Head to Head Challenge Reveal!!

Well the big day has finally come.....the day to show you what I created in my Head to Head Challenge with my friend Sweet Freedom.  When I sign up for challenges, etc. I usually go ahead and do a blog post that has the title of the blog and set it on a schedule to post on the morning of the reveal.  Last night while in bed with my fever and achy body it dawned on me that my post was going to show up in blog world at 6am with only a title.  I jumped on the kindle and moved the post till 6pm, thinking I would do it first thing in the morning.  Well being sick I did not get out of bed until close to 2pm today.  My sweet Husband, who is sick too, stayed home and took care of our sick 2 year old.  I got up and took Jacob to school and got back in the bed. I could not believe how late it was when I actually got back up.  We then went and picked Jacob up from school and Mommy duties stepped in.  As a parent your job never ends, sick or not.  I am praying that Jacob will continue to evade this nastiness that is going around in our house.  Well with our further ado here is my reveal....



The challenge was to create a piece using this triangle and some free-form peyote bead weaving.

 

I was not sure what I was going to do and my first thought was to make a necklace.  Part way in and I changed my mind to making a bracelet.  I learned how to bezel around the triangle bead.  It took me about 6 or maybe even 8 times, but I DID IT!!! I am so proud of myself and have the bug to bezel around more and more things.

It was after doing this part on the right that I realized that my piece was not going in the direction of a necklace.

 

This is a close up of center of the bracelet.

 
Finished piece on my wrist.  I really like the way it turned out.  For my second time, not bad.  So much better than my first attempt at free-form.

The bracelet lying flat.  It does not look like it would wear well, but it actually does.

I just adore beaded toggle clasps!

 

 

 

 

Please head over to Sweet Freedom's blog and see what she created, I KNOW you will not be disappointed.   I have not seen it yet, but know it is STUNNING!  She does such amazing work.  I have said it before, she is my Jedi Master!

 

Focus on Life: week 2 Your word!

I am participating in The Studiosublime's focusing-on-life-one-photo-a-week project.  This week our prompt was our word or resolution for 2013.  I thought and thought about what my word should be and tossed around several words that sort of fit into the word I finally choose.....SIMPLIFY!

This past year there were many times that I felt very stressed and that I just was too overwhelmed so I think Simplify is perfect.  When I think about what I can do to make things more simple or what I do already on a daily basis that is simple the first thing that comes to mind is loving my family.  .After God they are my primary focus anyway and I do LOVE them with all that I am.  So I thought I would share some pictures of them with you.
 

  My boys simply sleeping...they are such sweet angels.

 

 

 Being silly!  I SIMPLY love my family.  This year I will simplify and just focus on the simple things.

Focus on Life Week One-Self Portrait

I am jumping in with both feet, even though I am a week late in joining The Studiosublime's focus on life- 52 weeks.  You can read about this here.  The photo prompt for week one is a Self Portrait.  For those that know me would think that having to take a picture of myself would have me running for the woods, face covered.  I really do not like to have a picture taken, but I know there are so many of you out there that feel the same way.  I am sure many of the other people that are participating in this photo journey also do not want to take their pictures.  If they can do it, so can I!  Sally told us in her prompt that we should not worry about taking our pictures and focus on the beauty within us all.  I agree with her.  I always look for the beauty in people.  There are so many people that do not think they are attractive or have an issue with something about themselves, but really they are beautiful!  Of course I don't feel this way about myself......but here goes.

 My very first thought was I will get a picture of me from the rear that way they do not have to see my face and I do like my hair.  I then decided that was just not totally right.  I am still including this picture because this does show a great deal about me.  The majority of the time I wear my hair in a pony tail.

There you go!  Of course I do not like this picture but hey it was the best I could

 do.  I look a lot like my Mother.  I often tell people that if they saw my Mom on the street they would know she was mine because I look just like her.   I really see my Mom in this picture. 

 

Week one down!  Come back on Friday January 11th for week two.

2013

Well we are a week into 2013 and I am finally getting around to my first post of the year.  Last year was an extremely stressful year.  I am not saying that it was bad, it just made me feel tired.   We had several changes in our family, some good and then some not so good.  We moved out to the country full time.  This is one of the really positive things that took place during 2012.  I love the small school my son, Jacob attends.  I love that my boys will grow up learning about wildlife and working on the land. 

  The biggest negative to living in the country is the skunks.....yuck, and the snakes.  The above picture was taken from my car.

2012 was a good year for my Jewelry making.  I participated in many more blog hops and challenges.  I really enjoyed this, although there were a few times that I did feel a bit overwhelmed and thought to myself I need to stop for awhile.  I even thought that my only blog hop for 2013 would be the BSBP.  It is now 2013 and there is no way this will be my only hop/challenge.

I have one that will be revealed on the 14th of January,  my Head to Head Challenge with my great friend Sweet Freedom.

I am also participating in the Art Jewelry Elements earring challenge, and the The Studio Sublime's focusing-on-life-2013.

The Art Jewelry Elements earring challenge involves making a pair of earrings a week using art beads or elements.  These can be items from another artist or yourself.  You just need to list who made the are beads or elements.  This challenge is for the entire year, but it is broken down into quarterly sections so you can do 13 weeks or more.  We will reveal on Sunday's every two weeks.  This means you get to see 2 pairs of earrings from me.  The first reveal date is January 20th.  I choose to participate in this because I often struggle making earrings and want to grow.

The The Studio Sublime's focusing-on-life-2013.  I have joined this a week late, but will catch up.  Sally from The Studio Sublime will email all the participants a photo prompt.  We then have a week to capture our picture and it will be posted on Saturday.  This will last the entire year.  You will be able to see moments of our lives for 52 weeks.  I am really excited about doing this. 

Well this is a great way to welcome in 2013 and say goodbye to 2012!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

I wish all of you a wonderful and amazing Christmas!  I pray that God blesses each and every one of you today, and in the New Year!

Holiday Bling 2 Blog Hop

 

I am once again participating in the Holiday Bling Blog Hop hosted by Shelley Graham Turner and Marlene Cupo. 

 

This time I was paired with the extremely talented Debbie Rasmussen.  She makes stunning bead woven items so I knew that I would receive something really great from her.  We exchanged some emails and got to know each other a bit.  I learned that she really likes copper and warm tones.  I also do some bead weaving so I did not want to send her something that I felt she could make herself.  So I went about creating a necklace, bracelet, and earring set using copper.  I made an asymmetrical necklace using some of my enamel beads and copper chain.  I made a bracelet with lots of dangles (one of my favorite styles) also used some of my enamel beads and them some earrings to match.  The necklace clasp is made with a S hook and is adjustable.

 

 

 

 

I really hope she likes these.  I had fun making them.

Here is the amazing bracelet and earrings that Debbie sent me.  I love them!

 

They are a beautiful silver/gray color.  The color in my picture is off, sorry.  They came packaged in this cute little purse wrapping.

 

 

I will be wearing the bracelet and earrings Debbie made for me on my cruise this week.  If you are reading this on the 15th I will be sailing the seas!  I will visit all the participants when I return.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all.  I wish each and every one of you and wonderful and prosperous New Year!

 

 

 

Please visit all the other participants in this blog hop and see what wonderful Holiday Bling they created!

 

Shirley Moore	http://www.beadsandbread.blogspot.com
Lori Bowring Michaud	http://artfullyornamental.blogspot.com
Catherine King	http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Dyanne Cantrell	http://deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Sonya Stille	http://dreaminofbeads.blogspot.com
Elaine Ray	http://elaineray.blogspot.com
Gina Hockett	http://freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Jo-Ann Woolverton	http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Debbie Rasmussen	http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano	http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Ginger Bishop	http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com
Miranda Ackerley	http://mirandack.com/category/thoughts
Sandra McGriff	http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.ca
Tammie Everly	http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com
Alicia Marinache	http://www.allprettythings.ca
Melinda Abrahamson	http://www.firstreetcrafts.com
Rita/ Toltec Jewels	http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com
Chandra Merod	http://www.junipergoods.blogspot.com
Mary Govaars	http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com
Kelley Fogel	http://www.mylifeonebeadatatime.blogspot.com
Tiffany Goff Smith	http://www.southerngalsdesign.blogspot.com
Heather Rats Otto	http://www.thecrafthopper.com
Anitra Gordy Boyers	www.leelucreations.blogspot.com
Marlene Cupo	http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com
Shelley Graham Turner	www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

 

Head to Head December Update

I am doing a Head to Head Challenge with my good friend Sweet Freedom.  For all the details go here and here.  Well the good news is not only have I selected beads but I have started stitching!!!! Progress from last month.  This is amazing for a procrastinator like me.  Come back in a month and see my finished piece!