It's That Time of Year...

...when the world falls in love...every song you hear seems to say...Merry Christmas...may your New Year dreams come true...

Such a great Christmas song...I could sing Christmas songs all day...lalala...

First on my agenda for the day...Santa...yes...I believe...in the magic of Santa...and I hang my stocking every year...but here are a few Santa's (for those of you who are collectors) that I've gotten over the years...three are by Gene Keith...art teacher extroidinaire at Athens Elementary School in Athens, AL...the tall one in the back and the two on either side are ones he carved...I bought the two to the side...the tall one in the back was a gift from him...we'd had a bad ice storm and I brought him part of a persimmon tree that had toppled...he took part of it and made this lovely Santa...you can see a little more of his work at: http://www.athens.edu/college_arts/art/faculty/main.html if you will scroll to the bottom of the page...Thanks, Gene!  Your talent blesses my house each Christmas!

Each year I try to get one new decoration...this year it was this darling Santa Dish...I thought about putting a bright red or white candle in it...but rethought it when I realized I'd have to somehow get it out of the dish when it had all melted down...so am satisfied with the Peppermint Twists from Walgreen's...

I also make Christmas ornaments each year for my darling grandchildren (and a few other folks)...this year the ornament it a spider web and spider...why?  Go and read the story about the Christmas Spider at: http://kraftmstr.com/christmas/books/spider.html  This year I made 7...one for us...one for each of my 4 grandkids...one for my great niece (holy canoli...I'm old enough for a GREAT NIECE!) and one for my godson's beautiful baby girl...hmmmm...I've done palm trees, mermaids, trees, snowmen and a few other things over the years...time to start thinking about what to do for next year...

One of the beadgroups I belong to has been "repurposing" teeny beanie babies (and other small critters)...I've done three...one was the flamingo "Fionna" that was auctioned off on MissionFish for Breast Cancer Research...one was a little pony...who turned out really cute...even if I do say so myself...the success of those two prompted me to find other beanies...naturally I went to Ebay...and found a couple more...Stegosaurous...my favoritest of dinosaurs...was one I got...and he was a challenge...but I think he turned out right cute as well...on his belly I put my initials...something not on the other two because I hadn't thought of simple peyote as a way to make my initials in beads til I started little Steg...don't you just love him???

Speaking of Fionna and the Breast Cancer project...the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project for 2009 was able to send $650 to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.  The drawing piece, "Friends" went to R. Ericson of Cocoa Beach...only the second time the turtles have stayed in Cocoa Beach...to find out more about the project...and what's in store for 2010 please go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm

And last...but most certainly NOT least...RUBY

...my little birthstone dolly came home the other day after traveling down under to Kathleen in Austrailia, up north to Marty in Michigan and out west to Debra in Colorado to be adorned in her brilliant red attire...isn't she just glorious???  Ruby was part of the Birthstone Round Robin that the group Beaded Art Dolls held this year...I was fortunate to be grouped with these three very talented artists...and RUBY just LOVES to show off her outfit...complete with purse...a girl needs a purse...ha...don't you just love her???  Even though she's my birthstone (JULY/RUBY) she is such a perfect color for Christmas she is standing near the Christmas Card basket for all to admire...THANK YOU ladies...can't wait to do another one!  Are you a beadwork artist?  Head to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/beaded_art_dolls/ to find out more about the Beaded Art Dolls group...we have lots of fun...and some of the dolls that are created are amazing!

OK...so that's my epistle for the day...time to have a little lunch and relax a while...

May your holiday season be blessed...which reminds me...here is the beadwork I did for our Christmas card this year...a picture says a thousand words...remember the reason for the season!

Faith, Hope, Peace, Joy and Love

God Bless

Only 9 more days!

Only 9 days til the drawing!

Be sure to get your drawing tickets!

www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm

All proceeds will be sent to the American Cancer Society

for Breast Cancer Research.

"Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project Auctions!

The first of the auctions are finished...and the second round has begun!  In the second round there is "Basking in the Sun" by Gretchen Coats of Saginaw, MI...exquisitely crafted...the 4 little pink crystal turtles bask in the sun on their lily pads while a delicate white water lily floats nearby...

To see this auction please head to: http://cgi.ebay.com/Basking-in-the-Sun-Pink-Ribbon-Turtle-Project_W0QQitemZ170404625858QQihZ007QQcategoryZ158657QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"In the Pink" is a lovely pink three strand bracelet made by Lesley Bishop of Bristol, PA...I just love the turtle centerpiece! 

You can find this auction at: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170404628957

Pink Ribbon Turtle Auctions!

The auctions are underway! Find links to the auctions at www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm . Beautifully beaded works from all over the world! Links to each of the following items is on the website above.

First...from Gretchen Coats, Saginaw, MI..."Basking in the Sun"...the beading on this piece is extraordinary...framed in a shadowbox this piece is approx. 8.5 x 10.5.

Created by project founder, Jena Tuntas of Cocoa Beach, FL, "Fionna" was originally a Teeny Beanie Baby from this year's crop at McDonalds. She sits on a wooden prop and wears her turtles on her wings and her pink ribbon hanging from her heart.

Next in line..."Bubbles"...this little fella swam all the way from Portugal! The artist, Maria Teresa, may be familiar to a beadwork artist...she has been published in several of the beadwork magazines...and her work has even been on the cover of a few of them.

Is jewelry something that catches your eye? Then you will love "Montees in Pink" by Bev Moon of White Pine, TN. This beautiful bracelet is Bev's own design and is made up of Swarovski Montees, sterling silver beads and a sterling silver clasp...it's gorgeous!

"Swimming for Freedom of Fear" is an original design from Karen L. Cohen of Milford, PA. Bead, machine and ribbon embroidery make up this sweet wall hanging.

I'm expecting one more to arrive at my doorstep any day and will let you know when it's on the auction block.

The Pink Ribbon Turtles Project is in it's 5th year. Drawing tickets are still available at www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm as are the links to all of the auctions. The auctions are at ebay's charity site MissionFish.

Don't miss your chance to get your drawing tickets...and don't miss your opportunity to bid on these beautifully crafted items. Links at the above site.

2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project

The 2009 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project is Underway!

"Friends"

by Jena Tuntas

This is the 5th year for the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Project. Founded in 2005 by the artist (above), the project is dedicated to the memory of her mother, Nina Isabelle Etheredge Fritz, longtime educator and community activist in Cocoa Beach, FL, who passed with breast cancer.

Each year a unique bead embroidery design is created, framed in a shadowbox frame and given in a drawing. The design always includes one or more turtles. Each of the turtles has a pink shell, the color of the Breast Cancer Fundraising symbol, the pink ribbon. The artwork is beautifully framed, and offered in a drawing. This year's piece (above) is entitled "Friends" in honor of the friends that help us through the tough times in our lives.

In 2009, for the first time, there will not only be a drawing, but there will be auctions of items handcrafted and donated by artists from around the world. The auctions will begin on October 26th on MissionFish. Below are two of the items that will be auctioned. More will be announced at the time of the auctions.

"Fionna"

Beaded Teeny Beanie Baby

by Jena Tuntas

www.atawhisper.com

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Swimming for Freedom of Fear"

6" x 9"

Bead, machine and ribbon embroidery on cotton

by Karen L. Cohen

www.kcEnamels.com

The drawing date is Monday, November 30th. All profit from the donations for drawing tickets and auctions will be sent to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research. For more information and to donate for drawing tickets go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm and pay through PayPal, or contact me at prt4bcr@mindspring.com if you prefer to pay by check or money order. All checks and money orders should be made payable to the American Cancer Society.

Have a wonderful day!

A Lot is Happening!

Back in June my niece, Lacee (bride in 1st pic) got married...her best friend, Tania (bride in second pic) came from Alabama to be at her wedding...and this past weekend...Lacee got to return the visit! What a great weekend in the DC area. I flew up with my sister and we went to the wedding of her daughter's BFF, Tania. It was a great wedding...and we had a blast. The bride was beautiful...the groom handsome in his dress uniform...they are both chopper pilots for the Army. The reception after was fun...and the cakes amazing...the groom's cake was a helicopter! I'll tell you...the folks on the food network ain't got nothin on the folks that made that cake.

It was great to see my nieces, great niece, nephew-in-law, and friends...so glad we got to go...but it was great to get back home.

Announcing a new design for those who love pirates...the character from my children's book, Shorty, is exploring Florida in his next adventure...and one of the places he goes is Ft. Walton Beach, FL where he attends the "Billy Bowlegs" Celebration..."Billy Bowlegs" was a pirate...in my new design Shorty is decked out as a pirate...complete with sword, parrot and eyepatch...his advice: "Be Who Ye Aaarrrggghhh!". You can find gifts and apparel with this design at www.cafepress.com/atawhisper/6882092 .

I'm working on the 2009 Pink Ribbon Turtles Project, and will be announcing it soon...this year we will have one item for the drawing and a couple more that will be auctioned at ebay...stay tuned for the announcement about when you can get your drawing tickets and where the auction site is.

Hope you are having a lovely September day!

Piggy-Back Shuttle Landing

On Friday, December 12th, 2008 the shuttle came into Cape Canaveral Air Station on the back of a 727. These images were taken at 7th Street South in Cocoa Beach as the 727 flew down the beach for all to witness. A very very cool site to see! Here's a video with about 9 slides in a row of it passing while I stood on the beach ramp at 7th Street.

Christmas is approaching fast...I lit candle 11 this evening...that means only 11 days til Christmas...and I've been working hard to get the tree up and the presents wrapped and the cards sent...one of this year's Christmas Cards will include my "Flip Flop Tree"...which is our 2nd tree each year...I made it to make my husband laugh the year we were married...he loves it...

Here is my Beaded Art Doll for December...and ornament named "Glisten".

Doesn't she have a sweet face?
And this year's Christmas ornaments for the 4 grandchildren? A Christmas tree!

I still have a lot to do...have my Beaded Journal Project to finish...and have a lovely Round Robin Doll to work on...but I'm still getting out to play a little golf every few days...today shot a 43 on 9 holes...found some really "old-fashioned" clubs at the Thrift Shop for $1.00...old wooden woods...really old...and about 5 different putters!!!...and a leather bag...all for $1.00...I was amazed...the head on the 7 wood isn't much bigger than the ball! But I shot a really great tee shot on a long par three with it today...

The 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtles" Drawings have been completed. "Ling" was won by Joan M. in Cocoa Beach, FL. I was very happy to find out that she was one of my mother's good friends. She was excited to win.

"Jewels of the Sea" was won by Anne H. of Edmond, OK. She was thrilled to hear the news.

"Kameko" was won by Beverly M. of White Pine, TN. Bev was also happy when she heard the news.

We don't have a final tally of donations to be sent to the American Cancer Society, but know it will be well over $800. With the economy the way it is...we are very pleased with this number. I will announce a final amount once I know it. I'm still waiting for a couple of "snail mail" checks to come from people that simply wanted to donate and not get tickets. Thank you to everyone who donated this year. Congratulations to our winners. Thank you to the 7 wonderful beadwork artists that made this year's turtles a reality.

We are working on plans for next year's project, and will announce our plans once they are confirmed. Anyone who is a beadwork artist is certainly invited to join us!

I reckon that's about all the news today...if I don't get to post again between now and Christmas I wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Topaz Turtle...and other doings...

Here she is...my Topaz Turtle...the Beaded Journal Project entry for November.
Topaz is the November stone...and it can be found in clear, pale blue, yellow, green or red. The golden yellow topaz is often referred to as the Imperial Topaz and is the most valuable of all the Topaz stones.
It took me a while to find a piece of fabric in my stash of material that suited me...but I finally happened upon a square of this piece in a stack of 9"squares I have that I'm going to make a patchwork quilt with...with her black body (except a couple of topaz 15's in the border stitching all the way around)...I like the way her topaz shell shines. In person she is lovely.

I'm a bit behind still from my hospital stay a few weeks ago...still playing catch up...so haven't done my doll for the month...but will have her here as soon as I can...still have to make the grandbabies their Christmas ornaments that I make each year too...my goal is to catch completely up by the new year...

Tomorrow is one of the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" drawings for this year...I'm very pleased to say that we are doing well in our donations...I'll wait to give you a total after the December drawings when I know exactly how much we have to send as our total donation.

Had a wonderful visit with high school friends last night...lots of laughs and good memories.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. God Bless!

Is it November yet?

Wow...was October ever a doozy of a month...a 5 day ordeal in the hospital and two week recovery put me way behind on all things October...but now I'm feeling better...and am caught up with October Projects...

First...thankfully...I finished the October Challenge for the Beaddreamz group early...the peyote bracelet was fun and turned out to be quite eyecatching. I called it "Autumn Leaves"...my dad bought it from me and gave it to a friend for her birthday. I've since made a few others in Christmas greens, reds and whites, and a couple of them in pinks...the bracelet is not a pattern...which is what makes it fun...you just put a bunch of the same size beads in a dish and pick up whatever you pick up...the effect is really pretty neat...I have discovered the wider ones are actually prettier than the narrow ones...but they do take a little longer...

Next...the October Challenge for the Beaded Art Dolls group...I found a wonderful picture of my daughter when she was about 4 or so...it was Halloween and she wanted to be a clown...so I got out the trusty sewing machine and made her a clown outfit...she was adorble...of course...being my child...she always was...ha...here are the two pics...one of her...and one of the doll I made...I am sad to say she and I have been estranged for the past 4 years (prayers are always most welcome)...but this made me feel close to her...and remember all of the wonderful years of her childhood...as well as watching her become a woman...as a parent there were times I wanted to shove her in a closet and not let her out til she was 40...but I knew that wouldn't help her grow...so I...right or wrong...gradually allowed her to make her own choices...but was always there...and listened...and as gently as possible...guided her...and did a LOT of praying...here she is...the "Little Clown Doll"...

And finally...my Beaded Journal Project for October. As you saw in September...my design will always be aturtle for the BJP. In October...the month of my daughter's birthday...I decided to do a turtle that had opals...I had a cab that to me looked very much like a fire opal...so tried to find all the colors in it and go from there...as it progressed I LOVED the body...but the turtle's shell was not satisfying me as I thought it should...but now that I've got it finished...I think it turned out nicely. The body...the "opally" greens and white...the shell...all the colors I saw in the fire opal cab. Once I added the gold...it came together and I like the final product.

So...now October is over...and I'm about a week late finishing...BUT...I am finished with all the October challenges...and it's on to November...hmmmmmmmm...wonder what I'll do now???

DON'T FORGET THE "PINK RIBBON TURTLES" DRAWING FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH IS FAST APPROACHING! IF YOU HAVEN'T GOTTEN YOUR DRAWING TICKETS...BE SURE TO GO TO www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm AND MAKE YOUR DONATION!

Just a Reminder!

If you haven't gone and seen all of the

2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtles"...there's still plenty of time!

Make sure you get your tickets! Drawing date for "Jewels of the Sea" is Sunday, November 30th. Drawing date for "Ling" and "Kameko" is Friday, December 12th.

Make your donation at www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm .

ALL profit from this project goes to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.

Again, I'll "Brooch" the Subject of "Pins"

Pun intended.

Here is one of my latest brooches. I love the stone...which I originally thought was African Turquoise...but a friend sent a picture of something called Sesame` Jasper...which I think is what it really is. Whatever it's called...it's a beautiful stone.

I made the brooch for a 'cabachon challenge' that our group is having. We are supposed to have the cabachon no smaller than 18mm and no larger than 30mm. This one is an oval approx. 18mm x 27mm.

There is a second part to the 'challenge' in the form of a swap...and I loved the stone so much I thought...hmmmmm...I'm getting two of these...and here is what the second one turned out to look like.

I made myself use only beads I had in my stash...so it was kind of difficult to match things up...but I managed...and I really like both of these.

Not sure either of them will go to the swap...ha...but then again...I can't wear them both either...oh...decisions, decisions...
Of course...then there are the other cabs I found whilst looking at this one...I got two of each of those too...but I've only completed one.

I think it's Aventurine...generally a green stone...is a form of quartz with other mineral inclusions...sometimes bits of mica...that give it bit of a glisten. Some call it 'Indian Jade' because the green color of it can resemble real Jade. It comes in other colors as well...but green is the most common.

This stone is actually a bead instead of a cabachon...but it was a flat stone...so was easy to treat as a cabachon when beading.

Other than the cabachons...I've been working diligently on the 2008 "Pink Ribbon Turtle" Project...which is due to be 'debuted' on October 1st. I can't wait to show them ALL off. This year...for the first time...I've had help from 7 wonderful artists and there will be three different "Pink Ribbon Turtle" designs in three separate drawings! STAY TUNED!!!

And of course...I've been playing golf...in fact...I got up early this morning and played 9 holes...didn't do too badly either...especially since I was excruciatingly tired from playing 18 in the middle of the day yesterday when it felt like 110 in the shade...ok...I might be exagerating a little...but it was HOT and very very little breeze...but my friend, Missy and I had fun (we always do)...and met a very nice couple who we played with...it's always lovely to meet new people.

One last picture...we saw this Great Blue Heron resting under the Oleanders on the 8th hole and stopped and took his pictures. I think he was a little put out with us for disturbing his rest...because shortly after the picture he stood up and sauntered off in disgust...ha...don't you just love his long long legs?

Have a blessed day!

A Very Pink Day!

Pink Pink Pink...this particular day it seemed everything turned pink...so I suppose you could actually say that "Everything is Rosie"...assuming the rose is pink too!

PINK #1

Working on this year's "Pink Ribbon Turtles" has been a real treat.

Why?

Several reasons.

First, there are three turtles on this year's "Pink Ribbon Turtles" that we always have the drawing for starting in late September...the drawing being the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Each of the turtles will be a little different...but the thing they all will have in common is a pink shell.

Second, this year's turtles will be very bright and festive. In the past the color has been predominately PINK...this year the background is BLUE...like the ocean...the three turtles will each have a different color of green for it's body...and the "sealife" around them will be very colorful as well. I'm really excited about this year's turtles. When I am a little farther along I will post a picture.

Third, there is going to be more than one drawing! This year there will be two other "Pink Ribbon Turtles" drawings as well. WHY? Back in early April "Beadwork" magazine published a short article on the "Pink Ribbon Turtles"...this article was read by many across the United States...but one beadwork artist decided she wanted to find out more. Gretchen Coats contacted me and asked if she could help in some way...and the "Pink Ribbon Turtles" in 4 Quadrants was born. Now there are 8 artists working on two different 4 quadrant turtles. To find out more go to www.atawhisper.com/prt.htm . I've seen the work these ladies are doing and you are in for a REAL treat when you see the two turtles put together. Pictures of the 4Q turtles should be available by the end of August.

PINK #2

I was out at the golf course...trying to get in 9 holes before the rain came and was playing rather quickly...the sky was dark all around and very noisy...and lo and behold...what do I see wandering around with the Ibis but a Roseate Spoonbill...just as cute and pink as you please...wandering around with a group of Ibis! I was really excited and quite disappointed at the same time...I had forgotten my digital camera...boo hoo...I'm pretty sure it was a young one because its head was more white than pink and his pink was on the pale side instead of the really deep pink like the adults are...it was also about the size of the Ibis it was wandering with and not at all big...but I was tickled none-the-less.

PINK #3

At home...finished with the computer for the evening...I was leaving my workroom to head to the porch for some beading...as I walked past one of the shelves near the door something caught my eye...a piece of Rose Quartz in the shape of a heart...this particular piece had a flat back to it...which puts it in the "category" of a cabachon...and I remembered an email on one of the beading groups I am in where someone was asking about beading a heart-shaped cabachon...so I thought I'd give it a try. I didn't use this particular one...it was a "one of a kind" I had...but remembered that I had 3 of them in my "stash" of cabs that were a little smaller...so I dug them out and gave it the old "college try"...the picture above is the result...I've done two...have the third one out on the porch to do...and am seriously thinking of going ahead and doing the larger one...hmmmmm...I think I see a Pink Quartz Heart Necklace in the future!

So...it was just a Pink sort of day!

For info about the two birds I mentioned click on either of these!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseate_Spoonbill

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_White_Ibis