Winter Enchantment

There is an old saying "better late than never" and that certainly applies to my latest piece created as part of the Artbeads Design Partner Blogging Program.

I have to confess that I should have blogged about this at least a month or so ago but life has it's ups and downs which doesn't always allow us to meet our deadlines.

The most recent theme for the Design Partners was "Winter Enchantment" and as previously mentioned I had decided to use a Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom that blooms in Australia during winter, as my inspiration.

Aren't these the most divine blossoms you have ever seen?

I was originally going to be making a necklace constructed of gum blossoms created using Melind Barta's addictive "Sparkly Wheels" but there were a few bumps in that road

so a gum leaf and blossom brooch was born!

The leaf has been embroidered with size 11/0 seed beads and Czech fire polished beads.

The blossom has been stitched using Czech fire polished beads and size 11/0 seed beads and then fringed with size 11/0 and size 15/0 seed beads.

The leaf is life size measuring approximately 6.5 inches (15cm) long and around 1 inch (1.5cm) wide.

My little man, Spencer, actually said "mummy this looks like a real leaf but with sparkly beads''... ahh an honest critic!

Unfortunately I still need to add the brooch backing as the only ones I had included a loop so it could be worn with a necklace but in the mean time it looks great sitting next to my computer!

As my original design idea had not come to fruition I decided to use the left over beads to make a bracelet to kind of match the brooch!

I love this bracelet as it is so colourful and just has such a happy feeling to it...not to mention you could wear it with just about any outfit!

It's just a pity I will be giving it to a friend for her birthday...

...but hey I can always make another!

♥

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Disclosure: I am a reviewer of Artbeads.com products and a participant of its blogging program. I received all the components free of charge. This post reflects my honest opinion and Artbeads.com is not compensating me for my endorsement as it pertains to the products received and reviewed.

Sweet treats ♥

Look what arrived for me yesterday!

 Gorgeous beaded hairpins, some cute little "Made with Love" charms, an adorable little crocodile and some scarab cabochons.

I was lucky enough to win the beautiful hairpins, made by Jana of Stories of the Secret Garden  via a giveaway hosted by Lelanie at To Sew with Love but Jana was so kind to surprise me with the other treats!

How cute is that crocodile.
Jana recently created a gorgeous pendant using one of these little fellas

which you can find HERE in her Etsy store.

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Also arriving today is my gorgeous loot from Artbeads for my "Winter Enchantment'' piece as part of their Design Partner Blogging Program.

You might recall that it does not snow here in Queensland during Winter so I decided to use this gorgeous Winter blooming Eucalyptus Ironbark Gum blossom as the inspiration for my piece.

I think the beads I chose below will work beautifully and I have something quite different in mind.

(please excuse the dodgy photo...I didn't want to have to take the beads out of the bags)

What do you think? 

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I am excited to announce that this year I am entering not one...not two... but three pieces in the Fire Mountain Gems Seed Beads, Glass or Acrylic category.

I have a piece in mind for their Gemstones category as well but will have to think about that one.

I am also working on a few other pieces which I am hoping to enter into some challenges so the next few months should keep me busy from a creative perspective.

Which is just how I like it!

♥

Visions of Winter

As most of you may already  know I am an Artbeads Design Partner.

The theme for this month is

Winter

When people think of Winter, visions of snow and snowflakes most likely come to mind.

Having never seen snow I could not imagine a white Winter.

Winter here in Queensland, Australia, is full of sunny days, a splash of rain but definitely no snow!

It's hard to be thinking about Winter in the middle of Summer but let's give it a go!

So... how can I best portray a typical Queensland Winter?

I decided to look to nature for the answer.

During Winter we have some of the most glorious flowers gracing us with their presence, preparing us for the beauty of Spring that is just around the corner.

Eucalyptus Iron Bark Gum Blossom

Wattle

Lavender

Ginger varieties

What great inspiration!

♥