Digital Camera Play

I decided it was time I figure out what my digital camera can actually do. You know, all those gazillion of settings that always overwhelm a person. I took a hard look at the pictures I had been taking of my beads and crafts and realized that I could really improve on the quality. After reading a lot, and messing around with settings, I realized that I actually enjoy taking pictures. I practiced and I have to say that my camera is a lot more impressive than I thought it was. Sorry little camera, guess it was pilot error after all.



On another note: This week the kids will be starting school, which means I have 2 weeks until I start my last year of college. I think I will spend the next weeks organizing my craft areas. Take alook at my glass making area, what a mess. Messy areas make for a messy mind, right? I feel overwhelmed at the prospect of cleaning, but I think I can do it. Have a great week all, enjoy the quiet house while the kids are at school everyone!

New Beads

I just listed a beautiful new bead set on ebay, username caprivat. Take a look

Organic Gardening

I spent most of the day working on my new site on Organic gardening. Still have lots to do and more pages to add, but it's a start. Here it is: http://organicgardenguru.info
I just watched a oldie VHS called The Wraith starring Charlie Sheen, anybody remember this one? Made around 1986 and still one of my all-time favorite movies. Hugs* http://christyldesigns.com

Inside the mind of an artist

Ever want to find out how an artist thinks? Sitting at my desk trying to pick bead colors this is how it goes: Black and white- too plain, Red and white -- stuck as patriotic or valentine looking, how about blue/green -- eeh too much like the ocean, turquoise/ivory -- not feeling like southwest today, red/orange -- too hot, makes me feel like sweating, still not feeling it... pink/blue--too babyish.....pink/purple --- too girlie.... getting closer though... Finally I can land in the pink zone. So here is the picture of part of my beadmaking effort. And yes this is what most artists go through everyday trying to decide on colors for projects and that's not even including styles, tools to use, techniques, don't get me started there.. Have a good day everyone!

Time to get started!

Decided to dust off my blog and start writing again. Only 2 more weeks til the kids start school, whew. I can't believe all the stuff they need this year. Only 10 and 13 and they need flashdrives and scientific calculators each, jeeze I didn't need most of these things until college. My 13 year old was actually helping me with my college algebra a little last year. Sigh! when did these kids get so smart, cause they are making me feel dumb! Anyway, polished off me website this past week and started to overhaul it. I added links, sales, and projects. I am hoping to add several lampworking tutorials in the next few weeks too. http://christyldesigns.com
Also, I am working on a new website about my daughter's adhd. http://livingwithadhdchildren.com this is a work in progress so I will be adding more content to it soon. Lastly, I start my last year of my asst degree next month. Busy busy busy. More soon, hugs* ChristyL

Playing with polymer clay

I spent the day showing my girls how to extrude clay and make ACEO's with it. I made a couple for myself here.

What's Up?

Time to get back to work. I have been laying around feeling down about my crafts for far too long. With the economy the way it is, I just haven't seen many sales and it's really been bumming me out. So I had an awakening. I am going to do my crafts for just me again, if I sell some fine, if they sit around awhile they may become Christmas gifts. Let's hope the economy picks up and we can all be paid for what we love. hugs everyone!

New Happenings

It's warming up here, fianlly! It's been around 80 degrees, yikes.
In new news: I have decided to finally go back to school for my associates degree in Business Marketing and Management.
See here's the thing. When I was just out of high school and in luuuuuvvvv with my first boyfriend, I was supposed to start college. My parents were even willing to send me to any school of my choice. But noooooo. I wouldn't be separated from my guy and decided to try the local junior college. I think I made it to 2 months, when I decided that it was just too much time away from him. Sigh! I dropped out, got a crap job and moved in with said guy. Long story short, we stayed together for nearly 4 years, when he dumped me for another gal. He married her (course she dumped him 6 months later, hehe, snort*) and I was on my own again. You know what they say about hindsite? Things worked out for me cause I met my hubby 6 months later and have been married nearly 17 years. But, I have always wanted to get back to school and finish what I started. So this fall I will officially be a college freshman at 39 years old. Wish my luck! I know I will take it seriously, but I am a little scared by big changes. I had to smile yesterday, when I realized that now I had to buy school supplies for my 2 girls and myself. smile*
hugs*
ChristyL

Spring?

Spring is here? If the calendar says it does that make it true? I think maybe we should adopt a new seasonal calendar, for the north. Let's just toss out spring and rename it "waiting for summer"? or "maybe maybe not"? or "oopsie not quite spring"?
The reason I say this is that it's snowing again? For the second day in a row. Now two days ago it was over 70, so I am just not getting it. Snow?? Snow? Come on...I am ready planting, and kite flying, and warmnessssss. Hello Mother Nature... April Fools Day was LAST week! Sheesh. Now I gotta go and find the darn cocoa. Bummer.

Spring is here, sorta.

I have been looking for inspiration in nature lately. Spring creeps up so slowly here in Ohio that just seeing a flower makes you happy inside. I can hardly wait for summer to get here, cause that is more like spring than spring actually is. Crazy but true. With spring it's more like a game of Marco Polo, hey Spring, where are you??
Have you seen any flowers today?

Bottle Cap Jewelry

Bottle Cap Jewelry

Tutorial: I wrote this the other day, enjoy!
hugs

Gardening Time

How to plant an organic spring garden
I am getting ready for Spring and starting this year's garden.

what next?

I'm sitting around trying to figure out what to write about next. I am really hoping to stay with crafts tutorials as a major part of my article writing. But, I am having a hard time figuring out what people want to learn to do. hrrrmmmmmm...
It can get really frustrating trying to find a direction to take when you have such diverse interests. I enjoy many crafts such as knitting, spinning, crocheting, jewelry making, bead making with glass, polymer clay, weaving, needle felting, writing, painting, metal work, stained glass work, photography, gardening, etc....
I really could think up several more if I had time. If anyone has suggestions for what you would like to read about drop me a line. caprivat@yahoo.com
hugs*

Here is a link to yesterday's scarfs.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4850510_neck-scarf.html

hugs
ChristyL

Scarf

This is one of my new creations for a neck scarf. Directions on Ehow and Associated Content under ChristyL.

I'm Back!

Time to get back to work. I have been laying around feeling down about my crafts far too long. With the economy the way it is, I just haven't seen many sales and it's really been bumming me out. So I had an awakening. I am going to do my craft for just me again, if I sell some fine, if they sit around awhile they may become Christmas gifts. Let's hope the economy picks up and we can all be paid for what we love instead of just self worth. hugs everyone!

P.S. I am a new article writer on Ehow and Associated Content. I will be including several tutorials for many craft projects. Check me out. Article writer ChristyL.

New Year coming!

Well, back from a long needed vacation. Resolutions: I will be having more listings up more often. I am going to try to focus on which crafts bring me more joy, and less frustration. And I am going to try and finish the objects I start. And eat better,,,blah, blah, blah...
Hope everyone had great holidays, here's to a new year.
hugs
Christy

yipee!!

We got it!!! We finally have our own home. We found a nice house on one full acre of land about 2 blocks from where Dh works. Don't ask my why we never tried that city. But we actually got it approved last week, and being a foreclosure, the bank was happy to get us in there quickly. They made several minor repairs we found and with everything in near mint condition now, we were even happier to have it. The bank did amazing work getting all the paper work zipped together and we were able to actually sign for the home on July 31st. My oldest daughter's birthday! I said guess what sweetie you are getting a big gift this year...your own room! We are all doing the happy dance and saying several thank you prayers, and trying to slow down our panting. I my heart is racing, I am so wired right now. It's 3 am and I am wide awake, go figure. Now the fun begins. Finish packing, turn on all utilities, find trash hauler, find school info, turn off everything at this old place, and take a deep breath.... Wait do I have time to breathe?? hehe, guess I should pencil that in too. OMG, someone pinch me... We finally own our own home!

Chocolate Dreams

I needed something to do to take my mind off all this house business. Here is a bracelet in sterling silver with my handmade chocolate beads.

Update

What a load of stress this whole thing has been. We have looked at 23 houses, made bids on 5 and lost all of those. We keep losing them from finding out that someone else already had a bid on them but the realtors just didn't let us know before we looked at them. The internet hasn't been much help either. You can find great houses there, but they don't update the listings when they contract them. If it wasn't for our personal agent doing a boat load of calling every time we went looking, it would have been much worse. I don't want to say exactly what we are doing this second as it may jinx it. I don't usually believe in bad luck, but I am not taking chances at this point. Wish us luck, I will update as soon as I know something.