Lovey's been published

My blog friend Lovey from Fabric Photo Memories has published a very lovely craft book.  She is the writer, photographer, did the layout and got it published all by herself.  What an accomplishment, huh?


Lovey was one of my first blog friends who offered her suggestions and help while I learned to navigate the blog world.  Since, I've admired her work and dedication to preserving and honoring beautiful African American ladies from the 1700's and early 1900's.   She creates beautiful photo collages and essentially is archiving and preserving history.

Meet my friend Lovey

This is the cover of the book.  Isn't it beautiful?

Click on this picture for sales information.

Here are some samples of her collages.  I simply love the all the materials she uses in her compositions - vintage lace, jewelry, etc -  they adorn the photos just so.  Don't they make nice hanging photo collages?  

Here are some lovelies awaiting their turn.  

Lovey also has an Etsy shop,LoveyJ, where you can purchase her original work as she meticulously collects all her material and vintage findings for her creations.    
Friends I hope you enjoy perusing Lovey's work.  I am happy and proud to call Lovey my friend and hope you have the opportunity to become her friend too.  
Thanks my friends!

"Say hello to my little friend"

I'm a very happy girl now.  I have my new toy to play with - my iMAC!  Not bragging ladies, just sharing my happiness with you.   But let me also share my frustration with my old computer.  It was just not cutting it any more.  I literally had to turn it on, walk away, let it load up and then return in 10 minutes.  My husband tried everything but could not get it to run any better.  It all happened after I saw that popular commercial promising that your computer would run faster and  better after you did x,y and z.  Don't believe it, it's a bunch of crock.  It messed everything up, it hid files, slowed it even more, crashed, blocked us from accessing anything literally, and kept finding a gazillion errors and viruses- all fake.  He called the so called company and of course, they tried to sell him a program to clean it up and to maintain it.  They helped, supposedly delete their download, but it just would not work.  He finally started researching on going to different blogs and found that it was all a scheme to sign you up for their service.  

If you happen to get in the same mess I did, I suggest you go to thisbleepingcomputer.com.  They provided us with information to be able to restore the computer to a workable state.  However it was not the same.  At least they gave us resources to be able to retrieve all our information and thousands of family treasured photos.  We probably could have taken it in to clean up even more, but we decided it was time to upgrade. I've been a Mac fan for years - that's what I use at work - but my husband has slowly converted. 

"Say hello to my little friend"

I hope to you don't ever experience this.  You can't believe the anxiety I experienced when I thought I had lost everything. The moral of this story is don't download shtuff you don't know anything about, k ladies?  Has anyone else experienced this?  Hugs to all of you.


Jenny

Welcome to "Where Bloggers Create 2011" 3rd Annual Blog Party

Hello WBC Party Friends !




My Desert Cottage

Thank you Karen for coordinating this great event!
Thank you for coming by or coming back and visiting.  I am always happy to entertain blogalistas - is that a word - I'm using it anyway.
Here are a few pictures of my work area.  I cleaned up for you just a bit cause it's usually not this clean, I must confess.  Hope you enjoy.  


This is what you see as you enter.

 My Blogging station

A closer look.  That thing with the black screen is going away soon.  It has been misbehaving and has been giving me fits so I have upgraded to an iMAC...YAY!

This is my view at my work table.

This is what I see from my work table  if i look up.  I use the white boxes  to store supplies I really don't use often.

And this is directly in front of me -looking up.  More storage and beads and baubles in jars I have repurposed from mainly Yankee Candles.  They are just big enough to hold quite a few strands of beads.

Paz & Amor are still hanging around in their love nest...they hang from the ceiling.

My sign - sorry for the bad picture. I made it out of an old frame and covered cork board in fabric and finished it off with off white flowers.

This is my view out into the foyer and living room as I sit at  my work table.

These are a few pictures of different areas.  

See all the jars?

Final pictures and vignettes

These beauties are getting ready for the "Mes Bijoux Vintages" store on Etsy very soon.

My filing station - my moms sewing box with folders...lol!

My mom and dad

 Inspirational board.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  Please keep the door open for me - I will be by to visit with you soon.  


Karen thank you for all the hard work you put into this event.  God's Blessings to you and to everyone visiting.
JennyKaren Valentine from My Dessert Cottage

Riki's How to Solder with Rhinestone Chain

A New How To Video by Riki Jewelry  - YAY! I learned how to use my Lenik torch!

For a while now, I have been trying to teach myself how to solder, and I must confess it's not that easy.  I've made some real messes and I gave up a couple of months ago.  I now realize that the soldering iron I have does not reach the proper heat range needed to melt the solder successfully. I've had a Lenik mini torch for years but have never really used it - it kinda scared me.
Well let me tell you...I came across the how to video that Riki  from Romantic Relics is offering through her Etsy Shop.  It's an awsome video, easy to understand and it gets right to the point.  I covers topics simply and straight forward. 
I learned to use my mini torch and how to properly clean and prepare my pieces to receive the flux and solder and a few other trick she gave use.  If your like me and have been afraid to use a torch, try this how to video- you will not regret it.  Riki is vey nice and will answer all our questions.

I haven't finished it yet but I have some ideas.  The more rhinstone chain the better.

The following pictures were taken before I cleaned the piece.  Frankly I was not sure if it would clean up.  I thought I had scorched it beyond repair.

 My handy dandy Lenik LPT 200 mini torch - now my friend!

I was able to clean it very nicely so don't be afraid if your piece seems scorched too.

I can see this one is going to be beautiful.

Take care my friends - I've missed you all.

GLITTERFEST GIVE-A-WAY

I could not help but post about this great giveaway.  This item is so unique and beautiful that I just had to share with all of you.  You will have two chances at winning this journal from mammabellarte.  You leave your comment at Glitterfest and then for a second chance post on your blog about it...easy!