Friday, January 27, 2012

In Rememberance

Dad
May 23, 1929 - January 27, 2005


We little knew that morning
That God would call your name.
In life we loved you dearly;
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
But you did not go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
You left us beautiful memories,
Your love is still our guide,
And though we cannot see you,
You are always by our side.
Our family chain is broken
And nothing seems the same,
But as God calls us one by one,
The chain will link again.

Author, Unknown

This picture above is of my dad and his family, circa 1934.  He is the little one on the left with the cheesey grin - he had that grin his whole life.

June 5, 1954.  Still had the grin, and he married such a beautiful lady!


Mom and Dad in Florida, where they retired, on my brother's boat.  This is my all-time favorite photo of the two of them.  It was taken in the early 2000's - not sure of the exact date.  I also have this photo in a keepsake ornament that I disply on "my tree" every year - and I will continue to display it until the day I die.  I mean, look at the smiles on their faces!  Priceless!

My father died of cancer.  He suffered.  Greatly suffered.  I hate that part the most. 

Rest in Peace, Daddy.  I think of you EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Love, Patti

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Bead Soup Ingredients!

I received my Bead Soup ingredients from my partner Natasha Lutes today!

The package:

The ingredients!

The focal:

While these are colors I am used to...the shape I am not!  I see some creative wire wrapping in my future!
The clasps - vintaj (yeah!)
Most of my work involves silver -- a little copper, but mostly silver.  This will be fun!
She even gave me LOTS of coordinating Vintaj components:

 And, some coordinating semi-precious gemstones:
And last...but certainly not least...she gave me some peacock pearls and a few glass rondelles:
I have have several designs floating in my head...can't wait to start working on this!!!

Many thanks to Natasha for this gift!  And, of course, thank you Lori Anderson for hosting this party!  Stay tuned for the big reveal on March 3!!!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Bead Soup Blog Party - Teaser

I feel so honored - and downright scared - to have been "randomly" selected as one of the participants of Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party!  I have only recently plunged into Blogland and opened an Etsy store, so my self-confidence is lacking!  But, I know this challenge will push me, creatively speaking, and for that, Lori, I thank you so much for this opportunity!

My partner for this venture is Natasha Lutes of N's Whims. A Wisconsin girl!!  My entire family (except me) is from Wisconsin - Cheese Heads and Packer Backers through and through - sorry about the game last week :(

I struggled with what to send her, but received emails from Lori telling us to send what we ourselves like...so that's what I did.  Then I struggled for two days on how to package the soup!  I have seen the extent of what other people have done with their packaging - it's like Christmas, or a special Birthday event!  I am afraid that my creativity in the packaging department just isn't there lately, but I did my best. Here is a sneak peak:


I sure hope she likes it! The big reveal date is March 3rd - 200 participants!  How exciting is that?!

Thanks for stopping by!