I managed to get all the pieces sewn together and since I do not sew, it was quite a feat for me. Actually, a more accurate statement is that I do not know how to use a sewing machine. I can sew on buttons, manage a hem and do small mending repairs. But "real" sewing is beyond my grasp at this point. Some day... maybe I will learn, not today though!
This all started as a simple idea of combining 2 of my favorite things - heart shapes and beads. Next task was to figure out how to get a piece of a heart in every square while leaving it relatively simple to line up once all the squares were beaded. Setting it up was the easiest part! Up until the last stitch, I was never sure if everything would line up correctly and while it is not perfect, it is close enough for me.
Each piece was sewn together by hand, using at least a million tiny little stitches, okay that might be a slight exaggeration, but it sure felt like a million. I am happy with the results though. Next and final task is getting it matted and framed. Still not sure how I will accomplish that, but have a few ideas. Once it is complete, it will go up on my office wall.
A big thank you - to my friends and all of the other BJP participants that regularly stop in here to check on my progress and offer support and encouragement. I appreciate it so very much. For those of you that were eager to see what the lines meant - I hope you are not disappointed. It is rather simple after all.
The finished size - measuring just to the beaded edge is 9 inches tall by 12 inches wide. And as always - with attempting to photograph beads, I am not able to adequately capture the sparkle with my camera, not even close. In the end, I am very pleased with it. I tried something new and that was my goal for the project this round.
If you want to see the individual pieces as I finished them with further descriptions and larger photos - look over at the right side of my blog and find the button for 2008 Bead Journal Project Member. Directly beneath that button is a link to see all the pieces at once.
And for those that like to see the back, here you go - I need to trim up some of those edges and see if I can get it to lay a little flatter.
All photos are clickable for a larger view.
