Sweet Saturday - A Bracelet Fit for A Queen!

I made this bracelet yesterday after having a bit of a vision. If I had been asleep I would have called it a dream, but I was sitting doing something completely different and it just flashed into my head. I used large, 8mm Swarovski Crystal Pearls in 'natural white' and smaller, 4mm Swarovski Crystal Pearls in 'rosaline pink' and spaced them with sterling silver beads. I attached them with silver plated marquise connectors for a multi strand look, and then made an 'S' clasp with sterling silver wire that I hand formed and lightly hammered. I made a bead link to dangle from the clasp for a little extra luxury - it also makes the clasp look fancy so that the bracelet can be worn with the clasp on top or underneath. This is soft as silk and has a good weight to it - you feel it on, but it isn't too heavy. This will be a prefect gift for Valentine's Day or a special treat for any day - you'll feel like a queen wearing it, whether it's with a fancy dress or a pair of jeans.
This will be for sale shortly on my Etsy site - first come, first served! I only had enough large pearls for one of these, so until I order more, this is it!
Meghann

Fabulous Friday, Part 2 - The First of the Monkeys!

~From the front, what long arms you have!~

~From the side, what a cute, curly tail you have!~

This is the first of (hopefully) a few monkeys I have made. I crocheted him using grey and red yarns to make him look like a sock monkey. Although he does have a bit of a squint, my glass safety eyes arrived in the mail today so from now on I will be using those instead of sewing them with more yarn. This one is a gift to my friend Louise of Fireseed, and I am currently starting an octopus for her wonderful orange tabby Raff. I'll keep you posted!
I am still listing new items in my Etsy shop every day, and my SUPER 50% OFF SALE is still on - for a limited time! Check it out for some wonderful Valentine's gifts.
Meghann

Fabulous Friday - You Could win a blog Makeover from Graphic Pretties!

Looking at a few of the blogs I follow, I noticed this one in particular, as the flower painting immediately jumped out at me. Turns out graphic extraordinaire Graphic Pretties is having a contest and the winner gets a custom blog! Here are some of the details:
You can enter up to 4 times.
1. send an email to enter at graphicpretties@gmail.com
2. post a comment on her blog here: http://graphicpretties.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-custom-blog-giveaway.html
3. become a follower of her blog (look to the right) if you are a follower you get a automatic entry
4. post the giveaway on your blog along with the image above (click the image to enlarge and save) and let her know so I can add your name again.
The rest of the nitty gritty details are here: http://graphicpretties.blogspot.com/2009/01/2009-custom-blog-giveaway.html
Good luck!

Thankful Thursday: A Hubby Who Shovels!

So we had snow last night. Lots of snow. The end of our driveway (first picture) currently has about two feet of snow from the plows, the furnace guy rescheduled for tomorrow as the weather has put him behind, the deck and bird feeders have a TON of snow (second picture) and I can't even think about going down the path to the compost bin.....That is I couldn't until Brennan got out of bed (he decided to stay home as the roads were too treacherous) and agreed so very nicely to shovel! How thankful I am for that! He didn't do the end of the driveway as we have our neighbor plow it (thank goodness), but he shoveled the whole back upstairs deck, the stairs and even the path to the compost bin for me (third picture)! It is such a blessing that he did this for me, as when I shovel, I get so cold and sore so quickly that I end up stuck in bed for a week. Thank you Brennan!!

As a reward, I made hot chocolate and it was so yummy and delicious (and filling!) that I took a (rather bad) photo of it (fourth picture). Brennan loved it, despite it being gluten and dairy free. I have to share the recipe as it is DELICIOUS!!

Meghann's Super Rich and Delicious Gluten and Dairy Free Hot Chocolate
3 heaping tablespoons of Organic, Fair Trade Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (I use Cocoa Camino)
3 scant tablespoons of Organic Sucanat (or white sugar)
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup water
2 Cups Organic Rice Drink

Whisk all ingredients in a small pan and heat until hot, but not boiling, whisking constantly.
Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday...Too Busy Eating!

~Quinoa-Raisin Muffins (Like Oatmeal-Raisin, but better!)~

Yup. They taste even better than they look!

Treasury Tuesday!

I managed to snag another treasury! Click on the image above to see items from the teams I am part of: EFA (Etsy for Animals), Capital Crafters and CAST (Christian Artists Street Team). I hope you like it!
Meghann
My SUPER 50% off Sale is still going strong, and the Monthly blog contest is almost over so don't forget to enter!

Monday Madness: A Pink Elephant's Staring at Me!

Oh How Cute You Are! Do a Little Spin, Show Us Some More!

My, What a Nice Trunk!

Look at the Weeny Tail! Oh How Cute!

I finally finished it! One of the only good things about insomnia is that it lets me finish mindless tasks while relaxing a bit and watching movies. Last night was one of those insomniac nights, and "The Other Boleyn Girl" was on and I wanted desperately to finish the elephant to show you all, so I did it!
Now I'm going to start a sock monkey for my friend Louise of Fireseed fame, and maybe an octopus for her delightful cat Raff :)
I do also, of course, have plans for more jewellery, so keep checking for new items! Make sure you've entered the January Contest of the Month to win a great prize, see the post from January 3 for details.
Meghann
P.S. Please check out my treasury while it is still active at http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=35494

Soulful Sunday - Or, How My Dog Likes to Pass the Time

~Mo-oooom! I Just Want to Sleeeeep!~

I love Sundays. Restful, relaxing Sundays. Arwen agrees! I'll probably try to finish the elephant today, and I'd like to try and make some earrings, but other than that (and cleaning the kitchen), not much else will get done. Arwen still agrees!
Meghann

I'm In Another Treasury!

This is getting to be a habit - and I LOVE it! I was just checking the treasuries this evening and I happened to get there when they opened up so I got one with little waiting - so wonderful. This time I was able to showcase artists from Etsy for Animals (EFA), Capital Crafters, and CASTTEAM (Christian Artists of Etsy). How exciting! Please click on the image above and visit the treasury to see these very talented artists up close.
Meghann

Sweet Saturday: a Beautiful, Sugary Bracelet

~Sugar and Ice, This Bracelet is So Nice!~

I made this bracelet yesterday after having the inspiration come from absolutely nowhere. Well, actually, I was watching "Marie Antoinette" with Kirsten Dunst and thought that I needed to make something girly, fun, and gorgeous!
I used rosaline pink Swarovski pearls and sterling silver beads and strung them on memory wire to get this layered effect without a lot of weight. Even better, there is no clasp to fiddle with - you just wind it on your wrist to fit you, and unwind it to take it off. It will fit almost any size due to it's Slinky-similarity and is light as a feather, yet looks like you have layered some beautiful bangles together. I think I just might need to order some more memory wire and Swarovski pearls to make a few more!
This will be for sale shortly on my Etsy store, please visit :)
My SUPER 50% OFF SALE is still on, maybe you can get you and your Valentine something sweet and affordable - or get a smart head-start on next year's Christmas shopping?
Meghann

Fabulous Friday - I'm in a Treasury!!!

What a fabulous way to wake up: I got an email from RioRita all the way over in Israel telling me that she had featured my Backlit Bleeding Hearts Photograph in her treasury! I have to say I am on cloud nine as I have been trying and trying to get another treasury since the last one expired almost 2 weeks ago, and have consistently failed to get one. I think it is amazing that people from all over the world are able to get together and promote one another's works - simply fabulous!! Please click on the treasury above to go and see all the wonderful artists featured in this beautiful treasury :)
Meghann
P.S. - time's running out to enter the monthly blog contest - don't miss out, it is free and you could win a great prize!

Thankful Thursday - Hobbies are Wonderful Blessings!

So the last few weeks I have been pretty much incapacitated by pain and exhaustion due to my Fibromyalgia. However, I am not complaining as I have learned to take these times and teach myself various lessons: how to relax even if I don't think I can or should, how to find interesting, educational programming on television or the Internet, how to learn new hobbies like knitting and crocheting that don't require much more than my hands, brain, and a couch for me to stretch out on. It is times like these that, although I still get frustrated, are teaching me a lot about myself, and how much I am able to learn from my own living room. What a blessing in disguise!
I have just started learning amigurumi - the Japanese art of miniature crochet. All I need is a crochet hook, some yarn, and a great little book called, "Amigurumi World - Seriously Cute Crochet" by Ana Paula Rimoli. It is seriously cute, and seriously easy! I picked up some yarns on sale and have been experimenting for a few days now. I have made 2 bears (the first is now being chewed on by my mom's cat after I sprayed it with some catnip spray - pics to follow when my mom sends me some), and I am starting a pink elephant, lol. I am hoping to make these and sell them as cat toys with the proceeds going to animal shelters. I may also turn the smaller ones into key chains and zipper pulls, again, to sell for charity. I have some safety eyes on order so that they look a little cuter (not that sewn eyes aren't cute, but safety eyes stop me from poking myself with a sharp needle!), and each animal I make is getting better and better!
I'm not stopping the jewellery or photography, never fear, but having a new hobby is always a great way to return to your work with a fresh perspective. "A change is as good as a rest", as the saying goes, and that will certainly turn out to be true when I am able to get back to my jewellery table!
I am listing new jewellery items daily, as I had a bunch of pieces photographed at the same time, so please keep checking my Etsy store for new jewellery suitable for every budget and taste!
Meghann

Wordless Wednesday (Mostly)

New Prints!

Meghann
P.S. Check out my Etsy store and see the great items and fantastic sales! Also don't forget to enter the monthly blog contest :)

Change of Plans for January's Charity of the Month...

After receiving some rather unwelcome news about the World Wildlife Fund (it seems that, although they don't directly condone animal testing, they don't think it should be banned completely either, which is unacceptable to me), I am switching the Charity of the Month to the National Wildlife Federation. They produce magazines such a Ranger Rick for children (I had subscriptions throughout my childhood), and National Wildlife for big kids :)
I will be donating 10% of the total sales before taxes and shipping to this charity, in hopes of aiding the endangered polar bear.
My SUPER 50% off sale is still on, and I am adding new items to my Etsy Store daily, so please be sure to stop by and help support a great cause in the process.
Meghann
P.S. time is running out to enter my free monthly blog contest, so be sure to check out the post from January 3 for details and how to enter.

Fabulous Friday....Almost

I promised you all a picture of Brennan wearing the scarf that I spent 4 days knitting, but he didn't like the picture I took as he was running out the door. As such, I had to promise (!) to blur out his face, roflol.
It would have been much more fabulous had I been able to show his face as the colour of the scarf is so wonderful with his skin tone. However, you can see a bit of the scarf, which I am happy about!
As the cold snap shows no signs of stopping I am now starting a little crocheted amigurumi bear. I'll let you know how that turns out!
Meghann

Thankful Thursday: Baby It's FREEZING Outside!

~Almost Finished!~

~Front~

~Back~

Having blogged about fibromyalgia and it's inherent all-weather-but especially-cold-weather crappiness before, I'll spare you the repeat on it. As it is Thankful Thursday, I wanted to thank all my e-friends for their support when I am feeling so crappy - your kind words and notes on my blogs make me feel so much better :)
I am also infinitely thankful for my husband, who is very understanding when the laundry is left on the dining room table for a few days when I can't do much, and my dog, who on my bad days won't leave my side.
All that being said, this last cold snap has pretty much stopped my jewellery making as I have been so sore and tired that all I can do is sit on the couch. Enter my new favorite hobby - knitting and crocheting!
Brennan mentioned he wanted a new scarf and was actually going out to buy one when I said, "No honey, why buy one that everyone else has when I, your loving wife and partner, can make you one from scratch that will be yours and be unique!". He was mostly convinced (or I chose to take it that he was convinced, lol) after looking, no doubt, at my shining face, and agreed with hesitation, so long as it was 'cool'.
He had just gotten a new black wool pea coat (and it looks so fabulous on him, and NO that is not just because I am biased!), and wanted a scarf to contrast with it, while not making him look like a clown. Knowing he looks great in burgundy, I suggested that and he agreed. We looked through a couple of books to see if he liked any patterns and he chose one with more enthusiasm than I thought he would be able to muster for a scarf :)
I started this lace knit scarf on Sunday, having never knit lace or a full anything before. After a rough start, ripping out everything too many times to count (hours of hat because, apparently, I can't count properly), I finally got the hang of it, and now, after being confined to the couch for 4 days and hating to be inactive, I have only a few more inches to go! It's not perfect, but I think that is the charm of it (I reversed one line of purls/knits, so there is a raised line halfway on the smooth side, but as it is in what will be the exact middle of the scarf, it will probably look intentional - I LOVE those mistakes!). The stitch is called the faggot lace knit stitch (not telling hubby that for obvious reasons), and I got the pattern from "Knitting for Dummies". While I HATE the title of these books (I am not a 'Dummy', nor do I appreciate being called one), they really do make learning things you perceive to be difficult a lot easier.

Up next will be Amigurumi animals, hopefully to sell to raise money for animal charities. I'll let you know when that is up and running. If this cold snap continues, I'll probably have a small zoo of them by next week :s
Happy Thankful Thursday, and Thank You for Reading!
Meghann
P.S. Don't forget to check out my Etsy store for new items, and items on sale! Also, the January Blog contest is still going strong so please enter if you haven't already :)

Wordless Wednesday

Don't forget to enter the monthly blog contest - ALL are welcome to enter, and see my super 50% off sale while it is still here!!
Meghann

Twisted Tuesday

So I was on my friend Louise Ingram's Website Fireseed today and she did a cool blurb on this site called Typealizer. I had to try it, and here are the results:

ESTP - The Doers

The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Now that is just creepy ;-)
Tune in tomorrow for more cool earrings!
Meghann

Monday Mayhem!

~Just a Few of the New Earrings!~

Mondays are always hectic: I have to catch up on housework that never seems to get done on weekends (cleaning the kitchen, dusting, tidying, floor cleaning, laundry, changing sheets,etc., etc.), ship orders, working out (as always), making new items, planning blog posts, updating the website (that never seems to get done), and anything else the hubby needs done. No wonder Monday posts are late - if they ever get done :)
However, I'm excited about these new earrings so I had to show you! I finally got some good photos of these - just before I shipped the first order out to a client ;-)
These are just a selection of the many that I made - and I have more to come! I also got in a new order of jewellery supplies that have yet to be priced per piece and then put away - only to be used in more creations. Keep checking my Etsy Store for these new creations as I'll list a few more every day!
Don't forget to enter the monthly blog contest - see the post from January 3 for details.
Meghann

P.S. The SUPER 50% off Sale is almost over - get these great items while you can!

Soulful Sunday

~Mmmmmm...French Bread...~

My mother constantly harps at me for 'not obeying the Sabbath' (dear, you work so hard, take a day to rest and recover! It's the Lord's day!). While I agree with her, I am a type A workaholic perfectionist. Slowing down, resting, stopping completely just doesn't work. However, today feels like a lazy Sunday, so I am going to make french bread for my hubby who is having a serious craving for a homemade meatball sub, then I'll probably start the scarf I want to knit for him (it is too gorgeous, I'll photograph it when it is done...if I finish it...I've never knitted a lace-stitch scarf before, lol), and then I'll have a nap...but first I have to photograph some new earwires and make some lunch. I'm starving from all that snow shoveling I did!
See you tomorrow...
Meghann
P.S. Don't forget to check out my treasury: http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=32413
And Check out my SUPER 50% off Sale!

Sweet Saturday

~Strawberry Cupcakes from Ottawa Cupcakery~

Sure, we're all on diets this time of year, and sure, I am allergic to 80% of the foods on the planet, but let's face it: if we have to have a deal-breaker, it's go big or go home. I say CUPCAKES! The Ottawa Cupcakery, located in (where else) Ottawa, is one of those sure-fire places that will allow you to ruin your diet for a day or two and not care a single jot (hey, what's an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill anyway - just watch House on TV and it flies by!). In fact, you'll want more, more, more! Honestly, look at them! I picked my favorite, strawberry cupcakes, but they have many, many types to choose from. I suggest a visit to this sweet shop on Etsy to find out more. Be prepared to drool.....
Meghann
P.S. there are new items in my Etsy store, and the SUPER 50% off sale is still going strong!
Don't forget to enter the

Fabulous Again, I'm in a Treasury!

Check it out! I snagged another treasury! Visit it HERE

Fabulous Friday - New Rings!

~Left: Sterling and Amethyst Ring, Center: Gold and Lapis Lazuli Ring, Right: Gold and Swarovski Pearl and Crystal Ring~

I am so excited about these new rings - they are each a different version of my Lindsay Ring, named after my sister. I actually have a few more of these in different stones and metals, but I thought I'd start with these. Amethyst nuggets, Lapis Lazuli and Swarovski crystals and Swarovski Pearls are used to create beautiful, yet simple lines and accentuate any hand. They are very comfortable and look great on any finger, as their low profile and clean lines suit any shape and size of hand. These will be for sale shortly on my Etsy Store.
Don't forget to enter the January Blog Contest, where you could win a great prize.
Check out my Etsy store for beautiful, affordable items, and the SUPER 50% OFF SALE!
Meghann

New Charity Section in the Etsy Store!

I want to introduce you to something new and very special in my Etsy Store: I now have a Charity Promo Items section devoted to items donating a dollar amount to a specific charity! I will still be donating 10% of the total sales of all other items to the Charity of the Month, but this way I will be able to donate money to different charities at once and be able to give them more than a few cents at a time :)
I have items that will donate money to Fibromyalgia Awareness charities, as well as items donating money to last month's Charity of the Month, Epic Farms in Alabama.
I do hope you'll check out the store and help support these valuable causes. And while you're there, don't forget to check out the SUPER 50% OFF SALE! These items are going fast so hurry!
Also, don't forget to enter the January contest of the month to try and win a beautiful prize - see the post from January 3 for details.
See you tomorrow!
Meghann

Thoughtful Thursday

I was going to do a quick blurb about online marketing and networking tools, but this popped up and I had to show you!
I was on Mishkat's blog this morning, just clicking away, when I saw her post on "The
Story of Stuff". It intrigued me. I am always trying to figure out how to be more efficient, more frugal (one of my favorite words, said with a Scottish accent), but I didn't know all that Annie Leonard had to say. If you click on the image above, you'll go to the site where there is a video on "The Story of Stuff". It'll get you thinking. While I don't agree with everything she says, it makes a really good set of points about how we live our lives in a disposable manner. Check it out, you'll be glad you did :)
We need to be conscious consumers. We need to think about why we are purchasing the items we want. We need to pay what the items actually cost, and stop thinking that cheap, disposable, toxic products from giant factories making children work long hours is okay.
Buy responsibly. Buy handmade. Buy consciously!
Okay, today's sermon is over!
Meghann

Wordless Wednesday

~NEW!! Multi-Strand "Cleo" Bracelet~

~A Custom, Braided Bracelet, Similar to Cleo~

Super 50% off Sale
January Contest