Fresh Friday Finds - Get ready for a pool party!

Our Florida vacation was great and I can't wait to post some pictures - but today is Friday, so we need some Fresh Friday Finds first. So really, now I feel like a pool party! I'm still so in vacation mood that all I can think of are palm trees, flip flops and the ocean. So let's get ready for a pool party!


First off, we need some invitation, because planing and all is half the fun! I especially like these beachy Treat Bag Toppers. Just add a note with the details and some sand and you have some really special invites.


And then you need food! TheseLuau Party Cookies are the most colorful and detailed cookies I've seen. I love how they put you right into the party swing. I can hear the bongos already.


Now all we need are some flowers in our hair. TheseCoconut Flower Headband
are just the right thing. The colors are so tropical and they are made of hand-dyed coconut fiber by women of on the Marshall Islands. Bring a little bit of tropic to your home for a perfect party!

Vacation is calling me!

My very own pair of these sexy Garnet Gold Leaf Earrings is coming with me to Florida! Oh, I can't wait to lay in the sun, feeling the ocean breeze, and listening to the waves...yes, we are going to Florida for a week! Mainly to visit family and friends, but also to enjoy the heat. I know Lilly won't believe how great it is there. To be able to go to the beach all day long every day. She might not want to come back home!
So you may see some pictures from us in Florida - or you might not. Let's see how connected I will be or just a woman out on the sea.

Fresh Friday Finds - try something new

Once in a while (quite frankly too often) the creative bug bites me and I just NEED to start a new craft or make something totally different from my usual wares. That is lots of fun, but tends to totally consummate me since I will want to know everything about it right away and master that craft in no time. Hardly happens because of time restrains and limited funds. The second part is what really gets me!
So right now, I am toying with the idea of meddling with in the arts of something like these here:


This Whimsical Hair Comb is so magical. I love the soft blossom against the aqua feathers. Really special for this summer and would be great with the new haircut I just got. Now making that would be fun! I love working with the glue gun and just coordinating things. I wish I could see the artists studio and all the goodies that it must contain.


Or should I go for the wooden toys! Lilly would love it if I could create a whole forrest of trees and houses and dolls to go with it. My mind is already designing all kinds of creatures and wood is so much fun to work with. This little Mushroom sure is inspirational. Now all I need is the type of saw needed for this...and a few other things. So really - a long shot!


Or maybe start working with clay! Who doesn't want to try this one! it is such a great idea to make Miniature Worlds from clay including the sun. I got a few ideas for molds and patterns for plaques. I know they would be great, but I don't even know where to begin with what clay to get, glazes, and then firing. So this is even a longer shot. Yet, none of these ideas let my mind go and it is getting crowded in there. I guess I have to start writing them down and file them for later use. I know at some point I will be trying these out. Yes, so much to learn, so little time.
I would like to know what projects everyone else is thinking about now. I know it is a common artist ailment!

Wordless Wednesday

Ready to roll!!!!!

Beach Stone Nugget Necklaces

I have been working on these Beach Necklaces the past few days after I discovered amazing smooth stone nuggets at a children’s discovery store with Lilly. You probably know these big stands with all kinds of stones that also tell you the story behind each one of them. I always loved stones and minerals and already have quite a collection. And I always wanted to find an easy way to carry them with me.









So I decided to crochet a little freeform cocoon for each stone and make it into a necklace. They have a carefree summer and beach feel and give you that little piece of nature on the go. Here are the first pictures and I hope to list them in my Etsy store this week!

Lilly's Birthday Party!

So yesterday was the big day of Lilly's 2nd Birthday Party! All the preparation totally paid off because it was just perfect! Perfect weather, perfect guests...we had a blast! I know Lilly will be talking about it all day tomorrow!


----------------------------The Birthday Girl------------------------------



Enthralled in her cake!


And soooooooo happy with her presents!
At the end of the day, we all went down to the water and had a fire to makes S'mores! That was so much fun and not just the kids loved eating them!

Wordless Wednesday

In the summertime, when the weather is hot....
Lilly's favorite song right now!

Lilly's Birthday

So it was Lilly's 2nd birthday yesterday and we didn't even take any pictures! So I have to show you this new pair of Earrings. It reminds me of an old coin collection or a treasure from the bottom of the sea.
Back to Lilly's birthday...I think she had an especially great day! First we did a video call to the great grandparents, then the other pair of great grandparents called, and then we were off to the library for some story time and crafting. She loves to play there and read new books. Then we tried to nap, but since that didn't go over well, we got ready for swimming in the pond. Josh and I went with Lilly and had spent the afternoon in the water and on the beach. And in the evening, both sets of grandparents came to go out for Chinese Buffet. I can say without a doubt that that place is Lilly's favorite right now! She ate so much adamame, rice, noodles, broccoli, mango, and of course ice cream - I really don't know where she put it! Even the waitress said that we will have to pay double for her! So yes, we had a great day!

July 4 Celebrations

There is nothing better than sitting on the greens under a clear blue sky with lots of other people. Forth of July is the best time to do this and this year it was just magical.
Lilly loved sitting in the camping chair and having lots of Kettle Korn. So did all of us and I think I will turn into a big popcorn myself!

We also had to check out the Carnival section and Lilly couldn’t believe all the fun rides to see and foods to eat. She especially was taken by the trumpet she saw a little girl play with. We looked and looked and finally saw a little 'catch the fish' stand offer them to win. So Lilly played, caught the right fish, and was the happiest little girl when she knew she won her little pink trumpet. She played it till it got dark. Then right before the fireworks, she and my husband left. With 2 we feel that she is still too young to hear and see all those fireworks.

I stayed with my parents because I love it way too much. And oh was it worth it! Just so unbelievable. Can't wait for next year!

Fresh Friday Finds

I just came across this glorious Lilly Bracelet and just loved the vintage feel of it. Of course, I couldn't stop thinking about how great it would be to have this hidden name bracelet for my little Lilly. I would know what it meant, but not everyone I meet.


Then I looked through my favorites and realized that I have many more lilies already hearted! See, she is always on my mind. One of my top picks is this
Moo Card Case. I can't wait to get one of these cases myself as soon as I have my Moo Cards. They are "made from paper that has been covered in a heavy, clear vinyl and than sewn together". You won't believe all the options of paper available.

And finally, this beautifully calming Water Lilly Photograph. Just an amazing shot on how these lilies are stretching to reach the sun.

I (heart) Dawanda

You all know how much I LOVE bags and purses. One just can't have enough of them (or is it just me!) So I love browsing the Category: Bags » Bags » Shoulder Bags » at DaWanda just to see what is out there. This also helps me to see the newest emerging trends right from the source to use as creative resource for my jewelry designs. But when I saw this Giant Bag Dreamland (yes, that's what it's called, I should know, I'm German) I knew it was meant for me. A zebra, a birdie and pink and blue trees - come on, that is just too perfect to be true. Gimmygimmygimmy!!!!! And the best part is the size. I need lots of space for all the extra sweaters, animal cookies, drinks, and toys I always seem to haul around for little Lilly and me. So yes, this one is for me.

Wordless Wednesday

Lilly is turning 2 next Monday! I can't believe it - and then I can. Here are her official pictures!