September ABS Challenge

"The White Rose and the Red Rose" 1902 

by Margaret Macdonald

Hunterian Art Gallery Mackintosh collections

99.0 cm x 101.5 cm

Gesso, painted, set with glass beads and shell; on hessian on a wooden stretcher

'Vintage Rose'

Ceramic Beads from Eclectic Prairie, Lampwork beads from Twin Star,Glass 'melon' beads from Arte Bella Surplus,Brass leaf,chain and bird from Vintaj.

Click on the photo to get a better view.

Thanks for stopping by.

Please check out the Art Bead Scene Blog on the 30th to see what others made.

Focus on Life

September is all about simplicity. 

Our prompt for this week is a window.

A window at the Boston Aquarium. 

 I was lucky to get a shot of this huge turtle as all the animals swam by so fast.

The aquarium was four stories tall and at the top you could see all the animals swimming around.

Focus on Life

September is all about simplicity.

Our assignment today is to take a photo of a door. I love to find unique doors an got the chance on our vacation to Washington DC. Our hotel was just a short walk to the subway and there were several lovely doors on that route.

See more doors at Sally's blog.

The Challenge of Music

I always enjoy Erin's challenges and she comes up with great ideas to stretch our minds and creativity.

Having been born in the early 1960's  with so many great songs in the '60's and '70's (the best two decades for music in my opinion) it was difficult to choose just one song.

So I started looking at the bands in these two decades.

The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hindrix, The Who, The Doors, Led Zepplin, The Eagles, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Pink Floyd and so many more. Still too many to choose from. In fact it makes my head spin.

Then I remembered the Coca-Cola Song I heard so often as a child and did a little research.

In 1971 the song was born one foggy day in London and ended with 500 people from around the world singing the song on a hilltop in Italy.

You can read more about the makings of the commercial and hear the song by clicking the link below.

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/stories/coke-lore-hilltop-story

My piece was inspired by the people of different lands, different colors ,different religions and ideals who stood together on that hill all brought together with a simple bottle of Coca-Cola.

The world would be a better place if we could just love more and hate less.

'Perfect Harmony'
Lava beads, ancient carnelian, red jasper, carved bone bead, ceramic beads by Eclectic Prairie
Lampwork beads by Lynda Bead Dreams and Twinstar and one wood bead.

Check out Erin's blog to see what the other participants made.

52 weeks Saying Good Bye

Saying Good Bye to 2013 with Sally's Focusing on Life Photo Challenge. But have no fear, Sally has big plans for next year and I quickly signed up for the 2014 challenge.

Our last assignment is to say good bye.

Wishing you HOPE

And JOY

And to see the world like a child with wild-eyed wonderment.

Blessings to you during the holidays,

and a Happy New Year!

Art Jewelry Elements Earring Challenge

We are nearly done with the AJE year long earring challenge for this year. I have enjoyed doing this challenge and seeing all the wonderful earring designs from other artists.  I hope this challenge continues in 2014, but if not, I will try to keep doing it myself.

'Copper Mountain'

Beaded beads from Kristen at Bead work by KAS, lampwork beads by Frog Song Jewelry, hammered brass rings from Vintaj and brass earwires.

'Irish Lass'

Enameled drops by bluhealer, tiny Czech beads, brass 'Bangalore Detail' connectors from Vintaj.

thanks for stopping by. be sure to check out the AJE blog on Sunday to see more earrings.

52 Weeks A Pop of Red

It stands to reason that our assignment this week is to find a pop of red. After all December has lots of potential for finding red.  So here is my pop of red.

 

Us girls each got one of these Santa mugs when we were young.  I remember drinking hot chocolate or milk out of these mugs, and sometimes even Pepsi--my mom's favorite drink.

I'm so glad these mugs were kept and later passed on to us.  They bring back lots of fond memories.

 

 

Beautiful books about Christmas, all in red.

 

 

And a book from my childhood. It still has some flocking on the red parts but as I took photos I noticed the book is falling apart. I remember reading this book over and over as a child and later reading it to our own young children.

 

I love the whimsical art and the bright cheery vintage colors.

 

 

As I write this post I have to wonder if the children today will cherish such things from their youth.  New toys and electronic gadgets are being spewed out into the market so fast, and in the blink of the eye they are already old news.  E-readers are taking the place of books, and Christmas cards are sent electronically. What memories will our children remember as they grow older......what possessions will they cherish?

 

 

And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 

Blessings to you through the Christmas Season!

 

52 Weeks A Little Sparkle

I can't believe it's week 49 in our year long photo challenge!

This week our assignment is to add a little sparkle.
I am a sucker for all the things Christmas, especially the ones I remember from when I was young; vintage ornaments, Santa mugs, and those woodland elves that are up there in my blog header.

 Long ago my dad, (who keeps everything) got rid of the vintage ornaments we used to have on our silver tree, which made me sad. 

So this year I began hunting for similar ornaments in antique shops and etsy and found quite a few. Also I purchased a small tree to display these ornaments, which is the first thing you see when you walk in the front door.

So here are just a few of the vintage ornaments I purchased.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

And  of course a topper!

 

"For unto us  a child is born. To us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. He shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace."

 

 

 

 



 





 

 

 

 

I'm in a magazine

 

Thanks to Jo Tinley who asked for some photos and a little write up about my jewelry, which the magazine expanded on with some very nice comments.

I'm so thrilled to be in this magazine!

I'm on page 38.

 

Thanks so much Jo!!!!!