...dreaming...

Winter has taken a strong hold here and so far it been cold with an abundance of snow. I don't mind the winter but I just wish it was of shorter duration .  I have a really bad habit of falling down, usually for no reason other than tripping on air but winter does present challenges...I slipped on a icy spot and landed smack on my knee...ouch!!!

It doesn't feel like that long ago, as a matter of fact it was just two months ago that we were enjoying the summer sun and a wonderful time in Southern BC touring the wine country.

Grapes on the vine

 "Off the Vine" is my tribute to the wonderful vineyards we visited.  A random assortment of pearls, crystals, drops and seed beads put together and hung from a viking knit rope.

Oh what a wonderful vacation....

My husband and I spent a glorious 5 days in Victoria and just had an awesome time. It was such a nice break and just a little more time with beautiful weather. The weather was fantastic, visiting with my sister was just the best - it was a perfect break. Now back to reality - snow - lots of it. I will be looking at my pictures on a regular  basis -  a little vitamin D fix.

While in Victoria I taught my sister how to do Viking Knit...oh we had fun...and we made several pieces. We shopped all my favorite shops - three happen to be bead shops - and I came home with some real treasures. One pieces was the stone I made into a pendant for my viking knit rope and of course earrings to match.  The stone is Chrysocolla.  Chrysocolla is a very beautiful stone said to have many beneficial energies. It is known as a healing stone among Native American Indian cultures where it was used for strengthening the body's resistance and bringing about calm feelings where there is upset. The colors are out of this world and the turquoise viking knit rope is perfect. Now I know my sister used the same turquoise for a bracelet, it wasn't done when I left but I'm sure she will love it like I love mine. She also made a gorgeous mauve viking knit rope and attached an iridescent blue with hints of purple crystal pendant - quite spectacular. Oh I had fun!

It has happened

I suppose one shouldn't complain, we did make it to November before the white stuff fell. Fall is my favorite time of the year....but there is something unexplainably exciting about the first true snowfall...you know the one where the stuff stays on the ground. I can't say I am looking forward to 6 months of this but today is quite pretty; all pristine and white. Besides I'll have all those chilly nights with nothing to do but.......

I saw this lovely quilling design on Pinterest and just had to give it a try. I think it turned out well; it's my tribute to fall.

Quilled Maple Leaf

OK I confess, I am addicted to Pinterest.....so here is the latest find I just had to try. The pattern for the necklace can be found at pencio.chezblog.com. Fun and easy to make and looks awesome on.

Oh Glorious Fall

Fall, my favorite time of the year. Everything about it just makes me happy. I even like listening to the background noise of the football game my husband is watching....I don't actually watch the game, I just listen to the noise...I have no understanding why this would evoke such a happy feeling.  Thanksgiving is in the fall and I have much to be thankful for maybe that is one reason. Perhaps it is because I have always fancied that I look great in fall colors, I love the oranges, golds, yellows, reds and rusts of the fall season. The only thing that would make it so much better is if it were to last a little longer, say a couple of more months.

In honor of my favorite season a tribute. I ordered on a whim from Fusion Beads (love Fusion Beads) large crystals focals .... gorgeous. I also ordered the delightful Rizo beads and added them as fringe around the crystal focals. I had just finished a rich coppery brown viking knit rope and they paired so well.  Oh so so pretty.....I absolutely love this necklace, it has become my new go to piece...perfect for fall!
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Happy Fall.

oh what a wonderful surprise

"Two someones" near and dear to me just returned from a river cruise in Europe and by all reports they had an excellent time. This is something I would like to try someday, to just roll along historic site after historic site...how exciting. I hinted a few times about sending my shopping list but I really wasn't serious. What a wonderful surprise it was to receive this beautiful fused glass pendant. It came from Bratislava, Slovakia ...what a treasure. The pendant needed a rope.... something made just for it and so after several attempts....eureka; this came to me. I combined twin hole seed beads, miyuki drops and size 8 seed beads in the colors of the pendant. I am so happy with how it turned out.
Thank you dear friends for such a wonderful gift.

Beading Babes Project 9 Reveal

It has been what seems a long time coming but today is reveal day at last. These projects are exactly what I needed at a time when my life was turned up side down. Things have evened out and life is pretty much back to normal.....just in time to start hibernation. 

I would have to say my favorite project this time around was the Four Points earring. They were so much fun to make and I have now developed a very healthy appetite for two hole seed beads. Love them. I made a pendant and bracelet to go with the earrings and they have become my go to set.

 Next favorite although I made some adjustments is the Sari Pendant. It is so 3d and really stands out as a statement piece. Strung on pink sparkly ribbon takes it over the top!

The Succulent Garden Bracelet again featured two hole seed beads, my new favorite. I used two colors quite by accident but love how it turned out.

I love the petal earrings and have worn them a lot. Definitely statement earrings!

I struggled with the Radiant Pinwheel and just did not like how it was turning out. The pendant was too bulky and just looked odd to me. So with a little creative license I made it into what I liked, I find it much more wearable and a real eye catcher. Because of the detail I strung it on a simple Viking knit rope.

Last but not least is the Seed Bead Nova. I am not particularly crazy about this as a bracelet and I think I will turn it into a pendant. I love the design and think it would make a beautiful necklace. The earrings are gorgeous.

Thanks for stopping by. Thanks Karyn for organizing such a fun group!
 

Sequintastic Reveal Day...

Sarah of Saturday Sequins is hosting the 2nd annual Sequintastic September and I am so proud to be part of it.

Sarah has such a fun loving person and has such a wonderful blog, who could resist being part of this whimsy.

Although this has been a hectic time for me I felt sure I could come up with something really incredible and spectacular. Well add up all the chaos and then add in being away for the last two weeks on vacation....I must admit I was in a bit of a panic. The project I had planned (which will be revealed later) was way bigger than I had anticipated and being on the road I didn't have everything I needed. Oh what to do....

Plan B anyone........Our vacation was to take us to the Columbia River Gorge and then up along the coast to Seattle. Well 9 km from the US boarder I realized our passports had expired.......on to PLAN B for both vacation and sequin project. Not to be daunted we camped in Southern BC wine country. It was absolutely glorious and so relaxing. It also gave me inspiration and my little Tawny Owl came to be.

Owls seem to be everywhere right now and so as not to be left out of the craze and because it brings back found memories of when my girls where Brownies and I was one of their Brownie Leaders (Tawny Owl) and because sequins work so well........

Tawny Owl

 

Enjoy this wonderful sequin filled adventure. Sarah you are one of the best! Thank you for hosting.

 

Sarah Louise Gordon

Dawn, http://designsbydawnmarie.blogspot.com

Mandi, http://www.beadcircle.com

Skylar, http://brisingbeads.blogspot.com

Cyndi, http://beading-arts.com

Karen, http://baublicious.blogspot.com

Lily, http://thecreativeklutz.blogspot.co.uk

Eleanor, http://eleanorpigman.blogspot.com

Kepi, http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com

Maneki,  http://wildrosesandblackberries.blogspot.se

Tammy, http://innermusejewelry.blogspot.com

Therese, http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Liz, http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com

Jasvanti, http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com

Mischelle, http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com

Dee, http://agapecreationsjewelry.blogspot.com

Labweorc, http://labweorc.wordpress.com

the count down has begun...

This has been a hectic past few days and next week will be as well. Trying to get ready for vacation is tough when you have so many people to worry about. Although my daughter is doing really well, we may still be faced with more surgery...I just hope it is not until after we get back.  Work is hectic, home is hectic....I need a vacation. We plan on leaving Friday for 2 glorious weeks. I am packing my beads and getting ready to hit the road. I will also be doing some viking knit, because it is so easy to do while driving and I love the look. I will be on a bit of a break but when back I have to hops to post for. See you then.

Quick Silver

...missed a day somewhere and now it's Monday..

Summer is rapidly disappearing and I wonder where the time has gone. This summer has been pretty stressful but thankfully things are looking up and a vacation is just around the corner.  A much needed vacation.....This year we are planning a tour of Washington and Oregon in particular the Columbia River Gorge and the west coast highway from Portland to Seattle, just can't wait. I have researched places to go and shops to shop-Shipwreck Beads here I come.

My love of twin hole seed beads continues and in between getting ready for the hops I have signed up for I have played around a lot with these beads. I just finished this beauty. I love how the rope drapes so elegantly and making it really special is the pendant that can be removed to wear the rope plain or with a different pendant.

To Russia with Love

 

Pepita's 1st Anniversary Blog Hop

The extremely lovely and talented polymer clay artist Alenka Obid, Pepita Handmade asked people to help her celebrate her 1st blog anniversary. I just had to join the fun. Alenka asked people how they would prefer to participate and the decision was unanimous....a blog hop. Alenka sent out polymer components made by her to each participant. She wrapped and packaged each piece and then mixed them up and addressed them...even she did not know exactly what each participant would receive.....way to add to the excitement!

These are the components Alenka sent out

I have worked with Alenka's components before and just love her work. I was also lucky enough to be the recipient of one of Alenka's give aways and I knew right away that some of these would be incorporated into my creation for this hop. 

The prize I won, each piece made by Alenka

The package arrived and I was thrilled with the piece I received. Alenka asked us to post a picture of the piece when we received them.

Love love love this clasp and it works so well with the other pieces I have used in my creation. I stepped out of my comfort zone on this one, and after taking it apart and redesigning several (quite a few several) times I came up with "Little Red Bird",  the final result. As I was making this I thought I would give it away once done, because it is something that is out of my norm.....my mind has changed and this will be staying with me unless it mysteriously disappears into one of my daughters collections, which seems to happen quite frequently.

rdeči ptiček

Happy 1st Anniversary Alenka, thank you this hop and for letting me be part of the celebration!

August

I just can't believe it is August already - I am so not ready for summer to be done but it is flying by. My daughter is well enough that I think we will actually be able to take a little vacation. We are planning (fingers crossed, barring no more surgery) to hook up the trailer and head to the west coast. Normally we drive through the Rockies straight out to Vancouver but this year we are going south through Idaho and then to Portland, Seattle and then up to Vancouver. One of my destination stops is Shipwreck Beads....can't wait and with a trailer I will have ample room to bring home a ton (just kidding). My life continues on the merry go round but I am so looking forward to a vacation.

And the merry go round goes round

I made this piece for the Beard Hoarders Blog Hop (by the by I am almost finished hopping, it's taken me longer than usual but I will get there). I just hadn't figured out what type of rope I wanted, then a couple of my coworkers asked me to show them how to do viking knit and my decision was made.

Aztec Treasure

...busy busy busy...

Wow, summer is just flying by....not exactly how I had planned but life can be like that. My sweet daughter although back in the hospital for more surgery has gotten much better and there is a light at the end of the tunnel! My cousin, who I never knew existed has come and sadly gone but what a fun time we had. She left this morning to meet more family before she takes that long flight home but with the promise to return to her Canadian home soon. Work is incredibly stressful and doesn't promise to get better anytime soon....thank goodness there are beads, lots of beads! I have been keeping myself busy with several upcoming bead challenges. One of the challenge projects called for twin hole beads...I had never used them before but I am now totally hooked. There will definitely be  more work with these beauties... Serenity was an adaptation from "Flower Basket Earrings" by Barbara Falkowitz, Beadwork Magazine June/July 2013. So so pretty!

Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

The day has arrived, so we wouldn't all suffer too much from hop withdrawal the wonderful Lori Anderson gave us the Bead Hoarders Blog Hop. What a great idea because as much as some of us (me) try to deny it we are all hoarders. I could have created so many pieces  but didn't organize myself well enough (some other pieces have been started, but not yet ready). Remember this.....

Well it with a few additions from the hoard it became this....

Nephri

I wasn't crazy about the dirty silver scarab so with a little ingenuity he became blue. The long bugle beads had been in my stash for some time but I couldn't figure out what to do with them, they were the perfect final
addition.

I hope you all enjoy!

1.  Lori Anderson, Pretty Things
2. Nancy Dale, NEDBeads
3. Roxanne Mendoza, Roxi Designs
4.  Melissa Trudinger, beadrecipes
5.  Rana Lea, Rana Lea Designs
6.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
7.  Rita Avila, Jewel School Friends
8.  Linda Anderson, From the Bead Board
  10.  Erin Guest, Renlish


11.  Joan Williams, lilruby jewelry
12. Diane Hawkey, Diane Hawkey
13.  Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
14.  Sue Kennedy, SueBeads
15.  Lisa Cone, Inspired Adornments
16.  Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
17.  Nichole Byers, Nichole Byers
18.  Lori Jean Poppe, Adventures in Creativity
19.  Linda Landig, Linda's Bead Blog and Meanderings
20.  Lori Schneider, Bead Addict


21.  Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me
22. Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini
23.  Niki Sayers, Silver Nik Nats
24.  Elsie Deliz-Fonseca, Eliz-Eliz and All That Craft
25.  Amber Dawn, Inventive Soul
26.  Heather Powers, Humblebeads
27.  Sarah Goode, Pookledo
28.  Monique Urquhart, A Half-Baked Notion
29.  JJ Jacobs, Coming Abstractions
30.  Cheri Reed, Creative Designs by Cheri


31.  Robyn, Museiddity
32.  Catherine King, Catherine's Musings
33.  Jacquie, Bead Gypsy
34.  Janet McDonald, Singing Woods
35. Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreations
36.  Tanty Sri Hartanti, TJewellicious by Tanti
37.  Hannah Rosner, Good River Valley
38.  Rochelle Brisson, A Creative Chelle
39.  Nelly May, Smelly Nelly
40.  Skylar Bre'z, Brising Beads


41.  Beti Horvath, Stringing Fool
42.  Christie Murrow, Charis Designs
43.  Leanne Loftus, First Impression Design
44.  Valerie Norton, Hot Art
45.  Judy Riggs, Rigglettes
46.  Crystal Thain, Here Bead Dragons
47.  Terry Carter,  Tapping Flamingo
48.  Sue, Mid-Life Great Expectations
49.  Nan Smith, Wired Nan
50.  Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck Arts


51.  Marie Covert, Creating Interest
52.  D'Arsie Manzella, This Here Now, Mamacita
53.  Stephanie Haussler, Pixybug Designs
54.  Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design
55.  Johanna Nunez, The Lovely One Design
56.  Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs
57.  Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs
58.  Alicia Marinache, All the Pretty Things
59.  Debbie Rasmussen, A Little of This, A Little of That
60.  Nat, Grubbi Ceramics


61.  Marjorie Savill Linthwaite, Bennu Bird Rising
62.  Cheryl McCloud, One Thing Leads to Another
63.  Heather Otto, The Crafthopper
64.  Candida Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
66.  JuLee Wolfe, The Polymer Penguin
67.  Ginger Bishop, Lil Mummy Likes
68.  Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design
69.  Jeannie Dukic, Jeannie's Blog
70.  Dini Bruinsma, Angaza by Changes


71.  Birgitta Lejonklou, Create With Spirit
72.  Shalini Austin, Jewellery by Shalini
73.  Jayne Capps, Mama's Got to Doodle
74.  Ile Ruzza, Ilenia's Unique Beaded Jewelry
76.  Annita Wilson, AW Jewelry 
77.  Sherri Stokey, Knot Just Macrame
78.  Hannah Trost, PZ Designs
79.  Linda Inhelder, Must Haves Jewelry
80.  Miri Agassi, Beadwork


81.  Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope
82.  Dyanne Cantrell, Dee-Liteful Jewelry Creations
83.  Susan Bowie, Susan Nelson Bowie
84.  Megan Milliken, MaeMaeMills
85.  Menka Gupta, Menka's Jewelry
86.  Ambra Gostoli, Chic and Frog
87.  Lori Lochner, Bloghner
88.  Gerda Jurimae, Gerda's Crafts Blog
89.  Susan, Mistheword
90.  MaryLou Holvenstot, MaryLou's time2cre8


91.  Mary Shannon Hicks, falling into the sky
92.  Karin King, The Sparklie Things Blog
93.  Christa Murphy, Adventures of One Beady Woman
94.  Jenny Davie-Reazor, Jenny Davies-Reazor
95.  Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous
96.  Mallory Hoffman, Rosebud 101 - For the Love of Beads
97.  Danielle Kelley, Imbue the Muse
98.  Kym Hunter, Kym Hunter Designs
99.  Dolores Rami, CraftyD's Creations
100.  Marcia Dunne, 13 Alternatives


101.  Marlene Cupo, Amazing Designs
102.  Emma Todd, A Polymer Penchant
103.  Wendy Holder, Jewelry by WendyLea
104.  Michelle Escano, The Cabby Crafter
105.  Louise Glazier, Lily and Jasmine Treasures
106.  Dana Hickey, Wind Dancer Studios
107.  Lennis Carter, windbent
108.  Anne Betenson, Crystal River Beads
109.  Audrey Belanger,  Dreams of an Absolution
110.  Lisa Stukel, Carefree Jewelry by Lisa


111.  Janine Lucas, Travel Stories
112.  Claire Lockwood, Something to Do With Your Hands
113.  Kathy Engstrom, Catherine's Dreams
114.  Paula Hisel, Simply Beadiful
115.  Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams
116.  Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
117.  Kim, Cianci Blue
118.  Linda Sadler, Ida Louise Jewelry
119.  Karen, Spokalulu
120.  Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Bead and Jewelry


121.  Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations
122.  Karen Martinez, Fairies Market
123.  Robin Reed, Artistry HCBD
124.  Amy Bright, LABweorc
125.  Jasvanti Patel, Jewels by Jasvanti
126.  Tammie Everly, TTE Designs
127.  Karin Slaton, Backstory Beads
128.  Natalie Moten, Running Out of Thread
129.  Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry & Reflections
130.  Jenny Kyrlach, Wonder and Whimsy


131.  LiliKrist, Handmade by LilK
132.  Jessica Klaaren, The Truth Space
133.  Cynthia Abner, Created Treasures
134.  Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart
135.  Heather Davis, Blissful Garden Beads
136.  Jeanne, Gems by Jeanne Marie
137.  Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe
138.  Laren Dee Barton, Laren Dee Designs
139.  Steph, Confessions of a Bead Hoarder
140.  Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations


141.  B. R. Kuhlman, Mixed Mayhem
142.  Patty Miller, Cabari Beads
143.  Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads
144.  Marianna Boylan, Pretty Shiny Things
145.  Lizzie Clarke, The Need to Bead
146.  Christina Miles, Wings 'n' Scales
147.  Patricia, The Color of Dreams
148.  Marde Lowe, Fancimar
149.  Ev Shelby, Raindrop Creations
150.  Sarah Small, By Salla


151.  Perri Jackson, Shaktipaj Designs
152.  Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry
153.  Pam Traub, Klassy Joolz
154.  Lisa Harrison, Daisy Meadow Studio
155.  Anzia Parks, Anzi-Panzi's Work Shoppe
156.  Ingrid, Lilisgems Handcrafted Jewelry Inspirations
157.  Andra Weber, Andra's Joyful Journey
158.  Kelly Hosford Patterson, The Traveling Side Show
159.  Adlinah Kamsir, Dreamstruck Designs
160.  Marci, That Nothing Be Wasted


161.  Kris Lanae Binsfield,  Cherish Designs
162.  Stephanie Perry, Mustard Bead
163.  Birgit Klughardt, Gites Beads
164.  Inge von Roos, Inge's Blog
165.  Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca's Place
166.  Sandy Markley, Gypsy Spirit Designs
167.  Elena Adams, Lena's Beady Blog