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The road to Williamsburg was short and swift - life is good!! Since April, when we sold our beautiful home to a wonderful couple, so many grand things have happened. We found a wonderful 55+ community to build in (ready for our March move) but for now are renting a great 3-story townhome. Can you say "LOTS OF STEPS!!?” We enjoyed the pool in the summer and many walks around New Town - a great area full of stores and restaurants - many we've yet to try! But I have hope we'll hit every one of them. Life is also good as we get to visit friends and family....especially our son, daughter-in-law and our three super grandkids. I hope they are enjoying us as much as we are enjoying them. When I was growing up family was important and we spent every weekend visiting Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and an array of cousins. I wish that for my three grandkids who live in Williamsburg. For now with all my arts and crafts packed away in the garage I am itching to DO something.............no room here but I will make sure to have that space when we move. I still have a lot of jewelry to sell and more ideas floating in my head with the help of Pinterest. For now with the holiday seasons upon us I am thankful to be in Williamsburg, thankful to have family close by, thankful for Lexi, Riley and Emma, thankful for a wonderful son and daughter-in-law, thankful for a loving and patient husband and thankful that retirement for both of us is working - most days!! I hope to be back online in the spring with Beach Babe's Jewelry and some sewing treats. Happy Holidays to all my friends and family!!

Color Pouch

While I was with my grandkids for Xmas I realized how much kids love to color at restaurants............Mom had crayons but the restaurant was lacking in paper. I decided to make "The Color Pouch"...........handmade with love and patience. I never use instructions....my brain doesn't allow it!! It holds crayons, color pencils, paper with room for stickers. It folds into a nice 7 X 9" package. This one will be heading to Wmsbrg. ☆:*´¨`*:..:*´¨`*:.☆

Instructions for The Origami Lotus Bag

I've made these in many sizes - normal is the 19"X19" as long as it's a square it will work!! Check my previous post for more pics. Have fun and thanks to "Exchanging Fire."


First, you need to start with two matching squares of fabric that are roughly 18 inches square. The final product, when all said and done, is going to have a 12-inch wide flat bottom. Note: If you use squares of fabric that are larger you will make a larger bag and if you use squares that are smaller your bag will, consequently, be smaller.

First, take the two pieces of complementary fabrics and place the designs facing each other so you see the wrong side. If you have thin fabrics I recommend added a layer of interfacing of some sort for added strength. Sew the two fabrics together like you would for a pillowcase, leaving yourself a small hole. Then flip the fabric inside-out. Ta-da! Your fabrics are all sewn together and look like a flat, er…thicker piece of fabric. Don’t worry, we’re getting there.

Second, iron your fabric so that it’s easier to work with. This is where the fabric starts to look like origami, and as the Japanese masters will tell you, trying to fold wrinkled paper (or fabric) never works well. Before you start folding, however, we’re going to sew a nice little edging on the flat piece of pillowcase fabric to make it look finished and to keep the seam from sliding around. This should be about an eighth of an inch from the edge of the fabrics and can be as simple as a backstitch or as complex as crazy ornate miniature heart shapes. Whatever. It’s totally up to you.

Now we’re getting to the folding. At this point, your square of fabrics should be laid flat with the fabric design that you want to be the exterior fabric facing you. Turn the fabric at an angle so it looks like a diamond shape to you (see fig. 1). Then fold each corner diamond inward until it is touching in the center like the Four Corners out West.

Your folded flaps should now show the interior fabric. The flaps are going to become the side panels of the bag. Seam up the four sides of the bag halfway (about four inches), making sure that the interior of the bag is still facing you (see fig. 2). This is important, because you are going to flip the bag so that the seams are facing inward when you are done.

The reason we only sewed up the sides of the bag halfway is because to create that lotus-like appearance, the unsewn flaps need to be folded over the outside of the bag. This creates the four origami points that look very similar to the points of a flower petal. To help the four points stay put, we’re going to sew them to the exterior of the bag roughly half an inch from the opening (see fig. 3). This creates a hole or gap large enough to draw ribbons or cord through to make the bag a drawstring one.

Lastly, cut two long satin ribbons or silken cord. I usually cut them as long as my arm from fingertip to collarbone, but you’ll need to gauge the length yourself. Take one ribbon and thread it through all four half-inch gaps we sewed at the opening of the bag. Tie the ribbon to itself when it reaches the beginning. At the opposite end from where you started threading the first ribbon, take the second ribbon and repeat the process. Pick up the bag, pull the cords, and watch the bag close! Note: The biggest mistake newbie drawstring bag makers find themselves making is at this point. If you pull your cords and the bag doesn’t close but the ribbons just hang taut, you may have knotted the first ribbon to the second. That’s never going to work so unknot and try again.

Enjoy and remember to support your local artist.

Busy in the Winter

The nasty weather of winter and spending more time inside has my juices flowing. On top of that I've found Pinterest....genius and addicting. I find myself scrolling through the site for hours and pinning things I love or things I want to make.........not that I don't already have boxes of beauties I've made but creating something new is so exciting.

A friend showed me a pattern for making adorable Origami Lotus Bags and off I went. Several friends and family received them for Xmas with goodies inside. For some there were matching jewelry rolls. I loved making the puzzle piece bags as part of the sale of the material goes to support Asperger's research. My wonderful 7 yrs. old Grandson has Asperger's and he is amazing. He has more knowledge in his little head than most of us will ever have - the love of my life....therefore it was my pleasure to make these bags AND support Asperger's.

My goals for this 2012 year are many and if I accomplish only half of them I'll be happy. Declutter - I'm on my way....make new things...I'm on my way...lose weight by walking and cutting out the junk and fast food....well, no so much but there's still time. Most important is to stay close to friends and family and nurture these relationships. As I get older I find out how precious life is and how our time on earth can be over in a second. Cherish your friends and family.

As I make new things I will post them. Yes, I still have jewelry for sale along with my desk but it's time to move on for now and try new things.

Enjoy 2012 and support your local artist!!

BAMMM Fall sure did come RUSHING in this year.

It seems like just last week I was moving my closets around to summer clothes and now I'm at it again - in reverse.  Maybe it would be easier to just switch bedrooms.  The best part is collecting clothes I've not worn in a few years and giving them to Goodwill.  I'm actually going through all my closets and cabinets and unloading bowls, dishes, glasses - things I never use.......it feels good!!


My show last weekend at the Warwich Yacht and Country Club was a bust but it was great being home and seeing my family.  Live and learn as they say.  I have reduced all my Jewels and Little Jewel Hookers by 20% so I can start making some new Jewels.   I'm also going to list my BIG craft desk for sale.  It seems the larger the area the bigger mess I make.........time to scale down.


Pictures are of my great family, craft show, Jewelry Rolls and a few beach goodies (beach glass is from Nags Head.)   Swimming with the fishes are adorable!   Enjoy!!

If you see something on the BLOG or FB you like please let me know.  Sorry - the cute family is ALL mine.  My creations are one of a kind - never duplicated...Art from the Heart.  Support a local artist.

HOTTEST SUMMER YET

Oh yes, this has been one hot summer with very little rain.  My garden is doing well in the heat thanks in part to my rain barrel with a little city water thrown in.

With all this heat the best place to be is inside - loving the AC.  South Boston has a few private pools which we did not join this year and we sold our boat so floating on the lake is a thing of the past.  We did try one of the lake's beaches but found them noisy and too crowded.........oh how nice it would be to be back living near the ocean - maybe one day soon. 

The way I'm beating the heat is by creating new "Little Jewel Hookers" with a few earrings thrown in.  I have a show at the Warwick Yacht and Country Club on Oct. 14th and hopefully another show in Nov. so I'm trying a new item, "Jewelry Roll-ups"..............most fun to make and an awesome travel case for all your jewels.  I'm making them in different sizes and colors..........all you do is stuff the pockets, roll and tie the cord around a cute button.  These are great for traveling but can be used to store your jewels at home.  I've worked long and hard with the help of my great sewing friend Chris and I'm hoping folks will enjoy them as much as I've enjoyed making them.

Pictured are a few new "Little Jewel Hookers" and a small sample of my "Jewelry Roll-ups."

Keep cool and enjoy the rest of the summer as we only have winter to look forward to.

Remember to support a local artist and be sure to contact me for prices and purchases.  

Summertime in the South

GrandPa Redd, Riley & Emma

Daytona Beach, FL

Emma and Nana (me)

As always winter was harsh, spring flew by and now HOT summer is upon us.  Not that I'm complaining as summer is my favorite season - just wish the humidity would let up so being outside would be more enjoyable.  Something about all this sunshine brings smiles to people's faces and folks seem nicer.

After my wonderful spring show I'm taking some time off from my jewelry corner to concentrate on the garden (YES, it's actually producing), cleaning out closets of everything not used in the past year, taking mini vacations (just returned from a week in FL.) and of course visiting with family.  Our favorite times are visiting the grandkids in Williamsburg and on a rare occasions them visiting us.  Seems we sit around all winter doing nothing and BAM...summer is here and things get rather busy - not complaining.  This weekend my hubby's parents are visiting and the next weekend my son is bringing my grandson, Riley, to experience his first car race at the South Boston Speedway.  July 4th weekend we will be in New Bern, NC - one of my favorite places to visit.  I also LOVE hearing about my granddaughter, Lexie, and her Warhill soccer team!!

Not to say that my mind isn't working overtime thinking of new things to make.  As I see something I like, an object or certain beads I will file the info away for the fall.........then it will be time to start on the Holiday Season and hopefully a show or two.

The pictures are of me and Emma picking strawberries, Us in FL. and then my 3 favorite people.

I still have a great inventory of Little Jewel Hookers so if you need a special gift send me an email.

This summer take time to stop and marvel at all the greenery and beauty.