lilmummy likes...: June 2012

Friday, June 29, 2012

Field Trip

we have arrived

Shisha-open mouth scares away evil spirits

big bubbles

clay baking in the intense Oki sun

giant kaleidoscope

fibers for traditional Yomitan weavings

beautiful small vessels

Okinawan butterfly is the largest species I've ever seen.

better size comparison, but shot through netting...sorry

they have a gold chrysalis

Goya-famous Okinawa vegetable

tree house outside "Nature School"

lunch break...

Stilts...well done lil man

I'm going back to try my hand at lampwork!

Feel free to explore their website if you'd like:

http://murasakimura.com/

Sorry to be short. It's a busy busy day, but wanted to share my trip with ya'll.

It's been so long since I shared my island paradise.

Thursday, June 28, 2012

So today I yet again found plenty of things to do to avoid cleaning my work space. I did a ton of dishes, laundry, etc, worked out, shuttled my lil man to and from culture and swim lessons, read aloud for a bit and cleaned the sand out of our last batch of treasures. Of course I did a bit more, but that's all I can remember at the moment.

I can't tell you why we bring half of this stuff home, but I know at the time it is very important to one of the three of us. This time my husband liked the little round things. I know I couldn't possibly ever use all the white and brown sea glass I have, but they happily bring it to me and I happily collect not only the glass but their smiles of self-satisfaction.

Here a few of my favorites from this batch:

I love this color!

Looks like a honeycomb doesn't it?

Can you see the house and tree in the black one?

Well, off to bed. Tomorrow I'm going on a field trip.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Beading Babes Project 5 Reveal Day

Hello again and welcome to yet another reveal day. I love Beading Babes, because it stretches my skills and confidence without the fear of beader's block because the patterns or at least their location is provided. This time Karyn of Releases by Rufydoof has selected patterns by Helena Tang-Lim.

I chose to do the Four Leaf Clover Cuff not only because I liked, but I've made a resolution this year to make things I would actually wear. So despite the stunning beauty of the Nefertti necklace it's not my style. But it is gorgeous. This is too, don't you think?

I'm still looking for someone who can translate the package these beautifully & colorfully diverse 3mm came from. Sadly I can't find it today to show ya'll. Luckily, a got this bracelet done the week the pattern was revealed because life has thrown me more than a few obstacles recently. Despite that I started a second cuff, and here's where I am on it.

The orange beads keep breaking and there wasn't enough room to make all the passes through them, and the coral were much bigger than I thought. I'll finish it, but slow and steady so I don't break too many more beads.
From this:

To this:

is why I love seed beads!

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Kumihimo & Cranes

I just tried it and I love it! Sadly my end caps are taking their sweet time to get here,

but here's the mess I've made so far.

I'm still learning how much length it takes to create a finished piece, and it's different from one type of cording to another. I've learned that if you have more than 8 strands the 4 that end up being the ridge of the spiral braid need to be at least twice as long as the others.

My bobbins are with my end caps so tangling has been an issue with the thinner choices, but never for the rattail. It's so slick the tangles just slide out like with really healthy hair. I can't wait to get my haircut...my new stylist sounds like a real trip...look how quickly I can get off topic. Speaking of which I got off task with my kumihimo making paper cranes with my son.

Now I have this pile of several works in progress and plenty of options for the next creation.

The thick orange in the top left of this picture is some crazy stuff. It's really quite thin, it's just very fluffy. It also pops right back into this shape if you pinch it or even tie it in a tight knot. I doubt I'll use it anytime soon because everyone in this house picks it up and plays with it every time they see it laying out.

In awe yet again

UPDATE: Debbie just opened an etsy shop! Hooray. You should check it out:
Beautiful Things by Debbie Rasmussen

Debbie Remussen, my partner for BSBP6, is a truly remarkable women.

She's a gifted bead embroiderer,

a photographer,

painter,

Zentangler (is that a word?),

wood carver,

as well as a devoted mother, a caring sister, a loving wife, and probably much more. I only met her today, but I am already astounded by the beauty she's added to this world. Please take the time to visit her blog, A little of this, a little of that, to enjoy her creations and maybe even leave a comment to cheer her on as she overcomes the obstacles to open her Etsy shop. I am now a follower of her blog because I look forward to seeing the next gorgeous thing she shares with us.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Japanese Nail Art

found here

Since I moved here I knew I had to enjoy the affordability of the amazing Japanese nail art. I'm a gardener so fingernails would be a waste of money-so pedicures it is. Plus with year round sandal weather it saves me some of the constant maintenance. I've had koi swimming on my toes, black spiders for Halloween, butterflies, dragonflies and now my favorite design to date.

Ok please know that I do not like feet, and I really don't like pedicure photos so I'm sorry to those who read this that are like me. These were not only cute, but the only thing I've done for me since my last post. Please feel free to picture me wobbling and almost falling over trying to take an acceptable picture. That was almost as frustrating as trying to find something to write about today.

Yep it's Totoro!

For those of you who don't know My Neighbor Totoro is a great family movie. My nails were cut too short to add the cat bus which is the family's favorite character.

found here

Oh and for those of you who are wondering how those Japanese girls with the crazy nail art perform regular activities I can't tell you how, but they do without missing a step. They work in offices, shops, restaurants, and even give pedicures with 15 colors and crazy attachments on their nails. It seems second nature. I even saw a lady with bare nails stretch her fingers up to pick up something only to adjust when she realized her lack of added finger length.

found in google search

Hope you're enjoying your summer. Watch out for mermaids! ((giggling))

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Curious Design Challenge

Okey-dokie! Today's the day I show you all my Alice in Wonderland inspired pieces.

Thanks to the lovely Staci we're having a curious little blog hop today. This was the most inspired I've been in a while. I have pages and pages of ideas & I'm even rereading the book with my son. My only problem is this is the busiest time of the year for me, and I've added 2 more volunteer positions to my schedule. Ahhh! So here's what I've done. Sorry they aren't all finished, but we've been given the chance to enjoy a little family getaway this weekend and I can't pass that up to sit at my work bench.

This is a polymer clay caterpillar which looks a little gonzo inspired-what a happy accident. I used clear, blue and yellow crystals with accents of pale pink size 11 seed beads and size 15 seeds in sky blue. There is a cute rose clasp too. Sadly though it does not talk or sing.

I designed the thing, but yet I'm wearing it backwards. What!?!

I'm not sure yet what this is going to be, but I love it! It's a Tim Holtz keyhole I got from the fabulous B'sue. The chain came from a local fabric shop, and the bunny is from the great kit Andrew Thorton worked with Lima Beads to create. I just didn't receive it in time to participate in that hop.

When I made the caterpillar I made a collection of blue & white swirl beads. Here's what I still have waiting on me. See the giant tear drop?

Well that inspired another piece, but polymer clay wasn't going to give me the desired effect. So I contacted Raida of Havana Beads to make me some giant tears.

I love them so much!

Here's how that one is coming along. It will eventually have all the tears on it, but we're leaving in 1 hour and I've packed NOTHING at this point.

The pendant is a microscope slide cut in half. The door images are from a postcard I received recently. Then I used my new soldering skills to make my own pendant. It's rough, but I like it. Oh and the key was brass which didn't fit with everything else so I brushed it with crimson metal paint.

As soon as I get back I'm going to visit all these blogs to check out their pieces inspired by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. You should check them out too.