I'm the Featured Crafter on the Crafty Hands Club

I was tickled to no end (and a bit intimidated) when Carriece of The Crafty Hands Club Magazine contacted me several weeks ago about doing an interview for an article on her site. And, today, that article goes live! 

In the feature, you'll get to learn a little more about me as a crafter as well as about my journey to where I am today. 

Make sure you head over to The Crafty Hands Club to read all about me!

Big thanks go to Carriece for this honor and pleasure!

I'm a Jewelry Superstar!

Exciting News!!

Several weeks ago, I was contacted by Cat from Cut Out + Keep to see if I would be interested in being their Jewelry Superstar for a week.

Would I!? Cat asked me to put together seven tutorials to be shared over a week's time. I hinted at these projects on my September Goal Review and on a WOYWW post.  This is the week! My first tutorial went live yesterday, along with an artist interview and links to some of my social media.

Here's what Monday's tutorial was, a Button Bangle.

And, today's tutorial of Sweet Key Earrings has already been revealed as well.

You'll have to check back throughout the week to see what other tutorials I shared. And, while you're on the site, take a minute to explore. There are a ton of great tutorials and inspiration!!

I'd like to thank Cat for asking me to participate in this. It's been a pleasure and an honor. Thank you!

Now, go check it out and let me know what you think!

Summery Jewelry in the Etsy Shop

It's been a while since I've shared some of the pieces available in the CraftyHope Etsy shop. Right now, I've got lots of jewelry that feels like summertime to me.

There's just something about a bright pop of color that screams of summer. These earrings display that well. 

Bright Blooms Earrings

While the color in this bracelet is a bit more subdued, there's still lots of it. The blue is beachy and the sparkle is reminiscent of the sun glinting off the waves.

Crystal Owl Bracelet

Something about the rustic-ness of this necklace hints of autumn, but the blue-green and pearly white highlights look like frothy surf.

Blue Green Brass Keyhole necklace

You saw these bracelets in my ZnetShows Creative Spark reveal. I could see the argument that they are more winter-related. However, sea glass will always bring it back around to summertime. 

Matte and  Sparkle Triple Bracelet Set

Again, I can see this one as perfect for Winter, but the lightness and airy-ness of it gives off a summery vibe.

Aqua Flower Brooch Necklace

Lastly, the quirky and bright nature of these earrings are a fun little pop of summer. Of course, I see them transitioning well into the Fall with the rusty found objects in them.

Rusty Plum and Button Earrings

Of course, there's more in the shop and more coming. I'll be transitioning to more fall-inspired accessories before too long. What do you look for in seasonal accessories?

Menu, Recipe Review, and Tidbits

After so much chaos for the last several weeks (or is it months now. . .), I have to boast that I did pretty darn well staying on track with the menu this past week. We didn't eat out near as much since our plans didn't change as often as they normally do. Actually. . . writing that out kinda makes me feel like we're settling into a boring routine rather than doing something admirable. I guess I'll get over that soon enough, especially since I should realize that we ate really well.

I actually made the above breakfast over the weekend. Now, if I could only get my butt in gear and get breakfast made/eaten on the weekdays as well. It's always a struggle isn't it? Here's what I hope we'll have this week.

Breakfasts:Cereal, Smoothies, Grits/oatmeal, Yogurt w/granola, Monkey Muffins, Breakfast burritos

Lunches: Leftovers, Hoagie bread pizzas, PB&J, Turkey panini, Cheese quesidilla, Soup w/grilled cheese, Tuna noodles

Dinners:

Cheesy Taco Casserole

Shepherd's Pie

Roasted Broccoli and Cheddar Soup

Lemon Basil Pasta (no chicken) w/salad

Slow Cooker Soy Glazed Chicken with Stir Fry Veggies over rice

I'm linking up with Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

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Recipe Review

Since I actually made most of the meals on the menu, I have some recipes to review. Woohoo!

Spicy Peanut Butter Tofu: This has become a staple tofu recipe in our house. Peanut butter and spiciness = WIN!! I did use reconstituted PB2 for the peanut butter and it worked out really well.

Spicy Peanut Butter Tofu (along with green beans and yellow rice)

Portabella Mushroom Cheesesteaks: I'll admit that I was on the fence about these. I'm not a huge bell pepper fan and Pat doesn't really do onions. But they looked so good. I just tried to make sure I got more onions and less bell peppers and vice versa for him. We LOVED these. He went on and on about them. Since they  were so easy, I'll probably be making them again.

Portabella Mushroom Cheesesteaks (with sweet potato waffle fries)

30 Minute Veggie Tortellini Soup: We enjoyed this. That's about all I can say about it. It was a good, healthy-ish soup. I wasn't a huge fan of the green beans in it, but it was a fine soup. I may make it again.

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Random Tidbits

Last week I joined up with several linky parties since I had the Easy Calzone Recipe to share. This week, that recipe is a featured post at Claire Justine for Creative Monday!

How cool is that!?

Finally, I fiddled with my blog header over the weekend and would love to know what you think of this new one. Constructive criticism welcome!
Here's hoping your Monday has been kind to you and that you have an amazing week!

Breaking out the Bullet Post and a Meal Plan

I'm sure y'all are plenty tired of pictures from my vacation. Here's just one more (for now) of what my view was most days there.

Ahhhhhh!

After a week of Spring Breaking it, I've got tons to catch back up on online, business-related, and around the house. There's all kinds of tidbits to share so this will be a bit of a scattered post. (Caution, lots of exclamation points ahead.)

~ First a funny. Pat put the location of the house we rented for the week in the GPS as "Spring Break 2012." So when we arrived there she said, "Now arriving at your destination; Spring Break 2012." It was awesome! (I'm easily amused.)
~ Before leaving for the week, I submitted my Hunger Games Necklace post to a few sites and the kind jewelry editor over at Craft Gossip actually featured it as Jewelry Inspired by The Hunger Games!! Woot!

~ While at the beach, I had some time to catch up on my blog reading (somewhat) and discovered that I had won the Art Bead Scene weekly giveaway of some Gaea beads. Hurray!
~ Jenna over at Honey Bijou named me as one of her March 2012 Hive Five. I'm on the list with some pretty impressive individuals and am blown away by this honor! Thanks so much Jenna!!

~ The Button Swap partner list has been announced and my partner is none other than the amazing Brenda Salzano of the Salzanos blog and Salzanos Etsy shop. Now to figure out what to send an awesome artist that she doesn't already have! Any ideas?
~ GIVEAWAY ALERT!! Davinia at Deez News is giving away some of the beads she picked up on her recent trip to Bali. Entering is as simple as leaving a comment on her blog!

~ Even though we're all still recovering from Sally's Colors of Spring Blog Hop, she's already announced another one; The One Color Crayon Challenge. She's only accepting 60 participants in this blog hop and sign ups are open until the 5th. Hop on board!

~ To top it all off, today's Menu Plan Monday! Here's my plan.

Breakfasts: Cereal/oatmeal, breakfast burritos, whole wheat waffles, peanut butter toast, potato bacon casserole

Lunches: ham sandwiches, pizza (from freezer), pesto chicken panini, pizza quesidillas, leftovers, soup w/grilled cheese

Dinners: 

Chicken Marsala w/broccoli & pasta

Turkey cutlets w/mushroom rice & mashed sweet potatoes

Shrimp and rice pea bowl

Gouda stovetop mac-n-cheese w/mixed veggies

As always, there's more Menu Plan Monday at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

~Before leaving on vacation, I failed to mention these new earrings in the shop.

Beach Weather Earrings

~ I recognize another month has come and gone. I'm hoping to organize a monthly goals roundup post in the next little while (that could be hours or days, we'll see!) so stay tuned for that excitement! ;)

Sorry to be all bullets, but I've got a ton of unpacking to do and you should smell these dirty clothes after being damp all week (the beach will ensure you stay damp all week, we're not nasty or anything.) So, I'm off for now. Here's hoping you are enjoying your Monday!