Another Bead Journal Finished

Before I start I'll apologise for the terrible photo. I have so much trouble trying to photograph my work.

This is my February Bead Journal finished. I finished it a few weeks ago but couldn't take any decent photos of it. This is the best of a bad bunch. If I can get a better photo at some stage, I'll replace it.

Also one other thing I should point out is that I ran out of the larger gold beads that are around the edging, so that's why there are only the gold seed beads in the left hand corner. I couldn't find them anywhere, so if I ever do I'll redo that corner.

I've started my next bead journal. This one has a Spring theme and is actually the September one. I still have some other months that I need to go back and do.

Bead Journal Challenge 3 - February

This is my latest bead journal piece I've been working on. February was when I did some beginners classes in Tribal Bellydancing. I'm just about finished with all the beading, so will be able to show a photo soon of the finished piece.

I don't know where July went. I've been busy lately. I always seem to be saying that, but time just seems to fly. During July the job I've been doing on a casual basis for the last 4 1/2 years was advertised as a permanent position. I applied for it and luckily got the job.

Also I've started a 10 week challenge at my local gym. We do 3 group personal training sessions a week and then fit in exercise classes and gym workouts when we can. I'm basing my diet on the Weight Watchers points program. I've been overweight for 8 years now and during that time have been on different diets and my weight has gone up and down. I'm determined this time to lose the weight and get back to the weight that I'm comfortable at. It will be good to be a size 8 or 10 again.

I just have to stay focussed and keep exercising. I find that if I exercise alot I want to eat properly. I also like the Weight Watchers points eating plan as it so flexible and you can have a few treats here and there if you want to so you don't feel like your depriving yourself.

Have any of you been on the Weight Watchers diet? Does anyone have any tips for me, for losing weight and keeping it off?

Anyway, back to the beading. I'll try to focus on getting it finished over the next few days.

Bead Journal Project 3 - May

I finished my May Bead Journal. The white cat is our cat, Jazzy. The black cat is a male cat from our neighbourhood that has just started coming around to our house sometimes. Jazzy always hisses at him and tries to get him to go. But he just ingores her, goes straight up to her, meows, and goes and finishes off her dinner.

Now onto June. I'm running behind, I still need to do February, March and April. I'm thinking that I will try to keep up now with each month and then try to fit these in.

Free download of Beading Book - One Bead at a Time

Robyn Atkins has kindly let her book "One Bead at a Time" be downloaded for free from her blog. While you are there also check out her latest book "Heart to Hands Bead Embroidery" which can be purchased directly from her.

Bead Journal Project 3 - January

January - Sunrise at Corindi Beach

This is my January piece - I'm running behind but hope to catch up in the next few months. Each of my pieces are going represent an experience I've had during that particular month.

Each of my pieces are going to incorporate beading with embroidery, etc. I'm hoping to incorporating some more elaborate beading in the other pieces as I go along.

I was going to bead around the edges of this, but I've decided that when I finish at the end of the year, I will join them all together to make a wall hanging, so I will do some beading around the edges of the finished piece.

I Joined the Bead Journal Project!

After reading Kaite's comment about joining the BJP (Bead Journal Project) I decided that I might as well jump in and do it. Thanks Kaite for the prompting.

I'm going to try to be organised from the start with maybe my backgrounds ready so it makes it easier for me to get started on it each month. They are not going to be totally beaded pieces, but beads mixed with embroidery/mixed media, etc.

I'm actually feeling excited about doing it.

Also for anyone interested in online classes the new Joggles classes for next year are up on their site.

Beaded Art Doll Finished and Final Day to Register for the 2010 Bead Journal Project

I've finally finished the Beaded Art Doll from the online Joggles class I did awhile ago.

Also if you are interested today is the last day to register for the Bead Journal Project for 2010. I would love to join but not sure if I could keep the commitment.

To register and find out more go here.

I've Missed Stitching!!

This is my latest creation.

I've really missed doing embroidery and beading. I haven't attached it all together yet. I'm going to attach it to the purple silk background and then stitch it onto the painted canvas. Its only a small piece and the canvas is 6 x 6.

Beaded Art Doll Progress

My progess so far on my Beaded Art Doll. I just need to bead around the head, add beaded hair and then attach the head. The photos aren't the best but I'll get a better one when it is all finished.

I've Been Playing

This is my second beading sample. I'm starting on the beaded doll now. I'm not sure what design I'll do on her yet. I like the colours in this beading sample so I might use them again unless some other idea pops up.

I've been playing around with my blog today. I still have some playing to do. I kinda like the 3 column look as 2 columns can get abit crowded. The background is a freebie by Itkupilli I think she is very kind to give these for free as well as all the information that she shares on her blog.

I'm not sure if I will keep the blog header or change it. Also I'm going to do some rearranging of all the sidebar icons and maybe delete some that aren't necessary. I'd like to be able to create my own blog background but I'm not that clever yet. I think I saw something on Itkupilli's website which mentioned how to do this - I might have to go and have another look.

Some More Beading and Hand Embroidery Group

I've finished this sample. The edges are abit wobbly and the beading isn't the best but I like how the motif turned out. It is my first try at this type of beading so its going to take abit of practice. I found it abit hard sometimes when trying to get into the corners to make it even. I suppose it all takes practice. I need to put a backing on it and do some edging and that may fix the edges up abit.

I really like this sample so far. It looks terrible in the photo. The bugle beads are a very light green and a darker green alternated, with a gold seed bead on each end. It wouldn't scan. When I've done some more, I'll try to get a better image of it.

This weeks lesson is the start of the beaded art doll. We are making the face moulds, the body and starting on the beaded shield front. I haven't started yet so I'll have to get cracking!

For the Hand Embroiderers out there you might like to visit the Hand Embroidery Network Group. I've joined but haven't had a chance to have a good look around it yet.

Have a good weekend!

Textural Beading and Embellishment Class

I've started doing a Textural Beading class with Janet Lasher. This is one of the samples I'm working on. The class also involves making a beaded art doll. I've wanted to make one of these for awhile now and haven't got around to it, so I'm looking forward to finally doing it. The class is up to week 3 already. I wish the classes where 2 weeks to every lesson. It would give alittle bit more time to work on things as life always seems to get in the way. Anyway, I've been enjoying it and I'm interested in learning more.

A bit of an update on my mum - she is finally out of hospital after 8 weeks. She had her 75th birthday in hospital and my brother and Aunty came up to surprise her.