Using the Muse and other things...

I entered the Use the Muse II contest pretty soon after Scarlett made the kits available. Since I had so much fun in the first round, I couldn't resist this one. In reading her blog I see she will host a round III contest in August as well.

banner provide by Scarlett-The Bead Maven

In this round, the colors chosen are beautiful (again!), inspiring and easy for me to work with. I'm doing something I have not done before and that's usually a good thing.



You see 2 teaser shots in this blog post, what you don't see is the 'Muse' - that will be revealed on the Use the Muse website when the contest entries are posted sometime in late July.



Should be good too - the contest went international this round, that many more entries to admire and inspire. In addition to the unseen muse, I have incorporated a polymer clay cab by the fabulously talented Jennifer Martin - the artist behind all the wonderful creations over at GraphixOutpost.



In other news, and for the few that have asked - my newest granddaughter is growing and providing many happy moments for the rest of us. I laugh every time I look at this photo, in my head I hear the 3 Stooges "Oh, wise guy, eh? Why I oughta..."

Last bit of news (for now anyway) that I keep forgetting to share is ... I signed up for the Tahoe Mountain Bead Retreat presented by Bead Unique. I've dreamed of taking classes from the pros since I first began beading 4 years ago, but have always run into obstacles (mostly self made), so this will be my first beaded anything to attend. I'm SO excited. Not only that - the last day of the retreat is my birthday, friends, beautiful scenery and beads - could it be any more perfect?

I'll fly in a few days before the retreat and stay for a few days after to spend time with dear friends in Grass Valley, CA. Friends I haven't seen in a few years that I dearly miss. A great way (I think) to spend the last year I will be in my 40's!

For now, I'm off to go bathing suit shopping with my older granddaughter. I can hardly wait to see what an almost 13 year old considers appropriate swimming attire (yikes! I sound like an old fuddy duddy).

A bracelet just for me...

I've been slow to post lately... not because I don't have anything to share, I just haven't made enough time to take photos, crop, size then sit and write. I'm far to easily distracted!

There has been so much going on in life...soccer and baseball games, yard work and just staring at my new granddaughter among other things. Ah, bliss!



One of the several project I have been working on is this cuff/bracelet. The focal is a ceramic shank button by Lisa Peters.



The vast majority of the Beads & Supplies were provided by Aunties Beads.



I did not end up using any of the chips, they were a bit too big, but aren't they wonderful?



I love this bracelet, it fits like a dream and the colors are beautiful.



One of the things I struggle with in bracelets are clasps and for a change - this one works wonderfully. It is a peyote stitched tube sewn onto the bracelet with the loop being a simple one with two rounds of beads.



And the back is soft blue Ultrasuede



So, the only problem... can/did you spot it? I was heartsick when I noticed it. If you look at the photo above you will see a row of topaz beads missing on the right side up by the flower. It won't stop me from wearing it though.

Other supplies used - vintage cobalt blue nailheads, bugle beads and size 4mm Swarovski bicones.

All photos are clickable for a larger view (careful that second one is JUMBO sized)

Stay tuned, there is lots of good stuff to come in the near future on my latest Bead Journal Project pages; a donation for the Pink Artist Project Block Party and teaser photos for Use the Muse Part II.

There is never enough time...

Is there? I whined so much here through the too many cold months you know I'm taking every advantage I can of the nice, warm weather. Spending a lot of time with family and thoroughly enjoying every minute - ESPECIALLY the new granddaughter, I could just sit and stare at her for hours.



While I have not posted here as frequently as I have in the past, I have continually worked on beading projects - not as fanatically as I do in the colder months, but there is always a work in progress at my bead station as evidenced in the photo at the beginning of this post. Click on it for a super close up. Note, the seed beads are size 15/0, the margaritas (Swarovski 3700) are 6mm and the bicones are size 3mm

I just finished a bead embroidered bracelet as well. I'll post about that once I get the photos cropped and re-sized.

And for anyone that does not read Monica's blog (do they really exist?), she is gearing up for Part 2 of the Pink Artists Drawing and has put the call out for art. I've added a button to my blog up on the right and below is the awesome graphic created just for part 2 by Sandy over at Art Tea Life. I'm mulling over ideas of what I'll make for this round.



If you want to get involved as a participant, click the button above or up on the right side of my blog. All proceeds go to breast cancer research AND it's a blast to boot! Think about joining me, won't you?

So, in my last post I mentioned that I just passed my 2 year anniversary and this is my 225 post. I know - I can't believe it either, where has the time gone???

I wanted to do something special in celebration of my blogiversary and thought it would really be nice to recognize the folks that visit and have really gone out of their way to show their support by consistently commenting AND that have not won anything here on my blog before. So... I've gone through my stash of beady items I've created that need a new home and will be sending items off to:

Timaree aka Freebird- she is always creating something and she comments on EVERY post, thanks so much for your support.
Carol - we haven't known each other as long, but I certainly feel the love. AND a fellow Hoosier! (I need your mailing address by the way).
Lynn - an absolutely amazing bead artist, her work literally takes my breath away. (I need your mailing address as well).
Lisa - awwwww, sweet Lisa - another amazing bead artist that inspires me with each and every thing she creates. The only beady blogger/online friend I have met. I only hope we can meet up again, we didn't have nearly enough time last time!

Other frequent commenter's I want to mention that have been such an incredible support and inspiration to me ...
Monica - she's actually the one that pushed me (gently) into blogging and is probably the most frequent commenter on my blog. She was also my biggest cheerleader as I began my journey into beaded dolls. For that alone, I will be forever grateful. I look forward to the day when we finally meet face to face.
Arline - so kind, so nice and a wonderful beader
Doris - a kindred spirit and a very generous soul.
Tammy - we go WAY back to my beginning days of beading and share not just a fondness for beading, but a deep love of animals and all things in nature.

Thank you all so much for your support these past 2 years. I appreciate it more than you know.