On a roll - October Bead Journal Project

We went to the late showing of Harry Potter last night. I knew it was going to be a late night, so took an afternoon nap. I was *so* wide awake when I got home, so took advantage of the time to finish a few things off. I added the last few beads onto October's bead journal project. I'm not sure what it represents or what I was journalling, but I like the way that it turned out. I especially like that I was able to incorporate a larger lampwork piece into the work. (It's the flat disk - not fancy, but it's there)

I also have a new set to share - a couple of large hole beads, a larger focal bead and a couple of smaller spacer beads. I like the way that the large hole beads look sideways, and think they'd be cute on hoops.

More stitched!

I seem to be on an ornament roll lately, and here is the latest. It's from Cherished Stitches in the JCS 2006 Ornament Issue. I replaced the recommended fibres with Kreink Braid, left off the border and added the crystals.

I've also got more bumpy beads - after all, practice makes perfect!

Finally - Stitched!

It's been a year where I just haven't felt like stitching much. I'm not really sure why there's been a lack of inspiration, but the other night, I got the urge to finally stitch. I picked one of my favorite ornaments, a great colour and some lovely beads, and set to work!

This is from the JCS 2008 issue, and it's from the Cat's Whisker's Studio. Stitched entirely from Vicky Clayton's Deep Ocean, with Delica beads. This is the second time I've stitched this ornament - the first can be seen here. To complete either version, stitch everything except the small dot symbol in the same colour thread, and replace the small dot with Delica beads.

Brights!

The weather here has turned grey and snowy, so I thought I'd show off some nice warm coloured beads. I've been playing (alot) with dots, so here is the result:

September finished!

I finally finished September's Bead Journal Project - I wasn't really sure where this piece was going, but am really pleased about the finished result. September was a month where everything fell into line - I finally got to see the band I'd been waiting months in a series of awesome concerts, I got to see some amazing places and reconnect with some fantastic people. I think the beading reflects that - simple, orderly and more sparkles.

Back to BJP

I'm participating in the Bead Journal Project for the second year. Robin Atkins, who's a genius of all things beaded, is organizing yet another round of the project, and I decided I would give it another go. If you're interested, the homepage for the project is here. I'm still 3 (and a bit) works from finishing the 2010 version, so I need to get my beading needles in gear!

I actually like the BJP quite a bit - it has all of the elements that I really liked about cross-stitch exchanges, but in the end I get to keep all of the work that I have done. I like that this gives me the chance to work on new things, to work within a set of rules, and to stretch myself. I'm excited about meeting new crafty/artsy people and about discovering new things.

More.

New pair of earings and a necklace. The earings were made from beads that I just "had" to have at a sale at one of the beads stores in town. Simple, yet I really like them - I just need a ton more "special" events to wear all my sparkly stuff too.

The necklace is mostly vintage and mostly Parisian market finds. I was lucky enough to get bead shopping at some amazing stalls, and picked up many of the beads and buttons.

More bead on a bead

and new earings too! Bead on a bead is all strung up, and ready to be taken out.

Bead on a Bead

I'd wanted to try this for a while, and finally got myself organized enough to do this recently. This is a bead on a bead - the middle bead is completely free, and spins separatley.

Torch time - Part 2

Pandora (big hole) style beads - from this weekend's torch time.

Bumble Beads

I finally got to torch this weekend - lots of new beads, all with extra dots on them.

BJP - August

I am months behind, but catching up. I spent almost no time at home this summer, so am feeling very behind on a number of things, including the project.

This year has been mostly defined by trips, and August was no exception. August was a quick trip to Vegas, where I unthawed, shopped, and ate. Mostly in that order. (The summer here was so awful that it seemed like summer never really began. Wool socks in August is no fun).

I also broke out the size 15's on this piece. I promised myself I wasn't going to do that, especially in seed stich, as it just takes too long. But the prospect of many hundreds of little sparkles was just too much for me to resist, and out they came....