Merry Christmas!

Hubby and the Grandchildren

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MIA Again ;(

Okay, so I've been missing in action again. No excuses, just can't keep up with it all. I'm so sad to see I've lost quite a few follows but I know I deserve it. I keep trying and saying I'm going to make it in BlogLand, I really love it :) I really don't know how so many of you manage blogging every day and I'm sure most of you have so much more on your plate.

I love post pictures and sharing, I love reading the comments, I love reading other blogs.....I just don't know what to say except I'm sorry. Sometimes I be at someones blog really enjoying it, leave and think, oh my goodness, you forgot to leave a comment. I really want to be here. I wish there was more time in the day.

I was planning on having a wonderful giveaway for Christmas and again time is getting away from me. I use to be a real organized person, but not anymore, and it's something I fight with on a daily basis.

Would love to have some of you share any tips you might have for me to be a better blogger.

Hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow.....hope eveyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
xo candice

CUPCAKES! YUM

Hi everyone! Yesterday I had my 4 yr. old grandson Caleb and we baked cupcakes! He tried frosting them but to my surprise didn't like it! So he just did the decorating but wow, did I have to watch that! I think the whole container would have been on the 1st cupcake, lol!

We have him every Tuesday and he's such a joy! Thought I'd show ya a couple of pics!
I love Wednesday's, it's $1.00 taco night at "Fairways" and we go every Wednesday night, yum!!! Have a wonderful week! candice♥

Fall Up North!

Hi everyone! Here's some picture from our recent visit to Mackinaw City, Michigan!
Seemed every time we turned around there was a fudge shop, lol! We had a wonderful time with friends and went over to the Island. I'll post pics of the Island tomorrow!

I really have a lot to blog about so I just need to get better with this! I think I need to post some pics of my grandchildren. Have a wonderful week and hopefully I'll be back in a couple of days!

Cottage On The River

Today we went to a huge event in a small town about 1/2 hour away from our home. It was a beautiful sunny day but the air was crisp and cool! About 53 degrees! What ever happened to our "Indian Summer"? I think we missed it recently when we were in Georgia. Right now as I'm typing this our late news is on and he's talking snow flakes tomorrow, yikes!

So this big event we went to is called the "AppleButter Fest" and it's in GrandRapids, Ohio. A whole lotta people turn out for this every year! I'll post picture's of it tomorrow because what I really want to post is about my good friend Karen's Shop which is right in the town where this is held! It's called Cottage On The River and it's just the cutest shop, I love it. There's a river that runs behind it with a gorgeous view! My friend and her daughter Erika own and run the shop. They also carry my jewelry.

So right now I'm going to post pictures of their beautiful shop and hope you enjoy! Of coarse I have to post a picture of Karen and Erika!

And I can't wait till it's decorated for Christmas, it's the most gorgeous place to be! I'll be sure and get pictures to post when they have their Christmas Open House :) One year I even helped decorate,hmmm, maybe they need help again!

YUM! APPLE PIE TODAY!

Hot out of the oven and on the menu today, Apple Pie! The steam was still rising when I took these pictures, lol!

I'm having my daughter, my son-in-law and 2 grandchildren for dinner today and on the menu is Lasagna, Olive Garden Bread Sticks and Apple Pie! Yum! We were recently in Georgia and missed both my daughter and son in laws birthdays :( So I'm making up for it!

Here's my recipe for Old Fashion Apple Pie!

1 cup sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 4 tablespoons flour and a dash of salt.
6 cups apples ( I use equal of Granny Smith, McIntosh and Jonathon apples)
2 T butter
Pillsbury Pie Crust ( I use to always make my crust from scratch, but Pillsbury has made it too easy)

Combine sugar,cinnamon, flour and salt. Add this to your sliced apples and toss lightly. Pour into pie plate and dot with butter. Make slits on top of crust.

Bake at 425 for 40-50 minutes. (I love mixing these 3 kinds of apples together)

Hope you're all having a wonderful Fall Sunday!

Something I Purchased

I'm going to start doing this more, sharing some of the wonderful things I purchase on Etsy! And do I ever purchase a lot....

Lisa of "sunflowerexpress" on Etsy custom made this felt bracelet for me and it's so cute I need to share it with you! I asked for white and off white in color, and I love the vintage buttons she sewed on it! Her hand work is exceptional!

I just went to her shop and she has some adorable ornaments I hearted for a future purchase :)

Have a wonderful day everyone! candice ♥

I'm Back!

Hi Everyone! I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and be a better blogger! I love it but am having a lot of trouble managing everything in my life. Like I'm back from vacation and have sooo much to do. Hubby says "just pick one thing", but when there's a million things how do you pick just one???

I downloaded 368 vacation pics this morning, took pictures of a new bracelet and listed it on Etsy for starters! With the wonderful items I found while in GA I have so many designs swirling in my head, I want so much to just go upstairs to my studio and just design but...... There's unpacking and laundry that go hand in hand with vacation :( I have so much catching up to do with you all, wonderful purchases on etsy I've made I want to share, vacation pictures, but they will have to wait a little!

Here's a couple of pics of my sweet grandchildren in Georgia! Hailey just turned 11 and Alex turned 6 while we were there! Oh, and a pic of my new bracelet just listed this morning!

(((hugs)))
candice

AWESOME GIVEAWAY!

Here's a great giveaway you're not going to want to miss! It's Sherry's 1000th sale!!

Visit her blog and check out her amazing giveaway and then be sure and check out her Etsy shop!

I'm At My Son's In Georgia!

If anyone has any suggestions of places to go for antique and vintage hunting please let me know!

We are here for the week so I have lot's of time with the two grandchildren in school during the day!

Tomorrow we are going to Brazelton to my favorite antique shop!!! YIPPEE! Hopefully lot's of pictures of wonderful finds when I get home :)

My Grandson and 7 Week Old Tiger

Hubby and I had our 4 yr. old grandson Caleb all day while Mom and Dad took his sister to college. Yes, you heard right....my beautiful daughter has an 18 yr. old and a 4 yr. old!!! YIKES! So we took him to have an upclose experience playing with a 7 week old tiger. I LOVE this picture!

It cost $30 for the 3 of us to go in with the tiger for 8 minutes and it was so worth it!

Hope you're all having a wonderful, peaceful and relaxing weekend!

The Jeweled Postcard Has Been MIA

I'll try and not make up a ton of excuses as to where I've been...I really do love blogging and always have something to tell you all or share with you! I have always been a pretty organized person all my life, everything in order neat and tidy. So where in the world did that person go???????

I retired last year and everything has fallen apart at the seams :( I've thrown myself into promoting my Etsy shop so I'm constantly designing, making messes, cleaning up my messes, taking pictures, on the computer, cleaning up more messes, trying to get organized, yikes, my life has changed so much in the past year. And of coarse at this time of the year I have shows to get ready for, stores want my jewelry, I just don't know how ya all do it? I feel constantly under preasure for one thing or another I just don't know what to do? I love visiting and reading other blogs, it's not that I don't want to visit, I'm just trying to figure out how to do it all.....any ideas or suggestions on how you manage all this in your daily lives I sure would love to hear! I'm so frustrated and I think hubby is wondering where the old "candice" is???

Okay....now that I've shared some feelings, we just got back from a 3 day trip to Chicago! I've never been there...do ya believe that! I've been to Hawaii but not Chicago. So here's a few pictures to share, and maybe a new piece of jewelry too!

A Fantastic Summer Sweet!

I know summer is fading fast but I just found this recipe and wanted to share it with all my blogging friends! It's sooo delicious, yum, or as Rachel Ray would say....YUMO! Wish I had a beautiful picture for you....I should have asked my friend Kathi, doesn't she find the most gorgeous pictures!

SWEET FRUIT SALSA:
1 pt. fresh strawberries
4 Kiwi's
1 mango
1 apple
2 nectarines

Cut up all the fruit and then put in your food processor with sugar to taste. (you'll have to just add to your taste) PULSATE only till chopped into tiny pieces.

Dip with "cinnamento" chips! When I recieved this recipe the only place I could find these chips were at Meijer Grocery Stores, but I'm sure they're out in other brands by now!

This is sooo delicious, it's a must try :) Have a sunny Sunday!

Sharon of ShardonExclusives, if you could email me your address I would love to get your necklace to you ASAP! Same with "Sandi" who picked the name "chloe" for my dress form!

FREE SHIPPING!

Happy Friday To All! Just a quick update to let you all know I am offering FREE Shipping in my Etsy shop the entire weekend! If there's something you've had your eye on, now is the time to purchase! Thanks, and have an awesome sunny weekend!

candice♥

And The Winner Is..........

Thank you all so very much for the lovely comments, signing up to follow my blog, twitter, face book fan page and blogging about my giveaway! So without further delay the winner is:
ShardonExclusives!

Also, Ive decided to give a second item away to.....Sandi! I love the name "chloe" too!

This took me the better part of the day to figure out how many times everyone got their names put in, so I am telling you all right now and remind me if I forget....
I will never ask you to do so much to win my giveaway again. lol!!!!

As soon as I get complete names and addresses your items will be on their way ladies!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

House of Gems Contest!

Fellow Artists:

Looking for a Few Good Featured Artists:

Do you do a happy dance when you come across a gemstone you don't already own?

Do you find that every conversation you have comes back to your latest jewelry project?

Do you love to help other people on their projects by giving tips or showing them step-by-step how to do things?

If you answered to yes to any of these questions, we may have the perfect opportunity for you. If you answered yes to all three, then consider this destiny.

House of Gems is looking for Featured Artists to spotlight and promote on our website. In addition to the opportunity to present yourself as an artist, you will also generate traffic to your personal blog, Etsy store or social media profile. Artists may also be given opportunities to test new products, receive additional discounts and be the first to be informed of new releases.

Fill out entry for here at the
"house of gems"
Grand Prize (1):
$1000 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.com
Runners Up (1):
$500 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.com
Consolation Prize (5)
$100 Shopping Spree on HouseofGems.com

Timeline:
Contest runs July 18th, 2009 thru August 15th, 2009

I'm Back! And So Ready For My Giveaway!

Hi everyone! Just got home from vacation yesterday and have so much to share with you! We had a great time visiting my daughter Danielle! She lives in Isle of Palms, SC, only sad thing is we always go to my son's in GA and it just didn't work this time ;( I miss my 2 little ones sooo much but they started back to school Thursday the day we would have arrived there. But we are going in September for both their birthdays!

Like I said, I have so much to share from vacation but right now the most imporatant thing is my giveaway I've been trying to have for several weeks! So here's the scoop!

It starts now and for the rules all you have to do is go to my shop and come back here and comment on your favorite item.

Here's a chance to get some extra bonus entries: I purchased this sweet vintage dress form I have pictured above and I would like help naming her. One extra entry if you leave your name choice for my dress form.

Follow me on my blog 1 entry, become a fan on facebook 2 entries FaceBook!
Follow me on twitter for 1 entry. If you blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment recieve 2 extra entries.

Giveaway ends August 12th, winner will be drawn on Aug. 13th.

The necklace I'm giving away is designed using "vintaj" brass chain, a vintage brass crown setting, a sweet image of a beautiful flower set under a magnifying cabochon. Under the setting dangles a gorgeous white cotton pearl capped with a "vintaj" brass bead cap! AND....for having to wait so long for my giveaway something extra will be included in the package!!!!!

My giveaway starts now and ends on Wednesday at midnight. Good luck to you all!
candice~

Here's my new lady waiting for a name!

Grandaughter and Vintage

Does this book look familiar to anyone? I bought this when my 1st grandchild
(grandaughter) was born and read it to her all the time, we both loved "Old Bear"! I just found it in the little girls room upstairs and it sure brings back a lot of memories as this grandaughter is now 18 and graduated this yr. It has a "little bear" with it but have not found it yet, but I will. So this book has 2 more years to go and it's VINTAGE! And don't we just love vintage.

I wanted to share some of the pictures with you as this book means a lot to me.

Just to let you know we're leaving for vacation in the morning and hubby's bringing his laptop so I'm hoping to have time to check in from time to time.

Because I've put my giveaway on hold for another week I'm going to sweeten the package!
candice xo

So Excited My Followers Are Back!

I'm so excited they're back but I wonder what happened??? I tried to follow many blogs in the past week and couldn't. Anyway, my big show is behind me so I thought I'd post a couple of pictures! Weather was beautiful, a little windy which caused my necklace displays to keep blowing over, but I'm not going to complain! My sales were awesome!

Beautiful Collage of Colors

Sweet Alyson of "keen to be seen" convoed me through etsy and let me know she used my lilac earrings in her collage! So naturally I went right over to her blog and low and behold was the most beautiful collage she had put together with "lilac, bronze and dark chocolate. Here's the collage but there more to see so I'd love it if you'd introduce yourself and check out the rest of the post!

Just a little FYI, our giveaway has been moved to next week, but I think you'll find the wait is worth it!

Thank you friends!

Some Vintage Gems Repurposed!

Thought I'd show you what I've been up to today!