Saturday, July 11, 2009

Tomatoes, aren't they grand!

Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes is what I love to see in my garden! That's because I love them! I love them right off the vine, and I especially love them green and fried! Yummmm! I can't wait for some fried green tomatoes!
With all the great pictures from everyone that I've seen on your blogs, of your gardens, I had to share my garden with yous to! I have a smaller garden but it'll give me all the freshest and best tomatoes and green peppers that I need this year! I also have some lettuce and zucchini.
I have 8 tomato plants, 4 green pepper plants then some lettuce and only 1 zucchini plant this year. I had been in the hospital due to my bad kidneys again and just wasn't feeling up to planting everything that I normally would. But that's quite alright because it's plenty for me! Even some for my sons and their families too!
Everything is doing great and my tomatoes are full of baby green tomatoes, here I go again mentioning green tomatoes it's just because they're so yummy... fried green tomatoes...my favorite!
If you need a great recipe for Fried Green Tomatoes, stop in at Lynda's blog, at:
Swoopin' Along
Hopefully my zucchinis will have some nice ones for me to make my famous zucchini bread with this year! I'll share that recipe with all of yous when it gets time to pick them, somewhat closer to fall. So, to all my fellow gardening friends...I hope that all your gardens are plentiful and yield all the many wonderful things you planted in abundance! Happy Gardening...

Trumpet Vines



I'm a Hummingbird lover and collector and having Trumpet Vines in my yard has been a good thing and a bad thing! The trumpet vines are so beautiful they attract not only hummingbird's but butterflies to. They're a gorgeous bright orange color and need no care what so ever, I do repeat that, they need no care! But...they're so aggressive and seem to take over any where that they are! I've cut them down, they grow back, I've cut them down again, yep, they've grown right back! I didn't plant the trumpet vines, they were here when my home was purchased. The previous owner had planted them right next to the house! She had them growing right on the house...bad, bad idea she had! Now, even many feet from my home they've managed to come up out of no where and have taken root all over again! They are the fastest growing plant that I've ever encountered before!

But with that all being said, I do want to share the beautiful flowers with you's. Here's a few snapshots of the flowers, so sorry though, not a one hummingbird with any of them!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Bella Sinclair Award...

I'm so proud to say that today that I was awarded the Bella Sinclair Award by my dear and sweet friend, Marie Segal.
http://mariesegal.blogspot.com/

What a honor this is and I will proudly display this awesome award on my blog! Thank you Marie! I'm still smiling from ear to ear! I was totally blown away this evening when you told me, thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Congrats also to those who have received this award by Marie also, it's quite a honor!



















And to those who received this wonderful award from Ces:


















19. Vanessa Brantley Newton http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/



Also to everyone that receives this awesome award in the future...Congrats to all!

Thank you also goes to Ces for making this beautiful and awesome award! I hope one day that Bella may be able to receive her well deserved award. What a beautiful, special sister-hood to be able to share with you! I'm very touched by this award! Thank you Ces!

Thank you again Marie...I love you Sis, Giant hugs to you!

To read the story of Bella, please go here:


A warm, loving and very touching story!

Ces writes, "I designed this award to celebrate art in the blogs and to honor the value of friendship, sisterhood, sharing and caring. It is to be awarded to the gifted, accomplished, eloquent and talented blogger whose friendship and influence inspire us to do our best. That I named it after Bella Sinclair is because she epitomizes all of these things. She is an inspiration to many of us. "
Also Ces writes, "I hope that when Bella returns, this award would have already circulated in the blogs. It is my honor to give this award to the first recipients who I hope will find the same pleasure as I have in spreading its crown, giving shade and the comfort of friendship and caring and of sisterhood by sharing this award with their blog-friends and sisters!"

What a beautiful and loving story Ces, thank you!


If you would like to view Bella Sinclair's blog:

Please my fellow Artists, Sisters, Moms, Grand-moms and Friends, go and pick out your fellow Artists, Sisters, friends and spread some more love by giving them this Award to.

I'm awarding this Award of Art, Love and Sisterhood, Sharing, Caring to:




















Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Miscellaneous Knots and Techniques...

Knowing knots and doing beadwork go hand in hand! Don't let knots intimidate you, they're actually quite easy!

No matter how long a thread you use, at one time or another you'll have to end and restart your thread. No worries though, you can hide the threads invisibly in your beadwork. You can secure them in the beadwork with a small knot or by weaving around in a zigzag or circle motion so that your thread won't come out. Or, you may even bury the new end in the beads so it doesn't show. Here's some ways that are easy for you to do:



Square Knot-This is one of my most favorite knots and one that I usually use. Just try to remember, right over left then left over right. Basically this means, cross the thread in your right hand over the thread in your left hand and around and through to tie a knot. Then, cross the thread that's now in your left hand over the thread in your right hand and around and through to tie a knot again. This really makes a secure knot that won't slip out easily! Also, you can dab a small amount of clear nail polish on the knot to make sure it stays tied.



Overhand Knot- An overhand knot is good when weaving threads. It catches the thread on itself, giving added protection against unraveling. To make this knot, take a small stitch over a thread in the work and pull through until there is just a loop. Pass through the loop and pull tight. This knot is not as secure as the square knot but works well when used twice along with weaving the thread through several beads.



Surgeon's Knot- This knot is actually a variation of one used by doctors. To tie this knot, take the left end of the thread and pass it over, under, and under the right end. Next, take the right end, and pass it over, under, over and under the left end. The pull tight.



Clove Hitch Knot- Bring the working thread under and over the stationary thread, then under and over the stationary thread again, and through the loop formed by the working thread.



Weaving in or Anchor- Knots aren't used in various bead stitches, so this way you secure the thread by weaving it in and out of your project. By passing through the needle through a nearby thread then weaving in a zigzag direction through the beads until it is hidden and secured, then cut your threads tail.

To start a new thread in the middle of a project, basically follow the same principle as weaving in the end, except reverse. Weave the thread in a zigzag pattern through the beads until it is coming out of the bead the you left off on. The start beading again.



Stop Bead- A stop bead is used at the beginning of your project to prevent the beads from falling off the tail and provide tension for the first row of strung beads against which to weave.
Stop beads are easy to make. First, pick up a bead and tie a square knot about 6 inches from the tail, catching the bead in a knot. (You'll need to untie the bead later to weave in the tail thread.) You can also wrap the tail end around one of your fingers several times in the place of using a stop bead.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Cali, my new lil helper...

Intoducing my new lil kitten Cali. She loves everything I do including beading! She even has to get in on my magazines! I don't know about you, but all my furry ones have learned that when I bead I get the big "puppy dog eyes" and the whines and the cries as if they never had attention or love before! lol But, they've all learned to lay down nicely next to me or by me and that when mommy is done beading that it's their turn to be loved on. However...my new lil kitten, Cali has a totally different idea about me and beading! She happens to think that all the beautiful beads are hers to play with and that the thread is her as well! I've hooked her up with her on toe beads container so she thinks she batting something she shouldn't be around the house while I bead, but she still seems to like everything that I have much better! lol Here's a few pictures of my crew here at home:


Now here's my Rocky, he's a boxer and thinks he's a kid. Actually, he's the coolest kid on the block! lol





Then there's my lil girls, they're sisters, Sweet pea and Lily...











Last but not least theres my Ashes, she's a sweetie!

My grand-daughters and one of their 1st creations...






Sorry I haven't posted in a couple of days but I've had some of my grand-children, still do infact. But I wanted to share with you's the cute lil bracelets and necklaces my twin grand-daughters made and are so very proud of! Introducing, Haley and Kaley and their creations:

Friday, July 3, 2009

Wishing you a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

I hope that everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July. If you're going to the parade, think of me, I love Parades! Have a great time at your picnics and I'll see you for all the fireworks, they're my favorite! Have fun, be safe and don't forget to say Thank You for our Freedom!



Thursday, July 2, 2009

Info about Bead appearances...

Austrian Swarovski Crystals- Beads with a high lead content and precision faceting.

Bugle Beads- Tube shaped beads from 2mm to 30mm in length. These can be straight, hex cut, or twisted along their length.

Charlotte's- These are seed beads that have been ground flat on one side.

Transparent — Classic, changeable, transparent glows with background light, and changes with the colour of the beads around it.

Opaque — Always useful, opaque glass. A solid-colored bead commonly seen in the traditional Native American beadwork.

Metallic — for the rich, metallic look.

Lustre — a subtle look, Lustre is softer than a high-gloss.

Colour-Lined — a colour-core with a transparent coat.

Satin- Directional sheen due to many tiny bubbles pulled through the glass as the bead is formed.

Silver-Lined — A silver inner core, with a transparent colour overlay gives a glittering, luxurious effect.

Oily — despite the odd name, is a lovely, subtle finish, slightly lustrous.

Matte — Matte is a silky soft non-glossy finish. May be combined with another finish

Iris or Aurora Borealis (AB) — Aurora Borealis or Iris is an iridescent finish reminiscent of the play of colours on a soap bubble. May be transparent or opaque, glossy or matte.

Dyed — some colours are harder to create and are simulated with dyes. The dyes do not rub off in these beads, but may fade with time.

Pearl — very subtle lustrous finish

Random Info that may be useful to you...

Q: What does "temporarily strung" mean?

A: For convenience, some beads are strung for shipping. The quality of the string and the stringing is not such that you would want to trust it in the long term for your projects! However, buying beads temporarily strung can make it easier to string them for your projects. Simply slide the needle with your good thread down through the beads next to the temporary string to transfer them.

Q: How long are your bugle beads?

A: Just when you thought you had seed beads figured out, eh? - we throw bugle beads at you. #3 bugles are 6-7 mm, #4s are 8-9mm. Larger sizes are indicated in mm.

Q: What is a "mm"?

A: mm is short for "millimetre" - there are about 25 mm in an inch.

Q: Why are those lovely red beads more expensive than the same bead in another colour?

A: Red glass, and the really nice pinks and purples, are more expensive than other colours of glass - as the main colouring agent is gold.

Links for Free Pattern's, many Tutorials and Misc Info.

Here's a link for a free Chain Maille Bracelet Pattern
Here's a link for better Beadowrk Photos
Here's one for 6 free Wire Jewelry Designs
This one is for 4th of July Crafts and Recipes E-book
This one is for free instructions for African Helix Stitch
Awesome free Native American Beadwork Patterns
This one is great if you need a Metric Conversion
Everything you need to know about Birthstones
Another site all about Birthstones
Learn about and how to Bead
Pattern for a free Dog Collar
Lots of free Animal, flowers, holiday and misc. Patterns
Here's one for Jewelry Making and Beading Projects
Here's one for free Projects
Here's a Beadwork Blog
Square Stitch Rosette Ornament
Lots of Christmas Ornament Patterns
Beaded Icicle Ornament
Free Patterns
Beading for Therapy
free E-mail Beading Classes
Beading Info
Big Bead Book Online Directory
The Beader's Muse
Peyote Stitch Tutorial
Brick Stitch Tutorial
Square Stitch Tutorial
Branched Fringe Tutorial
Valentine Free Pattern
Bracelet with Paua Shell Cabochon and Seed Beads
Free Bead Patterns from A to Z Links
Many wonderful Beading Tutorials
Coversion Chart
Beading Glossary
Free Beading Patterns and lots more
Lots of Free Beaded Patterns
Free Beading Stuff
Free Peyote Patterns
Do it yourself 101 about anything you need to know about Beading
Beaded Tree Tutorial
More Free Bead Patterns
Bead For Life
Universal Currency Converter
Basic HTML Introduction
Learn to Bead Crochet
Tips and Techniques
Helpful Hints
Wirework Tutorials
Different Stitches
Beadwork Tutorials
Branch Fringe
Various How to's for Beading
Lots of info, Patterns and Freebies
Make a Choker with Beads and Wire
Lots of Tutorials
Many different Tutorils
Step by step to make a beautiful Beaded Necklace
Lots of Beading Tips
loops and Points Tutorial

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Ornaments




Here's a couple of my Ornaments that I've made. TheSilent Night, Holy Night Ornament is in Peyote Stitch. Then the Purple one is the Zig Zag or Vertical Stitch.


The Purple one is made upon request for $20.00 plus shipping and handling charges. It may be made in choice of your own color.


Crystal Drops cont.

Here's a few more Crystal drops for you to take a peek at.

Crystal Drops










They're all Peyote Stitched with Delica Beads. These are so beautiful. They can be placed on a stand and kept out all year round or put in your window. When the sun shines and hits the crystal the most amazing colors shine thru! You can hang them in your car off of your rear view mirror or be used soley for your Christmas Tree as ornaments.
You can order any of these just by contacting me.





























My New Line of Amulet Bags















These are all very similar yet so very unique and one of a kind. They all have a small pouch that you can keep your treasures in! Any one of these Amulet Bags would compliment your wardrobe and would make a wonderful gift for that someone special or to even keep for yourself.





These first ones are made from Faux Suede, Delica Beads, Seed Beads, Accent Beads and Fireline. I will be having real suede leather ones and fabric ones also. They're reasonably priced and you may purchase them at either one of my Studio's or please just drop me a line.