valentine | Bead Happily Ever After

Giveaway – Sweetheart Necklace

Posted on January 18, 2010 by crystal

Welcome, welcome! 😀

It is no exaggeration to say that the answers to last week’s giveaway question were truly the best ever!!! I’ve never seen such a wide range of interesting, thoughtful, clever, and very amusing responses. You sure know how to make me feel lucky to have you as readers. 😀

And I really love that you are beginning to talk to each other here, too! My dream is that it will continue and that we’ll have even more back and forth chat as the weeks go on.

For this week’s giveaway, I wanted to do something with a Valentine’s theme – something dressy enough to wear out to dinner, but still casual enough to throw on with a t-shirt.

Sweetheart Necklace

The focal point is a Swarovski Clear Crystal Heart with gorgeous facets that dance and glitter as the light hits them.

For accents, I’ve used Czech fire polished rounds in deep garnet red, and Swarovski Clear Aurora Borealis crystal beads. Tiny glass seed beads form the rest of the strand and the closure is a silver-plated screw-twist barrel clasp. The necklace measures 19″ in length.

Contest Rules and How To Enter

Any day you leave a comment on this blog – it is counted as a chance to enter that week’s 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 this week and comment on a different post – you will have earned another chance in this week’s giveaway! There are usually 5 posts per week – Monday through Friday – so you can have up to 5 chances to enter!

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:

Can you tell us about something that you’ve never tried, but would like to – because you think you might enjoy it?

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 01/24/10, and the winner will be selected on or about 01/25/10.

I made a card this week . . .

Posted on February 18, 2009 by crystal

There are so many talented people making beautiful cards these days! I’ve often thought I’d like to try it.

The process appeals to me because it’s a mini version of making a scrapbook. You use a lot of the same tools and supplies but you are finished much sooner. I know I wouldn’t have the stick-to-it-ive-ness to complete a large scrapbook.

As I’ve mentioned to Carol, I am not good at working on a weeks-long project. With most of the arts that I’ve learned, I try to do small projects otherwise they tend to languish in an unfinished state. Guess I like the old instant gratification! For example, if I were quilting – it would be placemats – not a queen-sized quilt! When making a card, I can play with all of the pretty papers, stickers, ribbons, and rubber stamps – and still have a finished project fairly quickly.

Last week, as Valentine’s Day was approaching, I planned to make a few Valentines – but time ran out.

Made only one . . . for my Valentine . . . of 37 years . . .

I was in kindergarten when I married don’t cha know. 😉

It turned out OK, for a beginner. You can click on the photo to make it larger.

It was fun and actually reminded me of my earliest school years, when our class would spend an afternoon every week making little “art” projects with colorful construction paper, glue, and our blunt edged scissors.

Now if you were to ask me what I liked best about making this card, I’d have to say . . .

“He liked it!” 🙂

Friday Favorites

Posted on February 12, 2009 by crystal

This week’s Friday Favorites is dedicated to all of you!

Happy Valentine’s Day to the brightest, funniest, sweetest bunch of readers that any blogger could ask for!

In the few short months I’ve been doing this blog, you all have added so much! You’ve inspired me, made me laugh (even had me close to spitting tea on the monitor now and then!), but most of all you’ve touched my heart with your warm responses.

If I could make one of these little conversation hearts for ya, it would say – U R Gr8

Have a lovely day on Saturday. Do something nice for yourself, ok?

See you Monday for the new questions! 🙂