My big sis...the Artist.

My sister, Liz (aka:Lizbeth), was born on Leap Year, and this year, she got to celebrate her day on the actual day. Otherwise, her b-day is acknowledged on March 1st the other 3 years. Anyway, she had a milestone birthday this year (I'm having one too in 5 months! EEK!), so I surprized her with some really cool jewelry pieces. I forgot to get pics, but I made her a pair of amethyst and turquoise earrings, since her birthstone is amethyst. I also made her a pretty symbolic charm necklace, and a resin pendant necklace that says, "Big Sis." She loved everything! In fact, she loved her jewelry so much that she made me a couple of handmade gifts too.

A handpainted thank you card and bookmarker.

(The funky flower background is my dining room tablecloth.)

This is so beautiful!! I love all the colors and the way the sun is reflected in the water.  

A closer look. This is my background on my laptop right now.

My bookmarker. Isn't it beautiful?!

The other side of my card.

I love my sister SO much! I think I'm lucky to have a sister, but I feel even luckier and blessed to have one like her. No one or thing can ever break the strong bond we share.

"Thank you for everything Sis!"

I know what I'm shopping for this weekend...the perfect frame for my card and getting my bookmarker laminated. :-)



St. Patrick's Day

It's St. Patty's Day, so don't forget to wear your green! I'll be wearing a pair of green jade earrings I whipped up last night.

Have you ever wondered what that whole pinching thing is about? Well, I have...so I googled it. First off, it's an American tradition that started in the early 1700's. St. Patrick revelers thought wearing green made you invisible to leprechauns, those little guys who go around pinching anyone they can see (not wearing green.) Pinching those that were not sporting green became a reminder to get your green on or get pinched by this guy.

Now...does this goofy lil guy look like he would pinch you?

I'm thinkin he would...but really all I want to know is where he's hiding his pot of gold! LOL!

When my son and my sister's kids were little ones, we would get together and go downtown every St. Paddy's Day and watch the parade. It was a big deal for the kids and we always had so much fun. My brother and our Mom would go too. One time my sis, my brother and I snuck away from everyone and slipped into a small bar and drank a couple of green beers. We were only gone for maybe 30 minutes, but no one knew what we did. The kids and their Granny (our Mom) were having so much fun watching the parade and being goofy that they didn't even notice we left. That's my favorite memory of this holiday. It was a wonderful time when we were all together...laughing and having a blast! :-D

Do you have a story to share or a family tradition you do each year on this day? I'd love to hear it!

"Happy St. Patricks Day!"