How do you define Bravery?

I have always felt that I live life like walking on train tracks.  You know willing to take some chances to see what beauty lies around each bend.  You know I have been derailed more than once and actually be hit by a train a time or two.  Well the new year started on a shaky note for me like the train was hunting me down.  I will sum this up really quickly like a speedy Amtrak.  A lump was found, and a few days later a mammogram, ultrasound and needle biopsy and it seems that I have squeaked by with just a little boo boo.  This is where the title comes in.  After the doctor finished she held my hand and said "You were very brave".  OK but how was I brave?  I did what any wife and mother would do to insure that I will be here to love them for a long time.  I did what any woman should do if a lump was found.  What is brave about that?  It was funny as I thought about it.  I think I am braver for putting my creations out there for all to see and take the chance that someone won't like it.  I think I am braver for reminding myself that Shelby needs to spread her wings and find her own paths without my directions and just my support.  Sometimes I even think I am braver for taking on the traffic in a local suburb when Shelby needs shopping time with me.  And hey this post is pretty brave to put my feelings out like this isn't it?

Anyway I have some thanks to say too.  Of course my precious family is always the core of my support but I had a lot of support from you my bloggy friends (whether you know it or not).  I do have a couple of specifics to mention because they just did what I needed them to do. 

First to my soul sister Nicole.  She talked me through the last few days and gathered support and healing to insure that this turned out OK.  Nicole you and I have grown so close and having you in my corner is awesome.  We laughed and you reminded me to stay calm.  Huge Hugs as always Sis!!!!

Dawn this post had me laughing so hard I almost fell off the chair.  I finally figured something out that will work for both of us.  An extra large pillow with a pocketed pillowcase.  Do you think that will work?

Beth this post was such a boost for me.  Can you all believe what she did with my beads?  Check this pic out as well as the gorgeous beauties she created for the ABS Challenge.

I still can't believe those are what I sent her!

And to all my other blog friends just being able to read your postings to keep me from dwelling was a gift I am grateful for!

Well that is it for now......Oh wait I will tell you (lets end this on a funny note shall we)  I did some beading while enjoying the Rose Parade(and gulping sipping mimosa's) on New Years day and finished a bracelet.  I will post my tipsy beading on a later day but I have to say it turned out quite well even though I will have to apologize to the designer of the pattern for what I said about her twisted beady fingers (it was the mimosa's talking really)

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Goodies, Thanks, and HELP

I was so blindsided yesterday afternoon with a killer migraine that I wasn't able to post my goodies from Lori and Out of the Flames who by the way is holding yet another comment contest this month and she is giving away some gorgeous glass cabs AND if you can believe it a stellar polymer cab that you have to see to believe!  Anyway first I would like to ask anyone who gets migraines why do we insist on trying to make it go away when we all know they have to run their course?  I still can't understand that!  

OK so on to the goodies!  I told everyone that I won the giveaway for Lori's comment contest and that I was giving it to my sweet Shelby because she so needed a boost.  She picked the colors and Lori custom made this for her!  How awesome is that!  I was going to so as I have in the past a full on "open the prize" with you all BUT....I had to take it with me to pick Shelby up from school so she could be the one to open it.  DARN  I know how you all like the suspense.  LOL  She opened it but I was the one with the first "Hand to the face GASP" when the box was opened and this is why....

There in the box were three stunning glass cabs (MY First by the Way  YIPPEE) and the coolest little faux Dichroic polymer clay cabs.  AND little seed beads to match!!!!!  If I could hug her from here I so would!  But now I really need to learn embroidery soon because I already have a picture in my head of that gorgeous pink and gold one.  I was going to take a picture of Shelby;s bracelet but you know what....She won't take it off!  Lori's stitching is perfection and the colors look so nice on her that she is wearing it with everything.  Except her work clothes you know food service. LOL  Lori had already sent me a picture so I am using hers instead........

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Isn't it beautiful?  I may have to steal borrow it from her at some point!  Thank you again Lori for making both of our day!

Speaking of thank yous as we all know this is Thanksgiving.  And although plans for the holiday may change due to a number of things for any one of us it is a day for giving Thanks.  I am one of those people who probably says Thank You way too much for others but I believe that it is one of the most important gestures next to Love.  This season I am once again grateful that we have been blessed with another year together as a family.  I am also lucky enough to be truly thankful for the many friends that I have made through this little blog.  I never knew it was possible to make friendships that I hope will last for years to come through my keyboard and monitor.  I am thankful for all of you this holiday season!

OK now I need my beady friends opinion!  Really I need you HELP!!!!  I know I told you about the "Challenge of Color" blog hop at Erin's Treasures Found blog.  I have been working on it but this is all I have come up with so far.  

I do love these but I am wondering where to go from here if I should!  Any Comments will help!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

A little something I whipped up

OK so you know that I am a "T-shirt/Jeans" kinda girl so here is another Nancy Cain 'Coco Chenille' bracelet made with memory wire instead of sterling silver (not quite as expensive)  I did use magatamas instead of the larger drops, and I reduced the netting to make a smaller diameter (didn't have enough of the 8/0's to make it as beefy as the Chardonnay bracelet) and I used old glass beads I had to finish it off.  I do think this paired up quite well and is fun to wear!

Now I have a thing to say about "BEDing".  While I do love to read all your fabulous blogs and am grateful when you post on a regular basis, I also realize that it can be difficult to manage life outside of blogging if it gets hectic.  So if you are one of my favorite bloggers know that I will be more than happy to wait for you to post when you can!  Besides I can't do it, if I did you would have posts that sound like this.....

Things that make you go HUMM

While watching TV last night a commercial came on about the new automatic soap dispenser.  It said that your soap dispenser can be packed with germs so you need a new automatic one so you don't have to touch the dispenser but....... if you dispense the soap and then wash your hands why would you care if there were germs on the dispenser?

See what I mean.  It might be better if I didn't blog every day.  What do you think?

Always Believe

Kristen

Do you like the new look?

I didn't have anything to post so I played with the new templates.  Hope you like the new look.  My sweet hubby came home early today and we are all going out in the boat.  I hope everyone has a nice weekend.  The weather here promises to be good so its family time and tending to the gardens (and of course some beading ;) ) that is on our to do list.  And once again I thank all of you for reading and encouraging me in My Bead Journey.

Always Believe
Kristen

What is creative?

One of the ladies that does like my jewelry (there only a few around here :( ) said that I am very creative and artistic.  I said no I just follow patterns well.  Sometimes I do tend to add a personal touch (more likely try to cover an oops) but generally it is someone else's pattern.  I look at Juls beads, Nicole's gourds, Belinda's creations, Morwin's bracelets, Charlene's beads and so many others and think "Now that's creativity and art!" where do I get off thinking I'm creative, ok maybe I can take creative because it is making something but artistic, not a chance.  Now this leads to a question.  I do have a gift for abstract reasoning (sometimes I can see how something is made or put together) and with this web thing and all this pictures of amazing jewelry I have seen some that I could attempt to make without buying the instructions but.... that is stealing right?  I mean I do not sell my pieces but still you all put so much into your designs who am I to not pay you for that?  So I just wait and make an incredibly long wish list and won't attempt anything that I haven't legitimately paid for.  I will tell you though my brain can handle only so many things floating around in it before it will blow!  Either you all need to take a brake from making new things or I need to win the lottery (I should probably play if I hope to win)

Anyway here are some pics of other things I have worked on and my seasonal change!

Always Believe
Kristen