Thanksgiving prep

A peek into our kitchen tonight:

  

We're doing Thanksgiving prep to this music.:




It's blaring. And it's happy hour. So I guess that means we're having a hell of a good time.

And just so you know, this is definitely my favorite song from the King. ;)

Oh. Can't forget this one too:





See you on the other side.....

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The other morsel....

...is this:



A chance to win one of my 'burst' rings over at Mrs. French's lovely Bliss.

You can enter here.

She will be choosing a winner on Friday :)

And on a side, yet very important note, I hit two milestones within the week.

1. I passed the 1,000 sales mark on Etsy AND

2. I passed 3,000 hearts on Etsy, as well.

These were MOMENTOUS occasions that were most definitely celebrated in this house!

(by everyone under this roof in fact!)

THANK YOU!

p.s. AND don't forget to go enter to win one of my rings!

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Stacks

Here's a peek of us at work this week....

Beautiful stacks of packages...

really, very beautiful to us

Writing thank-you cards to every wonderful customer...

And while in the midst of this we are also knee deep in family revelry.

We've had lots of little ones' laughter and pounding echo off our walls the past few days because my sister and her mini-me also visited. The boys were beyond thrilled.

And of course, I am listening to music constantly.

This band being a new favorite:

This may turn into a two post day....

if not I'll see you tomorrow morning with another morsel of information ;)

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Business & Inspiration...in that order!

Good Morning!

First order of business this cold morning is to alert you of our next giveaway lined up over at Bloesem.

You can enter here.



Tis' the season of holiday giveaways and specials so hop on over to Bloesem and enter to win a chance at a $100 gift certificate for use in our shop!

There are more goodies up our sleeves for the holidays so keep your peepers on this page for all updates :)

My next bit of news is to lay out our holiday shipping schedule:

For U.S. Christmas delivery - orders should be placed by Friday, December 17th.

For International Christmas delivery - orders should be placed by Wednesday December 1st.

If you place your order before these dates you should be on the safe side for on-time Christmas delivery.

And lastly, I had to share with you a jolt of inspiration for your Wednesday morning.

 GORGEOUS, right??

Man alive would I love one of each. Really, really!

Especially that coat!

I also love that they are a small business run by a husband and wife team.

(can SO relate)

The model above is the designer, Emerson, of the sweet line, EmersonMade.

I found her via Bliss.
Go take a look at the rest of her line. I love the streamlined and tailored look of her clothing.

Okay, time to head to the studio!

Norbert and I have been working together every morning while the little ones hang out with Nana and Papa.

It's been really nice having company in the workshop :)

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festivities

I made this tart for my little one's birthday yesterday.

It's an apricot & pear tart recipe that I found in Real Simple.

It is delicious!

Look's a bit similar, huh?

We had a great day spent with Nana and Papa who have come to stay for a few weeks.

We first headed to a coffee shop for bagels and coffee and chocolate milk for the little ones.

After a quick stop in a thrift shop we headed to local children's museum for several hours.

The second half of the day was mainly spent cooking, baking and eating.

The process is always as much, if not more fun, as sitting down to actually eat.

We usually have music going, a drink poured, and in this case a glass of beer, for everyone over 5 feet.

 (my mom's not much taller than this ;)

 That stack of tortillas, by the way, was made by my mom. She makes the BEST tortillas...hands down!

She made a fresh dozen about 3 to 4 times a week when I was growing up.

Even now, she makes them every week because of all of her children and grandchildren who completely devour them.

After the festivities we topped off the day with a pajama party.

I can't believe my youngest is 3.

It goes by SO incredibly fast.....

yet when they are yelling at the top of their lungs and destroying things I often think to myself,

"exactly when does this phase end??" ;)

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fantastic update

Please head over to Cup of Jo to enter our giveaway for the chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates for use in our shop. She will be choosing a winner at random tomorrow so hop on over....quick!

Loving the love :)

SO many wonderful and sweet comments have been posted!

This ushers in the weekend on a high!

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winter touchdown

This is the view outside my kitchen window.

And on my front porch....

The view from above.

Checking out the rabbit tracks with my little midget.

Winter has touched down. Finally :)

Actually I've loved this fall season immensely. The snow has arrived at the perfect time.

No sooner.

No later.

For my taste anyway!

Today has been a day of remembrance.

On so many levels,

 for so many people.

I'm off to hug and be hugged by three pairs of hands that completely hold my heart.

goodnight :)

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The Fruits of my Labor

I'm starting out with the one that I love just that much more.

It is already gone.... :)

These are new favorites for sure.

They are so comfortable and eye-catching.

This is the bulk of my new work that just went up into our Etsy and website shops over the last few days.

I worked really, really hard to get all of this listed and when I finally finished yesterday I slipped away from the boys and laid my head down on the couch. And I was out.

It is so gratifying for me to get my work listed and then put out into the world.

I am sure this is a universal feeling for anyone who puts so much of themselves into something.

(It doesn't just pertain to art.)

So I've been breathing a bit deeper since and I'm feeling release.

I'll be working on filling orders for the next few days in between getting my house ready for visitors.

My parents are coming to stay with us for two weeks beginning on Friday and we are sooooo ready for them to get here. They are the absolute best at swooping in and taking care of us :)

Time to head out into the sunshine and play....

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few words

I have few words today.....

just a peek at the new pieces sitting quietly on my bed.

Listing will be ongoing throughout the long dark evening. I have candles lit and music playing.

I may just pour myself a glass of wine...

Care to join? :)

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Shop Update....

I need a few elves in my shop with me right now, but as it is just me, I'm working towards a shop update for over the weekend ;) I was hoping for tomorrow, but realistically I think it's looking like Saturday instead.

This is a hu-uge update though.....full of lots of color and stones! Please check back. I'm super excited to share them with you :)

back to work....

EDIT: A few unavoidable things have popped up so I'm pushing the listing out a few more days.

 I will see you then!!!!!!

 
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Call for Pictures

HEAR, HEAR!!

We are having a suh-weet holiday giveaway for all of my wonderful customers!!

(I'm thinking of making it an annual thing :)

So the giveaway entails YOU sending us a picture of yourself wearing a piece of jewelry you have purchased from us. We will randomly choose several people from that pool for $50 gift certificates. This giveaway is only for those who submit pictures!! I want very much to see you wearing my pieces. You all get to see me plenty, but I very much want to see you as well. This is fair, yes??! So what better way to entice you than to waive some freebies over your head. ;)

Okay, details:
- The pictures can roll in up until November 30th
- In the beginning of December we will announce the winners here, our newsletter and also our facebook page.
- You can crop part of your face if that makes you feel comfortable!
- It's important to note that your picture may get published here and in our newsletter so PLEASE make sure that this is okay!
- Sending me more than one image does not up your chances, but send me as many as you want! I would love to see whatever I get sent my way. Really :)

Sound good?

p.s. I created the necklace above last year and it resides in Australia with one of my sweetest customers. It happens to be one of my favorites....I have been unable to find a lavender/purple imperial jasper like it...

p.p.s. I forgot to leave my email!! Send the pictures to info@bluehourdesigns.com
..

tradition

I took these photos a week or two ago when the fall colors erupted into shades of bright reds and yellows. 

This is a welcome change from last year when we had a snowstorm move in at the first of October. It stunted the fall season, ushering in winter far too early for my taste. This year however, I am enjoying a true fall season with warm, color-filled days, and cold, brisk nights.

This year, I also had my parents bring me a pair of ristras to hang on my front porch. Back in Albuquerque we always had ristras hanging at the front of our home. It's tradition and a welcome reminder of the commencement of fall. As soon as you smell the green chile wafting in the air from the multitude of roasters (and when I say multitude, I mean multitude! There are literally hundreds of them throughout the city) you know it's September.

My parents generally buy a couple of sacks (garbage bag size) of freshly roasted green chile in the fall and then we peel and package it into quart sized baggies for the freezer. This amount will be enough for all of our families; the Melnikovs, my parents and my sister's family, for the year. You have to understand: chile is at the core of New Mexican food. We are practically weaned on it!

I hadn't had ristras since we left NM over two years ago.....it's a good reminder of home. I love looking out my front windows and seeing them there. Tradition is important. No matter where we end up in the world I hope to have some ristras with me :)

Time for breakfast, then work. I am a bit slow moving this morning....must've been the weekend festivities ;)



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