Time for Promises......

Just a little something for you to ponder

before you map out your own resolutions for 2011

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Bleurghhhhh!!!!

So, here I am - a year to the week - in the exact same position....feeling rather green with a sickness bug! pah!  Only last year's bug enabled a turning point in my mental health, one which I intended to grab on to and build upon....the start of 2009 continued to be a very low period for me and no matter how I tried, the motivation and control seemed to elude me.  I tried my hardest to take back control, but the fight I had with the dark, scary black cloud above me was too big and for most of that year I seemed to be on a rollercoaster of highs and extreme lows, heading VERY fast towards Christmas and my most favourite time of the year - I SO wanted to be able to "take part" in the celebrations this time round {having only gone through the motions the previous two years}. Well Christmas came, we celebrated, then it was gone and then that nasty norovirus struck, it was quite miserable during the week after Christmas, because I was throwing up so much decided it was pointless me taking my meds if they were not gonna be staying put for very long!  So I stopped....NOT something that is recommended, but a decision I made all the same.....a few days later and the house was bug free, hurrah! 

It was then that I decided to "have a chat with myself" about what the future, 2010 in particular, would hold for me...I know I was more frustrated than ever not to be "in control" of my mind, my actions, my feelings....and so I made the decision not to go back on my meds, that I would start 2010 med free and with a positive mind {very hard to do, but something I had to fix on} and that no matter what happened I would retain that "positive" thought at the front of my mind at all times.

I had a few visits with the specialists looking after me and a plan was put in place and by March I had started on my first step to freedom......a weekly visit to help me conquer the fear of getting out of the front door and being part of the "big bad world".....there have been moments throughout the year where I have had to take a step back {which would have previously taken me right back to square one} but with that positive thought firmly imprinted in my mind I have been able to hold my own, see them for what they are and then calmly take the next step the following day/week....it was exciting to think I was beginning to take control again, so many thoughts started to fill my mind {which had been empty for far too long}, things I wanted to do and achieve....I was liking this feeling, I was getting comfortable with it {all the while trying to stave off thoughts it might all go horribly pair-shaped and take me right back to those darker times}.

By May I managed to achieve getting out of the front door - on my own - and walk to the end of our street and back {one thing I did to help me achieve this was to park the car at the end of the street so I had to make that walk} I've also achieved, on my most positive days, hoovering, tidying, washing the dishes, putting washing in the machine, having a shower and getting dressed {on extreme days sometimes achieveing ALL of these things in the same day!}, I have bought plants for the garden and started Project Flowerpot, I have taken over putting the bins out every Thursday for collection and manage to make a cuppa for myself too {even though I have lost the ability to make a decent one....I.AM.MAKING.ONE!!!} I also started making jewellery - hello gorgeous.  All in all, a HUGE accomplishment from how I was feeling at the start of 2009.

And then BAM!! Something else was to take a hold.....something to this day I cannot shake....oh! how I've tried, I remain positive but useless to achieve anything....my accomplishment of getting out of the door has taken backward steps....so much so that in the last few months I have not even gone outside the front door on my own :o(  I keep picturing myself being able to shake it off - like a dog who has just stepped out of the water shakes away the excess on it's coat - but it's not working, I am frustrated that I am being held back by this invisible shield...I wanted to be further on in my progress by this time of the year....but, when I look back at what I have achieved so far, that spurs me on to keep positive. 

So I am going into 2011 even more determined to beat this years achievements....I am preparing a "2011 Bucket List"...things I want to achieve/do by the time 2011 "dies".......watch this space! ;o)

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

In your eyes, what’s Paradise?

A warm pub with a log fire and a roast dinner, after a long walk on a winters day, with nothing else to do all day.

Prized Possession

My mother's wedding ring.

Favourite medium to work with and why?

At the moment it's copper – I love the colours and textures you can create.

Flowers or chocolate?

Flowers (and chocolate). Definitely flowers first though.

Who influenced you the most?

Bit of a cliché, but it would have to be my mum. She had Motor Neurone Disease, and died when I was 18, but from when I was 4 onwards she coped with organising the family, whilst being stuck in a wheelchair and unable to do things for herself. I'd love to have that strength of character, resilience and patience.

Who would you most like to go to Dinner with?

My lovely hubbie – but something always gets in the way. We were supposed to be going out tonight as I write this, but littlest and hubbie are both poorly....grrrr.

Top Cat or Banana Splits?

TC without a shadow of a doubt.

Today I wore:

Skinny jeans, and my favourite old woolly jumper.

Do you have a favourite online {bead, craft or textile} place to shop and would recommend

I like The Curious Gem for lovely sparkly gems.

What inspired you to do what you do?

I just love making and creating and always have. I am still fascinated by all the different crafts and skills out there. I'm a typical stumble crafter – trying a bit of everything. Until one day I did a beading workshop – that 2 hours making a charm bracelet got me hooked and I've been stuck on jewellery making ever since. I guess I still try lots of different things, but these days it’s all to do with jewellery – be it beading, smithing, metal clay. It's all about learning new skills.

McDreamy or McSteamy?

Hmmm tricky as I don't watch it but after googling I reckon McDreamy – they both looked a bit dark and broody though. I'm a bit partial to the Mr Darcy type.

If you could do anything else, what would it be?

Honestly? Right now – nothing else. Life is good – I'd like to start maybe running workshops in the future, but I've got lots I still need to learn about making jewellery – and silversmithing.

Favourite item of clothing

I love love love my Fly London black biker boots. Do they count?

Best childhood memory

Going for long adventures when I was a child, packing up a lunch, getting on my bike and disappearing for the whole day – just brilliant. Especially if I got out early. Christmas at my Auntie's house – that feeling of safety, excitement, and fun.

Most cringe-worthy moment

There is no way I'm revealing my most cringy moment, or even the top 5, but I do have a memory of my dad arriving to meet me at a parents evening at school when I was about 12 – on his way there the car windscreen had broken, so he arrived with his goggles from his toolbox on, and a cape fashioned out of a black bin liner. I still remember the look on my friends faces as he got out of the car, brushed off the broken glass and came over to us.

Favourite holiday destination

I love Italy – it's where I went on honeymoon, but I would really love to go to New Zealand – I've never been out of Europe. I'd also love to go on a skiing holiday, but I've never tried it so who knows if I'd like it.

Which celebrity would you have as your best friend and why

Absolutely no idea – I'm a bit sad and have little or no knowledge of celebs. I'll have to pass on this one.

Best “crafty” tip you can offer

Keep on trying new stuff – and get the small details right – they mean a lot.

What’s your Star sign?

Pisces – I can definitely see both sides of everything which is a Piscean trait – not sure I'm convinced though!

What would you most like to see happen next?

We're moving house in the New Year and I'm looking forward to getting all that sorted, and getting a proper studio set up. How exciting would that be!

Wow! Your very own Super-hero!! LOVED the episode with your dad, some goggles and a cape...made me chuckle....their faces must have been a picture! haha! ;o)

Thank you to the gorgeous Becky at Red Bird Jewellery for sharing in this weeks questions....will be keeping my fingers crossed the move goes smoothly, how exciting! And for the rest of the New Year....I hope it's a very positive, productive and prosperous one!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Wish List :o)

My wishes this week are very simple, they are to wish everyone a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and a happy, positive & prosperous

NEW YEAR!!

stay safe, warm and enjoy the celebrations!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Twenty Question Tuesday

In your eyes, what’s Paradise?

No alarm clock, no commute during rush hour, comfy clothes and puttering around the house. Tropical islands and other dreamy vacations are great too.

Prized Possession

My camera. I asked for a digital SLR a few years ago for Christmas and I now take it everywhere. Taking pictures of jewelry is a great new subject matter, but 95% of my pictures are of my family and our adventures.

Favourite medium to work with and why?

Beads, beads, beads! Why? The possibilities are endless. I can start two projects using the same amount of stringing wire, the same number of beads, even the same clasp, and the two necklaces will look completely different. The fact that beads can be neat and orderly and still completely random suits my personality to a T.

Flowers or chocolate?

My husband and kids would NOT agree with me on this, but I love getting flowers more than I would love getting a box of chocolates.

Who influenced you the most?

Growing up it was definitely my Mom and Dad. My Mom is incredibly organized, a working Mom kind of at the dawn of the era, and an insatiable reader. Even if I am crawling into bed after midnight I have to pick up a book and read a page or two. My Mom was born and raised in the house her mother was born and raised in, but she couldn’t wait to get out and see the world – she was very adventurous and enjoyed having fun with her kids, as I do now. My Dad was incredibly creative in an engineering sort of way. He built some incredible things over the years, to include a race car shaped bed for my brother that my son now uses. He was a huge believer in doing things right the first time.

Who would you most like to go to Dinner with?

My husband! Like so many families, we don’t get to spend too much time alone together. He’s definitely my best friend, and the first person I call when I have news during the day. We can always make each other laugh, which after a long day makes everything better.

Top Cat or Banana Splits?

I’m afraid I had to Google these… I was more of a Tom and Jerry or Scooby Doo gal. Add a large box of Alpha Bits cereal, eaten right out of the box, and I was a happy kid on Saturday mornings.

Today I wore:

During the day I wore boots and a uniform (I’m in the US Air Force) but right now I am in a t-shirt, sports pants (we call the wish-wish pants at our house because of the sound they make) and slippers. Please, please do not report me to “What Not to Wear” – I swear I glam it up a bit more on the weekends.

Do you have a favourite online {bead, craft or textile} place to shop and would recommend

Hmmmm, I am kind of all over the map on this one. For the basics, I like Fire Mountain Gems, ArtBeads.com, and Rings-n-Things. For handmade there are a couple Etsy sellers that I love: Julsbeads, AlishaWhite, Floridity and SueBeads. There are many, many more I am stalking, but my “bead budget” is so in the red these days I am trying to exercise restraint.

What inspired you to do what you do?

I’ve always had crafty tendencies, and I love making people happy with something that I have made. Jewelry making basics you can teach yourself, and in short order you can make something wearable. It’s addicting. And the more classes I take, the more people I meet, the more blogs I read, just inspires me to read more, learn more, and try more. Enamelling, lampworking, wire wrapping, forging...so much more to learn!

McDreamy or McSteamy?

I don’t watch much dramatic TV (the result of keeping TV kid friendly in our house and an unfortunate addiction to American Idol) but if either needs a date to the Golden Globes or the Emmys I would happily oblige.

If you could do anything else, what would it be?

Hmmmmm. My life is pretty crammed right now, so my goal is to actually remove some things. I aspire to a work-from-home job that gives me more flexibility with my family and more time to bead, naturally. Oh, and if it paid me REALLY well that would be nice too.

Favourite item of clothing

Anything that makes me feel like a million bucks. Right now it’s my brown clogs and favourite jeans, they make me feel taller and leaner, and a gray embroidered denim coat, because it is one of a kind.

Best childhood memory

I am lucky to have so many great ones, and am close to my Mom and my brother and his family, so there is lots of opportunity to laugh over our childhood adventures and mis-adventures. One is when, against my Mom’s wishes, my grandfather let me drive his riding lawn mower. I promptly ran over the neighbors bushes, completely destroying them, and still laugh picturing my grandfather pleading that I not tell my mother.

Most cringe-worthy moment

Unfortunately there are so, so many. I am queen of unintentionally saying something that turns out to be completely insulting to someone, and then of course I must obsess over it for ages. One example… “I hate University X, their athletes are criminals, their football fans are obnoxious,” I say loudly at work. Then the next day my boss is wearing a hat from said University, WHICH WAS HIS ALMA MATER. This happened in 1995, and I still remember.

Favourite holiday destination

Every winter we take a week off and go skiing in Vermont, to the same resort. It doesn’t sound very adventurous, but it’s been a great mental “reset” for our family. What’s been fun is that we can really see how the kids have grown and developed over the years as they move up levels in ski school.

Which celebrity would you have as your best friend and why?

Definitely Kate Winslet. She seems exactly what I aspire to be – down to earth, into her family, likes to laugh, works hard at her profession. And I am sure Kate would give me the scoop on some of the dishes she’s worked with (Leonardo anyone?)

Best “crafty” tip you can offer

Neatness counts. My friend Jen V. (an accomplished jewelry designer and long time friend, her Etsy shop is jenjuddrocks) re-instilled in me what my Dad taught me about doing it right. No one likes to unstring a complicated project because the first bead on the string has a chip or the color is off, but trust me, you will feel so much better if you do. And the camera does not lie.

What’s your Star sign?

Aries – I think that’s Greek for sometimes stubborn. Nothing motivates me more than someone saying, “You can’t do that.”

What would you most like to see happen next?

There are professional changes ahead for both my husband and I, plus I want to keep learning and growing my side business. What I most want to happen is for our family to navigate the challenges together and continue to have adventures and lots of laughs. Although it would be fabulous to live off of my craft someday, I want to keep my expectations reasonable. I hope to make enough of a go so that I can continue to learn and get into some more equipment intensive areas ($$$) like lampworking.

Thanks to the lovely Elisabeth at Beads for Busy Gals for contributing this week ~ I have never been skiing {much prefer warmer climates} but, over the last few weeks, if you live in Britain you could ski to your hearts content!!!! ;oP~ 

Pop on over an say "hi" to Elisabeth....sure she would be happy to welcome you :o)

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Twenty Question Tuesday

In your eyes, what’s Paradise?

Being at an Antique market with loads of lovely things and only me and hubby there – buying everything.

Prized Possession

Our vintage 1952 Holivan ~ Oh! and of course, my lovely family :o)

Favourite medium to work with and why?

My computer…I love making graphics.

Flowers or chocolate?

I want to give up chocolate and I couldn’t imagine a world without flowers…so it will have to be flowers.

Who influenced you the most?

My Mum and my Nan…my mum has always been a strong woman, as she has been disabled all her life, but as a child I never noticed…and my Nan…we all used to have a right old laugh with her…she was a lovely character.

Who would you most like to go to Dinner with?

Queen Elizabeth II, I would love to find out all the juicy gossip :o) and I bet she has some tales to tell too!

Top Cat or Banana Splits?

¯One banana, two banana, three banana, four! Four bananas make a bunch, and so do many more! Over hill and highway the Banana Buggies go, Coming on to bring you the Banana Splits show!¯

Banana Splits….I loved watching The Arabian Nights during that show…fabulous! Besides I am allergic to cats!

Today I wore:

Wide legged jeans, stripey blue and white top, red scarf tied at the neck, converse trainers and a BIG Quiff!

Do you have a favourite online {bead, craft or textile} place to shop and would recommend….

There’s a little shop in Rochester High Street called HOMETOWN I love it in there….it’s a quilting shop that sells lots of homemade and crafty bits too.

What inspired you to do what you do?

Boredom – I hate being bored! Oh and my Nanny Hilda.

McDreamy or McSteamy?

Definitely McDreamy...tall dark and handsome has always been a weakness for me :o)

If you could do anything else, what would it be?

Either a DJ or an Archaeologist.

Favourite item of clothing

Is my scarf collection.

Best childhood memory

Nan, not being able to get her other leg in the car…up a mountain road in Wales…..we all got in, Dad started the engine and we started to roll backwards! Yikes! Nan couldn’t get her other leg in and we were all crying and laughing at the same time…it was scary, but really funny! I will never forget that!

Most cringe-worthy moment

OMG! I thought I would never have to reveal this, but back when we were looking for Grammar Schools for our son Daz, about 10 years ago now! We were driving home from another open evening when we saw another school, also a favourite, was having an open evening too! We quickly swerved in and was told to hurry into the schools hall, as they were nearly starting the proceedings….when we arrived, the only seats that were available were right at the front, as we walked to the remaining seats, me with a huge fur coat and high heel boots (making a clippity clop sound) and Rosie dressed as snow white! We could see everyone was looking in our direction, no one else had children with them and they were all in smart clothing and black suits!

The headmistress came out and started talking about the school and its achievements over the years and the usual paraphernalia….and then she announced that everyone by now should have been given this booklet….and suddenly the penny dropped!…Freddy and I looked at each other and we realised that we were at parents evening for the boys that had already started at the school! Eek! Quick! Beam me up Scottie! LOL!

Favourite holiday destination

Moscow, we visited Moscow when they were still under communist rules…It was amazing and so different from our way of living! We walked along the river, and listened to the guide telling us the reasons that Tchaikovsky wrote Swan Lake and then we were whisked to the Bolshoi Ballet in the evening where the rich Russians of that time stood up and shouted Bravo! Bravo! We also had caviar in the interval….totally amazing!

Which celebrity would you have as your best friend and why

Miranda Hart…she and I are like two peas in a pod….Mad as a hatter! But funny with it! LOL!

Best “crafty” tip you can offer

Don’t rush, take your time….

What’s your Star sign?

Sagittarius….I am always running behind schedule! I think LATE is the word.

What would you most like to see happen next?

Ann and Anton winning Strictly Come Dancing…..they soooo make my Saturday night…lol!

Thanks Happy!! Loved your contribution to this week's questions....sadly it was the end of the road for Ann on Strictly....but am sure something will take it's place rather quickly!

Pop along to the Happy Loves Rosie blog for a very patriotic look at life....I love diving into this place....it fills my heart with smiles......

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx 

Thank Folksy it's Friday!!

'Tis the season to be......

shimmery, sparkly and shiny!!

Ali Bali Jewellery

Cinnamon Jewellery

Deborah Jones Jewellery

Red Bird Jewellery

ZM Designs

Corinna2Designs

Hope you like my "gifts for her" for the holiday season?

How special would you feel to open one of these on Christmas morning?

:o)

Click on the name of each shop to be taken straight to the gorgeous-ness that awaits you...

See ya next Friday!!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

A Commission....Revealed!

Papillon

The Brief:

A silver ankle chain for an 18th birthday accented with a flower or a butterfly...

to correspond with a flower/butterfly tattoo on ankle...

favourite colour: light blue

The Commission:

A 9" Double Link Curb Chain in Sterling Silver with Lobster clasp...

accented with 4 blue Swarovski pearls and 2mm Sterling Silver beads

finished with a Sterling Silver butterfly charm and a 6mm Swarovski rondelle/4mm biccone

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Twenty Question Tuesday

In your eyes, what’s Paradise?

I am my most happiest when I am making things; my idea of Paradise would include a good meal, tasty wine, good company, friendly conversation and of course, crafting with wild abandon! (Set in on a tropical island with beach access wouldn’t be bad either.)

Prized Possession

In a past-life, I must have been a magpie, because I’m a collector of things and I don’t have just one. Among some of my favourites are my Anne Choi bead collection, the quilts made by my grandmother, a fine silver box with beach glass by Kathy Van Kleeck, embroidered textile art by Iviva Olenick, and a fine silver Mumu King focal bead by Candice Wakumoto.

Favourite medium to work with and why?

My greatest love is collage. I was making collages before I even understood what I was doing. Perhaps why I love it so much is that I’ve felt that I was the product of two-worlds more than once and the act of making collage, bringing together two or more things of different origins in a singular, coalesced body, is something that is inherent to my genetic makeup.

Flowers or chocolate?

Why settle for one? Why not both?

Who influenced you the most?

It’s probably cliché to say, but my mother is probably one of the biggest influences. She and my grandmother both encouraged my creativity and showed me that you could make beauty out of very little. Over the years, I’ve added to my list of people who have made noticeable impacts in my life and work: Mary Michalak and Phi Yoba for teaching me to follow my dreams, Cheryl Donegan for teaching me not only how to draw better, but to see better, Tobi Kahn for encouraging my OCD and making me very particular about details, Ellsworth Ausby for giving me the gift of color, Nancy Chunn who taught me to question, and Elena Sisto for slicing open space and making me understand composition. I could not forget my sister, Cynthia Thornton, or Anne Choi and Kate McKinnon. There are many others, but hopefully I’ve told them just how deeply they’ve changed my life.

Who would you most like to go to Dinner with?

I think it’d be absolutely fascinating going to dinner with Tracy Chapman. I’ve been binging on her music lately and have realized what soul and depth there is to her work. It’d be nice to sit down and share a meal with someone who’s talent I admire.

Top Cat or Banana Splits?

The Banana Splits. I am drawn to the strange, anthropomorphic fuzzy costumes.

Today I wore:

Pyjamas, a hoodie, a scarf and THICK wool socks. (It’s cold out!)

Do you have a favourite online {bead, craft or textile} place to shop and would recommend

I’ve got a few! Two of my most used online bead stores are Fusion Beads and Artbeads.com. I also really like Auntie’s Beads, Ornamentea, Beadaholique, Rio Grande, Whole Lotta Whimsy, and Objects and Elements. I also am on Etsy way too much! (I should also mention that I’m partial to my own online store Andrew Thornton

What inspired you to do what you do?

Although my life as a creative individual has a lot to do with inspiration, I don’t think I was necessarily inspired to do what I do, so much as I was born to do it. Being an artist is a calling. I’ve tried my hand at other things and while I was good at them and successful, they didn’t quite fit. I need time and space to think and make.

McDreamy or McSteamy?

Neither.

If you could do anything else, what would it be?

Living a life of service is important to me. If I wasn’t an artist full-time, I would want to devote more of my attentions to helping others. This world is a beautiful one, filled with much magic and delight, but it isn’t without flaws. People are sick, hungry, without homes… in need of help. I think I could be very happy devoting myself to trying to help others.

Favourite item of clothing

My hoodie.

Best childhood memory

I remember going into the big red barn in our backyard with my siblings to play. When I opened the door, an owl flew down out of the rafters, over my head, and out the door in a silent swoop. It was a truly beautiful moment. Ever since then, the owl has appeared to me… singling moments of great importance and change.

Most cringe-worthy moment

Once I was playing in the kitchen and fell on my face. I had to have all of my front teeth pulled. The different assortments of strings my father attempted to pull my teeth with kept breaking and snapping. It was extremely painful and ever since then, I’ve been self-conscious about my smile.

Favourite holiday destination

I love Hawaii. I think it’s one of the most beautiful places on earth and the people there are so nice. I feel at home there.

Which celebrity would you have as your best friend and why

Tilda Swinton. I think she’s beautiful and brilliant.

Best “crafty” tip you can offer

Keep doing what you’re doing. Listen to your muse and follow your heart, dreams, and mind. But don’t close yourself off to listening to others and accept criticism and feedback with grace. At the same time, don’t become a crowd pleaser. Strike a balance and keep on making.

What’s your Star sign?

I’m a libra.

What would you most like to see happen next?

I’m really fortunate to see the things I most want to have happen move forward. I’ve always loved teaching and soon I’ll have a few opportunities to do just that. On December 19th, I’ll be teaching a workshop at the Crystal Bead Bazaar in Pittsburgh and this winter there are two sessions of workshops entitled, “Capturing the Moment” with Kate McKinnon in Tucson, Arizona that I’m really excited about. I’m in love with the idea of travelling around and teaching. Hopefully within the near future, I’ll be able to put together a few how-to books craft books and share in that way as well.

I’m also excited about my online shop and seeing it grow and expand. I’d love to start creating my own lines of components for jewelry. It’s a dream of mine to provide beautiful things for people to work with.

Ideally I’d like to continue living a creative life, continuing to make things and explore the world around me.

My thanks to the beautiful Andrew Thornton for this week's contribution.....pop along to The Writing and Art of Andrew Thornton to see what's on his mind....he has SO much to share with you ;o)

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

Thank Folksy it's Friday!!

With the snow deciding to stick around for a little longer than is normal for this country

 I've decided to focus on all things

knitted

Mouthy Mitts

Vito Jewellery

eklectikfish

Handmaid

Buzybee

Doodles & Daydreams

Hope you like my choices this week, not everything knitted is for keeping us warm ;o)

But seriously, wherever you are please make sure you keep warm and keep safe!

Click on the name of each shop to be taken straight to the gorgeous-ness that awaits you...

See ya next Friday!!

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx