30 Words: Fancy Dress

Fancy lady in fancy dress,

All ready for the ball.

Head to toe posies and leaves, 

Preparing to twirl across the grand lawns 

And through the gardens, 

Blossoms trailing behind.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

I took this picture on our recent trip to Asheville, NC in the gardens at the Biltmore.

30 Words: Gingerbread Cottage

A tropical cookie of a gingerbread house 

nestled atop an island getaway.

No witches lurk here... 

Only fabric artists waiting to lure 

travelers inside 

with promises of colorful batik wares.  

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

I took this picture during the Bead Cruise this year when we visited a Batik factory on St. Kitts.

30 Words: Taste the Rainbow

It’s a delicious RAINBOW... 

a yummy color riot.  

But please don’t eat these 

candy hued little guys!  

They are definitely beads, 

NOT candy... 

Well, eye candy perhaps!  

But still delectable.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

These little beads are the color choices from my upcoming class at Unearthed Arts, Jewelry Making: Artfully Etched Necklace.  Local peeps, want to come take a class with me?

30 Words: A Skinny House

One of the skinniest houses 

in the world...  

I could live with 

having to suck it in to 

move around my furniture if 

I could just stay where it’s 

WARM!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

I took this picture when the Bead Cruise docked in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  This is La Casa Estrecha, The Narrow House in Old San Juan.  At five feet wide, this bright little gem is one of the narrowest houses in the world.  It stretches 36 feet back and is two stories high.  

30 Words: Read a Book!

Open an book’s pages and 

entire worlds await you.  

Be transported back in time, 

into the future, 

or just into someone else’s life.  

Looking for adventure?  

Simply read a book!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

I took this picture at the public library in Ligonier, PA when we visited for the Inspired by Reading Book Club last fall.  I was enchanted by this book castle and its felt residents and snapped a quick photo.  

30 Words: Room With a View

A room with a view of 

this city I’ve come to embrace.  

Snapshot from a glorious weekend in the city, 

taking in a new perspective on things.  

Good morning, Minneapolis!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

I took this photo using the panorama feature on my iphone from the window of my hotel room last weekend.  It was a novel experience staying in a hotel room downtown in a city I often traverse on the street level.  My friend Kathleen and I were blessed with glorious, sunny weather for this weekend on the town!

30 Words: Prickly Pear

Sometimes I’m a prickly pear... 

all pointy spikes and sharp barbs. 

I don’t mean to be.  

It’s simply a way to cope.  

Approach at your own risk 

when I bristle.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: Out With the Old

The last vestiges of 

Christmas cheer 

have been dragged to the curb 

leaving only a trail of dried needles behind.  

Time for out with the old, 

in with the new!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: A Very Beady Christmas!

Merry 

Christmas 

to you all!!!  

I must have been a 

VERY good girl this year 

because Santa left me lots of 

fabulous, beady gifts under the tree! 

Now to play!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

Wishing all my friends, family, and readers a Very Merry Christmas!  ... or a Happy Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Festivus... or whatever holiday you and yours choose to celebrate!  

Per usual, Eric spoiled me with jewelry making books and supplies as well as tons of lovely art beads.  Some of my new pretties are from artists that I know and love (Miss Erin herself, Suburban Girl, Jetta Bug Jewelry, and Andrew Thornton), and some artists new to me (Sheila Davis, Beads of Passion, and Summer Wind Art).  Now to get my beads organized and get creating!  

30 Words: The Christmas Present

What’s the best present under the tree?  

Well, I am of course!  

The handsomest too!    

But I promise to cuddle the other gifts, 

keeping them warm for you until Christmas.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: Time Keeps Ticking

Where does all the time go?  

The year disappears 

one tick, 

        one tock 

               at a time.

We try to capture it, 

but it’s slip slides 

through our fingers 

and away.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

This photo was taken on our trip to Pennsylvania in October when we went on a field trip to the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh with Andrew Thornton.

30 Words: Disco Ball?

Hanging in a darkened room, 

ornate patterns punched in tin 

spray the wooden ceiling and walls 

with swirls and whirls of light.  

Could it be a 

Colonial era disco ball?

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: The Book!

If you've been following my blog this year, you've seen the occasional post from me for 30 Word Thursday.  The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple and anyone can play along... just take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This blogging project is the brain child of my friend Erin Prais-Hintz and has been a fun way to share some photos and really condense my thoughts down to their barest essence.  

To celebrate and document the year we have shared in 30 Words, Erin has decided to publish a print on demand book featuring a selection of 30 Words entries from the year.  I'm proud to say that Erin has chosen a few of my 30 Words for inclusion and Eric has some in there too!

Erin's goal is to raise $1000-$2000 through the sale of this book.  She will donate 40% of the purchase price to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of her mother who suffers from this horrible disease.

I think that this little book would make a great gift.  If you are interested in finding out more check out Erin's blog post HERE or to go straight to where you can purchase a copy (or copies!) please click HERE.

30 Words: Happy Birthday to My Love

Wishing the happiest of birthdays 

to my sweet husband Eric today...  

My best friend, my confidante, my partner in crime.

I’m so very lucky to have you in my life!

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

This picture is from our recent trip to Disneyland over in Cars Land in Disney California Adventure.  After such a great trip there we have the Disney bug again and are plotting a return to Disney World to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary in 2016.

30 Words: Me and My Shadow

Just me and my shadow...

I turn around and there I am again,

stretched out long and lean and tall.

We wander together through the orchard 

this gorgeous fall day.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: Selfies are Hard

Selfies are hard...  

For every semi-decent shot 

like this there are ten 

where we are laughing too hard, 

looking the wrong direction, 

or someone’s decapitated.  

I’m not sharing those.  

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: Taking the Plunge!

Like water rushing over falls 

I am taking the plunge. 

Charting a new course 

Down the river of life.   

Not entirely sure where 

it will take me, 

but excited nonetheless.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found, pop on over there to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

So as to not freak anyone out, I suppose that I should explain my 30 words this week.  After over 15 years working as a public librarian, I've decided to step away from my chosen career to pursue jewelry making full-time.  I will always be a librarian at heart (and have the diploma to prove it!) but feel that it's time to make a change and see where I can go with my art.  I'm so lucky and thankful to all my friends and family who have been so supportive to me in making this tough decision...  I'm especially fortunate to have the love and support (and maybe the firm push) from my sweet husband.  I couldn't ask for anyone better to share this journey with!

And as an additional p.s., this photo was taken by me on my iPhone at Gooseberry Falls State Park in July 2014.  

30 Words: New Pretties

I am such a lucky girl to get 

such gorgeous new pretties 

for my birthday.  

My special sweetie knows 

that the way to this girl’s heart 

is often through beads!  

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found.  Click HERE to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

For my 40th birthday, my sweet husband got me a year's subscription to Erin's Simple Truths Sampler Club and I couldn't be more thrilled with my first two months!  Erin hasn't shared with the world what she did for June and July (or I missed it in the hustle and bustle!) but I had to share because they are amazing!!

30 Words: Feet on the Ground

Sometimes I wonder 

if I really have 

my feet planted firmly on the ground... 

I have to give a look 

and double check 

that I haven’t floated off 

into unreality.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found.  Click HERE to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

30 Words: The Gears are Turning

My main problem is that I have

So many ideas, so little time...

Circle upon circle, spoke within spoke,

The gears inside my head seem to 

Turn and grind nonstop.

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The premise of 30 Word Thursday is simple... take a photo, write 30 words (no more, no less) and post it each Thursday.  This is a blog hop hosted by Erin Prais-Hintz over on her blog Treasures Found.  Click HERE to see her post for this week as well as links to the 30 Words from everyone else.

This photo was taken in June at the old Phelps Mill in Ottertail County, Minnesota.