Bead Happily Ever After

Show and Tell Tuesday

Posted on April 5, 2011 by crystal

Welcome!

For this week’s Show and Tell Tuesday, I’m delighted to announce that there are three new “What’s on your Refrigerator?” photos! 😀

So, in the order received . . .

We have Clenna’s!

Clenna says: “I am so embarrassed about my fridge but I have to own up to it. On top left in basket– bibs (for grand daughter), Wet ones in the middle to grab and take with me when running out the door. On right – epipen for bee sting, recipes and behind that mess – cook books. Top left – coupons in baggies, cartoon with dog magnet, a notepad- which says “Dog HAS eaten” written this AM as I was heading out the door to work. Right side top – obituary of a dear friend, Southwest schedule – I returned last Monday night, pictures of grand kids, political cartoon. Below – middle on right side – article on upcoming Woman’s Expo, pix of engaged couple, another Golden Retriever magnet, another cartoon – we love humor! And lots of magnets for the grand daughter to play with.” 😀

Next, here’s Yona’s!

Yona says: “I know I’m late, but I couldn’t resist – had to share my fridge too even though it pales in comparison to the others. Mine is so boring, but here it goes: I have a Georgetown Bulldog magnet (my sweetie’s favorite team) and a dog with bone of my own that I got at the Dollar Store. My stepson’s basketball team spirit magnet. 2 graduation pictures (blurred because some people are Internet-paranoid). 3 magnets from Hawaii, including a hand-painted surfboard with my name and my sweetie’s name. Also, 3 Fortune cookie wrappers.”

And, here’s Allison’s!

Allison says: “On the front, one door is Annelise and the other door is Robert.
On the side, there are random other pictures: more of Annelise, one of me on Luca, two of my old dogs that have passed away, an old horse of mine named Sleeper that has also passed away (pictured with my sister and me), lots of fun magnets and a research paper assignment sheet for Annelise. There is usually some of Annelise’s artwork, although none at the moment!”

This is so much fun! Thank you, Kids. 😀

You know I’m always delighted to showcase your photos on Show and Tell Tuesday.

Remember that the subject can be almost anything – people, pets, something you’re making, home repairs (in progress or finished), your garden, bargains you’ve found, holiday decorations, a scene in your hometown, last night’s casserole (with the recipe, please!), or something you choose!

If you’re worried about cropping or sizing, I can do that for you.

Send your photo(s) to: crystal (at) beadhappilyeverafter(dot) com

Hugs,

What Weekend?

Posted on April 4, 2011 by crystal

Is it Monday already?

The weekend certainly flew by. I wish I could report we were having fun – but we were immersed in our taxes. I’m sure if you look in a thesaurus for the opposite of “fun”, you’ll see the word “taxes”. 😉 But I won’t whine. A weekend is a weekend, after all!

Easter will be arriving towards the end of the month, so how about a holiday-related weekly question?

Do you have (or have you had) any particular Easter traditions?

While my kids were growing up, I loved to hide eggs for them. I used those colorful plastic eggs that open easily. I’d fill them with candy, tiny toys, and coins (pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters). I always placed one in their slippers so they’d find it as soon as they got out of bed. The rest were spread all over the house.

When the girls were really young, we left Easter Bunny footprints for them to discover on Easter morning. Sir Beads and I could make some pretty impressive paw prints by dipping a few fingers in flour, and then pressing them here and there on a dark carpet or even the floor. The kids were enchanted to find “bunny tracks” in the living room and leading down the stairs.

Good times, for sure! 😀

Hugs,

Friday Favorites

Posted on April 1, 2011 by crystal

When I was a child, I had to learn many poems by heart.

Was it the same for you?

Looking back on it, I believe that memorization is what sparked my love for poetry. Those verses really came alive when a chorus of grade school kids recited them with enthusiastic expression and dramatic hand gestures! Can’t you just picture it? 😉

The words to many poems are still etched in my memory. It’s nice to recall them from time to time so for this week’s Friday Favorites, I have an old favorite! It never seems to lose its power – no matter how often it’s read.

If

~by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream–and not make dreams your master;
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run–
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

Can you remember a poem that you had to learn?

Happy First Weekend in April, Kids!

And Happy Birthday (story here) to my Dad, who is 85 today. 😀

Hugs all around,

Earrings R Us

Posted on March 31, 2011 by crystal

What can I say? I can’t seem to stop making these “bead woven” earrings. 😉

~Southwest Serenade~

They differ from the other earrings I make in that this type is created with tiny beads and thread, instead of larger beads and metal wire!

As a die-hard purple-lover – I am way out of my “color” comfort zone here, but I’ve discovered that I absolutely LOVE this blend of matte turquoise and copper bronze.

The ear wires are made of brown niobium metal, which has a lovely reputation for being kind to sensitive ear lobes!

I have another pair in the works, but I’m itching to begin a special crochet project… Decisions, decisions!

What are you trying to fit into your schedule?

Hugs,

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Posted on March 30, 2011 by crystal

Is it an alien being from a 1950’s sci-fi movie?

Or maybe the antiquated equipment used by my childhood dentist?

Why, no! It’s my brand new OttLite – complete with magnifying lens and page holder!!!

Woo hoo! My eyes are already thanking me for purchasing this lamp. If you’re not familiar with OttLites – they give a bright, very natural light – so important when crafting. I can even turn it into a floor model by popping in the extra piece of pipe that’s included. I was so lucky to get this on sale for a fraction of the retail price. 😀

Hugs,