REGISTRATION FINAL....

Woohoo everyone!  it was a last minute rush!   I had about 54 registrants in the last 2 days of open registration! 
Okay, a few figures for you and in the next couple of days I plan on doing a final list of where everyone calls home, and where they heard of us from.  In the meantime, if you have not received your confirmation, check your email spam filter!!!!

Since Monday, December 30th:
56 NEW people registered
and
17 RETURNING members registered. 

We are now at a total of 287!!!!!

more information to everyone who registered will be coming out soon, such as how to blog, etc.  check your email! 

have a great rest of the week!  pam

YIKES!!!! Last day to register for 2010 BJP ~ Pictures!!!

December 15th is the last day to register for the 2010 BJP...

If you're undecided, take a look at my blog, here. I just posted pictures of some of my favorite pieces from the past year of the BJP... 42 pictures (most click-to-enlarge)... work by 40 of our participants!!!! I was erratic at saving pictures, so I didn't get all of my favorites. Also some members don't have a blog or didn't post pictures to the website. However, the pictures I posted will give you some grand inspirations and incentives to join the 2010 BJP!!!!

Happy holidays, everyone!!!
Robin

PS... If you're having difficulty registering or have questions about it, you can email

me: robin[at}robinatkins{dot]com
or Pam T: pamtru63{at]gmail[dot}com

PSS... Thanks for your well wishes about my Mom. During the week I was in Minnesota, she rallied nicely. I'm hoping she'll make her 93rd birthday in January!

Following the Inspiration: Part 3

I have posted part 3 of my Following the Inspiration series about how I am coming up with my ideas for my 2010 BJP.  ~Angie

Hi from chilly Minnesota...

Hi everyone!

My dear Mom took a turn for the worse a week ago and we thought her time among us was at an end. So my sister (who lives in Everett, WA) and I flew back to MN to be with her. Luck for us, she has rallied and we are spending some quality moments with her.

In the meantime, I've been having a little time to bead again with Julie, Pam and Brenda, all three BJP participants living in St. Paul, MN! Tomorrow we're going to Pam's for another session. We're having great fun talking about our ideas for BJP 2010. Brenda's working on a special beaded box that will hold her 2010 pieces. I won't spill the beans about it, but it's going to be amazing! Pam's talking about wanting more texture, more dimension to her pieces. Julie is still very undecided. Me too, although I have lots of ideas and I'm pretty sure I'll do some shape other than 4x6, the postcard shape I've been using for the past two years.

What about YOU????????

Will you be with us? I hope so!!!! There are only 5 more days to register. Really, truely, it is not hard. If the registration information on our website seems to difficult or doesn't work on your computer, just email Pam T or me and tell us you want to be in. We'll take care of it.

One current member emailed me to say she hadn't finished this year's pieces yet and therefore felt she shouldn't do it again. My answer is this: Don't be bogged down by last year's business... If you think you'd like to try it again, go for it. Let 2008-09 rest and move on!!!

May you all have a deliciously wonderful holiday season. May your stockings be filled with fabulous beads!

Hugs to you all,
Robin

Following the Inspiration: Part 2

I have posted part 2 of my Following the Inspiration series about how I am coming up with my ideas for my 2010 BJP for anyone who wants to see how one idea can lead to another and eventually to a finished piece.

counting down the days...

Okay, so it's been a couple weeks since I did an update… call me lazy or busy or whatever you like!
We are getting LOTS of new registrants! Please, oh please, past participants, get your registrations in!!! You only have till December 15th to register and we don't want to lose you!

Since Sunday November 22nd, 36 people registered:

29 NEW participants AND 7 RETURNING participants.

Homes: North Carolina: 3; Arizona: 3; Louisiana: 1; California: 2; Ohio: 4; Ontario, Canada: 3;

Australia: 2; Washington: 4; New Mexico: 1; France: 2; Texas: 1; Wisconsin: 1; South Carolina: 1; Missouri: 1; Turkey: 1; Oklahoma: 1; Tennessee: 1; Washington DC: 1; Illinois: 1; New Jersey: 1 and Florida: 1

Total registration so far: 214!!!

I will not post again until registration closes on the 15th… Once again, if you have not received your confirmation, please make sure you let me know AND/OR check your spam filter for your email. My email is pamtru63@gmail.com

Hope you are all doing well and keeping busy finishing up your 2008-2009 BJP, planning for the 2010 BJP, and getting your Holiday preparations in order!!! Have a great week…

pam T

Following the Inspiration

I will be writing a series of posts to my BJP blog about my inspiration and how I am going through the process of deciding what I want to do for the 2010 BJP. I published the first part today and will continue to add new parts during the month of December and maybe into January. I would love to say how often I would be posting but since we will be moving into our new house just before Christmas and have painting and other projects that we want to do before we move in I am not sure how often I will have the time to add the other parts but I will do my best.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Holiday Season and hope to see lots of you in the new year as we start our 3rd year. ~Angie

Can a Behinder Still Post

If a behinder can still post, I'd like to tell whoever is still out here listening that I have a page done finally. It's May which means I still have three to go. I can't believe I'm even thinking about doing next year but it keeps nagging at me. I don't want to give up the group but I am having trouble seeing so have to work this one out. Anyhow, I have my newest page up on my blog here.

Update...

Seven registrants since last Sunday, the 15th…. 2 are returning members, 5 new! Total registration so far is 178!


Homelands for the registrants of the week: QUEBEC CANADA -1, NEW YORK – 1, NEVADA – 1, OHIO -2, ARIZONA – 1, WASHINGTON – 1

Only a few more weeks to get your registration in for the 2010 BJP – past participants, send in those registrations so you don't miss out on the great experience you have had with us in the past!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!

pam T

FOURTEEN for the week...

FOURTEEN more participants for the 2010 BJP since Sunday the 15th….

All registrants are NEW participants!

Homelands for the new registrants of the week: NORTH CAROLINA – 1, ARIZONA 1, MARYLAND 2, SCOTLAND 1, MASSACHUSETTS 1, CALIFORNIA 3, WISCONSIN 1, NSW AUSTRALIA 1, NEW YORK 1, OHIO 1, TEXAS 1

total registration so far: 171 !!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

pam T

update

TWENTY-ONE more participants for the 2010 BJP since Saturday the 31ST to report this morning...

Woo hoo! Everyone is doing a great job of talking about their experience with the BJP project!
I forgot to mention last week – we had 2 returning members and 10 new participants.
For this week, we have 3 returning members and 18 new participants.

Here's the homelands for our registrants this week: HOLLAND -1, COLORADO-1, WISCONSIN-2, UK-1, MANITOBA-1, WASHINGTON-1, NORWAY-1, ARIZONA-1, NEW JERSEY-1, ALASKA-5, MASSACHUSETTS-1, NORTH CAROLINA-1, WESTERN AUSTRALIA-1

total registration so far: 157 !!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

pam T

BJP 2008 Finished!

OK, I know I have been very quite. My husband is now retired and we are still trying to figure out how life is going to work! Makes things a little crazy. But I have finished my pieces! You can see the completed set at my blog.

I work well with specific deadlines where I have no choice but to have something completed so I decided to enter my pieces into the Fine Art of Fiber exhibition at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. If you are in the Chicago area, the show is very well worth the trip. You can then see my pieces in person!

Now on to figuring out my format for the next BJP. I'm so excited! I know how I want to do my journaling but I need to work out the logistics a bit before we start up. Especially as I will be in Australia for the first three months of the year & then in Hong Kong for a few months. I'm planning on making covers for journals, one for each month. And then writing all the different thoughts that come to mind for the month into the journal.

I love this group. I may not always be verbal but I do try to read the blogs & look at other people's pieces. Everyone should be very proud of their work. It is all beautiful!

Last 2 blocks

Although I posted them a few weeks ago I forgot to let everyone know that I had finished my July and August blocks and have a picture of my 12 finished blocks on their Sacred tree. I still have a lot of work to do before the background layers are done but that will have to wait until the new year as we get closer to having the house we are building finished.

Happy Halloween!

TWELVE more participants for the 2010 BJP since Saturday the 24th to report this morning...


Once again, if you are not receiving your confirmations, be sure to check your email spam filter. AND, if you have sent your registration in and have not received a confirmation from me within the next day, be sure to email me and ask if I got it. :) my email is pamtru63@gmail.com

Anyway, the 12 to report for the week are from:

Michigan 1

Ontario Canada 1

British Columbia Canada 1

Illinois 1

Alaska 1

Georgia 1

NSW Australia 1

Oregon 1

Switzerland 1

Colorado 2

Florida 1

Our total registration so far: 136 !!!

Have a wonderful week, it's snowing here!

pam T

BJP friends in Minnesota!

Hi Everyone!

I just posted on my blog, here, about beading with three current BJP members in St. Paul, MN last week. We had a blast! There's some sweet eye candy for you to see!


Registration is progressing nicely! Good to have some of you back again!!!

Beady smiles,
Robin A.

Quiet, but still at it

Hi all, I've been off the grid a while, but I'm still working on my projects. Today I added 4 month's worth to my Flickr account, but I've not gotten to my blog yet. Please drop by for a look-see and celebrate my progress! I've missed you guys and hope to get caught up on all your wonderful work while I've been gone. I'm also looking forward to next year!

MizDenise

progress in registrations...

15 more participants for the 2010 BJP since Saturday the 17th to report…Once again, if you are not receiving your confirmations, be sure to check your email spam filter. AND, if you have sent your registration in and have not received a confirmation from me within the next day, be sure to email me and ask if I got it. :) my email is pamtru63@gmail.com

Anyway, the 15 to report for the week are from:

Azerbaijan Republic – 1

Netherlands – 1

NSW Australia – 1

England – 1

Arizona - 1

Texas – 4

North Carolina – 1

Ontario Canada – 1

California – 1

Minnesota – 1

Alaska – 1

Colorado - 1

13 of these are NEW registrants and 2 of them are returning members…

Our total registration so far: 124 !!!

Have a Happy Halloween next weekend!

pam T

new versus returning

Fulfilled my mission for the week already,

63 new participants are registered,

47 returning!

Yes, I realize that adds up to 110. I had forgotten to add myself in all the prior totals....!

progress in registrations...

15 more participants for the 2010 BJP since Saturday the 10th to report this morning... Once again, if you are not receiving your confirmations, be sure to check your email spam filter. AND, if you have sent your registration in and have not received a confirmation from me within the next day, be sure to email me and ask if I got it. :) my email is pamtru63@gmail.com


Anyway, the 15 to report for the week are from:
Indiana 1
Michigan 1
California 2
Florida 3
Washington 2
New Mexico 1
Alberta Canada 2
New Jersey 2
Georgia 1

I am seeing LOTS of registrants who learn about us from friends and word of mouth. One of our present members in particular has referred several new people, thanks Anne Marie! This week it is my mission to do a count of new participants versus returning ones. Returning participants, do not forget you need to send all the information to me again to join the 2010 BJP!!!

Our total registration so far: 109 !!!

Have a wonderful week everyone, bead creative!

pam T

Still playing catchup!

I'm still playing catchup on 3 months - March, June and July. This is my March page. I'm still inspired by Pat Winters and decided to do another crazy quilt piece. March is my birthday months and this year was one of the big ones... The photo is of me on my 1st birthday, purple and green are my favorite color combo and I think the rest is pretty self explanatory.

Marva

Sunday update

19 more participants for the 2010 BJP since Monday the 5th to report this morning... Once again, if you are not receiving your confirmations, be sure to check your email spam filter. AND, if you have sent your registration in and have not received a confirmation from me within the next day, be sure to email me and ask if I got it. :) my email is pamtru63@gmail.com


Anyway, the 19 for today are:

Texas: 1
Washington: 4
NSW Australia: 2
California: 1
Michigan: 2
Ohio: 1
Minnesota: 1
Arizona: 2
Illinois: 1
New Zealand: 1
New Mexico: 2
Georgia: 1

I am seeing LOTS of registrants who learn about us from friends and word of mouth. Perhaps you can talk to your friends too? Soon I will do a total of new participants versus returning participants. Returning participants, do not forget you need to send all the information to me again to join the 2010 BJP!!!

Our total registration so far: 94 !!!


Have a wonderfully creative and beadiful week, everyone!

I Finished!!!

I'm very excited - I finished August and now I've completed the whole year! You can see my August post here!

5 more

5 more for this morning,
Connecticut, Maryland, Texas, California and New Mexico all add 1 more...
Up to 76!
Have a happy Monday, everyone!

My June 2009 page posted

Good Morning!
Last night I posted my June page. This morning, I realized that I didn't post a notice on this blog. That's a good thing, because I have been thinking about the 2009 project and the fact that I have only made 10 pages. I started this, my first year, with a post of a beading of my face. Would I reveal my inner self to you, or hide behind a curtain? Recently I knew that I would end this year with another face. After finishing my June page, I realized that this page, for me, is actually the end of the 2009 project.

So I am 10 out of 12 months completed. I have decided that with the coming holidays and the fact that I am dedicated to making ALL presents, I don't want to rush through 2 more pages just so I can say that I completed 12. And, amazingly, I feel no guilt about the decision.

So, please visit my blog. I had so much fun doing it and I can honestly say that the beads took the lead.

Yes, I am participating in 2010 and I hope you all come along with me!

Unsunny Sunday...and 5 more!

Five more partipants for the 2010 BJP to report this morning... Once again, if you are not receiving your confirmations, be sure to check your email spam filter.  AND, if you have sent your registration in and have not received a confirmation from me within the next day, be sure to email me and ask if I got it.  I'm human and sadly enough make mistakes! :) my email is pamtru63@gmail.com

Anyway, the 5 for today are 1 from Oregon, 1 from Arizona, 1 from California, 1 from Michigan and 1 from Wisconsin!  So, we are up to 71 registered!

Thank you everyone, for joining, for talking and blogging about the BJP to your friends! I guess I need to get busy too, only 3 of us from Wisconsin so far! ;)

Have a wonderful and blessed rest of the weekend...

update Saturday morning

We are at a total of 66 as of this morning… IF by chance you have sent your registration in prior to this morning and have not received a confirmation yet, be sure to check that your email is set to receive email from us. I know last year there were a couple people who had trouble with this issue, and I am wondering if it is happening again this year. Have a wonderfully creative weekend, everyone! Start planning your projects for the 2010 BJP and practicing!

• Alabama 1
• Alberta Canada 2
• Arizona 2
• California 9
• Colorado 1
• Florida 1
• Georgia 2
• Germany 1
• Illinois 2
• Indiana 2
• Kansas 1
• Kentucky 1
• Massachusetts 1
• Michigan 3
• Nevada 1
• New Hampshire 1
• New Jersey 1
• New Mexico 1
• New York - 4
• North Carolina 2

• NSW Australia 1

• Ohio 2

• Ontario Canada 5

• Oregon 3

• Pennsylvania 2

• Quebec Canada 1

• SA Australia 1

• Texas 2

• The Netherlands 1

• Virginia 2

• Washington 5

• Wisconsin 2

woo hoo!

I'll just post updates daily to the 2010 registration these first couple days of October, then I will go to weekly... 33 more registrants should be receiving a confirmation today! Lots of new people, how exciting! I can't wait to see everyone's creatfullness!!!! (no, that's not a word!)
here's a posting of where everyone is coming from with a grand total of 46...

• Arizona 1

• California 6
• Colorado 1
• Florida 1
• Georgia 2
• Illinois 1
• Indiana 1
• Kentucky 1
• Massachusetts 1
• Michigan 2
• Nevada 1
• New Hampshire 1
• New Jersey 1
• New York - 2
• North Carolina 2
• Ohio 2
• Oregon 3
• Pennsylvania 2
• Texas 1
• Virginia 1
• Washington 4
• Wisconsin 1
• The Netherlands 1
• Alberta Canada 2
• Ontario Canada 3
• NSW Australia 1
• SA Australia 1

let's go!!!!

Hi all........ I sent out 13 confirmations this morning for the 2010 BJP!
12 are from the U.S. and 1 from The Netherlands!

Looking forward to hearing from YOU!

pam T

March BJP finished!

Still catching up on my Bead Journal Project! I just finished my March page and it's posted on my blog:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Only June and July to go!

Marva

Bead Pals >>>> BJP 2010!!!

Tomorrow is the official FIRST DAY of registration for the 2010 BJP!!! Hope to see many of you returning for another year. Even if you didn't finish this year, we'd love for you to start again.

I've spent the past two days with Elaine Hartley, a bead pal from Ohio!!! Below is one of her pieces...


Check out more of her work on my current blog post, here. After seeing my work and hearing about the BJP, Elaine decided to join us in 2010! She'll be so much fun to have aboard!

I'll be in Phoenix teaching all next week. When I return, I'll be checking with Pam T., our registration angel, and hope to hear lot's of you are on the list for 2010!

Beady blessings, Robin A.

July finished!

July is done and you can view it here. Now just August left and I'm finished!

Registration for next year

The correct date for registration for next year is:

October 1, 2009



Thanks, Susan

August Complete But Miles to go Before I Sleep...

Hello beautiful BJPers,
I have really enjoyed watching so many of you complete the bead journal project for the year!

I have completed August. But, don't celebrate with me too early! I am still not finished since I skipped three months --- November, June and July.

Until I get those done, take a moment to check out August and the piece that is most special to me so far this year.

June Magpie takes flight

Although I have just finished my last block for this years BJP I am a bit behind in blogging about them. I will try to catch up in the next week or so. If you want to read about my magpie for June you can see her here and here. I want to thank those who have been following my Sacred Tree for their patience. This year has been any thing but boring and predictable. Angie

Promoting the BJP for year 3

Last year we found that the best way to get the word out about the bjp was to mention it on your blog. Whether you're continuing or not, if you can let readers of your blog know that the project is continuing, it will be greatly appreciated.

Important info:

The Bead Journal Project starts in January, 2010.

Registration starts October 15, 2009 at beadjournalproject.com/reg.htm.

No experience is necessary! The goal is to create one visual journal piece a month for a year that includes beads.

Participants work can be seen at beadjournalproject.com/bjp.htm.

Thanks for all your support!!!

Susan

August Finished! BJP Presentation in Portland! Teaching in Phoenix!

Here's a peek at my August piece. You can see it on my blog, here.

I'm giving a presentation and show'n'tell about the BJP in Portland this week on Wednesday, September 16. Details here.

I'm teaching a two-day Improvisational Bead Embroidery workshop, possibly for the final time, in Phoenix on Oct. 3 and 4. Details here.

Thanks to everyone who wrote comments (or sent an email) on my post about having a BJP Retreat! You gave me some really great ideas! When I get back from teaching and a trip to visit my Mom in MN, I'm going to jump into more research. I'll get back to you about it.

In the meantime, BRAVO to all of you for the incredible work you've been doing this year. I am continually blown away by the importance and beauty of it!

Robin A.

June BJP Finished

Finished June and just two more left!

BJP Retreat?????

For months now I've been thinking about a BJP Retreat... a time and place where we can get together to meet and see each other's pieces in person. A place where we can brainstorm and bead and have fun together!


I've looked into several nearby locations, the most likely being Camp Orkila on Orcas Island, WA... locations that would be physically easy for me to deal with the business end of organizing. However, it turns out that Camp Orkila would be costly... about $110/day per person for the location (cabins with cooking and living room; meals and a hall where we could meet/bead together). For distant members, it would require flying to Seattle and then taking a small plane to Orcas Island (or renting a car, driving and taking the ferry to Orcas). The local part of the trip, flying from Seattle to Orcas, is about $200 round trip.


Even though Orcas Island is totally beautiful at any time of year and the facility (it's where we have our annual quilt retreat) is lovely, I'm concerned that the expense may be a deterrent to some of you being able to come.

I'd love (and appreciate) your feedback on this and any suggestions you may have about a retreat. You can either comment below or email me directly (here).

Robin A.

I finished on time...

...but I forgot to post about it until now!

This was a great year. I did very simple pieces each month, and it was pure pleasure. My plan for next year is more elaborate, but that's for a later discussion lol!!

My entire collection from the year can be seen at this link.

Whoopee!

Finished my last page last night, just in the nick of time. You can see it on my blog along with July's page. I hate to see the year end, but look forward to January and starting all over again. I can't decide what format I will use for next year. You can see my pages at:
http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/

Everyone's pages look so good. Now I just have to send my pages in for the BJP website.

Arline

I'm Back and Done

Hi Everyone! I am finished for the year! I've posted June, July and August on my blog http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ . I mentioned on the blog that my computer was on "vacation" since around May, so I haven't been able to visit everyone but I will get there as soon as I can. Thank you all for your support this year and for your inspiration. Wow! What artists we all are!

May is Done!!

After a long break, I've finally started beading again and finished May last night! Take a look at it here.

Memory Box Finished!

I used two of this year's BJP pieces (one about my Mom, one about my Dad) to make a Memory Box that I can use to keep letters, pictures and rememberances of them safe and in one place.

You can see the box and how I made it here. Included in the post is a fabulous discovery, a tip that will help if you decided to stitch any of your finished pieces to something else!

Hope you like it!!!

Robin A.

July Page Done!

This page was nspired by the clear skies and meteor showers during July and August here in Arizona. Tucson has many observatories. It also has a law forbidding unnecessary and obtrusive outdoor lighting so as to not interfere with the telescopes.

Which makes for finding a house at night here a challenge sometimes-not a lot of street lighting!

http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/

August BJP finished!

Just finished my August BJP!!! I think it turned out really well! You can see it on my blog:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Now to go back and do March, June and July!

Thanks for looking,
Marva

ALL Done

I actually took the whole day yesterday to sit down and concentrate on getting caught up on my last three pages. I did it! All are completed, photographed and posted here. The photos aren't that great but I think you'll get the idea.

Feels great to be caught up and to have had the WHOLE day spent on beading! That was wonderful for me and soooo relaxing!

Thank you to everyone for looking and commenting on my pages. It's been sooo fun for me to participate and meet new people and really learn some things about myself. I never believed it would really happen, until now. So looking forward to next year!

Next step for me is to try and work all of my pages into something really special. I still have a few pages to complete with a backing, but that's no problem. As soon as I figure out what to do, now that my first plan won't work, I'll get it done and share.

I haven't forgotten...

I'm working on my August BJP page. If you'd like to check out my progress you can see it on my blog. I still have to catch up on March, July and July.

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Marva

Behind!

I never thougth this would happen. I had every intention of not falling behind on my monthly journals but, life got in the way. I will be working on finishing my last 3 months very soon and will post it all ASAP! Sorry! But, already looking forward to next years BJP starting in January!

What to Do? What to Do? What to Do?

Some of us start the year with a rough plan for what we want to do with our 12 pieces when we finish them. Others, like me, don't have a clue.

I've been thinking about my pieces and seeking inspiration by reviewing what some of our members did last year. Finding pictures took a while, so I decided to put them together in a post on my blog. You can see them here.

I hope you'll get past the pictures to the important tip near the end of the post... I'll give you the headline here... "You don't have to do anything with your 12 BJP pieces!"

We're taking a break between our final month for the 08-09 BJP and the start of the 2010 BJP (in January) so that IF you want to create something with your pages, you have time to do it before hunkering down for the next 12. Neat, huh?!

You all are so very awesome!

Robin A.

Put pictures of your BJP pieces on our website!

You can have your own personal web page on the BJP website! To be elligible, all you need is 8 completed pages for the year. That's all... just 8!

I know many of you have finished 8 pages. It would be so nice to see them all together on a web page! Wouldn't it also be great if other beaders out there who may be interested in joining BJP 2010 could see them? It's easy to do... and your page will show up when your name is "googled!"

Here are the facts:

• 2007-8 BJP Member Pages - 50!
• 2008-9 BJP Member Pages - only 8 so far.
• How can you submit pictures for your own personal member page? See here.
• Would you like to see how a member page looks? Check out my pages for 2007 and 2008.

Thanks for giving this some thought! Beady blessings,

Robin A.

BJP takes a break ~ begins again in Jaunuary!

BJP 2010 (year three!) will begin in January, 2010 and continue through the year, ending in December!!!!

Participants will commit to making one visual journal piece per month. Each month's piece must be the same size and shape. Each must include some beads. That's about it for rules...

Registration begins Oct. 1st. For registration information, see the BJP website, here. Please note: returning members (as well as new participants) must register!

Registration will close on December 15th.

I hope to see many current members returning next year. Please pass along this information to anybody you think might like to participate in BJP 2010!

Thanks for your participation this year... It's a fabulous group of very talented women! Bravo to all!!!

Robin A.

BJP 5-09

Yes, I am still a participant here. I was stuck, but I am out of the rutt.

See my blog for May 09 post.

The next post will be cheerful and colorful because that's how I feel this very minute.

"Just a Mirage"

Summer may be coming to a rapid close but it's still June according to my progress in the 2008/2009 Bead Journal Project. Here is my 4 1/2 inch square page. I used a vintage cactus sequin applique, seed beads and sequins. The shininess may make it hard to look at this page, but then everything is a mirage in June in Tucson, Arizona.

.....finally all done!!!

....Phyllis King Artworks here in North Carolina/USA!

Finally: here are the last of my 2008 BJP flat fully-beaded dollies with rhinestones! Whew! And I swear I just uploaded the photos IN ORDER, from Feb. to Aug., and when they show up here on this blog, the pix are in reverse order! Sorry about that, but I don't know how to fix them....... I hope you will enjoy reading about how each was made underneath each photo.

This orange/yellow baby shown above is for August; using a clay sunburst face stitched on, and filled in with seed beads, flower and leaf beads and a vintage rhinestone chain. I don't even like oranges, but figured it fitted our hot, humid heat of these southern Augusts here in N.C.!

Here is my July dolly done in all red/white/blue seed beads and daggers and bugles, and a little gold metal star. Her face is pewter and her "headdress" of red, clear and blue rhinestones is part of a vintage pin of costume jewelry glued onto her "head"! She's my "July 4th" dolly..........

Above is my June piece, using all shades of white, eggshell, beige, etc. beads.........several being salvaged from my vast collection of vintage jewelry bits and pieces. If you enlarge the photo you can see better the heart-shaped little rhinestone piece on her chest.....she's my June "bride" dolly! I don't remember where I bought the wonderful crackled square face, but if its creator recognizes her work, please let me know because I surely want more of your gorgeous faces!!!

May's doll above uses the beautiful late spring colors of flower blooms that we have in this area. I used glass seed beads, hot pink sequins, two teal metal donut spacers; great long bugles for her hair and three gold and greenish leaves for her collar. Her wonderful face was made (I'm almost sure!) by dear artist friend in Canada, Maggie Robinson..........and I want more of these faces, too, Miss Maggs! LOVE those eyelashes! And this babe has rhinestone earrings from an old pin:

(all of this year's BJP dolls include pieces of vintage rhinestone jewelry in some way or other.) I call the collection my "Rhinestone Ladies"!

Above is April's doll, using another of Maggie's lovely hand-painted faces. Also used daggers for her hair, seed beads of several sizes and yellowish leaf beads; her rhinestone is at the bottom. Being usually our Easter holiday month, I used the favorites of yellow and lavender mostly, which remind me of childhood Easter egg hunts.

March's dolly features an old piece of metal necklace at the bottom and an old milk glass fat bead........her little face is very small and was "made in China"! I used all the early spring colors of flowers here and loved seeing the seed beads, flower beads, leaves and sequins "bloom" way back when the weather was cold and dreary!

February's doll features an old pewter/rhinestone pendant shaped like a heart for her center........she's my Valentine piece! Her face is a button; the rest of her body is covered with mostly seed and drop beads, with some little frosted glass hearts at her bottom.

That's my contribution to this year's BJP, and I've greatly enjoyed beading the little flat dolls. This was my first year joining this project and the year-long commitment was daunting, but I learned lots of new bead tricks along the way! Thanks for letting me participate and "grow" with my bead embroidery!

FINALLY...done

This has been a long 12 month journey...a time of great despair, of great hope, of great reconciliation. While my project took a number of forms before I was satisfied with the results, I am very pleased with the final result, and plan to add these words, one underneath each heart: faith, hope, love.

June is done!

My June page, Wedding Days, is done and can be seen on my blog: http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/ I'm over half way through my July page and know what I'm going to do for August. Will I get done on time? Who knows.
Arline

The Pursuit of Happiness

Hi All! Finally posted my May BJP. That should make all of you who are feeling behind, who are worried about completing June and July, feel better. You can read the post here -- have a happy day...

Chez Les Poupeé: Blank forms

Your beaded bon bons are so cute! Congrats on the blog
Nightbeaderatlarge.blogspot.com

July finished... It's about my Dad

Making this one was both sad and joyful, both difficult and easy... You can see it here.

I'm lovin' all the work that's being posted this summer. Way to go, you talented beaders!!!

Blessings to all,
Robin A.

Response to Robin's Participation Question

Although I do not sign in regularly I am still working on pieces. I currently have four completed have begun work on my fifth piece. My first two pieces are currently on display as part of a show by the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild that is installed at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center (Birmingham, MI). The show runs through August 20th. Several other BJP09 participants from the Guild also have pieces in the show.

Nine Down, Three to Go

I just posted my May page on my blog. You can see it at http//sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/ Finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone's work looks great!
Arline

April BJP Done

Whoo hoo! April is done! You can see it here. I am so happy. This is number eight. I am really getting there.
Timaree

May Iris starting to grow.

Although my spring and early summer have been really busy my Iris is finally starting to take root and I expect my May block to be done before too much longer. If you want to see how it is going check it out here. I am so thrilled with it already I can't wait to see it finished.

Congrats to all of you who are sticking in there and I love to see all of the amazing work that you are all doing. ~Angie

June page finished

I just posted the page for June on my blog.

Time has flown!

Grace

The Beginning of the End

August is started.....

Apirl and May posted...

I have my pages up for April



and for May

You can see them in full on my blog

Thanks,
Grace

June is Finished and I'm Working on July (in July)!

Here's a detail from my June piece... You can see it all here.

July, too, is well on the way to being complete! I might even be caught up by month's end. Yay!!!

* * * * * * *
Thanks to all who sent me an email commenting on your reasons for doing the BJP. Reading your words, I find myself in total awe of what we are doing and how it is affecting us. Although it seems we may only have about 20% of our initial 260 who will finish out this year, together we are creating a an amazing body of work! Walk tall, be proud... we be good!

Cheers, Robin A.

Only 2 Months Behind

I'm only 2 months behind - but here is May! http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ Hope some of you will stop by and see it. I've been looking at the past and am as always so inspired by all your work. Thank you! Heidi

Haven't Given Up

Robin _ Don't know when I will get the beaded birds finished -- but I will finish them. I love the ones I have done and will work on them as I can. Lately I have a hard time sticking with one plan-- I'm all over the place. I hope to settle in to finishing these soon. Jackie Beadingram

June Rune!

Hi, all!

This is most likely the last rune I'll be able to post in awhile. Our stuff moves out at the end of the month, then we're on the road! So if you want to see June's rune, you can check it out here.

Also, I just have to say what wonderful work I am seeing this year!!! Yowza! Makes me want to do something new for next year! Keep up the good work all! I'll be back in touch once we get settled...wherever that is! :)

Warmest aloha,
CC
http://hrhcc.blogspot.com/

You Gotta See This!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trish is a friend and unofficial BJP participant. She just made her first 10 pieces into the most fabulous graduation gift for her son. Take a look here!

Fabulous idea for finishing BJP pieces, don'tyathink?

Robin A.

BJPers... Where ARE you?????

WOW, I am so sad to think we only have 35 active BJPers remaining out of the 260 who registered last September... Is that possible????

Thanks to the 35 who responded to the poll (on the right) and huge thanks to those of you who emailed me about your reasons for being in the BJP!!!!

Please! If you are reading this and didn't "vote" on the poll, please do... I'd so love to check back and see that we have more than 35 members still working on their BJP pages...

Love and beady blessings,
Robin A.

First Post for May

I have finally gotten my first post written for my May page if you would like to check it out go to my BJP blog. I have also updated all the craziness of life to my Artistic Kreations and Passions blog.

Life hasn't been boring but then when is it? I am really glad that we are going to be doing another year. MAybe I will have to come up with an idea to go with our new home ??!?!?

I am really impressed by all of the wonderful work everyone is doing. Angie

I Finished March

Whew! I am getting there but so slowly I can't believe I am moving. I keep the picture of the tortoise and the hare firmly in my mind's eye, not because the tortoise won out over the hare but because he finished the race! Perhaps there is a better metaphor for me - if you know of one let me know of it. Anyhow, my March page is done, finito and you can see it here. Now if you are running way behind too you can see that if you just get going again you can finish the race too. (Or am I the last straggler? hmmm...).
Timaree

Obstacles

We all have them.

See how I decided to deal with them here.

Let me twin Robin's thoughts,
Have a Safe and Happy 4th!

May Finished ~ June in Progress!

I finished and posted my May BJP page here!

Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend, everyone!

Robin A.

News Flash!!!! + Please Tell Us....

Hi Everyone!

2010 BJP is a GO!!!!

To give ourselves a little time to finish up the current BJP, we will start the new BJP in January of 2010 and it will run through the end of December.

Registration for 2010 BJP will begin in October, following the close of the current BJP. You can keep up to date on registration by checking the Bead Journal Project website, here. Also, I'll post a reminder in September on our blogs.

Please Answer Poll!

Please take a moment to answer the poll at the top of the right sidebar on the 08BJP (#1) blog, here. I'd really like to get an idea of how many people are still participating and how far along we all are. Last year we did two email follow-up surveys... This year I'm trying to get the information by polling you. I really appreciate your response!

Please Tell Us Why...!

I know everyone's busy beading... but if you can spare a moment, will you please take a moment to send me an email telling a little about your experience with the BJP... what it means to you, why you are doing it (what are your rewards), anything you think a prospective new participant might want to hear about it....

With your permission, I'd like to use some of what you write in the information we publish about the 2010 BJP. If you have any reservations about us quoting you, please let me know.

Thanks, everyone! You are so awesome...!

Big hugs and big bravos... Robin A.

April Golds

Yes, I'm still here! My April post is here: http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ I hope you stop by to visit. I am just catching my breath from the school year and will play catch up with all your posts. I have missed visiting and seeing all your inspiring beading.

I'm still behind

Between all the beaded doll round robins, the beaded slippers and the beaded bra, I'm just starting on March's page. I've got to get in gear. Here is a photo of the beaded bra.

Every one's pages are wonderful, keep up the good work.

Beadily yours
Susan Feldkamp
nightbeaderatlarge.blogspot.com

October BJP

I have uploaded a picture of my October piece on my blog. Some of the words carry from one month to the next, that's OK. These are the things I think of when I see these colours.

Cindy Kuo
Chicago/Hong Kong
cindysthreads.blogspot.com

Happy Summer Solstice!

Hi! Between moving & physical issues, I've had a hard time keeping up. BUT, I do have May's rune done. You can see it here if you'd like. Hopefully I can catch up soon! So many details in a move across an ocean...and SO EXPENSIVE!
Hope all are well! Blessings for a happy summer!
Warmest aloha,
CC

September Completed!

OK, for those of you who may think they are behind, I'm here to tell you - not as far as I am! : ) But I have finally worked the kinks & now I'm zipping along with my finishing.

Part of my problem was that for October last year & January-March this year I was in Hong Kong & forgot my beads! Won't happen again! I have been working on my butterflies but I was a little stumped on how to display them a way I was happy with. I have figured that out and my first one is now posted on my blog. Hopefully my next few will get the hand work completed soon so that I can get them posted. I am catching up!

Cindy
Chicago, IL & Hong Kong
cindysthreads.blogspot.com

April BJP Completed

Hello beautiful BJPers... I just posted my April BJP -- the post is a bit long and you may need a kleenex. Sorry, it couldn't be helped this month. I believe this piece is the most precious to me so far...

May Page Done!

Because I liked the fabric alot and how my April page turned out, I decided to do a complimentary page for May.  I think I'll mount them side by side someday.  I ended up changing some beads from the April page.  Here's a close up:  

Other pictures here:  http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/2009/06/saguaro-morning-in-tucson-part-2.html

May Day Remembered

May Day is remembered for my May page.

And for those of you keeping track, I now get to start my June page in (drum roll please) June!!!!

April Finished!

Finally I finished and posted my April piece. Above is a detail... see it all here!

Thanks for voting on our polls (right sidebar)... looks very promising for us to do year 3 of the BJP!!! If you haven't already voted on your choice for a starting date, please do.

If you didn't already see it, you might want to take a look at a tutorial on one way of finishing your BJP pieces, here (half way down the post).

Beady blessings to all of you!
Robin A.

2008 Gallery on Web Page

Just a reminder for all of you that have finished at least 8 of your pages, you are now eligible to start your gallery page on the Bead Journal Project website. To add your page look here for instructions.
To see last year's gallery take a peek here.

If you have any questions or need help you can always email me at brenda at pinkmoonhallow dot us.

Christy H Finishes First Year BJP + Finishing Tutorial!

Actually, Christy finished her pieces for the 2007-8 BJP quite a while ago and is now working on this year's BJP. Finally, I got around to photographing her last four pieces and put them on my blog, here. I know you'll enjoy seeing them!

Christy and I worked together to prepare her 12 pieces for framing. Thinking our process might be useful to others in the BJP, I wrote a tutorial about how to do it. It's the second half of the post (here.)

Great work, Christy!!!!! Thanks for allowing me to share it with the group!

Robin A.

April Page-Finally DONE!

I had a hard time even THINKING of what I'd make for my April page.  And I was discouraged to think I was so far behind.  But the right time+fabric+beads=Occasional Flashes of Brilliance.  :)

See my latest page here, inspired by the desert in the spring:

http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/

Anyone have a great idea for May?  I'm open to suggestions!

In the midst of chaos...

In the midst of moving chaos I finished my April page.
I am truly amazed, amazed being the word of the day.
See Healing Spirals here.

Whew.

I found her! Safe, sound and a little dirty. She was under the house, but not meowing like she usually does. Yay!

Laughing...sorry folks, I published this in the wrong blog!

Tree Spirit Comes To Life.

Although my April block has been done since the end of April I am finally managing to get all of my posts about it on my BJP Blog. I wrote the first post 2 weeks ago the 2nd today and the 3rd will come out tomorrow. I haven't gotten very far on May but things have been pretty crazy and we just found out we need to be out of our rental house the end of June which pushes our schedule up quite a bit. Life is never boring that is for sure. ~Angie

The BJP is done for April as of yesterday, with an explanation.  Hope you all have a great Memorial Day.  Go to Beadfluff to see the final one for April and May is pick out along with another explanation (excuse?) of what is going on.  

April Done

Yes, I finished my April page, finally. I will be starting my May page this weekend. April is called "Awakening" You can see in on my blog: http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/ I'm getting closer to being caught up. I love working on these pages. Are we doing it again next year? I sure hope so.

May Flowers is Done!

Getting my head out of the clouds was what I went for this month. I made a brighter, happier, more optimistic page this time around. About time!

I realized quite a bit this month, and I'm happier for it, that's for sure. Though it took time and work to get here. You can view everything here. I hope you'll enjoy! Hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend!

Now, on to thinking about June's project. I'm sure something will come to me.

This monthly project is so much fun and really has gotten me thinking about a lot of things. I can't wait for the next years BJP to begin ~ and this year isn't over yet!

April Rune done!

Hi, all!
I finally finished my April rune! You can see it here! It was especially interesting to me to be working on these runes at a time when the news is reporting children being abused as witches in Africa! Who knew I'd be creating something that some people think of as evil.
Anyway, if you're not afraid, you can check it out on my blog! And hopefully I'll get caught up before our move!!! Ack!
Warmest aloha,
CC
http://hrhcc.blogspot.com/

February Finished

I've got February's page done. You can see it here if you'd like. I'm getting there.
Timaree

Just finished my April BJP!

What an interesting month it was! Just posted my quiltie and explanation for April on my blog:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think,
Marva

March - From the Dark Recesses

March is finished.
Could I really only be one behind now?
Its still May so I don't count it yet!

March BJP Complete

Hello all you beautiful BJPers...I finally gave birth to my March project.


You can see the fruits of my labor here. Have a great day! Susan

BJP Presentation ~ Seattle ~ May 21

For those of you in the Seattle area, I'll be doing a PowerPoint presentation featuring BJP work from our first year for the Northwest Bead Society! Guests are totally welcome!

Visual Journaling with Beads, Fibers, Threads and Fabric

View over 200 beaded journal pieces by 42 artists participating in the 2007-08 Bead Journal Project! Compelling and inspirational, this unique beadwork tells stories, reveals emotions and follows important events in the lives of the artists who create a visual journal each month during the year-long project. In this presentation, you will see the best of the best!

Date: Thursday, May 21st

Time: 7 pm
Location: Greenwood Masonic Lodge
7910 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle (driving directions here)

If you are in the area and participated in the BJP last year or are participating this year, PLEASE COME and bring your BJP pieces for show and tell!!!!

___________

Also, I just posted a Blogiversary Giveaway on my blog here!

Robin A.

April Page- Spinning - Complete

Happy Mothers Day to all.

I have finished my April page. Please visit my blog and tell me if you have ever felt you were "Spinning" too.

Another Face Done!

I did this piece in shades of green and silver. I love the Keshi pearls that are in the fringe. Of course what is there not to love about pearls. So now I am off to start another face. Be back in a month or two. ha-ha

May bjp done!!

Just finished my May bjp and posted it on my blog. I need to go back and do March and April but I wanted to do May while it's here...

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Let me know what you think,
Marva

April is finished and posted.

I finished April's page. Though you will see my heart just wasn't really into it this month. Too many things went wrong for me. You can view here. Hopefully optimistic that May will better and brighter....:)

Spring Pond/ March Page

Well, I finished my March page this afternoon. I'm happy with it. Makes me want to go out and splash in puddles. You can see my page at: http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/

Arline

January Project Finally Finished

Finally finished my January Bead Project -yes I know it is May. Still trying to keep up with this and just having a life - a fun life. This is inspired by a painting my grandson Will did on one of our play days. The story and pictures are on my blog:
www.nevertoolatetohavefun.blogspot.com/

Catching Up

I've posted my January and February pages on my blog: http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/ I'm well into my March page now and have plans for April's page as well. I've discovered that being retired is not for wimps. LOL.

Arline

April is finished

Completely caught up! I finished April - take a look here. 

Ha! Caught up finally :)

Just a fast note that I am caught up through April. *cheer* If you'd like to take a peek, you can look here . I have also realized I need to check out Robin's post about making pictures click-to-enlarge again.

Everyone's work is SO wonderful and inspiring! Keep it up - it's getting some of us quiet ones through the rough patches, for sure.

Take care! Bobi

December Done!

I have my December page done and posted. You'll find it here if you care to see it.

I don't know how many times the thought of quitting has gone through my mind. I just haven't been in a good enough mood to hang in there I felt. Well, I realized I was spending too much time reading religious newspapers that are full of politics and pretty hateful and I was feeling it seep into me. I finally realized this was silly - why in the world was I sitting in such a negative place when I could start beading again and be in the positive BJP world? So I picked up my beadwork and started visiting some happier blogs and wow, what a difference it makes. On with bead journaling and out with negative news journaling!!

Timaree

February & March... done!

I have been remiss in posting here. I'm assuming I'm not alone for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere that are finding ourselves spending more time outdoors because we CAN with the (finally) warmer temps!

Anyway I have posted my February page and my March page on my blog and I invite anyone interested to check them out.

It seems so many of my pages revolve around my issues with the weather. I'm happy to be able to address it through my beading, I'm tired of thinking about it!

With time spent outdoors, I've spent less and less time online, but I do check out pages when they are posted here and on the other blogs. I'm horrible about leaving comments, but I sure enjoy my visits - a big thank you to everyone for the incredible inspiration!

Grace
GraceBeading

March 09 BJP is Posted

Hi Everyone:
It has been so hard for me to find time to post this page. Please visit me here to see my March page.

March Rune done

OK...I'm blushing...I just didn't know...
If you want to see my finished rune, you can check it out here.
I wish I had known....ah, well! On to April! And to take some time to check out all the work here!!!
Warmest aloha,
CC

Marching On

It's almost April which means I am just finishing up my March page.  Check it out here:

http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/

Every time I think I am so far behind and can't catch up, some pretty fabric or beads or both catch my eye.  I forget what I was so hung up about.

Happy Spring!-Theresa in Tucson

January Beaded Journal Project Finished

I actually finished a square and posted it on my blog. I am way behind, but I like having the challenge to nudge me along, if you know what I mean...

Beth in IL

http://www.bethsneedleworkstash.blogspot.com/

March finished!

I'm actually caught up now! You can look at March here - it's my favorite so far.

January Done

Finally finished this one and I'm only three behind! But I have already started another face so I hope to catch up soon.

I loved doing this piece she was a lot of fun to do, she has such a beautiful face.

As promised!

Getting the pics up today! Yay, we had weather that allowed me to get pictures finally. I haven't touched them up or anything ... I'm still posting so check back later :) Here's a link if you'd like to SEE.

Thanks!

Bobi