January 2011 BJP

My January piece is finally done though I didn't go ga-ga with it. This is my first year with the BJP... and after much contemplation, I decided to go with a "random" sampler block theme.

My initial plan was to use this quilt top (acquired from a dear friend Linda, who was a prolific quilter before she discovered beading) for my 2011 blocks but with the lovely splash of colors in it, I'm having a second thought.

My blocks for the entire 2011 will come from these stabilized square and round foundations... or perhaps others shapes as well. The squares are 2"x2" while the rounds are almost 2" diameter.

Happy beading all!

Cat's Eye Set

I went out of my ring norm and decided to make a necklace and earrings set using cat's eye beads - very simple but I like it.

I also made some swap goodies - necklace, earrings, bracelet and ring - but they'll remain a secret 'til the recipients receive them. Moreso, more rings will be shared later. Happy beading all!

A Day At The Spa

I had a long day today with SIL and MIL... Many thanks to Mom for the massage treat! By 7:30 AM, we're on our way to Des Moines already and got to Massage Heights before 9:00 AM. It was such a great treat and I'm literally sleepy afterwards. Everybody should have such experience once in a while - or better yet, on a regular basis. Here's the room assigned to me, took a few shots after the massage.

Beady-wise, here's another ring kinda similar in my previous post. This will be for SIL, but may not be able to give it to her 'til our next domino game.

Remember to pamper yourself once in a while - you deserve it, a rejuvenating massage is perfect. This was something I missed in the past when I was in the midst of a very busy and stressful job... the construction industry! Happy beading all!

A Twilight Inspired Ring

Twilight comes to mind when I see dark red and black combo... For extra texture, I added magatamas at the edging. I love the little sparklies in the bluestone - wish I have more of these cabs!

Have a great day all!

A Blue Goldstone Ring

Among all the rings I made so far, this is my favorite! I love the itty-bitty sparkles on the stone. I used amethyst iris seedies on the ring band & lace edge, pink silver-lined delicas on the second layer, 15/o matte black seedies and obviously, blue goldstone for the focal. It reminds me of Twilight so I might have to make another one - but won't use pink delicas. What do you think?

Stay warm all! We have icy roads again... yay!

The Matching Blue Lover Ring

Just another simple ring that matches the earrings on my previous post. As mentioned, this will be a gift.

Have you experienced recieving a mail without anything in it? For the first time, I did. Though the USPS put the original envelope in another envelope, the original mail is obviously empty as it was damaged. Look what happened to the envelope at the lower part area.

At the back of the USPS envelope, USPS explained that due to high volume of mail they handle everyday and though they handle everything with care, there are times that some mails get damaged. I never attempted to open the USPS envelope just in case I have to return the original mail to the sender.

Don't worry, bead happy! Keep warm all!

Earrings For A Blue Lover

These earrings are for a family friend who I think loves anything blue! I used howlite turquoise, garnet delicas and amethyst iris seedies for the beaded beads. She's a french hook wires kind of girl and am glad she doesn't ave allergies on any metals. They will come with a matching ring that is still in the making process. Hope to give them to her on or before Valentines Day.

Got a call yesterday morning from SIL, asking if I wanna go in Des Moines with her & MIL on Saturday for a lil shopping spree... this time, it's for MIL's upcoming birthday! We already know what Mom wants, and might as well take her to the shops where she can choose her gifts personally - a stand mixer (we're eyeing a big kitchenaid mixer with all the bells & whistles) and a pasta maker/machine. To complete our day, SIL also scheduled a spa massage somewhere in the city - now, that' a real treat... don't you think?

Life is too short, and before you know it, it's gone... so enjoy it to the fullest everybody!

Bead Give-Away Winner

Today is different from my usual day in a very very good way! When I checked my email this morning, I got ecstatic with a good news from Helena of Sweden. She recently had a blog give-away and I am the winner... I've been blog-hopping for a few years (both in the embroidery and beading virtual world) and this is the first time I win anything... from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your generosity Helena!

Beady-wise, this set will be on its way to WI this week - along with the other rings and earrings I made for her. I really enjoyed making this simple necklace as I did able to use my new my new metal punch on the leaf focal. My friend is a very busy Mom of 4 (3 boys and a pretty girl as the youngest) and each angel represent her kids.

My initial thought was to have an assymetrical piece with a front closure. When worn this way, it's around 20" long.

The ring on top of the leaf was a last minute idea - since the chain is long enough, I thought it would be fun to wear it like below... I had been thinking on adding some seedies on the delicate chain on the leaf to add extra dimension but I see a lot of color on the whole piece already. What do you think - should I add seedies or not?

And lastly, please don't forget to drop by at Helena's blog to pamper your eyes with her beautiful creations. She's pretty busy beading herself... her expertise and love for beads shows in her works.

Keep warm and enjoy beading all!

Double Wrap Bracelet

I recently purchased some Greek leather cord and had this big button laying around for quite some time waiting to be put into good use... so I ended up with a 16" wrap bracelet - which can be use as a necklace as well. More similar bracelets are in the execution process.

Today is domino day at SIL's house... with all the women in the family and a couple family friends - both women as well. Everybody was there by 11:30AM, wherein most brought food (potluck style, I brought an assortment of egg rolls plus the infamous Asian sweet chili sauce) so we had lunch first, chit-chat about quilts & whatever comes to mind, then played domino 'til 5:00 PM. It was another fun-filled day and I can't wait for our next gathering!

Keep warm and have a great evening all!

Jasper Cabochon Bauble Ring

Just another simple ring with jasper cabochon focal. In the near future, you'll see goldstone, bluestone, obsidian, and jasper assortment in this kind of ring.

Happy beading all!

SSE-20

Got my lovely earrings for SSE-20 all the way from Utah! My challenge word was "peacock" and Lois made a great version, don't you think? I love them... Thanks so much Lois!

And I was advised that my mark in Ohio got hers... I didn't managed to use Cat's challenge word "plum fairy" as she happens to be my bracelet swap as well so I made coordinating pieces.

Keep warma nd enjoy beading all!

Girly Pink Beaded Bead Earrings

Pink always reminds me of girls... though I gotta admit I think I missed that part of my life that I wanted pink - am more of a tomboy kind of girl. I remember loving earth-tones even at a young age. Weird huh?

Have fun beading all!

A Mother And Daughter Rings Plus Earrings

Just a pair of rings for a dear friend in WI... I had to guess-timate their sizes as these are surprise gifts. My friend also loves earrings so I made a matching pair.

Have a fruitful beady afternoon all!

Flowers From DH And Hot Red Beaded Bead Earrings

Yes, it has been 8 years ago today when DH took me to his wings - seems like it's only yesterday. I'm sure glad the weather is better today, DH managed to go home after spending another day at work due to severe road conditions.

Beady-wise, am getting ready for Valentines! Red comes to mind when I think of the heart's day... and I'm still making earrings!

Keep warm and enjoy beading everybody!

Wood Jasper Earrings

Can you tell by now that I really love working with brown? I love these wood jaspers and I look forward to using more of them in my next creations.

Got a call early morning yesterday from SIL asking if I wanted to go thrift shopping with her and MIL... I said YES of course! Before 11AM, 3 of us are already on the road on the way to Waukee. We all got some goodies there, then we headed to Urbandale - where I got most of my goodies... our last destination was Ankeny and we all went out carrying bags - you don't expect us to leave the store empty handed, right? We then headed to a nearby Subway for a late lunch - by the time we're done, it's past 3:30PM already. We all had a tiring but fruitful day and I would love to do it again when we have the chance! One thing I regret though, wish I purchased the lazy susan spice rack (for about $10) at Waukee that I could use as findings organizer. Oh well, I'll just have to try to visit our local Goodwill!

We're suffering from a nasty weather again today... here comes icy roads! Enjoy beading all!

Black And Matte Bronze Earrings

Those who are familiar with me know how much I love earth tones - specially brown! The seedies here came from Cat and they instantly became a fave... and of course, I had to use them on my current projects right away. Thanks again Cat!

Thanks for visiting... and enjoy beading all!

Howlite Turquoise Earrings

This matches the ring I made on the previous post. The focal beads came from ArtBeads (courtesy of Moira), the swarks on top of the beaded beads came from Tamara (goodies from the birthday swap last year), the delicas are from Cat... findings and tortoise seedies from my stash.

Thanks again ladies! Happy beading all!

A Turquoise Ring

Been experimenting with rings for the "ring swap" I'm organizing at BD forum. I think this is the biggest ring I've made so far. The tortoise beads on the outside were just last minute addition. I thought an extra fluffiness will finish it off - and I love how it turned out! I can see myself making more rings out of these imitation turquoise coins.

Bead happy all!

Got My Ring Mandrel

Been wanting to have a ring mandrel as I only have ring sizers. I'm sure this will come handy when making rings for others - no more guess-timate!

For my accomplishment of the day, here's another pair of simple earrings!
Take care all... stay warm and enjoy beading!

Dalmatian Jasper Earrings

DH finally made it home today... and filed a PTO before going home, which means he won't work tonight. Roads are still icy so it's a great idea to just stay home! Beading wise, I've been busy using my ArtBeads goodies.

Keep warm everybody!

All White Outside

It snowed pretty bad last night which made DH to leave an hour early fo work. Here's what our lawn look like this morning:

1. Our car is covered with snow, but glad that it's not that much compare to other states where they have to dig their cars.
2. I tried to stepped out of the porch... that's my left foot!
3. The driveway is invisible.
4. The front lawn!

And here's another pair of earrings with garnet rounds, black pearls and garnet seedies!

I can see myself drinking heaps of coffee and cocoa today... but will try to finish my first BJP piece as well. Keep warm and enjoy beading everybody!

Just Another Simple Bracelet

I've been making bracelets lately and this is one of them! Made of beaded beads, chinese glass rondelles, bali-style square beadcaps, lucite beads and rose pewter clasp.

My artbeads purchase finally arrived and had to use the magatamas instantly. I already made some beaded beads out of of them. The rounds will definitely end up as beaded beads but I'm planning to make flower pendants out of them as well. It's been a while since I made those and I'll make some as ring focals too.

Happy beading everybody!

Birthday Goodies

SIL gave me a boxful of beady goodies, gift card from K-Mart/Sears, and jeans...

DH handed some of his gifts on my birthday but he hid a box really well as I didn't able to see it since yesterday, at the gathering. I had been giving him the hint that beady stash is always a good deal for me. LOL

MIL must have read my mind that I've wanted a portable drive. DH got me an external drive for christmas so I didn't include the portable in my bday list anymore. Anyway, I can see this drive going to places as it's a great travelling companion.

And here's my beady accomplishment for today! A simple bracelet with beaded beads as focals... more bracelets in the near future.
Stay warm all... enjoy beading as usual!

Birthday Swap From Mary

Here are the goodies Mary sent me for this round of birthday swap at BD forum. I love everything... THANK YOU SO MUCH MARY!

Bracelet, MOP Cuff and a necklace!

A knitted purse and silk yarn! Yummy!

We had a negative weather last night so imagine how cold today is... stay warm and enjoy beading all!

I Am Hooked...

... in making this kind of earrings. I think I have to replace my 365 jewelries with "365 earrings" to make for 2011! Edited: We're supposed to have the family gathering today at SIL's house but our niece got sick so our dear aunt in town will be hosting the party instead! Don't worry, bead happy everybody!

Yummy Seedies From Cat

Though Cat advised me that she'll gonna send some seedies, I didn't realize she'll spoil me too much. So imagine how big my smile was when I opened the package yesterday. Thank you soooooo much for your generosity Cat. I am truly blessed with wonderful friends from the stitching & beading virtual communities! Click here to Cat's blog... while you're there, don't forget to visit her etsy shop as it's filled with OOAK creations.

I had to use one of the seedies right away and made beaded beads with them - as focals for this bracelet which will be given as birthday gift to a dear great aunt. Have fun beading all!