One more to tag...

Sadly, Phyl is not able to do a Meme at this time, but is working on a felted piece that will be fab when done!
So, to add to Sweet Judy's fun, as she works on her new quilt, I will tag HER!
Judy http://cjstitchingandblooms.blogspot.com/
go visit her blog, and all the others, to see what my friends are up to!
Tag, Judy, you are IT!

A Day at Deep Creek

My DH Kurt said he 'needed' a pic of me, to go onto the back of his soundplay case as one of the actress voices, so off we went to Deep Creek. It was too beautiful to stay inside, in any case, and I had been sitting way too long, beading.

Usually I am the one on the taking side of the camera, so rarely have photos of myself. I was cracking up, trying to keep a straight face, as Kurt took some shots next to the DC Falls. Luckily for me, I got to carry the camera back, so deleted all the ones that made me look either constipated, or pole-axed! LOL!

The Falls had a decent amount of water coming down, and was freezing again at the base- nice after the Summer drought, with barely a trickle!

Oldest daughter Celeste had joined us, as she wanted to run up to the second bridge and back. Sure enough, just as we finished taking some pics at the halfway point to there, she was coming around the bend toward us! Runs like a deer, that one!

All in all, a happy day! Thankful, am I!

Tag, you're IT!

I've been tagged by my friend, Victoria, at http://victoriacummings.blogspot.com/ for a game of Meme. I am supposed to tell you seven things that you probably don't know about me and then tag seven more bloggers.For those whom I tag, here's what to do: The rules of the game are this–Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.Post the rules on your blog.Post 7 random or weird facts about yourself on your blog.Tag 7 people and link to them.Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

1. I have been married 5 times, twice for less than 6 months (move over, Liz Taylor!).

2. We brought a pony for our young daughters (ages 3 and 4) in our '78 Suburban's backseat, after putting the seats up, opening the windows, and lining the floorspace with old barn blankets!

3. I left Ohio for FL when I was 19, taking only a suitcase, a typewriter, $5 and the clothes on my back, when it was -20 degrees F,with a windchill of -30F. I rode with a pregnant underage friend, her boyfriend, and guy friend of his in a 1948 Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth (that is what the marking on the car said!). It was 75 degrees F when I got to Daytona Beach, and all but the $5 in my pocket was stolen out of the car when we went for something to eat.
The folks I came down with abandoned me for not having enough money, while I was in the bathroom!

4. I wore only flipflops for the next two years, making my feet go from a size 11 AAAA to an 11B!

5. I rode my first owned horse the fifteen miles home on the beach, from the 'country' in Port Orange, to Ponce Inlet, with only a halter and reins made of braided baling twine, and never did own a saddle for Sargent Major the two years we spent together!

6. I could spend all my waking hours creating, reading, and gardening, WITH the cats' and dogs' help, of course! I miss ALL my horses, 'specially Thunder, all the time. He was great at weeding!

7. I HATE to go to bed, but love it, once I am there, but can't sleep when it is hot, and sleep with the windows cracked and our outside bedroom door open all year long!

Now, you next lovely taggees, let's see what you have to share!
Beadin' Gram http://beaded-creations.blogspot.com/
Noel http://amuzeingjourney.blogspot.com/
Kristen http://stillheart.blogspot.com/
Kassie http://beadingbutterfly.blogspot.com/
Phyl http://phylliskingartworks.blogspot.com/
Harry http://sharonsolly.blogspot.com/
Velia http://www.lespoupe.blogspot.com/

Valentine Swap Doll from Lee Barker

She is sitting on a beaded heart pillow, and holding the same style beaded heart in her hands. Her arms raise, as if to give you her heart! Thank-you, Lee, for all the thoughtfullness and care that went into her...you are going to go far with this medium! And in the midst of your surgery, as well!
Interesting, but she looks like an old photo I have of my greatgrandmother in her 40s...that would have been in the 1920s..my great gran was the one who first got me interested in creating. She could tat and crochet like nobody's business- talking the whole while to whoever was there.
I still miss her, and she left this world when I was 16....

No more bad-mouthing Winter!!

Here are some of my favorite Winter things....from the cats in my bed, to the fire in the hearth, the Christmas Cactus that blooms, despite, or perhaps because of, being neglected a bit, Jack Frost visiting the windows, walking with the dogs as snow falls, crocheting new patterns for afghans http://www.angelfire.com/folk/celtwich/Nasturtium.html and not the least, drinking a cuppa my fav coffee, ja-makin-me-crazy!

If Winter cold and grey begin to get to you, just go visit a friend beneath the Equator, and you can have Winter, and warm, at the same time!

Or, I could have cold Summers???Hmmmm, now that sounds delicious!

Need some honest opinions

I am torn. I love the texture, and are super happy with the center of this cuff, and the lighter beads at each end, but not so much with the darker ones. I am almost convinced that they draw the eye to them, and leave you there. But, I have been staring at it pretty much soley, for two weeks, so am asking you to double click on the photos, and tell me what YOU think.

Thanks!

The Global Art Challenge

Originally posted on crazyartdollz@yahoogroups.com I decided to join this challenge, with my Muse pushing me not so gently! Already have my idea...just need to make it happen. Come join us, if you are so inclined. Follow the link at the end of the post to join the group.

This is the idea for you to mull over... initially intended to run for 6months before the exhibition will be launched online."There's a hole in the world tonight tonight, there's a cloud of fear and sorrow; There's a hole in the world tonight, don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow".http://www.mp3lyrics.org/e/eagles/hole-in-the-world/This is an exciting challenge for anyone who makes art, professional or hobbyist alike.

We want each artist to agree to produce an original piece of work as a response to a collective theme. The theme is 'Healing the hole in theWorld' and is inspired by the Eagle's song 'Hole in the WorldYou can sign up on a yahoo group set up just for this challenge, and you are welcome to share the idea with anyone who may be interested.Let's form a truly global collaboration in art. You won't have to give up your piece, just a photo for the exhibition and a few words about yourself.The global challenge matrix<http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/Artist-Matrix/> Click the link and off you go!

More of that cuff

Just when I think I am done, I see another area I can add to. Sure enough, it works even better. At least I will have great 'guns' when I am done, as it will be heavy enough to muscle up my arms! LOL! Just have to remember to switch wrists, so one arm doesn't get more developed than the other.

I did clip closely to the beading all around, using my flush cutters for wire, as that Pellon 70 is tough stuff, then laid the ultrasuede under it, and put the whole thing on a glass jar side. I was able to outline the ultrasuede with a pen by pushing hard on the beaded piece, so it laid up close, and got the wrinkles out. I think the jar really helped get the shape.

Now, just a few more vines, then some ruby flowers to match his eyes, and I can put the whole thing together!

Remembering Summer...

Bracelet designed by me, made for a friend...

These are a few of my favorite strings.....

When the kids crash, when the dogs yowl, when I'm feeling sad....I simply pull out all my favorite strings, and then I don't feeeeeel so bad!

There is something about the look and feel of pearls, shell and coral that uplifts my spirits..thank-you All-Mighty, for these gifts!

A bit of snow, before the rain kills it

Clingman's Dome can usually be seen from Kurt's side of the studio, but there are too many clouds today...

Snowy Day fun in the Western NC Mountains!

Here is our resident 'baby' squirrel, who wants to attend the sunflower buffet, but is wary of Flash Catt's presence. He doesn't realize that Flash will not bother him, as he has been asked (and respects the request) to leave the squirrels and birds alone...however, the mice are another story! Many times, we have seen Flash sitting on his chair, about 2' from the birds and other squirrels chowing down, ignoring them. But this little baby has yet to learn, so plays a bit of 'jump up, jump down', before settling in to his meal.

Cuff ends filled in!

They are bending quite naturally from the beading, and that I lockstitch each element as I add them, before going to the next. That way, if anything happens to a single element, such as a beaded leaf, a stone, pearl, etc, I only have to fix that one thing.

Takes a bit longer, but then it lasts.

Cuff Update

So far, I didn't like the bareness of the aventurine, plus it was just not textural (is that a word?) enough for me. So, added some 15s in a peyote bridge, in peridot colors, then went back between the bridge connectors of the original 15s, and added a second line of peyote, but using peridot chips as the middle bead, between two aventurine colored 15s.

And here is the clue for the support of this bracelet- you should be able to figure it out, now!

Aryd'ell

a little Dragon to see and make

This was created by one of the DeviantArt folks, at this link:
http://chimeradragonfang.deviantart.com/art/Bead-Dragon-Instructions-66683450.
There is a request for pics, if you make one, and can do that....
If you do not have a zip program to open it, she offers a link to a free download in the body of the post.
The download for the dragon pattern is at the top left of the post.
I have to make one of these!

New challenge at Beaddreamz yahoo group

It is a cuff challenge, and there is alot of leeway in the definition of 'cuff'. We have peyote beaded bands, thin and thick metal blanks that are covered with pellon, leather, or ultrasuede then beaded, wavy bands, and now....my secret band.

See if you can figure out what will be happening, by looking at the picture. Double click, as always, to see it larger.

I didn't want to spend the money on a wavy brass cuff blank, then not like how it fits. For a 6' + woman, I have thin wrists that are flat on top, and most cuffs hurt when I wear them. I wanted something that not only looked great, but felt great to wear.

This is what I have, so far.

It is a blessing to be able to find some way of using all the semi-precious stones and gems I have collected ( and will continue to collect! I am a Dragon, after all!).

No fair giving it away, if you are a Beaddreamz member!

And if you would like to become a BDZ member, just come to the link below, and click, then click to join us!

Aryd'ell

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know these are Independence Day fireworks, still, they show what I feel- an end to last year (one of the toughest) and hope for the upcoming year!

Happy New Year, everyone!