It's been a long time...marathon post and Mosaic Monday

Hi, sorry that I haven't been posting anything, I've been back in the hospital again.
I had another surgery, I had kidney failure and had to have a nephrostomy bag
placed in my left kidney. I already had a piece in my left from a prior kidney
failure. I regret to say that both of my kidneys are bad now but I'm hanging in
there and to be honest feel pretty good right now. I've been on IV meds again
here at home since I've been out of the hospital but now I can be off of them for
about 2 weeks. So right now I'm feeling good.I want to thank everyone for all your prayers, love, friendship, happy thoughts,
strength positive energies, cards, calls, gifts! I can't tell yous how deeply touched
it has been for me in my life to have found the loving, sweet and fantastic new
friends and family in each and everyone of you! Thank you all so much, your love
has really meant the world to me!

So many things have taken place in the last month that I've been in the hospital
but I want to start with first things first...back at the beginning of May I had won a fantastic Giveaway from Carol from My Painting Room http://mypaintingroom.blogspot.com/

I won a $25 Michael's gift card and a gorgeous Violet Watercolor Print. Thank you so much Carol, I love the Violet Watercolor Painting, it's so beautiful and reminds me of my mother...thank you! I'm also very sorry that I haven't been able to post this earlier for you. If anyone would want to stop in at Carol's Etsy Shop and see her
wonderful work I'm sure that you'll be pleased http://www.etsy.com/shop/carolspaintingroom

Then, while I was in the hospital my wonderful and very sweet good friend, Lisa
Criswell from Indigo's beads http://indigosbeads.blogspot.com

sent me the most gorgeous, beautiful and incredible beaded cuff, "Dot's"! I just
love it...thank you so much Sweetie! Giant hugs to you! Lisa makes the most
awesome one of a kind beaded embroidery pieces! I'm her #1 Fan!

Lisa also has a Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/indigosbeads

and a Shop Homemade Store http://www.shophandmade.com/Store/6-176-3113303237

plus is a Designer at The Bead Coop http://www.thebeadcoop.com/Designers/DesignerInfo.asp?DesignerUserID=6430

She's a proud mother of 4 great children, has a wonderful husband and is a awesome and very talented designer! Oh...and a super picture
taker to!
I joined a really fun group, Goddess Dolls on Yahoo and met a incredible bead
artist, Christine or better known as Littlebead there. Christine has a Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlebead where I purchased pre-made doll forms and Christine also makes the dolls stands from copper
pieces that are great!

She also has many gorgeous beaded dolls that you'll find there to! These are the two that I got from Christine and I'm so excited to try my hand at these! I've never made a totally beaded doll before but I'm sure going to give it a go.

I did make a small spirit doll for my Goddess Doll Group and also my Decidedly Different Dolls Yahoo group that I've joined. Here she is...Moon Beam.


I have to say that I'm not really pleased with this one, but it was my first go at a doll and this is what I had come up with. However, the gorgeous Cab that I used for Moon Beam's face is one that my very close, dear and good friend, my"Sis," Beth from Bellesanbeaus Crafts http://bellesanbeauscrafts.blogspot.com/ made for me. Please make sure you stop in at her blog, Beth is a wonderful person, great friend, mother, mammaw and is one very talented lady! It doesn't matter what Beth makes she's talented in so many different things. Over the years she's made so many gorgeous and one of a kind pieces.

This past week has been a good and a bad one for me. First off on a great note, it's been the first of a very long time that I haven't had to use my cane for almost a full week now! It makes me so happy! I had been in a wheel chair for a time then have been in and out of walkers then my cane so not to have to use it right now is a total blessing for me! Now for the not so good...this week I had to replace my refrigerator. My old one that to be honest really wasn't that old but it seen it's last day this past week. I lost all the freezer foods. Wowww can't tell you what a awful feeling that was! Then, now this is funny but at the time it happened I really didn't think it was. Anyways, I have very a small kitchen. I had a apartment size refrigerator in it that had broke. Well...guess what??? My new refrigerator doesn't fit in my kitchen without having to cut down partially some very needed cupboards! So, it's now in the garage. Although this did opened up a very needed space in the kitchen! This really made me want to utilize the new space, which I did at that! I do have to thank Beth for this excellent idea though! To buy a small counter top, get a stool and presto...space and built in work top. Well here's good news again...my dad came over and gave me a awesome counter
top, I got a stool, one of my sons put the counter top up for me, still used one of the other cupboard's with it thanks to my daughter-n-law, Cat and her great idea. Then because of what the old floor looked like where the other refrigerator had been I had to buy new floor. One man came over and laid it for me for free that was from my Church. I have to say that he, Matt laid this floor and did such a great job on it for me...thanks so much Matt! so now I just have to paint in the kitchen and it'll have a complete make over to which it really did need! Now that I'm thinking about this it actually was a lucky thing for me that my other refrigerator broke down, look at all the nice things that came from it!

Gosh...is this like a marathon post or what??? lol I haven't posted now for a lil over a month and geezzz check me out this evening. lol Tomorrow is my youngest twin grand-daughters, Haley and Kaley's 7th birthday. I had them all of this weekend, we had a lot of fun together! It's so nice that I was well enough to have them again to, makes me very happy! They love to come to Maw-maw's house, they get to wear some makeup, get their nails done, make jewelery, giggle, tell make believe stories, read, color, you name it we do it and naturally we do "girly girl" things together. Happy Birthday girls...Maw-maw loves yous!

My second oldest son, Michael and his wife, Donna, my daughter-n-law are about to have their second child, my 7th grand-baby! Whahoooooooo Her name is Sofia, I don't know what they're gonna to have her middle name be yet, this has been a very long discussion. Anyways, lil Sofia is due the 17th of this month! I'm so excited about her coming to, I almost can't wait! I loveeeee my grand-kids! Last week my daughter-n-law went in for her last ultra sound picture, Wowww, I've never seen anything like this before in my life! So I'd like to share this with yous. Sofia at 6lbs and 8ozs.



This weekend my oldest grandson, Jonathan aka "Jon" had his hair cut. Here's a new picture of him:



Okie dokie, now for a peek at my beading tray, hmmm looks pretty messy to me but lots of things going on. Since I hadn't been able to bead while I was sick I'm just now starting some new pieces so here's a quick peek. The daffodil cabs you see in the picture are ones that Beth at Bellesanbeaus Crafts http://bellesanbeauscrafts.blogspot.com/ had made for me.



I do want to say that I'm so happy for my friend, Nicole Campanella from http://beadwright.blogspot.com/ Beadwright for her brother Vince and his strength, will to live, love, and his recovery every day! Vince was very ill and he's doing so much better now. Please be sure to keep him, Nicole and their family in your prayers.
I want to say happy Mosaic Monday to everyone! I've sure missed Mosaic
Monday's since I've been in the hospital, so I'm very happy to be here today! I do want to say a big thank you to Mary at Little Red House http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/ for being the gracious hostess she is and for having Mosaic Monday! Please do try to stop in and visit with her, I know she'd love to have you! While you're there please check out all our friends mosaic pictures here in Blogland, they're always so interesting and fun!

Well for pete sakes...after a entire month of no posts and here I am trying to post this and good ole blogger is down, hmm what to think about this! I wonder if anyone else is having the same problem I am this evening??? This is what it's telling me: "Blogger is currently unavailable right now. We apologize for this interruption in service." hmm I sure hope that blogger can fix this problem ASP! I think those Gremblins are trying to take Blogger over again! lol Marie...helppp, please be sure to stop in at Marie Segal's from Art From My Heart http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/ and her new Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/mariesegal she has some incredible things there!

Well, I've tried waiting in hopes that Blogger would have fixed what ever problem it was that they're having again but it's a no go this evening! It's now midnight and I'm going to try to lay down and rest, I haven't been sleeping so well for about 3 days now so I'm tired. I'll try to post first thing in the morning! You whoooo Blogger Gremblin's go AWAY! Blogger, come out, come out wherever you are! lol

Stayed tuned...

Thank you so much for stopping in and for your love and caring! Until the next
time, bead happy...

Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

She's Finished...

I have to thank everyone that has given me advise and fantastic pointers, I appreciate all your words of wisdom! Lisa at Indigo's Beads, Nicole at Beadwright, Ralonda at Beaded to Bless, Marie at Art from my Heart and Beth at Bellesandbeaus Crafts. I've learned quite a bit from my first bead embroidery piece and with all your help my next will be so much better, thank yous so much!
Now I want to thank everyone for helping me to give her a name. Silke, at Metamorphoris, Lisa Criswell at Indigo's Beads, Aryd'ell at Gypsy's Ramblings and Ralonda at Beaded to Bless.
I had fun with her, learning and making her and even though I still have to buy a frame for her yet, I'd like to introduce to you...
Dream Angel




Now if I could only learn how to take good pictures I'd be in business.
I hope that everyone has a beautiful weekend! Until the next...Bead Happy!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

I've been nominated for...

I've been nominated for a "Kreativ Friends Blogger Award" by my good friend, Lisa Criswell. She's a very talented woman that you should really get to know. You can visit Lisa at her blog, Indigo's Beads or at one of her shops, Shop Handmade at Indigo's Beads or at her new Etsy shop at Indigo's Beads. Lisa also sells patterns at The Bead Coop. Lisa is a mother, a wife and a very wonderful and very special friend! Thanks so much again Lisa for this Award!



Here are the rules to be followed for this award:
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3. Link the person who nominated you.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
5. Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers'
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

Okie dokie then, 7 Things about myself that you probably didn't know...hmm

1. Growing up I was the only child.
2. I've dyed my hair blonde (by total accident, I only used the entire bottle of Sun In, I was trying to streak my hair only, really...) since I was 13 years old. Boy oh boy did I get into a heap full of trouble over that to, but after a short time we realized that we liked it this color, and it's been this color ever since...well except a couple of small mishaps. (read #3)
3. I lived in Florida and in West Virginia some years ago for some years. While I was there because of the good ole well water I had, it turned my blonde hair a very bright shade of orange! Let me tell you, it was very hard to get that out of my hair! It would have been a nice shade of orange if it wouldn't have been so bright. lol
4. I've always wanted to move to New Zealand.
5. I'm terrified of heights of any nature, spiders, mice and snakes if I don't know that they are there. Back when my sons were younger I once was on a Ski Lift with my second oldest son, Michael, well let me tell you I never thought I was getting off of that alive! He's quite the dare devil! Then a few years after that I was on a Ferris Wheel, again with one of my lil darlings, no names mentioned here...(Mike lol) and needless to say I've never, ever, never again have been on a Ferris Wheel nor do I have the urge to be on one again!
6. I collect dolls, hummingbirds, Angels, Religious pieces, clocks, Roosters, Wall hangings, quilts, beaded pieces and ornaments. I do have a pig collection and a tea cup collection also but they're put away now due to my small home. I also have enough refrigerator magnets to fill 2 refrigerators but I have them all on my lil apartment size refrigerator. I love magnets! I have them from all over to! friends send them to me, gosh I have some from England, Korea, Bristol (I'm a Nascar addict!) the list goes on from there.
7. I've had at least 500 or more surgeries for my kidneys in my life time. I had lost count years ago.

Now onto my 7 nominations

1. Marie from Art from my Heart
2. Tobi Britton from The Pink Pixie Forest
3. Sarah from Bead The Change
4. Liz from The Crimson Moon
5. Tracey from a Beadiful Mess
6. Jean Hutter from Totally Twisted
7. Kristie-Lou Brigham from Sculpted Windows Wire Wrapped Jewelry Journal

I have to say that I almost gave this to a few more of my friends, Nicole, you were one of them but then but I seen that you had just gotten this award. Silke, I see that I had already given you a Kreativ Friends Blogger Award...I wonder if you might want two of them. lol Gosh, it's always so hard to decide! Beth, I would have given you this one to but Lisa beat me to it. lol Bobbi, you also were another but Lisa beat me to that to. lol hmm, Lisa's pretty quick. lol
I want to thank you again Lisa for this great and wonderful award! I will wear it on my blog with honor!
I hope that you have a beautiful rest of your day! Bead Happy!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi

Snow Angel, Ice, Princess, Snow Maiden??? Help...

I started a new project. It seems ever since I had started beading I've always had a interest in Bead Embroidery. That's all I can even think about any more besides Cabochons...I even dream about it! Now I know that some of you may think that's totally crazy but it's the truth! Which leads me to say that I could no longer wait and learn I had to start and learn as I went! I've learned that you do not use pen when writing on your fabric...this makes for a bad day. Please keep in mind though that I have no clue what I'm doing, just attempting some new stitches and my hand at Bead Embroidery. But gosh, I'm having a blast doing it and learning from it and even using some of my "Bead Stash" (that's for "Operation Tackle that Bead Stash".) I've also used some of the beautiful beads that Marie Segal from: Art from my Heart had sent to me, plus...2 of the gorgeous white cabs that Marie sent. Then I even used some gorgeous beads that my dear friend, Kate from England had sent to me. (Kate's coming here to Ohio in May to visit and it'll be the very first time I'll be blessed to meet!)
Then...I also bought a few new things to, but shhhh please don't tell Sarah from: Bead The Change.

The beautiful Polymer Clay Blue and Pearl Winter Snowflake Lady Face Cab was made by, Kristie-Lou Brigham from: Sculpted Windows Wire Wrapped Jewelry Journal her blog or you may purchase some of her gorgeous work at Kristie's E-bay store Sculpted Windows Jewelry. Kristie has a wide variety of very lovely handmade pieces from Wire Wrapped Pendants to Polymer Clay beads and faces.
I also follow the Bead Journal Project 3 (BJP) with, Robin Atkin's being the founder. Here's Robin Atkin's wonderful blog: Beadlust. You may also find Robin at her website. If you have a chance please stop in on the many Bead Embroidery Artists and see all their amazing, gorgeous and incredible pieces!

Well, I'm not quite finished with this piece yet but...I'm almost there. I have to tell you's though that I'm somewhat intimidated to cut this piece in a circle the way I had planned. But my good friend, Lisa Criswell at Indigo's Beads has given me some wonderful pointers. Thanks so much Lisa! Oh...I have to say Congrats to you Lisa for your 1st sale and Congrats to you for finding out that you're going to be teaching your very first improvisational bead embroidery class...way to go girl, I'm so happy for you! if you haven't been to Lisa's blog yet, please stop in to see all her fantastic Bead Embroidery pieces!

Even though I'm not quite finished with this piece yet, I'm not sure what to name it, maybe you's can help me by leaving me some suggestions in my comments. I sure would appreciate any ideas on a name for my very 1st Bead Embroidery piece. Snow Angel, Ice Angel, Snow Princess, Ice Princess??? hmm or will I use your name that you pick out for me???













I hope that everyone has a great day and a very Happy Easter! So until the next time...Bead Happy!
Hugs and happy beading...
Bobbi