Apologies and CONTEST!

UGH! Yes I'm alive! I can't seem to shake this weird stomache/migraine thing I have! And to add to the pleasure, I threw my back out...basically I feel like I'm falling apart! I do apologize to my dear bloggy friends, who take the time to visit me! I'll be back sooner then you think!

I've decided to throw a little contest! In the midst of being over tired, sick and trying to maintain some sort of Holiday cheer...I managed to have a little dinner party of 6 this weekend. We decided that turkey WOULD NOT be on the menu....that we wanted to spice up our weekend, and take a BREAK from the Holiday madness! We made margaritas and served up all kinds of tasty Mexican food! We lit candles, played some cool tunes and had a wonderful mellow evening. Now I could tell you stories of CRAZIER gatherings that we've hosted....but I'm going to leave that up to you!

In 500 words or less email me your favorite gathering story no later than Sunday Dec. 17th! You can tell me about the food, decor, tunes and kooky guests. It can be a silly~funny~outrageous tale, or it can be enlightening & meaningful! REGARDLESS...the story that grabs me the most will be published here and at Junque Revival...

AND YOU WILL WIN THIS!

LA FLUER

DON'T BE SHY!

OR FEEL FREE TO LEAVE YOUR STORY HERE IN THE COMMENTS!

(IT MAKES IT KINDA FUN!)

I've got to run, but I'll catch up with some of you REAL soon!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at November 27, 2006 15:55 | link | comments (19) |
junque revival news

Dude...that crazy-assed Turkey week is here all ready!?

seriously...where did the month of November go???

hmmm....flu ridden, over worked & exhausted got me a little behind in things. Such a pity...I had so much to tell...and lots of projects in the works that I really wanted to share.

But...there just isn't a lot of time.

I posted a picture over at Kat's "Art Every Day" Flickr group of the various pieces I have been working on. My enthusiasm to post art everyday was quickly squelched by the evil stomach bug. Sorry Kat!

Then we had to play catch up! The yard needed winterizing...(you know, lawn furniture in the garden shed, perennials cut down and put to rest with a big blanket of leaves, boat and lawn mower drained and filled with antif-freeze) yuh, that kind of fun stuff!

Lots of jewelry to make & orders to ship. OH the JOYS of Christmas. (seriously...so NOT complaining!!!!)

here's a sneak peak of two new pieces.

this one is for the Wee Ones!

You'll have to go to the shop to scope out the rest. I have tried to create oodles of LOOK CLOSELY and INSPIRE BOHEMIAN  necklaces for the holidays!

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What else can I squeeze into this quickie of a post?

OH!

My girlfriend Suzy and I hit some church sales this past Saturday...didn't come home with much except for fudge, chocolate chip pumpkin bread, and a sore tummy from the hotdog with grilled onions I ate. PEOPLE...I was STARVING for some real food after that crappy flu thing. OOPS...I lie...I did find a couple of old books for collaging, and some fun vintage jewelry findings....but sadly, there weren't many white elephant tables like you normally see.

What else? Oh went to the FAB yarn store, Pine Tree Yarns in Damariscotta today to buy a beautiful skein of yarn for Maria. We are doing a yarn trade....A girl's got to squeeze in some time for a little fun now doesn't she? Anyhoo, Elaine hand dyes the most beautiful yarns evah!  Big beautiful hanks of gorgeous wools....just scrumptious they are!! I managed to pick up a few bargain bits for myself to play with as well.

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Well gang...I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Wherever you are, whatever you may do....give thanks for the little things. (and the big things)

~big hugs~

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at November 20, 2006 20:24 | link | comments (6) |
junque revival news

grab a cup of tea....

I really have too much to say today. It's one of those days to sit by the computer with a cup of tea, lite a fire in the wood stove, all the while wearing your favorite PJ's.  Some will think me strange, but I like these drizzly Fall days. I'm often drawn to the windows where I can look out into the fields surrounding the house, I see ghostly images appearing and dissappearing in the mist. I hope it is one of our deer keeping safe from the hunters.

I'm going to make my homemade chicken pot pie for Big Daddy tonight. He's been a little stressed lately, and I know some comfort food will cheer him up. I like to cook on grey days such as this.

I wasn't quite sure who or what to begin this post with. I've got lots of links, projects and folks to mention...some are overdo, some are new and I'm just trying not to forget anyone!

So grab yourself a cup of tea, a glass of wine or a strong espresso and stay a while.

I was recently introduced to this group by Dear Lia. Kat runs the group and is basically encouraging us to create art everyday...and post about it on our sites. I am obviously creating a lot because of Junque Revival...but what am I doing when I'm not making jewlery? Often I am working on a gift for someone, or doing something different just for the fun of it. I'm hoping this will keep me a little more focused on my daily art....even if it's stuff that ISN'T for sale. Sometimes we can loose focus on why we began all of this in the first place. Especially me.

Though I will most likely not post every single thing here at Sweetpeas...I will definetly be sharing all of the photos at the Flickr site. I encourage you to go take a peak, as some of the artists showing their everyday art for the month of November, are all quite wonderful!

Hats

Saturday and Sunday's projects. Sitting by the fire (now in my new La Z Boy) knitting is perhaps one of my favorite things to do.

Working on new INSPIRE BOHEMIAN pendants. Also, RELICS REVIVED...a combined pendant line created by myself and Hope from Paper Relics. (In the shop by the weekend!!)

SPEAKING of the shop...I have to send a big cyber hug to my dear friend Kathleen for sprucing up Junque Revival. She gave it a new facelift by simply adding a new background and changing the colors! Anyone that knows her, knows that she has such a fabulous way with pretty things. Now my little space in the world is pretty! THANKS KATH! xoxox

Moving on to talk of creative blogging friends, I must mention a  terrific art show I went to in Portland last Friday. My Maine Gal Pal Susan Tuttle was showing her wares at Casco Bay Frames. Herself and a couple of other artists were lucky enough to hang their art at this fun little spot. Susan's collage work is just wonderful...but I have to tell you, she does so much more than collage, go take a gander! And call me crazy...but I was totally digging the location of the gallery. It's in a strip mall next to a big grocery store. There was a big friendly sign in the front, inviting folks to come in (music and glowey lighting filtering through the door)....I would LOVE to stumble upon that sign on a cold Friday night, while in the midst of doing boring old groceries! I might never make it into the grocery store...but who cares! 

In the midst of Beth and Scott's wedding, and NYC, a realy nice thing happened to me. I've beeen wanting to mention it, but there never seems to be time! Joleen and Heather the wonderful creators of Portals published a piece of my work in Portal's Zine #3. It's my first publication, and I am very proud to be added to this group of artsy girls! The reason I am beginning to have a new appreciation for art zines is because they are created by artists for artists, it's just that plain and simple. These two are doing a wonderful job, I've very much enjoyed my copy, and it still sits on my side table by my chair to look at every now and then. They are currently calling for various art submissions....go see....maybe you'll be inspired.

Speaking of creative projects.....have you looked into registering for the JustBe Connected gathering on the cape next fall? I am blown away by the folks who will be teaching...(OH MY...am I one of those folks?) yes....I will be creating my sample necklaces soon, so if you are interested in taking one of my classes...or anyone elses for that matter, keep watch, or don't even hesitate, just go sign up!! It's looking to be a FABULOUS weekend of food, creativity, yoga...and even SHOPPING all in BEAUTIFUL Hyannis. I am looking forward to merging with a group of creative souls who have always inspired me through their sites, but now, just think...we can get all of those positive vibes in person.  It's just good karma for the soul, don't you think?

Have a beautiful day...and don't forget to create, you'll feel better if you do!

xoxox

posted by: sweetpeas at November 08, 2006 19:20 | link | comments (18) |