Alex

Being a lover of all things avian, but especially African greys, I had to share this with my blog readers today. 
I first fell in love with African greys when as a young girl I read a newspaper article about an African grey parrot named Alex who could talk.  It wasn't just repeating words back at someone though, he was extensively trained and studied and he had a vast vocabulary and could answer rather complex questions- when he was in the mood.  He had a sense of humor and a little bit onery grey personality.  Anytime I heard he was going to be featured on a television show or in a book or radio show I had to tune in.  I was hooked. 

Today was Alex's birthday.  He passed away a few years ago (2007) and I cried when I heard the news.  Just writing about it actually brings tears to my eyes.  He was such a special bird and did so much to advance the study of these fascinating and intelligent fellow creatures.  There is a foundation in his honor that is dedicated to improving the lives of all parrots worldwide.  This is their goal and mission, "The goal of The Alex Foundation is to support research that will expand the base of knowledge establishing the cognitive and communicative abilities of parrots as intelligent beings. These findings will be used to encourage the responsible ownership of parrots, conservation and preservation of parrots in the wild, and veterinary research into the psychological diseases and care of these birds. Through these efforts The Alex Foundation, and the memory of Alex, will live on and will accomplish its mission to improve the lives of all parrots worldwide." 

I made a donation to The Alex Foundation in memory of Alex.  If you would like to help or just read more about Alex and The Alex Foundation, you can find them on the web here:  http://alexfoundation.org/

Photo – Jenny Pegg

Alex “The” African Grey
1976 to 2007

Image above from The Alex Foundation website at http://alexfoundation.org/alex/

Wordless Wednesday

Family Video's Lymphoma Research Foundation Raffle

Would you like a chance to win a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings designed and made by me, while doing your part to help those with lymphoma cancer?  If you are in the Harrisonville, MO area, I hope you'll stop by the Harrisonville Family Video store and make a donation to the Lymphoma Research Foundation.

Family Video has put together a local business raffle basket for their customers that donate to the cause.  Customers can even donate a penny to be entered. 
They are hosting a hot dog grill this Sunday, April 1st, from 11:30AM to 2:30PM and during that event the basket will be raffled off.  Here's a little info from the Family Video website:


"3/26/12: WE'VE RAISED OVER
HALF A MILLION DOLLARS
SO FAR!! THANK YOU!!

Family Video Announces: Round It Up For Lymphoma!


Lymphoma is a cancer that does not discriminate and can affect anyone: children, adults, women and men. Family Video invites you to donate towards life-saving cancer research by rounding your rental or purchase to the nearest dollar. 100% of all money raised will go directly to lymphoma research projects. We hope that together, we can eradicate lymphoma.



Did you know:

Lymphoma is the most common type
of blood cancer.

Lymphoma is the third most common
cancer among children.

Every 7 minutes, one American is
diagnosed with Lymphoma.

Today, more than half a million
Americans are living with Lymphoma.

We can help!

HELPING IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK!

There are a number of options available for you to help:

ROUND IT UP - From now until April 1st, anytime you visit any one of our 760+ stores and rent or purchase movies, you can round up your transaction to the nearest dollar to donate your extra change to cancer research. For a store location near you, please use our store locator.

DONATE IN STORE - You are welcome to donate any dollar amount, $1, $5, $10... anything at all to help, at any Family Video store.

DONATE ONLINE - If there isn't a Family Video close to you, you can donate online!

Follow this link to donate through the Lymphoma Research Foundation website.

100% of all money raised will go directly to lymphoma research projects that offer the greatest potential to advance the field of lymphoma research and the discovery of new treatments.

“This horrible disease has had an effect on our employees and their children, and we are going to do something about it!” says Family Video President Keith Hoogland. “We are proud to partner with the Lymphoma Research Foundation and support its work to find a cure for lymphoma. Lymphoma affects
hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families every day. We can and will make a difference."


When the assistant manager of our local Family Video contacted me through Etsy and asked if I could help, I was very happy to. Here are the earrings I created just for this special event:

Sterling silver, turquoise and lapis earrings by Grey Girl Designs

Sterling silver, turquoise and lapis earrings by Grey Girl Designs

I hope whoever wins the raffle enjoys them!  I thought they would be perfect for summer- the color of the sea and sky on a sunny day!  Thank you to all who donate to this worthwhile cause.

- Jennifer

Some fun pictures of my companions!

Hello!  I think it's time for a new post here- I've been slacking a bit lately!
I haven't posted any pictures of my birds on here for awhile...thought you all might enjoy a peek at them!  Here's my darling Lyric:

You are my sunshine!

And one more of Lyric:

Lyric with stained glass by me!

The stained glass panel in the back of Lyric is my very first stained glass creation.  I took a class years ago and made a few pieces of stained glass art.  I enjoyed it but I was always pretty nervous cutting the glass.  I would like to take some time to make something else one of these days but it's been so long since I did it, it would be a challenge for me.  I've been thinking I'd like to incorporate some stained glass into some jewelry pieces, but I'd have to order some lead-free solder and give it a lot of thought to make something very cool!

Here's my Sadie:

Hello trouble!

Sadie playing on her swing:

Sadie Grey

I love my greys!  Not to leave out our little furry friend, here's a couple of cute pictures of my doxie, Chilli.

Chilli dog in February 2012

He's modeling a very fashionable coat crocheted by me!  I do love to crochet!

Chilli, on squirrel patrol.

Isn't he handsome?  I love my babies.  I will try to get back on to some more art/craft related subjects next post...Enjoy your day everyone!

Still growing

Even though this winter hasn't been dreadful weather-wise, I was thinking of spring today when I found a moment to be creative.  At the last bead show I attended, a beautiful leafy silver clasp caught my eye and I decided to start with it as the centerpiece for a new bracelet to celebrate spring.  What better to complement it with than some natural stones and gemstones in shades of green?  Here's my new bracelet in the planning stages...

Creating Still growing, my latest one of a kind bracelet!

Moss agate and light green apatite combine with the brilliance of sterling silver to create a bracelet full of the promise of spring.  I made it with a random pattern, as wild and unpredictable as a growing living thing. As I was creating it, I was also thinking about how like a new plant in spring, we are all still growing.  Our spirits and minds grow stronger and deeper and continue this process our whole lives.  That is what inspired the name.  I hope whoever wears it is reminded that even in winter and dark times, we are all still growing inside. The promise of spring and renewal is right around the corner.

Still growing bracelet by greygirldesigns

If you have thoughts or comments about my jewelry, my blog or just want to say hi, I'd love it if you left me a little note here!  Peace and happiness to you all as we continue growing together...

Jennifer

Some fun ideas for valentine's day!

Do you feel the spirit of love in the air?  I'm sure you notice whenever you go shopping you are being barraged by hearts, cupids and the color red.  Well it's almost valentine's day.  I thought it would be fun to look for some interesting and unique valentine's day gifts that you can get on Etsy.  Why give your hard earned money to the usual department stores when you could show your support for an individual trying to live their dream by creating what they love?  Let's spread some love Etsy style this valentine's day!

I've always loved stained glass.  I actually took some stained glass classes and created a few pieces myself.  I know what kind of hard work goes into each of these creations.  When I saw these fun stained glass heart earrings from AfricanSand, I thought they were really a unique way to combine stained glass within a piece of jewelry. 

Stained Glass Heart Earrings by AfricanSand

Aren't those adorable?  I think so!  The artist, Angela, also has some eye-catching stained glass panels, candle holders, business card holders and lots more stained glass jewelry available in her Etsy shop. 

You've heard that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach haven't you?  How about securing your place in your man's heart with one of the gourmet pre-measured mixes available from Kimmi's Etsy shop, LipSmackinCreations?  You can tell her mixes are going to be delicious just by looking at the pictures!

 

Chocolate Luv Pancakes by LipSmackinCreations

What man wouldn't love waking up to the smell of some homemade pancakes with chocolate and peanut butter in the mix?  Yum!  Kimmi has lots of delightful mixes available in her Etsy store including spice mixes, cookies, hot chocolate and even a special treat for your dog. 

Everyone likes sending cards on Valentine's day to show that special someone how much they care.  Why not do it with a unique handmade card from Michelle's Etsy shop, papermichelle?  Check out this one, the Thief of Hearts:

Valentine Card- Thief of Hearts by papermichelle

Isn't that cute?  Michelle's cards are hand drawn and screen printed by her.  She draws small, silly things that make her happy.  She has a great variety of cards in her shop and I think you are sure to find one that makes you smile too!

Lots of men buy flowers for their ladies for valentine's day.  This year, why not get her something different and get a handmade ceramic bud vase for all those flowers instead?  She'll remember your gift all year round with a vase that can be used for a variety of purposes, and looks great all by itself too.  This vase is available in Marietta's shop, blueroompottery:

Ceramic Bud Vase by blueroompottery

I love the wonderful texture and color combination of this vase.  Marietta's Etsy shop is full of lovely and functional pottery that is really a work of art.

My last item to share with you today is actually one of my own pieces, I just adore it and I hope you do too.  It is an adaptable necklace in that it can be worn two different ways, with the heart charm centered in the front, or you can switch it around and have the heart hanging sexily down the back of your neck.

 

Chained to your heart beaded necklace by greygirldesigns

It features sparkling deep red garnet gemstones, faceted black onyx, a faceted black fire agate stone, sterling silver and the rust steel heart charm.  It is a bit goth, a bit modern funky cool all in a one of a kind piece of wearable art.  This beaded necklace is available now in my Etsy store, greygirldesigns, and there is still plenty of time for me to ship it to you for valentine's day.

I hope you saw something you liked from my valentine's day picks!  Of course this is just a small sampling of the wonderful things you can find on Etsy.  Take a look for yourself and see what I mean!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by my blog today...I'd just love it if you'd leave me a comment and let me know you were here! 

Infinity scarves...my latest obsession!

Hi everyone!  I should start by saying Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is enjoying 2012 so far.  It has been so lovely here in Missouri, it really doesn't feel like January (not yet anyway, it is supposed to turn colder tomorrow).  Generally by this time of year, it has been cold and blustery for a few weeks already, and we usually have had snow and ice too.  This winter we've been blessed so far with warmer temperatures and as of yet we haven't had any snow or ice here where I live.  I love it!  Today it's in the 50's and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and ate my lunch outside- trying to soak up a bit of that vit D3 we all miss out on this time of year.  I know it probably won't last long but I'm trying to enjoy every day of it! 
Even though it's been warm, I've been getting ready for the cold blast to hit.  I shared with you a few posts back about the slouchy hat I crocheted from Julie at Gleeful Things website.  I decided to make a scarf to go with it and so I designed my own infinity scarf.  It was so easy and fun to make that I thought I'd share with you how I did it, you can easily design your own or follow my pattern and make one in your favorite color. 
To start off, I used a size J crochet hook and a Lion Brand Yarn called Tweed Stripes in the color Marble.  This yarn comes in 3 oz skeins and it took about 1 1/2 skeins to make one scarf.  Here's my pattern:

Row 1, chain 15.  Chain 2 more- this will be the first stitch of row 2. 
Row 2, double crochet in the fourth chain stitch from your hook (should be the 14th chain stitch from the beginning. Double crochet in each chain to the end.  Count your stitches, there should be 15 counting the two chain stitches at the beginning as one stitch.  Chain 2 and turn. 
Row 3,  the two chain stitches you just made count as the first stitch in this row.  Double crochet in the back loop only of each stitch across, starting with the second to the last stitch.  Chain 2 and turn.
Repeat this for as long as you desire.  I made mine about 75" long, which is long enough to wrap it snuggly 3 times around my neck.  When it is the desired length, hold the two ends together to form a circle and slip stitch the stitches together to join.  Then just weave your yarn ends into the fabric to finish. 

I hope those instructions make sense if someone tries to make their own!  I've never written a crochet pattern out before and I realize it may not be completely clear what I'm trying to say!  If you have experience crocheting it shouldn't be hard for you to understand though. 
Now that I am done with the scarf, I realize that usually you would chain 3 to make a double crochet stitch for the beginning of each row, but I only chained 2 and it turned out fine. If your stitches tend to be real tight, you may want to chain 3 for the beginning of each row. 
I had so much fun making my scarf that I made another one for my boyfriend.  I made his 20 chain stitches across to start, so it would be a bit thicker for him.  It is easy to adjust the pattern to fit your individual needs.  I'm now making another one just like the first one for my sister.  I hope she likes it! 

Two completed infinity scarves and a third in process.

If you decide to try making a scarf and follow my pattern, I hope you'll let me know how it turns out!  You could also leave the ends free and just have a regular scarf.  I have decided that the infinity scarf is definitely the thing for me though, I love how it stays nice and warm and where you want it without having to constantly adjust it.  I should be giving mine a lot of use before this winter is over.