Charmed Pennies Etsy Sale

I am having a huge sale on my Charmed Pennies in honor of Black Friday. Use the coupon code THANKSGIVINGDAY50OFF (during checkout) to save 50 percent off all items! This is the perfect chance to pick up some fun gifts for your family and friends. If you are a  Primary or Young Women leader this is a great time to pick up  2012 Theme charms or CTR tie tacs for your groups, this is my lowest price! They are perfect for New Beginnings gifts as well.

Take a look at a few new designs!

Thanksgiving

Last year a few of our close friends and us got together for Thanksgiving, and we had a blast, so we did the same thing this year.....but our group grew to 35! There was a lot of fabulous food. We had 2 turkeys, 1 ham, mashed pototoes, stuffing, creamed onions, green bean casserole, candied yams, homemade orange rolls, corn, deviled eggs, cheese and cracker plate, feta stuffed mini sweet peppers, green salad, a jello salad....and then of course all your holiday pies! There was also a yummy slushy raspberry and pineapple drink that I need the recipe for.  After we all ate, the kids all made gingerbread houses. They all had so much fun! Kids are so creative.

I will be posting pictures soon, they are on both my camera and our friends.

I am truly grateful this year for so many things, especially for my family and friends. I don't know how I would have managed these past few months without all of their help. The simple and kind act Sandy straightening my hair before surgury so my curly mane would be more manageable afterwards to Amber who is a hair dresser washing my hair for me as it was next to impossible those first weeks to do it myself. Jan, Jaque, Megan, and Sandy driving me to and from PT and even just taking me to Target! Colleen for massaging my shoulder and helping me regain the full movement of my wrist, Nicki for my new favorite blanket as I was always cold because of the never ending ice packs. I know I am missing many people, and I am grateful for all the prayers and well wishes I recieved.

My family was incredible. Chris had to step in and take over all my rolls, chauffer, cook, maid, you name it, he had to do it all. The kids have been amazing and so good about doing whatever I needed them to do so that I could let my arm heal. They helped me "be good" when I wanted to push the envelope. I think they enjoyed being somewhat in charge of their Mom. :)


 So thank you, I couldn't have done it without all of you!

Feeding Frenzy with the Pups

I just had to share this video. The pups were all lined up at the edge of their box, and wanted out of their box since Mom was jut sitting out of reach. Well, I pulled them all out, and the feeding frenzy began. Apparently Sterling has a very strong jaw! :) Enjoy!

Give Thanks and be Grateful free printable

What a crazy 2 weeks it has been! The girls and I had a get away to the beach and had a blast. The puppies eyes are all open, and they have started to try to walk and play with each other. And then I messed up on my meds by trying to lower my dosage to fast. Funny thing, you can't do that. It has really messed with my productivity this past week, but I am finally back to feeling like myself. As I was back to sitting on the couch, and I will admit to feeling sorry for myself (I am pretty independent, and have really disliked not being able to do things for myself - can you believe I am looking forward to the day that I can put my hair up in a ponytail again without help?) and realized that I truly have so much more to be grateful for. 

A big blessing is that my arm is getting better. I can move my arm in one way, almost 3 times as high as I used to. It is giving me hope and incentive to keep going to torture physical therapy so that I will keep on improving and once again have a normal range of motion again. I am also grateful that my family and friends have been so supportive of me during this time. Nothing like being 30 something and grounde from driving! LOL! 

For Thanksgiving, I wanted to offer something to all of my fans and followers as a thanks you. I appreciate the support I have received here on my blog and Facebook pages I really do appreciate each and every comment I receive.  I created this poster for you. It is in the Keep Calm and Carry On spirit. Just click on the image so it opens in a new window, and then right click and save the file. It is sized for 8 x 10. I hope you all enjoy! 

 I've linked up with these great parties!

Puppies! week 1 update

So, it has been a week and a half since Roxy had her pups, and we are officially in love! Roxy is being absolute fabulous Momma to her pups. They are all doing great, a couple are gaining weight a little slower, and so we have supplemented them twice, just to help keep them on track. They don't seem to like it, but Roxy loves the formula! LOL! She licks any tiny drop right off of them. :) Here are the pictures and the puppies stats at birth, and one week. Hopefully I will get the 2nd week update up on day 14 LOL!

Pup 1, a boy, weighed 4 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.9 ounces.

Pup 2, a boy, weighed 3.875 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.5 ounces.

Pup 3, a boy, weighed 4.24 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.6 ounces.

Pup 4, a girl, weighed 3.375 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.9 ounces.

Pup 5, a girl, weighed 3.75 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 6.4 ounces.

Pup 6, a boy, weighed 4.75 ounces at birth, and at week one weighs 8.5 ounces.

 A couple of pictures to help with scale. 

Newborn

Week 1

Travis's 14 year old hands, putting pup 5 in basket*.

*Week one pictures are in a small Parsley booking basket from Longeberger that measures 9" long, 3 3/4" wide, and only 2 1/2" high for the basket & 5 1/2" high to the top of the handle.

Trick or Treat!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween. My kids had a great time! Daylyn and Allison went trick or treating with their Dad while Tyler, Travis and I stayed home and passed out the candy. We have a tradition of chili and cornbread for dinner. Chili is one of Travis's favorite meals, I so I walked him through making it step by step, and he did a fabulous job, it was great! Have to say that it is one of my favorite meals as well.

Here are the kids all dressed up and ready for fun!

Arggh, I'm a Pirate!

 A full moon Fashonista (aka a tween werewolf).

Our mystical Mage.

Hurricane Candlestick Tutorial

I found some great candy jars on Pintrest, and after lots of shopping, I gave up on finding jars that had lids and decided I would go more traditional with hurricane lamps.

Materials:
Set of 3 candlesticks - Wal-Mart $15
Hurricane glass, 3 sizes from Jo-Ann's $20 (I used a 40% coupon on one of them)
E6000
Ribbon
Oil-Rubbed Bronze spray paint

1. Gather all your supplies.

2. Clean the glass well to provide a clean surface for the glue to adhere to.

3. Put a line of glue around the top of the candlestick.

4. Put candlestick on upside down Hurricane glass.

5. Realize that the glue is removing the paint from your candlestick. 

Pull it back off, and wipe off the glue.

6. Take candlesticks outside and paint with favorite paint,

Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint.

7. Wait for paint to dry, then repeat steps 3 & 4.

 8. Once glue is dry, wrap glass with assorted ribbon and you are done!

Halloween "Mantle"

I have wanted a fireplace mantle for years and this year, after rearranging furniture, yes I rearranged furniture again, I still don't have a mantle, but I do have a place to decorate, and I couldn't be more thrilled! I found a great Halloween subway art free printable online at The Crafted Sparrow. Of course I also have loved searching for fun things on Pintrest, and put my own spin on a couple of those projects as well. So what do you think?

We Have Puppies!!!

What a crazy, wonderful experience this has been! Roxy went into labor on Friday night, so Chris and I took turns staying up with her as she didn't want to leave our sides. We tried to get her into the whelping box that we had set up in my office, but she wanted to be in the front room. So, we grabbed everything and brought it out there for her. At 6:51 AM, her first pup was born, We helped her with the first 2 pups as they were both breech. Her last pup came at 9:57 AM. She had 4 boys, and 2 girls. Daylyn and Allison were in awe of the experience and were wonderful helpers by recording the pups stats for us. :) So without further ado...here are her pups.
 

 Here she is with her first pup, a boy!

 Puppy 2 is a boy as well.

 This is her and the pups home for the next few weeks.

 Our incredible Roxy with her sweet little pups.

Sisters & Tomato Soup

There are moments as a parent that just make you smile. Tonight was one of them. I don't know how many of you have daughters just shy of 2 years apart. If you do, you know they can be best of friends one minute, and the next? Lets just say there are tears, yelling, and the end of the world in the next minute. Today was one of thosers days, and then I walk into the kitchen and there they are....together, smiling, and working together to make dinner. Maybe it was because it is one of our families favorite meals, but tonight simple tomato soup and grilled ham and cheese brought the girls together, and warmed my heart.

Bead Soup Blog Party Giveaway Winner!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to each and every one of you who came by to party with me! Your kind comments truly made my daysas I received them. It has been hard not being able to melt glass and play with beads, and the comments really have helped me stay positive through this. I am also so excited to get going on the book suggestions. I had read one of the books already, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett and had forgotten how much I liked it, and am looking forward to reading more. Who knew that good pain pills would cause such drowsiness and even blurred vision? I didn't but it has finally gone away and I was even able to finish a book I started before the surgery!

With all that said it is time to announce the winner of my Bead Soup Blog Party Giveaway! Do you remember what the prize was? Here you go! A mini acorn, your choice of 3 Charmed Pennies pendants (I can put a favorite saying or even your logo on one if you want!), and a set of pandora style beads.

and the drum roll please ...............the winner is Sweet Freedom!

Please let me know what images you want for your Charmed Pennies!

Thank you all again for participating!

Puppies

Our sweet little dog Roxy is having puppies. Here is the x-ray taken today so we would know how many puppies to expect. I knew 2 for sure, thought probably 3.

So can you tell how many there are in there?

Want me to show you? 

I numbered their heads, there are 6 puppies!!!!

All I can say is Oh my word......

The Good, The Bad, and The Clumsy

Looking for Bead Soup? Click here! 

This week had been pretty crazy. It started Tues morning when I went to see the doctor to follow up on my surgery. It is looking good! Found out that they did more than we realized. Apparently there is only one other repair that they can do to the shoulder. Yikes! They repaired cartilage, tendons, ground down bone, etc. Once I am fully healed, I will be feeling a ton better! I am able to get up and stand now without much discomfort. So exciting! I am even allowed out of my sling for little bits at a time. My favorite activity is to just let my arm hang, and do a gentle circle swing that is one of my exercises. It stretches the arm out which feels great after having it in the sling all day long. 

 For several weeks this summer, my family and the Smith’s have been getting together for dinner and TV on Tues nights so we could watch one of our favorite TV shows, Eureka. So we were all there and had a great time. I decided to stay later (kids had to get home and get to sleep for school) and Colleen would bring me back home. As we left her house, I managed to step on the edge of her sidewalk and roll my foot completely. It was as ungraceful as you can get. Weds morning I decided that I should probably go get my foot checked out since it was still hurting even with the good pain pills I was on for my shoulder. Sure enough, I managed to sprain my foot. Go ahead, laugh, don't hold back, I haven't! Lol! You should have seen the x-ray tech’s face when she called my name and I got up to go back there. She looked at me, my chart, back at me, and I said, yep, it’s me. She looked so confused, and I don’t blame her, she was going to x-ray a foot, and here the person coming toward her has a pretty massive sling on her arm. Lol! I have decided that I should change my middle name to Grace. :)

For the most part, I really am doing much better (foot aside). Several friends have even commented that my speech is no longer slurred from all the pain pills! Lol! I am very glad to be off of one prescription completely and the time is getting longer between doses for the other.  I am even holding decent conversations again,Tyler said I sound like me again. I asked him if that was a good thing, and he said yes. :) I have also even brought the laptop to the couch so I can blog hop, and even be creative and work on some new penny designs. Roxy likes to help, by laying right next to the computer. Love that puppy.  Here is a sneak peak of some Halloween pennies as well.

Thank You!

Looking for Bead Soup? Click here!

Just wanted to post a thank you for all of your kind comments, and I love the book suggestions. Can't wait until I can keep my eyes open for more than 20 minutes without falling asleep. Normally I could have easily read 3-5 books, I read really fast, but so far? only about 20 pages, and about 6 hops for the bead soup. I am also very grateful for my friends who have helped by bringing my family dinner, lunch, and even doing my hair for me! I have loved getting the emails and notes on Facebook and with texts. I am feeling very blessed by all help, love and support that is being offered on my behalf. So, thank you, thank you, thank you. I really do appreciate all that you are doing.

Bead Soup Blog Party and Giveaway!!!

I can't believe it is finally here! This process has been such a treat. From anxiously awaiting to see who my partner would be, trying to pick out the perfect soup for that partner, and of course anticipating my own bead soup arriving. My partner, Laura Twiford, did a fantastic job with the bead soup that she chose for me. She found beads that I love, but probably wouldn't have picked out  for myself. Close friends know that I like blue, aqua, turquoise, teal, ... are you sensing a theme here? LOL! By sending all these great blue beads paired with copper beads and an incredible hand-made focal, she has helped to push me in new directions, lots of copper and recycled glass.!I hope that she had as much fun playing with her soup as I had playing with mine

Here is a picture to remind you of the bead soup that I received. 

. 

For my first piece, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the gorgeous etched copper focal with a sweet bezel set turquoise stone. Everytime I came into my office I would sit and fiddle... moving something here, moving something else there for over a week before I was finally happy with it. I initially wanted to make a "show stopper" piece, but finally realized that I loved the beads and the pieces too much to make it something I could only wear every once in a while. In fact it has already made its debut at church. Without further adieu, here it is!

I seriously love it, and it matches over half my wardrobe!

Next up I have another necklace. I used a single ceramic bead from the soup that matched a strand of shell beads that I had picked up months ago without knowing why (I am surely not the only one that does that!). I couldn't believe it when these went together so well.

For my last piece, I used some of the recycled sea glass, copper beads, and paired them with a few of my boro beads to create this fun bracelet. I can't wait to wear it, I just have to wait for this darned arm/shoulder to heal up!

I want to thank our fabulous hostess,  Lori Anderson for all the hours of time that she put into arranging this for all of us. I can't wait to see everyone's creations! 

Be sure to check out Laura's blog, here, to see what she created with my bead soup. I love what she did!

I also want to do a give-away as well. After all every good party has a favor!

How To Enter (give away is open to everyone, not just Bead Soup Blog Party participants:

• Leave me a comment here and/or become a follower of my blog (one entry)
• "Like" Wee Gems Designs Facebook page (one entry)
• "Like" Charmed Pennies Facebook page (one entry)
• Spread the word about this giveaway on your blog, facebook or twitter (one entry)
• Since I am recovering from surgery and am desperate for something to read, leave me a comment with some of your favorite books in it (one entry). I love mysteries, novels, suspense, ... pretty much anything PG-13. LOL!

So there you have it, five different ways to enter:) Leave me a comment letting me know how you entered.**I will announce the winner in a month on October 17th, giving us all plenty of time to visit all of these fabulous blogs.**  Please check back to see if you have won or with a way to contact you if you win!.

Now for the prizes! A mini acorn, your choice of 3 Charmed Pennies pendants (I can put a favorite saying or even your logo on one if you want!), and a set of pandora style beads.

Be sure to check out the rest of the party!!!

The Hostess, Lori Anderson and her partner, Manuela Wutschke

1. Aimee Wheaton and Barbara York
2. Alice Craddick and Sandra Richardson
3. Alison Sachs and Amy Severino
4. Allison Scott and Cynthia Abner
5. Amanda Cargill Austin and Charlene Sevier
6. Amanda Davie and Patsy Evins
7. Amber Dawn and Kim Ballor
8. Ambra Gostoli and Christine Hansen
9. Amy Freeland and Christine Altmiller
10. Ana Krepel-Novak and Eleanor Snare


11. Andrea Morici and Hope Smitherman
12. Andrea Trank and Jayne Capps
13. Andrea Turini and Charlene Jacka
14. Angela May and Emanda Johnson
15. Anitra Gordy and Elizabeth Owens Dwy
16. Ann Rishell and Debbie Price
17. Ann Sherwood and Lynne Bowland
18. Anna Lear and Barbe Saint John
19. Anna Sabina­­­­ and Erin Siegel
19. Nan Emmett and Erin Siegel
20. Astrid Boyce and Birgitta Lejonklou


21. B.R. Kuhlman and Deanna Chase
22. Barbara Bechtel and Bryna Lumb
23. Barbara Blaszczyk and DaviniaDesign
24. Barbara Judy and Holly Westfall
25. Barbara Lewis and Cathie Carroll
26. Barrie Edwards and Lyn Foley
27. Becky Fairclough and Jana Tarhala
28. Bella Borgouise and Gillian Lehman
29. Beth and Evie McCord and Erin Prais-Hintz
30. Beth Bricker and Heather Pyle


31. Beth Emery and Cassie Donlen
32. Bobbie Rafferty and Cindy Cima Edwards
33. Candice McGinnis and Sally Anderson
34. Carol Bradley and Cece Cormier
 35.  Cathy Khoury and Molly Alexander
 36. Carol Tannahill and Hilary Frye
37. Carrie Tahquechi and Cris Peacock
38. Cat Pruitt and Cindy Gimbrone
39. Charlene Gary and Doris Stumpf
40. Charlotte Pevny and Kate Gardenghi


41. Cherrie Fickand Cathie Carroll
41. Claire Maunsell and Cherrie Fick
42. Cheryl Roe and Jenny Vidberg
43. Chris White and Norma Turvey
44. Christa Murphy and Kathy Alderfer
45. Christie Murrow and Dana James
46. Christina Miles and Collette Collins
47. Christine Brandel and Elizabeth Woodford
48. Christine Damm and Cynthia Deis
49. Christine Hendrickson and Debbie Goering
50. Christine Stonefield and Dee Wingrove-Smith


51. Cilla Watkins and Johanna Rhodes
52. Cindy Wimmer and Riki Schumacher
53. CJ Baushka and Cory Celaya
54. Courtney Breul and Joanna Matuszczyk
55. Cristi Clothier and Kathleen Robinson Young
56. Cryss Thain and Serena Trent
57. Cynthia Tucker and Kitty Durmaj
58. Dana Johnson Jones and Eva Sherman
59. Davinia Algeri and Janet McDonald
60. Deci Worland and Lara Lutrick


61. Diana Ptaszynski and Kristy Abner
62. Diane Cook and Kerry Bogert
63. Diane Hawkey and Jen Judd Velasquez
64. Dorcas Midkiff and Jill Harris
65. Doris Radlicki and Heather Goldsmith
66. Dot Lewallen and Gaea Cannaday
67. Elisabeth Auld and Jennifer Justman
68. Erin Fickert-Rowland and Geanina Grigore
69. Erin Grant and Julie Jones
70. Eszter Czibulyas and Helena Fritz


71. Fiona Christie and Michelle Heim
72. Gail Zwang and Genea Crivello-Knable
73. Geneva Collins and Jana Haag
74. Gretchen Nation and Heidi Post
75. Heather DeSimone and Karin Slaton
76. Heather Marley and Terry Carter
77. Ingrid McCue and Jennifer Pride
78. Jackie Ryan and Nicole Keller
79. Janna Harttgen and Joanne Tinley
80. Jean Yates and Lori Anderson


81. Jelveh Jaferian and Jenny Davies-Reazor
82. Jenni Connolly and Jennifer Heynen
83. Jennifer Cameron and Kristi Bowman
84. Jennifer Geldard and Lisa Liddy
85. Jennifer VanBenschoten and Kim Hora
86. Jess Italia Lincoln and Lori Greenberg
87. Jill MacKay and Lori Bergmann
88. JJ Jacobs and Karen Tremblay
89. Joyce Becker and Kathy Welsh
90. Judy Glende and Karen Sinkowski


91. Judy Riley and Kelly Morgan
92. JuLee Wolfe and Julie Bean
93. Julianna Cannon and Julianna Kis
94. Julie Nordine and Lesley Watt
95. K. Hutchinson and Shea Zukowski
96. Karen Firnberg and Karyn Bonfiglio
97. Karen Williams and Kimberly Roberts
98. Karen Zanco and Polly Barker
99. Kari Carrigan (you are here)and Laura Twiford
100. Karin von Hoeren and Laura Blanck


101. Kate Richbourg and Lorelei Eurto
102. Kathleen Lange Klik and Maria Clark
103. Kathy Engstrom and Keri Lee Sereika
104. Kay Thomerson and Loretta Carstensen
105. Kelley Fogle and Laurel Bielec
106. Kelly Ramstack and Sally Anderson
107. Kim Stevens and Tiffany Long
108. Kristi Harrison and Mandy Williamson
109. Kristi Kyle and Lana Kinney
110. Kristina Johansson and Sue Hodgkinson


111. Kym Hunter and Laura Sanger
112. Laura Zeiner and Susan Kennedy
113. Laurel Steven and Mary McGraw
114. Laurie Hanna and Lisa Boucher
115. Lesley Weir and Liz DeLuca
116. Linda Djokic and Tracey Weiser
117. Linda Inhelder and Pam Brisse
118. Linda Landig and Lori Dorrington
119. Linda Murphy and Lisa Hamilton
119.  Line Labrecque and Marianne Baxter
120. Lisa Lodge and Monica Johnson


121. Lois Moon and Melissa Muir
122. Lola Surwillo and Therese Frank
123. Lori Bowring Michaud and Marci Brooks
124. Lupe Meter and Norma Agron
125. Maggie Towne and Marge Beebe
126. Malin de Koning and Susie Hibdon
127. Mallory Hoffman and Shirley Moore
128. Marcie Abney and Patty Miller
129. Marcy Lamberson and Melissa Clarke
130. Margot Potter and Suzann Sladcik Wilson


131. Maria Grimes and Wendy Blum
132. Maria Horvath and Melinda Orr
133. Maria Rosa Sharrow and Marie-Noel Voyer-Cramp
134. Marian Hertzog and Melissa Mesara
135. Marianna Boylan and Sandi Lee James
136. Marina Dobrynina and Michaela Pabeschitz
137. Marsha Neal and Miri Agassi
138. Mary Ellen Parker and Melissa Meman
139. Mary Elliott and Tamara Soper
140. Mary Hicks and Laurel Steven


141. Melissa Pynn and Michelle Buettner
142. Michelle Hardy and Niki Meiners
143. Michelle Mach and Moira McEvoy
144. Missy Rappaport and Norma Agron
145. Molly Alexander and Poranna
146. Mylene Hillam and Nicole Rennell
147. Nadezhda Parfyonova and Stacey Curry
148. Nan Emmett and Nancy Peterson
149. Nancy Boylan and Natalie McKenna
150. Natalie Monkivitch and Niky Sayers


151. Natasha Lutes and Pam Ferrari
152. Noemi Baena and Penny Ilagan
153. Pamela Petry and Rebecca Sirevaag
154. Pat Haight and Mary McGraw
155. Patty Gasparino and Vonna Maslanka
156. Penny Neville and Sandi Volpe
157. Pepita Bos and Wendy Chamberlain
158. Raida Disbrow and Rebecca Watkins
159. Rebecca Anderson and Sabrina Staub
160. Regina Santerre and Rose Binoya


161. Rhea Freitag and Tari Kahrs
162. Rochelle Brisson and Sheryl Stephen
163. Sally Russick and Tracy Bell
164. Sandra McGriff and Shay Williams
165. Sandra Wolberg and Sara Hardin
166. Sarah Elder and Salla Small
167. Saskia Kaffenberger and Sharon Gardner
 168. Sharon Palac and Shannon Chomanczuk
169. Shay Stone and Suzette Bentley
170. Shiraz Biggie and Tammy Powley


171. Staci Smith and Tracy Stillman
172. Stacie Stamper and Tracy Martin
173. Stefanie Teufel and Vicky Taylor
174. Stephanie Dixon and Stephanie LaRosa
175. Stephanie Haussler and Valerie Norton
176. Suzanne Tate and Terri Wlaschin
177. Sweet Freedom Designs and Tammy Jones
178. Tania Spivey and Tari Sasser
179. Tara Plote and Terry Matuszyk
180. Terri Gauthier and Deana Hager
181. Theresa Fosdick and Tracey Nanstad