2011 BJP Revealed......finally!

As the saying goes, better late than never! In keeping with that theme, I reveal my first piece in my 2011 Bead Journal Project. I have decided to name this series "Pieces of Me" Each month I will do a 4 inch heart shaped piece in bead embroidery to journal special people or things that have a piece of my heart. For my first page, I decided to honor my Grandchildren. I used recent pictures of Kileigh and Ethan. The picture of Kileigh was taken by family friend Catherine

Massoglia of Catherine Massoglia Photography. Kileigh was a little over 3 in this picture. The picture of Ethan was taken by my Daughter Jess after his little dude haircut! He was around 16 months in that picture. I may be biased, but aren't they just too cute?

I love the colors in this piece. I used a soft matte brown seed bead, turquoise blue seed beads, a lovely mix of seed beads, some glass rectangles in turquoise blue and some brown rectangle beads along with some soft turquoise 6mm firepolish beads. I laminated the 2 pictures and hand sewed them onto my pellon. I then edged them in beads right through the plastic of the laminate. The mix of beads I used has several shades of gold, cream, brown, purple, maroon, steel blue, soft brown, and some size 15s mixed in as well. I threw together whatever I thought would work. I think it all works well together. I added the bead mix one bead at a time. This is a very tedious and time consuming technique, but it has to be one of my favorites. I love the random look of it! Oh so worth the time it takes to me. In the very top of the piece, you will see 2 very inconspicuous flower shaped grommets. My plan is to sew the completed heart onto ultra suede and thread ribbon through the grommets to hang them.

In search of inspiration.

As some of my dedicated followers know, I have been having some trouble finding inspiration lately. I think the drought is over! I made a trip to a local bead store, and found some really nice beads that got my creative juices flowing. I have finally even gotten a start on my 2011 BJP piece for January (glup, yes January) I will post about that at a later date. For now, here are some of the beads I purchased at Meant to Bead. They have me itching to create, now to find the time. My youngest daughter and grand daughter were involved in a car accident yesterday, and Courtneys car was totaled in the accident. Kileigh has some seat belt burn on her neck, and Courtney's back neck and knee are hurting today, but all in all, they are fine. Looks Mom's taxi service is back open for business for awhile until this insurance mess is taken care of. Look for some updates soon, I have been a busy girl stitching on my January Piece and I think its about half done now, so it wont be much longer. I am anxious to show it to you all and explain my ideas for this year!

Lovely Giveaway!

Lisa at Indigo Beads is giving away one of her beautiful cuff bracelets HERE! While there, check out her other beautiful works of art.

Yes, I am still alive!

I got an e-mail from a concerned friend about my lack of postings lately. I am still here, I am still a part of the 2011 Bead Journal Project. I just havent picked p needle and thread as of yet! I will get to it, I promise. I seem to be lacking a sense of direction, time and creativity right now. No, I am not depressed. I am just uninspired. I am hoping when the creativity bug hits, It will slam me right upside the head with such force it will knock me off my feet and onto the couch to bead....lol. Until then friends, know all is well and I will be back soon!