Spring Cleaning=Destash

Yep, selling off some of my stash---too many treasures, too little time.... a small sampling...

 You can check them out in my vintage/destash etsy store-- http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/

I'll be adding some metal beads and gemstones soon as well.  Just trying to whittle down to a reasonable amount for the occasional hobbiest I've become.

That's What Families Do

Me, Pam and Klea

Last week we took a last minute road trip to visit with my husband's mother.  She had become quite ill and needed some help so we took off for the mountains of Utah to see what we could do.  After our fourth day there she was able to sit up in her living room with a valiant effort,  and we got to listen and watch a travel log of her sister Pam's, Mediterranean cruise.  Klea missed the cruise but due to her health issues, and was eager to see every picture and hear every detail of that missed trip. When we were thru she wanted to see it again...very soon...when she's feeling a little stronger.

Klea with two of her son's--Chris and my husband, Mitch.  Look at the big smiles.  I'm pretty sure that is the biggest smile of the week.  She was so grateful and happy to see two of her 'boys', and know how much they cared about her. We all worked hard at arranging what was needed for her daily needs, and making her room more livable with her health changes.  The best thing was an adjustable bed, so she will be able to sit up and hopefully get up while she's working on getting better.  Then the best  thing was the safety net of help that was available to help her stay in her home. with her cat and familiar things nearby.  Holding good thoughts that she will be able to stay home where she wants to be with the extra help she'll be getting.  Many thanks to good people--friends, volunteers, extended family and  medical personal who serve with care and compassion.

Lately, my husband and I have talked about how blessed we are to have all four of our parents still living, all of them in the mid to late 80's.  They enrich our lives with their examples and it is especially nice for our children to have four loving grandparents.  Giving thanks for the blessings of family today and every day!  FAMILIES ARE FOREVER

Some Random Thoughts

Just some random thoughts here....instead of making soup with my stones, I've decided to just use them to embellish my soup tureen...see, I told you I'd find a way to use them....lol.

 I can tell it's summertime here at the beach, I actually see people when I take my walks now. Mostly I'm used to solitary walks on the beach, where I'm surprised to see more than one or two people along the whole strand...lots of birds, and dinky crabs, even a jellyfish or two and the neighborhood sealion--but people, not so much...but now they're coming to enjoy what I enjoy.  I especially love to watch the familys with children--building sand castles, running in and out of the surf, laughing and playing...reminds me of when my grandson is here and I can share in his delight of everything surf and sand..and makes me miss him all the more!  Solitude is sometimes overrated...there's a time and a season.

Yep, once upon a time I did Viking knit and I found this piece stashed away in my treasure trove of goodies, so I put it in my etsy store last night  http://www.rickitic.etsy.com/  I also 'reopened' my vintage/stash store on etsy http://www.allweneedislove.etsy.com/ and added some lampwork from my stash.  It's time to let go of a few things that haven't called my name for awhile and declutter.  Do they call that Spring Cleaning?  Not sure, but today is the first day of the rest of my life!  Have a good one!!!

Stone Soup

Every walk on the beach ends with my pockets full of little stones that look like they would make pretty jewelry...the only problem is I don't have a way to drill them and I'm not much of a wirewrapper, so what to do with them, but just admire their smooth rounded surfaces, their color and variety of textures and think about what to do with them.  I also have a rather large collection of larger and thicker stones with even more variety that I can't seem to stop collecting....when people ask what I plan to do with them, I have to admit I don't know, but I'm sure I'll think of something....maybe I'll make stone soup?  I also have some driftwood, seashells and sand dollars in my collection....do you think they'll add a little flavor...

Up On My Roof

Here's proof positive that the best room in the house isn't a conventional room at all, but my rooftop deck!  I have a great 360 degree view---the beach, ocean and Channel Islands to the west and the harbour with the mountains in the background to the east.  If I want to chase away the blues, breathe some fresh air, seek inspiration or just mellow out--this is the place to be.  It's the perfect perch to watch the sunset, the sailboats, the seagulls and pelicans in flight or just sit quietly and enjoy my lunch. It's the perfect perch to listen to the sealions, the roar of the surf, and the wail of the fog horn. I can be alone or invite 50 of my closest  friends to join me (it's also the largest 'room' in the house).  Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall, no matter the time of year there is always something beautiful to enjoy up on my roof. 

Luscious Lampwork

It's time to take a look at some of the dazzling lampwork I have in my stash and see what I can do with some of my beauties...so out came my box of Manuela Wutschke's beads that I've been hoarding and here's my latest effort....if you think I like bold colors, you might be right!

Talkin' to Myself

Yep, that's pretty much it--just talking to myself.  Isn't that how it should be, after disappearing for so long? I seem to have these little interludes of motivation and then fall by the wayside again.  You know once it's on the web, it never dies, so let me share some fun stuff!  I'm going to be a grandma again--this will make our second grandchild.  One almost three year old gorgeous, exhuberant boy and another baby boy-in-waiting to be arriving in mid-September.  We are all so excited. One family in Texas, the other in California--that will be the hard part on the grandparents---how to be both places often enough to enjoy both families.  I guess that is always the way...Since one set of grandparents live in Brazil, I won't complain about not being close enough!

Mitch and I have a peaceful respite here at the beach while he pursues some of his business dreams, still in California, in spite of my best efforts, lol.  Texas had my vote--our son's family, warm friendly people, and a vibrant, optimistic mind-set that won my heart...I think it was a whole summer full of nothing but 100 degree plus weather that nixxed the deal, and sent us scurrying back to California to regroup. 

Enough of the family stuff, here are a couple of new designs inspired by my walks on the beach...