Newest Flowers

I made 5 of these last night. I was pretty happy with myself for getting them done. Here they are:


This one is made from Turquoise beads. It is sold.

This one is made with Faceted Black Onyx-It will be listed on Etsy later.
This one is made with Black Onyx Petals and is sold.This one is made of faceted glass beads and is sold. And finally, the one that I made for myself. This is my favorite because I just adore these Kyanite petals. I have asked the bead store to find me some more of these. I will also be going to Arizona next Thursday to go to the Gem show in Tuscon and to meet my long lost brother who I have not seen since I was about 10 years old. Like I said before, he is staying with my sister now and we are glad he is back in our lives. Funny how life works. This year is going to be a great one, I can tell! I feel so blessed for what I have right now. I am enjoying life. Isn't that the way it should be? Here's to wishing that everyone has a wonderful year ahead. One month down, 11 more to go.

Help! A Place to Bark fell out of the top 4!

Missy says...donate now! This contest is based on unique donations so do what I did, grab the hubby's credit card and donate now for him! Look at that face...how can you say no? We have until 3pm tomorrow to try and get A Place to Bark back in the running.

Life is good

This is what I got in an email today! I just took a tiny tidbit of the email, but I'm in! I am sooooo happy!
So...June 2008 issue of Belle Armoire Jewelry, I make my debute! LOL....I am tooting my own horn right now. Is it too much? I guess I am gonna have to set some more goals! This was number one on my list and it's done. That is if I can write an 850 word article by Feb 15th. Now that is the scary part! I must be off now....I have 5 flowers to make tonight. I will be posting tomorrow the outcome of these. Can I get all 5 done? We shall see.

Only 2 more days to donate to A Place to Bark's Challenge

There is a tight race between 2 & 3rd place and they keep going back and forth. I just donated again under my hubby's name. LOL...that's a unique donor right? He and I are 2 separate people, so we both chose to do so. Even though he just handed me his card and I did it for him! LOL. I think it is great how the art community has come together for a good cause. If it wasn't for people who cared for animals, I wouldn't have this fat guy.

So lets help Bernie and get her to the top so that she can get the $50,000 grant to help her build her shelter. $10.00 is all it takes.

Altered Art Challenge done and mailed

This weekend I finished my Altered Art Challenge piece. Here are 2 tidbit pictures,

when Kerri Posson posts them or when I get permission to let you see the whole thing, I will post it. I am ok with how it turned out for the most part but it could be better in other areas. I learned that I don't like working with objects when there is only one and if you screw up, your screwed! LOL

I was busy, busy, busy this weekend. Had to get the piece done. Then I had to make the house showable because people where coming on Sunday to look at it. Then I had to work on Sunday. Only for about 4 hours, then I went to the bead store AGAIN. I have a custom order I need to complete and had to find a special color of beads.

Missed work today. Had a severe Migraine this morning. They suck. I usually can take one of my prescription headache pills and make it a dull headache but when I wake up and it's there...forget it.

I guess that is all for now. I will be working on a few things. More flowers of course and my Provence theme piece for Somerset Studio that my count down shows 17 days left. I had better get in gear!

The big news for the day

Of course the talk all over Las Vegas is the big fire that happened at the Monte Carlo. When we went to lunch today it was well on its way. We went the the Orleans and this is where we took this pic.
On our way back, we took the highway to get a better view of what had happened.

It seems that no one was hurt which is a great thing. It's just crazy to see a building like that on fire. Once in a blue moon occurrence thank God.

Sometimes we are the same

This is a quick post. I told Rella that I would post a picture of my bulletin board at work because when I saw her post of her bulletin board at work, I laughed. We have the same calendar and have some Art-e stuff up like the fairy picture that Rella did and sent me a copy of. She is a very talented artist and of course her board is ALOT neater than mine! Then you can also see my mess...LOL I have my sunflower seeds to munch on through out the day. The little gold things on the bulletin board are bee push pins that Jen got me for Christmas. I love bees. The calendar was a Christmas present from my sister Lynn. My office is not as clean as it was back when we had the open house!

Just Stuff

I didn't know what to put for a title today. Have you ever just drawn a blank? There isn't one certain thing that my blog is focusing on tonight. I just felt a need to blog. I didn't get my flowers posted on Etsy yet but 2 are already gone. I also have a couple custom orders to make, but that won't be until I get my Altered Art Challenge project done. I have been thinking about my project all day (except for the quick trip to the bead store where I found the greatest flower petal beads!) I am struggling with which way to go on this project of mine. I have 2 ideas and I can't decide. Arrggghhhhh. I just don't want to mess it up as I only have one box to play with! I don't get a second chance! So, I sit here...debating...waffling back and forth.

Today in the mail, I got my certificate for the naming the new mall contest that I won last year. I won't be able to use the gift certificate until 2010 now... I guess I better keep the certificate in my fire safe cause I am bound to lose it having to hold onto it for so long! It was 2009, but now they have extended it until the middle of 2010. Good thing I am staying in Vegas!

On another positive note, my brother has decided to be known to his sisters again! I haven't seen him since I was around 10 years old. That was over 30 years ago. He is actually at my oldest sisters house now. He had a life changing event, he was stuck out on a sailboat in the gulf of Mexico for 28 days and then rescued by a Dutch freighter! So we are extremely happy that he is safe and is talking to us now. Life doesn't always give you second chances, so we are happy that it did in our family with him.

I guess that is all for now. Nothing exciting.

Because Lynn & Jen asked to see...

I am not thrilled with these pictures of these flowers as they do not do them justice and would have waited until tomorrow so get them in actual daylight to take the pictures but my sister Lynn and Jennifer both asked to see them so here they are. I will be listing them on Etsy tomorrow for $25.00 a piece, so if you are interested, let me know and I will reserve it for you.

Paris: Made with Faceted Glass Beads, Sterling Silver. These are really more purple in person.
Betty: Made with Faceted Glass Beads-Strawberry Quartz color, Sterling Silver.


The Kiss: Made with Faceted Glass Beads-Lemon Color, Sterling Silver
Wish: Made with Faceted Glass Beads-Light Blue Color, Sterling Silver
So, that is it. I had another one but I used the craft wire and it didn't work so well and a petal broke off. I now know not to use that wire. It doesn't like solder! Live and learn right? The more I do the more I learn what to do and not to do. Ok...and I decided to show the package that they will come in, I can't keep it a secret, I think it's to damn cute! LOL I made a seed packet. Here is the front:
And here is the back:
It took me about 3 hours yesterday just to create the packet. These will be all the flowers I make for this week because I have to finish my Altered Art Challenge.

Busy, Busy, Busy....

I have been a busy girl today. I worked on my altered challenge. Still not done though. I created the cutest package for my flower pendants. But, if you want to see it, you'll have to buy one from me. I started on about 10 flowers so far and will be listing them on Etsy when I am done with them. I think I have found my little niche! I love these things. So...off I go to continue on my flowers.

A Place to Bark. Make a difference

There's a contest going on right now until January 31st, where America's Giving Challenge will give $50,000 to the top 4 charity badges, right now Bernie's "A Place to Bark" is in 2nd place. We can help get her to first if we have more people donate. So lets all help her make this happen. A $10 donation is all it takes, just click on the "donate" button on the badge and in a few minutes it's all done, including getting a tax deductible receipt in you inbox. It's the little things that add up to make a difference in the world!

Someone felt the need to correct me on my blog

This is what I woke up to this morning. 1 Comment on my last post:

Murdered? No Cindy, it was an accident that happened in her home. Get your facts straight!

Obviously, someone I work with has some underlying issues with me and feels the need to try and put me in my place but are to CHICKEN SHIT to leave their name. So here is my response the the person that told me to get my facts straight. Here is where I got my facts. Channel 13 News. Channel 8 News, Fox 5 News & the Las Vegas Review Journal. If you think I am wrong, then you need to get your facts straight. My blog is my space and I am allowed to write whatever feelings I have. So...tell the news channels to get their facts straight if you are so knowledgeable and if you make a comment on my blog telling me what to do then have enough guts to leave your name. None of this matters though...nothing can change the fact that she is gone and I am very saddened by these events.

Grateful for my life I have now.

Sometimes things happen, tragic things that make you step back and take a look at your own world. A former coworker was murdered on Wednesday. I am in shock and disbelief. This world we live in can be so cruel. But in the same breath there is good all around. I think I work for one of the best companies for family. They are taking donations for this woman's children and I know that there will be alot of help for this family even though she no longer worked for the company. I am grateful I work there around such wonderful people. I am grateful for my wonderful family, my husband, kids and sisters. I am grateful for all my friends. For my new art friends that I have made through this blog and from Art retreats. I have been blessed in life. Take a look around and I bet your life won't look too bad right now. Please say a prayer for this woman and the children that she left behind.

I was name "Best Local Artist" by Jen's Cat

Check it out. Bono, Jen's cat has a best of Las Vegas list and he named me "Best Local Artist" Click Here to view the blog. It is sooooo funny!

New Flower

Of course this looks much cuter in person. This one is made with Strawberry Quartz and it has little seed beads at the end of wires that I curled upwards. I gave this one to Jen this morning. She fell in love with it. LOL...she was wearing a sweater today and I TOLD her that this flower was NOT GOOD to wear around sweaters! So I am walking by her office this morning and she has her back to the door and I can see her arm up around her head and I was wondering what she was doing!??? I asked...and then started laughing when she turned around because she was stuck! LOL Her sweater had caught on to one of the little seed bead wires and she couldn't get it undone! I was laughing so hard. I did help her get free and told her....see...I told you so! I know she won't be wearing that again with that sweater! The good news??? Belle Armoire asked for 2 more flowers to be sent to them, so I was creating last night and sent them this morning. Yeah!

Feeling Better today

I want to say thank you to everyone who cheered me on. I really appreciate it. I don't know why I let the naysayers get to me. So enough about that.

I went shopping today at the bead store! I usually go for the gemstones but today I found these faceted glass beads that look like gemstones! They are going to make FABULOUS flowers! I got so many colors and sizes. Jen even showed up there and helped me pick out some. Of course she picked out some that she wanted for me to make her a flower! LOL

Today I was also looking at Portland Art & Soul. I am going to go to that! My sister and I were looking at the list of teachers and I told her I already know the classes I would take! They are not even listed yet, but I already know the teachers I want to learn from! I also want to take a class in June from Deryn Mentock & DJ Pettitt. It is in Arizona where one of my other sisters live, so I told her today she would be getting a visitor in June! That is if I can get a spot! LOL So here is to a great year of creativity on the horizon!

Do I really want this????

Today has been a very interesting day for me. My blog had 90 hits, the most ever in one day, and let me tell you, it was kinda of stressful. I did a lot of self promotion today and the majority of the people that have sent me emails and such have been really nice but it is the other percentage that is getting to me. It is the ones who say nice things and then slap you down a bit....I just don't understand people sometimes. And why am I letting them get to me. Shake me up? If I was at work and someone told me hey good job but... I would tell them to kiss my ass! Because I am confident in my work. I know my job. But here...in the art world...I know nothing. So I have learned a lesson today of what not to do. I will keep things on the DL (Down Low) and don't announce to the world "Here I come". You just have to wait until after you get published to say "Hey, I did it!" That way, the people won't try and knock you down before you even get there. So....off I go, with my tail between my legs for tonight. Tomorrow is another day and I will wake up and start fresh and I will say "Here I Come" but shhhhhhh just not as loud.

A Couple more flowers

I have listed these on Etsy. I am having fun making these. I already have 2 more 1/2 done. So many ideas, so little time.

It's Done-Ces't La Vie

OK...so my package is off to Belle Armoire. It will be there on Monday. If I did something wrong with submitting it, Ces't La Vie. Such is life of living and learning. I have butterflies in my stomach not knowing if I did the right thing posting it here for the world to see but I did it and I am not taking it down. If they choose my stuff for publication, great, if they don't then I can live with that too. At least I tried and I will keep trying until they get sick of me and say...just put SOMETHING of hers in so we can get her off our back! LOL.

I am in the process of making more of these little flower pendants, which I will then list on Etsy. I love making them. They are different from anything I have seen jewelry wise and that is what I wanted was to be original! Thank you to everyone for being supportive and to those that are trying to let me know that it's OK if I don't get published and to keep on trying.

You have to take risks to reap the rewards. So here is to Risk.

My First Submission-Grow Flower Pendant

Here is my first Submission "ever" to Belle Armoire Jewelry. It is all packed up with the instructions and ready to go. My first submission was going to be the Provence Theme for Somerset Studio, but Kerri Posson, whom I consider my mentor, made the suggestion that I submit my jewelry too. So I have had this idea in my head for awhile and this afternoon, I created this:

I hope this piece is good enough. Tell me what you think!???

Quick Post

I'm pretty tired tonight so this will be a quick post. I have been working diligently on my piece for the altered art challenge because it is due by the 25th I think....Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to work I go... So tonight I was busy stitching away. 2 down, 1 to go.... Then to assembly it goes!

How Do I Love Thee-Pieces and Parts 1

So...Here are some of the supplies I will be using to create this piece. Curious Yet???

How Do I Love Thee-The Beginning

So here is the beginning of my piece for the Altered Art Challenge Hosted by Kerri Posson. I know it doesn't look like much now, but I have big plans for this little box! The paper is not yet attached to the piece because I have a little bit of sewing to do and then I will attach. I can't share much more of this without giving away what I have planned.

Learning Patience in my Art

I have been a little under the weather the past couple days so I have not accomplished much. last night I did start on my Provence Piece. I have an issue though. I have a tough time waiting. Waiting for something to dry, waiting to find just the right thing, waiting to finish it. When I am working, I want to do it NOW. (It seems to be a theme in my life, this wanting it NOW!) BUT, I held back last night I want this piece to be good. I want it to be right, and as I was starting to see how it was coming together, I wasn't thrilled with it. So, I stopped. Then I did some rearranging and THEN it started to take on the look I wanted! So...I put it away for the night. I then started working on another piece, that is actually due before the Provence one! I better get in gear! I am involved in an Altered Art Challenge hosted by the lovely Kerri Posson. It is a little Chinese chess set box. My theme will be How do I Love Thee? I have it all worked out! I just need to find my glasses because I have some small detail work to be done and I found out I really need them to see close up now! So, maybe tonight after I work some more on both pieces, I will post a progress shot.

Goal #1 Step #1

Here is the write up for Somerset Studio's call for Submissions with the Theme of Provence:


(Newsstand Date: July 1, 2008) Its blue skies and rolling hillsides have inspired such great artists as Cezanne, Van Gogh and Chagall. Now let the legendary land in the south of France inspire you as we take a journey to Provence.Whether you have been a visitor to this famous landscape or you just dream of going, we invite you to share your vision of Provence in your mixed-media art submissions to be considered for the July/August 2008 issue. Consider the cobbled streets of a tiny village, fishing boats in the harbor at Marseilles, or the rush of the Mistral through ancient vineyards — what is it about Provence that sings to you? We must receive your artwork by February 15, 2008.


So, tonight I can up with my basic idea of what I think of when I think of Provence. I think of stone houses with blue shutters and vines running up them and lavender plants. Here is my rough sketch of my plan.

I can't tell you how it will come together, you will just have to stay tuned to see the progress unfold. I think I will have some unusual ways of piecing this together. I hope my ideas work the way I want them too!!!

Boston-Bean Town-Part 2 of Trip

Just thought I would post some of my pics from when we went to Boston on our trip back home.Here is the Harbor. I love sail boats. I wish I could go sailing now....sigh. We went to the New England Aquarium while we were there. The first picture is a sea dragon. It looks like a piece of seaweed that wrapped itself on a seahorse. Here is Megan (her hand) picking up a starfish. Her favorite shape is a star and she is of course drawn to these. Just had to pick one up.And last but not least, my picture of a Boston Drain. LOL Terry and Megan made sure they were not standing any where near me when I took this picture. I guess that did not wanted to be associated with the crazy woman taking pictures of the drain. LOL I thought is was cool!

Happy New Year!

I know it that time of years when everybody makes resolutions. And I too started to make a list. (Yes Lynn, a list) My sister Lynn is the queen of lists! I have always been a by the seat of my pants kinda girl and it has worked out for me so far in life, but I want more. So instead of resolutions, I decided that this is going to be a year of goals. Resolutions have no plan...no guide on how to get to the resolution, but goals on the otherhand have steps. If you sit down and write a plan on how to get to your goal it will be much clearer on how to get there. So here are some of my goals for 2008:

1. To get my art published in Somerset Studio or some other creative magazine.
2. To be more active in my Yahoo Groups
3. To buy a house.
4. To purge items that I no longer use but have held onto for years that are stuffed in boxes!
5. To be paperless in my home office by the end of 2008.

Believe me, that last one is a doozie! I am so tired of filing. It seems that I always end up with piles and piles of paper waiting to be filed. Magazine articles that I rip out to save, receipts, bank statements. Its all going to be scanned and then shredded! I have a busy year ahead of me, but I am looking forward to it. I have already started on my goals during the last week. No need to wait till New Years Day to start! I have added a countdown and a to do list for my #1 Goal. You can watch my progress if anybody is interested. I am learning all kinds of cool things for my blog.

So go ahead, make goals instead of resolutions. It is going to be a GREAT year!