BJP final and Out of town

I finally managed to snap a photo of all my BJP pages together. What I didn't manage to do was get the entire thing in focus. I tried so many different settings in all types of light, it just never came out quite like I would have liked.

Each page is approximately 4 inches by 6 inches. Most ended up stuffed with just a tad of fiberfil and all are backed with ultrasuede. To finish them off as a group, I want to add a little beaded loop so I can hang them all together.

On another note - I will be out of town, working in Florida August 17-22. I hope you have a great week!

Out of town

Photo of a perfect Oak - taken in Concord, CA several years ago

I am out of town until May 11. For those if you that celebrate it this month, have a wonderful Mother's Day.

I look forward to 'seeing' you when I return. My next post will mark a year since I started this blog as well as my 150th post. Reason to celebrate I think!

Life springs forth!

I know it has been awhile since I posted - so I have many photos with updates. Note - you can click on all photos for a larger view.

I have been so busy with my day job that I have had little time for beading and even less time for blogging (both writing mine and visiting the others I enjoy so much).

For those that have asked about the kitten - it's doing great, getting chubby and oh so cute. It is now two weeks old. These photos are from 7 - 10 days old. It's eyes are just starting to open now.

The body remains white, but it has a black nose and 'tips' - ears, legs, and tail. Mama is diligent and extremely loving. She is 6 pounds of ferocious hairball when we let her out of the 'nursery' to mingle with the other cats - she has been exceptionally violent toward one of the neutered males. Probably a good thing she doesn't have claws as I don't think he'd have a face left if she did. He tries his best to run from her, but she is relentless. That part of it has been a bit unsettling for me.

The baby also has dark paw pads. It's so cute I just want to squeeze it! When stress arises in my day, I sneak off for a peek at the kitten as it always makes me smile.

We are finally experiencing some spring time weather, tulips are starting to bloom and the daffodils are about gone. Unfortunately we have unseasonably cold air coming with temps expected to get down into the 20's and freeze warnings tonight.

Come along on a tour of small bits of our yard...

Tulip

Daffodils

Johnny Jump Up? They are all over the yard

Bleeding Heart

I love bleeding hearts...

I imagine it's apparent that this is one of my favorites!

And what would a post be without a little beading??? In February I was on a business trip to Las Vegas. While there I made several bracelets in this same style and this is the only one I did not take a part. This is a herringbone stitch and I think the stitching is a bit loose. That's why I took a part all the others - they were just too loose for my taste.

I tried thread (C-Lon and SoNo) and I tried Fireline - all of them broke in the middle when I attempted to get the tension tight. This is the only one that survived. The lampwork bead is one I found on Just Beads - someone was downsizing their stash and I love these colors. The seed beads are size 8 - just to give some perspective.

The biggest thing I'm looking forward to right now - a road trip! On Thursday I am driving down to Indianapolis to pick up 3 friends, then we will continue our drive to the hills (Appalachian) of Eastern Kentucky for a little retreat as well as a memorial of our friend Lonnie - he passed away last December. I will be gone from May 1 - May 11.

Here's a photo of our destination - we will stay in the 'Manse' behind the church. These buildings were built by the local community in the 1930's. Aren't they beautiful?

No TV, no radios, no road noise (except for a few 4-wheelers) no cell phone service. Complete and total bliss! All you can hear is the wind blowing through the 'holler' and the birds singing. There is a gravel road that takes us to our destination - here is a portion of it taken last fall

Out of town - have a great week!

It is incredible how much I depend on my computer to be in good working order... all the time. I don't realize how much - until something goes wrong, which thankfully - is rare for me.

This would be one of those rare instances. I have not been able to get my computer online for several days now, so no photos to share at the moment. But I am going to try to get a post up with photos later today if possible. Time and difficulty will dictate whether I manage to get it done.

I finished 2 more key fobs and am working away on a little beaded doll for my friend Christina. I will be out of town the 10th - 14th for work. Traveling to Denver and Colorado Springs. The work will be intense during the day, but I will make time to bead in the evenings - it will provide some much needed balance.

I am hoping that my (very technically adept) mister will be able to get my computer back online while I'm away. If not, I'll have to break down and buy a new one. I really would have preferred a new camera instead... oh well.