She likes it!

My sister Lisa's birthday was last week and I had just gotten a kit called "Sticks & Stones" from School of Beadwork designed by Carol Wilcox Wells that I thought she might like (after it was made that is-- she's not a beader).

As I worked my way through the project, I had second thoughts, I wasn't sure if I was going to like it and if I didn't like it, would she? Cloudy didn't have an opinion, he was just hoping to get away with perching on my shoulders for as long as I would allow it.

But after the whole bracelet was completed, my fears were unfounded. I loved it! And I knew she would too. It has this awesome feel to it and those sweet little tiny chains just give it some sass that you wouldn't expect.

It was perfect timing that she just happened to be wearing black on the day I gave it to her!

With the weight of that project (and the cat) off my shoulders, it was back to the Pentagram Box. I couldn't be happier with this little cutie.

Here's the under side of the lid. It's very heavy.

I embroidered my initials and the year on the liner before sewing it into the box.

Now, I'm off blog-hopping to check out what everyone else is up to these days! Cheers!!

A Selfish Splurge

While drooling through the latest issue of Bead & Button magazine, I happened upon an advertisement for this super-cute box offered by Ann Benson of Beads East. It was love at first sight, a definite "must have."

Once I got my kit and saw the components I knew it was going to be more fab than I expected. And it included an instructional DVD, which, along with the ultra-detailed instruction booklet, was like having Ann in the room with me (yeah, don't I wish).

Just by coincidence the stones for the lid match the stone of my pincushion I had made a bit ago. Doesn't it resemble a turtle shell? Love it!!

With the lid complete, it was now time to work up the base - soft blue leather. Scrumptious. Just a wee bit more to complete.

Now, if I can just get Cloudy to leave me alone, I might be able to bead a little faster. He's soooo needy. Drives me nuts until I pick him up. I've had cats my whole life, and none of them have ever behaved like this guy. Don't get me wrong, I love it.

I had ordered a kit once before from Beads East called Papillion, so I was certain this kit would be well worth the time, money, and effort. And I wasn't wrong.

A little bit of this and that

Hello Friends! Gosh it has been way too long. With 3 daughters all needing computer time for school work, its becoming apparent we may need to get a second one. Crazy.

Anyhooo, I gave up on the Central Terminal credit card holder. I got this far. . . .

. . . .and then lost interest. Don't know why.

I switched gears and made myself a long necklace to wear with a few sweaters I have; black and grey.

Although my loop making still leaves much to be desired, it looks great on (and from a distance, while walking very quickly.....)

And then I've made another little treasure box as a gift.

And my little Rainy kitten is growing by leaps and bounds. But he still insists on being on my beading table. Silly boy.

Hugs!

Big Hugs to all of you for listening to my recent tale of woe. It is funny now that I look back at it. Its such a nice feeling knowing my blogfriends care. It means so much to me!! XOXO

Luckily things seem to be looking up.

After a week of bad luck and bad weather, Saturday morning was beautiful--just in time for our twice annual canoe trek. (I have to admit the thought of me ending up in the water did cross my mind). It was heaven. Ironically huge storms blew through our area that very same afternoon. It was hard to believe that just a few hours before the sky was blue and wind the warm. How's that for timing?

. . . . . . .And my lidded box is finished! I love it. I can't wait to make another. I'm thinking of doing a winter themed one. Maybe with pinecones on it. Or a green velvet one with candy canes and peppermint swirls. Or a silver one with snowflakes......oh the possibilities!

I'm on a mission to make a credit card/business card holder. I've started it, but not real sure how the whole thing is going to come together. Wish me luck!

Homework complete (well, almost)

I've got three out of the four sides completed on my lidded box class. I'm really happy with the colors. The last side is a small bird, which I will tackle in class today. And I mean 'tackle' -- I don't know what it is about bird shapes, but I always struggle with them. I'm hoping Anita, our instructor, will have a few pointers for me.

Time to pack my beads and hit the road!

Beaded Box Class

Since I can't post anything about my Beader's Muse Challenge until the big reveal on March 16th, and my pincushion is no further than the last post, I thought I would share some pictures of a class I took back in August 2006.





The beads were provided in the class, so don't think I am completely color blind. That was part of the fun of the classes, the bead colors were always a bit of a surprise.



The box was just a simple paper box that you can find in Michael's, Joann's etc. Then we had to construct velvet overlays that we beaded to completely cover the box. These velvet pieces were glued to the box and then we stitched the edges closed.




The flower always looked like a daffodil to me, but who has seen a blue and white daffodil?? And what's with all that fringe? It reminds me of Niagara Falls, so I like it anyway.

And just for the record, my pincushion is no further along because I had completely forgotten to go to the class until about an hour into it! I must be getting senile. ME, forget a beading class! I never would have believed that would happen. But it did. I guess I'll really start to worry when I begin to "forget" to eat.....