Come on Summer!

Just staying busy around here.  School is almost over for the kiddo, recitals are finishing up, and summer is coming quick.  It will all go by in a blur if we don't try to slow it down a bit.  I look forward to the "girl" time this summer trying new crafts and exploring the Pittsburgh area with my "mini me" in tow.

And my garden is out in full force.  Its difficult to keep my mind on making jewelry when I just want to be outside playing in the sunshine and smelling all the lovely flowers.  I almost need some days of rain just to get things done inside.  Maybe I should do a little rain dance.  Nah...the neighbors would think I'm crazy.

Ok, so I've at least squeezed in a project or two for a friend.  

Botswana Agate with seed pearls

Labradorite with sterling silver

Is it any wonder why I love this stone?  Look at that blue!

My sweet friends, enjoy the sunshine! :)

Bye, Bye, Summer

It's sad but summer is coming to a close. I live in Pittsburgh so we have long dreary winters and we long for the summer to hold on forever. Fall doesn't officially begin until September 22 at 5:18pm EDT (yeah, I looked it up) but I can already see the changes. My neighbors dogwood and maple tree are starting to get a ting of red along the tips of the leaves. It's like fall is trying to creep in without anyone noticing. And we've had mornings and nights in the 60's and even the 50's! All of my wonderful flowers are gone and so the bright cheery feeling has left my yard. So sad! So I thought I would do one last tribute to summer. Here's what I enjoy in the spring and summer months.

On a happier note, I thought I would "pick your brains" a little bit. What an awful saying, by the way! We are all terribly busy in December with all the hustle and bustle of shopping, baking, and just general merriment so I had an idea. Would anyone be interested in doing a secret Santa in November? We could call it "Thanksgiving Treasures" or something along those lines. So, here's the general plan. I will take the info of everyone involved like favorite colors, stones, beads, etc. Then everyone in the group will get a random name with information about what that person likes. You'll have a couple weeks to finish the project and send your pretties in the mail. I think the best choice would be to make a pair of earrings. Why earrings? They are fast, easy, and generally less expensive to create. If you are interested please let me know soon so I can see if we would have enough people for the swap. Oh, and keep in mind that I have some followers that are out of the USA. If you are part of the swap you might get someone from another country and would have to mail your item to them. Just a thought!

Here's the specifics that I've come up with so far for "Thanksgiving Treasures".

1. Reply with your specifics by Sept. 30th. I will make a list of questions about your interests later for you to answer.
   
2. Receive your info on the person for the swap by Oct. 4th.
3. Make and mail earrings by Oct. 31st.
4. Everyone should have their present sometime in the month of November (maybe a little later out of the USA, not sure on that).

Any thoughts or suggestions? Please let me know if this is something you'd like to participate in and I will work on the arrangements. Have a great Friday and a rockin' weekend! :)