Monday, March 30, 2009

Hearts in bloom



My bead journal page for February came easy this time around. I had this great fabric with hearts in shades of red, pink and light purple. I found some neat heart beads in order to make my 'flowers' and some wonderful vintage sequins.

I find when I focus on the positive (the love of family, an abundance of friends, my good fortune in that I do have a job, the impending birth of my 3rd grandchild and many other blessings too numerous to mention here) rather than get caught up in the negative (the state of the economy, my disappearing 401k, aches and pains of aging, and the never ending cold weather just to name a few), that my heart is in bloom. My goal - to stay focused on the positive, a daily challenge!

If you look at the photo blown up you will see the detail on the 'rosettes' on the rest of the page. I couldn't resist adding them. I don't often bead in these colors and found I was having quite a bit of fun with them.

Here's a shot of the stitching on the back

12 comments:

Timaree said...

Very pretty Grace. I like your flowers a lot. The idea of staying focused on the positive is really good and really hard. I read that it's because in early days of humanity focusing on the bad could help keep you alive, on the alert and we just haven't lost that instinctual habit yet so focusing on the good is an actual challenge but such a worthwhile one.

I really can't wait to see how all your pages come together.

Marva Plummer-Bruno said...

Oh this is gorgeous Grace! Thank you so much for your comments on my beaded heart. :) Marva

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

What a cute page. I really like the little embellished hearts. What is that line going to be!!! Can't wait to find out.

Focusing on the positive is catching on across the country. Isn't it the path to satisfaction and well being? I have been on the bandwagon for a while and have so much less stress!

KV said...

This page certainly makes one smile, Grace! Lovely job as always . . .


Kathy V in NM

Doris said...

So pretty and cheerful!

flyingbeader said...

Wonderful piece & keep positive thoughts going...dot

Ellen said...

LOVEly Grace - Positive thoughts are good, I love the power of positive thinking!

williamsburg beader said...

I love this fabric. And I think I might know what the black beads will form. I'm looking forward to seeing it all assembled.
Cathy

Pursuing Art... said...

You are so generous to do a giveaway...beautiful kit that someone is going to LOVE! I need to do a giveaway...haven't done it yet and missed my blog anniversary too! I don't want it to be open to 'everyone' and I don't know quite how to handle that.

Your BJP is great! Love the hearts and rosettes...beautiful texture and happy colors! I'm glad you are focusing on the positive, Grace! I was so thrilled to learn you are expecting a 3rd grandchild! Congratulations!!! How fun and exciting. Oh, to hold a little one again...hmmmmm! Just think if he/she came a little early...could be May 13th! I will be looking forward to hearing the news!

I'm sorry to have gotten behind, but Mark's arthritis has been acting up and it's been a mess. He had his knee drained , medicine changed, and life is beginning, albeit slowly, to get back to normal. Talk about the trials and tribulations of getting older!

I've been thinking of you and hope all is well! Keep smiling and thinking positive thoughts...XO ~Lisa

Marty S said...

This page made me smile, too. I love the way you used the hearts to make the flowers. I may borrow that idea, if you don't mind. Good thoughts support the page. Seeing it is a happy start for me today.
Marty S
Crackpot Beader

Robin said...

Dear, wonderful Grace ~ Hearts in Bloom is the perfect name for your piece! I love it! Like Carol, I'm curious about the black line.... It could be a stem, yet there are no lines connecting it from the blooms. It could also be a separation... Two hearts separated from a third heart. What meaning do you give it???? I'll return to this post see if you respond. Hugs, Robin A.

GraceBeading said...

Hi all - thanks for the comments! I'm seriously behind in responding and for that I apologize.

For anyone that has wondered about the black lines in each piece - they will all come together when the pieces are all assembled. It's pretty simple - I say that now, we'll see how that whole assembly process goes!

Leaves of Grass

This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely with powerful uneducated persons and with the young and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life, re-examine all you have been told at school or church or in any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes and in every motion and joint of your body - Walt Whitman