Bee's Buzzings

Sneak Peek! New Pendant Designs with many more still to come . . .

Just a few of the designs going into the shop this week.



We've been jumping to and fro the past week or so with the weird weather.  First it's hot (well over 90 degrees!) and we were rushing to get all the newly planted trees and flowers watered.  Coupled with some ' Bermuda Triangle ' spots on the lawn that somehow miss the getting watered by the sprinkler system, well, let's just say it took a fair amount of time  - and the truth be told some cash bribes to the kids - to keep everything from turning brown.

Then came yesterday and today.  Was it really only 66 degrees??  I had to go outside with a coat on to keep from shivering.

It's supposed to be back to 88 tomorrow, so maybe my little hummingbirds will come out to visit my window feeder again.   They're so fun to watch, but tend to hibernate when it's too chilly out.

Hope it's warm and sunny where you are!

Buzzzzzz . . .

Just couldn't resist doing up some of these bees as pocket mirrors :) 
They're available in the Shop and measure 2.25" - can also be done as magnets and even lapel pins! 

Hope everyone had a fabulous, relaxing weekend.

. . . and don't forget, the next Art Pendant giveaway winner will be selected on June 1!  There will also be some Note Cards, and a Pocket Mirror and/or Magnet given away (designs of the winners' choices).

So be sure to leave comments on any post :)

Good luck!

Aaaahhhh . . . a long, holiday weekend

Just chilling with Jim.  And the kids . . . when they're not off doing a sleepover (or two or three).  Life is good!
 

One week from Today . . . Crafted Together show!

Busy getting ready for the show next week!!

I'm thinking . . . Flowers!

It's been a beautiful few days around here with bright, sunny days and temps in the mid to upper 70s.  I've been enjoying it mostly from the kitchen or through my studio window, though, since I've had a number of deadlines and am busy working on new shop designs, shipping orders, kid activities and household chores. 

I also got back on the treadmill yesterday for another three miles in anticipation of our next 5K race in just over two and a half weeks.  Would you believe my time doing intervals of jogging and walking beat my race time by two entire minutes??  It's how I usually train, but on race day I felt compelled to jog as much as possible.

My biggest fear that day was running out of energy 50 yards from the finish line . . . and having to crawl there as some woman twice my age ran past with her grandchild in a stroller.  So I paced myself.  Far too slowly, as it turned out.   The good news is I'll have no problem clocking a much quicker finish next time :)


Okay - back to work for me . . . just wanted to share the newest cards, which will now be made into pendants along with the other latest designs and will be posted here soon!

Have a great day!

finding a little balance . . .

After a few weeks of intense studio time, it was nice to get a little balance lately.  The end of the school year brings a fair number of track meets, orchestra concerts and school events into our already busy schedule, and this spring has been no exception.  Added to that, I'd promised the girls a while back that we'd have a Game Night (complete with prizes!) with the neighbor gals, to help pare down the large collection of Etsy items I'd managed to accumulate these past two years.  I mean seriously, as much as I love them, how many bars of soap and candles do I personally need??  LOL.

The big event took place Thursday evening - with some of the neighbor women and their teenage daughters, nine of us in all.  Had a great time playing Wii bowling and Apples to Apples.  I hadn't laughed so hard for two hours straight in a long time.  Some wonderful moments (especially with my own three girls) that night.  We're hoping to make a ritual out of this.

And this morning brought another event that should also provide a first in a series of great memories - Kristi (middle daughter) and I ran our first 5K together.  I should say she ran, I jogged.  It was her very first 5K and despite the weather - a chilly 40 degrees and 15-20 mph winds - she ran an amazing 28:55!  I was so proud of her.  My time on the other hand . . . well, I let's just say I plead the 5th.  I did jog 95% of it, but apparently it was a much slower pace than I realized.  The good news?  There's plenty of room for improvement for the next 5K in just 3 weeks.  And there was another amazing byproduct of training for the event - without feeling as though I was trying, I managed to lose 3 pounds in the past two weeks :) 

Hope you're all having a great weekend so far, and thanks again for all your kind words of support about the new artwork.  I have two larger orders to attend to this weekend, and then hope to get back to more new stuff very soon.  Well, I should say as soon as we discover the perfect Grad Dress for Kristi at Mall of America tomorrow!

Etsy Treasury - Signs of Summer

I couldn't resist putting together an Etsy Treasury today!  Now that the leaves are finally out on our trees here in Minnesota, I'm SO looking forward to the other signs coming down the road shortly!

Busy in the studio with new art, new items, and packing and shipping orders.  More sneak peeks soon!

Look what just passed by . . . Momma Goose, Daddy Goose and Seven Little Goslings!

A fun surprise on a FABULOUS Mother's Day!  These guys just passed within five feet of my studio window about 20 minutes ago.  Luckily my digital camera is always at the ready or I might have missed them.

Had a great day, even though I'm still fighting a bug.  Jim and the girls had a big basket of gardening stuff and a hanging petunia basket waiting for me, and all helped with extra chores so I could chill and do what I wanted for the entire day (haha, can you tell I love what I do?  Spent most of the day working on some computer graphics).

Anyway, wanted to share these pictures.  The geese are now down by the pond along with a handful of egrets and great blue herons.  I love our backyard sanctuary!  In fact, we even had a bald eagle hang out in a half dead tree just beyond the out lot about a month ago - what a magnificent sight that was!

Have a great night all & again, Happy Mother's Day!

Congrats card . . . for all the upcoming graduations!

Was a bit under the weather today (low grade fever, aches, etc.) so just couldn't get inspired with a paintbrush.  Sitting at the computer with a graphics program, on the other hand, was quite relaxing.  The result is finally getting this card finished.  Had the idea floating around my head since I'd painted the original.  And good timing with all the upcoming graduation parties to attend!  They'll be in the shop tomorrow or Monday.

Again, I hope all you moms have a WONDERFUL day tomorrow.  Jim and the kids are doing their best to do extra chores and give me a little pampering all weekend long.  Two entire days of not worrying about cooking and cleaning??  I'm loving it!!  We're having steak and salmon on the grill tomorrow night.

Hope your day is just as rewarding, and my thanks to all of you again for stopping by and saying 'hello' since my return to blogging.  I so enjoy your all your comments.  Many, many inspiring thoughts and words of cheer - you all are the greatest!!  And I'm definitely keeping track . . . have a special surprise coming your way soon :)

Off to bed to catch up on some sleep . . . have a good night all :). 

More mirror designs . . .

I just 'had' to do it.  Got myself a professional grade button making machine (Tecre) - and am going Pocket Mirror crazy around here!!

Have been busy with the kids events this week but hope to get some time to work on some new paintings - a giraffe, a yellow lab, a bumble bee and others are all in the works!!

Hope all you moms have a Happy Mothers Day (especially mine!)  I love you, Mom!!!