Memories of Rock Painting with my Grand Kids

Our trees are in full bloom!

"Kenna"

I have been outside quite a bit in the last couple of weeks and have come across some rocks that have warmed my heart...yup I said rocks!

I have twin grandchildren (a boy and a girl) that are now 14, but as babies and toddlers I baby sat them.    Entertaining them as they got older took planning, and part of the day, we would try to do something crafty or artistic, which they absolutely loved! One of their favorite things in the summer was rock painting, when they were older. We have tons of nice smooth small river rocks bordering a large patio. These were perfect for painting. I would tell them to look through the rocks and see if any of the shapes reminded them of anything, (like looking at clouds), and then paint them to look like that. Bekkah liked to paint ladybugs and bumble bees on the rocks; while Zack did camouflage and monsters (typical boy and girl). They would also paint there names, etc.

Now when I am gardening and cleaning the patio area I come across these old rocks that they have painted, (most just have remnants of the paint and names left on them), and it warms my heart...I am so glad to see these rocks now, as my grand children have moved and live 600 miles away from us. We only see them a couple times a year. These painted rocks bring back so many lovely memories!


This is us with our precious twin grand babies-1996

Speaking of Bumble Bees I have noticed more bumble bees this spring than I have seen in many years. In this photo that I took last week, you can see one right in the middle of the picture. I took this picture very quickly!


I wonder if we are going to have more bumble bees this year, (I am in southern Ohio).

I look forward to getting my Hummingbird feeder ready...I love watching them!


Visit my Etsy Shop at:
www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry

Rail Buggy Project

Before I start today's blog about my husband's "Rail Buggy" project, I just wanted to remind everyone to take a look at this post for information on a Mega Giveaway (44 Etsy Shops):

http://southwestskyjewelry.blogspot.com/2010/04/mega-spring-giveaway-
april-9-30-45.html


Rail Buggy Progress:

This Photo is from 10/2009 when he bought it.

Current April 2010

OK...today's post is more for the guys, but I would be glad to have some guys following me, (following my blog, I mean, LOL).

My husband has been working on a Rail Buggy all winter. He wants to have it finished by May 1, so he can test it out before he goes away with the guys this summer, to ride in Kentucky.

He bought this about 7 months ago. It was a mess and did not run. He took the whole thing apart and started from scratch...he even replaced and rewelded most of the rails. He has redone everything on it...he still has about 3 more weeks of work left. Right now, he and his friend are working on the engine (he bought a brand new engine kit; 1835cc I think ). A couple of days ago he bought a nice trailer for a pretty good deal. He has put some money in it, but when he goes to sell it and the trailer he should do OK. He is so proud of this rail buggy and he has had a great time restoring it.

The guys that he rides with all name their rail buggies. He decided to name this "Prison Break". The grey paint they used to paint the rails was left over paint that his buddy had. His friend is a plumber, but took a side job to do some painting in a prison. This is some of the left over paint from painting bars on the cells; hence the name "Prison Break". I found a decal on Ebay that says "Prison Break" on it, (from that TV show), and I found some fake bullet hole decals. He is going to put these decals on the rail buggy.

A funny side note...look at the sweatshirt my husband is wearing in one of the photos...it is a "Winnie the Pooh" shirt. Of course he wears his old clothes when he is working on the rail buggy, and the Pooh shirt is from years ago when we were at Disney World...well...I made the mistake of sending this photo around to his friends, and every one of them wrote back commenting on the pooh shirt! They said he is not allowed to wear that when they go riding in Kentucky! Some motorhead, huh???!!!!!

I have more photos to post this week with the engine in the buggy.

Visit my shop at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry

Sunshine Award

I am very honored to have received this "Sunshine Award"... It definitely brightened my day!

Thanks to Raige Creations for my Sunshine Award!
http://raigecreations.blogspot.com/
www.raigecreations.etsy.com

Her Handmade Crocheted Items are so cute and at very affordable prices...I purchased one of
her bags and I love it!
****************************


As part of this award, this is what I (and you, my honored nominees) should do:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post

Pass the award to 12 well-deserving bloggers

Link the nominees within your post

Let them know they received it by commenting on
their blog

Share the love and link to the person from whom
you received the award.

***************************


These are my 12 "Sunshine Award" nominees:

www.thehighnorth.blogspot.com/

lisaroyblog.blogspot.com/

www.pioneerloft.blogspot.com/

lyrebirdfinds.blogspot.com/

mylifeinstages.blogspot.com/

jodymcdowell.blogspot.com/

lilyja.blogspot.com/

pernillasss.blogspot.com/

noogalcreations.blogspot.com/

patriciasnow.blogspot.com/

beccascrazyprojects.blogspot.com/

picklesonpizza.blogspot.com/

My Etsy Shop:
www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise
(Photo Credit to: http://www.tigersoftware.com/TigerBlogs/4-2-2008/indexaxc.14.jpg)

www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry
 

SLEEPING BEAUTY is some of the most beautiful turquoise in the world. The Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Mine is located near Globe, Arizona. The name "Sleeping Beauty Turquoise" comes from the same named Mountain it is mined from; the mountain looks like a "woman sleeping".

(Photo Credit to: http://www.sbturquoise.com/images/tourthemine/Sleeping-beauty-silouhette.jpg)

 

This mine was a copper mine and the turquoise extracted from it is a saturated light to medium sky blue "Skystone" Turquoise. This turquoise is being extracted less and less which will ultimately make it more sought after.

The Host-Rock for Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is Granite and it is sometimes referred to as "Persian Turquoise" referring to "Iranian Turquoise" which has little to no matrix or veining, (very little Vanadium and no Iron is present in the stone).

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is the perfect stone to enhance sterling silver. Being so in touch with nature, it is very understandable that Native American Indians would be so attracted to this beautiful stone for their jewelry. Nothing resembles the sky more than the color of Sleeping Beauty Turquoise!

www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry


Also, Please take a look at my previous post (April 10, 2010) for info on a Huge Giveaway (44 Etsy Shops)!

http://southwestskyjewelry.blogspot.com/2010/04/mega-spring-giveaway-april-9-30-45.html

Thank You!!!

Sterling Silver Turquoise Onyx Southwestern Treasure Charm Bracelet

 Featured Today on my blog is one of my Hand Made Southwestern Vintage Charm Bracelets.   I assemble this type of bracelet  to display on the wrist "Bold and Chunky"...to be an artistic Conversation Piece;  and WOW will you get noticed with this piece on your wrist!!! 
 

Sterling Silver Turquoise Onyx Southwestern Treasure Charm Bracelet

Description:
Sterling Silver , Arizona and Nevada Turquoise, Onyx, Southwestern Treasure Charm Bracelet

Gorgeous Treasure Bracelet with Shades of Blue, Blueish Greens and Black...Loaded with Turquoise Nuggets and Rondelles, Onyx Beads and Vintage Sterling Silver.

Heavy Double Linked Sterling Silver Charm Bracelet-Links Measure 3/8" X 3/8" and are Thick. The Large Toggle Clasp (3/4" X 3/4" Diameter) is a Beautiful Sterling & Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and Marked ".925" with Hallmarks on the Ring and Bar of the Clasp.

Bracelet Will Fit Up to and Including a 7-1/2" Wrist

The Total Weight is 96gms!

Charms:

Vintage 1" X 1" X 1/4" Thick Sterling Silver Inlaid Stone Heart (8 Inlaid Stones), Marked "ATI" "925"and "MEXICO"

2 Vintage Native American/Southwestern Motif Vintage Sterling and Turquoise Charms

Vintage Sterling Feather

Vintage Sterling Silver Southwest Dream Catcher with Turquoise

2 Vintage Old Pawn Sterling Onyx Charms (Star & Leaf)

4 Black Mottled Zuni Bear Charms

6 Black Heart Bead Charms

Southwestern Art for the Wrist!

Great Gift for the Charm Bracelet Lover/Collector!

•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:• Enter my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry •:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•
See All My Bracelets:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry?section_id=5975501
Thank You!

Vintage Coral Sterling Cuff Bracelet

www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry

Featured Today:

Gorgeous Old Coral and Sterling Cuff Bracelet in Excellent Condition.

33 Beautiful Coral Ranging in Size From 1/4" to 3/8".

Bracelet Marked "925".

This is a Very Dimensional Bracelet; the Settings Were Built Around the Coral and are Raised Up About 1/4" From the Bracelet!

Measurements: Inside Cuff From End to End 6-3/4", Plus a 1-1/4" Gap Opening for a Total of 8".

Stunning Bracelet!

•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:• Enter my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry •:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•

Also, take a look at my previous post (April 10, 2010) for info on a Huge Giveaway (44 Etsy Shops)!

Vintage Sterling Turquoise Stoplight Ring

SOLD

www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry

Hi Everyone...My Featured Item is A Very Pretty Vintage Turquoise Sterling Ring!

Pretty Sterling Silver and Turquoise Vintage Ring with 3 Turquoise Stones, (1 Green and 2 Sky Blue). Stoplight Style. 4 Navajo Raindrop Beads in the Silver Design. Not Marked, but Tested as Sterling, (Guaranteed Sterling). Ring Size: 5-1/4 Measures 1-3/4"Long X 5/8"Wide (1/4"Thick). Oval Stones Measure: 5/16" X 7/16" 3/8" X 1/4" 3/8" X 1/4" Weighs 9gms Pretty Vintage Southwestern Ring!

•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:• Enter my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouthwestSkyJewelry •:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•..•:*¨¨*:•

Spaghetti Sauce Garden

Our Spaghetti Sauce Garden, (that's what we call it), is the ground pictured in the photo above, between the 2 trees (oh, and that is Kenna, my Sheltie).  My husband is getting ready to till it and get the ground ready.  It is just a small garden that we plant with tomatoes, peppers, onions and some green beans, but what a nice harvest we had for the winter.  My husband actually did all the work including, cleaning,dicing, cooking and freezing the veggies.   We love Italian food, especially red sauce and Salsa.  We had enough from this little garden to make all kinds of Italian food throughout last winter, and it was so delicious and fresh!

Bob, my husband,  froze zip lock freezer bags  of peppers, onions and tomatoes in portions to make sauce for about 4-6 meals.  We would use one jar of store bought sauce for the base and add the portioned tomatoes, peppers and onions.  We added minced garlic and the shake on parmesan cheese to this sauce and other seasonings.     We used this sauce for so many different Italian meals throughout the winter and it was great just knowing we had these portions  in the freezer.  He also made homemade salsa that was just delicious!

We are definitely doing this again this year and in this economy we saved money.  Italian meals are actually very easy to make.  We have a great Mediterranean Cookbook with some wonderful recipes in it.  Here is one of our summer salad favorites:

Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/3 cup cider vinegar

5 tablespoons water

2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced

2 large tomatoes, sliced

1 red onion, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh dill, to garnish

Combine all ingredients in a large glass bowl.  Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours before serving.  Makes 6 side servings.  Enjoy!

I Have a Southwestern Native American Jewelry Shop at:

www.southwestskyjewelry.etsy.com

Please Visit!  

       

Happy Easter!

www.southwestskyjewelry.etsy.com

I took a walk around our property today with my Sheltie "Kenna". I had my camera with me and took some photos of the flowers that have popped up. It was kind of windy here in southern Ohio, but at least it was warm- even though the sun was not out. I should take my camera with me more often...I just never think of it.

I am staying home tonight to get caught up with some paperwork...well actually my husband and I had plans to go out for dinner (it is our wedding anniversary today). We started to get ready and found out we had no hot water to take showers....soooo here we are. He is actually enjoying it since basketball is on TV. I was kind of tired anyway; I wasn't too upset about not going out. I would like to take a shower, though...still no hot water. The tank is brand new, 2 weeks old...hopefully we didn't get a dud! We will probably be calling the store we bought it from on Monday.

Yeahhh...we have hot water (and its only been 5 hours)...a plumber friend of my husband's came over and got it working correctly. I can't wait to take a shower!

Have a Blessed and Wonderful Easter!!!

I Joined Zibbet

OK....I joined Zibbet a couple of days ago and I have to say I really like it!

I have a good feeling about the Zibbet site; it is very similar to Etsy, but is in the uncomplicated stages, just ready to grow...don't get me wrong-I still love Etsy and plan to stay there, but being in Jewelry sales makes me almost invisible without spending tons of money on relisting and renewing because of the quantity of jewelry now on Etsy. I just thought it might be wise to get in early on Zibbet and hope they grow.

I jumped right in and purchased the $8.00 per month Premium Account for 2 reasons...the first reason- there are no other fees (no listing fees and no sales fees), except your Paypal fees, so $8.00 a month seemed like a bargain to me. I know, I know...all that is great but it can't compare to the traffic on Etsy (...like I said I have a good feeling about Zibbet). Because I am in the jam-packed jewelry category on Etsy, I still have to promote constantly off Etsy to get customers to even see my items...so I may as well also promote for Zibbet, try and draw them there also and if something does start selling, at least there are no fees.

The second reason I grabbed the $8.00 Premium Account right away is because a couple of days ago when I signed up they only had about 475 of these accounts left at $8.00 and then they are going up to $9.00 per month, after these sell out (I guess there have been a lot of people joining in the last 7 days).

Also there is a Referral Promotion that goes like this:

"For every friend you refer who joins at a Premium level ($8.00 per month right now), we'll take $1 off your monthly membership, for life. For a limited time, our upgraded Premium accounts are only $8 per month. Therefore, if you refer just 8 friends, we'll convert your upgraded, full-featured account to 'FREE FOREVER'. That means, for the rest of your life, you can enjoy unlimited listings, no sales fees and all the benefits that a Premium Account holder gets, for FREE"!

If you decide to try Zibbet (either the Free Account or the Premium Level, would you be kind enough to use this link to get there and sign up:

http://www.zibbet.com/southwestskyjewelry/sell

This will help me in the Referral Promotion Program. Once you are signed up you can then get Referrals also (and you only need 8 right now). After you sign up as a Seller; go to "My Zibbet", then in the right hand column click on "Referral Promotion" and you will receive your own link to give out for Referrals.

I also found this-"Give your friends a FREE 7 Day Trial of a Premium Account by telling them to enter the following coupon code when signing up: FREETRIAL , so if you want to try it out use my link above to sign up and remember to put this coupon code in when it asks...thank you in advance!

Here is my referral link again:

http://www.zibbet.com/southwestskyjewelry/sell

Oh, one other thing... you probably already know how to do this but as I list new items on Etsy I also list them to Zibbet...I just use "Notepad" and copy and paste my info to the new listng on Zibbet then download the photos.

Thanks for Visiting my Blog!!!!