Yesterday I made some butternut squash soup.  Nothin' says fall like squash…or orange food with nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon.  If you decide to give the recipe a go, it's worth reading the comments first.  Lots of ideas to suit your pallet.  It wasn't sweet enough for moi, so I took one reader's thought and liquefied an apple, and added it to the cauldron.  Perfecto.

The peace sign in the background was made by my friend Ryan.  He calls it, Reflections of Peace.  He made it with bike reflectors he's found riding through the reservoir trails.  Love me some folk art.  

Ok, it wasn't.  At all. It was really a dark and fun night out at my pal Katie Hacker's house.  I took a pocket full of Halloween-ish parts and pieces for some jewelry making R&R.  It all started with these goth-like resin pendants from Plaid…

Throw into the cauldron some playful polka-dot beads, sneaky silver skeletons, some wicked star toggle clasps, creepy polyester chain, and a couple-a-tricksters…

And you have a real treat of a night and necklace…

P.S.  Thanks Craiger (Katie's husband Craig) for supplying us with a yummy dinner and good brew.

Here's a sneak peek at Katie's hands in action.  Check out her blog to see the finished necklace.

Happy Autumn!  My Aunt left this happy pile of gourds for me…such a treat.  I've got a couple butternut squashes to make some soup with also.  Ah, Fall is here and I'm thankful for the change in season.  Things with my dad's health are on the mend.  Work is moving along.  I've still not unpacked all my things, but that's ok.  Winter is long, so there will be plenty of time to arrange and organize (remind me I said this).  Soaking up the gorgeous scenes in nature, time around the campfire with friends, and being with my family…that's my plan for Fall.

Carmi's Art/Life Blog
Inspired by a tree pendant, Carmi creates new buttons.

Carter Seibels for Divali Glass Jewelry
Carter takes a walk down Divali Glass Jewelry Memory Lane

Jewelry & Beading
A special group of friends is showing off the work inspired by Cindy McCornack, and raising money for the American Lung Association at the same time.

Savvy Crafter-Candie Cooper
Tic-Toc, Candie shows a sweet beaded clock…

Snap out of it, jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean becomes an armchair traveler and lets a book take her away to exotic places when she reviews Bead Journey…!!!

Strands of Beads
Melissa creates a word bead based on T.S. Eliot's "The Naming of Cats"

BeadStyleMag.com
Did you see Sara Snow's Living Green video on CNN.com?

Art Bead Scene
It's a dark and stormy night at Art Bead Scene.

https://www.candiecooper.com/2008/10/15/happy-autumn-my-aunt-left-this-happy-pile-of-gourds-for-mesuch-a-treat-ive-got-a-couple-butternut-squashes-to-make-so/

Got this link from a blast from the past—Ian Stallings.  It's been neat reconnecting with lots of folks on Facebook ever since the big 10 year reunion.  Thank you Ian for sharing the video link.  It is wonderful and so I wanted to share it with all of you.

copyright DRG/Simply Beads 2008

The new Triple Take projects are up on the Simply Beads website.  That's my clock, Katie's purse, and Madge's necklace.  We used the yummy Ranger Ink products to create these little gems.

If I remember right, I paid $3 for the clock at the dollar store and then painted and bedazzled the socks, er hands, off it…

Free instructions for all the projects are here. 

Morning Dolls!  Lots of Halloween Jewelry love in the links this week, so I wanted to also show you some super sweet skeleton lights I got at (ready, drumroll) Kroger!  

About.com Jewelry Making
Yippy! Tammy is thrilled that another resin experiment is a success. This time she's making Halloween style resin cabs.

Art Bead Scene
A Not-So-Scary Jangles Bracelet.

Barbe Saint John – New Jewelry from Forgotten Artifacts
Book Review of Simply Modern Jewelry-its simply GORGEOUS!!!

Bead&Button Magazine
Tea gets inspired about beaded shoes

Jennifer Jangles Blog
Jennifer's been playing with resin, see what's new

Jewelry & Beading
After being named Darth Pyro by her family, Cyndi wants to know what your darth beading name is!

Katie's Beading Blog
Katie went a little crazy buying beads…take a peak inside her shopping bag!

Metal Lid Pendant
Carmi cuts up a thin sheet of metal to make a pendant

Savvy Crafter–Candie Cooper
Check out Candie's piece, Migration, in the new Fall Issue of Stringing…it's been quite a trip!

Snap out of it , Jean! There's beading to be done!
Jean cheats a bit–this tiny creation isn't exactly jewelry unless you wore it as a pin. Which would be quite a conceivable thing to do!

Strands of Beads
Melissa finds inspiration at Kid Robot

All the limbs move and make a clinky sound!  Oh, it's the little things…

This Orphan Works Bill is so discouraging.  I almost can't believe the Americans are even thinking of passing it.  Such a creative and innovative country and we have come to this—not valuing our people's skills and talents.  I have lived in a country where nothing was protected, any image up for grabs…it's not a pretty sight.  Please help to fight this, there is tons of info online, sign the petitions, call your state rep, fight. 

Thanks Margot for the link to the video.