And the winner is...

"Little Galaxy Rings" Submitted by ThePaperBlueBird.etsy.com . Thanks so much for all the submissions for this months contest. Make sure you sign up for my mailing list to the right of this blog post to be notified of future contests and upcoming events!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Contest Starts NOW!

This month's contest is a "Name Game" Contest. Your mission... if you choose to accept, is to name the rings below. A little bit about this ring. It is a new style I have created. They are a limited edition ring. Each one is handcrafted from large gauge sterling silver. Each one is one of a kind. So while they will all be similar in style, no two will be exactly alike.
I just can't figure out what to call these gorgeous rings!

What will you win if your name is selected? The winner will be awarded 2 pairs of my little berries earrings. One pair for yourself and one pair to give away or to Pay It Forward, and of course bragging rights! Your name will be posting in each listing for this amazing ring. As always the winner will also be extended the offer of free shipping on any shopping in My Shop. As well as the 15% off any other purchases they wish to make from my shop.

So leave your name suggestion (entry) as a comment on this post and of course leave your email (entries without emails will not be considered) Entries will be accepted up till June 19th and the winner and name will be posted the following Monday June 22nd.

Have you joined my mailing list?? That's the little widget, over there>>>>
If you did you will receive advanced warning to monthly contests and exclusive discounts.

I look forward to reading all the names you will submit.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

June Blog Contest Starts Soon!

Hello everyone! Hope everyone is well and had a happy and safe holiday weekend. After a brief break from monthly contests I will be starting one again coming up in June. June's contest will be a "Name Game" contest. I have a gorgeous item that needs naming! The winner of June's contest will be awarded 2 prizes, both the same. One to keep for yourself and the other to Pay It Forward (PIF) to a someone in your life. For full details before anyone else be sure to join my mailing list in the top right section of this blog. Full details will be posted on this blog the first week of June, mailing list members get a sneak peak the end of this week.
xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Perfect by Nature...

Wow it has been awhile since I have posted! I finally had a chance this morning to get out and take some gorgeous photos of the plants and other things growing in the yard here at home. Those who know me, know I have a love taking photos of all the amazing things nature creates. Really close up photos.

For more photos please visit my Flickr photostream.

As for me? Im going to get back outside, weed my garden a bit and then lay out and soak in some of this amazing weather. Enjoy the day everyone, and be safe.

xoxo
Julia Catherine

Stylish Storage Solutions!

If your like me, you are always limited with your space and looking to create more space. Especially with an 'attic room'. Slated ceilings etc. With the help of my mother I finally got around to building myself a book shelf. No longer will my books have to sit in a pile next to my bed! Now my lovely (new) terrarium also has a home too.

So first we took a trip to our local lowes store and purchased some 8x1 pine board. We looked for a board with as little knots and possible and as few blemishes as we could find. Then I selected some corner molding to create a ledge on my shelf. I wanted a ledge so that I could know any items I might place on my shelf will be secure (knick knacks, candle holders etc.) I also selected these lovely L brackets that have a bronzey scroll design on them instead of the ugly ones. Carefully chose my nails. I bought 1 inch brads to nail the ledge to the shelf, 1 inch finishing screws to screw the bracket to the shelf and 1 1/2 finishing nails to screw the shelf to the wall.

With the help of my mother the boards were cut and the edges of the ledge were mitered. I just love mitered corners!! I matched up the corners and glued the ledge down using wood glue, clamped them down and waited 30 minutes before nailing the brads into the ledge. Then I used a bit of 'plastic wood' to fill in any screw ups I made :/ After letting that dry for another 20 minutes I got my handy dandy sanding block out and sanded down any rough edges through the whole shelf, even rounded off some corners. I gave the entire shelf a good dusting and then stained it using a walnut stain we had left over from another project(use plastic gloves while staining). I only did one coat yesterday and let the shelf dry till this afternoon.

I attached the fancy brackets to the shelf and then the shelf to the wall using a level of course. And now im lovely shelf is complete :) The entire project cost me about $29 and that is enough wood and screws for another shelf.

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

Vegan Black Bean Soup- Recipe Courtesy of YCHRISTINE

A favorite recipe that I have made twice so far and works out perfect everytime. Very quick and easy, well worth taking the time to make this instead of opening a can of some crappy store bought soup.

"Pureed black beans and tomatoes are combined with vegetable broth to make a nice thick base for this soup, which hosts celery, carrots, onion and corn.
Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 pinch black pepper

4 cups vegetable broth

4 (15 ounce) cans black beans

1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn

1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1.	Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Saute onion, celery, carrots and garlic for 5 minutes. Season with chili powder, cumin, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute. Stir in vegetable broth, 2 cans of beans, and corn. Bring to a boil.
2.	Meanwhile, in a food processor or blender, process remaining 2 cans beans and tomatoes until smooth. Stir into boiling soup mixture, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 15 minutes.

The recipe in it entirety can be found here

I strongly suggest the following substitutions. 2 cups frozen kernel corn. I also did not have fresh celery so I used a tablespoon of celery flakes and a can of stewed tomatoes instead of crushed. Great with a grilled cheese sandwich, baked potato. Even better the next day as lunch or leftovers. I hope you will give one of my favorites a try!

xoxo
JuliaCatherine

February Contest Winner Announced!

And the winner for February's Contest is...

Beth W. Of Rose Bush Designs!

Congratulations Beth and Thank You to all who participated in this Months Contest. The answer to the riddle was my "Classic Pink Pearl Studs" There were many entries that were correct so it came down to the random number generator. Each entry was assigned a number then the number was picked at random.

Remember to sign up for my mailing list so you can be notified of special contests here on my blog and exclusive sales and coupons, only for mailing list members.

xoxo
Julia Catherine