FLORAL HOLIDAY BLOG HOP

First off, I'd like to thank Lisa Lodge of http://gratefulartist.blogspot.com and http:www.pineridgetreasures.com for hosting this beautiful blog hop.  I love the holiday season.  It doesn't matter which holiday you celebrate, this is for everybody! 

In the spirit of this blog, I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Yule, Blessed Winter Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy Kwanza.  

I made a horrible mistake when I first received the floral bead kit from Lisa.  I was so excited about it and forgot to take pictures of what I received.  Yes, I know....bubble-head!  Let me just show you one of the photos I DID manage to take and you will get an idea of the gorgeous colors I was given to work with.

I worked with the beads and played with the flowers as you can see.  Nothing really struck me as "IT".  The flowers she sent are gorgeous and this just wasn't doing them justice. Then, out of the blue one day I thought "AHA!!! I finally have it!"  Since this is a "any way you want to celebrate the season" blog hop, I wanted to do something kind of different.  Celebrate the Winter Solstice.  I wanted to share with you what the Winter Solstice means to me, without getting into too much detail.  I absolutely LOVE winter.  Its the time when I feel the best and enjoy the shorter days (it is HOT here in Texas). 

I went to my old friend "Google.com" and tried to find the best explanation (the one that shows you how I feel about the Winter Solstice).  Here is the link if you want to read more about it: http://astrology.about.com/od/themoon/p/WinterSolstice.htm

And taken directly from that website, this is what put into words what I could not:

The longest night of the year is honored by many traditions as a sacred and rich time. In the past, it's been a night to gather 'round the fire, or set out candles to call back the Sun. This year 2011 (in the N. Hem), it's on the 22nd of December.

Keeping the Faith:

This time of year is associated with light -- string lights, sparklers and of course, candles. Hanukkah in the Jewish tradition is the Festival of Lights, with 8 days of ritual illumination of the menorah. There's the advent wreath of the Christian faith and the all-night bonfire for the burning of the Yule log, a tradition with roots in Northern European pre-Christian times. The lights are reminders of the inner light, and hope for the return of sunny days.

 
So, in the tradition of a celebration of lights and so many other things, I decided to do a Kissing Ball.  I've always loved the ones I've seen and are usually done (this time of year) with mistletoe.  Lisa sent me a wonderful kit to work with.  Purples, pinks, crystals.....oh so many beautiful beads!

And this is where I started:  I found this "Kissing Ball" at Hobby Lobby and the colors were exactly what I had in mind!

Its full of sparkle and bling but that just wouldn't do!  I took all the pieces that Lisa sent me and added them to the Kissing Ball.  The wired crystal beads you see on the ball came from a floral stem that I found at Hobby Lobby as well.  It just called to me and I knew it would be perfect for this project.  Would you like to see the finished project yet???  Ok Ok...I won't keep you waiting any longer.  

 

 Isn't it stunning? When we were getting ready to decorate the house and tree, I remembered the wreath I had created last year.  Of course, it all came to me -- This is the reason that Kissing Ball called out my name!

I hope that this inspires you to enjoy your holidays, whatever holiday you celebrate.  Every time I look at this Kissing Ball, it brings joy to my soul.  It represents so much....beginning of a whole shiny new year, beautiful flowers to come, and inspiration to be a kinder person.  How did I get from "bling" to being a kinder person? Its all in how you look at life.  Being kinder to each other brings a new and more beautiful perspective to your soul.

Please visit the other blogs and see what gorgeous pieces they've created.  I hope you've enjoyed reading this and enjoyed the photos.  I had a wonderful time creating with the lovely beads from Lisa Lodge.  

Thank you again to Lisa!  May your holidays bring you lots of family and friends, love and laughter and above all else peace and harmony with yourself and others.

Keep Creating Goddesses

          





 






LIST OF BLOG PARTICIPANTS:
Our Host: Lisa Lodge, Grateful Artist (Pine Ridge Treasures)

Courtney Breul, Beads by Breul

Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Tanya Goodwin, A Work in Progress

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things

Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri

Toltec Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson