I am feeling so grateful today. I am so fortunate to live the life I do. I get to do what I love everyday! Creating beautiful things makes me happy!

We are leaving in just a couple days for Longbeach and the little bungalow that I talked about in an earlier post. Just a couple days of complete relaxation. I will try to take some photos. That is the reason I started this blog and unless it's photos of beads I find that I just don't remember to take photos of everyday life. I need to try harder.

Have you seen "Slumdog Millionaire"? What a great movie! I really enjoyed it. I think it's different than any movie I've ever seen. I won't take the time to give you a blow by blow. I'm sure you've heard it's about an 18 year old orphan boy from the slums of Mumbai who is about to win 20 million Rupees on India's version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" when he gets arrested for cheating. It's very gritty and raw and gives you a real sense of what living in the slums of India is all about.

I'm off to find a good book to read for our trip. Talk to you when I get back!

Babies Chest....

This little chest of drawers was built by my grandfather in 1954, for me when I was a baby. It's been repainted a gazillion times, once for each of my 3 boys plus a few more times. It's pretty beat up, (some of the corners are even broken off the drawers), but it means a lot to me. I just repainted it again, a juicy green with stripes, and some handpainted little kid art, for my new, yet unborn, grandbaby, Linkoln, (he will arrive in April).

I went to my daughter-in-laws baby shower yesterday and there were so many people and so many gifts. Holy Cow, I can't imagine they need anything else for the baby. I'm really happy for them. Now, I just need a little patience until the baby is actually born. And I'm sure mama could use even more patience than me....

Grandma Goes Baby Shopping......

Okay, so I'm a little behind in my blogging duties.... Busy as usual.

I just received these really sweet photos from my daughter-in-law. I love them! Here are just a couple.

I finished the special project for my new, as yet unborn, grandbaby. It turned out really great and I hope they like it as much as I do. I took photos but I can't share them here until after the baby shower, which is this weekend. I also went baby shower shopping today and got all kinds of cool baby stuff.

About 6 more weeks to go. Baby "Linkoln" will be born in April.

Dangly Pendants!!

It's been a busy week for me and I'm glad it's Friday. The weather is supposed to be good through the weekend and I'm looking forward to doing some spring cleaning. Out with the old in with the new.

I'm really looking forward to spring. I don't winter well. Hubby and I have a trip to the ocean planned. Longbeach, WA is one of out favorite places and we'll be staying at a quaint little cottage motel right on the beach. It's called Akari Bungalows. Nothing fancy, very casual, and though we've never stayed there before the photos look very inviting. I'm looking forward to long walks on the beach, poking around town, and of course, some great seafood! It's been way too long since we've had a chance to get away and I can't wait!

I have some new dangly, girly, pendants in my Etsy store if you would care to take a look. I'm finding that some of the things in my Etsy store sell rather quickly, (which is great for me but maybe not so great for you if you're looking for something in particular), you may want to be added to my mailing list. I send a mailing out whenever I put something new in my store or I have some news to share about updates and whatnot. Or, you can always email me with a request for something special. I do custom orders all the time and all you have to do is ask. If you've seen a photo here or on my website, (or anywhere online), of something that I've make and you would like me to remake it for you I usually can with no problem. A few of my designs are OOAK, (one-of-a-kind), and in that case I will not repeat but everything else is open.

Valentine's Day Bracelet Sale!!!!

In my Etsy store!!!! February 9 through 14 only!

Amelie

Here is another folk art doll that I just finished. Her name is Amelie and you can tell by her wings she's a little angel. The wings are actually made of feathers. I love her! She's going to live at my house for awhile.I learned how to make these little dolls from a booklet by Nancye Williams. If you would like to learn how to make your own little folk art dolls Nancye has an online class on the Ning social network called Nancye's Art Dolls. You should check it out.

I spent Saturday updating the gallery pages on my website. A major undertaking that took all day. Whew, no wonder I've been putting it off! There should be some new things for you to see and if I've taken down a photo you are going to miss just let me know and I'll put it back.

Still here....

I know, it's been awhile. Life got in the way again.....

The pendant above is a one-of-a-kind glass lampwork cone with dangles. I say OOAK because it took a very long time to create and I tend to hold my breath when bead takes that long in the flame. There are no guarantees that it will come out of the kiln without a crack. I put it in my Etsy store this morning and it sold within seconds to a very good, (and grateful), customer. Thanks G.!

Winter is progressing nicely. We're noticing we still have some light in the sky after dinner. There's also some buds on the trees. I know spring is still a ways away but I think we're on the downside of the long wintery days. At least I felt that way until the weatherman said there may be some snow mixed with rain next week...... Ugh!

I'm finding myself with a little more time on my hands lately. My son and his family have moved from the island to a town about 25 miles away. Since my grandchildren will be going to a different school soon I won't have them here as much. I'll miss them fiercy and I'll have to find other things to fill my time, (like that will be a problem!). I think it will work out better for their family in the longrun. Not such a long commute so hopefully they'll have more time to do the things they want to do and spend more time together as a family.

I'm going to have to start thinking about my newest grandson who will be born in April. His name is going to be "Linkoln". I've got a couple projects in mind so I need to get started. I was thinking maybe some handpainted furniture. His room will have a "puppy" theme. We used to have a store in our area that sold unfinished wood furniture. I wonder if it's still there....