FOL2014 - Week 5 - Get Outside

Our host, Sally, from the Studio Sublime, gives us a new focus each month for our "Focus on Life 2014" weekly photography challenge.

 

For February our focus is: 

Cabin Fever

 

And, for week 5 of 2014, our prompt is:

 

Get Outside!

 

Sally shared a few words with us for this week's prompt.

 

"We find ourselves in the dull-drum of winter.  This month we will break free of those feelings and focus on the fabulous-ness of February!  Sometimes the perfect fix for temporary relief of cabin fever is simply to get outside, even if you just step out on the porch.  Get out of the house and focus on the change cooler temps bring to your surroundings."

 

So, for week 5, you're instructed to:  Get Outside!

 

I really feel for all the folks around the country who are getting tons snow, ice, sleet, freezing rain, and things of this nature - it's just super crazy!

You will definitely want to 'click to enlarge' these sunrise pics! :-)
Nope - no enhancements - just cropped and framed them in Pixlr.
And, Yes - it was really this vibrant and breath-taking!

 

 

But here in the Arizona Desert, well,...we're having some really nice, really warm weather  - record braking on some days. It's been in the high 70's and even hit 80 I think.

 

 

 Hopefully this is not a precursor to what's coming our way from Mid-April through late October. I'd hate to think that our average temperature for this time of year is going to be in the 120's vs. our normal average of about 105 to 110 or so.

 

 

But, once it's over 110 it pretty much all feels the same.

Probably like when it dips below -5, with wind chill factors of -40, cold is cold. Ice is ice. It hurts to breathe!

 

 

So, I feel for those of you suffering.

 

I'm really glad and extremely thankful to live where I do.

At least this month anyway.

:-)

 

 

Our Sunrises and Sunsets here in Arizona are among
the most beautiful in the world (IMHO) and on Thursday morning I looked out the window as I was fixing my coffee to see the absolute best sunrise starting to come alive.  I rushed to get my phone and went outside and started snapping away.

Sorry, but I couldn't decide on just one of the photos
I snapped and had to show you all of them!

 

I hope those of you in the wake of all this crazy-silly cold weather can stay inside, stay warm and stay safe.

Feel free to use any of these as your screen saver.
That's what my niece and sister did!
LOL! ;-)

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Sharing The Warmth!!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Holiday Greetings!

Wishing you and yours a very

Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Until Next Time,

 

Peace and Love!

 

~Shelly, Mike and Logan~

 

 

 

 

Focus On Life: Week 50 - A Pop of Red

It's week 50 for the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos

weekly photography challenge and

Sally over at The Studio Sublime

gave us this prompt:

 

 

 

A Pop of Red!

 

"Red is such a visually striking color.  Pops of red grab your attention and add such interest to a photo.  This week, focus on your surroundings and keep an eye out for a Pop of Red!"

 

I LOVE red and my surroundings always have pops of this beautiful color!

There's decoration that have to be placed about,...

 

But, during the holiday season, it has a bit more than a little, "Pop of Red".

And the house to be readied for guests,....

  

Please click the links below to see
where every one else found
"A Pop of Red"

And candles to be lit,....

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and RED!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Even Mother Nature gives us Pops of Red for our Holiday Celebrations!

 

Focusing On Life: Week 49 - Add A Little Sparkle!

Well, it's week 49 for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly photography challenge and Sally from The Studio Sublime gave us this prompt:

 

 

 

Add A Little Sparkle!

 

 

Well, I did manage to get the tree up this week so there is a "Little Sparkle" going on in our house!
 

 

 

 

Click on the images below to see how every one else "Added A Little Sparkle" to their week!

 

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Sparkle!

Cheers,

~Shel~

October Component of the Month Reveal

I was super lucky this month and won one of the Art Jewelry Elements Components of Month!

 

It's a sweet Ammonite Focal from Kristi Bowman Design! 

 

I just happened to see the AJE post come up in my email inbox on the day it was posted (usually I miss it!) and was super psyched to see one of Kristi's components - hers are some of my favorites - and so I threw my name in the hat and was so excited when she contacted me that I was one of the winners this month!

 

I actually have a nice little selection of some of her pieces.

I'm known to hoard them.

You can ask her. :-)

 

Anyway,....I knew right away that I wanted to make a really cool bracelet out of her focal pendant.

 

However, what I had inside my head and what happened to come out of my hands are nowhere near anything alike at all.  Nope. Not.At.All!

 

I do think that what I ended up creating is much better than what was floating around in my brain, though.

Where my brain was going with the design,.....

I'd pictured some purple cord with a few dark pearls with purple over-tones and possibly some nice chunky pieces of amethyst I have hoarded stashed away and a few copper beads and a handcrafted copper toggle clasp.  

See?  What's below isn't at all like what I just described, is it?

What actually happened! :-)

Well, in between getting Kristi's focal and having a chance to actually work on it, I was fortunate enough to get Cindy Wimmer's book, The Missing Link, (which is truly fabulous - you MUST get it!) that I had ordered.

I was devouring Cindy's book the weekend after I received it and when I got to page 89 and eyed the Spiral Swirl Link - I let out a little squeal!  I ran into the house and grabbed Kristi's ammonite focal and held it up against the pages in the book and said, "Perfect!"

 

Since the focal is quite large I was only able to use two perfectly beautiful, dark, freshwater cultured pearls (Bead World - Scottsdale), a few copper beads and two of the Spiral Swirl links I created following the step by step instructions in Cindy's book.  Then, I just 'adlibbed' a bit and made my own spiral hook clasp to complete the look.

 

I'm so excited! It feels great on and will, coincidentally, go fantastically with one of my outfits I'm wearing up at my sis's cabin over Thanksgiving weekend.  (yippee!)

A huge THANKS to Kristi for sharing her amazing focal pendant and to all the contributors over on the

Art Jewelry Elements Blog - you gals ROCK!

 

Thanks a bunch for stopping by to check out what I created - I appreciate it.

 

Now it's time to hop on over to the AJE blog and see what the other winner, Kym Hunter with Kym Hunter Designs and all the regular contributors on the AJE Blog created.  I'm sure you'll be drooling!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Nice Surprises!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on LifeL Week 43 - In the Shadows

This week's prompt from Sally over at The Studio Sublime for the Focusing on Life: 52 Photos weekly challenge was this:

Week 43 - In The Shadows

 

 

"For this week we will be focusing on Light and Shadow!  Capture what you find intriguing about light and shadows." 

 

What an appropriate prompt with Autumn upon us and Halloween coming up this week.

 

Although I wasn't able to capture any photos of ghostly shadows or light orbs or anything like that, I did capture these two photos of some shadows.
 

 

 

 

Shadows produced from light shining through glass objects - always cool!

 

 

 

 

Hop around today and see what 'shadows' every one else caught a glimpse of, won't you?!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Shadows of Light!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 42 - All In A Day

This week Sally's prompt for
Focusing On Life: 52 Photos Challenge was this:

 

 

 

Week 42 - All In A Day

 

"There are many things that can happen in a day. Let's focus on 24 hours and see what goes on during your day!"

 

Well, all days at the Buettner household are pretty normal (for us!) yet not one of them is actually normal, if you know what I mean. 

 

Monday was "Fall Break Day" for our son and we had lots of thing scheduled for that day.

 

First, the soft water system decided to rupture last weekend and spray tons of water all over the garage, the workbench, Mike's old desk and the ceiling (good thing we know a mold guy and he knows how to clean things up - I actually moisture mapped the garage later in the week for training!!) and so Monday our new soft water unit arrived - it's pretty nice. And and I love having my soft water back (my boys hate it - they tolerate it just for me!)

Click any photo to enlarge

 

 

Then, Logan's QX4 had the air go out -again- so neither he nor the hubby were happy they had to return it to the shop but Logan "called" the convertible (Our son loves Mike's BMW - even though it's practically as old as he is and he drives it as often as possible!) and so Mike hopped in to the Q and they drove down to the car place to drop it off and then grab a bite to eat on their way home.

 

I heard tons of sirens no too long after they had left so I texted Logan (Mike was driving them back home) to see if they were okay.  Did you know you can pick GOD up at Taco Bell?  LOL!!  I didn't either! :-)  Auto-correct can be a hoot!

Text between Logan and me

 

 

Then there was work stuff, filling an order, afternoon tea, folding laundry, and putting things aside for when I would eventually get the time to create with Kristi Bowman's awesome component for the  AJE October Component of the Month Give-a-Way that I'd been fortunate enough to win. (The reveals is on the 30th,...so plan to stop back by!)

 

So, just normal stuff around our house. 
What's a typical day look like for you? 

 

Anything but typical, right?  But it's All In A Day!

 

Now, hop on over to The Studio Sublime or scroll down to the bottom here and see what everyone else has going on today!

 

Oh, I almost forgot - TODAY I get to devour Cindy Wimmer's new and ultra-super-cool wire-work book, "The Missing Link"!  (Insert dorky looking happy dance here!)

My joy for Today!

 I can't tell you how excited I am to try out some of the fun links this weekend and play with my wire! (my wire feels a bit neglected because I'm usually playing with cord and pearls!) and then tonight we're having our annual neighborhood Cul-de-Sac party with our ultra-fun and cool neighbors - it's gonna be a super day!!

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Having Fun "All Day"

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 41 - Connections

This is week 41 (wow, can you believe it?!)

and Sally's prompt for the

Focusing on Life: 52 Weeks Photo Challenge was:


 

Connections

Sally told us, " We have, make and witness connections everyday.  Connecting to one another makes us feel that we are a part of something more, something great!  This week focus on the connections you make, the connections that naturally occur, a connection of things, your connection to your environment, craft or faith."

Wow, how timely.  Again!  I swear, Sally has this uncanny way of honing in on what we're all going through. It's like she has this little crystal ball that has all of our lives on 'speed dial'.

 

Or maybe, it's because we really are all connected to each other.

Jewelry-world related I've been rather unconnected for the last month or so.  However, business-wise with our environmental business and personally with those around me, I've been more deeply connected.

Aside from answering phones, fielding questions and taking care of the front office work for RespirCare (the company my husband built that we own and run together) I'm becoming educated and trained in the microbial science behind our business and taking a more active role in the strategic marketing and growth aspect of our company. 

 

This week, I sat in on a two day, hands on training class that my hubby taught.

 

Mike Teaching one of the sampling courses

 

It's interesting, but far removed from the likes of pearls, jewelry or the craft world.  However, the links between the two industries are more 'connected' than I imagined.  

I enjoy seeing the light bulb go off in someone when they grasp a concept that was alluding them, or they are able to thoroughly understand a portion of the science behind the business and see how their new found knowledge can further assist them with not only helping their customers, but actually help them to build upon their own business.  

 

Mike with RespirCare Associate,  Don - Our Canadian "Connection"

 

 

It's rather similar to when I'm teaching and I experience a student learn a jewelry technique and how their brain starts seeing all the exciting ways they can incorporate their newly acquired skill and add to their repertoire of designs.

So, these last few weeks have been spent connecting a bit more in-depth with my hubby; with our business, our family, our clients, customers and ourselves. These connections have brought us closer as a family to our future goals, to each other and to those we interact with.

 

I have to admit though, it's quite challenging to step out of my comfort zone and stretch my knowledge and skill set.  It's cozy, warm and comfy in my comfort zone. I like cozy, warm and comfy,....kinda like some fungi I know.

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist!! LOL!! ;-)

 

So, who or what are YOU connecting with these days?  Please connect with all of us this weekend over at The Studio Sublime. You never know where your connections will lead,.....

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Forming and Fostering Connections!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 36 - In Two

This week's prompt from Sally over at

The Studio Sublime for Week 36 of the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge was:

 

In Two

 

 

 

"This week, let's focus on things in twos!"

 

And this is exactly what I've been doing ALL WEEK LONG! 

 

Yep,  over 160+ pairs of 'twos' to be exact.

 

 

Ear Wires Galore!

 

But I thought these 'Two' were much more fun (and cute!) so I decided to get a pic of them as well.

 

Say hello to Coco and Kiki, our Peach Faced Lovebirds. 

 

 

Coco and Kiki

 

Coco's 7 years old and Kiki is just 1 year old.  Kiki's a bit more camera shy than Coco.  And, she's got 4, (possibly 5 now, I haven't checked this morning) little eggs she's sitting on.

 

Not sure if they'll develop - her last few batches (or what ever you call them) didn't.  But she's a really good Mama and sits on them almost all day for a few of weeks until she realizes they're not going to amount to anything. 

 

Not sure if I'm ready for 'Grand-Birdies' or not,....

 

I'm down in Tucson this weekend for the Fall Gem, Jewelry and Bead Shows they're having (insert happy squeal here!) and I think I'll find at least "Two" perfect pearls to put on a pair of those ear wires but I may not make it around to every one's posts until Monday when I return.

 

In the meantime, why don't you hop on over to The Studio Sublime and see what other 'twos' popped up in every one's lives this week!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and 'Two' Much  Fun!

Cheers,

~Shel~

Focus on Life: Week 34 - Add Somthing

It's Week 34 of the

Focusing on Life: 52 Photos Challenge

hosted by Sally over at The Studio Sublime

and this week's prompt was:

 

Add Something

 

Sally suggested that this week we "Get creative with your photos. Dive into those editing programs and check out all the wonderful effects, actions, overlays and textures!"

 

 

So, I took a favorite photo and did just that.

 

Since I'm still very challenged with Photoshop Elements 10, the program I have, I used the free online editing program Pixlr and came up with these results:

 

*(click on any photo to enlarge them)

 

Normal - just clean edits (crop, size, sharpen)

 

 

When editing my jewelry photos, I just do clean edits and just crop, size, sharpen and at times stick a frame around them and that's it (I do the frames in Pixlr, too - or PicMonkey or ipiccy).

 

  

Overlay, Light Effects and Frame

 

 

This week's challenge was fun and allowed me to spend some time experimenting with some various overlays and textures that I hadn't used before.

 

 

Antique look, Overlay and Frame

 

Pretty cool effects if you ask me.

 

Hog Wild!  Overlays, Textures, Frames - you name it.
I love this one for some reason - Looks like a Hallmark Card.

 

This was a fun one, Sally - Thank you!

 

Go on over to The Studio Sublime today and check out Sally's new web design and see what all the other participants are snapped and how they've chosen to "Add Something"!

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Adding Some Fun!

 

Cheers,

~Shel~