Bead Journal Project - February

I finished the February Bead Journal Project piece, which I'm pretty happy with. I think it looks like detail from a belly dancer's costume. On this project, I'm working through a colour wheel, which means this month's colour is pink. I didn't really know what I would bead about, but I was inspired by parallel bugle beads arranged in a wave shape that I'd seen somewhere along the way in looking at other BJP member's blogs.

I'm also taking the opportunity to use up little bits of beads in my collection - ones that wouldn't be suitable for loomwork or peyote stitch, or that I don't have enough of to make a whole piece out of. The pink beads on the top are certainly some of those - I know that they were purchased when I worked at the bead store (which was ...well... close to 20 years ago). They're a little smaller than the size 10's usually available, and I only have a few colours. They were perfect for the pink on this piece though, and so joined some delicas, bugles and four pressed glass coins that I picked up in New York in the fall.

I learned a few things along the way this month. I wish I'd extended the beading just a bit further out, so you wouldn't see so much background fabric around the edges. I also wish I'd taken into account how much time seed stitch takes, especially when it's that close together. The top and bottom of this piece took quite a while to do, but I love the result.

More St. Pete's

St. Petersburg Progress

Here's White Nights in St. Petersburg by Chatelaine. I'm about 2/3 the way through part 4, and hope to have that complete by the end of the month.

Lampwork bubbles

I finally got some torch time in over the last few weeks, and spent some time practicing hollows. These are the results - I love hollow beads for how the light reflects and how delicate they look.

Bead Journal Project 2010 - January

I chose to make covered buttons for the Bead Journal Project. I wanted something that was not going to take forever to bead, but something that was substantial and would feel "finished" at the end of each month. For January, I started with white, which I thought represented the ideas of "new" and "hope". I used 3 vintage buttons for the centre of the design, and surrounded them with seed beads, which fade from white into grey. I learned a lot beading this design - both about the round space that I was beading and about covering a surface entirely in beads. The first version had all sorts of small flowers and miscellaneous bits on it that I was planning to bead around - much too fidly and intricate. In the end, I decided that none of it was right, and re-beaded to the design that you see here. The design, to me, represents all that has just begun or is about to begin this year - new job, new places to visit and new people to connect with.

Projects

I promised updates, so without further ado, here's a WIP of Cirque de Carreaux, and some new lampwork I am working on.

It's been ages...

I have lots to share, including new beads, new cross-stitch progress. For now, I also wanted to share the address of the Bead Journal Project blog, where bead journalers will be sharing their progress. It can be found here: http://bjp3.blogspot.com/

Christmas Ornaments

I just got word that two of my ornaments were received, and I received one today. I made the entirely beaded one, and the bell-pull style, and received the "PEACE" ornament. For those of you who read the Wagon, the entirely beaded ornament was the one I wrote a post about a few months back, asking if people wanted/would appreciate a beaded ornament. I described the ornament as a hot-pink tie-fighter, and don't think the description is that far off.

Still Here...

It's been a busy month, but there's not a lot that's blogworthy. I finished three ornaments for the TWBB Ornament exchange, and will post pictures when I can. I also got a chance to make some beads, and will post pictures later.

Winner!

I drew names early this morning, and the winner is Heather! Congrats to Heather, I know she'll come up with something fantastic to use the beads for.

Finished.

Blogtoberfest has come to an end, and it's been a great way to remember to post often. Thanks to everyone for joining in, including those people who are new to following my blog.

I'll draw for the beads later tonight - thanks to everyone for entering. I can't wait to see what the winner makes!

I also have finished jewellery to share - this is two new bracelets and one new necklace out of mostly my own lampwork beads, plus some crystals and some purchased pearls and other beads. I wanted the pink necklace to be somewhat funky and un-matching, similar to a purple necklace I own.

Consolidated.

Sitting with my iPhone, which contains my electronic boarding pass, with my baggage claim stub attached to the back. What a far cry from paper tickets. I remember the bundled of parr that it used to take to get there and back again. Last night's concert (U2) was awesome and I can't wait to see them next year!

Yyc -> yvr

Out of town again. I suspect I know why I'm so bad at blogging some days - I seem to be constantly on the road.

Joyous.

n These are the latest beads - they just make me feel happy, which is probably why I like making them so much. Most of the flat round ones have already been turned in to a bracelet.

The blog giveaway is open until Saturday (the end of the month).

Sunday.

When I started Blogtoberfest, I had no idea how I was going to fill 31 posts. I haven't been the most active blogger this year, and some days I feel like I have absolutely nothing to post about. But here I am, a week short of the end, having posted on all except one day. With progress on at least 3 of my WIP's, and some new beads to boot. I have more progress to share this week on St. Petes and Cirque de Carreaux, and will have new beads to share tomorrow.

Contest.

Blogtoberfest is over at the end of the month, and to celebrate, I thought I'd offer up a second giveaway, which will run until the end of the month (October 31st)

This giveaway is for 10 glass beads handmade by yours truly - 5 gummy bear shaped beads, plus 5 large hole beads, which can be worn on a Pandora/Troll/European style bracelet. A couple of caveats - the gummy bears are actually glass, so should not be eaten. The large hole beads can be worn on a bracelet, but the Pandora people told me that wearing "non-Pandora" beads will revoke the warranty on the bracelets. You can also put the beads on chain or string, or anything else of your choice.

To enter, leave a comment on this post. Mentions of the contest on your blog will get you a second entry into the contest.

Snowed.

It's snowing hard today - much harder than I had imagined. It's supposed to warm up this afternoon, and possibly turn to rain, but I still think I'm going to get my errands done quickly, grab some food and stitch for the rest of the day.

Won.

Rainbow Child is the winner of the beads! Congratulations - I was looking through her blog, and think the beads will be going to the perfect home.

I'll likely do another giveaway starting over the weekend for the end of Blogtoberfest, so stay tuned.

Fed.

Homemade spaghetti marinara for supper, with cucumber salad and a glass of wine. Life is good.

Cheeky

I've received a package in the mail today - I now have tickets to something I'm very excited about (details later). I'm so shocked that the tickets came this fast - I bought them pre-sale last Wednesday, and they turned up via the DHL courier last night. I'm feeling a little cheeky, as I know my life affords me a lot of great things, and this is one of them.

Blog candy is open until Friday, details are on Sunday's post.