Come see BJP work in Denver, CO!!!

If you're in the Denver area, you might want to attend the meeting of the Rocky Mountain Bead Society Thursday evening, April 23rd. I will be giving a Powerpoint presentation about the BJP!

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 how the first year of the BJP developed into quite an amazing body of art!

I also posted a progress report for my April BJP, which has some BIG challenges for me!

Robin A.

Here and beading, I swear!

Just a fast note to let you know I am still here and in the project. Life has been weird and bumpy for the last .. 5 months lol. I have been keeping up fairly well, although I am behind as March is not completed. Have been beading and even managed to get a post up on my blog. You can see it here if you like. :)

You all are so very inspiring and keep some of us who don't post a lot going with your musings, creativity and strength. Thank you all!

February - The Nature of Emotions

February is finished.
You can see it here.

My February page is finally finsihed!

I finally finished my February bjp. After finishing the heart I just added a key and I am done! Thank you all for our inspiration!

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Marva

March BJP My Pot Of Gold!

Finished my March 09 project. Just being lazy in getting it online. Sorry.

I really enjoyed beading this piece. Not sure why really. I liked the beads I chose and it made a nice textured piece ~ for me. I can only WISH to have a pot of gold that full! You can view my finished piece here.

I'm still thinking of how I want April to be. I'd love to try something new. Seems like every piece is the same. This is getting harder and harder for me to come up with new ideas as this goes on, but I'm loving every minute of it!

Enjoy!!

Beading Daily Features BJP!!!

The online magazine, Beading Daily, today featured the BJP including pictures!!! You can read it here.

When Michelle asked me to write an article, I jumped at the chance. My only regret was that I couldn't use everyone's work... She asked me to choose from a variety of themes. What a whirl... All the work is so fabulous... so I sort of did a "pin the tail on the donkey" kind of thing... spun around and pointed...

Enjoy!
Robin A.

February-DONE

Where does the time go?! Here I was, being all sassy about being caught up and BAM. Behind again and cleaning up after the parade....

Here is my page, February was Black History Month. I was reading the sad history of the slave transport ships. How would it have felt to be forced from your home, never to see it again?-Theresa

"In Search of My Pride"

Finished March!

After struggling with my February BJP piece all the way, this one for March seemed totally effortless and was a joy to stitch!

Robin A.

Website

Hi everyone,

Just a few notes about our website.

First, we have redesigned it to make room for future years of the BJP, in case there is interest in doing it again.

Second, April is the 8th month of this year's project. That means when you get your April piece done you can start sending me your images and information so we can get your page on the 2008 Member's Gallery started! Here is the link for "How to add your page".

Third, if any of you have images to complete your 2007 gallery page, this is a good time to do that also.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments about the website, please post them here. I will answer them as quickly as possible.

Brenda - Web Angel

Cougar Watching

I have finished my March piece and have finished the last of the 3 blogs I have written for it.  Since I had received questions about my technique and research I included more information about those subjects for this month.  You can read all about it here.

For those interested I have also reworked my website and added new posts to my main blog about the box I am making for my husband when I took the class with Robin.

Hope you enjoy and I want to say great work to everyone,  I am so impressed with all of the amazing work everyone is doing.  ~Angie

January Completed

I see that I am not alone in my game of catch up.
I also just posted my January piece called Time Can Be Magical.
Check it out here.

January Done at Last

I have finally finished another page - January. You can see it here if you'd like.
Timaree

February BJP--Missing A Friend

Hi,
I finally was able to post to my blog. It has been an eventful February and March, so like a lot of participants, I am behind. Please visit my blog to see my latest post.

Beaded purse from a pal!

OK...so I haven't finished March yet, BUT I do have something to share! A pal's mom just came back from visiting family in India & brought her back some beaded purses. My pal gave one to me! If you'd like to see it, check out my blog here! I'll try to get March posted soon!
Warmest aloha,
CC

January 2009 piece.......cold/icy/snow!Using a piece of vintage rhinestone jewelry at the bottom.......

December 2008 piece....royal purple/gold for Christmas! Rhinestone in her crown..........

November 2008 piece: autumn leaves..........rhinestone vintage jewelry piece on her chest.......

October 2008 piece: hallowe'en ghost! orange bead eyes don't show up well......(rhinestones fill the letters

"OO"...........

September 2008 piece......wanted to start with a mermaid, but used the ocean's colors on my chosen "doll" shape anyway! Rhinestones used at the tips of her crown.......(each of my pieces feature vintage rhinestone jewelry parts).

Sorry these photos loaded BACKWARDS.......of course you know the Sept. 2008 is the FIRST piece.

This blog is new to me; will try to load upcoming photos in the proper order!

How to make your pictures Click-To-Enlarge!

I just wrote a post telling how to make your pictures Click-to-enlarge... You can read it here.


Robin A.

February - Almost caught up!

I just posted my February project and am feeling very efficient about almost catching up! Stop by and take a look!

It's growing!

Worked on my February BJP again this morning for a little bit. I have to pace myself since my hands go numb, but this is so addicting, watching the beaded part grow and get bigger and thinking of all these awesome things I can do! Thank you all for inspiring me to try a larger beaded part of my page!

If you want to see it grow here's a link:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Marva

This is addicting!

This is totally addicting! I just started my February bjp last night. I decided maybe I'd better read through Robin's book and see if I'm doing it right.... this morning after tearing out what I did last night I've re-worked my beading and I think I'm hooked!!!

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Now if my eyes and hands would cooperate. Oh if only I didn't have to cook, clean, do laundry, eat or shower.... LOL!
Marva

February BJP in progress

I just started my February page if anyone wants to take a look. This one may take months and I may go ahead and do the other months while I'm taking a break from the beading...

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Marva

Way Behind!

I have finally gotten back to beading and have started my January page which you can see here if you'd like. No, I don't have November and December done yet - okay, not February or March either. That's why I put Way Behind! as this post's title! Hope to get around soon and see what you are all up to currently.
Timaree

March Green

I just posted my March BJP at http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ Stop by if you have a chance. I've been enjoying everyone's pages. What inspiration you all are! Thanks and big hugs!

All Caught Up! BJP-Feb.09

Well I'm caught up for now, but now its March! Where does the time go!
Check out my latest piece at http://www.beadedbluesky.blogspot.com/
Well I'm off to stitch and bead!!! For all of my lamenting I really am having a great time creating these little works of art!
co

A Special Favor

Hi Everyone:
I have a special favor to ask of all who read this post. I don't think Robin will mind that I make this request.

If you know Pam T, or even if you don't, please send her a special fortifying, healing, power packed, spirit lifting message. She is having a really hard time right now with health issues and I know that hearing from us will boost her moral. She is a courageous woman and we love her. Find her blog here.

January Finished

I finished January a couple of days ago & finally got around to posting it tonight. It's my favorite so far! You can see it here. 

Feb Finished!

Our WINTER weather cleared for half an hour today, allowing me to take pictures of my Feb. BJP, which are now posted here on my blog. This is a preview of what to expect...


May spring spring forth soon for all of us still experiencing winter!

Robin A.

February BJP Completed!

Hello beautiful BJPers. I just finished my February BJP. If you want, you can check it out here on my blog. Have a bead-i-full day!

Almost Caught Up!-BJP-Jan.09

Here's my offering for Jan.09 its called "Women Dreaming". I hope you like it and to see the whole piece go to http://www.beadedbluesky.blogspot.com/
co

January is finished - Yeah!

Here is a sneak peak of my January page. I found a fun embellishment at Mystic Paper in Mesa, AZ and incorporated it into the design. Since this year's BJP is about my weight loss journey I thought the embellishment fit in nicely. You can see the entire piece on my blog.

Nightbeaderatlarge.blogspot.com

Congratulations on all the others who are a little behind but are still working at it!

Next stop, February's page!

Beadily yours
Susan Feldkamp

The Quiet Silence of Snow

December is done, I am catching up!

My page is about snow, I have read other posts about how snow is not a favorite.
My post is about the peacefulness I feel when it snows.

December done!

I just posted my December BJP. If I stay on schedule I'll actually finish March in March! 

January BJP done!

I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! I just finished my January BJP and posted it on my blog:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

I'm hoping to hurry up and get caught up! Let me know what you think.

Thanks, Marva :D

February Rune done!

And you can see it here, if you'd like! It is very different than the other runes, & the most trying for me. You'll see why if you read the short post!
I also want to mention how beautiful the work is that I've been seeing here! Cheers to you all!
Warmest aloha,
CC

Behind but Catching up-BJP-Dec.08

As we all know catching up is not an easy thing to do and thats what has happen with me! I've been keeping up with the monthly pieces its just that I keep running out of time to post them! So here's a couple of close-ups for you. To see the finish piece go to http://www.beadedbluesky.blogspot.com/

co

January BJP followup

Here's a flower that came out recently in my yard. Notice the similarity in the flower shape - completely unintentional!

Denise
Flickr

February BJP - Love Grows

Pop on over to my blog to see my February piece and the story behind it!
Denise
Flickr

Bison and Bear finished

February saw the completion of both my January and February blocks (just).  If you would like to check them out go to my BJP blog.  I have also added some recent posts to my Artistic Kreations and Passions blog. 

Life hasn't been boring with colds a snowstorm and Wayne working his first month at his new job so I have fallen behind on commenting on peoples posts but I am constantly amazed at what everyone has been doing, kudos to everyone.   ~Angie

Better Late than Never

I think "behind" must be my middle name. Here I thought I would have lots of time when I retired. Didn't happen! LOL Check out my November and December pages on my blog:
http://sharedstuffbyarline.blogspot.com/ I hopefully will be caught up soon.

Arline

November done!

I finished my November project. You can view it here. I'm starting to feel like I'm going to catch up!

BJP So Far!

Hi, all!
Robin asked if I'd post a pic of where I'm at so far with this year's project. I haven't finished February, but you can see my sketch, & how far I've beaded, here if you'd like.
Warmest aloha,
CC

Hurray January is Posted

I have had my January page completed for a little while, but have not found the time to take a picture and get it posted. Here it is if you want to have a look. I love visitors and comments. Come on and visit.

November Bead Project Finished

Finally I have November finished and you can see it at www.nevertoolatetohavefun.blogspot.com Despite the reintal detachment I was able to finish another project and now am working on January. Yes, I know they are out of order, but I can't help it. I believe the point is to get them done so I am trying. Thanks to all who gave me warm wishes for getting well. I thank God for his healing power. Ya'll have fun now!

Dog Days of November

A sneak peek at my Dog Days of November.
See the post here.

Mystery beadwork!

I just wrote a post here about beadwork of mysterious origins. Please take a look and let me know if you recognize it (or call it to the attention of someone who might). Although it's not directly about my BJP work, one or two of the designs may inspire my next piece... guess which ones ;>} ... who knows, maybe inspiration for you too!

Robin A.

February Cuff Done early, yay!

For a few months, I was having a hard time getting motivated to get done before the end of the month, not this time!
You can see my February offering here. I'm pleased with this one, it's only taken 6 months for me to get into a groove.

January and February Done and Posted ~ Finally!

I have finally finished and posted my January and February BJP pages. It's been a very busy and crazy start to this year for me, with a lot of changes to come.

I do apologize that I have not had any time to keep up with anyone. I really miss having the time to look and read everyone's pages. I've been so out of the loop (in many areas) for too long. Hoping that will change very soon!

You can view both here. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

February Done

Hi Everyone! My page is done for February - it's here at http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/. Also, you should check out what came in the mail. I posted that, too. A Big Thank You to CC!

October finished

I finished my October project. You can view it here! 

October is Done!

Yes that says October.
You can see the finished page here.

December is finally finished!

Hi all,

I took one month away to bead a pair of ballet slippers for an exhibition. Now, I'm proud to say that I finished my December BJP and have started my January BJP. I hope to catch up before the month of March. In the mean time, here is my Dec. page.

Beadily yours
Susan Feldkamp
Night Beader

Latest Page completed

Here it is, the month of February-the time of cupids, hearts and getting my January page completed.  You can find my January page here:  http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/

FEBRUARY IS DONE

If you like to see my February offering for the Eyes Have It come on over to http://beadfluff.blogspot.com and you can see a new hobby also.  That is two for one, plus you can get your own scannable code for your website.  

I'm just going to tease you with I've had a mind's eye inspiration for a fairly large beaded mural!  Can't tell you more than that yet.  It is still in the construction stages!  

Poll + Feb BJP progress

Have you added your responses to the BJP poll yet? It's on the sidebar, 2nd item down.

It will go off-line Sunday evening, so if you're interested you might want to check the responses now! A couple of the responses surprise me... that some people only read their assigned BJP blog, that 10% of the poll respndents are not BJP members and that 86% of our BJP blog readers frequently follow links to members' blogs. Anything surprise you???

Today I posted a picture of my Feb. BJP in progress. You can see it here.

Valentine hugs to all,
Robin A.

Way, way behind!

I just finished my September project. I know, I'm pretty far behind but I'm planning to catch up fast! This is my first ever beaded project aside from kits and I'm pretty excited about it. Please visit and take a look! 

New Link

I finally had a second to look here and I am glad someone discovered my link does not work. Sorry about that! I am very new to blogging and not very computer literate. Hopefully that will change with time. Anyway, here is my link again.

http://bethsneedleworkstash.blogspot.com

Let's hope it works this time.
Beth in IL

Behind, but January's Done!

You can see my January Rune here ! I'm behind on projects so haven't been able to keep up as much! But now that I got January done, I get to go see what all of you have been doing!!! Yea!
Warmest aloha,
CC

Slow but Still Plodding Along

I finally finished my November page. Yes, yes I know, it is February. I am probably the biggest behinder this year. Not only that but I fell out of keeping up with all your blogs. I apologize for that. Once I got really behind and Christmas stuff got me behinder I felt too bad to spend my time blogging and not beading. I plan to spend the next two evenings playing catch up. I hope I don't find everyone got as behind as me! If you forgive me and want to see my page it is right here on my blog. See you soon!

Timaree

January BJP Complete

I just finished my January BJP and posted about it here on my blog. Have a beautiful day!

January cuff finished!

The rest of it can be seen at my blog Flying Fish . I'm pretty happy with this one, but rediscovered how hard it is to use silvery beads and a.b. beads under an Ott light. I kept having to shade the piece to see if it looked ok, especially the face.

December & January pages

December...



and January



are completed and uploaded to my blog for anyone that is interested in seeing them.

Thanks again to all for the continued inspiration and support!

November Page Done

I finished my November Crazy Quilt Square and posted it on my blog. Check it out if you have time. I am behind, but I hope to catch up this month. I am optimistic.

Beth in IL

http://www.bethsneedleworkstashblogspot.com

under construction

I was doing bead related construction and am really excited about my new shelves! I sort of didn't work on my latest cuff... I have a terrific excuse, see: My January cuff is under that red Hawaiian print fabric on my desk, honest! It's a couple of days from being finished, though.

I have one more set of these shelves to set up, I think the last of the 15's and the neutral colors will fit.

Another one done!

I have finished one more, now I need to get to work on my January one. Still behind but catching up slowly. I had so much fun with the face that I want to do all faces now.

Love, Kandra

January BJP!

I'm right under the wire for January. Take a peak if you'd like at: http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ Happy New Year Everyone!

Forced Time Out

To Robin and all - I will be taking a break from the BJP08- hopefully a temporary one. Friday I had emergency retinal detachment surgery and am in quite a bit of discomfort. Since my vision is impaired I will not be able to bead for sometime. I will let everyone know when I am up to snuff. Please prayer for my complete recovery.
Brenda @ www.nevertoolatetohavefun.blogspot.com

How do YOU use our BJP blogs?

Hi everyone!

I'm curious about how our members use the BJP Blogs. So I posted a poll on the side bar of Blog #1. Look for the second item down on the right. I hope you'll take a moment to respond.

Please check all of the items on the poll that apply to you. Also, if you have any suggestions, feel free to offer them as comments on this post or email our blog angel.

Thanks so much!
Robin A.

December Page is Finished

Hi! My December page is finished and I really like it. I used techniques for Robin's book "Heart to Hands". Please come see here

Carol aka: Beads and Birds

Finished January's BJP!

Brrrr... nice cold days for staying inside and beading!!! Just finished January's page. Here's a peek.


You can see the whole piece here.

Warm, beady hugs to all,
Robin A.

January BJP

Come see my January BJP piece - nothing like the abstract heavily encrusted piece I expected, but it is one of my favorites. I had several goals: use a single color group with one or more buttons, use items from my stash, and let the beads speak to me as I stitched one bead at a time. Come check it out!

Denise
Flickr

November page is up!

My page for November is up on my blog. I should have December up in a few days, and will re-post here again when I do.

I also have a question for those of you in the know about such things. How do you add a clickable link in a comment? I've tried and tried and have not been successful. Any light you can shed on how that's done would be much appreciated!

Thank you all for the continued inspiration!
Grace
GraceBeading

December Bead Project

Just wanted to post and let the blog know that my December project is finally completed. It was finished about a week ago, but as life flys by it is getting harder to find time to blog, bead and have fun with friends and other projects. Usually I try to blog at night, but lately have just been too tired to stay up blog or do anything else. You can see my Seahorse at www.nevertoolatetohavefun.blogspot.com . Leave comments good,or bad.

Fish

Because of the massive amount of memory it takes for Widgets, we strongly suggest you don't add them to our blog. Also we would like to keep the subject matter relevant to the Bead Journal Project. Thanks so much for your understanding.

December Finished

I just finished my December BJP. Here's one pic but you can see more and read the poem I wrote on my blog here. Have a beautiful day! Susan

I'm Blabb---, Er, Blogging Now

A good artist friend "encouraged" (read: "shoved") me to create a blog.  Here it is: http://sheloveshiny.typepad.com/she_loves_shiny/

It's pretty simple now as I am learning my way around it.  I"ll happily link you (once I learn that too.)  

I'm off to draw my page for January's bead project.  

THAT I know I can do.--Theresa

If you go to http://beadfluff.blogspot.com you will be able to see my finished piece for January.  I'm in a hurry as you may know as I want to put these in a show to see if they are accepted and I have to have it done by August.  

First time posting

Hi everyone,

This is my first post this year. It seem like I'm always playing catch up and almost never get anything done early. I have finished Sept, Oct, and Nov but am still working on Dec and Jan. You can see them here www.dancingravendesigns.com .
I am working on a beach theme because I want to have warm thoughts this winter. It has been
-30 degrees here (Wasilla, Alaska) for almost two weeks now and they don't know when it's ever going to warm up. That just means we have more time inside beading. I sure wish we would get some of that snow you all are getting down there. Snow means warmer weather.
Well, I hope you like my squares. Thanks, Cheryl

December Done!

Wow! It's been a busy season for "make it handmade" folks! I did finally get my December rune done, and you can see it here! Ya have to scroll down a bit!
Everyone's work looks so great!!! I wish I could post to everyone's blog!
Keep up the good work!
Warmest aloha,
CC
http://hrhcc.blogspot.com/

My December page is finished!

And on my blog:

http://purplepaintsmuse.blogspot.com/

Thanks for looking and your comments.
Marva

December's Page-Star of Wonder

I love Christmas music, the carol "We Three Kings" inspired this page.  Stars-the celestial kind, have always fascinated me.  

I started out this page enjoying the beading but disliking the plain white background.  So I painted it with watered down acrylic paints, stamped a texture with permanent ink and then rubbed some glitter glue onto the surface.  I've never painted my own fabric and used it in a project before.  I liked doing it!  And as for the glitter, I'm still wearing it on my fingers and clothes.  I plan to do more fabric painting and incorporating the results.

I don't have a current blog, so I'm sharing the picture here.  Best wishes--Theresa

November and December

I had been falling behind a bit but mostly with my blogs so I have finally caught up and updated both my blogs, my web gallery and my website.  I have both of my November and December blocks done and blogged about.  The photo gives you an idea of what my project looks like so far.

Angie

AKP BJP Blog

Artistic Kreations and Passions Blog

Artistic Kreations and Passions 

Web Gallery (includes all the photos of my BJP pieces)

December done!

I finished my December cuff a little late after starting a lot late. I did the clasp with snaps instead of a button and loop closure. I think I like the tidy look of snaps instead of loops, but we'll see what January brings.

If you click on the word "December" in the first sentence you'll be swoooshed away to my blog where there's a picture of the latest cuff. Thanks for checking it out!

Link repaired, sorry for the confusion!

Thank You Arline

This is my first time blogging and I hope everyone is patient with me. I had to call Arline to find out how to do this. I love beading and beads with all of my heart. Just holding them or looking at them makes me feel good, I don't even have to be beading I can just be organizing them. When I found this site I thought it would be great to be doing the pages, thank you Robin for helping all of us grow and get out of our boxes. I have been beading for over 19 years now and I love to learn new techniques for beading. I am behind with my pages but I plan on getting my tush in gear and catching up. December was a hard month for me but it is over so I can now do my December and January pages. These are my first three pages. Love, Kandra

Greetings & Happy New Year!

Hello to all you wonderful BJP beaders,
Following all the gorgeous work of the artists from 2007 BJP and now the BJP08 has just been a tremendous colorful excursion! Thanks for sharing all of your talents. Now it's time for me to brave the new world of Blogging and introduce myself...I know, I know this was supposed to happen in September, mea culpa.
My name is Rose Mary from sunny La Quinta, CA. I've been involved with beads and fabric and fibers since my early years! First large beading project was my Ivory Rose wedding bouquet, some 32+ years ago! A varied career path through custom clothing design, then theatrical design has brought me full circle back to my love of beading.
I fell in love with all of you upon seeing last year's projects and was inspired to "journal" for my own discovery...Well, I began this journey with a simple set of guides and clever titles for my twelve months, then life decided to throw in some curves. So the first objectives didn't fit any longer and new ideas about the pages were found. This exercise in revealing more of myself and inner thoughts or moods will be quite interesting...especially if truth, or as much as I am willing to look at in the moment, will be unmasked. Each month's page will have a sense unveiling or un-wrapping of the darker mood, always showing some light guiding the way to hope or truth.
A heartfelt thanks for sharing all your gifts, talents and aspirations. I look forward to this adventure of discovery and expressions with new friends in the world of beading.
A special thanks to Pam T for all your help!
Rose Mary

Happy BJP 2009 New Years Eve

This is my first time posting to BJP Blog. I've been busy and just hadn't taken the time! But when Robin sends you an email then you know its time to get on the blog! So I've been posting to Flickr and also you can see my first 3 pieces on my Blog . So here's a taste of my first 3 pieces! Enjoy!

Stuck? Don't Like Your BJP Page?

In the post just below, Theresa H. writes that suddenly she doesn't like her background fabric at all. She's stuck.... in a pickle... In the comments she adds that her piece feels like it is an island of misfit toys.

This happens to me too. I'm pretty darn sure it happens to most of us. What is going on? Here's what I suggested to Theresa and what I would do myself in this situation:

Theresa... pay attention to what is happening here! The island of misfit toys has some special meaning or heart's message for you. Your fabric and beading are trying to tell you something important.

I suggest this: take a few moments to study your beading, fabric and beads. Quickly write a list of all the words and/or phrases that come into your mind as you observe your beading-in-progress and work space. Try not to censor your list. Then, on a different sheet of paper, write this:

"I am an island of misfit toys."

That is the first line of a poem... about YOU! Using some or all of the words/phrases on your list, complete the poem about yourself. The poem does not have to rhyme or be good in a literary sense because it's not about writing poetry.

This will help you to discover what is your heart's message in your beading. You might even want to write your poem on the back side of your work, or perhaps make a pocket for it right on your piece, so it will always be with your work.

When we feel critical of our work, it's time to stop and pay attention to it... listen and hear how it calls us into a genuine sense of what is most important to us. This poem thing really helps!

Happy new year and beady blessings,

Robin A.

Uh Oh

  Has anyone done quite a bit of beading on their journal page only to discover they don't like the background fabric after all?

  Sigh.  I am in a pickle here.....

Theresa

November Page is Done!!

Well, I finished my November page and moving on to December. Please visit my blog to see it.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and can start the New Year off in peace and calm.

December Finished!

Here's a peek:


You can see more at my blog here.

Happy new year, everyone!!!!

Robin A.

October Done!

I'm getting caught up and quickly! You can see my October piece at cindysthreads.blogspot.com.

I hope Santa was good to all of you & that you had lots of time for beading over the holidays!

Cindy
Chicago/Hong Kong

Pam T Is Doing OK

Most of you have had some correspondence with our BJP Registration Angel, Pam T. If you've been following her blog, you know that she had a double mastectomy and lymph node removal surgery on the 19th. Her December BJP is a visual journal of her unexpected diagnosis and rush into surgery and next chemo followed by radiation.

I'm writing today to let you know that she's home from the hospital and doing reasonably well. She even sent a "group email report" today in which she joked a bit... "I still have drains in (ugh) and I am really quite sore and stiff and I feel like I am walking around like a robot or something trying not to move too much, but I guess the positive here is that I am moving, right?"

She is extremely appreciative of the support, prayers, healing thoughts, etc that she has received from BJP members. She hopes you'll all be diligent about getting regular checks/mamograms.

I'll post a progress report again in a week or so. In the meantime, if you wish, you can leave comments here or on her blog.

My December BJP is done

I finally finished my BJP ahead of my self-imposed deadline of Christmas. It still needs the backing put on, but I can still enjoy looking at the finished picture until then.

To view the finished picture and read about the meaning, go to my site http://kellymaloufsblog.blogspot.com

It is done at last.  My December piece for the The Eyes Have It! can be viewed at http://beadfluff.blogspot.com/2008/12/december-bjp-done-it-is-done-at-last/html if you wish to go there!  Let me know what you think if you can!

Popping the Question

Thanks for your suggestions on the cause of my popping beads. I laughed when I read Robin's statement that "you can try couching down the popped up places, although generally that will make the beads pop up somewhere else," for that is exactly what happened with my circles! After finishing that area, I held the piece up to admire my work. "Wait!" I exclaimed, "what's that bead doing popping up there - and there! I'd better fix those right away!"

I started carefully couching the popping beads, only to find new poppers. After going round and round (and using more thread to couch than I had on the entire piece!), I flung the piece down in disgust. Seeking to reassure me, my husband cheerfully examined the piece: "Oh, you mean theses straight ones? They don't look too bad. Most people wouldn't really notice them."

"What straight beads?" I gasped. I'd never noticed the cockeyed bugle beads! At that point, I put the piece on the table and looked at it every now and then. I continued to play with beads and fiber making little dotee-like dolls. I ordered some beads I thought might go well with the piece. I dug out the camera and recharged the batteries. I went out and took pictures of the few trees that were still colorful and brought some beautiful leaves home and scanned them. I compared the colors to the ones in my project. Finally (almost four weeks later), I did what I knew I needed to do all along: seek expert advice...

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! Marty's suggestion about the backing shrinking as you stitch is probably the culprit! Having a needlepoint background (no quilting), I'd never thought of that. Also, I used a relatively lightweight interfacing on the back, rather that Lacy's or Timtex - much easier to distort. I can also see how I crowded the beads between the bugle beads and the oval bead. I will probably rip that area out and try again.

Thanks again everyone! And Happy Holidays to all!

MizDenise
Blog
Flickr

September continued!

OK, once I got started, I couldn't stop. I have now finished the quilt part of my BJP project for the month of September. You can see it at by blog. I just wish that the photo would look a little more like the colour of the fabric. But I have a Nikon D60 so I'm working on improving my photos.

Cindy
Chicago/Hong Kong

Advice, please?

Hi everyone! I'm a bit behind and was working on my November piece. For the first time, I was putting beads I like on the piece and adding as I go. I'm learning a lot - the hard way :-) !! -- and I have a few questions.

1. when I put the line of bugle beads down, they were nice and flat. Now that I've added beads around them, some of them have started popping up. What has happened? How do I avoid that?





2. in the upper right corner, I used some donut oval-shaped beads. I put them on first and then beaded around them, which was tricky! Should I bead the background circles first and then add the donut beads on top?



3. for the background circles (under the oval donut shaped beads), I started from the inside and worked my way out in a spiral -- but in doing so, some of the inside beads popped up from the surface a bit. Should I have started at the outside and worked in - or were my beads not secured well enough?


Thanks for any advice and tips! Everyone's work looks so great!


MizDenise
Blog
Flickr

September finally done!

Well, for those that think they are behind, I'm right there with you! But hopefully now I will be able to catch up a bit. I have finally finished my September piece & I'm thrilled with how it turned out. Now, hopefully, I will be on a roll. You can see my process & piece at cindysthreads.blogspot.com

Cindy
Chicago/Hong Kong

December's Page

  Here it is, December 16th and I haven't even STARTED my project.  In my defense, I just moved to Colorado two weeks ago.  I am kicking myself that I didn't pack or hand carry a beading project.  But all is not lost---this means I MUST check out the Hobby Lobby that is just 7 miles from where I now live.  Oh the sacrifices we artists must endure!

  I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and that you are gifted with lots and lots of shiny things.

  Best wishes, 

Theresa Hall

December Done

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! December is done and I have time to make a few ornaments before all the festivities begine. I've just posted my December BJP on
http://heidibeads.blogspot.com/ Hope you can stop by for a visit. Heidi

Slacking already

Well, I completed at least the beading part of my october project in October :) still haven't finished the fiber art part of it--and well, i haven't even started november or december's yet--bad bad beader me...I have finally posted my WIP photos and the completed border in my blog so please take a peek and let me know what you think so far :) Hope everyone is doing well this holiday season!

Maria in Chicagoland
http://www.mariasangel.blogspot.com

Finished November's page!

This one was quite challenging, because it's a page that also functions as a book. I'm pretty pleased with how it came out! Here's a peek...


You can see all of it here on my blog.

Robin A.