TTE Designs

TTE Designs started with the encouragement of family & friends. I have always been crafty, growing up with talented parents who always made all sorts of things. I didn't realize that not everyone did that till I was in high school.  I had some great art teachers along the way too and have always had my hand in something of interest.  Personally I'd rather make it than buy it. 
In the past couple of years while on Guam I started making Guam-centric greeting cards that sold at the AAFB gift shop. I also made jewelry for myself and to give away.  After we moved back to Virginia at the urging of my friend Lora & my husband Pat. I signed up for my 1st craft show in March and the rest of this year has been a growing snowball of learning and growing.  I focus mostly on jewelry and polymer clay items, but I am always interested in all sorts of things. Now it's December, I've done 8 shows , some with friends and some alone. I find great satisfaction in making something that someone says "Wow I really like that" & " Can I buy that?" WHO KNEW?? Plus once they buy it I can buy more goodies to make something else!  So once the holidays are done I'm certain that I will get back in the craft room regularly and create.  I guess I need to start thinking seriously about making this thing "real" but for now, it's just for fun.

Sodalite & silver

polymer clay pendant & earrings

Polymer clay ornament

multi semi precious gemstones

It's Been Awhile...

It's been awhile since I last posted. I guess living in Guam seemed more exciting than being back in the states these last 20 months.

I suppose that's not really fair is it? Life is good no matter where you are living.

A lot has happened in these 20 months. We moved back to Northern VA, bought a house, had Pat's dad move in with us, JP sprouted to 6'4", Pat worked at the Pentagon in N88, the kids started and finished 6 & 7th and 9th and 10th grades, Jeb passed away, Dixie Dog came to live with us, I started my own little craft business, JP started Tae Kwon Do, Rachel was in the school play, Pat is training for a marathon, JP is learning to drive, Rachel is playing volleyball, I am teaching Religious ED, Pat is now at the National War College and we will be moving next summer, back to the Norfolk area. WHEW!

OK, now that we are mostly up to date. Here are a few pictures to finish out this post. I'll try to be a more faithful correspondent. :-)

White Sands Drive

LOVE my "birth-a-versary" gift

Thanks honey for a great camera, it's one of the best gifts ever!

Happy Birth-A-Versary...to me.

For the last couple of years I have been wanting a new Digital SLR camera. Yesterday Pat treated me to my wish. I am now the proud owner of an Canon Rebel EOS XSi~ SWEET!

It's a pretty expensive gift so I decided it should be for my birthday and Anniversary combined. A gal we know said it was my "Birth-A-Versary" gift and it stuck. I have been studying the manual and taking pictures of salt and pepper shakers and other random things as I figure it all out. The pictures are truly amazing. I have to say I am impressed. Here are a few from outside around the Casa. :-)

Homecoming Dance

JP atttended his first Homecoming Dance this past weekend at Guam High. One of our neighbors had the bright idea to arrange the shuttle to take the kids there and back (45min each way). For $15 a head it was great. The kids are all friends and I think they had a good time.

The colors are so pretty....

This past week has been a 'whirlwind' (pun intended!) of activity. Three potential Typhoons, #18W, Parma (which had me thinking of italian food) and Melor, have come and mercifully gone by with nothing more than some rain and breezy conditions. The good news is that we had a chance to prepare for the real thing and I know we would be as ready as we could be. The bad news is~ no Typhoon parties, and of course the destruction in the more northern Marianas islands that are in the path of the storms.