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!

And Another One, In Reds

This one uses 3mm pearls instead of facet beads, so is slightly less sparkly. The mix of colours was really lovely. I am thinking of making another one in greens, but am having a rest from this for a while!

Hallelujah!

The camera worked last night and this morning, so I have lots of pictures to post...

Firstly, and most importantly, the goodies I received from Paula. A lovely floral knitted corsage, some sweets, some fab buttons and a magazine on garden 'stuff' (I really do not have green fingers!!!) Thanks again Paula and I promise that yours will go out at some point this week...

Then, here are three cards that I made recently. The embossing folder is another Cuttlebug one and it is really versatile. It works amazingly well in my Sizzix dinosaur of a die-cutter. I also have the Swiss Dots one which is probably one of my best buys ever! I have been really into making cards this week and beads took a back seat until Friday when I had my C&G course. That always gets me back in the beady mood!

Talking of my C&G course, we did Horizontal Netting this week. We have to make a netted amulet bag as one of our final projects. I decided to use the horizontal pattern to make mine, rather than the vertical, as I just didn't seem to want to stop making my sample and didn't want to waste my efforts!

This was my first sample and I stopped because I wasn't keen on the way I had mixed my colours.




This is the sample that I eventually turned into the amulet purse. I love the transparent brown bead, with the flash of two different lilac beads.



This is that second sample, turned into an amulet bag. I haven't done the fringe or hanger yet. The fringe will have to be a 'looped' one, but apparently that can mean a variety of things other than just a plain loop, so I am contemplating what to do. This photo doesn't really do justice to the bag as it is really fluid in feel and the beads look much brighter in real life.


This is a sample of vertical netting. It is so simple to do and works up really quickly. I do love the effect, but would not wear a necklace made from it.

PHEW...

And, breathe!

Blooming Camera!

I have received my garden swap goodies from my partner - they arrived this morning...thanks Paula! They are lovely, but you are going to have to take my word on that as my camera is playing up again. I have the go-ahead from the bread-winner of the house to buy a new one, but photos will have to wait unless my old one starts playing ball again. It does this sporadically, but the crappy stages seem to be getting longer each time.

I have finished my package of things to send, but they have been sitting on my table, waiting to go for a week now. I have been feeling a bit blue lately, so can't seem to get the motivation to do anything.

Anyway, let's hope for a sunny day and a cooperative camera tomorrow...

Garden Swap

Kerry at PennyDog has organised the above swap. My partner is Paula in the US.

The rules are:

You must make one handmade item in a garden theme, this can be something for the garden, or something with a gardeny theme- insects, flowers, etc.

An item of a crafty nature that your swap partner can use in their own crafting- fabric, buttons, stickers, etc

An edible treat- chocolate, cake, etc

I am really looking forward to this! I already have lots of ideas but am going to mull them over before finally deciding.

Ain't Spring Grand!

This beautiful specimen is from my garden and looks stunning at the moment. I found out some information on it from the BBC Website:

Common Name: Christmas berry
Genus: PhotiniaSpecies: x fraseri
Cultivar: 'Red Robin'
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Full sun, Partial shade
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Moist
Height: 400cmSpread: 400cm
Flowering period: April to May

Photinia, or Christmas berry, is a genus of Asian and North American shrubs, which includes a group of evergreen hybrids grown specifically for their colourful young foliage. Most are forms of the garden hybrid P. x fraseri, with glossy dark green adult foliage, and variable red tinted young leaves, especially as they just unfold. 'Red Robin' is one, a choice form with eye-catching juvenile growth the colour of sealing wax, similar to a pieris. This is sometimes caught by late spring frosts, and some shelter is advisable. Plants enjoy a sunny or partially shaded position in moist but well-drained soil. The Royal Horticultural Society has given its prestigious Award of Garden Merit(AGM) to this plant.Looks good with:Chaenomeles speciosa 'Geisha Girl'Forsythia x intermedia 'Spectabilis'

A Cat Card

I am quite pleased with this, although it is not my usual style. All the images were doodled on with black fine-liner pen.