Introducing LINDA BLATCHFORD, Jewelry Designer Chic!

Linda resides in Illinois and tells us she is addicted to beading. She also loves making cards (stamping and gluing) and reading. She is a proud member of EtsyBead Team and EtsyChai Team.

Linda's beautiful creations can be found at the following web addresses:

http://www.lindab142.etsy.com/
http://linorstore.com/
http://myspace.com/lindab142
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/LinorStorecom-creations-by-Linda-B/32359586098?ref=ts
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24930325@N03/

She also has a blog that displays her beautiful work and other handmade artists that she enjoys. Please visit her blog at: http://linorstorecom.blogspot.com/

As a child Linda recalls her first experience making a handcrafted item as "stringing pony beads on plastic wire. I remember pink beads. I made it in a class, I think, or in brownies craft event." A love for beading started and she has found her favorite creative past time is beading.

Linda's source of Inspiration comes from the "colors and textures of gemstone beads and their healing characteristics. Her ideas begin from looking at beads and laying out the colors, beginning a pattern. I also subscribe to bead magazines and make my own designs from some of their examples, an adaptable, never a copy." Linda's favorite materials to work with are "Jasper and other gemstones, sterling spacers and bold beautiful colors. I like weird color combinations." Her favorite color combinations are turquoise and green.

Linda shared with us that she has learned some valuable lessons from other artists. She has learned tips on taking good photographs of her jewelry designs and states she is still learning. She has also learned tips on marketing and sharing with others.

Linda has recently read some good books that she would like to pass on:

Odd Hours by Dean Koontz

The Burnt House by Faye Kellerman

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille

Linda supports buying handmade items and feels "individuals are designing quality materials and invested time and money into their passion. I consider it an honor for someone to be wearing one of my designs. Buying handmade helps the small business owner." Linda hopes that in ten years she will be working part-time, an expert blogger and a full-time etsy seller.


We appreciate her sharing her source of creativity and inspiration and hope all of you enjoyed it as well.

WOW!

When I looked at the date of my last entry the word WOW popped in my head. WOW 2 months have flown by. WOW time flies. WOW where did it go? WOW what have I done in the last two months?
It's been 2 months since my fingers hit these keys to share with those of you that skim my words for something remotely interesting. I have to admit that I really don't have much to share. I have been really busy. We moved and I am still in the process of unpacking but slowly I am chipping away at it. The living room will soon be what it was intended for instead of a storage space.

I have been caught up in a relentless schedule, one that is more than tiring. Even now as I sit here stroking these keys, my eyes drooping, I hear a voice inside my head that tells me to get to bed. WHY am I still sitting here? I know why. I haven't really had a moment to myself in the last few months and I need it. A moment where I can be and just be present. Not worrying about my schedule, what I have to do or get done, who I have to call/see, what projects need to be done or what boxes need to be put away. A moment that doesn't wonder what I need to do for the kids or their schools. A moment to just be still. Still in my mind, body and spirit. I haven't engaged in such a moment for longer than I care to admit. I haven't been to yoga in a few weeks and I MISS IT! Yoga definitely helps me just be. My soul, spirit and body misses it. Thankfully I am going this Friday and I know I will enjoy it.

Anywho... I hear a voice screaming from the other room for me to come....My body willfully surrenders. Sleep is long over due.

Time and Happenings

I haven't forgotten my blog.... I've just been busy.

Rest assured I haven't neglected these pages or those of you that take the time to read the uninteresting words I fill the space with. Life has taken hold of me and I have been a little bogged down with the events that have taken place.

So...hmm. What has happened to me since June 20th? Anything interesting? Here's what I have been up to and maybe some of it hits the interesting category and some of it doesn't but here it is just the same.

My son took an enrichment program through his school for approximately a month. He loved it and I loved seeing all of the things he made and learned about. He met some more friends. He's so outgoing and social. It's amazing to me that he has these characteristics because neither Shayne or I carry them that strongly. He's gotten so big I continue to be amazed at how fast time flies.

My daughter participated in summer camp for 2 weeks at her preschool...she loved it. Since the program has ended she asks almost daily if she has school the next day. I might add that she tends to have some separation anxiety and if I walk her in she latches onto me like another appendage. Her little arms wrap tightly around my leg and every attempt to shake her loose is unsuccessful. It's the sweetest thing and a little trying when I'm in a rush. But deep down I love it....her little way of saying she loves being with me so much she doesn't want me to go. So, I drive up to the gate one morning and she says, "Mommy, I want to walk in by myself." I smile with pride and say sure. I walk her to the gate and tell her I'll stand there until she is safely inside. She firmly states again that she doesn't want me to accompany her and I assure her I am letting her do it on her own. Wow! She did it. Wow, I did it. Again I have to say they grow up so FAST!

I participated in a stained glass class which I loved!! So be on the look out for some new creations. (I unfortunately haven't had a moment to breathe much less create)

I started a new job and so far I love it.

We are preparing to move...packing and moving slowly into our new place.

Savannah had her first hair cut. I just wanted her to get it trimmed but before we left she said, "No Mommy, I don't want snarls anymore. I want it all off."

(picture taken before haircut)



Our son turned 7!!!! Where does time go?


My mom was in the hospital again. She's okay, thank God.

I started taking Yoga again. Restorative. Peace. Grounded. Centering. Me.

Football started. I hate the rigorous schedule but my two favorite boys love it. Gavin absolutely loves that Shayne is his coach and vice verse.

Monday Shayne and I will celebrate 14 years together (8 married). I feel so blessed to have been able to share so much time with an amazing person who I love dearly. Although we are both Pisces and at times can be out of balance with one another some how we eventually find balance. We counteract one another and the bond we share is remarkable.

I don't know if it was interesting to you but it is my life and I think it is. It's not dull that's for sure.

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