Beanie Weather!

2018 was a year that brought me great sadness, joy 

and a new thirst for learning more crafts.

I decided that 2019 is the year of Creative Flow for me.

I have a few crafts I want to learn and crocheting is one of those.

To be more specific, beanies and socks.

I have always been able to make scarves, but only had knowledge of two stitches. lol

Yarns purchased at Walmart for now.

I have purchased some yarn from Walmart until I start to master the beanie and sock process.

Then I have a few online venders I will be buying hand dyed yarns from.

My first attempt at a beanie.

After a few hours on youtube, I finally found a great how to video for a slouchy beanie.

Larger!

Once I get the beanie finished, (hopefully after the holidays)

I will post the finished product.

Have a wonderful week.

Chelle

My Leftovers Went to My Ears....

I know I am a little late getting this out.  I so tried to do this last night but the holidays are really kicking me. LOL

 Erin, from Earrings Everyday sends out a monthly  We're All Ears Challenge. This month, the challenge was to Use Your Leftovers from a craftermath.

Now mind you I just had cleaned my crafting area when the challenge was issued,

so I just threw together some things that were in a bowl I have of  leftovers.

This is what I came up with.

Here is what I came up with...…

I have the mesh beads forever.  

So I decided to grab some chain, wire wrap the briolettes and add the starfish charms.

I have always wanted to use these but just didn't know what to do. 

So I just added some black recycled glass beads with black wired to create these cuties.

On my trip to Monterey, I found these two pieces of sea glass.

I don't work with yellows and browns much, so I knew I was going to whip these up.

I just drilled some holes in the sea glass and added the recycled glass beads.  

 That was pretty much it.

The next pair I created I think may be my favorites. 

I paired the seashell patina'd charms with some chain I had to create these.  

I really get a beachy feeling with these.

I am starting to use driftwood in my pieces.. 

I wire wrapped some sea glass I found at Santa Cruz, Ca to some driftwood pieces found at the same location.  Santa Cruz is definitely my favorite place t collect driftwood.

I call these my Jasmine earrings lol

I used some silk ribbon I had and wrapped some wire and beads to it.

I added the drops to add some length to them.

I started to photograph the next pair of earrings, but my handsome Luke had other plans.

Actually, he always has other plans for me when I am trying to create and photograph. lol

For the next pair, I used some recycled glass, briolette's in white and added some recycled glass beads to the ear wires.

My final pair I used some cultured sea glass beads and the infinity charms.

I am not really happy with these and just may repurpose them lol.

And that is it..... 8 pairs of leftover earrings.  Go check out what Erin and the other participants created here.

Pantone Color of the Year 2019

And the color is...…..

Have a great weekend.

Chelle

It's That Time of Year Again

Yes it is!

Its time again for Earrings Everyday's

4th Annual Use Your Leftovers Challenge.

What is the challenge, you ask?

 Take a picture of your beadfeast.

Put together in a divided box some inspiration which could be

beads, findings, fibers or metal.

Get to creating and then post on the 21st of Dec your creations.

To view the challenge, click here

Have a wonderful weekend.

Chelle

Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday & A New Item......

Hey, hey, hey everyone!

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Time for Small Business Saturday...

Here is the link to my facebook group where I am selling my jewelry...

Salted SeaChelle Designs

I also have my facebook page which you can click here

Salted SeaChelle Designs Facebook Page

My sale will start today and go one  until Cyber Monday.

But I am thinking I may still have the sale going on until Dec.1.

I will let y'all know.

Here is a new pendant I made with driftwood, burlap and silver.

I really love how this turned out.

I kinda surprised myself. lol

Have a great weekend and remember

shop small business....

Chelle

Life Starts.......

Have a great day!

Chelle

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

Have a great weekend everyone!

Chelle

Find Your Tribe.......

Art Every Day..... Day 12

Creative Everyday is doing an Art Everyday Challenge 

and I have decided to join in again today.

My art for today is something I have been wanting to get done and just never

got around to it.  I thought it was about time to get it at least started.

But to my surprise, I was able to finish not just one, but two

windchimes.

I set up the design for both. 

I wanted something simple. 

 I used drift wood and sea glass from my trip to

Monterey, Ca.

I also added some cultured sea glass to the windchimes.

Hope you like em!

Just found out we are on baby watch.

My daughter is expecting her first daughter after four boys...

woo hoo!!

Have a great day yall.

Chelle

Sea Oasis Necklace Art Every Day Challenge Day 10

I knew I was not going to be able to make every day of the challenge with my

daughter on baby watch.

But here is what I made with a piece of sea glass I found in Monterey, Ca

at the beginning of the year.

I love the combination of the peacock blue and purple.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Chelle

Review: Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I just couldn't get into this book. It took me forever to finish and it really sucks, because I loved the first book. On to book 3.

View all my reviews

Sea Glass Snowmen

I joined the Art Everyday challenge for this month.

You have to create a piece of art, any medium, every day and share it.

I was searching for some cute ornaments to create for my little 

Dollar Tree Christmas Tree in my room.

When these popped up I knew I had to make them.

And they look so cute in the tree..

Have a blessed day!

Chelle

Dia de Los Muertos

Every first Thursday of the month, we have an art hop here in Fresno.

Every month is themed and Novembers is

Dia de Los Muertos!

I love this theme for several reasons, but the top reason would definitely be

the colors.  So bright and vibrant.

Plus, who doesn't like sugar skulls.

I won this lampwork bead in a contest a few years back and was saving it

for some reason.

And when I wanted to have my outfit match the art hop,

I knew I needed to use this bead.

I had a huge bag of seed beads in various sizes and colors.

They just matched the skull bead perfectly.

Here is what I came up with...

I also made an eight strand wrap bracelet to match.

I think it is safe to say I will not be working with seed beads any time soon. lol

Have a blessed day y'all!

Chelle

Driftwood Pendants

The beach has always been my happy place.

Since I love to make jewelry,

I thought I would try something different with the driftwood I had found in

Monterey, Ca & Santa Cruz, Ca.

So pendants sounded like the way to go.

I wire wrapped the driftwood and added some 

brown leather cord to make this piece.

 I really am loving the whole look and think I am going to have a full collection

of pieces from the driftwood I have saved over the last year.

Hope y'all are having a great weekend!

Chelle

When We Stumble, We Get Back Up.

As most know I suffer from a mental illness. The months up until September were crazy for me.  But I finally got my meds regulated and I am ready to get back to jewelry making and blogging.  So hopefully big things will be coming out of Micheladas Musings.  Just please bare with me until I get back into my groove y'all.  Thank you for baring with me and dealing with my absences. I also appreciate all the text messages, phone calls, IM and cards of positive encouragement.  It means more to me than you know.

So lets do this!

Have a blessed weekend.

Chelle

Review: Ernest Hemingway: Artifacts From a Life

Ernest Hemingway: Artifacts From a Life by Michael Katakis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I have always been very interested in the life and writings of Hemingway. This book did not disappoint. I loved that I could get a personal view of Ernest's life though documents, photographs, and other items he kept. His son and grandson contributed to the book as well and I thoroughly enjoyed every page.


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We're All Ears August Inspiration

I have been trying to get into blogging more, but I just haven't been able to get the energy to do so.  With the summer heat and various things going on here, has made it almost impossible to get anything done.  Until I realized, I need to make time!

Here I am... 

So this month I have two challenges I am going to try out.  This one and Art Elements.  I still have a lot to learn after how many years lol.  But I am getting there.  So here is the theme for August.... Spoonflowers.

You can check out all the info at Earrings Everyday

Can you guess which one I am using for my inspiration??

Have a great day!

Chelle

Review: Tethered Souls

Tethered Souls by Beth Flynn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Yes I know it took me almost 3 months to read this, but that was not the books fault. As with everything Beth writes, this held nothing back. I totally could not guess the ending and that was amazing. I love the way Beth writes her stories. A definite must read!

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Art Elements Theme Challenge for June - Sunflowers Reveal

     I can not even believe it is the end of June already..... It's been one crazy and busy month. I wanted to join in on June's Art Elements theme challenge.  Susan picked this months theme of Sunflowers.  One of my favorite flowers. I just love the brightness of the colors.

      One thing that is pretty cool in my area is a Sunflower Maze.  If you are ever in the Fresno area, you will be A-Mazed!!! The Sunflower Maze in Centerville is so much fun and it’s Free! Location: 16155 E. Kings Canyon., Sanger.
Parking is at the Centerville Fruit Stand.






     I really wanted to get more done than just this... But, this month just flew right by. Literally.  Here is a pair of earrings I made for the challenge.

     I took some cultured sea glass, patina'd washers and wire wrapped them with some sea glass I had found in Monterey, California at the beginning of the year.  I did texture the washers and then applied the patina.  I like how these came out.  I just have not added the ear wires yet.  But I did finish them..

     I also started this pair but as you can see, I did not get very far in putting them together.. lol  This is my first attempt at using the tin from a soda pop can, adding some patina and then adding the yellow beads to them.

     Thanks for stopping by and here is a list of the other participants.  Make sure to stop by and check out their beautiful creations.

Guests

Alysen

Anita

Cat

Divya

Jill

Kathy

Linda

Linda

Mischelle

Norma

Raven

Sarajo

Tammy

AE Team

Caroline

Cathy

Claire

Jenny

Laney

Lesley

Sue

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Chelle

July 2018 24in48 Sign ups

Hey Y'all!

Back in January I joined in my first 24in48. 

This is where you read for 24 hours in a 48 hour period.

You then document your progress on any social media platform.

It does not have to be 24 hours straight.

You can split it any way you like as long as the hours total 24.

Here is the link if you would like to join in the fun

24in48

I hope you all join in.

The dates for the event are July 21-22, 2018

Mark your calendars!

Have a blessed day.

Chelle

Review: Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls

Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls by Lauren Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I just love Lauren. She played one of my fav tv moms on Gilmore Girls. I love this candid account of stories from when she was first cast as Lorelai Gilmore to revising the role almost a decade later. Her stories for college years and living in Hollywood had me laughing. One story I loved was her becoming Vegan just so she could impress Ellen DeGeneres... Seriously classic. If you are a fan of Lauren's then you should definitely check this book out.

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Art Elements May Themed Challenge Reveal

I know I'm a day late. I was traveling yesterday.  Here is what I came up with..

I had an old windchine that I wanted to spruce up a bit...  So I took it apart and cleaned up the parts and drilled holes in the sea glass I had picked out.

I then wire wrapped the glass and chimes

And here is how it came out.

Thanks for taking a look.. Here are the other participants. Check out what they created.

Guests

Raven

Kelly 

Cat

Kathy 

Tammy 

Alyson

Elaine 

Mischelle 

Deborah  

Anita 

Jill

Shirlee

Sarajo

AE Team Members:

Caroline

Cathy

Claire

Jen 

Laney 

Lesley 

Marsha 

Niky

Sue
Lindsay

Thanks
Chelle 

Sorry For the Absence

     I am so sorry for not being around.  Some know that I struggle with a mental illness.  It has been a rough 2 months for me with a suicide attempt and hospital stay.  I'm not proud of how I have been.  But at the same time, I don't understand it.  I am seeing a psychiatrist and a therapist. I'm on some stronger meds.  It seems to be helping. 
     But in the time I've been gone, I have been able to find myself and love me.  If it were not for Edgar and Marianne, I would not have made it through the last two months.  They have taught me that through meditation, my faith in God and just loving myself that I can get through anything. 
     I felt like I had no one to talk to, that no one would understand, that I was alone.  But that was not the case.  Please if you are going through something and need to talk, I AM HERE.  Or there is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.  They are available 24 hours a day.  Please reach out..

     Have a blessed day!
                Chelle
 
    
    

Review: Wonderful Tonight

Wonderful Tonight by Pattie Boyd
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A Q&A with Pattie Boyd, Author of Wonderful Tonight

Why are you writing the book now?

I have been asked for the last 15 years to write a book, and it is only now that I feel the time is right. My confidence in myself was restored after two successful exhibitions of my photography, and it occurred to me that I was finally ready to take a look at the unique experiences of my life and to share them--including all the ups and downs.

Tell us about the first time you met George Harrison.

Working as a model, I occasionally went for castings, mainly for television commercials. I went for an interview with one of the directors I had worked with in the past, and he cast me in his first movie, A Hard Day's Night, to play the part of a schoolgirl. When I first saw George on the set, I thought he was the best-looking man I'd ever seen. I was so surprised when he asked me out on a date at the end of my first day of filming.

Tell us about the first time you heard George Harrison's song, "Something."

George said he had written a song for me, and he played it on the guitar at home without the words. Then when I heard the song after it had been recorded I couldn't believe how utterly beautiful it was. It was released on a single in October 1969, and I felt so thrilled and flattered.

Tell us about the first time you heard Eric Clapton's "Layla."

Eric invited me to his band's flat one day and played a rough recording of "Layla" on a cassette recorder. I was sitting on a sofa and he on the floor as it played, and he kept looking up at me for a reaction. I was stunned; the intensity, passion and tenderness came across so strongly--I knew, as he said, it was written for me.

So ya.... I really thought that this would be one of those juicy tidbit tell-alls. Actually I was hoping it would be. lol But sadly, Pattie tells her story in her own way, which at times bounced all over. But I did like to get another person who was on the inside, view of what went on with the members of the Beatles. But why would you leave George?? Not her smartest move.


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Review: Waterfall Effect

Waterfall Effect by K.K. Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first read from K.K. Allen. When I received the ARC, I was excited because I have been wanting to read her books for a while now. Why did I wait so long? Waterfall Effect had me saying Whoa like a few times. I mean how many books do you read that you get goosebumps from the prologue?? This is not only a story about true love. I think the saying, if you love someone set them free, if they love you they will come back fits it to a T. I instantly fell in love with all of the characters. Aurora is such a strong woman and I don't think she was able to realize it until she came back to Balsam Grove. I could feel the connection with her and Jaxon from the beginning. What an amazing love story that continued even while they were apart, while neither of them realized it. I love K.K's writing style. I connected with the characters and could feel what they were feeling. While this story did have its twists and turns. I was shocked. Definitely one of the best reads of this year. Grab your copy when it comes out Feb. 28...

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Cover Reveal for Waterfall Effect by K.K. Allen

It's here!!!

Release Date: February 28, 2018 

Cover Design: Sarah Hansen / Okay Creations 

  

  

Synopsis 

  

Lost in the shadows of a tragedy that stripped Aurora June of everything she once loved, she’s back in the small town of Balsam Grove, North Carolina, ready to face all she’s kept locked away for seven years. Or so she thinks. 

As one of the victims of a string of mysterious disappearances in the small, picturesque Appalachian Mountain town, darkness has become her home—her safe blanket when the world reveals its true colors. But as the walls of darkness start to move in on her, she knows the only way to free herself from her past is to face it, head-on. She just needs to figure out how. 

Upon arrival, Aurora isn’t expecting her first collision to be with the boy she left all those years ago. The boy who betrayed her trust with no regrets. The boy who is no longer a boy, but a man with the same stormy eyes that swept her into his current before she ever learned to swim. 

She’d thought he was safe. He’d thought their path was mapped out. Turns out neither of them was ready for the crash at the bottom of the cascade. 

  

Goodreads 

http://bit.ly/2nFg0Km 

Excerpt 

  

As I approach the edge of the winding river less than a minute’s walk from my cottage, it’s like someone has injected me with life. With a lift of my chin, I close my eyes and inhale until I’m no longer dulled and disoriented. Everything becomes clear. In Balsam Grove, I breathe the air with new lungs, feel the breeze with new skin, and see the land through new eyes.  

I don’t try to navigate my way. I hike beside the river, around every curve and bend, uphill and against the current. It’s a familiar path, but my focus isn’t on the destination. Every now and then I stop to take a drink from the stream, pluck a fiery pink flower, and tune into a wild animal scampering across fallen leaves. But it’s not until I reach a steeper incline that I take a moment to assess where I’m headed. 

The river has significantly increased in speed since I began walking a few minutes ago. A steeper incline forces me to distance myself from the water’s edge, onto a more manageable path through the woods. My thighs burn from the steady climb, and my throat aches from dehydration. I never planned to journey this far, but I could have at least thought to bring water. I’m ready to turn back, find the river, and drink from it when I spot the top of a familiar red house peeking over the hill. Hummingbirds unleash in my chest as I inch forward. 

Mere seconds later, I’m standing on flat land again, taking in the two-story home that overlooks a waterfall, an old millhouse beside it. It’s like it came out of nowhere, but this house—it’s home to some of my best memories, my biggest dreams, and the beginning of the horrible nightmare that ended life as I knew it. 

“Ah, that’s my girl,” a voice booms in the distance. “Bring it here, Lacey.” 

Shit. Jaxon? 

My eyes sweep left, to the source of the river. Two waterfalls coming from different directions spill into one body of water where Jaxon treads. He’s patting the water as Lacey paddles over with a stick in her mouth. 

Jaxon takes the stick, then rubs her head before she continues paddling to the edge of the river. After she climbs out and does a full body shake to dry off, he tosses the stick to the side and turns back to the water, swimming lap after lap until I’ve lost count. Every powerful stroke reveals inches of well-cut muscle and betrays his familiarity with the water. 

Jaxon always loved everything about the water. Diving, swimming, fishing…sex. I shiver at the memory of how well our slick bodies fit together. Of his delicate fingers stripping me of my bikini top so he could see all of me as he inched his way into my body, my heart. Of his hot mouth wrapping around my pebbled nipple just to hear my whispered cry. Of the way he watched me with hooded eyes as I came for him, my back pressed against a boulder and the plunging falls above us swallowing my cries. 

He took everything good from me, but it was me that handed it over for the taking. 

He’s still mesmerizing, and I can’t take my eyes off him now. With every stroke, I imagine him swimming away from me, away from our past and deeper into the rushing swell of the stream. How long has he been swimming? How far? 

I swallow my anxiety as he finally breaks from his exercise to catch his breath. When he does, I’m as breathless as he is.  

I’m not sure how long I’ve been staring when he uses the slick rocks to pull himself from the water, but I’m completely captivated by the droplets coursing down his naked back and arms. He’s all strength and agility, effortlessly pulling himself to his feet. I should turn away, but I don’t. Instead, I watch as water glides from his long hair, down his narrow waist, and then over the most beautiful ass I’ve ever seen. 

Is he…? 

I gasp, my hand clapping over my mouth. But it’s too late. One slip of my breath is all it takes for Lacey’s snout to jerk in my direction and sound off the first menacing growl.  

  

Giveaway 

One of Five ARC's for Waterfall Effect 

  

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

About the Author 

  

K.K. Allen is an award-winning author and Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences graduate from the University of Washington who writes heartfelt and inspirational Contemporary Romance stories mainly about "Capturing the Edge of Innocence.” K.K. currently resides in central Florida, works full time as a Digital Producer for a leading online educational institution, and is the mother to a ridiculously handsome little dude who owns her heart. 

K.K.’s publishing journey began in June 2014 with the YA Contemporary Fantasy trilogy, The Summer Solstice. In 2016, K.K. published her first Contemporary Romance, Up in the Treehouse, which went on to win the Romantic Times 2016 Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best New Adult Book of the Year. With K.K.'s love for inspirational and coming of age stories involving heartfelt narratives and honest emotions, you can be assured to always be surprised by what K.K. releases next. 

  

Connect with K.K. 

  

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