Mac is Back and I'm Wack

Mac has been back for some days now. That genius bar helped out plenty. He came back sober, and a genius. Although, Mac is back, I have been outta wack. Hubby had the flu, then my youngest got it. Just after that, my other son had an allergic reaction to a spider bite that caused his arm to swell larger than Popeye's and Hulk Hogan's. He had pain in his entire arm and it traveled to his shoulder and chest. After several days of antibiotics, ibuprofen, and allergy medicine he began to look and feel normal (relief). I hurt my heel during exercise, but I'm determined to continue. Thank goodness my only girl didn't have any issues to add to the mess. Wow, more excitement than I'd care for in a short amount of time.

The good news is that we're healthy right now. Mac will get hooked up this weekend when I get to it, until then my daughter's computer will do. Ah, yes, and I am adjusting to part-time work outside of the home. This might seem like a weird way to say I got a part-time job, but there is a reason behind it....Promise.

Now sit down and get comfy for a short story.

I can't count the times I've been asked the questions most mothers and women hear, "Do you work or are you a stay home mom?" It seems like an innocent question and I hope it is. But, boy, did that question bug me! It implies that staying home and parenting is not work. Those of us that do it, know it is endless work with no scheduled breaks or lunch hours. Many women can exclaim that it is far more challenging than any job outside of the home. I've spoken with former school teachers, doctors, waitresses, managers, and we are all in agreement that working inside the home is WORK....HARD WORK! A simple question. My responses were never quite satisfying to me...that is until....I spoke with a wise sister, who taught me to say, "I work in the home" with a smile. This response was brilliant. The questioner always seemed to need time to digest the answer. Am I reading too much into a simple question? Maybe? Maybe not? The end.

Wow, lots of rambling! Rambling is fun and very cathartic (sigh, sigh, smile). I salute the working women ! Viva! Yes we can! Yes we do!

Computer on a Tech Get Away

My computer has been giving me signs that it needed a much deserved Tech Get Away to the Genius Bar, at the local Apple store Resort. It is there now. I hope it enjoys the personal attention it is receiving from the geniuses at the resort. Even though it is at at bar of some sort, it better come back sober and ready to work.

My Internet activity will come to a near halt until Mac's vacation is over. For now, my daughter was kind enough to let me use her computer, Mr. PC.

Upon Mac's return, I hope to catch up....slowly... on emails, blogging, and facebooking.

I hope to create a tutorial for the bohemian burlap bag.

Chou!

Three in One Necklace

Yay!  A NEW NECKLACE!  This was inspired by one of the last give away contestants that said she would like to see some turquoise and natural stones.  Here's to you Ms. Shuneshine.  I used three gemstones to make this one necklace.  Genuine turquoise, onyx and obsidian stones are arranged in a simple, timeless design.  Gigi models it with a casual tank and dressier blouse, but....
the unexpected bow in the back is the kicker.  The ribbon allows the length of the necklace to vary from choker to  princess length.  Other than being versatile, it's a fun decoration.  I also made the earring to go along with the 3 in 1 necklace.  I plan on posting the set on Goya Designs tomorrow (Thursday).

Bohemian Burlap Purse

I had so much fun working on this project.  This is what the burlap bag looked like after I removed the rice.
This is how it looks after the rice bag was recycled into a purse.  I love the organic look to it.  I took pictures of the process, so I just might do a tutorial on how to make your own Bohemian Burlap Purse.

(Gigi is also modeling one of my Pendant Puff necklaces)

I decided to use patches of varied lengths to make it funkier. The fabric rose hopefully made it more feminine .  Ah, yes, and it's lined with a soft cotton fabric.  

(Back View) 

Homemade PJs

The Sewing bug bit me and I quickly got the itch to

make myself a summer PJ.

Keep in mind that I'm a newbie.

I used fabric that I purchased 9 yrs. ago. Ya! I know.

I just came up with the simplest design I could. I am 

especially

proud of how the top trim and straps came out.

The criscross back was my honey's idea and he helped 

with the placement of the straps (while I tried it on). I really don't have 

eyes in the back of my head.  Shhh!  Don't tell my little 

one.  This is our secret.  I used pretty ditty's tutorial 

on how to shirr (scrunch up the fabric) on small portion

on the back.  Without  shirring, the back just drooped.  

Noo good.  Now it fits comfortably. Aaw!

Choker Necklace Give Away Winner and Pedant Puffs

The Winner of the Choker Necklace Give Away is......

Shunshinegirl! Congrats! Please email me the

mailing address you would like the necklace to go to.

gollap1973@yahoo.com

A warm thank you to all who played along and entered the contest.

I plan to do another give away when Goya Designs has it's second year anniversary

in February, so stay tuned.

Now, I'd like to introduce something I've been working 

on for almost a year now.  

The pendant puffs are part of a new jewelry series I created with “minimalist pizazz” as my motto. Every pendant puff showcases designer fabric with a shiny, silver plated bail.   The over all design and cotton cord necklace are "minimalist". The magnetic clasp also fit my minimalist motto as it takes minimal effort to put on and take off.  The "pizazz" comes from the texture, colors and print of the fabric... and shiny bail.

Although these pendant puffs were photographed without their cotton cord necklace, they have them now.  The white flower puff comes with a black cord and the funky puff on the right has a pink cord.  Below are more puffs with awesome fabric.

If you would like high quality, designer fabric go to phat fabric.  Ms. Jamie Christina has plenty to choose from.  

I love geometric shapes and this dusty grey with pink and yellow is super

cute.

Are there any bird lovers out there?  If so, this pendant puff will catch your eye.

Goya Designs is currently closed.  My older sister is hosting a traveling jewelry party at work.  However, if you want any of these reserved for you, comment at the end of this blog asap and I will have my sister pull them out.  

I deeply want to talk about the long process of finalizing the pendant puff.  I have been wanting to incorporate the rich texture, colors and prints fabric has to offer into my jewelry for some time (over a year).  I tried many, many methods to incorporate fabric and beads, but alas, none were satisfactory (to me).  Then, I tried sealing the fabric and using resin to give it a wet, shiny look, but again, not to my satisfaction.  In the end, the minimalist approach won.  The fabric needed to showcase it's fibers in a large enough canvas, so I gave it what it needed.  I did learn something in this process.  Patience?  Hopefully some, but I learned that each failure was ruling methods out.  So, failure was a good thing, cuz it meant I was one step closer to success.  Closer to my goal.  

I think many of us are afraid to fail, but as I faintly remember reading some where 

"Failure is an event, not a person".  

Choker Give Away Closed

The choker necklace give away is now closed.  I will announce the winner

on Monday, August 31st. 

thank you all.