Oswanny Designs

The New Baby

2010-01-17T17:21:00.000-08:00

Well it has been 4 weeks and 4 days since I gave birth to our little baby boy Devin. What a world wind of an experience it has been. The first week was the hardest just trying to deal with the lack of sleep and zombie like feeling. Now we are starting to settle in with a routine and things are getting easier. I wanted to share some pics with family and friends to see our new addition and because I think he is supper cute.

Just relaxing in my swing

Cousin Olivia the baby charmer putting baby to sleep

Handmade goodies for the baby

2009-12-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

When I was a baby my grandmother made me a handmade blankie that I still have today, it has been resorted twice but it is something that I keep dear to my heart. It is tucked away in my closet, but the thing that makes it so special is it was hand made for me. As it is almost time for our new baby to come into this world, I wanted to share some of the handmade items that were made for him.

I just finished this painting yesterday that I drew for the baby, this is not my typical style but I think it will go well in his room.

Luna Leda made this special blankie, and if you know Luna you know this is not her gig, but she spent many hours, sometimes in the wee hours of the night to get this blankie finished. She said there were times when she would ask her mother to help guild her in the making of this blanket. My grandmothers spirit lives on.

Aunt Ling made this special safari blanket that is just so soft.

Aunt Katie made this very colorful and playful blanket with a special soft cube toy that the baby can play with as he gets older.

Miss Jody T. made this oh so multi colored blankie and it even has a swan on it. She also had her crafty uncle make a Canadian sock monkey.

Jen Jen made this cute blanket with needle work all wrapped around.

Doretta made this plush blanket that will be sure to keep him warm this winter.

James old neighbors Karen & Dave crocheted this soft blue blankie.

Joann a good friend of the Millers made all sorts of cool and useful goodies including a body bib and changing pad. All the things that will come in handy.

Travel pictures

2008-12-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

Since my last blog entry, I have been to Asia twice. I wanted to share some pictures of new countries I saw on the last trip. Cambodia and Vietnam...

Murder of my beloved Tomato plant

2008-09-18T21:23:00.000-07:00

About 1 month ago there was a crazy green, almost weed like plant growing in the front yard. As the day's passed I looked at the plant and realized it was a tomato plant. Wow!!! how did this get here? This mystery is still not solved, some say crows leave it behind. Anyhow this was excited since I have always wanted a tomato plant. Soon enough this plant was thriving and growing the best tomato's I have ever had. Every other day I would pick my tomato's and sing to the beautiful green weeds with the bright red fruit.

On Tuesday morning I walked outside to see if the fruit was ripe and ready for another picking, sure enough, ready to pick. I would pick my tomato's after work. Ready with my picking tongs I went outside... This is when I realized there was a murder in my front yard and my plant was the victim. My heart cried out, I think I heard it crack. Such upset to find out that the gardner hacked my plant. :(

You can see by the picture below, the red beauties just lying on the ground. :( :( that is double sadness.

Summer Fun

2008-09-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

So much fun this last summer I do not even know where to begin. All I know is I can no longer wear white shoe's even if I am in California, and labor day has passed. My one goal this summer was to get better at wake boarding, and boy did I try and try and fell many times. I can say by the last trip out to the lake I was good to go and have conquered my goal for the summer. The Mr. also got very good, it was fun seeing the leaps and bounds. Here are 2 pics below, both at the beginning of the season.

Earth Wind & Fire

2008-06-23T19:02:00.000-07:00

Do you remember a time when a song brought back such good memories? That is earth wind and fire for me. The Mr. and I went to the Greek theatre with some of our close friends and we just danced the night away. Great people watching and the beautiful weather to top off a great weekend. Here are some picture to share.

Earth Wind & Fire
Macie Gray
all smiles

The River AZ

2008-05-28T19:36:00.000-07:00

We went to Lake Havasu this last weekend for some R&R but got cold and rain for the first two days we were there. When Sunday rolled around; the sun was half way out and we were able to go out on the water. I love it when it is about 100 degrees and my body is in the water. It only got to about 80 but I got some great pictures that I wanted to share.

Are these clouds Chem trails??? Ever listen to Coast to Coast... No actually I really like this picture below there is such contrast from the water to the mountain then up to the sky.

Odd Quirks

2008-05-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

I was so delighted to find that I was tagged by Snow White's Legacy to share my 6 unremarkable quirks. Here they are:

- I dry off completely before stepping out of the shower "no wet floors in my bathroom"

- When I am thinking I take my thumb and touch it to each my fingers and go back and forth... I think this helps me concentrate

- When ever the ice cooler gets full of water I must remove the water from the cooler - kind of like rainman "yea water".

- When ever I go to the grocery store I always search for the use by date and if it expires soon I will not buy it. I also will reach in the back because that is where the best dates are found.

- The toilet paper always needs to be over the top not under... I have been known to go into peoples houses and change it to the right direction.

- I love Naps, I mean I really love naps; I look forward to my weekends where I can take a nap. I have been known to nap while at the river, in a car, or just about anywhere that I can lay my head.

Here are my tagged people

- Art from trails end

- Katy Diddy Designs

- Faerie Dust Dreams

- Thread Tales

- The Court of the Royal Icings

- How About Orange

Here are the rules:

*Link the person who tagged you
* Mention the rules in your blog
* Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours
* Tag six following bloggers by linking them
* Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged

Regrouping

2008-05-03T11:05:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures I took around my new area around the office. I have been regrouping my thoughts and thinking of some new ideas and things. I found that there was such beauty right under my nose.

Back in Town - Ren Faire

2008-04-13T21:20:00.000-07:00

Got back to the states just find; moved to a new office; did a weekend boutique; went to the Ren Faire. Here are some pictures I wanted to share.

Two Wenches and a Man

Me trying to get a picture with a well decorated man
The New Queen - I think it is Elizabeth in her early years
A Beautiful Owl

Just starting to settle down after a busy 3 weeks.

Some more pics to share

2008-03-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

Hong Kong Big Budda

Lamma Island (fishing village) very good food
Jade Budda Temple tea house

Garden

Having a good time

1st nite in HK

2008-03-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

We are in HK on off to Big Budda today. We went on the star ferry to Central to eat last night. My Husband found an ice-cream truck that suit him well "Mister Softee" (so cute). This was his first day to arrive in HK, I think he likes it. We met up with my cousin Liza and her BF John, check out there blog at moseyandadventures.blogspot.com. A good read, they are here for another 3-4 months traveling through out Asia
All the girls (Karen, Monica, Reina, Liza)
Super cute Olympic characters; my fav is BEBE in blue... I think that is her/he name.
Stay tune... More to come...

Pictures

2008-03-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

We had a day off yesterday so we ventured into a public park and found such beauty. I got to be a electric boat captain, see the below pictures.

View from my hotel balcony

The most beautiful Butterfly color turq, but he would not hold still for me
In the park, lots of very nice statues
Karen and I in the park

On the lake near our hotel

Monica, Karen, and myself in the electric boat.

pictures from China Dongguan

2008-03-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of a beautiful hotel (Hyatt) some at the Karaoke Bar... Yeah what fun. Our own private room... We are at a very nice hotel for the weekend and I will share some photos soon. We were in the car today for 7 hours... yikes... but we are working hard and having a good time while doing so.

I will be back

2008-03-10T21:26:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I am off tomorrow on my way to Hong Kong then I will venture into Dong Guan and back to Hong Kong then onto Shanghai. I hope to post some pictures of my travels along the way. Oswanny Designs will be closed until I return.

Have a wonderful week.

wood burning

2008-02-29T13:48:00.000-08:00

I just bought some new wood pendents and I was thinking of some ideas to make these little pieces my own. So I pulled out the handy wood burning tool I have, and walla some depth and color to my little pendents. I can not wait to turn these into a light weight pair of earrings. I am busy working on some new pieces for a Boutique I am selling at on April 05 in Huntington Beach, CA. I have been crazy busy since I leave for China in about 11 days and will be gone for some time.

This is the front:

This is the Back side:

Random Blog

2008-02-21T06:34:00.000-08:00

I named this blog random for a reason, (it is so random)...

I was serching through different blogs and found a very funny one How About Orange, that gave me a push to write today. I have been very busy planning a trip to China in March; getting ready for a boutique in April and trying to jugle life. Monday was the only day I did not have something planned after work so I worked on my website Oswanny Designs.

See the picture below, this was taken in Glamis CA, over the past weekend. It was taken from a moving car so the picture is not A++, but I really like the contrast of the blue and tan colors.

Flower Inspiration Series

2008-02-13T14:40:00.000-08:00

While I was driving home from work last night I decided to make small series of jewelry in my line. The first thing I saw was a birds of Paradise tropical flower, and the light went on. A Flower series, since spring is coming, and with the flowers in bloom, this would be my inspiration. So today at lunch I went around taking pictures of flowers. I can't wait to start on this new project. I will keep you posted on the outcome. I have many more ideas but I think I will start here.

Goddess of Craft

2008-02-09T17:31:00.001-08:00

Feburary Goddess Meeting It was my month to host the Goddess of Craft. A time to work on our projects, drink some wine, have some pizza, and share what’s been going on in our lives.

Pat made the cutest Valentines Pot holders. Thank you for the Valentines day gift.

Kathryn worked on her new Men's beanie line (picture below). You can find her beautiful purses, and hats on etsy http://www.camelliadesigns.etsy.com/

Katie sketched some very cute buttons and tea cups. She was just recently published in 2 Magazines. Congratulations, the articles are a good read. Check out Katies work at http://www.katydid-designs.com/

I worked on Paper Mache (I had no luck); I also made my co-worker a pair of earring. I will be putting some of my new creations on http://www.oswannydesigns.etsy.com/ by the end of the weekend.

Happy Lunar New Year - Long Life for all

2008-02-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

Here is my tribute to the New Lunar Year.

The painting below was done with Acrylic and done over the weekend. The New Year is on February 7th, I decided to post this now because in a few hours is will be the 7th in some parts of the world.

I work with many people located in China and they all told me that my Chinese Character has the meaning of happiness and good life. This is a common symbol that hangs on the door in some homes in China. This is my version of a lotus flower at the top in red.

I also designed the pair of earrings for this great holiday. The meaning of the sterling silver charm is “long life”. You can find this pair of earring for sale at
http://www.oswannydesigns.etsy.com/

Picture of my painting

CYN

2008-01-31T07:04:00.000-08:00

The Lunar New Year challenge... Show off your best work for the Chinese New Year on Feb. 7th. I will participate if you will.

Route 66

2008-01-28T20:56:00.000-08:00

I went today to visit my girlfriend and we took our own tour of Route 66, what an adventure it was.

When there was a beautiful rainbow I knew it was going to be a great day.

Then the light was shining thru the clouds with the mountains as the back drop

Ate at Molly Brown's Country Cafe... Yummy

Ran into a cross street with the same name as my middle name "Swan"

Saw alot of glass bottles - I found some art in this

Day of inspiration; I had the urge to start painting again; I have not used this media is some time.

Old Town Orange

2008-01-21T19:00:00.000-08:00

On Saturday I went antique shopping in hopes to find something to put on the mantel, no such luck. However I did come across some hidden treasures, there was a case that had silver dollars for sale $8.95 years 1918-1942. Wow I said to myself, it seems that the person selling this had not updated there case in quite some time. The price of silver has gone up to $16 and some change so you can imagine my excitement. As I waited in line there were bins of old postcards, some written on, some blank… this is where the true treasures were found. It was so exciting to see what people were writing about in 1914 and 1955, such nostalgia for the time.

Take a look at some of the postcards I got below.

Art Of Entertainment

2008-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

One thing that I love most is entertaining, so you can imagine how exciting it was to learn that OCB was going to be at my house this month. OCB (orange county bastards) is where my Mother and Father in-laws drive all the way from Claremont to visit there two children.

When entertaining, all you need is some good food and good company, we got it last night. James dressed up like a horse to play with our niece, gave his father a scare by picking him up. Watched a very scary move Stuart Little, and got to catch up with the family.

Here are some pictures:

Moon Cakes

2008-01-07T22:28:00.000-08:00

Moonc Cakes???

What in the world it that you may ask. It is a very special cake from China with egg custard inside, you can only get these moon cakes at certain times of the year (around October). I personally do not like the taste of them, but others tell me there heavenly. This is a very big thing in some parts of China; they typically sell the cakes in pretty tins or boxes. The last time I was there in October I picked up a few knowing I would use the tins at a later time.

This project below did not come with out frustration, the crystals did not want to stick on. The biggest mistake was buying Preciosa over Swarovski, I did buy some Swarovski and there is such a difference in the application. This is probably why I choose Swarovski when making Jewelry. They are just a step ahead of the rest.

The two pictures below show different prespectives and angle technology. My new camera will be arriving in the mail soon, I look forward to learning photo art a bit more.

Universal Letter Writing Week

2008-01-07T17:28:00.000-08:00

I was just informed of the Universal Letter Writing Week from January 8-15. Here are some tips and tricks that can be used for Snail Mail.

1. Find or make a cool stamp or even a drawing that is your signature - this can be your icon to let the person who receives the letter know who it is from. Place it on the back where you would put a heat stamp, (like in the olden days)

2. In the letter you should always have a beginning a middle and an ending.

3. A letter can feel more personal if you ask the reader what is going on in there world. (this also helps initiate a letter back)

4. When my mother used to write me while I was at camp she would do little doodles at the bottom of the page with sceens from home. This was a nice touch and I still remember them today.

Have fun writing.

Going to glamis

2007-12-28T18:21:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are off to Glamis for our last trip of the year. There is a large group going and I am thinking about how things will be out there.
I received a Bedazzled for Christmas, and before I left for this trip I was looking hard for something to Bedazzle. When my eyes saw the warm knit hat, I knew it was waiting to be dazzled up. A few crystals and walla a little bling for the dirty desert; which I do love. I asked my husband if I can crystal his buggy; he just smiled. Maybe he thought I was joking but deep inside I think that would be unique. I have so many ideas and not enough time in a day.

Happy new year to all and more blogging to 2008