Blog Hops!

Hey there gang! 
 
I just wanted to let you know to come back over here this Saturday, June 1st, for the Anklet Blog Hop being hosted by Kashmira Patel of Sadafulee,...Always in Bloom
 
 
 
With summer here (well not officially, but technically, right?!) adorning your ankles with the cutest of anklets is fashionable and oh so fun!! 
 
So, be sure to hop back over here and catch the wave of Summer Anklets to kick start your warm weather fashion!
 
And, Sally with The Studio Sublime
(and the weekly Focusing on Life: 52 Photos challenge)
is hosting a fun jewelry challenge as well. 
 
 
 
 
The reveal date is Wednesday, July 10th. 
 
 
Braided Bohemian Style Necklace - MiShel Designs
 
Sign ups are going on now so hop on over to
The Studio Sublime, sign yourself up, and get to designing some fun black and white jewelry!! 
 
"Rome" - Bracelet by Michelle Buettner of MiShel Designs - 2012
 
 
( I just LOVE black and white jewelry - can you tell?!)
 
 
 
 
Know of any other fun challenges and/or blog hops going on this summer?  Please Share them here in the comments (with links if you've got 'em!).
 
Until Next Time,
 
Peace, Love and Creative Summer Fun!
 
Cheers,
 
~Shel~
 
 
 
Remembering all those who are serving our country this Memorial Day and all who have served before them.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thank you for the sacrifices you have made so that we may enjoy the Freedom we have!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Remembering!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~

Focus on Life - 52 Photos - Week 21 - Reminisce

For week 21, Sally's (The Studio Sublime) prompt was:
 
 
 
Reminisce.
 
"Have you ever been in the middle of a busy day and all of a sudden you run across a certain baked good, candy, flower or an object catches your attention and you are sent right back to you childhood? This week,...capture what takes you back to moments past and reminisce a little."
 
Oh, there were so many things.
 
Smells, sounds, tastes.
 
How do you capture those on film (camera)?
 
They're so sweet. They capture and hold.  You hear things,...smell,...feel. You're transformed back into another world. A world you once lived. One you experienced whole-heartedly. With raw emotion. You didn't know to protect,....you just were. There. Then. PURE.
 
And now, it's today.
 
Of all the things that I reminisce about,...experience,...go back to,...enjoy; there is always one that stops me in my tracks; captures and holds me like no other. It's a specific smell. And it it embodies so much,....
 
I was only 3 when we went to California.
It was the summer before my Mother passed away.
 
My sister tells me stories of Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo and driving up the coast. I really have only scarce memories of it, but strangely, I have very strong feelings of actually being in California. 
 
Several years back, the hubby and I took our son to  California and when we walked into Disneyland, I felt like I was home. 
 
I know,...it's a place of happiness, family, etc. but this was different. This was one of the last places I had been with my Mom,...significant places, anyway (even though I didn't really remember it) and there, all of a sudden, catching me totally off guard, among all the hustle and bustle, the crowds, the sounds, everything,...I felt at home and at peace. I felt like I was supposed to be there. Not just supposed to be there at that moment,...but that that was where I was meant to be. That was home.  I felt complete and happy.  Like everything was right with the world. I did not want to leave. Ever! That was rather confusing and hard to wrap my brain around. Especially as an adult.  I mean, it's kids who don't want to leave Disneyland,...not adults, right?!! So, as we departed,...I felt like my heart was ripped from my chest!
 
The same thing happened the first time (and each time since)that we've been to the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach.
 
That's how I feel ever single time I leave California.
 
ANY place in California. 
 
It's like I'm not supposed to be leaving. And, when I do,...I feel like I'm leaving something or someone behind.
 
I absolutely hate leaving California and driving away - yet sometimes, I'm so ready to be home - just to escape that feeling.
 
It's a love / hate thing!  I love going,...hate leaving,...hate going back (because I am aware of emotions that may find their way in) But I absolutely love being there,...it's who I am,...strangely enough.  I'm 'home' when I'm there. Yet, I've never lived there.  Explain that.  It's so freakin' weird I tell you - so really weird how I feel when I'm there. I cannot explain it and if I tried to even attempt to tell others what I feel when I'm there,....well,..I'd totally be dragged off to the loony bin! 
 
Okay - so I guess I just sorta told you all,...please don't drag my ass off to the loony bin just yet!!
 
Anyway, back to Sally's prompted.
 
It was to Reminisce. 
 
Well, since I couldn't travel to California this week, and after thinking of all sorts of other things, I realized that there's one thing that stops me dead in my tracks! 
 
It's a smell. The smell of Coppertone Sunscreen.
 
 
 
 
 It's the one smell that if allowed, I would sniff all day!
(Oh man, I'm sure that's not good info to give out!)
 
 But, it takes me back,...each and every time,...it takes me back to a place I love. To my childhood. To being in Disneyland with my Mom, my Dad and my Sister.
 
Funny, but I have no idea what so ever, if we ever even used it while we were there!
 
I so wish I had a picture of the four of us in Disneyland.
 
When I smell Coppertone, I see us all there.
 
To me it's Summer in California!
 
The Beach. The Water. The Waves.
 
Mickey and Minnie!
 
And that smell, for whatever reason, reminds me of my Malibu Barbie. 
 
 
 
 




And she reminds me of the beauty of California.
 
 
Of the sites, sounds and smells of California.
 
 
 
 
 
Of being a little girl.
 
Of walking on the beach.
 
Of being free,...like the ocean,....like the breeze,....
 
Of being in a moment that lives forever in your heart. 
 
Of Childhood.
 

Together.
 
Forever.
 
 
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Reminiscing.
Cheers,

Focus on Life: Week 20 - Looking Up!

 
For Week 20 of the
hosted by Sally over at the Studio Sublime,
our prompt was:
 
Look Up!
 
Sally told us:  "This week, let's change our perspective and look up!  There is a whole world above us that we sometimes miss seeing because we simply forget to look up!"
 
I took this prompt literally this week and saw tons of cobwebs that needed dusting away in the corners of each room of my house.
 
Thanks Sally! ;-)
 
But, instead of showing you how I'm decorating early for Halloween (hey, that's my story!), I decided to go outside and LOOK UP!
 
I saw nothing but blue skies,...beautiful blue skies!  So I went and stood under the neighbor's palm tree! 
 
I love standing under trees and looking up into them (hence some other pics you've seen on this blog!).  
 
Palm trees are a favorite of mine and I love how they look here, in the sun, and also how they look at night, with the moon rising over them (sorry to not have a great pic of that scene!).
 
 
 
Simply Beautiful!!  
 
Thanks for making me "Look Up" this week Sally, it was a pleasant change of pace from seeing the dust bunnies on the floor,...chasing me!  At least the cobwebs don't move and the Palm Trees don't need dusting!!
 
Head on over to the Studio Sublime and see what everyone else saw when they stopped for a moment to "Look Up", won't you?! 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Looking Up!!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 

Knotted Summer Bracelet Tutorial

Hey there folks!
 
I wanted to let you know I've posted a new bracelet tutorial over on my MiShel Designs Etsy Site this week.
 
It's a fun Knotted, Multi-Strand Beaded Bracelet with a Hand Fabricated Button Closure that I teach you to create.
 
 
 
You can hop on over to the Etsy site and see the Tutorial by clicking HERE.
 
Or, you click on the "Tutorials and Fun Stuff" Section across the top of my blog here and get over to the Etsy site and view it that way.
 
It's a downloadable PDF tutorial that's for sale and once  you've paid and entered the email address in the 'notes to seller' section upon check out that you want me to email the PDF to you at, I will send the file on over to you with in 24 hours!
 
 Easy-Peasy!
 
I was trying to do another video tutorial here on the blog for you as well but it's just not working this time for some reason.  
So, as soon as I can get all the kinks ironed out, I'll have a new one of those for you, too!  Hopefully sooner rather than later!
 
Have fun and I hope you enjoy the new tutorial!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Fun Summer Bracelets!
 
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
Variations on the Desert Sunset Bracelet you will be able to do
once you learn the basics!!
 

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms today!
 
 
 
Whether you're a mom that is still here, or one that has left us,
 
Whether you're a mom who's children are all alive or if you've had to say 'good-bye' to one of your angels, 
 
Whether you're a mom of two-legged little ones or a mom of  'four-legged' little ones,
 
Know you are loved and appreciated. 
 
Our lives are forever changed because you cared!
 
Peace, Love and Celebrating the 'Mom' in all of us!
 
Until Next Time,
Cheers,
~Shel~
 

Focus on Life - Week 19: HOPE


Our prompt for week 19 of the 
 
HOPE
 
 
This week my mind kept turning to today.
 
 Today's an anniversary. Not the good kind.
 
Tears were there many times before I could stop them; so they just fell. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You're thought of every day sweetie,....by more people than you could probably ever imagine. 
 
 
Wade - Thanksgiving 2009 - Hindman Cabin, Nutrioso, AZ.
 
 
Your selfless actions and those of your fellow Marines are appreciated beyond what many of us can express.
 
 
Today's a reminder that because of the actions of others I have HOPE in my life for a Peaceful tomorrow.
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and HOPE
 
~Shel~
 
 

Mother's Day Etsy Sale

I'm having a Mother's Day sale over in my MiShel Designs Etsy shop this week.
 
 

 
 
Upon check out, enter coupon code: MOM20 and save 20% OFF your total order!
 
 
 
 
 
Enjoy!!
 
 
 
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Fun Savings!
 
 
 
 
 
Cheers,
~Shel~
 
 
 
*Please Note:  Depending on when you order, your items may or may not arrive by Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12th, 2013.   All items will be mailed out with in 24 to 48 hours from the date of your paid in full order.  Thanks!!*

Focus on Life: Week 18 - Abstract

This week's prompt from Sally over at
the Studio Sublime for Week 18 of
 
 
 
 
"Abstract: the use of a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.
All things have form, color, and lines; we just need to step back and step away from the literal image you see through the lens. Take into account the lines, color or form and look for a more figurative composition.  
 
Take this week and step out of reality and change your view of things!"
 
 
I adore these weekly challenges because they really get inside my head.
 
I realized this week that I might be slightly obsessed smitten with abstract.
 
I love looking at abstract photography - it's some serious business, let me tell you!
 
I came to realize that I 'see' things in abstract form most of the time.
 
I see lines, colors, forms, shapes, images within images and things of this nature with out even trying.
 
This is just the 'norm' for me.
 
Case in point.
In Rome last fall with my sister, while other people were snapping 'normal' pics of the Colosseum, I was capturing these: 
 

 
 
 
Lines, Textures, Form, Shapes, Angles, Colors, Light Play, Images within Images.
 
 
 
 
"Designs", if you will.
 
 
 
 
I love how this line meets that line or how the blue of the sky is shaped in a particular way because of the outline of the stone walls.
 
 
 
 
 
How the clouds have 'soft' lines while the stones have 'hard' lines. 
 
 
 
Or how it seems you're looking through a "key hole", viewing an ancient secret.
 
 
 
 
And even with my flowers,....I love capturing the abstract of my roses.
 
 
 
 
There always seems to be some super cool and interesting shape to photograph.
 
 
 Black dirt from by boys' gold panning trip last weekend. The sand is
surrounding a round magnet and it's making the dirt all wonky!
Cool, eh?!
 
And then, the other morning, as I was ready to get out of the shower, I saw these:
 
 
Can you see what looks almost like 'butterfly wings' in the water droplets?
 
I grabbed my camera and captured what I thought were some totally awesome ABSTRACT water droplets.
 
See how there's shapes within the shapes?
 Lines, forms, colors!
It's a whole other world in there!
 
 
Special Effects with Pixlr - Too Much Abstract Fun!!
 
 
Then, some voice inside my head said:
 
"Sometimes, I worry about you!"
 
I looked up to catch a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror.
 
There I was, in all my glory, naked in the shower, sopping wet, with my camera in hand, snapping pictures of water droplets as they rolled down the shower window!
 
"OMG!!!"
 
I am so lucky my hubby didn't walk in to see that sight because it would have given him just the right amount of ammo to have me committed to the 'Looney Bin" for sure!!
 
LOL!!
 
Someone please, PLEASE, tell me that you've gone to such crazy lengths to capture a photo with out even realizing it?!
 
 
 
Colorful Abstract!
 
 
Be sure to pop on over to the Studio Sublime and see what
perspective everyone else has this week on ABSTRACT!
 
Until Next Time,
Peace, Love and Over the Moon for Abstract!
Cheers,
~Shel~