FOL:2014 - Week 39

September's topic is SIMPLICITY for the Focus on Life:2014 Weekly Photography Challenge and for week 39, Sally prompted us with:

Hands



Sometimes it just takes a hand 
to help
to heal
to hold

"We got this"


Now, let's see the HANDS all the other participants captured this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Knuckle-Bumpin'!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Knotting Pearls with out Tools - Tutorial

During the Pearls! Pearls! Pearls! II Blog Hop back in June of this year, I posted a video that the folks over at Pearl Paradise shared which demonstrated the method of how to knot pearls with out any tools. 

I mentioned in another blog post that I use this method quite frequently and do it basically the same way they demonstrate in the video, only I seem to do it 'backwards' to the method in the video,...possibly because I'm ambidextrous.

 I've had several people ask me for a video of how I actually do this knotting technique and so here it is.   

I was working with a necklace using some of the waxed jewelry cord from Sandra over at The Knotty Do-It-All (LOVE her waxed jewelry cord - you should check out all the colors she offers!!) and decided, since it was a rather thick cord and I was using large hole pearls, it would be the perfect opportunity to show you how I do this method of knotting.

In the video I keep saying it's waxed linen cord - it's not linen, it's a synthetic waxed jewelry cord. Sorry I misspoke there. You cannot 'melt' the ends of waxed linen, but with this waxed jewelry cord, you can and I prefer to do that over using glue to secure knots for clasps, etc. 

The waxed jewelry cord tends to stay in place while I'm showing you what to do here in the video and it's also thick enough for you to actually see the knots on the screen, which is very helpful.

Now, if you've followed me for any length of time, you all know I'm super techno-challenged (that's my disclaimer - LOL!!), so keep this it mind as you watch, okay?

For some reason, it's a bit 'fast' in that is seems to be speeding up my voice and all - so I kinda sound a bit like one of the munchkins from the Wizard of Oz,...sorry. 

And although the camera was on a tripod, it appears as if it's 'moving (almost like there's a GoPro on my head or something), but I think you'll get the idea. 



MiShel Designs - Pearl Knotting with out Tools Video Tutorial

Feel free to ask any questions you might have or leave any comments here or over on the You Tube page!

Thanks for watching!
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Pearl Knotting Fun!
Cheers,
~Shel~

Simplicity: ONE

Our topic for the month of September in the Focus on Life: 2014 weekly photography challenge is SIMPLICITY and for week 38, Sally has prompted us with:



ONE 


One being, one part, one piece.  We are all ONE.

Capture a photograph with only one subject or one piece or a small part of a subject.

This week I received my first certification in the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) industry of which my husband and I are immersed in with our business.

It is one step, with more to follow.

I am one, of many.

As is this one,.....



Let's see what everyONE else has captured this week, shall we? 

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and One Simple Step.
Cheers,
~Shel~


A Simple Window

For the month of September our theme for the Focus on Life:2014 weekly photography challenge is:

Simplicity

and this week, week 37,   
Sally gave us this topic:



 A Window

The windows on the tree house are pretty special. They are some of the windows from Grandma Emma's original cabin that was built in the 1950's up near my sister and brother-in-law's cabin.  

Despite the fact that, due to it's size, there were relatively few structures lost during Arizona's largest wildfire to date - the 2011 Wallow Fire - Grandma Emma's was one of the few cabins that burned completely to the ground. 

The only thing left was the fireplace.

The Fireplace  - 3 Years After The Fire


At least that's what we thought at first. 

And then we all remembered that the tree house windows belonged to the original cabin. 



The Tree House - with the original Hindman Cabin windows!!

So, they not only provide a view, 
they also provide a 'window to the past'. 

Let's see what other windows every one else has captured this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Window Happiness!
Cheers,
~Shel~

A Door - Focus on Life: 2014 - Week 36

Our topic for September for the Focus On Life: 2014 Weekly Photography Challenge is

 'Simplicity' 

and for week 36 Sally prompted us with


 'A Door'


Well, if you didn't already know, I'm a bit obsessed with doors.
I've got a 'Door Porn' board over on Pinterest 
that helps feed this obsession. 

So, when we got the prompt for this week I thought, 
"Yeah Baby! I'm not gonna have any problems with this week's prompt!"

Wrong. 

Other than the grocery store and my house, I haven't gone far this week and didn't manage to capture even one photo of the cool doors I saw down in Mexico last weekend. (really?!?)

So, I leave you this week with one of my favorite door photos of all times.

Italian villa in Sommocolonia, Italy. Photo by Michelle Buettner

This beautiful home is in a little hilltop village called Sommocolonia
above the village of Barga in Tuscany, Italy. 

Sommocolonia is a magical place. 

When I die my ashes could be spread up on the hill, underneath the remains of the magnificent stone towers where the memorial plaque to the Buffalo Soldiers of WWII hangs, and I'd be eternally happy. 

This village is 'A Door' to another world.

 Simplicity rings through out this beautiful hilltop village, behind each door, and welcomes you with open arms. 



I'm excited to see what simplistic doors the other participants were able to capture this week.

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and A Door to a Simple, Peaceful Place!
Cheers,
~Shel~ 

**I posted early because I'm down in Tucson at the Fall G&LW Gem Show tonight!
I'll try to visit and comment on every one's posts on Sunday!**

 

End of Summer - Beach Time!

We took a family trip with our long time, dear friends down to the Sea of Cortez for Labor Day Weekend. 

Mike, Shelly and Logan at Capone's in Rocky

With school back in session and summer winding down, it felt good to get away and have family time.

No internet, no Instagram, no Facebook.

Just some great days on the beach.


The Gang at Al Capone's - Rocky Point, Mexico


My friend Nina and I are finding it hard to believe that our boys are seniors in high school and that this may be one of the last summers where we all get to hang out and enjoy each other as families.
 

Garrett and Logan - La Casa Del Capitan Restaurant, Rocky Point, Mexico






 The boys have been friends since they were two years old. 


The boys - then (age 4) and now (age 17).


They were nice enough to recreate this photo-opp, per their Mama's request. 


I admit to having tears in my eyes while taking this photo. 

And no, it wasn't from the wind or the salty air.

Time really does fly by.

Despite the problems we had with our luxury (??) resort condo (air conditioning was broken and it was a humid 88 degrees in the condo, one shower was broken and only had cold water forcing us to shower in the master suite and one toilet handle was busted so we had only one toilet for a while- which wasn't in the master suite, etc.) we did enjoy hanging out on the beach, at the pool, and around the dinner table creating more family memories.



Nina photo bombing the kiddos!


We laughed so hard during dinner each night that our sides hurt.  




Nina and Steve - What a hoot!



It's great to have good friends with which to create wonderful memories!


I hope everyone in the U.S. had a safe, happy and fun Labor Day Weekend!

Until Next Time,
Peace, Love, Good Friends, Great Memories and,...
VIVA DIVAS!! 
(inside family joke!)
Cheers,
~Shel~