wow, I've been reading a lot of children's encyclopedias lately (as i cut up the pictures to incorporate into projects, I end up getting sidetracked by the info), and I gotta tell ya, these things are fascinating!! Any kid who actually reads and retains this info would be one smart cookie indeed. For example: do you know why the ocean is salty? the common response usually references the large salt beds on the ocean floor, but that's like saying it's salty because it has a lot of salt. The real reason is that rivers are responsible...they carry wee amounts of salt from mountains down into the ocean, and the cumulative effect over millions of years means lots of salt has gathered, making the oceans salty! Amazing huh? what's really amazing is that i never learned that before now.

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:

"I'm not aware of too many things
I know what I know if you know what I mean."

-Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians
www.ediebrickell.com

Since starting my business, I have repeatedly witnessed the surprising kindnesses shown to me by strangers, both in my own community and elsewhere.... these kind words (click here to read)written by a fellow jewelry maker in California give me yet another example. Jenie Clark of Dragonfly Designis talented in many arenas, and I am thrilled that she thinks highly enough of my work to feature it in her blog. I am meeting so many interesting people as a result of pursuing my dream...a bonus I hadn't anticipated starting out.


I had a million things to do today...sew display covers, paint sand dollars that were supposed to be completed yesterday, attack paperwork, etc. etc. etc.
what did i actually do? Skipped out on my responsiblities and took my dog to the beach instead. I'd been feeling guilty about ignoring him lately, so I reasoned that the outing simply couldn't wait another day...and off we went! As usual, it turned into a major unexpected beachcombing expedition, no bag, just pockets...with surprisingly durable seams...look at what i fit into them:

George spent most of his time hidden in the tall dune grasses, and because I had to go find him there, I came upon one of the more interesting pieces of glass I have ever found on the beach...ever. It is dark purple, opaque in spots, and roughly 3 inches and heavy...check it out:
George often leads me to treasures in this manner, and it happens so regularly I believe he knows what he's doing!
oh, and if you know someone whose last name starts with "B" and his first name is "Otto"...well I found a piece of glass with his name on it:
Now, I'm off to see if i can use tonight to make up for today's "loss".

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:

"Well, I wake up in the morning,
Fold my hands and pray for rain.
I got a head full of ideas
That are drivin' me insane."

-Bob Dylan

Just a quick note to say the Shivering Sheep Collection is now available at Baadeck Yarns...Necklaces, Earrings, and Brooch/pendants make great gifts for knitters and fibre lovers alike...check out the logo (it's pixelated on the screen, but not in real life!):

sometimes, storebought sweets just don't cut it. But homebaking is so difficult and time-consuming, right? wrong! Tonight I made up a batch of my old favorites ...Cornflake Macaroons. If you've never had the pleasure, gather up the ingredients, and try them yourself. They are the epitome of comfort food...might come in handy if you're expecting a storm to hit as we are in Cape Breton...so get ye to the kitchen before the electricity goes, and put some miles on that apron :)

Cornflake Macaroons

2 egg whites beaten until fluffy
add:
1 tsp. salt
1 cup white sugar
2 cups cornflakes
1 cup coconut
1/2 tsp almond flavoring

Place Large spoonfuls on greased sheet and bake at 350 till golden brown. cool slightly before removing from sheets. Enjoy!

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:
"C is for cookie, and cookie starts with C
C is for cookie and that's good enough for me"
-Cookie Monster

...well, sort of.
If you've seen the new Destination Cape Breton commercial, you've undoubtedly been impressed by the vocal talents of Stephanie Hardy(the lovely gal playing the guitar and singing)...but did you notice what she's wearing?
Yup, that's a Lamoore Designs original (a blue mussel for those who've not seen the ad).
Cape Breton's been missing Stephanie for a few years as she's been pursuing higher education...but, make no mistake, she's very much back in every sense of the word!! yay!

In other "welcome back-related news": Martha Stewart returned today, and crafters around the world (including me) could *not* be happier! while there was no crafty content per se in today's premier episode, I did learn to fold a t-shirt in the most cleverest of ways....Thank you, Martha!

The past few days have been all about getting my wish lists ready to place orders with suppliers...Ordering my raw materials is my least favorite part of business, so I guess it's a blessing that I can get a lot of my stuff from beaches, trees, and thrift shops!!

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:

"Life's like a movie,
write your own ending
keep believing, keep pretending
We've done just what we set out to do..."

-Kermit the Frog (?)

I made good on my word, and took a trip to the beach, and guess what? the water is still beautiful (maybe warmer than ever), so if you're feeling bad about working all summer and not getting any swimming in, don't despair! go today! Another bonus is there's no crowds...just you, the water and treasures galore...
look what I found this eve:

That's the biggest blue willow pottery shard I've ever found, and, yay, a new marble for my very tiny collection (I might find two a year). this one is turquoise and very frosty...it was positively glowing when I discovered it half buried in the wet sand.
Just felt like sharing my happy finds with the journal readers out there...now get yourself to the ocean...you'll be glad you did! :)

Today's Theme Expressed In A Song Lyric:

"there are heroes in the seaweed..."

-Leonard Cohen
www.leonardcohen.com

Well, I guess it's time to admit that fall is really here (in Nova Scotia, that is). I put my fleece zip-up on tonight for the first time since spring, today was probably my last day for standing in the garden eating sugar snap peas from the vine (yum), and I am seeing those familiar wooly orange caterpillars again...I actually saw one of those heading for the ocean the other day...perhaps he couldn't take summer ending either? ha!
Melancholy aside, I actually do take much pleasure in this harvesty time of year...it's really a "fill up your senses" kind of season. I'm hunkering down to heavy production mode leading up to the Christmas art/craft show season, and also making sure I've gathered all the supplies I'll be needing to keep me busy over the winter months.
Still, I think I have to go play in the waves one last time...it's not too late, right? ...right?

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:

"I'd like to call back summertime and let her stay for just another month or so
But she's got the urge for goin, and I'll have to let her go"
-Joni Mitchell
www.jonimitchell.com

Do you want to buy neat things handmade by neat people?
Do you want to help those hit by Hurricane Katrina?
Of course you do!!
The Craft Revolution and Etsy have partnered up to create a hot little spot for you to do both at the same time...Read all about it, then check out the goods! (click the banner above)

Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:

"Everybody knows the boat is sinking,
Everybody knows the Captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
that their father or their dog just died...
that's how it goes,
and everybody knows."
-Leonard Cohen
http://www.leonardcohen.com

so, I'm going to try posting some pics here of my brand new jewelry line called "the Shivering Sheep collection" (copyright 2005 Lamoore Designs, all rights reserved.)
This collection was made specifically for a wonderful yarn shop in the village of Baddeck, N.S called Baadeck Yarns.
The yarn I am using in my earrings and necklaces is all 100% wool, handspun by fellow Cape Bretoner Chris Thomson, of Bras d'Or Lakes Fibre Studio. My brooches can also be worn as pendants or shawl clasps, and are made from polymer clay...all will soon be available for purchase at Baadeck yarns.





I'm also introducing a new fun little feature to this journal...from now on, each entry will feature "today's theme expressed in a song lyric"...why, you ask? well, music influences so much of what I do as an artist...I wake up with song lyrics tumbling inside my head, I settle into creative mode with the help of my favorite cds playing in the background, and I've had my creative juices kickstarted on more than one occasion by taking in live performances! So, without further ado, here's Today's Theme Expressed in a Song Lyric:
"High water risin', the shacks are slidin' down
Folks lose their possessions - folks are leaving town...
it's tough out there
High Water everywhere"
-Bob Dylan
http://www.bobdylan.com

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