Dances With Hearts

She was to be my swap doll, for the Spread the Love doll

swap at Beaded Art Dolls yahoogroup, but my dear MIL

needed me, and I forgot Dances at home. She is just now

finished, and I am so happy with her.

Her face came in a swap, and was made by my dear friend

Sherry's daughter, Rachel, who lives in Pennsylvania. I

thought the face looked somewhat Balinese, so I wanted to

reflect that in both the pose, and the beadwork. So, she is

dancing with her arms upraised, wearing both an ornate skirt

with circular pattern and leggings. Her shoes are strapped with

upturned toes and her hair is both up and braided in back, with

hearts dangling from the ends. She stands 5 inches tall, and looks

sublimely serene, as she dances with her hearts, and with Heart.

Tippy Grows!

Yes, all puppies should grow, but this one is not yet catching up

to his feet and ears, both of which seem to be leaving his body

behind in the spurt. His Veterinarian agrees that his 'father'

probably had a heavy dose of Bassett in him, due to the shape

of his legs and joints, and the length of his ears. Luckily, he wasn't

purebred, or Tippy would be stepping on those ears.
Tippy is bravely approaching Flashcatt, but Flashcatt wants none of it!

Oh well, there are those mice that Tippy killed and put on the deck,

so Flashcatt has his reputation to protect!

Herringbone Challenge at Beaddreamz Group

Flat view

top loop end

top clasp end

bottom loop end-peyote loop

bottom clasp- brickstitch

button sideways through loop

almost there, 5o beads go under button

button fully in loop underside

no unsightly loop gaps

Our newest challenge-to-be will be herringbone,

something I can do in the wavy style, but still have

tension issues with the flat or circular styles. I wanted

a place to show how to add a clasp to the wavy

herringbone bracelet, as I hate having the skin show

between regular loops and button clasps, and are not

happy adding metal clasps to offloom beadwork.

I hope these make sense and are helpful to you.

Blogging Friends Forever

Jackie(beadin' gram) passed this award on to me, and now I must find ways to pass it on to other blogging friends, and they in turn will pass on this bond of friendship.

Do visit Jackie's blog at http://beaded-creations.blogspot.com/, and you will see all the wonderful new creations she is working on in her beading, knitting and crocheting frenzy!

The Rules of this award are :
1. 5 People are allowed to receive this award
2 4 dedicated followers
3. 1 New follower to your blog who lives in another part of the world.
4. Please link back to the person who gave you this award.

Here are my friends and inspirations.....

1. http://phylliskingartworks.blogspot.com/ You will find astounding flower and landscape shots here, as well as beading and knitting, paper crafts and who knows what all!

2. http://gammiebrat.blogspot.com/ What isn't Jeanne doing? From Nascar, to beading, to her grandkids, family and the world, Jeanne always has her finger on the pulse of what is going on.

3. http://cjstitchingandblooms.blogspot.com/ If you find yourself with a case of the blahs, just stop by what I call 'Judy's Magic', and find yourself transported via her stitches to other countries, other colors, other shapes, and everything stitched beautifully!

4. http://enchantedwolfbeading.blogspot.com/ If you drop by Sunni's blog and it hasn't been updated, be sure that she is busily creating gorgeous pieces that will have you dropping your jaw when they are finally revealed! Just peruse her old posts to see what I mean.

5. http://www.flyblog.canalblog.com/ This French author, bead pattern creator and all-around jewelry designer is responsible for my latest craze- beaded beads- and now she will know it!

Summer Dreamin'

Was it Loggins and Messina who sang 'Summer Dreams'? that song was running through my head the entire time I worked with this doll...from choosing the colors and beads, to the very last stitch. Yes, I am finally tired of Winter- LOL!

It helped that she was created during my visit to Durham, and the temps in the 70s during the day, the spring flowers and scents surrounding me, and those balmy breezes, that while not there to stay, were certainly welcome, and helped me focus on my Feb. doll for the Beaded Art Dolls group challenge.

Some of the flowers I collected from BeadFX in Toronto, Canada, during our honeymoon in 2004, and some just over the years, from the bead store in the Cotton Exchange in Wilmington, NC. The flat roundelles on the top of her back are actually plastic; now don't go ballistic on me or think I have lost my mind! Bebee found these in a packet, and they are called Pastel Souffle Fancies, sold originally in a store called 'The White House' for 59 cents, and were distributed by Franken Trimming co, 20 West 37th St, NY18, NY. Now, how long ago was any address in NY shown like that, without a zip code but with a district number?

The packet included other shapes as well, which I am saving for some other dolls- 6 pointed stars, shells, and hearts...

So, they are plastic with a history, and if I wasn't careful, were a bit brittle, but should hold up fine used on a doll.

I hope you enjoy her.

Travelling Days and Nights

After losing our Princess Dogg to old age, I have been in a bit of a funk, but then came Tippy Puppy, who is really my youngest daughter's, and that has helped bring me back, even with puppy p and puppy poo to consider! Then there was the whirlwind month of Jan, with Feb close on its heels; the Florida Jewelry Artists group retreat at Bebee's, then off to Durham to help with family there, and meet my newest nephew, Peter, as well as spend time with his parents and older brother (3) Liam at the NC Museum for Children. The pictures below are a hodgepodge of the Florida visit, the Durham visit and Tippy as a 6 week old puppy.

I have made a promise to myself to keep up a little better...but I hope you enjoy these shots, as I enjoyed being there.