Sunday, June 28, 2009

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).

17 comments:

abeadlady said...

Grace, I'm soooo glad you are coming to Tahoe. Me, too. Can't wait to meet you in person. It should be great fun. You will love Marcia's class and I know Beki's and Sherry's will be just as much fun.
Arline

Marcia DeCoster said...

It's going to be so fun! look forward to meeting you and celebrating your birthday!

flyingbeader said...

I can't wait to finally met you after all these years!!!! And I too am excited about the classes. You Granddaughter is adorable & now that you say it, I can hear Larry too. LOL! So birthday, huh? I won't ask which one...And I guess us gals who wore mini skirts do ask ourselves "why are they wearing that?". hahaha...dot

pam T said...

Adorable pic of the grandbaby! and i love her background... lol...
I have to check out beaders muse....

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Yep, I am having fun with the Muse also and will certainly be a part of III. I can't wait to see your creation for II. You are right, this is a teaser shot!

Your baby is beautiful. Ain't grandkids great!

Lynn said...

The muse looks fabulous - can't wait to see the whole piece. Good luck with the contest! Good for you for committing to the bead retreat. As soon as I win the lottery, I'm there....

Kisses for the grandbabe xoxo

Mary Timme said...

I love the big piece you have with muse. It is difficult taking photos of the whole piece when you know it would look better if you could use the muse in the picture, isn't it?

a2susan said...

I love the teaser shots for the contest! And the grandbaby is just so cute.

What did you end up with for a bathing suit?

Susan

Timaree said...

I hope you have a wonderful time beading with the pros! You are a pro too with bead embroidery - don't forget that.

Old fuddy-duddy? Not till you at least hit the 50 but I hope that doesn't really show up till we are at least in our 70's!

Your granddaughter is so cute. Yes, I can see the Three Stooges saying something like that.

I almost joined in the muse but I have too many things going on right now that I am not keeping up with already. I hope to be able to next time.

Go have some fun and have a great birthday too.

Anonymous said...

Greetings from the "Dear Friend" in Grass Valley - just so you know, we sorely miss you as well and CAN'T WAIT for you to get here! Oh my, will it really be your last year of the 40th decade? Yikes, I hope we have enough energy to 'do it up good' - XOXO! terter

girlgonethreadwild said...

taking classes, shoot YOU could teach the classes!

Happy days to you gorgeous!

My, those teaser shots are SPECTACULAR!!!

Happy 4th!

Katie B said...

I can't wait to meet you at the retreat!
You are going to have so much fun!
I've taken classes from Beki (went to her first retreat) and from Sherri (what a hoot she is!) -- and now I am intimidated with Marcia -- she is phenomenal !! (and I still can not get the hang of RAW !)

katieB

Pursuing Art... said...

Hi Grace...love the teaser shots and I'm looking forward to you sharing! The colors are gorgeous!

Alicia is just a doll! What a bundle of love, joy and happiness she must bring to you all!

The bead retreat is going to be a blast for you! What a birthday gift to yourself...I know you are going to have the best time! And, Arline is going and Dot?!!...FUN!!! I bet you'll meet many other friends that you've met online too. I can't wait to see pictures and hear about that trip after you go!!! ~Lisa ;-)

Tina Leavy said...

congratulations on the grandbaby..what a cutey pie.
--------
inviting you over to my blog for my 500th post give away.
Tina

Dot said...

Hi Grace
Your granddaughter is gorgeous. And I am sure she is very blessed to be loved by you!
I am sure your beading retreat is going to be fanstastic. I agree with Monica that you should be teaching as you are so talented.
Thought of you this week when I received a package from our friend Lisa. She made me an incredible Dotee doll and tribal doll. And is a beautiful beader like you.
Now your gorgeous doll has company!
Lots of love
Dot xx

girlgonethreadwild said...

just stopping in to say a quick CHEERY hello to ya girly and to let you know I'm starting on the ART QUILT piecing this weekend, come HOLD MY HAND! lol

Linsart said...

Hi Grace, Go to my blog...there is an award there for you !
Linda
linsart

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