Delicate Sparkles

Lots to catch up on!

2011-12-14T13:13:00.001Z

Hmm, 2 1/2 months since I last posted. Where does the time go? I've got quite a bit to show you so this may be a long post. ;o)

Firstly, back in October I made this necklace using a fabulous handpainted wooden button from Fiona Macneil and beautiful lampies from Laney at Izzy Beads.

I created a bezel and bail for it using delicas then added the teeny lampie toadstools to the bottom. I made a simple spiral rope to go with it and was really pleased with how it turned out. I've got a few more of Fiona's buttons still to play with so expect some more pics soon.

I made this Halloween bracelet, again using a Laney Mead lampie. This time a little witch that I'd had for a while.

Her body forms part of the clasp and the fringe represents her cloak. Another Laney bead, this time simply turned into a pendant for my Sister and suspended from a silver chain.

Inspired by some hair clips that a friend had made, I searched online and found some blanks and came up with these for my Nieces. They loved them and I can see me making lots more. Might see if I can come up with some Christmassy designs to put in with their presents.

This bracelet was for a 'Bah Humbug' challenge over on Bead Buddies. We were only allowed to use black and white. It's really light and easy to wear.

More wooden buttons, this time as earrings. They're simply set into a beaded bezel and hung from sterling silver earwires.

The last couple of weeks I've had three Secret Santa gifts to make for various forums/groups I'm a member of so can't show those yet.

These started off life as a zipper pull I designed for Kieran (minus the bows) and adapted to become earrings.

I'm not really into the whole skull thing normally but I think these are kinda cute. Then, I adapted them to become these alternative Christmas ones:

Not sure what I'm gonna make next. Maybe more skulls, or I might bezel some more of the little buttons, or maybe some more hair clips...

I finally did it!

2011-10-04T19:02:00.000+01:00

This afternoon I finally got around to listing the tutorials for my peyote stitch cuffs in my FB shop. :oD I think you've seen most, if not all, of them on here at some point and probably a few extra too - tutes for the others will follow shortly. My favourite is this one, even though I haven't worn it yet as I still haven't finished the necklace to go with it:

Remember me?

2011-09-24T15:28:00.001+01:00

I got kinda sidetracked by life over the last month or so which is why there have been no posts from me. So, I come back and find everything's changed. Hopefully I'll be able to figure it out. :o)

Most of the beads I bought from my trip to Stourbridge are labelled and put away for future use but I did manage to make a necklace using one of them:

I used Lynn Davy's 'Nemesis' pattern and Lesley's gorgeous focal bead and added some teeny little lampies plus a larger one for a clasp from Tan Grey. I think they work really well together. :oD

Since then I have been busy planning for my Parents' 40th wedding anniversary which is next weekend. I have a cake to decorate - hopefully with a stunning red rose from Sabine Little. I've still got to figure out how I can safely attach it to the cake without risking breaking it. Wish me luck! There are also cupcakes to be made and, of course, a card. I'm in the middle of making a cuff bracelet for my Mum to wear and I may still change my mind about my jewellery too. Looks like it's gonna be a busy week!

Last weekend was a good one. On Sunday I went to a cbeading class with the wonderful Laura McCabe. Her site is temporarily closed just now while she is over here teaching but please make sure you check it out when it reopens next month. The class I went to was the Treasure Necklace and it was a great day! The necklace is made up of lots of beaded lockets that open up. Fabulous! I've not finished it yet but I will post some pics when I do. Watch this space. :o)

Stourbridge Bead Fair

2011-08-28T20:09:00.000+01:00

I decided midweek that a trip to Stourbridge was in order as I found out that it's only about an hour and a half away from here and quite a few of my friends from Bead Buddies were going to be there either selling or buying. I made cupcakes last night to take with me and got Steven to drive. This is what I bought:

Top row: 4 sets and a focal from Vickie (Beads4Breakfast), 5 little beads from Lesley (Madcat).

Middle row: lentil set from Lush Lampwork, owl from Min Fidler, focal from Jeannette.

Bottom row: 2 silver clasps from George, focal set from Laney (Izzybeads).

I could have bought soooooo much more though!

The skull and zombie are actually for Kieran. He's always asking me to make him something but, generally speaking, beads are girly so I've never really been able to. I think I'm just gonna hang these two from lengths of leather thong and hope he likes them.

I fell in love with the owl although I've no idea what I'm gonna do with him. I do know that he's mine though! :o)

2011-08-20T17:45:00.000+01:00

There's nothing like standing on the rocks at Godrevy with the waves crashing around you to make you feel insignificant! I could stand there for hours watching the sea.

The other thing I love to do is to get my bare toes in the sand and walk into the waves. Not too far - I can't swim - but I love the sea at St Ives. It's so clear and warm. We spent the other two days on the beach soaking up the sun. A little too much sun, as my back will testify. Ouch!

I took my beads with me as usual but didn't take them out of the box! I did go and buy some new ones though. :o) I wanted to make a metallic version of my Harlequin Cuff but didn't have any metallic Delicas so I had to go and fetch some. This is how it turned out:

I love how different it looks from the original. I might do a pastel version now.

I'm currently working on the Piet Mondrian inspired cuff for Linda, the winner of my August competition. I must confess, I hadn't a clue about his work before Linda suggested it but I did some research and I think I've come up with something suitable. The only problem I'm having is that it's all straight lines so I'm having to use square stitch. Square stitch was the first stitch I learnt and I used it lots at first. Now, I'm finding that my tension is dodgy and I can't seem to get it to sit straight. Give me peyote any day! Thankfully, I'll only have to stitch it the once then I can do the tute and kit and it will be up to someone else to stitch them. ;o)

And the winner is...

2011-08-14T20:18:00.000+01:00

I know I'm a few hours early doing the draw but we're unexpectedly going away for a few days tomorrow and I wanted to be able to take it with me so I can get it done in time. Congratulations to Linda (Madam Steph) who entered over on the Bead Buddies forum!

I've been working on a few new designs (some from your suggestions) and have already managed to stitch one of them. This was suggested by Nic and is based on her blog background. Hope you like it, Nic. :o)

I've also been busy writing up tutorials for all the cuffs I've done so far and will be putting them up for sale as soon as I can. Meanwhile, I'll leave you with some more recently completed ones.

Millefiori Cuff

Harlequin Cuff

Poppy Cuff

Competition Reminder!

2011-08-12T20:23:00.000+01:00

Just posting a reminder of my competition. You can check the details out here. There have been some great entries so far and I'm busily trying to work my way through them in preparation for the draw. You only have a couple of days to get your entry in, so what are you waiting for?

Exciting news...well, sort of.

2011-08-03T21:46:00.000+01:00

The door and window for my studio are being delivered tomorrow!!! oD Finally, work can start on the alterations - well, just as soon as Steven's back recovers! He pulled it yesterday while lifting stuff in the garage and hasn't even been able to walk properly today.

I've got sore hands today after spending most of last night and almost all day today stitching a couple more cuffs together. This time yesterday I hadn't even started them and now one is completely finished and the other is almost done. :o) I can't show pics 'cos the first one is a present for a friend. The other one is another zebra cuff for my SIL which I'd best get finished as she needs it for Friday. Speaking of cuffs, if you haven't done so already, don't forget to leave me a comment about what pattern/theme you'd like to see on a cuff. (See my previous post for details)

I'll leave you with a pic of my new beadies. They were delivered from the States yesterday and I've already used some of the delicas.

Nice aren't they? ;o)

August Competition

2011-07-31T19:31:00.000+01:00

Well, as promised, I'm going to have a little competition to win one of my 1" cuffs. All you have to do is tell me what sort of pattern/theme you would like to see as a cuff and I will then design and make it for you. Obviously it can't be anything too detailed as I only have a 12/13 beads wide strip to work with but other than that anything goes! :oD

Just leave me a comment with your suggestion/s and I'll see what I can come up with. You've got till August 15th to get them in and I will then pick a winner at random and get it stitched and sent out before the end of August.

Here are a few more of mine:

Moroccan Cuff

Floral Cuff 2

Autumn Flowers Cuff

Leopard Print Cuff

Have fun deciding!

Cuffs Galore!

2011-07-24T18:40:00.000+01:00

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks since my last post. I've been thoroughly enjoying not having to go into work and instead settling down with my beads and thread making up more of my cuff designs so that I can photograph them ready for the tutorials. So far they have all been 1/2 inch width but I'm planning on doing the 1, 1 1/2 and 2 inch sizes too. Here are a few of them:

Zig Zag Cuff

Heart Lattice Cuff

Floral Cuff

I've got 15 or so designed already - but only 8 of them stitched so far. I guess I'll be busy again this week!

I've got a bracelet to design and make for a swap over on the OTTBS blog and a couple of pieces to come up with for a collaborative effort over on Bead Buddies to raise money for the Disasters Eergency Committee who are working to help people affected by the famines in Africa. I might send them a couple of my cuffs. :o)

Work on the studio is still on hold while we wait for the door and window. I'm getting fed-up of waiting now and I know my regular group of beading ladies will be too, especially now that I'm not in the shop on a Saturday. They're coming round to the house in a couple of weeks for the afternoon instead but that means making a concerted effort with the housework. *Booooooo* I hate housework! Still, it has to be done and it'll be nice to have everywhere tidy for once.

In other news, Kieran left primary school on Friday. My little boy is all grown up and off to big school in September. Where does the time go? We had to go to school for his leavers' assembly on Friday afternoon and everyone was in tears. We've seen all the kids grow up together for the past 7 years and now they're all going off to different schools. :o( I made a couple of pieces for his teacher to say thank you:

Forget-Me-Not Cuff

Bookmark

I hope she likes them!

If any of you have a particular theme that you'd like to see as a cuff design, let me know and I'll try and come up with something. In fact, I might even run a competition to come up with the best idea, with the best idea being made up and presented to the person who came up with it. Watch this space for details and, in the meantime, get your thinking caps on. :oD

My last day at work

2011-07-02T18:21:00.000+01:00

It was fun today. :o)

I made cupcakes (lemon, vanilla, choc and choc/hazelnut) and designed another kit for my final beading demonstration. It's a zebra cuff done in peyote stitch and then stitched to a cuff blank.

I'm slowly building up my collection of kits and will hopefully be able to get them listed for sale soon.

My colleagues bought me a beautiful orchid, bottle of wine, chocs and gave me money to buy myself something with. I also had some really lovely cards. Almost made me wish I wasn't leaving. Almost.

So what am I going to do with my time now? Well tomorrow I'm going to be glued to the telly watching the Wimbledon men's final even though Andy Murray isn't it. I'm hoping that Rafael Nadal retains the title. After that, who knows?

Sorry I've been AWOL

2011-06-24T23:40:00.000+01:00

I know it's been ages since my last post but I am having issues with my laptop atm and it's making life difficult. It seems to have a mind of it's own and works when - and if - it feels like it! I feel a shopping trip coming on, I think. In the meantime, I'm hoping that Steven will be able to retrieve all my files and stuff. I'm gonna be one very sad girl otherwise. :o(

Anyway, since my last post nothing much has changed with the studio conversion. Steven and Kieran spent a week in Spain and apparently had a great time. I sat here, watched the tennis from Queen's Club (great win for Andy Murray!) and beaded. :o)

Here are some of the things I've made recently:

From my last demonstration at the shop

For a challenge on the Bead Buddies forum.

Adapted from the Mad Rings 2 pattern by Heather Collin.

For my SIL.

For my Niece.

For meeeeee :oD

The last two are patterns from Threadabead. I've got a couple more bangles to do now for my other Nieces.

My big news is that I've handed in my notice at the shop. I've decided it's time to concentrate on my jewellery/beading. My last day is July 2nd and I can't wait. Now I've finally made the decision I'm really looking forward to it!

Hopefully I'll be able to post again soon. :o)

Work In Progress

2011-06-02T22:38:00.001+01:00

Not a lot has happened in the 'studio' since my last post because we've been out or the weather has been bad but yesterday it was lovely out so Steven decided to get in another day of clearing the rubbish. He's hoping to get it all cleared before next Tuesday when he and Kieran are off to Spain for a week - leaving me here with peace, quiet, tennis on the telly and beads! :oD Bliss!

Well, you asked for pics, so here are a few:

Would you just look at the state of that! You can see my new bathroom suite on the left behind Kieran's jeep. Hopefully we can get it fitted soon 'cos it's taking up an awful lot of space in there. You can also see Steven on his way to the skip with some rubbish. On the very left of the pic is the wall of my house, while to the right is my neighbours. We are joined by the garages so it creates a 'corridor' of the drive which incidentally, is also full of junk. Mainly old plant pots. Some still with the remains of plants in. They're going in the skip too. There is also a tree of some description which has self-set into the drive.

This is the skip full of rubbish he'd cleared when he packed up for the day:

We are at the very bottom of a hill, it's not a dodgy camera angle. Honest!

It has been nice out today too so off he went again (this is most unusual as any of you who know him will know already). This was the garage this morning:

It's a lot less cluttered than yesterday. Even more so now! Hopefully tomorrow he will be able to get the last of it out and into the skip so they can come and pick it up. :o)

Last night, while I was trying to post this, my laptop died on me. It's been off for a check-up today and they said it's pretty much terminal. The wi-fi card has gone and it's overheated and cooked the insides. We've downloaded all the files onto an external hard drive so thankfully I still have everything important. The wi-fi problem can be temporarily solved by plugging in the dongle I have for when I'm away from home and connecting it to our modem (or so we were told). I just need it to last long enough to get the studio sorted out then I will have a pc in there and won't need it as much.

In other news, I have been playing with a bracelet design for Saturday's demo at work at come up with this:

I'm not particularly happy with the strap but I don't have enough rivolis to use them all the way round, which is what I think I will end up doing for the kits I'm planning when I get round to making them up. I'll try and get a better pic of it tomorrow if I can. Let me know what you think. :o)

All systems go!

2011-05-27T22:00:00.000+01:00

Ok, so work has finally started on what will become my little studio. Well, I say work, what I actually mean is that Steven has started clearing the garage of rubbish! We've got a huge skip sat on the front lawn that is currently getting filled with a whole host of things that 'might come in handy one day'. You know the sort of thing - old shelf units that you no longer use 'cos the shelves are bowed, boxes that have been stored in there since the day we moved in five and a half years ago (if we've not touched it in that time we probably never will, right?) and not forgetting the assortment of stuff that gets chucked in there because there's nowhere else for it to go. I've measured up the space and I think I have about 2.6m x 3m to play with once the dividing wall is up (still need somewhere to store stuff, don't we).

I've already bought a set of spotlights to fit into the ceiling after seeing the ones in the kitchen at the Bead Retreat last weekend. They were fabulous to work under so I thought I'd get myself some. Tomorrow Steven is going to buy a new door and pick up some ceramic tiles that I want for the floor. I'm keeping everything light as it's a small space. I'm also thinking maybe I can have a worktop and cupboards down one side with a sink in one part so we don't have to keep trekking through the house. Then a couple of shelf units (without bowed shelves ;o)) and a table and chairs and we're done.

Sounds so easy, doesn't it? I bet it'll take the best part of the Summer if not longer (knowing Steven, it'll probably be Christmas) but I will take progress pics just as soon as there's something to show.

The other thing I've been doing this week is organising next year's Bead Retreat. Yes, I know it's early, but we had such a fabulous time this year that we all wanted to go back to Endmoor Farm again and I thought it best to get it booked up asap. We've got more people wanting to come than there are spaces so I hope it'll all work out. I might have to look into finding extra accomodation! :o) It does make me smile that people enjoy themselves so much that they want to come again. Who knows where it will end up?

I'll finish off with this picture of the things I made while we were in Monyash.

The necklace is from an issue of Beadwork magazine and is designed by Lynn Davy. Mine has pink opal drops and Swarovski crystals on it but it still needs a clasp. The other two pieces I have now finished as brooches. The top one has a polymer clay flower cabochon and the other one is based on two really pretty ceramic heart buttons that I was given by Catherine. I'll post a pic of the finished pieces next time. Now I'm off to watch CSI:NY. :o)

Bead Retreat 2011

2011-05-23T22:12:00.000+01:00

Well, where do I start?

I don't think I've ever had such a fantastic weekend! With 14 avid beaders sharing the same space for 3 days you might expect there to be the odd disagreement but there really wasn't. We all got along so well and had so much fun that I'm already looking into booking up for next year!

Friday morning was quite hectic as I got everything packed and ready to take with me, then we set off for Matlock to pick Catherine up from the train station. I had a slight panic when she sent me a text saying there was a signal failure and her train was delayed. Then another saying it had been cancelled and she was waiting for a bus which would take her about an hour. I did the shopping and went straight to the cottages, meeting up with Helen and Ellie on the way.

The cottages were brilliant! So clean and spacious, just what we needed.

Aster arrived next, just as Helen and I were leaving to pick Catherine up. By the time we got back Barbara, Faye and Deborah had arrived, Lyda and Michelle followed us in and Lesley, Lisa, Mary and Shirley a short while later. Everyone sat eating cake before we went to the pub for our tea. We managed to get ourselves chatted up by the friend of a John Terry lookalike who was on his stag night before heading home to bed.

Saturday started early with beading taking place even before breakfast! Aster, Catherine and I nipped into Bakewell to grab some food for later and headed up to the farm shop at Pilsley too. :o) Lunch consisted of pizza, chicken, salad and more cake, then it was back to the beads till it was time to organise Aster's surprise baby shower. :o) She hadn't a clue what we were up to and it was really lovely to see her face when she saw all the presents and stuff. She'd thought we were going for a walk and when Catherine brought her into the cottage by the front door she saw the bunting and thought we'd gone into someone else's cottage!

After playing some games and eating the yummy cupcakes made by Lesley, we went back over to the main house and carried on beading till bedtime.

Sunday was wet and windy so we stayed in and beaded - from 9:00am till around midnight! Stopping only for food, drink and loo breaks. ;o) Where else could you sit and bead for 15 hours and not get moaned at? There were some fabulous pieces made over the weekend and you can find them here (along with the rest of the photos). There are far too many to post them all here. I'm hoping that people will add to them too so keep checking back to see what's new.

I honestly can't remember a time when I've laughed more than last night. I went to bed with a headache from all the laughing. I'd love to share the jokes with you but I simply can't remember them all - and I'm not sure some of them are suitable for a public blog! It was so sad this morning when we all had to say goodbye and I know I'm not the only one that can't wait for next year!

If you want to hear more about this year's Bead Retreat - and maybe come along to next year's - check out our FB page.

And another one....

2011-05-17T22:46:00.000+01:00

Well, get me, two posts in one night! Now that doesn't happen often. ;o) I've been wanting to tell you all a bit more about the Bead Retreat I've organised, with help from Catherine, for this weekend but I wanted to get all the blog ring posts done first.

Anyway, 18 months or so back I was talking with my friend, Crystal and we decided that it would be fun if we could organise a weekend away just for us. No husbands or kids, just beads. In the end Crystal couldn't make it but I ended up in a lovely cottage in Monyash just outside Bakewell in Derbyshire with 7 others from the Bead Buddies forum.

It was the first time most of us had met each other in real life but we got on really well and all said we'd like to do it again this year. So we are. Bigger, and hopefully better, than before!

This year we are again staying in Monyash. At a farm this time, in 4 separate cottages but with a communal garden and games room. It is a working farm so there will be cows and sheep to look at if we get bored (not likely but still...). There will be 14 of us this year plus 2 dogs and 1 'bump' and it's gonna be a blast! Our FB page is here if you'd like to see what sorts of things we get up to.

I will hopefully be able to update the blog while we're there but, if not, expect a post or two when we get back on Monday. In the meantime I shall be organising, sorting, planning and making in preparation for Friday. I wish I could let you in on some of what will be happening but I know some of you will be there and I want it to be a surprise! :oD

Spotlight on: Claire of Clasibags

2011-05-17T22:12:00.000+01:00

Oooh, now where do I start? Not only does Claire make some fantastic knitted and felted bags, she also makes her own lampwork beads, jewellery and takes commissions for wedding stationery. I have to wonder when she finds the time to sleep!

Okay, well I guess I should start with Claire's bags. Here is a beautiful felted one in a gorgeous shade of pink:

I love the flower on the front too. :o)

This knitted one looks sooooooo fluffy. I think I'd end up just sitting and stroking it if it were mine! Again, the colours are gorgeous and the flowers really finish it off nicely:

Claire makes the flowers herself too and you can also buy them as brooches from her website:

If jewellery is more your thing, you should check out this site which features some beautiful earrings, necklaces and bracelets like this one which features one of Claire's own lampwork beads:

My favourite though, is this necklace, aptly named 'Heather Dreaming'. Gorgeous isn't it:

Finally, here is an example of some of Claire's wedding stationery which can be commissioned through the same site as her jewellery:

If you'd like to find out more about Claire and her work why not check out her FB page and Blog.

Spotlight on: Mel of Inkydoodlecrafts

2011-05-16T22:31:00.000+01:00

I've only recently discovered Mel's work through the Craft Pimp forum but I'm amazed at how fabulous some of her pieces are! Take this for instance:

Who wouldn't be thrilled to receive a card like this? I also love the Royal Wedding hat that Mel made for her daughter. I can't imagine the amount of work that must have gone into it! No wonder it won first prize.

The flowers that it is decorated with were also handmade by Mel and similar ones can be found in her Ebay shop.

If you take a look at Mel's Etsy shop you will find some beautiful enamelled toppers like these:

and also these fabulous enamelled tiles:

Don't they just shout Summer at you?

If you would like to find out more about Mel's work you should check out her FB page and Blog where you will find a wonderful dragonfly drawing and see how Mel turned it into a finished design.

Spotlight On: Dianne Sandland

2011-05-14T19:53:00.000+01:00

I've really enjoyed reading about Dianne while doing the research for this blog - and looking at some of her gorgeous silver work. Since retiring four years ago Di has fallen in love with silver and also enjoys lampworking too. Me? I've fallen in love with this etched silver clasp:

I would so love this for something just for me! Isn't it beautiful?

These beads are already sold but I loved Di's description of them so much that I thought I'd share it, and them, with you:

'A set of five lentil-shaped sterling silver beads that have been etched with the words of a love letter. Because all love letters are secret, it has been etched in mirror writing so protect the lovers...' Awwwwww.

Finally, how about this fabulous amber pendant? I've no idea how you would go about making something like this but I do love it!

If you would like to see more of Dianne's work why not pop over to her Etsy shop or to read more about her life, check out her Blog.

Spotlight On: Jolene of Kitzbitz Art Glass

2011-05-09T18:23:00.000+01:00

I've known of Jolene's gorgeous glassy work for a while but have only recently discovered that she makes fabulous polymer clay beads too. Her tattoo beads are amazingly detailed as are these beautiful rose beads.

I am in awe of anyone who can do canework like this - especially when they have small children to look after as Jolene does! For those of us not blessed with that particular talent Jolene also sells the canes for you to use in your own work. Look at these, aren't they beautful?

Looking back through some of Jolene's past work I found this picture of some of her fabulous lampwork beads. Don't they just call out to you? They certainly did to me. The colours in them are really zingy and they look good enough to eat!

Jolene has also recently set up the Craft Pimp forum. It is a great place to meet like-minded people across a huge range of crafts - and the eye-candy in the galleries is definitely worth a look!

If you would like to find out more about Jolene and her work why not check out her Etsy shop, Blog and FB page. And don't forget to pop on over to the Craft Pimp forum too. :o)

Trying to catch up

2011-05-08T22:54:00.001+01:00

I've not been around as much as usual the last couple of weeks so I'm going to have to try and catch up with myself. Please bear with me, normal service will be resumed shortly.

We recently lost my Grandad, just a year and nine days after we lost my Nanna. It's been a rough couple of weeks but hopefully, after we scatter his ashes tomorrow, life will return to something resembling normal.

In the meantime I have been making up kits for my Rivoli Flower Necklace - which I demonstrated at work yesterday. It went down really well!

I'm also preparing for the upcoming Bead Retreat that I've organised with a group of beady friends. Only 12 days until we'll all be in Monyash eating cake, drinking wine and beading. Not necessarily in that order. :oD I can't wait and I know the others are just as excited! Check out our FB page here if you'd like to see where we're going and what we'll be getting up to. More on that soon.

I'm about to get caught up with the Craft Pimp blog ring so get ready for some more posts really soon.

Look what I've just found...

2011-04-25T19:42:00.000+01:00

... A fabulous blog all about sweet treats! Bakerella makes some yummy looking things and has a new (ish) book out too which I just have to have. Now. If not sooner! :0)

Go and check it out.

Easter Cupcakes and More

2011-04-25T17:55:00.001+01:00

Having been inspired by all the cupcake pics being posted on other blogs/forums I decided I'd make some for Easter Sunday, as we were having all the family round for a bbq, and here they are. My very first ones too - previously all I've done are bog standard buns! I bought a new icing set from Lakeland on Thursday to do the tops with and I'm really pleased with them. They taste good too! :0)

I also made some egg shaped biscuits, using a vanilla sable recipe, and left them plain so that the kids could decorate them themselves. I'm not sure who had more fun, the big kids or the little ones!

Look how pleased Adam looks with his biscuit!

Kieran busy decorating a biscuit:

Look at the concentration on Lexie's face!

A rare pic of Mia with one of her biscuits:

And lastly, Karen showing off her handiwork:

We'd hidden loads of chocolate eggs in the house and garden and the kids had fun finding them - and eating them , of course! Even Emily got some to take home (I bet her Dad eats them though).

It was a lovely afternoon even though the sun deserted us, although I think it was all a bit much for the chef! :0D

Spotlight On: Curious Cat Creative

2011-04-15T18:31:00.000+01:00

I've been really interested to find out more about CJ's crafting. I must admit to knowing absolutely nothing about working with leather and had no idea that such gorgeous work could be produced with it. CJ makes the most beautiful jewellery and accessories and I've loved looking at them all! Here are a few piccies to whet your appetite:

This is a really pretty flower bookmark, red leather with a sparkly Swarovski centre - you know I love my sparkles! Next up is a brooch which is equally as beautiful:

This next piece was made as a commission using the customer's own sketch and I think it's wonderful. What a lovely present!

More flowers, but this time as a posy. How stunning is that!

And last, but by no means least, this gorgeous notebook cover. Wouldn't mind one of these myself. :0)

If you're as interested as I was to find out how it's done, check out CJ's website here where she shows you stage by stage. You can also follow her Blog to keep up to date with what she's working on or visit her Facebook page. I will certainly be doing just that as I can't wait to see what's next!

Spotlight on: DizzyKitten

2011-04-08T20:09:00.000+01:00

DizzyKitten aka Kayleigh has a real talent for turning lumps of coloured polymer clay into stunning works of art! Whether it be in the form of jewellery:

art:

or something a little more practical:

Kayleigh's work is truly amazing!

I think this is one of my favourite pieces:

I love everything about it. The colours, the shapes, everything!

You can see more pictures on Kayleigh's blog, Facebook page, or flickr photostream. Check them out, I promise you you won't be disappointed!

Something New...

2011-04-07T16:40:00.000+01:00

I recently joined another craft forum, Craft Pimp, and have signed up for a blog ring with a few of the others. I've never participated in one before so I'm not sure exactly how it works and I hope I can do justice to the other people involved. I'm off to research the first name on the list now so that I can do a blog about her later. TTFN

Bead Embroidery Day

2011-04-02T19:07:00.000+01:00

Demonstration day at work today. Bead embroidered cabs this time, by request:

The first one is a plain, polymer clay cab that I made ages ago, the second is a new polymer clay face cab that I made the other day. They went down really well. :0)

I also showed them my flower necklaces and got requests to make up some kits so they could have a go. We don't sell any of the beads I've used in them in the shop so I can't really demonstrate it unless I can offer kits. I'll see my boss about doing some on Monday. Hopefully he'll agree.

I was hoping to be able to take my new book with me as it's all about bead embroidery but it still hasn't arrived yet. :0(

This week I am going to try and find time to make some more polymer clay pieces for work aswell as some more flower necklaces to put in my online shop. Is it just me, or does this year seem to be flying by? Ah well, it just means the Retreat will come round that much more quickly. Only 7 weeks to go now! :0D

Floral Urges

2011-03-31T21:58:00.000+01:00

Following a challenge set by the lovelyTan over on the Bead Buddies forum: 'The Urge...' I've been making some more of these flower necklaces. They're great fun to make and I can get one finished in a little over an hour. They are quite popular with my family, friends and customers too. :0)

Each one has a 14mm rivoli centre, bezelled and embellished with delicas, and a 50cm hand dyed silk string from SowZerE Designs. I'm having so much fun matching beads to the colours in the silks. :0D I may have to order some more rivolis though!

Away from the flowers I made another Diva's bracelet for my SIL:

Oh, and I've just ordered Sherry Serafini's new book. I can't wait for it to get here! I've got her first one somewhere (if only I could find it) so I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on this one. :0)

Play day :0)

2011-03-25T15:12:00.000Z

Yesterday I had the house to myself for 7 whole hours! I got on with the laundry - even braving the rats from next-door-but-one to hang it out on the line to dry, sorted out some tax stuff that needed attention, then sat down with my newly acquired moulds and Premo Sculpey polymer clay. I made loads of flowers for the craft shop I work in, then these ones:

They measure just under an inch in diameter and have flat backs so are perfect for bead embroidery, which is what I intend to use them for. I've put some of them up for swaps on the Bead Buddies forum and the rest I shall keep for myself. I might see about putting a hole in some next time I make them so they can be used as pendants.

This afternoon I think I shall make some more - I've still got a couple of the new moulds to try out yet! :0)

Non-Beady Catch-Up

2011-03-20T19:17:00.000Z

No beads at all this week! My time has been taken up by other fun stuff. :0) On Tuesday night I went to Nottingham to see The Script in concert and, boy were they fab! There's not a song of theirs that I don't absolutely love and it was amazing to see them all sung live!

My only complaint is that they weren't on stage nearly long enough! Their support act was an Irish guy called Ryan Sheridan who was pretty good, so watch out for him, then The Script were on stage for about an hour and a half. I really didn't want it to end! Afterwards we almost got locked in the arena :0/, then we went to a bar for a drink with the others that had gone with us. When we went back to the car park they were just closing the shutters and we would have had the car locked in if we'd arrived any later! They left them open just long enough for us to get back to the car and directed us to the last remaining exit that was open.

On Thursday night we travelled to Liverpool to watch the football match with Braga. Unfortunately, it was a goalless draw which meant that we lost 1-0 on aggregate. :0( It was also freezing cold!

This is the team before kick-off. Actually, I lied, I did get some beading done - in the car on the way up. :0D No piccies yet though.

Last night was spent watching the rugby - Well done England, shame you couldn't make it the Grand Slam! Today I've been doing some Spring cleaning and now I'm going to finish watching Dancing on Ice and then it'll be time for the MotoGP. Sporty week, this week! :0)

Bracelets!

2011-03-13T21:43:00.001Z

I've had a really busy week but have still managed to find time to make up some of the kits I bought last week. Firstly, the Diva's Bracelet from Oak Tree Crafts:

I chose the gunmetal/blue teal colourway and I really like how it's turned out. It's based on a simple spiral stitch and I made it on Sunday night and wore it to work on Monday. :0) I've also bought a few more clasps so I can make it again.

Next, the Cordoba Bracelet from Spellbound Beads, again in the teal colourway.

This one I made really early in the morning (5:30am start) and had it finished before breakfast! It's a lovely kit and works up really quickly. Might make some different colours of this too.

Oh, and how do you like my new photography prop? I bought the hand mirror on Friday from TKMax for £8 and I love it!

Finally, the Grape Vyne Bracelet from Oak Tree Crafts again, just the instructions for this one so I had to choose my own beads:

Unfortunately, I made it a bit too big for me so this is going to become a swap over on the Bead Buddies forum. Looks like I'll have to make more of this too although I think I prefer the version I made for my SIL in return for her cutting my hair on Friday. I don't have any pics of it but I joined each tile diagonally corner to corner instead of straight on as they are in the pic.

Off now to finish watching Dancing on Ice and play with some beads. :0)

What a Fabulous Day!

2011-03-06T19:45:00.000Z

The sun's been shining, I've seen definite signs of Spring - lambs in the fields, crocus' and snowdrops in the grass verges and all is right with the world!

So, are you ready to see what I bought at Harrogate? Ok then, here goes.

From Designer Cabochons:

I have to say the photos just do not do these pieces justice! Especially the ammonite. It is full of green and purple sparkly bits in it's chambers. Absolutely gorgeous! Not sure what I'll do with any of them just yet but I will show you when I decide.

From Spellbound Beads:

A beautiful needlecase kit and a gorgeous bracelet kit.

Then I bought lots of sz 15 seeds, some sz 10 triangles and some gorgeous purple velvet Swarovski crystals to go with a pendant I bought in October:

Finally, another bracelet kit (which is already half finished) along with some extra clasps so I can make some more, and instructions for another bracelet.

I didn't manage to find the 4mm and 6mm gemstone rounds but I'm really pleased with my haul! :0)

The second fabulous part of the day was listening to and watching the football match between Liverpool and Manchester United which finished 3-1 to Liverpool. Couldn't have gone any better! I only wish I could have been at Anfield to see it live.

A couple more pics before I go. Firstly the double sided bracelet I told you about yesterday:

It's made with crazy lace agate rounds and gold and bronze seeds. Finally, yet another bead embroidered badge pendant:

So that's it, and now I'm off to do some more beading! ;0)

12(ish) Hours and Counting...

2011-03-05T22:34:00.000Z

... till I'll be at the bead fair at Harrogate! :0D I can't wait!

So, what am I going for, you may ask? No idea! I usually go in and head straight for the Designer Cabochons stand (not hard, they're right next to the door) and spend half an hour or so trying to decide which of their absolutely gorgeous cabs need to come home with me. I used to limit myself to just one but the last couple of times I've bought three back. Not that I've made anything out of most of the dozen or so that I now own. Just two, I think, and these are they:

The first one is a beautiful piece of fossil coral and the second is a gorgeous titanium drusy cabochon. I've made bezels for each one using delica beads and finished them both with spiral ropes.

I wonder what sort I'll bring back tomorrow?

Next stop is usually Spellbound Beads stand where I have a good old drool over their newest kits, usually coming away with one or two. After that I do a quick tour round the first room, then onto the second before doubling back to check out anything that's caught my eye. I also take a list of anything I particularly want to find - although there's not much on it this time - mainly size 15 seed beads and tiny flowers/leaves for a bit of variety in my badge necklaces. I do want to find some nice 4mm and 6mm round gemstones though. I made a bracelet at work this morning, in preparation for the demonstration, using crazy lace agate - this one though is double sided and is different to the one in last night's post. I haven't taken any pics of it yet but I promise I will do. I'm actually rather pleased with it as I wasn't sure if it would work out right, but it did. Yay!

I had some inspiration drop through my door this morning in the form of the Fire Mountain Gems catalogue. I spent ages staring at some of the pieces that are featured in it. There is a fabulously detailed beaded globe by Dagny Sellorin that is 2ft in diameter along with a cockerel by Salli Weigert Rathburn and a parrot by Paula K Singer. All of them are totally stunning and must have taken sooooo long to complete but the design that really captured my attention is that of a flamenco dancer in the most exquisite beaded dress in reds and oranges by Nancy Hall Selma. I so want to have a go at something like that and will be on the lookout tomorrow for anything suitable.

I'll let you know what I find. :0)

Eeek!

2011-03-04T20:21:00.001Z

After being nominated for a Stylish Blogger Award the other day by Nicola at Smitten Kitten (thank you, Nicola!), I have been thinking about what to write in my post.

Firstly, the rules:

Step 1 - Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award!

Step 2 - Share 7 random things about yourself

Step 3 - Award 15 recently discovered bloggers with this award

Step 4 - Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won the award

Step 1 is done, so now for Step 2. Seven random things about myself. Hmmmm.

1. I've been making jewellery in some form or another for over half my life - ever since I was about 14 when I started making earrings for my schoolfriends. I also made jewellery as part of my GCSE Art exam, for which I got a B.
2. I think I'm addicted to bead embroidery. I find it incredibly relaxing stitching beads to fabric and have been making lots of bead embroidered pendants lately (but you probably already know that).
3. I'm currently organising a Bead Retreat in Derbyshire in May this year for myself and 14 or so beady friends. I also did it last year and we had a ball! I hope this year's will be just as much fun!!! More to come on that later.
4. I'm a perfectionist. I like everything to be in order, neat and tidy - not that you'd think that if you took a look at my house. I have a husband and son, what more can I say...
5. I suffer from panic attacks. Thankfully they're much less common now than they were a few years ago. I rub lavender gel onto my pulse points every morning before I leave the house and whenever I feel an attack coming on. It helps, really it does.
6. I don't drink tea, coffee or fizzy drinks.  I drink mainly cherry flavoured water - and the odd glass of wine.
7. I've given up salt. Well, at least, I've given up adding it to my meals. I noticed I was getting heartburn every time I ate and finally realised that it was the excess salt that was causing it. I have to say, I've not really noticed much difference in the taste of my food - except for chips! Chips need salt!

Will that do? ;0)
Step 3, the blogroll, in no particular order:

1. http://itbelongstoturtle.blogspot.com/ Turtle and friends are sooooo cute. I love reading all about their latest adventures.
2. http://aroundthebeadingtable.blogspot.com/ A great beady blog with fabulous patterns.
3.   http://spiderpixie.blogspot.com/ Another beady blog. This time with lots of lovely lampies. :0)
4. http://farfarhill.blogspot.com/ Lots and lots of gorgeous downloadable papercraft stuff.
5. http://project1p.wordpress.com/ What would you swap for 1p? And where will it end?
6.   http://laney-izzybeads.blogspot.com/ Another beady blog full of lampies.
7. http://littlescruffsminiaturebears.blogspot.com/ If you're a fan of miniature bears you'll love Jean's blog!
8. http://sewscrumptious.blogspot.com/ All things fabric/sewing related.
9.   http://soozintheshed.blogspot.com/ Jewellery, glass, beads...
10. http://ruthies-rambling.blogspot.com/ Beady chat.
11. http://daisy-sevenseas.blogspot.com/ She's not updated her blog for a little while but Daisy's sculptures
are amazing!
12. http://littlecastledesigns.blogspot.com/ Gorgeous lampwork beads and jewellery by Sabine.
13. http://djinrummy.blogspot.com/ I just love Lesley's writing style
14. http://jeantalkingbeads.blogspot.com/ Lots of jewellery related chat from Jean.
15. http://helen-mitchell.blogspot.com/ Fabulous glassy blog by Helen. Mmmmm, beads.

So there you go. Hopefully there'll be some blogs in my list that you won't have heard of. I've tried not to repeat them from other lists but I'm sure I will have done somewhere along the line.

Onto other news. It's demonstration day tomorrow and this afternoon I've written a tute for this bracelet:

It's based on one I saw on the net and is really simple to make. Hopefully the girls at work will love it. I'm off to make some variations now so I can show them all just how versatile it is.

Badges Galore

2011-02-28T17:51:00.002Z

Since making the Iris necklace for the Beaders Online challenge I've become hooked on making pendants from those little badges. This one is for another challenge, this time on Bead Buddies, to use Beetroot Red, Beige and Bronze colours.

I've also made these, just for fun:

I still need to find some ribbons for these ones though.

This one I turned into a birthday card for a friend:

I've left it so that the pendant is removable because I hope she'll like to wear it.

And there are still more to do...

February Moodboard Necklace

2011-02-25T22:31:00.000Z

After finding inspiration in the pics on the OTTBS Blog, I used one of the studs that I bought from Spellbound a couple of weeks ago, and came up with this for the February Moodboard and I'm really pleased with it. It's a bead embroidered pendant using the stud as a starting point and is finished with a lovely spiral chain. I absolutely loved working in these colours and have done some more pieces using the same colour scheme too but I don't have pics of those yet.

I never did find any drops in the right colour and decided that maybe it didn't need them anyway.

Now all I need to do is get on and finish the rest of the half-done pieces. :0)

Have you ever...

2011-02-20T20:33:00.000Z

... ordered something that, when it arrived, wasn't quite what you thought? I bought some 'picture cabochons' from a seller on Etsy last year and when they arrived, discovered that they were actually little metal badges without the pin backs. So what do you do with pinless badges? Nothing - until recently when I had an idea for a challenge over on Beaders Online. The challenge theme was flowers/birthstones for January/February and February's flower is the iris. The colours were just my sort of thing so I got out all my beads, only to find that none of them were at all inspiring. Then I remembered the badges and discovered one that was just perfect. So, here is my Iris Necklace:

The badge has a bead embroidered bezel with an ultrasuede backing and is hung on a simple satin ribbon. I've also done a couple more but have yet to find ribbons for those so you'll have to wait to see them.

Oh, and I just had to order some more badges yesterday. Well, I know what to do with them now, don't I? ;0)

When Inspiration Strikes...

2011-02-15T20:55:00.000Z

... it's best to go along with it! I went to Hobbycraft on Sunday afternoon for some purple ribbon and had a look round while I was there, as you do, and found myself in the bead aisle. They've got some new stuff in and I fell in love with a gunmetal oval set with black stones and with a keyhole cut-out in the middle. I found a set of key charms in the same gunmetal colour and bought the lot (along with some other stuff :0/). When I got home I got out my beading foundation (curtain blackout lining) and all my red and black beads, drew a heart shape on the foundation material and sat down to bead. Two days later and here is the finished result:

I think I'm gonna be really corny and call it 'The Key to My Heart'. I did have a mad idea to actually have the keyhole as a keyhole but chickened out when it got to the ultrasuede backing so that is what you can see through the hole. I kinda like it like that. :0)

I'm hoping that inspiration will strike again soon but, in the meantime, I'll go back to finishing off some of the other half-done projects that are awaiting me - including the one that I needed the purple ribbon for! :0D

Only Half-done

2011-02-10T19:45:00.000Z

After my trip to Spellbound Beads last week I decided to use one of the Swarovski-set round studs to make this brooch.

Only trouble is, I can't seem to figure out where to go from here. As I was stitching it I kinda thought that it reminded me of the Summer sun and I feel like it should have some sort of 'rays' coming off it but Ijust don't know what or how! I've tried picots of beads but they just look spiky, and I thought about a fringe but I want it all the way around, not just at the bottom. Any suggestions will be most welcome. :0)

I also made this bracelet.

It's made in the same way as the one I did for the demo but with an extra row. I think I like this one more than the original. It has a nicer weight to it.

Still haven't finished the OTTBS piece yet........

I've been a cleaning demon today. Done all the bottom kitchen cupboards and the fridge/freezer as well as the floor. Tomorrow I'm hoping to get the rest done. :0)

Hmmmmmmm....

2011-02-06T22:20:00.000Z

I was hoping to be able to show you pics of my latest piece for the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash blog but I've not got around to finishing it yet. :0( It's been half done since Tuesday and almost finished since Wednesday night when I sat doing the edging in the back of the car on the way to Liverpool to watch the football. I really need some turquoise drops to complete it but it would seem that Swarovski don't make them. :0( Not sure how to finish it off without them though.

It was demonstration day at work yesterday and I taught them how to do this simple netted bracelet using seed beads and fp crystals. It's really simple to do and works up sooooo quickly and they all went away happy and with plenty of beads to have a go themselves. :0) I love doing the demos and can't wait to be able to so similar here.

It's been a quiet day here as far as beading goes. I was much too busy tidying up this morning, then this afternoon was spent watching the football. And I'm pleased to report that Liverpool won! :0) Especially pleased about the result given the last week's happenings. I still can't believe that Torres is playing in a blue shirt now but we've played two, won two without him (and even played against him today) so maybe it wasn't the disaster I thought it would be. Time will tell, I guess.

Confession is good for the soul

2011-01-31T19:58:00.001Z

Well, that's what they say, isn't it? It certainly worked for me! :0D

After posting last night I got some of my stash out and made this for the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash blog.

It's got a rivoli centre and lined amethyst drops round the outside edge. It was inspired by the purple mitosis pic on the blog. The bright purple ring just caught my eye and is repeated here in the lining of the drops. In making it, I used up all but 15 of my gold delicas so decided to take a trip to Spellbound Beads in Lichfield to get some more. As it happened, they were having a sale and I came away with a lot more than I intended.

Loads of stuff for inspiration and a kit for when I get stuck. :0) I also managed to find blue seed beads to match a Swarovski crystal that I've already bezelled and has been awaiting a rope. I'm doing a spiral herringbone to hang it on so it might take a little while but it's started. :0) There are some lovely soapstone shapes in there that I can't wait to use. I'm thinking a bead embroidered piece for them. And some rather strange looking donut shapes that have Swarovski crystals set into them with little 'fins' on the back that you're supposed to use for putting on belts and stuff. I'm gonna use those for bead embroidery too.

What a difference a day makes! :0D

Confessions of a Beader

2011-01-30T19:28:00.000Z

It's confession time. Are you ready? You won't tell, will you? Okay... Here goes

I haven't done any beading for the last 9 days!!!

I seem to have totally lost my mojo and I can't be bothered to do anything. :0( I even bought myself three new books this week in an attempt to find some inspiration but, although they are fabulous, I don't have the beads I need to try any of the projects in them and everything here is such a mess, my beading stuff is all over the place, and it would just be a chore to get any of it out. Humph!

Anyway, onto the books. I bought 'Beaded Colourways' by Beverly Ash Gilbert, 'Beaded Allure' by Kelly Weise and Laura McCabe's 'Embellished Beadweaving'. All three are full of wonderful projects and I really want to have a go at some of them soon so watch this space. As soon as my mojo returns from wherever it's hiding I will have lots of pretties to show you!

I have another demonstration piece to come up with this week but I really don't know what to show them this time. It may be a netted bracelet I think, hopefully pretty easy to write a tute for.

So, have any of you got anything to confess? ;0)

JCB's and Sparkly Things

2011-01-23T22:15:00.000Z

Ok, so I finished the JCB cake. It didn't turn out quite how I'd planned due to a lack of time after an unexpected shift at work, but I was eventually pretty pleased with it.

Adam liked it so I guess I did a good job. He thought he was getting a 2D picture of a JCB or a photo stuck on top of the cake so it was a bit of a surprise for him. :0) I also made him a JCB inspired card.

I really struggled with jewellery to wear to the party but eventually came up with these:

Sterling silver, rose quartz and Swarovski crystals. Unfortunately the bracelet is no more. :0( Dunno how I managed it, but it snapped towards the end of the night so I guess I'll have to remake it when I get round to it. Fortunately, I think I only lost two crystals, so it's easily done. :0)

I do think I'm getting too old to be partying till the early hours though. I've been asleep half the afternoon!

The website is coming along nicely, so I'm told. Autumn is doing a great job in a fraction of the time it would be taking me to do it and I've been so busy this week that I've barely had time to look at it myself.

Website Whispers

2011-01-15T21:08:00.000Z

So, I've started to sort out the new website - with a huge amount of help from Autumn, thank you! - and it's looking good. All I have to do is figure out how to actually list my jewellery and kits on it and I'm away. :0D Just as soon as it's all done I will give you the link and you can let me know what you think. It might take a week or two though. I'm just recovering from this stupid cold/flu virus that's been doing the rounds so I've been out of action most of this week and it's put things back a little bit. I'd hoped to have taken pics of all the different colourways for the dragon kit and have them listed by now but unfortunately I haven't managed it yet. Watch this space.

I've got a birthday cake to decorate this week with a model of a JCB on it! I'm quite looking forward to the challenge. Will post pics when I'm done.

Candy Stripe Bracelet

2011-01-08T23:47:00.000Z

This is a pic of the bracelet that I used for the demo at work today. It's a flat, even-count peyote strip in two colours and everyone left with a set of instructions to give it a go, so I think it was a success! :0) I much prefer to use Delicas for this sort of thing but, since we don't sell them, this was done in Czech size 11 seed beads. It's not perfect but who is? ;0) I'm planning on an embellished version using size 8 seeds for later in the year so I guess I'd best get on with that too. Next month's demo will be a pair of snowdrop earrings if I can figure out a) how to do them, and b) how to write the tute so that it's easy to understand.

I've listed some of the jewellery that I had in my Misi shop in my FB one. Misi seems to be on it's way out, unfortunately, so I decided to remove my work from there before it disappears. :0( Now all I need to do is get some more pics taken and sort the website out so I've somewhere that's 'mine' to sell from.

Two posts in three days from me - more than my total for the whole of last year - things are looking better already. :0) You may see things changing on here from time to time as I get to grips with it all a bit more - or you may not, if I don't! Don't worry, I'll be back soon.

Donna xx

Stormfyre the Dragon

2011-01-05T20:33:00.000Z

Well, so much for last year's list! Events in my personal life kinda got the better of me - again - and I didn't manage to do any of the things on it. I certainly didn't keep up with the blog!

So what's next? I'm really excited about the plans for this year!

I'm looking into converting the garage into a little beading studio where I will be able to teach. The monthly demonstrations that I do at the craft shop where I work have gone really well, with a small but loyal following, but now I'd like to expand their skills and I can't do that with the limited selection of beads that we stock in the shop. I'll still continue with the demonstrations but keep them to simple pieces and try some of the more adventurous stuff from home.

I've finally got around to making up some kits for this bracelet that I designed last year and now just have to take pics of the different colours available before I can list them for sale in my FB shop. Meet Stormfyre the dragon:

Which reminds me, I still owe Lynda a prize for coming up with his name.

I'm also in the middle of setting up a website so it's pretty full-on here at the moment! :0)

So here's to a happy, healthy and productive 2011!

New Year, New Start

2010-01-01T23:16:00.000Z

Well, finally we are in 2010! I feel so positive that this year will be a good one and I know it sounds corny but on the stroke of midnight I actually felt all the tension and stress of the last year lift away from me. It wasn't even the drink talking. :0)

So the plans for this year are:

to put more effort into making the business work.

to lose the extra weight I gained last year and start eating more healthily.

to be more organised with the housework.

to make sure that everything that needs doing, gets done.

to spend time in my garden and turn it into a place I can relax.

to try not to get stressed out over things that I have no control over.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what this year brings. Hopefully I will be able to tell you all about some really exciting stuff from now on. :0)

U2 Live!

2009-08-21T16:50:00.001+01:00

I went to see U2 at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield last night after waiting for about 20 years because I couldn't get hold of tickets before. I certainly wasn't disappointed. They were absolutely fantastic! I was like a kid on Christmas Eve when we got there, couldn't sit still and just kept grinning like a fool - you'd think at nearly 34 that I'd have grown out of that sort of excitement, but no. We got soaked waiting to get into the stadium - it absolutely threw it down and I thought we were gonna be in trouble 'cos I'd got no coat or anything but it brightened up and was quite nice after that. Steven bought me a programme and a t-shirt, which I ended up wearing later when it got cold (that'll teach me not to take a coat). As soon as U2 came on the stage, everyone stood up and from then on the time went far too quickly. They did some of the songs off the new album first - Magnificent, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Get On Your Boots, then Beautiful Day and Elevation, which I love. Bono got the crowd singing Happy Birthday to the set designer, Willie Williams who is from Sheffield and has been with the band for 26 years, then loads more stuff including Sunday Bloody Sunday, Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (another favourite of mine), One, Ultraviolet, Mysterious Ways, Elevation, Walk On, Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Unknown Caller, No Line On The Horizon and With Or Without You - which is my all time favourite song of theirs but I was slightly miffed that Bono changed the way he sang it, althought it was still great. They closed with Moment Of Surrender from the new album which is a fab song. We were sat quite close to the stage but round the back so watched most of it on the huge screen above the stage, they did keep walking right around the stage though so we got to see them all fairly close.

Steven took loads of photos which are here if you want a look:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=37232&id=1195366397&l=250ee0ac98

Okay, probably bored you enough now, so I'll shut up.

2009-07-12T07:38:00.000+01:00

Okay, been a few weeks since I was last here. More family stuff getting in the way, but hopefully it's all sorted now.

The Summer Fair wasn't up to much but I did manage to give out some of the goody bags so you never know. The week after that I went to Wembley to see Take That and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I love going to Take That shows they always put so much into it. It was completely amazing and we took loads of photos ( you can see them here, if you're interested: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32169&id=1195366397&l=248f4eabfd ). The Script were fantastic too.

Anyway, now we are on holiday in Cornwall for the week. The weather wasn't good yesterday. It kept raining. I'm hoping it picks up today. Kieran wants to get down on the beach and play in the sand, and I'd love a lazy day doing not a lot. I can hear the seagulls from here and I can't wait to get out and about. Hopefully I'll get some photos I can show you later.

Bye for now,

Donna

Been a bit busy lately

2009-06-19T18:48:00.000+01:00

I still haven't got the hang of this yet and we've been having a few family dramas lately that have kept me from coming on here. To cut a long story short, I still haven't finished the Double Dragons x-stitch (due to the dramas) and I feel really bad that I didn't get it done in time. I ended up sticking a 'gift certificate' in Scott's birthday card with a picture of what he's going to get. He didn't mind, luckily, so I can finish it in my own time now.

I've been collecting business cards from some of the other Misi people and have made up 25 goody bags to give away at the Summer Fair I'm attending next weekend. I've also done the same with the Bead Buddies forum and hopefully I can give them all out if there are plenty of people there. We could all do with the extra advertising at the moment - and the sales that will hopefully come from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

Donna

Day to myself

2009-05-27T10:57:00.000+01:00

Steven has taken Kieran to Castleton for the day so I'm here on my own watching Andy Murray in the French Open and trying to get motivated to get some x-stitching done. I'm working on a fabulous design caled 'Double Dragons' by Designs in Thread for my Brother. It's a bit of a pain to stitch as it's on black aida and the light is so bad here at the moment that I can't see properly to stitch it. I look like having to work using my daylight lamp 'cause I only have about a fortnight to get it finished.

The house is looking a lot better now (at least the part of it that I'm sat in), but the garden is still in need of some attention. Steven found rats out there last weekend so we're trying to get rid of them too. They're coming over from our next-door-but-one neighbour - his garden is full of bags of rubbish and the grass is over a foot high. We sent the council man round and he took the public health officer with him so hopefully they will be able to sort it out.

These are some polymer clay pendants that I've been making when I haven't been able to stitch. I'm quite pleased with how they've turned out. Especially as they're my first attempts at anything like this - previously I've only used it to make buttons using moulds.

Well, the light seems to have improved a bit so I'd best go and get started on the stitching.

Donna

First Post

2009-05-20T09:31:00.000+01:00

Okay, I've set up a blog, so what do I do with it now? I'm new to all this, as you may have guessed, and my life isn't what you'd call exciting so this could be the most boring blog ever. I guess most of the time it will feature beads/jewellery in some way - my life usually does.

I am a member of Bead Buddies and try to participate in all their challenges but this month is a bit of a problem. I am in the middle of X-stitching pictures for my Brother and Sister for their birthday next month and I am fast running out of time to get everything done. My house is rather a mess at the moment as we are busy decorating and we are also trying to get the garden finished after ripping it all up last year. I have so many plans for different things but not enough time to turn them into a reality.

Given my last comment, I suppose I should make a start by going to get dressed! Bye for now.