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!

A week already!

Yep, we've been in sunny (so far!) Florida for a week already. Our 3 months do go by fast. I always say I'm going on a 3 month vacation since that's what Bob and I feel when we are here. It did rain heavy late yesterday and through the evening and was actually the first rainfall this area has had since before Oct. It's been very dry here and of course fire alerts are on all over.
Today is sunny and beautiful out. I was sitting outside working on one of my projects but just came in for some lunch. And speaking of food..yep, we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Toreo's last night along with Carol and Tony. Of course the 99 cent margaritas can't be beat and the dinner special ($6.49!), Alambre, is SO good. Bob and I always have half our dinners to bring home to enjoy another night! Grilled chicken, onions, peppers with rice, beans and pico de gallo...YUM. Of course the margaritas are as good as we remember. We've had some bad margaritas at different restaurants throughout the years, but we've never had a bad one at El Toreo's. I'm looking forward to going back already!

I had an email from Laurie from Artsy Chick Quilts asking what threads I use in my beading. Because I'm stitching beads through 3 or four layers, I prefer to use Silamide thread. I don't care for Nymo as I find it shreds too much when stitching through layers. I order via the net since it's more economical to buy by the spool and I've found Beadwranger's web site to carry all the different colors and have the best prices.

Some bead shops carry Silamide on cards for around $1.50 or $1.75 and if you just want a small amount for a special project these work just fine. I never have a problem with my thread breaking use the Silamide and it goes through my size 10 Soft Touch embellishment/beadwork needles just fine.
Make sure you click on Laurie's link to see her VERY cool quilts! Laurie is also one of the artists in our traveling MQAI exhibit. She mentioned that her MQAI Art of the Kitchen quilt is already finished for this year!!! I actually forgot to add that quilt 'to do' to my project list and the online class I'm taking from Susan Sorrell! See why I need to write everything down! My friend Mary can identify with this! She and I keep 'post-it-notes' in business with all the sticky notes we have around the house! Anyway, I wanted to take one of Susan's classes this fall but was just too busy with projects, holidays and thinking of packing for Florida! So this gets added to my '2011 To Do' list!

This is the first letter for my BJP 2011 project for January. I'll probably start beading on friendly felt again just because I don't have any background quilted yet. Still no machine to sew with!
I'm ready to cut out my tree too. I finished the base so now it will can be cut out and another piece waiting for a quilted background.
Today, I'm playing with some 'zentangle' work. Very relaxing while I'm listening to Reliquary on my Ipod. I love the books by Preston and Child. The Pendergast character is so interesting and makes for a good story line. I did another 1.5 miles on the bike this a.m.! I'm really lovin this bike riding!! And I'm able to breath better while riding! Thank goodness!