weekend in San Diego and toy runs......

Almost a couple of weeks ago, Austin and I saw Ash two nights in a row and it was incredible! They really put on a great live show and the crowd had the right amount of energy to go with it! The first night, they played ten minutes from home at the Echo and we drove down to San Diego for the second night. 

We had a chance to meet the band after the San Diego show and they were posing for pics and greeting everyone who hung out afterward!  Such nice guys! Austin hadn't seem them live in nearly a decade and this was my first time seeing them live!

 

Austin and Drummer Mark discussing Star Wars for about fifteen minutes!  

 

 

Once all of the concert excitement of the weekend was over, we spent the following Sunday running around to every close out store for toy runs.  Below is what I found at Tuesday Morning! They still have affordable Barbie clothes! YAY!  

Earrings for the day and Betsey Johnson bags !

Everyone close to me knows that I have been on a Betsey kick for awhile.   Anytime I see a Ross, Marshall's or t.j. Maxx, I am on the prowl for Betsey bags for gifts and even myself.  All the skulls, roses and leopard print are very rock n' roll.  I am getting too old to wear certain things and I have passed on items I wore at the club in the past to a baby cousin.   Brooke's daughter, tori.   Some things I have kept for sentimental value and other things can still be rocked.   Those others just make my aging self look ridiculous.   I may still be relatively thin for my age, but that doesn't give me the right to dress like a teenager.  However, I can still rock crazy handbags!

These were less than 30 dollars at Ross.   The rainbow looking one is a makeup bag, but it can be used as a purse.   I think I am going to get another, but in a different print.   

We are moving into Aquarius season which means my mother's birthday and a few friends birthdays.  One favorite aunt too!  I found an amazing Betsy item for one of my best friends who is finally turning 30.  Which means for one whole year, I can gloat that she and I will be in the same decade!  I need to get to making more things.  My mom and stepmom are born at close dates, January 20th and January 21st.  They both love handmade things and earrings especially, so it's not too hard to create something special for each one of them.  My aunt is creative, but she loves anything you give her. 

Feeling the effects of the new year, I am still in housecleaning mode, so I am still getting rid of things and redecorating.   In addition, I plan to make more time to make more jewelry again and focus on my specialty, earrings.  Thus, today, I worked on two pair using dyed coral beads and onyx. 

I have included some regular cracked crystal beads for the accent on one pair.  

 

 

 

 

Finished scarf and more reflections.....

Well, after a few weeks, I finally finished this scarf and it's a wool blend.

 

 

I have a fascination with orange and I love this color combo!  I used a 10mm hook and it was an easy job to finish.  

I received some pictures from my friend Mickey and these 3 shots from the holidays warmed my heart.  

 

I knitted scarves for she and her aunt.  Mickey is also wearing the red rhinestone cross necklace I made her!  This really makes me feel loved.  Not to mention, my sweet cousin shaylene tagged me in her scarf photo on Facebook.   I really appreciate the love and appreciation.  I don't do things for acknowledgement or to get anything in return, but it's always nice to get a thank you or when someone shows appreciation.  Lord knows I have felt slighted and have been hurt by people in these past five years.  People don't realize that they get back what they put out and I guess they cannot stop being selfish assholes. Ha ha! I learned that lesson as a young child and straightened up quick.   I have learned a lot and have learned to stop casting pearls before swine.   And I still continue to learn at this school called life.  

Which leads me to this.  I am doing my best to get better with keeping in touch and phone calls with friends.   Our friends are our selected family.   I appreciate all of you who have met me halfway, because in return I will meet you halfway.   

2014 is here.

Another year and more hope for putting good or better habits to practice.  Yeah, we'll see.  I have given up on planning to work out everyday.   If I do it, great, if not, I don't beat myself up over it anymore.   I know I should exercise more, so I do more housework in place of it.   Housework can be a bit of a workout by itself.   Especially if yard work is included.  Lately, I have been obsessed with cleaning and donating to Goodwill.   Recently, my husband and I got rid of two bookcases and two love seats.  The space in the living room is worth it!  I want to get some crates for our vinyl record collection, because I'll play them more if they are more accessible.

However, I do have some resolutions in mind and I want to keep it light and fun.   I know I want to make more jewelry and knit more, that goes without saying.   But I need to add more structure to my life, so here is my list.

1. Do some knitting or crocheting every day.  Even if it's just for a few minutes.

2. Drink more water.  (And not sparkling water either.)

3. Take better care of my nails and start getting manicures.  (Don't be surprised if I get acrylics going)

4. Go roller skating at least once a week at the rink.  I was doing that for awhile,  I need to start doing that again.

5. Write affirmations in a journal each day! 

6.  Listen to different artists more.  I love my prog rock and guitarists and should discover more artists that make this great music.

7. Keep the Betsy Johnson handbag obsession going and buy them when they are a great price.  I have already found a few and the hunt hasn't stopped.  

8. Cut down on coffee.

I am not going to promise I will stick to any of these, but I will try.   Now back to cleaning house and finding more things to get rid of.  

The recap of the G.I. Joe toy show. (One week late)

It's been a busy couple of months and I plan on posting more frequently.  Now for some recent past events......  

One week late, here are some pictures from the G.I. joe toy show in Burbank, ca on December 8th.   We arrived bright and early as other vendors were setting up.   The recommended everyone arrive around 6:30 am to set up as the show opened at 9am sharp and ended at 2pm.  In the past, we have gone as attendees, but this time around, we were vendors.   Austin wanted to get some buzz going on about his Lego joe customs and just get to know some local joe fans.

Below is a pic of some of the items we were selling in addition to the customs.  

 

I took some pictures of here floor.   I like the 12 inch figures from the 60's (as well as reissues).  Some of the vendors had some Barbies and Star Wars collectibles for sale as well.

It seems like the real American hero era reigns supreme to many collectors.  

Austin strategically set up his models and creations.  We forgot to bring the Ecto-1, unfortunately.

 

 

 

 

I found a vendor that was selling kreon and we bought a couple that we did not have.  Yay!  

 

Austin was in selling mode!  Many people were excited about the customs.

 

It was a lot of work, but we did better than expected at the show.   We broke down everything and packed up around 2pm when the show ended and called it a day.   Looks like we will be doing it again in April.  

Pendants of the day!

 The agenda early today was to make a few things and it was a pendant day.

 

I picked up this metal piece at Joann's this week.  

 

 

 

I really liked the metallic necklace cord.  I was going to use black ribbon cord, but I thought the silver metallic stood out more....

 

                 

Below is a crazy Blue Agate cross.  Agate is a gemstone that is always affordable and easy to find.

The next step was to add metal findings in order for it to be used as a pendant.   This cross would be way too heavy to be used in an earring or a bracelet. 

I felt that the blue ribbon was a nice touch. 

                       

                                    

I have a lot of Rose Quartz and Onyx beads to work with.  More to come.....