Showing posts with label MiShel Designs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MiShel Designs. Show all posts

Focus On Life - Weeks 43 and Week 44

I missed a week of the FOL:14 photography challenge while I was back home visiting family, but Sally had a little 'oops' moment and so this week's prompts are 'Two For One' - Week 43 and Week 44.


Week 43: Your favorite color 

  I'm not sure what my favorite color is - kinda depends on my mood and my surroundings, or where I'm at, at the time.

When I think of my favorite color(s), images of Sunrises, Sunsets, the Ocean and beautiful fall trees come to mind. 

 

 

So that's basically all colors, wouldn't you say?!!


And now,....

Week 44: An ordinary photo of the extraordinary everyday,...aka take a photo of what ever you would like and post it!

 

 

 This photo was taken on an extraordinary day spent with one my nieces. 

  We had the most lovely time and the beauty around us was anything but ordinary!

Let's see what everyone else captured this week, shall we?

 

Until Next Time,

Peace, Love and Extraordinary Beauty!

Cheers,

~Shel~


 

 


Radio Silence

When this post goes live, I'll be jetting off to see family and there will be 'radio silence' here on the blog for a week. 

I wanted to leave you with this wonderful sunrise photo.




I am just amazed at the lovely art that decorates the sky each morning and evening here in the desert. 

I always love it!

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Beautiful Skies!
Cheers,
~Shel~


Waxed Jewelry Cord Love!

Hey all - I just wanted to give a quick shout out. 

I recently got some new colors of the Waxed Jewelry Cord from Sandra, over at The Knotty Do It All.




I just LOVE this waxed cord and here's why:

  • You can twist it so that it separates and use smaller holed beads with it.
  • It's synthetic (not silk, linen or cotton) so you can melt the ends with your thread zapper (or the flame from a lighter if you're that brave and coordinated!) - No Need For Glue!! 
  • The colors are pretty steadfast,....no running, fading, etc. that I've encountered.
  • It doesn't stretch with wear the way waxed linen, silk or waxed cotton seems to stretch.
  • The color choices are awesome!  Check out the link here to Sandra's shop to see for yourself!
  • It's sturdy. I mean really sturdy. (Pile on those heavy, glass designer beads and see!!)
  • It works up wonderfully whether you're knotting it, doing macrame or simply stringing with it - it has this 'drape' to it that is just super!
  • It's not too 'waxy', but enough that it does exactly what you want a waxed cord to do.
  • Did I mention the colors,....and that it's really sturdy?
  • Quality cord. Simple as that!

Here's the colors I have on hand at the moment. 


Vino is my favorite. I use it all the time, but I think that Med. Brown and Java may have a new place in my heart this fall season!! And that Agave - swoon!!


I keep joking with Sandra that I'm eventually going to add some additional 'color' to my life and order some reds or something else!!  

Seriously,...how much more 'neutral-black, gray, brown-ish' could I get? LOL!

I created this knotted, large hole pearl necklace and bracelet set using the Waxed Jewelry Cord I purchased from Sandra's Knotty-Do-It-All shop.  




It's a fun, versatile and excellent quality cord.

If you have any questions about this cord, shoot me an email, leave a comment here on the blog or hop on over to The Knotty-Do-It-All website and ask Sandra herself! 

She's super nice and is just a wealth of information!


Sandra Younger at the Tucson Gem Show




Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Waxed Jewelry Cord Fun!
Cheers, 
~Shel~

A Punch of Color (Macro)

It's week 41 for the Focus on Life:2014 Weekly Photography Challenge.  

For October our topic is COLOR and so this week Sally prompted us with this:




"Since October's topic is color, why not take a look at color on the macro side of things?  
A Punchy Shot of Color, Up Close!"

I LOVE macro shots. They just amaze me.  All those cool textures, colors, and itty-bitty insects. Tiny little worlds going on right before our eyes, only we can't see them unless we stop and get super, super up-close!

It rained recently here in the desert. Supposedly the 'last' of our monsoon weather for the year.




I love taking macros shots of the rose garden in our yard. I'm a bit out of practice as I haven't taken any macro shots for a while now, but boy are they fun to try and capture!




Let's see what other Punchy, Up-Close Shots of Color the rest of the gang captured this week, shall we? 




Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Color Up Close!
Cheers,
~Shel~

FOL:14 - Week 40 - Color

Wow, week 40. October. Time flies, doesn't it?! 

This month our topic for the Focus on Life 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge from Sally was "COLOR" and for this first week in October our prompt is:  

Color Photography.  

Sally said, "Capture your most colorful moments to date!  This week its all about color photography!


This wasn't as easy as I thought it was going to be. Looking around, all the colors seemed the same,...even the pearls I was able to work with for a few minutes were all white. 
Not very colorful. 

Then, as we sat down to eat one night, my hubby and son's favorite show came on.  Yes, we're awful, we usually eat in front of the idiot-box. But we laugh, talk and have fun while doing it, so it makes for some great family time!  

Anyway, when this came up on the screen, I shouted out, "Pause it!" 



They looked at me like I was crazy. I explained to the son and hubs what our photo assignment was this week and how, even on my daily walks, I either saw nothing very colorful or I'd forgotten to take my phone when I did see something, so this was my only chance!

So, here's the color that was in my week. We laugh all the time at each other as we each try to be the first to complete the puzzle. It makes for some very colorful dinner conversations, let me tell you!

Let's see what other colorful moments everyone else captured this week!

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Color in Everything!
Cheers,
~Shel~

I'll leave you with these colorful signs,....


FOL:2014 - Week 39

September's topic is SIMPLICITY for the Focus on Life:2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and for week 39, Sally prompted us with:

Hands



Sometimes it just takes a hand 
to help
to heal
to hold

"We got this"


Now, let's see the HANDS all the other participants captured this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Knuckle-Bumpin'!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Knotting Pearls with out Tools - Tutorial

During the Pearls! Pearls! Pearls! II Blog Hop back in June of this year, I posted a video that the folks over at Pearl Paradise shared which demonstrated the method of how to knot pearls with out any tools. 

I mentioned in another blog post that I use this method quite frequently and do it basically the same way they demonstrate in the video, only I seem to do it 'backwards' to the method in the video,...possibly because I'm ambidextrous.

 I've had several people ask me for a video of how I actually do this knotting technique and so here it is.   

I was working with a necklace using some of the waxed jewelry cord from Sandra over at The Knotty Do-It-All (LOVE her waxed jewelry cord - you should check out all the colors she offers!!) and decided, since it was a rather thick cord and I was using large hole pearls, it would be the perfect opportunity to show you how I do this method of knotting.

In the video I keep saying it's waxed linen cord - it's not linen, it's a synthetic waxed jewelry cord. Sorry I misspoke there. You cannot 'melt' the ends of waxed linen, but with this waxed jewelry cord, you can and I prefer to do that over using glue to secure knots for clasps, etc. 

The waxed jewelry cord tends to stay in place while I'm showing you what to do here in the video and it's also thick enough for you to actually see the knots on the screen, which is very helpful.

Now, if you've followed me for any length of time, you all know I'm super techno-challenged (that's my disclaimer - LOL!!), so keep this it mind as you watch, okay?

For some reason, it's a bit 'fast' in that is seems to be speeding up my voice and all - so I kinda sound a bit like one of the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz,...sorry. 

And although the camera was on a tripod, it appears as if it's 'moving (almost like there's a GoPro on my head or something), but I think you'll get the idea. 



MiShel Designs - Pearl Knotting with out Tools Video Tutorial

Feel free to ask any questions you might have or leave any comments here or over on the You Tube page!

Thanks for watching!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Pearl Knotting Fun!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Simplicity: ONE

Our topic for the month of September in the Focus on Life: 2014 weekly photography challenge is SIMPLICITY and for week 38, Sally has prompted us with:



ONE 


One being, one part, one piece.  We are all ONE.

Capture a photograph with only one subject or one piece or a small part of a subject.

This week I received my first certification in the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) industry of which my husband and I are immersed in with our business.

It is one step, with more to follow.

I am one, of many.

As is this one,.....



Let's see what everyONE else has captured this week, shall we? 

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and One Simple Step.
Cheers,
~Shel~


A Simple Window

For the month of September our theme for the Focus on Life:2014 weekly photography challenge is:

Simplicity

and this week, week 37,   
Sally gave us this topic:



 A Window

The windows on the tree house are pretty special. They are some of the windows from Grandma Emma's original cabin that was built in the 1950's up near my sister and brother-in-law's cabin.  

Despite the fact that, due to it's size, there were relatively few structures lost during Arizona's largest wildfire to date - the 2011 Wallow Fire - Grandma Emma's was one of the few cabins that burned completely to the ground. 

The only thing left was the fireplace.

The Fireplace  - 3 Years After The Fire


At least that's what we thought at first. 

And then we all remembered that the tree house windows belonged to the original cabin. 



The Tree House - with the original Hindman Cabin windows!!

So, they not only provide a view, 
they also provide a 'window to the past'. 

Let's see what other windows every one else has captured this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Window Happiness!
Cheers,
~Shel~

A Door - Focus on Life: 2014 - Week 36

Our topic for September for the Focus On Life: 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge is

 'Simplicity' 

and for week 36 Sally prompted us with


 'A Door'


Well, if you didn't already know, I'm a bit obsessed with doors.
I've got a 'Door Porn' board over on Pinterest 
that helps feed this obsession. 

So, when we got the prompt for this week I thought, 
"Yeah Baby! I'm not gonna have any problems with this week's prompt!"

Wrong. 

Other than the grocery store and my house, I haven't gone far this week and didn't manage to capture even one photo of the cool doors I saw down in Mexico last weekend. (really?!?)

So, I leave you this week with one of my favorite door photos of all times.

Italian villa in Sommocolonia, Italy. Photo by Michelle Buettner

This beautiful home is in a little hilltop village called Sommocolonia
above the village of Barga in Tuscany, Italy. 

Sommocolonia is a magical place. 

When I die my ashes could be spread up on the hill, underneath the remains of the magnificent stone towers where the memorial plaque to the Buffalo Soldiers of WWII hangs, and I'd be eternally happy. 

This village is 'A Door' to another world.

 Simplicity rings through out this beautiful hilltop village, behind each door, and welcomes you with open arms. 



I'm excited to see what simplistic doors the other participants were able to capture this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and A Door to a Simple, Peaceful Place!
Cheers,
~Shel~ 

**I posted early because I'm down in Tucson at the Fall G&LW Gem Show tonight!
I'll try to visit and comment on every one's posts on Sunday!**

 

Lazy Days of Summer!

It's week 35 and the prompt this last week of August, where our theme for the month has been"Outside" for the Focus on Life weekly photography challenge, is:



 "Lazy Days of Summer"

I think I can handle this.



I'm lazin' around with the neighbor's frog. He's still online for goodness sakes. Geeze,......you'd think he'd be enjoying the water by now. 

Everyone have a wonderfully fun and safe Labor Day Weekend!

Be sure to check out how everyone else is celebrating the 'Lazy Days of Summer'.  

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Enjoying the Lazy Days of Summer!!
Cheers,
~Shel~

 

Every One's Online These Days,....

It's week 34 and the prompt this week for the August theme of "Outside" for the Focus on Life weekly photography challenge is:



"About The Ground"

Sally prompted us to "draw your focus about the ground; you may be surprised at what you find!"

I found this little guy sitting on the ground over in our neighbor's yard, just pecking away at his computer.




Can you believe it?!  

Seems like every one's online these days,....

I wonder what all the other participants found while looking about the ground this week?

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Looking About The Ground!
Cheers,
~Shel~



Being a Little Knotty!


Last week I mentioned how Pattye over at Patricia Saab Designs on Etsy was nice enough to send me some Beader's Secret Thread to try out and I managed to sneak in a little "Knotty-Time" this weekend and wanted to give you all an update.



Click here to read the post from last week where I showed you the samples she sent and the photo of all the beautiful colors of Beader's Secret thread she offers in her shop. 

Pattye sent along a couple of large eye needles for me too, since this nylon cord works best for knotting pearls when it's doubled over. 




With the exception of the three larger pearls in the front of the necklace, I went with a rather 'random' pattern here because,...well, basically because they were mostly mismatched pearls from various strands I've used through the years. Orphans, if you will. LOL!! And, the 'Shell' color of the Beader's Secret cord matched up perfectly, so I just went with it.

When I work with thread that's doubled over, I like to condition it with a product like Thread Heaven because it makes it a bit more manageable for me.




I decided to do a simple, 17 inch hand knotted necklace using my tweezers. Half way through the process I converted to knotting with out tweezers. Or tool-less. I didn't get any photos of that process, but here's a great video from 'Pearlmaven' over on You Tube that shows you exactly how I knotted the remaining strand. I actually do it 'mirrored' to the way she does it. So, holding the pearls with my right hand and letting my left hand do the other 'stuff'. You'll see what I mean when you watch the video. 




The Beader's Secret thread was easy to 'stretch' prior to stringing my pearls on the cord to be knotted and it didn't seem to kink up or twist as much as other nylon cords (SuperLon or C-Lon) I use. 

I really liked the way the Beader's Secret thread knotted, too. It was soft and very supple, just like silk, and made neat, little knots. 




I can see myself suggesting this as an alternative to silk for my clients who wish me to restring their vintage or family heirloom pearls.  




 So, overall, I'd have to say that for traditional knotting, it's a winner!

Thanks again Pattye for introducing me to Beader's Secret, I like it!




Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and New Knotty Fun!
Cheers
~Shel~

*And no, Pattye didn't pay me to write this review or anything like that. If you read the post I where I mentioned all this last week, you'll know that I convo'd her over on Etsy with about a dozen questions and she just said, "Here Shelly, let me send you a sample and you can see for yourself!" 
What a sweetie!
Great customer service, wouldn't you say?!!