Something Sublime

Of Towers and Turrets-Registration Open!

The best laid plans often go awry. I'd been working on some brand new (exciting!) online class material that I had intended to offer for the new year but my recent health problems (darned shoulders!) have derailed my plan. Instead, I'm happy to announce open registration for my super popular online workshop, Of Towers and Turrets.

This class is starting just in time for the Christmas season...Dec. 15th. So, if you're looking to gift someone...or yourself...this is a terrific way to go.

If you're not familiar with this class, I teach it with my friend and extraordinary artist, Sharon Tomlinson. It's really two classes in one. Sharon will teach you how to collage, make amazing background papers, paint, carve stamps and TONS of other stuff.

I'll show you how to work with metal, solder, make your own bezels, work with cold connections work with resin and TONS of other stuff!

Really, this class is a great value. If you're interested, registration is going on right this minute...click here, where you'll find all the details and registration info.

Decorating Inspiration

Spare room color palette...peacock inspiration.

Walls: Sea Salt

Comforter: Snowbound/Sea Salt

Pillows: Rainwater/Oceanside

Fuzzy Bolster: Snowbound

Curtains: Peridot

Accents: Violet/Oceanside/Snowbound

Whaddaya think?

Black Friday Gratitude

A very happy holiday to you, friends! I'm so thankful for the many blessings in my life, including....you! The fact that you continue to stop by my little spot on the web delights me, no end. Times are hard right now and, with Christmas coming, I can think of no better way to express my thanks to you...readers, students, friends...than to offer you a discount on everything in my Etsy shop. Beginning now, until the end of tomorrow, you'll receive 20% off anything in my shop. Just enter the coupon code...turkeylove...at checkout, for your discount. If you've been looking to purchase a piece of my jewelry, now's the time! Interested?

Click here.

Love to you and thanks again...xxoo

deryn

Thankful

1. Family: It's weird, this year. My guys, including Wife Whisperer, are far away on a family trip to Destin, Florida...that I had to miss. I'm sure they're having a wonderful time swimming, sunning, game playing, golfing, shopping and what-not. Me? I'm lounging and recovering...happily enjoying the caretaking of my parents. God bless parents!

2. Health: I can move my arm above my head! This may not seem like a big deal folks but, when your passion involves using your hands, and you've just gone through pain excruciating enough to  keep you from even wiggling your fingers...this is a great, big, huge, shiny deal. So, I practice...arm lifts and pendulums....ice, ice and more ice. Life is good.

3. Home: The place where my babies were raised is getting a little facelift. And while my shoulder troubles have kept me from getting things back together as quickly as I'd like, I'm so very happy with our comfortable space. Dinner's going to be terrific coming from the new kitchen.

4. Friends: Ah...what would I do without you? Your prayers, your visits, emails and calls. I love you, friends! But really, you don't have to lick my leg (that applies to Miss Maggie, only.)

Ok...that just about covers the basic essentials of life. The big blessings.

God. Is. Good.

Amen.

 

Kitchen Redeaux And A Spring Surprise

I'm working on something very, very special for this spring!

Actually, I'm not working on it, just yet. I'm still unable to work, due to my shoulder.

Here's my health update: I've been disabled for about two weeks, now. My parents have graciously agreed to come and take care of me while I'm recovering from a frozen shoulder on the right (I'm not quite recovered from the very same affliction on the left side.) Drugs, physical therapy and rest have brought me to the point where I can finally move my arm again and I'm not in such severe pain. My mom is unpacking boxes and loading up my kitchen cupboards and my dad is doing all kinds of handyman type stuff that needs to be done. Take a look at these custom lamps he's making for me:

I found these candlesticks at Marshall's HomeGoods. This photo doesn't show it but they have a clear glass shade at the top which will cover a clear "flame" bulb.

He's wiring them with a short cord for a special spot in my new kitchen. I had the contractor put in dueling outlets on either side of my new window:

You can see the glass shade in this photo (right.) I think they'll be the perfect accent for this spot and are oh-so-reasonably priced. Love!

But, back to my special spring event...! My friend, Diane Cook, and I (mostly Diane, at this point) are cooking up something wildly wonderful at Rachel Ashwell's fantastic Prairie, at Round Top, Tx. Right now, I don't have a lot of information except dates: April 26-28, 2012.

(all Prairie photos by Diane Cook)

I'll have more info...hopefully soon. This site is where we'll be posting the news. Trust me, this is something you're not going to want to miss!

Kitchen Redeaux-The Light Fantastic

You may have noticed I've been missing for awhile. It could be that I've been completely overwhelmed by this crazy kitchen remodel. It could be that weekend company decided to pop in unexpectedly (surprise!) in the middle of the chaos. (Although, it really was SO delightful having them. Love my family!) It could be that I've spent excessive amounts of time laying on the couch, gazing at the gorgeous new chandelier installed in my breakfast nook.

It could be all of those things. 

But the last thing is the most true. And, trust me, I didn't do it because I wanted to. I've been forced into bedrest by the most excruciating pain I've ever experienced. I've already gone round 1 with my left shoulder but it was nothing compared to my right...frozen shoulder. I'm in the glorious inflammation stage. I can hardly move my arm or hand and it's putting me in a bit of a panic. It's not easy to feed myself, dress myself or even lay still (how can laying still be so painful?!)...let alone unpack boxes back into my new kitchen (which isn't quite done!)....or make jewelry.

Bleh.

What we take for granted on a daily basis. Our good health is so important and this thing has slapped me in the face and knocked me down to make sure I know it. In addition to the physical therapy and recovery I've already gone through, I think I'm looking at a much longer period of said same.

But, dang...that new chandelier is nice to look at while I'm laid up!

Once again, I ask for your prayers and hope for your patience as I try to recover.

xxoo deryn

PS...y'all had some of the greatest names for my new, gigantic, extra-person-in-the-room faucet...thank you! But, I think I'm going with "Andre"...as in Andre the Giant...Princess Bride. If you haven't seen it, RUN out and get it. I think I'll watch it. Right now.

Kitchen Redeaux-The Elephant In The Room

Tall, dark and handsome...it perfectly compliments my delirious Delirium granite and farmhouse sink.

It's like having another person in the room.

I'm thinking of naming it.

Any suggestions???