Happy Holidays, Happy Holidays.....

Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 has finally arrived!

I was oh so fortunate to be partnered with the lovely, talented and generous Sonja Stille. I knew immediately that we were alike and that I would have no problems designing something for the lovely Sonja to wear. Sonja is leaving on a cruise in December and I thought this would be a great addition to her evening wear. Sonja told me she wore a lot of black so I kept that in mind. Sonja and her husband are remarkable people because they are very involved in kids with cancer and host Hunt for a Cure. Keep up the great work Sonja and I truly hope you enjoy wearing your gift on the cruise.

I made Sonja a bracelet and matching earrings in shade of charcoal grey and silver. The bracelet is made using a right angle weave stitch and embellishing over it with seed beads and smaller pearls. The earrings were made using the Enchanted Rivoli Earrings pattern by Csilla Csirmaz. I had just participated in the 7th Beading Babes Project and this was one of the challenges we were given. I loved the pattern so much I had to make a pair for Sonja. I used a 8 mm pearls instead of a rivoli in the center and did minor adaptations and viola a beautiful pair of elegant earrings to go with the bracelet.

Again did I mention how lucky I was to be partnered with Sonja. She knew just what to make me and I absolutely love the set. She was worried I wouldn't like it.....silly girl, how could I not. Sonja made me a complete set and I have received so many compliments...yes I couldn't wait for Christmas I opened my gift and I wore it. The set is made of copper links and enameled focal beads. I will let Sonja elaborate on what she used when you visit her blog. This is what Sonja made for me.

Thank you, thank you Sonja, I love it and thank you Shelley and Marlene for being such generous hosts.

And now please join me in the hop and see what everyone else made:

Shirley Moore	http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Ray	http://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley	http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamson	http://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewels	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merod	http://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars	http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogel	http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smith	http://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Happy Anniversary to me....

A whole year has passed since I started blogging and wow it's been an incredible journey. A journey that has introduced me to lots of new friends and has pushed me to be and believe that I am an artist. When I look back at my posts they bring back found memories and each and every one means as much to me today as the day of the original post. I can see how I have grown in my creativity and I have all of you to thank. It doesn't seem like a year has passed, it has gone by so quickly. I am excited to start another year of blogging and another year of designing beautiful things. I realized this past year that I love doing blog hops and look forward to more in the new year. I am excited about Lori's hops - Memories and Thanks and the 7th Bead Soup Blog Hop. I am also participating in the Sci Fi Blog Hop coming in January. And Saturday is reveal day for the Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2. I love it and can't wait for more. In honor of my 1st anniversary I made something special. When I started this piece I was thinking of the Memories and Thanks Blog Hop and made this for my mom. I know she would love it but I know she would want me to celebrate my anniversary with it. My mom was "my mom" and I know she is looking down on me and proud of what I am doing.

Anastasia

Thank you to all my blog friends, thank you for reading my posts and lifting me up with all your positive comments. I hope that I inspire some of you as you have inspired me. Here's to another year!

Beading Babes Reveal day has finallly arrived....

Reveal days are always so exciting for me, the preparation, the anticipation, the excitement, the wonder and then the day. I loved each and every project, so much so I made double's on some.  Being part of Beading Babes is wonderful and pushes my creativity. I generally buy the magazines Bead and Button and Bead Works and as I flip through I plan on this project and that project but I have to be honest, until I joined Beading Babes I rarely made anything from a pattern. I have found I really enjoy following a pattern and have learned valuable techniques that I can now incorporate into my own designs. Thanks to Karen for being such a great hostess. Can't wait for project 8.

Now for my reveals......

Enchanted Rivoli Earrings pattern by Csilla Csirmaz
I love these earrings and have received rave reviews for the ones I made myself. They are so elegant and yes enchanting and I have made several pairs. I didn't use the called for size 9s but I think they turned out gorgeous.

Gothic Butterfly bracelet pattern by Mikki Ferrugiaro

This was my favorite project, the best bracelet I have ever made. I love the fit, the feel and the design.

I loved this design so much I had to incorporate it into a necklace.....

 And of course earrings to go with it....

 Scalloped Pearl bracelet pattern by Angelle Procopio

A cute bracelet and so different from the above.  Scalloped Pearls was really fun to make and an easy pattern to follow. I had to have earrings to go with this one as well.

Roller Beads necklace pattern by Cathy Lampole
Last but not least the Roller Bead necklace. The roller beads were really fun to make and I can see making lots more and incorporating them in other pieces of jewelery or just switching the necklace up.

Thanks again Karen, hope everyone enjoys!!!

Can you believe its December already.....

This year has just flown by, I cannot believe we are so close to Christmas. The year has been a busy one, both my daughters moved out and although it was time, it was very bitter sweet. I am happy for them and they are flourishing in their independence. We have become good friends and as much as I thought I wouldn't see them, the opposite has proved true. I don't see them every day but when I do it's awesome.  My husband and I have rekindled a very romantic relationship and relish spending time with each other. I also have an awesome relationship with two sisters and a brother and we have discovered a cousin we never knew we had and she lives in Australia! Who knew! My two fur babies provide me joy and constant companionship. I am truly blessed....AND in just 12 short days it is my one year blog anniversary.  Blogging has been so much fun and have met so many wonderful friends. I love curling up with my i Pad and reading through all those I follow - it's like visiting with friends.

I have been busy busy, but I can't show off anything just yet...reveal dates are coming. I did finish a fun little project. I just love the feel of the bracelet on and the bubble beads just make a person happy.

Rusty

Happy Blogging!!

Victoria...

I went to visit my beautiful sister and her husband last weekend, well actually an extended four day weekend. We had so much fun and it was so nice to get away from the cold. The weather in Victoria was exceptional - sweater weather. We just had such a good time, shopping (yes for beads), touring the sites and going out for totally awesome meals (oh yum) and just having a good sister fix - it was great. Although I didn't do any beading (just lots of planning) I had some incredible photo opportunities. I went to my favorite store in Victoria, Aurea Gems and Essential Luxuries, I picked up some to die for crystals and a gorgeous turquoise cab - talk about spoiling myself. I can't wait to start creating. I messed up on our flight home (like I was 12 hours late!) but that provided extra time for my husband and I to do some up island sight seeing.  We had to rent a car to drive back to Alberta ($$$$) and we had to fight mother nature all the way - she was throwing everything at us, but we finally after driving for 15 hours made it home. I have updated my photos page with pictures from Victoria and some from on the way home.

I did finish this piece before we left and wore it while in Victoria and received lots of compliments. I have to say that this is a Jean A. Wells inspiration,  Jean's jewelery is gorgeous. Jean had made a necklace and used a rattle bead made by Sharon Driscoll. I fell in love and had to have one and this is what I made.

What to do during a blizzard...

Snuggle up and bead of course. Winter has really arrived, it's been snowing and blowing and snowing and blowing....but that's what it's like in Edmonton and you just get used to it. I have to say with all the snow the trees are really pretty and I couldn't resist braving the elements to snap a few pictures.

Winter Wonderland
 

Buried Berries

....and once all the picture taking was done, the beading began. I have been busy with the Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 and I am super excited to send my little gift off to Sonja. I hope hope hope she likes it. I also decided I needed something new for the pending holidays so I spoiled myself with a couple of pieces.

Lone Star

My partner from the last Bead Soup Blog Hop, Ginger had sent me a beautiful rivoli that I hadn't used and the colors in my bead crochet rope called out for it to be the center of attention.

I am a silver girl and I found these wonderful silver balls at a local bead store that I couldn't resist. I have not worked in RAW very much but gave it a try and really like the outcome, so Christmassy. I am going to work on some earrings to go with it and maybe even a necklace...why not.

Silver Balls

Is it me or is it in the air...

Christmas, it is almost on top of us and I am getting in the spirit. Especially with  Holiday Bling Blog Hop 2 happening very soon. I have just found out my partner is the lovely and talented Sonja Stille.  Sonja is the mother of two young boys and loves making jewelery as much as I do. I am so excited that Sonja is my partner and feel through our correspondence I am getting to know her. WOW, another wonderful friend for me to cherish.

Even though we have had snow that is here to stay, I still have that fall feeling....the leaves are pretty much gone now and the only crunch is the crunch of snow underfoot. I made leaves from polymer clay for the October Fest hop, and I couldn't resist another pair of "Fallen Leaves" earrings.

Fallen Leaves

I have also been busy finishing up a project that I had started but wasn't feeling good about it until I pulled it out and took a critical look at it and came up with a simpler design. I like what it came to be so "Berrylicious"

And what would a day be without the love I receive from my two little fur babies

MoJo and Rockstar