Books..books...books

I treated myself to a few books today. Why? ....why not!!

I've had to pre-order the first two as they aren't being released until April and May of this year but the earlier you order the cheaper they are so it's a win win situation!

~

So far I have every book in the Beadweaving Master Class series by Lark so this one was a definite must.

Add to that the fact that Sabine Lippert's beading is beautiful, inspirational and fits into the "I must make that now" category was even more reason not to pass this one by.

~

Virginia Jensen's first book, Cube Bead Stitching, is still one of my favourite beading books and I have made many pieces from that book. The projects are quick, easy and I just love the look of cube beads in my pieces.

When I saw she was releasing another cube bead book I knew I had to have it...only disappointment is that it's not available now!!

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Thankfully Maggie Roschyk's new book is available now!

I've had my eye on this one for a few months and was considering pre-ordering this one a while back.

I finally confirmed with that little voice in my head that this too was a must after seeing her project, Helena Elements, in the current issue of Bead & Button magazine (pg 48 - February 2012).

I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on this one...in about 7 days time!

Better go order some more cube beads!!

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And finally a book for Spencer.

Spencer's niece, Lily, received this book for Christmas and was kind enough to let Spencer colour a few pages.

The illustrations are fantastic (as shown on the cover) and you really can spend hours "doodling" by adding your own designs to the pictures as well as on the blank pages.

I reckon I might just have to order one for myself to use during those times when I am feeling a little stressed, frustrated or looking for some creative inspiration!

Everyone loves to doodle, right?

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What's on your reading list for 2012?

♥

My Creative Space...

Here are a few pieces I have been working on over the past few weeks.

This is a gorgeous pendant using Marcie Abney's "Looking Glass" pendant tutorial.

I made this for my gorgeous friend, Jess, for her 21st birthday. 

Her favourite colours are hot pink and turquoise.

This is such a quick and easy pendant to create and really does make a lovely gift.

~*~

This is my Earthly Hues piece from Beading Babes - Project 2.

You might recall that I ran out of beads when making this piece so I wasn't able to complete the piece in time for the reveal on 5 December.

The round beads are Ocean Jasper - one of my favourite stones, and I've used Matte Metallic Khaki Iris cubes and round beads.

I found this piece relatively easy to make with the fiddliest part being the pendant. I found I had to go through the beads several times to hold the piece together nicely as mine was sitting too loosely.

Overall I am pretty pleased with the final result and love the mix of earthy colours.

~*~

I am currently going through issues of Beadwork and Bead and Button magazine choosing the pieces for Project 3 of Beading Babes.

Two pieces will be selected again, but remember you do not need to create both.

I will be posting the details up in the next day or two and will then give you a couple of days to vote on your favourite two.

Watch this space!

♥

BEADING BABES - PROJECT 2 REVEAL

Welcome to Beading Babes 
Project 2

As you will recall we had two projects on offer for Project 2.

~*~

Sleek in Silver by Hatsumi Oshitani

(Beadwork - Oct/Nov 2011- page 40)

and 
Earthly Hues by Carole Ohl

(Beadwork - August/September 2010 - page 38)

These two projects proved to be very popular so I can see why some members were keen to make both pieces!

Everyone has done a spectacular job. I always love to see everyone's variations of the pieces - it's amazing how different a piece can look using another colour palette.

I am so appreciative of your support of our wonderful group.
So without furtherado check out what you have all created!


Sleek in Silver
~*~

* Christine of Horse'n'Garden *

Christine managed to make not just one...

...but 3 colourways of Sleek in Silver.

Nice work Christine!

* Therese of Therese's Treasures * 

 

* Amy of Amybeads *

* Kristen of My Bead Journey * 

* Maryanne of Zingala's Workshop *

 * Siggi of Zora-Zauber * 

Not one...

Not two... 

But three colourways! Awesome work Siggi!

* Shirley of Beads and Bread *

Tanya of Pixiloo (A Work in Progress)

Look at the beautiful clasp Tanya made using the Tila beads. Very clever!

 And lastly here is what I created

I love everyone's versions of Sleek in Silver. 

It's great to see all of the different colourways as well as seeing different beads used to those suggested in the pattern!

Well done to those that managed to make more than one version!

This pattern proved to be a quick and easy  project although it seems a few of us weren't huge fans on the quality of the Tila beads!

Earthly Hues

~*~

* Therese of Therese's Treasures *

Therese even managed to make a bracelet version of Earthly Hues... gorgeous!

* Amy of Amybeads *

* Kristen of My Bead Journey *

* Siggi of Zora-Zauber *

* Shirley of Beads and Bread *

 

Tanya of Pixiloo (A Work in Progress)

 And lastly here is what I created

Earthly Hues was also a fairly quick project and came together quite nicely.

A few of you commented on not being too keen on the size 6/0 seed beads and the fact that they allowed the thread to be quite visible.

Another issue was that the number of beads quoted didn't seem to match those actually needed so many of us had to order more beads to complete the piece.

~*~

Thanks again to everyone that has participated in Project 2. 
You all did a marvellous job!
I will be posting the choices for Project 3 in the next few days.

Don't panic...as it's a busy time of year I will be allowing a few extra weeks for us to work on our pieces.

Having two projects also proved very popular with a lot of us making both pieces so I think I will choose two patterns again for Project 3... but please don't feel you have to make both.

If you have any projects you would like to tackle be sure to let me know.
I have already received one suggestion but would love your feedback on any others you would like included!

♥

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Copyright Disclaimer
All patterns used within this group will be purchased by the beader and will not be copied.

All credit will be given to the designer.

Baronne Bracelet...

I seem to have a thing for bracelets at the moment and this is my latest creation.

The pattern is Baronne and is available at Centperles.

The pattern is in French but is relatively easy to understand as it contains great diagrams.
I did try using Google Translator but in one part of the pattern it told me to add food to one of the rows so I decided to rely on the diagrams only!

I was originally leaning towards stitching this piece in browns and bronzes (as I always seem to do) but I saw these gorgeous turquoise Czech firepolished beads so decided to opt for turquoise instead!

As you can see from the picture below, the pattern includes a picot edge of 11/0 seed beads on the very edge but I found these to be too loose and flimsy and actually liked the look of the piece without them.

I am currently stitching a pair of earrings, Paika, which are also from Centperles using herringbone and peyote stitch, and yes this time I have gone for brown and bronze... 

BUT I did order some turquiose and red delica beads for this one which will be completely different for me so

watch this space for a burst of colour!

♥

My first bead embroidered cuff

This is my very first bead embroidered cuff, which you may have already seen in a few of my recent My Creative Space posts...
...but this time...finally finished!

Please click on images for more detailed view of the beadwork

I have used an Eagle Eye Agate cabochon as the centre piece and then some gorgeous 

Desert Picture Jasper tear drop and oval cabs adorned with a mixture of seed beads, cube beads, delicas, Czech glass beads and wooden beads.

I wore it on the weekend and it was so comfy to wear... the deer leather I backed it with is super soft.

I can't wait to make another cuff and as mentioned in a previous post, I've already purchased the cabs!

If you love bead embroidery haven't already treated yourself to a copy of Sherry Serafini's new book "Sensational Bead Embroidery" then I suggest you do so.
This book is full of bead embroidered eye candy and definitely an inspiration.
Thanks Sherry!
I hope I have done your book justice...

♥