This is an earlier aerial image of downtown Cedar Rapids...Friday or Saturday?...I don't really know, the days have blurred together. Hopefully, this is a site that we will never see again. (As a point of reference-the red roof in the right hand corner is the National Czech & Slovak Museum.) A sincere thank you to those who have emailed or called to see how I am doing-I live approx 4 miles from the downtown area so I am okay--but so, so many people are hurting.

A search and rescue dog rests in the back of a National Guard truck as strike teams assemble in Southwest Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 15, 2008. Ten teams searched flood damaged homes throughout Sunday and will continue Monday to ensure homes are safe for residents to return and gather belongings.

A storm that moved through Eastern Iowa Saturday, June 14, 2008 passes over Burlington Street in Iowa City near the bridge over the Iowa River. The storm, which brought with it heavy rain, hail, and possibly a tornado in West Branch, could affect the predicted crest of the Iowa River later this week.

Floodwater inundates a farmstead along Highway 13 near the Cedar River.
Within the city of Cedar Rapids it is now estimated that 438 blocks are under water and over 24,000 people have been evacuated.

Above- Cedar Rapids City Hall early Friday, June 13, 2008, in Cedar Rapids.

Above-the First Avenue NW Dairy Queen photographed early Friday, June 13, 2008, in southeast Cedar Rapids.Volunteers form a human chain to carry sandbags for the effort of protecting Mercy Medical Center from the rising flood waters early Friday, June 13, 2008, in southeast Cedar Rapids. The hospital along with a care facility was evacuated...

Downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Part of Mays Island, which is home for City Hall and the Linn County Courthouse, is underwater as flood waters continue to rise in Cedar Rapids, Iowa Thursday June 12, 2008. Heavy rains continue to pound large portions of Iowa. The faint lines that you see are the railings of the Cedar Rapids bridges that are submerged. The only remaining and passable bridge is I 380 that you see in the background.

Most of the CRANDIC railroad bridge over the Cedar River next to the Eighth Street bridge has collapsed in downtown Cedar Rapids on the morning of Thursday, June 12, 2008.

Here, St. Wenceslaus is surrounded by floodwaters.

Mt. Vernon firefighter Dan Gines pauses after launching a boat to recover a Cedar Rapids resident trapped on a rooftop in Cedar Rapids on Thursday evening, June 12, 2008.

Little Bo's Pub & Grill is reflected in flood waters at the intersection of 14th Avenue SE and Third Street SE as the sun rises Wednesday morning, June 11, 2008, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The 3rd Ave bridge (photos I took yesterday afternoon-picture below) over the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids is now closed. Parts of Cedar Rapids are now under mandatory evacuation. The entire city of Palo (a town close to Cedar Rapids) is under mandatory evacuation. ...and in the last hour it has started to rain.

Above Flood Stage

The Cedar River is above Flood Stage. These pictures are of the 3rd avenue bridge that connect with May's Island here in Cedar Rapids. Did you know that only 2 cities in the world have their city government located on an island? Yep--Paris, France and Cedar Rapids, Iowa!

I was always told to respect my elders, but they're getting harder and harder to find.

It's still evolving--although I have decided that it will be a component of a necklace. But stay tuned-I just might change my mind. The colors are still growing on this piece. I do not often work with reds and pinks so I am having fun working with colors that are a bit different for me.

(Ah, but the gold and bronzes are still there and a splash of violet.)

I am working on a new embroidered piece pictured above. I'm not sure of the color combination yet-so stay tuned as to how it evolves. It will be a pin or a pendant... I'm not sure where it will lead me.

Look at the above beautiful crochet-loop bracelets that were created tonight in class! The brown one was made by Kellie and the purple one was made by Wendy. The gals really did a fantastic job on their bracelets! Click on the photos to zoom-in on their beautiful creations.

Santa Fe Sunset...

This is a new technique that I finished this morning. I like the texture and the flexibility of this bracelet! I am going to offer this as a new class. It is a really easy project for the beginner and still so fun and quick for anyone! (Don't we need some fast gratification projects?) The possibilities with this bracelet are endless. It really got me thinking. Click on the photo for a closer look...

I recently made this Swarovski Rivoli pendant, inspired by beadweaving artist Laura McCabe...

I bezeled the 16mm Rivoli with 11/0 Miyuki Delicas beads, 15/0 Miyuki seed beads and 4mm Swarovski bicone crystals...

Click the picture to zoom-in to the bling.

This is beautiful St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chelsea, Iowa. It is the church my mother and her family and relatives attended while growing up in Chelsea. My mother and uncle also attended St. Joseph school that was located next to the church. It is also the church where my parents were married.

My nephew is here visiting from Alaska! This is a picture of my nephew and his mom, my sister! Along with my other sister we went to the Chelsea, Iowa area to visit the area where my Mother grew up. We had such an awesome day! Here are a few pictures of the Salt Creek area where my Mother use to pick flowers, picnic, and go fishing while growing up...

Remember...

Oh no,

Thursdays without Luka!

The above is a crochet loop bracelet I finished this evening. (Same technique, just a different color combo than the May 12 post.) Click on this picture to view a larger image.

Does this give you any idea what kind of day I had subbing today?

Pictured above is my "Painted Desert" lariat made with Turquoise, Coral, Czech glass, and Miyuki seed beads. The tassels incorporate Bali Silver bead cages and cones.
I am still working on my May 14 Stringing Project - I still do not know when it will end. I think I'll work on it some more today and then that will be it! So many beads, so little time...

...weekend!

I finished this today-if you click on the photo, you will see closer detail of the stripe seed beads which are Czech glass!

Luka, I'm waiting...

This is part of a necklace that I am currently working on...it is all stringing with .018 Beading Wire and Fireline. It is one of those projects that I never know if it is finally "finished".

This evening, and early morning, I have been working on a new design for Split Cuffs. I have incorporated five of my Mother's antique buttons, Miyuki seed beads and gold wire into this new Split Cuff Bracelet. Do click on the picture so that you can see the beautiful detail of these precious metal buttons...

Crochet Bracelet...

(No subbing for me today.) This is my first attempt at a Crochet Loop Bracelet... It was fun to make and for a person who really doesn't know much about crochet-I was pleased with my end result. Give a click on the above photo to see a clearer/brighter picture of the bracelet. Do you think it would make a good class?

Happy Mother's Day!

Aren't they beautiful? They are from my wonderful son, Matthew!

Signs of Spring...my Aunt's beautiful Tulips!!

Yes Luka, I'll be there tonight...

same time, same place.

Melissa from "Sea of Glass" created this beautiful necklace that features one of Cris Leonard's exquisite PMC toggles as a focal piece...stunning combination! Click the pic to enlarge.

On This Day...

May 5, 1961: The First American in Space... From Cape Canaveral, Florida, Navy Commander Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. was launched into space aboard the Freedom 7 space capsule, becoming the first American astronaut to travel into space. Alan Shepard's first flight into space lasted only 15 minutes and 28 seconds, traveled at a maximum velocity of 5.134 miles per hour, reached an altitude of 116.5 statute miles, and traveled a distance of 303 statute miles.
I vividly remember this event! I was in elementary school and the whole class was so excited-we all sat at our desks around the classroom television set and anxiously awaited the event that had been talked about for so many weeks previously. I remember all the hype - we were going to watch history in the making! I recall how much we looked forward to that monumental event, but before we knew it the 15 minute suborbital flight was over! ...I had hardly gotten settled at my desk!

Seed Bead Beginnings...

I have been working this evening on a Seed Bead Bracelet. I don't know where it's going yet, but I'm excited about it. (It needs to be finished tomorrow.) Melissa's "Sea of Glass" lampwork beads are my muse... Click the pic to enlarge photo.

Deadwood SD Snow...

The blizzard that blew through the Black Hills on Thursday and Friday left 28 inches of snow in Deadwood and 54.5 inches on the ground in Lead. That's more than any previous May blizzard on record. The 60 mile an hour winds also left drifts that reached to rafters of some houses. The blizzard trapped many northern Hills residents.