Cycling

People who are bipolar do something that is called “cycling”. Essentially what this means is that bipolar people tend to go from a high to a low in regards to their moods. Some people have these dips once a month or longer. I have what you call “rapid cycling” which, as the name implies, my cycling comes in quick spurts. I can be happy one second and the next depressed. I can be creative one second and drop dead tired the next. But the cycling also appears in my projects. I’ve jumped from one thing to the next according to my moods. One second I might want to stand up and start cutting fabrics for a quilt. Other times I just want to sit and stitch tiny little x’s over and over.

Day Three

Saturday I spent time counting 7 oz. of size 15 seed beads. Yes, that summed up my class. I didn’t finish. No one finished. But I’ve been taking a moment or two working with these tiresome little beads.

And those other moments I enjoy rocking in my new, but old, rocking chair that Jem found for me. (He knew I always wanted a rocking chair.)

And for the late night moments like today, my cycling eases. I can listen to the rain. Almost feel the drops through the tiny screen. I can listen to the sploosh and splash of the cars down the highway. I don’t know what the doctors would call a no cycling symptom. But gosh it feels good.

Order

I decided to try and tackle some of the things on my “to do” list. It seems if I let things go for a couple of days week I get really backed up. While I feel better from the surgery I still feel fatigued. But I made a little bit of headway last night and decided it was time to organize my life. Order. I need order.

So I made some stitch markers. One set is for a friend.

And the other set is for one of the contest winners in the Summer of Socks group on Ravelry. I’m a bit late with them I admit. Nonetheless, they are going out in todays post.

Both are made with 6mm Rounded Swarovski crystals and sterling silver bead caps. I liked them so much that I made extra sets for Etsy. I also have a new earring design that’s in the works. My goal is to really launch my Etsy shop soon. I have a lot to do. My mom still does printing so she will be doing my thank you notes and business cards. The site will be revamped in the months to come.

I also wanted to share a little yarn love brought to you by Tiennie. I have to say that she’s one of the sweetest bloggers I’ve had the chance to encounter. I’ve been reading her blog from almost day one and she never fails to amaze me with her knitting. And her kindness. She had a little blog contest and she sent me a very lovely item from her stash:

Yeah. It’s Sundara. It’s Blue Grape Hycanith. (BTW, I’m stalking the site right now because there’s a scheduled update.)

The CPH is pretty much done but for the hood. All the blocking and seaming is finished. I should have pictures tomorrow or maybe Wednesday depending on how much I get done. I also have to admit that I’m a Ravelympics failure. I didn’t even cast on for my challenge. I’ve been busy doing orders on Etsy Alchemy and trying to finish CPH. I know I should probably drop a hobby to give myself some real good quality time and focus to something else but I can’t. I must get things in order.

So Blue

It’s easy to be so blue about this:

Evening Whispers

Made with 3mm and 4mm Swarovski bicones in Metallic Blue 2x and Light Sapphire, size 11 delicas, size 11 and 15 seed beads in a variety of blues and a sterling silver floral toggle clasp.

Another beadweaving bracelet class I took today and it’s for sale in my shop. (More pictures on Etsy and Flickr.) It can be customized in other colors as well. I’m quite happy with the result and I have a feeling I’ll be making a few more in the future. Beading really provides relaxation for me, tiny seed beads and all. And a bit of instant gratification I must admit. I like churning out a project in an afternoon, which isn’t quite feasible with knitting.

Which reminds me, I have some knitting to do.

Change Is Good

To be honest, I haven’t been doing much more than knitting a bit on the Central Park Hoodie. I did hit the 50% off sale at the LYS  yesterday and scored on 5 more skeins of the Cascade 220 and 3 skeins of Koigu. I also grabbed another set of US 1 dpn’s by Inox since Scout decided to bend one and the Sahara Sweater pattern by Stitch Diva. Later this week I will go back and grab the last Eco Wool skein I needed, since I forgot. And I might grab a few skeins, (as in 13), of the Karabella Aurora 8 for Shawn’s pullover. Maybe. I haven’t decided if I want to use that yarn for his sweater. I do have some time though, so I’m not rushing myself into a decision.

I have to say that lately I’ve been disappointed in my LYS. Rather than mince words I think it’s suffice to say that I might be supporting my online shops more than ever. It makes me sad because I love the LYS environment, but I think my mental health is much more important than exposing myself to a few people who aren’t quite “friendly”. Nuff said. With that, I’ve been surfing on Etsy a lot. Handmade makes me giddy inside. I’ve also spent a bit of time on eBay, more or less to make sure I get a good deal on my Blythe. I’ve also found some great beading sites, which even that makes me sad. When you really start informing yourself about prices on products it’s hard to believe you pay what you do in a Brick and Mortar shop as compared to an online store. For example, for a particular bead class I am participating in I would have to spend $21.60 on 12 dozen 3mm bicones, (that’s just the one set of color). On eBay I found a shop, (which is an actual B&M store in downtown LA), that I can buy the same 3mm bicones for $9.99. I think, lately, I’ve crossed the line on being loyal to my favorite stores and trying to get the best for my buck. I know many people have fallen on hard times, (including us), and for me, what’s important is to have some fun rather than spending oodles and oodles of money for one day of entertainment and paying the next two months for it. * sigh *

All that said, I’ve done a lot of “window” shopping online. Maybe it’s because I haven’t left the hospital/house for the past two weeks, except to hang out with Jody yesterday. But I’ve enjoyed perusing online. It’s so rare that I can really read blogs and check out new sites. Of course, now it has me in a state of shock that there are so many beautiful things out there that I would like to try, buy and experience. Here’s my list for today. I think my tastes vary on a daily basis.

1. Mud Creek, 2. Evening Whispers, (class on August 9th) , 3. Alice and Wonderland Bookplates, (custom order), 4. Ella Owl, 5. Dragonfly, 6. Steel Blue , 7. Milky Way Sugar 8. Pozik , 9. Blue Cord Coat , 10. Bangle, 11. Farmers Market, 12. strawberry shortcake cupcakes, 13. “Autumn Leaves”, 14. Australian shepherd puppy, 15. County Fair, 16. Cat Nap

So that’s what’s on my mind.

I’m sure there will be more knitting content to follow. I just need to get outside and take a few photos. Breathe the summer air. Enjoy the mild evening heat. Wallow in the warmth that will soon be taken over by cracking leaves and Santa Ana winds. I look forward to the scent of soggy leaves after an autumn rain. The feel of the wind through my hair as I walk on campus. I smile at the thought of hot chocolate for breakfast and warm apple cider. I am excited by the thoughts of shorter days, longer nights and wrapping up in a handmade quilt.

When I read through what I’ve written I realize I’m looking for change. Not in all aspects of my life, though it seems that it’s taken effect in most. Change is good.

Pretty Painful

Lately I haven’t had much to say. I’ve had a lot to do, of course. But nothing to say about what’s been keeping me busy. Summer seems to be dragging on. The weather has kept us in a lot. Wrangling an 18 month old and a 10 year old isn’t the easiest job in the world. I admit, there isn’t much outdoorsy type things to do where we live either. So, we swim. We do arts and crafts. We watch movies. We go on many trips to the library. And we find things to do where it’s air conditioned. It’s just too hot when it’s 102 degrees outside and 120 in the car, (we don’t have a/c in our boat).

While there isn’t much going on presently, there will be in the future. I’m going on a little bit of an adventure. Would you believe me if I said that I was going to be kidnapped by a gang of swash buckling pirates who want to throw me overboard to dozens of man eating sharks? Or what if I said I were going to the Amazon and I had to bushwhack through the forests and I come upon a tribe of cannibals who haven’t eaten in months? Or what if I said I was having a total abdominal hysterectomy?

If you chose either of the first two, then you are wishful like myself. Unfortunately, I will be doing the last of the three choices. Well, not too unfortunately. The synopsis: I have had two C Sections and two laporoscopic surgeries all in the last 10 years. Three of those surgeries have been in the last 19 months. Something isn’t quite right with my uterus, (we’ve been talking female reproductive organs all week and I’m not ashamed, * laugh *). Basically what it comes down to is that I’ve been having severe pelvic pain and the only solution they have is to take birth control pills, (done), or antibiotics, (done). Then, since neither of those helped, I could do hormone treatments but since the pills didn’t help, the hormones probably won’t work. Next is another laporoscopy, but do I really want to have to continue doing a few surgeries to see if it will help? So now it’s a hysterectomy. I’m on the fence about it. I know we won’t have any more children so I don’t worry about that. What I do worry about is the menopause. I’ll still have to do hormone replacement therapy, but I think of my mom and what her symptoms are and God forgive me but I’d rather die than deal with what she is dealing with. (She’s the uber menopausal woman!)

So that’s what I’ll be doing next week. Physicals, chest x rays, bloodwork, surgery. My surgery is set for Thursday the 17th, so keep me in your prayers. I’ll be in the hospital for a few days and have some time to recoup before coming home. So that’s the painful part. After that, I’ll be relaxing in bed with the stack of books I checked out from the library and maybe some knitting.

Which brings me to some stash enhancement, which is the pretty part:

More SunnySideEllen from Etsy in Teddy Bear. I think I’m going to make the Rhiannon socks with this.

I’ve also done a little beading here and there, (I finished both projects last night):

A set of Swarovski crystal earrings on sterling silver hoops. Montana (blue), is one of my favorite colors they have available.

And…

Another Icy Petals bracelet done in the new Swarovski crystal colors Mocca and Sand Opal. I love the browns in this. Beautiful.

As for knitting, well my sock design is finished. I have two testers working on the pattern and I hope to have it ready for purchase by August 1. I’m really excited about this and I can’t wait for people to knit it. I am currently working on the Ribs and Lace Tank which I anticipate will be done this weekend. I have a few more bust decreases and then I can work on the straps and finishing. I’d love to get it done tonight because we are taking a trip to the beach tomorrow while our apartment is re-carpeted. Who knows?

So that’s life right now. Fairly calm, fairly chaotic.

This, that and something else

If I told you that I’d been busy, you would believe me right? Yesterday was the last day of school for Jem and his counterparts. Fortunately for him, unfortunately for them. I’m certainly not ready for the “I’m bored” and “what are we doing today” drill. But he’s going to summer school in a week. Fortunately for me, unfortunately for him.

So in the midst of early dismissals and end of the year parties I’ve kept busy at home trying to get a few things done before having even less time to myself than before.

Nothing finished in knitting land, though I am … that close to finishing the Ribs and Lace Tank. Maybe this weekend? I cast on for the test knit in Noro, which I read some not so good and some great reviews on the yarn. I’d been expecting scratchy, itchy wool. While it doesn’t have the best in soft factor, it does knit nicely and the color, of course, is superb. I also checked out the new Knitty for Summer and was quite pleased that they had something for Scout’s age. I bought some Elastico for the Helena cardigan for Scout, which was what I used for the Bubblegum sweater that I made about a year ago. I also like the look of Gigi though I don’t have the models figure so it may not be as flattering for me as it is for her.

But onto the actual finishing. I finished two Icy Petal bracelets for a friend at the LYS. The first was similar to the lilac one I made myself, though I used a different accent color. I don’t have pictures to share since she picked it up after I finished attaching the clasp last night at the SnB. But I did finish the second one for her friend which is done in earth tones:

Check out Flickr for a few more shots. I really like the greens and browns together and I’m hoping they will too.

I also finished my first quilt. I can’t say I’m 100% proud because once I finished the binding there were three mistakes on there which I don’t know if I can fix. Basically on two parts of the quilt I either didn’t sew it exactly on the 1/4″ seam so it seems to have frayed away a bit. Or, the fabric just frays and that’s what I get. It is very lovely though and Scout loves it a lot. So that’s all that matters because she will always know I put a lot of love, (and a lot more fingers pricked), into this quilt. I think all in all I learned a lot and I suppose I should be 110% proud because what I’ve learned I can now apply to my second quilt, (which the top is done but for the borders and the sandwiching of layers). But see for yourself and tell me what you think:

So that’s really it for my FO’s. Like I said before I’m really hoping to get some knitting done. I haven’t been knitting as much as I’ve wanted to lately, though the beading and quilting are similarly satisfying. So are water balloons. At least Scout thinks so:

Jem and Scout had a water balloon fight yesterday. I filled a bucket of water and got them soaked. With the weather the way that it is I won’t be surprised if we do this more often. It was 83 in the house at 9 this morning. It’s getting ridiculous especially when you hear about the floods in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. My cousin lives out there. Hopefully her house hasn’t floated away.

Have a great weekend and Father’s Day out there!

Shiny

Lately I’ve found myself jumping from one project to the next. I might knit for an hour but then I’m making jewelry or hand sewing the binding to my quilt, (yes, I actually started the hand sewing which is what I’ve dread the most). But it seems that the jewelry is what is most rewarding at the moment. I can churn out a bracelet in three hours. Almost instant gratification. I suppose if I could knit a sweater in three hours I’d be a legend, but I am not.

Anyway, debuting the new Lilac Petals Bracelet:

Amethyst and Light Amethsyt 6mm bicones; Silver glass pearls; Size 15 seed beads in lilac and silver; 2mm silver ball beads and a sterling silver floral toggle clasp.

Once I made one, I had to buy the supplies and make another. I made this one the day Oliver died just to keep myself busy and of course, it being blue is my favorite.

Montana and White Opal Sky Blue 6mm bicones; 6mm rounded Hematite crystals; 2mm silver ball beads; size 15 seed beads in silver and metallic blue; silver plated heart shaped toggle clasp.

I’ve also been working on a freshwater pearl/silver/crystals necklace, but I can only give you a sneak preview because I haven’t finished it yet.

Blue, Silver and Cream freshwater pearls; Sterling silver findings; Square Smoky Quartz crystal; Crystal 6mm bicone; 3 6mm rounded crystals in Montana AB; Silver chain; Sterling silver link.

I have yet to find a clasp to go with this. A lobster clasp really wouldn’t do this justice. And I have to make it a little longer, otherwise it will be worn like a choker and I can’t stand anything too tight on my neck.

So that’s what I’ve been up to. I do have some knitting photos, but I’ll save that for another post.

May the bead be with you

Cause I seem to keep losing mine. My beads. Not my marbles. Though some might disagree.

Beading seems to be what it’s all about this weekend. With a little knitting thrown in. I did finish the right front to the Central Park Hoodie and am currently doing both sleeves at the same time. I’m still trying to figure out how I can ease those eight measly rows into the back. I am in denial. I know that I will have to frog. But I’m avoiding it. Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

Shawn made yet another beautiful ring and we’ve decided to add his talents over at Ewe Bitch. So if you are looking for that custom ring, he’s the man to see. Look at how pretty this is one is:

He was so excited to make another since we still had the supplies from the previous ring. He didn’t have a mandrel, so suprise! I bought him one when I was at the bead shop. He made this one in about an hour. So with that, we are “debuting” the two rings he made on Etsy and offering custom made rings. Go check it out. (K, plug over.)

While he was ring making, I was working on three things til about 4 a.m. (I know, I should be getting a decent amount of sleep but I was beading and watching mysteries all night. I. Could. Not. Stop. One was a custom order on Etsy for a pair of pearl cluster dangles:

Still needs some filler pearls but I think these are going to come out gorgeous.

I also worked on a new bracelet for me, perfect accessory with a pair of jeans:

I bought these crystals a couple weeks ago. I was inspired by a bracelet on an online bead shop but ended up making something completely different. It’s nice to have that challenge. With knitting you really have to follow the pattern to get the right end result. But with beads, there is such a variety. It’s a great medium.

I also made some flower dangles for the shop. I had copper and blue on my mind and I think they came out quite nice:

I seem to be on a blue kick lately. Can’t help it though, it’s such a perfect color. I just can’t get enough.

And in about 15 hours Shawn will be leaving for another week in Bakersfield. Another week of an empty void. You’d think we’d get sick of each other and relish the though of a mini vacation, like his coworkers. And while I will enjoy having the queen sized bed to myself, having a little alone time to read and catch up on my DVR shows and new Blockbuster account, (I decided to see what the fuss is about with online movie shops and guess what? since I already have an account I can get a free trial through Blockbuster and guess what? they have all the “Midsomer Murders” on DVD that I haven’t seen and guess what? that ROCKS!), not having to cook elaborate meals, (Shawn is spoiled), and having the baby in bed by 8:30, I will miss him waking me up at 5:30 in the morning to tell me he loves me, or having him come home at 3 and seeing Scout go absolutely monkey crazy cause daddy is home, or even watching him play him computer games. (That was a fairly long run on sentence wasn’t it?)

So the plan:

* Stop by the LYS and pick up more US 2′s (double points) for my new Mingus from Cookie. I did a gauge swatch but won’t be able to make my size on 1′s. And for some reason, I can’t find my multiple sets of 2′s.

* Stop by the fabric shop for some backing to the doll quilt that I need to finish.

* Take Scout to the zoo. This time wearing more comfy shoes. And going earlier in the morning so I don’t sweat so much. Yeah, I sweat. Who wouldn’t in this 80 degree weather when you are walking what seems like uphill for 3 hours!

* Take Scout to the lake. I’m thinking a little picnic and some running around just might be fun.

* Watch all the shows recorded on my DVR. I still have to watch, “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter”, a couple of two hour “Matlock” shows, some “Murder, She Wrote” and the first few episodes of “The Tudors”.

* Bake. I find solitude in baking. Especially when I’m alone. Plus, it makes the house smell yummy.

Expect lots of updates this week! I have to do something with my time. Including playing catch up on all the blogs I read. I think I’m up to about 75 blogs I read on a normal basis. You guys are just too good.

Craft Obsession

My life has been turned into a craft abyss. Obsession isn’t quite a strong enough word. I’ve continued to try and keep up with my little Swap-Bot swaps. This last little batch took a toll on me because it seemed that the deadlines were all around the same time – April 1. I am still working on a few items, both for those swaps and for my Mobile Swap. I have been a horrible pal, (I’d say usually I’m pretty good, but not this time). My mobile is well over a month over due. Partially because I’ve been a neurotic detail obsessed artist. And partially because there have been some more health issues that have been riddling my body, yet again.

There has been success though:

This is my finished apron, (at the time it wasn’t completely done, I hadn’t pressed it one last time), for the Flirty Apron and Acessory Swap. I used the pattern from Lotta Jandsotters Simple Sewing. This is the first actual sewing pattern, (you know, with an actual template), I’ve finished so I was really excited. The apron is completely reversible. The only modifications I made were to add pockets on each side. Here’s the other side:

I am really happy with the fabrics I chose. Very spring, very summer. And I think all in all it is a very stylish apron, (if I don’t say so myself). It’s on it’s way home Monday morning!

The mobile I can’t show you because I haven’t finished the embroidery, so check in again this week so to see my needle and thread attempts. (I can honestly say that I suck at hand embroidery. I am ok with cross stitch, but anything beyond those little x’s and I’m done!)

Luckily I’ve had more time to knit, and more motivation as well. My CPH is coming along nicely:

This is the back center cables of the CPH. I am happy to say that I’m pleased with the Cascade 220. Every time I’d touch it at the LYS it just didn’t feel soft to me. But I gave it a try and the yarn is going to make a very cozy cardigan. I’m about 1/3 into the left front right now. Some nights it can be a fast knit, others a very slow one. Part of the health problems is that I’m experiencing some arthritis. My father’s side of the family had a bad gene pool, seriously, and it’s starting to take a toll on me. Some days it isn’t so bad. Other days I wake up and my whole body hurts. I’ll be seeing yet another Dr. about it soon, but seriously?! I really don’t want to be going back to a series of Drs. – again.

I’ve had time to clean the carpets, (again), make carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, some sewing here and there, make some cards, work on my new crystal bracelet, (though now I’m designing it differently than the original concept I had), reading, (still reading, “Murder on the Orient Express”, I think that’s the last Agatha Christie on my list), a little bit of napping, and a little shopping. The first shopping trip was for the fabrics for my quilt class that starts at the end of the month. I wanted something a little shabby chic, lots of pinks and browns:

I’m not too certain abuot the two fabrics on the right, I really like the one farthest to the right but I think I might replace the other with a different pink and brown. That one seems to be too light in my opinion. But, it won’t look like this when it’s done. I am not sure of the pattern I am using, I just know it’s called “Sweet Dreams”. You’ll see me progress, or lack thereof, at the end of the month.

Another score? I signed up for Sundara’s Yarn Seasons Club. Now normally my somewhat level headed brain of mine would say, “That’s an awful lot of money for just a few skeins of yarn over the course of a year”. And do agree with that statement. All in all it will cost $306 for one year of her club. In return I will receive three skeins of sock yarn, 4 skeins of silky merino (aran and fingering), and 1 skein of laceweight. I won’t know the colors which in a way scares me. (I signed up for winter, so I’m hoping for greys, purples and blues.) Then again it excites me. I really can’t justify doing this, except that I’ve wanted to join the past two times and didn’t. And because Shawn has so graciously offered to pay the fees every month. (Can’t say no to the one you love you know?)

I couldn’t say no to this little gem either:

Not many of you know this, but before Shawn and I got pregnant, (well more me than him, LOL), he’d asked me to marry him. But then little Scout decided to join our family and our finances and energy went into her. Since then Shawn has asked me what kind of ring I wanted. Rather then tell him to shell out the $1,300 Tiffany’s ring I wanted, I asked him to make my ring. And he did. We went to the bead shop together and I picked up the crystals I wanted. He went and took the ring making class and this is what he came up with. I aboslutely ♥ it. So did one of the shop owners who so kindly offered to keep the ring in case I didn’t like it. (I did call her later to tell her that she was out of luck.) It means all the more to me because he made it. We have picked out our wedding bands and very soon you will all get to see pictures of our happy day.

So that’s what’s been going on here. I’m enjoying spring, though Jem’s break starts this week and we are at wits end on what to do besides the zoo. The weather warms up some days and on others like Wednesday it rains. (I don’t oppose the rain, it just makes spring break harder with an impatient 9 year old and his even more impatient 15 month old sister.)

By the way, Scout is talking. Her first sentence was, “Whadisit?” (Which really means “what is it”?) When she says this she will do one of two things: 1. She will raise her arm, smile and point to whatever it is or 2. She will try to take your shirt off and point to your belly button. If you are fast enough you won’t get a slimy baby finger in the hole. We haven’t been that fast.

Easter bunny came to this town

Our Easter weekend was a bit emotional over here. Friday and Saturday I could feel that unsettling feeling in my stomach that I’d be alone all week. The anxiety rose up and caused lots of crying, yelling and red eyes. With enough sleep on Saturday night, (after staying up til 12:38 a.m. so that the Easter bunny could deliver the goods), I felt much better on Sunday, though not really 100%.

Saturday morning was spent at the Canyon Country park where Jem and Scout hunted down some Easter eggs, ate little chocolate eggs, (with some aluminum stuck on them…you don’t even want to know how I know this!), and met the Easter bunny him/herself!

She squirmed, but I did get a few good shots. (Though in a few the bunny looks like he’s eating her arm. I’ve never known a carnivorous rabbit, have you?)

And boy did she enjoy her chocolate! (We normally don’t give her candy, but she had a couple little pieces and thoroughly enjoyed them.)

Sunday the kids woke up to eggs galore! We hid about 20 of them and their baskets around the living room. The bubbles were especially a hit. So were the bunny ears:

The rest of the day I spent in the kitchen making a huge feast. We still have leftovers suprisingly. And then Monday morning hit and I was all alone.

I had decided over the weekend to get out of the house more often this week. (There are times when I can’t convince myself to leave the house and I really didn’t want to get in that kind of funk.) So Monday afternoon I headed over to Knit Cafe over in Hollywood. For those of you unaware, they care closing. So right now they are having a 50% off sale. When I got there things were already picked over, but I grabbed a few skeins of this deliciousness:

Can you say Koigu? Cause I can. I grabbed the last of the Kersti Crepe in brown and blue. I’m thinking another pair of Eunny’s mitts. Once I finish the last pair of course. I also grabbed three skeins of Misti Alpaca Lace in a dark chocolately brown. I have no idea what I’ll make with it yet, but it’s buttery soft and I love the color. And HELLO! At 50% off, who can say no? They had a good deal of yarn, but I think the good stuff was pretty much taken within the first two hours the store was open.

The rest of the day was spent eating lunch and playing with Scout at the park. Jem has his first baseball practice last night and I am more than disappointed. This should be baseball. Not softball. Not underhand softball. And their first game is this Saturday. Most of the kids look like they’ve never picked up a baseball let alone played a game, so I don’t know if we will ride this one out. He’s a bit too advanced for softball. But I’ll give him a chance to play the first game and go from there.

Today? Well today has been a pretty lazy day. I finished the two other bracelets and will be adding them to my Etsy tomorrow after I add the clasps, but here’s a preview if you are interested, this one is made with brown pearls and pink and silver accents:

And with silvery blue pearls, silver size 15 seed beads and teal and black Swarovski’s:

Plans for the rest of the week? I’m thinking Scout and I might go to the zoo tomorrow and hang out eating ice cream cones and watching the animals run around. It’ll be a nice change to watch someone else run away other than Scout. Boy, she’s fast!