autumn | Bead Happily Ever After

Autumn Colors

Posted on October 6, 2014 by crystal

This year, summer has been kind of reluctant to leave New England . . .

But now that it’s October – autumn is insisting that she go. The nights are chillier and the leaves more colorful with every passing day.

Sir Beads and I are immersed in the usual end-of-summer chores:

And reacquainting ourselves with the delights of the fall season:

divider autumnleaves

As a beader, I love to design jewelry for every season, and right now our bead shop is chock full of fall-themed beads and findings!

Here are just a few:

divider autumnleaves

How is Fall going in your neck of the woods?

Hugs,

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

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

Autumn Bliss

Posted on November 14, 2011 by crystal

I love autumn!

Maybe you’re a passionate fan of another season.

Even so, you must admit that autumn has its charm! 🙂

Besides the obvious delights – such as crisp air, bright pumpkins, colorful foliage, and the autumn holidays – there are more subtle gifts to savor during this glorious time of year.

Today, I share some things that make autumn special to me . . .

1. The slow-motion dance of a single leaf as it flutters to the ground.

2. Fresh apple cider
(Just had some – see photo!)

3. Pumpkin bread
(Yep, just had some. Washed it down with the apple cider! See photo, again!) 😉
(recipe found here)

4. Shopping for new yarn and planning cozy cold-weather projects like scarves, shawls, and blankets.

5. Fall brings the new season for favorite tv shows! (So tired of summer re-runs.)

6. The welcome return to a nightly ritual that Sir Beads and I enjoy tremendously – our after dinner cup-of-tea! We have to give it up during the summer months as the evenings are just too warm for a hot beverage. But, beginning every fall, no matter how hectic our schedule, we make it a point to put on the kettle, find a cookie or three, and spend a little time unwinding, together. It’s my favorite part of the day.

C‘mon, now. What do you like about Fall?

I’d love to know!

Hugs,

Making Memories

Posted on October 15, 2010 by crystal

Is it Friday, already?

I’m not finished with stuff I had to do this week!

Oh well 😉

I hope you’ve had at least a few days of the glorious autumn weather that we’ve been experiencing here on the east coast.

Our leaves are more colorful by the hour, and the fresh air, azure skies, and moderate temperatures have us in a very celebratory mood!

During this time of year, it’s a New England tradition to make a day of going to an orchard to pick apples, select pumpkins and stock up on delicious cider!

Recently, Clenna and her grandchildren did just that! Thank you Clenna for sharing the pictures with us!

How fortunate Clenna is to have such sweet grandkids!

And how lucky are those kids? Their grandmother is helping them to create special memories…. memories they’ll carry in their hearts for the rest of their lives. 🙂

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

May it be fun, yet relaxing . . .

with a little excitement, but with time to dream!

Let’s all meet back here on Monday to report on our adventures, ok? 😉

Hugs,

Circles and Squares

Posted on September 2, 2010 by crystal

Remember a couple of months ago when I showed you these?

I had whipped them up one evening as I was ~~delaying~~ waiting to make dinner. 😉 I called the post Playing Hooky and you can find it here.

Since then, they’ve acquired a few new friends….

I plan to make a pillow – I’ve even bought the pillow form – but I still need to make the reverse side.

At the same time, I’m working on a coordinating pillow that, believe it or not, will be round when it’s finished!

This summer has been a little on the warm side to have yarn on my lap, but there’s nothing like a cool autumn evening to squeeze in a little relaxation . . . and knit or crochet or do anything else you think is fun! 🙂

Smiles,

Giveaway – Candy Corn Earrings

Posted on August 2, 2010 by crystal

August Greetings! 😀

Don’t worry! There’s still lots of time left for summer fun.

But…. Autumn is definitely on the way, so my August Giveaway has a fall-ish theme!

“Candy Corn” Earrings

I’ve chosen some of my favorite beads for this design – they have sort of a subtle Autumn/Halloween flavor. Wouldn’t they be pretty to wear with a jacket done in earth tones?

The pumpkin-colored teardrop beads are Vintage Moonglow Lucite, and the very unique “candy corn” beads are Vintage Czech Glass (If you enjoy making jewelry, too, the candy corn beads are currently available in my bead shop).

The earrings measure a bold and beautiful 3″ in length – including the artisan-crafted earwires, which are sterling silver.

Contest Rules and How to Enter:

You can have multiple chances to enter!
Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter the current giveaway.

For example, if you answer today’s question (you’ll find it below!) that will give you one chance.

But if you then come back another day and comment on a different post – you will have earned a second chance! Visit again and comment and you’ll have 3 chances, and so on.

(When you comment, you do not have to mention that it’s an entry in the giveaway. My blog program shows me all of the “comments” as they come in – so I do not miss any of them, and all will count to be entered into the drawing!) 😀

Today’s question is:

Describe the closest thing to you, right this minute, that is red? (You might have to leave the room to find it.)

My answer: I love bright colors so I figured I would have something here on my computer desk, but nope! I finally spied my little red retractable tape measure on a shelf across the room! 🙂

The Boring Stuff . . .
You must be 18 yrs. old. After the completion of the contest, the name of the winner will be listed here. The winner will also be notified by email. If the winner fails to respond to email within 3 days from the time notification email has been sent, the win will be null and void and a new winner will be chosen. The prize will be mailed via USPS First Class Mail

All entries must be received by 9:00 p.m. EST on 08/31/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 09/01/10.