Faking It

I don't cook. I can't cook. My mother was a homemaking teacher and my father is an outstanding cook--TV, embassies--the whole bit. They loved cooking and were always in the kitchen. When most people travel they go see all the famous landmarks, museums, and so on. Not my parents--they went to all the local grocery stores! Consequently, neither of us girls ever got into the kitchen! My brother is a pretty decent cook, but I'm not. My husband does all the cooking. I just tell everyone that in my family cooking is on the male chromosome.

So when I have to cook I have to fake it. Thank goodness for cans, boxes, and frozen entrees! In addition, since anyone will tell you that presentation is all important, I do set a mean table! Trust me, I could give lessons to Martha Stewart. By the time I've got the table set with coordinating linens and centerpiece, candles, and each person has a full 8 to 12 piece silverware setting, and serve everything on a fancy set of china (I have lots of sets of dishes just for this reason!) people just assume the food is good!

So of course I was thrilled when I saw all the lovely placemats that bijouxdesignsforyou has for sale! Take these beautiful placemats with a wine theme on them. Can't you just see them on a dark wood table with deep purple napkins; a centerpiece composed of a shallow basket filled with real grapes brushed with a sugar-water glaze, and short forest green pillar candles? I sure can! Or even out on a patio table to add a little class to lounging in the yard. Go check out all the lovely things in her studio--there's jewelry as well--oh yeah!!

In Praise of Jewelry

Lots of people make jewelry, and of course I'm one of them. It drives my husband crazy when he's trying to think of something to get me for a birthday or Christmas and I'll tell him "well, you could always get me (blank) piece of jewelry I like." "But you MAKE jewelry!" he'll exclaim. Well yeah, but that doesn't mean I don't like MORE jewelry, or that I don't want someone else's jewelry! All it means is that I can appreciate beautiful pieces, the workmanship involved, and the little details that "regular" people probably overlook. Take, for example Creative Cove's Jewelry Designs. I love her creative use of findings.



Look at the pendant. What she's done is take a toggle clasp and used it to support pendant! It's these little touches of hers that I really, really. Which all goes to show that no matter your skill level, you can always learn something cool from someone else! This isn't the only piece where CreativeCove has used components in ways other than the traditional. Go check out her shop at http://www.creativecovejewelry.artfire.com/ and prepare yourself for a feast of the senses. I also have it on pretty good authority that she wouldn't mind if anyone decided to buy one of her pieces either!