tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3724955175322611062024-02-18T21:28:19.671-06:00The Bead Doodlergoogle5bd1f8d3ff14b379.htmlAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-20900147830312810682016-01-29T12:01:00.000-06:002016-01-29T12:01:53.029-06:00Reflections<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9u6YWQsqkpS0pk5SxQe5sh6YaySMaI3Q-zGSr3g_BsJxJnXfR6AckB_OSZ2J5HGoLnaWt48mFYvJXCooT7fx-6vSQaGkApisirhPj9Eb-SP6M89ieXKt2C86vsyHTtqZ8lb-vQ-Q8xA/s1600/Angels+Await.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9u6YWQsqkpS0pk5SxQe5sh6YaySMaI3Q-zGSr3g_BsJxJnXfR6AckB_OSZ2J5HGoLnaWt48mFYvJXCooT7fx-6vSQaGkApisirhPj9Eb-SP6M89ieXKt2C86vsyHTtqZ8lb-vQ-Q8xA/s200/Angels+Await.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning as I was playing, making mandalas (making them is as good for meditation as coloring them), my mind focused on a friend who we know won't be with us much longer. As I put the finishing touches on this mandala, all I saw was angels and hearts. Here's to you, my friend. May the angels welcome you and give you peace.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WqZFUpX8y5MdqjH-_YDVJNYzcznTJefVA8aBCR21piYwSVPiQiVIxitfJM-MSJwhyj9dNOkDCalxAb3qSGkRivA6j9unJ4tqnZhnvGc4A5yTfvsv72g3Kdqzvx90877zidFlNBy6Jy8/s1600/Lifes+paths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WqZFUpX8y5MdqjH-_YDVJNYzcznTJefVA8aBCR21piYwSVPiQiVIxitfJM-MSJwhyj9dNOkDCalxAb3qSGkRivA6j9unJ4tqnZhnvGc4A5yTfvsv72g3Kdqzvx90877zidFlNBy6Jy8/s200/Lifes+paths.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made another one from the same base. I see many paths, some dark some light, some twisted and curved all connected to or surrounded by other objects and I thought about how our lives were connected, as improbable as it was and thanked God for her presence in our lives all these years.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-size: large;">I'm in the process of making and publishing coloring pages and have many made up by now, but I haven't decided whether I'll share these two with the public. Right now they're my personal reflections of the past nearly four decades.</span><br />
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<g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-50286516300022418912016-01-19T08:00:00.000-06:002016-01-19T08:04:26.650-06:00January is Regroup Month<span style="font-size: large;">My beadwork is still defying me. I've put aside the chenille stitch I was working on. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it went smoothely, and other times I couldn't make heads or tails of it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I finally got the base for an open 3D heart to work. Now to just finish it. My hands don't seem too delighted to manage needle and thread (something I've been doing since I was four years old.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaX_E8Qqw-SBawKGNkWEZHGAJxxKXtWQ5H_Eu9GWbsfjXVSF-9U9ajDjlvLP9H8oOnsOgJOgbisM1pl8pO219kWr4yN3u17hHpxn_bbtKxcO5MWhCe_CmnMrXyDlve5GrkXlJ1xEcsHA/s1600/Tulip+cross+kal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaX_E8Qqw-SBawKGNkWEZHGAJxxKXtWQ5H_Eu9GWbsfjXVSF-9U9ajDjlvLP9H8oOnsOgJOgbisM1pl8pO219kWr4yN3u17hHpxn_bbtKxcO5MWhCe_CmnMrXyDlve5GrkXlJ1xEcsHA/s320/Tulip+cross+kal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">On the other hand, I'm getting better at making coloring mandalas. This is Tulip Cross made with a different technique than I've used with previous mandalas. It's a little more structured than some of my first ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I started downloading free mandalas to color, finally looked at one and thought to myself "I can do this". Then I started playing around making them and I have more fun making them than coloring. It's relaxing and fun.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I've been going through my <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?shop=25">Bead Patterns Boutique </a>shop cleaning up some errors in listings. I started the shop while I was recovering from hip surgery 8 years ago. Obviously, my brain was still foggy. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> All this time, I've never noticed I left out some crucial information. I d</span><span style="font-size: large;">on't know how I managed to sell anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">I'm trying to get a schedule set up to allot time to all my endeavors, but I've been so lax in that respect for so long that's a real chore.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-74435869283820529422016-01-06T08:53:00.000-06:002016-01-06T08:53:38.911-06:00Chenille Stitch Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWiAaDdlpzjxRFt5wD-vP9Z6rDyKDXk4jRAigZ4FGH46kXEXswg3OpzAB620J9LbHNuyiqEWWMx-dJ2tKtsyrUeuROoPBCm8Jrz_Avu4XKh96MQhCrVnTp8Jco2xcc2H75Y5p7cWu-E/s1600/Chenile+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYWiAaDdlpzjxRFt5wD-vP9Z6rDyKDXk4jRAigZ4FGH46kXEXswg3OpzAB620J9LbHNuyiqEWWMx-dJ2tKtsyrUeuROoPBCm8Jrz_Avu4XKh96MQhCrVnTp8Jco2xcc2H75Y5p7cWu-E/s320/Chenile+heart.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">The new year is starting out fairly well for me in spite of the storms keeping me practically house bound. I've made some progress with the Chenille stitch tutorial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In order for the stitch to make sense to me, there has to be a design in it. That's just me. The stitch is beautiful just worked with two sizes of beads of the same color. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I've made a few swatches in order to test bead sizes etc. Here are two. for the one on the right, I used size 11 throughout. I thought to create a little texture, but I wasn't happy with it. The one on the left I used size 11 and 15. I like it much better.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was still having trouble remembering which turn to use on the left (there are 2) and seeing the logical placement of beads that is now very clear to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm still working on the tutorial. I have all the illustrations done and enlarged to meet Hub Pages standards (I think). Now I'm just trying to string words together in sentences that are comprehendible. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope to find a filter to take pictures of this gleaming, glittery bracelet when I'm finished.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll let you know when I get the tutorial posted to Hub Pages.</span><br />
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<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-21086060580992511962015-12-27T12:28:00.001-06:002015-12-27T12:28:26.669-06:00Joining the New Stress Relieve Rage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCMWXPuOP3MDav8mnT0ydwROAf8ngbUukWg8hO7UVvL01cQMD0Tikr_oT3hyphenhyphenEVsEOl3fppeU7p49H0BbqP9IP8ZANhE7GZl0Xrzdxuhk3MWQw5R6Ro2fcAKYDqTsYT6_ItdUJswRywyg/s1600/My+coloring+pages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCMWXPuOP3MDav8mnT0ydwROAf8ngbUukWg8hO7UVvL01cQMD0Tikr_oT3hyphenhyphenEVsEOl3fppeU7p49H0BbqP9IP8ZANhE7GZl0Xrzdxuhk3MWQw5R6Ro2fcAKYDqTsYT6_ItdUJswRywyg/s400/My+coloring+pages.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to take a stab at coloring again. I haven't colored in many many years, but all the hoopla I've been seeing on facebook prompted me to download some free pages and just see if it was as therapeutic as everyone claimed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The past 10 or so years, I have rarely used a pen or pencil. Everything was done on the computer. After I retired 8 years ago I wrote nothing in longhand except a grocery list (which I had trouble reading). It had gotten to the point holding a writing utensil was awkward and my hand would cramp in a very short time. I doubted I'd be able to color, but </span><span style="font-size: large;">I had some colored pencils that I'd bought for my granddaughter five or six years ago and with the free pages trying wouldn't cost me anything. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't long before I discovered that my fingers were much more limber and what hindered coloring more than anything was my eyes would get tired, but it was relaxing and I wasn't stressing as much over the trials of retired life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As I was looking through some of the pages I'd downloaded, I did a double take when I realized, at least one of them was made with the kaleidoscope effect in a photo shop program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd made a few snowflake brushes, so I had an idea of how the effect worked. I decided I'd try making my own coloring pages. I've spent most of the morning squiggling and adjusting and have found it just as relaxing as coloring. The picture shows four of the designs I've created and I'm getting a much better idea of how to make the initial "squiggle".</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While I'm more at ease at the computer, I still need to keep coloring so I wan't forget how to hold a pencil.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays and are not in the path of these winter storms.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-70284237849898669452015-12-21T10:08:00.000-06:002015-12-21T10:08:50.527-06:00Flat Chenille Stitch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeYhcEm94v7IhPQ_nTuNpBBvrH6L9QMwT3BYaAu1oZmhdeLdPE1FfXRcrs0KpeGB1OKeBJaKLC7a56P92SkuvgnGN2Pk8MXDWJpVcLps7n76oXI7OKTsRgQkEFW2GGg_5gXlhsSzNz-c/s1600/Flat+Chenille+Stitch+Samplers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeYhcEm94v7IhPQ_nTuNpBBvrH6L9QMwT3BYaAu1oZmhdeLdPE1FfXRcrs0KpeGB1OKeBJaKLC7a56P92SkuvgnGN2Pk8MXDWJpVcLps7n76oXI7OKTsRgQkEFW2GGg_5gXlhsSzNz-c/s320/Flat+Chenille+Stitch+Samplers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I had mentioned in a previous post the similarities between Pondo (African Circle stitch) and Chenille stitch. Jean Powers posted a basic tutorial by </span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 10.5px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Diana Balogh</span></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> in <a href="http://www.beadingdaily.com/blog/how-to-do-flat-chenille-stitch">Beading Daily</a>. It looked fairly simple except some of the turns were a bit complex. I spent several hours trying to bead the sample on the left from that tutorial and kept getting lost on the turns. My solution, of course, was to make my own illustrations, breaking down the parts that confused me into different steps. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">While I was at it, my muse plunked some designs into my head so I made some graphs of those. The heart on the right is the result of one of those. I can't tell if the slight irregularity is a result of uneven tension (I know I got the start row too tight) or if the beads aren't as uniform as the yellow ones on the left. I suspect it's a little of both.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now that I've got the illustrations drawn and have sort of mastered the stitch, I hope to have an illustrated tutorial posted to my Hub Pages within the week. Writing the accompanying article will be the hard part.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wow! The year's nearly over. Christmas this weekend. I hope all of you stay safe on the highway if you're traveling, and that you have a very Merry Christmas. . .or whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-7892843446021926032015-12-17T07:42:00.000-06:002015-12-17T07:42:26.632-06:00How Do You Make an Oval Round?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ-tQuxucMUZdarN4dQPCBwIl6ZMjt-D26_uRvfmyKvgaRJPX1wVA7VuiIji2Sl71TtK6aZyALu6egFDLA7VNKZjCmi-ITZD8gq7rNSkH2aaCbeT6b4NLOTAj7_XKIQTSENbM5Bs9g1g/s1600/Bezeled+bead+for+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQ-tQuxucMUZdarN4dQPCBwIl6ZMjt-D26_uRvfmyKvgaRJPX1wVA7VuiIji2Sl71TtK6aZyALu6egFDLA7VNKZjCmi-ITZD8gq7rNSkH2aaCbeT6b4NLOTAj7_XKIQTSENbM5Bs9g1g/s320/Bezeled+bead+for+blog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, I really don't know. I guess you just follow your muse and let her do what she wants with the beads.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I showed you my partially bezeled flat oval bead in my <a href="http://thebeaddoodler.blogspot.com/2015/12/another-monday-ramble.html">Monday Ramble</a>. I've now finished both sides and as I had thought, there's not much of the bead showing on the second side. What really blew me away was the shape. Yes, this is two sides of the same bead/cab. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I'll come up with a really cool bail for it soon, but right now my eyes are very tired of looking at those transparent peridot superduos (which are almost invisible on side 2) and tiny, shiny, size 15 gold beads, so I'm going to lay this aside for a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Organizing the office and learning flat Chenille stitch are the next things on the docket.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-74949238896999146342015-12-14T10:36:00.000-06:002015-12-14T10:36:10.168-06:00Another Monday Ramble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKKzD9rEbMe1j0o_Hq5QCnCLAKYZ6hlTcmv4_Dk1x2urNcE3gb4AAuIhBhunX1w2OMjwiIDTvREBh_6_YYRTHAYCqkvTgzesR9jTnKjB4b8_i2EL4TWHSla5dlS2VgwTKr4QjmNR_8ow/s1600/crystal+and+superduo+bezel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKKzD9rEbMe1j0o_Hq5QCnCLAKYZ6hlTcmv4_Dk1x2urNcE3gb4AAuIhBhunX1w2OMjwiIDTvREBh_6_YYRTHAYCqkvTgzesR9jTnKjB4b8_i2EL4TWHSla5dlS2VgwTKr4QjmNR_8ow/s320/crystal+and+superduo+bezel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">From the first nasty winter cold spell/storm until the trees begin to leaf out in the spring, it seems that I go through what I call my winter blues. It's a mild depression that saps my energy, inspiration and motivation to do anything other than what's necessary to stay alive.<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've attributed it to the weather, but really we don't have long stretches of bad weather or cloudy skies, so I reasoned that can't be the entire cause.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was thinking this morning and once again remembered my ex-husband's parents both died during the month of December. I loved them dearly and they were two of the best friends I ever had. BUT</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">December also is the month of joyous celebrations. There's Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and it is also the month one of my Daughters-in-law, who has been a wonderful addition to our family, was born and to top it off, it's the month she was born into our family when she married my son. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My mother passed away during the month of January that is also the month she gave birth to me and my youngest daughter gave birth to her daughter. It's also the beginning of a new year and we all look forward with hope to the coming year being better than the year before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm writing this as a reminder to myself that during these months that usually bring me down I must look for the positive side of things. I don't know how well it will work, but this is me fighting for normalcy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On another note, I promised myself that when I finished making Christmas ornaments I would clear up and organize my bead space. So much for promises. In the initial phase of clean-up, wouldn't you know, I found a large 25mm X 30mm X 2mm bead. I thought "I should bezel that using some superduo beads". Since it's flat it can be reversible and the two sides can be different. As you can see in the picture, one side seems to be fine, but the other side isn't going as I'd hoped. By the time I get it cinched in there won't be much of the bead showing, but I haven't given up yet.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-14106422680571402582015-11-24T07:27:00.000-06:002015-11-24T07:27:21.750-06:002015 Christmas Ornaments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp-NnXLpNFPYlzfqVEZoWIUZ_Lp7uN9O5beOL5ZqskHP_e07PZhr3LF71n0_VeoSoKCGPq6bdRPONm8GgtD_cyWS6F1zvmpfogvsg5A5qUSw9Gg4H1_u73LSsadhPvD2TVh4xF2nflNo/s1600/2015+Christmas+ornaments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp-NnXLpNFPYlzfqVEZoWIUZ_Lp7uN9O5beOL5ZqskHP_e07PZhr3LF71n0_VeoSoKCGPq6bdRPONm8GgtD_cyWS6F1zvmpfogvsg5A5qUSw9Gg4H1_u73LSsadhPvD2TVh4xF2nflNo/s320/2015+Christmas+ornaments.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've finally finished this year's Christmas ornaments. Unlike past years, I only designed one new one this year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/vendor/Holly_Wreath_Ornament.html">Holly Wreath</a> ornament is this year's new ornament and it will be on sale the rest of this month at my <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?exp=18|&cat=18&shop=25">BeadPatternsBoutique </a>shop. Check out my On Sale now category for it and other designs in my Shuffle Sale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Drum_Ornament.html">Drum</a>, <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Christmas_Angel.html">Christmas Angel</a> and <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Twin_Snowflake.html">Twin Snowflake</a> are all from previous years. I've modified each angel and snowflake by changing colors here and there, so they all look a little different from the pattern (because I'm averse to doing the same thing twice).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My granddaughter will be hosting Thanksgiving this year. I hope it's a great success. I love family gatherings, but I'm reluctant to host them. I get exhausted just attending.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now on to tedious everyday happenings. It's time to start learning the flat chenille stitch I mentioned in my last blog. , , and then there's the matter of keeping my vehicle running. I've been saying for a year if I have to put it in the shop one more time I'm just going to get rid of it. Maybe it's time to make good on that threat.</span><br />
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<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-72914701531763818452015-11-10T08:25:00.000-06:002015-11-10T08:25:19.466-06:00Which Stitch?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7l4raExTiMi3_gPpVakpfwtpC5b9ZfHCF3iI5dBD-4ccvXtb-gnvL5LnI8MlGtzeurmRjza0WLl3Cli1AFUKw3b2W7x03bgyRuY2l34SGKo_wfpZqIF4em9Gk2hP9RzoxV-W59nR0o/s1600/Pondo+african+circle+stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgab7l4raExTiMi3_gPpVakpfwtpC5b9ZfHCF3iI5dBD-4ccvXtb-gnvL5LnI8MlGtzeurmRjza0WLl3Cli1AFUKw3b2W7x03bgyRuY2l34SGKo_wfpZqIF4em9Gk2hP9RzoxV-W59nR0o/s400/Pondo+african+circle+stitch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">As you may know from my previous blogs, I'm obsessed with learning bead stitches. Keeps things from getting dull, don't you think?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I first learned Pondo stitch as the modern modified stitch also known as <a href="http://hubpages.com/art/Pondo-African-Circle-Bead-Stitch">African Circle Stitch</a>. When I finally mastered it I went to work creating designs. <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">Pondo Ripples</a> was my first design. Independence day was coming up, so I made it in red white and blue, but it works up nicely in any combination of colors you desire. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can find the pattern for Pondo Ripples on sale now in my <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">BeadPatternsBoutique Shuffle sale</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/jewelry/bracelet/delft-blue-tile-bracelet/64474">Delft Blue Tile</a> is the same stitch. As with any other stitch, the color placement creates the design.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I first started learning this stitch someone mentioned that it looked like Chenille stitch. I love tubular chenille for ropes but have never been able to figure out how to make the turn on flat chenille.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Recently, Jean Cox of <a href="http://www.beadingdaily.com/bead-weaving/how-to-do-flat-chenille-stitch">Beading Daily</a> posted instructions for flat chenille stitch. It is much more straight-forward that African Circle stitch and looks so nearly like it, you'd have to examine it closely to see it's different. You'll need to scroll down a bit to get to the tutorial.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That,s my next stitch to learn. . .after I finish Christmas Ornaments. Only one more drum and one snowflake and I'll be finished!</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-83507183428780790382015-11-05T08:04:00.000-06:002015-11-05T08:06:36.830-06:00Shuffle Sale<a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to try to breath some life into my pattern shop at BPB in November. I have a lot of older patterns that don't get much attention, so I've compiled a list of patterns that did well when first published, patterns that never received much attention, my all time best sellers, and some new patterns. I'm calling this a <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">shuffle sale</a> because the items will change at random times during the month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are 21 items on the list. All items listed will be marked down bu 10%.There are five categories: bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and Christmas ornaments. There will be five items on sale at all times, (one from each category) but I may change one, two or all of them on any given day. The patterns will cycle through the sale at random and may reappear at some point during the sale. You'll never know how long any given item will be on sale, or when/whether it will reappear, so bookmark my <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">On Sale </a>category of my catalog and check it often.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You'll find there are various bead stitches and the complexity of the patterns go from simple to a little more time consuming. Great items for gifts, ornaments or something special for yourself! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern for the ring shown is on sale as I write this. There are variations to the ring that change its shape, so it's almost like getting 3 patterns in one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made this pattern shortly after I wrote my <a href="http://thebeaddoodler.blogspot.com/2012/04/super-duo-two-hole-beads.html">blog post</a> on the comparison between twin beads and super duo beads. I decided to try mixing the two brands of beads, and found that they could be used together if the twins were culled very well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget to bookmark my <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/index.php?cat=40&shop=25">BeadPatternsBoutiaque On Sale No</a>w page and check often for new listings. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-41544966841167500062015-10-26T11:15:00.000-05:002015-10-26T11:15:38.449-05:00Monday Ramble<span style="font-size: large;">My Christmas ornament beading has temporarily come to a halt. Due to problems with hand-eye coordination, depth perception and other frustrations, I put the beadwork aside for a day or so.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I decided to try a little crochet instead. I found a beautiful pattern and a small scrap of sport weight yarn and attempted to make a swatch of the pattern.</span><script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I ran into a few problems. The first one: I haven't crocheted in so long I'm not able to hold the thread properly to maintain steady tension, so my stitches aren't even. With practice, I'm getting better and holding the work is becoming more natural. The second problem is: although I've been crocheting for 70 years and reading word patterns since I learned to read, I've never crocheted from a computer generated diagram. The pattern didn't come with a symbol legend and some of the symbols were unclear to me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I went so far as to download a free<a href="http://stitchworkssoftware.com/crochet-charts"> crochet stitch program </a>in order to find and decipher the symbols. I'm not too old to learn. No, I'll probably never make crochet patterns with it, but it was a great help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I discovered that although bead weaving and crochet are both needlework, they each require different hand muscles, different ways to hold the project and a different approach to deciphering the pattern. I feel that I need to go back to some of the handwork I grew up doing in order to keep my brain, and consequently my hand-eye coordination from deteriorating any further.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now it's time to get back to the Christmas ornaments. Second angel is in the works. One more angel, three drums and one snowflake to go.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-77619355122810936662015-10-15T11:20:00.000-05:002015-10-16T10:34:04.376-05:00Christmas Ornaments 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj-ApZBhcPe139LuWccTeCaY4Sfz3djLBThNQbf02hNWB_L_a6bm9YeSLlMR3WaXhLkmC8a6fIpWPhpaEuMeaxMhHKHKbs_ogX6lTDOgo02-b4E_gu312TOA179tr4UA8blzT6oi0uMs/s1600/Christmas+2015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimj-ApZBhcPe139LuWccTeCaY4Sfz3djLBThNQbf02hNWB_L_a6bm9YeSLlMR3WaXhLkmC8a6fIpWPhpaEuMeaxMhHKHKbs_ogX6lTDOgo02-b4E_gu312TOA179tr4UA8blzT6oi0uMs/s320/Christmas+2015.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've finished 10 of the 17 Christmas ornaments I need to make this year. Five wreaths and five twin snowflakes. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I made the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/other/holly-wreath-ornament/165819" target="_blank">wreaths</a> first then the <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Twin_Snowflake.html" target="_blank">snowflakes</a>. On the fourth snowflake, I noticed that all of them had a stained glass effect due to matte transparent, transparent and opaque beads being used in each ornament. It wasn't planned at all. I was sifting through my bead stash and that's just how things came up. Since nine of them were stained glass, I deliberately made the tenth one the same way. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-size: large;">Now I have to decide which ornaments to make for the youngest group. I haven't come up with any inspiration for that type of ornaments yet this year, so I'll have to choose from the <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Christmas_Ornament_Collection.html" target="_blank">2009 collection</a> or the <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/vendor/Christmas_Ornament_Collection_2010.html" target="_blank">2010 collection</a>. I need to go back through my notes and see who has what.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Everyone thought I was stressing over nothing when I was having such a hard time getting the wreath pattern to work, but what they didn't understand is how slow I am at brick stitch, so the last phase of ornaments not only contains more ornaments than the first two, but it will take me longer. I just have to keep calm and breathe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span> <script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-2095734115982262252015-10-06T07:32:00.000-05:002015-10-06T07:32:57.054-05:00Exploring Other Needlework Crafts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KUkwjmnAlmCjZICD_vpaj9gm-ZkWFQmegK3qCJeSB8TVvvqMNFWYnkkkJlyh5ILUPkVIq11ImI0UxOWQyWT7AbDab12pLI0mMVEFsSDhsRc1cy7KkzXdrARMNJ6oJwMeBiQRwycY498/s1600/Tunisian+bead+crochet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4KUkwjmnAlmCjZICD_vpaj9gm-ZkWFQmegK3qCJeSB8TVvvqMNFWYnkkkJlyh5ILUPkVIq11ImI0UxOWQyWT7AbDab12pLI0mMVEFsSDhsRc1cy7KkzXdrARMNJ6oJwMeBiQRwycY498/s1600/Tunisian+bead+crochet.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This weekend I just couldn't stay focused on beading and getting Christmas ornaments finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First I found a free kindle book on Tunisian Crochet. This is a stitch I learned as a girl known only to me as afghan stitch and I only learned the single and double crochet version. I never thought of it as crochet that could have various stitches just like regular crochet until I started looking through that book.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I did some research on the internet and came up with this site, <a href="http://www.stitchdiva.com/tutorials/tunisian-crochet" target="_blank">Tunisian Crochet</a> by Stitch Diva. I then remembered that I'd seen beaded Tunisian crochet and started looking for pictures. I found several, but they weren't free to copy. I finally found a pattern for the <a href="http://www.jpfun.com/patterns/paid/jewelry/p107028tunisianbeadednecklace.shtml" target="_blank">necklace</a> above.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not a complicated pattern but I thought about trying it. Then I remembered you have to string the beads onto the crochet thread first. . .not my forte so I gave that up. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Next I found an adult coloring book for free and downloaded it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've spent Sunday and Monday telling myself to put the colored pencils down and get back to beading. When I've finished the 17 ornaments for this year, maybe I'll get back to learning the intricacies of Tunisian crochet. </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-69415779359851408582015-10-02T10:27:00.000-05:002015-10-02T10:27:05.473-05:00A Look Back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsZMBiMQ2Fvm4aaUV15lAL8Q1mVL1Fs1uPx5PLmp_fZDSAiqgbhvTp9kmtW55VLrQfPHoAXLp5WfEqrggv6QFzqufaLlEmVfHVZ-YCCYwhuQavw4glZM0XcUVeIq5zmPGr6a18x7rOgQ/s1600/Pondo+Ripple+fold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsZMBiMQ2Fvm4aaUV15lAL8Q1mVL1Fs1uPx5PLmp_fZDSAiqgbhvTp9kmtW55VLrQfPHoAXLp5WfEqrggv6QFzqufaLlEmVfHVZ-YCCYwhuQavw4glZM0XcUVeIq5zmPGr6a18x7rOgQ/s200/Pondo+Ripple+fold.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've had quite a bit of trouble getting on a schedule, communicating and creating for a long while now (ever since my first cataract surgery). Lately, I've been pretty depressed thinking about my current productivity, so I decided to take a look back to see what I've accomplished. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The picture above is of a bracelet made two years ago with <a href="http://thebeaddoodler.blogspot.com/2013/10/authentic-pondo-stitch.html" target="_blank">Pondo (African Circle Stitch)</a> and is a new stitch I'd just learned. Learning new things usually keeps me going as I get bored and my inspiration lags continually using a stitch I'm familiar with.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik2CAttgDNdrtLVrim1h2epyem0kWsKqwfDyS6SeJhfszEjU7OLrtTBRVOQ935P8w6241tGv-tg0Jnijb0e48h_AfwWOGvtp2Fe7ILK7vgLCX_7ryyRvJykFrUhajFLEh7JtO45oR7ds/s1600/Gingham+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhik2CAttgDNdrtLVrim1h2epyem0kWsKqwfDyS6SeJhfszEjU7OLrtTBRVOQ935P8w6241tGv-tg0Jnijb0e48h_AfwWOGvtp2Fe7ILK7vgLCX_7ryyRvJykFrUhajFLEh7JtO45oR7ds/s200/Gingham+3.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not long after that, as stated in the post linked above, I learned Authentic African Pondo. This is a much simpler stitch, but challenging and new to me, never the less.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Going back through my previous blogs and social media posts has shown me that I've slowed down but have still accomplished something worthwhile. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both of these patterns are available in my<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/691800/pattern-store" target="_blank"> Craftsy Store</a>, along with many other patterns featuring a wide variety of stitches.</span></div>
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<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-11396631768213707172015-09-28T11:20:00.000-05:002015-09-28T11:20:44.430-05:00On to New Things<span style="font-size: large;">I've had to put the tutorial for<a href="http://thebeaddoodler.blogspot.com/2015/08/mirror-mirror-update.html" target="_blank"> Mirror Mirror</a> on hold. Either the design will need to be simplified, or my illustrating skills will have to improve before I can finish it.</span><script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's time to start Christmas ornaments. Those of you who know me know I make beaded ornaments for the younger ones of the three generations that come after me. This year there are a total of 17. I'll try to get the five youngest ones a brick stitch "toy" made, the next age group will get a beaded star I think and the oldest five will get my new Holly Wreath.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is a 3-D design, quite sturdy and very "blingy". After struggling with my last design for a whole frustrating month, I was delighted with the ease with which this one came together. Only took me a week and a half, most of which was spent on the tutorial.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pattern has been uploaded to all three of my pattern shops. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Holly_Wreath_Ornament.html" target="_blank">BeadPatternsBoutique</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thebeadcoop.com/index.php?product=23817" target="_blank">The Bead Coop</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/other/holly-wreath-ornament/165819" target="_blank">Craftsy</a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-31474570957663098322015-09-01T11:57:00.001-05:002015-09-01T11:57:42.487-05:00Lebre Office<span style="font-size: large;">YaHOO! I'm excited! This morning I was looking for a user forum for Open Office. I wanted to be able to change the default line color. In the latest update of Open Office the default line color had been changed from black to gray. It got really tedious having to change the line color of each little line I drew as a thread path. It HAD to be changed. I couldn't see it and thought if I couldn't see it my customers couldn't either. And of course, I couldn't be sure it went where I wanted it to.</span><script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Right under the search results for Open Office official site was an article on why you should ditch Open Office for Libre Office. I thought I could always delete it if it wasn't any better than Open Office, so I downloaded it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">YAY! Default line color is black, it has the ability to rotate an object to any orientation I want without having to guess at the angle degree, AND it will open all my Open Office files!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So far I'm one happy illustrator. It'll only help with the line color in the tutorial I'm working on right now, but this is going to be much less frustrating!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-34735428666545864632015-08-31T08:09:00.000-05:002015-08-31T08:09:59.250-05:00Monday Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssaXdeH8F8XebISY9AMbc_HX1lYFceqyIAHdfImIjTQHW6c0sVXPIARHQZM4mXYTd14ijxxyVhvPUzrBDQn8bidut0XLQgKrAiR6btToHrWWKJg78vCm5WmLwxOXa_u0EhUJtYAY9X4g/s1600/Tila+Buckball+Title+5.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssaXdeH8F8XebISY9AMbc_HX1lYFceqyIAHdfImIjTQHW6c0sVXPIARHQZM4mXYTd14ijxxyVhvPUzrBDQn8bidut0XLQgKrAiR6btToHrWWKJg78vCm5WmLwxOXa_u0EhUJtYAY9X4g/s200/Tila+Buckball+Title+5.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning while surfing for inspiration and eye candy. I came across this <a href="http://gwenbeads.blogspot.com/2015/08/new-tutorial-tila-buckyball-bead-beaded.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gwenbeads+%28gwenbeads%29" target="_blank">beaded bead</a> by Gwen Fisher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been a fan of Gwen's for many years and envy her ability to use mathematics as a base for her many beaded beads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This tutorial isn't a free one, but it's worth the small price as it includes some variations to the basic bead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">On another note, I haven't given up on the Mirror Mirror tutorial. This time it isn't just ripping out what I've beaded, it's erasing two whole rounds of embellishments on the tutorial. Strange how I could draw two rounds without noticing the discrepancy. However on the third round I found that there was a gap between the start bead and the last one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, OK then. That had me scratching my head and thinking the sore shoulders and back from sitting too long at the computer were all in vain, but upon careful inspection I discovered I hadn't done a very good job of rendering a 3-D drawing of the bead. Perspective was a little off, so I'm starting over on the 12 or 16 illustrations. I think the second time around will be easier. . .I hope.</span><br />
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<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-5044389810391065242015-08-28T07:15:00.000-05:002015-08-28T07:17:38.224-05:00Mirror Mirror Update<span style="font-size: large;">Mirror Mirror tutorial is coming along slowly. I've tried to do a step by step pictorial, but found that when I got to the embellishment part I just couldn't get a good tight shot and it was confusing to me. What would it be to a customer? So I did a little rethinking about illustrating and came up with a way to illustrate it, but it's taking a long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll have to add pictures of the finished round at intervals, but I think it will be comprehensible when I finish.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I thought seriously about getting a "bamboo pen" type stylus for drawing the thread path, but from what I can gather, they only work on a computer with an interactive screen. I have an old, refurbished laptop. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxF3GDMjgQjJlmOg4zBocJx7pvrW6trZnYWXwC_24k7pdCodIxzBACL0czTX4NBCnLfjXK4WrRBltcZ8k_0VT8rNlGWx6kSP-55UGCBRMjtTRSg0sV8gxvL_EH3hYTxmyzyXDKQMnXdQ/s1600/crystal+corners.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTxF3GDMjgQjJlmOg4zBocJx7pvrW6trZnYWXwC_24k7pdCodIxzBACL0czTX4NBCnLfjXK4WrRBltcZ8k_0VT8rNlGWx6kSP-55UGCBRMjtTRSg0sV8gxvL_EH3hYTxmyzyXDKQMnXdQ/s320/crystal+corners.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, here's a free tutorial from Mikki Ferrugiaro. <a href="http://thebeadedcarpet.blogspot.com/p/crystal-corners-tila-bead-stitch.html" target="_blank">Crystal Corners</a> features tila beads and crystals. It's a versatile design that can be used in many ways, only limited by your imagination.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-3564734158415697652015-08-24T12:32:00.000-05:002015-08-24T12:34:26.102-05:00It's Monday. . .Again<span style="font-size: large;">Where did the week go? Today's been a relatively productive day in spite of everything. I've finished mowing the yard and worked on <a href="http://thebeaddoodler.blogspot.com/2015/08/progress.html" target="_blank">Mirror Mirror</a> a little bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I gave up on illustrating the tutorial and took step by step pictures to make a pictorial. I spend most of the morning editing the pictures for the first seven steps and finishing up the peyote on the second side of the pearl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'd bragged about not doing so much frog stitch on this project. Bragged too soon. When I got to the next round I found the two rounds before it wouldn't work. There just wasn't anywhere to go from there. It's frustrating, but I like it so much I won't be giving up yet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've abandoned the purple and gold one in spite of the fact the colors are my favorite. It's so sparkly and shiny I can't see it. Maybe by the next post I'll have a finished piece to show you.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-67451142923222918882015-08-21T09:53:00.000-05:002015-08-21T09:53:22.657-05:00Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ffioX6VRrZNdBZ2bomMCnEDO6agqSpo3ntTNwJnbObG7fkJxAd_uVkXB_PAQZ1qKDNhJjaVz4W7Z2BGledjIuoqw5V-MqEN-CN9wjUJ2ef7uNXZW1KIz2-ZgSXBSXBKtH3FOGOGHykw/s1600/Sneak+preview+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ffioX6VRrZNdBZ2bomMCnEDO6agqSpo3ntTNwJnbObG7fkJxAd_uVkXB_PAQZ1qKDNhJjaVz4W7Z2BGledjIuoqw5V-MqEN-CN9wjUJ2ef7uNXZW1KIz2-ZgSXBSXBKtH3FOGOGHykw/s400/Sneak+preview+II.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still not a great picture, but I'm making progress. The last row I've worked needs some tweaking, but you can see the Czech beads give a whole different look from the Japanese ones. Both colors of the size 15's are Japanese beads. I still need a round or two or maybe even three. I'm getting slower and slower, but on this one I'm not ripping out as much as I have on some of my more recent ones. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yard work and a back that doesn't want to hold me upright in a chair for very long are slowing down my beading and tutorial making, but I'm very thankful to still be somewhat productive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a great weekend everyone!</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-42463533119356270252015-08-17T10:06:00.000-05:002015-08-17T10:06:41.419-05:00Sneak Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGhScQjyOE2LDvLQZ0D4SS9eD26MsYkzmm3zowsCdnm0P0I5HTGDA_-KHoVd5mBiZiBMq-AsTP8cbKuBzPO0OjkUsNIFbqXTr8Fvi8dghH1053y-F23tCBWswlmIHxk8RKd1hOLQSS8w/s1600/sneak+preview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGhScQjyOE2LDvLQZ0D4SS9eD26MsYkzmm3zowsCdnm0P0I5HTGDA_-KHoVd5mBiZiBMq-AsTP8cbKuBzPO0OjkUsNIFbqXTr8Fvi8dghH1053y-F23tCBWswlmIHxk8RKd1hOLQSS8w/s320/sneak+preview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's a sneak preview of what I'm working on. . .third or fourth try. Yes, it's purple, same as my last project. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The potential name is Mirror Mirror, but depending on the ultimate outcome, that may change. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Of course, as usual, I chose multiple shiny finishes. While it looks beautiful in person, it's very difficult to get a good picture. I'll have to make the tutorial, then work another one in less blingy colors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I've worked a bead woven bezel around an 8mm pearl and am going from there for the look of a baroque or rococo design mirror.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-57473949845073767482015-08-12T10:52:00.000-05:002015-08-12T10:52:41.182-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyjIAqPJ1oDVT5o9rnsozmiRWSIe4sO8XPPf37J7BGdmoJJ071a4vE9dFhoVi6cy7FhAjGs07vv8R2orwGYgFxSR3SXLvj-0e_1DrR4xNjOaA0bQ88NsOrXwplz6bqsyXXZf_SvVAk6g/s1600/Fairy+pool+dini+and+my.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyjIAqPJ1oDVT5o9rnsozmiRWSIe4sO8XPPf37J7BGdmoJJ071a4vE9dFhoVi6cy7FhAjGs07vv8R2orwGYgFxSR3SXLvj-0e_1DrR4xNjOaA0bQ88NsOrXwplz6bqsyXXZf_SvVAk6g/s640/Fairy+pool+dini+and+my.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well. here it is as promised. The inspiration, Dini Alvis' necklace and my Pendant.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This has been one of the most enjoyable challenges I've ever taken. I've delved into my creative spirit and done something new for me and made a new friend in cyber space.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I really love Dini's necklace and the way it captures the essence of the picture as well as the colors.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is for sale in her Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/243750509/meandering?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">BedazzledofOregon</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't decided if I'll sell my pendant as a one-of-a-kind piece, or make a tutorial for it.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-90372098687194025932015-08-01T10:27:00.000-05:002015-08-01T10:27:39.498-05:00Challenge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cQlUBsDVk0u3Br25i5OeW9GX80RxUXnhyMSRwuV91F_bP7fCxUSaQ5BUcQBHo1E_0dUY5BkNg_CsIWEoIYzBSM3miwc5mo5IPxWP2kvY29iqQga2tww89QB1HMGZt4HiqLszC7WBXBM/s1600/Fairy+Pools+in+Isle+of+Skye+Scotland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cQlUBsDVk0u3Br25i5OeW9GX80RxUXnhyMSRwuV91F_bP7fCxUSaQ5BUcQBHo1E_0dUY5BkNg_CsIWEoIYzBSM3miwc5mo5IPxWP2kvY29iqQga2tww89QB1HMGZt4HiqLszC7WBXBM/s320/Fairy+Pools+in+Isle+of+Skye+Scotland.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">A few days ago I saw this beautiful picture on a FaceBook friend's post. I made the comment the purple and aqua were beautiful colors for beaded jewelry and added I thought <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dini.alves.7?fref=ts" target="_blank">Dini Alves</a> was rubbing off on me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I promptly got a challenge from her to make a piece of jewelry with these colors</span>. <span style="font-size: large;">If you know Dini, you may know her work "Colors of my World". As I don't know her personally and am in awe of her work, I was greatly honored by her challenge. When we've both finished we'll post our results on FaceBook. I'll post mine here as well.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I would say mine's almost finished, but I know better than to do that. Just as sure as I do, I'll run into a problem and have to start over. The challenge was a bright spot in my life at this time and the challenge sparked my creativity.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-36855939125116094672015-07-28T10:42:00.001-05:002015-07-28T10:42:31.874-05:00Sale at BeadPatternsBoutique<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7MTS0HizY7edklCNISFaqMsD5ixbOCkAZlhplu2vMfhGJFJ50o-0F8VLJavLB0WaO9_oOAJY20Yr4I6yl11DVW1Ls9RYQsGhPFIFw9zS1wm0O7ODiAwJV2ipy21NJAWT4l6diSkEhOU/s1600/Gingham+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7MTS0HizY7edklCNISFaqMsD5ixbOCkAZlhplu2vMfhGJFJ50o-0F8VLJavLB0WaO9_oOAJY20Yr4I6yl11DVW1Ls9RYQsGhPFIFw9zS1wm0O7ODiAwJV2ipy21NJAWT4l6diSkEhOU/s320/Gingham+4.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Good Morning, Beaders! There's a sale going on at <a href="http://beadpatternsboutique.com/" target="_blank">BeadPatternsBoutique</a>! 25% off EVERYTHING in the shop. Just use promotion code bpb25 at check out.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now's a good time to pick up those patterns you've been wanting. Want to learn authentic Pondo stitch? consider this <a href="http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/Gingham_Bracelet.html" target="_blank">Gingham Bracelet </a>Pattern. It contains step by step illustrated instructions for the authentic Pondo stitch, step by step illustrated instructions and graph for the bracelet and step by step illustrated instructions for the toggle and ring and Ndbele </span><span style="font-size: large;">rope,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are lots of great patterns throughout the store, jewelry, regalia, ornaments, e-books (now's a great time to stock up on these) and much much more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hurry! Sale only lasts til the end of the month. Remember to use Promotion Code bpb25 to get your 25% discount on all the great patterns in the store.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372495517532261106.post-35709953607744797092015-07-18T13:27:00.000-05:002015-07-18T13:27:17.796-05:00Rivoli Celtic Cross<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TMuvo3WM1pA2Q5rGvaOqO1bu-96cWTiaP3lt89FziCaohWbS-vTRu0EzQOB9srrF80-wzXtV_6yP0R9AOBWBmTQ1HREyaQ-aXTEd1EdBr6Wm5NUnm2zn9yLTW8neliELB5W3bNZ-_Aw/s1600/photo+2+for+craftsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TMuvo3WM1pA2Q5rGvaOqO1bu-96cWTiaP3lt89FziCaohWbS-vTRu0EzQOB9srrF80-wzXtV_6yP0R9AOBWBmTQ1HREyaQ-aXTEd1EdBr6Wm5NUnm2zn9yLTW8neliELB5W3bNZ-_Aw/s320/photo+2+for+craftsy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">After wrestling with the tutorial for this Rivoli Celtic Cross Pendant for two weeks, it's finally finished. I've made tutorials with rivolis before, but I always used a circle to represent the rivoli. This time I wanted to make it recognizable, so I spent several days experimenting with the illustration. When I finally got it to the point I was satisfied with it I was so excited that I must have lost my concentration. I left out one whole round on the illustration and had to take out the prototype to make sure the illustrations were correct. Then I wanted to put a hidden bale on the back and experimented with that for a couple of days, but it just wouldn't work. Yesterday I finally gave up on that idea and made my standard bale on the top. I finally got the tutorial finished and this morning took pictures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I made the blue pendant using super duos, size 11 czech seed beads, 3mm pearls, 4mm bicones and 6mm pearls. The bronze one is made with twins, size 11 tohos, 3mm, 4mm and 6mm bicones so you can see that it can be made with various shapes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't notice until I was trimming the picture that I'd left 2 beads out of the final row on the bottom cross bar on the bronze one. I just knew it didn't set straight and chalked it up to the irregularity of the twins. I guess my focus was really off. I was using a magnifying light the whole time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'll be uploading the patterns to all my pattern shops this afternoon and will post that information when I get it done.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. The weather's beautiful here and not too terribly hot so it's a good day for outdoors fun or playing in the dirt.</span><br />
<script src="https://apis.google.com/js/plusone.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <g:plusone></g:plusone>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17407670132920715270noreply@blogger.com0