Happy Valentines Day...

I told Colleen a year ago, when she did a Rivoli class, that if I ever did one, it would be a sunflower...for some reason, it's what I pictured when looking at the beautiful one she had done in purples.  Well, here it is - probably more of a Black Eyed Susan, actually, but my version of that sunflower that I envisioned - two different color Swarovskis in a double row of "petals".  This will sit atop a bracelet, eventually - I'm sure a follow-up picture is in the works, down the line.  AND, I started on the black one this evening, while Olympic watching - it slipped from my hands in the stage before the crystals, and dropped to the floor - sadly to say, crystal Rivolis do not survive tile floor "incidents".

And, while I was tempted to post another picture of Mr. Flay on here for the romantic occasion, this Civil War age tintype arrived in my mail today - just in time to save us all. She has the prettiest face - she's wearing a beaded cherry necklace and earrings, and the flowers in her hair have a hand painted greenery added to them.  No wedding ring, but I'm sure she was a treasured catch for someone.  Hope you have a treasured catch to spend the day with, too - if not, there's a real nice picture of Bobby Flay on here, somewhere.  XOXO - Happy Valentines Day!

The Wolfman Cometh...

What a marvelously busy Friday!  Morning festivities at Sunset Station with Jackie, Patty and Pat...lots of laughs that spilled over into brunch with a drunken waiter (actually, it probably really WAS the cold medicine he told us he took), who provided us with even more laughs.  Then, it was off to the movies with my daughter.  Ended the day watching all of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics (right up to the glitch in lighting the torch...Wayne Gretsky's facial expressions were priceless, as he waited) - a full day, for sure, and a great one, at that.

The Wolfman opened yesterday, and I never turn down the opportunity to see a good, scary movie (actually I've seen some bad, scary movies too...I'm not too picky).  Jaci won't usually watch those with me, but told me that she would go because "werewolves aren't real, like ghosts", silly girl (of course, they're real!).  Actually, she went for Benicio del Toro - Anthony Hopkins was wonderful, too, as he always is.  Blood and gore in this one (don't say I didn't forewarn you...actually it was nothing more than your standard "werewolf violence" on the ratings chart), along with some pretty great special effects...scenery was dark and beautiful.  Yeah, I guess I liked the flick - two thumbs up!

When the Music's Over...

"Girls Night Out" took Jackie, Colleen and me to the Las Vegas Hilton last night to see a Doors tribute band called Wild Child.  Since I was too young to have seen him in real life (Jim Morrison died in '71), this was a pretty close second.  I had a wonderful time...drinks and laughs with Charlie (Jackie's husband), beforehand (thanks again, Charlie...next time I'll get the MGD) and hits from my all-time favorite band's repertoire.  I issued Jackie and Colleen a challenge, before the concert was over, to post a sexy picture of "The Lizard King"/"Mr. Mojo Risin'" (which I just found out was an anagram of his name) on their blogs (One Creative Cat and The Bead Metaler)...heading over there now to see what they found.  I pulled LOTS, but the bare-chested ones were too obvious and this does have those leather britches and that famous sexy, "brooding" thing of his, going on.

Tiny Treasures Travelogue

It's still raining here in Vegas, though I'm VERY thankful it's not the snow my folks are getting in Denver, nor "Snowmaggedon" on the East Coast - we can handle cold and rainy, any day, compared to that.  I grew up in the snow...I miss my mountains terribly during the summer months, but not the winters - sorry, Mom and Dad.

Been playing with crystals this week, and turned out a few more Swarovski hearts...two of them in tiny size.  The larger ones were done with 4mm crystals...these two small ones (and yes, it is sitting on a nickel, so you can get an idea) were done with 3mm's...73 in each heart, to be exact - and yes, I might be out of my tiny mind.

The tiny girls are antique Frozen Charlottes from Colleen (The Boss)...they live together in the tiny matchbox.  The all white one is only an inch and a quarter tall - the black haired darling has her legs encased in a thimble full of beeswax for conditioning thread for beading and hand sewing.  And while I was playing with all these tiny things today, it brought to mind a childhood memory...Tiny Town!

Tiny Town is just that...a tiny town, just west of Denver, nestled in the foothills past Morrison (Turkey Creek Canyon).  The entire little town (not just one or two houses, but an entire town) was constructed in 1/6th scale size by a loving dad, for his little girl, in 1915.  It was opened to the public in 1920. My parents took us there when we were little (in the 60's, OK - just want to make that clear!  I was born in '58, not 1920)...I moved away before I got a chance to take my own children.  I used to drive home from work through that canyon occasionally, to see the aspens turning, and last time I was by, the little town was in pretty sad shape.  I was happy to find out that it was renovated in 1988 - they even have a tiny railroad and train now.  http://www.tinytownrailroad.com/  Nope, I do not know who the giant baby in the picture is...I think he is looking for a tiny, little snack.

Be Still My Beating Heart...

You probably thought it was going to be another picture of Bobby, from the title...

Marie (Ann Tonette...she lives in my sewing room) is "head over heels"...and, I'm not typically a "heart" girl, but I do love these little Swarovski crystal hearts, too.  With a couple of chains or ribbons, these will make wonderful little gifts for some special people this upcoming Valentine's Day...I may even have to keep one for myself, much as I hate to admit it.  Under the always helpful tutelage of "The Boss", Ms. Bead Metaler, I struggled through the first one, but kept my head about me enough to finish two this evening.  73 crystals in each one, and lots of lip biting involved, but the end results are fabulous!

Rain in Vegas most of the day today, and this evening...cold and dreary enough to make us stay inside, huddled under those blankets, but NOTHING compared to our friends on the east coast!  Stay safe if you go out in it - we HEART you!  Happy Super Bowl weekend...hope you don't overindulge, too badly..."Let them eat cake!"

Etsy Shop, Up and Running...

Well, it took a few days longer than I expected, but the Etsy site is up and running - link to it on the right hand side there (how can you miss that glaring advertisement?!  And, thanks for stopping by - really!)  I forgot how much works goes into taking acceptable pictures, writing descriptions, and all the little details the listing entails...but, they're there - at least the jewelry items are.  Barkcloth travel jewelry rolls are next in line to be photographed and listed, but I am good for right now.  Haircolor and housecleaning on the agenda today.

AND...the final season of LOST premiered last night and left me with even more questions...ones they are supposed to answer before it's finally all over.  All the hot guy eye candy was back (Sawyer, Desmond, Sayid, Locke...OK, I'll throw that whiney Jack in there, too - the only thing that would be better would be if my Bobby Flay were dropped onto the island with them), along with the evil Smoke Monster, who kicked ass and took names!

Mr. February...

"Yes, I love that man of mine!" (to steal a quote from "Beetlejuice").  I would think this needs no explanation.  HAPPY FEBRUARY 1st - have a wonderful day, however you spend it.  I am finishing up and photographing today...probably daydreaming of that Ultimate Throwdown, too - XOXOXO

P.S.  The final season of LOST premieres tomorrow night, in case anyone has been sleeping.  There are several boys on there that should be on this post too, but those might just have to be pictures for February 2nd.