3/4 finished!

Well, I'm 75% finished with the loom bracelet I'm making for a friend.  Now to weave in the 60 warp threads and attach the closure.  At this rate, I should have it finished in a week or two!  HA   Seems like it takes me forever to work on things since the 'wild child' has joined the family!  I'm sure it's our fault in training her to play all the time but....
Yesterday I finished up one portion of my group slice.  So far so good but I'm a long, long way to the end.  Monday a group of my friends and I are off to some yarn/quilt shops so that will give me a chance to pick up some fabric for the slice.  I could or may have to paint some fabric but hopefully I can find the colors I want.
Today, I'll work some more on the slice piece and weaving the threads on the bracelet.  We actually stayed home last night and had leftovers!  We're debating about going out tonight!!  Guess I better get my butt in gear and go for a walk!

This and that!

My friend, Susan, had a little medical scare the other day...she's doing ok (so far!) and so I made her this little card today. Her computer died so I know she won't see the card online before I get it delivered to her house.
And then...long story....but my grand daughter took her first sewing class at JoAnn's a few weeks ago. They made a pillow case and she sent it to me for Valentines! I finally received it (that's the long story on the route it took from Michigan!) last week so I wanted to thank her again!! And it's signed so grandma will always remember when and who made this beautiful pillow case!!! Thank you, Sweet Pea!!! I love the pillow case and will keep it forever!!!!!

I'm making progress on my loom beaded bracelet.
And check out the Valentine card I receive from my friend, Karen, back in Michigan! I love ginkgo leaves so this is very special. Thanks, Karen!!
Today I'm just playing with bead embroidery, looking at some designs and next I'll do some more stitching on my Georgia piece. I have some ideas for quilting the piece but won't start anything until I have all the areas stitched around the leading.

National Margarita Day? & beading!

So who knew! There's really such a thing as National Margarita Day! As it turned out we did go to our favorite Margarita 'fountain' last night with Carol and Tony. We just didn't know we were celebrating anything! We had lots of laughs and good food and drinks, as usual.
But because I didn't know February 22nd was National Margarita Day, we are all going out again tonight! Jan and Larry are over and our foursome has turned into a night on the town with several other couples. So it looks like it will be another margarita night! Fine with me!

I started another cuff on the loom in black and white AND I'm using 6lb Fireline and Silamide thread. I can already feel this is going to turn out more flexible than my last cuff. So I'm thinking it could be because of the 8lb fireline used in the warp??

Sherry from Createology suggested I might do some research on the FireMoutain web site. Sherry thought she remembers seeing some tips/hints on the use of different types of thread and use of Fireline. Thanks, Sherry! I'm going to check that out.
My pics are out of order...I was going to show the cuff I finished but here's the binding I added on my FMQ'ing challenge piece. It was actually one of the fat quarters that Beth gave me (from the art quilt group in Summerfield). I usually put on a contrast color binding but decided I just wanted to keep this piece 'quiet'! It's small enough to use back home in one of the rooms to set something on!
So here's my cuff finished and the ring I made to go with it. The colors are prettier in person. Very rich with the different shades of gold.
Well, I best get moving...I did do some cleaning and two loads of laundry so far...but I'm much prefer to be beading...so that's what I'm doing next. Later I'll take Kalee on her 'long' walk then shower and get ready to celebrate Margarita Day, one day late! Life's tough but someone has to do it! And if you didn't know about Margarita Day yesterday, go have one (or two) today! Birthday's can be late so why not celebrating a holiday late!

Just getting back to normal...well, kinda!

Yes, my life is getting back to somewhat normalcy! At least 75% so! I did get a lot done this past month so I'm happy about that. Now if I could only do some hand work or beading at night watching the boob tube...but I do owe it to Kalee to play and sit with her as well...especially if we go out for dinner. I always feel guilty when we get home so it's play time!
My beaded loom piece is coming along and I love the pattern. I just might have to make another one in the same pattern. Just not sure of the colors I'll want.
And...I happened upon a free motion quilting challenge on SewCalGal's blog. She's having a different machine quilter present tips/technique/tutorials monthly. I just signed up so of course I'm already a month behind...but I did manage to complete the January FMQ using a leaf stitch which was shown by Frances Moore. February is Diane Gaudynski.
This is my little piece...nothing special just playing with using Frances' leaf pattern.
I posted on some BD presents I rec'd in January and one of those was a small beaded piece my friend, Marilyn, gave me. She said she thought I could use the beads. She took this piece from an old purse she had. Well, I couldn't take apart the beads because I thought the design was so nice. So I painted a small canvas board, then attached the piece using the holes that were already on the piece. I think it turned out not too bad and I'm going to give it back to Marilyn as a present. Marilyn and John are always so generous having everyone to their house for dinners. This is a small gift for sure but "waste not, want not"!!
So off to make a lemon pie now...then dog walk...then get ready for another night of eating out!! NO, I am not complaining!! Just lovin' Florida! Temps are suppose to get down to high 20's tonight but back up to 60's then 70's again next week. Cold for the Ocala folks but beautiful weather for this Michigan gal!

Finally some computer time!

I've really been busy doing other things so my computer time has been limited! Quite unusual for me but our life has been quite unusual since Kalee, hasn't it! But that's a good thing!
I finished and mailed off my fiber card to my secret Valentine back home. She doesn't do the blog thing so I can post her card here. I just happened to bring to Florida this piece of paper fabric I made a few years ago, so I tangled on it; added a suede heart and beaded using the rope pattern around the heart.

I like the paper fabric and thought I'd use this technique for my Valentines this year. A few weeks ago I made two sheets (you can see how I made the paper fabric here). So my time has now been "zentangling" my little heart out!
I had some time last night to work on the cards but I still have a long way to go. I'm also making up regular note cards for Valentines to send out special greetings to family and friends. Here are some of my paper fabric pieces in progress.
And while my friend was here one day working on her quillow, I beaded some more on my loom bracelet. It's coming along and I'll be anxious to finish it! Although, that does mean I'll need another stop at my favorite bead store to purchase the closure for it! Darn...he he he he
Bob is golfing early today in the annual super bowl tournament so he'll be home early. He's happy about that as Michigan and Michigan State are playing basketball @ 1 then the super bowl later (he'll be able to nap in between!). He has been golfing 7 days a week which is usual for Florida! Although, I don't think there are many 72 year olds who golf 7 days a week! He's feeling pain free and wants to take advantage of his membership. I think he's already got his money back!!!
Go NY!! Yes, I'm a Manning fan...Eli or Peyton...although, I have to admit Peyton on Saturday Night Light a few years ago was a hoot!!

More beading

Yesterday started off with puppy class and ended up with a wet, dirty dog! Dew in the a.m. is quite bad so...but if you really want to see a dirty dog, check out Kalee's blog later! OMG!!
After puppy class, I headed to PetSmart then to the bead store! After a quick lunch, I started working on a new bracelet using Bead and Button magazine's pattern, Geometric Maze.
After wrapping my loom, Kalee and I sat out front and then in the lanai. I got quite a bit finished on it considering these are #11 Delica's. I love working on the loom and I'm really excited about this pattern. This is a close up of the color/pattern.
My stop at the bead store was due to the kindness of the Country Road Quilters! They presented me a gift card to my favorite bead store, The Bead Strand. The store is now under a new owner and she has even more supplies and beads than before...and that was a lot!! These are my 'finds' from yesterday. The beads I'm using in my loom bracelet is in the group. I'm going to make two more rings for myself from the green and pink.
So today is a lazy day. I did some dusting, cleaning and now on my 2nd load of laundry and of course took Kalee on her 1st walk of the day! After I do my email/blogs, I'll start back on beading or work my Valentines. It's another beautiful day, although temps are only going to be in the high 60's! ONLY!! I'll take it...with the sun shining it feels like 70 so perfect weather for sitting out in the lanai! And of course going for walks!

This is a sneak piece at the 'trade' Sally, over at Sally's Stuff blog, and I arranged. I made this cuff for her and she's making me a thermo fax screen! I'll be heading to the post office later this afternoon to mail her cuff. If you aren't familar with Sally's work go and check out her blog! She'll be coming to Houston in the fall as two of her art quilts are part of exhibits at the IQA show! How cool is that!

Today is another rainy day but Bob and I still have to go out to a Dr. appointment for him. Over the weekend he developed facial swelling which really had me concerned. We went to ER on Sunday but the Dr. thought it was inflammation of some glands or ducts. It seemed to go down some but yesterday the swelling was back. Not as bad again today but he still needs to be checked.

No new handwork for me yet! I want to make my daughter a table topper for her round coffee table using organza for the leaves. She showed me some designs so I have part of a plan but no work on it yet!! Just too busy playing MOM! Yikes! Kalee is like having a two year old to keep you on your toes. But it's SO well worth it!! We smile all the time and she's doing so good at sleeping through the night and her potty time outside.

Well, off to get ready to dodge rain drops, first with Kalee and then with Bob!

AAQI donation

My AAQI donation quilt

My quilt represents the changes that come with life and with diseases. Especially Alzheimer's, which destroys the memory one worm hole at a time.
I finished the facing and just need to put on the sleeve and it's ready to mail. I've already registered my quilt (#8013) with Ami Simms AAQI. There are some really nice pieces you can still purchase or you could still donate a small art quilt!

I did start on another cuff but I'll only be showing the start of it as it's for a 'trade' I'm working on with another blogger. More on that when I've finished and she's received her cuff! This will be a fun exchange! Last night we had our fiber guild meeting. We did have a great show and tell again and I'll post pics over the weekend. As of late, we've been having major discussions as to the direction of our group. We've been together for 9 years and I think have done just about every technique there is! That's part of our problem...now we're just trying to think of things to do monthly and it's becoming more of a chore than a learning experience. I emailed Jane Dunnewold (author of Complex Cloth - and other books), who we based our groups direction on. Jane was kind enough to provide some good feedback which we discussed last night. Not sure what our conclusion was but I'll be working on the writeup for everyone later today.

It appears many groups end up in this dilemma needing a new direction. A lot of consideration has to include facilities, meeting time(s) and a direction that meets every ones interest...and with up to 13 women that's a tall order! Hard enough to get 3 women to agree on something! I think we'll figure it out and continue on. There's so much talent in our group that you hate to miss seeing what they have to show at the meeting. Personally, that's the best part seeing what folks have worked on. Our problem is, we don't take the time to investigate or have the artist talk about their process in creating their work. We seem to rush through show and tell and don't ask questions. Isn't that how you learn? hmmmmmm

Cuff is finished!

Yippee! I finished my 2nd cuff that I "beaded on the loom"! This is another pattern from Suzanne Cooper's web site. Suzanne has some great bracelet patterns in addition to many other patterns for different beading techniques. Check them out!

The pattern set I purchased has five different cuff patterns and I'm not sure which pattern I'll use for my 3rd cuff! The next one I'm making will be in orange/white since I wear a lot of spring colors. I can't wait to start another one but I have to finish the sleeve and label on my 'Twin'..she's all done except those two items and I'll post pics next week.
Carol and I had a fun day yesterday shopping in Auburn Hills. Carol and Tony are 'beach birds' from Florida and now spend six months in Michigan. I actually felt like I was in Florida picking up Carol for a day of 'tooting' around! We elected to go to the outside mall and walk around to the different stores which really wasn't bad even in the heat. We would walk a few steps then walk into air conditioning! Of course we had to have lunch which was really good...salad and a spinach/artichoke dip w/flatbread. Then to Starbucks for dessert, taking our drinks with us to Tradder Joe's!
While we were at the outside mall, I wanted to stop in Williams-Sonoma. My DIL had me try some sauce she bought from from them called Burger Bomb. As soon as we walked in the store, we were hit with a wonderful smell of something being grilled. Turned out it was chicken marinated in their Tequila Agave marinade. well, you know if it says TEQUILA I'll have to try it. Wow! It's a great marinade so Carol and I each both bought a bottle. I'm going to use it to marinade chicken for dinner the 1st night my sister comes to visit in a few weeks! Yep, my sis is coming to visit! I'm so excited and can't wait to see her!!! She's never been to our house and we had it built in '96! I'm having everyone up for dinner that weekend she's here as she hasn't seen Darrin since he and Kris got married 21 years ago! Dawn and I have gone back to Penna. to visit but now it's my sister's turn and I am thrilled!
Today temps are only to reach high 80's! That's a cool down isn't it. Good day to do some laundry and cleaning so I can play this weekend with some beading or other sewing! Stay cool!

Working away in the heat

Yep, working away in the heat! I finished the 'beading on the loom' for my 2nd cuff bracelet! I have to take it off the loom, weave the ends and add a clasp, which I'll buy on Wed. at the bead shop in Oxford. I love my 1st cuff and wear it often. The colors in this one aren't showing up as nice as they are in person...the brown beads are a cinnamon lined Topaz luster (DB0287)! That's a mouth full but a really nice color. I wear a lot of beige so I know I'll wear this one a lot too.

I also finished sewing down the binding on one of the Twins today while watching The Bachlorette and Big Brother! Yes, I'm a closet reality kinda gal! What can I say!

Now some good news! Our 'Tommy Slice Project' was juried into the IQA show in Houston this fall! How cool is that! It's my 2nd time with a entry juried into Houston but both were in the group category! Does that tell you I need help from my friends! The quilt is juried in and that's pretty exciting.

On another note, my friend Susan from Florida (I've posted about her beautiful applique work on my blog many times!) has been winning with her quilts this past month! She took 1st place for her Homage To Spring quilt & 2nd place for 256 Blocks quilt in their categories at the Minnesota Quilt Show. Susan made enough $$'s with these winnings to buy lots and lots of fabric! Then I received another email from her this past week that she won 3 more ribbons!! This was at a show in Ohio! Susan has her Homage to Spring quilt showing the end of this month at a big show in Hersey, Pennsylvania. I'm sure she'll win another ribbon! Her workmanship is the best as is her choice of design and colors. Susan is the one who came up with a unique reverse applique technique and she's generously shared with me! That's the technique I'm using on my applique piece, Georgia on my Mind.

Temps have been in the 90's again!! This is more like Florida weather! Thank goodness for air conditioning!!!

Week Wrap-up!

I've been in a purging mood since Thursday! Just too much stuff that I/we don't need anymore so purge it is! I had two trash bags filled just from the computer room and that included lots of shredded papers. Just how many years do I have to save that WalMart receipt! Geezzz You'd think it was money!
I also went through my fabric, old patterns, etc. in my sewing room today and started a bag for the upcoming garage sale for the GSQ guild, another bag for the Little Monster kids store (they do the free craft days for kids) and moved some of my papers and fabrics to my dyeing/painting/collage area downstairs. That's the next room I have to purge!

In between the "purge", I have been beading. I'm making progress on my 2nd beaded cuff on the loom!


And I've been beading some hearts..yes, I get bored so I work on two at a time!








And we've had the roofers here for the past two days so I've been house bound, hence the purging! Geezz...for all that money no one would know we put on a new roof! I forgot to take a picture before they started as our old roof was looking pretty bad. Hate to have to dish out the $$'s but better to do it now than having to repair the inside of the house due to roof leaks!
So after two days of the guys working in 85+ degrees (and it's at least 10 degrees hotter on the roof!) it's all done. They did a great job of cleaning up and the owner of the company came back again today just to double check on the job and the cleanup. He walked around the house with a magnet to make sure all the nails were gone too. We'd recommend Arnold Roofing to anyone in our area. Actually, he's done about six houses in our sub.

Sunday our friends, Carol & Tony, are coming up and we're going to Lucky's for our favorite meal! We all love Lucky's, especially their bread!! Yum! I usually end up bringing home over half my dinner because I fill up on salad and bread (and a glass of wine!). But I love those leftovers!

Monday is our small Aussome fiber group meeting so hope I have some good show and tell pics to post! Now to watch the Tigers and do a little beading!

Wrapping up the week

Check out the 'boys' supervising the delivery of shingles for the kids house! Nick is on the right and his buddy Mathew is on the left. My DIL sent the picture with the title 'supervisors in the making'? Cute isn't it.
So the week is almost over and although I've been busy I can't say I've accomplished a lot art work. I did make 9 fiber cards yesterday but I can't show them. I have five more to go for that project which I'll post in another week or two.

I did start 'beading on my loom' again yesterday! This is another pattern by Suzanne Cooper. I had to 'redo' (go figure!) my warp threads because I used some actual fishing line but it was 10lb. weight. I have used this weight for other projects but after weaving five rows the beads just didn't seem to fit easily and looked very rough. So I removed the beads and warp threads and redid using Fireline (8lb) which works great. I also added two warp threads for each edge warp threads. This is a great suggestion by Erin to provide strength especially if you are going to add beads to the edges on your piece, which I might do on this one. I'm using brown and white beads for this cuff.
And look what I got in the mail yesterday! Christine, a very talented beader and old friend from our 'traditional quilting days' was blogging about getting stamps made for signing her art work. Well, let's be honest I don't have real artwork that I need to sign! but I did want to have some fun stamps for using in my fiber cards and doodling so....off I went to Bullfrogs Laser Works by Roberto Sand. Roberto does some amazing work (you can see the stamps he made for Christine on her blog) so make sure to check out his work. right now he's off site for 10 days as he's building a new shop but just bookmark and check back.

And this is the stamp I'll use in my fiber postcards (between address and greeting). I'm quite happy with my stamps and Roberto was so great to work with coming up with designs or using what you provide him.

Yesterday I did wash outside windows upstairs but the rest of them will have to wait until the temps get cooler! It's been quite humid the past few days and will be the same today, so it will be a 'stay in day' for this old lady! Good weekend for folks who have time off!

AND I went on a bike ride today!! Almost two miles!!! Yep, I did get another bike (it belonged to my DIL's mom)! This one is the old style bike so not an easy way of going up those hills but I think it's a good thing! It will help me get in shape for Florida and keeping up with my friend, Peggy! Enjoy the holiday everyone!!

Cuff is finished!

I finished my cuff bracelet yesterday! I'm really happy with it and can't wait to start on another one! Or something else. My loom looks so lonely with nothing on it!
You can see my 'smiley face' mistake on the right inside corner but I think it looks kinda cute!
I sat out on the deck yesterday and felt like I was putting the binding on a quilt when I removed the warp threads and attached my clasp. It is time consuming but very relaxing to finish.

I used one of the six e-patterns I purchased from Suzanne Cooper. She has some great designs and I'll make another one using another of her patterns for my 3rd project. Check out her web site for using a variety of beading techniques. Lots to choose from!

Busy week with just about each of us going to 'day spa' starting with Mandy and birds today! Weather has been just wonderful, not too hot or not too cool for a Michigan summer! Life is good!

Meet the twins!

So before you get to meet the 'Twins'! Wanted to show the progress on my cuff I'm beading on the loom! Yes, I just love saying "beading on the loom"!, it has such a nice ring to it!!

I'm at the half way mark and really love beading on the loom. Yes, I've had to rip some rows out now and then but heck that's all part of the process. There are two mistakes I made on it but you know what...it's for me and only I will know it! Hmmmm Wait!! Now that I put that to print everyone will know it!! But that's ok..no one is perfect and I'm sure far from it...now to introduce the twins speaking of not being perfect!

Here are the Twins! I starting working on my quilt for the Michigan Quilt Artist Invitational traveling exhibit a few weeks ago. The theme is Art of the Kitchen so I decided to do a Betty Boop. I posted on how I wasn't happy with some of the weaving and the fact my yellow pencil marks were not coming out of the piece.

So I redid Betty and this is the newest one here to the right.
I couldn't see throwing the first Betty out since I had so much of it finished, so I figured i would just finish it and keep for myself. If I hang it far enough away no one can see the yellow marks, it should be fine!

Both of these pieces are larger than I need for the 20" x 24" finished size.

I quilted on the woven edges using red thread (hard to see unless you click on pic) yesterday and finished that part on both. Next I need to quilt around Betty and on the piece in other areas.

I'm happy with Betty and think it's a fun piece, which is what I was after.

If you would like to take a peak at another quilt Mary received for the exhibit, check out our SAQA Michigan blog . The quilt is by Laurie Ceesay who does fantastic portrait pieces and her Art of the Kitchen is wonderful!!

So off to work on my cardinal and watch the Tigers! Although, they are out in California and don't start until 10 p.m.!! I'm sure there's some other dumb shows on so I can still bead. Wed. is day with grand kids and I might get to ride a bike! More on that later!!

Busy Days - Not Really

The past few days have been a blurr..I did go to the Genesee Start Quilters guild meeting on Friday a.m. then off to do errands and lunch. Sat. my friend, Mary and I went to the Flint Market (pics follow) but I also started on my 2nd loom piece!
Here's what I got done on Sat. afternoon sitting out on the deck just relaxing and listening to my Ipod (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo book). This is a cuff pattern and I'm loving it so far!
Here's my little loom all set up to work. I have it on a piece of plywood hubby cut for me a few years ago so it's quite portable.

I really like this pattern by Suzanne Cooper that I purchased last week. It's part of a set of five E-patterns Suzanne has.

Not sure where or how I happened upon her web site but I've had it bookmarked for quite sometime and I do receive her newsletter. Besides her beading, Suzanne has a Bichon too! So stop by and check out some of her work and her patterns. I also bought her 'Really, Really Round Flat Peyote' pattern set. But that's for another project down the road! And yes, I have started the branch on my Cardinal but...

Saturday, Mary and I left early for the Flint Farmer's Market. I haven't been to it in years and years and was really impressed with how it's grown. Vendors, veggies, fruit, cheese, meats, breads..you name it and they had it!

This is a mural at the front of the market area that was created by Guy Adamec and you can read more about it here.

Just one of the vendors

So after going to market and beading we just sat and watched the golf Open and actually went to bed early. Good thing because I was up from 12:15 a.m. until after 3:30 a.m. SICK!! UGH!! Sunday consisted of getting Bob off to a Father's Day golf outing at 6:45a.m. then back to bed until 8; called Darrin and Jeff and back to bed (with Mandy, of course). Bob got home around 3:30 and said he was hungry...hungry??..food?? What's that about?? My hope for him was to take a nap which took place quickly so I had a reprieve...fortunately I always have leftovers in the freezer so he had salad and spaghetti. I did make some chicken soup but only drank the broth (Grace ate the veggies).

So today I'v been working on my Art of the Kitchen piece trying to get the quilting finished. At least I'm almost back to normal and feel like eating somewhat..it's a good way to lose weight! Have to look at the positive side of being sick! Yes, my glass is half full at all times! Speaking of which, I'm off to get some more water!

WIP's

Just showing some works in progress..the first one isn't mine. This is a piece my friend Carol T. is working on. Carol does quite a bit of drawing with watercolor on paper and she also paints quite a few of her art quilts. This is a piece she's drawing on fabric with pencils and I think it's turning out really good! I was really impressed with how it's coming out and she's actually inspired me to try doing some flowers on fabric. I have the book 'The Botanical Palette' and I'm going to trace some flowers to play with. Carol draws all of her pieces and does a really good job...I can trace really good so that's what I'll stick with!

The next 'WIP' is my bracelet I started on my loom! Yippee!! I did finish it with the exception of the clasp. I'm really pleased with how my first attempt at bead loom work!! I really love working on the loom with the beads and I'm anxious to get started on my next piece. I want to make a cuff so I'm looking at some different designs or I might even make up my own pattern again.

Beautiful weather again today with some rain early this a.m. Cool breeze and a nice day to bead outside as well! Temps suppose to be in the 80's by next week so I'm sure kids will be doing lots of swimming!

I'm bead weaving!

Before I talk about my 'bead weaving' (I'm SO excited!) here's the bird almost finished! I have to add the branch and he'll be finished. It's good or should I say bad TV time in the late spring/summer so a gal needs lots of hand work! Butterfly's are next in my mind so I'll have to get started but..... if you follow my 'life' here on my blog, I've posted about Erin Simonetti's beautiful bead loom work on her blog and how impressed and inspired I am by her work! I've been doing quite a bit of reading online and watching YouTubes regarding bead on a loom and really wanted to try this method of beading.
So check out what I found this past Sat. at the Beadifferent bead shop in Oxford! A bead loom!!!! I am SO excited! The loom measures 9 1/2" x 14" with a working area of 8" (in case I want to make an arm band!). The loom was made by the husband of someone who taught beading on a loom several years ago at the shop and he did a great job. The bead store only had this one left and had to go in their downstairs storage area to find it! I am really so pleased with this loom as it's VERY stable and adjustable as well so I can lay it flat or work on a slant, as I have it in the pics. Can you see the start of my little bracelet in the pic above?

And here's my work in progress! I actually made up my own design too! How cool is that! OK, so I impress myself sometimes! I only have 11 warp threads and I'm using # 11 Delica's so the bracelet is only about 1/2" wide. But it's my first attempt!!! Erin has some wonderful tips on her blog about adding an edge on your work while it's still on the loom. That will be my next step!

So here's my little bracelet almost finished!I've ordered several beading on a loom books from our library and two are in so I'll pick those up today. Erin is also working on a book and I'll certainly be first in line to buy her book!! If you haven't checked out Erin's work, do check out her blog and web site! it's worth the trip!

We're off for Bob's MRI on his back today but not until late this afternoon. That's good so I'll have time to review some of Erin's tips on adding an edge on beadwork. Temps have been wonderful in the mid 70's! My kind of weather so I can even sit outside and bead!

Beading on a loom

I've been a follower of Erin Simonetti's blog, A Bead Looming Intervention (or also known as Beads, beading, beaded!) for awhile now and keep being amazed at the work she creates. If you are a beader or just appreciate beading, do go and check out Erin's blog and website. I love cuffs as most of my friends know and Erin has made some of the most outstanding pieces of art in her cuffs and other jewelery! Talk about beautiful work and workmanship!! Erin is also so great at posting techniques, tips and the progress of her work. She has inspired me to attempt beading on a loom.

So I'm going to see what books are at our library and order them. A gal has to start somewhere! Do make sure to take a minute or two to see some of Erin's art! OK, it will take more than a minute or two! Once you see some of her beading, you'll keep reading blog post after blog post...but that's ok..you could be doing worse things! I guarantee you will be inspired and glad you took the time to 'look'!