Beaded 2 Bless

Doll Journey: Techniques

2012-01-27T08:13:00.000-06:00

After teaching at the Texas Bead Retreat, often referred to as "TBR", the beaders reading these posts need to know a simple tip that I often share. I learned the hard way and want you to find the success I did much faster and a heck of a lot easier.

When beading spirals or curves, we often start at the outer most line to set a reference point for the rest of the bead rows. Then we try to bead inside the lines. Sound like something else we were "taught" - to color in the lines? Well let's forget that! When beading spirals it is easier to bead your way bigger then setting your outline around those beads. Don't get me wrong- it can be done either way- and I often do it the hard way but it is good to know that there is an easier way!

Let me try to give you a good mental picture.

If you lay a towel on a bowl that is upside down, it drapes easily taking on the concave curvature of the bowl. However if you lift the bowl and try to tuck the towel up in it covering the inside surface you would need more places to tack it to make it take that inner convex curve.

AND

There is some progress I made using a very nice vintage nail head that was inside my goody bag from the retreat. Oops, I see a bead out of place- can you?

Gotta go.... I want to bead some more while it is still quiet!

Blessings.

Doll Journey: Doin' tha butt

2012-01-23T21:38:00.000-06:00

It would seem my time spent in New Orleans DID have a monumental impact on my perspective on life!

It was there that I learned how to "Do tha Butt", much to my mother's dismay. For those who may not know, it is a rather provocative dance that is still a whole lotta fun to do!

Well, while I was at the Temple Bead Retreat I was doin' tha butt in a different way...

It was a whole lotta fun to tell other beaders who asked what I was doing that, "I was doin' tha butt".

Sometimes you just have to get your giggles in for the day.

Laughing is good therapy and beading is even better therapy

because you have someone else to share the joke with.

Blessings

Doll Journey: Just part of it...

2012-01-13T12:14:00.000-06:00

I had wanted to keep all of the Doll Journey post totally drama free. Unfortunately, that's just part of it- the part of the journey that eventually defines what you do.

You see, as we create our art, our points of reference, which includes our skills, culture, experiences and beliefs, influence our decisions.

THAT being said, I have begun another doll one that closely resembles a form I sold to a very dear friend. I had every intention of beading that form myself if no one purchased it at the retreat last August. The difference of the two are the gesture the arms are making. The second one suits me better, so that is a good thing.However, I make mention of all this for two reasons-1) I must post each week and this week there is NO progress, but this realization- 2) this IS JUST PART OF IT!

I am being brutally honest about the progress of this doll. I received terrible news concerning a friend and mentor's health, though not totally unexpected, when it comes it is never what you want to hear. And if I may be completely selfish and brutally honest, the fact that I have begun another doll and this news to come at THIS time is not lost on me due to the past experiences that kept me from beading one for so long. I feel it keenly and will be thankful that I have it to keep me focused. I continually believe and pray for her comfort and a MIRACLE, as do many of those who love her so dearly.

I will continue to bead this doll, as I did the rest, though I can foresee a bumpy ride and a whole lotta propping me up (and my friends) on my (our) leaning side(s) as we all try to help our friend thru this health crisis. I hope you will continue to follow this Doll Journey, even though there may be some times that are, at the very least, less than ideal.

Blessings to you all, and spend a little extra time with those who are dear to you.

You will never regret it.

Doll Journey: Tools of the Trade

2012-01-06T17:45:00.000-06:00

We all would like to have the best tools we could possibly afford. Sometimes what you can afford is far from the best. In all artistic endeavors, there are tools that a must and then there are some that would be terrific to have but you can live without. What I am going to reveal is a tool that is easily affordable and you don't want to bead without!

In a previous post I mentioned how it makes things harder to bead when we add bits in certain places, this tool makes the difficult possible. In the past I have worked the arms and legs before they were attached to the torso and I recommend it if you can. It is far easier to bead, then attach the limbs. Sometime you must attach the limbs before you can bead because of the structure of the piece- like the doll below.

One thing that makes beading easier, the difficult possible AND is a must have tool is

A CURVED BEADING NEEDLE.

It is small enough to go thru the beads (those with good holes anyhow.)

I will admit, it takes a lot of getting used to. You will fling beads in your face and across the room, you may even snap a few before you learn how to wield this squirrely thing.

If you want to give it a go (and I highly suggest you give it the Old College Try), you can purchase them at Kandra's Beads. (no, she is not paying me to advertise, she is just the only source I know.)

You simply cannot get far very fast without it. This one little tool was completely responsible for the progress I was able to make. I am so happy with how much I have been able to do since last week!

Hope you found this both helpful and inspiring.

Blessings!

Doll Journey: Not just Beads

2011-12-30T11:27:00.000-06:00

The week has slipped by without any beading being done but the inspiration is still swirling inside. Taking a passive role by just looking at magazines and books instead of creating, keeps me going.

I may still get to bead today but I will save the progress photos to share next week.

While looking through magazines and previous journal entries, I discovered that this has been brewing for a lot longer than I thought. I came across a journal entry created several months ago during a worship service.

It is an awesome experience!

You look at the photo...seem like a coincidence to you?

I used water soluble oil pastes and pen to create this journal page.

I love how you can work in one medium and it inspires your direction in another. If you work with multi-media, be sure to play with them all as your inspiration allows. You will find that it fuels a much bigger fire than you had dreamed. Uhh, no pun intended ( I think).

I wonder what they were saying to each other?

Blessings.

Doll Journey: The Unexpected

2011-12-23T11:44:00.002-06:00

As I envision a phoenix rising from the ashes I see scrolls or swirls of movement. This is one of my favorite design elements and I especially love it in architecture and furniture. Being one of my favorite things, it shouldn't be unexpected when I incorporate it into the bead work. It really wasn't but what was not expected would be my reaction to its presence and what it added .

I began the scroll work after using a moss/ bocce stitch under the flames to transition the lower half of the doll to ashes. Selecting a matte black 11 bead for the scroll outline. I wasn't completely settled on this bead or the scrolls from the beginning, but I made myself push through and commit to the decision that was made. I set the doll down at this point, still not certain of the direction is was taking.

Later I came back to her, looked at the black scroll of bead work and picked her up, I felt an intensity that wasn't there before. A depth of meaning. Now I am certain that it belongs as it is. The drama of the addition will help translate the swirls I see as she rises from the ashes.

And I will post later about the importance of the actual contact you have with your art.

(moss stitch and partial swirls)

Below is my favorite photo of the group, it captures the one technique that makes the most difference on beading a doll, beading across the seams. It was also a lovely angle to reveal her spirit.

AND blogger did not want me to upload it as it took 5 attempts!

Beading has been a little slower than usual but-- slow and steady wins the race.

So just keep running the race....

Blessings.

Doll Journey: One Step at a Time

2011-12-16T10:55:00.001-06:00

Whenever you work on a doll you don't always have all the pieces together. I usually have more of the big picture than I did with this doll.

What it has taught me is to "Take it one Step at a Time".

While I worked on the flames, more and more things revealed themselves to me. I knew this doll was to have wings. What I didn't know was why. Now I DO! Follow along my thought process for a minute.

As a flame burns, there is a change created. We are left with Ashes. I remembered "beauty for ashes" and had to go find out why it sounded like I was trading beauty for a pile of ashes- when I knew it was supposed to be the other way around. When I found it, it smacked me. I mean it resonated deep within me.

Isaiah 61:3 "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

Before you groan that it is a scripture (don't act like you don't cause I do too sometimes), the validity to you may not have the same weight as it does to me. Here is why. Wrestling with grief from the death of my mother made it difficult to finish my last doll, who was a tree and was designated to represent "Earthen Mother". I seriously mean beading between sobs and nose blowing. My mother was known to me as the most beautiful and elegant lady I have ever known and she was, in fact, cremated (my brother and I are still waiting for our urns from my step- father too!). Wow, it never ends. So I don't really have her ashes either. This is why it was so difficult to begin a new doll at all. ( I know a long story but this is where it comes from.)

"So. Why wings?" you ask.

A Phoenix rises from the ashes, a blazing bird rises.

Birds!

So, if you have wings...there needs to be feathers. Now that I know why she is to have wings, I can share the feathers I have been toying with.

Again there you see it? It all follows a unique path tailor made for me. Coincidence? I think not.

The rest of the vision just came together, that fast, because I took it one step at a time.

Put one foot in front of the other and stay on that path.

You have a creative path that is YOURS, it will pull on everything that is YOU.

I think I need a few more...

Blessings.

Doll Journey:Sweet Spot

2011-12-09T07:39:00.000-06:00

After focusing on the flames, more inspiration has welled up in my spirit. This is what so many artist search for before they create. For me, it comes as I get quiet, busy my hands and meditate on what is in front of me as well as what is pouring out of me. The inspiration isn't just for what I am working on at the time, it overflows into everything. I mean EVERYTHING. I begin to create in the still moments before I sleep, in my dreams I am fulfilling the promises of future appointments.

It is:

THE SWEET SPOT!

The place where you know that you are doing exactly what you are called to do.

Where you are fulfilling your greatest desires and drawing on wisdom that rests within.

When you are led by the creative spirit instead of a thwarted body and confused mind.

Your eyes are on the prize and you can feel the hope it carries into your life.

There is nothing else like it-

To be exactly where you are supposed to be-

No Questions asked-

No Doubts remain.
Blessings.

Doll Journey: Faithfulness

2011-12-02T10:37:00.001-06:00

The biggest challenge I face when I create a large project (of any kind) is faithfulness. I allow myself to toy with different ideas within the project but I am a stickler for being faithful to the vision. If it doesn't fit- it gets tossed to the side. This process is actually the part that I love. I think you might call it problem solving but I like to refer to it as creative engineering.

When I began this doll, I felt like I was working with a foreign medium, one never explored before. It sounds strange even to me, especially as I had my previous pieces right under my nose to contradict that feeling of inadequacy. I haven't made a doll in quite some time. I was completely disinterested with anything that had to do with bead embroidery. The last doll I completed took such a chunk of my soul to complete, I am still struggling getting over it and the events of my life that occured while creating her.

So, I started to embroider on the arms of this doll and I thought,

"Yuck!"

(yeah, I know- "Yuck!")

Instead of continuing to struggle with something I am unclear on, I switched gears. The vision of the flame on the heart and the pose was all I had to go on. I had strayed....being unfaithful to what I knew.

(flames stitched then stitching colored over with an orange sharpie)

As I began to focus on the flame- I began to meditate and really connect with The Creator inside me.I feel more at peace when I have this time to renew my mind and refresh my spirit. From that meditation, the vision began to expand. A new excitement has begun to stir up the vision for the rest of the doll.

(a little closer now)

Not only is the view of the vision expanding, the problem solving is getting much easier and the problems are more evident. - I call them problems, but they are really decisions about what is right for this piece.

The flames on the bottom were not exactly what I wanted. I wasn't sure why until I painted the backs and realized my selection of bead colors were off compared to the paint I used on the backs.

I even stopped to ask myself,

" Do you want to paint the flames instead of bead them?"

I am so glad I said "NO".

These beauties were worth the work.

I love these, both the color and dimension. My vision is finally taking shape in the natural. And even better, I have a better view to share with you soon.

Blessings.

Doll Journey: Focus

2011-11-26T08:45:00.000-06:00

After trying to work on the arms a few times, I did not like what I saw. It was not the right texture and I realized that the mixes needed to be refined a little. I can do that, and I can find the right texture too.

But I decided that I just need to focus on what is really driving this doll, the flames.

The idea is to stitch the shaped memory wire onto the fabric, bead it then cut around the edges. After all of that is done I may decide to paint the backside instead of beading it. Then I will attach it to the doll--and shoot myself in the foot for adding another element that will make beading the rest of the doll a nightmare.

Maybe not...I don't have a really good track record for taking the easy way out...so maybe.

Here is a small mock up that set me to stitching.

I learned how to do this (only she does it much better!) from Susan Elliot. I am not even going to pretend that I know exactly how she did it, but I am making my attempt at doing it my own way and I am sure it will serve its purpose well.

Blessings.

Doll Journey: Beady Beginnings

2011-11-18T09:12:00.001-06:00

Students and onlookers usually have two questions. The first one is, " How long did it take you to make that?" I am hoping you will have the diligence (or endurance) to follow these weekly posts to see just how long it really takes to make this particular doll.

Second question is, "Where do you start?" This question always comes up in classes. The answer is still not an easy one becauset here is no wrong answer. Folks often let their dolls tell them where to begin and it can be a way for many to just jump in. I tend to be very stategic and analytical about where I start beading, sometimes to a fault. Every thing I do must adhere to the visioin, either it must support it or make it better.

In this case, a focal bead gave us our beady beginnings.

In my last post, I shared with you what turned out to be the foundational focals for this doll. I even shared the strategy of using them to correct a short coming in the dollform. This doll had sloping shoulders until I added what my son humorously called "shoulder pads".

I was limited in the beads I had to use for the bezels and was not completely satisfied with the choice I had to make. I did it anyway. As it turns out, it was better than I thought and it has become a jumping off point- the foundation from which I can build.

The first two led to two more on the back.

I did begin to use the mixes but I pulled out what I added at first. I will share that with you next week.

Blessings.

Doll Journey: Nesting

2011-11-11T05:59:00.000-06:00

Whenever a momma of any kind births, she begins to nest. She gathers things needed for a time when little else gets done besides the nurturing of a new creature.

Whenever we craft or create we do the same thing. We gather things close to us that we feel are necessary for some serious time spent on our project. On a grander scale, some may refer to it as "hoarding" but I prefer to call it nesting. It allows us to focus on the task at hand without interruption or distraction.
It makes sense, doesn't it?
My collecting usually starts with seed beads. I hunt down every possible color that I may want to include. For this doll I have put together 3 different mixes of flesh tones in different intensities.If you know me, you would think I am really crazy because I do NOT like my beads mixed. However, the idea is to see the glow of a flame reflecting off of a natural skin tone. "Flesh to flames".

When I gather my materials, I leave no bin untouched. I search every drawer and every bag for some tidbits to go into my project. My choices are based upon my vision, this makes me focus on color, theme, and even proportion. There are times when I pull things that are proportionally out of focus but lend a great color story to the mix. They just might come in handy, even if all they do is make me say, "ohh pretty."

Sometimes I run across something that was collected and was immediately set back for something great. Often I find myself passing over this item and not using it for whatever reason. Usually, it is too unique or not available in the quantity I would need.

This time was different.

I had to ask myself- "What are you saving it for?"

Answer "Something special."

Question, "Isn't this special?"

Answer,"Well, yes, yes it is!"

As it turns out these are the foundation pieces for this doll. They were the perfect "shape correctors" for the shoulders. They have also led me to apply bits to a doll in ways I hadn't used yet. The knowledge was there just never applied until now.

Blessings.

Doll Journey, Vision

2011-11-07T07:03:00.000-06:00

Whenever I start a large doll, I have a specific vision. I encourage my students to create this way too.

What is a vision?

A vision is something you see, it doens't have to really be there and it doesn't have to really be seen with your physical eyes. It doesn't even have to be the whole thing- just a part. It can be a hope or a dream that you envision. It could be real or imagined, so long as you "see" it.

My visions usually come from experiences that are unique to me. I may have shared events with others but the links to each event are my own. Hearing a band play a song, seeing the hawks floating on the wind, wanting to free that rooster of his beautiful neck feathers, even finding feathers on the driveway.

Each of these events led to the vision of this doll.

The song started it all.

The lyrics say:

Come be the fire inside of me,

Come be the flame inside my heart,

Until you and I are one.

I see this part of the vision as a pose or a body position- which I have been able to translate to a doll form.

The specific graphics of the issue of the heart have not been translated to a drawing and may not ever, but they are an important part of the vision.

With the inspiration I have been finding thru birds lately, I was drawn to another quote, this one is from the book Art and Fear.

"Notice what you Notice."

I have been noticing alot of birds, and even found some feathers in my driveway from either on of those hawks or a roadrunner. When I bent down to pick them up, that quote came to me. I had just finished adding armatures to the doll form to support the weight of beads. Sitting back at my table I had decided this doll should have wings. Here is the sketch- you can see part of the quote in the bottom left corner.

I had a wing pattern that I liked from a previous project and copied the pattern off to the correct size. It was even the right shape.

I have begun making the feathers but I will share that in a future post.

Blessings.

Creative Funk?!

2011-11-05T09:48:00.001-05:00

Sometimes we all find ourselves in a creative funk. My funk began before I taught my class at Bead Fest. I had a difficult time getting it together to be productive. My preparations ahead of time really saved my keester. My class was successful, I had a lot of fun too.

There was a lot of love in that room!

But, it vanished almost as soon as I got into the car to go home.

We all deal with this problem in different ways. When I am in a mild funk, I like to look at magazines, books or blogs for inspiration. I love to look at Etsy too. This funk was different, it couldn't be shaken so easily. I made myself create something- anything. I started with quick projects like ATCs. I have over a dozen new ones now. Then I fell back on the fun project and made a fish with some new beads I bought at Bead Fest. I even sewed two new jackets, a skirt and a vest that is still half done....

The funk was still there.

I knew it was something deep seated... I needed to get to the bottom of this, this thing.

I had a dream, not the sort you care to ever repeat in detail, it woke me up.

Not just from a sound sleep but it WOKE me up.

I began getting to the bottom of this funk! I created several journal pages that are just a bunch of quotes that impacted me. One of which is, "Your words are containers, what do your words carry?" I added, " Do they carry doubt and unbelief?"

I had allowed myself to get discouraged. I had allowed the fear of failure to get in the way. I had allowed doubt to creep in and unbelief to take over.

WOW!

The worst of it was I had lost my vision.

After telling a lady who ordered a custom doll form that my larger dolls had to start with a vision, I realized I had a vision and lost sight of it. I am going to spend the next bit sharing with you this vision.

A journey to creating a doll, a healing, it could even be considered a revelation of the spirit.

I hope you will follow, as I blog the journey of one the dolls I create. I promise it will shock us all.

Blessings.

Bead Fest Texas 2011

2011-10-31T18:28:00.000-05:00

Bead Fest this year was a benchmark for me. I was privileged to be chosen to teach a class. I posted before the class listing that appeared on the registrations site. It was my first "national" class.

I did have a familiar face amongst my students, Geri Moya- owner of Bead Heaven in Wautaga, TX but more importantly- my BEAD MOM. The lady at the second table from the front. One of my students even told me that she follows my blog (Thank you and I am sorry for not being consistent.).

All of my students did really well. They were very studious and worked very hard on their bracelets.

After class, Mandi and I almost made a bee-line for Jeanette! What a talented and kind lady (not to mention beautiful- okay I will mention it.) After I finished shopping, I was so tired that I just sat on the floor and talked to her. Mandi had to come and find me after she shopped at Beyond Beadery.

Bead Fest was great but these two chicks made it fabulous for me.

Sorry my eyes were closed! Thanks Mandi for the photos. You rock!

Blessings everyone!

Contests Anyone?

2011-10-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

I gained so much confidence in my ability to create great bead art by doing well in competitions. Just that little boost encouraged me to keep going. Maybe something from this list will inspire you to enter and stretch your imagination.
Rings and Things : Rock N Roll Challenge
Entries accepted Dec 1- Jan 31st.

Land of Odds : Ugly Necklace Contest
Deadline March 15, 2012

Land of Odds :All Dolled Up Competition
Deadline Oct 31, 2013

More contests are sure to pop up at the beginning of the year, but be sure to remember those that happen every year like Bead Dreams (deadline March 6, 2012).

If these don't catch your fancy, then maybe the articles below will encourage you to keep looking for one that does interest you.
Here is a link to a podcast on Bead Circle about the "Top 7 Reasons to Enter a Beading Contest".
I also like the article I found on Seed Bead Smarts.
BE BLESSED!

So what happens in a month?

2011-08-22T13:09:00.001-05:00

I would like to say more beading, but really I haven't been beading much since the first week of August when I went to the Shreveport Bead retreat. I did bead another fish before I left, when I should have been more focused on making kits. But in my defense, the work seems to go much easier when you allow yourself to take a deep breath and play before you begin. Then again' it may be because I am such an impressive procrastinator that I behave this way. Either way, it works for me and it might work for you but if it doesn't....I am not responsible, it was just a suggestion! Below are photos of the remaining Dragonfly Cuff kits. In essence, you bead a flat doll and stitch it to a cuff. The photos on the kits depicts the prototype and the actual kits are various colors and bead combos you could use to create a similar cuff (instructions are inside too).

I went to Shreveport with a business goal in mind. Having wonderful business-minded cohorts in crime giving me the nudge to be very organized and more responsible with the products I presented allowed me to reach that monetary benchmark and has provided me with the opportunity to take it further. It also helped me improve my bookkeeping responsibilities. What a blessing it is to have folks around that help you better yourself or your product. I felt like my goal was very level headed and realistic and also reflected the attendance and last year's benchmark. I did manage to achieve more than just the goal I had set and I am so thankful for that.

Because of my playtime before I left, there was a unique opportunity to invest in my future as a designer and a teacher. Little did I know what a big deal it would really become. I just felt compelled to participate in the challenge at the bead retreat and it allowed me just the right avenue to present a project that went over really well. Three separate groups have asked (even pleaded with) me to teach this project in the future. Wanna know what caused the stir? FISHIES!!!!

Not only had I been making fishies but the washers and key ring included in the challenge had already been used in my first design, ever, the Steampunk Style Beaded Cogs.

All I can say is "Glub, Glub"

I also have this little purple one that is going in a fish swap for a yahoo group that I have been a member of for several years.

Who ever my swap partner may be, they are gonna be happy that none of my table mates were successful with their plans to net this one. They all tried, well, all except one-- you know you you are!

Blessings!

Been Beading....

2011-07-18T18:50:00.000-05:00

Have You?

Hmmm, I think I am detecting a color theme...maybe it is just a coincidence- NAHHH!

Blessings!

Chicks...

2011-06-14T15:59:00.000-05:00

Not only does my 11 year old think it is cool to say " We have chicks at our house" as if he is this major "chick" magnet. He finds even more humor in telling folks that we have "two black chicks". Well, we do. Of all the cute little chicks that have hatched two were black (so far). He sure does know how to test his momma's patience with his words...smart toot.

Below is "Hawk" and her brood. (she may peck you for looking too closely)

Two of them needed a little rescuing and my hubby and I were all too eager to help( except for the pecking part). It is wonderful to see new life. It keeps us positive and always looking for the better things life has to offer. It gives us hope.

New chickie, just hatched with a little help.

Birth naturally leads to growth, and maturity. Whether a creature is born or a new piece of beadwork or other form of art, it all helps us grow and mature as artists.

Take time to think of all the new births you have experiences and enjoy the growth.

Bead Circle

2011-05-31T06:57:00.000-05:00

I want to take the time to Thank Mandi from BEAD CIRCLE for posting a podcast conversation between the two of us about 7 Reasons to Enter a Beading Contest. It is an awesome resource to listen too while you bead. I also have used it to encourage me to push to the finish on a competion piece for the Fashion Colorworks Contest hosted by My Lovely Beads. Photos of my piece will be posted after the finalist are chosen, so stay tuned. Until I can share with you the new design, how about a couple of pictures of last years entry taken by Bradford Bosher? This one did make it to the final 10. I call it Steampunk Style Beaded Cogs.

A tutorial kit of a more basic version can be purchased on my side bar.

It was also very cool to see an entry for this years contest with similar components. I love the look of thread over metal! It adds a design element you don't ordinarily think of when beading. Always looking to hide the thread would make you miss the opportunity to use it as a feature.

Happy Beading and God Bless You.

New Beginnings

2011-05-16T09:06:00.000-05:00

Most of my work has been acknowledged for its merit as bead work. I am very thankful for all the opportunities I have been given in the "bead community". I came to beading several years ago as a way to pace how many creations I spill out. You see, I wanted something that took longer to complete. I had developed a speed in sewing that was just ridiculous and I didn't know what to do with the many items that came to occupy the much needed space in my home (errr closet). I also learned that I love to work on small projects adding a lot of detail. I now find myself coming full circle, but with a new beginning. I suppose it just spreads my artistry over many mediums. Choosing just one and sticking to it is a very frightening concept to me, so bear with me when the mood or need strikes to venture through another medium for a while.

This then leads us to the second achievement stemming from the new beginnings in sewing, the first being the published article in "Altered Couture" magazine. This is the best experience I have ever had sewing for someone, and by far the most beautiful garment I have ever created. Let me introduce Krista Mendoza from a local Dallas band, Dalom.

A photo of the band.

The man on the left, Johnny Zercher, their bassist, was introduced to me by Connie Swain, as it happens the three of us attend the same church. Middle right is the drummer Paul Guerra, and far right is Donald Rozario, lead guitarist. It is a privilege to get to know these guys and it never hurts to get to rawk out with them either!

I would say this is a great new beginning for my sewing endeavors. To sow into a vocalist's ministry is beyond amazing it is a huge blessing to me.

Bead Fest Texas

2011-05-11T05:55:00.000-05:00

2081, Waves of Grace 10/23/2011 $135.00

Ralonda Patterson

Bead Fest Texas Workshop

Class Date: Sunday, October 23, 2011

Time: 8:30 AM-11:30 AM

Level: All Levels

Technique: Bead Stitching

Classroom: Super Bowl II

Description

Students will learn how to combine vintage or Swarovski buttons, solid ring and basic bead weaving to create a refined bracelet. Waves of Grace is a deceptively simple design that is versatile and rewarding. All skill levels are encouraged.

Prerequisites

Some knowledge of brick stitch and herringbone and their terms is helpful but not required.

Materials List

Materials Included in Kit: Vintage or Swarovski rivoli 3015 buttons, metal o-rings, two colors of size 11 seed beads, one color size 15 seed bead and complete instructions.

Students must bring these REQUIRED MATERIALS to class: 6 or 8lb Fireline, size 10 beading sharps, size 11 beading needles, scissors, bead mat, needle puller

Dallas Bead Society

2011-04-21T08:58:00.000-05:00

The ladies at the Dallas Bead Society are awesome people! Everytime I go to a meeting I leave encouraged and refreshed. At the last meeting, I taught a class that was requested by one of the board members. She had come around during a previous meeting and spotted a flower on my mat made from dagger beads and drops. IExplaining to her that it was inspired by a design I had found online but it was at an unobtainable rate and I then set out to teach myself another new trick. My flower looked different than the inspiration but it was lovely anyhow. After creating a handout for the ladies, it seemed to be a nice thought to offer a kit for a minimal fee to those who wanted one. Little did I know that so many of these precious ladies would want a kit and more than one! It was scramble but I discovered that I am good at it. I knew I could make kits but organizing who wants which color took a little bit more than just making kits.

It is a blessing to see the excitement stirred by a project that takes very little time (in comparison to other bead designs) to complete. Here is an awesome array of flowers created from the kit and from the personal stash of some very adventurous and talented beaders.

The last three are kits I had put together. There was a very limited number of the pink but a bunch of the blue and purple. There was a red one too that was not photographed -- it got away from me. If you love this project, come see us at the Shreveport Bead Retreat in August, where I will be teaching it. You can find the cost by folowing the link and the site should be updated with the new August dates soon.

I think Spring has officially SPRUNG at the DBS.

May the work of your hands prosper, Blessings.

Pressing In...

2011-03-14T11:07:00.001-05:00

If you are thinking you may find a blog post about beading today- I must say it isn't going to happen. I have been on a journey that has taken me away from my beads for a time. At the end of this journey there will be some magnificent creations in many mediums.

I have a great friend who keeps reminding me to press in. When times are tough and you don't have all the answers, you press in to His presence. You use whatever giftings you have been called to as a way to find Him through the fog. Dig deep. You may not know what I am babbling about but this is the way I find joy in the morning. When I really need to perservere and put one foot in front of the other. Do you know what I mean and can you identify with the fog? Your circumstances put you in a mess and you just feel like you are in a funk. But This Fog is special- "His Glory rested on the land like a dense fog"-- you can't SEE your way through it but faith gets you there. Faith is the eveidence of things not seen. Vision is a very big thing with me. I SEE a lot of things around me that go unnoticed by many. I used to pray that it would go away and then I wouldn't have to be the one to understand it all. I have come to know that I really prefer to see things clearly and not through a fog. But then I heard a new perspective. One that can see the beginning and the end at the same time, even though I only see the fog.

Here is a video, a power point presentation I put together. This is the first time I have added music to it. I am pretty excited to share it with you. It has been a way for me to press in and cling to what really matters to me- " the Love of God".

This has been a way to make His love visible through art journaling.

His love for me is so amazing. Sometimes he keeps me in a dense fog so that I just trust Him for the next step. The steps that deepen my Faith in a God that is Bigger than my problems. A God that loves me.

Yeah ME. Just as I am, and He still loves me.

Repurpose

2011-02-24T22:44:00.000-06:00

After giving in to the desire to just work in my journal instead of all the other "crafts" that I love, I began to question the purpose of it all. Why am I spending so much time on this when it isn't going to be something I can give or sell or even market in any way? What am I doing this for? What is it's purpose? It all boils down the the latter question. What IS its purpose, what function does it serve? You can't wear it, you can't hang it- all you can do is look at it (when you are done). Then I came upon something profound- a revelation. I have to "re purpose" my thoughts and feelings towards this endeavor, this visual journal. I have to admit I don't really know what purpose it serves but it must be a good one or I would not gravitate so heavily to it. I have to rest in the fact that I may not know! In fact, I don't! I may not have all the details but it will make a difference somehow. It has already started a reflective process in me. It is essential that I continue to create in this "Visual Journal".
I cleaned off my table to sew. I put everything away in its proper place and completed a garment. Seeming to be the right time to pick it up again, I couldn't find it-- for several days. Every thing seemed to be off kilter, whirling in unstable orbits until I found it. It was exactly where it should have been on the bookshelf. I was really messed up and finding it straightened everything out in an instant.

So I invested a bit of cash in a book that teaches different journal backgrounds and techniques. It is called The Journal Junkies Workshop. After glancing through this book, I created the following pages.

After posting my thoughts about this journaling on Facebook, a couple of encouraging ladies left comments and they are highlighted by the black box thing. It is the display screen off of a Western Rivers electronic game caller that broke. So I re purposed it! I thought it was the perfect frame.

This set of pages is all about my "little man" who will be earning his Webelos Badge this weekend. We have been tried by fire with him lately and I needed to be reminded of these blessings that were prayed over him when he was dedicated as an infant. Those eyes say it all, don't they?

Windows to the soul.

Juelles Designs

2011-02-14T08:25:00.000-06:00

I have another special friend that always manages to get me into some kind of trouble ( I have a knack for getting her into trouble too so it is mutual). Mind you, it is always good trouble. We have a terrific time together that is always full of laughs. I managed to cobble onto one of her stunning patterns, they can be found in her Etsy shop. I have been in love with this pendant since the first time I laid eyes on it.

Here is my sweet friend...at the bead retreat.

And this is the magnificent design I have loved for so long.

This one will be donated to an auction that will raise money for some of our kids to go to Atlanta for a Teen Mania mission trip. My son will not be going but we are trying to pitch in to make it possible for the others.

Blessings.

What is in a name...

2011-02-11T22:12:00.000-06:00

I think I need to name my serger now... this project as made it a close second to my sewing machine.

This jacket is made from 11 shirts and 2 skirts, most of which were purchase at Goodwill.

Recycle and Reuse!

The many textures all together are a tactile fantasy land!

So, what should I name my sweet serger. I have to tell you it was a gift from a beading friend who knew I would use it more than she had. You darn right I will useit! In fact, I have used it so much that I had to let it cool off a few times!

Blessings!

Hari-kuyo

2011-02-09T11:03:00.000-06:00

My fellow friends in blogger land have turned their thoughts to a Japanese custom for honoring broken needles used in their embroidery and various stitching. I really hadn't given much thought to honoring my supplies, but really we should think about it. Here we are blessed to have these supplies and use them to create incredible works for others to enjoy or even just to pass the time away. So much of ourselves go into each project that we should be so thankful for the tools we use. Here is a link to one such artist who has considered this to be a worthy cause, Susan Elliot's Blog. I love to watch her process of creating, it is nothing shy of genius.

A friend of mine suggested that we name our favorite appliances, and I thought about my favorite appliance, my sewing machine. I have had it for many years and it didn't have a name. Well because it has been abused all these years, I called it Quasimodo. My little way of honoring for all the years of service that went by with out a single thank you.

I really should take time to give thanks for all the wonderful supplies that I have been blessed with over the years. There are some ladies that do not even have their own needles to stitch with and must share with a community of stitchers.

Even though I have never thought to honor my supplies, I often pray over them, especially as I work. I think it adds to the feel of the finished item.

Like this quilt- all the love that went into making it and all the love that was shared under it until it came to me in this state.

Prayers went up for the family while I took it apart and saved what I could of the deteriorated fabric. Then Quasimodo faithfully stitched it all back together. Below is the quilt without the binding and backing- Each strip of remnant fabric had to be stitched to a 10X10 square of the original back (to stabilize the fabric it was stitched in many rows over each square).

The finished quilt was delivered on Christmas day to the lady who had kept it for 50 years. The love that was already embedded in the fabric with the new prayers and stitching will not soon be forgotten and they will always be felt by anyone who touches it.

I think I will plan to take part in Hari-kuyo next year. How about you?

Be Blessed!

One of those days...

2011-02-08T09:54:00.000-06:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you just needed a little pick me up? I spent all day yesterday in a funk that I couldn't shake. I even received somethings I had been waiting for and it didn't even put a dent in the dark cloud looming over my head. The mail lady brought my "Blog2Print" book, it wasn't supposed to ship until February 22nd. I even received money in the mail- eveybody like to get money in the mail!
Most of my day was done and my Dear Hubby came home with a package. A what? Yes, he checked the mail and I had completely missed two little bubble mailers. Each one contained a doll form from a swap hosted by the Beaded Art Doll yahoo group. One of them was a little green fishy. This wasn't any ordinary fishy, its creator knew I was smitten with that cute little whimsical fish. She was also the swap host and arranged ever so cleverly to send her swap form to me. What a huge blessing. She remembered that I loved that little form, and she used her position to bless me. I tell you, there are a ton of good people out there that really are thoughtful of others.
The other doll form was quite lovely and a had a very sweet face. I photographed the pair on one of my journal pages.

I have already started the beading on the fishy, and I haven't beaded on a doll in a very long time. This was just such a sweet sentiment that it really got me busy. Thanks Aryd'ell.

Mail!

2011-02-02T08:29:00.000-06:00

Have you ever anxiously awaited a package? I have been waiting for almost a year for a few of my creations to return home. I sent them to Stampington's (Altered Couture). They clearly state in the submissions guidelines that they may keep them longer if they intend to use them. I sent them in March and just before Thanksgiving I received news that they would like to use them. A big Hurray! The issue is due to come out this month and I am eagerly awaiting the magazine and my altered pieces to come home. I miss them! I can't wait to lay my hands on the stitches and the feel the fabrics again

This is one that I miss the most! I named it "She Bop".

I have completed a driving safety course (at the last minute) and have awaited the certificate. I even paid for 2 day delivery and It came but I can't get to my mailbox to send it on to the appropriate authorities. They are supposed to have it by Monday and it feels like -3 degrees outside and it isn't due to thaw until Friday. There is a solid sheet of ice on most of our roads.

I also ordered some much sought after rings(supplies for a beading kit) from Canada and they also have come. I learned I will have to order a smaller size but I am just so thrilled to find a source that the inconvience and loss of funds from the first order are just not important or discouraging. I am sourcing the larger ring of the middle set.

I found a publisher, Blog2Print, that will compile the posts of your blog and print it as a hard-bound or laminated soft-bound book for you (starting at 14.95). I had seen this before and I think that it was finally time I had the years set to print for friends and family to browse and there is just something wonderful about turning the pages of a book. It wasn't supposed to be shipped until Feb 22nd, but I got an email saying it has already shipped.

MAN DO I WANT SOME TENNIS RAQUETS TIED TO MY FEET SO THAT I CAN CHECK THE MAIL!

Knowing me, I would still slip and fall on my keester.

I know our mail lady and she is probably having a blast in this ice- she is one of those big kids that thinks it is great to NEED to use the 4 wheel drive (if she is not freezing too much- it IS brutal out there).

Oh well, I will continue to walk in this uncanny peace while I wait for all of these things to work out. Don't get me wrong, all of these things are fighting for attention even though there is nothing to be done about them. I just need to stay focused on the one that makes straight my paths! It is ALL Good!

Amazing Friends!

2011-01-31T10:13:00.000-06:00

I have this amazing friend, really she is more like a mentor. She has an amazing heart and a passion for helping people achieve their dreams. She sees destiny in people and has a supernatural ability to hook people up! I know another young lady that is like this too (Mandi from Beadcircle.com). Don't you love it when you are surrounded by awesome people?

She is hosting a new radio show called M-Pact on Fishbowl Radio on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00. You can click the link to listen to her previous shows. She has been an encouragement to me and has connected me with some great like minded artists.

Connie You Rock!

A new Adventure in Art

2011-01-29T13:30:00.000-06:00

Creating while listening to worship music has become such a big part of my creation process that I tend to do it without thinking. I have to stop and take inventory as to what actually contributes to my productivity and the avenues I find to get there. Which pointed out that I am in serious need of an MP3 player or something of the sort! When I am in my own little bubble, I can access the computer (Pandora Radio) and the Dish Network music stations or even FM radio in my car.

As a result of going to the Texas Bead Retreat, I found that when I am away from home I am seriously deficient in peace. I am Totally LOST! Thank God for tech savvy friends with free apps on their technologicaly superior phones!

While listening to the internet radio, I painted the second page in my new art journal. I loaded the pictures onto the computer and then I had to play with the editing features. What fun!

Here is the original.

This one is over-exposed- I like how light and airy it is.

This has the spot-light effect on it. I love the darker edges!

This one is my favorite. It not only has the spotlight but also has the cartoon affect added to it. It pulls those darker undertones to the surface!

Pretty cool coming from one painting. I may have to try to paint the variations to see how to do it myself.

Which one is your favorite?

Blessings.

Collage worthy photos

2011-01-18T10:18:00.001-06:00

All of these are taken from my desk drawers- they could use some organization but they wouldn't stay that way for long.

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas...

2010-12-14T09:11:00.001-06:00

What a wonderful Christmas season I have been experiencing. All around me, people are pouring out their hearts to others in need. I know, many of them do it every year, but this year I am not walking around in a funk missing my mother so much that it blinds me to what is going on around me. THIS year may be the first Christmas since she has passed that I may be able to carry on even half of her Christmas cheer.
I had the privilege of putting my sewing skills to work for the Christmas Play. This is not just any play, this is Starry Night, Noisy Night a Suessical Musical about the Christmas story told from the perspective of the animals. Our sheep look like Little Bo Peep sheep, and our cows are a smashing hit with hot pink and black costumes. The greatest moment came when I fitted our little "rooster" in his costume. I don't have a picture of him in it but I do have a picture of my son filling in for the alterations.

Even with that great moment, my favorite costume is worn by another. You see one of the little girls, who happens to be kin to me, is the camel's hump. Yeah the hump. Here is a photo of the costume without her in it and without the hat too, but you get the idea.

I hope you enjoyed the costumes, I hope to post more pictures of them when we have them dressed for rehearsal.

What fun it is has been to have free reign and sew up such creative concepts.

Break is over!

2010-11-19T10:45:00.002-06:00

My little break from beading didn't last long at all! I had volunteered to teach a class at the first ever Bead Heaven Bead Retreat at A Day Away Retreat in Boyd, Texas (just a hop on the farm to market road from me). The ladies were disbelieving of how far I drive to spend time with them on Tuesday evenings. It does take all of 45 minutes to get there but the route is very easy and worry free. They had a little trouble with the backroads (they are fortunate the roads were paved) but that was not an issue for me since I grew up on them. Kids in the area are often accused of "burning up the backroads" after they get their permits. There is alot of nostalgia for me that goes hand in hand with these tangled country roads but I digress....lets just save that for another time.

I taught a beaded toggle and loop and Geri, the owner of Bead Heaven in Watauga, provided kits for the ladies free of charge (the class I offered for free as well).

This is Geri working away.

We took a few pictures but as you know you always miss someone- even if it is just the camera-woman.

I did the best I could and managed to get in one of the photos thanks to Ruby (our Hostess).

Here is a shot of the great room and all the great beaders you can also see the alpacas outside.

It was awesome to get to spend time with Arden and wish her a Happy Birthday.

I was heartwarming to share the afternoon with these wonderful ladies (and our host Micheal and hostess Ruby).

I hope you are blessed today by the friendship of other too.

Not beads?!

2010-11-12T18:49:00.001-06:00

I have been busy doing other things that do NOT require beads. I am taking a break. There has been a bit of cleaning going on and a whole lot of sewing and knitting.
I made a hat last year that was a ski cap with earflaps and sent it to my Father in Law and it was confiscated by my nephew with the promise of making another to replace it. I just finshed the replacement... I figure it is just in time for the cold weather too.
I took a gamble and glanced through a knitting magazine and found the cutest squirrel and hedgehog pattern that I fell in love with. I decided I better try my hand as something easier to get a feel for making a plushy before I tried one that turned inside out to be another critter. In this same issue there was a pattern for a little owl. Being fond of the gray variegated yarn I used for the ski hat I thought -- why not?

He is sittting on a quilt I am re-tying and is very patiently waiting for his other foot. He has been waiting all day... maybe he will get it before Monday, definately Tuesday! What do you think we should call him- all I came up with was "Hootie"- kinda lame....?

How did I do?

2010-11-08T11:30:00.000-06:00

Possibly the cutest Megaman I have ever known! No, of course I am not at all biased.

Can't slow down...

2010-10-27T22:23:00.002-05:00

I am trying to finish a Megaman costume for my son for the Fall Festival- he really wants to win the costume contest. Here is a photo I am using as a guide.

So far I have the basic suit with the arm bands- no gloves (you can't unwrap candy with gloves on!)

and I made a pair of spats for the boots, but I need to sew in the fasteners to keep them on. I taped a plastic bag on my son's head to make a form for the helmet but no fabric mock up yet. There are the ear "muffs" to make, the helmet, epaulets and a few other little details- like painting the white zipper navy.

I have also decided that is will be a long cold winter and I am shoveling out the contents of my house so that there is lots of room for me to climb the walls. It is always sad to see the warmth of summer disappear. I even cleaned a window in the kitchen today and I just wanted to stand at the sink and look out that shiny clear glass it was a bit cool to really want to go out. My next goal is to get the rest of the house as clean too. I may be spinning my wheels but at least I am going to give it a go! Oh well, it is back to those boots- I have to figure out how sew this Velcro on with all that padding at the top!

Help Keep the Kiddos safe this Halloween.

Neck Corset

2010-10-11T08:58:00.002-05:00

Never heard of such a thing? Be careful googling it... I got an eyeful myself.

I guess that is what happens when you like odd things.

This one is very tame and I think I have hit upon a design I want to revisit- I am talking of this one not the eyeful. I started on this the Sunday before Bead Fest Texas. If you really know then you would know I just had to have something uniquely me to wear. As the commercial says, "Nailed it." It took 6 days to bead those little cogs and to create some larger ones with an interesting shape (just to see if I could do it). To make the corset, I used the same geometry application to draft a pattern for a neck corset as you would for an underbust. It worked and it gave me an exquisite foundation to sew all the cogs.

There are a total of 33 cogs! A few of them are stacked on top of one another for dimension.

There is a necklace design like this only without the neck corset brewing, I can feel it.

I love the neck corsets and I want to make more of them- This one is VERY comfortable and keeps a body warm. Having a critical eye, has shown me that there are some issues with the alignment of some of the cogs- but that is what you get when you hurry through something. They are definitely not noticeable when worn (at least not as much as I flutter about :) and I am not about to take it apart to fix it either. It is something to improve upon in future projects.

After a beading marathon like this one- I have to rest my beady eyes, which is good.

There are a lot of other things around here that need my attention.

But I dare not let any of those words cross my lips.

Stuck like Chuck

2010-10-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

Sometimes you hear the all familiar,

"Mom come help me, I'm stuck!"

You never know what you will see when you arrive.

I like to set my laundry basket at the end of the couch until all the wash is dried and then I take over the couch with a folding party of one. My youngest also likes to use this same place to plug his DSI into the power strip....

What happened this time was priceless.

I wished I had realized I could use the video button while he was flailing his arms and legs trying to get out.

Instead, all you get are these still photos.

I just watched as he figured out how to get out by himself.

I laughed so hard because it was funny and he really knows how to put on a show.

Each one of my kids have one night a week that they do something without the other.

He insisted that he wear my latest creation...

After a year long break, we are back to Scouting on Monday nights.

He is a second year Webelo scout and I am very proud of how he pays attention- then again sometimes not.

It is an awesome thing to see him mature from year to year. So much progress has been made!

I have such awesome kids!

New Designs!

2010-09-15T08:22:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine, Carol-Anne, designed this bracelet and handed me the beads to bead it. It is called the "Queen's Crown Bracelet". I imagine the Queen of Hearts would love to get her hands on this jewel. Carol-Anne trusted me to test her instructions and I found them to be very well written and illustrated! WAY TO GO, Carol-Anne! It was such a priviledge to stitch this and of course it always great when you get new beads! It took me several days to finish it but even my son had to try it on. While I was making it I would look over at him, he was supposed to be doing schoolwork. Instead, he would be staring at me, mezmerized by the color and sparkle.

I did add a few bits here and there but the overall design is definitely true to her instructions. Her design lends itself to some great variations. I have seen a couple from her and her first students that were just stunning.

I used this peyote cirlce instead of the loop in her instructions, she had one like this for herself (so again it was not completely my idea). I also used a herringbone bar for the toggle instead of the peyote tube in her instructions. Peyote stitch and I don't often meet and when we do-- it is only because there isn't an alternative.

I also worked up another sample of my new design... I really wanted to use buttons for this but the buttons I had on hand did not work the way I had planned (haha that rhymes) . I had to find an alternative and this is the result...

Just a LITTLE bling to make your heart flutter! They are only 10mm Swarovski beads....

There will be another sample (with just as much bling) coming very soon. The buttons will be here sometime this week or first thing Monday morning. I know these buttons will work as planned!

The overall design is going to stay BUT I will teach a different variation of this.

I hope these new designs will inspire you!

Bead ON!

The learning curve

2010-08-21T13:25:00.002-05:00

I won a book at the Shreveport Bead Retreat and I have been challenging myself to learn about "Shaped Beadwork". I love being able to apply what I have learned to so many things.

Here is a better shot of the diamond shapes and now they have a purpose too!

The flower is a "Trillium" from Diane Fitzgerald's book (Shaped Beadwork). And the bracelet band is the diagonal striped chain ( only my colors aren't striped AND it is 3 segments wide.) This trillium has added embellishments that were not covered by the book ( in other words- I made them up).

I have another project I am working on but "MUMS" the word. We all have to have some secrets- right?

Keep on Beading my beady friends!

I HAVE been beading

2010-08-19T18:35:00.002-05:00

SEE

A gift for a special lady

First "Shaped Beadwork" looks like a rodent's head :(

Second "Shaped Beadwork"

Shreveport Bead Retreat

2010-08-11T15:11:00.001-05:00

I had a terrific time at my very first bead retreat. I don't think I ever got into bed before 1 :30 am and never slept past 8 am. We took daily trips to Starbuck's (Mandi is a superstar and gets an employee discount). I acquired a new nickname, one that is a quite common reference in my house- "Groceries". I guess I really do eat a lot, though it is not my favorite past time.
Even though it was a bead retreat I did not bead very much at all. I spent most of my time sharing with others and peddling kits and doll forms. All my peeps thought they were at the "popular table" with so many flocking to purchase kits and check out my beaded dolls too.
The cogs class I taught was a big hit, my friend Carol-Anne did a logical thing and counted heads for me. I had 26 students, a teacher's aide, and a heckler. Mandi offered to help me, she collected money and announced my class was about to begin to any stragglers left in the ballroom. Another friend, Julie the heckler, was there to cause problems- in a good way. She actually decided to leave without any heckling because everyone was concentrating soooo hard. It was great to have the support of so many and have so many serious students. Every student was a superstar. They all had left with great progress and most even with a finished product.
I met some really wise ladies that I will treasure for years to come, I won't list their names because to do so would put one ahead of the other and they were equally important to me.

There was a whole lotta goofing off going on too. Dancing in elevators, beading in our pajamas, unauthorized shopping trips (no wait we got permission for that after all) even skipping classes! Some of the ladies even decided their jewelry bags belonged on their heads....

Some of us even went crazier and ditched the evening banquet to eat at Alabasha, a Lebanese/ Greek restaurant to watch the belly dancer (Amber was her name).

It isn't a terrific picture, the settings on my camera were really off... but we were in good beady company, she added alot of beads and sequins to her costume! Fun was had by all!

Not that the preparations for the bead retreat are over, I can actually bead a little and prepare for the school year with my kids. Our curriculum has already arrived!

This trip blessed me not only while I was gone but when I returned too. My kids and hubby were glad to have me home. I think they missed me more than they let on.

Fourth of July

2010-07-26T19:44:00.001-05:00

I had the best Fourth ever. I was not looking forward to it. Two years ago, on July 4th, my brother and I were on a whirlwind trip to Mississippi to see my mother who was in the hospital. Only to come home a week and half later with no mother at all. This memory being so fresh, I really didn't want to think about it. We were going to go and do the very thing I was supposed to have done instead of going on that trip. My niece was supposed to come for the first time since her Dad's funeral (locally) and my mom's too. I wasn't sure what to expect as she has had a real tough go. Her mother passed away in March 2007, then an aunt (my sister's closest friend) three months later, then her Dad in Feb. 2008, then of all things my Mom (who has always provided for her and was now her legal guardian) in July of 2008. I wasn't sure what to expect. I have always wanted to be close to this young lady and my sister wouldn't really come around unless she had her act together, which was seldom.

I was really nervous that she really didn't want to spend time with us, just that she knew she needed to. I was also nervous about what to do with an 18 year old young lady. I have boys and they are not there yet. My oldest will be 15 this week. It turns out, my youngest (who is 10) knew just what to do...

He sat and watched (and helped) her play a Sims game! Way to go little man. Even her boyfriend was playing a video game at the time. We even talked quite a bit while they played.

I also learned that of all the people she had hoped to spend time with I was the only one who really showed up (besides her aunt that she stayed with). I was not going to let that go. You see she has a brother who didn't really know anything about his mom until his parents had to come clean when he was announced as a survivor. I had to wait in the wings and watch him grow up from a distance because my sister was forced to give up her parental rights (which meant we had no rights either). She had not seen her brother in 14 years! I had the privilege of having lunch with him and going skating with him and diffusing a heated discussion between him and his dad. I had a little bit of pull with him. It turns out that he didn't come to see her because he was scared he would disappoint her. I told him he really didn't have a choice but to come- he many not be given another chance. I had to jump thru some hoops to get him...18 texts later...

They met for the first time, as far as they can remember. Every time I see this photo I get all weepy! To me, this is the most beautiful moment a person could hope for. I wish my sister could have seen it too.

Anyhow, in the middle of all those texts, I had a genius thought. What if I managed to get my brother's kid together with us too. Here we go... more hoops! My brother is a truck driver and was on the road. His ex-wife lives locally but was at the lake. It turned out to be my nephew's older brother's 17th birthday. Now I am in trouble. I have a narrow window to borrow the kid from his mom during his brother's day long family birthday celebrations.

But I did it!!! He is the one in the middle- can you see the family resemblance? These are my three stooges- only he is the serious stooge (Shep). More than that I managed to facilitate a miracle. We had all of my mother's grandchildren and only HER grandchildren all in one photo for the first time ever too!

What a bunch! Another boo-hoo picture for me.

I didn't know what to expect out of that weekend, but I surely never would have expected this!

Maybe I should have...

Still Standing

2010-07-26T18:59:00.049-05:00

This is such a beautiful place, I love to look for it every time. I think the owner too had treasured it for the memories it shares with all who pass this way. I also look for it to disappear one day when someone decides that the space could be used differently. I just know that it will happen- someday. I am thankful that I remembered to photograph it before they did so the memory will live on a little longer.

There are a lot of memories that are still standing.

I cannot post photos of it because most are protected by copyright laws, but it brings me back to 9-11. It brings me back to the moment that my mother called me a week later and said, "I am okay." A flood of emotion came over me in that brief moment. I knew my mother often worked across the street from the Pentagon and stayed in a hotel in Fairfax, but I had NO idea she was there when this occurred. So the remembrance of watching these events unfold at the dealership while my care was getting a tune up flooded back but with the thought that my mother was in the midst of the chaos. Then with a quick "I am okay". That is a whole lotta emotion in one moment!

More than my personal experience, I watched a nation pull together and I watched them remember their neighbor. With finances tough for so many, and most of it brought to realization by this event, it is wonderful for me to see how many are STILL remembering their neighbors.

Other things

2010-07-13T09:36:00.003-05:00

There are times in your life when "other things" keep you from doing what you think you want to do. I have been so blessed with the harvest this year. My family members have sent many bags containing squash, okra, zucchini, and tomatoes to us. That is not all, we have had so much rain this spring that there are bumper crops of blackberries, plums, peaches, grapes and pears. I have never canned or frozen so much food before. Yesterday alone I canned 19 quarts and 2 pints of peaches (just from 2 trees and there are many more). There will be plenty to freeze and make preserves out of too. Many people have even given me their jars. More than providing food, it has provided and opportunity to save money, and learning opportunities for my kids. Growing, picking, canning, and/ or freezing isn't something most folks learn, there is an art to it all.

My oldest helped skin the peaches yesterday (after they were scalded) and felt real proud of himself, and so he should have. It was an immense help to me! After it was all done and he shared how he helped my youngest decided it would have been fun to have helped too.

Opportunities like this one are usually rare but for some reason my youngest son is always seeing some great feats of creation. Here he is with a butterfly that he fed as a caterpillar in a jar. He is so smart he knew that this monarch could only eat milkweed as a caterpillar and he set this sock over the jar so he could breath. We have another chrysalis in a jar and I noticed that the top of it has a gold band. It is sparkly like drops of real gold. You can tell he was really proud of his butterfly when it was transformed.

I have a great Fourth of July story to share but I will save that for another post. It is such an amazing story it needs its own room.

Until then, I am content to do whatever task comes my way, sometimes we just have to "do the work".

It is a finalist!!!

2010-06-24T23:00:00.001-05:00

The over the top Beaded Cogs Steampunk Style necklace I created for the Fashion Colorworks 2010 Beading Contest made it to the finals. You can go and rate the top ten from 1-5 here.

Here are the fabulous photos my wonderful photographer (Thanks again BRAD!!!) took and while it was at his house his wonderful wife and president of the Dallas Bead Society got to prance around and wear it for the day. I told her she had to wear it for a whole day before she sent it home to me!

He takes awesome photos!!!

It wasn't the first time my beady friends have snagged it to wear for the day. One of them still claims it is a birthday gift that I haven't given to them yet.

Thanks for stopping by!

Setting Priorities

2010-06-04T15:34:00.002-05:00

Lately, life has decided to throw a lot of unfamiliar stuff at me. Many of them are great opportunities but some of them are very mind consuming. Mostly, I have been taking one step at a time. On top of traveling this new ground it is summer time, school is out and there is no real structure to speak of at my house at the moment. No one getting up and off to work, no one having to complete important tasks before going off to play or to fish. The only constant activity is meal time. I am wondering where all that energy came from to school, keep up with the house hold chores and bead? All I seem to be doing lately is house hold chores. One day is running into another and I don't "feel" as if much is getting done. I guess that is why we all love summer. The days just pass by without a whole lot of fuss, or restraint a semblance of freedom.

I have read other post that have talked about making their art/craft a priority so that the summer doesn't leave them without something to share. What a great idea! I think it is time to set some structure for myself as to what I want to accomplish and give myself the freedom to achieve it.

My first goal seems to have nothing to do with my art/craft but to me it IS the mission of my art/craft.

Maybe making some sort of schedule to clean in the morning while it is cool and play in the afternoon when it warms up will work. I am going to have to come up with something but for now I just need coffee.

Here is a piece that I love but have not worn yet. I have had the art bead for a very long time and didn't know what to do with it, it is one of those special things you love and whatever you do it has to be just right. Now - it is done and I love it!

FROGS Rock!

Tips for messy artists....

2010-05-31T21:22:00.002-05:00

In my last post, I shared with you how my need to clean. I did do alot of cleaning but now I am back to myself again and all I want to do is create! Typical! Well I didn't, and never will, get it all cleaned up but I did make one heck of a dent in things. I also discovered something about my habits that allow me to work even when things are in some form of disarray. I made this discovery when I decided NOT to spit shine my house before a brand new visitor came for tutoring in the creative process.

Let's say that you crave an organized space in order to "work" but you are not disciplined to maintain that order. Anyone here like that? I know I am! Here is my suggestion:

Use a place mat or in my case a cutting mat to block off a bit of "working" space and make everything on it as organized as you need to function at maximum productivity.

Narrow your focus to this area. The world will tell you that everything else is still a mess, but train your eyes to focus on the prize and ignore everything that is not your creative spirit. This may come easy to beaders as they are used to focusing on what is in there hands when they do get started, but this may help them zone in to actually begin.

I manage to ignore the mess to the right by focusing on what is on my mat. The rest is a hodge podge of past processes that included benadryl for the poison oak that STILL itches. You may not ever manage to put all these things in their proper place- if indeed they have one, but you can still continue to be productive in spite of a little mess (many of these things stay there because I use them constantly- which means- this is their proper place). This is indeed a little mess as my whole table was covered like this before I cleaned.

As a disclaimer I would like to say, your materials do need some form of organization. They need to be contained. Simple clasifications work for most of us- seeds, bugles, fire polish, focals and buttons, then you have everything else in another spot. Some of us have more than just beads to organize- stamps, paper, punches, fabric, embellishements, yarn, beads, clay, sewing machines, sergers ect.... I fall into that category and I can find most stuff but sometimes that specific thing will elude me and it is only because I don't have a map!
This suggestion is just something that helps me over come the anxiety that can come from MY messes. If this was in anyway helpful to you, let me know.

New Design Ideas

2010-05-24T16:33:00.001-05:00

New Design ideas are flying in my head. They are all fighting for attention. In the book (Art and Fear) I am reading, I have learned that we tend to lean (or should lean) towards practices that make us more productive. My productivity has come at a great cost to my environment. I am in a dire need to CLEAN. I know you hear it all the time that artists are naturally messy and live in certain state of chaos. This is largely true for me though I can only take so much chaos before my production is shot in the foot by irritation. I get into this "super mode" where everything I see and touch must be cleaned and reorganized. It is only then that I can rest and create. The only other time this mode surfaces is when I am in a rage....it calms me down. I am on the downside of this mode and am taking a little break to share the last thing I created before I went into this frenzy.

I introduce to you Mr. Praze, my newest beaded "doll". He prefers to be called a necklace.

He is a blast to have hanging around, and is a very colorful soul.

Thanks to Carol-Anne for the bumpy beads- she gave them to me when she taught me a technique a while back (I forgot or even never knew, the official name of it.)

When I sit down to create, I usually have a song in my heart and I just go to town. I stayed up late making Mr. Praze because I just enjoyed being caught up in the moment- the now. There was peace and joy and a little dance in my spirit. I initially thought of making him a fridge magnet, but I like him as a necklace- what do you think? Would you wear him as a piece of jewelry?

New Camera photos...

2010-05-21T20:32:00.000-05:00

I do miss my old camera, especially since I don't have the hang of this one yet. I purchased an inexpensive Kodac C190 12 megapixel- 5X digital zoom. It is too soon to tell if I will love it just as much. I am hoping I will love it more! Here are photos of the necklace I tried to photograph with me webcam. Tell me, do you think the pictures are clear? Be honest!

Do you think it is a keeper? These are honestly the first photos I have tried to take with it.

Do Cameras have legs?

2010-05-20T12:31:00.000-05:00

I finished the afore mentioned necklace and went to get my camera and now I have spent an hour cleaning out my car and ransacking my house in order to lay my hands on it. Bad thing is-- I haven't found it. I fear that it may have disappeared from my car. It doesn't make complete sense as my Tom Tom was in the same spot and it is on my table in clear view.

I have tried to capture an image with our webcam- not the same but here it is.

I call this necklace Painterly because the end tubes look like paint brushes and the rest of the tubes look like oil paints on an artists tray.

They are horrible photos but it just goes to show how nice my little camera is- even if it was obsolete.

Finishing up

2010-05-20T00:46:00.001-05:00

I am ready to finish the Deneen's necklace tomorrow- well actually today. It has taken up far too much head space and I will have a nice new necklace that will match everything denim and then some. I have fringe to do on the ends and then I will post pics for all to see that it is very different than the "Deneen's Necklace" class that I took from NanC last month. I am sure no one will mind that I -yet again- chunked the directions and just did my own thing. In my defense- not like I need to defend a deep seated tendency to be different- I did follow the instructions and came out with the desired results, according to the directions given, however, it simply did not appeal to me as it was. It didn't feel right for me. It lacked a bit of fluidity to appeal to my senses.

Oh well you will see it soon...

Editorial staff.

2010-05-14T17:33:00.001-05:00

I would like to thank my editorial staff for checking out my blog and helping me reword things when they seem a little more critical than I would like. Thanks for the FRESH EYES- you rock!

BEADS!!!

2010-05-14T15:08:00.002-05:00

Here are two of my "students" at Bead Heaven. The one on the left took the class on the 11th and was not relishing the project at all. You may have guessed that from her expression. Perhaps she will view it with fresh eyes at a later date and enjoy it more then.

The lady on the right took the class two weeks before and showed me her own color-way she had put together. She loved making the cogs and allowed me to take photos of them.
I have learned loads about people in general from teaching this class and it has been an invaluable experience. I have taught children for a very long time but teaching adults is a whole new ball game and can be quite intimidating. Learning different ways to cope with different types of students is going to be one fast learning curve.

I have seen other ladies do wonderful things with this kit and its instructions. I could kick myself for not getting pictures of one lady's cogs. She vowed to use every bead in the kit and every ring. She did it and it was beautiful. She told this weeks students that the hard part of her necklace was the strap and that she had redone it several times, not the cogs.

I too have had some difficulty with a project. When I took the Deneen's Necklace from NanC Meinhardt last month, I was a bit cranky about how my project was going. At first my connectors were not strung well and didn't lay right at all. I fiddled with it multiple times- not really being attracted to the design kept me from really having fun with it. I finally figured out what my hang up with it was. It was as simple as changing the color of the connectors and making it darker so that the connector was not as prominent as the beaded tubes. Here is what I finally agreed was as good as it gets.

I like it but not enough to make a whole necklace this way. I have been browsing thru old projects in past magazines to keep my interest while going through a rather uninspired time. In doing so, I found something that uses the peyote tubes I had made in a different way that really spoke to my fondness of the odd. I will share it when it is finished.

I have some orders that I finished by looking thru these same older magazines for beaded bead inspirations.

Both of them are for the same lady who will give them to each of her daughters for Christmas. The first was a African coloration of Black, brown/ tan, and red.

The second was a Tropical blend of Turquiose (the color not the stone), melon, and brown/ biege.

And thru it all I have had the most loving foot wrap known to woman- this is Ash. He is usually much more aloof than this but I managed to catch him at his snuggliest. He is such a big boy now!

Would you believe...

2010-05-10T16:56:00.001-05:00

I am teaching again tomorrow and today- yup - today I have more fish to put away.

All four of these guys (well the good parts of them) are in my fridge waiting to be put away. There was so much meat from these guys they had to be stuffed into a kitchen garbage bag because I didn't have a bowl big enough for them. The big one is the one I posted about before. The water is warming up and they have stopped biting like they were, so this may be it for a while.

I am thankful that my DH got to fish and actually caught something this year.

Creative refreshment...

2010-05-07T23:52:00.001-05:00

I have this project that was birthed from a dream. I would say it must have been a dream of definate direction. I created this color wheel using doll torsos. Every torso had a different style of face and hair. It was a teaching wheel, but in color gradiation.

Here is the realized workings of this dream- well what I have done with it so far.

The colors may not be precise but they do work- and the best thing about it is that I had all the fabrics and I didn't have to go and buy a thing! I think I am going to leave the ring open and bead a strip of peyote to cover the pellon in the center. Leaving it open makes it much easier to handle.

This one demonstrates a button face with a slit cut in the fabric to

accommodate the shank and loop fringe hair with drop accents.

This one is just a face so far. I haven't done a thing except glue it on when I glued the button on.

It was refreshing to pick up a project in progress and just work on it. Sewing the fabric was so theraputic. I really haven't wanted to pick up the beads as much as I have wanted to sew. But them I am back toone of the reasons I started beading in the first place. I sew really fast! Beading makes me slow down because there is no way to do it super fast- well at least not as fast as sewing machine. It will take longer to finish a project and keep me busy, or so the story goes. After beading the hair and the bezel I am again tired of the beads. It took so long to do that hair... and it is not the greatest but one of the variations that needed to be displayed. I have my favorite "hair" techniques and this wasn't one of them, but I need to demonstrate as many different ones as I can.

I think I just need to get my groove back and nail it to the desk when I find it- anyone got a spare?

Holy Cow!

2010-05-05T21:19:00.001-05:00

See all that great green grass? Yeah, I do too.

So why does this cow think it needs to graze on my 10ft X 60ft concrete porches and devour all three of the pompoms on top of my Dracanea. The very house plants that I sheltered all winter in my lil livingroom so that I might enjoy them for another year on the porch?

Oh and the little white oak trees that my husband picked the acorns up from a place in Georgia when he was there for the first time in his whole life. Some people pic up souvenirs my husband picks up rocks and seeds. We have been taking good care of those little oaks in our house all winter! It looked more like a green house in our kitchen and livingroom than anything else! Well it is little mishaps like these that allow you to eat the cute little guys when all their cuteness wears off and they weigh over a ton!

If this makes you giggle then good- I will catch up to you after I sweep all the potting soil off the porch and get evrything repotted and see if they actually live.

More Fish!

2010-05-04T16:06:00.002-05:00

You ever seen a fish on your hook this big? Me either, I leave the fishing to this great man of mine!

I know I should be showing beading pictures or something but really-

this is more interesting than that mess on my table right now!

Thanks for visiting- there will be beads and things soon I promise...

but in the meantime I hope you enjoy this.

Alot of help...

2010-04-23T19:24:00.002-05:00

I have to thank everyone for all the help they have given me! I know another post about giving thanks. But really, in all things give thanks, right? I have been inspired to create this piece....

All thanks to Ms. Mandi from Bead Circle and her post about the color challenge. I am sorry that we chose to use the same color triad, I really wanted to see what she would have done with the other color triads. I never thought we would choose the same colors. I wanted to explore what the possibilities were with the kit I designed. I pulled colors and then realized where I had seen them-- it was on her site. I really wanted to try different options to the rings I had originally used.and a different color palette than what I kitted. I came up with this and I love it ( so did Denise (who had fun wearing it all day today LOL). I apologize for the picture, the aurora (yellow) glares off- white in both of these pictures.

This one is still too bright but you can see the focal closer- up. All the encouragement I have received from various people online and in person has made this possible. Thanks for all the love!

After I work on this prom dress I am making for a neighbor, I will post some more about today's class I took.

Contests

2010-04-15T13:00:00.002-05:00

There are so many contests out there to wet your appetite or stir your spirit. Mandi at Bead-circle has been posting some really good ones. One is creating a peice inspired by Haute Couture. This was a visual feast for me, I want to make the garments forget the contest! The inspirations are amazing. My favorite is one that looks like brickstitch around a druk.

Holy cow! I can do this with beads on a small scale- now I want to do it with fabric on a larger scale!

Then there is the beaded bead contest. Not something I want to do (the contest I mean) but I do have to make a beaded bead for a lady in the near future. If she sees Janice wear her necklace one more time without having her very own,bad things may happen. I simply cannot be responsible for any coveting or envy in our church body. Not really, but she liked what she saw and requested that I make one for her.

I have been working on a different variation of my cogs to enter in the "1000 Steampunk Inspirations".

This one is made from a recyled yogurt cup (the outer ring) and some longer bugles. I wanted to do something softer, less industrial but still steampunk. After pulling some nice colors I realized I had seen them before. Yes, again it was from Mandi's post about another contest. With the exception of the aurora/ yellow beads I pulled all the colors that were in the last color triad. In this contest you choose one of the predetermined triads with colors that were grouped from the 2010 Fashion Color Report ( a pdf that is amazing!)

Here is the color pallet in beads:

Dried Herb- far right, Eucalyptus- left and bottom, Aurora- top

Here is what I have been toying with:

It is a bit large, measuring at 3 inches in diameter. The center ring is a glass ring by Bead Treasures' Color Gallery- which happens to be on sale (50% off) at Hobby Lobby! I just bought them on Tuesday, so you may be able to find them on sale where you are too.

Back to the beads!

I want to finish this today and get going on a prom dress I have to make for a young ladies junior prom!

Thanks for stopping by!

Thank You

2010-04-05T14:02:00.001-05:00

I want to thank everyone for your kind comments on "Effy' whether here or by email. I also want to thank everyone who has been encouraging me to pursue the many facets of beading as an art and a business. Who would have thought one thing could be so fulfilling in so many different facets.

The result of having such encouraging friends is the developement of my very first pattern and kit.

Beaded Cogs

SteamPunk Style

And there are four colorways. I have a limited number of kits right now but after I teach my first class I will be able to put together more. If you want more information you can leave a comment with your email and I will get back to you.

Warning...

2010-03-30T15:41:00.001-05:00

Warning to all- this post may be offensive to some and hazardous to the safety of others. I am not resposible for either if you continue to read this post. Many of you know me as a little quirky and most reverent and possibly even innocent. This post may shatter your total image of who you think I am, but rest assured it is really me.

I began my usual journey of making a specific object to bless someone. In this case, I set out to make a bunny for my Fairy Bead Sister for Easter. However I didn't quite find a bunny I wanted to make, and it all seemed so commercially wierd. But I discovered a duck pattern that struck me as fun and cute. Locally ducks and chicks are bought by farmers for their kids for Easter and they become the farm animal that produces eggs later on- Dual duty and something familiar to this area that I love. I recreated this pattern in miniature and set off to bead.

It was a silly little face, that made me giggle. With her head tilting to the side, as if looking quizically at me.

Then it struck me why I was so fond of this duck, I could recall my Mom telling me about the ducks on her little lake in her posh retirement community's subdivision. I could see the glint in her eye and that bright smile on her face as she told me the story of "Those Fucking Ducks" that would swim in her pool or would mate in her yard. Now every time I thing of "Effy" all I can hear is my Mom saying "Fucking Ducks", like a little kid with a new word to try out on every ear that has never heard it before. I really intended to give this duck to my fairy bead sister but how could I tell her that here is a "Fucking Duck" without her getting offended? After all, could you really call her anything else.

I shared this story with my husband He agreed and could see my Mom talking about the ducks. All he wanted to know was, "Does it have a little quacker?" No! Of course not! She wouldn't dare after being such a duck, now would she?

I warned you that this post might offend you but I must say, I hope you cherish those around you even if they are loaded with the "F" bomb- as my Mom was prone. To quote the love of my life "It is funny, I don't care who you are."

For those of you who may have had to pick yourself up off the floor- I hope you are okay...

Tugging at those heart-strings...

2010-03-26T22:14:00.002-05:00

In the last week, I have attended two funerals. At each one there was a special something that someone (or a group of somebodies) did that tugged at my heart-strings. Each one was a sign of respect for the family who was grieving the loss of that special person that was called home to the sweet by and by. They were not costly but were just priceless gestures.

A special group that I belong to, the Dallas Bead Society, sent a beautiful plant to my PawPaw's service and my family was moved by the love that was apparent amongst these people they had never met. Not only did it comfort them to know someone cared about my 92 year old grandfather's passing but it also showed them that I have found a loving place in this world. My PawPaw left behind many decendants with only one having preceeded him in death and that baby never took his first breath. A heritage of health, prosperity, and faithfullness was left by W.T Geron, Sr.

Today, I attended the services for my husband's Aunt Jane. I didn't know her well but I knew that she was close to my mother-in-law. I didn't have an emotional reaction to the obligation to attend, but I had the most moving experience that, again tugged at my heart-strings on the way to the cemetary. It began with the police escort, placing a greater importance of this event over the casual flow of traffic. But let me tell you, the thing that got me was that people not only pulled to the side of the road but they stopped completely. Time after time, on coming vehicles pulled off to the side of the road and waited till the entire line of cars passed. It choked me up. Even on the highway,people slowed from 60 to nothing and pulled off the highway into the grass or onto the shoulder.

Now I don't know if this happens where you are from or even if it is a law in your state, but it is the most beautiful bit of humanity I have ever seen. The little gestures we extend to those people who just need a little light just beats the stuffing out of despair.

Trying to tell me something?

2010-03-17T11:14:00.001-05:00

My little man came in with this right after I found beaded toilet paper here.

I also recieved this story in my inbox the same day.

THE BAPTIST WHITE LIE CAKE

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of the ladies who bake for church events:
Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered it the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel food cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, and helping her son pack up for Scout camp.

When she took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured and she exclaimed, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake!" This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church, and in her new community of friends. So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of The cake.. She found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and then covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect. And, before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home. When the daughter arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. Amanda grabbed her cell phone & called her mom.

Alice was horrified-she was beside herself! Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, ridiculed! All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.

The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time.

She did not really want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at the fact that Alice was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa , but having already RSVP'd , she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home..

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old south and to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake! She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "what a beautiful cake!" Alice , still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."

Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."

Teacher...Teacher...

2010-03-15T18:09:00.000-05:00

I showed up to the Dallas Bead Society meeting with these beauties- then I was bombarded to teach them at a different venue for profit. I knew the day would come when I could teach what I do and make a few dollars while I was at it. I never dreamed the day would come so soon. there are my black and white beaded cogs/ gears. I already posted a pic of the turquoise ones I made and I have had a bee in my bonnet since.

Here is the one I made while I photographed each step for the instructions.

This one was also photographed step by step. These represent the basic cog and the most ellaborate one.

I am going to make several more colorways and offer a kit with instructions. So far I have black/ silver and white; red and black; lime, yellow, and fushia- which was inspired by the Ringlet kits Marcia sent us to work up for her. I will keep everyone posted and if you think you may want one just raise your hand- LOL.

Another exciting new addition to the blogging world is my friend Mandi's site- Bead Circle. There are all kinds of inspiration and practical tips to find there so visit often!

I Had to Giggle

2010-03-09T13:29:00.001-06:00

You know, being yourself can be hard, but mostly it is a whole lotta fun!

I signed up for a "What the ?" swap where you send beads to your partner, ones that you bought so long ago and never used that you didn't know what you were thinking when you bought them. My partner and I knew immediately what style of bracelet we were going to make with each other's beads, just as soon as we saw them. After sending our finished bracelet back home to the bead owner, we learned that we each used the same pattern for the beads we received. We were both so excited that it was not going to be a burden to figure out a plan to make something nice. It was like magic because sometimes you get something you are not familiar with and then you have NO idea what you are going to do or your inspiration takes a sabatical. I am still giggling at this coincidence, it is just too funny!

Here is the bracelet I made with her beads.

And her is the bracelet she made with my beads.

So sometimes being yourself means that someone else somewhere is a lot like you-- in some way and having a whole lotta fun too.

I found a bit of time too...

2010-02-27T16:56:00.001-06:00

A friend of mine brought me these and she just knew I could wear them and that I would love them. Well- as they were I couldn't wear them- couldn't even get them over my hips. I am so thankful she thinks of me as being so skinny- I once was... a long time ago.

I was taught to never look a gift horse in the mouth, sooo I turned them into this...

Pardon the mess under the bench-- it is the donate pile- as soon as I can find a few takers it is outta here!

You can even tell which part of the first photo went where.

I am not certain that it is finished. I think I want to add some beading detail to the top of the godgets to make it look kinda like corset laces. This last picture really robs the fabric of that awesome turquoise.

I created this beaded steampunk (aka "beadpunk") pendant to go with it and the other ensemble that uses the same striped fabric that is in this one. I love it! I had a really hard time not making any more "gears". The are very addictive and quick to work up- none of them are the same and there are six of them!

Found my beads!!!

2010-02-15T21:30:00.000-06:00

I have finally found my beads again. They keep getting buried by my fabric.
At left is scarf given to me by a dear friend (Babara - I know I meant to spell it that way). Our Tuesday beading group at Bead Heaven in Wautaga started a project found in the Oct 2007 Bead and Button - Lana May's "All Wrapped Up". We began this project as a tribute to Barbara's sister who passed away some time ago- many of the scarves even belonged to her.
While I followed the basic wrap pattern- I added my own interpretation to how to put it on the scarf and the slide is completely different. I wasn't entirely sure I could make this already beautiful scarf look any better, but then again Beads always make something look better to a beader!

Close up of slide...

Then I created this button as a quick easy to do project that just made me feel good that I finished it.

It is just a dritz fabric covered button.

Well...I like it.

2010-02-05T18:09:00.001-06:00

I have been on a fashion discovery trip for a while now. I have been looking at everything from steampunk to various lolita styles. There are elements here and there that I have been latching onto and making my own. The outfit I posted in my last post is a really good example of what I mean.

So here I am- in my latest bliss. Something fun... "What is it?" you ask.

Well they are falls- Yarn falls to be exact.

They may be goofy, or eccentric but I think they are nothing short of fun. I don't like that they leave all kinds of fuzzies floating about though. I am not sure how to cure this but I am gonna work on it. I think it is this particular crinkley yarn that does it most but it is also the cutest yarn to use.

My husband just looks at me and smiles real big- I think he is stiffling a snicker or two. Then my cousin's husband asked me "What the heck did you do to your hair?" I just told him it was permanent. LOL

A while back, I wore a plaid jumper with spats made of the same fabric and he asked me if it was "clash of the tartans, or something". Being a smart- aleck is a requirement to become a part of my family so this is normal behavior. If you don't have a sense of humor, then you might not want to hang around us.

Any how- I made these falls because making the Dreadlock falls are a long process and I only have 8 or 10 of them done so far. I wanted instant gratification to make my Friday a much snazzier one. "Nailed it!"

NOW, I am going to go knit, eat chocolate and watch tv- all at the same time!

Housing progress!

2010-01-26T15:50:00.004-06:00

Here is the pretty little stove my husband and I drove 2 1/2 hours (one way) to checkout. The circles will be fitted with the "Lone Star" emblem. I asked my husband what the deal was with the stars, his reply was "Its my new thing, it all started with that door at Lowe's." He has plans to put a star on the floor at the entry too. I will just have to humor him because if I don't there will be a million of them. He put a lot of love into cleaning this jewel up. It is already keeping the new house warm while he frames up the walls.

This is the master bedroom/ bath and office end of the house. You can barely see the door with the beveled glass star that started it all.

This is the same wall, I just turned around and backed up so you could see my new sewing area. On the other side of the wall is the safe room(storm cellar underneath) and office. You can also just see the edge of the back door.

The other end is the one I will be avoiding- it has the kids' rooms, a bathroom and the laundry room.

While he has been framing up the house I have been working on this little number. I have to say I LOVE every part of this ensemble.

It didn't take me near as long to make this as it took my honey to build those walls.

Winner!

2010-01-19T13:02:00.002-06:00

I want to say a big CONGRATULATIONS! to Dot Lewallen. A sweet lady I have come to know through a yahoo group (which has closed) and extended a warm welcome to me for a new yahoo group "A Bead Story". She was the runner-up in the Land of Odds Beaded Art Doll Competition this year. Here is a picture of her entry. (I stole it from the website but I am sure she won't mind and neither will they. I have asked for their permission before.)

My own submission ranked fourth, and while it was a tad dissappointing, I am still profoundly moved by her grace and beauty. I am still trying to come to terms with how my hands were used to create her and what she means to me. I am so very proud of her and I have heard from many people that they adore her. It is difficult for an artist to not like a piece of their work that has hit on so many personal notes as Willow has. The only thing that would have made her better where if my Mom were here to see her. For me, she is as good as it gets. It will be hard to ever make another doll that compares, but there will be other dolls.

I have some kids that need to be doing schoolwork now.

That funky feeling of anticipation!

2010-01-15T15:11:00.000-06:00

I have such butterflies in my stomach-- I cannot wait until the Land Of Odds announces their winners. I am going to leave my computer and go to town- maybe that will help pass the time.

Maybe I will fly there....

Exciting update...

2010-01-14T08:41:00.002-06:00

I have so many other things this week (and last week) that I have neglected my blog. Seeing how I have plenty to share I had better not let it pile up or I could get really long winded.

I hosted a choir of angels before I taught the Dallas Bead Society how to start on all those forms. A big thank you for your financial support (LOL- I still have more dolls to make). I am going to find it interesting to see what kind of craze this has begun as many of them already have more than one doll they are planning.

This lady has already found her new home and I am in the process of sewing two more. They should be mailed (hopefully) tomorrow.

Here I am takin' a silly picture of myself to post on the Threadbanger's forum thread "What are you wearing today?" I have been stalking their forums and have been so inspired and encouraged so I thought it only fair that they "see" me. I am thinking this would be a great profile pic. And I am not even wearing make-up, not even lipstick (which I almost always wear). I need a few more of those hats in different colors so I can have more bad hair days LOL.

This is the last week to vote on Willow. The winners will be announced after the poll closes (Jan 15th). Maybe not the same day but very soon.

The big reveal!

2010-01-04T08:18:00.004-06:00

I have been working on a recycling project for quite some time. Here is #2 of a 3 part collection. I bought the rivoli's from Beki. They are so yummy to look at.

All three are different sizes and colors.

The hot pink doens't match but it is what she is wearing today (my poor form doesn't have a name- any suggestions?)

Sapphire montees- they are a pain to sew on- or I was all thumbs everytime I tried!

Here is the back- it looks a little bare but I didn't want it to get uncomfortable to lean back- or take away from those pockets.

I had a really hard time deciding what to do with this insert. I knew it needed to be pretty but not bulky. This is what I came up with and I may still add to it at some point. I am just burnt out after working on it for so long. I am ready to move on.

I love it and am very pleased with how it turned out. I am hoping to send this and two other peices as a collection to be published.- It could happen.

That silly story...

2010-01-01T20:35:00.000-06:00

I have these cats that just keep me hopping- they can really be a challenge but I dooo love them so. I considered myself a good mommy and bought them a great little stocking with toys in it. I saw a little mouse in there and had to have it for myself- is that still being a good mommy?? Oh well, who cares, I had to have it LOL. There were two of them- one suitable for beadingand one not-- you know which one I have.
When I swiped this mouse I was working on my challenge entry for the Dallas Bead Society's Winter Challenge. It was a little snow puppy that I saved from the dump- my son begged for him last year everytime we went to Starbuck's. I caved and he got the snow man and his snow "buddy", as my son called him. Somehow he made it into the trash bag (I always sift through them to make sure nothing valuable goes missing- my boys will throw anything away to keep from cleaning it again.)

I named him Pearl because of the M.O.P cabs I started out with. He was sitting on my desk as I began working on the mouse. My little kitties never grab my dolls so I didn't think anything about it once I had begun the mouse. I did have him hidden from them before I began adding beads to him. Well after a few beads and gears my husband decided he was super-cool and claimed him as his own. There are four things my husband has claimed in over 15 years. So this was super-- and such a compliment to me. I wanted my hubby to name him but.... he wasn't thinking clearly enough to name the critter. He was busy making wise cracks with his buddies. ( A good thing for him to be doing- he is so serious all the time.) We decided to call it a night at 1:00 am. It was great to spend extra time with him without the kids. Without thinking- I left the little mouse on my sewing table. When I woke up- He was no where to be found. I turned my house upside down looking for it. I forgot it was in a package with catnip! I kept looking- post poned the start of school-- and my hubby kept coming in from other rooms or outside and grinned and would ask if I was still looking for it. Of Course I WAS! He even asked why the kids hadn't started school! As If He didn't KNOW! I kept asking myself- if I were a little mouse tortured by 3 cats where would I be? Where did I finally find him?

Under the stove! Do you know what is really under your stove? I had noticed that I hadn't found the little mouse toy that I did let them have. Well I found it along with the beaded one and another little toy they enjoy batting around. I really need to clean out from under my stove--what a mess. It is not like the stove isn't 30 years old too.... Why couln't they just keep catching the real ones that keep trying to come in from the cold?

I was so excited- it was undamaged and it was found! If my hubby had named it, it probably wouldn't have run off in the first place or so I tell myself. He is almost done---

This is the first time I have made anything that would be classified as steampunk and I think he is "the cat's meow". I have named him "SteamSqueek".

I can't believe hubby swiped him.... I am going to have to make another one for myself without the catnip smell on it!

Any how my entry will be SteamSqueek and Pearl.

My kids did enjoy the 2 hour delay but it took alot of energy out of me!

In demand!

2009-12-31T15:39:00.001-06:00

My time seems to be in demand today- kids want undivided attention, hubby actually asked for help working on the house ( wooo hooo we are gonna have walls soon), Miss Katy called me about a meeting we are going to together and left a message (sorry Katy, can't keep up with my phone these days), even my mother in law needed some info about dinner tomorrow. That funny story is gonna have to wait until tomorrow- I need a nap!

Those kitties!

2009-12-31T08:52:00.002-06:00

I have the funniest story to tell you but I haven't time this morning. I have got to get these kids to work on time since they woke us up at 5:00 am playing video games. GRrrrr... I will get pictures of the aftermath of said event and post them after school.

And a bit of good news-- our new house now has electricity!!

Have a blessed day!

Phewww...

2009-12-28T18:22:00.001-06:00

I didn't want to post too much on Christmas day... It was really a rough day and I tried so hard to stay positive. You see we were snowed under- I mean in. It was the first white Christmas in a very long time in Dallas ( I think a family member said 111 years- dunno if that is correct). We decided to postpone our trip to the in-laws which meant our youngest didn't get the ONE thing he really wanted. He was quite a pill to take. I laid down to avoid that inevitable explosion I felt was going to erupt if I had to deal with him any longer. I was awakened 3 1/2 hours later by my husband telling me that my sweet inlaws were coming to our dirty home (my words not his). I am telling you I hadn't done any real housework in two whole weeks. I did dishes and "kinda" picked up, but it went mostly ignored.. I was on my vacation! My 14 year old learned to scrub the tub in record time. I know my MIL didn't come to take a bath but... It needed to be done in order to have the bathroom have that just cleaned smell.

It was probably the sweetest thing that had happened all holiday season. It was really a God send. They were so sweet and brought Christmas dinner and their gifts to us.

My husband tells me I am the hardest person to buy a gift for and it is true. I don't usually want anything in particular. This year was different. I actually wanted some corset making supplies for Christmas. They came on Christmas eve. I felt like a kid in a candy store! I made an underbust corset while I was waiting for my supplies. I had drafted my own pattern and it was great practice- before I got the supplies to get serious with. There were things I didn't like about it and it is no where near the quality I like to represent. I will wear it because I love the pink and black but I need to get a photo of it. You have to start somewhere, so I redrafted my pattern and created this beauty!

I took this photo myself so I didn't get the back lacing, but the fabric has scripture all over it. The clasp in the front is called a busk and it was one of the very things I wanted for Christmas (and was inexpensive-about $10) DH thought I was nuts for wanting to make an underbust with Christian fabric- but I liken it to the armor in Ephesians. I have to say - I love this! It feels great on too. The lettering has a green tint to it that you can't really make out in this photo, it is quite a unique color combination. I am going to find something that goes well with it. Until then, I am going to wear it without having "just the right thing" to go with it.
Hope you have a blessed day and Thank you Lord for such sweet family, family that really comes through for you when you need them most!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-25T18:38:00.001-06:00

Here is my sweet family enjoying Christmas day.

That fella on the left is one character!

You think he is excited?

I am so glad those hats are done, AND they were loved!

Here's Nathaniel playing that game he really wanted!

Wolfee loved the box, and Princess was after the bows.

I finished it!!!

2009-12-21T16:24:00.001-06:00

Okay, I saw a post on Running with Scissors about her makeover. If of course she could wear anything she wanted to and get away with it. In her post was a photo from a UK website of this sweet jacket. I had to have it, only one problem... 72.99 (sterling pounds) translated into over $100 US dollars. Sorry no can do at least not when I am an imaginative sewer. I found a pattern that mimicked the lines on the front and back and began to recreate this look on my own.

In progress with creative bustling happening.

I used Simplicity pattern # 2581 cropped just below the waist and added corseting loops in the back and then made up my own bustle pattern. I had to get really creative with the bustling because the fabric I used was purchased at a garage sale for $3.00 many years ago. There was not enough to do this the way one should be doing it. I made up for some of the missing fabric by using a contrasting solid black for the lining of the collar and center front panels. I think I will do this on future jackets as well.

Here is the finished front on the dress form.

Here is the back on me, my boys helped me with this one.

I have a few things I would change given a chance to recreate this one. First, I would have more fabric to make the bustle properly; second, I wouldn't make the loops go so far up to the shoulders as they are here; third I would pull in the shoulder seams and sleeve puffs a little to make the top a little less warrior like. All in all, I love this top and will be making more for sure. After I get my corset made.... and some more spats... and I think I need more time LOL!

Tell me what you think of this first attempt at a total fashion DIY.

It is in the mail.

2009-12-17T21:55:00.007-06:00

I should kick myself for not photographing the bundle I mailed off today to Dot, but I won't. It really hurts when you do that. I will just go back to my last minute Christmas gift making. I also have another knit hat to make. I am thankful that Gina (from church) told me about picking stitches instead of throwing them. I was skeptical at first, I thought there was no way I could retrain my hands again. Well I did manage to learn and find it a dream. Now my wrist is telling me I am overworking it. I don't know what it is talking about.....

I visited some shops on the Historic Decatur Sqare where the most gorgeous courthouse sits- I could be just a little biased. I admit it, this pink limestone courthouse is a familiar childhood icon. You can see it for miles!

One of the shops I visited had the old fashioned flour sack towels that just had to go home with me. There were the perfect thing to add these pretty pieced angels to. So I settled in and this is what I came up with in the time it took my dear family to watch "Dark Asylum". It wasn't really what I would have chosen for my 9 year old to watch, but he was spending time with dad.

The pattern comes from "make-ablility" magazine. It is number 14 of 67 projects and it was originally designed to be a tree skirt. Well not this holiday. I think this one will go to my Aunt Ree.

Here is the "North Star" I created for the childrens ministry. I finally got the computer and camera to talk to each other. It is a miracle everytime...thank you Jesus for the little things in life!

Have a blessed day- I am gonna go work on that knit hat some more.....

More beadin'

2009-12-14T09:32:00.001-06:00

Beading and my bead buddies are really keeping me going this holiday. I have been working on the winter challenge that is due in January. I also want to finish a doll or two to use as samples for the class I am teaching at that same January meeting. In light of all this I have also stumbled upon the greatest idea for a Bead Dreams submission in the wearable catagory that has not been done before. I have even begun to place design elements into that process. I really need to sketch those out soon too, or it is going to eat at me.

Here is my winter challenge entry. His name is Pearl and he belong to my son and he called him sno-puppy. He convinced me last year to buy the "Sno-buddy" from Starbuck's and I put him in his stocking for Christmas. My kids always get a soft animal/doll in the top of their stocking and Nathaniel loves his the most.

This was almost tossed out with the bedroom trash and I saved him. I make it a habit to check their trash since toys are often thrown away instead of putting them in the "right" boxes.

"Her" new name is "Pearl" for the three mother of pearl cabs that she now sports. Two of them are teardrop shaped and the front is a sweet little oval. My beady friends say that the teardrops on the side make her look like a puppy sitting with her haunches stuck out. My mom dubbed that "the puppy sit". We had a rottweiler that loved to "puppy sit" and we had to train her out of it since it wasn't good for her hips. At any rate she is a cutie.

Here is the progress photo I promised. This really needs a name! It has taken some time to get this far and had been an exercise in working with 15s. Gee, I think I need more of them-- there goes the budget.....

I must say it is much better than being in a funk and not wanting any bead at all, I have been there and do NOT want to go back to that -- ever! One day "this" will grow up and I will be so excited.

So far Speedie Beadie Dot, my friend and fellow BAD member, has been the only one to comment on my post about the space that needed attention. I will be sending you something soon. I can get you contact info from BAD. Thanks for your suggestion- I too love sequins!

Too revealing? Naahh

2009-12-07T18:29:00.000-06:00

I took this picture to show the chain detailing that I missed on the previous post, then I realized that it has more of my suprise beaded peice than I was ready to share. Oh well,I am almost done with it so you can see a little more. After all, you have to know that I am actually working on something right? Wouldn't be very fair to show you a project and not share the finished project or worse leave it in the UFO bin.

I am so eager to finish so that I can show you the whole picture- with it ON.

Here is the front pocket with the beautiful montees I purchased on ebay. You gotta be careful when you sew them on- they will cut your thread and be very naughty!

This is the back and it also had those pretty montees. There are 51 of them so far. I am not sure if I will use more of them or not. I still have some naked places to work on but I have finally found the inspiration I was waiting for to complete it. You just can't have all that detailing and not continue it throughout the peice.

Here is the section in question. This is the direction I have finally settled on. It mimicks the curves on the top of the peice but still is able to stand alone. There is more to it this is just all I have accomplished.

I think- should there be more ruffles? more rivolis? more montees? What am I missing to complete this?

Oh I also have larger montees that are the same color as the lightest rivoli on the front.

So what do you think? Tell me quick it is supposed to be for Christmas!

Leave a comment and I will randomly pick one of you to receive a care package before Christmas.

God Bless you --

working on that challenge piece

2009-12-02T21:34:00.003-06:00

I had started several times on a name badge challenge peice for the Dallas Bead Society. I have to use the plastic name badge as a base for whatever I make and it had to be 50% beads. Well I came up with this as my third attempt.

I decided after working long and hard on this that I am not gonna ruin it by being cheeky and putting my name on it as it is shown in the picture. This has taken on a new life and will take some time to complete as most of it is done in 15s. I will get the progress photo later. But, I have had to come up with and finish a different idea - before saturday!!! Well with some already in progress pieces that never grew into a full project (the beaded beads and lengths of cellini spirals) I came up with a whole new design.

I don't know if it qualifies as 50% beaded, but I love it anyhow and will wear it with pride. It Has "Ralonda" written all over it (Well it does). The chain is very Victorian in its draping and it has an art glass focal as a counter-balance but my batteries needed a charge and I didn't get that photo .

I did get to take a picture of what this Dec 2nd of 2009 looked like when I woke up.

This one is my favorite because of the flashes of red from the gas can and the log splitter and that blue bucket covering the motor. It is taken out my "studio" window- aka- living room sliding glass door. It is also the same view as my blog header across the creek in the distance.

This one is taken from the front door of our current house and shows the northwest corner of our new house (that will be done soon). The Oak trees are so pretty with snow on them. They have a lovely frame especially when they are bare.

Spats?!

2009-11-29T13:23:00.001-06:00

Why have I never heard of this before? Holy Moly, this would have been a huge help for this long legged lady from the time she was a pre-teen with floods on! How could I have not been privy to these jewels of fashion until now? Thank you Jesus that I now have this knowledge!

Here is a picture my very first pair of spats- there will definately be more in the future. I haven't posted a pic of the jumper these were made to go with, but this was a solution to the problem of not being able to find that perfect pair of boots to match a handmade garment. The jumper is made of the same fabric and is a little on the short side (which is why I needed boots) and I have to wear leggings underneath it (which are always too short) (which is another reason I needed boots). These babies are a dream-- I can now go hog wild!!!

Working with setbacks.

2009-11-27T09:02:00.003-06:00

Here is a sneak peak of another garment in a collection I am making. This is one of the 14mm Rivolis I ordered from Whimbeads. You can see there are supposed to be three. Each one is a different size. I ordered 3 18mm verde rivolis but she only had one in stock so I will use it and two others I ordered. They are on there way, but until then I will work elsewhere on this garment. They were super nice when I called and I took her suggestion on what rivoli to go with to match these. I can't wait to see what they look like together. I am sure I am going to love it- who doesn't like a rivoli?

This is Wolfee (wolf-eeee) and this is typical of her lounging. I actually had to move her paws aside to get to those yummy copper delicas under there. She slept through the whole thing. She was number 4 of Princess' litter.

This is Princess- aka "mamma". She thought she would help me create a pattern from a vintage apron that I found falling apart at a resale shop. She kept attacking my scissors while I was cutting- I was afraid she would loose some whiskers.

Here is the fabric I used for the apron. It so colorful!
She enjoyed playing in the fabric but I had to shoo her off to get it all cut out.

Poor neglected kitty, She didn't come back until much later.

My housework isn't getting done but no one seems to mind- least of all me!

I am enjoying some time off and not feeling condemned for it!

Been workin at it.

2009-11-22T16:14:00.002-06:00

Pink angel
Just think about it.

Stump dolls

Tah Dah!

Aren't these booties I mean beauties precious.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say "Our God reigns" Isaiah 52:7

Updates

2009-11-19T13:41:00.003-06:00

Great turnips from Grandma's garden- what a blessing. This is a great display of color too. I just love it!

What kinda kid puts ice cubes in his warm chicken noodle soup? Apparently mine does!

One of my favorite things about my house has now been covered with siding! I took this picture to remind me that His blessing in on this house! I took pictures of this cross when I first found it (after they poured the concrete in the walls) and it is still there. I almost missed it before it was completely covered up.

I have more pictures to share but I have to wait until the items are delivered to their owners. I am also working on a new altered project that takes me to a place of great peace and joy every time I work on it. More to come on that project too.

Have a blessed day and remember it is God's plan for you to be in health and to prosper.

Land of Odds

2009-10-15T14:09:00.010-05:00

I have been awaiting the day that I could share these amazing photos. Well now I can! They were taken by Bradford Bosher, a fellow Dallas Bead Society member. Let me introduce to you, "Willow" my entry for the Land of Odds 2009 All Dolled Up Beaded Art Doll Competition themed "Earthen Mother". Four of the six Semi-finalists, including myself, are members of an amazing group on yahoo- Beaded Art Dolls (congratulations to you too).

This is the single most spiritually heart wrenching pieces I have ever made. My inspiration for her came from the struggles of mothers of children with special needs and from what Mary (mother of Jesus and the only "perfect" child ever born) must have gone through too. In my opinion all children have special needs, but most of us do what everyone else does to gain support and encouragement. Fortunately that has changed over the years so that children can get more support and encouragement in many different forms.

One of the greatest obstacles I faced when I made the decision to home school my children was my mother's disapproval. My mother had struggled as a single mother of three to get an education and raise her family. She succeeded in many areas and failed in others. Education was a goal for her because she new that with it she could support the other aspects of life. She was my encouragement to graduate, even though I was seven months pregnant with my first child and had quit school the year before.

It is all about perspective, I could see her's but she couldn't see mine. My mother eventually began to understand my decision even though it was keeping me from furthering my own education. Then, she discovered that I was learning many other things that were never addressed in our house before. Art. Craft. Creation. She became a huge fan and found something to be proud about.

Unfortunately, she never got to see this one. This doll embodies the grace and beauty that my mother presented everyday- whether in a suit with heels or in a Hanes her way sweatsuit with sneakers. It embodied the strength she showed in making tough decisions then later having to live with the fact that there may have been other options. She taught me how to be a mother and of course some of the things you don't want to do as a mother. We all have those moments.

But I had to finish this doll. I couldn't leave her undone. I had sobbed and sobbed over the loss of my mother. She lost all hope, and couldn't go on. I wasn't sure I could finish the race and make the deadline. I found a new encourager- The Holy Spirit. He sent so many people and prophesies and so many other encouragements from the word. He kept me working through this tough time. It was a true healing. A supernatural healing. I still miss my mom and my sister, who died the year before, but I am no longer arrested by the pangs of sorrow. I am saddened that their lives were drastically shortened, but it encourages me at the same time to tell others that one "Earthen Mother" had a Heavenly Father send her the Perfect Son born of the Spirit to die and conquer the grave that we may be alive in Him for all eternity.

School

2009-09-05T13:37:00.003-05:00

We have completed two weeks of school. Yay!! It has been an undertaking and soon it will level out and be quite enjoyable. I am very thankful that it is a 3 day weekend. My sweet husband is not working this weekend either. Rest, Peace, and more Rest is the name of the game.
Monday we will attend the family shooting tournament. We have discovered after only two opportunities that my oldest child is really good at shooting skeet. I am eager to see him have fun with the family, even if it is shooting at things. I think the little one will get to try for the first time too. My DH even thought of protecting his sensitive ears and bought some Winchester earmuffs for him. He has often had problems with loud sounds overwhelming him.
The children's ministry is in its 6th week so I really need to get a picture of our "Super Heroes". The leaders, teachers, and volunteers wear capes to add a little bit of fun to our lesson. It is wonderful and the kids seem to have really enjoyed it. I have dyed some flames into my hair and altered a pair of navy capris with flame fabric to create an "on fire for God" character. My costume wouldn't be complete without a flame cape too. I am thinking the flames in my hair need to stay even after this curriculum is over. The next one is a western/desert theme, so I am not sure how flaming hair will fit into that character.
It is a blessing to be able to use my creative abilities in ministry. Especially one that has such an impact on so many lives. It is amazing!

Lots going on here!

2009-08-20T19:13:00.003-05:00

I have finally decided on the curriculum for this school year. My boys will be using Switched on Schoolhouse for Language Arts and Bible studies and Life-Pac for history. Together we will be doing the experiments and building the "Power House" by Thames and Kosmos. It teaches all about alternative energy. I think it qualifies as a worthy Science study for these guys- one of which has gone solar power batty on us.

Here are pictures of the progress on our house. The back porch is the one with the door open. The business entrance is the one with the awning. Seeing the doors and windows in gives a good perspective on its size. You can't see it very well but the back porch has the cedar porch swing my dear husband bought me for Mother's day. It was the single most touching thing he has ever done for me. He works hard all the time but when he bought that porch swing-- he was really considering my heart. That Mother's day was the first of many to come without my Mom, and I have never really considered it an honor anyhow. Being a mom has been very difficult, but I guess no great thing comes easy. I learned a lot about how I considered myself as a mother when I turned in my submission to the Land of Odds All Dolled Up Beaded Art Doll Competition. The theme was earthen mother. It was a real growing process for me. I had no idea about what was to come. I will be able to release the photos of the doll I created after the semi-finalists are chosen and posted to the Land of Odds website.

Please forgive me for not blogging more. I always wanted to, but alas, there are only so many hours in a day (and night I am learning) and it costs more to keep the lights on all night too. I am hoping with the curriculum changes and the big projects out of the way, I will have time to blog more. Have a blessed

Where Have I been???

2009-08-03T22:46:00.002-05:00

If only I knew! I have been diligently working on my Land of Odds All Dolled Up Beaded Art Doll Competition submission. I just finished the beading and have 5 stories that need to be narrowed down into one. I know you want to see the pictures of her finished but I cannot publish them until after the 6 semi- finalists are selected. You will enjoy what you see, then. I am only mildly biased and definitely captivated by her beauty.
This summer has been a busy one. My oldest child turned 14 and the youngest 9. For the oldest, we took a trip to one of the water parks close by. It was the first time he had ever been and my cousin, his girlfriend and 4 of their 5 kids went too. The youngest is two and he stayed at the baby sitter's. We gad lots of fun being silly and running (uhemm-- walking) around. I was not near as sore as I thought I would be and wasn't as burned as the others either. I had only two small spots that were burned. If the lazy river isn't for you-- try spinning in your tube the entire time you go around LOL-- we did!
Now that I am free from beading on just one project I hope to have pictures of others coming soon. Maybe I can get pictures of the children's ministry volunteers wearing the super hero capes I made on Saturday. They are too fun.
I am so blessed to be able to do so many things that enrich and add joy to my family!
Have a very blessed time -- hopefully it won't take 3 more months for me to add another entry.

2009-05-16T20:45:00.005-05:00

I love frogs and my little boy looks like a blue frog sittin' like that playin' in the dirt. What a cutie- even from the back LOL.

The flowers are blooming again. The lilies grew really tall this year. We have been blessed with some healing rains. The drought had really taken its toll on the land and we have had timely rains all spring long. The weather tends to skip from winter to summer here with out taking time to nurture the new plants in spring. This year has been wonderfully wet!

Here is Pepper, a sweet little babushka doll that I made from a shared pattern from the Beaded Art Doll group I belong to. Her heart is felted wool on cotton fabric and a stamped then stitched face on felt. She is a very simple little doll and I have just enjoyed looking at her. Then there is this little orangutang that is not even close to being finished. He has a great face and then there is Pink Puppy. Every one has a fit over him. They are using the idea of Dot Lewallen. She uses or recycles unwanted stuffed animals to bead, she calls it "trash to treasure". Whatever it is a great way to bead for fun and not have to make your own form.

I have been blessed with lots to do and enough time to do it in. Have a blessed day!

Digging in!

2009-03-12T17:30:00.004-05:00

The Lord truly works in some wondrous ways. He wants me to create some "prayer" books for the April craft show but every time I start on it I get lost in the word. Not lost as in -once lost but now found- but totally enthralled. Everything I am reading adds to what I have heard on Andrew Womack's audio teachings, and is further expounded upon by both my Pastor and my Teacher for the Gifts of the Spirit class. It is just like God to make things so clear and understandable, not to mention totally applicable. One thing that stuck out to me was the man who said, " I believe, help me overcome my unbelief." I am so there and am praying this prayer as well.

I don't have pictures of crafts for you but I do have something that is near and dear to my heart to show you. I have pictures of my family spending time together and working on our house. The first photo is a picture of the sign the Lord left on the house when the concrete was poured. I have posted it before but I just wanted to remind myself that it is a treasure and it is STILL there. The roof is almost to the halfway point. The boys had to move the rolls of insulation under the roofed end because we are going to get some much needed rain. Thank you God because the fish were dying in the tank.

I am so blessed by these guys, and what a fabulous place we will have when it is all done. Thank you Lord for your supernatural blessings-- great and small!

Spiritual food!

2009-02-25T21:51:00.003-06:00

I realize it has been a month since my last post. I am very sorry I haven't updated you. The Lord has swept me away with two classes I am taking for Life University at the River. They always offers so many enlightening classes that I had to take one on Sunday morning and one on Wednesday night. I had been taking only Wednesday night classes but I just had to double up!
My first class was Prayer 101, it lasted for 12 weeks and we were assigned to draft a prayer from each one of the 13 Books the Apostle Paul wrote. The next class I took was a class that taught about Deliverance and we were required to write a prayer plan that would result in delivering someone from some oppression they were experiencing. The third class I took was Manifesting the Life of Christ. We learned how to identify who Christ is to us in a practical way and show His life through us to others and it was a definite lesson on how we perceive God and how we should imitate Him.
The two classes I am taking now are only magnified by the classes I had taken previously. I am talking about divine order. The class I take on Sunday morning is an Evangelism class. It teaches you how to use gospel tracts to approach people in an unoffensive manner and discuss whether they are good enough to go to heaven. It uses the Ten Commandments to reach a person's conscience and turns them to Christ who ultimately paid their fines. The class I am taking on Wednesday nights is Manifesting the Gifts of the Spirit. This is by far the coolest class I have taken. We are actively learning how to operate in the Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom and Discernment. We have activations in class that help us, in a hands on learning environment, experience the gifts. These classes are an amazing wealth of information and spiritual food.
I am learning so much that my prayer has been to ask the Lord to show me how to implement it all on a daily basis. I can even catch myself thinking about the applications of it during the day. Such as, you get a thought that sticks with you and you don't know what it means or why you are having it. I have begun to ask the Lord to give me a word of knowledge concerning this thing. It is simply asking Him what in the world it means.
I had learned that this dream I keep having is from the Lord. I started this one dream a long time ago and it is like I keep having installments or new chapters of the same story. Each time I am seeing something new but it is the same setting. I am going to have to go back and journal it so that each detail can be revealed to me by the word of knowledge (or is it discernment-- I am still learning).

Busy is not always a 4 letter word

2009-01-27T20:20:00.003-06:00

Here is a perfect example of what I mean. I had this jacket that I bought at a pricey retail store and paid only 25% of the retail amount. It was much too expensive to purchase without such a deep discount. I was excited to have it and looked forward to wearing it too.

I had put it in the closet waiting for the appropriate season to come around again (I bought it at the end of the season). When it did 8 month later, I had discovered that a mouse had stalked my closet and used part of the cuff for its nest. I had never gotten to wear this jacket yet and I was soooo sad, but I held on to it. After discovering this post in "Plays with Needles" blog, I found a way to fix it and have it NOT look like a patch job. If you check out the post you can see why it is so inspiring.

My family has been overcoming an attack. We have all had the sore throat and stuff noses and chests. God's grace pulled me through preparing a lesson for our 4 and 5 year old class and we had a great big class. They loved the visual aid we were using to learn that The name of Jesus is the Key. And I could feel the healing that comes from creating and meditating on the word as I do. When ever I create, I have a one on one conversation with the Spirit. I share all my thoughts and even go over some of the word that I have had stick to my heart. I also hear his gentle replies to remind me to rest and not worry. So even though my body felt bad, I had a peace that passes all understanding while I worked on making tags and polymer clay keys for the demonstration.

Since then I have been on busy path meditating and restoring not only the full measure of my health but turning out beautiful results.

I was able to create this journal from some left over fabrics that were resurrected from the pile while I was hunting for the perfect patch for the jacket. I plan on creating a couple more journals with various papers that have cute borders and use more scrap fabrics for the covers.

Have a blessed day, and keep on creating, the Spirit is the perfect muse.