bows to finish before Sunday. I still have not had too much time to create anything new. I have had a few orders come in here and there and with everything else it is all I can do to. I have been taken alot of notes so when I do get time to create I will be ready with my ideas.

I did have a chance to make something for my friend who had her birthday on February 2nd. She is really involved in the cheerleading team Showtyme so for her birthday I made her pendant that matched their logo. I hand cut it out of sterling silver and soldered a hand stamped showtyme name onto the pendant. I am excited to give it to her and, I hope she likes it.

Where does the time go?

2008-01-27T00:05:00.001-05:00

I always feel like I have to include a picture with each post. So I chose a picture of the beach in Key West from our trip to Florida last month. It was really beautiful there and warm too. I can not believe January is almost over. Where does the time go? I thought I would be well into my next ebook, but instead I am just catching up on some jewelry orders. I have not even gotten any time to make anything new. It is terrible. Thankfully I have been drawing some ideas on paper. There is nothing worse than when you do get some time to create and sit down at the workbench you are like Okay what was it that I wanted to make. LOL!

I have some more bows to make for an upcoming competition. It will be Rachel's first competition with the Showtyme all star junior team. I am excited to see her cheer. She is cheering with an older group of girls which is nice for her, because she gets to learn new skills. Christina also has been busy with the girl's basketball team at her school. So that means I have been VERY busy to say the least. I have been working during the school day 2-3 days a week and I feel like I am at full capacity. Each week I say I will get some time this week to put my paper ideas to actual creations, but really maybe it will be this week. I will than have some jewelry photos to list here on my blog. Now that would be nice.

Where have I been?

2008-01-18T10:57:00.000-05:00

Well I have been back for awhile from Disney. Okay, let's talk about how much I love Disney. I am not super obsessed, but I can not wait to go back again. We had a great time this year. My sister in law and her family came a few days after us, and it was nice to share some meals and talk on the phone with her at the parks. Generally we went our separate ways. She has a little one so that leads you a different direction in the parks. We did have fun hanging out with my nephew Domenic. I bribed my daughter Christina to go on the Tower of Terror. She loved it and went on twice, and even got a Disney sweatshirt out of the bribery deal. My daughter Rachel was pampered at the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. My husband was against it at first. He thought it was a waste of money. (He is so practical. LOL!) Well he saw how much effort I put into finding a small tiara like the one they give you that when I finally made an appointment at the boutique he did not say a word. Well Rachel was beyond excited and it showed all day long. I asked my husband again if it was worth it and he said Yes! How can you resist an appreciative smiling princess daughter? Well I am back in the groove again. It was a slow start to get back in the designing mode. So I am off to create some jewelry orders. I will be back more regularly and I will have some more Disney stories. I did not want to over do it in one post.

2007-11-25T16:40:00.000-05:00

Okay I have been so busy, but isn't everyone. I have had quite a lot of orders from the holiday shoppers. I am finally caught up. I have been doing lots of cheerleading and I even made some bows for another cheerleading team where my daughter does gymnastics. This picture of my mom, sister, and my daughter is from last Sunday's competition where our girls won first place. I was beyond thrilled for them. It was a tough competition, but Yeah for the Lindenboro Chargers. We have our last competition for the season this coming Sunday. It is going to be a crazy week. We are hosting and there is lots of work to be done. I will be closing my etsy store and my website on December 12th until the first of the year. We are going to Disney and to visit our family for Christmas. We are beyond excited. Oh we saw Enchanted last night, it was such a cute movie. Disney has such a wonderful way of expressing that dreams do come true.

Are you ready for this?

2007-10-31T23:14:00.000-04:00

Okay, it is Halloween, right? Well I have never went to Halloween party. I am not particular fond of dressing up. My husband has went out with his sister before we met. Anyway my sister was havng a Hallowwen party and we wanted to go. We were trying to think of something we could be that was simple and not really expensive. We are going to Disney soon, so we are saving our money. Well we were searching the internet for costumes and I jumped up and said Oh I have an idea, and that was before I did see their actual costumes. We can be Dog the bounty hunter and his wife, Beth. I was so excited, and I think because it was easy for me. I did make myself a pendant that said I love Dog teh bounty Humter. LOL! I bought my husband a wig and he did not feel like the Dog when wearing it. So he went out with the kids to get some supplies for his costume including a new wig. He did really good. It was funny at one point I was like you know you do not have to look exactly like him. We were excited to go and everyone got a kick out of it at the party. We are supposed to go to a party with my sister in law this Friday. I borrrowed a part of my sister's costume for this upcoming party. It is a huge chest to put under my shirt. It is ridiculous, but have you seen the show. Beth is very large up top. So maybe with us both looking in character we will win a prize. I will keep you posted.

What have I been doing lately?

2007-10-30T23:06:00.000-04:00

I have been making bows. You might think well that is not so bad, but boy there are alot of steps. Actually I should be making some right now. It is Tuesday and I need all 42 bows complete by Saturday for Sunday's cheerleading competition. I like how they turned out. It is for my daughter's cheerleading team. The coach wanted sparkly bows and I have seen this type of sequin bow, but I assumed it was ribbon. Well, it is not. I searched for a long time with no luck finding any sequin ribbon. I contacted a nice seller on ebay asking to buy some ribbon and she kindly told me it is fabric. I am not sure how others make these bows, but I cut the fabric and used some fusible tape to iron it on from the back. I fold them, sew them in the middle, tie piece of ribbon with a pony, and cut the ends. See I told there is alot of steps. I am glad I can help do the bows, but it just seems like there is never enough time. I received alot of jewelry orders over the weekend so they come first. Thankfully I have had some with bow making process. My older daughter cut all the fabric strips. I ironed half and my sister is coming tomorrow to iron some more, while I make some more bows. Hopefully I will have time to make some new jewelry items this week. I got some new supplies and I am excited to get started on a new idea.

Thank God for friends like Charlotte.

2007-10-21T23:26:00.000-04:00

Okay will you look at this beautiful appointment bag and tissue holder I received from my friend, Charlotte. She let me pick out some fabric and she designed it. She also included this awesome tissue holder. You must check out her STORE on Etsy. I really adore it! It is made so perfectly, inside and out. She is truly talented. I spent tons of money on another bag and it is a dollar store item compared to hers. Thank you Thank you Thank you I really appreciate it and I will treasure it forever. It fits nicely and looks great inside my brown purse.
So I really do want to thank God for friends like Charlotte. You meet alot of people in your life, but it is not often you meet a true friend. I cherish all of our conversations and our present exchanges. Our frienship in a verse. Romans 1:12 NLT When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

2007-10-08T18:48:00.000-04:00

I am sharing a photo of my new handstamped ring. I have tried very hard to perfect the technique and I wanted to be able to recreate this for custom orders. I think I have it down and I will be able to offer this soon online in custom sizes and custom text.
Gosh, has it been that long time since I posted to my blog. I can't believe how fast time goes by. October is one of my busiest months. I had an awesome craft show which is great, but I sold most of my inventory. I usually do not schedule a show back to back, but I had one the next week. I have been working hard to replenish my stock with a few orders coming in at the same time. I have been very busy to the say the least with cheerleading, my one day a week work, family, and jewelry making. I am also going away this coming weekend with my ladies group in church. I donate some jewelry gifts and I also set up my jewelry display. It is a wonderful time of fellowship. Although I do not like leaving my family especially my husband. I do usually panick a little as it gets closer, but I seem to be really calm this year. I will take my camera this year so I can post some pictures. Well I better get to my orders from Saturday's show. I really enjoy making the custom handstamped charms for necklaces and bracelets.

2007-09-27T18:41:00.000-04:00

Okay, so do not laugh. I know you might be thinking why would I make this bracelet. Well, it just so happens there are lots of High School Musical fans out there and they just might be looking for this special bracelet. I belong to a group of ladies on Ebay called the Lil Peas and some of the talented designers made some cool HSM clothes for all those girls who love it. I listed a I heart Troy matching bracelet. Thanks for letting me share. Also my girls really liked it and are begging for me to make them one. So if you have HSM fan you might want to check it out.

Custom Orders

2007-09-26T15:47:00.000-04:00

I love doing custom orders. This was a request for the new name charms necklace, but with added birth month crystals. I hope she likes it.

I also just finished doing a custom photo pendant of little boy who just passed away from leukemia. It was a gift for the mother. I have done memory photo charms before, but this little boy really touched me today. It made me think of my own life and wanting to remember to cherish the people in it. God is always there for me and I pray for Him to be with that family.

2007-09-23T22:18:00.000-04:00

It is almost Christmas time. Well not really but we sure are excited. We went to Walt Disney World right before Christmas last year and stayed for a week. Our package included 7 days 6 nights in a value resort, park hopper, and the most loved dining plan. We had so much fun, and our favorite was the Hoop de doo musical revue. After our stay we visited my husband's parents in Florida for a week. It was a wonderful holiday. This year we are doing it again. Disney makes it very affordable. We also do not have the extra Christmas present expense for the kids, because Disney is their present. This year my sil and her family are going to Disney, too! They arrive a few days after us so we look forward to spending some magical moments together. We will still spend the next week or so with my in laws and we so look forward to wonderful holiday. We only get to see them once a year, so visiting during Christmas time makes it extra special.

New Jewelry Photos

2007-09-22T14:16:00.000-04:00

Well, it is a busy day here with 2 football games that we our attending with our girls for cheerleading, but I had to come and share my new photos. Well, I met a wonderful photographer. Her name is Rebecca and she is just so very talented and sweet. She had inquired about some custom photo pendants and I just had to ask her if she would take some photos of my jewelry. Well she said yes and I am so very thankful. I do not know the etiquette for blogging so I am going to see if I can post her website just in case someone would like to work with her. I love blogging already. I knew I would, but is anyone going to care to read it. LOL!

First Blog Posting

2007-09-21T23:48:00.000-04:00

Well, this was a couple of weeks ago, but I felt like I needed to start out with a picture. This was the first day of school for our two girls. They are getting so big. I can hardly believe it. They were both really excited and their only disappointment was that it was only a half day. LOL! Do you remember when you could not wait to do something like go to school, work, or do the dishes. Well here is to first days of school and always enjoying them.