September 27 (1:30 AM)

Well, I finished Eros -- although it is going on 2 AM.
Here are photos of front and back.

I didn't think I would finish in time for the SassyArtGoddess Swap, but I did!! Yippee!! I'm in!

Sept. 21st and Sept. 22, 2006

I am continuing to work on my little beaded pin. At the moment I am not very happy with it -- but I will continue working on it until it is finished -- I may like it better then LOL. I'm learning a lot of "what not to do" --

Here's a pic of it nearing completion --- I have learned a lot working on this little piece. In some ways I would like to just clip the threads and start all over -- but everyone has a first piece, right?

UFO ~~ One of many

My first attempt at a beaded pin.
It is now in my UFO basket for a few days while we have company from California.

Remembering 9/11

In the days following 9/11/01 I created my 9/11 Angel. Tattered, tear stained and dirty -- Angel brought wings to those in need that day. She has hung in my sewing room ever since and each day I see her and feel that terrible pain -- and remember to live each day to the fullest and to remember to say I love you as often as possible -- to give extra hugs and to do all the things we sometimes think we can wait until later to do or say.

September 5, 2006

Thank you, thank you, BK -- today the mail brought your fantastic nail head hearts. They will make a great addition to my Black & White --- this piece will be extra special to me because of the bead additions from friends. I am posting a photo of these little gems -- love them :-)

Problems with posting comments.....solution

Some of you are having trouble leaving comments -- here is what I found:

"Users who have not switched to Blogger in beta will not be able to login to comment on blogs that have been switched. Commenting using the "anonymous" or "other" options will still work."

Comments are an important part of blogs -- so please, even though it is a bit of a hassle, do use the anonymous or other options to post your comments.

Beads of Friendship for B & W

The lovely beads from California arrived today. They will be a perfect addition to my Black and White.
The photo doesn't do them justice -- the lovely nail head beads, the white ones and the bugle beads that almost look zebra striped. They will be wonderful. Thank you, thank you L. You are a dear!

Was just about to take the plunge and get started --- then an email from a friend in California came. "Don't start yet" ... it reads -- L. had come across some lovely antique beads to add to the pallet and she has put them into the mail to me. I love beading, every bit of it -- but what is nicest of all are all the great people I have met and now call friends. Thank you, L. and thank you to Robin Atkins for words of encouragement -- you are my mentor, you know.Also, thank you The Lone Beader~~with your busy work schedule you always find time to bead -- and that is a big inspiration -- making (or taking) time to bead.

Life is Not Black and White

I am beginning to pull together beads for a piece I am really looking forward to doing. "Life is Not Black and White". Since this will be my first improvisational beading piece, I have no idea where I will begin or what direction the beads will take. But, shored up with encouragement from friends and bearing the banner of Robin Atkins "JUST DO IT" -- soon I will take the first step, attach that first bead -- and away I go. Above is a photo of the beads I have collected so far -- I know I need more -- different shapes, shades of black, white, gray, etc. but I may just go ahead and begin and see where it goes.

Last days of summer

Summer vacation is coming to a close -- and we will be seeing less and less of the 7 grandsons until
summer vacation returns next year. It will certainly be quiet here -- and we shall miss them so much -- but,
with all the projects I have in mind to attempt, I won't be searching for something to do.

Today we arose early and headed for yet another flea market (good thing the grandson's love to go) and I have to show you what I found. I have a plan in mind for them (or one of them) -- plan may change by the time I get to it, but can you imagine one of these being a focal point of a crazy quilt block or bead painting? The imagination runs wild.

August 10, 2006

I haven't abondoned this blog --- I know what I want to work on and have been diligently collecting beads for this.
As a relative newbie to beading, my "stash" is not what I would like it to be -- but I am getting there, LOL. The mailman almost daily brings me small packages of treasures.

I do have a crazy quilting round robin that I am in -- it is reaching it's conclusion so soon there will be more time. If you would like to take a look at my blog for this round robin, go to: Favorite Book Crazy Quilt Round Robin.

There is a wonderful discussion currently on Robin Atkin's blog, Beadlust, you may want to go there and check it out. And while you are surfing, be sure to see the fantastic new project of Diana, The Lone Beader.

I hope within the next week or so I will be able to post photos of my work in progress.

My First "Serious" Bead Purchase

I just couldn't resist these gorgeous beads from GLASS WEAVER. Now I really have to get serioius with my beading.

Summer Fun With Beading

During the summer the grandsons take turns spending time here.

They are always interested in the projects I am working on -- and beading fascinated them.

What a plus that beading is something they can do pretty much on their own.

They love it when I set out an assortment of beads for them to choose from.

Here is a photo of grandson with a sports fob he made today for his back pack (fobs at their school are very popular and both boys and girls see how many they can attach to the back packs).

July 4, 2006 ~ Two more scissor fobs & Parrot

Amazing how many friends have birthdays in July and August.
And then there is the special occasion gift -- so, just when I
thought I was through with fobs for a while -- surprise -- needed
two more. I was lucky and found some wonderful little scissors on
eBay and purchased many pair -- so the fobs also have these great
little scissors attached.
Here they are.

I also made an attempt at beading a parrot. This is for a round robin block. I have a LONG way to go with this -- but it was fun.

Spirit Doll~Scissor Fobs~Beaded Beginnings

Recently I was charmed by the lovely beading a friend, Lynn S. from California, did on a crazy quilt block.
Her beading was so very lovely I knew sooner or later I would have to give beading my humble try.
My first efforts were simple enough, beaded scissor fobs for friends.
Pictured below are a few of the scissor fobs I have done.






The fobs were followed by trying the beaded buttons pictured below, and spirit dolls (thank you, Robin Atkins)-- I felt like I was all thumbs doing these tiny beaded items.

Maybe it will come after practice -- and I know having a better assortment of bead sizes, colors and shapes will certainly add to the dimension of these little buttons.




My First Spirit Doll
A dear friend just lost her wonderful dog of 14 years. Patti and her dog, Emma Rose - a bloodhound, were part of the Illinois/Wisconsin Search and Rescue team. I wanted to give Patti something to help ease her pain and still remember Emma Rose. I had been reading different beading books and had just received Robin Atkins lovely little Spirit Dolls book. It seemed the perfect thing to give my friend.

The green and yellow side convey my wish that Emma Rose will find only green grass and sunshine to romp in at her pleasure. The bead heart on this side -- to heal Patti's heart from her loss. The rainbow material on the other side, along with the multi-colored beads are a rainbow for Emma Rose. The charms are specially chosen" An angel to be with Patti and Emma, A bone -- for no dog should be without a bone, a rose so that the scents Emma Rose follows now are all Heavenly.
The heart charm on the rainbow side is for the friendship Patti and I have shared for over 50 years.