My New Canvas Project! 'The Gardens'

My husband and I have been going back and forth about art work for a few places in the house. A few years ago, he decided to take a flying leap...and bought tubes of paints and some paper and decided to try his 'skills' at painting. Well, the canvas and paper ended up in the garbage...he claims I said something...not true! You should see the two huge canvas paintings I did in college...my parents have them hanging in their garage...need I say more. So, I decided it was my turn to put my foot out there. And yesterday, my son and I decided to get the paints out while Addison was sleeping. My husband came home when I had just started adding the paper around the edges. And I told him, I don't know why I painted the canvas, except I remember my Painting Instructor from college telling me to never start with a white canvas. So, underneath all the glitter, glue, paper, flowers, pins, chipboard, rub ons, distressed ink, brads, and ribbon, there is red, brown, and tan paint. So, if ever the thing decides to fall apart...it will still be pretty! So, I have decided to give you a sneak peak, because tonight when I took the pictures, they didn't turn out very well, and I will try again tomorrow. And I am not finished yet. I still want to add a big hanging bow on the top! So, for now here are a few or more pics of the up close detail of the canvas board called 'The Gardens'.

Vintage Brooch I bought off Etsy.com

I also have one more canvas to do. I bought my paper at Devine Memories. And I bought all the paper offered in the series. So, this one has a botanical garden theme, the other is going to have a roaring 20's theme. Which while I was making this one, I was pulling out things for that one.

Enjoy and please leave comments, because I will read them to my husband!!!!

Thank you!

Evening Walks

Yes, so last night I decided I didn't want to go to the gym. So, my husband and son went while my daughter and I went on a walk around the loop. Well, I put her in the stroller and we headed out. Everything seemed fine until we started heading back and my daughter wanted out of the stroller. So, I said OK, like I had a choice in the matter. She was doing really well, but then I noticed we were being bit by mosquitoes everywhere. So, now as I am sitting here updating my blog roll I am itching everywhere! I tried to get my daughter back in the stroller so we could jog home, but that didn't work, and when I made her get in and I ran about a block and half, she was practically hanging out the front doing a nose dive to the sidewalk. Oh, and screaming- so not only was I trying to keep the mosquitoes off of us, I looked like I stole the child in the stroller. I'm a terrible parent. I did have water, cellphone, keys, food, hat, sunglasses, books and toys for my daughter- yet no bug repellent. I figured we would be moving the whole time.

I can't wait for this weekend to start...I was suppose to be heading up to Alaska this afternoon, but the trip got cancelled. So, it is the first weekend in a long time that we do not have to be somewhere. I'm so excited, I am going to update my web page, fill some orders, post pics from custom orders.

Have a great weekend!

Win a Bead Trends Magazine! Bead Trends Magazine Sept/Oct 2008 Issue

So, to continue my excitement...My magazine arrived today! I have decided to run a giveaway! Leave a comment to win your very own copy of this Awesome magazine! The winner will receive 1 (one) copy of Bead Trends Sept/Oct 2008 Issue! Retail Price $17.95! No purchase necessary! I will pay the shipping and handling. So- no charge to you- Just leave a comment below! Good Luck! Contest Ends August 31st, 2008 Winner will be announced September 2nd, 2008!

*Make sure you leave contact information in your comment or you can email me at beautifulgarden@cox.net to leave your contact info. You can also pick up your own copy of the magazine at your local Micheals, Barnes and Noble, or online at their website.

Thanks for stopping by! Trisha

Bead Trends Sept/Oct 2008 - Designer Highlight!

Here it is!!! I don't actually have it in my hands, but I know I am in here. Because why, I read it here! I called around to some stores last night and I guess it's not even out yet! So, I have to stay patient and wait to get it from the Fedex this next week! Oh, in case you hadn't read one of my previous entries, I am the Designer Highlight in this magazine!!! I am so excited and I just had to share everyone!! I have a 10 page spread! And a not so great photo! I will keep you posted when it gets here! Have a great weekend!

Front Page of Etsy...

So this is really cool! I'm not sure if you have had a chance to browse through Etsy.com and see all the wonderful stuff there...but they have this thing called the Treasury, where other artists can promote other artists in a Treasury, so the come up with a theme or what ever they feel like sharing with the rest of the world...so it's really cool when some one picks your creations to be in their Treasury, but it's really cool and a bonus when the people of Etsy pick the Treasury with your item in it. So, here back on July 9th one of my creations was on the front page of Etsy! And you can view the details of the necklace here

Mid Summer Fashion Jewelry Pieces

I've been spending some time making jewelry- well, just a piece here or there. I wanted to share a few pics. I have posted a few at my Etsy shop. I will try to get them up this week. So keep checking back to the site.

Custom Picture Frame Charm Necklaces

I thought I would share this special order with you. I love how they turned out. The customer had these made up for a friend of hers. She emailed me the pictures and we cropped them down and then made them black and white, added the initials, and little crystals in the corner.
It's incredible how many options there are for this type of thing. I don't advertise that I make these, but I have made ones for fun for myself with my kids and I added a Swarovski Crystal Heart Charm. I love the idea of adding the crystals with in the charms and having them hang from a sterling silver chain instead of the beaded one that they usually are worn on. She really made this a precious special order.
I hope you will enjoy your weekend. A new month and that much closer to all the holidays. I can't believe it's August already! And we still have one more month of extremely hot weather and monsoon season! -T

Designer Highlight in Bead Trends Mag Sept/Oct 2008

OK- I am having really strange dreams lately- I'm just really excited about my good news that I haven't announced until now...drum roll please....I am going to be the featured jewelry designer in the magazine, Bead Trends, the feature is called, 'Designer Highlight'. You get a 10 page spread of 5 sets up jewelry. I am so excited. I made new pieces for this, but my work is ever changing, by mood or bead or whatever inspires me at the moment to make jewelry. I just can't wait for the Fedex guy to show up with my box! I already have one of the bracelet and earrings sets sold. I had a dream or nightmare is more like it, and I got my box and my jewelry was gone and there were only broken beads and the box with shredded up. So weird what your mind will make up!
The store I use to work at for most of my life, is having their anniversary sale, and I keep having this dream where I get hired back on and things are crazy and I'm there to get things organized, and there all these people there who were my store managers, mentors and sales associates from when I first started. I told my dad I had my 5th one the other night and he corrected me and said, 'Isn't more like a nightmare?'. YES! I don't want to go back to work! I really enjoy staying home with my children, well most of time, I love making jewelry and I do have to admit, I don't like the housework!
So, I will keep you updated when my package arrives. I'm headed over to Etsy to see what fun goodies I can find. I might just post about them later.
Have a great afternoon! T

Monday Night's Diamond Backs Game - My Famous Family

OK- these are just few pictures of my husband, son, dad, and brother; who all attended the game on Monday night. They had great seats 10 rows up from the field behind the Diamond Back's dug out. So, with these awesome seats- came some perks!

Grandpa and Bryson with a game ball!

My brother on TV at the end of the game they started showing a bunch of people who had cheered throughout the game- and I was able to pause the TV to take a shot, and there on the right is my dad and my husband.

Here's a cute picture of my two guys!

And now for the best part....My son on top of the dug out during the 7th inning stretch singing 'take me out to the ball game'! Yes! He got up with another little boy. I couldn't believe it when my husband told me. My son is normally so shy! On the Thursday before he got up in front of a few hundred parents for his Club Pee Wee performance. We were so proud of him, not only did he sit up there and sing he did the hand movements and everything! So, at the game he got up there and sang his little heart out! He had been practicing all day. He had learned the song during his class Apple to Zebras. It was just great! I wish I was there- they do not show the 7th inning stretch on TV.

Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog Announcement ~ The EAD Library

I received this from the Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog- a very resourceful and fun wedding blog. Even if you are not getting married it's a great place to visit daily to get your creative juices flowing!

Elizabeth Anne Designs Blog Announcement - Romantic White and Pink
We are incredibly excited to announce our new project, The EAD Library. After months of development and research, we are launching a new resource for brides tomorrow, Tuesday July 22ND. The Library is filled with hundreds of useful links, from photographers to shops to stationers. Our goal is a simple, comprehensive list of vendors. The Library will help every bride, no matter her location, find the vendors and inspiration she needs for a beautiful event.

And The Beautiful Garden Boutique is listed! Very exciting!

If you have a chance and you have a blog- pass this blog entry around.
Have a great Tuesday!