So Sweet

The lighting wasn't ideal, but I couldn't wait any longer to share Grace with you.

Sorry for the fuzzy pics!

Its all good

Well, Graceful Grace is coming along really well. I am still fascinated that the beading has taken on a life of its own. I am not really thinking about placement, pattern etc., just going with it.

I don't know why this surprises me. Maybe its because the last few things I've made have been through patterns with specific instructions, I'd forgotten the magic of beading from the heart.

I did plan this monogram for the back. I wanted it to somewhat resemble her face, so I did a band of the peyote stitch and am filling it with two shades of size 15 in greenish/pinkish/goldish hues.

I got up to stretch and take a break. Came back to Rainy making himself comfortable on the only semi-available spot! EEEEEK!

Luckily, I didn't have a million beads out on my mat, so he didn't jumble everything together. In fact, he got up so carefully, I would have never know he was there had I not seen it! Hmmm, I wonder how often he sleeps there when I'm at work?

Saturday was just beautiful here in Western New York. Another opportunity to take a walk in the woods. While I was exploring a grove of pines (you can see the grove in the left of this picture), Pete crossed an open field to get a picture of this tree. I love the shape of it and how the sky changes color (and I didn't enhance or change it digitally)

Sunday brought gray skies (again) and rain. What? Rain! In January??!! Not fair! Ah well, good excuse to stay in and bead (like I need an excuse!).

More on Marcia, Grace, etc.

My Love for Marcia Decoster's Beaded Opulence designs still runs true. Here is her Whitby earring design. I didn't add the baroque teardrop crystal to the bottom as she did though. It made the earring much too long for me. My mom bought me a fabulous snake skin print shirt for Christmas in shades of black and gray. These earrings are a perfect match!

After receiving my surprise gift from Grace, I just had to clear off the bead table and get to work on my next Good Woman doll.

I had a face on stash from Linsart, but no body. Bummer. Looks like its time to get out the dreaded Singer Sew Quick. I haven't had very good luck with it (sewing machines and I have never gotten along no matter how simple or elaborate). But after a few attempts, I was able to produce a somewhat OK shape.

She's coming along quite nicely. But, once again, the design I had in my head is not at all what is taking shape. Just beading from the heart (and not the head) again! Can't beat that. IN case you didn't watch my previous post, my gift from Grace was the raku bead button you see. It was made by Lisa Peters and is really really nice.

Now that my oldest is 19 (ouch, how can that be?), she has adopted her first dog.

Meet Diesel, the newest member of our family. A 12 week old SPCA special mix of who knows what. He was brought into the shelter as a wee baby and just put out for adoption the day Claire happened to go. Fate.

He's very good and has already learned his 'sit' 'stay' 'come' manners. Such a smartie!

I'm off to go check up on everyone's posts--happy beading!