The Tote bag I Sent...

Here is the Tote Bag I Received...

From Amicrafter on Crafteroo...

It is just 'me' and the chocolate that was in the bag was very yummy too!

CRAFTEROO - Tote bag Swap

I decided to sign up for this swap as I fancied a change from beading for a while. Then I started getting orders for beaded Christmas decorations and began to regret signing up :( This weekend, I decided to just get my sewing machine out and get on with it - well, it was a bit of a failure! I made a bag but would not be happy to send it to anyone as I had twisted the handles the wrong way! Today, I found some plain tote bags that I had ordered ages ago, with the intention of doing up. I decided to use one as the foundation for mine, and incorporate the handles into my make. So, today I made a bag that I love. The plain tote is the lining for my own make, and I have included a little extra to the design which I think is cute. I hope the recipient likes it - full pics when she has received it.

A few more things. Some of my jewellery photos seem to have disappeared but I will track them down hopefully!

Some Christmassy Bits

A couple of cards that I have been making lately.

I managed to upload my camera photos (and by 'I', I mean my husband lol...)I will be putting some on here soon.

Hey All!

Well, I HAVE been crafting lots of things. I have 400-odd photos on my phone, waiting to be uploaded (admittedly not all craft), but my laptop doesn't want to play ball. I tried taking photos on my tablet, so that I could update this blog from there, but the focus would not...erm, well, focus! :( Once I have managed to upload pics, I will also be re-opening my Folksy shop, in time for Christmas - it just might end up being Christmas 2013...

Loopy Garden Bracelet - Commission

Here is another one of my Loopy Garden Bracelets (the pattern for which has appeared in Bead Magazine). It was a commission for my next door neighbour and made me think differently about my usual choice of colour schemes. I tend to go for browns and teals, but black and white is definitely something I would consider exploring more!

Again...

Another colour scheme...'Smoke'.

My Own Design

Here is a new design that I came up with this week.

Bead and Button Magazine Pattern

Beautiful pattern to do but I am not totally happy with my colour choices.

Published Design...

All of these bracelets are my own design. The pattern was published in Bead magazine (along with two others in other issues) and I was so proud! Since leaving WeightWatchers, I have had time to bead, as well as doing stuff around the house that had been ignored. I have really enjoyed having bead time again and am hoping to get my online shop up and running again.

A Few More BitsJ

Just a few things that I have been doing this past week. The intertwined bracelet is on hold as I have run out of the 8° beads! I will need to make another order from Bead Merchant soon... I am currently making a wedding bracelet for a Facebook friend, which is really exciting for me. It is one of the designs that I had published in Bead magazine, and I have had several orders for them...long may it continue!

Daisy Cellini Bracelet

This bracelet is from a pattern in Bead & Button magazine. Once you get the start bit done, it is really easy, but I think it looks quite difficult. It looks beautiful on and has a real twist on the usual cellini style. It will be going in my Folksy shop once I get a bit more organised and take some better photos. I am now working on another bracelet which incorporates herringbone stitch. It is looking promising!

This bracelet is a commission from the daughter of my mum's hairdresser.

Stuff!

This is from a kit by Spellbound beads. I like their kits and the beads they use seem to have improved over the years. This is a bit fancy for my taste and was very labour intensive. However, the patterns that the company come up with are always unique, which is fantastic for learning new styles and techniques.

This is from a kit by Oak Tree Crafts. The earrings were really quick to make, but I was gutted to lose one the first time I wore them. Different ear-wires next time :(

These are my own design, and are totally made from sterling silver and Swarovski crystal bicones. They look stunning in the ears. I sold a similar pair to my cousin's wife but kept these for me!

Morris Style Cross-StitchT

This cross-stitch is from a book on needlepoint that I found in a charity shop for £1.50! I love Morris and the book has patterns for needlepoint based on many of his designs. For some reason, the owl one really appealed to me and I decided to use the chart as a cross-stitch pattern. It is coming on slowly, but I have come to realise the size of the project as this little section has taken hours and there are at least 4 owls! I have not lost interest in the pattern though and am slogging away through it. That is not to say that it won't join my list of WIPs eventually, but I hope not. I have a huge pile of cross-stitch WIPs and really should attempt to finish them before starting a new project. I just can't resist though if a pattern excites me!

So, true to my word, I have been crafting! My craft room is nearly sorted - just waiting on some shelves - and then I will be making a few cards too. I have been cross-stitching even while I wasn't able to access my boxes, but I have really missed beading and card-making. I am looking forward to being able to post even more makes very soon.

Life Changes

Well, it has been an age since I posted on here. I have been making things but not consistently, and anything I HAVE made has gone on my Facebook page rather than my blog. Life has been funny lately. I finshed my job as a WeightWatchers leader yesterday, after nearly 21 months. I will now have time to craft more, until I find another job. I finished WW because I can't control my weight unless I can concentrate completely on myself. Much as I have loved the members and clerks at the meetings, it was physically hard work and took up the majority of my time and emotion. My son is looking forward to spending more time with me (he is nearly 11, so that will change soon no doubt!) and I hope to have more energy and verve. I am determined to update this blog more regularly and be a more active member of the crafting community. I would love to design more beading patterns, and set up an online shop selling kits for them.