Love at the Garden Gate

Hello Dear Readers,

Can it really be Valentine's Days already?

I have been on the mend - in mid January I got "that" flu that is going around...been coughing ever since!  JUST in the last few days though - I almost feel improved, so I am uplifted!  I got up and off my "fainting couch," and felt like crafting you a little romantic art... Please enjoy a copy for any of your crafting needs.

And have a Love-Inspired Valentine's Day.

Love,

Sherilyn

Snowy Red Barn Winter Freebie

Season's Greetings Dear Readers!

I just stopped in to wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season!

Below you'll find some pretty holiday card art that you're welcome to take and use for any of your paper, postcard, or digital projects.  You might even enjoy them as a screen saver.  Have you gotten your cards done yet?  Me neither! lol. I hope these will inspire us!

This charming set of barns resides next door to Clear Crick.  I have embellished the xmas decor but the barns are naturally these pretty colors. :)

Right now at my jewelry shop Clear Crick Cottage I'm having a 1 day sale before I sign off for the season, and am offering my best discount code CCCWINTER30 for a discount of 30% on all of my beaded jewelry.  If you happen to have time, stop by and say hi ! :)

Thank you for a wonderful 2012.

I'll see you again in 2013 !

Love,

Sherilyn Koss

Groundskeeper, Clear Crick Cottage

Autumn Skies Bracelet (Sold)

Click bracelet for larger view

These fantastic lentil shaped lampwork beads are by Anne Dodd at Spare Time Designs... they're called "Rootbeer Over Ice."  Along with their beautiful amber half, they also have a super gorgeous shiny half - it's a smokey blue grey mirrored affect - just stunning.  Delightful Shibuichi toggle by Green Girl Studios, and perfect lampwork spacers "Aurae" by Cathi at Beadbrains.

This bracelet was inspired by Anne's beads, AND the recent custom request from my cousin Diana.
Thanks ladies!  I hope you both like how this turned out!

Sweet Treat Coupon Now through 10-31

Happy Halloween Sweet Readers!
If you're in the market for some new beaded jewelry,
I have a special coupon code just for you:
Use coupon code CCCCANDYCORN 
at checkout for a 20% discount!
Fly on over to my shop and have a look!
ClearCrickCottage

Currently, I ALSO have a 15% coupon running for shoppers who haven't checked my blog! :)
I know I know... but it's REALLY all about the Tricks and Treats right now isn't it?!

I'll be lighting my pumpkins and rustling up some sweets for our neighborhood kiddies - I might even dress up this year... who can tell?  One year I dressed as the Wicked Queen in Snow White, answering the door in full mask and costume... most little ones got as far as "Trick orrr...." then their mouths would drop open.  I politely, serenely, and eerily asked them all if anyone had seen Snow White? as I passed out the candy very slowly... No one snitched!  But ONE little girl said to her friend as she left the porch that "NO WAY would she dress as Snow White next year!"

Wishing you all a frightfully Happy Halloween week!

Halloween Witch and Magical Cat Freebies

 For your Halloween card making, scrapping, or bloggin, I hope you like this little treat.

It's October! Fall Jewelry Sale

(Click on the Witch to be transported to my Etsy shop.)

Hello Happy Readers!
Just use this magical coupon code "CCCAutumnColors" at check-out, and get a 15% discount on your purchase.  Enjoy your first weekend of October everyone!

Zinnia Summer Days

During all other seasons, I love to include purple, yellow, and orange colors to my backyard flora, because I'm always prepared for a FALL garden when October and November come around.  This year I've done nothing all summer but re-pot, prune, replace, and feed my plants out back, because they have waited for my full attention for several years now.  Sigh.  I must say, though, my backyard project is coming along rather well, and I'm starting enjoy my morning coffee out there, instead of fretting over the neglected dead limbs, empty "spots," and uncut spent blooms I spy over the rim of my coffee cup.

It's getting there, and I'm so happy for it!

I've also discovered Zinnias this year, but not just any variety... seeds were especially harvested by my dear friend Carol, from Indiana, and mailed to me last Fall.  My first blooms appeared a little early last week, but I think still in time for continued blooming through October.

How does YOUR garden grow?  Wishing you end of summer bright blooms!

Altered Summertime Cherry Backgrounds

Hi Dear Readers!
Just a quick hitter today - still working on that yard of mine! whew, and boy is it hard in this hot weather.  Ok maybe I'm procrastinating a little right now! LOL.  I hope you're all well, and enjoying your sunny summer!!
I wanted to share some altered Graphics Fairy Cherry themed Blogger backgrounds for a summertime treat.
I've merged and blended at least 2 backgrounds on each, and blended in a few fun elements as well - most are all derived from Karen at Background Fairy, and Graphics Fairy.
Here are the original 4 designs from Background Fairy, just in case you want to try this yourself:
(link to Cherry Dots HERE)                      (link to Pink Roses HERE)

 (link to Red White Swirls HERE)                   (link to Blue Dots HERE)                      

When I load these particular backgrounds into Blogger Template Designer, 

I designate the Alignment to Upper center,
choose the drop-down command "Don't Tile,"
and UNcheck the "Scroll with Page" box.
Have fun trying these on your own blog! (just click and save to your computer!)

 

If you aren't quite sure how to load your own blog background without code, please see the Background Fairy's "Super Simple Tips" on how to load these! click HERE to link to these instructions!

Bathing Beauty Blog ART Freebie

Thanks for stopping by today!

I was having some creative fun with several of my images from Graphics Fairy and decided to post them here for you to use, if you like them.  I hope this design might come in handy this summer for you.

Enjoy!!

This Bathing Beauty Image is a wide background (better "suited" for 3 column blogs), but would still work for 2 column blogs.

FYI, These blog banners are 910 pixels wide, so you shouldn't have to choose "shrink to fit" unless you have a 2 column blog.

Once you upload the background to your Blogger,

I like to choose the setting alignment to

Center bottom,

Don't Tile,

and UNCHECK Scroll with page.

I also added some little Bathing Beauty Buttons for summertime sidebar decor.  They're both 180 pixels wide.

 

"A Dream Is A Wish" Necklace (Sold)

I mailed this off to an old friend, Kathy, yesterday - she kindly called me last week for a custom order necklace for her daughter (who will be attending commencement ceremonies next week, and then will go on to high school next year).  We collaborated on this necklace to make something transitional, to grow with her daughter from "youthful," to a little more "grown-up."  I think it came out just right, and will be a nice surprise for her.

The Starfish artisan pendant is by Green Girl Studios, and reads *WISH* on the back.  This necklace also includes pearls, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver charms by Hip Chick Beads, and Hill Tribe (from Somerset Silver).
This was a lot of fun to make - Thank you Kathy!

Eclipsed In Color

Although I tried very hard, I wasn't able to get a photo of the eclipse a couple of days ago.  I did get a refracted, left to right reversed image in ONE of my photos - but it's sorta pathetic. :)
However, I loved being able to watch the giant "bite" taken out across the top of the sun (through my welder's glass)! We only got to see an 84% coverage, here in Southern California, but it got pretty dark nonetheless!  

 Years ago I was lucky enough to be with family and friends down in Cabo San Lucas Mexico for the total eclipse of the sun, so I often giggle at the way solar experts on TV describe it as "a million" on a scale of 1-10, compared to a partial eclipse -like the one we just had- as an "8."  Those science guys are so number oriented.  But they're right.  There's NOTHING like seeing a full eclipse.  I think my FAVORITE part about the total eclipse was the light.  Even though it became dark, you are STILL able see the full color spectrum.  You know how at night you can only see red, maybe?  Well looking around and seeing in full color at night took my breath away - it was like seeing magic for a brief moment. :)  That being said, I noticed the colors were "off" during our little eclipse as well - they were bright and strong, even though the sun had dimmed.  I hope you enjoy the photos of my neighbor's roses, here, taken during the sun's 84% coverage on Sunday.  I finally had to use a 17% blue filter on these, to cool the reds that my camera picked up.  Even the camera was confused by the unusual color spectrum at that time.

If you look VERY closely at the reflected image above the sun,
you can see the crescent shape image of the sun (tiny).
The actual shape of the crescent was reversed left to right, too.
I keep thinking you can ALMOST see the crescent in the sun here,
but I think it's more wishful thinking.  lol.
This photo was taken through welder's glass #10,
and I only sharpened this image once.

Have a colorful rest of your week... and don't forget to stop and smell the roses.
P.S. - My husband and I made a pact to see the next total eclipse of the sun in 2017.  Traveling such a short distance - up to Oregon - for the sunsational event will be worth it. :) OH how I understand the insanity that makes some people into world traveling "eclipse chasers!"