Pam's Jools & Gems

Wow, it's already February!!

2009-02-11T14:48:00.005-05:00

Here we are almost in the middle of February, I can't believe how fast the days seem to be going.

I've been doing a lot of 3d beading these days as you can see from the picture below. There are various sizes of beaded stars designed by Lidia Cimins, a few 3d Tri-Flowers (purple/green, black/silver, light blue/darker blue) designed by Redbeast Designs, Double Trouble both ways designed by me, and will be available for purchase soon. (pink/black & red/black) I've been having a lot of fun doing these.

The weather had been really quite nice for a couple of days but, now it is dismal and rainy. I hope the sun comes back out again soon. I really don't like the dismal days, they make me lazy. I don't want to do anything but sleep on days like today.

This morning all I got accomplished was another star but this time I did it in size 8/0 Delica beads. It's is quite heavy and would probably be great as an ornament or pendant. What do you think?

So now it's time to play some more with 3d shapes. Hope everyone is having a good week!

Only 3 days left until Valentine's Day!!

Found this on another blog and thought I'd share it with you.

Your rainbow is shaded blue and white.

What is says about you: You are a contemplative person. You appreciate friends who get along with one another. People depend on you to make them feel secure. You share hobbies with friends and like trying to fit into their routines.

Find the colors of your rainbow at spacefem.com.

Happy New Year & our newest family member!

2009-01-16T13:02:00.004-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable & safe New Years. Hubby and I just stayed home, had a few drinks, played a couple of games and enjoyed some time with friends. It was nice.

On to the news...On December 29th we got Jazmin (Jazzy D). She is almost 8 months old and is a Pug/Schnauzer cross. Isn't she cute?! I picked up the stuffed bunny for her and she loves playing with it.DH says her face reminds him of an Ewok
So far things have been good but, lots of work. We have another dog, Tucker, he is a 2 1/2 year old Pug/Beagle/Boston Terrier cross. After the passing of Chi-Chi, he became very clingy and looked sad. I knew he was missing his playmate so...we got Jazzy. The two of them get along good but, Jazzy is still a puppy and does those puppy things. =)

This is one of the best pictures I've been able to get of the two of them so far.

Today Jazzy is at the vets getting spayed and having a few teeth removed. She has an extra canine(the pointy one...lol) and the vet said that it needs to be removed or it could cause problems in the future with the health of her teeth. Don't want that now do we! DH will pick her up from the vets on his way home from work. It's going to be fun...NOT...the next few days keeping the two dogs from playing and until Jazzy's tummy is healed. Wish me luck =)

I've been working on one of Julia Pretl's boxes. This is a request for a new customer. It will be used on a table in the home of a musician to hold guitar picks. All I have left to do is the lid and it will be ready for him. I like it done in the black and red, as he requested these colours. One of the other things I've been doing is these puffy stars. One of the many bead groups I belong to has a member who created the pattern and shared it with me. There are so many size and colour possiblities! I did one and then my daughter said, "Those would be neat as earrings...I'd wear them"...so, I made a second one and she now has a new pair of earrings. I will definetly be doing more of these!

Well, time to go eat some lunch and put away the beads. I will be watching my best friends little ones for a bit this afternoon. David is 3 and Hannah is 1.

Till next time...bead happy =)
Pam

A sad day....Goodbye to my best friend

2008-12-19T16:43:00.007-05:00

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

On Monday, December 18, 2008 we had no choice but to put our pup Chi-Chi (pronounced she she) of 14 years to sleep. She had what is called degenerative myelopathy.

Degenerative myelopathy is a disorder of the spinal cord or bone marrow. It mostly affects older German Shepherds (between from 7 to 9 years), but also has been reported in other breeds. Signs may include awkward gait and weakness in one of the hind limbs. Prognosis for the degenerative myelopathy is poor since there is no known effective treatment for it.

Chi-Chi had fallen on Sunday evening but after taking a few minutes to get back up with some help she continued to walk although slowly. She continued to walk that evening and got up in the morning to go to the bathroom. That afternoon while I was letting out Tucker our other pup, Chi-Chi went to get up to go out too and fell flat. I sat with her all afternoon and she frequently tried to get up. I managed to discover that it was her one back leg she couldn't control and that her lower back him area was sore to the touch. I tried to make her feel as comfortable as possible waiting for my husband to be able to leave work so we could get her to the vet. I don't drive and therefor had to wait. When the vet came in and I told her what was going on Chi-Chi tried to get up and again fell. The vet told us what was up and that there wasn't anything that could be done for her. We had no choice but to tell Chi-Chi how much we loved her and would miss her but that it was time for her to be with the other pets we lost at Rainbow bridge but that we would see her again. We had 14 great years with a great friend. She was excellent around the girls when they were younger. Zoey was 2 when we got Chi-Chi and Kirsten was 4. We never had to use a leash with her, she stayed right by your side even when passing another dog. Chi-Chi was my very first dog ever! I had a fear of dogs from an incident with two other dogs when I was very young. We got Chi-Chi to help me over come that fear. It didn't take long...she was the best, friendliest, most lovable dog and I will miss her so much.

Goodbye Chi-Chi my friend, till we meet again on Rainbow bridge to cross over together...I love you...

Busy, busy, busy...

2008-12-09T12:54:00.002-05:00

That's been me for a while now...but, I like it!

I have completed everything for the 12-month swap I am in and the package is already at it's destination. The recipient, Tina, is going to wait until Christmas to open it. I really hope she likes everything! I had a lot of fun doing this swap. Coming up with ideas to match the monthly inspiration given. Some of the ideas were from the swap mom and others came from the swappers themselves. I will post pictures of the goodies I sent sometime after Christmas.

Last month both my daughters had their birthdays. Kirsten turned 18. We had her over for dinner. Kirsten moved out just over a month and a half ago, and lives with her boyfriend and his family while they save money for their own apartment. Not the easiest time in my life, that's for sure!! Anyway, I cooked one of her favourites, curry. It was a good evening and I was sad to see her leave. It was really weird that I wasn't able to go into to her room and wake her up with birthday wishes.

Here is Kirsten blowing out the candles on her cake.

Zoey, turned 16, 4 days later. On the day of her birthday she started her first driver education course. I'm so proud of her! Zoey paid for the course with little help from her nanny but, the rest was all her hard earned money. She works at Licks Homeburgers. It's been almost a year now and she is an opening/closing night & weekend manager. This past year Zoey has purchased herself a new bike, guitar hero, a docking station for the Ipod she won at work, a Mac book, all her school supplies including clothing, and has taken her father & I out for dinner a number of times as well as going out with friends and having fun!! Did I mention she works at least 25-30 hours a week and is a straight A student!! I made my very first ever crocheted scarf for Zoey for her birthday. We also gave her a memory card for her camera.

Here is Zoey with a few friends, sporting the scarf I crocheted in the colours she wanted.

Now I'm making things for Christmas...I still have 2 1/2 pairs of socks to do and a crochet hat to start. Then there is the baking that has to happen. We give gifts of baked goods to some of our harder to shop for friends...mostly guys! LOL! The guys love the baked goods that's for sure!

Well, time to get back to knitting...

Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas or whatever holiday you celebrate at this time of the year!

Till next time, which hopefully won't be a long wait...I'll try my best.

Happy Halloween

2008-10-31T13:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween everyone!

I hope everyone has a safe and great night :)

This is what my daughter, Zoey & husband, Trevor looked like before leaving for school/work this morning.

Yep, you guessed it Beetlejuice is what Zoey is and....

Trevor is Zombie Dad...he is Zombie Dad every year and plays the part well.

I've started this cab and not sure what I'm going to do next. So far I'm really liking it. I have no idea what the stone is. I bought them from Ebay and the seller didn't know what they were. I bought a few and have no idea on any of them. If you know what the stone is, please let me know. Anyway...maybe a necklace or a brooch...they are supposed to be an in fashion this years...hmmm.

I also made this crystal snowflake for a friend. She has this great big window in the front of her house and I think the crystal snowflake will look great when the sun shines though her window. It worked up quick, the only thing I didn't like was how droopy it is.

Hope you have a great day & Halloween night =]
Pam

Tag, I'm it!

2008-10-27T11:11:00.000-04:00

I've been tagged by a new beady friend...Ralonda, you can see her blog here http://beaded2bless.blogspot.com/
According to the rules I must tell seven little known things about myself.

1) I was adopted when I was 4 months old and met my birth mother. It was then that I found out that she years later married my birth father and they went on to have 2 more kids, so I have a natural sister and brother. It was to bad that we didn't get along.

2) My husband was the one to get me into beading. He was selling web sites at the time and went into this cute little bead store downtown St. Catharines where I live. Brought me in a few days later...I bought a magazine and some beads and that was it...I was HOOKED!

3) About 4 years ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and with medication brought my insulin levels to that of a normal adult. My levels were so high they couldn't believe I wasn't sicker.

4) Just like Ralonda I clean when I get mad, and I don't mean just the regular cleaning, I do the nitty gritty stuff that no one wants to do. You know...polish the silver in the cabinet, get down on my hands and knees to clean floors...that sort of stuff. I think I need to get mad as my house looks like a whirlwind went whipping through it! LOL!

5) I would love to live out in the country and be self sufficient...grown my own food...that kind of stuff.

6) I wish I had more friends that enjoyed beading as much as I do and be able to get together for bead sessions. I stay at home and pretty much keep to myself. Although I am glad to have to the online beady friends I have, it would be nice to actually sit with any of them and talk beads and bead and talk beads and bead....=)

7) I prefer to listen to music and don't watch a lot of TV. When one of my few favourite shows is on I still don't really watch but listen and bead.

Wow, that was harder than I thought it was going to be. Now, what 7 people am I going to tag?? Jewels, Tina, Linda Jo, Jamee, Marjorie, Billie, well looks like I'll only be tagging 6. Ladies, the rules are write 7 little known facts about yourself and then tag 7 others to do the same...have fun! =)
Pam

I'm back!!!!

2008-10-09T13:54:00.000-04:00

Well, it certainly has been a while since I last wrote. Things around here have been pretty hectic! At one point I was working a full time job as well as a part time one! Was getting to the point of being run down. Just recently, my husband got a fantastic job with the Ministry of Government Services doing basically computer help desk. He actually does computer help for the Justice Department...pretty cool if you ask me and the pay is GREAT to boot! I can now concentrate solely on my bead work. I've had a little trouble getting my muse back up and running. So I started finishing off some UFO's. (unfinished objects)

This necklace was originally done for the wedding necklace contest at Bead-patterns I didn't get it finished in time for the contest :( I think it turned out pretty good for my first bead embroidered necklace. I've always wanted to do one and now I have. Maybe there will be another in my future...we'll see.
I also finished the necklace for a cabochon I had beaded around a few months ago. The cab was cut by Jeff You can find his cabochon's for sale at his Etsy store. I still have another one of his cabs to do something with.

I also did a bit of playing around with right angle weave and made this necklace and the earrings below it. The necklace is a semi-precious stone of which the name currently eludes me and accented with size 11 Delica beads.

The earrings are right angle weave and I used some left over mother-of-pearl beads and some peridot semi-precious beads.
This next pair of earrings I did just to do something quick. I've had the square jump rings for a while now. The beads are blue faceted cat's eyes.
I am currently trying to design some beaded squares for the Breast Cancer beaded quilts. I plan on completing a few for the 2009 quilts. If you are interested in doing some of your own please go to Jeanette Shanigan's web site for details on how you could help. There is a link on the home page to previous quilts that have been made and auctioned off at the Bead & Button show for the last few years. It is a great cause! I've actually been thinking about doing something like this here in Canada and auctioning it off at one of the bead shows held in Toronto. (as that is the closest place to me that has shows) I wonder...if anyone reading this is interested in doing a Canadian version of the Breast Cancer beaded quilts drop me an email to pamelove@cogeco.ca or comment on this post. I'm up for the challenge...are you??

Back to beading...

...Pam :o)

A quick note

2008-07-05T14:53:00.001-04:00

I am so happy!!! Yesterday, I was feeling very down about things, then I got a phone call that changed all that. I got a part time job working for Party Packagers. The store is not yet open and for the month of July I will be working almost full time while the store gets set up! I can't wait to be busy working! It will certainly help our financial situation!

My oldest daughter, Kirsten graduated from high school at the end of June and I am so proud of her! Here she is getting her diploma...

and here's a great picture of her & her boyfriend, Dj...all ready to go to the prom.
I just love this picture of Zoey & Kirsten after graduation. It's nice to see Kirsten in something other than black!

Here are pictures of the jewellery I made her for both special occasions!This is her prom jewellery.

This is her graduation jewellery.

Time to get back to beading, I need to get a few things done before Monday...hope everyone had a great July holiday weekend. Till next time...

...Pam :o)

What a beautiful Day!

2008-05-23T19:21:00.008-04:00

Well, after about a week or more of gloomy, cloudy, rainy weather, we are finally getting some nice warm sunny days!

I just love the way this picture of my lilacs in my backyard turned out.

Last weekend it was cold and it was also the Victoria Day weekend but, my daughter went with her friends to walk around Port Dalhousie Zoey got some great shots of geese, ducks and the lighthouse.

The Lighthouse, that water looks so cold!

Looking down an embankment, wouldn't want to fall in that cold water!

I finished the bead crochet lariat and am quite happy with it! It is approximately 54" long and was made with size 11's & large dagger beads on the ends.

It's nice and weighty too!

Here are a couple pendants I made with those beautiful Swarovski Rivoli's. The pictures don't do the sparkle justice.

I'm going to be making my daughter a pair of earrings and maybe a necklace using the Rivoli's in black diamond. Kirsten, will be graduating high school this year, and I'm making her jewellery for her. I can't believe she is going to be 18 this fall...where does the time go??!!

Well, time to go and watch some mindless tv while I bead. I'm working on my piece to enter the Bead-Patterns contest.

Night all & have a beadiful weekend!

~Pam~

My latest project

2008-04-30T13:37:00.003-04:00

This is my latest project...a bead crochet lariat with size 11/0 beads and 5x16mm glass daggers. So far it is about 25 inches. I'm really liking this one.

I've also been working on my entry for the www.bead-patterns.com wedding themed bead contest. I'm not sure I like what I've got so I will continue to work at it...I have until August.

I'm also helping my husband bead a shirt he designed in peyote. It is going to look so great when it's done. Watch here in the future for pics.

Other than that, not much is new. I'm still searching for a job and am not having much luck finding something in the Medical Transcriptionist field. It's really bringing me down. I feel like I wasted over a year studying for nothing.

My youngest daughter who works at Licks homeburger was recently promoted to the weekend opening manager. I'm sooo PROUD of her. She is only 15, has a grade average of 85% and works 3 to 4 days a week. Unfortunately she also has to have all four of her wisdom teeth removed...she's so young. I didn't have mine removed until I was 21!! Just goes to show how much faster kids are maturing these days.

Well, I'm hungry and must get back to beading, well crocheting...till next time...

Bead On!!!

Pam :o)

Not much to say

2008-04-18T19:35:00.005-04:00

The weather is finally getting nice, which always helps the mood. Winter just gets me in a blue funk. My next door neighbor's daffodils are blooming and my crocus' are showing their long green leaves.

I've been doing a lot of beading these days. Keeps me from going insane thinking how difficult it is proving to be to find a job in the medical transcription field. I've also been making some polymer clay faces using push molds. I have these metallic powders that you can brush on the faces before baking. I also found a great use for some of my small Swarovski flat backs. Here is a picture of some of the faces I've done recently.As you can see on the larger blue one, I've placed a Swarovski flat back in the corner of the eye. Here are a few pictures of the beading I've done recently.

This one hasn't been named yet but, I've had some suggestions from some of the ladies on a couple of the Yahoo bead groups I'm a member of. Suggestions have been 'Meditation', 'Serenity', and 'Feeling Blue'. I think I'm leaning towards Feeling Blue.

This one is called 'Silver Sun'. I really liked the way she turned out.

This is a 4.71" wide by 4.32" high beaded tapestry. There are over 7000 beads in it. I really enjoyed designing this one and loved watching it come together row by row.

This is another tapestry designed and beaded by me called 'Woman'. She is 5.02" high by 5.39" wide.

Well, that's pretty much it, I'm off to go and watch a new episode of Ghost Whisper....I'm so glad that the writer's strike is over, I missed my shows.

Night all & happy beading!

Zoey's hair cut

2008-02-25T11:26:00.005-05:00

Well on Thursday, February 21, 2008 my youngest daughter Zoey, who is 15, cut off over 16 inches of her beautiful hair! Why? To donate it to make wigs for child cancer patients! What she donated is enough to make a long haired wig for a child. I am so so PROUD of her! Here are a couple of pictures of her before and after.

Zoey before the cut.

This is what was donated.

Zoey after the cut.

I love her new hair style, she looks so grown up with the shorter hair and highlights. Her hair before had never ever been dyed or treated in any way, shape, or form!

On a side note, I've been completely redoing my web site. I have what's done up now. If you'd like to take a look... www.loonercreations.com is the site. You can now purchase my patterns and download them right after payment, no more waiting for me to email them to you. YAY!! I will be adding more patterns and of course some jewellery that I have for sale. Any and all comments welcomed.

Hope everyone is well. I'm looking forward to Spring but, first we're due for MORE snow! UGH!

Till next time.
Be happy :o)

I'm still here

2008-01-31T18:19:00.000-05:00

It's been a loooong time since I wrote anything. Lots has happened. In June we got a new puppy. We got him from a friend's cousin. They couldn't keep him because they were never home to give him the attention he needs. So we gave him a new permanent home with us. It took the other 3 animals (2 cats & a older dog) a little bit to get used to this little energetic guy. His name is Tucker, we decided to keep the name that his previous owners gave him so as to not confuse him. He is a pug/beagle/boston terrier and a power house! Can this dog run!!

Isn't he a cutie?! Tucker turned a year old on August 4th. He has breathed new life into our 13 year old Sheppard/Lab Chi-Chi, (pronounced she-she...named by my girls when they were small)

I have also completed my Medical Transcriptionist Certificate and am looking for work now. I just got my certificate in the mail the other day and am proud to say, I graduated with a 91% average overall!!

We are expecting about 30 cm of snow starting tomorrow (Friday) here in St. Catharines and I'm not looking forward to it!

Till next time!
Ciao,
Pam

My first trip to a bead show

2007-10-01T09:22:00.000-04:00

On Friday, September 28th I went to my very first bead show in Toronto. I went to the Bead Oasis show at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. I had a pretty good time, although Toronto traffic I don't like at all! It took over 1/2 an hour to get from the Convention center to the highway on our way home.
Money is very tight with hubby not working so I didn't get much. Although I could have bought so much more, especially fresh water pearls. They are a weakness of mine...I just love all the shapes and colours there are. I did buy a strand of bronzy/coppery round disk pearls, not to sure what they will become yet. I also bought some of my other weakness...Swarovski's! Here are a couple of pictures of my new goodies.
All in all it was a good experience...overwhelming, but good!

Finally my grades came in the mail!!!!

2007-05-19T18:09:00.000-04:00

WOOHOO!!!! I finally received my grades for the 3 courses I took from January to April. In medical office procedures my mark is 96%, medical office terminology 87%, and keyboarding 98%. I am so happy with my final marks!

I recently completed two necklaces, one for a spiral swap on one of my Yahoo groups. I think they turned out pretty good. The first picture is a bead crochet necklace & the other is a spiral rope with tiny 2mm crystal AB crystals placed randomly throughout the necklace.

Bead crochet necklace approximately 30" long.

Spiral rope necklace approximately 24" long.

This is a spiral herringbone bracelet I did for the same swap that the spiral rope necklace is going to. The theme to this swap is spirals!!! Bet ya never would have guessed! :o)

Well, I hope everyone has a great long weekend!

Ciao,
Me

I'm still here!

2007-05-10T09:37:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's been a very long time since I posted here! I've been busily studying for my Medical Transcription certificate. Although I've had the last month to bead & catch up on some stuff. Tomorrow I start two new courses towards my certificate & then I will only have 1 left to complete & I will have my certificate!!! Yeah! Hopefully finding a job won't be too hard!!!!

So what have I been beading?? Well...I made this necklace for my oldest daughter Kirsten's boyfriend DJ. (his birthday was in April) It is made from horn, bone & the focal bead is carved brown agate.

The next picture is of a pair of earrings that were made for an earring swap at the Beading With Heart Yahoo Group. They are made with size 11/0 Japanese beads for the core & drop beads for the outer. I think that they turned out rather nice. I hope my swap partner likes them!
These earrings I just did for no reason. I like doing earrings like this, it also helps use up those last one or two beads that are in your bead stash.
I have also made a couple of stretchy bracelets with rubber rings & jump rings. They are fun & no clasp to worry about!

I am going to try to post more often but can't make any promises. My next two courses are Medical Ohip Billing & Medical Transcription which will take up lots of my time until I finish writing the exams at the end of August. Then another month break before my final course!

Ciao!

Good Day!

2007-01-31T12:05:00.000-05:00

I haven't done much beading as I've been studying like crazy. I want to keep ahead of the game just in case I get a lot of hours during the store setup. I did make another pendant using a pattern by Jewels of Le Beadoir. I think it turned out pretty. Here see for yourself.
Now I have to start thinking about the green earring swap I've joined and the free form peyote bracelet swap.

Hope everyone has a great day! I'm off to go and study a bit more then it's time to BEAD!!!

Hugs,
Pam :o)

Busy, busy, busy!

2007-01-27T09:49:00.000-05:00

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to blog or keep up with my bead groups. Taking 3 college courses, being a Mom & a wife, making time for beading & designing has taken up a lot of my time. I recently quit my job as a cashier at Zehrs, I wasn't getting any hours (last time I worked was boxing day!) but really I quit once I got the job at Michaels. I start there on Feb. 4, I am looking forward to starting. There is a Michaels opening up here in St. Catharines & I will be working there part time either on cash or in the bead section. I will also be doing some teaching for them. Should be fun setting up the store!!

I've done some beading, not as much as I'd like but at least I've done some.

These are the bead crochet bracelets that I have made in the last couple of weeks.

I've also done a few pendants for a swap.

I have joined in two other swaps, one for green earrings. Yep a St. Paddy's Day theme earring swap on the Canadian Beaders Swap Yahoo group. Also a free form peyote stitch bracelet swap on the Beadin Swap Yahoo group.

Gotta make time for beading, or I'll go through withdrawals!! LOL!

This has been a pretty weird winter so far. We didn't get snow until earlier in January! We had a green Christmas. Now it's really cold & we've had snow flurries for the past several days. I wonder when Spring will start...will it be late in starting? have our seasons shifted? I think so!!

Well, time to get some studying done. I will try and post more often than I have been.
Have to remember to make time for me too!

Have a great day!!
Pam :o)

I DID IT!!!!

2006-12-11T16:18:00.000-05:00

I went to Niagara College today and registered for 3 on-line classes towards getting my Medical Transcriptionists Certificate!!!
I'm so excited, I can hardly wait to get started!!! Class doesn't start until January 12th but, I have my 3 text books for my three classes. Keyboarding, Medical Office Terminology & Medical Office Procedures are the classes I'm taking.
I'm also waiting to hear if I am exempt from the Word level 1 & 2 classes, seeing as I took both in my Office Admin course & also wrote and passed the Microsoft Office User Specialist exams for all of the Microsoft office programs.

I want to start now, but have to wait...hate waiting! But, I will go through the books between now & January 12th. Hee hee hee...I am so excited!

See ya,
Pam :o)

Hey! How's it goin'???

2006-11-27T19:56:00.000-05:00

I started a job at a grocery store last week...holy crap, I didn't realize how many different types of tomatoes, pears, lettuce, peppers, there are! So many numbers running through my brain...I think it's on overload. You have to not only be able to tell what type of tomato or pear or parsley the customer is buying but, the code that goes along with it. There are lots of those too!!!! It's mind numbing. I got my first real chance on the register with an actual customer on Sunday. I was extremely nervous! Everything went okay even though I had to look up the codes for a bunch of things. My mind started drawing blanks. There are so many of them & some of these cashiers can ramble off the code for pretty much anything in the store. I like the job but...am glad I will be taking a Medical Transcription course soon as well as working at Zehrs.

I haven't done hardly any beading in over a week...sigh...I just don't feel like it...I feel like I have to memorize all these damn codes or customers are gonna get mad or something.

Working again tomorrow...hope I don't screw anything up! :o)

Later,

Pam :o)

Why??

2006-11-14T12:59:00.000-05:00

Why do I get my hopes up? They always seem to get crushed by one thing or another. A family member offered to pay for me to take a nail technician course, as it is a job where I can sit down. Something I pretty much need as I have a bad back & bad knees. Turns out that it is more expensive to take the course than she thought it would be. So now I'm back to looking for a job that I can do without being in pain at a place that follows the Employment Standards Act.
Wish me luck as I know I'll need it.

Yesterday my oldest daughter turned 16! I think she really enjoyed her day!
Kirsten got this beautiful sterling silver chain with a marquisite cross from her boyfriend DJ.

The girls had a great time having dinner with their Nanny at Mr. Green Jeans in Toronto, then off to see the play Wicked. After that they visited their young cousins that they haven't seen in a long long time. The following day Nanny took them to see The Nightmare before Christmas in 3D!
Lucky toads!

This is Ruby, Lily, Ginette, & Arthur their cousins & Aunt.

Here is a picture of my most recent piece.

This is bead crochet done with size 11 japanese beads & myuki fringe beads on a polyester thread. The bead caps & clasp are sterling silver & the pink beads on the ends are faceted cats eye beads. I like how this one turned out.

I seem to be on a bead crochet kick again...next time I may have more pictures to show of the bead crochet that I have been working on.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day!

Ciao,
Pam

It's Thursday

2006-11-09T15:56:00.000-05:00

I spent most of yesterday cleaning my house for the arrival of my Mother-in-law (Penny) & her husband (Richard). They drove from Ottawa on Wednesday to her sister's in Pickering for the night & then drove here to St. Catharines. The reason...my daughters both have their Birthday's this month, one is turning 16 and the other 14! (makes me feel old) Anyway my Mother-in-law & her husband are taking my girls out for dinner to Mr. Green Jeans & then they are off to see the play "WICKED"! They will be spending the night at my Brother-in-laws with his wife & their 3 kids. My girls are going to have loads of fun that's for sure!! The only thing the girls have known for well over a week now, is that their Nanny was coming to visit to give them each their birthday gifts & that it was bigger than a bread box & smaller than a jewellry box. LOL!

I think they really liked this surprise from their Nanny!! Can't wait to hear all about the play tomorrow & see the pictures they take of their cousins. Lily is 6, Ruby will be 5 in Feburary & Arthur is 8 months old.

My Mother-in-law told me that she thinks that I would be good at learning how to do acrylic & gel nails, seeing as I'm so good with my hands using those tiny beads. So now I need to decide if this is something I want to do. I've thought about it before. As Penny said, "You will be able to sit down & I know you'd be go at it!" (I have a hard time standing for long periods due to a bad back & bad knees) Penny said that she would also pay for me to take the classes to learn how to do this. Guess I've got some thinking to do.

I did manage to sneak in some beading yesterday. I made the two pairs of earring that my neighbour ordered, she came over & said I need earrings, nothing to long & classy but contemporary. Hope these fit the bill. :o)

Both are made with Swarovski sliders, Swarovski crystals & sterling silver earwires. I hope she likes them.

I also made a pair of hoop earrings. The hoops are sterling silver & I used silver size 11 beads & two sizes of dagger beads. My oldest daughter wanted them as soon as she saw them! I like the way they turned out, don't you?

Today I've been working on a flat caterpillar bead crochet bracelet, could possibly turn into a necklace. For this one I'm using size 11 Japanese seed beads & Myuki fringe drops in white AB. It is all strung on polyester thread. What a bitch to get it started after only ever having used crochet cotton, it took me a bit to get used to first using smaller beads, ( I usually use size 6 or 8's) then getting used to the thread. Well, so far it's looking pretty good. I'd post a picture but my kids have the camera to take pictures of their little cousins in Toronto. So, when I've finished it I'll post a picture for ya. :o)

Off to go & bead some more while I have the house to myself for the next few hours until my sweetie gets home from work.

Ciao,
Pam :o)

Been a while

2006-11-07T19:57:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a while since my last post.
I was working at this place called International News, all seemed GREAT! Then they started scheduling me for 6, 7 & 10.5 hours shifts without a single break!! I mentioned that I needed a meal break for that long of a shift. I do have type 2 diabetes & need to eat on a somewhat normal basis. They told me that beacuse they only need 1 person to work at a time that breaks don't happen & it's not going to change now! Well, I called the labor board & told them what was up, I am perfectly within my right to ask for a meal break after 5 hours worked. Needless to say if I'm not going to receive a proper break then I shouldn't work there! Also during my employment with this company, I was told to come in for work one day at 11AM and work until 9:30PM but I would only be getting paid from 2:30 - 9:30 & yup, you guessed it, NO BREAK...umm HELLO...I don't work for free & I don't know many people who do unless it's volunteer work! Anyway, I am back to searching for a part time halfway decent job with a company who follows the rules for employees set out by the Employment Standarts Act! Jeesh!!!

On to beading!
I haven't done a lot but have finished up some projects that needed to be done. The first is one of my own designs. It is a tapesty done with Delica beads, 6880 to be exact & is Chinese characters which spell the word Goddess! What do you think? I am really pleased with the way it turned out.I have also recently made a European 4 in 1 chainmaille ring for myself. Actually I had one made a few days ago then, a friend came over tried it on, and is still wearing it. I hope she likes it as much as I like mine. I find them very comfortable to wear. Here's a picture. It's not the best picture but it'll do.

Today I even managed to upload 5 new patterns at www.bead-patterns.com (designer name Looner Creations) Sorry shamless plug.

That's about all for now. I have designed a few new patterns & want to bead them up first before I publish them at Bead Patterns.com. I also have two ornament patterns to write up...I LOVE BEADING!

Ciao,
Pam :o)

Friday the 13th....Ahhhh!

2006-10-13T23:43:00.000-04:00

I can't ever remember having bad luck on Friday the 13th! Have you? I've never been supersticious about it or much else for that matter. Oh well! I spent my day my favorite way...beading of course!!

So today I finshed beading around a cab. Now I just have to figure out what to do with it, a necklace? a brooch? Will have to think on that one.
Here's a picture
I think it turned out pretty good so far. Trevor thinks it turned out great, he really likes it.

Well...I start my new job tomorrow. I'm really nervous, it might have something to do with the fact that I really haven't held a job since before my kids were born. My oldest is going to be 16 next month!! That's a whole other story!
I voiced (through email) to my mother in law how I was feeling & got a much need pep talk from her. Even though it was an email I could actually hear her calm caring voice. It was really nice!

I will post how my first day goes after I get home tomorrow.

It's almost midnight and if I'm going to be bright & chipper I should really go to bed. That's another thing, trying to change your habbits from sleeping in until noon and not going to bed until sometime after 2 am. This is going to be fun to get used to.

Night all,
Pam :o)

Goblin Faces done!

2006-10-12T16:48:00.000-04:00

Well I finally got all the goblin & ghoul faces done for Trevor so he can now upload the pattern at beadpatterns.com.

They work up quickly but, after doing all 16 it's time to move on to something else. Not to sure what yet but something. lol!

I ended up making a pair of earrings for my oldest daughter & threw together a bracelet just to show a couple things you can do with these faces.
Here's a picture.Kinda cute eh?!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will finally be starting my new job this Saturday! Yeah! Kinda a bit nervous though, I haven't worked much but know how to be a stay at home mom really well. ha ha!
For now it's just seasonal employment with the Future Shop at Fairview Mall but, hopefully they will like me & I will like the job enough to stay on permanently. It would really help our crappy financial situation. I hate living paycheck to paycheck but, that's what we've been doing for a long long time.
This is going to take some getting used to by everyone in the house as I won't be here all the time to do the things I usually do. Like be the only one to cook dinner or do the dishes or feed & water the dog & cats. This is going to be FUN FUN FUN! :o)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I made a pair of earrings from the two mother of pearl discs that I got from Olivia's Box of Dreams. I added pink Swarovski's & fresh water pearls, on sterling silver head pins & ear wires. I think they are pretty. Do you like them? --------------------------------------------------------------------
It's been really cold here today too! We are supposed to get SNOW! YUCK! I like the fall but only like snow on Christmas Eve through to New Years Day. After that it can go away for another year.

Well that all for now!
Ciao,
Pam :o)

Blogging

2006-10-11T14:34:00.000-04:00

Seems everyone is blogging these days, so I thought I'd give it a try.

Here you will find what I have been up to lately in the beady area of my life.

Today, I have been finishing up some goblin & ghoul faces for my sweetie. He (Trevor) designed them & I get to bead them. Once they are all finished I will post a picture.

Just before I started the faces I finished a free form peyote bracelet in greens. I purchased this mix of beads on the way to the cottage this summer. I also met Murida from my Yahoo beady lists. It was great to put a name to a face & I got to browse her bead shop.

Here's a picture of the bracelet that I named Canadian Pine after the name of the bead mix.
Whadaya think?

As well on the Canadian beaders swap Yahoo group, we have this neat box called "Olivia's Box of Dreams" that is being mailed to each participant. You never know when it will come or what's inside, although it's pretty much all beady things. I was the first to receive the box & now have some new goodies added to my bead stash!

Here's a picture of the items I removed from the box.
I also placed items from my stash into the box of equal or greater value. Olivia is now on her next journey to another participant in Canada. In the box was a journal in which we could write or draw or whatever just so long as we did & our name was somewhere with the journal entry. It was great fun to receive the box & go through & pick out some new pretties. I like what I got! :o) Thanks for starting this up Sharon!!

Well I best get back to beading the goblin & ghoul faces...Trevor wants to publish them at Bead-Patterns.com. He designs there too as Redbeast Designs & I'm there as Looner Creations.

Have a great day even if it is as dismal out your window as it is mine.

Ciao,
Pam :o)