Amethyst Necklace

I have forgotten to ask Dell to photograph the last couple creations..and now they are given away. But this time I remembered before sending this one off as a gift. I found that with such large stones, I had to use .018 wire, and that gave me trouble when I tried to double it back through the small stones. So in the end, I had a gap. Normally I'd cover that with a crimp cover but I'm out and the weekend is ahead, and we have a "low country boil" planned with the family. So, in the spirit of Amish tradition, I offer this imperfect creation.

Touring Around

Today Della and I went to a daylily farm. She took scads of pictures, which she's going to post I'm sure, and I bought 2 plants. I have never seriously thought about daylilys, but after walking up and down among hundreds of plants of many types, I am thinking about a perennial bed with lilys as the focals.
On the way home we didn't take I-95. Instead we went up Hwy. 1 and happened across Stonewall Jackson's Shrine. It's a nice little place with the actual bed that he died in, very well kept up.
We ended up by stopping at a Goodwill in Massaponax and then getting a coke and ice cream at the Sonic acrss the street. I was a little worried about the traffic on the way back, since the 4th of July weekend traffic has already started building, but we had a quick drive home. Just in time for chores and dinner!

Two days of low-humidity, 70 degree weather: what a nice break! We are starting on the job of cleaning up Seb's basement apartment after the flood. Loads and loads of mildewy clothes are being washed, and tomorrow we'll tackle organizing. After donuts.

To those who commented earlier on a necklace

Thank you for the nice feedback! As soon as Della teaches me how to reply to a comment, I will. Rosie, I did look at your blog and decided, even after wedding cake, that your baking was making me want to head to the kitchen.

JOYOUS OCCASION OCCURS IN BEALETON, VIRGINIA!
Ansil (oldest son) and his bride Danielle, married May 29, 2010.
The wedding was wonderful, and everyone seemed to enjoy the reception. Danielle's parents, Tim and Cindy Burrington, rented a wonderful white tent, her godmother and aunt did lots of beautiful flowers, and Aimee from Christ Covenant did a three tier cake.
There were chickens and baby goats for the children, and I hear every little girl went away with a bouquet.

Public Service Announcements

1. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOMMY! I'm so glad I don't have to share you with siblings anymore. You are all mine! Enjoy your day and the umbrella. :)

2.The URL for the blog has changed, so if you are viewing this post (or any posts) through a reader, please make sure to update your links.

-Mommy's Little Helper (Della)

Coral Reef Brown

This set started with a neat focal bead ( I think I begged it off my sister Susan). The brown coral is from Michael's (half price, so $2). The metal beads are copper. The other beads are dalmation jasper and some unidentified cream stones. I like the way all the subtle colors worked together, even though I wouldn't usually pair a black and white stone with browns.