Happy New Year! 

Here is my group of “boys” ringing in the new year, holding their new nutcrackers.  Yes, we let the kids stay up til midnight for the first time.  Boy were they wired and not the least bit sleepy!

The past 2 weeks were filled with lots of family time.  My parents and sister took my two older sons skiing (gotta post a picture of that!), and all the while I was able to spend time time with my brother and his family who flew in from CA.  It was so much fun to meet my new nephew who just turned 3 months old today.  Here are the two peas in a pod, cousins just 8 days apart.  Look at all that chub going on.

On Friday night we drove to Baltimore for a dinner with friends of the family who have been like family for as far back as I can remember.  It’s been a number of years since I saw most of the Parks family so it was such a nice reunion.  Between my brother’s family and mine, there were the additional 10 of us joining their large group for a fun evening of conversation and reminiscing.  Well, when I say conversation, I have to admit my poor husband never made it to the “adults” table from the “kiddie” table as my kids were rambunctious to say the least. 

On the drive home, there tucked in my basket I found a package of Berger cookies.  Thank you for that sweet surprise, Helen!  Now I grew up through the years visiting my Grandmother in Baltimore, even went to college there…somehow I missed these renowned Baltimore treats.  The cookies are topped with a massive dollop of frosting, thick like fudge. Oh. my. goodness. these. are. good.  As soon as my husband took one bite, he said “Okay, you’re going to have to get on the internet to order some of these!”  It turns out they’re sold at places like the local Royal Farms or Giant store.  When I searched online, I was very pleased to find a few recipes for these cookies.  You can check out the recipes here and here…at least indulge me and check out those yummy photos!

Now speaking of the wonderful Parks family, I received a sweet surprise in the mail this past week.  Madeline sent a beautiful crocheted blanket, sweater and bonnet set for the baby.  This dear woman has sent one for each of my four sons.  And she was crocheting double time as she sent one to my brother’s baby just weeks before!  Such a wonderful keepsake.

The next day I received another sweet gift, this time from my friend Kerry up in NY.  She’s given me hints that she was up to something, making a little welcome gift for the baby. Boy was I surprised to open the box and find this beautiful crib quilt!  She used Amy Butler fabric in some of my absolute favorite colors.  She sure has a way of putting together patterns…it looks retro and modern at the same time.  Thank you, Kerry!!!

Well that’s all of the latest for now…I enjoyed sharing them with you.  Now it’s back to the grindstone….back to school tomorrow and back to our routines.  It was so good while it lasted.

Hello!

I hope everyone is enjoying the holidays!  It feels like the lull here after the storm.  It was such a frenzy leading up to Christmas that it’s nice to enjoy this slower pace before the kids start school next week and our routine starts all over.

With just one more day left in 2008, I’ve been reflecting over the past year.  2008 really was jam packed with activities and events.  Some of the highlights I’m most thankful for are all of the trips we took to the beach over the summer, our first trip to Disney World with my parents….and most importantly, 2008 was special because of the birth of our little Nathaniel in October (right in the midst of a big move!).    I’m excited about a new year and what it has in store. 

I’m definitely one for change, mixing it up, a little excitement.  sweet bead studio is ready for some new jewelry styles….that means new techniques and mediums.  Guilty of getting bored easily, I’m eager to learn something new.  I’ve stockpiled a few new books in the last couple of months on metal and what’s called “cold connections”, and I’m ready to learn and give it a try!  I think this is the perfect direction to go  when working with wire.  I’ve signed up for a class in the Spring at Art and Soul retreat in Hampton, VA.  Check out their line up of mixed media workshops….wow, so many I would love to take.  I am just so excited to be signed up for a metals/jewelry class.  For now I’ve been pouring over my books and lining up the tools I’ll be needing.  I plan to order my tools from a fellow wireworker and online friend’s new shop, fundametals.

Speaking of trying new things, it’s about time I shared a piece of jewelry here.  Here is a wild wire and lampwork pendant that I made this fall.  I’ve always wanted to try making a Connie Fox-balamun-style pendant.  Step by Step Wire featured this wire pendant tutorial by Sally Stevens and here is my twist on the technique.  I used 16, 18, 20 and 22 gauge sterling silver wire, and everything is hand made including the wire links.  The black beads are lampwork glass and the focal bead is by Kim Typanski (sure wish she was still making beads!).  The necklace was oxidized with liver of sulphur, polished and tumbled.   There you go, my last piece of jewelry for 2008!

In parting, I wanted to share a great quote that I read recently by Andy Warhol: 

“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.”

Best wishes to you in 2009!  I’ll meet you back here in the new year! 

Cindy

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

If you’re planning on some doing some holiday baking, why not make these traditional favorites?  Yes, they do take some time, but they are certainly worth it!  I remember my Grandmother would come at Christmas time bearing tins of thin, crisp cut-out cookies and chocolate chip cookies….Santa’s favorites, so I hear.  This recipe will be worth your while because it makes 5 dozen cookies (depending on your cookie cutter size)!

Rolled Sugar Cookies

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

1.  Cream butter and sugar together until smooth in a large bowl.  Beat in eggs and vanilla.  Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt.  Chill dough for at least one hour or over night.  I divided the dough into 4 separate balls and covered in Saran Wrap.  I also put them in the freezer for a while to speed up the process.

2.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees (depends on your oven, but I baked mine at 375 instead).  Roll out dough on floured surface (floured wax paper works great) about 1/4 inch thick.  Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.  Place cookies an inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3.  Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven.  I removed them from the baking sheets right away, then let cool on the counter.

These cookies freeze well…it’s a wise idea to hide them in the freezer anyway or they’ll be gone before you know it.   :-)

Hello again, friends

Did you have balmy weather where you are on Monday?  It was so nice…to be in the low 60’s in December.  I managed to take the baby, my 4 year old, and our 13 year old Shi Tzu (Hodgie) on a walk/bike ride today to enjoy this weather.  Of course it’s all going down hill tomorrow…wind, rain, cold.

I had hoped to post some pictures from our weekend earlier, but Mondays are just about the worst day of the week for me in terms of running all over town.  Mondays and Wednesdays…more than the usual amount going on then. 

With Christmas just around the corner, we had a busy agenda trying to squeeze in some of our favorite traditions.  But first, I just have to share a picture of the little one who is now TWO months old.  I can’t take enough pictures of him!  And when my brother flies out here next week with his family (from San Diego), I’m going to see if he can give me some photography advice.  He takes great pictures, or maybe it’s his super nice camera.  I’m making the most of my Sony Cyber-shot.

Every holiday season my husband carries on my Grandmother’s fruitcake baking tradition.  He really seems to get in to it, suprisingly.  My Dad always has a lot to say about the fruitcake…too much of this or too little of that.  In the last few years, he gave Randy the stamp of approval.  He had the recipe just right.  This year is like starting all over.  Randy’s crinkled-up piece of paper that holds the precise ingredients that took years to perfect has gone missing…it’s packed up in a box from our move!  So he found a brand new recipe and is ready to be critiqued! :-)  Here are a few shots of the bakers in the kitchen.

Here they are getting down to business….

Later in the evening (because Randy insists that we go in the dark to see the lights!) we made our annual trek to see the National Christmas tree.  It’s such a scenic ride, with views of the Jefferson Memorial, National Monument, the Kennedy Center, Watergate and the Pentagon along the way.  It was cold as usual, but we braved it.  Even little Nathaniel.

There was a lot of ornament-making action this weekend too.  Here are some wired stars…these are heavy and would be nice to just hang here and there around the house.  The one with the mega amount of wire is Randy’s….he couldn’t stop wrapping that wire around, and around, and around…. and said it was a great stress reliever.  Must….keep….wrapping….wire….until this thing looks like a mummy!

Here are the kid’s herd of reindeer magnets and ornaments….

And last but not least, little popsicle stick snowmen.  They have such cute expressions…I especially like the one in the middle that really looks more like a baby bird.

That was our holiday round up!  I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to… if you have a blog, I’ll be checking it out!

Hello friends

The weekend came and went in a flurry.  Like many families across the country, we were out and about picking out our Christmas tree.  It was a super cold day here in Virginia, and as if on cue, a light snow began to fall as we emerged from the car to pick out our tree.  We always seem to make this expedition in the evening, and on the coldest day in December.  My husband loves to play up picking out the tree with the kids, and calls our tree “Old Granddad”.  I have no idea where he came up with that name, but the kids love it.  Today my 4 year old told his teacher how we picked out ”ole Granddad”  over the weekend, and she had to tell him she wasn’t quite sure what he was talking about.

It seemed a little strange (sad, really) not to be bringing our tree home to our old house and putting it in it’s usual spot.  But I have to say I am open to change, so we’re creating new memories this year. 

Each year we add a White House Christmas ornament to our collection.  These beautiful ornaments are popular here in the DC area and are an interesting way to learn a little bit about our presidents and Christmases past.  The series was stared in 1981.

Next I wanted to share a picture of my little Santa Baby. :-)  Here is a sneak peek of one of the photos that will grace our Christmas card.  The adorable handknit hat is by LuLu’s Woobies on Etsy.  She also has the cutest little green elf hat in her shop.

That’s my holiday round up for now.  I do have one place I’d like to send you to before I go.  If you have a few moments and are really in the mood for some visual holiday cheer, pay a visit to the Something Sublime blog.  You’ll find a dazzling “12 Days of Christmas” ornament exchange in full swing and learn of the history and meaning behind this popular holiday song.  Be sure to scroll down, it’s hard not to with the beautiful photography and incredible artwork!

Until next time…Season’s Greetings!

Did you  know that your jewelry might just have a little story of it’s own?  And no I don’t mean the obvious story behind that pair of diamond earrings you may have received as an anniversary gift.  I’m talking about handmade jewelry.  If you ask a jewelry designer about the beads she used in say a particular bracelet, chances are she can give you the whole low down of where they came from.  This is true especially if the beads are handmade themselves, such as with glass or clay.  These special beads are often tucked away until inspiration hits or for just the right project. 

If you could only see my special bead stash!  I have a little treasure trove of lampwork beads that I just can’t possibly use….yet.  I’ve gone through my collection (yes, that’s what I like to call those beads that are up on a pedestal) so many times just to admire the colors and detail,  basically hoarding them.  I kinda have a problem with that.  I took out a few of these beads recently and decided it was their time.  :-)    I’ve been in the mood to make another necklace using oxidized copper wire, and thought earthy tones would be a good complement.  The Kazuri beads brought back a few memories from when I bought them.

A Gem and Jewelry show or two back, I happened upon the Kazuri booth.  These are the handmade clay beads made by women in Kenya.  It was a beautiful visual display with all of the beads grouped by color.   I spoke with the vendor who said she came down from NH and was from a shop called TurtleNeckJewelry.  After a while she asked if I wouldn’t mind watching her booth so she could run to the bathroom.  I was struck that she had no one else to ask but a total stranger, trusting me to watch over her entire inventory, money box, computer and cash box.  When she returned I made my purchase, and she insisted on giving me a few complimentary beads for doing her a favor.  How thankful she was that she could take just a few minutes away from her booth.  She was such a kind lady that I would have loved to stay all day as her assistant!    I left with a feeling of happiness, just being able to help someone in some small way.  Her trust, in this day and age, was also heartwarming.  Now, over a year later some of those beads have been made in to two necklaces.

First up is “Dalilah”, an African name that means “gentleness is her soul”.  I thought that was appropriate for a necklace that has soft, muted green shades.  The necklace is entirely handmade: clay beads, wire links and clasp.  It was oxidized in Liver of Sulphur, polished with steel wool, then tossed in the tumbler.

The second necklace is “Woodland Sprite”.  The Kazuri focal has both mossy and jeweled shades of green.   Swarovski crystals and smoky quartz have been coiled around a large swirl frame.  It sure felt good to make another entirely handmade piece.

And there you have it…my little story behind these beads.

Have a happy Friday!

As I write this, it will be Thanksgiving in just 30 minutes.  It’s really hard to believe we’ll be entering in to the holiday whirlwind that seems to begin with Thanksgiving….in just 30 minutes.  For the time being though it is totally calm, after all everyone is asleep in the house except the night owl (me). 

I’ve always gone by the no-Christmas-decorations-until-after-Thanksgiving rule.  I like to enjoy the fall colors and traditions right through Thanksgiving.  A neighbor’s house had their holly wreath out today, but not our door!  The fall wreath is hanging proudly for one more day.  BUT…I did find this CD in the car today and flashed it in front of the kids.  That was a mistake because they immediately wanted me to play it!  Could I possibly do that?  I did.  I couldn’t resist either.  The Burl Ives: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer CD has become an absolute family tradition for us.  Listening to these songs transports me back, well, back to being in the car!  Around the holidays we would go for a cup of hot cocoa, then drive around the neighborhoods looking at the Christmas lights and listening to this very CD.  Truth be told, we listen to this CD pretty much through Valentine’s Day.  No one has the heart to put it away and everyone loves it. 

This afternoon, while listening to this CD, we all got in to a crafty spirit.  I had a project that I never had time to work on, and the kids played with Play Doh at the other end of the table.  The little one slept soundly in his car seat (after the car ride home he kept on sleeping), allowing me some time to create a little Thanksgiving banner.

Here is our Thanksgiving banner, complete with a tree of thanks and a family hand print turkey.  Yes, all 6 hands are there for the turkey’s feathers!  The baby completely cooperated in allowing me trace his handprints, much to my surprise.

 From our home to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I’ve been hanging out on Etsy….this time for Christmas gifts! It is amazing the gifts you can find here…especially when you’re stumped for ideas! No looking for parking at the mall, nothing mass produced, everything handmade. And you’ll be supporting an independent artisan.

Personalized gifts are always an A+ with me, and I found a few great shops this past week. Unfortunately I can’t list those just yet or I might spoil the gift for a friend or two visiting this website! I did find other great ideas though that I’d like to share with you….in case you’re in full swing holiday shopping mode (or better yet, if you’re just getting started).

First up, look at this adorable name print by penny people.  This would look so sweet in your child’s room, or for a new baby. :-) 

I happened to stumble across another great name print…not that I was even looking for room decor.  I like how Letter Fest will use the name initial to create a image.  There is a chart that will show what icon will be used for your initial.  Or you can have them all if you choose the alphabet print!

If you would like something special to celebrate your children or your entire family (or any names/words you choose), you’ll have to check out Spoonerz’ very unique shop.  I’ve seen some neat things made out of vintage spoons before, but these have to be some of my favorite. 

And last but not least….let’s not forget your favorite furry friend!  Look at Yappy Happy’s creative idea using one of your photos.  Of Course this collage caught my eye because of that cute, crowned Westie.  You have to admit though this would be a great, whimsical canvas for that someone who has everything.

Found any great holiday ideas of your own on Etsy?  Please send me an email…and share the Etsy love

Wow, a blink of an eye and a month has already passed!   Sure there have been adjustments and the lack of sleep that comes with the territory….but this past month has gone by so fast.  Little Nathaniel is one month old today. 

Here are a few family pictures to celebrate our little guy’s one month birthday.