Resolution for January

January....check!

I made a pretty big list of resolutions.  One is to try something new each month, really challenge myself.

Am I really up for this each month?

Oh, why not!

I got this book out,  The Mary Brooks Picken book,  to take pictures on, for this post.   Maybe I should have read it, to educate me for my January challenge!?  

I posted that one of my resolutions was to challenge myself to one new thing a month.  I said in jewelry, but I'm altering that...to anything new related to art.

 I met my challenge this month with some sewing challenges!

I wanted to make some pretty packets for my fun rhinestone necklaces that I made for a store.  I am hoping that when the ladies buy one of the vintage beauties, and given the sweet envelope of felt, maybe they will store and travel with the necklace inside, to protect it?? 

Hope so!

And here is the back, each one is different.  I dug out all kinds of goodies I've been saving up, and hit a local fabric store for some more goodies.  I was inspired by Ruth Rae, and her free form sewing methods, and have her fabulous book.  Okay, these are new and challenged me.

But.... I tried something really new for the first time.

I entered a sewing swap!  My first ever. 

Debbie Hembree organized it over at Mosaic Magpie, one of my favorite artists.

It is a Heart Swap from the Heart.  I'm a bit intimidated by this, not being a seamstress!

BUT, I challenged myself, since I put that in writing for the world to see.

This is a picture of the casing for my Heart piece.

I hand died the muslin, into a soft, beautiful blue.  I went out and bought Ritz dye, something I've never bought.  YEAH!

The rich brown Sari silk attached was purchased from Lisa Jurist, of Mudhound Studio, another one of my favorite artists.  

Stop by and visit her blog, she has a contest going on right now!

And this is just a tease of my Heart for the swap.

Of course a spot of bling!

What has happened to me?? Maybe I always loved bling, just didn't let the bling out.

Get the bling out girls, let it out and show it off!

Okay, what have you tried new so far this year??

Lots of love,

Riki

A FURRY TAIL - Contest Winner!

 A FURRY TAIL

The Contest Winner

Once upon a time....

I met a sweet angel at six weeks.  We picked her out on line, since we wanted a female Havanese, and Brindle in color.  How could you not love this face.  She was the perfect dog.

We got to pick her up at 9 weeks, so excited to have a new baby in the house!!

What an innocent face.

She has grown into an amazing young lady, of 7 months now.

She's much more capable of playing...running...jumping...and....

 (hang in there, the winning name is coming)

destroying my list of names for the contest!

Not so innocent now, huh? Ha ha!

Okay, I have to admit, I was a bit ticked.  She got yelled at, we had a very serious conversation, for about three seconds, then she ran to the next thing!

Hang in there, the winning name is coming!

So, I got the bright idea of taping it back together, since I worked on this list every night for a week, being so careful to be accurate, and correct with every entry.  And thank you to SO many who posted the contest on your blog.  Many thanks!

Okay here it is!

I am so happy to announce the winner of my contest is (drum roll please).....

Cat of In the Light of the Moon

I used this website to pick the name for me, snappy easy peasy!

Congratulations Cat!  I hope you enjoy all your goodies!  

Please email me your address and I'll get it sent to you asap.

Thanks to all you wonderful folks who entered.  I was blown away at the response, I mean really blown away.  I was happy to offer these goodies, and look at the new friends we all made.

Good luck on all your resolutions you shared, words for the year you picked, challenges you want to meet head on, and aspirations for those who don't make resolutions.  There seems to be a common thread throughout...

more art, less worry, more play, more organization.

Story of my life.

And the other story of my life, Life with Miss Maddie,

continues on.

They lived happily ever after!

Love and Hugs to all.

Riki

New Year's Contest

Yes, New Year's Calls!

New blog look, new year, new friends, new challenges!!!

That means it's giveaway time dear friends....

I put a sweet little pile of hand picked goodies in the giveaway for you.  Hopefully, something for everyone.   There are cdv's, a tin type, antique buttons,  vintage lace,  some of that bling I've been talking about,  antique keys, some large bullet cases, a vintage doily for sewing enthusiasts, a COPY of a sheet of hand writing my dear friend Jill brought back for me from Italy just recently... 

AND, two fun items I made, a sweet brass etched box, with a fleur de lis and French writing, and a brass stamping with a little nest soldered to it, ready to make a necklace.

Sweet vintage glass buttons, glass drop pearls.

A close up of the amazing hand written letter from Italy, it is a copy mind you, but beautiful.  Fun for scraping, or putting behind resin.

SO...

this is the beginning of a New Year for all of us, a new start for all of us.  My heart goes out to those who have struggled at some time in the past year.  I hope all your challenges have been met and dealt with, and you landed on top of each one.

I am personally glad this year is behind me.  I had to deal with some tough things.  Family issues, and the loss of my dear Yorkie, Chester.  I was able to get past it all, heal from the hurt and bring a new love into our lives, little Miss Maddie the Havanese.  I discovered so many things about myself from the disappointments throughout the year.  That is such a benefit, learning from the pain.

All is behind us now.  Let's play!

To enter this little giveaway, leave me a comment below so I know you want to be entered.  If you post this on your blog, please let me know, you get two opportunities.  The contest closes and I'll do the drawing on Monday, January 10.

Let's make it a party.  You are all invited.  To play at the party, leave a New Year's resolution in your comment below.  

Come on, write it out so everyone can see it!!  

I guarantee you will do it then!!

Riki's New Year's resolutions:

• play with my dog more
• just play more
• be more organized in my bookwork for my business (yes it is a business)
• try 12 new things in my jewelry designs, never used before, one per month (join me in that?)
• exercise at least 30 minutes each day
• try to cut out all sugar (not wine!)
• give support to friends and family
• never be judgmental, you don't know the whole story

Thank you to each and every one of your who reached out to me during this past year.  I love hearing from you, loved your support, loved the sharing and learning more about you.

 And a VERY special thank you to Susie, of Vintage Susie, who designed my new, fresh, feminine and clean blog for me.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.  If you feel like a new look for 2011, look her up! She is not only talented, but especially sweet and kind.

Have a very Happy New Year. May it bring you good luck and much happiness.

See you soon. Good luck!

love and hugs,

Riki

Under Construction!

I'm under construction!

For the next few days, I'm working with some talented folks to rework my blog!

So if you've landed here, and it looks all messed up,

(it's on purpose)!

New look to be seen soon, followed by a New Year party and celebration.

Yes, that means a fun GIVEAWAY to come, celebrating a new year, new blog look, new friends, new fun, new doggie, new exercise program, new....well, you get the idea!

So come back soon to see!!

Hugs,

Riki

The Family Portrait

Before we left the island in September, we had a great friend of ours, and talented photographer, Mark Gardener, shoot our portrait. This is one of those things WH and I always meant to do with our sweet Chester, and never did. Amazing how time slips away so quickly. So this time around, no regrets...with baby Maddie being only 3 months old, we took the plunge.

I'm so glad we did. She's 7 months old the end of December, and looks completely different.

Boy does time fly quickly.

Have a wonderful holiday each and every one of you. I wish we could all be together to bring in the New year, now wouldn't that be a party?

Much love and hugs,

Riki

Box Number Two

My second box!

Oh, you just have to try making one of these boxes. If you have all day and the patience of a saint! Ha ha. I'm hoping they get easier, but the precision is for sure a test of everything I know how to do.

This little sweetie is made using some of that brass lamp wire stuff. Now there's a challenge. You have to be careful not to burn it up when attaching.

What do you think? Like the effect?

So, I probably won't be making a ton of these, but for now, my muse is sitting on my shoulder (thanks to Lynn Davis for reminding me of her) and we'll see how long she visits.

Oh its fun to try new things!! And have the time! I know I should be addressing envelopes, going Christmas shopping, you get the idea. But I think you need to grab the mojo when its flowing!! Don't you?

Happy Holidays everyone.

Housekeeping things...I just listed more items on my Etsy store, and remember, through the month of December, you get 20% off when you enter my code. Thank you to all who have purchased items, I hope your recipients LOVE them.

AND...Diana Frey and I have lots of room for the upcoming workshop in February, Queen for a Day. It will be at my house again, in Pismo Beach, CA. I just got an email from someone who signed up, her WH gave it to her for Christmas...hmmmm. Now is that a great idea or what? Flyer is on the sidebar, hope you can make it.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE.

Lots of Love,

Riki

I finished my first box!

Or kind of have. I just completed my second on-line course with Stephanie Lee, who is a genius a fabulous teacher, and incredibly talented I must say! The last week of the course was about how to build a box from scratch, using sheet metal and solder.

I LOVE boxes, always have. Don't know if that is a huge flaw in my personality, or just a fetish! But none the less, love them. Sooooo, after making many etched, pre-made boxes, and adding some fun decor, I finally got to try my skills at hand building one.

I'm hooked! It is too much fun. You have to be incredibly precise, and strong! And of course I couldn't start out small, like Stephanie suggested. This one is 5" x 3", made from sheet copper. I had a ton of copper, and its less expensive than nickel or brass. And I was too excited to etch first, which would be beautiful, so I just hammered the heck out of the sides. Turned out pretty cool.

Making the lid fit was a brain teaser. This is where precision in everything come in to play. And I wasn't, so it took me way longer than it should have. But I learned a lot!

I plan to adorn it with some fun things on top, then it will shine. Bling you ask??

Of course!

So there you have it. That is my big accomplishment for the weekend. I'm so proud, feel like a created a little baby! Glad it didn't take as long!

AND, some housekeeping. There are some wonderful giveaways posted on my side bar, please go look. And don't forget about my sale in my Etsy shop, everything is still 20% off, and it flying out!!

Just enter the code DECEMBERSALE20.

So if you have your little eye on something that fancies you, grab it! Or let Santa know right away!

Happy creating everyone.

Hugs,

Riki

December sale

A SALE!

Happy Holidays!

First things first.

Just posted a 20% off coupon for all purchases in my Etsy store, throughout the month of December. Thought one of you ladies might want to take advantage of some savings, and buy a gift for someone special...like yourself!!

So be sure and visit my Etsy store. Offer good while supply lasts.

And thought you might like to see little Maddie after her first hair cut!

She is too darn cute. She's 6 months old already, and going in to become a woman this week, no puppies for her.

Hope your Christmas shopping is painless this year!

Lots of love,

Riki