Results Day – Design Challenge Spring 2012

Posted on May 16, 2012 by crystal

It’s “Results Day” for our Spring 2012 – Bead Design Challenge!

I’m so excited to show you the spectacular designs that were created to jazz up our bling-less Lady!

Spring can be a busy season and several of you, who signed up, were not able to meet the deadline. I totally understand – life happens – but you are more than welcome to join us next time!

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On to the results!

Here are the beads and findings that were magically turned into the eye candy you are about to view!

Please note! You can click on photos to make them larger. Also, be sure to use the links provided to visit each artist’s shop! :-D

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From Annia.

Visit her shop here.

Annia says:

“I see this Lady more bohemian and of course she loves bright colors especially in a summer day while walking around town with a long dress admiring the new flowers and gardens.”

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From Caro

Visit her shop here.

Caro says:

“Well, here’s my bling. A black and baby blue necklace to match her head band and complement the subtle blues in her dress.

In case you didn’t already know, this lady’s ready to put her Victorian past behind her. No pink cameos for her! Instead, she’s stepping out in something that’s gonna blow the stockings off her demure friends and grab her knight in shining armor by the eyeballs!”

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From Donna

Visit her shop here

Donna says:

“Bead Cap Inspiration: As soon as I saw Crystal’s Bead Caps in her Etsy Shop, I knew what I would make. I loved working with them!! So flexible.”

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From Brenda

Visit her shop here

Here’s Brenda’s lovely pendant necklace and earrings!

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From Deb

Visit her shop here

Deb designed this romantic pair of dangle earrings!

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From Joyce

Visit her shop here

Joyce says:
“Can’t wait for the next one (challenge)!!!! Thanks bunches – it was great fun!” :)

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Well, I thought that was the end of the entries… but just before Cinderella’s coach turned back into a pumpkin… Donna finished one more pretty design.

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Congratulations and many thanks to all. At the end of each challenge, I always think it just can’t get any better, but then you amaze me… all over again. :-D

As you know, there are three chances for a prize this time. The names, drawn at random, are:

1st prize, BeadHappilyEverAfter Cache of Vintage Treasures goes to Donna

2nd prize, $30 Shopping Spree in our Bead Shop goes to Joyce

3rd prize, $20 Shopping Spree in our Bead Shop goes to Caro

ALL participants who did not win one of the above prizes will receive a coupon code for 30% off any purchase during June 2012 in our Bead Shop.

Watch your emails! In the next 24 hours, you’ll be receiving either instructions on how to redeem your prize, or your coupon code!

And remember to visit the shops of each participant! Just click on the link next to their names, above. You’ve only just begun to see their talent!!!
Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

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First Tango with Tangerine Tango

Posted on May 7, 2012 by crystal

I am not exaggerating when I confess that I have never owned an article of clothing in the color orange.

Oh, I’ve had accessories with touches of orange – scarves, jewelry, handbags – but never clothing!

It’s not that I avoid bright colors. If you know me – you know I love purple.

My second fave is red, so this girl is definitely not shy.

I guess I’ve always thought that an entire shirt or dress in orange would just be too much; too “loud”.

Besides, I’m a “winter” and orange is not a good color for “winters”. (Do you know your season?)

Recently, I needed new nightgowns. I love the all cotton, long t-shirt styles from Lands’ End. There are several colors available but I chose Lavender and Coral (which I’ve had before).

When the package arrived, I literally gasped to see that the coral one was not at all like the previous coral I had purchased (which was a mixture of pink, peach, and orange – the way I picture coral to be!).

This new nightgown was jack-o-lantern orange!

Well, I figured I’d be brave and give it a try. You know – embrace the change.

According to Pantone, the color experts -

“Tangerine Tango” (bright orange) is the color of the year!

Maybe so, but whenever I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror while wearing it, I shake my head and think: “I could direct traffic in this get-up.” ;-)

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

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Must Be Cracking Up

Posted on April 30, 2012 by crystal

Crystal likes to use magnets on the refrigerator. They hold her shopping list, stray coupons, family photos, business cards, recipes, etc.

Several of the magnets are not holding anything, however. She uses those in a random rotation to signal that the dishes in the dishwasher are clean. Really! ;-)

When she turns on the dishwasher – she sticks a magnet on the closed door. After she puts away the clean dishes – she removes the magnet and places it back on the refrigerator. This is not a foolproof system. Sometimes she forgets to put one on… or even worse – take one off. Then, it’s anybody’s guess if the dishes are clean or dirty.

Two years ago, she found this cute little fella on display at a kitchen store.
“How kitchen-y and cute!” she thought. She had to have him.

Mr. Egg has had a home on her fridge ever since. He’s often chosen as the “dishwasher-on” sentry.

Now, seriously, wouldn’t you think that in two years of using him that she would have noticed he’s not just a magnet?

One day, as she was returning him to the fridge, she saw something on the bottom. “Huh? What’s this?” she wondered.

Well, it turned out to be . . . A tape measure!

And how does the tape measure rewind? You push his nose.

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The absent-minded professor has nothing on Crystal.
Poor girl! Sometimes it seems as if she’s one sandwich short of a picnic. ;-)

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

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Paper Trail

Posted on April 23, 2012 by crystal

Honestly, Kids, sometimes I long for the days when letters were on paper….

With online banking to pay your bills, and emails/texting to touch base with family and friends, will hand-written letters become totally extinct?

I think it’s a pretty good possibility.

Although I’m glad to see most of my bills being paid without a stamp, I really hate to think that the fun mail will someday stop.

People don’t really write letters very often, now. In some ways, it’s understandable – email is so much quicker and more convenient. But there’s something beautiful about a little envelope with your name handwritten on it. :-D

When I was quite young, my grandmother helped me compose a letter to a cousin who lived far away. I had never written a real letter before. Nana suggested that I first scribble something in pencil on a piece of scrap paper, but I wasn’t sure how to begin. She encouraged me by saying:

“Just write as if you are talking to the person… as if he is sitting right there beside you!”

That worked like a charm. Next, she gave me a sheet of good paper and (drum roll, please!) my grandfather’s special pen – the “fancy” one he kept in a little stand on the bureau. Talk about feeling like a grownup. :-)

Probably the most faithful and prolific letter-writer I’ve ever known was Sir Beads’ Mom. Her letters were little treasures. She always used pretty stationery and usually, it was scented! I swear the lovely fragrance of those letters would spread to all of the other mail that arrived on the same day. It made opening the bills a pleasure (well, almost!).

Her letters were written in a beautiful script and she often tucked in a photo, or a newspaper clipping, or a recipe she’d copied especially for me, or snippets of yarn from an “in-progress” sweater, or scraps of fabric from a dress she was sewing for one of my girls – just so I could see the colors and textures she had chosen. It was fun to feel part of the project in that way.

I miss those letters. They brightened up even the sunniest of days! I did save a lot of them. They’re part of our family history, after all.

I wonder if emails between family members will survive through the ages. Will they be stored on tiny discs? Will they be accidentally erased during computer crashes? They definitely won’t have the little surprises tucked inside . . .

This week’s question is:

Do you have old hand-written letters that you have saved? Do you ever hand-write a letter, now? Do you save emails? Are you ok with a totally paper-less society?

Ok, that’s more than one question! ;-)

But you know what I mean…. Lol

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

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Coffee’s On

Posted on April 16, 2012 by crystal

Hi Kids,
Come on in . . . You’re just in time for tea (or coffee if you prefer)!

If you’ve been with me for a while, you probably remember the “weekly question”! For many months, we all checked in here on Mondays and shared a laugh, our latest news, and sometimes – even a bit of advice. It was our virtual coffee klatsch. ;-)

I’ve been missing those times, so today I’m here with a question!

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But just a little background, first . . .

I’ve always been a fan of the clever pun.
Businesses often choose something cute and “punny” as a name. I can think of a couple of hair salons around here that prove my point:

Curl Up and Dye

The Hairafter

Usually the puns are intentional but when they are not intentional – they can be even more amusing!

The following businesses used the real names of the proprietors – I’m serious!

Bland’s Restaurant

Flowers Funeral Home

Dr. Wolfe, Veterinarian

Funny, yes?

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So, my question is:

Can you think of a business in your area that has a clever name?

(And if you can’t… well, have another cup and tell us about your weekend!) :-)

Hugs,

crystal-1b3-copy-flatfullwidth

Posted in fun | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments