Company and new earrings!

We have company coming over this afternoon, so I'm cooking up a storm and cleaning like a mad woman this morning. LOVE cooking but HATE cleaning! Is there anyone out there that just loves to clean?

Between the meats roasting and the sent of the caramelized sugar for the flan, the house smells divine!

The kiddies are all out at Catechism classes (Sunday school) and Rob is at the parent meeting for Thomas who is preparing to receive his First Holy Communion this May!

After our company departs and I clean up, I'll be listing these little cutties in my shop.

Too perfect for Saint Patricks day!!! I wont have enough time to make a second pair like these before March 17th !

I love how simple these little clear quarts ones are, perfect to match anything, simple enough to wear everyday, but enough sparkle and shine to compliment any little black dress!

With spring around the corner I couldn't resist a yellow pair!
I'm thinking about oxidizing these to make the hearts stand out more....

Just can't resist blue! LOVE the crystal clear color of these stones.

So what are you up to this Sunday?

Too Perfect!!!!

I was just thinking to myself today I really need to have my camera on hand more often. I'm always missing out on perfect Kodak moments.
Part of the problem is I have a basic black nylon bag with no shoulder strap, just doesn't work when you have many little ones to keep in check, and the other part of the problem is when I am hustling 6 kids out the door with moments to spare, I just forget it!

I found the perfect solution today... How freakin' cute is this bag!




It's a camera bag designed with women in mind to combine the camera bag with a purse! It's padded to protect your camera and lenses and has extra pockets for your phone, wallet, gold fish crackers, and transformers (Isn't that what every mom has in her purse?)

31 is fast approaching and This is what I am getting for my birthday this year!!!!!!

But if you don't have an excuse to splurge a little(yes $79 is a splurge in my book) then head over to Design mom and enter for a chance to win, she is giving away 2!!!!!!!!!

Pink and Yellow...

These will be listed by the weekend (It's Date night tonight!)

They are soo birght and cheerful!

Fun with Gem stones!

Most of my stones have come in and I've been like a kid let loose in a candy shop!

I'm hoping to get a free hour tonight to list all these new beauties! So keep an eye out!

The little heart and star charm are hand made by me. I don't get too much free time to create them. They require lots of sanding and filing and polishing, so they will be a very limited edition in my shop

I love the mix of the oxidized pieces with the little gemstone drops, rustic and beautiful!

Red and Purple as requested!



Modern and sleek

Isn't this stone just delicious!!! I only have a few of them. They are large stones and just seem to glow. This necklace will be the first to be listed tonight!

I had to save one stone for myself but I haven't had time to make something with mine yet. I'll post pictures when I do.

More to come soon! My Turquoise is on it's way! GORGEOUS Sleeping Beauty Turquoise.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise come from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in AZ. It is super high quality not heat treated for color. Natural and perfect!

Happy Wednesday!!!!

Canela

Today I love...Yellow flowers...28things I love in Feb

The Perfect way to brighten up my kitchen on a grey morning!

Today I love...My kiddies!!!!!....28 things I love in Feb

I have the most amazing kids! (I know you do too but it's my blog to I get to brag ;)

Meet the 6 beautiful little people that have blessed my life beyond measure...

In order from left to right top row...

Thomas is such a gentle affectionate little man. He is compassionate and inquisitive. He is always looking to see how things go together, what make them work and inventing things.

Alexander is a sweet sweet happy little boy. So quite he loves to observe everything. He loves to read adventure stories and then make up adventures of his own.

Gabriel is lively! A bundle of non stop energy. He is artistic and love to make special picture and notes "just to make you smile" He wants to make everyone in the world happy He is so full of joy and life.

Kaiya is becoming such a young lady. She is smart as a whip and compassionate for both people and God's creatures. She aspires to be a Marine Biologist so she can discover and study unknown creatures and discover ways to clean the ocean environment and use it as a renewable resource. She is motivated and sweet and loving!

Nathaniel (bottom left) Don't you just want to know what he is thinking in that photo! Nathaniel is my little honey. So affectionate and sweet and growing by leaps and bound each day.

Megan! Megan is so spunky and sweet. Full of life and love. She loves to cook with me and when we're not cooking she gets out her play dishes and invents recipes. She picks wild flowers for everyone, and has been known to give up her last cookie to someone.

Those amazing photos of my beautiful children were taken by Wendy of Blue Lily. Wendy was Wonderful to work with!! Her Birthday is fast approaching and to celebrate she is giving away goodies! This week she is offering up one of my Capture life necklaces. Click on her name above and check out her amazing blog wish her a happy birthday and enter to win!

Winner Winner!

Lucky Chinamommyx2 who said...
pink and brown or turquoise and brown! love them both! :)
Email me so I can get your info!


Sooo many people asked for Turquoise! I ordered some awesome Turquoise beads so you can bet you'll see some next week!

Thank you soo much for everyones suggestions. I know I'll be drawing inspiration from them :O)

New earrings and an old favorite AND a Gaiveaway!!!

GIVEAWAY! Keep reading...

I have a new shipment of stones coming in that I'm very excited to receive! So many vibrant colors. Perfect for summer earrings!

I listed this pair last night you can find them HERE...

and I am adding my very popular Guardian necklace back into my shop today!

and because I LOVE them so much Let's do a giveaway for three of my stacking rings!
I will make a custom set of 3 for the winner, I can make these in any size.

To win~

~Leave a comment with what color combination you would love to see on a pair of earrings
~for an extra chance blog about it so other can share their opinion and have a chance to win too!

The winner will be announced on Monday morning.

Good Luck!

Canela

Things I don't love in Feb...

Earthquakes!

We have had one or more earthquakes a day here more a week and a half straight. Curious to find the magnitude of them I found this site... Earthquake Date Center It's pretty cool it shows all the recent earthquakes, their magnitude, origin and depth. The not so cool part is all these recent earthquakes we have felt are centered about 3 miles from our home! that Big red dot on the map above is my town. We just had another as I am typing.

It's been a reminder to update our disaster plan with the kids and get a decent earthquake kit put together.

What natural disaster is your home town prone to. Do you have a family plan?

I'd love to hear. Maybe you have some idea that could help others...or us :O)

Today I love rain...28 things I love in Feb

It's always so beautiful here after the rain. For just a few weeks we get to enjoy lush green hill sides and beautiful wildflowers.

What are you loving today?

I've been really slacking on this chalenge so You will see more over the weekend so I can catch back up...including photos of the kiddies from our shoot with Wendy of Blue Lily!

Happy Friday!

Canela

more earrings!

I added a couple of new earrings to my shop today check them out Here

Spring blooms HERE

Add on a stone...Here

more to come very soon!!!!!!!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe...

What you need...

~1 tbsp butter

~1 good size yellow or white onion (diced)

~4 stalks celery plus celery heart with leaves (sliced)

~4-5 good size carrots (sliced)

~Whole chicken cleaned

~bay leaf

~small can mild green chilies

~3 zucchini ( cut in 1/2 inch slices)

~1 can chopped tomatoes

~1/2 red bell pepper (cut in strips)

~1 yellow bell pepper (cut in strips)

~frozen corn (fresh is good too if you have it)

~salt

~pepper

~water

Garnish

~4-6 corn tortillas sliced into strips (a pizza cutter is great for this)

~veggie or peanut oil

~sharp Cheddar or jack cheese shredded

~cilantro lightly chopped

~avocado sliced

In a large heavy bottom stock pot over med high heat melt butter.

Add onion and cook until translucent, but don't brown them.

Add carrot and celery including the leaves.

Saute for another minute

add four cups cold water the whole can of tomatoes liquid an all and 1/2 to all of the green chilies depending on your preference (I use about 3/4 of a 6 oz can)

add whole chicken

add more cold water until the chicken is covered

add salt (be generous you are flavoring a large pot)

add bay leaf.

Bring the water to a boil then reduce the heat. Place a lid vented over the pot and let simmer until chicken is cooked and the meat pulls away easily

once the chicken is cooked remove it from the pot. Remove and discard the skin fat and bones.

Chop the chicken and add it back to the pot.

Increase the heat to a gentle boil and add the corn zucchini and bell peppers.

Cook until zucchini is fork tender then remove from heat.

In a frying pan heat enough oil to fry the tortilla strips.

on Med to med high heat fry the tortilla strips and drain them on a paper towel.

Serve the soup in bowls and top with garnishes.

Enjoy!

(You can cut cooking time down by using ready made stock and cooked chicken, but you really can beat the flavor of homemade stock, and you control what goes in) Worth the effort!

Winner Winner!

I loved reading all your comments, thank you so much for sharing!!

The winner by random # is Astyn who wrote....

Today I love that my twin daughters learned how to say 'stowee' when they bring me books all day long. Too cute.

Astyn e-mail me!

All my volunteer necklaces and last winner necklace have shipped, drop me an e-mail if you didn't receive yours!!

Happy Tuesday,
Canela

I love Giveaways!....(28 things I love in Feb.)

I'm a little late but I wanted to do a Valentines giveaway :o)



This sweet little necklace has a bitty heart and a fresh water pearl. Perfect for every day wear or to add on to a necklace with your kids names as a charm.



To win this little cutie just leave me a comment sharing what you love today!



I'll post the winner tomorrow.

Hope you had a wonderful Valentines day!
Hugs,
Canela

Today I love...Date night! (28 things I love in Feb)

It's date night! I've been looking forward to it all week. We'll eat Tortellini and Italian sausage with the kids. Then after the kiddies finish their valentines and head off to bed, We're going to cuddle up and watch this...

New in the shop by overwhelming demand...

Earrings!

You'll see lots of pretty earring appearing over the next few weeks. Most will be one of a kind or limited edition.

Many will be beach themed, I love the combination of of yellow and teal it beckons in summer days.

Check them out here

What colors would you love to see on a pair of earrings?

Today I love...Rocks...(28 things I love in Feb)

I'll preface this by saying the computer is fixed!!! We didn't loose any info off of our hard drive :O)


Now on to Rocks!
I've loved rocks for as long as i can remember. As a little girl I was always picking up any pretty or unusual rocks I found. The textures and colors are endless. I kept a huge box for all my earthy treasures.
I haven't changed much since I was a girl. Maybe it's because we are made of earth, I feel a kinship, or maybe it's because they can be so darn beautiful! I still have boxes full of pretty rocks.

One of the (many) good things that came from the computer going out on Monday was that I cleaned up my studio and work bench. I dug through my bead boxes and realized how many stones i have been hoarding in them. All colors and shapes, sparkly and shiny! Like these...

It's time to share them! You will find more natural gem stones in my designs and lots of earrings in my shop. I made a few new pair last night that I hope to list soon.

I will be adding colorful Chalcedony like these....

and Earthy rustic stones like these...

I Heart this necklace so much!!! There is something so timeless about the combination of turquoise and coral and pearls. Elegant and Earthy all at the same time. True rocks!

Keep an eye out for more in my shop. The above necklace is part of a limited edition collection you can find it HERE!

~Now that the computer is back up and working I will post my Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe tonight (I might even make another batch of it tonight!)

What is making your heart happy today?

Today I love... the unexpected (28 things I love in Feb.)

On any other day that wouldn't be true. I really don't like the when things don't go the way I was planning. I had grand ambitious plans today! My work list looked something like this...

~Answer convos
~Print out orders
~get 10 orders done during nap time
~print postage
~snap photos of new designs
~get 5 new listings posted
~go to post office
~get another 15 orders done after bed time

I turned on the computer after laying the baby down for his nap, it CRASHED, it just shut off and was no more. No power, no Internet, no order info, no photos!!!
It's been acting up lately but nothing like this. I looked at my to do list and thought about crying.
But instead I put on my big girl pants, walked away knowing there was nothing to be done.

So unexpectedly my list turned into this...
~clean work bench while kids nap
~make valentines with the kids
~plant the veggie garden with the kids
~read Dawn of the Dinosaurs with Alexander
~crawl around the living room pretending to be a t-Rex chasing the kids
~cook dinner with Meggie

It was a blissful afternoon :O)

Hubby is working on the computer, he's hoping to have it up and running by tomorrow. We don't think we lost any info from out hard drive. HOPING!!!

How did you spend your Monday?

Today I love...Movies (28 things I love in Feb.)

Romantic girlie movies to be exact. I'm such a romantic at heart, I could just watch these over and over and over again.

This afternoon Rob has all the kids while he watches the Super Bowl so I can work work work, on orders, and a very full convo inbox!

What are you up to today? Did you join in on the 28 things i love in Feb? What do you love today?

(Due to many requests, My recipe for Chicken tortilla soup will be posted tomorrow)

Happy Sunday!
Canela

Today I love surprises!

I made two of these to give to my girls this Valentines, or rather for Daddy to give to them. Daddy gives them something special each year.

When I was a little girl my dad would always give my sister and I a gift on Valentines. I love those memories, and I want my girls to have happy memories too.

I posted this sweet little necklace in my shop today. I made 10 that are ready to ship if you are still looking for a last minute gift :O)

Oh did I mention they are on sale till Valentines?!

A month of love...

When I visited my friend Allison's blog yesterday I saw that she is taking part in "28 things I love in February"

It's a flicker group. I'm not part of the flicker group (haven't figured flicker out yet!) But I love the concept so I'm joining in on my blog here :O)



Today it's

Yummy homemade Chicken tortilla soup and diet coke!

What do you love today? Share here or on your blog! Then stop back by tomorrow too! Don't forget to stop by Allison's blog, her photos are GORGEOUS!

Cheers!
Canela

Love...

How often do I say this.... I have a new Favorite!!!!! I know I say it pretty often :O)

I made this for one of my volunteers, but I will most definitely make my self one soon!!

This little beauty has a solid thick focal piece that I make entirely by hand. The front will have a heart to represent each of your loved ones. On the back I can stamp a special message or names. I anchored it to 3 different style of chains peppered with a variety of fresh water pearls.

It's romantic and feminine, solid and slightly rustic.

I'll have it listed in my shop by the end of the day.

Because I love it so much It will be on sale until Valentines day at 30% off!!

it will be $66.oo till Feb 14th and then it will go up to $95.

Canela :O)

Oh my happy heart!

Have I ever mentioned my house is full of fine art? I love art! It makes my heart so happy.

These are my most recent acquisitions...

:O)