CQJP Block 12

Well I figured I needed to get back to some of my crazy quilting. So yesterday and today I finished block 12 (of 16 blocks-only 4 more blocks to go) of my CQJP. I know I'm way ahead of the program but I would like to have this quilt completely finished by the end of the year. I did put it down for about a week or two to do some beading but I missed my crazy quilting. So here are a few pictures. You can see that I incorporated the beaded star that I posted a few days ago in this block.

Please excuse some of the quality of some of the photos. I am having some issues with my camera. Some times it works well and sometimes not so good. I thought it was the battery so I purchased a new battery but I'm thinking it's the camera now. I may need to purchase a new one. I currently have a  Nikon CoolPix. Does anyone have any suggestion on a new camera? Any favorites that anyone would recommend? My Nikon has served me well but I think its days are numbered.

Also I purchased some new beads at our local bead store (Tomahawk River Traders in Minoqua, WI). Here are a few pictures of the beads and stones I purchased. I want to use some of the stones for necklaces and some for bead embroidery.

Also I just have to share the new purse I purchased. It's breathtakingly beautiful. It's a Mary Frances purse. I may never actually use it (but maybe I will) but I will certainly place it somewhere where I can just look at it. It was just one of those guilty pleasure purchases.

Everyone have a great week..... And if I don't see you by then...Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July!!

Jewelry 2

Here are a few more samples of earrings that I created from my Vintaj purchases. The only pair that does not have Vintaj findings are the bell shaped flower earrings. I purchased those findings at Michaels Crafts store.

Jewelry

Here is just a quick post of some jewelry I made this morning. I ordered some brass items from Vintaj to make some jewelry to sell. I really like what what was sent. I ordered lots of brass leaves, butterflies, ferns, etc. Great stuff and I just couldn't wait to dive in.

Also found this beutiful Luna moth on the porch yesterday morning. His wings were wet from the morning dew so he couldn't fly. About two hours later he was gone so he must of dried off and flew away (hopefully).

Beaded Star

Beaded Star

Well summer has finally hit the northwoods of Wisconsin and we are off and running. I work as a waitress in a very busy restaurant so summer is are busy work time not leaving a lot of time for my crafts  :( . So my posting during the summer will probably be sporadic. (oh I guess they already are a little).

I have been wanting to learn some more beading techniques. I have soooo.... many beading books and I want to start to put some to use. So, last night I picked a project out of my book, "Creative Beading Vol 6". From the publishers of the Bead and Button magazine. It is FULL of great projects. I recently purchased the book on one of my trips to the local JoAnn Fabrics (love that store).

Here are a few photos of how this project progressed. It turned out nicely and I think I will try to incorporate it into one of my CQJP blocks. It wasn't too difficult just a little time consuming trying to figure how to do the first one. The directions were well written and clear. It was just the first time making this piece so it took some time (later part of an evening). I will make more for sure now that I have it figured out some.

I highly recommend this book. Like I mentioned earlier, it is full of great projects and I'm sure this is not the only item I will make out of the book. It has beautiful examples and clear instructions. I can not wait til I find some more time to tackle the next project. In the mean time happy crafting everybody. And make time to do something you enjoy. Life is short......

June Beaded Rock

Here is this month's beaded rock. I was beginning to have beader's block with this month's project (kind of like writer's block). I really couldn't decide what I wanted to do. So I googled abstract art and found a few images I liked and decided to go with this basic idea. I enjoy working with a lot of color so this pattern appealed to me. I wasn't sure if I wanted to outline the circles in black or just keep going out with color out to the very edge. I sometimes like to use black in my normal quilting because I like how black seems to make colors 'pop'. Well, as you can see, I decided on the black outline. If I ever do this pattern again, next time I will continue using color out to the edges just to see which one I actually like better.

I had a very cool visitor last night. He/she is a Polyphemus moth. He/she stayed awhile so I got to take a few pictures. In the morning it was gone so I'm hoping he/she found its way to someplace safe. Last year I had bunch of Luna moths on my porch. I am hoping to see more this year and I have been keeping my eye out for them.

 I hope everyone has a wonderfully creative week....  :)

Jewerly

Today I am going to share some of my jewelry making skills. I love to make my own jewelry and here are just a few of some of my pieces. My absolute favorite pair of earring are the filigree bell shaped earrings. The bell shaped filigree pieces were purchased from Micheals craft store. And the beads used were purchased on my vacation out to CA last Nov in a little bead store in Eureka, CA. This pair of earrings always remind me of my wonderful vacation out west. I had such a wonderful time out there I am planning to move out there probably next year.

 The leaves on the other pair of earrings were also purchased at that store. Some of the other beads were purchased at a local bead store that went out of business last summer. She had all of her items at 70 % off so I bought lots. It was like Christmas.

I want to start selling some of my jewelry at the local flea market but I just don't have quite a large enough supply of them built up yet. But I am working on it. Hope you enjoy the pieces. Have a wonderfully creative week.