Spending Time with God

Life can get away from you so quickly. Before you have even realized what has happened you look over something you started and see that it has been two years since there was any activity. Prayerfully, I will be changing all that and begin to visit this blog page on a regular basis.

I have recently discovered bible art journals. I wasn't sure what to make of this form of worship at first especially since I have started to reconnect with God on a personal level. I know that God has shown me the talented side of my nature but sometimes having any talent can be intimidating simply because one is unsure of what all to do with it. I personally have been feeling intimidated by what is in my head and not being able to either create on paper or write it out the way I would like.

A very difficult place to be in to say the least. In this particular picture, I just went with the flow. God wants me to trust Him at all times and that includes asking Him for help with my creative side. Ha, how easy is that? Not very easy at all. In fact, it is a major challenge due to the fact I like being in control.

Thinking one is in control and knowing the reality can be a hard hitting truth that no one wants to face. I am doing a topical bible study on Trusting God and the first reading was Psalm 20: 1-9. This scripture has David offering encouragement as well as offering a petition to God. He first states may the Lord answer you in your time of need but later in the Psalm David says he knows the Lord saves His anointed. How awesome is that?

It helps to send out an encouraging word to others ad remind them to whom they belong. I would definitely say that my prayer would be that God answers your prayers and that God is there for you in the time of trouble.

I looking forward to getting back into the swing of things by doing more crafty things along side of my bible journal experience. Have a wonderful and blessed night or day.

No more YouTube

Sitting here tonight thinking to myself I need to stay off of YouTube. I find more things I want to do than a little bit. YouTube is major trouble for me but I learn so many new and wonderful things.

For instance, I have gotten into mixed media and art journaling. Well I learned how to make my own art journal from a cereal box and paper. I love it. I still have some work to do on it so the outside looks good but I now have a journal to create in. Maybe even put together some ideas for some of my other crafting.

It is by no means perfect especially since it was my first one. Just the thought of being able to just freely work on something makes me smile.

Here are a couple of photos of the journal. I will also post photos as I work in my journal.

Oh I almost forgot. Here is a photo of a new stamp I received along with a page I created for another one of my art journals. I am still unsure of where I am going to put the stamps I colored but this will give you an idea of how much I love this.

Well until next time, happy crafting.

Decorative Tape

   Well I learned something new to help with my crafting projects. I learned how to make decorative tape using 3M Micropore paper tape, my stamps, and acrylic paint. I had lots of fun and I am looking forward to making some more. I watched quite a  few videos on YouTube but the one I liked the most was by The Artistic Pagan.
    I am still a bit scared about making my first card but I have done a few other things like creating an art journal and just having fun playing around with different mediums. I must say I don't think too hard about anything I do I just create and that makes it relaxing and fun.
    I am hoping to put together a video soon of what I have put together. I don't think I will be doing any tutorials. I will simply leave that for the individuals better qualified to handle that but having a slide show showcasing all that I have done and what types of crafts I am involved in would be something that I would love to share.


    Here are some of the things I have worked on recently.

    I also used a few stencils I had on hand. I love the one with music stamp. It just looks wonderful. I love my other ones as well but since music tends to speak to the soul this one speaks to me. LOL.

 

    This next one is honor of Domestic Violence Awareness month. Yes October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month but I think we forget about domestic violence and I wanted to do something to remember it.

  

I used a straw to roll them onto so when I am ready to use I will have them handy. This tip also came from The Artistic Pagan. I thought it was pretty cool and I always have straws around. The last photo is what I created for my art journal using some fabric in honor of breast cancer awareness. 

I just love being creative and can't wait to see what else I can come up with next. Of course I am being told I need to open up a shop or go to craft shows. I don't think I am ready for that but who knows what will happen.

Until next time, Happy Crafting

In Awe

Well I was having a pretty rough day and decided to sit down and work on a project. I had colored a stamp but I was not sure what to do with it. The stamp was one from the Bloom Collection by Prima Marketing. She turned out beautiful when I finished coloring her.

The joys of crafting lift me up but at the same token I am a perfectionist that has to have things just right or I am not happy. Since my mood was pretty off I decided to see what I could do to lift my spirits and have a bit of fun with.

Here are the results.

 This was my starting layout to see how I would put it together.

 

My final piece. I think she turned out fabulous and Free Spirit fits perfectly. To think that I managed to put this together makes me feel so proud.

 

I am really looking forward to planning another mixed media piece. This lets me be free to experiment and flow. I love my other crafts and wouldn't trade them for the world but this lets me get messy and create from my soul.

Who knows what I will come up with next.

Happy Crafting

Having Some Fun!!!

Well I have been having a little bit of fun. I decided to do a mixed media piece and I really like how it turned out. It has me so excited to try some other mixed media pieces and see what my mind can come up with.

One of the things I have come across in my internet and YouTube travels has been using medias such as paper napkins and fabric to make something very unique. I love butterflies and I found some paper napkins in the dollar store. I wasn't really sure what I was doing and how things were going to turn out but that is the fun of creating. The palette was just like my writing palette. It definitely brought smiles to my face to be able to see something come together.

I am going to be doing more projects and letting my creative mind flow.

I am proud of my first piece. Who knew that I had such creativity leaving inside of me like this. Thank you Lord.

Until next time, craft on and I hope to see what you can come up with and soon.

Too Many Ideas

Boy oh boy. I get way too many ideas and love way too many things. I am already thinking about how I can do something special for awareness. I am plotting and planning and hopefully I will be able to get what is in my head out how I would like it. I think that is the biggest challenge in crafting. Nothing is ever simple when it comes to the mind of one who crafts.

Seeing things in so many different ways is a gift and a curse. A gift because it means my mind never stops thinking of something new but a curse because trying to get it together can drive me crazy. I wouldn't trade it for the world though. I love the challenge of making something and seeing how someone else will like it.

I need my own crafting space but alas that is not to be at the moment. I can dream though. I can even imagine what it will look like and how much space I will have. There also lies another dilemma because I need my own writing space as well and that needs to be a separate room from my crafting space. LOL. I just need the whole house to myself. Well I have a long way to go before that happens.

Oh well in the mean time I will keep dreaming and making my crafts in my space.

My Addictions

I am thankful that my addictions don't require a twelve step program but then again they may. Lol. I am working on my current project using my Mirrix Loom. I must say I am glad I purchased this loom. I bought the 16" Big Sister  which is the mid-sized loom and I love it. I am working on my first big project and this loom holds it perfectly.

The first time I saw this loom I began to drool. I love its versatility. I can do project that takes up the whole loom or I can do two to three smaller projects. I brought the one with the shedding device which I am looking forward to using when I finish this project. I am very pleased with this purchase.

The project I am working on is called Purple Day of the Dead Girl by CajunDesigns. As I watch it come together I am truly fascinated. Just thinking that we can put together using so many different types of material.

I have also discovered another addiction. Card making and color in stamps. I having fun with that as well and I like that I can personalize things. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

This is a picture of one of the stamps I am coloring.

One thing for sure is when my kids go their own way I will always have something to do. 

Summer is a few weeks away

Well the weather has been warming up and summer is knocking on the door. Time to get the feet and hands in order to show off to the world. I know I need a mani and pedi but I have to wait just a little bit longer before I can go get one but in the mean time I started preparing how I am going to show them off.

In the Auntie's Beads Chat group I am apart on Facebook, individuals were making slave bracelets and barefoot sandals. I was so loving the idea that I decided to make some for myself and maybe to sell. I know they would be big sellers because people females like showing off their hands and feet. The barefoot sandals would be especially good at the beach.

Making it out of beads wasn't so bad. I have to try and think of some other design besides the one I used. I want to try and also tat one. I think that would be very cool to have tatted bracelet and sandals. I am sitting down thinking now how can I make that happen. Of course I need to find some free shuttles for tatting because I have shuttles all over the place. I am going to make it work for sure.

Well happy Friday and enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend!

My version of the slave bracelet in pink:

Don't know if you can see the specialty bead on the bracelet.

I also made a slave bracelet and barefoot sandals in green, gold and iridescent blue.

My Own thing

Well I have been working on a beaded bracelet. I am sure somewhere out there the pattern has been done but someone else but I didn't use a pattern to make this bracelet. I was trying to think about how I could make a bracelet using my luminous beads. I love how retro and funkie the bracelet has turned out.

I want to see if I can do other beading projects without using a pattern. It is a inspiring and nerve racking to try and make something work that you can call your own but it is worth the time and effort it takes to see if you can make it happen.

Now I still need to embellish and put the clasp on but overall I think it turned pretty well using these bright colors. I will be purchasing some more luminous beads and see what else I can use them for.

R.A.W. Bracelet

I wanted to try something else new this weekend. I gave my mother a couple of bracelets on Friday because I knew I would not see her today but then I started thinking maybe I should try right angle weave. I was a bit apprehensive about trying this stitch because I know you have to get the count right. I managed to make it work.

I ended up making my mother another bracelet that she doesn't know about. It turned out so well and I am very proud of myself. Each time I try something and I can make it work it makes me feel like a giddy little school girl. I love beading and I love what I can create.

Sometimes it gets a bit expensive buying the things I want to create the beautiful pieces but I sit back and think to myself about how much money I have wasted on nonsensical things. I just love beading. One of these days I want to create my own design. We shall see but as they say baby steps.

Here are the bracelets I made:

Something simple with a splash of fall colors!

Another simple yet elegant look.

The right angle weave bracelet!

I wonder what other beauties can I come up with.

Odd Count Peyote Bracelet

I finished my odd count peyote bracelet. I am proud of myself. It was a little bit of a challenge adding the clasp which I learned how to make. I have a few flaws in the bracelet but I made it work. I wasn't sure that I would be able to do this type of piece but I managed it and I am glad I learned how to do it.

Beading has become a bit of an addiction now and I am looking forward to my next challenge with making something just as pretty. I have to finish the earrings to complete the set. I am thinking about making an anklet to go with it. It will be something unique to rock this summer. We shall see. The idea is still buzzing around in my head.

Finished bracelet:

     

If anyone is looking for the pattern please checkout Beading 4 Perfectionist. I attached a copy of the link. I love Gianna's work. Her embellishments and clasp are different then mine so you won't see the exact same thing when you watch part two of her video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEYR39rSSDc&list=FL32eqzfMFsWIoezXO_7zeCg&feature=share&index=2

Back to Beading

I hadn't beaded in about a week or so because I was trying to figure out the right pattern to work on. I went back and watched a video by Gianna Beading 4 Perfectionist. I had been thinking about trying this pattern but I was a bit afraid of it. So after watching the video I decided to go for and see if I could work it out.

Well I must say I am liking the results. Odd peyote isn't as hard as it seems. Once I got going everything smoothed out and I am on my way to making something that I really like. I may even make another one for a friend because I like the pattern so much.

This is the earrings and bracelet I am currently working on.

I used trans tropical teal and matte white 11/0 delicas and white 15/0 rocailles with 4mm Swarovski bicones. Even though I am not finished yet I am already thinking about what type of clasp should I use on this piece. It is turning out so well. Beading is fun. What can I say except that I am addicted.

Finished a bracelet!

Well I finished one of my Cellini Spiral bracelets. I must say that I was really proud of myself. The bracelet isn't that complicated but it is time consuming. Late nights have a way of getting things done though. I guess my insomnia came in handy even though I wish it were different. The colors are perfect and coincide with spring finally making its arrival.

I am planning on finishing a few more one with pink and purple as the base colors. Can't wait to see what that will look like when I am finished with it.

New Project!!

I recently learned how to do the Cellini Spiral. I wanted to learn how to do something different. This particular stitch has its challenges but I am liking how things are turning out. I tried it with different types and sizes of beads.

I wish I could say I was good at creating tutorials like other individuals but me I am just good at perfecting my technique. Here are a few pictures:

These were my started pieces. The mixed green, yellow and orange have rocailles, delicas, hex cut and seed beads. I may have to take that one apart due not having enough of the orange bead. 

Now this one is almost complete. It is smaller than the usual Cellini Spiral but I like its elegance. 

I also had the pleasure of working on one other piece. Jill Wiseman's Festival of Lights bracelet. That was a fun piece to work on. I want to make another one as an anklet for the summer. I think that would be cute with a nice pair of scandals.

Previous Projects

I have a few pairs of earrings that I made a while back that I thought turned out pretty well. I want to try and do some changes to the patterns but I am not quite sure how to make it work just yet. I know that I will be able to work it out one day because I am determined enough.

I made a pair of Russian Leaf earrings and added my own little touch to them and I also made a pair of triangle earrings. I used delicas on both pairs. I like delicas because of the interlocking when doing peyote stitch.

We will see what else I can come up with soon.

Beading Projects

I have been trying to get it together and see what projects I can do. I have been trying to work with superduos and I have gotten very frustrated with trying to make them work in a pair of earrings. I have watched videos by Beading 4 Perfectionist and Off The Beaded Path and it just seemed like I couldn't make the earrings work. I am not going to give up but I ended up making a bracelet. I watched the snakeskin video by Potomac Bead Company and a video by Beaded Jewelry Diva and ended up using a pattern called the Waltz. I have to complete it but it didn't turn out too bad.

Watching someone else do something seems so easy and when I try to create my own style it just seems difficult. I know in time I will come up with something all my own but for now I am thankful there are people out here willing to teach.

A photo of the bracelet:

Not sure how I feel about the colors but it was what I had to work with until I am able to get more superduos and continue practicing.

Well looking forward to beading some more and showing off what I have come up with.

Getting Back to Crafting

I haven't done any of my normal crafts in a while. I am feeling out of touch. I keep seeing all the beautiful tatted pieces and I want my shuttle back in my hand. I need more thread because I have gotten used to the feel of using thread smaller than a size 10. I want to loom but I really want a specific loom to help me with my designs. I need to get back on my sewing machine because pillow ideas keep coming to me.

I just feel lost without all the things that have brought me joy. I did manage to make a few pairs of earrings though. I just need to add the finishing touches. 2014 I have a few things to accomplish and I am mapping out those things. I need to get my coding certification, find a new job, and make time to craft. That along with being mom is going to require discipline and making my schedules out along with using them. I don't make resolutions but I am deciding to make a plan. 

I did manage this past weekend to make a few items. Beadaholique had a video on making Christmas Tree earrings out of Artistic Wire so I made a pair. I also made some earrings out of buttons. I need to finish them but I think they look cool. Maybe I will do an interview with my fellow crafters and see how they are handling things. Now there is an idea.

Writing and Beading on the Horizon

I have been working on character building but I have also been beading. My brain is telling me I need to slow down but I can't seem to help myself. I have to keep busy and I have a multitude of things I like to do. I decided to create some bead patterns and maybe sell them locally.

I was checking Mirrixlooms.com and I saw the loom I wanted to purchase. My hands are itching to get a hold of it. I am just crazy. Lol. What can I say when I find something I really like I latch on like a pitbull and I don't let go. It has taken me all this time to really get into liking crafts and of course I want to go all out.

Passing the Time Away

Well unfortunately I have to do my civic duty but I have been practicing and working on a new tatted piece. So far I am in love with the colors and excited that I was able to handle a split ring and split chain. I want to work with beads but right now I am going to stick with getting comfortable the techniques I have been learning. I started out using a needle to tat but lately all I have been using is my shuttle and I am really starting to like it. I will still use my needles from time to time but shuttle tatting is central.

When this piece is finished and blocked I hope to use it some where in my living room or dining room. I keep doing my happy dance in my head.

Practice Practice Practice

Today is a practice day for me. Last night I started watching my learn to tat video and I want to practice a few things. One of the things I want to practice is the slip and slide method. It will be a little bit difficult because my pinch is different. For some reason holding the pinch with my forefinger and thumb is uncomfortable and my flip doesn't feel right. Using my middle finger and thumb feels wonderful and I think I can manage the slip slide method.

I am thinking of working on the floating ring and the self closing mock ring. I want to be able to master those so I can work on some really cool projects. Learning is fun and with me I just seem to want to absorb as much as I can.

Well time to get tatting before bedtime.