Getting Balanced

Just finished the second full week of the new school year! Time really does go by fast. I have a new schedule to my classes this year and I haven't quite adjusted to the new rhythm. The day goes by so quick but there is little to no time to do the necesssary art room up keep.........materials, products, etc....I know I'll find my way thru it all but adjusting takes a bit of time.

With this new school schedule I admittedly have had a difficult time fitting my beadie life into my routines. In part because I'm tire! This weekend I will again be at the torch preparing and making what I hope to be some awesome items! Sadly, I have nothing to show you as of yet, but please stay tuned.

Along with bead making, I also have Book Club! I love our book club......we have been together for so many years and its just nice to know you have friends that are truely FRIENDS. We have been there for each other thru some tough times and good times.......we are all different but we all love each others differences. Pictured above is just 3 members. Our dear 4th couldn't make it to our last meeting. We are not a hugh group but actually thats what makes it great.....Tomorrow we meet at Sue's house! Can't wait. Wanted to show them my Nook I bought but I was so excited about it after I showed our librarian, Karen, I left it out on my desk and forgot to bring it home!

Today Pete and I are going on a tour of Downtown Lofts and other buildings called Inside Downtown, presented by the Landmark society. We've done similar tours in the past years and everytime, we are so amazed and impressed with what we see. The renovation of historical buildings into living spaces, the achitechure, and of course, the decorating. You think you know the city you live in but after taking a tour of this type, you realize how much more there is to learn. I am interested in local history and just love to learn more.

Family, Friends and Hearts

Last night we had family over for a celebratory dinner in Peter's honor. He graduated in May with his second masters and is moving on in the Fall to the University of Rochester for his Phd. Wow.....how he loves school! The weather was a bit gloomy last night so there were no outdoor games but we had interesting conversation and a little drama inside. All good. Lots of fun.

Today we have plans with friends to ride the motorcycles around Canandaigua Lake. I love rides like this.....just seeing the sites. Later I'll be back at the torch to make more hearts. I'm really pretty close to my goal and I'm feeling like we can do it.......Here are the current hearts......love the peace signs! Remember, email me with your selection and you can arrange a time to pick up your hearts (or have me mail it to you) today thru Wednesday. I would like to collect all money by end of Wednesday so I can present a nice check to Joining Hearts and Hands.

Thanks to all who have been so kind to have donated to this project already! Just this morning I noticed that the story of Hannah and the 4 girls made the news as a reminder of this horrile accident. Please don't text or talk on your cell phone while driving.

Tacky Gift & Cookie Swap

Last night was my holiday party. It was so fun! A few people who had planned on coming couldn't since family issues and illness held them back. We missed them.

My favorite moment of the party was when I had everyone team up for the Christmas Tree Wrap......one person from the team had to be the tree while the other team players had to decorate them. They had about 8 minutes to do this and I almosted pee'd my pants watching it all.

I had a very resourceful team, a creative team and an inovative team which really means another creative one. Yes, that balloon is not really a balloon but a condom!! The condom was taken from another game we played....called Feel Up the Stocking.

Everyone brought a Tacky gift and I read the Right Left Christmas story. We all ended up with some horrid, some good and some strange "gifts". Sue always likes to pretend she has "forgotten" her gift and leaves it here for me to find in the morning BUT this year Santa is mailing it to her!!!! I know she won't read this....she is not much of a computer person.



I'm just sorry I didn't take more pictures! Its hard trying to remember picture taking when your laughing so much!
Well, after about 4 more cups of coffee I think I'll be ready to make some beads today. I have plenty to do in that department.

Getting Certified

WOW. The last two days have been intense. I'm taking a 3 day certification course in PMC. So, if I pass, I will be a certified instructor...Whoooo, hoooooo!! I've been exhausted at the end of each day but am totally enjoying myself.

Our instructor, Celie Fago is just so darn nice. Her work is amazing. She makes it all seem so simple but believe me, its challenging. The Tetrahedron had everyone pulling their hair out!


We made a ring today with gold, ooooooh,aaaaaahhhhh! And tomorrow we'll make another ring with a stone and other interesting things....Each project is designed to have you perfect certain skills so its not a do your own thing kind of class. Of course the embellishments are your own but in order to pass, you have to be able to do certain skills with the pmc. Gosh, I hate tests!!!


These are our lentil beads........they all came out terrific! I'm going to patina mine tonight if I can stay awake. I'll show you all my goodies once they are all complete.

Oh, and a bonus to this class.......I met up with a long time friend! Karen too is taking this course and I'm so happy that we are working together. We've already discussed "play dates" Can't wait!

Clothesline & Reconnecting

The Clothesline Arts Festival was this past weekend and it made a wonderful ending to the Summer Festival season. The weather was okay....coolish with some rain and some sun but no downpours!!! And, Lets get real....the economy has been in the dumper meaning each festival has been lower in attendance & in sales. I, however, am very blessed to have a great following.... Thank You to all who visited my booth to either look , chat or to purchase.....I appreciate it all.

One of my favorite parts of the Clothesline is the chatting and re-connecting with old friends & new ones. Last year I re connected with my dear friend Lisa and this year Laurie was the friend I finally saw after 16 years!!!!! We use to have such fun together. She also helped me much more than she knows with a crazy relationship I was in at the time. She has a boyfriend who lives in Italy so once she returns we will get together for dinner and catch up.




My next reconnect was with Elizabeth....I went to undergrad school with her and I just loved her energy, smile and just nice way she had. I actually took a picture of her cause I had that camera with me & I thought, why not...Love that tattoo ....

Then I met, Linda Lawrence....the other Linda Lawrence :) Scary but there are about 3 other Linda Lawrences that I know of who live locally!!! One of them is in the school district I work in and boy was that a problem with my work email!!! I'd show you that picture but I don't like it :) I look tired. So vain, I know.

Well, I know I have to finish up my Kumihimo follow up but goodness, I still don't have that photo yet! Hopefully tomorrow.:) I'll be resting now and watching tv tonight like a very lazy person.