My Ouchee!

Last Thursday afternoon, I had surgery on my right foot to fix a hammertoe. Sooo, I've been sitting around for the last 5 days with my foot elevated and iced. Not being able to do much has really cramped my style. Of course, our weather just changed and it's been in the 70's for the last three days. I can't go out and do any gardening at all. It's breaking my heart. I have been able to bead and use the computer by placing myself in a very awkward position. I'm attaching pictures of the "lovely" boot they give you to walk around in. I think it's going to be this way for about 4 weeks, Yuck! I have a wonderful little friend (Fergie) that keeps me company when my husband goes off to do his thing. He's the same light chaser from a previous post.

Featured Items from Bastille Bleu

One of the artists that I purchase lampwork beads from has featured me (PG's Gemspirations) and my daughter, Audrey (Juniper Gems), in her blog. I am so honored to be there. Nikki from Bastille Bleu Designs makes gorgeous lampwork beads in her Milwaukee, Wisconsin shop. Take a few minutes to visit her Etsy shop at http://bastillebleu.etsy.com. I am posting the bracelet I created from her beads in this article.

Buy One, Get One

To get things moving in my Etsy shop, I have instituted BOGO (Buy One, Get One) offering a free pair of matching earrings with some of my bracelet listings. It's my hope this will jumpstart some more sales for me.

One of the BOGO listings is "Pink for Emily" dedicated to my gorgeous granddaughter, Emily. She always loved pink growing up and so I thought it appropriate to name this lovely pink bracelet for her.

Softest Pink Necklace

I am about to list a new necklace on my Etsy site. It is made up of pink and white seed pearls all braided together with a dangle of coin pearls and Swarovski crystals. I love how this turned out. It is absolutely gorgeous and would be awesome for a bride! Here's a sneak preview of that listing.

Spring has sprung ..... Trees are going!

We moved into our house last May 2008. There are 3 trees in our backyard that have these ugly, spikey seedpods on them. These "spikey" things drop all over the yard, making an mess, so...... As you'll see from my pictures these trees are on their way out. Wahoo! My husband has de-limbed them and we are in the process of cutting up the limbs and filling up our yard debris container. Being a Oregon State Univ. Extension Master Gardener this goes against everything I believe in, but...... These are really ugly trees and they block our very spectacular view of the mountains in Washington State. We are planning on some raised beds for our backyard this summer to grow some of our veggies. The tomatoes we grew in pots last year were wonderful so we're going to expand out to other vegetables.

Spring is starting to pop out all over here in Western Oregon! We have sweet little miniature daffodils in the front and forsythia in the back. My bleeding heart is almost ready to bloom and the trillium's are just starting to bloom! Even if the weather isn't what I'd call spring weather, it's beginning to look that way. Our neighbor's flowering plum is blooming too. Yeh!

In My Little Corner of the World

I have help when I'm beading.... Fergus (my Cairn Terror (oops! Terrier) has a facination with lights. So whenever I turn on my lamps to bead, he goes into his "looking for lights" madness. See pictures......

I wanted to show where I do all my beading.... (see pic) A very small space. My husband has twice the space and only spends a few hours a week at his table. I know, I know, quit your whining! It actually is plenty of space. If I had more room, I'd probably just use it all up and want more.

On the days that I take Fergie for a walk, I've noticed some little green plants beginning to stick their little heads up to see if it's warm enough yet. I even have daffodils coming up! I can't wait for Spring!

Sale in my Etsy shop!

I am offering free shipping on any of my Valentine, Heart selections for this week only. I'm excited! I haven't done anything like this before.