tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580639230564246872024-02-19T17:39:54.162-06:00Artful CraftsA blog about making beautiful things, finding inspiration, and sharing ideas.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-78429422400121254742015-09-20T08:13:00.001-05:002015-09-20T08:13:00.168-05:00The more things change<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUEofEFABaGMfb9AJtn-NVhhBZh8BvOCMDYrHYM_4-fTjzQK2FbYPYsjKBNDKe89xo4Q989xv70g64UxrEmilnAHEpSGUGZ7FcrFQvRBnqPI5JNI-FjUyxXF-_nWDjcFQVQiwbCEolWE/s640/blogger-image--313938462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUEofEFABaGMfb9AJtn-NVhhBZh8BvOCMDYrHYM_4-fTjzQK2FbYPYsjKBNDKe89xo4Q989xv70g64UxrEmilnAHEpSGUGZ7FcrFQvRBnqPI5JNI-FjUyxXF-_nWDjcFQVQiwbCEolWE/s640/blogger-image--313938462.jpg"></a></div>The more things change the more they stay the same. Trite, yes. But for someone who craves balance and routine, I've been out of my comfort zone for about five years. Finding simple rituals, like walking, has helped. My views are static, but I see something new every day.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-30758092267714792572015-08-15T14:23:00.001-05:002015-08-15T22:48:29.286-05:00No sweat-er no more<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlIGzZ9q2tvczhf9vAIa5XPCYsx6otkuJNDVDeUsAd6WB_YOjF7EELivnDeZ2WdCIwXCAzNNZIQNmPUh0CQfe2rQ6V4qWpZO7Dp0yB0Gc2nZZWvMpUu0v6JL0owlpnGPoxeos5_SQrU/s640/blogger-image-1560609009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFlIGzZ9q2tvczhf9vAIa5XPCYsx6otkuJNDVDeUsAd6WB_YOjF7EELivnDeZ2WdCIwXCAzNNZIQNmPUh0CQfe2rQ6V4qWpZO7Dp0yB0Gc2nZZWvMpUu0v6JL0owlpnGPoxeos5_SQrU/s640/blogger-image-1560609009.jpg"></a></div>Sweater-to-pillow crafts are not unique, but they are fun and easy. You may remember my felted snowflake pillow from a few years ago. Here's a summer version with a sweater I loved too much to let go completely...Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-74693775905310756382015-01-23T12:15:00.002-06:002015-01-23T12:33:20.939-06:00Poetry in MotionIf you know me at all, you know I like my crafts to be simple, classy, and foolproof. I love this <a href="https://www.ritstudio.com/2014/05/02/poetry-pants/">new spin on Batik</a> from Rit Dye and Elmers Blue Glue. I'll be trying this at home very soon -- wouldn't it be great for table linens or kitchen curtains? I'll let you know how it all works out. In the meantime, head over to the <a href="https://www.ritstudio.com/2014/05/02/poetry-pants/">Rit blog</a> for instructions. Photo and project credit go to Tresa Edmonds of Reese Dixon (reesedixon.com).<br />
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<br />Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-18798646435939143832014-12-19T11:30:00.001-06:002014-12-19T11:30:32.099-06:00DIYThis <a href="http://psimadethis.com/lifestyle/hinged-art">hang-and-hide</a> DIY is right up my alley. Take a look!<br />
<br />Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-26866233531351050612014-11-22T10:15:00.001-06:002014-11-22T10:43:35.276-06:00Small Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For many years, my family gathered for Thanksgiving at my aunt's house. The food and company were always fabulous, and the conversation was lively. Not to risk a lull, my aunt had a clever idea one year to mix up the inter-generational conversation and spark some new stories: We each found a penny at our place. Between courses, we were asked to share a simple memory from the year on the penny. Easy idea, and a great way to retire the "chestnuts" that seem to resurface each year and learn something new about your dining companions!<br />
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This craft is inspired by that memory. Choose a penny with a year that's meaningful to you. Kids' birthdays, anniversary date, graduation year... Create a simple memory necklace by punching a hole and adding a jump ring. Mix in a few sparklies, and you've got a great accessory or gift.</div>
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What you need:</div>
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Penny</div>
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2 crystals or beads</div>
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2 headpins</div>
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3 5mm jump rings</div>
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2 headpins</div>
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purchased chain with clasp</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IBSFAI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000IBSFAI&linkCode=as2&tag=artfcraf-20&linkId=X3EEEHL6S775HSUC">Flush Cutter</a></div>
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Metal Hole Punch<br />
Round Nose Pliers<br />
Chain Nose Pliers<br />
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What to do<br />
1. Punch a hole in the penny. To make it easier, turn the hole punch over so you can line things up just as you'd like.<br />
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2. String a bead on a headpin and make a wrapped loop above the bead. Repeat with the second bead.</div>
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3. Open a jump ring and connect the penny to the chain. Close the jump ring. Repeat with each dangle made in step 2.</div>
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That's it!</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=artfcraf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000IBSFAI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>
Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-73195982087722972572014-11-09T07:52:00.001-06:002014-11-09T07:52:56.504-06:00Sneak PeekI received a preview copy of my book! I need to add a few tips and extra content, now that the layout is complete. I'm very excited. This book is packed with information for jewelry makers, and it's got close to 50 projects!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOazrD_CkDPUoTieTEE4oQndPZcQlmmG9Ra-QuE5WhNq4y2HSMdqh5eQMFvUltksLd7oRQHAEyDpgH3Oup2tRHGi8gwJrGYQCLNoq_RzuJQx1lkaSTyHapTzxMiEvd9QrrgjQqzSKtyo/s640/blogger-image--96516000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOazrD_CkDPUoTieTEE4oQndPZcQlmmG9Ra-QuE5WhNq4y2HSMdqh5eQMFvUltksLd7oRQHAEyDpgH3Oup2tRHGi8gwJrGYQCLNoq_RzuJQx1lkaSTyHapTzxMiEvd9QrrgjQqzSKtyo/s640/blogger-image--96516000.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-6104231699797390532014-10-22T05:29:00.001-05:002014-10-22T05:29:16.930-05:00Fifty for FiftyFor a special friend's birthday, we were asked to bring a gift of 50 things. I chose pennies, and with the help of a few others, found every year from 1964-2004. Here's the result:<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14wne4vQSj5U5J6wo_TbVjbSnKe6U0iMSYsgXvfh-w6eRsMFL2BBvIFqvRK8rFD_ueSIo2ikqwwlieFgktmApv0DxNcwimHviaGxfBDC29URpC3_yWDa75Ik41jBS7KzLLNh0nYEsHro/s640/blogger-image--176670507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj14wne4vQSj5U5J6wo_TbVjbSnKe6U0iMSYsgXvfh-w6eRsMFL2BBvIFqvRK8rFD_ueSIo2ikqwwlieFgktmApv0DxNcwimHviaGxfBDC29URpC3_yWDa75Ik41jBS7KzLLNh0nYEsHro/s640/blogger-image--176670507.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-31146700303339524102014-10-18T11:00:00.000-05:002014-10-18T11:54:18.355-05:00DI-MyselfBefore and After<br />
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This little bureau has been a lovely accessory over several generations. It's held everything from mittens to light bulbs. At one point provided storage in a powder room but suffered water damage from dripping hands, as the hand towels were just above it. It also has some chipped veneer on the drawers. I decided it was time for a well-earned makeover.<br />
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I've been a chalk paint fan since I discovered it about three years ago. I'm loyal to the Annie Sloan brand, but I've been tempted to try some of the newer American-made products that have entered the market recently. I purchased a small jar of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HO03E5M/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00HO03E5M&linkCode=as2&tag=artfcraf-20&linkId=2DITXIAF7ZJCLX3E">Deco Art Americana Chalky Finish Paint</a> in Vintage, which was the exact color of my duvet cover. I also purchased Serene, as I've had luck in the past with a two-tone effect.<br />
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I loved the end result I reached with the Deco Art product, but it was not the original effect I was going for. A few surprises happened along the way. First, the beauty of chalk paint is no priming or prep work. I got right to work, painting the Serene color on all the edges I wanted to distress and then applying a full coat of Vintage on all the surfaces.<br />
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What really happened: Sanding removed both coats, and I was unable to get the two-tone look I originally planned. That was a disappointment. On the other hand, the ancient varnish on the piece (which I expected the chalk paint to cover without priming or prepping) created a natural crackle -- better than any faux finish I've achieved with crackle medium. Luckily I had an open mind. I wanted a smooth finish, but I was fine with the crackle surprise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkuA_p40ryw_igfFA8pYLSLUc2ddp0OJ3LPP9V_wvVLOazgFq9XW1kkstK3afGRDuJd4eK1YlAkosUH5PemSh25by4wL8-rV_JgFRDPZXUpHgT-YdxDoUBHLj4HfrR1DwAIlZ_L-nKlI/s1600/crackle+paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUkuA_p40ryw_igfFA8pYLSLUc2ddp0OJ3LPP9V_wvVLOazgFq9XW1kkstK3afGRDuJd4eK1YlAkosUH5PemSh25by4wL8-rV_JgFRDPZXUpHgT-YdxDoUBHLj4HfrR1DwAIlZ_L-nKlI/s1600/crackle+paint.JPG" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
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The final touch was to silver-leaf the drawer fronts. I've played with silver leafing before on a mirror (note: don't try when you've got a ceiling fan running above!). Since this dresser will be in the same room, I thought it would be a nice complement. All you need is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001AWVOXO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001AWVOXO&linkCode=as2&tag=artfcraf-20&linkId=MZLQDSWBMOSSJHEY">Silver Leaf Sheet</a> and and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00083KPCW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00083KPCW&linkCode=as2&tag=artfcraf-20&linkId=MLOETG3VEFNMJBLK">Metal Leaf Adhesive Size</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=artfcraf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00083KPCW" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. Paint the size onto the surface and let dry. Apply the silver leaf sheet to the surface (it will only stick to the size), and you're done. The product I used had a paper backing, so the leaf was very easy to handle and press in place.<br />
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Here's the finished result:<br />
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Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-47908774154438067602014-10-17T16:55:00.000-05:002014-10-18T07:29:22.410-05:00DIMyselfFace Lift part two.<br>
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One of my favorite "rooms" in my little house is a sun porch. Just off the kitchen on the driveway side, it provides our daily in-and-out door as well as a much-needed retreat space for me. When I bought the house, the previous owners had already installed the screens on the windows and they were painted to match the trim. Later that fall, when it was time to install the storms, I was dismayed to find them peeling several colors of previous-owner-paint-schemes (turquoise teal and burgundy pink the most prominent). Glaring against the butter yellow and cream house, they were an eyesore to say the least.<br>
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It took me several years, but this fall I resolved to repaint the storms and treat myself to a better view for the long Wisconsin winter (sad to say storms will be installed from October through late May).<br>
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A few things made the job easier:<br>
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1. Create a workspace: My friend Mike came up with this brilliant solution -- two bar stools and two landscape timbers. It was the perfect height for me to paint without fatigue and I could set up two at a time. Trash bags over the stools and a drop cloth kept spills at bay; I am a messy painter.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdriy6e52EuMLnIvtxmQKEJsTJrWbRNZTOwUe-4ZYMAhRvNhzeQp2cqV5_iJRNweiek7gZ32brqD7J2ThlHcTA1abUaylo0CJGC1D1dLjqVQja88Ow-h7PM3yBDRf-HrhonoIPW_cH6c/s1600/photo_1%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpdriy6e52EuMLnIvtxmQKEJsTJrWbRNZTOwUe-4ZYMAhRvNhzeQp2cqV5_iJRNweiek7gZ32brqD7J2ThlHcTA1abUaylo0CJGC1D1dLjqVQja88Ow-h7PM3yBDRf-HrhonoIPW_cH6c/s1600/photo_1%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="239"></a></div>
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2. Invest in the right tools. I found this unusual <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O3S72G/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000O3S72G&linkCode=as2&tag=artfcraf-20&linkId=OIH7KXC64MZO7XXL">1-Inch Square Paint Brush</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=artfcraf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000O3S72G" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1"> at Home Depot. It made painting the mullions (muntins?) a breeze. I also have been a long-time fan of Behr paint and the Ultra Satin Exterior did not disappoint.<br>
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3. Tape or Scrape? I tried the first two with tape. It was tedious to apply, but left a crisp edge. My only problem was that I was covering several coats done by previous "messy" painters -- the tape left some of the old overlaps showing. For the next two windows, I painted at will and when the paint was dry I scraped the glass. The total time spent was about the same, but the second method let me cover the old mistakes with new paint. If you are painting brand new windows, I would say tape them first. If you're going for a second or third update, I recommend scraping with a razor blade.<br>
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The final result:<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0IAQlFVeAr7GgeeY5KSOqUtCgHcEQ2MSrE2ATlKrFg3FKj7B3rmqMd7Acj2c7iV4XR2ZdRSbxUWKfMiTSsTeOFn1-FROXdOSQn2IeyW5MC_gbA1Bi_LvZAO9Buh0wdxxAiPV5Lo5h4/s1600/photo_4%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCN0IAQlFVeAr7GgeeY5KSOqUtCgHcEQ2MSrE2ATlKrFg3FKj7B3rmqMd7Acj2c7iV4XR2ZdRSbxUWKfMiTSsTeOFn1-FROXdOSQn2IeyW5MC_gbA1Bi_LvZAO9Buh0wdxxAiPV5Lo5h4/s1600/photo_4%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="239"></a></div>
<br>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-54174138155974204482014-10-09T08:48:00.003-05:002014-10-09T08:48:57.763-05:00#TBTWith a welcome chill in the air it's time to think about scarves. This #TBT post is about a <a href="http://artfulcrafts.blogspot.com/2009/11/easy-scarf-project.html">no-knit scarf</a> that remains one of my favorites. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qW-kI-bnv8gEj8iwR6BdIPmFIZ3eCrICRSRlvNrxDVkA4PYLSVL2p0tRsb2SmBHRifcNtt4EErQfEJtaIQcl5Q7DK3cgrqMbjEiP60IVq8VsDZsQZIGGiOk7lPaoKwarSt9XlCoKytk/s1600/IMG_6387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qW-kI-bnv8gEj8iwR6BdIPmFIZ3eCrICRSRlvNrxDVkA4PYLSVL2p0tRsb2SmBHRifcNtt4EErQfEJtaIQcl5Q7DK3cgrqMbjEiP60IVq8VsDZsQZIGGiOk7lPaoKwarSt9XlCoKytk/s1600/IMG_6387.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-84259241358857066812014-10-06T08:49:00.001-05:002014-10-06T08:51:55.743-05:00Craft-tasticI am pretty particular about my DIY projects. Is it clever? Would I use it? There is just too much clutter out there, and not enough originality. Last week I came across a really great project: this<br />
<a href="http://psimadethis.com/accessories/pearl-chain-accoutrement">"accoutrement"</a> from P.S. I Made This. Part jewelry, part accessory, all genius. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyC2DGty5iUgCBCQJbtNWMXg0ss6EcSbZgfRj_iy_RfxpwlcvFCZB8Yw85f3-HSPsYOutML40EOvPkXEQWeqZUXS18tHB2tuCThbDuhCtYFEEivHTvyYmVe3VrmXyO1ybLqhJ-X7TLc4/s1600/10.02.14_Pearl-Accoutrement-MERGED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVyC2DGty5iUgCBCQJbtNWMXg0ss6EcSbZgfRj_iy_RfxpwlcvFCZB8Yw85f3-HSPsYOutML40EOvPkXEQWeqZUXS18tHB2tuCThbDuhCtYFEEivHTvyYmVe3VrmXyO1ybLqhJ-X7TLc4/s1600/10.02.14_Pearl-Accoutrement-MERGED.jpg" height="320" width="110" /></a></div>
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<br />Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-71134633112056281242014-08-18T05:35:00.001-05:002014-08-18T05:35:24.765-05:00Face lift<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sometimes all you need is a quick fix to spruce things up a bit. I've always loved the mailbox that came with this house, but it was beginning to rust:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtOsfnzivYIPlG9iyiQhGRLIDWpNWBblDNWZQ27Vy_sk-tYFq1BevghEIvelSZyWLOJcLzjFZknw4_EM2C4t9GH7IqwuSQxyRl-jM8IRt2cWpaEjOVvLVHij8SjYyisHhGhahseuGT80/s640/blogger-image--1239697321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtOsfnzivYIPlG9iyiQhGRLIDWpNWBblDNWZQ27Vy_sk-tYFq1BevghEIvelSZyWLOJcLzjFZknw4_EM2C4t9GH7IqwuSQxyRl-jM8IRt2cWpaEjOVvLVHij8SjYyisHhGhahseuGT80/s640/blogger-image--1239697321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the "after":</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ8sVgL0RMuYzPtoGBDtziqNB81hktDMufVBbMNGUeUB8TV4-7hCsZvzow2m24rlNwNQN3-SWwgYM2g7-tHp2pb2hrahvX-4-aICfB-ruNp5r4nlHFETTa9YFu3IpypjnRPv-NwAO17k/s640/blogger-image-1213805750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZ8sVgL0RMuYzPtoGBDtziqNB81hktDMufVBbMNGUeUB8TV4-7hCsZvzow2m24rlNwNQN3-SWwgYM2g7-tHp2pb2hrahvX-4-aICfB-ruNp5r4nlHFETTa9YFu3IpypjnRPv-NwAO17k/s640/blogger-image-1213805750.jpg"></a></div>Not bad!</div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-890454278980550522012-12-13T18:56:00.002-06:002014-05-06T15:13:10.835-05:00The Serious Side of Joy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ALuFVGjCva9ivs9YzoG10Y0MyVGsSA9fTrcoQDrTTXZcQhiUUHeRtgdpqe3YmFRdigBn24lYIJ8hELn-bLjnUyA2e1t2f9jLccQorG32Ru-TUf3DSy-WQniwhCBhBfgERMklxaFxkS4/s1600/IMG_1786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ALuFVGjCva9ivs9YzoG10Y0MyVGsSA9fTrcoQDrTTXZcQhiUUHeRtgdpqe3YmFRdigBn24lYIJ8hELn-bLjnUyA2e1t2f9jLccQorG32Ru-TUf3DSy-WQniwhCBhBfgERMklxaFxkS4/s320/IMG_1786.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s true that a joyful person is adored—anyone
would rather be around an optimist than an Eeyore. Joy is like glitter. No
matter how hard you try to keep it contained, it spreads and spreads, even to
the most unlikely places. Joy’s been on my mind because it’s been missing from
my life for a few years now. I know I’m in charge of my own happiness. But, how
exactly do I do that, when I feel like my world has ended? How do I grab joy
and rise out of the darkness, instead of sinking further in?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not one to skip through public places like Will
Ferrell in Elf. Even at my happiest, I’m a “dancing on the inside” kind of
girl. But what I am trying to do each day as I navigate these<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>unknown waters is to take a moment of private
time, find joy within myself, and then hold on dearly. It’s a spiritual feeling
that takes a physical presence—if I think about it, I can actually feel it,
like a tiny glowing coal deep in my gut. When I find it and greet it before I transition
from private to public, it beams out and bounces back, all day long. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is my second single-mother Christmas. My
divorce after a 25-year relationship was swift, unexpected, and complete. My then-husband
got up, walked out, and never looked back. During the first year, joy was the
furthest thing from my mind. Slowly but surely the fog began to lift. I’m not
sure I chose joy as much as I chose <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>sadness
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> pity. By seeking the opposite
of what I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didn’t</i> want, I found my way
to living with joy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The deck is stacked a bit given that it’s December.
But no matter the form—a song lyric, a decoration, a card, a gift bag—universe-whispers
of JOY are crossing my path on a near-daily basis. And the more I see it, the
more I feel it, and the firmer my grasp becomes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This month is the first month in ages I’ve had laugh-out-loud
moments with my daughters. I can’t remember the triggers but I’ll never forget
the feeling. Bonding over an agreed-upon ridiculous moment makes us realize “We
get each other. We think alike. We’re happy together.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I have delightful vistas from my country home: gem-filled
night skies that take my breath away and rosy pink early winter mornings when
the silhouette of a barn and some bare trees against the rising sun provides an
instantaneous, simultaneous feeling of peace and awe. And instead of rushing
by, dwelling on my misfortune, I stop, look, and feel, even if it’s just for a
minute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">My daughter insists on playing the 24-hour Christmas
radio station in the car, something I’ve always scoffed at. You know what? It brings
joy. Whether it’s Bruce’s gravely rendition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Santa Claus is Coming to To</i>wn or a sentimentally sweet take on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">White Christmas</i>, hearing these songs as
I drive lightens my mood and removes the grind from the daily routine. I was
prompted to revive some abandoned Christmas rituals: I baked cookies. I decked
my halls. We trimmed a tree. I wrote and sent cards to the people I cared about
the most. Joy is seeping in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Choosing joy in a conscious way means it becomes
your companion, your compass, and your center of gravity. Choosing joy is the
best way to keep the hurt, anger, and pain from becoming overwhelming. Choosing
joy is the way I want to live, every day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-24772114376660448802012-01-08T09:13:00.001-06:002012-01-08T09:15:13.619-06:00Sunrise from the Living RoomI've taken you on many tours of my property in all seasons, but this morning, I'd like to share the view from my living room. I love the early morning light nearly as much as I love the winter landscape out here in the country. So here's the view, from inside out:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv95cgDEFUA6cmVrdKNUQWRkM8QAmJAUFnHQrV3feUyhJGHAhuNYEVK2vhZjzLOXUJOd7LDXoxSS8PGbqvm8sd5_ALqB02hKgsg2DeE-PtJqRJr-dCvI8Shtm3e_ZKmhdZxctbVo9xOUA/s1600/01+winter+sunrise1_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv95cgDEFUA6cmVrdKNUQWRkM8QAmJAUFnHQrV3feUyhJGHAhuNYEVK2vhZjzLOXUJOd7LDXoxSS8PGbqvm8sd5_ALqB02hKgsg2DeE-PtJqRJr-dCvI8Shtm3e_ZKmhdZxctbVo9xOUA/s320/01+winter+sunrise1_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbQ5Iu1S0L70IXFpIc-JpZtG3c-6QLmQQR4mGUlmXqSvE3WQe-S6TxWr0O5UN7mJkEZ_mQAFVDhGngf4-9oIvzU7yvqQIaKuGryD4rGR18JHqfs42KS2aLyV7Iotfkw6Ool3dmYwnaXw/s1600/02+winter+sunrise_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbQ5Iu1S0L70IXFpIc-JpZtG3c-6QLmQQR4mGUlmXqSvE3WQe-S6TxWr0O5UN7mJkEZ_mQAFVDhGngf4-9oIvzU7yvqQIaKuGryD4rGR18JHqfs42KS2aLyV7Iotfkw6Ool3dmYwnaXw/s320/02+winter+sunrise_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little closer</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOAMFKy2xypSMTk5OJE3JTxd_kkNtsl95WV5RAa-dNMu6518tZUfEyc5sI8F430SquvGr7pt4CwWHKpYQLrwneruLV-iB_sX0DfS-22n-Wugts-4VIdjGdPlE86uvs5SEbasvnNIAnSI/s1600/03+Morning+sun_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOAMFKy2xypSMTk5OJE3JTxd_kkNtsl95WV5RAa-dNMu6518tZUfEyc5sI8F430SquvGr7pt4CwWHKpYQLrwneruLV-iB_sX0DfS-22n-Wugts-4VIdjGdPlE86uvs5SEbasvnNIAnSI/s320/03+Morning+sun_edited-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Coffee View</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dNp5KAsCevmeUlhhFrwWiQYJhmnW_hq28MIHOPPxtdRxLddPZ1L7GA-1ySo5jBQ2qgsEfPnlo0ZDdp1huCyONfpnAJYrGktNHHHNgS6TVPMRBCOeIFUPq_rgC9f9IN5aeEzh6bR-69s/s1600/04+Sunrise+on+Porch+Swing_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4dNp5KAsCevmeUlhhFrwWiQYJhmnW_hq28MIHOPPxtdRxLddPZ1L7GA-1ySo5jBQ2qgsEfPnlo0ZDdp1huCyONfpnAJYrGktNHHHNgS6TVPMRBCOeIFUPq_rgC9f9IN5aeEzh6bR-69s/s320/04+Sunrise+on+Porch+Swing_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise on the porch swing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTzCk790ybY3bZxmshLNCnCaVYtD1qo6g3Gul_F72OaJpKkEucYZ2JRoJBgTnJlI6pG57bzXNAWWVu7ecnV_YQC4E7_U-2yYpRgs7BSvOqYzkJUwMJgVQVS0cu0dLhDVHgjMAJ1ocx9U/s1600/05+Morning+LR3_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTzCk790ybY3bZxmshLNCnCaVYtD1qo6g3Gul_F72OaJpKkEucYZ2JRoJBgTnJlI6pG57bzXNAWWVu7ecnV_YQC4E7_U-2yYpRgs7BSvOqYzkJUwMJgVQVS0cu0dLhDVHgjMAJ1ocx9U/s320/05+Morning+LR3_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking North</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3IZ1cafu2JnzOZh_QGFmgEhIlXNXoC1cCMNkJ0WJcxacKEXPTJqkSq3wrp-4WzEZHkrutPCc2JppF0BukRl-TcuV-xmnPwQm_3eIWQceuO0XvyMMIF_TksyJVRRe1rzFR02lazF0eoA/s1600/06+Morning+LR2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3IZ1cafu2JnzOZh_QGFmgEhIlXNXoC1cCMNkJ0WJcxacKEXPTJqkSq3wrp-4WzEZHkrutPCc2JppF0BukRl-TcuV-xmnPwQm_3eIWQceuO0XvyMMIF_TksyJVRRe1rzFR02lazF0eoA/s320/06+Morning+LR2_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's something about curly willows I love</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93r8QKUvvOaqoQkBiTeMb9vuCVL5T_zkVBEiTWnQUEu7GdCNFbNnurWtBjQ9x_d4ZJvi_q0ec6QWjL0v6TN-Vdk3q5bMl4TazooeQnsEovwvUXJ9guoqH39wXkB-vVnoBpbyjujP5R-k/s1600/07+Morning+LR_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93r8QKUvvOaqoQkBiTeMb9vuCVL5T_zkVBEiTWnQUEu7GdCNFbNnurWtBjQ9x_d4ZJvi_q0ec6QWjL0v6TN-Vdk3q5bMl4TazooeQnsEovwvUXJ9guoqH39wXkB-vVnoBpbyjujP5R-k/s320/07+Morning+LR_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smokehouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t31H4Zi31R9vBoNqOIBstweDxLCkEvetXvQesxjfhO-gztFXgzxhNXso6fLoELnDai-Kefy6PoFL4TXcRwkgcc0KCTC4ZoJBiRRxTzq0J-8jyf0m9pFt9eMvzXiG7DwElIgY3UH9e6Y/s1600/08+Morning+Living+Room+View_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-t31H4Zi31R9vBoNqOIBstweDxLCkEvetXvQesxjfhO-gztFXgzxhNXso6fLoELnDai-Kefy6PoFL4TXcRwkgcc0KCTC4ZoJBiRRxTzq0J-8jyf0m9pFt9eMvzXiG7DwElIgY3UH9e6Y/s320/08+Morning+Living+Room+View_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northwestern view</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S-CXRWFZO3SmcrAJEjkbZ6XQtRRvYm4_j5MnxlpUvfB3IalK3v1blxjFeKxMuu4Ivs8cTOp28y3HyJSmAWSk6Xpu-yLregf-1HBR98vUFa7LWJ9A6Oe0YypNwe-eXdcGQmmW22TcCPM/s1600/09+Morning+Kitchen+View_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9S-CXRWFZO3SmcrAJEjkbZ6XQtRRvYm4_j5MnxlpUvfB3IalK3v1blxjFeKxMuu4Ivs8cTOp28y3HyJSmAWSk6Xpu-yLregf-1HBR98vUFa7LWJ9A6Oe0YypNwe-eXdcGQmmW22TcCPM/s320/09+Morning+Kitchen+View_edited-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the kitchen window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-39509546460722560402011-11-27T19:53:00.000-06:002011-11-27T19:53:33.551-06:00Ready for the weekendI know it's been forever since I've posted. I've been busier than I can imagine! Part of that has been getting ready for a local sale this weekend. Here's a sneak peek of my newest jewerly:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12Z5emz6mGaL9mesrqJGHAcmhMGysS9T-OItqbhG1Z2oe6bO8GW-Q3SkzV3oytjDF1sELAvcGPeat7acGKkQobU0M5TMph36-ejeIcAklW1UNrR2W40HMK_r6jq0enByGJhpwY-YYBYU/s1600/black3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12Z5emz6mGaL9mesrqJGHAcmhMGysS9T-OItqbhG1Z2oe6bO8GW-Q3SkzV3oytjDF1sELAvcGPeat7acGKkQobU0M5TMph36-ejeIcAklW1UNrR2W40HMK_r6jq0enByGJhpwY-YYBYU/s320/black3.JPG" width="220" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAT182gokgvefDBCMID1spaQMfdB4b4cbnRXMCN-czFzHKLCiYHEG5lZDtHNAFW2wwaMYDqxtOh7nkHWHY904XW2UGXsw9maQOJy8YXv6qa3J8VnDWEJGcov9R4qENZuQk31KQOs-aVc/s1600/black1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAT182gokgvefDBCMID1spaQMfdB4b4cbnRXMCN-czFzHKLCiYHEG5lZDtHNAFW2wwaMYDqxtOh7nkHWHY904XW2UGXsw9maQOJy8YXv6qa3J8VnDWEJGcov9R4qENZuQk31KQOs-aVc/s320/black1.JPG" width="97" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4IF4Ic0MpQwYP8Vk1a6rkf0W64v7l32HczRm0S8aC84IsyhNXNgBSIJeclYw8ojnePAjmCCzRXqw2mie0nO2McHWaJmYp3sKzGiLtkEiB25eN7gkqDsY5nO0x7oEOUAPESJAvhNwP5c/s1600/blackearrings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4IF4Ic0MpQwYP8Vk1a6rkf0W64v7l32HczRm0S8aC84IsyhNXNgBSIJeclYw8ojnePAjmCCzRXqw2mie0nO2McHWaJmYp3sKzGiLtkEiB25eN7gkqDsY5nO0x7oEOUAPESJAvhNwP5c/s320/blackearrings.JPG" width="237" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJhwF34ErWtHR-nzZiwQDJ4VP4Vwr-8HxWtDdhZOzPLetJoHIvom2aDfjG5RApkbkwI4zu2iSm2mSZ6zeD5v8kq1m4brWxbKpBWIF-K4yoVWagBMBeULJtA5aBU4zlAuhOw4RFZhgKsA/s1600/blue2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJhwF34ErWtHR-nzZiwQDJ4VP4Vwr-8HxWtDdhZOzPLetJoHIvom2aDfjG5RApkbkwI4zu2iSm2mSZ6zeD5v8kq1m4brWxbKpBWIF-K4yoVWagBMBeULJtA5aBU4zlAuhOw4RFZhgKsA/s320/blue2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVtH4OpUQkExlbTcHjLJFx15EaPVDn9h9KivC_Wj-Ql3mNTK-dGz4AyC8UAMleLAqGYBX8HKxPFN1F_OOfnFqRAh8-4VFomOL1NDlcHKMU6aELiXq7wlT2-oDVnVbbMH5stLi4sRz-CA/s1600/green+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVtH4OpUQkExlbTcHjLJFx15EaPVDn9h9KivC_Wj-Ql3mNTK-dGz4AyC8UAMleLAqGYBX8HKxPFN1F_OOfnFqRAh8-4VFomOL1NDlcHKMU6aELiXq7wlT2-oDVnVbbMH5stLi4sRz-CA/s320/green+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgGzyuO45J5zc9i8TVjDC546__FltHEY8tl8SiYnerQfXFmYI0MbjcWEsmbFJ9xJHKY4VyVmd8UYGf9URh2P-Mx1u1jXsQ5oRa-mqjA5kzUaE-eBwNRk8_ciWbjZORjNspf5TydMdu7M/s1600/red4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgGzyuO45J5zc9i8TVjDC546__FltHEY8tl8SiYnerQfXFmYI0MbjcWEsmbFJ9xJHKY4VyVmd8UYGf9URh2P-Mx1u1jXsQ5oRa-mqjA5kzUaE-eBwNRk8_ciWbjZORjNspf5TydMdu7M/s320/red4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-87686315948202465792011-07-23T10:38:00.000-05:002011-07-23T10:38:45.083-05:00Summer ScenesDo you remember just a few short months ago when I braved the single digit temps and took you on a <a href="http://artfulcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/winter-in-back-yard.html">winter walkabout</a>? Well, now that we're approaching the triple digits, I thought I'd take some photos of the same scenes in their summer light.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTfB7stz2okwNYFfDAXxTWkmJat3lqQItzpwkZYZeJBtIgDeoMF1JpC1tyUj53fDXD7LO8sLZ_1Td_0Ajvt3LxaQGVeRRu7FC73LOKz3Pwc8CLtmgbtFZB8pK1y5IT2Crs9zGLbiofxY/s1600/s1+summer+daylilly+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieTfB7stz2okwNYFfDAXxTWkmJat3lqQItzpwkZYZeJBtIgDeoMF1JpC1tyUj53fDXD7LO8sLZ_1Td_0Ajvt3LxaQGVeRRu7FC73LOKz3Pwc8CLtmgbtFZB8pK1y5IT2Crs9zGLbiofxY/s320/s1+summer+daylilly+field.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Lillies glow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8rKDAUW3rJWHYtOUCbnVK-uto8u5njKlVBidNFyEmg016BlnQm07Vt9egXCQS-kgS9unTC_3D360DEIeGxoy7AYipYhG0BjA6RMEPAim31cmcgeN0EthHMV880Oq6KNzUgBODV0q31E/s1600/s2+summer+iron+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8rKDAUW3rJWHYtOUCbnVK-uto8u5njKlVBidNFyEmg016BlnQm07Vt9egXCQS-kgS9unTC_3D360DEIeGxoy7AYipYhG0BjA6RMEPAim31cmcgeN0EthHMV880Oq6KNzUgBODV0q31E/s320/s2+summer+iron+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUN8V97rSgWtP4lMSZPedS9IYPGz6BnUtA4-_S7ZHT97rytykHMeui2UV30enc0vp7Nkx1EgsQP3mDzPluJO4_4ruAuz_XaBm636WdXet0947G8__Wr5DXd2_eJNaw6pRgg7sP-CRoFk/s1600/s5+summer+field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijUN8V97rSgWtP4lMSZPedS9IYPGz6BnUtA4-_S7ZHT97rytykHMeui2UV30enc0vp7Nkx1EgsQP3mDzPluJO4_4ruAuz_XaBm636WdXet0947G8__Wr5DXd2_eJNaw6pRgg7sP-CRoFk/s320/s5+summer+field.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgMwDV6VZJk3hl-H9HnXtLV-Grc2kHNmsUT-xF802vzbmbk4j0Ote2E1K6Zd40Io4y17oa_LFP4ROwDWZcrlYndSbn1XqvxY_qTnWpZhkNdXufv_nobAJs559wBsT1_w7GZZDVXSNp5U/s1600/s3+summer+hydrangia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgMwDV6VZJk3hl-H9HnXtLV-Grc2kHNmsUT-xF802vzbmbk4j0Ote2E1K6Zd40Io4y17oa_LFP4ROwDWZcrlYndSbn1XqvxY_qTnWpZhkNdXufv_nobAJs559wBsT1_w7GZZDVXSNp5U/s320/s3+summer+hydrangia.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_rBW2H9CLpaUdbWnXEx4S6eSTyT_3UWYySjlbB5SGsccRBTk5fZr_SZSwWOzqIyWMobOi-xKN8TlClhfPQu2BSUtguPgOjvSiF5IaTDt2bVYZV-xrnUBCk7hxd1e-dJgwcDjv8oZZ2Y/s1600/s+4+summer+fleur+de+lis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_rBW2H9CLpaUdbWnXEx4S6eSTyT_3UWYySjlbB5SGsccRBTk5fZr_SZSwWOzqIyWMobOi-xKN8TlClhfPQu2BSUtguPgOjvSiF5IaTDt2bVYZV-xrnUBCk7hxd1e-dJgwcDjv8oZZ2Y/s320/s+4+summer+fleur+de+lis.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObRFF88ByTsaZf6iNdglgGdqXOk4c0VFgu0I0d85zXjW2eDogr9NMKqJfkoaQyXYba-VLjTA8kaWZFfsC8cCHBlkgiB_tElUgkIgtRgcXLhdo0Pfhjwsst2N9HFWv3kJigBacZQK_8-c/s1600/s6+summer+earlybird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgObRFF88ByTsaZf6iNdglgGdqXOk4c0VFgu0I0d85zXjW2eDogr9NMKqJfkoaQyXYba-VLjTA8kaWZFfsC8cCHBlkgiB_tElUgkIgtRgcXLhdo0Pfhjwsst2N9HFWv3kJigBacZQK_8-c/s320/s6+summer+earlybird.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know what they say about the early bird</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7-rq9yLHjq48bOyekYqUspxVGzmDLC6RNuVn9882HMI6YulH2cXNUA6BvyZGWnWi-ziwYc4Pd8D5FeWPp1EmJnqZhSeshK2rwGEOvQhZ-0zUut5fIIvb27CTKyTbLh9UnMERSzfTw7E/s1600/s7+summer+daisy+shadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7-rq9yLHjq48bOyekYqUspxVGzmDLC6RNuVn9882HMI6YulH2cXNUA6BvyZGWnWi-ziwYc4Pd8D5FeWPp1EmJnqZhSeshK2rwGEOvQhZ-0zUut5fIIvb27CTKyTbLh9UnMERSzfTw7E/s320/s7+summer+daisy+shadow.jpg" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daisy Shadow</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5OwGW1avtVdbG3Rk995zOpttw8pY6PM00nTdoClJTQ8o0t-oWz5buLmYaS1pi7dMh2SfOZ9TjiQhBp6OmpG_QbT0SJf1OAzrrBgNYbvyVA2Ghx3q-1Jda0IYhOmQKSZJRkJJcbtNXxI/s1600/s8+summer+craggy+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5OwGW1avtVdbG3Rk995zOpttw8pY6PM00nTdoClJTQ8o0t-oWz5buLmYaS1pi7dMh2SfOZ9TjiQhBp6OmpG_QbT0SJf1OAzrrBgNYbvyVA2Ghx3q-1Jda0IYhOmQKSZJRkJJcbtNXxI/s320/s8+summer+craggy+man.jpg" width="227" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always knew I had a guardian angel. I just never knew he looked like an Easter Island statue!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbmhJnzqS2HmM6IAFsyJdABrJiR9BKz7x3OD0sveWWWYSQZxMxhfEabKgoDwLkeDpoUXGX9rN5c_g5ihVUB3Wu4UEMWWCLa1203kpnUnvuj2lyEnKKfQRMR8Mfe4bTEKmROA7Yqc44Nc/s1600/s9+summer+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbmhJnzqS2HmM6IAFsyJdABrJiR9BKz7x3OD0sveWWWYSQZxMxhfEabKgoDwLkeDpoUXGX9rN5c_g5ihVUB3Wu4UEMWWCLa1203kpnUnvuj2lyEnKKfQRMR8Mfe4bTEKmROA7Yqc44Nc/s320/s9+summer+chairs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect spot for sunset watching and wine sipping.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbslH_iXXZUk0OC2YQbN84MX7BrxJqXs_SCBWr8IBBr_rAhXCA3O9eUFQCakOi8sGm1gwMWO0pxAcX7YmWMD-mhBfo_uMssCWG3D0ZuftvhHG-bLqJmQRn9ngllU5ou8guNSFctQLXWg/s1600/s10+summer+bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbslH_iXXZUk0OC2YQbN84MX7BrxJqXs_SCBWr8IBBr_rAhXCA3O9eUFQCakOi8sGm1gwMWO0pxAcX7YmWMD-mhBfo_uMssCWG3D0ZuftvhHG-bLqJmQRn9ngllU5ou8guNSFctQLXWg/s320/s10+summer+bench.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFpakubCB8_gCcXBSqbym14aoDiJ5bAM5i7pY7tA-b4cerTBiaFchldPALeExwKeDXA3nqNiMw1WzPqiDfLuwfJvLZpc19lSmqb-UXy9WACiKEXKZW6WthedBohU_S7_xrY1qH1hkw8/s1600/s11+summer+corncrib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFpakubCB8_gCcXBSqbym14aoDiJ5bAM5i7pY7tA-b4cerTBiaFchldPALeExwKeDXA3nqNiMw1WzPqiDfLuwfJvLZpc19lSmqb-UXy9WACiKEXKZW6WthedBohU_S7_xrY1qH1hkw8/s320/s11+summer+corncrib.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter winds took down the pump house door, revealing this view of my house</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljUaodj4hSLsvGGRR_I-ebnaJMmakYXJoXDCDQTJlH_AEQaHWdldvkCQewoIfs3SF4hLM_SlSrBnGjBlf9qyNY1YtBMN9WmNPgDex15Y4V4LMfjLQxZtJEnokBTP6wper2_eFhkpBKTs/s1600/s16+summer+math.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljUaodj4hSLsvGGRR_I-ebnaJMmakYXJoXDCDQTJlH_AEQaHWdldvkCQewoIfs3SF4hLM_SlSrBnGjBlf9qyNY1YtBMN9WmNPgDex15Y4V4LMfjLQxZtJEnokBTP6wper2_eFhkpBKTs/s320/s16+summer+math.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And on the other side of the door -- lots of farmer's math. Wonder what he was calculating?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGxg4Ll9sK4Lyxpp_dSNnwR3ljHnFATWwuIpQQvoWrCXq3sEz9B-QQPt3ziJn0fP2Og2R9_Qrd16groxDiLvAHl_eWRL50dizEH9EWJFlh8wsWqRX3YSVIRjxUHzdd9DglzNHBkzdxJk/s1600/s17+summer+weathervane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUGxg4Ll9sK4Lyxpp_dSNnwR3ljHnFATWwuIpQQvoWrCXq3sEz9B-QQPt3ziJn0fP2Og2R9_Qrd16groxDiLvAHl_eWRL50dizEH9EWJFlh8wsWqRX3YSVIRjxUHzdd9DglzNHBkzdxJk/s320/s17+summer+weathervane.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When in doubt, head West.</td></tr>
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</div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-19968283846472337882011-07-22T12:15:00.000-05:002011-07-22T12:15:28.311-05:00Fall Class PreviewI just finished my samples for fall classes at Ben Franklin Crafts, my local shop. The challenge was to design interesting projects with a good teaching value, but keep the overall materials cost reasonable and to use products available in the store. Here's what I came up with. What do you think?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspUaPh1mTrbtNwSR6bO2JP3bpB7ccw7NpFj_0vUJs08UbToJAg8ZqPlk6MAEdh7Oar9YaPJAJ2uBD3QWVMBVS1VG8gp99SnpGGA0tjZjiP4hJtYyfJ2OgtPUeki7WpSTF0xNFJDT4vyM/s1600/bffallnecklacesm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspUaPh1mTrbtNwSR6bO2JP3bpB7ccw7NpFj_0vUJs08UbToJAg8ZqPlk6MAEdh7Oar9YaPJAJ2uBD3QWVMBVS1VG8gp99SnpGGA0tjZjiP4hJtYyfJ2OgtPUeki7WpSTF0xNFJDT4vyM/s320/bffallnecklacesm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Frost necklace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMCWp9pQl-2vea6gfBDKC_OEL2TTEpnJqJvQ1qByywPrHjSsdfEQ_SYGYZvGl6dK3n7668Z4jvc5fAGAP9cJcCsj9ttXGUnrWq7xjIcISTVzDi5_qcOfQOwD2wb452MVQxzBGYyKin2w/s1600/bffallbraceletsm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMCWp9pQl-2vea6gfBDKC_OEL2TTEpnJqJvQ1qByywPrHjSsdfEQ_SYGYZvGl6dK3n7668Z4jvc5fAGAP9cJcCsj9ttXGUnrWq7xjIcISTVzDi5_qcOfQOwD2wb452MVQxzBGYyKin2w/s320/bffallbraceletsm.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Frost Bracelet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFkmRjL7IJ7iE9lwql18H_W9Ya2_S4D6GrIIqKnXCWOWnnbbocxq5KpmM5KlQCfXyCMSI03K2-0d3PBYwvCENtNGV9VCSo-TL8tcQE4CvgMF7G6xG_yzPRPnWwaK2moSIzMbB4jWFfOE/s1600/bfwinterneckalcesm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFkmRjL7IJ7iE9lwql18H_W9Ya2_S4D6GrIIqKnXCWOWnnbbocxq5KpmM5KlQCfXyCMSI03K2-0d3PBYwvCENtNGV9VCSo-TL8tcQE4CvgMF7G6xG_yzPRPnWwaK2moSIzMbB4jWFfOE/s320/bfwinterneckalcesm.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Loopy necklace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT-AwlEAEdtFRImNpkc5kYbyab-uZEzg39OFyYJN9Q5szVgQ7bDU9k12sI_uMHgKQZqiVpwB4cccU_BIFYOrFy0AzJjKOkPqm6fSIObf7brxjZ7nsareHHzzZeHxq6drzAKAND0QXQ-U/s1600/bfwinterearringssm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTT-AwlEAEdtFRImNpkc5kYbyab-uZEzg39OFyYJN9Q5szVgQ7bDU9k12sI_uMHgKQZqiVpwB4cccU_BIFYOrFy0AzJjKOkPqm6fSIObf7brxjZ7nsareHHzzZeHxq6drzAKAND0QXQ-U/s320/bfwinterearringssm.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Little Loopy earrings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-25430947261882434402011-07-04T16:51:00.000-05:002011-07-04T16:51:18.193-05:00Garden of Weedin'I have been overwhelmed with yard work this year, but in the spirit of "when life gives you lemons..." I decided to take pleasure in the <em>entire</em> garden today, not just the pretty flowers that I want to be there. I mean, who are we to judge, anyway? What makes one plant beautiful, and one a common weed? Here's a tour of the less cultivated parts of my garden:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8MBOvUmFXphDO_mJfRw24KB9nf3Z7o-UWRFwYjzcuLEh_UUdMv5mO67yUCqtwf6lLd8YnXhyphenhyphengXPq5SWEouk71-wqZvsoiSybyYmeRDPkmg3JyymyKie3okMevbK0JWtHz4laNrsCkEs/s1600/weeds1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8MBOvUmFXphDO_mJfRw24KB9nf3Z7o-UWRFwYjzcuLEh_UUdMv5mO67yUCqtwf6lLd8YnXhyphenhyphengXPq5SWEouk71-wqZvsoiSybyYmeRDPkmg3JyymyKie3okMevbK0JWtHz4laNrsCkEs/s400/weeds1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This used to be my vegetable garden!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2YkNuFl5siwg60cM5ZaXkAq3c-Abo80St1NL4VpYGgRtPo30NWY5eQpIzeRRgGsP3LktoQF7CD2Q6x57DW34KjGRS_IoOUB9YG161v1kCwgCRD-329Wx7EOxDW4dxKwQZyb1M07R2aQ/s1600/weeds2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2YkNuFl5siwg60cM5ZaXkAq3c-Abo80St1NL4VpYGgRtPo30NWY5eQpIzeRRgGsP3LktoQF7CD2Q6x57DW34KjGRS_IoOUB9YG161v1kCwgCRD-329Wx7EOxDW4dxKwQZyb1M07R2aQ/s400/weeds2.jpg" width="336" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single sunflower among the stinging nettles. Not going to pick this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJyPGfyv6xesLQLaY7m5tZAV5jobYsTzqJT1PWEi1YzfGIMzwOMlLXc8Lrm1lr_Q5w0wcaOe52g8dNDyYtyBoeCU2uW-d9qSPABB9avTb4lrr8RUNQHPvDTtRBrq51mQQjuX6j9TSCps/s1600/weeds3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJyPGfyv6xesLQLaY7m5tZAV5jobYsTzqJT1PWEi1YzfGIMzwOMlLXc8Lrm1lr_Q5w0wcaOe52g8dNDyYtyBoeCU2uW-d9qSPABB9avTb4lrr8RUNQHPvDTtRBrq51mQQjuX6j9TSCps/s400/weeds3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fire pit isn't getting much use this summer, except by the daisies.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXN43F7Pw9mgh7iHE3ZbgX1XBUlO6WoDBrAs8AT2JgDlkqBrJPUW5MP0O_ff-YoMCcyqnuBBFFfo5gVRnPB0rchKbB6s3mKSi1bNVN414dxdkR2BETJ2PjzbSW1u2wusZJroWNTVDU4s/s1600/weeds4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXN43F7Pw9mgh7iHE3ZbgX1XBUlO6WoDBrAs8AT2JgDlkqBrJPUW5MP0O_ff-YoMCcyqnuBBFFfo5gVRnPB0rchKbB6s3mKSi1bNVN414dxdkR2BETJ2PjzbSW1u2wusZJroWNTVDU4s/s400/weeds4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A "volunteer" shrub in the middle of my field</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDiNEihlJy36gk2foSpa6AG8rMhC-eCUuS0uxMmqbwlNVSF6LfGFDKvkZyJ6GjKEU9JygC-y87IDhgDNRlKGE1I1Tg4rga2LHwazI4lv2GXGUCyURQoaJpNBwiN0s9niYdGEU4mySTCI/s1600/weeds5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDiNEihlJy36gk2foSpa6AG8rMhC-eCUuS0uxMmqbwlNVSF6LfGFDKvkZyJ6GjKEU9JygC-y87IDhgDNRlKGE1I1Tg4rga2LHwazI4lv2GXGUCyURQoaJpNBwiN0s9niYdGEU4mySTCI/s400/weeds5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milkweed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-47590709960982319772011-06-23T20:10:00.000-05:002011-06-23T20:10:39.213-05:00JoyHer friends say she has a smile that lights up a room, so I knew my donation for the silent auction for <a href="http://www.lynneslegacyofhope.com/">Lynne's Legacy of Hope</a> would be all about color and Swarovski crystals. Here's my bracelet, called Joy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rkn0j6gVxlGmp5iThHM79x0Q5-qwVmXdcNl1mjP982A5XZrxR2rzqChBv65k4d7dDvz_kLKmp17S5HH0qE0947MDbIFcA7ha_8ei6N1-DmbMt1c3E7eNDh33mYxCBuRbstyQA9fhBJA/s1600/Joy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Rkn0j6gVxlGmp5iThHM79x0Q5-qwVmXdcNl1mjP982A5XZrxR2rzqChBv65k4d7dDvz_kLKmp17S5HH0qE0947MDbIFcA7ha_8ei6N1-DmbMt1c3E7eNDh33mYxCBuRbstyQA9fhBJA/s400/Joy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's more about Lynne and the event:</div><table class="uiInfoTable profileInfoTable noBorder"><tbody>
<tr><th class="label"></th><td class="data"><div class="data_field">Lynne Sater, wife of WISN-TV news anchor Terry Sater and mother of 3 beautiful girls, Savannah, Autumn, and Sierra, has been battling Stage IV Bile Duct Cancer. She was diagnosed in December of 2009. As she has been valiantly fighting this terrible disease, medical expenses have mounted. Lynne's Legacy of Hope is a fun way for you to show your support for the Sater Family! So mark your calendars and join us on July 24th, 2011, at Lapham Peak State Park for an unforgettable day!</div></td></tr>
</tbody> </table>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-52490750635264024662011-02-21T16:28:00.000-06:002011-02-21T16:28:39.907-06:00Stash BustingEvery now and then, you need to take a hard look at your stash and try to use up some of the beads that have been hanging around for a while, or might be lonely leftovers from a larger, long-ago completed project. That’s what I did this weekend. I tried to make pretty, unique projects without buying anything new. Here are my results:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9dCnGfUN2gg-b6VW8z3pLyMrUDREM-WHjJmQjr8SLWvVwvwwuxSIHtpe-2g1Bfe6nCNyJYxPPJdaXIbiYx-jrkhZM_8q8Yxz48JwHbu-0rKae3ITXi26BJtm1jaZyS9JoSXsgyxtkEI/s1600/1stashbracelet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9dCnGfUN2gg-b6VW8z3pLyMrUDREM-WHjJmQjr8SLWvVwvwwuxSIHtpe-2g1Bfe6nCNyJYxPPJdaXIbiYx-jrkhZM_8q8Yxz48JwHbu-0rKae3ITXi26BJtm1jaZyS9JoSXsgyxtkEI/s400/1stashbracelet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lampworked glass and sterling silver beads</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG34g3wdWLNC2BQhp-9AFcsTdxizs1ximLLkSMcXpFQIjm0KVye_jAzoIFMMmG4fdINuMqu2vuqKFLo2YrcwCBJanklnIrD56_MauwFqVODsooAISPRUiQ_Qdv3_lN3TWS9AOnimc4IE/s1600/3stashnecklace1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxG34g3wdWLNC2BQhp-9AFcsTdxizs1ximLLkSMcXpFQIjm0KVye_jAzoIFMMmG4fdINuMqu2vuqKFLo2YrcwCBJanklnIrD56_MauwFqVODsooAISPRUiQ_Qdv3_lN3TWS9AOnimc4IE/s400/3stashnecklace1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charm necklace with labradorite briolette, Czech glass, and silver</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VA_qbuULQIBczx-vcflVOt7pmx7uHptOJbXLgoXIHtFZJZpsFZzxXuan7LZx9S72_GNroQBTtUUtqFdiAf5cn6fu0KI5bcTVXp7Rub4tye1ITMoP8Bqfcl1OIELpUNCHNGErWuO0-nA/s1600/4stashnecklace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VA_qbuULQIBczx-vcflVOt7pmx7uHptOJbXLgoXIHtFZJZpsFZzxXuan7LZx9S72_GNroQBTtUUtqFdiAf5cn6fu0KI5bcTVXp7Rub4tye1ITMoP8Bqfcl1OIELpUNCHNGErWuO0-nA/s400/4stashnecklace2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartz, fluorite, and India glass</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLE1Gr9sYxlwuYs3PJDAsWojHcqOCYmisiGP7iVd00VTikfK3CRq_bjFSKbjw-4oCoLYwzfRqfi3JzZ7BovhyrElt9GDql-wqtiAXeLod3J-9LUJjaEBJBtRMgYaJspJ5ntkJuqhxnBQ/s1600/5stashnecklace3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" j6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLE1Gr9sYxlwuYs3PJDAsWojHcqOCYmisiGP7iVd00VTikfK3CRq_bjFSKbjw-4oCoLYwzfRqfi3JzZ7BovhyrElt9GDql-wqtiAXeLod3J-9LUJjaEBJBtRMgYaJspJ5ntkJuqhxnBQ/s400/5stashnecklace3.jpg" width="395" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it spring yet?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Working with what you have can be challenging, but it can be freeing as well. I love these bead combinations, but I never would have "planned" these designs in advance. What do you think?Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-88386961622934933022011-02-14T10:10:00.002-06:002011-02-14T10:27:34.770-06:00Artbeads Winter Enchantment Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MeSRj5aFOu3Bq7FPlLDwTeJLgQciYrlzh4EpIUlST2neuSWJukyNw9PH-A58k3rDCMpqb8-O_CUf-LyW7pbBbIlo0O5ziK9L8WQ48jbnz4jWx-84A3ruqGmc9oFeq114jcg4iuyyzto/s1600/IMG_0128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8MeSRj5aFOu3Bq7FPlLDwTeJLgQciYrlzh4EpIUlST2neuSWJukyNw9PH-A58k3rDCMpqb8-O_CUf-LyW7pbBbIlo0O5ziK9L8WQ48jbnz4jWx-84A3ruqGmc9oFeq114jcg4iuyyzto/s400/IMG_0128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My backyard in January</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For this season's Artbeads.com blogger project, we were asked to design jewelry based on winter. Here in Wisconsin, winter is a long season. Our first cold snap comes in October and we're usually not seeing daffodils until late April. The season is long, but it isn't bleak. We have wonderful white snow, beautiful bare brown branches, and brilliant blue skies peeking through whenever we can. For this project, I wanted to explore working with some new-to-me materials. While I often use <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/glass-beads.html">glass beads</a> in my designs, I haven't worked with artisan-made lampworked beads before. I was immediately drawn to these<a href="http://www.artbeads.com/lmp-0032.html"> lampworked art beads</a> when I started planning my winter-white necklace. <a href="http://www.artbeads.com/base-metal-components.html">Brass accents</a> and just a hint of blue completed the palette, and I had this design together in no time.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXkqU4-MCl5Mqg5pOEFuCJG3te54MST-t_tRJPd0OknkXDzxgqxbNvcBmOKxZrRpG8jXdSiHry9lpkGpJElp6-2l_5-990KCFfmWnSFNFLSRZacrq8VpGk9caA0nFI2ltgy_OYS5ggo/s1600/1full+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneXkqU4-MCl5Mqg5pOEFuCJG3te54MST-t_tRJPd0OknkXDzxgqxbNvcBmOKxZrRpG8jXdSiHry9lpkGpJElp6-2l_5-990KCFfmWnSFNFLSRZacrq8VpGk9caA0nFI2ltgy_OYS5ggo/s320/1full+necklace.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter White necklace</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPn7xQA5fvOFkjMScKY2eMUglPHtrh-AYP4RWyMqsQORRp-zj_CgGbHb-C1rJTIfjLTymcGF0CleYmK2q-YhlYlfv1nGQrS7mjFJYbDeUsuTVcT7ewaDjgQT2f_h8EyArgsZR0BIqAiQ/s1600/3a+earrings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPn7xQA5fvOFkjMScKY2eMUglPHtrh-AYP4RWyMqsQORRp-zj_CgGbHb-C1rJTIfjLTymcGF0CleYmK2q-YhlYlfv1nGQrS7mjFJYbDeUsuTVcT7ewaDjgQT2f_h8EyArgsZR0BIqAiQ/s320/3a+earrings.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earrings</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaUZhC5woFQQgzyMz2ZXwnNvvfhHA4SU0zMGve9yj2xSv2WbLjt5R26T2AdBTUIN2c_ppdGFvFfAjGupKHUdXA5wNWpQzaY01kSBN-L7BHd2LjPzMUnys0DC4ImBc_eMtp-zXBQjP0rQ/s1600/4full+necklace2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzaUZhC5woFQQgzyMz2ZXwnNvvfhHA4SU0zMGve9yj2xSv2WbLjt5R26T2AdBTUIN2c_ppdGFvFfAjGupKHUdXA5wNWpQzaY01kSBN-L7BHd2LjPzMUnys0DC4ImBc_eMtp-zXBQjP0rQ/s320/4full+necklace2.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHQY00NBnzDStPtY_5bQ8A-WU7yocRIb22iWJQEbyBD1dNVPbQUOuaDo49pNyog_vJiCbfGMpNijpGhks9yMbp7SbSFk3VdO6DIHAzVvR31F3wZP7Ay4HbI0HOPxABwHdv1wwz0JZ0Ao/s1600/2closeup+necklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHQY00NBnzDStPtY_5bQ8A-WU7yocRIb22iWJQEbyBD1dNVPbQUOuaDo49pNyog_vJiCbfGMpNijpGhks9yMbp7SbSFk3VdO6DIHAzVvR31F3wZP7Ay4HbI0HOPxABwHdv1wwz0JZ0Ao/s320/2closeup+necklace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beaded links connected by large jump rings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>This necklace and earrings set came together very nicely. My original intention was to string the necklace, but I wanted the lampworked beads to be visible from all sides. Making beaded links instead set the beads off. I rummaged through my supplies for brass jump rings, thinking 5 or 6 mm would be the perfect size. I only found these super-sized rings, though, so I decided to try it out. I like the look even better. It's more open and airy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you design by purpose, by "happy accident," or a little of each?</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>Disclaimer: The lampworked beads, brass beadcaps, and brass findings used in this project were provided to me free of charge by Artbeads. My review is my opinion and I have not been paid for my endorsement.</em></span></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-85117289509424859452011-02-07T11:19:00.001-06:002011-02-07T11:21:50.996-06:00Be My Valentine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a quick and easy Valentine's Day card project for you. Remember when I made the cute <a href="http://artfulcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/snow-day-project.html">felted sweater pillow</a>? I wasn't sure what to do with the scraps, so I just cut them into random heart shapes. A few days later, I had this idea. If you don't have a felted sweater handy, just use felt from the fabric store.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz1EIXcpS2U2N5FsNoqKL42SH-gp45YGOJNtRVJIfxTz-ek3HGSQ3wG3KbCXvCQabRywY3BLK3LocXh2alzbp1qZtkJfGFfPmrGc-XRGrh43AQP7SUBL5y2tsw1rE8tgVrabfogIHqi0/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikz1EIXcpS2U2N5FsNoqKL42SH-gp45YGOJNtRVJIfxTz-ek3HGSQ3wG3KbCXvCQabRywY3BLK3LocXh2alzbp1qZtkJfGFfPmrGc-XRGrh43AQP7SUBL5y2tsw1rE8tgVrabfogIHqi0/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQEYtYKoX0HegKAm-XEtDCKC0mUnBxwXEX49AiBGfHQ02vZH7seL8Di22lsk4dumeo3VRWWaZZOdbRJiIRaBWk2i51Vb0gi7xHccmuzs6jXRPzFZOP-nt9SlKEmf2dDoCMAwKbiwDEck/s1600/IMG_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOQEYtYKoX0HegKAm-XEtDCKC0mUnBxwXEX49AiBGfHQ02vZH7seL8Di22lsk4dumeo3VRWWaZZOdbRJiIRaBWk2i51Vb0gi7xHccmuzs6jXRPzFZOP-nt9SlKEmf2dDoCMAwKbiwDEck/s320/IMG_0233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sew simple!</div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-1504841394857105232011-01-30T08:49:00.000-06:002011-01-30T08:49:11.086-06:00Winter in the back yard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some winter pictures for you to enjoy. Hopefully you're reading this from a warmer climate!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflDcXK6Mp54xANv-PYUPyN64M0UfIJdbHFWiYXVAPhib0nZPdtJau6a1KujAd2L67QsqHSMQqYQIyQ_kcKRna2FKl1Q5a9EkO7JlhqWwwQCj23UpBy0yhLHK2FoMcYmZammM6bb9HxQ8/s1600/ww+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflDcXK6Mp54xANv-PYUPyN64M0UfIJdbHFWiYXVAPhib0nZPdtJau6a1KujAd2L67QsqHSMQqYQIyQ_kcKRna2FKl1Q5a9EkO7JlhqWwwQCj23UpBy0yhLHK2FoMcYmZammM6bb9HxQ8/s320/ww+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh448v9nIaG1xTnKyVUEcChn5vazqSrpgHO8bAmbPpP8O4n2tASgmHkcIhqfGRoWSERu7EMWkhqAYjS1omXPvlobEPk3JHbrXqV3JUB1EJ7xrvJ-BlwsCRmouzIzPFbQqnaQ7x6RKfA3NE/s1600/ww+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh448v9nIaG1xTnKyVUEcChn5vazqSrpgHO8bAmbPpP8O4n2tASgmHkcIhqfGRoWSERu7EMWkhqAYjS1omXPvlobEPk3JHbrXqV3JUB1EJ7xrvJ-BlwsCRmouzIzPFbQqnaQ7x6RKfA3NE/s320/ww+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJb47fk6wbtYHF6AEVd78zmmEuHuArlRPWRyV0dUv0obqJhYTr3sR5FYVH9dlNfBQo_1qfSlxcZCeunf4fYuOCzoiQHKNyF_YWVCPNVlUKxSewdhRjzcNxiVSBHDkC9NqQr12BPLD-6c/s1600/ww+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJb47fk6wbtYHF6AEVd78zmmEuHuArlRPWRyV0dUv0obqJhYTr3sR5FYVH9dlNfBQo_1qfSlxcZCeunf4fYuOCzoiQHKNyF_YWVCPNVlUKxSewdhRjzcNxiVSBHDkC9NqQr12BPLD-6c/s320/ww+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYghTrW6QWs_TUc-KGbstyLwC20EJPmD1Tl3_kcE7PzOc3OnFfIksCYke0P73IUSA5TGb42ePIrfPCKiXHBPnrNLrUDl22kjhrtETlqKz3n3gUJwSYNNikNZCGdAkQaUNk9VYXZJfmQI/s1600/ww+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYghTrW6QWs_TUc-KGbstyLwC20EJPmD1Tl3_kcE7PzOc3OnFfIksCYke0P73IUSA5TGb42ePIrfPCKiXHBPnrNLrUDl22kjhrtETlqKz3n3gUJwSYNNikNZCGdAkQaUNk9VYXZJfmQI/s320/ww+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pA3E4jXQ-zDAngh-WV3fM5Retz8jjnFeztVnYjRDk8-HbKSfZy2sAdLunODvERG6XszMc7WUrT_2P3vjYxKUKAFKreJm7PzjQ4pQGfqYL697rznqImCmcITU3KyT-ryRDq4rUKlBEug/s1600/ww+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1pA3E4jXQ-zDAngh-WV3fM5Retz8jjnFeztVnYjRDk8-HbKSfZy2sAdLunODvERG6XszMc7WUrT_2P3vjYxKUKAFKreJm7PzjQ4pQGfqYL697rznqImCmcITU3KyT-ryRDq4rUKlBEug/s320/ww+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT91nMidP853pLycP9TPAtFbgqgn8PjU_ppC3hyphenhyphen2fAmaPmgLgwHVcluDS8iuktRWyaAHps_MU2Oj7xH8MRTPnQgxQiJDcVVQfPMwDlbkynxu6p3n_nQHEIt3wqVSaHYrs1qMQbsW9MEAg/s1600/ww+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT91nMidP853pLycP9TPAtFbgqgn8PjU_ppC3hyphenhyphen2fAmaPmgLgwHVcluDS8iuktRWyaAHps_MU2Oj7xH8MRTPnQgxQiJDcVVQfPMwDlbkynxu6p3n_nQHEIt3wqVSaHYrs1qMQbsW9MEAg/s320/ww+10.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpN6VH3AbFyrkCzxT4VdEd7ItmBw4Q9LYm8dJ7S1QQ07lY-IPwWPmoT8spxHTW-0pnFVW8vDNf0ozbvReYkcsvyYKUO9z130r2WrUgRsn48iIXxhWot-ntQQuM2Rpxmbp0KdapTbRLOE/s1600/ww+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpN6VH3AbFyrkCzxT4VdEd7ItmBw4Q9LYm8dJ7S1QQ07lY-IPwWPmoT8spxHTW-0pnFVW8vDNf0ozbvReYkcsvyYKUO9z130r2WrUgRsn48iIXxhWot-ntQQuM2Rpxmbp0KdapTbRLOE/s320/ww+12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-40172226943730693922011-01-29T10:36:00.000-06:002011-01-29T10:36:29.725-06:00Simple Gifts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWODubSSnuSFlbZdDsADd4h7CUv2F27YHHC97MkY6xdWv64LcH-7aXgnVfXb0Grv44p3VH6U9XMTSvv-C_FUELVmYNfLailyWRSPkeQfUbMZ-Hz-HzgzXz6BEIqhVKsmY9M_R6BADVUpY/s1600/IMG_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWODubSSnuSFlbZdDsADd4h7CUv2F27YHHC97MkY6xdWv64LcH-7aXgnVfXb0Grv44p3VH6U9XMTSvv-C_FUELVmYNfLailyWRSPkeQfUbMZ-Hz-HzgzXz6BEIqhVKsmY9M_R6BADVUpY/s320/IMG_0098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It seems like Christmas was months ago, but I am so thankful for some of the gifts I received, I wanted to write a quick post about it. This was a year that many people felt crunches -- both time and money -- and there was a lot of discussion both in the media and in my own family about cutting back or simplifying when it came to gift giving.<br />
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I have always believed that it's the thought that counts and it's better to give than to receive. Sounds trite, but I've always felt this way and believe I've lived this truth. A gift selected and given with love is the most important gift of all. The value is in the process, not the item itself. <br />
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This year, I spent a delightful day shopping in a non-mall venue with a dear friend. I purchased gifts for the people I loved. I thought about them, how they would use the gift, shared a story or two about them with my friend as we shopped, and truly enjoyed myself. My daughter helped me wrap the gifts and prepare the packages for mailing. We had a lovely evening away from the TV (and Facebook) and felt the Christmas Spirit in our home.<br />
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The gifts pictured above are gifts I received. They too were selected with me in mind and given with true generosity and a nice dose of the Christmas Spirit. The scarves are from my mother in law and are something I never thought I needed but now can't imagine not having. They are pretty and feminine and just my style. The house pin is a gift from my mom and dad. It was made by a little girl whose class decided to raise money for Haiti. It speaks to my love of houses, philanthropy, and good-old-fashioned arts and crafts. In this year that I am selling a house and hoping to buy another one, this pin reminds me that a home is any house with a big heart inside. The peacock feather is from a close friend. It reminds me of the "stray" peacock that was living in her yard a few years ago and it's a reminder to me to be strong and proud (and maybe a little vain) -- all qualities that are important for me this year. The necklace is from a new friend, but honestly -- how perfect: I'm a jewelry book editor, and now I have book jewelry. I'm proud to be her editor and her friend, and I wear this necklace for inspiration.<br />
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I don't mean to be ranting in this post. I just want to offer a gentle reminder that simple gifts, gifts from the heart, are all anyone needs and are worth all the money in the world.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1958063923056424687.post-68941017381644174642011-01-21T19:31:00.000-06:002011-01-21T19:31:25.396-06:00Snow Day ProjectWhen my kids were in preschool and I was a stay-at-home mom, I loved to wear colorful, seasonal sweaters. Now that they are teens and I'm working for a living, not so much. Here's a fun way to upcycle your old wool sweaters (this would work with blankets or throws as well):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Step 1: Forget all the rules of laundry, and throw your sweater in the washer set to hot water. Add detergent and a few towels and/or a pair of jeans.<br />
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Step 2: As the washer agitates, the wool will begin to shrink and felt. When the cycle is done, check to see if you're happy with the progress. My sweater felted a little, but I could still see the stitches. I liked the look, so I tossed it in the dryer. Here's how it came out:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfI-0OKcVsQDy3UyJ4Sn0u2C5v3dt8wSK_UGeIDsZjpE2xyPjy1JXRrL0Nae0dtbhHzdgEolEXHF5M1jhsaPZO9W5t6MgW0106fT_VZt4obbtY5QsF3iEn17OXFHTrg76a7Sg14GJbcA/s1600/2+sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfI-0OKcVsQDy3UyJ4Sn0u2C5v3dt8wSK_UGeIDsZjpE2xyPjy1JXRrL0Nae0dtbhHzdgEolEXHF5M1jhsaPZO9W5t6MgW0106fT_VZt4obbtY5QsF3iEn17OXFHTrg76a7Sg14GJbcA/s320/2+sweater.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Step 3: Cut the sweater as if it's fabric in a shape to fit a pillow form. I used one side seam as an edge. Turn right sides together, and sew the open sides, leaving a small gap to insert the pillow form. <br />
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Step 4: Turn the pillow case right sides out and insert the pillow. Hand sew the gap closed. You'll find the wool "swallows" up your stitches, so using a doubled thread is fine and you'll hardly see the hand stitching. <br />
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Tah-da! My new seasonal accent pillow: <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUvqlF1HLMooUFvdNWbBA_qXxqk0vDRWHBN7zQtY7orE_l3t2yegZLxim2_qHEeFbV5wYx1cB0ZQz71y32mtmLZ1ANpMdekbAMV2VOFgwaTjieRNP7RJvDeE_gtWDAKNdSKjfEbCEhIc/s1600/3+sweater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUvqlF1HLMooUFvdNWbBA_qXxqk0vDRWHBN7zQtY7orE_l3t2yegZLxim2_qHEeFbV5wYx1cB0ZQz71y32mtmLZ1ANpMdekbAMV2VOFgwaTjieRNP7RJvDeE_gtWDAKNdSKjfEbCEhIc/s400/3+sweater.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01592138331258732898noreply@blogger.com1