The Gifts They Gave

2011-10-26T18:22:00.001-04:00

Here is a tiara and corsage I made for the Fire Mountain Gems and Beads 2010 Pearls, Organic Beads & Kato Polyclay contest. I was a finalist and happy to make it that far considering the talent and number of contestants. I used three techniques to come up with the design, they are Victorian beading, ganutell, and Panamanian Tembleque. If you can't tell by this point I will say it, I love creating flowers and plants. To incorporate this love into something wearable is a desire of mine especially if special occasions are involved.

I've tried my hands at ethnic designs especially tribal Africa however, I fail most in most of my attempts but ask for a floral anything and yes, I can do it! So, now that I have accepted my strengths and weaknesses I'm going to go to my work area and create something that is in my comfort zone to make. I'll continue to attempt to create in the other areas but I'll only dabble, too many struggles can stifle creativity.

Blessings on you and yours and keep creating beauty.

Sweet and Cute Cupcakes from My Cupcake

2011-10-17T22:49:00.001-04:00

Sweet and Delicious, a photo by Theothermrscepero on Flickr.

My daughter loves cupcakes, especially homemade cupcakes. She reminds me that she has never tasted a prepackaged cupcake in her life and has no desire to. After I made her a batch of cupcakes from this recipe book, her favorite recipe book, she was inspired to create these cupcake earrings. She is creating these earrings with different frosting representing different flavors. Shown here are strawberry, chocolate, chocolate, and vanilla. She sold several pairs at her first solo craft show on October 15, 2011 at the YMCA of Greater Rochester"s Craft for a Cause Fair. My husband and I are delighted with our daughter's entrepreneurial drive and creative talents. Our prayer is that she will use these abilities tempered with honesty and fairness to make her way in life; we've got your back sweetie!

It will be interesting to see what other flavors she comes up with, her mind is crammed with ideas.

Stay tuned and peace to you all.

Below Zero Works Too

2011-01-24T21:34:00.004-05:00

Although we are experiencing subzero temperatures in my corner of the world, my tropical plants are taking it all in stride inside. On my converted sun porch, my tamarillo ripened its fruit. The plant was loaded with blossoms over the summer, the blossoms lost their petals, and the fruit plumped up into green eggs. I brought the plant indoors in September now, it is January and the fruit is ripe.

Tamarillos are tomato relatives and when I brush the leaves the signature tomato smell is emitted. The flesh is smooth, like a tomato, the inside is pulp and seeds. See "My Potager: A Healthier Urban Lifestyle" on facebook for a picture of the inside of the fruit. The taste is like a guava to me, my husband thinks it is similar to a grape and kiwi. When I was a young child, living in Florida, a guava tree of some variety grew in our backyard. The taste of this tamarillo reminds me of the guava fruit from that tree.

This is my second plant, the first plant was killed years ago while I was traveling. A storm struck , the wind damaged a window on my sun porch, the cold air entered the room, and the exposure to the freezing temperatures killed the majority of my tropical plants. This fruitful plant is about two years old and is holding its own despite some leaf drop over the darker, cooler months. I am supplementing with artificial plant lights and a heater when necessary.

This is a plant worth having and it's satisfying to see this plant produce an abundance of fruit with minimal care. Fresh picked fruit in the winter, it works for me!

Stay warm and peace be with you!

Cool Thoughts in the Heat of the Summer

2010-08-02T19:27:00.003-04:00

My daughter, theyoungmisscepero, deemed these beaded flowers I am working on "Ice Flowers". I decided to keep the name. I am creating winter themed bouquets at the moment. These projects help me to stay mentally cool during the physically hot weather and, it has been hot here. Stay tuned for more "Ice Flowers", the heat is on to create a host of icy florals. Peace to you all.

Passing Along the Gifts

2010-07-27T19:20:00.000-04:00

My little girl created bead and wire earrings using her own designs. Strawberries, acorns, cabbages, and diamonds are what she created immediately after I showed her this bead and wire technique. She sold two pairs of earrings on our Etsy store already! She made the first sale on Etsy and we are hoping for many more. Kudos to you my precious heart!

Bead and Wire Flowers

2010-05-14T23:04:00.002-04:00

Bead and Wire Flowers
Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

I found the time to photograph my favorite books on bead, floss, and wire flowers and trees. I love these books, they are wonderful resources. Much of what I do with crochet, beads, floss, and wire comes down to trial and error. These books always hold a helpful technique to help me through the bumps in my creative road.

I have two not-too-common books on their way to me and, I will put a photograph of them on my flickr page. I can't wait to get my hands on them. I will need to pry my eyes from the pages and return to the creating!

Take care! Happy crocheting, gardening, beading, and living!

Peace.

My Budding Designer

2010-05-08T16:42:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

This little rabbit was created by my ten year old, budding designer daughter. She worked on it faithfully for about a year. There were moments of unraveling mistakes then crocheting it again but, she never gave up. Now the completed bunny, along with its vest, is ready for her baby cousin to have.

I am a pleased mommy. What a lovely Mother's Day gift, my daughter is using the skills and crafts I teach her to create wonderful things. Thank you, baby girl!

Beading on a Loom

2009-10-27T21:32:00.003-04:00

I ordered a new bead loom to replace an older loom that could not keep the correct tension I needed to bead. The loom arrived today and, I am happy with it. Now, to warp the loom and chart the beading of this picture my daughter drew of her cat looking out of our bay window at birds (see below). I love this picture and I want to have a copy in beads. My daughter wants to charge me for the "Intellectual Rights"... What a little squirt!

My Garden

2009-08-04T15:56:00.006-04:00

My potatoes are growing! With the construction and repairs going on at my house, I was not sure if I would be able to plant anything this season. I did get around to the potatoes and a few other vegetables and fruit. I grow most of my produce in containers. These potatoes are growing in grow bags. This is my first year using the grow bags. I usually grow my potatoes in homemade chicken wire containers that I wrap in burlap and fill with hay. We will see what the harvest brings.

The weather here is on the cool side, a few days in the 80's, most of the time it's in the 70's and raining. Oh well... More to come.

Peace to you and yours!

Time To Grow

2009-04-08T11:01:00.002-04:00

In order to safely plant my vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, I had my daughter plant cat grass for our little panthers. I think the youngest kitty is pretending she's stalking the savanna in search of something to pounce! More to come on the seedlings, garden, and crochet!

Flowers in Winter

2009-01-14T22:02:00.004-05:00

These flowers were created for "winter corsages"; my term for wool flower pins. With the temperatures as low as they are here and around the country I thought I should work on making more. I like to embellish the flowers I create for the colder weather more heavily than the those I create for the warmer months. I use a combination of beading and surface crochet. I try to use colors that standout in the dreary days of winter, earthy colors for autumn, hot tropical colors for summer and soft hopeful colors for spring.

I am contemplating an entry for the 2009 International Free Form competition. The theme is the four seasons; an interesting and stimulating topic. Where I live, the seasons contrast with a bone touching starkness; you know when it is summer versus winter versus spring, versus fall. Every now and then there is a touch of one season in another season often times unexpectedly and thankfully; 60 degree Fahrenheit weather after 0 degree Fahrenheit weather is a sanity saver. A four season entry would be interesting to design and make in the midst of this current cold snap.

In the meantime, while I decide, I will continue to make flowers, lots of flowers....

Good and Plenty

2009-01-13T22:34:00.009-05:00

I am working on this tam for my daughter. I created a free form flower for the top in pink thread. I then worked the center in single crochet to allow for some give for her thick ponytail or bun that she enjoys wearing. Then I began using Tapestry crochet for the remainder of the hat. The colorway of pink, white and black received a "good" from my young fashionista and, I will use "plenty" of thread to get the size she wants. Thus the title, "Good and Plenty."

Too, too long....

2009-01-09T00:09:00.004-05:00

It was a busy holiday season! What a whirlwind but, I enjoyed it immensely. I desire to post something new for 2009, that would be my daughter's first attempt at coloring yarn. She used one packet of Kool-Aid mix. The wool yarn was purchased from a local sheep farmer and spinner at the Hemlock Fiber festival. The colorway achieved reminds me of the French lilacs in Highland park on a cloudy, wet morning. The question now is.... "What to make with the finished product?"

Happy 2009, never worry about 2012.

Fw: Fwd: Abuela & Abuelo out on the town!!

2008-10-16T22:48:00.003-04:00

Fw: Fwd: Abuela & Abuelo out on the town!!
Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

My father-in-law and mother-in-law were married 63 years when my father-in-law passed away February of 2008. I am close to both my mother-in-law, we love crochet and knitting and my father-in-law, he made jewelry with me, went to gem and bead shows with me and made yerba mate for me when I was going through physical difficulties in 2007 due to my auto injury. I have learned many things from them and I wish we were celebrating at least one more anniversary this month with them, however, God knows what is best and I will rejoice in the ones we did celebrate. I never say good bye, instead I say "See you again, one of these days!" Peace...

How It Felt, I Meant Fulled.

2008-10-07T23:34:00.002-04:00

I felt happy today! After four unsuccessful attempts to full this bag, I found success on the fifth try. The bag finally felted after using a longer hot wash period and a large amount of Ivory detergent; my utility bill! I can now breath a sigh of relief and work on the handles and lining. I crocheted this bag from the top down using the Russian stitch which must be worked in the round. The yarn was double strands of 100% wool. The embellishments where made using Bosnian crochet techniques and applied before the fulling process. If at first you don't succeed try, try, try, try, try again. The power of the "stick with it" mentality.

Blessings and peace be with you. Blog with you soon!

La Nina Preciosa

2008-09-18T22:56:00.002-04:00

Almost there! My little one made several changes, but, the next picture you see will be my little one modeling this prototype. I should add, I also made several changes... Made with love and worth all of the time and attention put into it.

Princess's Pea

2008-09-16T00:04:00.002-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

I was attempting to create a pattern for a leaf when my daughter told me the leaf had the appearance of a pea pod, not a leaf. I then crocheted three peas, I will give it to my princess as a small gift; I might full/felt it first. When I was a young child I enjoyed the story/fairytale of the Princess and the Pea. I think I will take this concept further for all of the princesses out there....... Let me see what I can come up with.

2008-09-15T22:05:00.004-04:00

My little one made these today! Are they not beautiful! Two butterflies and one flower. I want to try a two dimensional technique, the colorway for the yarns will take some time to put together, but, I believe it will be worth it. I will use these designs for wall art and to create a few other items. Thank you, my precious child and here I go!

Too Long!

2008-08-28T22:44:00.008-04:00

It has been a long time since my last post, sorry... The summer has been a full one for me; my little one is growing up so fast! I want to cuddle and coddle her a little (a lot) longer. This is mommy talking not Preciosa, she just says "Oh, Mommy...." We, the Cepero family, and a family friend, Mr. Frank, (see the picture of him posing with the yarn?) had a wonderful visit to a wonderful yarn shop in equally wonderful Saratoga Springs, NY... Everyone but the hubby, and Mr. Frank, purchased yarn and we, the yarn lovers of the Cepero family, intend to go back for more!

In the coming days and weeks I will post finished objects and patterns. My work space is nearing completion and once completed, I can focus more on designing and completing projects; I can see the light!

Enjoy the remainder of the summer and get ready to greet the Autumn.... Peace be with you.

Bead and wire work

2008-04-30T17:30:00.002-04:00

Bead and wire work
Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

The beginning of a flickr set. I have several more projects to complete, then, professional photos will be added. I am getting the house ready for Life Group tonight and a visit from my mother-in-law this weekend. Between my mother, my little one and my mother-in-law there will be a lot of crocheting sewing and beading this weekend; especially as we remember Pipo my father-in-law whose birthday we would be celebrating this weekend. God bless our dear father, abuelo, and brother. We miss him much...

Peace,

Nannett

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2008-04-20T17:18:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

Here is a photo of The Mrs. Cepero, my mother-in-law, meeting the late Pope John Paul on her visit to the Vatican. I thought of her as I watched the news regarding the visit of Pope Benedict to our state and country. What an experience, to have a conversation with a Pope... She doesn't remember what they spoke about.... Love you, Mima! Te amo, Mima!

Series of Freeform crochet pins

2008-04-20T17:08:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

I finished this pin after frogging several prototypes being due to my displeasure with their outcomes. I will make several more and they will be for sale on my Etsy account. I love the gentle shine of the thread and the opalescent qualities of the glass seed beads. The crystals and freshwater pearls hold their own and add to the freedom of shape with their unique outlines and facets. The shapes and little glints of light remind me of the sunset and sand at the beach when I was a wee girl living in Florida.

Facebook | beneaththelinden featuring "The Gifts They Gave"

2008-04-20T15:57:00.000-04:00

Facebook beneaththelinden featuring "The Gifts They Gave"

My bead, plant and fiber adventures

2008-04-18T20:46:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

I wouldn't wear a real insect or bug, however, this is spectacular. A tribe in South America made/makes these from twine, seeds and the body of a beetle. Believe me when I say the picture does not do the green of the beetle justice. Man will create adornment out of the desire for beauty and nature is his supply chest; except for the synthetics available today to the modern world.

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2008-03-30T19:51:00.003-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

This a much more accurate picture of Nina Preciosa. The colors are correct in this photo and they really pop, quite dramatic in a Sweet Lolita kind of way.

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2008-03-30T19:49:00.003-04:00

If I werea wee person
able to fly, I could fly overhead
and this would be my
view.

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

If I were a wee person, I could sit under the tree and looking up this would be my view.
Perhaps I will create miniature landscapes, well, wait until I tell the hubbie to order more wire....
See you later, I need to get to work on this idea....

Peace

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2008-03-30T18:12:00.001-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

Finally, my hands created a beaded project. I have sat on my beaded botanical projects for too long. It is good to be back in the groove. This tree is about 3 to 4 inches high and I will sell them on Etsy for about $35 to $60 based on size. I love plants and my husband tells me the ming tree I made for him, now in his office, gets mistaken for a real tree; how is that for a compliment?!

Peace,

Nannett

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2008-03-29T19:28:00.004-04:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

Getting there! This is a poncho for "Mi hija", she tells me she doesn't want a hood and never did, I remember receiving a detailed description of a hood and how it was to look! Oh, well. More colors are to come and 46 more flowers to crochet. Thank you Prima J for the spanish correction. I will learn it eventually!

Fini!

2008-03-29T19:16:00.004-04:00

The "Winter Lei" is finished. There will be more to come in more colors and they will be sold at my Etsy store, yeah!!!! Thanks to everyone for their opinions, comments and encouragement. Thank you to Prima J for modeling this for me, you rock star you!!!!

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2008-03-05T13:11:00.001-05:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

Finally, something I am creating feels like I am progressing on it. Two more flowers, nine more leaves, a few tweeks here and there then, finished.

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2008-03-04T15:22:00.001-05:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

A flower prototype for a ruff scarf. This is my first real attempt at freeform crochet. I hope to have it finished within 24 hours, then, I will see how it turns out.

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2008-03-01T18:45:00.001-05:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

Hello little one! The newest team player in our household!!!

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2008-02-29T22:25:00.002-05:00

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Originally uploaded by The Gifts They Gave

This is a sampler I made of a beautiful Tunisian/Afghan/Tricot crochet stitch. I have plans for this stitch, many plans and new yarns to purchase for it, wait until the hubby hears "I need more yarn...."

Hello, and welcome.

2008-02-27T01:49:00.005-05:00

Hello, I am the "other Mrs. Cepero", my mother-in-law is the first. I hope to show much beauty in this blog. I hope to show the works of my hands and mind, to display the teachings and skills taught to me by aunts, uncles, my mom and grandmother, teachers, professors and wonderful people out there who I have met throughout my travels/journey/life. Most of all I hope to display the gifts given to me from God, my God and Father.

Since my auto accident, I am unable to produce the quantity of ready made items that I once made, so, I will create what I can and the patterns will be made available for anyone interested. Some will be free and some won't and the ready made items will be unique, individual, one of a kind and handmade.

Thank you for visiting, check back often, I will add more almost everyday. Please feel free to leave comments. Take care. Peace be with you. I'm out.