crystal | Bead Happily Ever After

Long Time No Blog

Posted on May 3, 2014 by crystal

Greetings Kids!

Remember me? 😉

I know… It’s been a while.

Things are crazy busy around here – but I’ve missed chatting with you…

Hope all is well and that you’re seeing signs of spring in your world.
Here in New England, we’ve had a slow start to the season with trees only just beginning to bud.

I’ve been trying to fit in little blocks of time to create something – anything!

Many of you know that I firmly believe crafting is a stress-reducer… sort of a “vitamin” for the soul. When life gets very hectic, I cope by finding spare moments in the day to be creative.

For example, I did finally finish the bracelet I showed you a while back…

And currently, I’m quite taken with something that’s popping up all over the internet – shabby chic flowers! Here’s my first one with more to follow in an upcoming post.

click to enlarge

They’re made from scraps of various fabrics and all sorts of laces. For the decorative centers, you can use re-purposed jewelry, old buttons, or (as I did) you can make your own little beaded embellishments!

Finally, just for fun, I am including a photo of a recent dinner made for me by Sir Beads.

I… am… a… LUCKY… girl!

Who knew that after decades of doing all the cooking myself, I’d eventually be spoiled by a husband who would (after retiring) decide to become our cook.

Pinwheel of Beef, Cheese, and Spinach, Roasted Potatoes, Mixed Vegetables

Was it good? Oh yeah!

Please tell us your news. 😀

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Potholders Anonymous

Posted on April 8, 2014 by crystal

Hello.
My name is Crystal and I can’t stop making potholders!

In my last post, I mentioned that I couldn’t find quality-made potholders in the stores, so I decided to make my own.

Who knew they’re as addictive as potato chips??? (I sure didn’t!) 😉

It all started out innocently enough . . .

I finished the one you saw “in progress” last time.

And then I made another.

Next, I found a pattern for a nice thick one (with a pretty ridged design), and decided to give it a go.

And before I knew it, I was beginning another – with a rainbow color scheme!

Since then, I’ve bought enough cotton yarn to make several more. They’re so fast and easy – great to work on while watching TV – but I have a question…

Just how many potholders does one kitchen need?

I may have to set some aside as Christmas gifts.

Christmas gifts finished in April?

Now, that will be a first!

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Lately, I’m . . .

Posted on March 17, 2014 by crystal

Enjoying the longer days now that we’ve sprung forward! It’s lovely to sit down for dinner with the sun still streaming in . . .

Realizing there are no good quality potholders available in the stores around here, so I’m making my own using Lily Sugar’n Cream cotton yarn.
Makes me feel all Little House on the Prairie. 😉

Loving the bamboo-handled crochet hook I’m currently using. It’s the first “comfort handle” hook I’ve ever had and it’s so comfortable that I wish I had bought one a lot sooner!

Disbelieving that I could have a daughter turning “30-something” in a couple of days. Where did the time go? (Happy Birthday, Sweetheart! xoxoxo)

Working on a new beading challenge: twin holed beads!
They’re fun and I hope to have a finished bracelet ready to show you soon.

Admiring (and incredibly proud of) my mother who has been through a nightmare-ish several weeks of lung surgery with complications. Brave as always, she’s set an inspiring example of how to look on the bright side. And in the midst of it all – she asks me how I am doing!!!!

Reminding myself that focusing on life’s blessings and finding cheerful little distractions is the way to get through the challenging times.

What’s happening in your world?

Sending hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Fashion or Fad

Posted on February 25, 2014 by crystal

Have you noticed that the just-got-out-of-bed hairstyle is everywhere? Apparently, it’s very “in”.

I’m not against a tousled look. Casual and carefree can be quite attractive.

But, I do have one question…

Where was I when parting your hair with a comb went out of style?

When I was in school, if a girl showed up to class with hair like this – the teacher would pull her aside and ask whether she lost her hairbrush… or just neglected to stand close enough to her comb that morning!

The photos in today’s post popped up while I was searching for hairstyle ideas. I’ve had short hair for years, but I’m ready for a change!

Of course, it’s not easy to live through the transition from short layers to a longer, more even length. No siree, Kids! Not easy at all!

I’ve tried and failed countless times before. (story here)

This time is different!
I’ve spent the last year ~~patiently~~ impatiently waiting for the layers in my hair to grow into something like a chin-length bob.

For inspiration, I’ve been paying more attention to the hairstyles of women on TV and in magazines. So many feature a zigzag part!

I don’t think it’s for me, though. I’d constantly be tempted to grab a comb and straighten it out.

Guess I’m not that casual. 😉

Do you change your hairstyle, often? Are you more adventurous than I?

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀

Anything But Grey

Posted on February 10, 2014 by crystal

Here in New England, our frosty winter days are usually accompanied by clear blue skies and lots of bright sunshine.

This year, however, has been remarkably cloudy – not rainy, just CLOUDY!
And the combination of grey skies and short winter days gets old pretty quickly.

What to do? Well, I like to grab some colorful yarn and ignore the bleak weather.

Here’s my idea of an afternoon break.

I’ve just begun this blanket. Generally, I wait until I’m finished making all the squares (or other motifs) before sewing them together. This time though, I’m joining them as I go – which means the blanket will already be in one piece by the time I make the last square! 😀

Have you had a cloudy 2014, so far?

What do you like to do on a dreary day? C’mon, please tell us!

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Click the envelope to leave a comment or to read what the other kids are saying! 😀