Where did the whole month go??

I seriously cant believe it has been a month since my last post! It isn't that I haven't been beading, because I have. I guess if I have to choose between posting on my blog and beading, beading will win! I am keeping busy with my kids and grand babies, hubby and the dogs. I have had some time to bead, but not a lot. Here are my results! This months piece was my April (yikes!) Bead Journal Project. The birthstone for the month of April is the diamond. I chose to represent diamonds with whites. silvers and Swarovski crystals. I used a 14mm Swarovski Rivoli as well as 6mm Swarovski Margarita beads in Crystal AB. They aren't really noticeable, but they are there! I also used my 13mm X 5mm half-moon beads. I love these. I am challenging myself to see how many ways I can use these beads. I think this way is my favorite so far. I really like how this piece turned out, it is much prettier in person. I have found whites and crystals don't show well in pictures. I hope you can get the idea from this posting. Now on to May and the beautiful Emerald!

Circle of Life.....COMPLETE!

I am so happy to tell you that my April Bead Journal Project is complete! I am very happy with how it turned out. I love the simplicity of the piece with only 3 colors of beads. Well actually 3 colors but 9 varying shades of the 3 colors. I know the background looks like its gray, but in actuality its a color called Opal Lilac. I love it. I knew when I started, that I wanted a fairly neutral background color, When i saw this color, I knew it was perfect. I also knew I wanted to use the trees I used, but not in their original state. My hubby spray painted one black and another white as they were brown to begin with. I wanted a very graphic piece, different than the colorful pieces I usually do. I think I succeeded! I am still rather behind, but hope to work lots this next couple of weeks and my husband is working quite a bit of overtime. We will see what the next couple of weeks brings. Hope everyone out there is happy and healthy! Everyone here is doing great. We spent lots of family time this past weekend and I loved every minute of it.

Progress on my Circle

I have had some time lately to work on my April BJP called Circle of Life. I am working on filling the background in of the circle. It is slow and tedious, but I love the effect you get when you use the one bead at a time method I am using. On the black half, I used 4 shades of black, shiny, matte size 11's, hematite Delicas (DB0001), and shiny size 15's. On my white half, I am also using 4 shades of white to include White AB finish Delicas (DB0202) white lined crystal and matte white 11's as well as white size 15's. As I said, tedious but worth the effort! I am not going to share with you at this time my plans for the rest of the page. You will have to wait and see!

I have also worked out 2 new dog patterns in Delica beads, a Yorkie and a Pug! I love the challenge of working in such a small space (22 beads wide) and trying to produce what actually looks like the dog its supposed to look like. What do you think?

The Circle of Life...

I have lots for you to see today! As I said in a previous post, my April BJP is called The Circle of Life. I decided to do this topic as my April page for a few different reasons. My Maternal Grandmother passed away 24 years ago April 21st. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with my daughter Jessica. My Father passed away when my daughter Courtney was 8 1/2 months pregnant with little Kileigh. My daughter Jessica's Father-in-law passed away 1 week before his first grandchild was born. The Circle of Life continues....

So on to a happier example of this circle. This photo is a copy of an ultrasound Jess and Mike had done today showing little "Bun" in his/her debut! Hard to believe, but at only 11 weeks the baby has hands and feet, a visible heartbeat, a little tushy, spinal column, eyes and lots of other distinguishable body parts. We don't know if its a boy or girl, but its 1 1/2" long and active! Have you ever seen a cuter Bun? We cant wait to meet you little one!

Also, I am showing a few pictures of the beginnings of my April page. You can see the "circle" as well as the entire background is done. I wanted the background to be simple and neutral, so the actual circle will pop - hopefully! Look for more in a couple days. Congratulations again to Jess and Mike. You are giving this family another blessing, and I for one cannot wait!

Well Hello There!

Yes, I am alive and kicking! I hope I am kicking some serious virus butt! basically I have been sick since late February with about a 1 week break. My poor lungs have been seriously ill. Once again back to Urgent Care last week and 6 days later, to my Family Dr. Seems I had some fluid in my lungs which was causing a high fever and general sick feeling. I am hoping that I am finally getting over the worst of it! I have so missed being able to look at every ones pretty creations, as well as doing some creating of my own! Finally yesterday I felt well enough to give it a go. I am still waiting on the final components of my February page, so I decided to set it aside and start work on another month. I have started on my April piece. I am calling it "The Circle of Life" and you will see the beginnings soon. I think its going to be lots of fun.

Also, for those of you who asked to see Kileigh in her sweater and cap - here you go a little baby cheesecake! Enjoy!

Happy 15 month Birthday today little Ki, your Gammy loves you!