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Accomplishments, big and small


I have confessed more than a few times on this blog that I lack a certain amount of work ethic unless I’ve got deadlines to keep me on track. I think I may have found another thing that will kick me into high gear – getting so hopelessly behind that I’m about to lose my tenuous grip on control.… Read More

Pretty pictures

Oh, how I wish I had time to write the expansive and thoughtful blog post you all deserve to find here. But instead I’m sitting at the computer at 3:45am, chugging down ibuprofin and BBQ, trying to find a second wind to complete a myriad of supply orders that HAVE to be placed on Monday.… Read More

It’s been one of THOSE weeks

Oh, how happy I am this week is almost over. It’s been one challenge after another, none of them bead-related for a change!

I had a restful drive home from Shreveport on Monday. I’m SO glad I stayed that extra night.… Read More

Hanging out in Shreveport

Wow. What a retreat! The annual Shreveport Bead Retreat this weekend was a whirlwind of beady friend reunions and amazing classes and nonstop laughter, as per usual. There’s a reason why I look forward to the two bead retreats each year!… Read More

When Tools Attack

From June:
It probably says something about the state of (un)organization in our house that Jill could knock a whole rack of jewelry tools off the coffee table onto her foot. Or maybe the tools jumped. Who knows?

So we’re sitting there watching TV and calmly (I thought) putting together kits, when suddenly there is this crash and yelp from Jill.… Read More

Learning I’m normal

One of the great things about my job is that I get to work at home. But one of the bad things about my job is that I’m stuck at home. Usually alone and in a feedback vacuum. Logically, I know my beadwork projects and classes are good and that I have a large fan base.… Read More

Introducing…


….some unnamed necklace that I finally finished designing and beading tonight! Woo-hoo! I’m so very happy with it. As usual, it looks even a million bucks better in person than in the photo. I probably spent more time working out the details of this design than any other of my previous projects.… Read More

Winston likes class

One of Winston’s favorite things to do while we have classes going on here at the house is to pick one of the ladies’ bags to sleep on top of. Last week it was Nancy’s bags – what good taste he has!!… Read More

Stitching away

In two weeks, the big Bead & Button Show 2010 teaching proposals deadline arrives. Be there, or be absent from B&B teaching! Gulp.

I’ve already got a few things done and ready to go, but you can really never have too many proposals for them, so I’ve been working out at least one additional project this week.… Read More

Weekend wore me out!

Wow – this was one heck of a weekend, and it traces all the way back to last Tuesday when Mom so innocently said, “Why don’t we stop at Ikea before we go home?” Little did I know her master plan!!… Read More

K-9 Hunter – ATF


Many of my local students have had the honor of meeting Hunter, a very special dog who was part of Claire’s family. Hunter was an explosives dog for the ATF when he wasn’t busy attending bead classes with his mama, or playing with all the toys that Kathy so lovingly repaired, over and over.… Read More

A little peek

This is the stuff that’s been keeping my hands and mind occupied the last few days…making samples for the Kumihimo class I’m going to be teaching next weekend, and propose for the national shows for 2010. The more I make, the more ideas I have.… Read More

Wheee!

From June
I did something this week that I’ve never done before: I used one of those electric shopping cart/scooter things at Target. I’ve often envied shoppers who would whiz past me on a cart, but even in the worst throws of my arthritis pain, I resisted using one.… Read More

Naps and ice packs with a few beads thrown in

Kathryn emailed me tonight, scolding me for being well past an acceptable blog update time. She’s right, darn her.

I got Mom home around 2pm on Friday, and we’ve gradually been working out a system for everything. We planned so much for the first surgery that it was a well oiled machine.… Read More

Coming home Friday

Another quickie post tonight….I’ve been at home very little the last few days between errands, the hospital, and dinner with friends last night. Tomorrow morning, Mom gets released from the hospital and comes home – Yippee! But then I become the 24 hour nurse, too.… Read More

Second knee – DONE!

Just a quick post tonight as I’m dead tired and simply must collapse on my pillow soon or perish.

Mom’s second knee replacement surgery was today at noon, and just like before, she’s doing amazingly well. Sailed through the operation, and had the nerve to be PERKY by the time I met up with her again in her room.… Read More

My progress


I adore this bracelet. Really adore it. It’s so soft and slinky and sexy on the wrist. I still have the clasp to add, and there will be optional Czech firepolish on loops on the outside edge to match the description I have of the inspiration piece.… Read More

Progress being made

Stand back! Actual project progress is being made here. You may be in danger of getting hit by a flying crystal or an out of control needle. Use caution.

Mom has been finishing a number of necklaces lately. Is she trying to show me up?… Read More