Quick Bead Project...Perfect for Stitchers

A new little beading class will be offered over at Maureens Vintage Acquisitions today...a beaded bookmark. Just click on the Take-it-Anytime button tomorrow and you will find it.

However, it is so much MORE than just that. This technique makes lovely beaded trim...that can be made to an an exact length. I like to use it to cover the rim of band boxes and tins after the top has been done in crazy quilt fashion or embroidery and lace. Or, use it in garment construction too!...as a lovely trim to cufs or pockets!But, it doesn't just stop at trim...it can be a piece of jewelry! Add a clasp to the ends and you have a bracelet...a little longer and you have a necklace.Attaching a charm to one end and grosgrain ribbon to the other makes a bookmark. These are super gifts for teachers...and it only takes about two hours (or less) to complete the project...so several can be made!Hope you will consider taking the class...it is VERY reasonably priced...and available any time.I'm always here to answer any questions...but have also spend hours drawing the charts and creating the narrative to explain just how to make the bookmark...so you would be fine just on your own as well I'm sure!

Cabochons

The past two days, I've been trying to get a few more cabochons beaded for the Studio's page of CQ Motifs. There are dozens in my stash to work on and it will surely take my lifetime to get them all done! It is a tedious process, but I enjoy it for a few hours...then my eyes need a rest! Here are the ones I have managed to complete and add to the website...for those of you that enjoy adding a cabochon to your CQ Projects (like me!).

Basically Beaded Returns

Yesterday, I was trying to clean off a spot on my cutting table and re-found my recently received Basically Beaded Block and realized that I had not blogged a photo! How could that have happened! The block is the end result of a round robin I had joined over on CQI. Isn't this a pretty block?!

The ladies really outdid themselves! And I just love it! Thanks to Arlene, Diane, Meg, and Peggy! Super stitching ladies! If you have not yet tried beaded seams...give them a go! Especially if you like bling!

Beaded Tassels

The beaded tassel that I received from Sharon of Shardon Exclusives has inspired me to try my own. Sharon was kind enough to sell me her pattern, but I did not have the same type/size of beads so I had to adjust a bit. Here are my creations! The first is very close to her pattern requirements...

And the second one had to be increased in size to accommodate the large center bead in the core of the design.

These were so much fun, I'm definitely going to have to do more of them! Here is a close-up photo too...

I'm Just Soooooo Excited!

Look what came in the mail!

This is the beaded tassle I won from SharDon Exclusives in the One World One Heart event...and it is stunning! I wish you could see it up close and real!

Sharon is so special, she created a little chest for the tassel and mailed it in a special box!

Both are a works of art! She even included a little note tag. And I just love the little chest...it will be a permanent storage for the tassel.

 If you love designer level jewelry...and really, who doesn't! Just hop on over to Sharon's blog SharDon Exclusives and enjoy photos of all of her beaded jewelry! Stunning!

Thank you again Sharon! I'm in love with this tassel...

More Beading...

I have not been able to put this down! So, I'm still beading...

I added four Paua shell cabochons. The eyes are two little shank crystal beads, and to make them stand up and not fall to the side, I surrounded them with pearls for a base. The head is a jewelry crystal element that had to be couched down. I love the bling factor in this dragonfly!

Here's where I am now...and I have to stop for a while. I have to get back to some other stitch projects. The upper wings are being filled in with crystal seed beads and some bugles...and I'm thinking that the bottom ones will be a mix of different blues. I'm not at all sure yet about the tail...so we shall see how that goes.
For now...it's back to working on Melissa's block!

BJP 2011 Beading Started...

Wow, I am in love with this project! It is letting me use some beads that I have been "saving" for something special...and that feels great! I started with two Swarvoski teardrop beads...and used a surface peyote stitch to surround them.

Here is the side angle, the peyote make a little wall around and over the stone. If you want to get some really good instruction on this go to Beads East. They have great tutorials on various surface beading techniques.

Then, I added two round Swarvoski rivolis. These were a challenge because they were not beads (no hole)...and they were not flat on the back. Instead, the back came to a point! Yikes. I had to really hold them still while surrounding them with beads...yeah, more peyote stitch!

 I'm having such fun, I almost forgot to stop and take photos!

BJP 2011 January Thinking

Here is my January Dragonfly for BJP2011.

This is my first year to join in on the Beaded Journal Project...and I already having a head full of ideas! Finally, I decided on a theme for my monthly beaded projects...critters! If you follow the blog, you know that I do a lot of blocks and projects for friends, cyber friends, and family.
 One thing I want to do for myself is a large crazy quilt project. I have visions of shabby chic with loads of white, cream, beige fabrics with bits of pastels in lace and embellishments. I have not pieced the first block, because I do not want them to be square...and have not decided on what I "do" want yet! Agrrrrr...some on brain, you can do it! Sorry, I digress...
Anyway, I thought that critters would be a good addition to the project...when it ever gets off the ground! And, I want the critters to be all sizes...some large, some small, some round, some not so round...a real variety.
Therefore, all of my BJP 2011 monthly projects will be critters that I can later stitch down to the crazy quilt full size project. This complicates the creation process some too...because each item must be able to be attached firmly to the final crazy quilt project. So, this first one is also a test! As you might be able to tell from the photo, I used water soluble (traced with a chalk pencil) and hooped it on top of felt. After stitching all the beads firmly into place...I hope to be able to carefully cut the dragonfly out and then be able to handstitch him into the CQ project...more about that when the time comes I'm sure!!

Here are the big stones I'm thinking of using...and other smaller ones will cover the wings, body, and tail. So wish me luck! I'm off on a new adventure in beading! Oh, here's a closeup of the main beads...I wish you could see just how gorgeous these are!

Basically Beaded Continues

The next round in Basically Beaded round robin is completed, boxed, and ready to be mailed.

I added some odds and ends...and these red roses, blue half circle seam...

and this little blue flower and pearl seam.

Basically Beaded-Diane

Last week, I received a block from Diane to bead. We are in a round robin on Crazy Quilter's International Yahoo Group titled Basically Beaded.

Usually, I try to work on things in order...the "hottest" gets my attention first! But, I just could not wait! The block was pretty...and calling to me!

So I went right to work and was done in two days! Now, it will hang in my sewing room until closer to time to mail out next month. Geez, I hope I don't forget it!

And, since we all love seeing details...here are close up photos of each seam.

 The grapes were done with various size (2mm-4mm) glass beads. The vine is seed beads in purple/blue, and the leaves are glass.

The green drop garland is mostly Swarvoski crystal...rounds, bicones, and drops. Accented with glass stars and seed beads.

This is the first seam I stitched...seed beads, bugle beads, glass flowers, and Swarvoski crystal bicones and slides to accent.

Chandelier findings showcase seed beads and glass flowers of varied types.

I could stitch the entire block! And, really had to make myself stop! The colors of the block are especially suited to lot's of color...and I think it will be stunning once everyone in our group has beaded their part. I just can't wait to see what the next block in the Robin looks like!!

Bling everywhere!

It has been a really busy week for me. I have had the granddaughter early every day, and all day on Saturday. She takes a lot of my time (which I love) but it does put me behind in my computer duties...which are many! My Daughter goes to first shift, temporarily, for the next couple of weeks...which means that I get to pick Aidan up from school each day...so I'm gonna get further behind in computer if I don't get moving! (Sorry Shari)

I manage to stitch and bead with DGD in the house...in-between teaching her to make things, supervising her "artistic creations", and judging imaginary dress-up contests and such. A grandmother's job is tiring...but more rewarding than any other I have ever had or wanted for that matter!

The easiest thing for me to accomplish with the "Diva" in attendance seems to be beading and CQ work. So, that's what got done this week. For some, I'm right on time...while others are early! I'll save the CQ work for later because I don't have photos of that yet.

First up, some beaded cabochons for a friend. This one will be a brooch once I glue on the tie tac stem.

The next is a drop for a necklace. She has a gold chain from which this will hang. Hope you like them Eileen!

Then, I have a whole batch of dog collars finished. Woot! woot! Some are in colors of the local universities...University of Alabama (Ranked #1 College Team right now) and the local Jacksonville State University are both RED/WHITE...

Auburn University, the other great campus in out state...is ORANGE/BLUE.

Then, some everyday collars...for the stylish pet!

And, lastly...some extra small collars for cats and teacup variety pets.

A special thanks to my friend, Talia, for getting me interested in Swarvoski crystals! I'm having a blast with these Talia...wish you were hear to help me wire these up!

Beaded Button Tutorial

A few of the ladies on HGTV Message Board had a beaded button swap not long ago.

We decided to make the use of button "blanks" optional...so I created a tutorial on how to make beaded buttons, without having to purchase button kits.

Here's the link to the tutorial if you want to make your own beaded buttons!