New Projects Update

It's been a somewhat productive Monday. I finished the tea light cover I was working on.

Looks like it's back to the drawing board on that one. I wanted it to come a bit above the tea light, but not that much. I also wanted it to fit snuggly, but it's so snug it's hard to slip on.

The Purple Iris cuff is coming along nicely. As you can see, I changed a bit more than the background color from the original. The lighting I used to take the picture doesn't do the colors justice.

This is my first try at designing with 2 drop peyote and I must say I like working it up. It goes quickly.

Now that I've sat as long as my legs will let me sit, and beaded til my eyes won't look at beads any more, it's time to get up and do some housework.

New Projects in the Works

It's the day after Christmas and I'm still stuffed.  I had a wonderful time with my son and daughter-in-law and their family.  She's such a great cook, I sometimes hesitate to bring my simple country cooking, but everything was well received.

I placed my order to redeem my Art Beads gift card on the 21st of December and received the order on Christmas eve. What a wonderful Christmas gift!

I usually order Swarovski crystals and pearls from them, but this time I ordered mostly delicas. I have made this pattern for a 2 drop peyote cuff and am anxious to get started on it. I've changed the background to a cream color to show up the purples better.

I've decided to try making tea light covers and have made a couple of patterns. I have one started that I think will be wonderful for Valentine's Day. It's called "Anchored Hearts". I'm almost finished with it, then I can start on the Purple Iris cuff.

It's been cold and dry here, not any of the bad weather so much of the country is having, but I'm ready for spring! The bearded Iris were the first flowers that bloomed in my Mothers flower garden when I was growing up. This is in rememberer of her. Maybe it will keep the depression away. I still have problems with that even though she's been gone over 30 years.

I wish all of you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.


 

Stitch Tutorial Library Links Updated

After discovering that one of the sites where I had published my stitch tutorials was not functioning, I have been busy publishing all of them to Squidoo.  I'm pretty sure it's not going to go away any time soon.  I still have to put the tutorial for Puffed Bezel on Squidoo, but I have all the others so that the links work. I'm having to redraw the graphics to make them compatible with the new site so it's taking a while.
For all of you that clicked on the links and got an error message I apologize.  If you find any of the links don't work now, please notify me.

I hope all of you got your $10 gift certificate from Artbeads.com. Keep checking back as they have wonderful promotional sales throughout the year.

It's cold and windy here on the high plains of Texas, but no snow in the forcast, so I guess we won't have a white Christmas this year.

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a very prosperous New Year.  Be safe and warm through the Holidays.

Artbeads.com Free Gift Card Giveaway!

Hurry!  Promotion ends December 22, 2010.  Artbeads is giving away $10 gift cards until December 22.  Every Artbead customer is eligible to share this opportunity with a friend, so get on over to Artbeads.com and find out how to share in this $100,000 giveaway.


And, as if that was not enough, they just kicked off a giveaway for a new Apple iPad! They even bought the iPad with 3G capability so you can get online just about anywhere. It would be so exciting if you won!


Everyone who places an order between now and the end of the year will get an automatic entry for a chance to win. There is an alternate way to enter for those who don't want to place an order. Here's the link to more info about this:  http://www.artbeads.com/ipad-giveaway.html

The Hunt is ON!

The hunt is on for graphics to qualify you for a Bead Bling Bingo card at Bead Patterns Boutique.  If you're not already a member of the forum, click on the link above and look for the Yahoo Groups in the lower right hand corner of the home page.  Join the forum and look for a post by Marie Starr titled "The Hunt is on! Qualify for Your Bingo Card Now" for complete instructions.

Remember you only have 2 days to hunt for graphics and get your bingo card, so get on over to BeadPatternsBoutique and start hunting.

Purple Heart Choker

I finally finished!  This heart toggle ring gave me fits, but I finally got it to work. You can find the pattern with more pictures at BeadPatternsBoutique or click on Buy now to purchase it directly.

Quantity:

I haven't gotten the choker added to my ArtFire Studio yet.  I need to take some more pictures first.  Right now I'm going to lay down with an eye pillow over my eyes for a while and rest them.  This has been a loooong week.

The next  big Beady Bling Bingo game is coming up at Bead Patterns Boutique.  The hunt for images in order to get your bingo card will start tomorrow, Monday Dec. 13, 2010.  If you're not already a member of our forum just go to BeadPatternsBoutique and click on the Yahoo Groups icon in the lower right hand corner.  Only forum members will know how to search for the images and get in on the game, so go now and sign up.  It's Free!  Marie will be sending out the announcement tomorrow, and only forum members will get it.

Purple Heart Necklace

As promised, I've begun the Russian Lace Heart pattern. This one is a little different from the red and cream one, and I still have a few more adjustments to make before the pattern is ready to be published.

I'm making this one with purple and gold seed beads, 3mm amethyst Swarovski crystal bicones and 5mm freshwater button pearls. So far it's looking good.

The Purple Heart is a medal awarded to our soldiers wounded in battle, so this necklace is a tribute to them, but it's also a tribute to families at home waiting for their loved ones to return Their lives are forever changed and their hearts are wounded, knowing the uncertainty of life during war.

Purple is said to be the color of royalty as well as good judgement.

Pearls signify the best within us, honesty, integrety, wisdom. They remind us to live our lives with dignity.

I hope to have the necklace finished and the pattern ready to publish in about a week.