Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday,

Sweet

 Maggie!!!

73 year old man drowns in 17 inches of water!

This has NOT been a good week.  On Mother's Day my sweet daughter and family came to cook our Mothers day celebration.  I was in a funk because I miss my Mommy so much this year!  Us girls were setting on the patio enjoying all of our lovely fish swimming in the ponds.   We were relaxing while my son in love was cooking steaks, shrimp, mushrooms and turkey burgers.  My hubby was taking a minute to "relax" and clear the motor to our fish ponds.  We HAD 23 large goldfish that were showing off their stuff.  Us girls were watching him pull the motor to clean it.  He leaned in to the pond to "clean" the motors.  He kept sliding into the pond.  His feet were fixed on the ground, toes in the soil.  But he kept going deeper.  I yelled,  "what are you doing!!!!"  No response....Honey, what in the world are you doing?  NO response... his head was underwater while feet planted on the bank....TROUBLE, BIG TROUBLE!!!  I began to jump and run for the pond.... full speed...my daugher, went for the middle of his body.... I held his head above water and pushed with all my might to set him on shore.  Melissa went under water and lifted his mid section to the bank (four feet high)  I pushed and shoved to get him out of the water.  He was out cold...no help from the drowning one.  After we got him on shore he made NO sense.  Panic set in...strouk,  passing out, no communication!!!!  "Oh, Lord, please please please help my hubby!!!!"  He finally "came too" and kept saying he had to MOVE!  I kept saying set still until you feel better....he finally said.  "you have put me on a sharp rock and my butt is on a sharp rock...I must move NOW!"  All I could think was, I can't live without my rock, the man who keeps me going, my friend, my pal.......
Later, embarassed and uncomfortable, He said
"I can just see the head lines....
73 year old man drowns in 17 inches of water!"
The doctor has been in contact...blood work done...a fluke maybe...I am shook!!!  I love that old man and am NOT ready to be through with our life together!  I can't wrap my brain around being without this gentle man/   PLease please keep us in your prayers.  I am not the same...my nerves are shot..I am scared...I need God's peace once again.  I need your prayers.  I feel so insecure..
love, sharon

Maggie, oh where has she gone????

(Photo courtesy of Magic Moonlight)

OUR Maggie

of

http://grandmayellowhair.blogspot.com/

has had an accident and needs our love! 

She has delighted us with

stories of Ms. Pearl

and

her adventures at the jail

and  her lovely farm.

I have laughed until I have cried.

I have been Maggie's follower and friend since her

very first post.

She is a lady with a great sense of humor

 and is a

bright shining light

in this world of negatives.

Her daughter, Christi, has posted that

Maggie has had an accident at work!

Christi is taking care of her

Mom while she is recuperating. 

I thought  you would like to know about her. 

Maybe you would want to take a second or two and

drop "our Maggie" a love note

of encouragement and cheer. 

I love this lady!

I wish her my very

best wishes,

prayers

and

thoughts

during her recovery.

"Blessings to you, Maggie,

I am sending you all my love.

Let us have all the details as soon as you are up to it!

You are missed by so many,

especially ME"

Sharon

Beading Away

Let me introduce my new friend,

Mimi/Hero

of

http://lascreacionesdeboricua.blogspot.com/

She wore this lovely necklace for the Southern Belle. 

(She taught herself how to bead.) 

She is a seamstress and embroider plus being absolutely gorgeous.  She made the outfit she is wearing with lovely embroidered cuffs and sleeves to match this beautiful necklace!  Incrediable!

Anyway she encouraged me to try the same pattern.

Here are my results....

As you can see I made mine in shades of rose and burgundy and made the rope in a variation of the bead colors. 

The "clasp" catches right at the top of the purse. 

I put a cotton ball inside with my favorite cologne

so I not only look good I smell good too!

Hero had sent me some acrylic flowers awhile back.

  I have been wanting to use in a project so I finished this bracelet  tonight and wanted to share it with you also.

My name for it is "wooly worm" but

it actually looks like a caterpillar. 

I added the lovely flowers to the center of it that Mimi had given me.  (See a couple of posts back.)

I added some gold glass leaves, some beautiful purple crystals in the center of the flowers and a large variety of sizes and textures of beads in shades of purple.

It was a fun piece to design and even more fun to finish.

Thank you so much, Hero, for your lovely gift of the flowers and for the idea of the purse necklace. 

You are such a pleasure to know!

We were working on burning logs and limbs today so I am one tired puppy.  It was a gorgeous spring day with very little wind so we started burning around 10:00AM until 8:00PM.  We have a wooded lot and have not done any clean up in the woods for a couple of years so today was "the day". 

It looks so much nicer, neater, cleaner.  (even the butterflies came by to say they approve!)

Spring has sprung here in Georgia and I am so blessed to have so many lovely flowers to enjoy.  God is so good to me!

Blessings to each and everyone today!

Sharon

p.s. again I want to thank Hero for her encouragement and her sweet spirit!

Maija was my Tussie Mussie Swap Partner

May Baskets and Tussie Mussie Swap Gifts!

Maija of http://Maijalepore.blogspot.com

was my swap partner for the May Basket swap. 

We had never met before so this was a double treat.  I met a new blogger that I adore and I got a lovely bunch of gifts too.

I thought this would be a fun thing to participate in as I remember making May baskets and bringing home flowers from the woods and hanging them on my Momma's door each May day.  Even years after I was grown I would always send her May baskets from the local florists.  It was my way of sending her my love and a piece of spring to brighten her day.  So this swap was special in the memories it brought to mind.

 Look at this lovely piece of artwork Maija made for me! 

 I absolutely love love love it, Maija!  It is so gorgeous! 

The antique couples postcard,  the ribbons, flowers, pearls and lovely wrapping is such a beautiful meeting of artistic soul and lover of Vintage items. 

The cone was huge!  I mean huge!  It is a wonderous 30 plus inches long from hanging ribbons to the bottom of the lace covered tip. ( I already had my hubby hang it in the corner just above my computer so that I can enjoy it each day.)   Inside she lined it with lovely sheet music and filled it with all kinds of goodies that I adore.  There were four packs of gorgeous glitters,  antique buttons, ribbons, a precious small peat pot paper basket,  a note card pack, and a pad of paper to help me keep track of my want to do list, There was a cupcake magnent, and the cutest lollipop I have ever seen.  It was made with a lolly stick and wound with the cutest pink/white ribbon cord.  (How cute!)

Look at these beautiful buttons.  The large green one is going to be made into a bracelet right away!  Maija,  Thank you so very very much for my lovely gifts.  It was fun swapping with you and I hope you will enjoy the May basket I sent to you.  It was fun putting it all together and thinking about you during our preparations.  Let's do it again soon!

This all started with Linda at http://aswapforallseasons.blogspot.com/

She comes up with the cutest ideas for swaps.  This is the first time I have done a swap with her group and I had such a good time putting together my May Basket for Maija.

Thank you to Maija and to Linda for coming up with a delightful spring experience!  I am such a happy camper with all my lovely goodies.  Now I have to enjoy my bounty.

If you haven't joined in the swaps it is a wonderful way to get to know some new blogs and a good way to make friends.  Join in soon!  You will love the experience.

Sharon

Southern Belle's Delight!

Southern Belle's Delight!

I have had one of the most devinely beautiful days that I can remember in a long long time!

I was so busy flitting from person to person that I did not get the photographs I wanted to take.

So I am posting one of all of us. 

If I had only one word to say about today....

MARVELOUS!

I made so many new friends,

heard some wonderful stories,

ate a good lunch with great fellowship,

(Dawn had that "Let's go shopping!" look

so we did not make her teach a class but

NEXT time, Dawn, "you will owe us BIG!")...lol

We shopped until I thought the rocker at the store was my

new permanent place of residence....

I have to share a photo of Susan and her husband http://Artofmine.blogspot.com

She had made this beautiful apron and forgot it at home...her hubby drove all the way home....

brought it back to the restaurant for us to admire. 

Susan, it truly is gorgeous (just like you!)

(There are wonderful husbands

but this one gets the prize of the year!)

We hated parting each others company.

A couple of times I even teared up.

All in all the day was a huge success, from my point of view.

I loved each sweet soul that attended

and

missed those who could not come.  (Maybe next time...)

I thank each one of you for coming to

make new friends!

Girls,Let's do it again SOON!

Sharon

Southern Belle's Up-Dates

I am thrilled and nervous about our upcoming

Southern Belle's

get together!  

 I have had several telephone conversations with many of you.  It makes me all the more excited!

Dawn will be teaching a mini class.

I have several commitments on door prizes...

(you should all show up just for the door prizes)..lol

Plus I have been working on several roses, shoes and secrets to hand out. 

1.  I have my gift exchange done and wrapped....check

2.  I have my name tag done, (all but the beads)...check

3.  I have my spare room full of goodies to bring......check

(this picture is compliments of http://twocrazycrafters.blogspot.com) 

4.  I have my suitcase packed.....check

5.  My suntan lotion....check

6. Car is packed....check 

7.  Oh, yes, me!  I forgot that I MUST go now.....check

The beach is calling!

I am headed for the beach but wanted to let you know that I will still be planning on

seeing ya' all on

Saturday,

April 10th

11:00AM

Please make it a point to come! 

I am heading for the beach until Thursday but will be back in plenty of time to get all the goodies packed and ready for

The Southern Belle Retreat!

My Grand daughter Kate is watching over my shoulder so I had better get going. 

So until Saturday, be safe, be healthy and be happy on this Easter Day!

Sharon

Miss Rheas Easter Basket Goodies

I participated in Miss Rhea's Easter Basket Exchange. 

http://sweetnshabbyroses.blogspot.com/

We were to take two yogurt cups and decorate them to exchange with two partners. 

Here is what I received!

Mary of Marys Meanderings sent me this lovely basket with a detachable broach.  She set the cup upon a lid base to raise it up so that she could attach this gorgeous trim to the bottom.  Then she added a rim at the top out of another cup.  She then attached a beautiful rose fabric because she knew I liked roses and pink.  Isn't it beautiful???

Inside of my box from Mary I got a sweet lamb, an egg topped with a pink chick wearing a crown and a silver cross.  There also was a stand alone cross that she made and covered with a sheet of Christian music. 

Look at this cute pink chick!!!  I love it!

Inside of my package was a card and this bees wax lip gloss all decorated with a lovely paper rose.  She has been raising bees and this is only one of the items that she is coming up with. 

Thank YOU, Mary for the sweet Easter items.  They are so full of love and faith that it is hard to explain how precious they are.

The very same day,  Bertie of Aunt Mays Cottage sent me her lovely swap basket.

We were only to include five things in our packages to our partners.

Bertie made my basket from the same yogurt cup idea but hers was covered with another pink rose fabric, plus darling handmade fabric roses that was topped with a beaded handle.  (Of course she knew I was a beader and loved roses!)  Isn't it wonderfu!  The basket sets on a small doily and was filled with chocolate eggs, Easter chocolate bunnies and this sweet wooden spool of antique rose trim.

It came with these lovely tags and a beaded key chain.  (love that!) Plus a hand made, hand stamped ribbon that is about an inch wide.  (I am so sorry that I did not get a picture of it)

It had this sweet little girl card that moves to put her hat away. 

Last but not least it contained this antique post card that belonged to her family!Thank you so much Bertie!  I love each and every item that you so thoughtfully put into my package.

 It is such a pleasure meeting you and Mary through Miss Rheas Easter Basket Exchange.Thank you so much for the reminder that our Savior has Risen and that HE IS LORD!

Happy Easter, every single one of you in blogland.

Sharon

Sorry for the quick post but the girls are setting in the car waiting for the trip to the beach.

Blessings to all!

I have been VERY busy beading!

FIRST OFF!

I found a bead store going out of business! 
Whooops! 

 Big mistake. 

 I put off going until the last day it was open....

my hubby told me to take my credit card....

BIGGER MISTAKE!

(When hubby okays it and even gives me the credit card, ya' know

I am NOT going to come home empty handed!)

Okay, I know I have gone pink nuts! 

I found this beautiful antique rose metallic galvanized bead. 

 (I can not show or tell you how lovely this bead is.) 

It is SOOOOO Victorian and so ME! 

This necklace is done with a right angle weave with four size 11's/three rows wide and

a tiny size 15 light gold bead in between each bead. 

Pearls just had to be added! 

It just fell together just like it was always "supposed to be made" into something this beautiful.

NEXT

Actually this bracelet was the first thing I made. 

I started with a metal ear ring and added pearls with the size 15 tiny gold bead. 

The "flower" just needed more punch so I began to add leaves from a rosey gold delica. 

You can see the larger veins that I made with tiny gold beads but I actually added veins with several darker shades when I originally made the leaves but they just did not show up as good as I would like.  So I topped it off with the size 15 lighter bead.  I then added pearls and Swarvoski crystals to the center of the bracelet, then added another four rows to complete the base form. 

What do you think?  It is so very comfortable and unique.

NEXT

Again I used the same beautiful pink galvanized beads!  This bracelet is made with a larger  twisted "bugle" bead and accented with the

pink bead on the sides and a peyote in the center. 

Then I began to add a variety of sizes, shapes and colors of pearls and crystals

until I was satisfied with the shape of the "flower" cluster. 

LASTLY!

I told you I had been busy beading!

One more piece to show you.....

For quite a while, I have had this pin bar that wanted my attention.

(I am a jewelry collector of sorts...lol) 

The pin has a lovely tiny china rose in the center. 

From the center bar I hung this gentle cameo.  I did a bead embroidery around the cameo. 

Did you notice that the side with the curtain is a different color and

texture of bead than the right hand side?  

I used a stunning stone like multi colored pink finish bead for the right side and a

soft matte rose on the left where the curtain hangs. 

Now I have a broach to wear or sell that is unique and very pretty/feminine.

(This is the only piece I have made recently that I did not use that galvanized pink. ....)

Well, that is it for now. 

I'm tired so I am headed for bed.

Tomorrow I will try to get a post to you about the Easter Basket Swap that I participated in.

Blessings to all,

Sharon

Spring Flowers Earring Style from Mimi

Mimi of

http://lascreacionsdeboricua.blogspot.com

is a fellow beader and from Georgia.  

She had written to me that she was coming to our Southern Belle Retreat.  She makes the most original stunning pieces of jewelry.  

I had asked about a couple of pieces that she had designed and she was so generous in sending me this lovely gift.  She had sewed a dainty bookmark into a package and embroidered my "S" initial.  

Isn't it absolutely the sweetest little package? 

She filled the bookmark with all of these lovely acrylic flowers. 

It also included some metal stems so all I had to do is a quick couple of pair of ear rings. 

This is what I came up with. 

 I find it very hard to use the flowers as they are so beautiful. 

Don't they look just like spring? 

I love them so much! 

I am going to make a bracelet for spring and hope to get it finished while I am at the beach next week.  Because Mimi is coming to our get together April 10th and I want to show her how much they were and are appreciated. 

I had just gotten in some beautiful size 4 rondelle AB beads and some purple crystals from China. 

 They matched perfectly! 

Thank you, Mimi, for such a thoughtful and creative gift. 

I am getting so excited to meet everyone in Hoschton, GA. in a couple of weeks!!! 

Yikes! 

Just two weeks and I am going to be gone for one week to the beach with my daughter and grand daughters for a week away to bead, swim and bead some more. 

I have my name tag all made but the hanging of the beads from the heart. 

I will try to post another time to show you some of the pieces I have been working on.  I don't want to make my posts so long that you will get bored but I have so much going on.

Blessings to all and thank you again, Mimi, for the sweet gift.

Sharon

OWOH Gifts Again

Jackie

of

http://SilverLodge-Gems.blogspot.com

 from the UK

sent me this lovely leaf piece!!

This is one of the many gifts I received from OWOH.

I have added a gold chain to it and wear it all the time. 

I wish you could see how detailed and delicate this piece is. 

The colors are wonderful!  I think you can see the metalic leaf with

jewels in the middle of every flower.  Isn't it beautiful?

Jackie I love it so much and know it took a long time to get here and I will cherish it forever because you made it especially for me!

Thank you so very very much. 

Southern Belle's Up-Dates

More NEWS!!!

Southern Belle's Retreat...

Dawn may teach a mini-class on April 10th for us!!

(We MAY be sharing a couple of workshops.)

We are getting so very excited about meeting everyone!

(I had to include a few pictures of Georgia sunshine at Grandma's house.... My three littlest munchkins came over on Friday and they HAD to go into our gardens to pick

a few flowers before going home.)

Back to the real reason for this post.

I am working on my "name tag".
(Hint, hint...lol)

Mine is going to be a heart for love,.... a rose in 3D for my love of pinks and of roses,... an old post card for a name.... to show my love of Victorian with a 3D stamp for my love of details then I will end it with beads for my passion....

it is a work in progress.

Have you started on yours yet?

(A surprise will be given to the
most orginal and creative
 name tag.)

I have some door prizes to bring!

Dawn (The Feathered Nest)and Yvette (The Charm House)

will be donating something too!

Plus I am making a special piece of

jewelry for my

"gift exchange".

(Your gift exchange gifts do not have to be anything
 extravagant or expensive,
just something from your heart.)
I am having to do things ahead of time as I am taking my other Grand daughters to the beach for the first week of spring break

BUT

I will be back just in time!

(It seems it is always so busy all at the same time.)

I will look forward to seeing you all real soon...

I am having problems with getting the correct email addresses for everyone so please send me your correct addresses so I can keep everyone updated.

Don't forget to post about this event for our
Southern Belles'!!!

Thank you so much for participating!

Sharon

Southern Belle's Date

Hello Everyone!

Did you think I have forgotten all about

the Georgia Bloggers?

"NEVER!"

Here are NEWEST plans for the upcoming:

Southern Belle's Date!

1: We are meeting for sure on

April 10th

at

Peckers Resturant in

Hoschton, Ga at 11:00AM

(Please see former post for directions and meeting place or email me for information.)

2: Please bring a gift to exchange.

(This can be hand made or boughten.)

3: There will be door prizes galore!

4: We will have one or maybe two workshops for you to attend.

5: We would like for you to make and

bring your very own name tag.

(Your name tag should "reflect your personality" or blog.

We would like that name tag to contain your name and the name of your blog written clearly for everyone to see at a glance.)

6: I would love to be able to know approximately how many are planning to come.  IF you KNOW you can or can not come. 

Please RSVP and I will try to keep track...lol

7: Bring yourself, your name tag, and a small gift to exchange.

8. Please post about this event! 

Let's see how many we can get to meet us.

9.  Come expecting to make new friends!

(I will try to get a banner and link set up so

you can grab the button about the event.)
If I have missed anyones email address it is NOT intentional or repeated the email twice/three times, please excuse me.

I will keep you informed as the plans come together.

It is just around the corner!

We hope to see you there!

Everyone is welcome!

Even if you do not live in Georgia,

please try to join us.

Thank you for your interest in meeting fellow bloggers.

MORE NEWS!!!
Southern Belle's Retreat...

Dawn may teach a mini-class on April 10th for us!!
(We MAY be sharing a couple of workshops.)
We are getting so very excited about meeting everyone!
I am working on my "name tag".
(Hint, hint...lol)
Mine is going to be a heart for love,.... a rose in 3D for my love of pinks and of roses,... an old post card for a name.... to show my love of Victorian with a 3D stamp for my love of details then I will end it with beads for my passion....
it is a work in progress.
Have you started on yours yet?
(A PRIZE will be given to the
most orginal and creative
name tag.)
I have some door prizes to bring!

Dawn (The Feathered Nest)and Yvette (The Charm House)
will be donating something too!
Plus I am making a special piece of
jewelry for my
"gift exchange".
(Your gift exchange gifts do not have to be anything

extravagant or expensive,

just something from your heart.)
I am having to do things ahead of time as I am taking my other Grand daughters to the beach for the first week of spring break

BUT

I will be back just in time!

(It seems it is always so busy all at the same time.)


I will look forward to seeing you all real soon...

I am having problems with getting the correct email addresses for everyone so please send me your correct addresses so I can keep everyone updated.

Don't forget to post about this event for all
Southern Belles'!!!

Thank you so much for participating!


Sharon