Decisions....Decisions....

Hello!!

A few weeks ago I was inspired to make a necklace I had seen on the Fusion Beads Inspiration page.  You can find the link here.  They call it "Garden of Love Necklace".

I have been searching for new techniques, ways to incorporate fiber and fabric into my jewelry and possibly less expensive options for my customers.

This technique uses the Diva Cord Maker, which I love and will be using again and again!

So now I have this awesome cord made for a necklace, but I can't decide what type of pendant to use.

Since I finished the cord I have had tons of ideas.  Here are a few of them.....(just a few!)

For several days I just kept pulling different pieces to try and help me make a decision.

Above is a bezeled piece of antique pottery off of the beach.

In this above picture is a lavender glass glob that I thought about making into a pendant like the green one to the right.  The green on would be too small for this cord.

There was this bird toggle that I made out of silver which could be a toggle and a pendant, all in one.

Or I could use one of my glass pendants.  I even pulled out my stained glass, from YEARS ago and thought about making a copper foiled heart that was pink on one side and lavender on the other.

Finally, there is this fine silver flower pendant that I made.

And yes, there were more ideas.  I was literally paralyzed with ideas.

I THINK I have made a decision......but what do you think?

I'd love to hear your feedback.

Meatless Monday ~ Lentil Tacos

Happy Meatless Monday!

Today I am sharing with you a recipe for Lentil Tacos.  The recipe is a combination of several recipes that I tried, plus some of my own tweaks.

This is one of my husbands favorite meals, and he will request it!

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

1 bag of Lentils (i believe it is about 2C of dried lentils)

3-5C Water

1/2 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, each stalk chopped into 3 pieces

2 bay leaves

1t salt

1 1/2t cumin

2 garlic cloves

1/2t pepper

1/2t paprika

1t chili powder

3 oz tomato paste

1T olive oil

Corn Tortillas
Salsa
Lettuce, chpd.

Wash and rinse lentils.

Place lentils in a medium stock pot with water, onion, celery and bay leaves.

The celery is cut into large pieces, because these will be removed after cooking lentils.

Bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.  Keep checking in case you have to had more water.

When lentils are done.  Remove from stove and drain well.

Place half of the lentils in a food processor with salt, cumin, garlic cloves, pepper, paprika, chili powder and chili paste.  While this is mixing drizzle in the olive oil.

Place this mixture back in the pot with the remaining lentils that did not get put in the food processor.

{If you do not have a food processor, mash and mix the ingredients with a potato masher}

Mix the processed lentil mixture with the cooked lentils well.

Serve in taco shells.

I put vegan sour cream in my shells, as well as a homemade salsa.  If you cannot purchase vegan sour cream where you live, google a recipe for it.  It is really easy to make from tofu.

The homemade salsa I made was really easy......

about a cup of chopped tomato, 1/4C chopped cilantro, 1/4C chopped purple onion, a diced fresh jalapeno & lime juice.
ENJOY!

My Bracelet Fetish

I know I have been doing a lot of posting about food.  I have been creating jewelry and quilts, but just can never get around to taking pictures, posting pictures and updating my website!

Bracelets are the *in* thing right now, especially lots and lots of them worn in sets.

One style that is hot is the wrapped bracelet.  So I did some online searches for some tutorials.

The one I liked best was from The Bead Shop.

It is called the Herringbone Wrap Bracelet.

I didn't have all of the exact materials, so I used what I had on hand.

The lampworked flower that I used for the button closure is one that Cassie Donlen taught me how to make when she was in Abaco last November.

This bracelet was supposed to be a 5 wrap, but I ran out of beading thread, so I had to stop at 4 wraps.  It is a fun bracelet to make, but can be tedious, so I will be keeping this one for me.  Perhaps if I decide to sell them, in the future, I will keep them at 2 wraps!

The other bracelet that I have finished recently was one that I found a tutorial on from Fusion Beads.

They call it *Flower Garden* Bracelet.

Again, I changed a few things.  The original pattern said to join everything with jump rings. I, personally, do not like joining with jump rings unless i can solder them closed.  So I made up the links with a combination of my glass headpins {the heart, the green & and the pink with white dots}, & the flowered headpins (from Fusions Beads).

I used a Butterfly Toggle that I already had on hand, and I am calling my bracelet, "Butterfly Garden".

So there is a bit of what I have been up to.  Hopefully I will soon get some more pictures taken of new work.  I also have some metal bangles in the works that I cannot wait to finish.

Back to work for me!

Meatless Monday Protein Salad

Happy Meatless Monday!

Today I want to do a quick post to share with you a recipe for a salad that is AWESOME & very filling!!!

I found this recipe on the Oh She Glows website when I first went vegan.

There are a lot of great recipes on this website.  I haven't tried one I was disappointed in.

To make this recipe easy cook the rice and lentils the day/night before, and make the salad dressing ahead of time, then it makes for a quick lunch.
I am sure it would also be great with your favorite canned beans also!

This is called a Protein Power Goddess Bowl.  I added banana peppers to mine, just because I like a little tangy, spice in my food.

I am actually in a cooking funk right now and really need my kitchen muse to show up soon!  I am basically cooking what I HAVE TO and that is it!

I have been creating lots of jewelry and quilty things that I need to post, but we have had really bad weather and I have not felt like taking pictures.

I am on a bracelet making kick and can't wait to show you some of them!

Hopefully I will get to that this week.

Have a great week!