WIP's in artwork and life

After finishing up my BJP for June, of course I had to have some beading project so I started to make a peyote tube for one of my (many!) empty bead containers! I thought these would make good needles cases. Beth Murr from Until We Bead Again has such wonderful tutorials as well as patterns to purchase on her web site (Beth is where I purchased my beautiful leaf pendant). I watched Beth's videos and learn something new each time. She was also kind enough to email me when I presented her with a question on the beginning of the tube. My old RA fingers were not cooperating with the tying of the bead circle to start.
So this was my start on my tube, which was beaded while watching our beloved Tigers baseball team. Of course!

I finished the tube last night and now I need to go to Beth's video's to see how to finish the bottom. Beth is so cool! She even has a video on how to replace a bead you put in the wrong place! Who knew!! This was beaded using #11 Delica's and is a good practice tube for me! I may or may not put a bottom on my tube only because it's doesn't have a smooth bottom like the wooden tubes you can get from Beth on her web site. Next month's budget!

And this is a sneak peak at my South of the Border piece for the MQAI exhibit I'm working on. It will have lots of hand stitching and some beading (duh!). I've had it sandwiched and started the stitching a few weeks ago but haven't worked on it lately. Time to get busy on several WIP's (works in progress) I have. I've been waiting to see if I could get permission to use a photo for another South of the Border piece. It's a great picture but no word yet and it's been over 4 weeks..guess no permission is coming...

I mentioned in an earlier post on the book I was reading, 'Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt'. I loved this book for so many reasons. Like Cee Cee, my sister and I went to live with our Great Aunt when I was 3 or 4. We did get to live with our mum when we became teenagers so we were fortunate to have that time with her. Reading Cee Cee's story brought back SO many memories, both good and bad. With each page I read, I became Cee Cee while she worked on and lived her 'life book'. What a good read! Check out Beth's web site and pick up a copy at your local book store or library (for us retiree's!).

Also, on Beth's blog, she had a post showing a video that changed her life. I can't tell you how many times I have watched this video now!!! I love hearing the gentle, calming voice of Brother David Steindl-Rast and actually listening to his words...he talks about 'today' being a gift to us....and our only "appropriate response to this gift is gratefulness". Our time here on earth is like a WIP (work in progress) isn't it. I hope you enjoy this video and thanks to Beth for sharing on her blog.