"the ramblings of a stay at home mom with two kids at opposite poles and a challenge addicted jewelry artist with ADD"

I was going to make a simple title but I just needed to get that off my chest.  So far this summer we have had one trip to emergency (my girl passed out at work), several days of "way to hot to go to summer rec", and on days that were nice driving one to recreation, home, other to work, groceries, pick up from recreation and back home for housework.  The next two weeks have added swimming lessons every day and soccer 2 nights a week which means totally rushed dinners as well.  There have been a couple of great days of boating, seeing fireworks from the side of the road, putting in a gorgeous stone fire pit and a drive for absolutely no reason. That is the family part.

Jewelry part well I did mention I am challenge addicted right?  I have so many things on my plate.

First up is Jeannie's Echo Creative club.  Here is what she sent me.

One of Jeannie's Diatoms

It is a challenge but I really love the texture of this piece.  I hope I do it justice.

Next as part of the Art Jewelry Elements team I not only have a blog post to write today about beaded components I am also participating in the Component of the Month challenge.

Jennifer's Nightmare Insomniac Beads

Oh I have my treasure but I am not showing it just yet.  I am so thrilled with it.  And speaking of the AJE and my post.  I am perplexed.  I went over to ETSY looking for seed beaded clasps, components, and caps and I found a few patterns but nothing that a stringer could get their hands on.  I would really like to know if there is a market for that or am I just addicted to seeds that I am assuming too much.

Next on the list is a little sumthin sumthin I need to get done for Diana at Suburban Girl Studio.  

I am not sure where this one is leading me but I love her beads so much.

Oh and I am also once again participating in Amy of Amybeads Summer Lovin Challenge.

Don't you just love this kit!  The colors are speaking to me.

And I am also making components/beads for the August Art Jewelry Elements Blog.  Yes I am!  Not even a sneak peek will I offer yet.  Oh and wish my puter challenged brain luck I have to make my own button!  Yikes!

Oh an don't forget I am going to try and squeeze in one of the Beading Babes projects this time too.

Oh and can you believe this?  My sweet and awesome friends Beth and Evie over at EB Bead and Metal Works sent me a sweet blog award.

I would follow the rules but if I was to do that you would be sitting here reading for the rest of the day.  Thank you so much Beth and Evie you know you mean the world to me.  So my sweet blog friends I am late to this party but I think you all deserve this award so take it!  

That's my world what is goin on in yours?

Hugs and Blessings

KK

It's my life....time to manage it!

Most of you know that I have had issues with focus and well a real bad bout of ADD.  I am not actually diagnosed with it but I have been trying a med for it.  Well I have good news and bad news.  The good news is that it is working and I now seem to have a handle on things and have adjusted well to the medicine.  The bad news is that I have to now work on time management.  Since I have this new found focus (even to the smallest detail) it is now taking longer to accomplish things to my satisfaction.  I see so many good things but at the same time I want to give the proper attention to each of them it sometimes takes longer than it should.  For example instead of giving up on a pattern I am working with when it doesn't work the first couple of trys, I keep trying til I get it right.  Meaning I love the piece but it takes forever to finish it.  I have a new found focus to finish things too.  I have quite a few UFO's ( as we all do) but I want to either finish them or figure out a better way.  That goes the same for blogging.  I have made sure not to be the scanning blogger.  You miss so much of the person and where they are right now if you just scan for pictures.  So that is now taking longer to look at, comment on, and respond.  I do think it is worth it but I also miss some posts here and there.  I will also be looking into changing the look of my blog a bit.  We'll have to see how that goes.  And if that is the way it is going with my crafty side you can only imagine how everything else is going.  So now it is time to manage the time I have so that I can do what needs to be done around the house, send time with my family and find time for me.  

Anyway that is why it has taken me so long to post these two wonderful awards from a couple of really great bloggers. 

This one is from Laura at Little Treats.  I really enjoy reading her blog about jewelry, newlywed life and her life in general.  She keeps things fresh and reminds me of younger days.

This one is from Meg at Made by Meg.  I not only love her gorgeous sea glass pieces I also love what she has done with wood palettes.  I really enjoy both of their blogs and getting to know them.  I do feel bad that it has taken so long for me to post them (they may be wanting to take them back now) 

I am supposed to tell you 7 things about me but I think I have revealed enough at this point so now I will just pass them on.  I would like you to visit these new blogs I will list and say that I am giving this to everyone on my blog roll because you all rock!

Earthly Jewels 

Bead Dreams and Moonlit Fantaseas

KJ'sBeadaciousBeads

Kristi Bowman Designs

Little Bizarre Things - you may notice a resemblance?

Songbeads

Please visit these wonderful beaders who are new to me and say Hi!

Now I have hit my blogging time limit for the morning so I need to end this babble for now.  I do have a couple of pairings to reveal and a very sweet PIF I received but that will have to wait.

Hugs and Blessings to all of you!

KK

She loves me! She really Loves Me!

Ok so here's what happened......

While checking out my blogger friends current posts I saw that Juls had posted so I immediately checked to see what gawjus things she was up to today and then I saw that she was given an award from another awesome blogger.  I love when people get awards because you always get to learn something new about them (and in Juls case you know it's gonna be good) So here I am readin and thoroughly enjoying it and all of the sudden it happened.........

She has passed it on to me!!  At that point I got so excited I did a little jump in my chair and proceeded to hit my knee on the desk and then when I went to hold it (as all of us do when we bump something) I hit my head on the top of the desk.  I have now recovered (obviously since I am actually forming words on this post and not random gobblyguck) and have happily accepted this honor (although I am not sure how versatile I am) and thank her soooooo much for bestowing it on me! (and still feel the need to say "She loves me!" ) I also know that I probably should wait until she actually tells me!

So here are the rules:

Thank the person who sent it to you~ Well Juls of the most fabulishous Julsbeads I can hug you now that I no longer have the need to hold the icepack to my head while rubbing my knee so here is your SUPER SQUNCH !

Share 7 things about yourself ~  well since the last award I have learned ...

1. Keep it short

2. Not to deep (don't want to scare anyone away!)

3. Have fun with it!

7 Things.....

I love the term silly feet (see tags to learn more)

Speaking of silly feet I give myself pedicures 2 times a week to insure happy silly feet!

I cried hard when we went to see Toy Story 3.  I am such a sap!

I am a closet hip hop dancer (believe me its better it stays that way too!)

I can't text talk but I am a sucker for Julspeak!

As you read earlier I am a klutzy

I make the best shrimp scampi ever!!!!

Oh I have one more...I love spell check because in my advancing years I seem to have forgotten how to spell even the simplest words!

Ok now I pass the award on to 7 other (meaning Juls not me, what did you think I was that conceited?) fantastical bloggers

Silver Parrot (I love hermie updates and resin beauties!)

Earthenwood Studio Chronicles (Melanie makes the most interesting components I just love them!)

Belinda Saville ( her inspiration to me is precious and her beadwork is amazing!)

Artfully Yours, Olga ( she makes such pretty jewelry and is a jewel herself )

Treasures Found: Inspiration is Everywhere ( she is an amazing artist and a gifted inpirationist)(ok so that might not be a word but it doesn't make it any less true!)

Erin Siegel Jewelry ( I love her creations and blog!)

La Bella Joya (Marcie is gifted with mixing metals and seed beads I love it)

A Beaders Blog ( always a great read and inspiration)
Pretty Things (another great read and artist!)

Now a while ago Olga left me an award that I didn't quite know what to do with so I am also passing it along to all of you and Juls with a heartfelt thank you for all your encouragement on my journey and inspirations that you offer!

PS Juls I want the chocolate martini sometime soon!

Hugs

Kristen

Kreativ Blogger Award for Me?

Thank you doesn't begin to express what this means coming from Belinda Saville she is so supportive of my work and always leaves a sweet comment. I "heart" her more than I can say!

So here are the rules:

1. Post the award on my blog.

2. Thank the person who gave it to me.

3. Link to the person who gave this to me.

4. Share a list of 7 things that you probably don't know about me.

5. Choose 7 great bloggers to give the award to.

6. Share a link to their blogs.

7. Leave a comment on their blog.

7 things you don't know about me hummm......
This is hard because I'm never sure how much is too much info but I will give it a try let's see....

I love listening to my kids (except when they whine of course) it is so neat to listen to Derek(who's almost 5) make up stories and sounds when he plays and changing gears to hear about Shelby's day (she is 17) and what her latest creative endeavor is. I love being MOM!

I am married to my best friend (literally he is) we have been together for almost 23 years and married for 20 (in July)of them.

I have survived stage 2 melanoma in Sept 2008 and have a 12in scar on my shoulder to prove it. (that's why I love birthdays so much) And in Aug 2009 had a close call after gall bladder surgery (not a fun time) so my family figures if I make it through July this year without incident we should be good!

I love 80's metal music and believe that Ronnie James Dio is now one with the "rainbow in the dark" But to totally contradict that I also love Tim McGraw (especially "Live Like you were Dying" go figure). I do also like alot of the new music (Nickleback, 3Doors Down, Disturbed, Godsmack, Slipnot) I hope that doesn't scare anyone :)

I decorate my house for the seasons and Halloween and Christmas! I love to change things up and it also utilizes my other passion(or fault) I love collecting. Not cluttered collections that's why I change things up (I couldn't possibly have them all out at once that would be overload)






Ok I can't possibly spend any more time on me so I am going to put 2 in 1! Blogging is so much fun for me and a way to connect with others (although I would love to have all my followers over for coffee. Seriously I have 3 different coffee makers you can pick your favorite!) There is the other one I love coffee! Even my sweet Cinder kitty is espresso colored! (that might be three oops)











Now for the nominations ok but first a question. Can I nominate someone who has already received the award! Please comment and let me know because as a blogger newbie I have a award worthy list right on my sidebar!

First to say yes is Charlene @ More Than Somewhat she is so sweet especially since I have bugged her too many times to make tutorials for me. I did promise not to nag her any more :) ( that's going to be hard)

Next is Smadar of Sadmar's Treasure she has begun writing tutorials of her work and I have made sure my hubby knows I want them all!

And Bellajoya @ La Bella Joya who is a new follower (which you all know by now I love followers :) ) she has some beautiful work (of course) and mixed media my way ( with metal and beadweaving even though I haven't done it yet but I love the look) I have been following her blog now too!

Always Believe
Kristen