Winter Storm

My previous post (one month ago) told of the first "real" snow of the 2008-2009 Winter Season. That was an appetizer of what has been happening today! It's not officially Winter for two more days, but we've had about eight new inches of snow since 4:00 this morning. It's going to be a long, long Winter if it keeps up like this.

I guess that just means I'll be spending more time inside beading! Maybe I'll catch up on a few projects, or think up some new ones...

Winter has made it's first serious appearance in Michigan this past week, complete with snow showers and freezing temperatures. It's hard to believe that just a few weeks ago we were enjoying seventy degree balmy weather... Ahh... it's so Michigan!

In honor of the "frozen white stuff," I've included a picture of my Winter Garden bracelet. It's has the sparkle and shine of ice crystals, but I think it would be just perfect for a summer bride, too. And that makes me think of warmth, rather than snow.... Yep, I'll go with that thought.

This is a variation of my favorite-of-all-time bracelet - the Cha-Cha. It's layers of flower-shaped beads, daggers, and leaves, on top of a base that used square stitch and large Delica beads.

I have published a pattern for this, available at Stony Creek Bead.

Today is November 5th, but it feels like Spring! Michigan has enjoyed a couple of absolutely gorgeous days - the kind of weather that makes me really glad to live here! Ahh-h-h-h!

When I started this blog, I had great plans to post frequently... I have no good excuses, unless I make something up for the sake of creativity! I'll try to do better.

For today, I'm putting up a picture of my Four-In-One Patchwork Bracelet. While it is not one of the most beautiful projects I've made, I love to teach this class and watch students as they have the "Aha" moment with each stitch - helping them take the mystery out of Peyote, Square, Ladder, Herringbone, and Brick stitches, and watching the mental wheels turn with plans for their first "real" project(s).

Bead Journal Project 2008

I have joined the Bead Journal Project this year. If you want to see creative beading, check this out. The BJP 2007 was so inspiring... I'm speechless. Those of you who know me, know that I'm NEVER speechless. That's just how cool the BJP is. So, I had to join.

September is the month that starts a whole year of beading projects - one per month. There will be pictures on this blog, and eventually on the BJP page and links there.

Because my friend Liz asked...

My friend Liz "tagged" me to answer these questions.

What was I doing ten years ago?

Some beading, some quilting, some knitting - in my spare time. I was still walking my 18 year path to graduation from Eastern Michigan University (I did it!) taking some time for family and other interests.

Five things on today's to-do list:

1. Catch up on my email
2. Weed, plant, water.
3. Work on Kate Dunn's Round Robin Project - wow, am I having fun with this!
4. Cook something wonderful with chicken - something creamy, herbed, and with mushrooms!
5. Write an article for the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild, just in case they need to fill up space.

Snacks I enjoy:

Fresh strawberries, ripe peaches. Ruffles potato chips with French onion dip. Dark chocolate with orange flavor bits. Unsalted roasted cashews, raw almonds. Chocolate chip cookies still warm from the oven. Pie.

Four things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Design my own house and its landscape. Each family member would get a "suite" - including an activity room just for them. I'd include a kitchen designed for five cooks and lots of friends, and I'd have a sound-proof music studio so I can play my music as loud as I want!
2. Travel.
3. Share my wealth - give to good causes.
4. Create new jewelry designs with beads, teach bead classes, bead with friends, shop for beads, travel to shop for beads, take lots of classes - specifically PMC.

Places I have lived:

1. Ann Arbor, Michigan
2. Saline, Michigan
3. Ypsilanti, Michigan
4. East Tawas, Michigan, but only a week or two, every year of my life! I don't want to think of it as vacation.

Six people I'd like to know more about:

1. Mother Teresa
2. Ghandi
3, 4, and 5. The people my daughters are going to be when they're my current age.
6. Me.

The Bead Journal Project

I just signed up for the coming year's Bead Journal Project! That means that I'm committed to making one "journal page" each month for one year. Learn more about this at http://www.beadjournalproject.com/ and consider joining the group. The only commitment is to yourself as an artist.

Another Paisley Study

I LOVE bead embroidery! This is the fourth Paisley Study that I've completed; my other's have been in white (shown in an earlier post,) black, and amethyst. This looks very much like a parrot's wing. I will add strands to this to make it a necklace.