Soup's On! And Blog Party Is Here!!

Happy September 17th - Blog Hop Party Day and time for the big 'Reveal'!!

Lori Anderson organizes this wonderful event a few times a year and I was so happy to participate for this one.  Over 300 people (oh my, the organization task this must have been for Lori!!!) are partying today and want you to join us by blog hopping to see all the lovely creations we've made with our partner's goodies they sent us.  Here is the link all the partners....

Lori Anderson's  Blog Soup Party Partners!  Click HERE!

There are so many of us this time around it will take some time to see what everyone was up too.  Luckily the party will last all month.  Several people will be having give aways and other fun things.  I have some ideas swimming around in my head too so you might want to check back in a few days.  Have fun!!

So....wanna see my goodies from Carrie Tahquechi?????  She makes the prettiest lampwork beads and sent me 5 gorgeous ones; one large and 4 descending size beads in blues and white along with all sorts of fun and pretty beads to go with....even some pretty white ribbon!  I always admire the pretty ribbons in some artist's  jewelry but have never tried it myself.  Perfect time to try new things, right?  Tried lots of new things with my necklace!  I used everything Carrie sent!  Wanted to see if I could incorporate everything in one piece.  I love what I made--Mahalo Nui Loa Carrie!!

Well, I talk to much!  You've been waiting so patiently to see what Carrie sent :)  Here you go....

Aren't they just beautiful?!!  Okay... I won't make you wait any more.... Here is my necklace...

I really like my necklace!  I especially liked trying new things!  Thanks Carrie and a BIG thank you to Lori for hosting our party!!  The only things I added were the dark blue hands and the little blue heart.  They are some pretty beads I have been saving in my stash for quite awhile--they had been waiting just for this I'm sure.

Oh...and be sure and check out Carrie's Blog for her party favors!!  And the other blogs of party goers!

Cool Stuff From Etsy...

I've been shopping :)  Etsy shopping!  I love buying things on Etsy and especially from people I know.  There are so many creative people out there making so many cool things.  I love it!  Here are a couple of the goodies the mailman has delivered lately.....

The first is from Debbie Metti at Kitten Creates--was going to say she's from Ohio, but she's living in Ohio and really a California girl and can't wait to get back!  Debbie is in my Art Charms group and makes the coolest charms and bracelets.  She also has great vintage jewelry in her Etsy shop in addition to her charms and jewelry  But this is what I bought.....

Hand Dyed rayon ribbons!  Aren't they yummy?  They look so good on these old wooden clothes pins but if you go here you can see them on her Etsy off the pins.  I just love the piles of these scrumptious colors!  Debbie had sent me a giftie charm wrapped with her ribbon that I immediately used in a project and just knew I had to have more!  Mahalo Deb!!!

And there's more.....

The other treasures the mail carrier delivered are these two lovely little drawings (along with a cool giftie drawing that I haven't framed yet--mahalo!) by Carissa Weber.

Aren't they fun? Had to have the Peacock of course and the little hummingbird was a perfect companion. My photos don't do them justice so you should go to her website at artlab23 to see her great artwork.  In addition to selling her artwork on her website and her Etsy Shop she paints custom murals and you can follow her on Facebook to see where she will be selling around the Los Angeles area at Street Fairs and Art Walks.

Okay, now I have to tell you a little story about Carissa and why I get warm fuzzies when I see her selling her great designs (sorry Carissa!)....  I've known Carissa since the day she was born--yep, my son Kyle, who was 3 weeks old at the time, and I were there when she was born to help with her two older sisters who were my daughter's best friends.  Her mom, Melinda and I were pretty good friends too!  And Melinda and I spent many, many fun hours and weekends sharing a booth selling things at Street Fairs with the Dad's entertaining all the kids!  We kind of lost touch after the kids were off at different schools so it was great meeting up with Carissa on Facebook and to see what she has been up too.  I keep telling Kyle he should start selling his artwork at fairs too!  Make it a family tradition :)

If you have some time, check out some of the wonderful work offered on Etsy....and especially visit Debbie and Carissa!