~*Miracles*~

I am thankful and appreciate those of you who took the time to share

your personal stories with us.

Miracles... A treasure of hope.

~*The winner is- ~*Jenna Louise*~
http://quiltcrazygaljennalouise.blogspot.com/

Here is her comment!-----------------------
"Such inspirational stories, I love reading them.

It gives us hope, faith and an understanding that everything happens for a reason.

Last summer something unbelievable happened to our family.

My husband's family has a dairy and grain farm in Ohio. They are a very close family and everyone does their part to keep things going.

My Father-In-Law is 78 years old and still likes to help out in anyway he can.

You will never see him in a rocking chair:) The weather was starting to turn and a small field of hay needed mowing. FIL thought he could be of great help by getting it mowed while the boys were at work.

It was hot, very hot and being diabetic with a heart condition can make things very difficult in the humidity.

To this day, he does not recall how it all happened, but he remembers something was wrong with the haybine, so he climbed down off the tractor and fixed the problem.

The next thing he knew, the tractor jumped into gear and ran over him, head to toe.

A neighbor found him and help arrived at the scene.

He was flown to the hospital and we all gathered by his side.

When my husband and I walked in the room, he knew who we were and wanted to talk about the tractor and haybine.

I felt in my heart he was going to make it, God had a plan and it was for him to stay with us.

The nurse in the trauma unit told us that very few patients are lucky enough to walk away, but she could tell he was a fighter.

As the weeks passed by, I witnessed the most astonishing miracle I have ever seen. This 78 year old man's body healed so quickly.

His spirit was positive and two weeks to the day of the accident he came home.

He suffered some broken ribs, a broken foot, a few minor internal injuries and damage to his eardrum.

No long-term injuries, no damage to his brain.

You could see exactly where the tire had traveled on his body and to think today he looks and feels good. God Blessed our family and we are all so thankful for this memorable miracle."
- Jenna Louise
Mon Jun 29, 12:56:00 PM EST

I will pick a name from the comments section on TUESDAY for the post below...

Please feel free to leave a comment mentioning a memorable miracle in your lifetime.
You have until Tuesday evening to share!
:o)

Thank you for helping to celebrate the Mad Hater's 2nd annual Tea Party hosted by Vanessa Valencia of A Fanciful Twist!
:o)

~*You are welcome to my unbirthday party, here today!*~

It's time! Time to celebrate my unbirthday!
Along with so many others who are as adventurous and
whimsical at heart!

The prize, one of the fabric charms pictured below, made by me.

I hope these make you laugh,

little cake charms made for an Alice in Wonderland charm swap.

I didn't want to keep you here too long!

There are so many other parties to crash!

~*Happy unbirthday to all who's birthday is NOT today!*~

~*HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL WHO'S BIRTHDAY IT ACTUALLY IS!*~

~*2nd Annual Mad Tea Party!*~ Stop by my blog on the 27th for a BIG party! Well, not just mine!!! You'll see! Click the picture and read more!

~*Pleasant Day!*~

I had a most excellent day today (23rd).
I heard from an old HS friend who travelled the world and took my art with him... So now I can add Iceland and Morocco (Africa!) to my list of countries and continents that my art work has "lived" or passed through.

My sister and I had a lovely time in Manhattan with Ann Marie of Heart's Desire Jewelry and her friend Lea of LAdesigns.
We shared an adventure, looking through bins of old vintage jewelry goodies!
I found some fun things to make some charms with.

~*Thank you to everyone who made my day super sweet and bright!*~

(((Connie/Chetta- I found something so cool for you today!!!)))

~*Beautiful Weekend!*~

It was a lovely weekend!

The highlights-

-Getting "Theater of Dreams" by, Wendy Addison on Friday afternoon.
~*I LOVE MY COPY!*~
(~*Thank you again Wendy!!!!*~)

-Spending time by the river on Fri. Sat. -and- Sun.

-Finding out that one of my favorite songs by, S.T.E.M. will be on the radio starting today nation wide! "Bounce" by S.T.E.M. (It reminds me of so many things including the movie Labyrinth...)

~*SHOPPING*~

The farmer' market :o)

And driving on the expressway with the top down...
:o)

A bit of thought-

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back. - Regina Brett

~*Digital*~

So today we lose analog T.V. broadcasting and make that much advertised switch to digital.

At the moment I am looking forward to the summer, but not 110 degree weather.
How do people maintain their sanity in such heat?

Thank you to those who have signed up for the Think Pink charm swap part 2!
Still lots of room left so please consider joining!

Think Pink Charms exchange and fundraiser round #2

~*AFTER READING THE REQUIREMENTS then decide if you can join in or not*~

Please leave a comment if you would like to join an upscale creative art charm swap/exchange- *requiring* quality and neat Pink charms. Each must be no larger than 1 1/4 inches*.

Please note that the work you send must be well designed and finished safely and neatly. No messy work allowed.

You will be asked to send an extra 2 charms in to be used for fundraising.
The swap will be open to no more than 30 people and each person will be sending in 12 pieces and getting 10 back in return.

Shipping costs will vary based on continent and country, however, it is asked that you send in either US dollars in cash or pay through Paypal.


*Absolutely NO checks or money orders.*

Due date is July 23rd.

Again, please only sign up if you are able to dedicate yourself to creating quality and well made work.

Each charm should be sturdy enough to wear, not have any pet/human hair, messy glue, paint or food crumbs sent in with them.

Anything added to the charms should not be falling off, or tangled up.

Also- strong smells such as E6000, cigarettes, nail polish and spray paint are not welcome.
If I get a parcel that contains charms that are sharp/dangerous, poorly made, really sloppy or that smell really foul it will be returned to the sender with no explanation on the senders dime.

These rules are fair and considerate of those who will put their heart and energy into this project in hopes of getting something in return to enjoy and possibly give away as gifts of encouragement.

Since this is also a fundraiser, those who will be buying/bidding on the charms will pay more for beautiful and well designed work.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
:o)
http://www.makesawish.blogspot.com/

~*ETSY*~ ON Saturday Evening... Etsy is taking it's time posting my sales...

Please drop by starting on Saturday evening to see what I will have to share for sale on Etsy.
You might find something you like!

http://www.amberdawn.etsy.com/

The Ties That Bind

Would you like to enter a raffle?
Now thru September, 2009
Ties That Bind: A Very Special Art Doll Raffle
Click here to see!

~*In the making!*~ Hyperion Cantos- the MOVIE! 2010!

I read a long time ago that one of my favorite books was being made into a movie- it is now in production with Warner Bros. and due out in 2010- I cannot wait to see how they produce it!
It is bound to be an amazing movie!

If you've not read Hyperion or The Fall of Hyperion you might like it.
It is SciFi... But WOW!!! Even if you are not a SciFi Fan... flip through it in the book store and see if you might like it.

I did find some of the pages hard to get through, but if you push through them, there are better pages ahead.
I read this over 10 years ago and still rate it at the top of my list for SciFi books.
A book full of fabulous imagery and thought provoking ideas.

~*Happy Mother's Day!*~

There are so many wonderful, fabulous and fantastic mommies out there all over the world who I would LOVE to send a personal HAPPY MOTHERS DAY message to.
But I don't have enough time to email and mail you all so-
I will share it here, for all to see-

Wishing all of the mommies and mums a
beautiful and delightful -
~*HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!*~
From me!
:o)
Amber Dawn

(This includes all of the mommies of furbabies and feathered babies too!)

Looking to trade...

These are the items I am looking for at the moment.
I don't need full packs, but all of the items must be in new condition.

Do you have any of them?
If so- let me know your wish list please.

TIM HOLTZ Charms Fragments (with holes) & Rectangles and Squares
Tim Holtz Keyholes, sprockets and gears, trinket pins, link chains, and ornate plates.

GREEN BEADS- not seed beads or bugles or cheap looking plastic.
I need ~*NICE*~ glass. 48+ pieces 4-10mm rounds, faceted, crystal, pressed, etc.

Scribbles slick and matte fabric paint in the small bottles- Pinks, greens, black, white, purples, blues, yellows, oranges

Sprockets and Gears 1/2 inch or less.No smaller than 1/4 inch.

Assorted cellophane bags and envelopes with adhesive strip

Glass slides and CLEAR un frosted memory glass, in NEW and unused condition.
Memory frames for the glass.

Bubble mailers 8-10 inches wide

Scrabble tiles, all kinds.

That's it for now!

Thanks!
Amber
Just click on comments below this post and let me know- or if you already know my email, please email me.

Rose in the glass (2007)

Not sure if I ever posted this one, but snapped the pictures for Charm Day.

I made it with the torch and glass in 2007... I am self taught so this was just exprimental.

It's a rose, encased in clear.

I love it!

I'm glad that it's May...

I am really thankful that April flew by so fast.
It started off so very painful for me...

The inspiration to start a holiday out of the random blue came to me at a time that I *REALLY* needed a huge distraction. (It was the end of March)

Thankfully, my focus was on getting through the month by looking forward to happy and enjoyable events.

THANK YOU to all who helped me celebrate the first annual International Charm Day.
It was great fun and I met so many more nice and charming artists out there on the *world wide* web.

It was also really nice to have so many good & familiar online friends joining in & being so supportive as well as excited about the idea.

There is so much change going on in this world, in my life, in my heart...
I feel we all need more GOOD days to plan for and look forward to.

Wishing you all a fantastic and healthy weekend.
Remember to be more careful...
Remember to be more full of care.

~*Smiles*~
Amber

Some fun charms of mine that I love to wear and play with.

~*The 2010 Diary Project!*~ WOW 2010 that is so futuristic sounding to me!

It is that time of the year when Lucy puts the call out for all to consider designing a page in a daily International calendar.
I posted about this last year!
"Diary project 2009"

Time keeps on ticking... Into the future...

Today is my last day of being a full 33 RPM (rotations per minute) The following day I will be 10 more than 24... And that is a magic number...(said in sing song)

~*Please join me- An Online International Event Invitation*~4/28

~*I am celebrating art to wear charms, friendship, designing, random acts of kindness, hording, creativity, and my online charm swap and exchange community.*~

~*PLEASE JOIN ME!*~April 28th ALL day
It's free!
You can win some wonderful prizes!
Here is a list- Prizes include charm making supplies, semi precious beads, components, findings, an autographed copy of "A Charming Exchange", Swarovski rhinestones, lace, hand dyed silk ribbons by Pat Winter, sequins, watch parts, laser cut wood shapes from "Pork Chop Show" AND MORE!

There will be blogs to visit that feature entries about charms, photos, tutorials, sales and lots more!

If you want to be a part of the celebration, please go to www.InternationalCharmDay.blogspot.com and join the "Follower" box.
On the right side of the blog, with all of the tiny pictures of other bloggers, who also follow.
You cannot win a prize if you are not a follower.
This will be an annual holiday event, so if you miss out on it this year, you are invited back again next year!

You might win- An Autographed Copy of A Charming Exchange if...

If you are a follower of the International Charm Day blog- (by following on the blog's actual "follower" widget)

You might win- An Autographed Copy of A Charming Exchange

Signed by Kelly & Ruth!

You must be listed on the followers widget on the right side bar on that blog.

Just click it to be added and follow the directions!

Followers using other services cannot be seen, so unless you actually "follow" using that widget, you are not going to be entered into any of the drawings for this event!

If you need help, leave a comment.

~*PLEASE HELP!!!$$$$*~

~*PLEASE HELP!!!$$$$*~ This is for a dear friend's husband. JoAnna Pierotti is such a loving person. Her husband has a massive brain tumor and it MUST be removed ASAP. They lost their medical coverage when he lost his job so they need our help... As much of it as we can share- If you cannot share money, please consider praying for something wonderful to happen.

PAYPAL!!!!
Even if it is just .50 cents or if you could afford more, please let's pitch in to help her in this desperate race for time!!!!!!!!!

Participants of International Charm Day... The link is fixed

If you would like to participate in my celebration of 4/28 as International Charm day, please become a follower on the blog I am setting up for this event-
http://www.internationalcharmday.blogspot.com/

I'll be giving away some amazing prizes to those who follow the event.

I am also looking for artists, crafters and designers who would like me to list them as participants on the side bar.
Do you have a discount to offer on materials to make charms?
I will advertise you!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Do you have charm jewelry that you've made that you would like to share picture of?
How about things around your house that you have embellished with charms?

Do you have a charm making tutorial that you would like to share and be featured?

Let me know!

:o)

Thank you!

Amber

~*Rainy! Wet, & Stylin'!*~

Beautiful Umbrellas- Wish list

Harold Feinstein Tulips
PANSY I love the shape!
Classic Clear Bubble style
Italian Blooming flower in black. ~*sigh*~ $175.00 Pasotti Ombrelli
Renoir

http://www.bellaumbrella.com/

And the two from Cirque du Soliel! Are my FAVES!

Take a minute for an inspiratonal surprise...

WOW!!!!
WATCH THIS!!!! <----Click here.

I am not going to say what it is about, but you have no reason to be disappointed.

Make sure you have your volume on and watch all the way through!
Please leave a comment and let me know what you think!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I started a new blog for the special event and will be posting about it more soon.
Keep passing on the news.
Giveaways, a gallery of charm photos, links, tutorials, fun fun fun!
4/28/09-
~*International Charm Day!*~

Let's see if this works! Charm button/link Please read the linking directions...

In celebration of International Charm Day, I will be giving away handmade art charms and charm making supplies on 4/28 and 4/29

I will be posting special blog posts in the weeks ahead for all to enter a chance to win some FUN giveaways of charm supplies, chains and findings!

If you post about "International Charm Day, April 28th" and or you post about your own handmade art charms to your own blog on 4/28 you can be entered to win some of my own handmade art charms!

More details will follow.

Pass on the word, the more who join in, the merrier!

You can copy the picture I use for the event and use the web address to link it-
www.InternationalCharmDay.blogspot.com
;o)Amber Dawn

International Charm Day blog! <---Click me!

Getting back into the swing of things!

OK, after the intense stress and grief over the last couple of months, I am feeling quite myself again and just got back into my own swing of things again today.

The funeral was actually nice, and the weather Sunday was wonderful considering that it's been windy, wet and cold for most of the other days.

Seeing most of my family was the best part.

Both my husbands grandmother and my own grandmother died withn 24 hours of one another.
They also had the same first name...

So it's been one of those matching things in my life again.
(Happens very often)

Anyway-
I've tried to design a cool blog button for the Charm Day advert, but I want to redo it.

I'll be posting info about the event as soon as I can.

Thank you for the sweet emails and lovely comments.
I appreciate it very much.

~*Taking a deep breath... To heal... To LIFE!*~

...

"Since you've been gone"
"I can *now* breathe for the first time"
By, Kelly Clarkson

...

My life has just drastically changed.

I now am able to take some time to reflect &
make choices for myself and decide upon things
that I've never, in my life, had the freedom
or room to do prior.

I finally feel that I can be myself.
To grow up and finally be *Me*.

(Charm lDay lBlog ...<---click me

4/28
International Charm Day

Click the title of the post to get there.

You MUST be a follower of that blog to be eligble to win anything.