Romantic Homes Magazine Ad

The proof is done, and the ad is off to press. My dear husband allowed me to be a part of Lollishops' first ad in Romantic Homes magazine. I have been on a tight budget with my little bead business--a very tight budget--and couldn't swing any of the other ad opportunities offered by Sadie, though tempting as they were. BUT, as dear as he is, my husband saw the value in being part of the co-op ad for this magazine; we had enough extra for the ad; and we agreed this would be a wise use of money. Besides, Sadie made it all very tempting with such a great deal for each vendor (thanks, Sadie, again for the opportunity!). I've enjoyed Romantic Homes for years and years. It has undergone many editors and changes over the years. It took on sort of a "modern romantic" feel with the most recent editor when she came on several years back, and although it was hard to accept at first, I stuck it out and have grown to really enjoy the magazine once again. The ad comes out in June's issue, and I'm so excited. It looks great! Check out what the Lollishops ad will look like here>>>>>>http://lolli-ads.blogspot.com. What do you think? Can you find me in the ad?

Let's Sip Cake!

This month I turn another page in my life's book...another chapter, perhaps...when I hit 40. I'm trying to feel positive about it since I've been told by my sister-in-law who turned 40 two years ago that 40 is the new 30. Well, regardless, I can't stop it, so I might as well be brave and embrace it and move on. Just where does time go, anyway? Anyway, my family on the in-law side celebrated my birthday this past weekend (along with a few others in the family who have birthdays around this time of year), but, bless their hearts, they made it extra special for me. Many, many loving hugs and heaps of thanks to them. I had previously told my husband that if I found one of those gravestone cakes with my name on it at the party I'd refuse to acknowledge it and would undoubtedly cry uncontrollably...to which he responded, "I've already taken care of that." Isn't he wonderful? Anyway, when I arrived at the gathering, the cake pictured above was on the counter. How delightful! How thoughtful! How could I have doubted my dear sisters-in-law that they'd give me a gravestone cake? A friend of one of my sisters-in-law made it (sorry, I haven't a name or I'd give the proper credit here). I hesitated when the time came to cut it since it was so pretty, but when else does one have the opportunity to sip her cake? Mmmmmm, perhaps turning 40 isn't so bad after all.

Peaches 'n Cream Brooch

With my mind wandering to longer days and warmer temperatures and sweet fruits and veggies freshly picked, I just finished this brooch and added it to my Lollishop. I reminds me of old fashioned, summertime peaches and cream...thus the name! It has warm peach glass beads--some light, some darker, some swirled with clear glass. I also transferred a "Red Hat" inspired charm from my eCrater shop to the Lollishops shop.

"Pleasant words..."

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24) Who would ever think that a few pleasant words given to someone could have such impact! There have been times when someone has said or written something unpleasant to me that affected me for days afterward. It bothers me terribly when someone is unkind as I'm sure it does many people. Some can shrug things off easier than others, and I wish I were more that way. It also makes me think of how I have been, am, and should be towards others. Sometimes burdens in life can get a person down a bit--sickness comes, bills arrive that are twice what you thought, the car breaks down, someone close gets cancer, etc.--you know how it is. There are many people out there with many burdens. There are studies that prove that increased stress and difficulties negatively affects one's health. I know what a blessing it has been the many times people, some I barely know, offered me a pleasant word. Those little kindnesses were indeed "sweet" to me and put a smile on my face and a ray of sunshine in my heart. Some of those people are you, dear blog readers, who have left a kind and encouraging comment on one of my posts. Thank you so very, very much. You have been the inspiration for this post. You have given a bit of sweetness and perhaps a healthier day to me, have given me inspiration to seek the verse above, and encouraged me to remember the verse and try to offer pleasant words to others each day.

Gramma's Purse Brooch

I've been somewhat in a creative slump lately. Partly I think it's because of a slowness in sales--who wants to create if no one wants what you create? Anyway, I've had this purse on my mind for awhile, and yesterday had a little time to work away at it. It was fun, of course, since creating is almost always fun. I'm pleased with how it came out. It has been posted on my Lollishop already (www.lollishops.com/glassbeadtreasures). It has a little brass "clasp" (but the purse doesn't open) to which I stitched a dark blue bag. The bag is embellished with pink, green, and "pearl" glass seed beads and a chain.
I also redid all of my pictures to "lighten" the look for spring since the books--I really do like the books--unfortunately look a little dark and autumn/winterish. I can't say that I'm totally happy with how they turned out, but they will have to do for now. Thanks for reading my post!

Posies, Pearls, and Palette at Lollishops

How exciting it was to find out I was the winner of Brook's "All Dolled Up" giveaway. Her blog is The Red Chair Studio (at this point I can't figure out how to "follow" her "Typepad" blog). Her lovely Lollishop is Posies, Pearls, and Palette. Her giveaway item was this adorable little pillow. I happen to think that the front is equally as delightful as the back and can't decide which side to display! She also sent along a little surprise gift--a sweet, springy door hanger complete with flower button and bumblebee stitched on it. Color combinations are really important to me--they absolutely must go well together--and I dare say that Brook has an incredible knack with colors.
On both items the colors she matched and put together were perfectly and beautifully matched. I am quite impressed! Please check out her Lollishop and her blog to view her lovelies! Thanks again, Brook!

French Garden Gate

I love baths and am very blessed with a wonderful bathtub. It is big and sits in a corner of our bathroom. A window is on the left (frosted I might add!), a tall blank wall is at the foot and head, and a blank, 2/3 wall is on the right. There is enough room to look out into the rest of the bathroom. I truly feel as if I am in a secluded haven whenever I take a bath. Sometimes I light candles. Sometimes I use bubbles. Just the trickle of the water coming from the faucet is soothing, and I truly feel secluded, quiet, and peaceful there. *Ahhh* I have posted in the past about the small garden gates I placed on the window sill. I am still working on finding just the right glass beads, etc. to put on that, so I will post about that another time. However, I found this metal gate to put on one of the blank walls. They were just too tall and blank! I chose the wall at my feet to decorate first because, well, I wanted something pleasant to look at while in my little haven. I bought this gate at Hobby Lobby. It is roughly 2 feet wide and 2-1/2 feet tall and is quite sturdy since it is solid metal. I spray painted it a dark, mossy green to match the other colors in my bathroom and twisted raspberry-colored beads on metal wires around it to give the impression of growing flowers on vines. I am quite pleased with this French garden gate and how it transforms me to another peaceful land, another beautiful place while soaking in my hot bath.

If You Like Jewelry and Want to Be Proactive...

Would you be interested in taking industry surveys and have the chance to win incredible jewelry in the process? I think I'm really a frustrated jeweler. Thankfully I have the outlet I do with my little business...but gems and jewelry just fascinate me. I don't actually want it all...I just enjoy looking at it. Anyway, about 2 years ago I signed up with the Jewelry Consumer Opinion Council to participate in industry surveys. They are free and most fun. I have the opportunity to voice my opinion on trends, names, fashions, etc. in the jewelry industry. I also have the chance with each survey to win fabulous jewelery prizes. I have not won a prize yet, but the surveys are fun and the "hope" of winning keeps me going. This is NOT a scam. This is NOT invasive (I never do and don't have to fill in the button saying what my family brings in for income). People DO win/earn fabulous jewelry prizes--drawings are held every other month and are worth from hundreds to over a thousand dollars (we can see pictures of the people who win along with their new bling), and we are given reports on the results of our survey answers.

Those who participate in the surveys (me!) are encouraged to give e-mail addresses to the JCOC so that they may in turn e-mail these people with an invitation to participate in their surveys. Other than my mom (*love you, Mom*) I would not give anyone's address to the JCOC without asking first. So....if you are interested in participating in these free surveys for the chance to win beautiful jewelry and are willing for JCOC to send you an invitation to participate, please e-mail me at treasuresandtea@gmail.com and just put "JCOC" in the "RE" bar and I will put your address on the list to receive an e-mail from JCOC. You may visit their website for more information at www.jcoc.net...however, if five people sign up who I refer, I actually receive a gift from the JCOC and would really appreciate it if I could refer you. I hope many would like to do this since it is great fun. I look forward to hearing from you, thanks!

Springtime Cupcakes

I needed to provide the treats for a ladies' meeting at our church last night. I know it is only February, but since I'm just too eager for spring to come, I decided to make some springtime cupcakes. They needed to be yummy, pretty, perky, and flowery, I decided. First, I started with a "confetti' cake mix so each bite would reveal pretty color.
Then I used fluffy white frosting and put a thick layer on each cupcake.
Then to make the flowers I used gumdrops. I first put a nice pile of sugar on the waxed paper since they are so sticky especially the more you work with them!
I started rolling them with a rolling pin but soon realized that simply squishing them with my clean, sugared fingers worked better than than rolling pin which the gumdrops liked to stick to.I cut the flowers and leaves out with little fondant cutters, but you could use any small cookie/canape cutters that you have. I had to poke each flower and leaf out of the cutter with a knife despite the sugar, but it worked out just fine.
I ran out of time and resources for the centers of the flowers...but I thought they really should have a center of some sort. Little silver dots or candies (had neither on hand) or even piped frosting (no time) would have looked better, but I used a toothpick and some leftover frosting to add little centers. The possibilities are endless with gumdrops, frosting, different sized cutters, and a little time to make pretty cupcakes. Try them for yourself for a springtime tea, church ladies activity, shower, or other activity where the treat should look lovely.

Lovely Necklace Received

Although I didn't have a whole lot of time to participate in other's parties, the Lollishops' "All Dolled Up" party was great fun. Sadie of http://craftilyeverafter.blogspot.com won my charm which has since been mailed off. I won a lovely 1928 necklace from Karen at http://charmingscollectibles.blogspot.com (you may see a picture of the pretty necklace on her blog). I received it yesterday in the mail, and it is gorgeous. Thank you, Karen! While you are at it check out what these ladies have to offer in their shops which are listed on their blogs.

What DO you do with a charm anyway?

One of the items I enjoy making is the charm. They are small and pretty and delicate and affordable among other qualities. Most people think, "Charm=Charm Bracelet" and that's very true...BUT there are many other things one can do with charm.
Below I will list a few ideas:
1. Turn the charm into a pendant
2. Tie charm onto a teacup handle (check out the "All Dolled Up" post for the picture) with pretty organza ribbon for bridal shower or tea party favors
3. Attach a lanyard clip and clip onto, well, anything...a cell phone, a purse, belt loop, etc.
4. Use that lanyard clip and attach to a zippered sweater for a sparkly accent
5. Dress up a present by tying the charm onto the bow
6. Put on a silk cord and use as a bookmark
7. Attach to a ribbon and tie around a napkin for a napkin ring/gift for your dinner friends
What are your ideas? I'd love to hear them!

The All Dolled Up Charm Winner Is....

...Sadie Lou that's who! Congratulations, Sadie! Your name was chosen via random.org. Can you tell me the name of the hidden item? Thank you to everyone who came to the party and participated.