Thursday, November 15, 2018

Life moves quickly...

So many times I have thought 'I need to get back to blogging'...as you can see I just never got back to it.  Now I am throwing my hat in the ring once again to give it a shot.

I started the blog to document my beading creations and my motorcycle rides.  I don't seem to get to do either much anymore.  I've been working 2 jobs for nearly 2 years so it doesn't leave much time for the fun stuff.

My last motorcycle trip was to Sturgis 2017.  I rode my own, solo the entire trip and met up with friends when I got there. It was an amazing trip.  I got to ride Needles Highway with many twists and turns, rode to Devil's Tower which is an amazing sight to see from the ground.  I would love to take a helicopter ride and see if from the air.  The Badlands is such a beautiful ride. So peaceful, except for the mountain goat that decided to stop in the middle of the road and sneeze on my front tire while I was stopped. That caught the attention of some children in a car behind my group and they really got a kick out of seeing that. By the time I got home after a week of travels on the bike, I had ridden 2892 miles. I loved every second of it and hope to take another long trip soon.

Since that time, I haven't done much riding. My husband is unable to ride now and my female friend, Jan that I rode with frequently lost her battle with lung cancer.  Not as much fun to ride alone all the time.

As for my beading...I had the opportunity in September to go to a beading retreat in Springfield, MO hosted by the Queen City Bead Society.  The designer was Cynthia Rutledge. It was an amazing time with my friend Saundra and the QCBS gals were a hoot.  We stated at the Mansion at Elfindale in the Governors Suite.  It was really nice.  The last day there I was able to take a tour and get some photos.  There is quite a history of the place. I would recommend that you look it up and read the history of the place, then if you are ever in Springfield, check into staying there.  Two restaurants I recommend while there is Thai Peppers and Nicola's Italian restaurant. Amazing food at both places.

Now to talk more about beading...Cynthia was a great instructor and much fun to be with.  We had 3 projects that we did starting with a beautiful bracelet Rue de la Paix, then on to Estelle's Sautoir which is a very elegant necklace of firepolish rope and a beautiful pendant and tassels. We ended the retreat with Gabrielle's Muse necklace.  All of my projects from the retreat are at this time in various states of completion.  In the beading community, we refer to them as UFO's. (unfinished objects), or WIP's, (work in progress).

I also had a wonderful experience at a weekend workshop with the infamous Kinga Nichols who is an amazing designer who specializes in bead embroidery.  She has the most unique designs and I am in complete awe of her work and creativity.  She is such a fun person to be around and truly cares about each one of her beading students.  Of course, both of those projects are also in various stages of completion but the one that is the closest to being complete is "Kiss My Bass" bracelet.  I absolutely love how the piece is turning out and I can't wait to show you the completed piece.  I've always been intimidated by bead embroidery as my hand sewing isn't the greatest...give me a sewing machine and I produce gorgeous work but not so much with needle, thread and fabric.  Kinga made it seem effortless which is probably the reason why I have worked on the project more than any of the other UFO's in my stash.  Check out Kinga's designs on Etsy.  Her shop name is Crimson Frog.

Maybe by blogging about the projects I will hold myself more accountable to my readers to get the projects done and photo's taken. But at this time, I must close out and do some dreaded grocery shopping if I want to feed my husband tonight...

Thanks so much for reading and please leave a comment.

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

I'm a Grandma, again, still or for real?

     Hard to believe it has been over 2 years since my last blog post.  So many things have changed in that 2 years. 
     The best change was in May when I became a 'biological' grandmother.  I have been a step grandmother for 19 years as my husband had 2 daughters when we married, then we had one son together.  So does this make me a Grandma again, still, or 'for real'? 
     My Granddaughter is BEAUTIFUL...I know that all grandmothers say that about their grandchildren, but I am sure you will agree with me.  She came into the world at 4:26 pm weighing 7 lbs 13 oz.  and lots of dark hair like her daddy did.  Seeing her precious face at birth reminded me so much of 25 years ago when her daddy was born.   I Love her so much...she is so precious.  It seems she has already grown so much and she is not quite 4 weeks old.
     This photo is when she was a week old.  Almost looks like she is posing as a ballerina.  She is always so bright eyed and alert.  She just melts my heart. 

     I find myself lately looking through sewing patterns and all the cute little dresses with lots of lace and ruffles...thinking it is time to have my sewing machine serviced and ready to stitch away.  I used to sew for my son, but it wasn't nearly as exciting because there wasn't much to choose from in sewing patterns.  Thinking now...well, this could become a new obsession. 

     I must make this a short blog today as I have much beading to do.  I am running a contest at this time and hope to have as many as 10 winners of beaded bling.  Afterall, I must get back to my beading blog so what better way than to blog about the contest...

     



     

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Jasper Intrigue Blog Hop

     Another opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and design pieces from a kit called "Jasper Intrigue" by Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures presented itself to me a few months ago and I decided to accept the challenge.  Normally, I am a bead weaver.  I love working with those little tiny seed beads and metal findings, trying different patterns by the amazing artists out there and sometimes designing and teaching my own.
     I honestly had never tried working with any large stones, sea glass or unusual pieces until I took on my first challenge with a Bead Soup blog hop that I did.  That challenge in itself led me to look for other challenges and groups to get involved in to learn and be inspired by others.
     Although, I have not met a majority of the beaders in person, I feel like I have gained friends and mentors over the past year or so...It has been wonderful to see all the talent that is out there...Anyway, before I get all mushy...
     I too, like many of the others participating in the challenge, forgot to get 'before' photos of the kit.  The day the kit came, my husband sent me a text message at work and said, 'you got something from Pine Ridge Treasures" Can I open it?'  I said, "not til I get home"...he loves beads too and is like a kid at Christmas when a package comes-mainly because he does Kumihimo and is always scouting my bead supplies for size 8/o and 6/o's that he can snag from my stash...When I got home and opened the package....WOWZA...A beautiful selection of Jasper in various shapes and sizes...
    I played with the nuggets and tried different things but just didn't have my muse so decided to put them away for a bit and finish up some bead weaving pieces...then life got in the way and I didn't get back to the Jasper for awhile...Now it is time for the reveal and I only have one piece done so I will post it now....This is a lariat that can be worn several ways around the neck as well as worn as a belt.  I also have very long hair and think it would look great wrapped around a high bun and left to 'dangle'.  The design was inspired by a piece from Tamara Scott designs.





     When the other piece is done, I will WOW you with that one...It is a work in progress of bead embroidery which I have only done 3 other pieces before and that was from  a class that I took at Bead Blast KC 2013 working with Raku pieces by Marianne Kasparian of Maku Design Studio.  So this is my first time using gemstone in bead embroidery so another challenge, but a Welcome one at that.
     Thank you so much Lisa Lodge for all your work that you put into these challenges and kits for us.  You have helped me to really step out of my comfort zone in so many ways and try new things.  Everyone in the group has been an inspiration to me in one way or another...YOU ALL ROCK!!!
     Thank you for stopping and and Please leave a comment!!!  Don't forget to check out the other participants!!!

Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor
Karin Grosset Grange (France), Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Shaiha Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings
Sheila Prose, Cheap Charms
Terri Wlaschin, Baking Beads in the Keys
Therese Frank, Therese's Treasures
Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Checkerboard Blog Hop-Reveal
It's always fun to participate in things that I love to do.  I love to write although I don't make public everything that I put on a page.  I also love to create with beads.  Pine Ridge Treasures owned by Lisa Lodge gives me just that opportunity to create and share with others by providing participants with beautiful beads and components to work with.

I signed up for this challenge in June 2014, so I have had the beads in my possession for longer than I should admit because I put them away to work on other projects and nearly forgot about the blog hop.  I had several ideas running through my head but when it came down to putting needle to bead...I just couldn't make them work.  I can't begin to tell the number of times I cut apart, unstitched, restarted, etc...

Here are photos of my finished pieces.  I hope you like them.  I normally do more stitching and less stringing, but finally gave up on the stitching portion when I couldn't make it work with the larger pearls.  I decided to keep it a bit simple and just use a peyote stitched ring on the black tube beads and use O beads between the pearls on the necklace and bracelet, or course there has to be earrings to match too.  I also made a 2nd bracelet in a feeble attempt at wire working.  I can wear it, but I have a lot to learn about wire working.





The last bracelet and earring set is because I absolutely had to use the small black oval pearls in the kit and had some really cool red glass beads on my supply wall that I have really been anxious to use.  This bracelet and earrings is a set that can be worn with jeans and a sweater, scrubs, or dressed up.  That is my favorite kind of jewelry...versatile.






Please visit the rest of the participants to see what they have created...
Your hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist
Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation
Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations
Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends
Heather Richter, Desert Jewelry Designs
Candida Elkins Castleberry, Spun Sugar Beadworks
Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall
Mischelle Fanucchi, Micheladas Musings
Kari Asbury, Hippie Chick Design
Susan Anderson, La Main Tresor
Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design
Ann Schroeder, Bead Love
Kim Dworak, Cianci Blue
Margaret Pelech, Margaret Pelech's Blog
Lisa Prewitt Knappenberger, LiRaysa Designs
Annette Rivers, Mama Owls Mess
Carol Briody, A Beads Life
Miranda Ackerley, MirandAck
Karin Grosset Grange (France), Ginkgo et Coquelicot
Katrina Scuderi Taylor, I Wanna Go Out

Saturday, December 6, 2014

2nd Annual Bead Hoarders Blog Hop

I am a bit late getting my blog and photos posted.  It's been a very busy week. My Hubby and I spent yesterday supporting our son and his Rock and Roll band in a "Battle for a Grand". Out of 30 bands in the Kansas City area, ElectroPossum took 1st place. We are very proud of him and the fact that this band just started playing publicly together in April 2014.  What an amazing accomplishment.  Check out their You tube videos...

Back to the beading:
I have toyed with the idea for quite some time of what I was going to do for the hop and kept going to my bead wall and trying to decide what I wanted to work with.  I changed my mind so many times so I decided to confer with hubby.  He laughed at first then said, "Why don't you start with the Rivoli's?"
He was referring to my massive amount of packages of Rivolis hanging on the supply wall in various colors and sizes plus the numerous projects in various stages of completion.  

Rivolis are fascinating to me.  I am always amazed at how the colors change according to the beads that are put with them.  Needless to say, I've never met a rivoli I didn't like.

The very first time I ever worked with a rivoli was a few years back when Nikia Angel was coming to Kansas City and taught a workshop for The Bead Society of Greater Kansas City.  I joined Bead Society on a Friday night and met Nikia.  I wanted to go to the workshop the next day, but it was full.  I was asked if I wanted to be put on the on-call list in case of a cancellation...I jumped on it.  I really didn't think I had a chance of getting in but was trying to be optimistic.  

Saturday morning approx 9am I get a phone call while standing next to my motorcycle getting ready to go for a ride, when a member called to say that there was a last minute opening if I would like to attend. The workshop was in 3 hours and I was an hour and a half away...I ran into the house, grabbed my beading supplies, stuffed them into the saddle bags on the bike and set out to class.

The Crystal Pagoda was my first Nikia project and definitely not my last...I have made several projects of hers since that time and have also had the opportunity to be a pattern tester for her design "Tudor Lariat".  That photo will be posted in a separate blog later this month.


Below you will see some of my Rivoli obsessions.  I have bezeled them with Super duos, 2 hole triangles, seed beads, dragon scale beads (my new favorite bead), fire polish, crystals, daggers, pearls, etc...Still working on a few more ideas but working out the details.

This is the one that I an currently working on to wear on Christmas day.  I really like the Green and Red combo against the crystal rivoli


Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy seeing my pieces. Please take some time to take a peak at all the other Bead Hoarders Blogs and leave comments.  We always LOVE to hear feedback.

Until we Bead again!!!
Lori AndersonPrettyThings  (Hostess)

Audrey Belanger
Toki No Hourosha
Jenny KyrlachWonder and Whimsy
Kathy LindemerBay Moon Design
Lori SchneiderBead Addict
Dee ElgieCherry Obsidia
Dolores RamlCraftyD's Creations
Rebecca EdnieEclectic Endeavors
Lili Kristhttp://emjestudio.blogspot.com/
Marybeth Richhttp://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Hannah Rosner
Good River Valley
Nicole Princehttp://healingbeading.blogspot.com/
Deana Hagerhttp://justdeesarts.blogspot.com/
Jackie Ryanhttp://kydojewellery.blogspot.co.uk/
Elsie Deliz-Fonsecahttp://ladelizchica.blogspot.com/
Mowse Doylehttp://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com/
Evelyn Shelbyhttp://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com
Lisa Johnsonhttp://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com/
Terri Gauthierhttp://terrisbloomingideas.blogspot.com/
Patti Pruhshttp://threebeadsandastring.blogspot.com
Shai Williams
http://www.shaihasramblings.com/
Andrea GlickZenith Jade
K Hutchinsonhttps://jumbledhutch.wordpress.com
Marci BrooksThat Nothing Be Wasted
Jo-Ann WoolvertonIt's a Beadiful Creation
Jasvanti PatelJewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Laurie VyselaarLefthandjewelry.wordpress.com
Lisa KnappenbergerLIRaysaDesigns.blogspot.com
Mary Lindell
marylindell.com
Niky Sayerssilverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Sandra McGriffskyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Patricia Handschuhthecolorofdreams.blogspot.com
Erin Prais-Hintztreasures-found.blogspot.com
Maria Rosa Sharrowwillowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Kathleen Breedingwww.99bobotw.blogspot.com
Monique Urquhartwww.ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.com
Jackie Locantore
www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog/MorningStar
Sheryl StephensThe Babbling Beader
Becky Pancakewww.beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Mona Arnottwww.bijouxgemsjoy.blogspot.ca
Michelle Escanowww.cabbycraft.com
Denise McCabewww.cabewoman.blogspot.com
Carolyn Lawson
www.carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Sheila Prosewww.catswithbeads.blogspot.com
Kim Dworakwww.cianciblue.blogspot.com
Iveth Carusowww.CreativeAtelier.net/blog
Deborah Apodacawww.deborahapodacadesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth Bunnwww.elizabethbeads.blogspot.com
Janine Lucaswww.esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Kari Asbury
Hippie Chick Design
Inge von RoosInge's Blog
Divya Nwww.jewelsofsayuri.com
Debbie Rasmussenwww.kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
KJwww.kjsbeadaciousbeads.blogspot.com/
Klaudete Koonwww.klaudetekoon.blogspot.com
Ghislaine Kruse-van Erpwww.kruseartllc.com
Ginger Bishopwww.lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Kelly Schermerhorn
www.meanderingwithkelly.blogspot.com
Mischelle Andradewww.micheladasmusings.blogspot.com 
Sue KellyMid-Life Greater Expectations
Rachel Malliswww.mintmonarch.com/#!Blog/c1jlz
Susan McClellandwww.mistheword12.com
Mary K McGrawMK's Creative Musings
Tania SpiveyMoobie Grace Designs
Stephanie PerryMustard Seed by Stephanie Perry
Mitzie Criderwww.NeedfulLuxuries.Blogspot.com
Nicole RennellWww.nicolerennell.com/blog
Nicole Valentinewww.nvalentine.blogspot.com
Karen Mitchellwww.overthemoon-design.com
Tammy Adamswww.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Patty Miller
www.pattymillerbeads.blogspot.com
Blanca Medinawww.peru-medesigns.com
Stephanie Hausslerwww.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Roxanne Mendozawww.roxidesigns.blogspot.com
Claire Fabianwww.saraccino.blogspot.com
Bridget Torreswww.shears58.net
Donetta Farringtonwww.simplygorgeous-donetta.blogspot.com
Lee Koopmanwww.stregajewellry.wordpress.com
Deb Fortinwww.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Susan WallsWww.susansartcircus.com/blog
Cece Cormier
The Beading Yogini
Heather Ottowww.thecrafthopper.com
Lizzie Clarkewww.theneedtobead.blogspot.co.uk
Elizabeth Hodgeswww.thewhisperingseas.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfendenwww.torchfairy.blogspot.com
Kelly Hosford Pattersonwww.TravelingSideShow.blogspot.com
Nan SmithNanmade Jewelry
Jayne Cappswwww.mamasgototdoodle.blogspot.com
Robin Kae Reed                                          http://www.willowdragon.blogspot.com/
Melissa Trudinger                                      https://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Regina Wood                                                  Gina's Designs


River Walk Bracelet designed by Cynthia Newcomer Daniel

River Walk Bracelet designed by Cynthia Newcomer Daniel
Stitched by Me. Love the colors of this one.l