Jake - Remembering Jake



~ Jacob Valentino ~

2-14-98  ~ 12-23-11

Born on Valentine's day February 14, 1998

Six weeks old

 Jake our beloved pet dog, he was with us for almost 14 years. 

    

Flowering Beauty

I've been thinking about new flowers for the yard, and deck planters.  I haven't been all that focused on that for a while.  I do enjoy looking at pretty flowers, it's just that having them myself requires more of , well myself!  I have mostly just let nature take it's course the past few years, with minimal help from me in that regard.  Perennial plants are just so easy to take care of for the most part and you don't have to put in too much effort, so I have several of them! 

I realized I'd done a pretty good job over the years with my perennials.  I've made some good choices so far on what I do have and really like. I have beautiful Irises that my sister gave me years ago and they do a great job with little fuss.  I also have a lot of Liriope Big Blue (sometimes called monkey grass or lily turf), it's usually used as a ground cover.  I use it both in the flower beds and planters, because it's easy, hardy, evergreen, and flowers lavender/violet spikes.  I was also given some Hostas years ago and they do very well, grow larger each year, and produce tall spikes with flowers of white and lavender. I've given some divisions from them to my Mother and Sister for their yards too.  I added a couple Lavender plants, near my herb garden. Of course I love the lavender spikes that bloom on them.  I like the plant's color even when not in bloom, it looks good next to darker green plants.  

I planted a Clematis vine, that does a terrific job of reappearing year after year, with large "hey look at me" flowers in deep purple.  I planted three Lantana plants a few years back, these spread out larger each year and are full of little lavender blooms that are almost ever-blooming.  A planter on my deck is home to a Periwinkle vinca with lilac colored flowers, it flowers profusely in the spring and sporadically during the summer.  I have some Salvia in a planter that never fails to re-emerge every year and does quite well (if I remember to water the poor thing!), and I know I want more, because it flowers...Purple! You probably knew I was gonna say that!!  My love for the color is apparent!  I believe I am drawn to the purple/lavender/lilac colors because they seem to me, to be calming and relaxing.  Yeah, I think that's it!  :o)

What a beautiful color on this interesting flower!

Tibouchina the princess flower

                                                                             tibouchina flower Photo source
Tibouchina - Wikipedia info

I've never seen or heard of this flower before, I think I want to have it though!

Keep Smiling! :o)



Wreath Swag

I made this floral swag to use as a Summer decoration for my front door.  I like that it is simple and it's not too bulky, like some of my other wreaths and door decorations.  This was quite an easy craft project. I simply gathered two bundles, turned them opposite of each other, overlapped them a little and secured them with wire. I found the flowers to use for this wreath swag in the discount bin out in front of my local Michael's craft store.  My search for ribbon was a success, since this burgundy ribbon just went perfectly with the flowers I used here!

I love creating something pretty for my door!...

Falcon Freddy and Me!

I met Falcon Freddy!  Silly fella gave me a big ol' kiss on the first photo try.  It was  pretty funny, and a very unexpected moment...for me anyway!  

I had to delete that photo since it was blurry.

We all had a good laugh and then we struck another pose for this photo.  

I think my face is still red from blushing after that surprise kiss.

I wanted to share so you and I both can have a good laugh!

Spring Wreath

My beautiful Spring Wreath.  Displaying hues of purple and pink. 

The purple flowers here remind me of the wisteria that grows wild all around near our neighborhood in the spring, and the pink flowers look like clematis, one of my favorites!  

I like this wreath because it says Spring has arrived! I can use it for Spring or Summer decor.

Happy Spring!...

Spring!

Beautiful Irises in my yard!

So glad the arrival of Spring is upon us!  Just did the "Spring forward" moving the clocks up an hour a couple weeks back, and personally I love it when this time comes around.  I don't feel as if I lost an hour, I gained a Spring!  The beautiful sights of all the budding trees, blooming bushes and the bulb-type flowers all popping up to show-off their marvelous beauty!

 Let winter be gone with a big old bye-bye from me!   I can see the trees starting to fill out and the green of nature is rapidly changing the views outside!  Beckoning many a desire to be outdoors.  My only dislike would be the pollen of course. and the dreaded allergies associated with it.  And boy-oh-boy is there an abundance at the moment!  "This too shall pass," I often say, and so true that is in this case!

My sister gave me several of her iris plants/bulbs a few years back, and pictured above is the spot where I planted them in my yard!  They look fantastic!  These beauties get better looking and multiply every year!  They are pretty low maintenence and easy to care for.  I look forward to their beautiful display of blooms, each year.   They're truly beautiful, and they always make me smile and think of her, too!

The warmer temperatures and sunny days sure do put a big smile on my face also!  

Happy Spring! :o)

Jewelry by Tammy - Faceted pieces

Some of my crystal and glass jewelry projects.  I really like the simple style of most of these.   I am drawn to the cut glass and crystal faceted beads of all shapes and sizes.   I am always pleased with them.  They sparkle!

A few of these were made as special gifts that I gave to some special people in my life!

Red glass with clear glass and gold metal rounds accented with gold glass bugles and seed beads! 
These are one of my favorite sets!

Royal blue crystal elemnts with gold bugles and seed beads set

Deep purple crystal elements with gold bugles and seed beads set

Shades of blue crystals with gold bugles and seed beads set

Ruby red crystals with gold bugles and red and gold seed beads set

Mauve, pink, and light peurple crystal elements with silver bugles,
and light purple and silver seed beads set

Black crystals with gold bugles and seed beads

Black glass with silver bugles, and black and silver seed beads set
(hadn't added the ear posts yet)

Lavender crystal elements with gold bugles and lavender and gold seed beads set

Black faceted beads with gold bugles, and black and gold seed beads set

All Photos Property of Tammy @ Tips, Treats & Treasures

Photos, text, and articles on this site are property of  Tips, Treats & Treasures unless other credit is given in the post.  If you use a photo on your site, please give credit to Tammy and mention that you got the picture from http://www.http//tips-treats-treasures.blogspot.com/  Thanks!

Jewelry by Tammy - Acrylic with glass sets - Three color types

Acrylic and glass beads sets in three different colors.

Purple set

Purple acrylic, with purple, black and gold glass

Pink set

Pink acrylic, with pink, black and gold glass

Aqua set

Aqua acrylic, with aqua, black and gold glass

Hearts, Roses and a Bear, Oh My...Valentine!

My Hubby gave me this adorable gift for Valentine's day!  He was all smiles and said "I know how you love purple, so, see I pay attention!"  It was nice of him and very sweet indeed!  

I took this picture so I could see and always remember those beautiful roses!

Thanks Babe, you've always been my Valentine! :o)

Feeling Loved! <3 ...="" p="">

Heart Wreath

I love hearts!  So when I saw this heart wreath form on one of my shopping visits to the craft store, I knew I had to have it!  So got it I did, and then off to find just the right flowers to add to it.  Luck would have it that there were purple and lavender mini roses on sale that day.  Love it when that happens!  The little orange flowers were a nice addition along with the white roses.  A little hot glue and wire to attach the flowers to the heart and it was complete, simple and easy.  

I really like that it is different from the usual round shaped wreaths, and since hearts are a favorite of mine, I like it even better!  I was quite pleased with how it turned out and it looks great on my front door welcoming visitors!  My heart is happy with this heart!

Scarf made from a t-shirt!

Here is an easy and fun project.  After having viewed a tutorial to make one, I just had to try it out for myself.  I made mine in purple, because I love purple (bet you couldn't tell that huh?! ;)  This is easy, takes very little time to make and is a no sew project, but I did use a few stitches instead of the fabric glue used in the instruction video.  I felt that my scarf had a nicer look with finishing mine in this way.

Supplies needed:

• t-shirt size XXL or XXXL  (I used an XXL one, bigger = fuller look)
• 9inch paper plate
• scissors
• fabric glue or sewing supplies

*** The link below has all the info you need to create one or two, or more for yourself.  Also a few other style ideas too!

*** Link for video  DIY Scarf video

In addition:  I made another scarf and have the steps I used to finish it with the sewing method and the finishing details.

1. This photo shows the two sides of all the pieces, after being sewn.   I stacked the pieces for both sides, trimmed them off and then stacked them together.  I stitched them together (notice the small white spot). 
2. Also I cut an extra piece from the t-shirt leftovers to be used to tie around the area stitched.

3. Wrapped the extra piece around the scarf.

4. Wrapped around it again.

5. Tied a knot in the back.

6. The front view now looks like this.

This is my finished scarf!

I am very pleased with the finished results of both scarves,

and I will probably be making more I'm sure!

Labels: Crafty 

Jewelry by Tammy - Variety - Sets w/close-ups

A mixture of sets made of acrylic and glass, with close-up details photos.  I usually like to start with a larger focal bead and work in seed bead varieties of sizes and colors.

Turquoise colored acrylic bugles

with glass seed bead accents of aqua, brown, blue and gold set.

Light brown and tan acrylic beads with gold bugles,

and gold seed beads set

Purple square and round glass, purple bugles and,
purple and gold seed beads

White acrylic bugle beads with white and gold seed beads set.

Necklace, earrings and bracelet set.

Blue cats-eye beads with white acrylic bugles, blue rounds,

and white seeds beads set

These have the look and feel of satin.   

Brown acrylic beads with gold bugles,

and brown and gold glass seed beads set.

Purple tear drop acrylic with black bugles and,
black and gold seed beads

Purple and Black medallion/pendant
with black twist bugles and,
purple and black seed beads

All Photos Property of Tammy at Tips, Treats & Treasures:

Photos, text, and articles on this site are property of Tammy at Tips, Treats, & Treasures unless other credit is given in the post. If you use a photo on your site, please give credit to Tammy and mention that you got the picture from http://www.http//tips-treats-treasures.blogspot.com/. Thanks!

Bloggin' it!

Wow my first blog page on my blog!  Getting the basics down and putting it all together, to create and make it my own!  So many ideas and thoughts floating around in my mind, and oh the possibilities.  As in all things in life, you learn as you go.  Here I go!...

It is my hope to make this my little place to share and keep information, thoughts and ideas, recipes and crafts, all that of which I wish to share with family and friends, both old and new, for when I get a little "me time" for myself, my Tammy time.

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