September - A Time to Remember and More!

     September is filled with many special days, many of them just for fun.  However, September 11 will always be a day to remember and honor those who perished at the hands of terrorists in New York City when the airliners crashed into the World Trade Center, killing the occupants in those buildings and the rescue workers who tried to save them; in Pennsylvania when the airline passengers chose to crash the terrorist-controlled plane rather than let it reach the White House, and those in the Pentagon. It was a sad day for America and for the world.  Let us always remember the victims and their families and that great loss.
     Today is Labor Day in the United States,  established to honor workers and give them a holiday from their labors.  It is ironic that while businesses and government offices are closed, those in the retail industry are super busy at work today with Labor Day sales in stores across the nation.
     And then on the lighter side, you might be surprised to know that this is National Chicken Month!  Just did a search among my Boomers and Beyond Etsy friends, and here are a few items to represent the chickens!

Mister PenQuin

Button Divas

Herons Treasures

Jills Treasure Chest

The third week in September is National Flower Week.  It has been a rather barren summer for flowers in many parts of the country due to the extreme lack of rain this summer.  Now we are getting the effects of Hurricane Isaac in the mid west, and lo and behold a few flowers have perked up in our yard.  The flowers below are always fresh and beautiful since they don't depend on the rain and sun to keep them lovely!

Vintage earrings from Nonnie 60

JN Originals

Lovely tulips from Yankee Girl

A gorgeous flower pendant from Zuda Gay

And in the fourth week of September, we celebrate dogs, one of my favorites!  What joy and company dogs bring to families and service to those in need.  Here are just a few items featuring dogs.

Diane Clancy

Nature in Pastels

Scottie Acres

Six Sisters Art

September 15 is Make a Hat day.  Several of the Boomers and Beyond team members have made the adorable hats shown below.

Big Island Rose

CB Basement

Stitches by Julie

Turtle Treasures

It won't be long until the first day of Autumn.  These beautiful paintings and photos are just a small sample of the beauty that awaits us as the leaves begin to change color.

On a Whimsey

The Creators Palette

Backroom Treasures

Beth Peardon Prods

Whatever days you choose to celebrate in September, may they bring joy and fun, or humility and thoughtfulness, to your lives.  

This post written by Pam Todd, a proud member of the Boomers and Beyond Etsy Street Team, whose Etsy shop, Bags and More by Pam, features high quality, reasonably priced hand-crocheted items for people, pets, and homes.

Tools

We all have many specialized tools that we use in our crafting, and I think we most likely love each of them. It is wonderful to know that the right tool can make us more effective at developing our creations - and especially fun to know that tools on hand can make fabulous art! The BBEST team certainly uses their tools well to develop arts and crafts, and bring amazing skill to their creations - as anyone who browses ETSY with the BBEST tag can see.

One unexpected tool that I can't live without in my crafting is Adobe Photoshop Elements. This is a less expensive version of the Adobe Photoshop, and has been sufficient for many different aspects of digital crafting - as well as helping me manipulate pictures and do online marketing and blog work. Even this "limited capability" software package is very powerful, and despite being able to do some standard photo manipulation I really didn't know how to take advantage of the capabilities of the package. Too many papers to read, too many complex concepts.

Then I found Jessica Sprague. Jessica Sprague is an online scrapbook instructor, and she teaches digital scrapbooking leveraging Adobe's products, among others. I want to introduce you to Jessica's courses - even though they are scrapbook oriented - because they provide some amazing advantages.

First, the online classes are provided for you to take in your own time and schedule. I took about 6 courses (about 8 classes per course) before everything was over, and did about one class session each week.

Second, the classes include a video that you can pause and resume at your leisure, where Jessica shows you every single step of what she is doing with Photoshop. I had the video up and running on my computer in one window, and had Photoshop Elements up in another window. I could stop the video and follow the instructions, restarting when I was ready to go on to the next step.

Third, the classes are available in a variety of formats. For example, I learned with Photoshop Elements, but you can take the classes with Photoshop as well. Even if you take the courses leveraging one format, you can come back later and go through them in the other format, free of charge!

Fourth, the classes are available to you FOREVER. So you can come back to them years after taking them to review a particular concept or remind yourself how things work.

Finally, the classes provide lots of free downloads that give you additional digital materials to work with and even extra support capabilities with Photoshop and associated tools.

I really recommend these digital classes, even though scrapbooking may not be your cup of tea. They are a great way to learn how to get around Photoshop if you are not already super strong with the tool set, and they certainly help to improve your photo handling capabilities as well as give you creative ideas for more!

The classes that I found most informative were Up and Running with Photoshop, Now We're Rockin' with Photoshop, and Digi In Deep.

Leveraging some of the things I learned, I was able to pull together a couple different tributes to the BBEST team's Autumn offerings - and as they say, the possibilities are endless!


Autumn comes alive through the work of the BBEST team, and inspires us to find great gifts to share with all our loved ones. Happy Fall!



These two tribute displays showcase work from the following shops - Asian Expressions, Big Island Rose Designs, ZudaGay, SixSisters, Beth Peardon Productions, PFD Original Art Work, The Creator's Palette, the Knotty Sheep, Aroma Fields, Designs by Christine, and Bags 'N More by Pam.

Falling into Autumn – as Keat’s the poet wrote in ‘To Autumn’

‘Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss’d cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core.’

Although sometimes a melancholy befalls some at this time of year when they see the passing of the summer season of brightness fade into the possibility of chill winds of winter looming on the horizon, for others they see this season as the most colourful, exciting, abundant and vivid time of the year!
Personally, I find this the most amazing time of year.  The colours take your breath away and the abundance of the harvest promises tasty dishes for the long winter months ahead.  Gone are the days when we wish it could be a little cooler.  Now is the time to go for all those long lingering walks to discover nature’s palette, pick fruit off the hedgerows and see how the colours change in the light which in itself changes by the season.
Autumn is the time of year when nature offers us all her fruitful gifts to which we give thanks.
Whilst I lived in the Middle and Far East this is what I missed so much.  The changing of the seasons, the renewed hope to look forward to the next adventure.
Talking of adventures and walks I decided to look for autumnal subjects/items for sale within the BBEST group.  The wealth of talent available along with the choices offered leaves me speechless!  Take a look at some of the examples I found:
Butterscotch Flower Earrings by ZudaGay

Bring the warmth of this colour to match your autumn wardrobe.
Autumn Leaf Original Photograph by BethPeardonProds

‘This leaf looked lonely but also reminded me that fall is here'.’
Caramel Apple Candle by Aromafields

Apples are always associated with this time of year and these would be scrumptious, if they were to be eaten!
Maple Leaf Magnet by Chris1

A pretty reminder of autumn to have on your fridge to keep those important notes handy!
Autumn Leaves Mandala – window cling sun catcher by ClingingImages

Typical colours to glow in the sunlight and spread the warmth of autumn.
Pumpkin Patch Original by Pfd Original Artworks

What a wonderful example of the abundance of the autumn harvest!
Indian Corn Matchbook Notepads by Circle in the Sand

Such a handy item to remind us of harvests.
Bunches of Sunshine by Yankee Girl

Some of my favourite flowers that follow the sun as it moves through the day.
Jumbo Perle Medium with fall colours by Sassalynne

A true reflection of the variety of warm autumnal colours.
After the Harvest by HeronKate

There is nothing quite like a freshly harvested field with the promise of an abundance of crops to take us through the next season.
Autumn Rose felted coasters by J N Originals

Autumn being a wonderful time for long walks, the temperature cools down once the sun hides behind the watery clouds and it is time to settle down indoors with a welcome warm drink.  These coasters make it all seem so much more cosy, don’t they?
Well, my BBESTer friends, what do you think?  Above is a selection of inspired items in the autumn/fall theme.  All catching the warmth of the glow of the diminishing sunshine but still giving us a wonderful sense of wonder at how clever nature really is!

Cold Autumn and Blue Winter

Feather Dreams
Breathtaking ACEO by SixSisters

This is the fourth ACEO in a series done by SixSisters. I tell you, this captured my feelings of the last week perfectly! Though I love the colors of autumn, the colder weather and the rainy days make me feel a bit blue. Especially as I get older and think about how fast the seasons have passed this year – and every year before. I am a bit creaky, my cat and dog are a bit creaky, and I find that I can be prone to a little bit of emotion. I try not to let my family see my blue funk, and in an attempt to shake myself out of it, I keep myself busy. I read, I spin, I write, I hang out on the internet. Being an introvert, I tend not to call my friends and confess my “blueness,” but instead try to get out of it myself. We might debate whether that is a good approach or not, but I can tell you about what worked for me this week, as the rains came down day after day and we felt the aftermath of hurricane Ida followed directly by the first nor’easter of the season. Looking out the window at the grey skies and wrapped in sweaters against the cold, I browsed through ETSY and found what the talented BBEST team had done with the cold autumn and blue winter at hand.

I was inspired – to smile, to create, to make something wonderful. I wonder if, when I am feeling so blue, I can find a way to express myself as in such a lovely way as the Feather Dreams ACEO. Thank you Six, for a perfect look into the complex feelings of a blue day!

It is fantastic how a look around ETSY can improve your mood. Take a look at some of the other great things our colleagues have created, and see if it doesn’t inspire you as well!

When sitting alone at my computer feeling down, I came across this fabulous photograph of a Lone Leaf by Beth Peardon. I considered how a single leaf can make such a beautiful statement, and want to thank Beth for the reminder.


And then we have Blue Winters Night , an Original Water Color Painting by Mystic Silks. This painting helped me recall those wonderful crisp cold nights when everything is beautiful and silent, yet somehow filled with breathless life. Thanks, Mystic, for reminding me that there is always something to look forward to as the seasons continue to advance!


Watching the grey rain pull all the colors of autumn from my trees and deposit them on the lawn, I found all those colors captured in this beautiful piece by Magdalene Jewels, November Rain. I just know if I had this around my neck I would look at the rain in a whole new way!

And then yesterday, the rain began to let up a tiny bit. We still had cloudy skys and drizzles, but I had a chance to see the wet earth in a new way, again inspired by my ETSY friends.


Yankee Girl encouraged me with a reminder to take a closer look at the beauty of our foliage, even when wet, with her great print "Wet Leaves," part of her TWINS series of creative photographs.


And dear KnottySheep reminded me of the beauty in the cloudy skies with her aptly named Sleepy Clouds. This great looking yarn made me want to create a shawl to remember the cold days AND the beauty of them!


Finally, I even found an expression of grace, another gift from my BBEST friends, as I smiled upon this beautiful Schrenschnitte Blue Angel piece by Janine Maves. What a lovely example of beautiful craft and inspiring detail. Thank you Janine!

And thanks to all my BBEST friends, for the wonderful inspiring creativity that you show every day. Without a doubt, you all lift up my moods and light up my life.

To write about???

You know how artists get that horrible dry spell? Well, believe me writers do too!

I always use a calendar to remind me when I am writing a blog post and this day is no exception. Except, this is the exception! I have writer’s, what’s it called? You know when the ideas just don’t come!

So, I have decided to delve into our team to pick out a random selection of pictures to show off the incredible talent that our BBEST team has! Well the choices have been random but leaning more to our autumnal season and, of course, halloween. Enjoy!

Native American Beaded Earrings

by

J Stinson

These pretty fan shaped hand beaded earrings were made by Joni. They are made from green glass bugle beads, green seed beads and white pearlised seed beads.

Mini Rug Hooked Jack ‘O Lantern

by

Beth Anderson

Folk Art and Rug Hooking!
This primitive mini jack-o-lantern is hand-hooked in the traditional primitive fashion of rug hooking on burlap. Hooked with 100% wool strips, both dyed and re-purposed, backed in a bright orange wool, and stuffed like a miniature pillow with polyester fiberfill – even the brown checked wool stem is stuffed!

Pastel Charmeuse Silk Scarf/Shawl

by

AltheaP

Wrap yourself in luxury with this luxurious charmeuse silk shawl. It is 14" wide by 66" long, so can be worn in a number of versatile ways to show off a simple dress or blouse. Abstract shapes in pale periwinkle and orange add interest to under layer of pale orange leaves.

Porcelain 20 oz Funky Mushroom Fairy Queen Bowl Art by Magi

To be found in Fehustoneware’s shop

How fun to eat your cereal from a funky fairy bowl!
Wheel thrown in porcelain clay
clear glaze with an iron oxide decal in the original artwork of Magi C.
There is a tiny moon impressed at the base.

Cactus Yarnius Smallicus

by

Blazing Needles

Professor Philo Philodendron has found a dainty cactus of exceptional beauty in the Mohave desert. This tiny species, yarnius smallicus, fits neatly on a desk or windowsill. Perfect for the plant-killer.

Beadwoven Autumn Orange Flower Brooch

by

Beadbug

Beadwoven Autumn Orange Flower Brooch
No, this is not a French Beaded Flower. French beaded flowers are done with wire and beads. This pin/brooch is beadwoven with needle and thread, and is a little more supple.

Sassa Lynne Serendipity Mixed Thread Selection

by

Sassa Lynne

Not one but seven top quality yarns in this selection. Again from our Serendipity range these threads have all been dyed in the same dyebath. Think Mango! Cerise, Gold and Fuchsia with a little more than a touch of Orange and Coral. They will stitch or couch beautifully on fabric or canvas.

Celedon Rust Flower Focal

by

Zuda Gay

This lovely polymer clay flower focal features sculpted petals on a sturdy base and the center is a lot of clay dots. It measures 2" (5cm) across the flower and the hole is drilled horizontally near the top for stringing. Flower Pendants look beautiful hanging on a ribbon or cord and completely amazing made up into a custom beaded necklace.

Well, by now you will have realised that our wonderful BBEST team members have a wealth of talent to show. Here I have simply chosen at random a few of my favourite items. There are so many more, I could go on all day! Why don’t you delve into Pandora’s Box? This time you won’t let out any demons just pure talent!!

It's All There...

There is a very special etsy shop that I would like to tell you about today. You may have guessed already -- it's our own Chauncey's shop.

Visiting her shop, it immediately struck me that "it's all there" – this special time of year.

This pretty little pendant says, "Good bye summer, hello winter."

Winter Pansy

This one captures a leaf as the cold, crisp mornings arrive and the dew dresses everything in a sparkling white gown of frost.

Leafy Goodness

What would autumn be without Hallowe'en?

Flying Witch

Skull Fused Glass Pendant

Every little child hopes to find these in their Hallowe'en bag --

Orange Jelly Bean

One of the most dramatic scenes of fall is the winter migration of birds to their warmer, southern destination.

Soar

If you look at the night sky from now on, find the brightest star. It's the Christmas Star, the very same star that hovered over the stable in Bethlehem long ago.

Midnight Star

And as the weather turns colder, what better place to be than in front of a warm, crackling fire, creating something lovely, with a favorite friend close by?

Knit One


Good Dog

Lovely, Chauncey!