Flowers for the Mother/Daughter Birthday

My honey brought these beauties to cheer up our home for the Mother/Daughter Birthday Celebration.  Don't they look great in the living room?  They highlight the Diego Rivera inspired painting.  Boy, did he know how to pick the right bouquet for us. 

Enjoy the Close Ups.  Wish I could also share the wonderful aroma.

Mother- Daughter Celebration

Since we were unable to celebrate my daughter's birthday with family & friends due to other commitments, we are gonna get together this Friday for cake & ice-cream w/my immediate family and some of her friends.  My birthday is on Saturday, so we decided to celebrate my birthday as well.  This is definitely a 2 fer celebration that calls for 2 cakes.

I have been working on the cakes since Monday.  I must bake late at night (11 pm) when the house is comfortable and everyone is in bed.  Our air conditioner broke down 3 weeks ago when the horrible heat wave began, so our home has gotten up to 91 degrees F.  Horrible!  We've been showering multiple times a day to cool down, and putting cool towels on our necks.  We also visited grandma a few times  and enjoyed her air conditioned home.  Our pool wasn't an option to keep cool with over 100 degree weather, because I personally don't think it is safe to be in the sun when it is that hot.  Sun burns are a certainty, even with sunscreen.  No skin cancer for us, thank you.  All that to explain why I'm baking so late.  

I will post pictures of the cakes when I'm done.  My daughter's cake will be carrot with a cream cheese frosting.  Pretty classic.  My cake is chocolate with mandarin orange, butter cream filling.  I haven't decided if I want the cake to be a vanilla or mandarin orange butter cream.  chocolate and oranges are such a great combo and I am looking forward to sharing it.  

Anthropology Hang Up is Now Shelved

When I worked outside of the home full-time I grew to nearly hate Anthropology and all the fufas that shopped there.  Ya see the only women I knew that shopped there were uptight, rich, lazy snobs that looked down on everyone else at work.  The uptight, rich snobs or "fufas"  (Ya, I know my Latina sistas didn't need translation) were always yakking away about Anthropology and what they had just bought for a hundred million dollars (exaggeration) instead of working.  Anywho, Anthro. became linked with really unpleasant people, so I had a major hang up with Anthro.  In Psychological terms, I was classically conditioned to dislike Anthropology.  

I chose to leave my full-time career as a marriage and family therapist when my baby entered Kinder.   I met and bonded with a great group of women that year.  How is this related to my Anthro. hang up?  It is, really.  Hang in there.  My son changed school districts the following year, but us ladies kept connected and met every possible Friday for "Girl friend" time.  Yes, I didn't go off track, stay with me.  During our "Girl friend"time, more than one of these wonderful ladies mentioned their love affair with Anthropology.  "What!", my internal disbelief said.   Did my ears deceive me?  Inner conflict began. 

   One day after "Girl friend" time, I decided to do some In Vivo work.  Again, Psychology jargon for putting myself in the situation fully and completely for an extended period of time for the purpose of distinguishing my negative response.  

I tentatively walked into the store.  It was quiet.  No obvious fufas around.  So far so good.  Then, I noticed the wonderful aroma.  It was tantalizing and delicious, and reminded me a lot of Pier 1.  The clothes was feminine and romantic with a hint of vintage.  A very cheery and pleasant woman welcomed me then went about her business.  I found the clearance rack and the price tags were shocking, but a few items were reasonable.  After some time, the negative feelings were gone, then I left.  

I was totally cured.  I shelved my Anthropology hang up.  It wasn't the stores fault that the fufas at work had good taste.  The store didn't make them snobs, that came from some other source.  

I have a more balanced view now.  I still can't afford the regular prices, and those who can are probably wealthy, but not necessarily snobs.  Personally, I always check out the clearance racks anyway, so why stop now.   To boot, I just received a 15% discount card from Anthro. as a birthday gift.  How sweet! 

Just in case you're wondering if I took the next step and purchased something there. I can give a very confident, Yes.  I'm proud to say that purchases have always been on major clearance (marked down a couple times).

If there had to be a moral to this story, it would be the willingness to challenge your prejudices when you get a glimpse that one exists.  

Giveaway at The Fabric Shopper

There is another great giveaway!  Hurray!  The giveaway is for 3 yards of fabric and a Pretty Ditty pattern.  The pattern can make a summer dress and a summer blouse. This giveaway is being hosted by The Fabric Shopper (link).  It is super easy to enter, and multiple entries are allowed.  Hope you all click on over and join the rest of us that are wanting to win some wonderful fabric and a pattern.

African Paper Bead Earrings and Bracelet

These are a custom order for a local bank teller.  I went to deposit checks from jewelry that sold.  The teller was very polite.  However, she took me my surprise when she asked what I sell.  "How did she know?" I wondered.  Then my common sense kicked in.  Why else would so many checks be in my name?  Anyway that lead to a delightful conversation about my jewelry making and her fascination with art.  She requested I make her some custom jewelry.  The only requests she gave were for the jewelry to be inspired by Africa and to incorporate earth tones.  I accepted the challenge.

  As I hunted for ideas and material, I found these wonderful beads.  When I was told they're inspiring story & that they were African Paper Beads, I grinned, and snatched dem up.  Can't get more African inspired than beads made in Africa with an inspiring story.  African Paper Beads are helping support women rise out of poverty and provide hope and basic necessities for their families.  To read more here is a link.  In the end, this challenge allowed me to be a blessing to others.  It raised my awareness of how I can continue to do my craft while positively changing the world.

I can't wait to tell the nice young teller the story behind a simple request.  I hope she loves her one of a kind jewelry, but mostly, I hope she loves that it supported hurting, poverty stricken mothers and their children.  

Goldstone Earrings

These romantic goldstone earrings are now available in my shop (GD Link).

Making these earrings were lots of fun because of all the glittery flecks in the stone.  I can totally imagine a Gilmore Girl (or Gilmore Girl lover) wearing these simple, yet feminine dangles.

I read (can't remember where) that goldstone was an accident by monks many years ago.  The story, as I remember, said that a monk carrying gold flakes tripped. The flakes flew in the air and most of them landed in melted glass that another monk was going to use for stained glass.  The result was goldstone.  I don't know if the story is true, but it sounds like a wonderful Oops to me.  If any of you have seen goldstone then, you know the sparkle is mesmerizing and dreamy.  It does look like gold dust is in the stone, but I doubt it is real gold.  If it is, then these earrings are a true steal for under $20.

Apron Pattern & Fabric Giveaways

I wanted to let you all know of two giveaways.  One is being run at The Crafty Crow for some Pretty Ditty Apron patterns.  Pretty Ditty is run by a fabric artist named Jamie Christina.  If you want to join the chance to win an apron pattern here is the link.

The second giveaway can be found at The Fabric Shopper.   This contest is for the chance to win Phat Fabric.  Here is the link to this giveaway.  Good fortune to all of us entering.

Custom Earring Cards Plus More

My first exciting find was Gigi, the new Goya Designs' Model.  The second, was "Easy Cast" resin.  Now, the final great finds.  This picture captures them all.  The stand not only allows multiple GD earrings to be displayed (hurray!), but it also displays my custom GD earring cards (hip, hip, hurray!).  
I found some websites that provided great ideas for making custom earring cards, and I just added my own logo.  I think a tutorial on how to make custom earring cards is in the future.  What makes these earring cards great is that they fit nicely on the earring display, like so....
OR, they stand up on their own too (picture below). Which ever display method you choose, rest assured that you're displaying in style.  
On a different note, The  earrings to the Owl necklace are finished (second to last picture).  Don't they look like big round owl eyes on the earring card?  I will post the set on Goya Designs this evening.  Remember, you can visit my shop any time by clicking my etsy avatar on the top right corner of this blog.

"Warning Label" on Cookies and Pool Time

Don't these oatmeal cookies look delicious?  Oh, and they smelled even more so.  My daughter decided to make cookies while I showered and got ready for the day.  We woulda totally sold our home today...if it was for sale and prospective buyers were walking through.  She didn't just make a little either...the final count was 65.  Everyone was drooling over the aroma, we quickly ran downstairs, then our (two sons and myself) taste buds unanimously cried out, "What dat mean?" as we read the warning sign.
Forgive my daughter's grammar.  But, to forbid eating a cookie.  Now, that is unforgivable.  I wasn't completely ready so I sadly marched on up to finish the process. When I came down, I saw a new sign that gave me a good chuckle.  Apparently, I wasn't the only one  with warm oatmeal cookies on their mind and feeling the torture of the ominous sign. 
After, I was completely ready, I questioned the sign.  Really?  Come on now?  Was that serious?  My daughter quickly explained that she had calculated how many each of us was going to get.  She was gonna make a cookie bag for each of us (with 13 cookies).  My taste buds smiled once more and could almost taste the yummy oatmeal, cinnamon, butter and sugar.  YUM! :)  In the mean time, the youngest and myself needed an outlet.  We decided to go swimming.  Yeah, I know, I just got myself ready.
Here my little one is showing me his dead man float and below his hand stand. 
I wore a two piece for the first time this summer and I was happy that my exercise routine was beginning to prove itself helpful.  But, the Lord must have sensed some pride, and to keep it real he used my little one.  How?  Picture this.

My little one quietly said in a sympathetic tone, "You're just a little fat.  Huh, mom?"  and to keep me real humble, he added, "Those are birth marks.  Huh, mom?" He was referring to my stretch marks.  I had to laugh, because he meant no harm, and they most certainly were birth marks.  Kids say the darnest things!  I quickly joined him in the pool.  We enjoyed the pool and played some pool games.  We were also visited by two majestic hawks that were suspended in air right above us.  They were beautiful, huge and their under bellies had the most beautiful pattern of white, black, grey and brown.  The pattern almost looked like hieroglyphics.  When the wind ceased, they continued on their flight and we continued with our water fun.   When we came inside, we found a cookie bag for each of us with our names on it.  They were soooo, good :)

Owl Necklace

Here are my hand made beads up close as previously posted.  And...
here it is in an opera length, asymmetrical, slip on necklace.  Gigi is modeling the new Goya Designs' Owl necklace with a pretty "Anthropology" blouse, and with a very common California garb...the tank.  As you can see it looks great with both, making this a versatile accessory.  

If you noticed I made 6 beads for the Owl Set and only used 4 on the necklace.  the other two flower beads will be glued onto some stud backings for some flirty flower stud earrings.  When entire set is complete I will post the earrings here first, then on my shop.

Epoxy Covered Crafts

This is my youngster's "homework rock".  A paper weight really, but the title "homework rock" just stuck.  We made this before he entered Kindergarten and we have been using it since.  The "homework rock" has really helped him not lose homework, and the only reason I know this is because his older siblings didn't have a "homework rock" and we were constantly looking for their homework.  It has also been a good training tool.  He is learning to place his homework packet in the same place every day.  Now, if he's assigned homework on the daily next year, then he might not need it any more, and we might need to pass it down to one of his younger cousins.

If you want to make your own "homework rock" or paper weight of your choice, it is super easy to make, and you don't need to coat with "Easy Cast" epoxy like I did.  Remember, I just only now did that, and that was just because I had left over epoxy from my jewelry experiments.  The tutorial is below my three rock paper weights.

To Make Paper Weights You Will Need:

Rock(s) 

Acrylic Paint 

Paint Brush

Permanent Marker 

I wanted several paper weights to meet my needs, but you can make as many or little as you wish. 

1*  First wash your rocks.  Get your kids involved.  My little guy had fun getting soaked outside with the water hose as he washed all the rocks.  We set them in the sun to dry. 

 

2*  Paint the top with your acrylic paint.  Free style it.  I just used the natural shape of the rock to indicate where the paint would go.  I suggest painting the outline first and work your way in. 

FYI:  Major craft stores have hundreds of colors and various brands to choose from.  Paint dries quickly, therefore little waiting is required.  I chose to use varying colors for my paper weights, but you don't have to.

3*  Wash your paint brush with soap and water as you wait for paint to dry.

4*  With your permanent marker write what that rock paper weight will be weighting down.  Let the marker dry and voila--you have a colorful paper weight for your specific needs.

More GD News.  

I made a New Bead Set, and...yup...coated them in epoxy.  Hee, hee, hee...why did I just go into mad scientist mode?

Owl Bead Set

I hand formed these wittle beads wit my own wittle hands...ok now I just turned into Bugs Bunny.  I'm having an identity crisis today.  

I do use an environmentally safe clay to form these beads.  It makes me feel better and maybe some of you too.  After a day or two (for the large ones) of curing I paint them with waterbased paint.  This is the fun part.  I've always admired my husband, sister, and others who are talented artists, so maybe this is my way of secretly fulfilling my wish to be a talented artist too.  Last but not least, these babies were brushed with a coat of my handy dandy "Easy Cast" clear epoxy.  I will make a necklace and earring set out of these and will share the final product before it posts on my Etsy shop.   Speaking of my Etsy shop, Goya Designs will reopen tonight.  

Exciting Find number Two

I mentioned in an earlier blog that I found some exciting things that would make some old ideas possible.  Gigi was the first great find (an awesome gift from a friend).  The other promising find was this low odor, easy to mix resin.  I've been experimenting with it at my kitchen table.  Can't say what I'm working on, but I will share once I work out the kinks in my design.  I'm also becoming accustomed to the epoxy and am experimenting with different application methods for what I want.  

This product does have a keep out of children warning, but fortunately all of my children are not itty bitties anymore.  I don't have to worry about that warning so much.

The one thing I've noticed is that a little goes a long way.  I ended up having lots of left over epoxy and began looking around for things to seal with this fun and tantalizing liquid.  For now, it seems that an old jewelry idea might come to fruition.  I will give you one more bit of info.  The concept is about minimalism.  Too bad the execution isn't.  Nonetheless, I have high hopes.

Disney Birthday Wish

My Eldest celebrated her 16th Birthday in Disneyland.  We put our annual passes to use once more.  Thanks to Mickey's gift of free admission on your birthday, my sweetie was given a gift card of $69 (cost of admission) since she had a valid annual pass.  Her first birthday wish was to arrive upon opening.  We missed it by a little (o.k. by about 45 min.).  The older two quickly left the rest of us behind as they ran to Splash Mountain upon entering the park.  The line was so short that they went on twice before the crowd arrived.  

Her must have birthday gift was a long wished for Jack Skellington Sweatshirt.  She also looked for a coffee mug with Snow White, but her favorite princess doesn't have a mug.  In fact, she didn't find anything with Snow White.  Not a trading pin, piggy bank (or should I say Snow White bank), mug... nothing.  We concluded that Snow White must not be popular enough to have her own merchandise. OR,  she is sooo popular that her merchandise is snatched up quicker than you can say, "Snow White".
We had a long tiring day, but it was full of fun, good food, a surprise visit from her grandparents late that night, plenty of wonderful phone calls from family wishing her a sweet 16, warm apple pie and her favorite... lemon bar cake.