Inspiration Monday

I am a self professed "pattern collector."  I read beading patterns at night like you might read a favorite novel.  I wish there was enough time in the day (and enough beads in my stash) to create every design out there.

Today, I have for you my wish list of beading tutorials from Etsy.  I haven't tried these specific patterns, but I have tried a pattern from almost all of the shops.

There are some really talented designers out there.  Check out their shops for more beady goodness.  

Beadweaving Tutorial - Pictu... LaBellaJoya $10.00	Instructions for Elfin Eveni... njdesigns1 $15.00
DRIPSTONE Necklace Exclusive... bead4me $10.00	Tutorial for Dew Drop Confet... PeregrineBeade... $6.00
BEAD PATTERN earrigs Bholli... eliana1971 $9.00	Beaded Pendant Tutorial with... FDEkszerTutori... $6.00
Crystal Circle Dangle Earrin... RominaDesigns $8.00	Herringbone Cuff Bead Weavin... Studio183 $12.00
Xaveria pendant, pattern Tiszi $9.00	Beading Tutorial - Dainty Fi... SmadarsTreasur... $10.00
Beading pattern JACKY perle4u $14.00	Pattern for the "Rain F... barbarabriggsd... $20.00
Dragonfly Meadow Instruction... noeasybeads $12.00	Peyote Pattern - WIDE Corrug... SandFibers $10.00
TUTORIAL -- Cutie Pie Earrin... gwenbeads $5.00	The Riddle pattern PDF file Trytobe $14.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

i heart macro Sunday

When I was little, my grandmother made a mobile for me.   It hung in my room throughout my teen years.

It was one of the first things I packed when I left for college.  It hung over my bed in the dorm and reminded me of family.  You might say it was a security blanket.

It was a reminder to try my best

and to call home.

It has had a place in every apartment I've lived in.  When the kiddo was born, it moved to her room.  It now resides in her playroom.  I'm sure Grandma doesn't even remember this mobile, but I do.

It will always be here to remind me (and the kiddo) of Grandma V.

I heart macro Sunday

I'm still a little confused by and grateful for these 60 degree January days.  Last weekend, the kiddo and I visited the playground close to our house for some winter fun.  

Since the kiddo was able to walk, she toddled down to this playground, usually leading whoever walked with her.  On the way, she always stopped at the same blue spruce.  Today, she usually runs further ahead of her companion, but still stops at this beautiful tree.

When the kiddo was little, the swing was her favorite.  I was so excited when she moved out of the baby swing and into the "big girl" version.

Then there is the jungle gym that she gathered the courage to climb.

She also loves the step ladder thing that leads to the slide.  It only took her a few tries before she didn't need help.

Speaking of the slide, she does love company as she speeds down.

She is a natural at the chain ladder/net thing.

She's still hasn't quite got the "hang" of those hanging hoops that you grab and move yourself from one to the other.  (I have no idea what they are called.)  I have no doubt, however, that by the summer, I won't be able to get her down from those things.

Adventures in RAW

I've been working in right angle weave lately.  This is a stitch I have always respected, but never really loved ... until now.  I'm noticing that the stitch is relatively quick and it embellishes so nicely!

Crystals fit perfectly inside the openings:

And the pearls .. yum.

And today, I saw this post from Gwen Fisher from gwenbeads.  She created a tutorial for twisted cubic right angle weave.  Yep, you heard right twisted cubic right angle weave.  I had to do a double take.

image from gwenbeads.com

Doesn't that look like fun?  I am so excited.  I am almost done with my current project, so I may be giving this a go tonight.  And if you want the pattern, you can get it in Gwen's shop.

Happy beading.

i heart macro Sunday

There seems to be a new obsession in our house:  tea.

For Christmas, I gave my husband a few different loose leaf teas along with a tea strainer.  The next thing I knew, I was back at the tea store picking up a few more varieties for him.

His favorite thus far is a rooibus tea:

The kiddo has also developed a taste for herbal tea (well, she loves to smell it after it has brewed and will sip a small amount and rub her tummy).  She likes the blueberry and orange:

I have never liked tea, but I have developed a fondness (much to my husband's delight) for a mate chai and a white chai:

The different colors and textures of each tea are just beautiful.

And who can resist German rock sugar?  For a treat, add one little bit for just a touch of sweetness.

Monday, Monday

Finally, Winter break is finished and I can get back into my routine.  What am I doing this fine Monday morning?  I'm glad you asked.

1)  I am starting our new Beading Babes project:  Runway of Pearls by Barbara Falkowitz.  Her right angle weave pattern uses triangle beads and the result is interesting.  The triangle beads naturally flip, so the result is seemingly random.

I can't wait to see what the finished base looks like.  I'm almost giddy to embellish it.  This is shaping up to be a fun project.

2)  I'm catching up on Psych on hulu.  I love me some Shawn and Gus.

Image from usanetwork.com.

3)  I am not playing Star Wars:  The Old Republic.  This was my husband's Christmas present to me and both of us are having a ball playing.  (I won't mention that it is the reason I am just now starting Runway of Pearls.)

Happy Monday, everyone.

I heart macro

No macro shots from me today.  I wish I could tell you where the week went, but I have no idea.

Check out the macro love, however, from all of the other participants.

Words for 2012

I've seen several blog posts in which the author chose a word for 2012.  This word sets the tone for the new year, giving the author a goal or an inspiration.  I've decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Last summer, I tested for 3rd brown in my karate system and moved into advanced classes.  I was a bit intimidated, to say the least.  I was in the same class as 2nd and 3rd dans.  I wanted to prove to myself that I belonged in that class.  I realized I needed to focus on three things:

• strength - both of mind and of body
• spirit - the willingness to keep trying and the resolve to make oneself better
• understanding - it's easy to "do" a kata, but knowing the application of each action allows one to "live" the kata (a poor interpretation of this blog post by Charles C. Goodin)

This year, I'm moving toward 1st brown and 1st black is looming in 2013.  I feel like a beginner all over again.  My words for 2012: