Just BEAD IT

 Part ~ 2 of "Lost in the Shuffle of Etsy"!!

I think I am getting better at the picture taking...

at least I hope that I am going in the right direction.

Love beads, who doesn't!!

Especially when they are mixed with

 pearls, quartz, silver, and all kinds of seed and Swarovski beads.

Layering is so in right now.

Mother-of-pearl with turquoise glass beads.

I am a turquoise and aquamarine kind of girl.

And the complimentary necklace.

Black Tourmalinated quartz is sooo pretty.

And goes so well with my favorite crown closures.

 Anything silver is always my first choice.

I like the simple look with these round quartz beads.

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea.

 Rich in color, blues, and browns, with pearls and silver.

This is one of my favorite bracelets. 

I made a couple for friends and family.

I think they liked theirs too.

I don't even remember the name of the beads I used when I made this set.

But I think this would be a very wearable piece of jewelry.

Wouldn't this be sharp with a white blouse.

  ~PEARLS~

 Some say diamonds are a girls best friend.

But I beg to differ, pearls should be in every girls jewelry box.

Mixed with quartz and silver---Gorgeous!

Nothing says "Happy Valentines Day" like this set.

Ruby red transparent Preclosa czech beads with sterling silver.

Just a glimpse of Part-2 of my upload into my

Etsy shop "Lady of the Lodge"

Wonder what Part 3 will bring!

Officially LOST in the shuffle of ETSY

I am a collector of many things! 

 And one of those collections is Fabric.

I love to shop for fabric,  I love to look at old clothes 

and think of them as "refashion" fabric.

I LOVE FABRIC!!!

Ever since I was 21 and had my first taste of the Fashion District in New York City with my Aunt Virginia, I have loved fabric-buttons-ribbons-and

 everything else that goes along with creating out of fabric.

Back then..the fabric was "Made in the USA"

and IT WAS BEAUTIFUL fabric.

I wish I would have saved every dress I had from...

Back then!!

I think for me, this is one of the most relaxing past time.  

I am in another world when I sew.

I have made a few handbags for my Cuz Lori.

 I finally took a picture of the one I gave her for her birthday this past May.

I found the main fabric in Minnesota at 

SR Harris - Brooklyn Park

And as most friends do--they encourage you to sell the items you make!

Yah right I say......... 

Since I know I have a pretty darn good selection of fabric, a new sewing machine, no time to do this,

What The Heck........I will give it a try.

So I finally upload a few into an Etsy shop.

Gotta have a name...hmmm

Ladies of the Lodge

After all, that is what we call our selves!

So in my little world, Three Lakes, WI, in the TAJ

here is what I am doing right now...

I love bright duck cloth, love the texture, love the colors,

even if they are solid colors. 

My clutch cannot just have a zipper, no, I need to add a fashion bead!

I am playing around with tags for my handbags

This one is out of burlap, stamped with two

young "fashionistas" I call them!

The stamped vanilla shipping tag.

My signature name on every bag is now this wooden button.

I like it and it will go on everyone I make!

I have dabbled with detachable flowers for some clutches.

Adding zipper halves for the stamen.

I love the inside as much as the outside. 

My favorite is using silk dupioni.

Adding vintage buckles.

large flowers and glitzy zippers

I really like this flower.  It's shabby chic, but not too messy.

Shhh, a peek at a birthday gift.....

So NOW, I needed to upload these into ETSY!!

Easy, right?

Are you kidding me?

Now I have to sell you on these babies....no way

I am not bold enough to BS my way through that one.

I took my pictures, 

still working on that-my attempt at pictures!

Do you have any idea what it takes to upload into ETSY?!?

A job in its self for sure! 

So now.........

I am Officially LOST in the shuffle of ETSY!!!

"MC" turns 60

My dear friend turns sixty Thursday......How did we ever get to be so OLD!!!

When it comes to Mary my creative juices just burst.  

She and I are so alike in so many ways.

When we shop, we  both gravitate to the same things.  

We often think alike when it comes to conjuring up GNO surprises!!  

WE both LOVE Americana, baskets, and fabric, need I say more.

On Thursday, I pass off the Royal Robe to her.

She will be crowned "Empress"

We have so many neat things planned for her.

A scrolled story has been written!

Oh, did I mention she LOVES stories.

The challenge came to write it just as Mary would.

Last Thursday Betty, Lori and I created a masterpiece...

The story has been typed onto a scroll...and it is rolled and tied in a

RED-WHITE-BLUE ribbon!!

I get really choked up when ever I make something for her.

I can't wait for her to open her gift.

A circle has no end, and that is how I feel about my friendship with MC....

I never want it to end.

When I made this gift for her, I rummaged through all my saved trinkets, 

hunted  store shelves for what I knew would be a perfect fit for my circle.

Even bought things under her nose at Hunt and Gather-MN!!

Is it Thursday yet?!?!?

There is a little ops here...the flags by her baby picture don't belong there.

They were magnets holding up the little canvas as the glue set!!

No worries, I removed it prior to wrapping her gift. 

Here is Mary at 50--crowned "Queen"

Can't wait for the 60th picture.

Love you MC to the moon and back.

Your forever friend,

Empress Jackie

Wish of Happiness

A future filled with happiness,


A special wish for you,


Days filled with

joy &  happiness,


And all your dreams come true,


To a very special couple,


Who make a perfect pair,


This brings a wish for happiness,


In the future you will share.

A new chapter in my

daughter's life.

So very happy for her.

She is a special women,

who holds a very special

place in my heart.

My wish of happiness

Love, Mom

Pepperoni Roll

What is a blog unless you BLOG about FOOD!! 

I was given this recipe 

many years ago from the Harten's, 

all the way from - Pennsylvania.

A favorite of my kids.  

I sent many home with them

 when they were in college.

One was never enough!

Many variations can be done with this roll.

Simple, simple ingredients.

1 loaf of frozen bread

1# Italian seasoned sausage

1 pkg sliced pepperoni

1 large bag mozzarella cheese

egg white

When I started to make the roll, I realized I did not have 

just mozzarella cheese, but a three cheese mix!

It worked!!

Brown the Italian Sausage. After draining the meat, 

I always rinse it with warm water.

This helps remove excess grease.

 Let the bread rise on a greased cookie sheet.

 Putting the frozen loaf in the refrigerator  the night before,

helps cut the raising time in half.

Once the bread has raised, 

build the roll on a floured board.

Shape and pull the bread into a rectangle shape.

Then place overlapping rows of pepperoni- three slices across,

leaving about two inches on each end.

 Layer the browned Italian Sausage, 

follow with the cheese.

Optional:  On top of the sausage I have added mushrooms, sautéed 

peppers, onions, what ever you like!

The last step is to make equal slits on each side.

Alternate the strips from each side, crossing over, and tucking, 

creating a braided look. 

 Pull the ends up and over the braiding on both ends, tuck under roll.

Sprinkle a light coating of corn meal on a

lightly greased cookie sheet.

Place the roll and brush the top and sides with 

lightly whipped egg whites.

And voila, you have a Pepperoni Roll!!

Bake 45 minutes or till bottom looks done and roll

sounds hollow when tapped on top.

Super easy to make, slice to serve

hot or cold.

Bon Appétit