Majestic Blue

Craft Girl

2011-12-13T09:20:00.001-07:00

2011-10-16T17:41:00.002-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Molly Kimball - Elephant Beads!

Truly unique and one of a kind creations to accessorize your wardrobe with!

You can find Elephant Beads on:

Etsy

Blog

Facebook

2011-08-21T09:27:00.001-06:00

This weeks featured artisan is Rebecca - Rebecca's Whims! Whimsically beautiful creations in her shop! Perfect gifts for all ages! You can find Rebecca's Whims on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

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2011-07-19T08:26:00.001-06:00

This weeks featured artisan is Mary - Euphoric Charms!

You can find Mary at:

Etsy

Blog

Facebook

2011-07-10T08:02:00.002-06:00

This weeks featured artisan is Vivian - Bowquet! Darling bows for your Darlings!

You can find Bowquet on:

Etsy

Facebook

Blog

On Fire for Handmade

I'm Not Ignoring You

2011-07-03T07:54:00.000-06:00

Good Morning.....I just want to let everyone know that I'm not ignoring you. I don't have my computer right now because I had to send it in to the manufacturer. You see, even after doing some research on laptops, I still ended up buying one that had an overheating problem. So now, I have limited access to a computer and my phone won't let me do what I want/need to do. So, once I get my laptop back, I will be back with a vengeance. lol

Until then, just remember, I'm not ignoring you!!

2011-06-13T10:22:00.003-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Allurynn - Creations by Moonlight! Alluryn has wonderful creations in her shop! A Must have for every jewelry box!! You can find Creations by Moonlight on:

Etsy
Website
Twitter
Facebook

You can grab the code for your blog here: http://www.box.net/shared/flrg7uret9

An Amazing Airline Pilot

2011-05-29T08:30:00.002-06:00

He writes: My lead flight attendant came to me and said, "We have an H.R. on this flight." (H.R. stands for human remains.) "Are they military?" I asked.

'Yes', she said.

'Is there an escort?' I asked.

'Yes, I already assigned him a seat'.

'Would you please tell him to come to the flight deck? You can board him early," I said.

A short while later, a young army sergeant entered the flight deck. He was the image of the perfectly dressed soldier. He introduced himself and I asked him about his soldier. The escorts of these fallen soldiers talk about them as if they are still alive and still with us.

'My soldier is on his way back to Virginia ,' he said. He proceeded to answer my questions, but offered no words.

I asked him if there was anything I could do for him and he said no. I told him that he had the toughest job in the military and that I appreciated the work that he does for the families of our fallen soldiers. The first officer and I got up out of our seats to shake his hand. He left the flight deck to find his seat.

We completed our preflight checks, pushed back and performed an uneventful departure. About 30 minutes into our flight I received a call from the lead flight attendant in the cabin. 'I just found out the family of the soldier we are carrying, is on board', she said. She then proceeded to tell me that the father, mother, wife and 2-year old daughter were escorting their son, husband, and father home. The family was upset because they were unable to see the container that the soldier was in before we left. We were on our way to a major hub at which the family was going to wait four hours for the connecting flight home to Virginia .

The father of the soldier told the flight attendant that knowing his son was below him in the cargo compartment and being unable to see him was too much for him and the family to bear. He had asked the flight attendant if there was anything that could be done to allow them to see him upon our arrival. The family wanted to be outside by the cargo door to watch the soldier being taken off the airplane.. I could hear the desperation in the flight attendants voice when she asked me if there was anything I could do. 'I'm on it, I said. I told her that I would get back to her.

Airborne communication with my company normally occurs in the form of e-mail like messages. I decided to bypass this system and contact my flight dispatcher directly on a secondary radio. There is a radio operator in the operations control center who connects you to the telephone of the dispatcher. I was in direct contact with the dispatcher. I explained the situation I had on board with the family and what it was the family wanted. He said he understood and that he would get back to me.

Two hours went by and I had not heard from the dispatcher. We were going to get busy soon and I needed to know what to tell the family. I sent a text message asking for an update. I saved the return message from the dispatcher and the following is the text:

'Captain, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. There is policy on this now and I had to check on a few things. Upon your arrival a dedicated escort team will meet the aircraft. The team will escort the family to the ramp and plane side. A van will be used to load the remains with a secondary van for the family. The family will be taken to their departure area and escorted into the terminal where the remains can be seen on the ramp. It is a private area for the family only. When the connecting aircraft arrives, the family will be escorted onto the ramp and plane side to watch the remains being loaded for the final leg home. Captain, most of us here in flight control are veterans. Please pass our condolences on to the family. Thanks.'

I sent a message back telling flight control thanks for a good job. I printed out the message and gave it to the lead flight attendant to pass on to the father. The lead flight attendant was very thankful and told me, 'You have no idea how much this will mean to them.'

Things started getting busy for the descent, approach and landing. After landing, we cleared the runway and taxied to the ramp area. The ramp is huge with 15 gates on either side of the alleyway. It is always a busy area with aircraft maneuvering every which way to enter and exit. When we entered the ramp and checked in with the ramp controller, we were told that all traffic was being held for us.

'There is a team in place to meet the aircraft, we were told. It looked like it was all coming together, then I realized that once we turned the seat belt sign off, everyone would stand up at once and delay the family from getting off the airplane. As we approached our gate, I asked the copilot to tell the ramp controller we were going to stop short of the gate to make an announcement to the passengers. He did that and the ramp controller said, 'Take your time.'

I stopped the aircraft and set the parking brake. I pushed the public
address button and said, 'Ladies and gentleman, this is your Captain speaking I have stopped short of our gate to make a special announcement. We have a passenger on board who deserves our honor and respect. His Name is Private XXXXXX, a soldier who recently lost his life. Private XXXXXX is under your feet in the cargo hold. Escorting him today is Army Sergeant XXXXXXX. Also, on board are his father, mother, wife, and daughter. Your entire flight crew is asking for all passengers to remain in their seats to allow the family to exit the aircraft first. Thank you.'

We continued the turn to the gate, came to a stop and started our shutdown procedures. A couple of minutes later I opened the cockpit door. I found the two forward flight attendants crying, something you just do not see. I was told that after we came to a stop, every passenger on the aircraft stayed in their seats, waiting for the family to exit the aircraft.

When the family got up and gathered their things, a passenger slowly started to clap his hands. Moments later more passengers joined in and soon the entire aircraft was clapping. Words of 'God Bless You', ?I'm sorry?, ?thank you?, ?be proud?, and other kind words were uttered to the family as they made their way down the aisle and out of the airplane. They were escorted down to the ramp to finally be with their loved one.

Many of the passengers disembarking thanked me for the announcement I had made. They were just words, I told them, I could say them over and over again, but nothing I say will bring back that brave soldier.

I respectfully ask that all of you reflect on this event and the sacrifices that millions of our men and women have made to ensure our freedom and safety in these United States of AMERICA .

Tak Unique Designs Featured Artisans

2011-05-22T21:27:00.000-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Theresa Karnes - Tak Unique Designs. Teresa has beautiful creations in her shop! You can find Tak Unique Designs on:

Artfire

Facebook

You can grag the code for your blog posts here:

2011-05-17T14:54:00.002-06:00

This weeks featured artisan is Doug from Moonsong Ranch! Wonderful creations for you!! You can find Moonsong Ranch on:

An Amazing Tribute To A Fallen Soldier

2011-05-13T13:44:00.000-06:00

PO2

(Petty Officer, Second Class)

EOD2 The Sailor Pictured Below Is,

Navy Petty Officer,

(Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Second Class)

"MIKE MONSOOR"

April 5th, 1981 ~ September 29th, 2009

Mike Monsoor,

Was Awarded "The Congressional Medal Of Honor" Last Week,

For Giving His Life In Iraq , As He Jumped On, And Covered With His Body, A Live Hand Grenade,

Saving The Lives Of A Large Group Of Navy Seals That Was Passing By!

During Mike Monsoor's Funeral,

At Ft . Rosecrans National Cemetery , In San Diego , California .

The Six Pallbearers Removed The Rosewood Casket From The Hearse.

Lined Up On Each Side Of Mike Monsoor's Casket,

Were His Family Members, Friends, Fellow Sailors, And Well-wishers .

The Column Of People Continued From The Hearse, All The Way To The Grave Site ..

What The Group Didn't Know At The Time Was,

Every Navy Seal

(45 To Be Exact)

That Mike Monsoor Saved That Day Was Scattered Through-Out The Column!

As The Pallbearers Carried The Rosewood Casket

Down The Column Of People To The Grave Side .

The Column Would Collapse . ..

Which Formed A Group Of People That Followed Behind .

Every Time The Rosewood Casket Passed A Navy Seal,

He Would Remove His Gold Trident Pin From His Uniform,

And Slap It Down Hard,

Causing The Gold Trident Pin To Embed Itself

Into The Top Of The Wooden Casket!

Then The Navy Seal Would Step Back From The Column, And Salute!

Now For Those,

Who Don't Know What A Trident Pin Is,

Here Is The Definition!

After One Completes The Basic Navy Seals Program Which Lasts For Three Weeks,

And Is Followed By Seal Qualification Training,

Which Is 15 More Weeks Of Training,

Necessary To Continue Improving Basic Skills And To Learn New Tactics And Techniques,

Required For An Assignment To A Navy Seal Platoon .

After successful completion,

Trainees Are Given Their Naval Enlisted Code,

And Are Awarded The Navy Seal Trident Pin .

With This Gold Pin They Are Now Officially Navy Seals!

It Was Said,

That You Could Hear Each Of The 45 Slaps From Across The Cemetery!

By The Time The Rosewood Casket Reached The Grave Site,

It Looked As Though It Had A Gold Inlay From The 45 Trident Pins That Lined The Top!

This Was A Fitting End To An Eternal Send-Off For A Warrior Hero!

Curiosity's Piqued Featured Artisan

2011-05-10T06:18:00.000-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Lori - Curiositiy's Piqued. Lori creates

baby items, purses, bags, household items and Christmas ornaments that I crochet, sew and craft by hand. She also has another shop called Tadasana Tribal. You can find Curiositiy's Piqued on:

Artfire

Blog

Facebook

http://www.tadasanatribal.artfire.com

http://www.facebook.com/tadasanatribal

http://tadasanatribal.blogspot.com/

The Hardest Mother's Day So Far

2011-05-07T08:35:00.006-06:00

I lost my mom three years ago this past January to a massive heart attack. My mom wanted so badly to make it to her 80th birthday which she did in December 2007. I received a call from my dad on January 11, 2008 at around 6am. I could hear the terror in his voice when he told me that he thought that my mom was dead. I don't even remember getting dressed or even driving to their house. I ran into their house, my dad visibly upset and told me that my mom was in the bathroom. I'm not going to tell you where I found her because I don't want to embarrass her. All I remember is picking her up and putting her on the floor. I have no idea where I got the strength from. I knew that she was gone when I saw her but my police instincts, for lack of better words, and being that this was my mom, I had to do something. Her upper body wasn't cold but cool to the touch so of course I had to start CPR. Now I know that any reasonable person would have not tried this but I wasn't thinking rationally at this point. With the first compression I felt her ribs "pop" but I kept trying. My dad came in and told me that she was gone. I told him "I know but I have to do something". Now my husband had called 911 when I was on my way to my parents home so they didn't take to long to get there. They came in and, getting out of their way, let them check over my mom. They called the coroner to pronounce her passing. They said that she had been gone a couple of hours. This is the last memory I have of my mom. By this time, the rest of my family showed up at the house. My nephew saw the look on my face and he grabbed me and held me while I cried on his shoulder. We had the viewing the next day. I had made her a cross necklace the Christmas just before. Oh how she loved crosses and she loved this one. So I placed this necklace on my mom and had it cremated with her. She is in an urn that I bought for her at my father's apartment (he moved right after she died) next to the urn I bought for my dad. I got them at an antique shop. So this will be the third Mother's Day without my mom but it still feels like the very first year. I miss her so much. We were like best friends. I could tell her anything and she never judged me. I don't have anyone that I have this type of a relationship with. I probably never will. I could tell her my deepest secrets. I wish that I would wake up one day and she would be alive again. I still to this day want to call, or go see her in person, to tell her my accomplishments. I know she knows but it's just not the same. I Love you Mom and I miss you terribly. So cherish the time you have with your mom and treat her to something special this weekend. You never know when it will be the last Mother's Day you will have with your mom. So if you and your mom don't see eye to eye on everything, overlook it. Mend fences if you aren't close. Be the better person and give in to the argument you just had. Spend tomorrow with your mom. Like I already said, and God forbid, it could be the last one you might have.

Here is a picture of my mom and dad on their wedding day, October 24, 1949.

Again, I LOVE YOU MOM. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Featured Artisans Blogger's Unite

2011-04-19T09:17:00.001-06:00

Featured Artisans Blogger's Unite

My Gemstone Designs

2011-04-13T08:24:00.000-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Hazel - My Gemstone Designs. Hazel has wonderful creations in all her shops! A Very active supporter of handmade and a lovely person, Hazel is a joy to all she meets! You can find My Gemstone Designs at"

Etsy

Facebook

She also has 2 other shops: Classy Classic Jewels and Big and Beautiful

Maple Grove's Women of Today

2011-04-13T07:59:00.000-06:00

Yanni Truth of Touch Review

2011-04-02T12:08:00.001-06:00

I've been given a project to write about a well know musician. His name is Yanni. The type of music he plays is listed under different types, one being New Age. I personally found out about Yanni when I was injured during a call I was sent to (I use to be a police officer). I can't remember what exactly happened but I had to go to therapy. My therapist took me out on several occasions to run (I think I injured my knee but that has been over 15 years ago) to help with building up my speed. One day she picked me up from home and she had a cd from Yanni playing in her car. Now I had never listened to this type of music. I was strictly a 1980's rock music girl but after listening to Yanni for the first time, I was hooked. Yanni's music is so calming but upbeat. The cd she had was strictly instrumental and it was awesome. I just had to have that cd so when I was done with therapy, I be-lined it right over to a local department store and I bought my very first cd. I have purchase 5 more cd's (2 more of the very first on because I wore them out). I traveled from where I lived for about 30 minutes one way to visit my parents at least once a week and I played that cd over and over.

So now back to this project. I was chosen to listen to the new cd from Yanni called "Truth of Touch" then right a review. Now I'm going to for warn you. I've never written a review before and I hate to say anything negative about anyone/anything. So, I'm going to give you the negative on this cd first. For me when I listen to this type of music, it's for me to relax by. I don't want singing, just really good instrumentals and a good song. Don't get me wrong. This man has a really good voice. I guess what I am trying to say, there really isn't a bad side to this cd, it's just personal preference. Almost half of the songs on this cd are instrumental and the other half has words to it. The really good thing about this cd is the instrumental songs. Also with any other cd, there is always at least one song that just isn't your taste and this cd, there is no exception. Now remember, this is just my personal preference.

Yanni has many different cd's out there but I think this one is one of the top three that I have listened to. "Truth of Touch" is more "up beat" . I recommend this for anyone that loves the type of music that you can relax to or even when you are driving. I had to travel about a half an hour to visit my parents once a week and I chose to listen to Yanni on these trips. It helped me to relax when the traffic was heavy and it gave me something to calm my nerves when drivers we not so considerate. Again, this in my personal feelings on this type of music.

So to break all of this down for you....Yanni "Truth of Touch" is a cd worth investing in.

Luna Essence

2011-03-22T08:15:00.000-06:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Diana - Luna Essence. Diana creates beautiful jewelry and manages a group on Facebook as well as an Etsy Team! You can find Luna Essence on:

Etsy

Link for the code for your blogs: http://www.box.net/shared/3j2mf26r2k

Just A Little Note

2011-03-16T13:58:00.001-06:00

Well, I have finished my last quilt for a little while. You see, I'm having a total hip replacement on my right side on April 6. I find myself excited in a way because of the horrendous pain that I am in on a daily basis. I have tried to sit and sew but I can't seem to be able to find a comfortable position. I try to work around the house but I can hardly walk because of the pain in my hip. To top it all off, I have been diagnosed with RA in my LEFT ankle. Watching me walk is like watching a comedy. I have fallen so many times within the last couple of months that I am bruised so bad it looks like someone beat me up.

On the other hand, I'm going to be honest. This surgery scares the heck out of me. The only other surgery I have had is arthroscopic 2 years ago on the same hip. I was home the same day. They (the doctors) tell me that this surgery will last about 75 minutes (could be 90) and that I will be in the hospital for 3 days at least. I haven't stayed the night anywhere in over 3 years. I went to a information type class last week about this surgery and the restrictions are just about worse than what I am going through right now. They tell me that I won't be able to bend over and have to keep my hip no less than a 90 degree angle. I have been paying more attention to things in my home that I will have to change because of these two restrictions (there are more, these are just the ones that concern me the most). My height of my bed is about the only thing that I have that is close to being correct. Everything else, like my chair, tub/shower, and most important, the toilet, are too low. Now I could purchase the things that would make these a little easier but they cost a fortune. The nurse and physical therapist that talked at this class seem to not care about how much these things will cost US. For me to get all the equipment that they recommend, it will cost us almost $1000. That's about what I make right now in just a month. I really don't know how I'm going to do this but I guess that I have to find a way.

I've got some new projects lined up for after I get home from the hospital since I won't be able to sew for a little bit. I'm going to go back to making my beaded ornaments that I use to make years ago. Here are a couple that I had made my mom before she died. They are made using the Delica beads.

Now, I do make these to sell however they do take me 2 to 3 weeks each to make. You might think my price on these are high but because of the time and materials that I have in each one of these, I'm only paying myself 50 cents per hour when it comes down to it. The cost to purchase one of these (an I'm working on a different pattern all together right now) is between $85 - $100, depending on the pattern and colors. For instance on the price of supplies, for silver, costs me $10.45 for 5 grams and the one I'm working of right now takes 14 grams for one ornament. The one right now is an Iris and it has 17 colors. I will post pictures of this one when I am finished.

Well, speaking of working on this ornament, I better get busy on it. Keep checking back to see this one when I'm finished.

Finshed My Last Quilt for Awhile

2011-03-10T05:27:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to let you all know that I finally finished the custom quilt that I have been working on the last 2 months. I'm getting ready to deliver it. The next couple of weeks, I will be getting ready for surgery so I won't be sewing for awhile. Here is a picture of the quilt I just finished.

Almost Done!!!

2011-03-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

I have been working on a custom order quilt for almost two months now. This quilt is a king size and it's a Celtic style quilt. I first started out looking for Celtic crosses and knots because my customer wanted two crosses in opposite corners and the knots in the other two in the "stained glass" look. In the center of the quilt is a large silver cross with a Claddagh aroun the top of the cross hanging down in front of the cross. This is also "stained glass" method. All I have left to add the bias tape to is the center cross. Tomorrow, hopefully, I can complete the embroidery on the front then I can quilt it. I will post pictures once I have finished and delivered it. So keep checking back if you want to see what I have put together.

What's Been Going On

2011-02-24T09:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I have posted anything. I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still here. I've been working on a custom quilt that I have to have done by mid March. It's a king size Celtic quilt. I'm having trouble sewing, not because I can't sew but because of the pain I have in my hip. You see, I was diagnosed with hip dysplasia back in 1997. I was able to deal with the pain for years because it wasn't a constant pain. The last 3 years have been different. I have gone to so many doctors, had 4 MRI's, an ungodly amount of x-rays I should be glowing, had arthroscopic surgery in the summer of 2009 to repair multiple tears in the ligaments, with no relief. I have dealt with this hip "going out" on me and falling all the time. Last June I started going back to my orthopedic surgeon (the last one moved to Colorado but he told me I would have to have a hip replacement within two years). The doctor that replaced the one I had, started me all over with all the tests and injections. I caught him in two lies, which I'm not going to go into because I don't want to call him what I want to call him. The first of the year I changed insurances and I changed all of my doctors to my new insurance. I went to my new surgeon the first of this month and he told me what I already knew - that the two main doctors I had didn't know what they were talking about. Ok, I guess I will have to tell you some of what the old "surgeon" told me. He said that the pain wasn't coming from my hip, it was coming from my lower back. Now back to the new surgeon. He told me that the excruciating pain that I have been in is definitely coming from my hip, NOT my lower back. He did say that in the last MRI I had (the week before this appointment) showed that I have an unknown mass on the left side lower back next to my spine. He said he will worry about that a little later. Anyway, when I left this doctor's office, I felt relieved because someone listened to what I was saying and all of my medical history. I am now scheduled for a full hip replacement in April. I'm scared but I am finally relieved knowing that this pain will hopefully be gone and I can have a somewhat normal life. Now this won't take care of all of my other health issues and pain but I can manage with those most of the time. So now I'm in a crunch trying to get this quilt done. I've been sewing and crying at the same time because of the pain. I won't be able to sew for at least 2 months after surgery so I have been getting my beads together in one place so that my hubby can bring me my projects to work on. I am going to start making my ornaments again with the Delica beads and I also have started making a hat band on my loom. So I'm changing gears a little bit for awhile.

That's what has been going on with me here lately but I will get back to featuring an Artisan a week when I'm stuck in my recliner. So keep checking back. You never know when you will be featured.

Cameo Jewelry Art

2011-01-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today I was searching for a shop to feature in my blog so I went to Artfire and starting browsing. As soon as the page came up this shop just seemed to jump out at me. I clicked on the picture and when the shop opened up, the first thing I thought was " Wow" . I couldn't move for a minute because the work this shop does is remarkable. Ok, now do I have your attention? hehehehe. This shop goes by the name of Cameo Jewelry Art. I can tell you all day long on how beautiful this shops masterpieces (and yes, I said Masterpieces) but without showing you pictures, you will never believe me. So here are some of my favorites, and believe me there are more than just a few that I truly love.

This piece is the one that caught my eye. The description that they have on this piece is

" Fine Horse Cameo Ring Agate Sterling Silver Jewelry"

In reading the information on this beautiful piece, it is carved out of Black Agate.

Here is a side view of the same ring. The band is just as exquisite as the cameo.

Then I just barely got to the second page of their shop and this gorgeous piece grabbed me (it was really hard leaving the first page but I had to see more). They have this piece listed as " Butterfly Cameo Pendant". Now, need I say more? Actually I can " AAHH"

Ok, one more. Here is this beautiful Swarovski Pink Rose Cameo Pendant and Earrings.

I don't think I have to say anything else except that if you don't visit this shop, you will miss so much more that I just can't explain them all.

Dianes Dangles

2011-01-23T09:22:00.000-07:00

This weeks Featured Artisan is Diane's Dangles! Diane has wonderful creations for you to see in her shops. Not only does Diane creation true treasures she is dedicated to promoting her fellow artisans which is a wonderfully kind act! You can find Diane's Dangles on:

Daine also has a 2nd shop on Artfire called BeadSouk... take a peek there too!

Featured Artisan Jewelry By Nala

2011-01-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

This weeks featured artisan is Jewelry by NaLa! NaLa has truly unique creations.. works of art you can wear!

You can find NaLa at:

NaLa also hosts a wonderful group on Facebook call Handmade Harbor!