Here we are for the 2nd Annual Challenge of Travel. This challenge is all about the “Staycation” . In reality, the “staycation” concept actually motivated us to take a real vacation this summer in order to escape the never ending heat at home. Haven’t been able to take a real vacation in like 10 years. We ended up hitting the road in the camper and relaxing on the beach with family in the Pacific Northwest.
Here I am enjoying nature’s sandbox.
The actual “staycation” would involve disguising myself as a “tourist” and heading to “The Strip”.
I live just on the outskirts of fabulous Las Vegas. Yup, Cha Ching!
But, that’s not the Las Vegas I know and love. I prefer the outdoors and the wonderful Spring Mountain Range. Fortunately, I can see the mountains from my yard and live about 5 miles from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Furthermore, my yard of sorts is a little known tourist destination “Cactus Joe’s Blue Diamond Nursery”.
So my inspiration for this challenge and many of my creations…literally right outside my door.
I love the colors of the desert, the turquoise blue skies, the rusty and brown colors of the earth and mountains.
The green shades of the native desert plants. I chose a piece of turquoise for the focal on one necklace.
The other necklace incorporates a piece of cholla wood skeleton with a crystal point.
OH MY Goodness, I have never been to Las Vegas and never been to the desert, but I feel like I’ve been there now. I could just stare at the desert picture for hours, will totally enjoy it again! What beautiful pictures and the jewelry you made is stunning!
Wow! I can’t imagine looking out my window and feasting my eyes on that grove of trees and those magnificient mountains! Your necklaces are so beautifully creative; I especially love how you’ve incorporated those unique shapes in your second piece.
Wow! Both pieces are so neat! I had never heard of cholla wood and did a Google search, very interesting! Micro-macrame is so interesting and beautiful (I was gifted a few pieces by Sherri Stokey), like seed beading, I don’t think I’d have the patience to do it but it sure is pretty! The crystal point and turquoise pendant are so beautiful and very representative of your location. Thanks for sharing!
Your pictures are gorgeous as are your pieces. They totally reflect those beautiful landscapes.
We love to visit Las Vegas but haven’t been there for a few years now. We love the city lights, but even more we love the surroundings. Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire are both beautiful places to see. Your pieces are just lovely and represent the landscape so well.
Thank you for showing us the Vegas you love – now THAT is what I call a landscape! Beautiful, just as your creations. I love how organic and earthy they are. <3
I love your necklaces and how they echo the desert. I am just learning macrame and so admire your skill. The second necklace has such wonderful textures.
I love the way you’ve combined these elements. Gorgeous turquoise. Thank you for sharing your neck of the woods!
Those are both lovely! I really love that first one though. The colors are my favorites.
I’ve always wondered if there was more to Vegas than the Strip. I am excited to know that there is. 🙂
Gracious, both of your pieces are striking and moving. . .just like the view from outside your door. I hate that I don’t have a remarkable view but I do love the area in which I live. I’ll just delight in your view. Thanks for sharing it.
Oh my gosh, the landscape! How wild and rugged and wonderful! Totally NOT what I think of when I think of Vegas! Your piece is so earthy and beautiful!
Your jewellery is stunning – I adore the use of many mediums within a design and the colours of your pieces capture the true essence of your staycation! Love this post – thankyou for sharing the natural beauty and another side of Vegas.
Beautiful designs, CeCe, just like the inspiration that surrounds your home!
Lovely pieces! I have a growing fondness for the desert as I’ve been spending more and more time in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree. It really can be a wonderful inspiration.
How far from my river and large green trees – but I have been to your desert and found it fascinating. On one trip, there were beautiful desert blooms, and I kept getting my hubby to stop so I could take photos. Your pieces capture that fascinating part of nature that you see outside your door. Andrea
Your two pieces beautifully echo your landscapes. I love your part of the world — well, maybe not LV so much, but the deserts around it are stunning and must be so inspiring.
You never cease to amaze me, Miss Cece! I love your macrame work! It is so intricate and detailed. The colors are perfectly desert like. You live in an area that has a lot of tourist attractions, but when you get outside of that, it really is rugged and filled with color and interesting textures. You totally captured that in your pretty necklace. And that pendant with the wood and the crystal is really cool too! Thank you for joining me on this journey! I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get around to everyone. With this huge three day fundraiser last week I have been unable to concentrate on much else! And I wanted to be certain to take time to really immerse myself in each hometown. I was to Las Vegas once and if I ever get a chance to get back that way, I would love to see more of the natural sights. Enjoy the day! Erin