tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43470369089584881352024-03-08T11:46:34.122-08:00MaybeadsMusings from a lampwork critter bead artist.Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-42043156759173529182015-07-27T09:09:00.000-07:002015-07-27T09:09:49.729-07:00Murrini Monday - Down on the Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQE_KX0FSqimAY9shXpnp2ukMG1zmYKlSz53e3EvK6zsZZDM0QCSKVfHHUamO6zUhu-C3zVDV3mWzN8qhPupoCOmueJww9c2eOhPvM0XJoahLfbXGpFtD1Y2TBWuhhAX4ed1hvvSM40hX/s1600/071515BarnBuddies450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQE_KX0FSqimAY9shXpnp2ukMG1zmYKlSz53e3EvK6zsZZDM0QCSKVfHHUamO6zUhu-C3zVDV3mWzN8qhPupoCOmueJww9c2eOhPvM0XJoahLfbXGpFtD1Y2TBWuhhAX4ed1hvvSM40hX/s320/071515BarnBuddies450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Are these not the cutest murrini pieces you have ever seen??? Cows, pigs, sheep, owls and CHICKENS! <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim </a>have surpassed the cuteness limit with these little critters. They're wonderful for artists who don't make critter beads because you can attach them to your pretty beads for a whimsical flair. For those of us who do make critter beads (like me!), I could not resist.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGQbn-QRS3Oj7v1u7voo3GGHggmbDZ20zYQ45U5jnRtNTQlL3V-EmTQSUd2koxfaw1oOzcG-1o09-RbHpKkZrPeioM0Rtyb_MA3Ud0Hp_7IbPkNZv2BchcxhG09LolOCq6foBgO7NaiwU/s1600/IMG_7725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGQbn-QRS3Oj7v1u7voo3GGHggmbDZ20zYQ45U5jnRtNTQlL3V-EmTQSUd2koxfaw1oOzcG-1o09-RbHpKkZrPeioM0Rtyb_MA3Ud0Hp_7IbPkNZv2BchcxhG09LolOCq6foBgO7NaiwU/s320/IMG_7725.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
This pug insisted on receiving the first <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_974/COE-104-Barn-Buddies-Murrini.htm">Barn Buddies</a> murrini - he's wearing a pig on his t-shirt. A pug in a pig shirt. I can't wait to figure out how to use the chickens . . .</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gwfhlprpqteKiYmDh2yTKp1xUEzDrEID7mhWyP2tx8YESeTbbbEX02lrZkkitFxeN1vNA43nXstfcU24DJsYdMd0cSMxbCcsqvkgS8u4h2knGOk2mehM1b89krsKuNSJkAv8213Ioo9O/s1600/IMG_7724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3gwfhlprpqteKiYmDh2yTKp1xUEzDrEID7mhWyP2tx8YESeTbbbEX02lrZkkitFxeN1vNA43nXstfcU24DJsYdMd0cSMxbCcsqvkgS8u4h2knGOk2mehM1b89krsKuNSJkAv8213Ioo9O/s320/IMG_7724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my last murrini order, I could not resist the <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_967/COE-104-Cupcakes-Murrini.htm">Cupcakes</a> (who can?), and neither could this little kitty with a sweet tooth. She swiped a cupcake and is not letting go.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OTr65ncXBJtFZe-lXujaLSHN_7UDIILX6q6UyjI6BZu4WVDPMS3F6Ftj3iFRCynsduAhy3xcgzHgsPn8gPFuy80_6JGoYKNIdxmDyC0yfvaZm2mhnabsnUWRraDkGORa1DUiqCA3kFwV/s1600/IMG_7726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0OTr65ncXBJtFZe-lXujaLSHN_7UDIILX6q6UyjI6BZu4WVDPMS3F6Ftj3iFRCynsduAhy3xcgzHgsPn8gPFuy80_6JGoYKNIdxmDyC0yfvaZm2mhnabsnUWRraDkGORa1DUiqCA3kFwV/s320/IMG_7726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The final murrini pack I purchased is called <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_976/COE-104-Superstar-Murrini.htm">Superstar!</a> And let me tell you, these tiny stars are super! I used my smallest ones on these mini owls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These beads are not for sale just yet - but they'll be featured in my upcoming Trunk Show at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/814001222019734/">Lampwork Bead Artist Jamboree</a> on Facebook. My show will be Aug. 5-6 -- it's my first trunk show and I'm very excited about it! And nervous, too. To bid on my beads or on other artists' beads at their trunk shows, just request to join the group!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;">Happy Murrini Monday!!!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-21061103097276401802015-05-11T18:31:00.006-07:002015-05-11T18:42:37.367-07:00Murrini Monday - Gnome Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSikGz_DpewTytbK198fEqKSUsBW7Rbk7SMV0dcUiWJoW7UetmTsYDgg9ChhKM7Gz3f8Os99jLT6ah5SdwJbE_lr16gV69LRVk8rxUN6edJS5JhH2XV4fqHFy0y6lMfvol8bznKEP_Uec/s1600/050115GardenGnome450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSikGz_DpewTytbK198fEqKSUsBW7Rbk7SMV0dcUiWJoW7UetmTsYDgg9ChhKM7Gz3f8Os99jLT6ah5SdwJbE_lr16gV69LRVk8rxUN6edJS5JhH2XV4fqHFy0y6lMfvol8bznKEP_Uec/s320/050115GardenGnome450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once again, it's been too long since I've celebrated Murrini Monday. But let's not dwell on that - let's check out some AWESOME murrini! Murrini that just arrived in my mailbox today! The murrini above is from Lori and Kim (obviously) and it is called Garden Gnome. See the tiny gnomes? I can't wait to share them all with my critters! There are also snails, mushrooms and lots of flowers in this blend. I'm so happy I bought it because now it's sold out. But there are lots of other wonderful murrini packs at <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a>, so be sure and check them out. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fact that the Garden Gnome blend is sold out is not surprising to me. I've already figured out where some of it has gone . . </span>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGAIvJ9J4Ti0AUi3Xa4CMkrRyg8oTyNX78UVNmqX_D1tv_3ZBQNPylW3KXAfKrUZDRqaG5_RxegZNCXbYkXm3Ajqsx6Io4r-5gT73XNwa1FD_dWuBTCa0aeeim_h7yD7enNtSgH7TS1Og/s1600/11259612_1582265015379843_1913639023525948139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGAIvJ9J4Ti0AUi3Xa4CMkrRyg8oTyNX78UVNmqX_D1tv_3ZBQNPylW3KXAfKrUZDRqaG5_RxegZNCXbYkXm3Ajqsx6Io4r-5gT73XNwa1FD_dWuBTCa0aeeim_h7yD7enNtSgH7TS1Og/s320/11259612_1582265015379843_1913639023525948139_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just look at this amazing bead! Debi Cogwell of <a href="http://www.palmtreequeen.com/">Palmtree Queen Glass Beads</a> made it, and it's currently up for auction at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/lampworkbeadmarket/">Lampwork Bead Market</a> on Facebook. Seriously - look at all of that wonderful murrini beautifully displayed in that bead! Plus there's more on every side! If you want Debi's bead, just ask to join Lampwork Bead Market on Facebook and start bidding. To see more of Debi's awesome beads and creative use of murrini, head to her Facebook Page -<a href="https://www.facebook.com/palmtreequeenlampworks?fref=ts"> Palmtree Queen Lampwork</a> and give it a like - you won't be sorry to see these awesome creations in your feed.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, here's another way Debi uses Lori and Kim murrini:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL54T7qKYgyVA0fEyRYP_Ut1hKIYkhbH7VZpYP1GNmWv2ZmTTlJ0fLmOSLA1phEpyKNnKgvMUJCdQZZvYxlxnY1YQnaVPoeNDiGlnjeh4TKS9Qwew6R8pSoOOsNG8KHrBlGyquHj7sokRv/s1600/11081137_1563420237264321_2823875620944152561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL54T7qKYgyVA0fEyRYP_Ut1hKIYkhbH7VZpYP1GNmWv2ZmTTlJ0fLmOSLA1phEpyKNnKgvMUJCdQZZvYxlxnY1YQnaVPoeNDiGlnjeh4TKS9Qwew6R8pSoOOsNG8KHrBlGyquHj7sokRv/s320/11081137_1563420237264321_2823875620944152561_n.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Owls in a gnarly tree! I swiped this picture a while back, before this bead sold. But she's always adding more hooters in trees, so keep an eye out for those. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next week I hope to show where some of my new tiny garden gnomes have made their homes.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b style="background-color: white;">Happy Murrini Monday!!!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-76687029807948913102015-03-09T07:15:00.001-07:002015-03-09T07:15:30.902-07:00Murrini Monday - Thinking about Easter Beads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjWR3V4wr6qC48RgSMymBLvAels5lKsqyZrTSyAmnDOkTGpFAbckRgnXSbrLR3Bg7swhWqiCwwls-YXfQM2AoFFYXep_jSClFXDSEoRGO1iFr_Jj7GbMB_UuBCYRcZM66sVKpGXBZl3gr/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjWR3V4wr6qC48RgSMymBLvAels5lKsqyZrTSyAmnDOkTGpFAbckRgnXSbrLR3Bg7swhWqiCwwls-YXfQM2AoFFYXep_jSClFXDSEoRGO1iFr_Jj7GbMB_UuBCYRcZM66sVKpGXBZl3gr/s1600/IMG_5233.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This little pug bunny swiped my very last murrini Easter egg - can you blame him? But now I'm left eggless and sad. I'm really hoping <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a> do another Easter egg murrini blend. In the meantime, I'll have some Easter chicks to play with!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqljUkFWSExDoEdZzpPzPz94rNZd3mzwf9CVpyoQ3vojRy6W5z3GpvGx0PdMKIUvph-8-SSqIIqaCJz3C5Tz6V9WsaH_DYcgIIRAjsuWnU-C0zvI512GkYC50nEUjRNXox1TyQb0TpLrSB/s1600/030115Peep450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqljUkFWSExDoEdZzpPzPz94rNZd3mzwf9CVpyoQ3vojRy6W5z3GpvGx0PdMKIUvph-8-SSqIIqaCJz3C5Tz6V9WsaH_DYcgIIRAjsuWnU-C0zvI512GkYC50nEUjRNXox1TyQb0TpLrSB/s1600/030115Peep450.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I saw this <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_923/COE-104-Peep-Murrini.htm">Peep</a> blend over at Lori and Kim, I knew it had to be mine. My pack (along with a couple others) should be arriving any day now. Then I'll have to decide which lucky critters get a little chick.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf6SBpNSrSsLR_n77aq9nIIsSkB190GprQ2rm8ihESbaYlDFuM0lioHyw37CnhEVmyRyu9aYOxdo4aPO3chSaayFFcmfwbX5MRtJe1YDu-UMcXdrJnp83kW0i497LHTPqEp1hF8VPfvkZ/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyf6SBpNSrSsLR_n77aq9nIIsSkB190GprQ2rm8ihESbaYlDFuM0lioHyw37CnhEVmyRyu9aYOxdo4aPO3chSaayFFcmfwbX5MRtJe1YDu-UMcXdrJnp83kW0i497LHTPqEp1hF8VPfvkZ/s1600/IMG_5271.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's some more murrini in action. I received these wonderful rainbow murrini from Julie Bowen of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AutEvDesigns?pnref=about.overview">Autochthonous Evolved</a> and I was saving them for just the right critter. This buttercup owl was the perfect spot for these seven colorful murrini - I just love them! This owl has me thinking that Spring could be a possibility.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Murrini Monday</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">!</span><span style="background-color: white; color: cyan; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-14247957849762686162015-02-17T05:49:00.000-08:002015-02-17T06:11:08.194-08:00Murrini Monday - on Tuesday (because President's Day has me confused on what day it is)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJxKoXoAmfZuUVOGTQXrJrtYq_phYL2LVB6VTA4DaRzni3lV8VZ26B7rcXOP99ng2LAZex8m6n3YOnWyJvmFDzUO6llPyX4EBzZQNREIpy1bBNZk3MhSAIQxgU-S2V6_r1DKhnk_lhg5X/s1600/IMG_4942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJxKoXoAmfZuUVOGTQXrJrtYq_phYL2LVB6VTA4DaRzni3lV8VZ26B7rcXOP99ng2LAZex8m6n3YOnWyJvmFDzUO6llPyX4EBzZQNREIpy1bBNZk3MhSAIQxgU-S2V6_r1DKhnk_lhg5X/s1600/IMG_4942.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't been blogging about my love for murrini (not since October of last year!), but that doesn't mean my love has faded. It's still very much alive. I've been making a lot of custom dog beads, which, sadly, don't require murrini. But I've also been asked to make some mini murrini owls (above), and I happily obliged. In fact, I made extras, so some of these will soon be for sale.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVa9YwIGWWOMTTfFQRTyYTrdferjIIZFKzAm9-HQA1j0kBKnNyBygesxph0o-SOEglSDJUQmwIqEoXRcFYrtQ9j6pZkqFXbwwmxSGZRHDMfQU_JvpKEl3bKTkNupgkUdBBQ8nU5CZ87t0/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVa9YwIGWWOMTTfFQRTyYTrdferjIIZFKzAm9-HQA1j0kBKnNyBygesxph0o-SOEglSDJUQmwIqEoXRcFYrtQ9j6pZkqFXbwwmxSGZRHDMfQU_JvpKEl3bKTkNupgkUdBBQ8nU5CZ87t0/s1600/IMG_4916.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This elephant has extremely good taste in murrini. I adore this heart! It's from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim </a>(as are the murrini on the owl beads) and the detail and colors just blow me away.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxR8V5Kd6ZJu-2h-sQumo7up1CEohau2fnVMSqyEeZAm7hg8kF39Ku0rCebQjvn8g9TvkDolT-VU_CCpW3xbmha29zMsZvWpsyXWGuvdHcaOGWQOi-xNJyB4EaG6rRYzenZ0er_UrzyL4/s1600/021515PansyGarden450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxR8V5Kd6ZJu-2h-sQumo7up1CEohau2fnVMSqyEeZAm7hg8kF39Ku0rCebQjvn8g9TvkDolT-VU_CCpW3xbmha29zMsZvWpsyXWGuvdHcaOGWQOi-xNJyB4EaG6rRYzenZ0er_UrzyL4/s1600/021515PansyGarden450.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here is the latest in COE 104 murrini from Lori and Kim - this blend is called pansy garden, and it's filled with pansies (omg the detail!) and other purple and yellow flowers (I spy daffodils and roses!) AND bees! The colors of this blend are wonderful and I believe I'll be owning some soon because it gives me hope that spring is actually around the corner. Find Lori and Kim's awesome murrini blends <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/category_6/Specialty-Murrini-COE-104.htm">here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: yellow; color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Murrini Monday to one and all!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-84474545791219723672014-10-20T06:14:00.002-07:002014-10-20T06:15:53.190-07:00Murrini Monday - Big & Little Hooters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks ago I told you about the awesome little Hoot murrini I got from Lori and Kim. I'm finally posting pictures of the beads I made with it. All of these beads have flown the coop already, but I will make more! This murrini is super fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkZ_2gmR3JvW0NQT0RBQbTvzqjWZ0VJV4WkQC2-gdlhF01tWsK2r6J4bEkr_WQMm5snh705ciM29incPx5s5rRRy4RWVbXlX-8hI6wRoC-svUACB06MHhDV2NHQosNNUankZk_9OlHV1J/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqkZ_2gmR3JvW0NQT0RBQbTvzqjWZ0VJV4WkQC2-gdlhF01tWsK2r6J4bEkr_WQMm5snh705ciM29incPx5s5rRRy4RWVbXlX-8hI6wRoC-svUACB06MHhDV2NHQosNNUankZk_9OlHV1J/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the owl above and the owl below, I just placed a sweet murrini owl in a contrasting color on their chests. So now they have a mini version of themselves with them wherever they go. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe4yGykgzzwCa464ZXA6rlHl8nZy43rbgi_CxrtcxGfunjopx-khUaLQ3PvZiYJ84oeE2bfhLH9YPBVEop1ZfHGz1MCRS-DvgAU66x4MYtM4Lf7-KfioWd36ayDA_yEcvxTxnuBrmn_1-/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCe4yGykgzzwCa464ZXA6rlHl8nZy43rbgi_CxrtcxGfunjopx-khUaLQ3PvZiYJ84oeE2bfhLH9YPBVEop1ZfHGz1MCRS-DvgAU66x4MYtM4Lf7-KfioWd36ayDA_yEcvxTxnuBrmn_1-/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MsX9SviR5XtJbOnIzy-KoZpk8mZixmPGId3XUa5aDj-cSh4ydGODT8ZhCHbDeJ6yqNiOtq40w1VBn_i9S-Yv0F4Fpt_bOLMC8lyegKYmhjxbX6HXkULcMJcuvcjtTBOoVNqMf9vpM2Gg/s1600/IMG_3272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MsX9SviR5XtJbOnIzy-KoZpk8mZixmPGId3XUa5aDj-cSh4ydGODT8ZhCHbDeJ6yqNiOtq40w1VBn_i9S-Yv0F4Fpt_bOLMC8lyegKYmhjxbX6HXkULcMJcuvcjtTBOoVNqMf9vpM2Gg/s1600/IMG_3272.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For the elephant above and below, I placed a murrini owl in their trunks and called them "Horton Hears a Hoot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGvEQRI31WcSqEaD8SwZsYuTM6cbUrqgu1OZkaWr2NFH5bRMxvbC7mSQdp_5-41oLEIcJ_3etlxkSCBq-sJRChHxgvuYLzh8qJ3zAoqQBDsVyNf0pSJrqirZ7NvEUTi2arezQNzXrCFkW/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGvEQRI31WcSqEaD8SwZsYuTM6cbUrqgu1OZkaWr2NFH5bRMxvbC7mSQdp_5-41oLEIcJ_3etlxkSCBq-sJRChHxgvuYLzh8qJ3zAoqQBDsVyNf0pSJrqirZ7NvEUTi2arezQNzXrCFkW/s1600/IMG_3229.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
How much more fun can I have with this murrini??? I bet lots! But now I also have a new blend called <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_926/COE-104-Bikini-Bottom-Murrini.htm">Bikini Bottom</a> and it is filled with bright and cheery flowers and SNAILS! Next murrini Monday I'll show what the snails are doing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVy2Qa3yVaK99wdP8NjIarEw25A8nPXkw1wqP8lTQYkqBYFJPm0bhTKAUPYy18VVRkzym-I8Ky4dn0iTB2Apah5kaTjUMLkDAvVJ77-F1N616zMplHv4LRhCVeNgtO9P066kdxluLZva6/s1600/100114GardenGary450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzVy2Qa3yVaK99wdP8NjIarEw25A8nPXkw1wqP8lTQYkqBYFJPm0bhTKAUPYy18VVRkzym-I8Ky4dn0iTB2Apah5kaTjUMLkDAvVJ77-F1N616zMplHv4LRhCVeNgtO9P066kdxluLZva6/s1600/100114GardenGary450.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks for visiting my blog and <span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY MURRINI MONDAY!!!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-52572105636742463562014-09-22T13:10:00.002-07:002014-09-22T13:11:06.250-07:00Murrini Monday - Hooter Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP4wDkBEAxGNHZykkokaqJsSKY_gLL_yweGCNLtn-rVO3dopXxh6HsKdOre4s4wxmKxfsHsUwubvTPq2HZ84kzvU0dpqUXPV2tpIUrOn-3v9mjJTf4QP4fxkrzEMoW1018UAUfkunKMuq/s1600/080114Hoot450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyP4wDkBEAxGNHZykkokaqJsSKY_gLL_yweGCNLtn-rVO3dopXxh6HsKdOre4s4wxmKxfsHsUwubvTPq2HZ84kzvU0dpqUXPV2tpIUrOn-3v9mjJTf4QP4fxkrzEMoW1018UAUfkunKMuq/s1600/080114Hoot450.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been FOREVER since I've celebrated Murrini Monday - what better time to bring it back than when I receive tiny hooters in my mailbox! That's right, <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a> have done it again with their endless murrini talents. This murrini blend is all little owls! I held back and only bought one pack, and it arrived today and it is wonderful! As soon as I'm done with this post, I'm going to try it out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This may sound strange, but I usually don't go for the animal murrini. That's not to say I don't LOVE it because I do! But I make animal beads, and I don't always know what to do with animal murrini. Lately I've put a murrini turtle in an elephant's trunk, and that worked out really nice:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmInbHfzImxltnoRVcd3gtYtMFXEYp7pLgIz6I8bZa6g1gyaxbkHxBl06rXF9Gw9sja_Pve46E2l1LrnKWFnURGHYG8v9tl_w5nh0wWsK0_CHsHHcVVIIZJKtVfZvIoHaaE6QQ7YAFhrcB/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmInbHfzImxltnoRVcd3gtYtMFXEYp7pLgIz6I8bZa6g1gyaxbkHxBl06rXF9Gw9sja_Pve46E2l1LrnKWFnURGHYG8v9tl_w5nh0wWsK0_CHsHHcVVIIZJKtVfZvIoHaaE6QQ7YAFhrcB/s1600/IMG_2968.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite my new pack being a blend of all owls, I could not resist. I envision owl beads with little owl boutonnieres. I can't wait to try it!</div>
<br />
But first I want to show you my new turtle ring:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Cd5fvqtWXm0Yn0hiBtAfziGNpL2T79X-s4GLGzs68-aERmuCT9a95wvcGD21pXofwYcMlovozy4-mNIAUYflQ2eI11IgGAK2dRhaegqiRH5Uvad1xTYUNkBw9eD_dI4SvkKdbZPxFW1/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm4Cd5fvqtWXm0Yn0hiBtAfziGNpL2T79X-s4GLGzs68-aERmuCT9a95wvcGD21pXofwYcMlovozy4-mNIAUYflQ2eI11IgGAK2dRhaegqiRH5Uvad1xTYUNkBw9eD_dI4SvkKdbZPxFW1/s1600/IMG_2988.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I made several of these turtles in the past few days because I was making a ring for my mom's birthday. I think I made seven turtles all together, and she picked one out and I turned it into a ring. So I turned another turtle into a ring for my daughter, and one for me! I got the rings from <a href="http://www.karenthomas.us/">Karen Thomas Designs</a>, and they are super easy to use. The turtle just slides onto a little post that screws into either side of the ring. And of course the turtle has an awesome slice of Lori and Kim murrini on its shell. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Happy Murrini Monday!!!</b></span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-49379532840617919882014-05-05T08:51:00.000-07:002014-05-05T08:51:30.166-07:00Murrini Monday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CHZSOt5WC6DfpIzinB_ohk_BsERJhle5zFDiL-cr7ov3pk2zhhyphenhyphen8PMoGw0fDXKcyY1uA_X-4STumvvHTHLc00ta2FcNgEIJNoXZJDosvP0YdtYstz-Utim5xGoB7F4d7Y24GgDtBtKoL/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CHZSOt5WC6DfpIzinB_ohk_BsERJhle5zFDiL-cr7ov3pk2zhhyphenhyphen8PMoGw0fDXKcyY1uA_X-4STumvvHTHLc00ta2FcNgEIJNoXZJDosvP0YdtYstz-Utim5xGoB7F4d7Y24GgDtBtKoL/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few weeks ago I received some awesome new murrini from Julie at <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/AutEvDesigns">AutEvDesigns</a> on Etsy. Julie makes her own murrini and uses it in her beautiful lampwork beads. She doesn't sell it (yet), but I got to try some out and it's wonderful! See how tiny it is? I love small murrini because my beads are fairly small. I used a lot of it on the owl below:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWNyhhG5kr1Ooqw1WKJxf4Xk4125I4eAsmfCJJc4qLuMWjhTs4w9a9i7nenYq34dBWVCHsq4t1yvxlmZ5ZElKRYdZgLd5U9jzith74oyfj7n_0zlkyGt42XhpRt0EzyrHUXzdpysDCJlu/s1600/Maybeads_040614_019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWNyhhG5kr1Ooqw1WKJxf4Xk4125I4eAsmfCJJc4qLuMWjhTs4w9a9i7nenYq34dBWVCHsq4t1yvxlmZ5ZElKRYdZgLd5U9jzith74oyfj7n_0zlkyGt42XhpRt0EzyrHUXzdpysDCJlu/s1600/Maybeads_040614_019.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I LOVE the rainbow murrini on this owl's chest. I fit seven of these tiny slices on him, and I think he looks pretty darn good. :) This owl is still in my shop <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/185409532/blue-owl-lampwork-glass-bead-murrini?ref=related-0">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYb2AEHSlu-nxHAgChD8jXTd_N9d6Nip-pmkZXO4w2xDsnIvSu45h2QiJXM_WAzUobdtsG-8iKdreGjkvX7x4o1uDcQrOUBthP2c_hm4FSZFZGXYAhRlsLvCTFIGEXT7gwTyb3kBwCIIf/s1600/Maybeads_040614_021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYb2AEHSlu-nxHAgChD8jXTd_N9d6Nip-pmkZXO4w2xDsnIvSu45h2QiJXM_WAzUobdtsG-8iKdreGjkvX7x4o1uDcQrOUBthP2c_hm4FSZFZGXYAhRlsLvCTFIGEXT7gwTyb3kBwCIIf/s1600/Maybeads_040614_021.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For this owl I used some of Julie's blue, yellow and green murrini. I love it over transparent glass. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzv8CMv-CqUB0tH3PjJUrH-gBp4r9RB_aerXO0P_drKlVZ_csJ5dT1SrmRjzJXu5er6ORx8KW718KMBxaViJag3o1a5kpmshVUM_iApFpmdlyzuXA7RIehhCFL_JnCAA4nOCGQGK40xxa/s1600/Maybeads_040614_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzv8CMv-CqUB0tH3PjJUrH-gBp4r9RB_aerXO0P_drKlVZ_csJ5dT1SrmRjzJXu5er6ORx8KW718KMBxaViJag3o1a5kpmshVUM_iApFpmdlyzuXA7RIehhCFL_JnCAA4nOCGQGK40xxa/s1600/Maybeads_040614_011.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This elephant was very smart - she swiped one of the slices of red heart murrini. Isn't it great?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmA76sSfl6AA02s1nCrVb606YIy3fTro8FU9XklsxzH17TNGjA-eNPcm7ys1srsmOWe0JQO_i7oCLcE6tI0Lx36lbEErpVfuowN1o8mhWMHnSj8x77eDSf57eYZ7-jiy3tJxm3-AKzUyc/s1600/il_570xN-1.521652940_8s8w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmA76sSfl6AA02s1nCrVb606YIy3fTro8FU9XklsxzH17TNGjA-eNPcm7ys1srsmOWe0JQO_i7oCLcE6tI0Lx36lbEErpVfuowN1o8mhWMHnSj8x77eDSf57eYZ7-jiy3tJxm3-AKzUyc/s1600/il_570xN-1.521652940_8s8w.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And I found Julie's murrini in action on one of her beautiful <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/168128095/lampwork-lentil-focal-bead-green-blue?ref=shop_home_active_18">lentil focal</a> beads in her shop. And there's more where that came from.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Follow Julie on Facebook at <span style="background-color: white; color: red;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AutEvDesigns"><span style="color: red;">Autochthonous Evolved</span></a> </span><span style="background-color: white;">- Lots of gorgeous beads and finished jewelry there! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Happy Murrini Monday!!!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-16677164853818324862014-02-17T14:34:00.004-08:002014-02-17T14:37:33.246-08:00Murrini Monday <div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoUXQDQgTVnjl8vQ6D7ykpTiXdNKN79aY7ciwz7LwDHmW_6tfzIpK5-XNEn5Cqa1sWUErKXdkwqgzBu5hVpPGrzxKEb3Rd9BbRNYK1oDJRnXg30HLRC_FxPAU2u5lMw7wyvpeVflrbHi2/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoUXQDQgTVnjl8vQ6D7ykpTiXdNKN79aY7ciwz7LwDHmW_6tfzIpK5-XNEn5Cqa1sWUErKXdkwqgzBu5hVpPGrzxKEb3Rd9BbRNYK1oDJRnXg30HLRC_FxPAU2u5lMw7wyvpeVflrbHi2/s1600/IMG_0517.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Last week I organized my murrini collection. I had a lot of it in the little baggies it came in, a lot scattered on my work table and some was actually organized in little plastic containers. So I cleaned up a bit and sorted through my murrini. I tried to organize them by sorting them into different colors or themes. The container above has peace signs, happy faces, rainbows and stars - now that's fun group.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfGFNWEyYbhrNOdW6JxyO9ZzulgMGYFb7zQc1JtdO2jJNYcI5cho3FNj2g6BOisBLbu3GFUjH0uxVWFNfSx5ClMEns5wciLLJYxv8KP8mSLLhsd9AYlGKtkg0Okn_ILu0ShXGzk1dPIy/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hfGFNWEyYbhrNOdW6JxyO9ZzulgMGYFb7zQc1JtdO2jJNYcI5cho3FNj2g6BOisBLbu3GFUjH0uxVWFNfSx5ClMEns5wciLLJYxv8KP8mSLLhsd9AYlGKtkg0Okn_ILu0ShXGzk1dPIy/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When I was finished I had all my little containers filled (minus a couple large bags I have from Mallory at <a href="http://www.rosebud101.etsy.com/">Rosebud101</a> that I keep separate because there are just too many to sort). As you can see, there is some room on my containers for some more murrini. There are even EMPTY containers! Now that's just wrong.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FxvOcQFcCd_57Z8jLu8cpdr6DsFChLFMK8YRFxwcpHp2r72Mx4mt6YBw4T-VVcnu63mKn3l54eU-GS_f63IzAqu5GiEe9bxZbVuK1KPo02xH2qHpjkkPMSoKA2owL1ycQGa1VUu2wKDI/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FxvOcQFcCd_57Z8jLu8cpdr6DsFChLFMK8YRFxwcpHp2r72Mx4mt6YBw4T-VVcnu63mKn3l54eU-GS_f63IzAqu5GiEe9bxZbVuK1KPo02xH2qHpjkkPMSoKA2owL1ycQGa1VUu2wKDI/s1600/IMG_0513.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It just so happened that very soon after I discovered I was running low (in my opinion) on murrini, <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a> posted a coupon code for 15% OFF all purchases. How could I resist? I put FEBFUN15 in at checkout and two days later I received my little baggies of goodness in the mail. I got Koi Pond: little turtles, fish and frog face murrini; Candy Hearts: you can never have too many heart-shaped murrini; ROYGBIV: rainbow colors! and my new favorite, Happy Hour: which critter would like to be served first? I'll tell you - it was a pug. She's sipping on her martini as we speak.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What other critters deserve a cocktail? Please leave your ideas in the comments - I'd love to hear them! There's a full bar of murrini drinks, with beer, margaritas, bloody marys, blue hawaiins and martinis. I think I just heard a bunny say "beer me." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
The coupon code for Lori and Kim is good until the end of February (remember, it's a short month!), so go get your murrini. But please, torch responsibly.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: lime; color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">Happy Murrini Monday!!! </span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-72223631867797704642013-12-04T08:10:00.002-08:002013-12-04T09:11:46.441-08:00Cats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0mHgVuMKBQ9tatXFsPrNkcqdv66jzWcLS-ga8D_PIsojTmoGdH4SZwiYHlidJASeL29yz_qSgrGxa-vWPlJe5pSuSN0MsgB6GiNvYY-oQ4mUr5LjbHPr9ILs2c5JEmfW6tJSzNJDzpH8/s1600/IMG_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0mHgVuMKBQ9tatXFsPrNkcqdv66jzWcLS-ga8D_PIsojTmoGdH4SZwiYHlidJASeL29yz_qSgrGxa-vWPlJe5pSuSN0MsgB6GiNvYY-oQ4mUr5LjbHPr9ILs2c5JEmfW6tJSzNJDzpH8/s320/IMG_0011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This time of year has me thinking about cats. Not that I don't think about cats at other times of the year, but just before the holidays I think about cats even more. We adopted our two cats, Ernie and Bert, three years ago at this time of year. I was the kitten scout. I was at the shelter nearly every day, petting cats and kittens. Once I'd chosen an orange kitten (after several interviews and cuddle sessions), I brought my husband to the shelter to meet him. Bob and the kitten took to each other right away, so while they were bonding I opened another kitten cage and took out a little black kitty. When we put both kitties on the floor, they started running around together and I think they might have fallen in love. Or maybe that was me. That's when Bob said "We could get two . . ." Um, ok! So we signed the papers and paid the adoption fee, but we weren't allowed to take the kitties home just yet. The orange kitten had an eye infection and that needed to clear up before they would release him. They put the two kitties together in the same cage and we went home and waited. And waited. I went to the shelter with our cat carrier, ready to take them home, but they still would not release them and I left with my empty cat carrier. I understood. But boy did I want to bring those kitties home! Finally, on Christmas Eve, the kittens were cleared to come home. We picked them up and put them in a wrapped box (you know, the kind they have on soap operas where the box top is wrapped separately so all you have to do is pull off the top) and presented the box to our kids. They were stunned. It was one of those awesome moments - we had kittens! Our kids had never had kittens before. The three cats we had had during their life were all grown, so they had never known the wonder of little kittens. It was so much fun! Ernie and Bert are now "cats," but we still call them "the kittens." They became best friends right away and they play and sleep together. They are wonderful. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE_84US_T4UX4iCWUF_QJImGEaMWOMytX80cNL93E0Izpplwr3xoG3vK_ZUFQaECZhWr5iMN0n98VkhwoAf3PFcSku5Y7rBDPAS0NmX0Gu5PkNx-XgTInhtpKaG2AwKM68UgAW04fMeal/s1600/IMG_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCE_84US_T4UX4iCWUF_QJImGEaMWOMytX80cNL93E0Izpplwr3xoG3vK_ZUFQaECZhWr5iMN0n98VkhwoAf3PFcSku5Y7rBDPAS0NmX0Gu5PkNx-XgTInhtpKaG2AwKM68UgAW04fMeal/s320/IMG_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So it's no wonder that I want to shop for cats this time of year. But we're at our limit now with these two fur balls, and that's ok. We love them. But in my cat-obsessed state I've been favoriting a lot of cat items on Etsy and I even made a holiday cat <a href="https://www.etsy.com/treasury/NTgxNTk4N3wyNzI1MzYwOTc2/christmas-cats?ref=pr_treasury">treasury</a>. I can't seem to get cats off my mind. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tc1nGrFwbnFqaGM79_Qwm939O53d00z96mEd9Pd5OihhgFWP62oXnYMx0LRzDPz8z3NzxOs1oBTxXUBeH8uTEcX0OAe-zQKjmUoF8bo2g8j7PwfKWOijIZNGlVnHow8rzZmwqI4BgJTx/s1600/1479517_10151871511563878_1949082752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tc1nGrFwbnFqaGM79_Qwm939O53d00z96mEd9Pd5OihhgFWP62oXnYMx0LRzDPz8z3NzxOs1oBTxXUBeH8uTEcX0OAe-zQKjmUoF8bo2g8j7PwfKWOijIZNGlVnHow8rzZmwqI4BgJTx/s320/1479517_10151871511563878_1949082752_n.jpg" width="304" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: justify;">Then my glassy friend Lori of </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/loribeads?ref=l2-shopheader-name" style="text-align: justify;">loribeads</a> posted this glorious picture of the cat beads she's been making. Aren't they wonderful??? I love group shots of critter beads - and these kitties all get along so nicely, no hissing. :) I didn't see any cat beads in her shop yet, but that's what she's been up to, so hopefully they'll be sneaking in there soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWygVG2tV1SePKvqaDoJcLUR_zs43dIHgL4EBx8Ikq3vC5FCGpxwYTA9qYxyeXnXndRVXiyED3tHrx1vU6EMJlI7woRPMjrXGSubFaj7D5G_qB8lbehmC-QqmIC-fi-sV8yKrFNWpFmvnH/s1600/il_570xN.467724682_s6b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWygVG2tV1SePKvqaDoJcLUR_zs43dIHgL4EBx8Ikq3vC5FCGpxwYTA9qYxyeXnXndRVXiyED3tHrx1vU6EMJlI7woRPMjrXGSubFaj7D5G_qB8lbehmC-QqmIC-fi-sV8yKrFNWpFmvnH/s320/il_570xN.467724682_s6b6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My glassy friend Nikki has a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/nlcbeads?section_id=6955181">whole litter</a> of kitty cats in her shop, <a href="http://www.nlcbeads.etsy.com/">nlcbeads</a>. I own a couple of her cat beads and they are even better in person. Their itty bitty paw pads are my favorite little adorable detail. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFa8PyWQUL0GJynq1Il3BoyKF4hHwBYjb38rRdaJErGfba2JC6wiSiAV1u5rnM6V3uoRc97DmJoDfKnN1igx1QKYrsi2YKDbvCZifNv5h70N401IzuK1GCrM1D9ZIdsmVAPKU3nKWF2sl/s1600/il_570xN.535554107_gvf7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFa8PyWQUL0GJynq1Il3BoyKF4hHwBYjb38rRdaJErGfba2JC6wiSiAV1u5rnM6V3uoRc97DmJoDfKnN1igx1QKYrsi2YKDbvCZifNv5h70N401IzuK1GCrM1D9ZIdsmVAPKU3nKWF2sl/s320/il_570xN.535554107_gvf7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These little tipsy cats by Min of <a href="http://www.minfidler.etsy.com/">minfidler</a> are a new obsession of mine. I just love the design and all the little details on each kitty cat. I own one of her upright cat beads that I just adore. She has both designs in her shop now, but I've noticed that the tipsy cats go fast! Find her cat beads <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/minfidler?section_id=10026496">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdO1TvWdbsOpJLoH0lHlTc8co1YjtNffXUVYoZZDT0nllvZOz5njeXJtSWUqgyTLX77fneEJ6LI3IUrje9ahyvVEuEv4UCBEn7Rrpx2aY6hbt888pKY27oZnVhJ175NWNK5EGOdE65dcp/s1600/il_570xN.500776552_93b7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdO1TvWdbsOpJLoH0lHlTc8co1YjtNffXUVYoZZDT0nllvZOz5njeXJtSWUqgyTLX77fneEJ6LI3IUrje9ahyvVEuEv4UCBEn7Rrpx2aY6hbt888pKY27oZnVhJ175NWNK5EGOdE65dcp/s320/il_570xN.500776552_93b7.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another shop that's under the influence of cats is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RCTees?ref=shop_sugg&view_type=list">RCTees</a>. Shop owner Toni just had her 8,000 sale! So you know there are happy customers all over the globe sporting her fabulous shirts. I'm one of them - I have two RC t-shirts and I love them. The fit is just right, and the graphics are outstanding. Not all the shirts and bags at RCTees are cat-related - there's something for everyone there. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNirdu08fIQE-ppnvqJF57jz-Oq2rSCkXtqbv3FvpYvA6UFuhQhzWucfF4baU99dA4pIkpfsZV5nZoMpfl52hoP9LGL54FrPjllvfKLiP_BoT4vGGIbEsBzzaGJzan-jnCUPmh3SqhN7TG/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNirdu08fIQE-ppnvqJF57jz-Oq2rSCkXtqbv3FvpYvA6UFuhQhzWucfF4baU99dA4pIkpfsZV5nZoMpfl52hoP9LGL54FrPjllvfKLiP_BoT4vGGIbEsBzzaGJzan-jnCUPmh3SqhN7TG/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNirdu08fIQE-ppnvqJF57jz-Oq2rSCkXtqbv3FvpYvA6UFuhQhzWucfF4baU99dA4pIkpfsZV5nZoMpfl52hoP9LGL54FrPjllvfKLiP_BoT4vGGIbEsBzzaGJzan-jnCUPmh3SqhN7TG/s320/IMG_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
So if you're like me and are a little cat-obsessed at this time of year (or any time of year), check out all the wonderful cat items from the shops I featured. Then head to your local shelter and pet some cats. Or if you can, try volunteering at a shelter. Two of my kids have been helping out as Junior Volunteers at Save-A-Pet. They were there last weekend and two kittens were adopted during their shift. So I'm guessing the new owner of those kittens might feel like me at this time of year in years to come - thinking about cats. :)</div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-90448415865945325432013-11-22T07:50:00.002-08:002013-11-22T07:55:23.625-08:00Critter Visit from NLC Beads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Looky what came in the mail yesterday! An adorable kitty cat (with beautiful scrollwork that's hard to see in the picture), a 3-eyed alien with <i>murrini</i>, AND a screaming alien, cyclops-style. They are all from Nikki at <a href="http://www.NLCBeads.etsy.com/">NLC Beads</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XvCfpNHyao6kC91oaoB95JxVNc_GPM1snujPkeI4l_vs4rN8XOxcXJseklVwKcy3JMdZZUV08S7aiD-rtBmHkVN19ySLbjFYCTEPD_AJLTBh-7R3__Rj9GFlGCpR2e6IqFAlrZ7MKFyS/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-XvCfpNHyao6kC91oaoB95JxVNc_GPM1snujPkeI4l_vs4rN8XOxcXJseklVwKcy3JMdZZUV08S7aiD-rtBmHkVN19ySLbjFYCTEPD_AJLTBh-7R3__Rj9GFlGCpR2e6IqFAlrZ7MKFyS/s320/IMG_0291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's ok to be jealous. It's a perfectly natural emotion to feel when you see someone else with a handful of Nikki's beads. I'm lucky enough to own several of Nikki's awesome critters. My other screaming alien serves as the best fan-pull ever, right over our kitchen table, screaming his little head off. This new screaming alien has been a little, shall we say, nervous, since he's hopped out of the mailing envelope. And it doesn't help that his travel companions aren't very compassionate to his anxiety. After all, he screamed the entire way here from Ohio.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeMFNQdJImM1THXUsxLX_anJo5j0FmGnju56AUdEgGnB8QcoHXALV4E7OFq7Zz7J0ppeOx75111E3499b_gcgcxBraE_VmPJyFSSIf7K4eaWiPhV2eCDC_ykuQaSTBPkRo6n_XfS51OCT/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeMFNQdJImM1THXUsxLX_anJo5j0FmGnju56AUdEgGnB8QcoHXALV4E7OFq7Zz7J0ppeOx75111E3499b_gcgcxBraE_VmPJyFSSIf7K4eaWiPhV2eCDC_ykuQaSTBPkRo6n_XfS51OCT/s320/IMG_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The critters were checking out their new surroundings and they talked the screaming alien into trying out the playpen. He didn't like it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcdD5XWngslbyCUX7EUCn6Khh9u8MMPRy2OP0_PHSVgse5drEfmZCU39UJsk93a1-Xri8HTqe5dQl88aMj-hi7xlVUl_KGoAou3lIzTjuBMz66GDNEkKYU7FzXH444UWGIR201eDozzCW/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLcdD5XWngslbyCUX7EUCn6Khh9u8MMPRy2OP0_PHSVgse5drEfmZCU39UJsk93a1-Xri8HTqe5dQl88aMj-hi7xlVUl_KGoAou3lIzTjuBMz66GDNEkKYU7FzXH444UWGIR201eDozzCW/s320/IMG_0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then they put him in the baby buggy. He was not amused.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff05jpAioWEuWwLG4J6V4uALA5gLvGkR5iYJnLWMdyT5WmF0OQuhsmUr4outgtrCyGDr-WdGu3MWW2lOonu0WfzzP8Xxg6XG3VFfP7o4G9LdnvmTRlmhsxMkxHLgbirTmMy2CFl6N5puH/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgff05jpAioWEuWwLG4J6V4uALA5gLvGkR5iYJnLWMdyT5WmF0OQuhsmUr4outgtrCyGDr-WdGu3MWW2lOonu0WfzzP8Xxg6XG3VFfP7o4G9LdnvmTRlmhsxMkxHLgbirTmMy2CFl6N5puH/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They had to pry him away from the mirror. He kept scaring himself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc55RPLbwfwg6JvteMgkwR0grSg2HxkJQAZNjQOPhFoPOkgdLLkrRSf_OdEa3V9WWt6JPUCREptFfThxiuZuCQnqKpgertMOizoplDBkl9ISk4k3WH1uWpB5p-2usNRRRnWjQ6tZFIdi5/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc55RPLbwfwg6JvteMgkwR0grSg2HxkJQAZNjQOPhFoPOkgdLLkrRSf_OdEa3V9WWt6JPUCREptFfThxiuZuCQnqKpgertMOizoplDBkl9ISk4k3WH1uWpB5p-2usNRRRnWjQ6tZFIdi5/s320/IMG_0296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He finally relaxed a little when they sang <i>Happy Birthday </i>to him. And it's not even his birthday.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9R6OI0JzDnsb5WCBWGDOHWW39My9jeHIjXNkUMPqKod7E0DK13AYWva_PYJeJxfuRrPQmEklq33CWmesOec2zVrY54iOgabXWQJ7gYG-z_yTW8hsmpd5D5QK5aTqNEqr-tq5JDwiQOwL/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9R6OI0JzDnsb5WCBWGDOHWW39My9jeHIjXNkUMPqKod7E0DK13AYWva_PYJeJxfuRrPQmEklq33CWmesOec2zVrY54iOgabXWQJ7gYG-z_yTW8hsmpd5D5QK5aTqNEqr-tq5JDwiQOwL/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of my other NLC critters agreed to a group picture with the the newbie beads. I think they're all going to get along very well. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">Thank you, Nikki!!!</span></b></div>
<br />Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-74457800055085164352013-11-14T07:41:00.003-08:002013-11-14T07:44:07.884-08:00World Diabetes Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Today is World Diabetes Day, a day devoted to the education and prevention of diabetes. My daughter has Type 1 Diabetes (also called Juvenile Diabetes). There is no "preventing" Type 1 Diabetes. It strikes randomly (although it does run in families) and occurs after the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. So rather than talking about preventing diabetes, I'll focus on the education part - with help from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maybeads?section_id=7509234">Dinobeadies for Diabetes</a>. :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3N5TY0LyG8udugfm7wiqjw22zSvRxlOwVtRxct_cYQnBANhRPfWBJAO_J-Sw_FxJVoiaxjVkyq4XdB7KLE92wx_xtn-coLtI1KD9Zz2o_eVPwuTjWVBIF7IPFNP3TTULTXC3RbRAs3id/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3N5TY0LyG8udugfm7wiqjw22zSvRxlOwVtRxct_cYQnBANhRPfWBJAO_J-Sw_FxJVoiaxjVkyq4XdB7KLE92wx_xtn-coLtI1KD9Zz2o_eVPwuTjWVBIF7IPFNP3TTULTXC3RbRAs3id/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Diabetics test their blood sugar about 8 to 10 times a day. They poke their fingers, get a tiny blood sample, and put it on a test strip that's inserted in their meter. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN58BHv_EuPxhhyphenhyphenw2R25rLergkzv6ofxCN-Q9dDqw67kLiXNaAOvPFC0ixo4yJZ5wGbIATDS4xSuGndqrpXeulvbeIrG7B7nC0AKb5_DBU1OuheDshFWx0pk0PmDacmS9qnmpkjS9Mdg6/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisN58BHv_EuPxhhyphenhyphenw2R25rLergkzv6ofxCN-Q9dDqw67kLiXNaAOvPFC0ixo4yJZ5wGbIATDS4xSuGndqrpXeulvbeIrG7B7nC0AKb5_DBU1OuheDshFWx0pk0PmDacmS9qnmpkjS9Mdg6/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This dino is demonstrating how he tests his blood glucose (but normally the test strip is inserted in the meter when the blood sample is taken).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ7KIoM7q1evqjL8Sp8DX_fQbZCNoluiWBQ4BUK40uaGyUGzLKeVQ_MzZvNt09eSKlgv8_dh2SFBd36ZtvdgeKL8fEUkPUBY2k-3BIZniFZ_EjbSqH_4Huc64wq3J9QCjXY34fClPhEMO/s1600/IMG_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQ7KIoM7q1evqjL8Sp8DX_fQbZCNoluiWBQ4BUK40uaGyUGzLKeVQ_MzZvNt09eSKlgv8_dh2SFBd36ZtvdgeKL8fEUkPUBY2k-3BIZniFZ_EjbSqH_4Huc64wq3J9QCjXY34fClPhEMO/s320/IMG_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Within seconds, the meter displays a number - the blood glucose reading is 88, a good number! 70 to about 130 is considered normal blood sugar. If the reading is around 70 or below, the diabetic will want to take some fast-acting sugar to bring it back up to the normal range. Glucose tablets and juice are good for raising the blood sugar. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDXbDLQHnD3i62gi1Y-yHribUtBk0VJpYCruZHq_B53hKg4KC0kV-lfGUBOM8lp4CX-MTxTMccu8kQ82wiBbvv2Jl7Od79OOdXAB8ln3_J7bawgOQEQLGXVxJk2vwFx2jaK9eFhKMH0Sl/s1600/IMG_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDXbDLQHnD3i62gi1Y-yHribUtBk0VJpYCruZHq_B53hKg4KC0kV-lfGUBOM8lp4CX-MTxTMccu8kQ82wiBbvv2Jl7Od79OOdXAB8ln3_J7bawgOQEQLGXVxJk2vwFx2jaK9eFhKMH0Sl/s320/IMG_0253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lately we've been using Smarties to treat my daughter's lows. They're just as fast as glucose tabs, and they're a lot less expensive. We have Smarties everywhere - in my car, my purse, my coat pockets, my daughter's lunchbox, her backpack and in her test kit. Don't be a Dum Dum, be a Smartie and always carry fast-acting sugar with you!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIYZNMbazC9yhOqtx2BwHUDX0fC83FU3nAoGyhv9yJ0nI4UJziNEkhMEFsm_Rz_co8z9fqrULMDNq4k33G2VRb_Qbj6LCKuGyJWT6Cj0bJHrgueOl-ZNRJvLQlMg1rAYRQlbDg3X-JPA/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWIYZNMbazC9yhOqtx2BwHUDX0fC83FU3nAoGyhv9yJ0nI4UJziNEkhMEFsm_Rz_co8z9fqrULMDNq4k33G2VRb_Qbj6LCKuGyJWT6Cj0bJHrgueOl-ZNRJvLQlMg1rAYRQlbDg3X-JPA/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
When it's time to eat, a diabetic will check her blood sugar first. Then she'll figure out how many carbohydrates are in her meal. Then she has to give herself some insulin. My daughter used to use an insulin pen for her injections, but now she has an insulin pump. She puts the amount of carbohydrates into her pump and the pump helps her figure out how many units of insulin she should have with her meal. Every Type 1 diabetic has their own insulin-to carb ratio, depending on what their body needs. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HImjBPn8NENfoU9t7rEMZjjZPbRUoApo15-G-pb6e6bUlBalvPnvSg0is5XSMcTeNMszhFANDUUliEdhe76XQJptPcZ8x0aHSX9PMJmS0TS-z26EFRt6uUUiHQbMWI0fGhU7gqhmBqay/s1600/IMG_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HImjBPn8NENfoU9t7rEMZjjZPbRUoApo15-G-pb6e6bUlBalvPnvSg0is5XSMcTeNMszhFANDUUliEdhe76XQJptPcZ8x0aHSX9PMJmS0TS-z26EFRt6uUUiHQbMWI0fGhU7gqhmBqay/s320/IMG_0256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't have a picture of my daughter's pump because she's wearing it at school. :) So here is a dino showing some of the things needed to make the pump work. These little packages contain the infusion set and the reservoir. The infusion set is inserted into the stomach, upper hip, upper rear or leg. My daughter prefers the sites on her stomach and backside. The site needs to be changed every three days, and the locations need to be rotated so the favored areas can take a break.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGNfmCa8xbbClxG2LMuAkEnuSq_h1-Whyphenhyphen8v7KMCrL8WdZtoFIDQW9WJy2b4-vFdEi0W8quXnMnwBZ3aJX_OINxqN3nOs-Dgc255Zn-IF51kIoBUUzHT3jdwhAQqpXt0wzb0H5gODRalst/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcGNfmCa8xbbClxG2LMuAkEnuSq_h1-Whyphenhyphen8v7KMCrL8WdZtoFIDQW9WJy2b4-vFdEi0W8quXnMnwBZ3aJX_OINxqN3nOs-Dgc255Zn-IF51kIoBUUzHT3jdwhAQqpXt0wzb0H5gODRalst/s320/IMG_0251.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's the reason I make my mini Dinobeadies for Diabetes. Annie was diagnosed almost two years ago. Since prevention is out of the question, we're focusing on a CURE for diabetes. Proceeds from the sale of my mini dinos will be donated to the <a href="https://www.diabetesresearch.org/">Diabetes Research Institute</a>, a leader in cure-based research. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Find Dinobeadies for Diabetes <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maybeads?section_id=7509234">HERE</a>, and let's make diabetes as extinct as the dinosaurs.</div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-41017987624875172272013-10-31T09:07:00.008-07:002013-10-31T18:01:35.104-07:00My Dad as a Bead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My dad's birthday is today! On Halloween! So when I was a kid, we had lots to celebrate on this day. We ate candy AND cake. My dad's birthday cake was usually a Halloween scene, but one year my mom ordered a cake of his head. He has a very recognizable look, one that translated well to a cake. As kids, my sisters and I were also experts at drawing my dad's face.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
My dad also is an ophthalmologist. When I was little, I imagined that he had a box of spare eyeballs. You know, like a shoebox filled with them. I figured that if someone hurt their eye so badly that it no longer was useful, my dad could pop out the bad eye and let his patient pick a new one from the shoebox. This turned out not to be true (bummer, right?). But being an eye doctor and having a Halloween birthday works out very well for gift-giving. We love to find him eyeball-themed birthday presents and there are lots of them out there this time of year. One year I got him eyeball soaps, and this year I found some eyeball post-it notes. But I also was delighted to find some gory eyeball murrini (made by <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a>). I used some of the eyeball murrini on various animal beads, but I saved one for a bead for my dad. I thought and thought about what to make with it. I couldn't come up with anything quite right. Then a couple nights ago I thought, "I should make a bead of my dad!" How could I not? I had drawn his face so many times, why not make it in glass? So here is what I made:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRfDZAM5UMFVBJiDFrAMYI2KEOuPHeBHGtNKeJVI5N6KCIjDNaH1cKPfUefYGI8kBWEx5ZDYijoZOrekxY8eUvlpw2rROhYn72AUSgFYVqfkH37GFJ_8yx6oJP7MbEw0ChfcnrjSBzHxM/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzRfDZAM5UMFVBJiDFrAMYI2KEOuPHeBHGtNKeJVI5N6KCIjDNaH1cKPfUefYGI8kBWEx5ZDYijoZOrekxY8eUvlpw2rROhYn72AUSgFYVqfkH37GFJ_8yx6oJP7MbEw0ChfcnrjSBzHxM/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
This is my dad as a bead. He's wearing his light blue lab coat with yellow index cards in the pocket (he always has those there for taking notes and making lists). He's also holding a gory eyeball (probably freshly removed from someone's face). His face is pretty spot on, if I do say so myself (and if you can't tell, he's smiling under the beard). The only thing that's not quite accurate is his hair color - it's not exactly black anymore. But this is how I picture my dad. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1DP33OiVUadppoB3tgVi8jHCmGdVT4ZKd_iIrAVBvFZlNYTjT-IFnEBApetbhilZPS8-BDbM6giUz8PVz7PqVQ_TD0Jdodp9zvSECvV2IwA8UKCCoJlafn3CwKmXhBaltTUXjNEuViTM/s1600/IMG_0218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1DP33OiVUadppoB3tgVi8jHCmGdVT4ZKd_iIrAVBvFZlNYTjT-IFnEBApetbhilZPS8-BDbM6giUz8PVz7PqVQ_TD0Jdodp9zvSECvV2IwA8UKCCoJlafn3CwKmXhBaltTUXjNEuViTM/s320/IMG_0218.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is my real dad with his bead. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY BIRTHDAY!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">AND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY HALLOWEEN!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-17109110392059642022013-10-14T06:37:00.006-07:002013-10-14T06:37:56.997-07:00Murrini Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ct7VxOiHH6KSpSDjwHwT0Q92yrgYAHTmsUitU_Frshzvpt8sCW6Efrju5IbF29v2A0z2gQ8mw1ct_VLibIAETTjDOKSJ4kYE2LOrNImkJf3mnZRLecSJ2PwvjvBqhWdA7Bl5U-AW06hr/s1600/Maybeads_101313_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ct7VxOiHH6KSpSDjwHwT0Q92yrgYAHTmsUitU_Frshzvpt8sCW6Efrju5IbF29v2A0z2gQ8mw1ct_VLibIAETTjDOKSJ4kYE2LOrNImkJf3mnZRLecSJ2PwvjvBqhWdA7Bl5U-AW06hr/s320/Maybeads_101313_008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This awesome BOO murrini was just asking to be melted onto a black cat. I think the cat is more scared than scary.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF69DyFTpMqPTkcbCdNSfuP8999OzdAYXzHgT4gbYLwvSqxkNzXRKaMiAvpIldaezUQpCbUZluXFf8rFSoO_vZ10BTqnpXWOHNNnX47C0gngBbx_lndPYLWjW01ero3Ekt-fdfAwl2UY5R/s1600/Maybeads_100313_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF69DyFTpMqPTkcbCdNSfuP8999OzdAYXzHgT4gbYLwvSqxkNzXRKaMiAvpIldaezUQpCbUZluXFf8rFSoO_vZ10BTqnpXWOHNNnX47C0gngBbx_lndPYLWjW01ero3Ekt-fdfAwl2UY5R/s320/Maybeads_100313_014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These big-hole turtles love to show off murrini on the tops of their shells. I put a layer of clear over it and it gives it a magnified effect. The eyeball is sure to scare the pretty beads on someone's rope chain.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL9lMdZaqLt70bbMjbayP-xZevB7UeH10qet1bqrIvCUbUap7ysUixOTzXYwodBmusr99Hpz2RDE9zdNARXKWpYLRkg2_ZrkxjjV8ejsMpVCCIpZLY723-xTK29nqnmc_-K9Eg92msMmV/s1600/Maybeads_101313_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvL9lMdZaqLt70bbMjbayP-xZevB7UeH10qet1bqrIvCUbUap7ysUixOTzXYwodBmusr99Hpz2RDE9zdNARXKWpYLRkg2_ZrkxjjV8ejsMpVCCIpZLY723-xTK29nqnmc_-K9Eg92msMmV/s320/Maybeads_101313_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Heart murrini is still one of my all-time favorites. It can be used just about anywhere, and I love giving it to little owls. This big slice almost didn't fit on this little yellow owl, but we made it work.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1k5RiHmO4jlvj4Cwyep0v1L4a-UHmi7Zv31v9Ah_DVmuDZoIqjHQYcTGl7_sAZ_Ixty6X713F9dveRQmAZ2_2EQ7zxAgZ8aIGAz1gcFtEqvirnN4HMpEfRPsZ9KSxfqusXFvi0ccJs8w/s1600/Maybeads_100813_022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1k5RiHmO4jlvj4Cwyep0v1L4a-UHmi7Zv31v9Ah_DVmuDZoIqjHQYcTGl7_sAZ_Ixty6X713F9dveRQmAZ2_2EQ7zxAgZ8aIGAz1gcFtEqvirnN4HMpEfRPsZ9KSxfqusXFvi0ccJs8w/s320/Maybeads_100813_022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pinky the owl is always impressed when an owl suitor looks her in the eyes, and not the chest. But his hooter wouldn't blame her new friend for sneaking a peek at her pretty pink and yellow murrini heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Murrini from this week's episode of Murrini Monday is from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim!</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #cc0000; color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">HAPPY MURRINI MONDAY!!!</span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-23107011232235586852013-09-16T11:58:00.004-07:002013-09-16T12:01:16.371-07:00Murrini Monday ~ It's Spooktacular!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been too long since my last Murrini Monday post, but that doesn't mean I haven't been having fun with murrini. Quite the opposite, in fact! A few weeks ago I received the Monster Mash blend from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a> and I can't keep the critters away from my stash!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i20brod1AEdXy06phqITyqPCX0BVZNJE2rv_sklEkLl4oSRX66e2SwL5hO8X9ODiGLfOHiNZSvHuMPR_SNgQJ4mzbteLnEpwMMJaZRduNv2DggwPWj2JcHaGbH5KKxg8YXDg_C0Yl4WF/s1600/081513MonsterMash450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-i20brod1AEdXy06phqITyqPCX0BVZNJE2rv_sklEkLl4oSRX66e2SwL5hO8X9ODiGLfOHiNZSvHuMPR_SNgQJ4mzbteLnEpwMMJaZRduNv2DggwPWj2JcHaGbH5KKxg8YXDg_C0Yl4WF/s320/081513MonsterMash450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo978oGR0W_1qSayXcO5Gn0N5nfR832zyX-KutZ6BFqacg1XNb8QUDxY0kD_yNYqk4g2MgQA58Q3vaWI-1Xg1FDIhu_PF2gJGnJkvHklGiDiweD6VRJoBlMV0Qb38z4-4NWJvCC_Sn8ke/s1600/Maybeads_091513_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo978oGR0W_1qSayXcO5Gn0N5nfR832zyX-KutZ6BFqacg1XNb8QUDxY0kD_yNYqk4g2MgQA58Q3vaWI-1Xg1FDIhu_PF2gJGnJkvHklGiDiweD6VRJoBlMV0Qb38z4-4NWJvCC_Sn8ke/s320/Maybeads_091513_001.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dragons like to steal murrini in broad daylight. They are that bold. This trio found a Frankenstein head, a zombie head and a candy corn, and they're not letting them go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr2lTVIHzxDfop-O8NLroA9ikuSlYyvDGMXVuwklUqWFKq-XM5h-049XuCV0M3PjSfJsgd9xw0ONALGNsPaVq4MqiIt_9ba0y4G-u8HMI6AdkXf2XCJojp6ipHrgYTjBlPzbSkaL2Yq9/s1600/Maybeads_091513_019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYr2lTVIHzxDfop-O8NLroA9ikuSlYyvDGMXVuwklUqWFKq-XM5h-049XuCV0M3PjSfJsgd9xw0ONALGNsPaVq4MqiIt_9ba0y4G-u8HMI6AdkXf2XCJojp6ipHrgYTjBlPzbSkaL2Yq9/s320/Maybeads_091513_019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two big hole dragons got ahold of a jack-o-lantern and a bat. They act like they had nothing to do with taking them - they won't make eye contact with me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x4rE63uZNf85seLjjGhOXQ_B97RYLxxbGdS_HMHfqggRY0KBDfuf26OcIrZCpL321Sri3uzFitoCXHAA0_mE37R4ybn4V9ERVQnakH-nIK_5Hhzr5pr2Py6wRhHM0yqiOGQSJd5AfxhO/s1600/Maybeads_090813_017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9x4rE63uZNf85seLjjGhOXQ_B97RYLxxbGdS_HMHfqggRY0KBDfuf26OcIrZCpL321Sri3uzFitoCXHAA0_mE37R4ybn4V9ERVQnakH-nIK_5Hhzr5pr2Py6wRhHM0yqiOGQSJd5AfxhO/s320/Maybeads_090813_017.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This army green dragon picked out one of my largest skulls and then asked me to paint her toenails orange to match the murrini.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCa_4HZTxHQT9HgDCsqwzKznjZeATpAbXOO40x4gXgZNcWCqo-I7X3mlIzGsnSMRXWc2wv9JJ2hps__9sAlThi1Sez3_t8ZHF8PNVlhR-6tPdXoJ3S9AO7j1n6lO4DqD-md55gzl1_g2Q/s1600/Maybeads_091513_027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCa_4HZTxHQT9HgDCsqwzKznjZeATpAbXOO40x4gXgZNcWCqo-I7X3mlIzGsnSMRXWc2wv9JJ2hps__9sAlThi1Sez3_t8ZHF8PNVlhR-6tPdXoJ3S9AO7j1n6lO4DqD-md55gzl1_g2Q/s320/Maybeads_091513_027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This time of year, black cats feel quite deserving of something special like Halloween Murrini. Two of these cats picked out murrini from my stash, but one slinked off with a candy corn in his mouth. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Eknf3M411lVV_6APt8GngmfdDU83s2Vssrii6KYuTaDZ40ju46ZFrC4SqJ62LBWbjikOIbdTNi5inUHsCqZS386LKyWO8vWoCnnc9LhWkWbfr_ZqunPrz8sZTkldeX7nl25RGUVIStY/s1600/Maybeads_090113_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7Eknf3M411lVV_6APt8GngmfdDU83s2Vssrii6KYuTaDZ40ju46ZFrC4SqJ62LBWbjikOIbdTNi5inUHsCqZS386LKyWO8vWoCnnc9LhWkWbfr_ZqunPrz8sZTkldeX7nl25RGUVIStY/s320/Maybeads_090113_009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gory eyeball murrini is one of my very favorites from this blend. This elephant an pug obviously agreed with me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsJOOPHX8geJM2h5RVlEaxDb8E9TsQ3EcYObfLfWVi6BXAdCYGHVVmK-0glk8YiTvbXD6C3r742QE9T1VFnCcBBb8TCF_504Dt78gfuwli_zFrZkNdrOiHI32CtgfOUsgF5MD207XpUMq/s1600/081513CreatureFeature450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsJOOPHX8geJM2h5RVlEaxDb8E9TsQ3EcYObfLfWVi6BXAdCYGHVVmK-0glk8YiTvbXD6C3r742QE9T1VFnCcBBb8TCF_504Dt78gfuwli_zFrZkNdrOiHI32CtgfOUsgF5MD207XpUMq/s320/081513CreatureFeature450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Monster Mash murrini blend is already sold out, but you can still purchase smaller packs of two varieties, like the <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_815/COE-104-Creature-Feature-Murrini.htm">Creature Feature</a> blend of black bats and spooky spiders. Funny, none of my critters has swiped a spider murrini yet . . . or maybe I haven't come up with a critter brave enough to stick one to - any ideas? What kind of critter would be able to handle a spider murrini?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now I'd better start doling out more Halloween murrini to all my critters, because guess what? Lori and Kim have already stocked holiday murrini! Find these wonderful little pieces in the <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/category_36/Holiday-Shop-COE-104.htm">Holiday Shop</a>!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC3Xpvw33xInlcfLa4SoK1You9gFWE2B8tUrK5b3-Ux6O51Q4xpdKWLm17-Hwzj44SqlXOGVXemO0TedcEQmbh9Hc2EOhszDx0Qbz20XWPWmtfhw5lPcxb2HkGm624WlYUqjPMCIoE5h2/s1600/091513MerryMix450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC3Xpvw33xInlcfLa4SoK1You9gFWE2B8tUrK5b3-Ux6O51Q4xpdKWLm17-Hwzj44SqlXOGVXemO0TedcEQmbh9Hc2EOhszDx0Qbz20XWPWmtfhw5lPcxb2HkGm624WlYUqjPMCIoE5h2/s320/091513MerryMix450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: #6aa84f;">HAPPY MURRINI MONDAY!!!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-26716078662962848762013-09-11T07:03:00.000-07:002013-09-11T07:15:25.388-07:00Destination ME - week 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week I announced that I was going to start taking care of ME. I was inspired by Hallie, who writes The Princess and the Pump blog (check out Hallie's latest Destination ME post <a href="http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/2013/09/destination-me-week-2.html">HERE</a>). My goal last week was to start getting more sleep. I wish I could say that I achieved that goal, but . . . Zzzzzzz. Where was I? Oh yeah, more sleep. I do believe I was asleep before 11pm on two nights, but that's not enough of an improvement. Getting enough sleep is something I've struggled with for a long time. When I used to wait tables, I'd come home at 11pm or midnight (wreaking of pizza, sometimes waking up my husband just because he could smell the sausage and garlic). But I wouldn't go right to sleep - noooo, that was "my time." I'd stay up and watch whatever show I'd recorded and usually nod off around 1am or so. When I left my waitressing job, I could not break that habit of staying up late. I obviously still can't break it. So I'm going to put it on the back burner and try some easier, mini goals this week.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>First</b>, I'm going to get outside for a walk every day. And I don't mean taking bead packages down the driveway to the mailbox. I'm talking a walk around the block at the very least.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had my follow-up appointment with </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Infectious Disease doctor (lots of hand sanitizer in that office) last week, and he gave me to go ahead to start exercising. Hooray! He also warned me that I'd be winded easily. Boo! But I guess that's to be expected after nearly two months of pneumonia. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t's been super hot outside, but soon it will be cold and rainy and snowy, so I'm going to take advantage of the nice weather and breath some fresh air. I've already started doing this and let me tell you, it's a mood lifter for sure. I've walked twice with my neighbor/bff, and not only are we getting exercise, we get to catch up with each other and vent - the cheapest therapy.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I walked once by myself, and even ran for a bit (the doctor was right, but winded would be an understatement). When I go by myself, I take my iPod and listen to music. That's my <b>second</b> goal - more music! I tend to listen to talk radio (nothing political or controversial, just good, fun talk) when I'm making dinner or driving. But I'm making an effort to play more tunes in the house or keep my iPod on while I do laundry, etc. It really does keep me moving, sometimes a little faster than usual. :)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLGV8hlu9FNKhv9QkF8YkbAWmPfGwzLRqCvph2mpTEqEUewynk3sYSWDcWzbsb9Kvqw7Ny91RZml6DU9F26m8qTu3SmXVNcNXKXkcrjwo-10ZgSJPXOM0Hxm7YvwbAUa7O4W2AtYQL9h2/s1600/IMG_0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLGV8hlu9FNKhv9QkF8YkbAWmPfGwzLRqCvph2mpTEqEUewynk3sYSWDcWzbsb9Kvqw7Ny91RZml6DU9F26m8qTu3SmXVNcNXKXkcrjwo-10ZgSJPXOM0Hxm7YvwbAUa7O4W2AtYQL9h2/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my <b>third</b> mini goal, I'm going to make sure I have breakfast every day. I know all the good things about eating breakfast, yet I tend to get caught up in my day and don't eat until around lunchtime when I'm too hungry to make smart choices. So I've been making green smoothies (they taste much better than they look, trust me!). Today I'm having half a banana, a handful of frozen mixed fruit, a bunch of kale, chia seeds (ch ch ch chia!), a few walnuts, a couple spoonfuls of Vanana yogurt from Trader Joe's, water and ice. Cheers!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bc74KpT6CCpt4sFqmkPAWkGCvcr8916VtejsVvTYws991_G-AIeG2XOFjMl3EHrGQhgARlmtf1HxfNs9fgBFBZ25kJxFNr7Vegr4Qn1kZNy9eQ0TIyuumRw_t0FKaqUTSJZVCLPR43dE/s1600/IMG_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bc74KpT6CCpt4sFqmkPAWkGCvcr8916VtejsVvTYws991_G-AIeG2XOFjMl3EHrGQhgARlmtf1HxfNs9fgBFBZ25kJxFNr7Vegr4Qn1kZNy9eQ0TIyuumRw_t0FKaqUTSJZVCLPR43dE/s320/IMG_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good luck on all the goals you have set for the coming week!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-62726818494892135142013-09-04T07:32:00.000-07:002013-09-04T07:34:36.145-07:00Destination ME<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post has been a long time coming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First off, some background - I stole the title and the first sentence of this post from one of my favorite new (to me) blogs, <a href="http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/">The Princess and the Pump: A Type 1 Diabetes Blog</a>. I can't remember exactly when or how I found the P and the P blog, but I'm almost sure it was late at night while I was trolling the 'net for information on Type 1 diabetes. The author, Hallie, is a wife, teacher and mother to a darling T1D girl. In her blog, Hallie chronicles the challenges they endure and triumphs they achieve with their T1D child. It is a wonderful resource for parents of diabetic children. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hallie's daughter is elementary-school age and was diagnosed at age 3. My T1D daughter is a freshman in high school and was diagnosed at age 12. The circumstances that Hallie and I deal with are probably very different, but still very much the same. Her daughter, being so young, is still dependent on her parents for her diabetic care. My daughter is fairly independent with her diabetes care, but that doesn't mean I'm not there questioning when she last tested her blood sugar and did she do a correction for a high number, etc. With all that goes on with having a T1D child, it's easy to lose yourself in it. Hallie's most recent blog post, <a href="http://www.theprincessandthepump.com/2013/09/destination-me.html">Destination ME</a>, is about how she is going to find her way back to herself. She will have a weekly post about her current goal, and she invited her followers to join her. When I saw that, I thought, "Count me in!" It was just what I needed. It was just what I'd been thinking. It is so easy to get caught up in our children and lose sight of ourselves. And having a child with diabetes - or any other challenging illness or circumstance - compounds that. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hallie's goal this week is to get more sleep. As much as I'd like to be original, I'm going to make that my goal, too. Sleep is where it all starts. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't check my daughter's blood sugar in the middle of the night like we did when she was first diagnosed, so I shouldn't be as sleep deprived as I am. My sleep deprivation is mostly self inflicted. I find I can't go to sleep until after I know all of my kids are sleeping. If my T1D daughter has had a high or a low right before bed, of course I'm up with her until we get her numbers in check. But even when everything is going well, I tend to stay up until I know everyone is asleep. With two teenagers, this can be pretty late. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sleep is also important for me right now as I'm getting over this awful bout of pneumonia. I've been struggling with it since the end of July, and I'm finally feeling pretty good. So at the moment, exercise is out of the question. Getting more sleep would be the best thing I could do for myself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I embark on this Destination ME journey, I know it's not just for me. If I can get to where I feel like myself again, my family will benefit, too. And my T1D daughter, a teenager, needs good examples healthy living. She doesn't need a grouchy mom with dark circles under her eyes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This goal won't be easy. It's years of a bad habit I need to break, but now is the time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm going to say I'd like to be asleep every night by 11pm. That didn't happen last night, even after reading Hallie's post. But tonight I will stick to it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">** I know I've been absent from my blog for months. I will definitely be back here more often, starting with Murrini Mondays (I have some awesome Halloween murrini to show off!). Then I'll post my new Destination ME goals on Wednesdays. I like the idea of putting a new weekly goal right in the middle of the week - it will change things up for sure. I probably won't post every day because that's when I get overwhelmed and just stop completely. But I'll take baby steps with my blog as I will with my new goals, so please check back!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-23576719616113903872013-05-01T06:46:00.002-07:002013-05-01T06:46:54.541-07:00Looky What I Got!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HwWABQ1SkElrQ8NkGLhXHgL1ephY9kffDFWoOHjDxqQ0DCTMZSOOeXJUgo25bCoKwz83AAYzDdyba2Pv5c0a5BRLxSsJfoMULFLAshkhC4ZSIGpVUT2o8eVcX_FS1gq9DDxwDg0JhLCI/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HwWABQ1SkElrQ8NkGLhXHgL1ephY9kffDFWoOHjDxqQ0DCTMZSOOeXJUgo25bCoKwz83AAYzDdyba2Pv5c0a5BRLxSsJfoMULFLAshkhC4ZSIGpVUT2o8eVcX_FS1gq9DDxwDg0JhLCI/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Don't you just love getting packages in the mail? I know I do! I just got these wonderful feather earrings from Cali at the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBeadMuseTx">The Bead Muse</a>. The pictures don't do them justice - they're beautiful and delicate and so so soft. That's because they're made with feathers that Cali hand selects from her own flock of birds. I chose the red and black rooster feathers (on the left) for my chicken-obsessed daughter. She will LOVE them! And she'll flip when she finds out they came from an actual rooster. The other pair is made with pheasant feathers that are a stunning dark green and have wonderful polka-dotted markings on them. They are so unique and I'm so happy I got them. Check out more feather earrings in The Bead Muse's <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheBeadMuseTx?section_id=10671844">Feather Jewelry</a> section.</div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-29038314553067140392013-04-30T06:45:00.005-07:002013-05-01T06:47:18.243-07:00Turtle Tuesday<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's been so long since I've blogged regularly, and I do miss it. I think of things to blog about all the time, and then I just don't follow through. So here I go again, trying to start being consistent. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Since today is Tuesday, I thought I'd bring back Turtle Tuesday - woohoo! I haven't made a whole lot of turtles lately, but when I do I always wonder why. I <i>love </i>making turtles! Unlike dogs, they're all the same breed - at least when I make them they are. So I don't have to worry about whether to put on a nubby tail or a long skinny one, cropped ears or floppy ones - I just make a turtle. And I can decorate them however I want!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4tp9UrgpgVVQS_FKIE35dUhJN3ftDaOc_zfiW9JMSJIvhGrSPK8Tfr4LNyQCmE-DlGyWfjrnazDFa_4LMVbsndE1kwCNPUlSOORUchOYcD1tdE1KrfeZ3D_ZyE__3QE5iB4yG1ksEbBS/s1600/il_fullxfull.448857420_qxjj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4tp9UrgpgVVQS_FKIE35dUhJN3ftDaOc_zfiW9JMSJIvhGrSPK8Tfr4LNyQCmE-DlGyWfjrnazDFa_4LMVbsndE1kwCNPUlSOORUchOYcD1tdE1KrfeZ3D_ZyE__3QE5iB4yG1ksEbBS/s320/il_fullxfull.448857420_qxjj.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I recently got some awesome murrini from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a> called <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_739/COE-104-3-Peat-Electric-Jellyfish-murrini.htm">Electric Jellyfish</a>, and it was perfect for turtle shell decorating.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuCYfP1Ur04ha5louOKzD07AxEkhrl3ViWbKNKiKom0Vt9UmklB_kCN3T02VdK6r-ErVSgZH13cbsBL3jV5whv0BFFeQUBsIsKJWojDvUXnMf0mcbQdZUU9EELQ3p5l3N7aLUiA2XHfQL/s1600/il_fullxfull.443346208_4c7i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuCYfP1Ur04ha5louOKzD07AxEkhrl3ViWbKNKiKom0Vt9UmklB_kCN3T02VdK6r-ErVSgZH13cbsBL3jV5whv0BFFeQUBsIsKJWojDvUXnMf0mcbQdZUU9EELQ3p5l3N7aLUiA2XHfQL/s320/il_fullxfull.443346208_4c7i.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Turtles in my shop aren't just a pretty shell. Nope. This one has chosen to decorate his shell in a rainbow of colored spots, as well as wear a symbol for Marriage Equality on his backside. I like to give turtles a nice backside because when they're moseying away, it can take a while. So you might as well have something appealing to look at back there. I even have an album on Facebook featuring my favorite <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lauren.mazursky/photos?collection_token=1345792330%3A2305272732%3A69&set=a.1439041499796.138119.1345792330&type=3">Turtle Butts</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Right now the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maybeads?section_id=5453998">Turtle section</a> in my Etsy shop has seven turtles in it - that's pretty sparse. I do hope to add more soon! But if you purchase a turtle bead today, put "tiny turtle" in the notes to seller and your turtle will travel with a leetle friend. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="background-color: yellow; color: #38761d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Happy Turtle Tuesday!!!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-2838183164657277162013-04-14T07:52:00.004-07:002013-09-16T13:07:11.797-07:00Pair of Hooters Giveaway!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD1KvUBAVH0NkQ7jLvegnWvks3VOcNfTNFshhrhWWDmo8I3UrP1LiIp1yareyB8fNNhQ7tWs1Z_1lNY3sKpxvw9wXFnPkzh4xafRVVYXMAR53FH6iCRLFi9aRfUZ9JZYaU539WQLlv9A3/s1600/Giveaway+Banner--Maybeads+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifD1KvUBAVH0NkQ7jLvegnWvks3VOcNfTNFshhrhWWDmo8I3UrP1LiIp1yareyB8fNNhQ7tWs1Z_1lNY3sKpxvw9wXFnPkzh4xafRVVYXMAR53FH6iCRLFi9aRfUZ9JZYaU539WQLlv9A3/s320/Giveaway+Banner--Maybeads+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, you read that right - this giveaway is for not just one - but two - hooters! They are not a matching pair (whose really are anyway?) - one is a lampwork owl bead that I made, and the other is a handcrafted brass and aluminum owl pendant made by Serina of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PoochTags?ref=seller_info">Pooch Tags</a> on Etsy. We're teaming up to bring you this giveaway. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u>Here are the rules: </u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Like" both Facebook pages: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pooch-Tags/238860682836878">Pooch Tags</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Maybeads?fref=ts">Maybeads</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Leave a comment under the Giveaway post on the Pooch Tags page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=550364598353150&set=a.343771895679089.81248.238860682836878&type=1&theater">HERE</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
**The winner will be chosen by random number generator on Saturday, April 20, so be sure to enter before then!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
There are nine (9!) pages of wonderful pet tags, key chains, earrings and necklaces at Pooch Tags! Serina handcrafts each one, using copper, brass, bronze, aluminum and nickel. You are sure to find something you love there - here's a little sample:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkh1AAtzkkDXc-8Bfo1G0Bs87yW80oq58eyeEVuHEZ9ozbvppBx8u6giq-8CkiAiZrgFpzPzJ9He9ZlmzGLjpWzVczvXlCwWT9P-0YzPEGXUv9XyfTLJd-77ObBdhZ-MND2XM4dEHFxJ2/s1600/il_fullxfull.341766731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkh1AAtzkkDXc-8Bfo1G0Bs87yW80oq58eyeEVuHEZ9ozbvppBx8u6giq-8CkiAiZrgFpzPzJ9He9ZlmzGLjpWzVczvXlCwWT9P-0YzPEGXUv9XyfTLJd-77ObBdhZ-MND2XM4dEHFxJ2/s320/il_fullxfull.341766731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/94223873/keychain-id-key-chain-tag-boston-terrier?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=boston%2Bterrier">Boston Terrier Tag/Keychain</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkh1AAtzkkDXc-8Bfo1G0Bs87yW80oq58eyeEVuHEZ9ozbvppBx8u6giq-8CkiAiZrgFpzPzJ9He9ZlmzGLjpWzVczvXlCwWT9P-0YzPEGXUv9XyfTLJd-77ObBdhZ-MND2XM4dEHFxJ2/s1600/il_fullxfull.341766731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_497AdTF7Lpn2NJMPrbJRBvXyGo_un6kg3MrkxQdRV4haUPb3p61KoI0d5VwCL90m7jcXVJx8g5iNU1G3tCnm_cu-mYLvahXKyJ_IDhup1m8NdR6ec29gxvXd7wuLK9iXKFCLTxP3wI/s1600/il_fullxfull-1.378474113_ibeq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_497AdTF7Lpn2NJMPrbJRBvXyGo_un6kg3MrkxQdRV4haUPb3p61KoI0d5VwCL90m7jcXVJx8g5iNU1G3tCnm_cu-mYLvahXKyJ_IDhup1m8NdR6ec29gxvXd7wuLK9iXKFCLTxP3wI/s320/il_fullxfull-1.378474113_ibeq.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/110371157/earrings-brittany-spaniel-dog-breed-pet?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=spaniel">Brittany Spaniel Earrings</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4_497AdTF7Lpn2NJMPrbJRBvXyGo_un6kg3MrkxQdRV4haUPb3p61KoI0d5VwCL90m7jcXVJx8g5iNU1G3tCnm_cu-mYLvahXKyJ_IDhup1m8NdR6ec29gxvXd7wuLK9iXKFCLTxP3wI/s1600/il_fullxfull-1.378474113_ibeq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWZw1cGI4CANaSunQrmVwMcaXDIxNlClohYkn47tjgLxgqPSoQa6HFTciyY5FjRgZWMkLkBigQ-_IQTewafcChxi2MXI2RxGWCnQQnhSunzhoDooWB__hfrZOBZR0RXInDXvNNvKbwIKk/s1600/il_570xN.442190320_szxm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWZw1cGI4CANaSunQrmVwMcaXDIxNlClohYkn47tjgLxgqPSoQa6HFTciyY5FjRgZWMkLkBigQ-_IQTewafcChxi2MXI2RxGWCnQQnhSunzhoDooWB__hfrZOBZR0RXInDXvNNvKbwIKk/s320/il_570xN.442190320_szxm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/127569321/keychain-id-key-chain-tag-siamese-cat?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=cat">Siamese Cat Tag/Keychain</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks for stopping by ~ good luck in the giveaway!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-34935193549766179652013-03-04T15:02:00.005-08:002013-03-04T15:03:27.725-08:00Murrini Monday ~ 3-Peats<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In today's edition of Murrini Monday, we're celebrating <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/category_32/Murrini-3-Peats-COE-104.htm">3-Peats</a>. What are 3-Peats, you ask? They are murrini blends of three different, but coordinating, murrini from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a>. And get this - when a blend of 3-Peats is sold out in their shop, Lori and Kim will make <i>more</i>! That's good thing for lampworkers who make a bead set using certain murrini, and then are asked to make that set or a similar one again. It's nice to know these blends will always be replenished.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp0X97J44f5FBaYGnlorPoO1QJWIucUZHBVo8SclRqWnHMiS08GUZgAx_rL9X-SUqAdtzAqpKtlhVnBFjrZyXee1hDFVuk5BjBzRBukkz49nPWCmcr46J3jFr399IB4xgFWZjDrRJA0wC/s1600/1101123peatAirstream450-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdp0X97J44f5FBaYGnlorPoO1QJWIucUZHBVo8SclRqWnHMiS08GUZgAx_rL9X-SUqAdtzAqpKtlhVnBFjrZyXee1hDFVuk5BjBzRBukkz49nPWCmcr46J3jFr399IB4xgFWZjDrRJA0wC/s320/1101123peatAirstream450-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love the colors in this <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_745/COE-104-3-Peat-Airstream-murrini.htm">Airstream</a> murrini blend. I had to have them. :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialEhYRGkcP6sdsEy6DwgBK9KL-xPZYHu45SLLtguQJOa5vcQj_lYEUUVAXITm7R3hyphenhyphenT2bZ-IaykD4L6saFw3TVFmCEbEzXDgNs0M6bkBcCont2ckLwIyTDqsWAXLYUr5rW3VRBjMmM0SJ/s1600/1101123peatAirstream450-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialEhYRGkcP6sdsEy6DwgBK9KL-xPZYHu45SLLtguQJOa5vcQj_lYEUUVAXITm7R3hyphenhyphenT2bZ-IaykD4L6saFw3TVFmCEbEzXDgNs0M6bkBcCont2ckLwIyTDqsWAXLYUr5rW3VRBjMmM0SJ/s1600/1101123peatAirstream450-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Ap5K9YfkA33IufnMN14jaFxNVzqeWGc6oWA1bq8Csn700RjY-sm0sE1ABvTf3dkOg4N4mU8H_G7dTBgvFG7xsHKX90JcJH0_Tlgn_kAFdfjTMfWMsD6Q4uesTHb2YUV_LRHUsPEztNc/s1600/Maybeads_030213_045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7Ap5K9YfkA33IufnMN14jaFxNVzqeWGc6oWA1bq8Csn700RjY-sm0sE1ABvTf3dkOg4N4mU8H_G7dTBgvFG7xsHKX90JcJH0_Tlgn_kAFdfjTMfWMsD6Q4uesTHb2YUV_LRHUsPEztNc/s320/Maybeads_030213_045.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here is the Airstream murrini on a turtle. Turtles love murrini. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstY_HxYMjaWpspud4ZCkXLTPDXTa-w353mMlV7EcLrUhacKsizbuMiTYi9aDe9IZaCbm040-0TFRbU7eaAo2z8eH-x-iF8gyjnz-5MhRAHYqugBxj98lGTyODR2cn5OVubSC94f9kwNFC/s1600/110112peatElectricJellyfish450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstY_HxYMjaWpspud4ZCkXLTPDXTa-w353mMlV7EcLrUhacKsizbuMiTYi9aDe9IZaCbm040-0TFRbU7eaAo2z8eH-x-iF8gyjnz-5MhRAHYqugBxj98lGTyODR2cn5OVubSC94f9kwNFC/s320/110112peatElectricJellyfish450.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This blend is called <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_739/COE-104-3-Peat-Electric-Jellyfish-murrini.htm">Electric Jellyfish</a>. I had to buy it - for the awesome colors and for the cool name!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhnjBSDHZ1O_qOjhoaQmVSn6aN-E0zcYxj1vIfkdxeTYONqZbmkPi9jlGJ8-ZPw40WlMwCtR_JjxK82qXhaGsHCs-Y6eYSbOYCXt3nPH3gDLXRoXKxuk5Sx-vL-isOdJJ_8H0_FuFlb0x/s1600/Maybeads_030213_049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguhnjBSDHZ1O_qOjhoaQmVSn6aN-E0zcYxj1vIfkdxeTYONqZbmkPi9jlGJ8-ZPw40WlMwCtR_JjxK82qXhaGsHCs-Y6eYSbOYCXt3nPH3gDLXRoXKxuk5Sx-vL-isOdJJ_8H0_FuFlb0x/s320/Maybeads_030213_049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This turtle loves her Electric Jellyfish murrini. So stylish.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #9fc5e8;">Happy Murrini Monday!!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-70158317969769088942013-02-19T07:56:00.000-08:002013-02-19T08:00:21.880-08:00Annie Goes to Washington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl2nelMbTbtmMqEnDVM7cvoJJRPVm-cNmQ4ssx1SmICiAhySq2ET3ZTldtYA19m7Gnu70Yw8C9qbz3XWNUkdF5LxmIBrTGlA4LWKv9Pe2Wtz3eRpQubQreeXizvKoz4Bj4Ulg9bTKS7GJ/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyl2nelMbTbtmMqEnDVM7cvoJJRPVm-cNmQ4ssx1SmICiAhySq2ET3ZTldtYA19m7Gnu70Yw8C9qbz3XWNUkdF5LxmIBrTGlA4LWKv9Pe2Wtz3eRpQubQreeXizvKoz4Bj4Ulg9bTKS7GJ/s320/IMG_0346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
These last few days have been a little nerve-wracking. My daughter Annie went on her class trip to Washington, DC, over the weekend. This was her first time away from home for several days (aside from diabetes camp) since being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last year. As her parents, we want her to experience everything the other kids her age are doing when it comes to education and activities, so we weren't about to turn this opportunity down because of her diabetes. But we also knew we had to research how to pack for a diabetic so that she would be prepared for anything. I did a lot of research online, and then I talked to my sister-in-law, whose daughter also is type 1. I'm happy to say that Annie had a super fun trip, and her diabetes didn't give her any major issues. She said she went low once in her hotel room, and once at a museum. She didn't have any sugar with her at the museum (she took with her spare meter that didn't have glucose tabs in the side pocket - must fix that!), but she was able to buy something to get her sugars back up in the normal range. Annie had only flown once before, and that was before diabetes. So she made sure to test her blood sugar on the plane to see if it dipped. It was just above normal. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In terms of packing for a flight, here is my advice:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pack extra of everything. Annie now wears a pump, so although she had changed her site right before she left and wouldn't have to until she returned, we still packed extra sites and reservoirs. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pack any medication - insulin, glucagon - in its original box with the prescription on the outside. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pack extra pump batteries, extra medical ID tags, extra glucose tabs or other fast acting sugar (and be sure to keep it with you at museums!).</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pack an extra way to administer insulin. We sent with Annie's insulin pen and a new cartridge and several pen needles, just in case there was a problem with her pump. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pack an extra meter. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Get a letter from your child's doctor that explains that she's diabetic and will be carrying with her all of her supplies.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Put it all in a big ziploc bag and label it. Then keep it in your carry-on bag.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Annie's pump and meters were not supposed to go through the x-ray machine or body scanners (ok to go through metal detectors), so she was pulled aside for a pat-down. One of the teacher chaperones was there with her, and I can't say enough good things about this teacher for all she did to make Annie's trip so easy (I'll write her a note once I'm done with this post). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Annie kept in touch with occasional texts, so I knew how she was doing and could send reminders to her to test her blood sugar. I think she did a great job! And I'm so happy she got to experience this trip and everything it had to offer. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-37180761871759455122013-02-18T07:30:00.002-08:002013-02-18T07:30:30.520-08:00Murrini Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It's Murrini Monday! Let's look at some murrini!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiroNFH9b12cZLejCbE8RTyipUHqZBw-nBSMRf7WbDx88Q8tI_yvWYwufunYSWQ8PWC4Mw-7EKyMMLX1NuZbnL1DNP1sZAdl3kvZKNo7cjg9JcFqZBTrddNWavcA5RnwZhEYxOiuLTkDSX/s1600/Maybeads_021413_025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiroNFH9b12cZLejCbE8RTyipUHqZBw-nBSMRf7WbDx88Q8tI_yvWYwufunYSWQ8PWC4Mw-7EKyMMLX1NuZbnL1DNP1sZAdl3kvZKNo7cjg9JcFqZBTrddNWavcA5RnwZhEYxOiuLTkDSX/s320/Maybeads_021413_025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been having a lot of fun making "patchwork" owls. I make them when I just feel like using lots and lots of murrini. I use murrini from my friend Mallory at <a href="http://www.rosebud101.etsy.com/">rosebud101</a>. I have such a fun variety of Mallory's murrini, and I like to pick out about 12 pieces of different sizes and colors for each owl. I usually can't use every piece, but I sure try! I love the effect of them melting into each other to form the owl's colorful patchwork chest.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVsplG0hdR2ozp1U0wKn4EDuZj0iVtGHEDqnNZeWPnlt_qSB6pbsWpvWreGMaFswM8x_vCXVvoQiFzHiWKUxKB-du-IhodWTubHa2N0dvbCN4wE9s-Sh9cS8eGVhM3A_Ku4hafgXSiiw0/s1600/Maybeads_021413_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzVsplG0hdR2ozp1U0wKn4EDuZj0iVtGHEDqnNZeWPnlt_qSB6pbsWpvWreGMaFswM8x_vCXVvoQiFzHiWKUxKB-du-IhodWTubHa2N0dvbCN4wE9s-Sh9cS8eGVhM3A_Ku4hafgXSiiw0/s320/Maybeads_021413_009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A while back I bought a pack of snowflake murrini from <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a>. At the time, we weren't getting any snow, so I guess I wasn't inspired to start using it (why jinx our Chicago record for most winter days without snow?). But we did finally get our snowfall, so my elephants were out catching snowflakes with their trunks.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3izZHKpCAszqnRUCei9PGtbru0a612f7r8IbfK0wtHmSuBD7589ZbzHoHdU23NK3MiI3X46NEmMvWUbF5V0fIkaNlcDw5T4dgP5sFURT2_eqDV9EGkzmo4xIgsqVlcgvwRDmEdGMY09iB/s1600/1101123peatAirstream450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3izZHKpCAszqnRUCei9PGtbru0a612f7r8IbfK0wtHmSuBD7589ZbzHoHdU23NK3MiI3X46NEmMvWUbF5V0fIkaNlcDw5T4dgP5sFURT2_eqDV9EGkzmo4xIgsqVlcgvwRDmEdGMY09iB/s320/1101123peatAirstream450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Speaking of Lori and Kim, they are having a President's Day murrini sale! Through February 20, all their COE 104 murrini is 15% OFF! I'm eyeing the <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_745/COE-104-3-Peat-Airstream-murrini.htm">3-Peat Airstream</a> murrini in the above picture - I see lots of owl eyes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I think I'll join the President's Day celebration and also offer 15% OFF in my <a href="http://www.maybeads.etsy.com/">Etsy shop</a>. My sale will end tonight, so act fast! Use coupon code PRESIDENT at checkout to get 15% OFF your entire order.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">HAPPY MURRINI MONDAY!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-33615215269105095662013-01-24T07:44:00.000-08:002013-01-24T07:59:34.740-08:00Critter Makeovers<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Lately I've been itching to change up some of my critter bead designs. I don't mean the gradual changes that naturally take place over time - those just sort of happen as I get more experienced. What I wanted to do was to take critter beads I already make and try making them in a new way - sort of a critter makeover.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JQMbO9CkaalsQWISRQDk0-Ty7zwqtGh2leNXaGIWJBQq4z4USNZ1zMWHDp7MqlbxRkG752ftvU8cxwdqR8UjecBqq01_Lh2Su43p8G3lbxq301e-Y4Df3AG_MAjqMIiVTj0Dvx2GWBse/s1600/Maybeads_010813_039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JQMbO9CkaalsQWISRQDk0-Ty7zwqtGh2leNXaGIWJBQq4z4USNZ1zMWHDp7MqlbxRkG752ftvU8cxwdqR8UjecBqq01_Lh2Su43p8G3lbxq301e-Y4Df3AG_MAjqMIiVTj0Dvx2GWBse/s320/Maybeads_010813_039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I started with an elephant. The blue one above is how I've been making them for the past year or longer. He's tall and almost slender (for an elephant), and his feet are close together near the bottom bead hole. This style also allows me to give the elephants tasty treats (like grapefruit slices of murrini).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-7o9vjug_gFhuJ7JBYQYifss1Nadv9whhfr1tJ-W89YoZE7OivmY9Us03Qd4wI7VaRvjfXn7r02OeM-6omYXRFbHLLXhs6skqpL4KEsq51GhMLBKOITIfbIVIKeyRRD5SXJsWTGpOK2a/s1600/Maybeads_010813_041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-7o9vjug_gFhuJ7JBYQYifss1Nadv9whhfr1tJ-W89YoZE7OivmY9Us03Qd4wI7VaRvjfXn7r02OeM-6omYXRFbHLLXhs6skqpL4KEsq51GhMLBKOITIfbIVIKeyRRD5SXJsWTGpOK2a/s320/Maybeads_010813_041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I think this style is very wearable because of its shape and the fact that it's flat on the backside. But I still wanted to change things up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM2mNYCP3qhRoJCZ4WvxHT_WAPaOQAGI8VYx0-kNtFndQWYUc6zDjJkQlnBU3b6rbOtSRsnxh_yXIdOQEbS7KyVgH9B36uK3Y37HTIaJCIjC0bjAElb5Qi7MRkMYNtdZQrI8eNBakFect/s1600/Maybeads_012213_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaM2mNYCP3qhRoJCZ4WvxHT_WAPaOQAGI8VYx0-kNtFndQWYUc6zDjJkQlnBU3b6rbOtSRsnxh_yXIdOQEbS7KyVgH9B36uK3Y37HTIaJCIjC0bjAElb5Qi7MRkMYNtdZQrI8eNBakFect/s320/Maybeads_012213_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here is my new elephant design. His face and ears are similar to the ones I usually make, but his body is more elephant-like. The challenge for me was to have enough room for a decent trunk (no stubby elephant trunks!) because his face is much closer to his feet. This fella's trunk would drag on the ground if he didn't hold it up and to the side. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGvZ9ogDPigsBg9UPkEEforPvNoD_WlcdOAy8GUHW-u7jpp39E9YUvHEdu5Dyvegh_umOTTsnX-xlY9kMr8fcuGJDk7-SZx1V-xvjv9x6Egs8gQVnbOkKDLurIif0PW76bpyyKgZRFgL8/s1600/Maybeads_012213_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGvZ9ogDPigsBg9UPkEEforPvNoD_WlcdOAy8GUHW-u7jpp39E9YUvHEdu5Dyvegh_umOTTsnX-xlY9kMr8fcuGJDk7-SZx1V-xvjv9x6Egs8gQVnbOkKDLurIif0PW76bpyyKgZRFgL8/s320/Maybeads_012213_007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the side view - a much fuller elephant body. I know, most makeovers involve unveiling a thinner look, but this is an elephant for pete's sake. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxce-6I_-R0VGG3UoeR6PhBCKJz04FF_MomawD2tnYb-B4ZnY-IMX-HprF64uBu37vGtBtun35EMpM2s2vmIQwWtURhftPRAsRx9Q4aMoSW2tfNjTN8MeuyhQjZ5-b_eynBsmgyAyaHO/s1600/Maybeads_011113_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxce-6I_-R0VGG3UoeR6PhBCKJz04FF_MomawD2tnYb-B4ZnY-IMX-HprF64uBu37vGtBtun35EMpM2s2vmIQwWtURhftPRAsRx9Q4aMoSW2tfNjTN8MeuyhQjZ5-b_eynBsmgyAyaHO/s320/Maybeads_011113_010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'd been wanting to update my turtle beads for a looooong time. I've made them basically the same way since I started making turtles. They are very basic - a round bead (decorated with spots, frit, murrini, encased in clear or abstract designs) to which I add a face, feet and tail. I've always put my turtle face - whether it is transparent like the one above or opaque - coming right out of the top of shell. I knew that wasn't exactly how turtles actually look, but it was easy and still looked like a turtle. But I've always wanted to take the extra time to make a more realistic-looking shell (as realistic as my beads get, that is), and I finally did recently.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxce-6I_-R0VGG3UoeR6PhBCKJz04FF_MomawD2tnYb-B4ZnY-IMX-HprF64uBu37vGtBtun35EMpM2s2vmIQwWtURhftPRAsRx9Q4aMoSW2tfNjTN8MeuyhQjZ5-b_eynBsmgyAyaHO/s1600/Maybeads_011113_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoxce-6I_-R0VGG3UoeR6PhBCKJz04FF_MomawD2tnYb-B4ZnY-IMX-HprF64uBu37vGtBtun35EMpM2s2vmIQwWtURhftPRAsRx9Q4aMoSW2tfNjTN8MeuyhQjZ5-b_eynBsmgyAyaHO/s1600/Maybeads_011113_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36t1LLLSfBtnvEUBqVFihJtf86UmrXcMqFIa1Bk1YYBCPpSFugl3u1cfeqr0_B-ZVwVmLwZX83jZLOdfaXDDQ09lrH0jsSRvy0VsgLNVx1hIvheoVv_qwmo1blPwTevztAigBAX9jkmaC/s1600/Maybeads_012213_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36t1LLLSfBtnvEUBqVFihJtf86UmrXcMqFIa1Bk1YYBCPpSFugl3u1cfeqr0_B-ZVwVmLwZX83jZLOdfaXDDQ09lrH0jsSRvy0VsgLNVx1hIvheoVv_qwmo1blPwTevztAigBAX9jkmaC/s320/Maybeads_012213_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think what was holding me back was that a) I wasn't sure I could do it, and b) I didn't know if I could still have fun decorating a new kind of shell. So above is my new turtle shell debut. It took a lot longer to make than my usual turtles, but it was worth it. It was fun to try something new. I think I'll keep making them this way, but I'll still make my other version, too. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xs2mArdpG_MmjFwwTgSgL-zWG0ibH_0A9hx9NLgl-pBAQSKV08n5iGZ-bavph0yzSdnvLfLfKTFOnfAfvL4vyTTq5EroWSikoM-ZYqCZAtlDcDESfxFGwRw46mSjjhYaEy6vlj2XTEtm/s1600/Maybeads_012213_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Xs2mArdpG_MmjFwwTgSgL-zWG0ibH_0A9hx9NLgl-pBAQSKV08n5iGZ-bavph0yzSdnvLfLfKTFOnfAfvL4vyTTq5EroWSikoM-ZYqCZAtlDcDESfxFGwRw46mSjjhYaEy6vlj2XTEtm/s320/Maybeads_012213_004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2HKGeLFewgkIjZBS57Bp1RwRhWjixFsY9RDNEQY1O_q8dkJAntF5QuUL_5o3aQwxlabea7BT0nzlOJIrvh3eVTAkhY_JQwaMCcJYrrd2K-gjRKspGYlnJbDhPfsLcyyFCAvIgp9PIOdm/s1600/Maybeads_012213_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2HKGeLFewgkIjZBS57Bp1RwRhWjixFsY9RDNEQY1O_q8dkJAntF5QuUL_5o3aQwxlabea7BT0nzlOJIrvh3eVTAkhY_JQwaMCcJYrrd2K-gjRKspGYlnJbDhPfsLcyyFCAvIgp9PIOdm/s320/Maybeads_012213_015.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
Another new bead for me this week is an alligator big hole bead. I had gotten a request for this a while back and I turned it down because I didn't think I could do it. Turns out I could, and it was fun. :)<br />
<br />
So what do <i>you</i> think? Should I stick with my tried-and-true critters or keep exploring new versions of them? Any other critters need a makeover?<br />
<br />Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-86163702100069178422013-01-07T12:11:00.003-08:002013-01-07T12:12:06.077-08:00Murrini Monday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXWzl_fRsaPKESqeROBnDidm-XnHp0W3QAS2h74YIv6bYtzJKOyfKSGVPMJkwCYrxKQdtCbwljnlmb9SUyDkzX54EmPFs4XJdAgduhmD5W-r7uCIUag6xV_UsoV_ziQJNBoy7P4_PLWmT/s1600/IMG_0263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXWzl_fRsaPKESqeROBnDidm-XnHp0W3QAS2h74YIv6bYtzJKOyfKSGVPMJkwCYrxKQdtCbwljnlmb9SUyDkzX54EmPFs4XJdAgduhmD5W-r7uCIUag6xV_UsoV_ziQJNBoy7P4_PLWmT/s320/IMG_0263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's Murrini Monday! So it's only fitting that I'd find murrini in my mailbox. :) I got two packs of <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_767/COE-104-Wild-Hearts-Murrini.htm">Wild Hearts</a> and one pack of <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/item_761/COE-104-Blizzard-Murrini.htm">Blizzard</a> murrini. Look at all those colors! My critters will be so happy! Thank you <a href="http://www.loriandkim.com/">Lori and Kim</a>! I'm off to torch!</div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4347036908958488135.post-46497720743598738182013-01-03T17:23:00.004-08:002013-01-03T18:33:10.815-08:00First Diaversary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUmWxXNttIRfaFFc2AcC9pG1f-Wic1IqdXre7rWeCAy6L7DkYvnBcpt_3FwQR6hPKePYLwQVWM91dOnawo1Ijb6Y9UEfk4S51tfIVyHBbv5FaE5ObnRwDItlrTOPZ0Sadmr6fcL3SABNh/s1600/IMG_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUmWxXNttIRfaFFc2AcC9pG1f-Wic1IqdXre7rWeCAy6L7DkYvnBcpt_3FwQR6hPKePYLwQVWM91dOnawo1Ijb6Y9UEfk4S51tfIVyHBbv5FaE5ObnRwDItlrTOPZ0Sadmr6fcL3SABNh/s320/IMG_0257.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One year ago today, our daughter Annie was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. So today is what is called her <i>Diaversary</i>. It's kind of a weird thing to celebrate - the anniversary of receiving a chronic illness diagnosis. But today we celebrated Annie, and the fact that she's been managing her diabetes so well over the past year. Annie has been testing her own blood sugar (8-10 times a day), administering her own insulin - first with a shot, then with an insulin pen, and now she is on an insulin pump. She's had the pump for 6 days now, and so far so good. So instead of about 7 shots a day, Annie does one pump site change (which is like an injection) every three days. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We are so proud of Annie. This last year has been extremely challenging, but Annie has faced it head on and has handled it really well. She has come a long way since her diagnosis, which I blogged about <a href="http://maybeads.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-post.html">here</a>. So here's to more healthy years and many more advances for the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. </div>
Maybeadshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06692415064891397714noreply@blogger.com3