Nostalgia

They say that the sense of smell triggers the most memories. I would have to agree, though taste runs a close second, especially when you associate it with family recipes. My older daughter and her friend decided to "be domestic" and make some desserts. One of them was a family recipe for "The Best Chocolate Cake Ever". It's a lusciously rich chocolate cake with a touch of cinnamon! We used to have this cake when I was growing up and it was a favorite to take with us on our weekend boat trips when we lived in the Seattle area.

Anyway, I came home and the house smelled delicious and then I had a piece of cake and the wonderful chocolaty/cinnamon flavors just melted on my tongue and make me think of some of the happiest times in my life. Ahhh, childhood! Made me miss my mom, too. She taught me how to make that cake...

BAO Items of the Week

I'm a little late posting this, but here are the gorgeous pieces that are Items of the Week for the Bead Art Originals Street Team. There are specials or free shipping or an extra from each of the participants.

Did You Vote Yet?

If you haven't voted for your favorite beadwoven piece in this month's challenge, go to the Etsy Beadweavers Blog and vote! My entry is #25...in case you were wondering! :)You have until midnight (EST) of August 15th to cast your vote, so don't miss your opportunity!

For Fun: What Olympic Sport Are You?

You Are Softball

While you do like competing, you like cooperating even more. You find working with a group to be much more invigorating than going solo. You are a true team player. You like contributing to the win!

What Olympic Sport Are You?

The Jade Dog

Darcy of The Jade Dog is celebrating her second "Etsy-versary" and I wanted to help her celebrate by featuring her work and sites! Her pieces are absolutely stunning and have been featured in, among other places, the Bead & Button "Bead Dreams Competition 2007".
Check out her shop:

Her destash bead shop:

And her blog: The Jade Dog
I am so honored to be a member of the Bead Art Originals Street Team with her!

Yes, I Changed My Template

I decided that the last one was too restrictive, so I opted for a new "stretch" template. I like it so far, though I couldn't use my banner because it was too small. I might try to make up a new one, but then again, maybe I'll leave it as is for now. Let me know what you think!

The Voting Has Started!

Please go to the Etsy Beadweavers blog to vote for your favorite piece in the August Challenge "Art Deco"! Voting starts today and ends at midnight (EST) August 15th.

Go here, vote now!

EBWC "Art Deco"

Here are the entries...aren't they gorgeous? The voting starts the 9th, so don't forget to check out each entry and vote for your favorite! Voting can be done at the Etsy Beadweavers Blog!

Items of Note

Don't forget to look up all the beautiful pieces that have been entered in the Etsy Beadweaver August Challenge "Art Deco". Just enter "EBWC" in the tags and titles search on Etsy to see them all! You can also see them on the EBW blog. Voting will start on August 9th, so please vote for your favorite!

Check out the new group I was invited to join! Bead Art Originals is a select group of creators of bead art and beadweaving. There are some amazing artists in this group and I am truly honored to be a part of it!

EntreCard has brought a LOT of traffic to my blog and in the process I have found some great new blogs that I really enjoy reading. I am hoping that through Entrecard and the two Etsy teams, I will be able to get my name and art out there for more people to see. I love creating my beadweaving pieces and hope that I can share that love with others.

Yeah!

OK, I'm bypassing the upload thing and going straight from Flickr! Here is my piece for the Etsy Beadweaver August Challenge "Art Deco". I've called it "Stars of the Sea". Let me know what you think!