Life is Not Black and White

My camera is giving me 'fits' so since I can't take a new photo, here is an older one of my work in progress (it really is further along than this photo shows). After reading Robin Atkins book, One Bead at a Time, I decided I wanted to try Improvisational bead embroidery -- my first go at it is Life is Not Black and White -- it will be interesting to see where the beads lead me. Thanks for the incentive, Robin.
I did find a photo of this piece with a little more work done on it. (above)

Teeny Tiny Easter Basket & 14 Thumbs

Have you seen BeadBabe's gorgeous little baskets? If not, be sure to click here to take a look. I just love them and thought I would take a try at doing one ---- well, did you know I suddenly have 14 thumbs???? Really, I do!!! Here is my beginnings of a little Easter Basket (thus the pastel colors). I will finish this one, but unless I can get control of my 14 thumbs and 8 other digits, this may well be my last one. The base of this little basket is under 1/2 inch in diameter. BB, how do you do it and keep all the rounds so nice and tight and even?

March 27, 2007This little basket is finished -- but it is so tiny my camera won't take a clear photo of it. Will have to wait until someone can get a picture of it for me. It is really sweet -- so was a fun venture in something I hadn't tried before.

Second Shamrock

This is the second little Shamrock pin. This one was made for DD, Amy. I did manage to have pins made for both daughters before St. Patrick's Day ;-)

Beaded Quilts for Breast Cancer Research

I was so excited tonight to see that Jeanette has completed piecing quilt number 6 for the auction to be held at the Bead and Button Show in Milwaukee, WI, in June. The proceeds from these auctions goes to Breast Cancer Research.

These little butterfly squares come from across the States and foreign countries. This particular quilt includes donations from beaders whose bead sites we are all familiar with -- Beading at the Beach and The Lone Beader.If you haven't checked their blogs, please do -- they are wonderful.

I am unfamiliar with the beaders of most of the blocks in this quilt (when you go to the site, you can see photos of all the completed quilts and the names of all those who contributed to each one) but I can tell you that, from the top:

1st row -- from the left number 5 and 6 are mine
2nd row - from the left number 3 and 4 made by The Lone Beader
4th row - from the left number 2 and 3 made by Beading at the Beach

Walk America ~ March of Dimes

This will be the fourth year my grandson, Andrew, has chosen to celebrate his birthday by walking for the March of Dimes benefit. Drew, joined by family members and friends will be participating in the Walk America March of Dimes Benefit walk. Please click on the above to enlarge the information to a readable size. Thank you, Gram.

PS That tiny little baby in the photo (4 lb 4 oz ~ 17 1/4 inches) is Andrew - and the second photo is almost 11 year old Andrew today.

Displaying beaded treasures

Thought you might like to see what I have done with the beaded pins I have either received as gifts/swaps, made myself or purchased. I think I will need another frame. This can be hung on a wall -- which I do -- and when I want to wear one, just open the frame -- it has a box like hinge on the side -- take out what I want to wear and later replace it. I got the frame at Hobby Lobby for 40% off yesterday.

(I know each person that made these through the internet -- and consider them all very special people. The dragonfly was a Christmas gift from dear friend, Lynn, in California. The fish were made by BeadBabe. Mary with the blue/green cab was created by The Lone Beader. The Paisley pin and the crystal hair face pin by Linda in Canada, the totem one, lower right, by Shari in Canada, the center right by Peggy. I cherish them all. The yellow sun at the left I made.)

Getting Ready for St. Patrick's Day

Every year on St. Patrick's Day I realize I don't have anything green to wear -- so, since I had a little free time decided to make a pin to wear. A simple little Shamrock shape beaded with green iridescent sequins - it really sparkles in the light. It will be fun to wear when we go out to dinner on St. Pat's Day.
March 10, 2007Now the truth can be told. This little pin was made for my daughter in San Diego. It has arrived at her house so now I can say who it was really made for.