tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69459275193983055362024-03-13T17:03:54.489-04:00mommy's dreamTaking the many threads of my life and allowing God to weave it into something that will look beautiful when it's all said and doneSea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-41755393442088167822012-11-19T15:10:00.001-05:002012-11-19T19:08:13.912-05:00Some of my Favorite Things in Blue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">My dad loved to decorate for Christmas in blue...his mom always had blue candle lights in the window of their house in the winter and one of his uncles had blue lights on the Christmas tree. The last few years before he and mom died, Dad changed their tree over to blue lights and it was beautiful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm sharing some of my favorite blue items from the talented artists from the </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/OnFireforHandmade/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">On Fire for Handmade</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> group. Maybe you'll find the perfect gift you've been looking for!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4YlEMTmSIEc7Dj1pdboIJcOzOJPjYwm0Cs_G3kFqmsheVLVKi2b-QrMj7X5wr2f6o6aezKQr3yd81UkLQmGPPDOcxN-teaTKR8j0pxpWUt03cFsAJaIBPfETYgvwbYVfKEqeAQvEThQ/s1600/il_570xN.388240937_p10f%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4YlEMTmSIEc7Dj1pdboIJcOzOJPjYwm0Cs_G3kFqmsheVLVKi2b-QrMj7X5wr2f6o6aezKQr3yd81UkLQmGPPDOcxN-teaTKR8j0pxpWUt03cFsAJaIBPfETYgvwbYVfKEqeAQvEThQ/s640/il_570xN.388240937_p10f%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">This beautiful <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/113070310/snowflake-charm-necklace-silver?ref=tre-2721032053-1" target="_blank">Snowflake Charm Necklace</a> is from Shade Tree Studio. I love the modern feel of this necklace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I collect Christmas churches and I love these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/110926238/christmas-chapels-insulated-coasters-set?ref=tre-2721032053-4" target="_blank">Christmas Chapels Insulated Coasters</a> by VA Beach Quilter. The church in this design looks a lot like the little country church I grew up in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">There have been hydrangeas growing no matter where I have lived and they are one of my favorite flowers. This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/85203114/flower-photography-im-blue-hydrangea?ref=tre-2721032053-14" target="_blank">photo of blue hydrangeas</a> by Janet Long Arts captures the early shades of green through the deep Nikko blue in one picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have long been a fan of Jim and Gina Mahoney's work and I love this sweet <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/104762978/honey-pot-and-sugar-jar-in-soft-white?ref=tre-2721032053-2" target="_blank">Honey Pot</a> from their Hummingbird Studio Pottery shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/52523949/art-birds-canvas-print-mixed-media-wall?ref=tre-2721032053-5" target="_blank">painting</a> on a page of an old book by Kostas Tsipos has found its way to my personal "wish list" this Christmas. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">As a huge fan of the ombre effect, these <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/92307686/dark-flower-earrings-white-dark-blue-and?ref=tre-2721032053-7" target="_blank">Dark Flower Earrings</a> by Becky Helmer Designs caught my eye. Delicate and striking...what a great combination!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And finally, because I'm wishing for a White Christmas this year, here's a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/114316863/cross-stitch-pattern-for-4-square?ref=tre-2721032053-13" target="_blank">snowflake cross stitch pattern</a> from One of a Kind Baby Design.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-76700600620160364442012-11-14T10:16:00.001-05:002012-11-19T15:09:37.700-05:00It all started with the mashed potatoes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Family dinners at our house have always been a little crazy. And when I say our house, I mean my Granny's house. At one point we had 27 people sitting at a table that stretched from the wall in the dining room to the opposite wall in the living room. You had to have conversations by carrier pigeon that year.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtyQzOhndsWCBz6-G_l-bkaeLCuEe29MXvFeX0CeTTuStEo-UznddINdauKK19a8Zbz6D5j3hfc7G1fh5tA4Z_C75sYlPjz44SvINrj5RPJmsfDRuaGEcmOYSfIpLo12WCTmO8wUlo4E/s1600/Family+Photo+2002+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBtyQzOhndsWCBz6-G_l-bkaeLCuEe29MXvFeX0CeTTuStEo-UznddINdauKK19a8Zbz6D5j3hfc7G1fh5tA4Z_C75sYlPjz44SvINrj5RPJmsfDRuaGEcmOYSfIpLo12WCTmO8wUlo4E/s640/Family+Photo+2002+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>This is the last family photo we had taken...three generations all together</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Not that we minded...it was always great to have the family together. We all lived fairly close to each other, but with work and kids and schedules it seemed that the only time everyone got together was at the holidays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And inevitability, there are the family stories that are part of what makes the holidays so much fun--reminders of our shared past that bring us together even though there are so many things that are different in our lives.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOxyGQ6lSvulqyJ3eQQg7-fpC90hOCOqrmjHrijdh3GTn8-UqBlQ0zam4uL6mjTvxMJj0kkwOrw57FUP6Z0oumNtMN2e-car_KYfy77mdcjyhDnUOiyZZYELnQ2aEy4PBTyga8ObuOzY/s1600/Family+Photo+80+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOxyGQ6lSvulqyJ3eQQg7-fpC90hOCOqrmjHrijdh3GTn8-UqBlQ0zam4uL6mjTvxMJj0kkwOrw57FUP6Z0oumNtMN2e-car_KYfy77mdcjyhDnUOiyZZYELnQ2aEy4PBTyga8ObuOzY/s640/Family+Photo+80+001.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>All of us in 1980...well, not me because I'm taking the picture!</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Each month, the talented artists who are part of the Facebook group, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/BeadingGalore/" target="_blank">Bead and Jewelry Artisans</a>, are given a challenge. We are given a topic and then asked to create a necklace using that topic as inspiration. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">This month's topic was "Thanksgiving Dinner" and what an incredible amount of colors and textures to work with! No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, each person's dinner is unique to their family and lends itself to to creativity of this challenge.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">One of the fun things that happened each and every year (well, each time Granny and Poppop had company over for dinner if truth be told) was the conversation about the mashed potatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Poppop would peel and cube pounds and pounds of potatoes and start them boiling on the stove. Granny would come over and decide that we didn't have enough and ask Poppop to peel a few more. Poppop would sigh, remind her that we always had so many mashed potatoes left over, and then proceed to smile and peel a few more potatoes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">It's one of those events that you can count on to occur every time. And there is a certain amount of security in that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So my necklace, as strange as it may sound, was inspired by mashed potatoes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> I found shiny and frosted white pearls in my stash that reminded me of the color of mashed potatoes. I added large and small faceted crystals for some sparkle and then put it all together with a variety silver bead caps and silver wire. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJmseKEGfj2SYagiSMoUSb6bCn8TSb19CeSUcL00YayIeoXREHUcVLRmDUS4otDX96PaTttSMGPUwNPWzywbsWRNQI4xpyD2AuRuXQhCYTbJhhg1fmRDLsHLI97w2nmWbNTpyjUrsrXM/s1600/DSC_0008a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJmseKEGfj2SYagiSMoUSb6bCn8TSb19CeSUcL00YayIeoXREHUcVLRmDUS4otDX96PaTttSMGPUwNPWzywbsWRNQI4xpyD2AuRuXQhCYTbJhhg1fmRDLsHLI97w2nmWbNTpyjUrsrXM/s640/DSC_0008a.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">All in all, I really love how this necklace turned out and each time I wear it, I will remember the fun times our family had when I was growing up.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-45704424897883615602012-10-29T16:38:00.002-04:002012-11-14T07:16:13.279-05:00Kalmbach Bead Soup Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">It's time for another reveal! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">First of all, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">a HUGE thank you to </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Lori Anderson</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KalmbachJewelryBooks?fref=ts" target="_blank">Kalmbach Publishing</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">for getting the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.284179728360944.61018.103062916472627&type=1" target="_blank">Kalmbach Bead Soup Party</a> started! (Be sure to vote for your favorite necklace <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.284179728360944.61018.103062916472627&type=1" target="_blank">here.)</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And another HUGE thank you to <strong>Thistle Beads</strong> for the amazing bead soup they sent me! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The challenge was to take the bead soup we were sent and add to it from our personal stash to create a one-of-a-kind necklace. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have to admit, this soup stretched me outside my current design style. I've been working with seed beads and beading patterns, so it was a lot of fun to get the wire out and go back to wire working.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I had never made a double strand necklace and decided that I would use these pieces to create my first! It took a while to get the look I wanted, and once again I ended up with a fairly symmetrical design. <em>(I don't think I'll ever be able to make a truly asymmetrical piece without help.)</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZAwnqMEFr9IT3WS6TY3YF8CJucQLxrB5N-I_8mDyAQSFWlcl3Ob72ReH2XFqjfv3Xlj2i-mSFAPNRWjkN9HzGGdAoYh_7mRoXASK7SqHfPCpsJXkLm6COwzFyB4ZRe5AIe3O98RlJZc/s1600/Kalmbach+Necklace+Challenge+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZAwnqMEFr9IT3WS6TY3YF8CJucQLxrB5N-I_8mDyAQSFWlcl3Ob72ReH2XFqjfv3Xlj2i-mSFAPNRWjkN9HzGGdAoYh_7mRoXASK7SqHfPCpsJXkLm6COwzFyB4ZRe5AIe3O98RlJZc/s640/Kalmbach+Necklace+Challenge+7.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: x-large;">I have been collecting antique brass and antique copper findings for a special project and this necklace fit the bill.</span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLotEutxOXWzUt3HcxsRSef8z-pnB9ewFwe8VBr_T142WR7WABZu8jsrv8LfGES0noM2IRPLEW15ou5P5SNC4mSCazscv3a1nZylZq2Xof8aoQcAqNi_i796rOS2ipXOX-dgQvTyN3pMQ/s1600/Kalmbach+Necklace+Challenge+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLotEutxOXWzUt3HcxsRSef8z-pnB9ewFwe8VBr_T142WR7WABZu8jsrv8LfGES0noM2IRPLEW15ou5P5SNC4mSCazscv3a1nZylZq2Xof8aoQcAqNi_i796rOS2ipXOX-dgQvTyN3pMQ/s640/Kalmbach+Necklace+Challenge+6.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I love the varied colors of turquoise in all the beads...the antique brass wire set it all off beautifully!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">It took several attempts to get the two strands the right length but it was worth the time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The little antique copper beads and hammered links really gives the necklace a unique feel.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I even had enough left-over soup to create this matching bracelet.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">It was so exciting to be chosen to be a part of this bead soup party! And the next time we're traveling to Maine, I'm making sure we have an extra hour in the schedule to stop in Connecticut and visit <strong>Thistle Beads</strong> to thank them in person!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-11067449282501454222012-10-26T20:14:00.000-04:002012-10-26T20:19:18.739-04:00Pimping out the White House<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I could not believe my eyes when I watched the latest Obama re-election ad. (If you haven't seen it yet, here's the YouTube link: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://youtu.be/o6G3nwhPuR4" target="_blank">Lose Your Voting Virginity</a> )</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Let me start by asking this question...if this ad had been put out by the Romney campaign, would it still be OK? If the conservative right had conceived this idea and ran the ad, how would the media, feminists and the liberals have reacted? With open arms and tongue-in-cheek smiles?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And there lies the issue at the heart of it all--the double standard our media has chosen to uphold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">To imagine that we were shocked by Bill Clinton's sexual acts when he was in the White House...and now 12 years later, the current president can advertise to have virtual sex with millions of young girls this election day and it is touted as progressive and light-hearted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Having been raised by my grandparents as much as my parents, I definitely have a different value system than most of the people my age and younger. But I don't think that changes the fact that this ad is deplorable. How a woman can watch this and not be outraged is beyond me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I have a young daughter and I can't imagine telling her that one of the ads to get her father re-elected is that he wants all the young girls to lose their voting virginity with him this election. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">This ad pushes the bounds of decency. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I feel sorry for Michelle Obama...imagine having to go to sleep each night next to a man who is planning to have millions of young women lose their voting virginity to him. I wonder how many women that marriage bed can hold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">This country was founded on the idea that different ideas and ideologies can co-exist. But even the Founding Fathers had common ground to meet on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">There is no common ground with a man who holds the highest office in our country and pimps it out for re-election.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-78004633359361921502012-09-18T09:27:00.000-04:002012-09-18T09:28:22.149-04:00Old-fashioned Goodness<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The end of summer is always a busy time for me...it's when I get most of my canning done! This year, the only thing I managed to can was my homemade spaghetti sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">The story about making sauce starts about three years ago. I had canned bread-and-butter pickles with my Granny's recipe and tried my hand at canning fresh peaches (which were delicious, by the way!) so I decided it was time to make my own spaghetti sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Having never made anything like this, I knew enough to start with plum tomatoes but that was the extent of my knowledge. So I went to the local produce stand and bought a basket of plum tomatoes and headed home.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">At around 4 pm, I decided to get started...after all, how long could it take? (Cue suspenseful music)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">By 8 pm, the sauce still looked super watery and tasted horrible. My hubby took one look at the sauce and told me I had another 3-4 hours for it to cook down and to get rid of the excess water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I didn't see my bed until after 2</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"> am, but it was some good sauce!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So this weekend, I got started at 8 am (sometimes I do learn from my mistakes!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">After blanching the tomatoes and getting them into a cold stop bath, I had to peel them and run them through the blender. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Then a trip through the mill to separate the seeds from everything else. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Next comes the hard part...cooking the tomatoes down so the excess water can evaporate.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">You can see the pan in the back is darker. That's because it was cooking about an hour longer than the other pan. And yes, those are extremely large soup pans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">These tomatoes cooked from around noon to about 6 pm and reduced almost to half of what I started with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then it was time for the fun part of it all...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I used pint jars for these batches.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Doesn't it look yummy???</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Finally a quick stop in the water bath and then it was just a matter of waiting for the "POP" (If you've ever done any canning, you know the sound I mean...)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And the final tally? 24 pints of delicious spaghetti sauce...free of preservatives and anything unnatural.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Now, if I can just find a recipe for homemade marinara sauce so I can use up the last basket of tomatoes I have...</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-88702136694803918282012-09-17T12:59:00.001-04:002012-09-18T09:28:46.455-04:00Sometimes you have to imagine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have to admit...I am a person who usually takes things literally. So when our monthly challenge was to use dragons as inspiration in the Facebook group </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/MommysDream#!/groups/BeadingGalore/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Bead and Jewelry Artisans</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">, I was a bit nervous.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And then people started creating and sharing and I almost decided to just wait this one out and hope the next challenge was more something my style. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLYetKqBxBmMMIoKvoK9LXPPgxG26pDGh7tewtwVp-7cCmyBQVDVCIqQBArJAKAIOjDWpbOxwWfpyIk1ocaJ4vqD80pS426nxK_QfIdoSF3qQSpoS6eSSUsYRyKlElo1ukifdNiufVyg/s1600/Patricia+Reeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdLYetKqBxBmMMIoKvoK9LXPPgxG26pDGh7tewtwVp-7cCmyBQVDVCIqQBArJAKAIOjDWpbOxwWfpyIk1ocaJ4vqD80pS426nxK_QfIdoSF3qQSpoS6eSSUsYRyKlElo1ukifdNiufVyg/s640/Patricia+Reeves.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">This beautiful dragon was beaded by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadedNature?ref=seller_info" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Patricia Reeves</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> who creates amazingly realistic 3-D works of art.</span></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SnQcAgORzranAjnIjHEh699jys90m-HW30qHKVas5bvElJZLGrrAFYIdbDgC_AgK4cEOMeTgJiaNRpeeWkVDacaTIqre_MgldIWtGAK9e87HLOzcEG7oE0mYWwikSfVTMpb-jMnelvo/s1600/Jamie+Anderson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SnQcAgORzranAjnIjHEh699jys90m-HW30qHKVas5bvElJZLGrrAFYIdbDgC_AgK4cEOMeTgJiaNRpeeWkVDacaTIqre_MgldIWtGAK9e87HLOzcEG7oE0mYWwikSfVTMpb-jMnelvo/s640/Jamie+Anderson.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">This stunning necklace with carved jade dragon pendant was created by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BeadingonaBudget" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jamie Anderson,</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;"> who sells the most amazing jewelry components in her Etsy shop.</span></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FJ-6Gwbls0V2poO7vyTuerU5haITse-0k7CPgEsVzFoA13Gv1R8ERxdeLcDnvMx6cBAfTdz2aBFWx-qYpsazVqo9ByG6xGCCEhc55-r6RLSNSW5TQGqf-0Q49LDvbayz1aqbsxNZlgU/s1600/Linda+Marie+Owens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FJ-6Gwbls0V2poO7vyTuerU5haITse-0k7CPgEsVzFoA13Gv1R8ERxdeLcDnvMx6cBAfTdz2aBFWx-qYpsazVqo9ByG6xGCCEhc55-r6RLSNSW5TQGqf-0Q49LDvbayz1aqbsxNZlgU/s640/Linda+Marie+Owens.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;"> And this eye-catching piece was created by </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/GypsyGemsJewelry" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Linda Marie Owens</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">...she used a hand-painted dragon eye as the focal and then gave it her own creative flair.</span> </em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">But then I remembered something someone in the group had posted that talked about not comparing your work to anyone else and even if you were just beginning your jewelry journey to be proud of what you have accomplished so far.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So I went back to what I had wanted to do for this challenge and that was to learn a netting stitch that reminded me of dragons. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I found a pattern that was actually designed to be fall leaves and use fall colors in sparkly shades, but it reminded me so much of dragon teeth I knew I had to use it. (I was also told they look like dragon scales...one of the girls in the group said it was too pretty to be dragon teeth!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I used 8/o matte seed beads in white and lime green. Usually you think of dark colors or high contrast colors for dragons (like black and red) but I really liked how these colors looked next to each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I'm looking forward to October's challenge...especially if it pushes me out of my comfort zone again!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-76671259620472538552012-09-04T10:18:00.000-04:002012-11-14T09:44:36.510-05:00With either a Roar or a Wimper<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I like a good challenge and I always enjoy the opportunity to stretch myself and learn new things. But sometimes there is a challenge you wish you could ignore but you know that you just can't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">It's actually not so bad . . . really. . . I suppose . . . One of the groups I'm part of on Facebook is </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/groups/BeadingGalore/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Bead and Jewelry Artisans</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"> and it is such a great group of people who love to support and encourage each other. They decided to have a monthly challenge for the group where we are given a topic and then we need to be inspired to create a piece of jewelry that reflects that topic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have to be honest, the idea sounded great when it was first mentioned. After all, I had just completed two blog hops this summer where I taught myself new beadweaving/beading techniques and it was a lot of fun. And this challenge gives me a whole month to work on it, so what could possibly go wrong?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">In a word....DRAGONS.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Not that I have anything against dragons, mind you. My favorite time period to study was medieval and dragons factored greatly into the stories and artwork of the time.</span></div>
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<em>St. George and the Dragon</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">This is probably one of the most famous historical paintings concerning dragons and knights. So much to take in and so much symbolism!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And I can't let this post go without mentioning one of my all-time favorite knight paintings...</span></div>
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<em>The Accolade </em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">But dragons as inspiration to create a piece of jewelry? Have you seen my jewelry? I design with the ocean in mind...sea glass and little tiny beads that reflect the colors you find in the sea...or with crystals that are used to create something romantic and girly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Not exactly my usual choice for something to inspire me...so I asked my daughter for her advice. She loves dragons and has the most incredible imagination and if anyone could help me look beyond my mental block it would be her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">The first thing she suggested was that maybe I could use the scales as inspiration. I've been wanting to teach myself a netting stitch (and failing miserably, I might add) and when I showed her a picture of what I was thinking of, she said it really looked like dragon scales. This would certainly be far out of my comfort zone design-wise. Good for this challenge!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">THEN she mentioned that creating something using red, orange and yellow that resembled the fire that dragons breathe would be amazing. (This from my beautiful teenage daughter who is not at all into jewelry...no pressure...no pressure...)</span></div>
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<em>Toothless from <u>How to Train Your Dragon</u></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">So, at least I have some inspiration to get started with this challenge...and a whole month to work on it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Wish me luck!</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-59408005425870105932012-08-31T23:24:00.000-04:002012-08-31T23:24:51.513-04:00Challenge of Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">While I was browsing on Facebook several months ago, I stumbled across a post that mentioned a blog hop that was themed around using countries as inspiration for creating jewelry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I knew I had to choose Norway as my inspiration, in part because it is a beautiful country but also because it is part of my heritage.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX5FQ8bkWyjHeYqo6d6IwazH6k-opK_H80lVkaymds3BkWV27tzxUZ3tEofYoYwN14JPy6uR01v9_Q9DRNYElL3qtZ8X8ooadQJRU1t7RcU2TL1s7r9-2fMSP-_jFDiE6x5mynQc2wfA/s1600/800px-Flag_of_Norway.svg%5B1%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbX5FQ8bkWyjHeYqo6d6IwazH6k-opK_H80lVkaymds3BkWV27tzxUZ3tEofYoYwN14JPy6uR01v9_Q9DRNYElL3qtZ8X8ooadQJRU1t7RcU2TL1s7r9-2fMSP-_jFDiE6x5mynQc2wfA/s640/800px-Flag_of_Norway.svg%5B1%5D.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">My grandfather was the first Anderson born in the United States (well, our family of Andersons at least). Harry and Matilda had two daughters, Emma and Marie, who were born in Norway. After coming to America, Matilda became pregnant 12 years after Marie was born and gave birth to Henry. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Fishing is a staple in Norway and my Poppop was true to his roots. He was working at the oyster docks from the time he was eight years old and fished up until his death at 80. </span></div>
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<em>This picture is of a coastal town in Norway, via Facebook (Attracting Places).</em> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The coast of Norway provides a great place to fish. The most common fish include cod, coalfish, pollack, halibut, catfish, shark, flounder and mackerel. Poppop loved to fry fresh flounder that he caught in the Deleware Bay, off the Atlantic Ocean.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">If you've every watched "Deadliest Catch," you are no doubt familiar with the fishing vessel <em>The Northwestern</em> and it's captain and deckboss, Sig and Edgar Hansen. Their practical and pragmatic temperment is classic Norwegian. There was not a problem Poppop couldn't solve with just a few tools and some old-fashioned ingenuity. </span></div>
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<em>Official photo of the Northwestern in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I think I get my love of snow and winter from my Norwegian heritage. I get as excited seeing the first snowflakes falling now as I did when I was a child. </span></div>
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<em>Photo via Facebook (999,999,999 People) </em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I love to visit old churches and if I ever was able to travel to Norway, I would definitely visit the Nidaros Cathedral as well as some of the local chapels</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black;"><em>Nidaros Cathedral</em></span><span style="color: black;"><em>, the largest church in Norway.</em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMXsL35hHOlClZ6VbTAnxG0hSNfhVSeV8otfSIPSsXcb7QNBp7SgrxV5DhqTvCkq4CPHCIwo2kQUjLSLSbFqnMAPtUggoSRyKeOXW9uWHwE-sFB9OrV_4txPHegGgOXlngau2JADwDrI/s1600/Church+in+Norway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMXsL35hHOlClZ6VbTAnxG0hSNfhVSeV8otfSIPSsXcb7QNBp7SgrxV5DhqTvCkq4CPHCIwo2kQUjLSLSbFqnMAPtUggoSRyKeOXW9uWHwE-sFB9OrV_4txPHegGgOXlngau2JADwDrI/s640/Church+in+Norway.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
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<em>An old chapel in Norway, image via Facebook</em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">While Norse mythology is not as well known as Greek or Roman mythology, it is certainly worth getting to know Odin, Thor and Loki.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD-qgHzHvSNaEPRqVaS9a3eUXBsDn4wxCZEX9h-EG4u_vravtVpokuZqEcwHxGUQlhFfrQEGpbkV1OZe-_wtuJ5AqGMhcYzyPh8nGqO0CGn1NG5xFopXxNkRJfF4k-mosItAygXZjuIc/s1600/Three-powerful-Asgardians-Loki-Thor-Odin_gallery_primary%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD-qgHzHvSNaEPRqVaS9a3eUXBsDn4wxCZEX9h-EG4u_vravtVpokuZqEcwHxGUQlhFfrQEGpbkV1OZe-_wtuJ5AqGMhcYzyPh8nGqO0CGn1NG5xFopXxNkRJfF4k-mosItAygXZjuIc/s640/Three-powerful-Asgardians-Loki-Thor-Odin_gallery_primary%5B1%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">The scenery is something that photographers are always traveling to Norway to capture. I think I would love to live in this house!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjQ8HLFcFOE5uhzzI1Qkz8hhbr1yA0YcOw6ctRzr6xkN3WWudIMeHDZ3R2Dt8ng9nuwtTOuLY5_yw9hG6git3LUfr0Q3fqUvwvp1b3jpEDayeLtDZdDXFBbVlBEh2ueBEA9v2Lqs07Ms/s1600/999,999,999+Peoples+Norway+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjQ8HLFcFOE5uhzzI1Qkz8hhbr1yA0YcOw6ctRzr6xkN3WWudIMeHDZ3R2Dt8ng9nuwtTOuLY5_yw9hG6git3LUfr0Q3fqUvwvp1b3jpEDayeLtDZdDXFBbVlBEh2ueBEA9v2Lqs07Ms/s640/999,999,999+Peoples+Norway+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>Photo via Facebook (999,999,999 People)</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxApUUzQqOpAsmxA7vRjuaDaHXjWR7wO4ZYmR9EQRKImBLN4EK0R4Pwezq54ix7ibXUxmuTZaWfKwQYFx3YJ_dWK7K-KfdqB9-_q4Wd11SOBu-utR4_8MNvWVt4ZlmRpwEqVwWn5cL3Q/s1600/Attracting+Places+Norway+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxApUUzQqOpAsmxA7vRjuaDaHXjWR7wO4ZYmR9EQRKImBLN4EK0R4Pwezq54ix7ibXUxmuTZaWfKwQYFx3YJ_dWK7K-KfdqB9-_q4Wd11SOBu-utR4_8MNvWVt4ZlmRpwEqVwWn5cL3Q/s640/Attracting+Places+Norway+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<em>Photo via Facebook (Attracting Places)</em> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Do you feel inspired by the beauty of Norway? I certainly was!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I created three pieces of jewelry for this challenge...I really wanted to teach myself a netting stitch that would resemble a fishing net, but it has taken a little longer than I expected. But I will figure it out and share it when it is completed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">The first piece was a brand new stitch for me, a helix stitch. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-guOxTCUiiaxCtfAOxO700NmH3KDHIXBKqHeJ9mwjgqquZwEdZbN87gKKlNOGVEsXrrl-wKRFhOdDKJmujG_aRZY3Ql3bqEuORrFOdj8aZw13JqYwjbijS42RPNwotIVFi05hvMngyQ/s1600/Norway+Jewelry+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi-guOxTCUiiaxCtfAOxO700NmH3KDHIXBKqHeJ9mwjgqquZwEdZbN87gKKlNOGVEsXrrl-wKRFhOdDKJmujG_aRZY3Ql3bqEuORrFOdj8aZw13JqYwjbijS42RPNwotIVFi05hvMngyQ/s640/Norway+Jewelry+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm working with a new light box and was able to capture the changing color of these amazing czech glass beads. This was a really fun design and I can't wait to try it with different types of beads!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">My aunt decorates her Christmas tree with traditional Norwegian red and gold ornaments. I looked through my stash and found some gold glass pearls that were the basis of this necklace. I haven't made a wire wrapped necklace in a while, so this was a lot of fun to design! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8jslpKZnXPeJD52CRfYFi-2EySjdpmWHh13DFdr-VFsQ5O73vlmBxPR8EPrXRFS9-OgMqaLoouJN7LxZB8W_HXYvBOEkxOT26ujai2JjbMBc37yi7sX2wifEwh2BOr885pRT8Lwhe1k/s1600/Norway+Jewelry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8jslpKZnXPeJD52CRfYFi-2EySjdpmWHh13DFdr-VFsQ5O73vlmBxPR8EPrXRFS9-OgMqaLoouJN7LxZB8W_HXYvBOEkxOT26ujai2JjbMBc37yi7sX2wifEwh2BOr885pRT8Lwhe1k/s640/Norway+Jewelry+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The round clear glass beads have a spiral ridge detail that adds to the visual interest of this piece. I used antique bronze wire and antique copper bead caps to complete the monochromatic color palette. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">My final piece of jewelry was inspired by the amazing photo of a person sitting on a ledge with all the shades of blue below. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH5rQWquMI18IZyzsHo6uSARr3fKrQ_Rg2Tj8HYI2boNBCch8yvG4-ftXLA_mhPTZITH9Td9g9FcaKcTK_ray3wMO1z5yDmtbMvzkneBJ6cJoHKZcFLyEOhs5Qj76qb4QV1P8KTDTFXk/s1600/Norway+Jewelry+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQH5rQWquMI18IZyzsHo6uSARr3fKrQ_Rg2Tj8HYI2boNBCch8yvG4-ftXLA_mhPTZITH9Td9g9FcaKcTK_ray3wMO1z5yDmtbMvzkneBJ6cJoHKZcFLyEOhs5Qj76qb4QV1P8KTDTFXk/s640/Norway+Jewelry+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I used matte aqua blue drop beads and matte white glass seed beads, highlighted with transparent aqua seed beads. The different shades and textures created a stunning necklace. I have to find the perfect piece of white sea glass in my stash to create a pendant to go with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Be sure to take a walk around the world and view the other creations inspired by the countries of the world. </span></div>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;"><strong>Name</strong></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><strong>Blog</strong></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;"><strong>Region Chosen</strong></td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Monique Urquhart</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Niky Sayers</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Therese Frank</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Raychelle Heath</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Joan Williams</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Sherri Stokey</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Regina Santerre</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Raida Disbrow</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Kristi Wodek</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Sally Russick</td>
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<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Americas</td>
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<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Melissa Trudinger</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8e2bf9dd13&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8e2bf9dd13&e=43652433b3">http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Americas</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Mexico</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Tracy Stillman</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=37b738aad8&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=37b738aad8&e=43652433b3">http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Americas</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">USA</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Sandra Wolberg</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b9f5f9c8f3&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b9f5f9c8f3&e=43652433b3">http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">India</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Tanya Goodwin</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=aa34e52145&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=aa34e52145&e=43652433b3">http://pixiloo.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Japan</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Susan Kennedy</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=14ca2e9d20&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=14ca2e9d20&e=43652433b3">http://suebeads.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Japan</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Beth Emery</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b8a6a7ccdf&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b8a6a7ccdf&e=43652433b3">http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Japan</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Lisa Cone</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=69e3d5293c&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=69e3d5293c&e=43652433b3">http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Japan</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Tanya Boden</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=6c47b5028b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=6c47b5028b&e=43652433b3">http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Japan</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Inge von Roos</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=d8921cd516&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=d8921cd516&e=43652433b3">http://ingetraud.wordpress.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Laos</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Erin Prais-Hintz</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=29c48e9b79&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=29c48e9b79&e=43652433b3">http://treasures-found.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Nepal</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Dee Elgie</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=147b1c0579&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=147b1c0579&e=43652433b3">http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Phillipines</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Carolyn Lawson</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1ead48241a&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1ead48241a&e=43652433b3">http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">South Korea</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Lisa Stukel</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1ef182809c&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1ef182809c&e=43652433b3">http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Sri Lanka</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Elly Snare</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=da2eb7d77a&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=da2eb7d77a&e=43652433b3">http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Asia</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Thailand</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Shelley Graham Turner</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9f5beb0122&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9f5beb0122&e=43652433b3">http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Austria</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Mallory Hoffman</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=2c0952dd04&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=2c0952dd04&e=43652433b3">http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Bosnia Herzegovina</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Paige Maxim</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=37948d7709&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=37948d7709&e=43652433b3">http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">France</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Jenny Davies-Reazor</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8f54cbcd8f&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8f54cbcd8f&e=43652433b3">http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Germany</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Sharyl McMillian-Nelson</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=aef1821626&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=aef1821626&e=43652433b3">http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Greece</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Evelyn Shelby</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=022f734279&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=022f734279&e=43652433b3">http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Iceland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Holly Westfall</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8cd75e7f6e&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8cd75e7f6e&e=43652433b3">http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Ireland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Rebecca Siervaag</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1fee8c5f9b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1fee8c5f9b&e=43652433b3">http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Ireland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Toltec Jewels</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bd541d7e7e&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bd541d7e7e&e=43652433b3">http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Ireland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Lee Koopman</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1f086beace&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1f086beace&e=43652433b3">http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Ireland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Laren Dee Barton</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b0a1b0b04b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=b0a1b0b04b&e=43652433b3">http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Italy</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Cindy Wilson</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=2bc02cdda3&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=2bc02cdda3&e=43652433b3">http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Norway</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Kathleen Lange Klik</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=369ce276dd&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=369ce276dd&e=43652433b3">http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Poland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Shaiha Williams</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=c6268ca935&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=c6268ca935&e=43652433b3">http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Portugal</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Jennifer Justman</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1d412644b4&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=1d412644b4&e=43652433b3">http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Romania</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Elsie Deliz-Fonseca</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=fc9f2bfd2a&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=fc9f2bfd2a&e=43652433b3">http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Spain</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Lola Surwillo</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=4cb79969a7&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=4cb79969a7&e=43652433b3">http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Sweden</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Kim Hora</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8b9ab7f43c&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=8b9ab7f43c&e=43652433b3">http://www.kimmykats.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Switzerland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Leanne Loftus</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9a71aab402&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9a71aab402&e=43652433b3">http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">The Netherlands</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Patti Vanderbloemen</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9725d76820&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9725d76820&e=43652433b3">http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">The Netherlands</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Marcie Carroll</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bb0c3d8edb&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bb0c3d8edb&e=43652433b3">http://labellajoya.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Europe</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Turkey</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Marlene Cupo</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=e0b25d1096&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=e0b25d1096&e=43652433b3">http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Federated States of Micronesia</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Ine Vande Cappelle</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=0a37311bd0&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=0a37311bd0&e=43652433b3">http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Fiji</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Tammie Everly</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=f892c3ef87&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=f892c3ef87&e=43652433b3">http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Guam</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Alice Peterson</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=50cefcd6de&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=50cefcd6de&e=43652433b3">http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Kiribati</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Elisabeth Auld</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=d073832153&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=d073832153&e=43652433b3">http://www.beadsforbusygals.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Nauru</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Susan McClelland</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bb7258ed4b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=bb7258ed4b&e=43652433b3">http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">New Zealand</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">D Lynne Bowland</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=349ec8d78b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=349ec8d78b&e=43652433b3">http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">New Zealand</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Denielle Hagerman</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=0dafb0415e&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=0dafb0415e&e=43652433b3">http://somebeadsandotherthings.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">New Zeland</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Rebecca Anderson</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=f5869d8613&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=f5869d8613&e=43652433b3">http://songbeads.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Papua New Guinea</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Mischelle Fanucchi</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=61845959fa&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=61845959fa&e=43652433b3">http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Samoa</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Kari Asbury</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=25dee51073&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=25dee51073&e=43652433b3">http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Solomon Islands</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Cece Cormier</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=c9cae84c7c&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=c9cae84c7c&e=43652433b3">http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Tonga</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Emma Todd</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=991c07178b&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=991c07178b&e=43652433b3">http://www.apolymerpenchant.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Tuvalu</td></tr>
<tr>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 110px;">Debbie Price</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 324px;"><u><a href="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9327f1e9ad&e=43652433b3" style="color: #336699; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" title="http://tesoritrovati.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b4489c1c1497949c05d8660fe&id=9327f1e9ad&e=43652433b3">http://greenshoot.blogspot.com</a></u></td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 106px;">Oceania</td>
<td nowrap="" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 20px; text-align: center; width: 203px;">Vanuatu</td></tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-44508015839912600912012-08-27T11:05:00.001-04:002012-08-27T11:05:38.340-04:00Storms of Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm looking out my window and there are huge black clouds on the horizon that are racing towards me. I know it's going to be a bad storm because my back is telling me so. And while I'm thankful for the protection and safety of my house, there are storm clouds building in here as well.<br />
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So I take a deep breath, ask God for help and wisdom and start another day.<br />
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And I am reminded that without the clouds and the storms, we would not appreciate the sunshine. We wouldn't have rainbows that appear out of nowhere and when you least expect it. And we wouldn't be reminded that while the tough times come into our lives, they don't stay.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVHuHoMJ69wDMyisMWUuLepBXMS2lBls3HkWQdmWURqIPi1r-USglkkEogMw-oapEGJo2F-J_GCMS2jY8KOm3PC-pOVXNhPV8Bpg1bCe9okLJD2m43eHdDkeZW4q8WUFs0I02KLrIfsU/s1600/Pink+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVHuHoMJ69wDMyisMWUuLepBXMS2lBls3HkWQdmWURqIPi1r-USglkkEogMw-oapEGJo2F-J_GCMS2jY8KOm3PC-pOVXNhPV8Bpg1bCe9okLJD2m43eHdDkeZW4q8WUFs0I02KLrIfsU/s640/Pink+Rainbow.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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A few months ago, we saw this rainbow after our evening service at church. I've never seen a rainbow at sunset and I've never seen one in all these shades of pink. It was an amazing sight and I stood for almost 15 minutes watching as the sky changed colors and a second rainbow teased us as it would appear and disappear above the first. (Unfortunately it was camera shy and I was not able to capture it with my phone.)<br />
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I don't know anyone who enjoys going through the tough times, but we all love the beauty that comes afterwards. So I will stand firm on my foundation and wait to see the rainbows in the clouds.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-34469238009390409242012-07-28T00:00:00.000-04:002012-11-30T22:11:57.750-05:00Bead Soup Blog Hop<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">What a fun way to start off the weekend...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">being a part of the 6th Annual Bead Soup Blog Party, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">hosted by </span><a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Lori Anderson</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">(And sending her a big Thank You for all the work and effort </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">she put in to make this happen!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">There are almost 400 people from around the world </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">who are participating </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">this year and you can find all their blogs here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/2012/06/participants-of-6th-bead-soup-blog.html" target="_blank">Bead Soup Blog Party People 2012</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My jewelry was inspired by the pieces sent to me </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">by my Bead Soup partner, Cyn</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">thia. Be sure to check out her </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">amazing blog, </span></span><br />
<a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Antiquity Travelers</span></a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">,</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">to see her creations using the components I sent her.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Cynthia generously sent me several pieces of sea glass from Cuba and a beautiful large pendant made from paua from New Zealand. She also included quite a few paua chips and a stunning leaf toggle clasp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have to be honest...the biggest challenge was incorporating the toggle clasp into a design. I didn't want to hide it away at the back of a necklace, but I tend to lose bracelets that have toggle clasps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So I started out with designing a piece of jewelry using the sea glass because that's what I know the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I wanted to make several pieces with the various colors of sea glass, but because of the terrible storm that hit the East Coast several weeks ago (we lost power for 6 days and are <em>still</em> trying to clear away the branches and fallen trees), I just didn't have the time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">But I will be sure to post them as I get them designed and created! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I wasn't sure which piece of sea glass to use for the Blog Hop, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">but because I wanted to challenge myself, I chose </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">a brown piece. I tend to gravitate towards pastels and shades of blue, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">so choosing the brown sea glass was going to force me </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to move out of my comfort zone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So off I went to a local bead shop to find some seed beads </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">that would showcase my sea glass pendant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I'm not normally drawn to oranges, but when I saw </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">these iridescent orange drop beads, I knew </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I had found </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">the base color </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">for my necklace. I added </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">white pearl 8/0 beads and yellow/gold matte iridescent 11/0 beads </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to complete the color palette. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I chose to use the spiral rope stitch to create my necklace, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">in part because I love how the colors play off each other </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">in the design. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">The necklace and sea glass pendant work together </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to create this dazzling summer look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I used non-tarnish silver plated wire to wrap the sea glass </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">and create the bail. I prefer to use a simple wrap design </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">so that the natural beauty of the sea glass shines through. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">Next I turned my attention to this fabulous paua pendant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I had a hard time deciding whether to pick up </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">the shades of aqua, or teal or purple that shone so brilliantly in the sunlight. And no matter what I tried, a necklace that focused on one color just looked out of place when next to this amazing pendant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">It was desperation, really, that sent me back </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the bead shop </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">in search of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">something--anything--that would live up </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to the beauty of the paua shell. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">After wandering through the entire store, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">trying to find just the right shape, color and who knows what else </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I was looking for by that point, I found myself</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;"> back at the seed bead wall. Helping one of the other customers </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">find the colors she needed for her necklace. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Go figure.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And that's when I really looked at my pendant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">For the first time, I wasn't mesmerized by the play of colors </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">that changed each time I moved it in my hand. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I noticed the black and grey that created the design </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">that showcased the amazing display of colors. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And I remembered that if you want a color to pop, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">you need to pair it with a neutral. After that revelation, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">it was easy to find the beads </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">I needed to create </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">the dramatic necklace that would allow the paua pendant </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to stand out but not overwhelm the rest of the design. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I used matte black drop beads and 11/0 beads in a shade </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">called "Montana Blue Gold Luster." The 11/0 beads have enough </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">of a hint of blue that it keeps the necklace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">from being monochromatic but not enough color </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">that it draws </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">your eye away from the pendant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I guess confession is good for the soul...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I really didn't want to use the same stitch for both </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">necklaces. But every other beading stitch I had learned </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">just didn't look right. I even tried making a wire wrapped necklace </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">but it didn't have the flow that I wanted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">The spiral rope stitch reminds me so much of the waves </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">rolling onto the beach that it seemed to be a perfect fit </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">for this necklace as well. And since I just learned this stitch, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">it seemed fitting to use my new skill for this challenge. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wsp7GOtqWmK62vDKOK6coorIb27ZgtkQGx5qE-2hAJ1v2jNHI3Yzv-tk0SCv_abbVE2qgvYxN0lRD7SGIy0pyI242pzwXX2NaxuDHYQyeg4EO-cc8newEfBedPXsA-wAuASW2mebTGk/s1600/Bead+Soup+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wsp7GOtqWmK62vDKOK6coorIb27ZgtkQGx5qE-2hAJ1v2jNHI3Yzv-tk0SCv_abbVE2qgvYxN0lRD7SGIy0pyI242pzwXX2NaxuDHYQyeg4EO-cc8newEfBedPXsA-wAuASW2mebTGk/s640/Bead+Soup+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">So now I still had the paua chips and the beautiful toggle clasp </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to incorporate into a design...and I'm getting worried </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">because time is running out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">When in doubt, go back </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">to what you love, right? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And I realized </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">that I love charm bracelets...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">and that a bracelet </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">that had these beautiful paua chips dangling </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">off a simple chain </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">would be something pretty amazing. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt58VB0t6qZFNMxzh0UYAskaRQ-svz2QRBzhLPWDh-_chzbThyphenhyphenMHlBM-ZAfUMmdBIeSH6WYbha-zf4Bg39gYeey1kJW1rnt6dlmmeF1wu4gZygkwzCfPG21MN0Qg-_ytspNlpYDJFRzbs/s1600/Reveal+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt58VB0t6qZFNMxzh0UYAskaRQ-svz2QRBzhLPWDh-_chzbThyphenhyphenMHlBM-ZAfUMmdBIeSH6WYbha-zf4Bg39gYeey1kJW1rnt6dlmmeF1wu4gZygkwzCfPG21MN0Qg-_ytspNlpYDJFRzbs/s640/Reveal+21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I guess by now you've realized that I was designing these pieces for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">(Especially once I realized that this toggle doesn't slip off when I wear it!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">And the best part was that I had just enough paua chips to make a pair of dangle earrings to complete my new jewelry set!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNeBYhSr2Tvb6ufgfbqSFY_7vLi7qxcpK1iTe-G6w8qITaZ6PyXakTVw8l7rbVnmlFpcgirekvpYkKydlTiu_Cc3inT4jj105svWNv-tBKWX-qqLi0BJz2KfdnAj_2QXclS_pMmqEMfo/s1600/Reveal+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitNeBYhSr2Tvb6ufgfbqSFY_7vLi7qxcpK1iTe-G6w8qITaZ6PyXakTVw8l7rbVnmlFpcgirekvpYkKydlTiu_Cc3inT4jj105svWNv-tBKWX-qqLi0BJz2KfdnAj_2QXclS_pMmqEMfo/s640/Reveal+15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I'm so excited to be a part of this year's Bead Soup Blog Hop and can't wait to see what Cynthia has created with the pieces I sent her! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">You can visit her blog here </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Antiquity Travelers</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Be sure to check out as many blogs as you can...there are so many amazing and talented artists participating! And don't forget that there are two more reveals this year to see what everyone else has created with their Bead Soup!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuJIFIbeTtb7gFoyZqQC9xz2LqrRCzKeDMyn4xaGDsUgHxWP8jTHRSEc5f4AL5d4vpEuYcQ6hLl8s3fSPUWtRC1BokpEBlIAjdUPF8OcIagKSgv3ERsiWhUOxKvqJfcS1IOwEhKrKnuw/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyuJIFIbeTtb7gFoyZqQC9xz2LqrRCzKeDMyn4xaGDsUgHxWP8jTHRSEc5f4AL5d4vpEuYcQ6hLl8s3fSPUWtRC1BokpEBlIAjdUPF8OcIagKSgv3ERsiWhUOxKvqJfcS1IOwEhKrKnuw/s640/PicMonkey+Collage+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com85tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-13773627168055427042012-07-25T22:02:00.001-04:002012-07-25T22:02:33.592-04:00Count Each Day as a Blessing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">When I first read this blog post, I was moved to tears. It is the heartfelt enotional wrestling of a woman who was unwittingly at the tragic shooting in Colorado and her attempt to come to terms with what happened. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-large;">We live in a world where things don't always make sense and in our attempt to figure it out, we usually want to assign blame. This woman found another way to deal with it all...</span><br />
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<a href="http://aminiatureclaypot.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/so-you-still-think-god-is-a-merciful-god/"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">http://aminiatureclaypot.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/so-you-still-think-god-is-a-merciful-god/</span></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-33589446453078260002012-07-23T13:48:00.000-04:002012-07-23T15:39:11.308-04:00Beading and More Beading<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I got my wish this summer...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I have been able to take several beading classes at The Potomic Bead Company in Ocean City, NJ.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have been thinking that some of my sea glass designs would look so much better with a beaded necklace rather than just a plain chain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Not that there is anything wrong </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">with a simple pendant suspended from a simple chain necklace...In fact, this is still one of my favorites!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi8inZY8KGS5lqvKRsi4_SSE8str8lQPUWaa6Lg14ylzIalzii_Rq-IOKzRWskD2HhybWAKiwuqmXMn8YrTwtZVvpageGFu4uL2a9HiP8ZaRcjxAu_cRTBkvtD0pkontpokzToSh4ar0/s1600/Brown+Sea+Glass+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi8inZY8KGS5lqvKRsi4_SSE8str8lQPUWaa6Lg14ylzIalzii_Rq-IOKzRWskD2HhybWAKiwuqmXMn8YrTwtZVvpageGFu4uL2a9HiP8ZaRcjxAu_cRTBkvtD0pkontpokzToSh4ar0/s640/Brown+Sea+Glass+4.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/94819051/sea-glass-jewelry-sea-glass-necklace" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Sea Glass Pendant</em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I have already created several pieces </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">that use a simple stringing technique </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">to make fantastic necklaces.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkaefU-rfe8y68y7VZD9rCLD7xkUNgddttwOs-sfoU8xtakU8iWUpDBYZE6LaVZHmWe-vDHjqPnss2AwPrOPa7i5oSbdShG1mSPFTKGRTi6blExj_a8FKEqiEa0ouFSxm12uLPndBI0A/s1600/Large+Moonstone+Pendant+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkaefU-rfe8y68y7VZD9rCLD7xkUNgddttwOs-sfoU8xtakU8iWUpDBYZE6LaVZHmWe-vDHjqPnss2AwPrOPa7i5oSbdShG1mSPFTKGRTi6blExj_a8FKEqiEa0ouFSxm12uLPndBI0A/s640/Large+Moonstone+Pendant+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/95175200/sea-glass-jewelry-wire-wrapped-pendant" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Ocean Waves Sea Glass Necklace</em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I love the colors in this necklace...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">so tropical and summery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">But I was looking for something with more detail, more drama! And when I saw a sample of the spiral rope design, I knew it was just what I was looking for...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRiC7TG_0lXzxZRBE72oJwOv6hqHocmnhRwLK-mUlYSi-rYODiy-ZnJQxT8oslu6TsQgJ-bRuIlgsVu3B84pNysXwtqZ8FM7epZU5p2MRU3FQz9kuOv1H8tWfQxK9Qcz0gd9wDjv3JM/s1600/Beach+Blues+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRiC7TG_0lXzxZRBE72oJwOv6hqHocmnhRwLK-mUlYSi-rYODiy-ZnJQxT8oslu6TsQgJ-bRuIlgsVu3B84pNysXwtqZ8FM7epZU5p2MRU3FQz9kuOv1H8tWfQxK9Qcz0gd9wDjv3JM/s640/Beach+Blues+5.jpg" width="531" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/104856399/sea-glass-necklace-spiral-beaded" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Beach Blues Sea Glass Necklace</em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I originally chose these colors </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and created the necklace </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">for the BIG reveal this Saturday (7/28) </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">for the Bead Soup Blog Hop, </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">but I just didn't like the colors </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">next to the focal piece of paua </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">from New Zealand my partner had given me.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I found this gorgeous piece of light aqua sea glass, wrapped it into a pendant and added it to the beaded spiral necklace.</span> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">With my next design, however, I realized that simply using wire and a jump ring wouldn't do. After all, a bridal necklace needs to be unique and special...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi6l0JEsVSdcYwsuMujwuOX4CJUy5JprpipSGDqq9cfCAUBGjumzm7bXNHx9V43USscLhanaHuiCQzoJb4cyNoN8yi2_4NoxDPRuWz2JzP9MbvBxU4U1EkYCooSg3_JSpcP_Xi1fdalU/s1600/578852_3053071544688_1275640431_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGi6l0JEsVSdcYwsuMujwuOX4CJUy5JprpipSGDqq9cfCAUBGjumzm7bXNHx9V43USscLhanaHuiCQzoJb4cyNoN8yi2_4NoxDPRuWz2JzP9MbvBxU4U1EkYCooSg3_JSpcP_Xi1fdalU/s400/578852_3053071544688_1275640431_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I went back to the drawing board </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">(well, actually the internet) and found some great instructions for creating a bezel for my sea glass pendant. It took the entire evening and several false starts before I figured out how to get the look I wanted.</span> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIrX8tBj-zibaU3MelCoysuG6zSLo7zc5LDTK4bday8rXUe3fPD7bECWM7BKZ9xQkPA3Iw7_X3vaHXWm219zZW2v1K1rztUFUFoTTs-GEVvTjSWisW-i3iPQjCfntBsEkFbCXjrwOEBU/s1600/Bridal+Blush+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEIrX8tBj-zibaU3MelCoysuG6zSLo7zc5LDTK4bday8rXUe3fPD7bECWM7BKZ9xQkPA3Iw7_X3vaHXWm219zZW2v1K1rztUFUFoTTs-GEVvTjSWisW-i3iPQjCfntBsEkFbCXjrwOEBU/s640/Bridal+Blush+3.jpg" width="563" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/105078391/wedding-necklace-bridal-jewelry-sea" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Bridal Blush Beaded Sea Glass Necklace</em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">But what a finish!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">Don't forget Saturday is the big reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Hop! There are about 100 of us that will be showing off our creations and designs for this first reveal date.</span></em> </span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-53410479160043889302012-07-19T22:34:00.000-04:002012-07-19T22:34:01.117-04:00Fireworks or Candles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The fireworks came late this year for the 4th of July celebration. (So much clean-up from the massive storm the week before!) But they were as amazing as they always have been...lighting up the sky with spectacular colors and shapes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And I got to thinking about my teenage daughter, who was standing next to me. She wants to be remembered, to be "somebody," to be famous. </span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">And I realized that she was talking about being like the fireworks that light up the sky and leave you speechless because of their dazzling display in the night sky. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I remember wanting to be like fireworks when I was a teenager. It seemed that the only way to measure the importance of your life was whether you were known by millions of people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Obviously, I'm not famous. In fact, I'm pretty much unknown. I'm a stay-at-home wife and mother. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">But as we stood there watching the fireworks display, God brought to mind the image of a candle. Simple and small, candles provide light in the darkness. They are steady and consistent and their light shines for a long time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">And I realized that we each have to decide how our lives will be spent...chasing after a moment of fame that is soon over and will never come again or simply living each day to the fullest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">Maybe this is part of growing up...to realize that each day is a gift and that to be loved by your family is more precious than being recognized around the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">I'm a candle and I'm content.</span></div>
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-37551275210489058152012-07-14T12:12:00.000-04:002012-07-24T10:18:30.110-04:00Bead Soup<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Sometimes you just have to dive in </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and deal with the worries and "what ifs" later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't remember where I first learned about the Bead Soup Blog Party (</span><a href="http://lorianderson-beadsoupblogparty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pretty Things - Bead Soup Blog Party</span></a><span style="font-size: x-large;">), but it sounded like a LOT of fun! But as soon as I made up my mind to sign up, the old fears started to march back in.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em> (You've just started to create jewelry this year-you don't have enough experience; you've seen the work of some of the artists from previous years and their work is amazing; just sit back and watch this year and see how it goes for next year...)</em> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-large;">After a couple of days really searching myself to see if I was ready to put myself out there for the world to see, I realized that waiting never produces results and I signed up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My partner contacted me as soon as we found out who we had been paired with and sent me the most amazing collection of natural jewelry components I have</span> ever seen!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuxxFu-NLB0Zl_WEtdT09IDUizbNQBXbEugjAdqmm5i6YvmSURy5urzhQ-DnP5HWOU1Y0RG0aaZ6amg9JPt44_D7owQIfkkoAuMuxOjxVX9DinUQnjnW9rZ8i5AXBSUuAg_5DO8PtLYc/s1600/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuxxFu-NLB0Zl_WEtdT09IDUizbNQBXbEugjAdqmm5i6YvmSURy5urzhQ-DnP5HWOU1Y0RG0aaZ6amg9JPt44_D7owQIfkkoAuMuxOjxVX9DinUQnjnW9rZ8i5AXBSUuAg_5DO8PtLYc/s640/PicMonkey+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My jewelry will be international because I have pieces from New Zealand and Cuba!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07_NKLrx7diqBbh8y6AEmCDGoRBDTQKbpPm1XjrVIbzDqlWQt09JjJ8W7OXex_cGyeqOF1Mau9WpqtxX_ERHwuPAnhyphenhyphenisXIRDE_SKvTO13RlZXG5mfH2s7PkfSakVG0lZJbHky9pyMY0/s1600/Bead+Soup+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07_NKLrx7diqBbh8y6AEmCDGoRBDTQKbpPm1XjrVIbzDqlWQt09JjJ8W7OXex_cGyeqOF1Mau9WpqtxX_ERHwuPAnhyphenhyphenisXIRDE_SKvTO13RlZXG5mfH2s7PkfSakVG0lZJbHky9pyMY0/s400/Bead+Soup+7.jpg" width="343" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This huge focal piece is paua and is from New Zealand. I am going to use some of the beading techniques I have learned this summer to make a necklace that will allow this piece to take center stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">These chips are also paua and each has a tiny hole drilled near the top. I am still trying to come up with a design that makes the best use of these amazing colors.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4d_1hFqpbSYaGVx5Ja9hsUkhAT0VvUHOVDzd9GcCrtGCqTf56uFBgKzTMcdKrNhgWkuHAA-cFe9lG5VcGM2G2AFVwj0uWHjhkspYAMSag11He525WpOU5a03IFKtFDpZ4JPldRfD6E/s1600/Bead+Soup+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTp4d_1hFqpbSYaGVx5Ja9hsUkhAT0VvUHOVDzd9GcCrtGCqTf56uFBgKzTMcdKrNhgWkuHAA-cFe9lG5VcGM2G2AFVwj0uWHjhkspYAMSag11He525WpOU5a03IFKtFDpZ4JPldRfD6E/s640/Bead+Soup+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Better picture of the intricate detail on each of these chips.</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmVfIcJ2V4NNKwMaVDDsHfssvNRNMxXVQc8EfUDMDF9S0tfo1vcFrJ3Qn2lre9P8zPClit0vMxa2farYObyj-3KcFbTXFM8KAnnBL6JgPD68Ic7qwY56oyeXilp26GTwVxYMRJABjiJw/s1600/Bead+Soup+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmVfIcJ2V4NNKwMaVDDsHfssvNRNMxXVQc8EfUDMDF9S0tfo1vcFrJ3Qn2lre9P8zPClit0vMxa2farYObyj-3KcFbTXFM8KAnnBL6JgPD68Ic7qwY56oyeXilp26GTwVxYMRJABjiJw/s400/Bead+Soup+4.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This amazing clasp is what I am using on the necklace...but I think it's too pretty to be covered up by my hair so it might find its way to the front in my design.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">These pieces of sea glass are from the shores of Cuba and are just so pretty. The shapes are different from what I find in New Jersey and they will be fun to work with.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeep6fUhEoXDl3jv6DsSV2IIv5g9mqYl_hrDQuNzPAtWgas_noDIWOvcIvXMFJo1_f07kMAVQAYOgwuUUPFVMu4bHPBgGOS_nOvqmPbAd0UkmGzR0ItBKnQOhKw8I3N5_Q-dre2KOc8o/s1600/Bead+Soup+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzeep6fUhEoXDl3jv6DsSV2IIv5g9mqYl_hrDQuNzPAtWgas_noDIWOvcIvXMFJo1_f07kMAVQAYOgwuUUPFVMu4bHPBgGOS_nOvqmPbAd0UkmGzR0ItBKnQOhKw8I3N5_Q-dre2KOc8o/s640/Bead+Soup+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sea glass comes in many shades of each color and these three pieces of green sea glass from my Bead Soup partner are a great example.</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The first reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Party is July 28 and you can see my designs (as well as about 100 other artists) that day.</span> </span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-50110157146730435482012-07-11T21:26:00.001-04:002012-07-24T10:27:34.312-04:00Storm July 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I'm not one to be scared by thunderstorms,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> but when the lightening is striking so fast that it looks like daylight </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">at 1 AM, I'm not taking chances. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">After the storm passed, my husband and daughter ventured outside </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">to check everything out...I decided to stay in the house </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">and comfort the animals instead.</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">When I went outside the next morning, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This huge branch fell between our house and the garage. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">It clipped the back porch and some of the siding as well as tearing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">my pergola apart a bit, but the buildings were spared. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">I know God was watching over us because the branch split </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and left my car untouched as well! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(The other part of that branch </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">was about 15 feet long </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">on the other side of my car!)</span></div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You can see how close the branch came to hitting my car!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">The awning was just ripped off the side of the house </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">and the railing was demolished. But the window on this side </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of the house was not touched at all!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Thank goodness that the grills were OK, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">just tumbled around. </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">We were without power for six days and hubby </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">was able to cook </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">using the grill each day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">(Not that this was unusual for us...he loves to grill!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My poor little mimosa tree either was hit by a branch blowing </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AHu7NtqWIQIw1RT5rLeQ89OznDhesb1hWce_fa7Ur12DKKLQnGibHaLr5GOLtCLhkAYDiKwVGQJIqxg3F-XGaitaOw33ZfeJu35oQha2RVThcDxcMY1qMJ1SUBodB2sObpUhn-pSqSw/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AHu7NtqWIQIw1RT5rLeQ89OznDhesb1hWce_fa7Ur12DKKLQnGibHaLr5GOLtCLhkAYDiKwVGQJIqxg3F-XGaitaOw33ZfeJu35oQha2RVThcDxcMY1qMJ1SUBodB2sObpUhn-pSqSw/s640/DSC_0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Our beautiful shade tree in the back yard was hit by lightening...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">we think this tree must have been over 100 years old. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">to give you an idea of how big this tree actually is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And this branch came down the next morning...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">so grateful that we weren't under it when it fell!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJgxXLWfScUYI21ENLU4_tTyj3AG9-4gRvabTnrBrPc4krWv-LkBI_8Vk4817KiwQxv4QmnvIimNfJZbVfwOfGxo3muHNSJOPbTBEcfoR2zy5zYU9mM7knlKw5z2AOM-_ItKMuMBqikw/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoJgxXLWfScUYI21ENLU4_tTyj3AG9-4gRvabTnrBrPc4krWv-LkBI_8Vk4817KiwQxv4QmnvIimNfJZbVfwOfGxo3muHNSJOPbTBEcfoR2zy5zYU9mM7knlKw5z2AOM-_ItKMuMBqikw/s640/DSC_0041.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>And just a reminder that God still is always watching over us...this little tiger lily decided to bloom that morning</em></span>.</span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-40851584139920553362012-06-17T21:40:00.001-04:002012-06-23T10:54:47.178-04:00My Jewelry Journey<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have always loved to create and I get the greatest satisfaction when I am able to take an idea in my head and turn it into a reality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I ventured into the small business world three years ago when I taught myself to paint on glass. My family and friends encouraged me to try selling at a couple of local craft shows and to my surprise we did really well! </span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3nZshPU-eYDYd8iutqA5kvIeR8Fq3cXk3PC_JLv6-S-h4KDk-9dHW52cZtDK5I7ezaInTlkTqgDmYjCuuvLDTV-m87KO09cdmmKkbUAMVO9ng9mGwpScBkP5Fy65yz4OOMDStYbC5oM/s1600/Bio+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3nZshPU-eYDYd8iutqA5kvIeR8Fq3cXk3PC_JLv6-S-h4KDk-9dHW52cZtDK5I7ezaInTlkTqgDmYjCuuvLDTV-m87KO09cdmmKkbUAMVO9ng9mGwpScBkP5Fy65yz4OOMDStYbC5oM/s320/Bio+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yep, that's me at my very first craft show...those little ornaments have been my best sellers all these years!</span> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxisxuyXdBHuwYEQ2hUotHP8qth52-5F3hNI-1DymebpN6M6ESlGVxAd-e2V-JSMyjsphyphenhyphenvXWEA1cB9SeZ9tjwOWgi4uDLWxkCmVb8FboyS2CD6F0bHJmInvTyXF15IECjHYv-0c8MA0/s1600/Katie+Glasses+bridesmaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxisxuyXdBHuwYEQ2hUotHP8qth52-5F3hNI-1DymebpN6M6ESlGVxAd-e2V-JSMyjsphyphenhyphenvXWEA1cB9SeZ9tjwOWgi4uDLWxkCmVb8FboyS2CD6F0bHJmInvTyXF15IECjHYv-0c8MA0/s320/Katie+Glasses+bridesmaid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I learned to paint flowers, crabs, more flowers, bridal designs,...if someone requested it, I did my best to figure out how to paint it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_h3zAcXLwOZMUMIDnMKHROj0OIN_fPc6j6hlDkWxQyEdZDVS7KS3CTHmtQ7vzag3q50dfKGdXvg8EPA0fFHRxQUcx1oTlRxg3960ffwaiAwRR_eGcpLU8Ph0APZ22hpLMUNH7tFcUXo/s1600/custom+set+painted+goblets+beach+and+crabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_h3zAcXLwOZMUMIDnMKHROj0OIN_fPc6j6hlDkWxQyEdZDVS7KS3CTHmtQ7vzag3q50dfKGdXvg8EPA0fFHRxQUcx1oTlRxg3960ffwaiAwRR_eGcpLU8Ph0APZ22hpLMUNH7tFcUXo/s320/custom+set+painted+goblets+beach+and+crabs.jpg" width="316" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxotLWAKwER646KrK8GPaV-1CEY-D8hE5MKzw-G1Vywugw_UJKFTAUVt2kep2yF1u-bLBzH5aTIAI0RHa9zCV_1E5ZLzlXWQj_wCH8Bc3PhMoEJaUIiDYvfOC4twJL6kuucLDBKb0HU3o/s1600/card+symbol+painted+wine+glasses_750x1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxotLWAKwER646KrK8GPaV-1CEY-D8hE5MKzw-G1Vywugw_UJKFTAUVt2kep2yF1u-bLBzH5aTIAI0RHa9zCV_1E5ZLzlXWQj_wCH8Bc3PhMoEJaUIiDYvfOC4twJL6kuucLDBKb0HU3o/s320/card+symbol+painted+wine+glasses_750x1000.jpg" width="240" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">My dad was also an artist and he helped me work on all my designs and always had a solution to how to make it better. It became our routine that before I would list any new design, I would head down to his house and show him and mom first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">But when both my parents died in 2011, I took a break from everything to deal with the grief. As time went on, the desire to create slowly came back but I just could not pick up the paint brush with any enthusiasm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One day as I was visiting a close friend, her daughters dropped by. Somehow the conversation turned to my painting (or the non-painting) and one of the girls asked if I had ever considered creating jewelry. She started telling me about this little beach not too far from my home where she had collected sea glass and asked if I would make her something from one of her pieces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing led to another and after my first trip to the beach with my husband and daughter, I was hooked!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv6pse-CK8E1Udchdmm0fySrWSUo71s5zLFZ7il_Jk3edaGPiUqs6Kl57kDVlYCZnRTePDd1sViR6diSJ76udnLRlBgBMQ7OhmyCxoXqeApf-4P9gjJNTKhBrxBODw_TD-bXruF3SK3U/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv6pse-CK8E1Udchdmm0fySrWSUo71s5zLFZ7il_Jk3edaGPiUqs6Kl57kDVlYCZnRTePDd1sViR6diSJ76udnLRlBgBMQ7OhmyCxoXqeApf-4P9gjJNTKhBrxBODw_TD-bXruF3SK3U/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have taught myself some of the basic wire wrapping and beading techniques and have started taking some more advanced beading classes this summer. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a8aM6MwDyITEBDjDXKe-NZ9BFY4oCuxfbw8vZQ4JSOF94YQUODrkdDcSHEmwhIP68-c4hK-YZ8aJI_kQgfH6MACur9NB5vnvUbZ563ojFsr4_SGkurhjOug9q944YXp7lEgwftYjziY/s1600/Distant+Shores+sea+glass+earrings+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2a8aM6MwDyITEBDjDXKe-NZ9BFY4oCuxfbw8vZQ4JSOF94YQUODrkdDcSHEmwhIP68-c4hK-YZ8aJI_kQgfH6MACur9NB5vnvUbZ563ojFsr4_SGkurhjOug9q944YXp7lEgwftYjziY/s320/Distant+Shores+sea+glass+earrings+2.jpg" width="237" /></a> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr08zNgwRRgYeMqFXxvD91j4JGQJ1K60MtagA7Hy1_P9wXhmH97Q1rVyeZtY_LDqkGBBju0METITtdGnaR_zyb1plDIcWrdBIGh7ttvRAbLXAevAUEPgvp8iNdlMytxzeKS1RbUJd1ZCU/s320/Lg+brown+sea+glass+green+gold+glass+5.jpg" width="246" /> </div>
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<br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/101240722/bridal-sea-glass-earrings-distant-shoresd" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Distant Shores Bridal Earrings</span></em></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> <em> </em></span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/97756224/sea-glass-jewelry-wire-wrapped-necklace" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>Summer Gold Sea Glass Necklace</em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a few weeks, I will be participating in my first Bead Soup Blog Hop! I will have a partner, we will swap beads and I will have to create some pieces of jewelry with what I am sent! Having never done anything like this before, I'm a little nervous, but more excited than anything! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">As soon as I get my bead soup, I will post pictures!</span></div>
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-50733220203443366242012-06-09T13:07:00.000-04:002012-06-09T13:07:35.707-04:00Creating with What the Sea Gives Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My focus in my shop has turned from painted glass to jewelry...and before the collective groan goes up about<em> another</em> jewelry designer, let me show you what I do.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8un96dDRTcmMirIELPM2Eq7zGendBpCEBVbs1o_cfrSfjFO82Qy_MgrGZGdgmteUKwJEB2mek03ZGdAqD3MPlfE-fKspi6VKV-Num7jLai5_RkWwCotTvu1I_DF1xxFdm6ubvnJZ64w/s1600/New+England+sea+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8un96dDRTcmMirIELPM2Eq7zGendBpCEBVbs1o_cfrSfjFO82Qy_MgrGZGdgmteUKwJEB2mek03ZGdAqD3MPlfE-fKspi6VKV-Num7jLai5_RkWwCotTvu1I_DF1xxFdm6ubvnJZ64w/s320/New+England+sea+glass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is sea glass (or beach glass) and it is found on select beaches around the world. The sea glass above is from the New England shores and is probably from ship wrecks in the 1700-1900s. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizslI2resP7nYA7cAl5AgeNasrPwvUrv_bK1Z_jzAgVyCJJxWx4VdpJoksfu5iQMwahmXN-7o67oXa9q7NXb6S1iC0YZiUhSMCl0HgxXuPk_HA7mX_xCFIn8KpzoddLr0lAciC53jHW5k/s1600/DSC_0058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizslI2resP7nYA7cAl5AgeNasrPwvUrv_bK1Z_jzAgVyCJJxWx4VdpJoksfu5iQMwahmXN-7o67oXa9q7NXb6S1iC0YZiUhSMCl0HgxXuPk_HA7mX_xCFIn8KpzoddLr0lAciC53jHW5k/s320/DSC_0058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These earrings were created using a jellybean shape sea glass (possibly the stopper to perfume bottles?). The color is aqua, one of the colors prized by collectors.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQnSSmsiRlRqacdcMTtOajnXENTI9jrK7bqhuX434kngXEsvq-QydfawF-RSPs2WXpcJQ0fAyNmIPjOGhWBYiqbKJC0PAu0u3PBJ17GXUDLShRN8HLktsUuI65emavxjQBioeNhEKfy0/s1600/Brown+Sea+Glass+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQnSSmsiRlRqacdcMTtOajnXENTI9jrK7bqhuX434kngXEsvq-QydfawF-RSPs2WXpcJQ0fAyNmIPjOGhWBYiqbKJC0PAu0u3PBJ17GXUDLShRN8HLktsUuI65emavxjQBioeNhEKfy0/s320/Brown+Sea+Glass+4.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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This sea glass necklace is also created with sea glass from the New England beaches. It is one of my favorites because it is simple but makes a statement. It was one of my earlier attempts to learn wire wrapping and I'm still pretty proud of how it turned out! <br />
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My shop is filled with lots of beautiful sea glass jewelry and this necklace is still for sale! <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/94819051/sea-glass-jewelry-sea-glass-necklace">https://www.etsy.com/listing/94819051/sea-glass-jewelry-sea-glass-necklace</a><br />
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</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-61145673107280208932012-04-29T22:12:00.000-04:002012-04-29T22:12:32.569-04:00Monday Morning Musings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Looking back to Christmas 2010, I never would have thought that within four months both my parents would be in Heaven. Life changed for our family with a phone call January 9, 2011 when my Dad had a heart attack. <br />
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My Dad spent the last eleven years of his life taking care of Mom, who had had a series of strokes in 2000 which eventually took away her ability to do anything for herself. We had all those years to reconcile ourselves to the mortality of life and to see that death for Mom would be a release from the prison her body had become and to embrace the joy that would be hers when she finally was called home to Heaven and would receive her perfect body and mind. <br />
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But my Dad--like all dads--was strong and tough and in many ways, we felt he was invincible. We knew he was hurting as he watched Mom slowly lose all her functions...the ability to walk, to talk, to feed herself, and finally to even get out of bed. But he would do like he always had done, he would do what he needed to do and it would be OK in the end. But even he coudn't push away the toll the stress of being Mom's caretaker had taken on his body. <br />
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My Dad was called home to his rest in Heaven on March 3, 2011. Mom followed him there on April 1, 2011. <br />
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These two events turned my world upside-down. My Dad was more than a parent; we had become friends. He encouraged me to start my business of painting glassware and helped me create many of the designs. He pushed me beyond what I thought I could do...which is what he had done for me my whole life. <br />
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I have not been able to pick up a paint brush and paint since I took my last design into the hospital for him to see. I'm not sure if I will ever be able to return to painting with the same enthusiasm.<br />
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But the desire to create, that desire that Dad encouraged and helped develop remains strong. I have been teaching myself the art of making jewelry and this helps me feel close to Dad. Dad loved to fish and we would go out on the bay to fish many times. Being near the ocean has been a part of the healing process for me over the past year.<br />
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A friend introduced me to the beauty of sea glass and imagine my surprise to discover a small beach near my home where sea glass washes in with the tides. With each piece of sea glass I collect, and each piece of jewelry I create using it, I feel a peace in my life as I remember the times I spent with my Dad. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2-d7CNPYvWBX5reTWGfgzh8_4sQHsxgWawI35xY1M1IOSKeXBbk0e2eWqmLeq0NnoA9NxhZobjy06y0xT4ZGqZmZwcohjTOH2OrwRLuL2y0XOHgQec_GjIlNflDCP08epPksD6uecAg/s1600/Photo+55+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2-d7CNPYvWBX5reTWGfgzh8_4sQHsxgWawI35xY1M1IOSKeXBbk0e2eWqmLeq0NnoA9NxhZobjy06y0xT4ZGqZmZwcohjTOH2OrwRLuL2y0XOHgQec_GjIlNflDCP08epPksD6uecAg/s320/Photo+55+001.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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God has been with me through my entire life but I have had no greater assurance to His love and His hand on my life than throughout the past year. I do not understand why things happened they way they did and I still struggle with the "whys," but my faith in God's promises that He uses everything to work good in our lives has not been shaken. <br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-36848047749892478492010-12-27T10:47:00.000-05:002010-12-27T10:47:06.321-05:00IT'S SNOWING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a beautiful sight...all the snow swirling through the air, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">drifting into white waves on the ground...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrF0vaXeiF3T_waTAkWlGmXsII6BnSEUJKu7TDTCDIwvriLGAUkqBMpsX-E7oR5UHaEe3i1FQoa_BWvRCNvR02w0p_kLrY9_nqAZHLmdBVlkNmEMX4-P6SdLQIMoa0Gn_hkFvNLendk4/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrF0vaXeiF3T_waTAkWlGmXsII6BnSEUJKu7TDTCDIwvriLGAUkqBMpsX-E7oR5UHaEe3i1FQoa_BWvRCNvR02w0p_kLrY9_nqAZHLmdBVlkNmEMX4-P6SdLQIMoa0Gn_hkFvNLendk4/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Love how the Christmas lights shine through the snow...</div><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRcdAEReZK7O5ts_ks9tqPytkIqwsaw2nGUqJTlWIlsm7XBLTjCUcL0-u_r-nOBgP3n4NNjkEK7Bs3zkVnpJJR09SH4M4C49XrghuXCjKgejW2LAY4iLDY7P5GCuPu7K-K-b1UoUsLdo/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRcdAEReZK7O5ts_ks9tqPytkIqwsaw2nGUqJTlWIlsm7XBLTjCUcL0-u_r-nOBgP3n4NNjkEK7Bs3zkVnpJJR09SH4M4C49XrghuXCjKgejW2LAY4iLDY7P5GCuPu7K-K-b1UoUsLdo/s320/DSC_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure what this reminds me of but it's almost like a dream</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD_4zjkqFfD3rwD_Lr9bWZVnsdngi60Uc71F0P9GLLWrKtPt3vonGHRyaTN_T-XGM9eriwgdHUnNR6ZOgd38Tsso7JK24XFWTfsmFOTQnEbDLtZs8plBvzzPG8_z-UFjlF4p_0XMS59o/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD_4zjkqFfD3rwD_Lr9bWZVnsdngi60Uc71F0P9GLLWrKtPt3vonGHRyaTN_T-XGM9eriwgdHUnNR6ZOgd38Tsso7JK24XFWTfsmFOTQnEbDLtZs8plBvzzPG8_z-UFjlF4p_0XMS59o/s320/DSC_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-57236064536484851332010-12-07T07:25:00.001-05:002010-12-07T07:25:00.109-05:00Tantalizing Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">If handmade is what you crave, you need to check out this amazing Etsy shop! </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/photomamaregina"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">PhotoMamaRegina</span></em></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> creates custom paper art that is both intricate and delicate. Each piece in her shop is a work of art itself. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKxOnhnKAlb8LUNsedLh385KpK1Hjd7o0t_VAghIJw7X4dlC_bN0EQnA17HSuqbvVb4NWjRTHZDZ2IXx68E9AfhYiXVehmOp5NCiUonZ_aErPvMUiBgm3JI0I7EQ2XKRpyK8q3mb41BA/s1600/il_570xN.180381231%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKxOnhnKAlb8LUNsedLh385KpK1Hjd7o0t_VAghIJw7X4dlC_bN0EQnA17HSuqbvVb4NWjRTHZDZ2IXx68E9AfhYiXVehmOp5NCiUonZ_aErPvMUiBgm3JI0I7EQ2XKRpyK8q3mb41BA/s320/il_570xN.180381231%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/58091520/9-azalea-paper-flowers-made-to-order"><em>9 Azalea Paper Flowers</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-BwsOvhU0PQ3ak9OIJrpzYgqLm1EgwnrhfKoct3nrT3F8WQ2p_uzGsgsbJrN8qCeTROh1d4rJu_mVUxVYv7hh26ahmMrNPvVnDH_T2Gpit8EyrBVkNjSPfSRjIWJ45vQnJO_JaHUA2Y/s1600/il_570xN.169961622%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-BwsOvhU0PQ3ak9OIJrpzYgqLm1EgwnrhfKoct3nrT3F8WQ2p_uzGsgsbJrN8qCeTROh1d4rJu_mVUxVYv7hh26ahmMrNPvVnDH_T2Gpit8EyrBVkNjSPfSRjIWJ45vQnJO_JaHUA2Y/s320/il_570xN.169961622%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54975017/set-of-4-kitty-card-set"><em>Set of 4 Kitty Card Set</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrVGx8xA2ankVgx8-50v5FQL2PrA2fWCGF1Uud2bEn2Ukxi-r-iziXMcs5wlN7knJ475CYLgc5kEjrxvzF4FNUgy8BtcLukti0-ke65e71Q57W011nnaCgviM-1vvsfOR4JpfHUb3xzQ/s1600/il_570xN.198425574%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisrVGx8xA2ankVgx8-50v5FQL2PrA2fWCGF1Uud2bEn2Ukxi-r-iziXMcs5wlN7knJ475CYLgc5kEjrxvzF4FNUgy8BtcLukti0-ke65e71Q57W011nnaCgviM-1vvsfOR4JpfHUb3xzQ/s320/il_570xN.198425574%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63405601/12-lovely-cardstock-flowers-with"><em>12 Lovely Cardstock Flowers</em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-81279953321017062402010-11-30T10:18:00.000-05:002010-11-30T10:18:46.069-05:00Tantalzing Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Anyone can find a gift...but making it personal takes a little more work. And if you're looking for a personal gift, you'll need to visit<em> </em></span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetRideDesigns?page=1"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Sweet Ride Designs</span></em></a><span style="font-size: large;"> and see the amazing pieces available there. Here are a few of my favorites!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9nIvRLnlwXJlpDt_2ez-3Y54rPeN5LT5L4tCMYynD0QOEb4tQVfAWWDq5SG-GiHqtUtQdzvnW8k2SNoudVs4smQByBaJPHMpgRXh25DBdf_thgTbvOamec6d5MyHc1yGUloARsQDEBs/s1600/il_570xN.194885651%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9nIvRLnlwXJlpDt_2ez-3Y54rPeN5LT5L4tCMYynD0QOEb4tQVfAWWDq5SG-GiHqtUtQdzvnW8k2SNoudVs4smQByBaJPHMpgRXh25DBdf_thgTbvOamec6d5MyHc1yGUloARsQDEBs/s320/il_570xN.194885651%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62420470/cyber-monday-sale-custom-holiday-snowman"><em>Custom Holiday Snowman</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrmAuvdZff1Weh1jzgo8qy1b3aqyViW1D_2eqPz4_G13VDTYqFjB8avKp9G8RsNIYfTxdDEWN2wVk7nA8xDrrcEveVJvoQBFyUo8lLr6teURBkgmpigdFZ5pBLpm1yCQuAyrzmBlYJTI/s1600/il_570xN.192948665%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQrmAuvdZff1Weh1jzgo8qy1b3aqyViW1D_2eqPz4_G13VDTYqFjB8avKp9G8RsNIYfTxdDEWN2wVk7nA8xDrrcEveVJvoQBFyUo8lLr6teURBkgmpigdFZ5pBLpm1yCQuAyrzmBlYJTI/s320/il_570xN.192948665%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61840437/cyber-monday-sale-custom-sterling-silver"><em>Family Tree Necklace</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwour8sHEqWHBoCTXBKfp9Ni9zZt6hysjyG9NBUILZ6mSBm3rsdNiJGBls8_I5A6gtnY-O_EtuOHZmOdu8Vff03WTWLbm-QyfvdpVt_cF3hDI8ZTuzP2kK2g8qmMviDMM4wmfVO95Io/s1600/il_570xN.197104187%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwour8sHEqWHBoCTXBKfp9Ni9zZt6hysjyG9NBUILZ6mSBm3rsdNiJGBls8_I5A6gtnY-O_EtuOHZmOdu8Vff03WTWLbm-QyfvdpVt_cF3hDI8ZTuzP2kK2g8qmMviDMM4wmfVO95Io/s320/il_570xN.197104187%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/63051554/cyber-monday-sale-holiday-sale-custom"><em>Custom Disc with Baby Shoe Necklace</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgatJ9pPqdI6sjL5iTffcK2grAmp6dU4HyiOP2naWYxPSucEaSAvDQV4KeBVdXnejXp4EKMdIqywAYM6eCOhhG-dXkZdt2wIRi_6y-wsnHJuLVEazTscXKxfAMH3eqeQVMirax5yDQxQ/s1600/il_570xN.186797823%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgatJ9pPqdI6sjL5iTffcK2grAmp6dU4HyiOP2naWYxPSucEaSAvDQV4KeBVdXnejXp4EKMdIqywAYM6eCOhhG-dXkZdt2wIRi_6y-wsnHJuLVEazTscXKxfAMH3eqeQVMirax5yDQxQ/s320/il_570xN.186797823%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60009065/cyber-monday-sale-girls-sterling-silver"><em>Sterling Silver Bird Nest Charm Necklace</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGMcemDhvow_j0nSMKtTWE5LzGzRXaVgyNVvKevsPB54BHtV5yOpQMVo1At6VW_jQhncOSUXeBXeRYxHIysRK9533WSLTgyj4szfff8IPxUvAtx1tgJcm1A-pDt-YjdRjLloeYjlipzY/s320/il_570xN.192690103%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61760842/cyber-monday-sale-custom-sterling-silver"><em>Personalized Boy Face Necklace</em></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-71637998792503086772010-11-29T09:51:00.000-05:002010-11-29T09:51:22.931-05:00Cyber Monday!<div style="text-align: center;">It's that time of year again...getting Christmas decorations up all over the house, moving everything around in the living room to make room for the really fluffy tree, and asking the eternal question--how much is too much when it comes to listening to Christmas songs? (For me? Never too much. For the hubby? Once is more than enough.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, in a fit of shameless self-promotion, I'm having a Cyber Monday sale in both my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/mommysdream"><em>Etsy shop</em></a> and <a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/mommysdream"><em>ArtFire Shop</em></a>! Any purchase is 10% off with coupon code HolidaySavings2010! Here are a few items that are my favorites for the season...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQqOvkj_vNVYC24vxED2560kx9-P0RaGo1ecFOQV__hqRsXLlQK7ShB3FP4OREL48Gz48s0J50qdWtFxAgrzUOrWWhyphenhyphenR7UPPtxtwQ3YEDxunlIRhS6YT-t-EvwRCdQID8k7-Ol-JYWrQ/s1600/--90000--61311_product_16788561_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQqOvkj_vNVYC24vxED2560kx9-P0RaGo1ecFOQV__hqRsXLlQK7ShB3FP4OREL48Gz48s0J50qdWtFxAgrzUOrWWhyphenhyphenR7UPPtxtwQ3YEDxunlIRhS6YT-t-EvwRCdQID8k7-Ol-JYWrQ/s320/--90000--61311_product_16788561_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1907915"><em>Winter Holly with Swarovski Crystal Wine Glasses Set of 4</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4koiXMgRFMje9cs7KpShip_M6wULqEoH7V1DcmTHoaWlLTAwf911Q1bJLCEWekFCnDXZcYS3XloQH6ZXthcFwqPbFwBVi5ccptdDTPp6wDfVwqyhZ1zT422DGltUThvg-XiB6oytEJLA/s1600/il_570xN.104070120%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4koiXMgRFMje9cs7KpShip_M6wULqEoH7V1DcmTHoaWlLTAwf911Q1bJLCEWekFCnDXZcYS3XloQH6ZXthcFwqPbFwBVi5ccptdDTPp6wDfVwqyhZ1zT422DGltUThvg-XiB6oytEJLA/s320/il_570xN.104070120%255B1%255D.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/34976032/stargazing-snowman-handpainted-glass"><em>Stargazing Snowman Custom Ornament</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhNWykOxhLsKqlEQecX-TC5QhBnqN4_IsREUBohIEoA3fPI-LCsrE-we3v_lTx0T0YdFZvDDUy7f0H_c3sISNfkp_RIReXxnfTTWzp4sxwNBggs9t7E7BX1EBi58D5ip2-ne9UKmpmdE/s1600/--90000--61311_product_1657831552_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhNWykOxhLsKqlEQecX-TC5QhBnqN4_IsREUBohIEoA3fPI-LCsrE-we3v_lTx0T0YdFZvDDUy7f0H_c3sISNfkp_RIReXxnfTTWzp4sxwNBggs9t7E7BX1EBi58D5ip2-ne9UKmpmdE/s320/--90000--61311_product_1657831552_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1587651"><em>Sand Dollar Snowman Stemmed Glassware </em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHjsNVY7NgRjzcLJO0P5PItfCLqlZjwJKMkzVu4RfN-Kv43X3-vouuuT7gAGoxJEwZA84ZkOwD226G7Nx9zxt5fN8XFhdW4Lkv1_Owb23LrflTrVrIcLWhF2M1TtH-UHxpi6u2B4JbkY/s1600/--90000--61311_product_792548608_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHjsNVY7NgRjzcLJO0P5PItfCLqlZjwJKMkzVu4RfN-Kv43X3-vouuuT7gAGoxJEwZA84ZkOwD226G7Nx9zxt5fN8XFhdW4Lkv1_Owb23LrflTrVrIcLWhF2M1TtH-UHxpi6u2B4JbkY/s320/--90000--61311_product_792548608_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1624283"><em>Sunset Beach Glass Pendant</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2e2o256Zvvwthyphenhyphenkihrsk8EMDmYLHqsnmj5_zEAeBpe5jvhSF_bev79a0fBGxvJVWJI1JbLu0WNu6vm4Uc3GG2DAmqhBchwXmbVT9vkGALaUIe3c-n5M5F4P6oOYs9C1Ld7kHkAQa_aE/s1600/il_570xN.106182059%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2e2o256Zvvwthyphenhyphenkihrsk8EMDmYLHqsnmj5_zEAeBpe5jvhSF_bev79a0fBGxvJVWJI1JbLu0WNu6vm4Uc3GG2DAmqhBchwXmbVT9vkGALaUIe3c-n5M5F4P6oOYs9C1Ld7kHkAQa_aE/s320/il_570xN.106182059%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/35597282/cute-snowman-wine-glasses-set-of-4"><em>Cute Snowman Wine Glasses</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeQvR4C4a8H_I1Xw9Ww2cMshGDa4oilxpwJDV4cnJQUxOQdboYv146Rlp2bwZufaBo8pbWaDzD5juZnki79_ZH2X6RUaujdgKr4izqmzBQAlJce8rsJn5jItNTBxGjgt8xTksnPi87Gw/s1600/--90000--61311_product_1049175892_4_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeQvR4C4a8H_I1Xw9Ww2cMshGDa4oilxpwJDV4cnJQUxOQdboYv146Rlp2bwZufaBo8pbWaDzD5juZnki79_ZH2X6RUaujdgKr4izqmzBQAlJce8rsJn5jItNTBxGjgt8xTksnPi87Gw/s320/--90000--61311_product_1049175892_4_thumb_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1485481"><em>Flamingo Glass Pendant</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgJpi7yE2f92Xb3zXDFX0ITIxGYNq6FenoonDNP14qDJKLO8yFU6qs5jCajITkNbBB1uBbz1gb-yBpghve2i9X_PAjnisQzwgtjpJTiVAs_5QvZJs9VyBXLXQ8md4fzltPv_3bGIMvtM/s1600/il_570xN.169637994%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgJpi7yE2f92Xb3zXDFX0ITIxGYNq6FenoonDNP14qDJKLO8yFU6qs5jCajITkNbBB1uBbz1gb-yBpghve2i9X_PAjnisQzwgtjpJTiVAs_5QvZJs9VyBXLXQ8md4fzltPv_3bGIMvtM/s320/il_570xN.169637994%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/54684919/swarovski-crystal-pine-cone-wine-glasses"><em>Pine Cone Wine Glasses with Swarovski crystals</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XmW_K9uYxfyce2Fne3-QqRhQDxi0IEoiCHgYy_5TeM26_JLK9DlagoQ7vDUAzz1kkGZWRWU2hgmQNcHLofM-VCQeUs3uPJu6kHzFZT_QxHE3Y2W0UW1CP3SbVGxSELzDytNmY0hZ1NY/s1600/il_570xN.191291320%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XmW_K9uYxfyce2Fne3-QqRhQDxi0IEoiCHgYy_5TeM26_JLK9DlagoQ7vDUAzz1kkGZWRWU2hgmQNcHLofM-VCQeUs3uPJu6kHzFZT_QxHE3Y2W0UW1CP3SbVGxSELzDytNmY0hZ1NY/s320/il_570xN.191291320%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61348682/christmas-holly-hand-painted-glassware"><em>Christmas Holly Hand-painted Glassware</em></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-8748402427739074572010-11-24T22:53:00.000-05:002010-11-24T22:53:54.151-05:00Tribute<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that the loss of a loved one is keenly felt. My Poppop was a person that you immediately felt at home with and he never met a stranger--just a friend he hadn't been introduced to yet! Poppop went to be with his Lord seven years ago and while I have the promise and assurance that there will come a day when I will feel his arms around me in a great big bear hug again, it's not always easy to be patient for that day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sA7NnsDfUC2ywUoZD7vxCi67nLzEflgCD5AYF6oTh90ejVx_ZvO7rcKX9_kk2EzHYMvxm0gfJm3tp-FdgC1HIV-xW0hgcaXg37bbKRyDdxxbWodGZhAohtEFL-02Jc4wxGJ78RocOnY/s1600/Chris+and+Poppop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sA7NnsDfUC2ywUoZD7vxCi67nLzEflgCD5AYF6oTh90ejVx_ZvO7rcKX9_kk2EzHYMvxm0gfJm3tp-FdgC1HIV-xW0hgcaXg37bbKRyDdxxbWodGZhAohtEFL-02Jc4wxGJ78RocOnY/s320/Chris+and+Poppop.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><em>Chris and Poppop</em><br />
<em><br />
</em>The following is my eulogy from his funeral . I hope it encourages you to live each day to the fullest and to love without regret.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeUFkH4-qYstbEDVLt7DDavIECZsrn39J3WsdX_6miwOECY2_-6oloNOshRxRJ221IjJQdwGUFFsapOC1A_XwFGMiofihetPagGNyj3zK9AX4hjX6hetSn7zt_DHkYGDjFPwUTlEjXYw/s1600/Poppop+and+Rachel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeUFkH4-qYstbEDVLt7DDavIECZsrn39J3WsdX_6miwOECY2_-6oloNOshRxRJ221IjJQdwGUFFsapOC1A_XwFGMiofihetPagGNyj3zK9AX4hjX6hetSn7zt_DHkYGDjFPwUTlEjXYw/s320/Poppop+and+Rachel.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Poppop and Rachel building a snowman</em></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">______________________________________</div><br />
Once upon a time there was a wise man that used to have a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work for the day. One morning, he was walking along the shore, and looking out across the sand, he saw a human figure moving like a dancer. He smiled to himself to think of someone who would dance to the day. So he began to walk faster to catch up.<br />
<br />
As he got closer, he saw that it was a young man and the young man wasn't dancing, but instead he was reaching down to the shore, picking up something and very gently throwing it into the ocean. As he got closer he called out, "Good morning! What are you doing?"<br />
<br />
The young man paused, looked up and replied, "Throwing starfish in the ocean."<br />
<br />
"I guessed that, but why are you throwing starfish in the ocean?"<br />
<br />
"The sun is up and the tide is going out. And if I don't throw them in they'll die."<br />
<br />
"But, young man, don't you realize that there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along it. You can't possibly make a difference!"<br />
<br />
The young man listened politely, then bent down and picked up another starfish. He threw it into the sea, past the breaking waves and said--"It made a difference for that one."<br />
<br />
Poppop lived what he believed. It was evidenced in the care he took in preparing his Sunday School lessons. It was shown in the time he spent with his family. People who had the opportunity to sit next to him in the doctor’s office or stand in line with him at the store couldn’t help but discover the kind of man he was.<br />
<br />
As the world counts importance and noteworthiness, Poppop wasn’t even in the ballpark. He lived in a modest home on a dead-end road in a little town that defines one of its borders by a back bay. He worked hard—not to accumulate wealth or fame, but because there was a job to do and he did it.<br />
<br />
Last week, people around this country celebrated Independence Day. Symbols of our country and its freedom were everywhere. But on that day, God began to prepare us for Poppop’s Independence Day. And the symbolism of his final hours is nothing short of remarkable. On the first day of the week, as the people here at Heislerville Church gathered to take communion to remember the death of Christ and the finished work of the cross, we as a family gathered to say good-bye. And I believe that as the family he loved so much was gathered around him, physically and in spirit, and the church family he loved as dearly gathered around the communion table, God’s timetable was complete and Poppop was called home to be with his Lord. <br />
<br />
Poppop’s life followed the road of the cross. It involved giving up his will for his life so that God could work through him and touch others. He talked about it whenever anyone was willing to listen and lived it for everyone else to see. His entire focus was on pleasing God and everything he did was with this in mind. If you ever had a meal at Granny and Poppop’s house, you heard him say grace before you ate. The final sentence of his prayer was always, “Help us to please You in everything we say and do.”<br />
<br />
Many times he made decisions that from the world’s standards made no sense. Poppop looked to God through prayer and reading the Bible to help him choose what he should do. And once he made up his mind, there was no turning him from that path.<br />
<br />
He and Granny prayed for each of us every single day. While there were many prayers for each one of us through the years, the prayer I remember hearing over and over again was that we would each understand our need for salvation and that we would be willing to walk in the path God had set before us. Poppop’s life touched many others, but his first concern was always for his family’s spiritual well-being.<br />
<br />
Poppop’s last days weren’t spent in his bean field. They weren’t spent in the home he had built. But they were spent with his family surrounding him. I know his most fervent prayer and wish was that he would be surrounded in Heaven by all of us again one day.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-60458760995676966192010-11-24T10:10:00.000-05:002010-11-24T10:10:46.890-05:00Tantalizing Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you are looking for unique handmade gifts (and who isn't?) you're going to want to check out </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ElunaJewelry"><span style="font-size: large;">Eluna Jewelry</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> on Etsy. Gorgeous wire-wrapped earrings and pendants--many created with reclaimed glass! Here are a few that caught my eye...</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yga_Qhw4Rj8FxXetxQaqMAXiIStaLKJe3XxQIaPGyZyl7DTuiZGgPiXOvRSY5JXnII_t2Fr9DsUe1BRDug54OvFJZI8IwZSmVUCFnAZAhzNoQJ4TGVeia3wjIUiI-D_ZqpJY0v0fQhY/s1600/il_570xN.192974004%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Yga_Qhw4Rj8FxXetxQaqMAXiIStaLKJe3XxQIaPGyZyl7DTuiZGgPiXOvRSY5JXnII_t2Fr9DsUe1BRDug54OvFJZI8IwZSmVUCFnAZAhzNoQJ4TGVeia3wjIUiI-D_ZqpJY0v0fQhY/s320/il_570xN.192974004%255B1%255D.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61847851/earrings-reclaimed-stained-glass-white"><em>Earrings-Reclaimed White Stained Glass</em></a> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjLfajRtIkgLpj4qcNUHOgQzuLokHW0q_blIJC-7STK8SSdad-uU0vr5-GfxlKeXoLF4hLTE4P0SmdO3pFRzJgZL2WsWNsujvfIasvWIfQH7deP4u0MQn-flbvvOtkAluqwLdsSTEJxs/s1600/il_570xN.131735110%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjLfajRtIkgLpj4qcNUHOgQzuLokHW0q_blIJC-7STK8SSdad-uU0vr5-GfxlKeXoLF4hLTE4P0SmdO3pFRzJgZL2WsWNsujvfIasvWIfQH7deP4u0MQn-flbvvOtkAluqwLdsSTEJxs/s320/il_570xN.131735110%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/43136802/earrings-reclaimed-stained-glass-purple"><em>Earrings-Reclaimed Purple Stained Glass</em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4UbVnh9sNFCWaEihlocUk2rewKkqYcoCJqDxhukVnt7NyfNjUo3pO_Q4qji7manGhfiIBAHQFo5tW3Y0tkm-3Ver9RT47xEb7lWhhyoyGILwpqmicRFhUQ2zXaDZHycTq9WYXk1gsM8/s1600/il_570xN.192147954%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4UbVnh9sNFCWaEihlocUk2rewKkqYcoCJqDxhukVnt7NyfNjUo3pO_Q4qji7manGhfiIBAHQFo5tW3Y0tkm-3Ver9RT47xEb7lWhhyoyGILwpqmicRFhUQ2zXaDZHycTq9WYXk1gsM8/s320/il_570xN.192147954%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61602780/earrings-reclaimed-stained-glass"><em>Earrings-Reclaimed Stained Glass</em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXCE_5Qv_agh9mV6AksKEITdS9Gb2MyjxxZcz9gedkjfoiEXO3J-zt-6j-DQBSb9mml1z2H3jp5kuC6tr638b99N7NW6IRZR3UVhgfQHhK55t6zoK1qIp7uCeeokSojv35UVZejNGtuo/s1600/il_570xN.171998695%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXCE_5Qv_agh9mV6AksKEITdS9Gb2MyjxxZcz9gedkjfoiEXO3J-zt-6j-DQBSb9mml1z2H3jp5kuC6tr638b99N7NW6IRZR3UVhgfQHhK55t6zoK1qIp7uCeeokSojv35UVZejNGtuo/s320/il_570xN.171998695%255B1%255D.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/55586896/italian-glass-pendant-mosaic-tile-in"><em>Italian Glass Pendant</em></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo7FKCv9gALJqDQYCaU4ro-W7sj2VZAigQC0MDZMUDtwkbvrO3KChDQYhsUOdnpznMor1o1iIoeBo5pK6yyqDGq2M-AB3pUBmZSaLefNe40x7j0YJQq0iHsqjMI_oRLnKwaOtXg-kfhA/s1600/il_570xN.193010838%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo7FKCv9gALJqDQYCaU4ro-W7sj2VZAigQC0MDZMUDtwkbvrO3KChDQYhsUOdnpznMor1o1iIoeBo5pK6yyqDGq2M-AB3pUBmZSaLefNe40x7j0YJQq0iHsqjMI_oRLnKwaOtXg-kfhA/s320/il_570xN.193010838%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61859062/open-round-spiral-earrings-hammered"><em>Open Round Spiral Hammered Earrings</em> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yKupvKQ3v3zEWm1QkFDihyphenhyphenvK2cIFCRtGKnH6MkGVY0bv0q17ymh9C0JskYL7C4zYVY5URB9zIAh_KRYHLHIvTyZAD9leRXyE17PKFxebCM1bm_gH1hvHptBqHssCdePhUePtpbHtzfM/s1600/il_570xN.120939262%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yKupvKQ3v3zEWm1QkFDihyphenhyphenvK2cIFCRtGKnH6MkGVY0bv0q17ymh9C0JskYL7C4zYVY5URB9zIAh_KRYHLHIvTyZAD9leRXyE17PKFxebCM1bm_gH1hvHptBqHssCdePhUePtpbHtzfM/s320/il_570xN.120939262%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/39973454/earrings-reclaimed-stained-glass-green"><em>Earrings-Reclaimed Green Stained Glass</em></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6945927519398305536.post-54401175820220676982010-11-22T09:07:00.000-05:002010-11-22T09:07:52.127-05:00Secret Santa<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am involved with a WONDERFUL guild on ArtFire </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">- <span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Beautiful Art and Artwork</strong></span> - </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">headed up by an amazing woman who goes by the name </span><a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/KraftyMax"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>KraftyMax</strong></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and had the great idea </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">of sharing our skills with each other as a Secret Santa.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My Secret Santa was </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artfire.com/users/katerinaart"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Katerina Koukiotis</strong></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><strong> </strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and I am honored to own not one, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">but TWO pieces of her artwork!</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehkeH6-G5ZH2FBjdEgPG-dp_O3fqzJZ2W4RpX8Tqb2Bz2Fxhxt9CbZZ6kw3TVeCu5crN-3qKlnWmmHPQ3CTmNBmL7AJKOYONvME8t1NsXBEYMVcKhKfMC0CEHEimTk1XSQvB4cOtQhAo/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehkeH6-G5ZH2FBjdEgPG-dp_O3fqzJZ2W4RpX8Tqb2Bz2Fxhxt9CbZZ6kw3TVeCu5crN-3qKlnWmmHPQ3CTmNBmL7AJKOYONvME8t1NsXBEYMVcKhKfMC0CEHEimTk1XSQvB4cOtQhAo/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a glossy 5x7 Christmas card </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">of her <em>LIMITED EDITION </em>design titled "Little Match Girl" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This card is still available for purchase at her ArtFire <a href="http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&op=listing&product_id=1795387"><em>shop</em></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeSbopy9bo2ckB_VIWafTAjaAV2vXa3zpnz1uPo24sQTduRqi7sBdZVaa8kSHKhHx5SBbiu01jwTyIvVBaw1Q0IX3VT03rIe4bq53RNuOr1a1GA47cQmWUMmMu1S-If9GtnT-USSvzxE/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeSbopy9bo2ckB_VIWafTAjaAV2vXa3zpnz1uPo24sQTduRqi7sBdZVaa8kSHKhHx5SBbiu01jwTyIvVBaw1Q0IX3VT03rIe4bq53RNuOr1a1GA47cQmWUMmMu1S-If9GtnT-USSvzxE/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a beautiful ACEO print of "Christmas Spirit." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you, Katerina, for the beautiful artwork!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><iframe style="width:180px; height:350px; border:none;overflow:hidden;" src="http://Cr8tivity.com/index.php/widget_service/get_widget/8367769"></iframe></div>Sea of Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16831046078504191026noreply@blogger.com3