Sunday, 2 June 2013

and how does a person top last weeks event?

I guess you just move on...I think, no I know, my husband would like me to move on; as incredibly proud of me as he is the constant comments from me about being a winner are wearing him down....you know like - "how about a coffee for the winner" or "are you taking the winner out for dinner"! But my favorite "the winner needs to go get some more beads". Okay I have had a swelled head for the last week..... I am still walking on air and have those random little inside giggles....it feels really really good.

With all the excitement I didn't talk about my little vacation. It was great seeing my brother and sister and my husbands sisters and a few friends. I would have to say the majority of our holiday was visiting, catching up and eating.  The weather cooperated and it was a great break.  I did lots of bead shopping, visited my favorite store and they oohed and aahed over my necklace. They certainly boosted my ego. I came home with a stash of some awesome beads, some great photos and yes an outfit or two. I even had several  people stop and ask me if I sold my jewelery.....wow!

View of downtown Vancouver from Stanley Park
Bridge in Stanley Park
Driving through the mountains
 My favorite store was holding a demo on viking knit but unfortunately I couldn't stay. I have wanted to learn this technique for some time so was disappointed to say the least. Not to be beaten I purchased the necessary tools and pulled out the ever handy iPad and watched a tutorial! I knitted all the way home, very relaxing and lots of fun. My first viking knit project, and I am sure there will be many more pieces to come...
Cirque
Glad to be back and looking forward the Blog Hop in July with Lori.
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Sunday, 26 May 2013

...and the Oscar goes to.......

Whoops wrong event, but I truly feel this way and so a little Oscar speech is in order.....


This has been such an incredible experience; I can't believe I am a winner. I have to thank the incredible director of the BSBP Lori Anderson; thank you, thank you, thank you, you throw a fantastic party. Thank you to all of the judges too, Beaducation – Lisa Niven Kelly, Fusion Beads, Kalmbach Publishing - Karin Van Voorhees, Lima Beads, Nina Designs, PJ Tool Jewellery and Design...what a daunting task you were faced with. A special thank you to Kalmbach Publishing, Fusion Beads and Nina Designs for choosing me ....WOW what an honor!!! Thank you to all my fellow artists who participated in the 7th BSBP, you made the journey so much fun. My incredible, incredible husband, who I couldn't have done this without. You are truly one of the unsung heroes of my life and my two daughters who offer me constant encouragement and are my biggest fans. You have all made my dreams come true and there are no words to describe how much I thank you. A special thank you Amy Severino for being my partner in the 7th BSBP.  Your soup was my inspiration and this win would not have been possible without you!  I can't wait for next year's party!




Kalmbach Publishing, 
Debbie Rasmussen of A little of this, a little of that

(voted for entire body of work)
 



Both Fusion Beads and Nina Designs chose
Debbie Rasmussen of a little of this, a little of that
(that's three wins with two pieces for Debbie -- way to go!)
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Sunday, 12 May 2013

...on the road again...

Yeah, I am off for a weeks vacation...so needed. My husband and I are headed to the coast - to get a  family fix, to do a little (a lot) of shopping, to take a few pictures but most of all to just get away.

Last time we got away, I took this picture of two swallows sitting on the fence....I love how this turned out.

Birds on a wire...


    





I seem to be enamored with dragon flies lately, I just figured out how to make Russian leafs and I found a picture of the Russian dragon fly and I knew I had to give it a try. I just love how it turned out!


Bluefly

Maybe I will be lucky when on the coast and find some gorgeous beads......


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Saturday, 4 May 2013

...and they're off....


My husband and I often go to the antique market in our neighborhood, to do what we like to call "picking". I am always hunting for pieces of old jewelery, old beads - anything that I could turn into a beautiful creation.  One day I turned down the last isle and there it was - a whole booth full of the most awesome fascinators and delightful little hats. I think I tried everyone on. I left without purchasing one because after all where on earth would I wear it.....that didn't last long. I had to have one even if I just wore it to wash dishes.  Spring forward several weeks and to my delight, there right before my eyes a blog challenge of the most wonderful kind...the "Hats off Challenge"  Jewelery inspired by the Derby - Kentucky that is. Bobbie you are a genius, for me this was meant to be.  I had so much fun designing a piece to go with the hat that I had recently purchase, but I couldn't stop there. Bobbie had posted some pictures of different derby hats for inspiration and I fell so in love with this one. I imagined myself wearing this hat with a lovely piece of jewelery. Oh and to complete both outfits, I bought matching gloves.  Thank you Bobbie for an incredibly fun challenge...I hope this becomes an annual event, just like the Derby.

Bobbie's Inspiration
Derby Blossom
My Inspiration
Black Onyx
Black Onyx close up
Please visit the other participants to see what they have done.



Bobbie Rafferty www.beadsong.blogspot.com

Susan Nelson Bowie www.susanbowie.wordpress.com
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Sunday, 28 April 2013

...I love it when a plan comes together..

You know how sometimes an idea begins to form in your mind and you love it right from the beginning.....you love the idea, you love the design, you love the focal and accompanying beads you've picked, you love how it looks right from the first bead strung and oh you love the finished results.......that is Aurea!  I purchased the turquoise from my favorite store in Victoria and although I have had it for quite a few months, now was the time to create something special.  I am off to Victoria in a couple of weeks to see my beautiful sister (and of course I will go to my favorite store) and I wanted to wear my creation. I am not sure they will know this was the birthplace of my latest creation; maybe I will mention it or maybe not. I will buy another fabulous gem, of that I am sure and in the meantime I will have the greatest pleasure wearing this piece. I may be partial but I absolutely love this piece. I even named it after that store...Aurea.

Aurea


Oh and spring has finally arrived in the north country and here is the living proof!

Crocuses in my garden!

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Saturday, 20 April 2013

..Spring is here...well if you don't count the snow we just got

Today is the day to reveal my creation for the "Spring Fling Challenge".  Amy from amybeads had put out the call of another challenge and I couldn't resist, they are so much fun. Thanks Amy, your spring fling kits are so beautiful!   I absolutely love the colors of this kit and  since receiving mine  I have added a few coordinating wardrobe items, what fun!!

The kit Amy sent:


 .....and what I have created

Flutter

Close up of Flutter

Hopefully Amy will continue with this wonderful tradition.
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Sunday, 14 April 2013

...it seems like it been forever....

If you are looking for the Bead Soup Blog Party, please visit here.

And now on to the Beading Babes Reveal. We were given 6 lovely projects to work on by Karyn. You could do one or all...and once I got started and before I knew it, wow I did them all. So much fun! The only challenge I had was getting peanut beads, for some reason they are not be found in my neck of the woods so I had to order. My first order got lost along the way but Kandra graciously sent me a new order and had them rush delivered. I didn't have quite enough so I had to be inventive but I think it worked out and the bracelet turned out gorgeous. My absolutely favorite project was the fish pendant, the way they move and ripple makes them so hypnotic! I will soon have a fish bowl full.

Without further adieu here are the six projects:


Button Up Bracelet by Leslie Frazier
Last Kisses of Summer by C J Bauschka


Royal Chains Lariat by Kelly Wiese


Fish Pendant by Linda Richmond
Lace Pendant by Linda Richmond

Three Graces Collar by Jill Wiseman

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