Over the Summer


Aunt Gladys, me & Mom

 

 



     Trying to catch up on my blog with just a brief look at this past summer. Mid-July is the twin's birthday, my Mom & Aunt. We went to P.F.Chang's again this year to celebrate.

     The end of July is ADAA, or All Dolls are Art Conference. I took a workshop with Angela Jarecki. The theme this year was World of Make-Believe and opening night we came as our favorite character.

My completed fairy from Angela's class

Components Bought

Industrial Glam Necklace
     A few months ago I had the honor of being asked to create a piece for Michaels October Jewelry Month Showcase. They wanted me to use Susan Lenart Kazmir's Industrial Chic line as the basis for my piece. I was thrilled to be able to use my friend Susan's pieces, as it fits my style so well. Her new components add a bit of glitter and glam to her usual industrial look.   I let them guide me for the theme of this necklace. I loved the stark contrast of the rhinestones and glitter with the industrial metal edge.I added beads from the Bead Gallery line to complete the necklace in my steampunk style.  I created a piece that is now one of my very favorites - freeform & asymmetrial.
     Here is the supply list and the finished piece on Michaels website for the Industrial Glam Necklace. The instructions are also there, but I've included extra step-out images to help make it easier for you to create your own version.

   

    Use Chain with Glass Beads and Stones for one side of necklace. Measure and cut plain chain to desired length. Attach plain chain to chain with beads and stones. Attach Lobster Clasp to plain chain. Loop on other chain will serve as link.

Condition thread and thread needle. Attach to chain link as show in picture. Randomly string metal plated multi-color round beads and weave in and out of the chain.

 

 

    Once you have a base of metal beads, start incorporating the glass beads.

      Tie off strands and secure with knots when you run out of thread. Start next strand in previous method, securing on chain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Continue building base, and begin adding metal donuts, weaving beads and strands to secure.

 

 

   Start adding charm components, weaving in more metal beads and strands.

    Continue building necklace, constantly holding up to neck in front of mirror to make sure it hangs properly.

    Add keys and other dangling charms by the same method.

Continue adding beads and components until you are pleased with the results.
I left one chain without any embellishment, as I loved the asymmetry that broke up the regular flow of the necklace.

Catching Up & Great Find
     I should truly rename this blog, the Infrequent Blog. I always have the best intentions to blog and I compose witty and pithy posts in my head while I'm driving or working out or other such places where it doesn't get transferred to my actual blog. The truth is when I do have free/spare time, I usually spend it in my studio creating rather than on the computer. With my day job, I spend hours and hours on the computer anyway.

     A couple of weeks ago Michaels had their Friends & Family sale. This is one of the events that I look forward to and take advantage to stock up. Most times when I go to Michaels, I'm running in for specific items that I need and usually in a hurry. During the Friends & Family event, I go up and down every single aisle - after all it is a great sale.

     The advantage of going up and down each aisle and spending time just looking and browsing is that you find things you might not otherwise find. I am an avid beader - I should be familiar with all of our beading products. I'm sure many of you have already seen and bought this product, but it was a new discovery for me. Beadalon Crimp Tube in nice little tubes! I bought the assorted pack, with silver, gold, copper & hematite color crimps. They also had ones that were the same color but various size tubes, plus crimp beads. I hated the previous little plastic bags that the tubes came in because no matter how careful you were to only open them a little bit, those tiny crimp tubes came out of the package and got all over everywhere. These will be perfect to keep in my beading case and always have on hand.

Gazpacho
I've had a recipe for gazpacho for over 20 years. The original came from a former co-worker of my husband. I only fix it during the summer, as the key is garden-fresh tomatoes. This and Salad Caprese are my most favorite summer treats. I love it when we have fresh tomatoes from the garden. I'm so spoiled that if I don't have fresh tomatoes from the garden, I just won't buy or eat tomatoes. What you buy in the store just does not compare. Back to the gazpacho - the original recipe is what I now refer to as basic. I always add cilantro for a Mexican version. After all, I am from Texas. Last week I was going to make a batch, but the store did not have cilantro (unfortunately I can't grow it - cilantro bolts on me horribly). I do, however, have tons of basil,l so I decided to make an Italian version. YES! a new winner! Here is the recipe and the variations. I prefer to serve this room temperature, but chilled works as well.
Gazpacho
8 - 10 course chopped tomatoes
1 peeled & seeded cucumber, chopped
1 chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup water
5 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Teaspoons Sea Salt
1 Teaspon Course Ground Pepper
3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro (Mexican version) optional
1/4 cup chopped Basil (Italian version) optional
Add tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, garlic and herb (cilantro or basil, if desired) to food processor and blend until course chopped. Add remaining ingredients and stir well.

Perfect summer dish - Gazpacho

Feta Dip
I had an open house art play day for some of the people from work a few weeks ago. One of the ladies brought a delicious dip. Unfortunately it wasn't from a place that is convenient for me to shop. It only had three ingredients, so I thought I could make it on my own - score! It was very easy and good. Here is my version:
Feta Dip
8 oz Neufchatel Cheese
2 oz Athenos Feta Cheese (I used garlic & herb and am going to try tomato & basil next)
1 clove fresh garlic minced
Mix all ingredients well. Serve room temperature with pita chips, vegetables or crackers.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea - the recipe is the thing
anyway

Pinspirations
It's no secret - I LOVE Pinterest! I've found fabulous project ideas, great household cleaning and organization tips and scrumptious recipes, not to mention some beneficial workout and fitness tips. I've even started a new board PinThere - Done That to show the projects I've made from the Pinspirations I've gotten, including these.

Decoupaged pattern on necklace from Michaels.
I took it one step further & crackled & antiqued

Cucumber Lemonade with Basil - a winner!

Captured Fairy Jar

Fairy Crown

Glass Mushrooms (one of my favorites)

Bead & Button Show
For two such avid beaders as Vicki & I, the Bead & Button Show was the perfect trip! We shopped and shopped, found great beads, I got to meet my idol, Sherry Serafini (and she is so very, very nice!) and had an overall great time.

Opening night, first aisle

Sherry Serafini & I at Meet the Teacher Night

With my friend, Susan Lenart Kazmer

Love Susan's fabulous dress!

Tiliapia skins - most unusual find

My stash from the show

Milwaukee
Vicki & I got to go to the Bead & Button show in June this year. Since we didn't take any classes, we had time to enjoy the city a little bit and also see my good friend, Patti, who lives there. Patti is such a doll, she went to the grocery store, bought us a ton of goodies and delivered them to our room to make our stay more enjoyable. She also came on Friday and took us to a pub for drinks & dinner and to Comedy Sportz, an improv comedy club. We had a blast. Vicki & I went to The Domes, a Milwaukee landmark, three horticultural domes, one desert, one tropical and a show dome one morning. We walked along the riverwalk and had lunch over looking the river at a nice restaurant. We caught the trolley and explored the Third Ward, too.

Milwaukee River Walk

Fabulous lunch at Cool Molly's Restaurant

The Domes, Milwaukee

Desert Dome

Just love the design on this plant

Me in the desert dome

Vicki in the tropical dome

Fiddleleaf Fig in tropical dome - this was
my favorite dome

Patti at Mo's Irish Pub with necklace I made for
her as a token of our thanks

Having a great time at Comedy Sportz

ADAA World of Make Believe Opening Night
Opening night at this month's ADAA conference is Welcome to the World of Make Believe. My friend, Tricia Dewey made the fabulous invitation for the event. All attendees are invited to come dressed as a make-believe character. I made my costume out of old clothes that I had on hand. I'm going as Mother Nature.

Machine gathered along hem
of silk crinkle skirt

Took apart & sewed on "silk" flowers
from Michaels. Embellished with
beads and fibers

Used sleeveless t-shirt as base
added silk sleeves from old shirt.
Added lace & trim

Completed costume (sorry don't have a good place to photograph)

Crown

How Does My Garden Grow?
After last year's 100 degree temperatures in March, it is refreshing to have near normal temperatures this year. My vegetable and herbs have flourished.

Herb Bed

Basic

Cantelopes

First cantelope growing

Green beans & carrots

First radishes

Tomatoes

First lemon cucumber

Lemon cucumber vines

New lavender bed