Monday, August 31, 2015

End of Summer Catch-up

As with many of us back to school means time to get all those things done you planned to do during the summer. Here's a little peek at all I've been up to.

I've actually been wanting to give water colors a try for 2 years. So that simple image actually captures yet another check on my bucket list. It also eliminates a media for me because I do not have the patience for all that dry time.
I also finally gave beaded kumihimo a try. Like my fear of RAW I've realized I have got to stop letting to people in bead groups convince me things are difficult.  This is the second time I've found something so much easier than the majority had led me to believe.
Jumped head first in to a refinishing project too. No I didn't start on one of four pieces of furniture already in my garage. I took this one (with permission) from my neighbors garage. More on that when I get it back together. I will say hunting a ball bearing in the grass that is days over due for mowing is the most unfun Easter egg hunt ever, but suprisingly a more satisfying when one succeeds.
Finally, I'm still trying to keep my home based business with Nomades alive now that someone has decided to sign up beneath me. So if you know anyone who enjoys Pandora and the other similar charm bracelets please ask them to take a look at Nomades. 


How are you playing catch-up? Or did you have a highly successful summer?

Thanks for stopping by.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Pottery

So I picked my pottery up last night, and it's suprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be.
In addition to checking something off my bucket list I've found a new appreciation for pottery, ceramic beads and the like.
Anyone who knows the me behind this keyboard knows that I love youtube. Well in the weeks between creating in clay and my finished products I watched a lot of potters on youtube. It's so relaxing to watch them work, but intriguing at the same time. They turn wet dirt into awesome things. So hey, my pottery would be at home in a grade school art class, but if you consider it was given to me as a tough slab of dirt it's pretty darn incredible.

What have you been up to?


Saturday, July 11, 2015

Now What!?!

Yep. We've all had those times in our lives where it seems stepping out the front door is the equivalent of jumping into quicksand. So in the mean time, to steel myself, for what tomorrow brings I woke up this morning, took off the street clothes I had apparently fallen asleep in and put on a nightshirt. Then I got busy...

I made some baskets. (Note, blue was finished earlier in the week, but didn't want to miss the debut of my first baskets made in America)
Then I thought I'd pick up a beading needle, and this was born from a free pattern I was given at the Beaded Owls in Long Beach, MS also this week. Yes, my productivity continues. Hazzah!
I totally forgot about this tray till I saw it again. I love when that happens. Then I think, "How do I have so much stuff I forget what I own?" Anyway.

I feeling like I had something else to show you....
Oh yeah, I took a pottery class at Blue Bayou Breeze Studio in Slidell, LA. Here's my earring holder "pinch pot" & a whole mess of magnets before I went mad trying out glazes. It'll be next week before I see how they turned out. Be kind with your comments. I worked with glazes way back when I was what...my son's age, but this was my first go at hand forming. I hope to try again once he gets settled in school this year. This time the pottery wheel. How exciting!

In the mean time I only have two more space devouring hobbies to get to this month to complete my goal. So what's next for me? It'll be mosaics/stained glass or repurposing cast off furniture. Either way I must leave my comfy studio and work in the garage. Boo!


Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Productive Day

 I got a good bit finished today. Three charity sewing projects some of which are months overdue or extremely early if you look on the positive side. One is a blanket for the local NICU. Two stockings for holiday care packages for the troops. I also finished Marcia Balonis' Pearls on Posies.
Of course she patterned a bracelet, but I went my own way with the adorable flowers.

Hope you had a productive Monday as well.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Time to Stitch 7 Reveal Day

Not going to lie. We were given so much time I let procrastination get the better of me.
I spent a grand total of 5 days on this. So PLEASE visit the other participants.
I'm sure you'll be impressed.
1.       Therese (Host) 
2.       Christine  (Host)
3.       Amy
4.       Lola
5.       Lori F
6.       Kim
7.       Becky Pancake
8.       Karin G.
9.       Debbie (Kepi)
10.   LizE
11.   Maryanne
12.   Paula
13.   Wendy
14.   Janet
15.   Jasvanti
17.   Alicia
18.   Bobbie
19.   Shirley
20.   Sarah
21.   Cynthia
22.   Lizzie
23.   Samantha
24.   Sally
25.   Niki
26.   KarenW.

As for me lets show you a little bit of what it took to get here.
This is all I had for an idea when I began.
Lesson 1
 There is a right and wrong side to Lacy's Stiff stuff. 
It's crazy fuzzy if you use the wrong side.
Cute but not quite right.
Adding the light
My rule of thumb for any piece is add light, dark and a shimmer.
Late Night Inspiration
I didn't like that the top circle flopped when it was cut out. 
I tried two things I had around the house.
The Skil saw blade worked the best.
I added a lot of glue so you can't even feel the blade's teeth.
Chain Attempt #1
Even my first bead embroidery piece still has no chain. I wear it on a silk cord.
Any suggestions for how to hang this piece would be greatly appreciated.
Subconscious Inspiration?
Ain't it pretty?
 I waited so long between my first bead embroidery project and my second 
that the link to videos that got me through it the first time 
was dead. 

It's the last day before reveal when I realize this. What's a girl to do?
You guessed it......head to youtube.

Thankfully this video helped me start to finish off my edges.
I honestly only watched minutes 25-31, but they were clear and helpful.
I love the movement & height at the top.
Chain attempt #2
I wont bore you with excuses as to why I wasn't completely done. The fault is mine, but done or almost done I'm thrilled I took the challenge and attempted bead embroidery for a second time. 
  At this rate my next bead embroidery project will be 2017. Ha! I hope I don't wait that long.

Thanks for your time. Hope you have a lovely weekend.


Saturday, June 6, 2015

Shh!

What do Super Duoes, industrial glue and Skil saw blades have in common?

Find out tomorrow as I reveal my piece for Time to Stitch 7.

Don't miss it!

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Bead Peeps Swap 'n' Hop Reveal

Hi There!
Welcome to my blog lilmummy likes...
Yep, it's basically things I enjoy visually, 
and as I am a passionate beader it's focus is my bead work.

Today I'm sharing what I created after swapping beads with the lovely Peggy Johnson of Dear Jupiter as a participant of the Bead Peeps Swap 'n' Hop.

I'm going to keep this short since you've got lots of goodies to see as you hop. 
Here's what I sent.
Here's what Peggy sent me.
All the much deserved oohs and aahs 
were covered in 2 previous posts, but 
THANKS one more time Peggy.

Here's what I made:
Patriotic Anklet
Just in time for warm weather my first piece is a patriotic anklet.
As a military wife for almost half my life I find I use red, white and blue a lot.

Multi-strand Pearl Bracelet
My very good friend, Tina, sent me these pearls with others years ago. Around Christmas I used the red and white ones in another bracelet, and these have been on my bead table ever since waiting. 
 
Wait! What is it about these close up pictures 
that shows you things you'd never see in real life. 
I will add crimp covers. I just didn't see it before.
 
Peggy I know they thank you for sending exactly what I needed so they have a new, purposeful, beautiful life.

Finally, my favorite piece despite the fact that I have hated pink for 24 years.
Spiky Mermaid Necklace
Never in my life would I have combined these things if Peggy hadn't sent them to me together, but the result was/is lovely. The corner drilled vintage beads are my favorite.
This background doesn't do them justice, but it was the clearest image.

A used all but about 9 beads and a tube of completely clear seed beads.

Don't ask me why as a seed beader I never use seed beads 
in any bead exchange challenge. 
It truly baffles me too.

Please know I am grateful for you taking the time to visit.
I'd love for you to leave here to visit Peggy 
or any of the other wonderful participants in this challenge.

Bead Peeps Swap N Hop 2015 
Partner List  

 Our Hostess: Linda Anderson from http//:fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com




Linda Anderson http://fromTheBeadBoard.blogspot.com (You are HERE)
Marica Zammit http://www.beadlovelies.com
Jessica Hocutt https://faithfamilyandadventure.wordpress.com



Kristina Hahn Eleniak http://www.peacockandlime.wordpress.com
Debbie Jeffries http://wordpress/debrasdivinedesigns/blog.com



Rosantia Petkova http://bairozan.blogspot.com/
Shalini Austin http://jewellerybyshalini.co.uk/my-blog/



Catherine La Vite http://drygulchbeadsandjewelry.blogspot.com
Annica Larsson http://zestyfrog.wordpress.com/



Lori Schneider http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Divya N http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com



Mowse Doyle http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com
Fay Wolfenden http://torchfairy.blogspot.com



Kathy Lindemer http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Claire Fabian http://saraccino.blogspot.de/



Janice Warden Bergeron http://thejewelryroom.blogspot.ca
Natalie Davidson http://www.northshoredays.com



Deb Fortin http://www.studiok24.blogspot.ca
Inge von Roos http://ingetraud.wordpress.com



Karen Mitchell http://overthemoon-design.com
Robin Reed http://willowdragon.blogspot.com



Marie Covert http://thistledown-and-swaddlings.blogspot.com/
Alicia Marinache http://www.allprettythings.ca



Nan Smith http://www.wirednan.blogspot.ca
Johana Nunez http://artincendi.com



Kelly Hosford Patterson http://travelingsideshow.blogspot.com/
Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com



Sue  Kennedy http://suebeads.blogspot.com
Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.com



Niky Sayers http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk
Melissa Trudinger http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com



Candida Castleberry http://www.spunsugarbeadworks.blogspot.com
Erin Guest http://www.renlish.com



Nicole Rennell http://nicolerennell.com/blog
Ien Temaluru http://ienmaginationsjewelry.wordpress.com



Robin Showstack http://heartsdesiresjewelryforyou.blogspot.com/
Sam Waghorn http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk



Marianne Baxter http://www.simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Elsie Deliz-Fonseca http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com



Shai Williams http://shaihasramblings.com
Lee Koopman http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com



Jayne Capps http://mamasgottodoodle.blogspot.com
Marti Conrad http://artisancomponentmarketplace.com/martisbuttonsandbeads/2015/03/20/bead-peeps-blog-hop/



Tina Bosh http://bookbug-somanybookssolittletime.blogspot.com/(Injured reserve)
Eleanor Thomas http://woolywireetc.blogspot.com



Jeanne Steck http://www.gemsbyjeannemarie.blogspot.com
Gloria Allen http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com



Rachel Mallis http://www.mintmonarch.com/#!blog/c1jlz
Andrea Glick http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/



Stephanie Stamper http://skwds.blogspot.com
Chris Haussler http://pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com



Betony Maiden http://www.beadwenches.blogspot.com/
Kari Asbury http://hippiechickjewelrydesign.com/blog/



Jenny Kyrlach http://anafiassa.blogspot.com/
Colleen Foley http://colleenfoleycreations.blogspot.com



Marybeth Rich http://forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Marcy Lamberson http://www.StudioMarcy.blogspot.com



Dyanne Everett-Cantrell http://www.deelitefuljewelrycreations.blogspot.com
Ginny Lones http://www.Skippingintotheunknown.blogspot.com



Maria Rosa Sharrow http://willowstreetshops.blogspot.com
Loretta Carstensen http://designsbyloretta.blogspot.com



Dolores Raml http://craftydscreations.wordpress.com
Michelle McCarthy http://www.fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com



Louise McCormick-Glazier http://jewelrytreasuresbylouise.blogspot.com/(Injured reserve)
Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com



Tammy Adams http://www.paisleylizard.com/blog/
Shirley Moore http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com



Seed Beaders



Susanne Stelljes http://pearlify.blogspot.de
Sheila Prosterman http://catswithbeads.blogspot.com



Pallavi Asher http://kalaabhushan.blogspot.in/
Jami Shipp http://celebratinglifewithdamamashipp.blogspot.com



Peggy Kosier http://www.kosydesigns.blogspot.ca/
Andra Weber http://andrasjoyfuljourney.blogspot.com



Catherine King http://catherines-musings.blogspot.com
Krafty Max http://kraftymax.com



Sierra Barrett http://giraffecanhas.wordpress.com
Lois Sherwood http://thiznthat5454blog.wordpress.com



Katy Heider http://onthepondcreations.blogspot.com
Rebecca Robertson   (White) http://morganafeycreations.121hub.com/



Heather Richter http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com
Brandy Collier http://bhjewelry.wordpress.com



Stephanie Haussler http://www.pixybugdesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Blanchard http://alainnjewelry.WordPress.com



Kathleen Breeding http://99bobotw.blogspot.com
Becky Pancake http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com



Renetha Stanziano http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Tami Norris https://jewelrybytami.wordpress.com/



Ginger Bishop http://lilmummylikes.blogspot.com/
Peggy Johnson http://charmbarn.blogspot.com

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Tick Tock...She Can Barely Work the Clock.

Okie-dokie here we go!

Let's start with a little rant. I miss my flip phone. 
No. I was never master of the flip phone, but we got along.
It didn't make me feel stupid several times a day, and 
I wasn't constantly worried about dropping/scratching it or how filthy it was.

I know they make fancy cases. 
I have one...from Pelican, 
they also make boxes to protect military tech 
so I know firsthand...They. Are. Awesome.
BUT
if the phone itself requires the maximum stretch of your not so tiny hands 
the case makes it so the furthest outstretch of your thumb and pinky can not hold on to it.
As I wind down from this argument with myself about my smarter-than-me phone I have to add two things...
1. Why do I add several international clocks to some list every time I -in my oh so old fashioned way- put my ear to the phone during a call?
2. How long have I been leaving out key info you guys might want because I added buttons to the sides of my blog page that you can not see from your phone?

Sorry for that last one by the way.
Next challenge reveal is May 16th.
My pieces are finished!
Wonder if tomorrow
I'll actually photograph them
 and write up the post?
Yeah probably not.

Now for a bit of eye candy to thank you for sticking with me till I "talked" myself down.
April showers and my poor husband's back have kept me closer to home recently. So here's what I've created or repaired with all my extra time at home.
Watermelon Thumb Ring
Beaded Beads
A whole lot of earrings
Simple But Stunning Pile of FINISHED Work
The Big Picture
I know most of you have seen the owl before, but I'm seriously behind on my sewing 
so it's the last thing I actually finished.

Well, that and I sewed my son's first Boys Scout rank badge on. Congrats Mack! Job well done!
Let me tell you I totally understand why people sew pockets closed. I could have had it done it 2 minutes with a sewing machine, but it took forty with my fat hand in the tiny pocket that was made smaller by the pen pocket seam.

THANKS for taking the time to read all my nonsense.
Happy Spring!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

What She Got

The wait is over. 
Peggy's beads have arrived. Here is what I sent to her,
and she loves it all. Hooray!

 Here's another look at what I received.
Sorry for the low light pictures. 
It seems to always be raining and grey when around here. 

I love what Peggy sent me especially the ones with the stars. 
I hope to do them justice.

Alrighty then.
Time to cut these strands up and start creating.
Wish me luck!


Monday, March 2, 2015

Swap N Hop Update LOOK what I got!

So Peggy sent my beads super speedy a with an order I placed from her etsy shop.
(My purchases isn't pictured b/c they are for projects with their own reveal dates.)

So what do we have here:
spiky mermaid by Green Girl Pewter
silver clasp with scroll design

Holy Crap! 

My kit has disappeared. 

No...wait...

I have 2 identical trays. 

Yep, the beads were on the other tray.

Geesh! Okay, back to it...
vintage glass from an estate "Super Old + (Peggy's) favorite!!!"
pink glass center drilled beads
Czech cubes with star impressions
3mm silver rondelles
4mm purple/grey stone rondelles marked SSD Peggy what stone is that?
4mm light garnet Czech glass &
a tube of clear round size 11 seed beads

So many ideas are bouncing around, but nothing that combines the items. 
All my thoughts take the individual items and put them in different pieces. 
Soon I'm heading out to meet the Beading Babes to get their input.
Is that cheating? 
UPDATE:  They said a lariat with blocks of color like an Indian blanket. Hum...

Before I go here's the "beading" I've been doing lately.
 These are scrap wood bases I cut, painted & covered
in cut up Mardi Gras beads using E6000.
Well, I did till 3 tubes of E6000 ran out. 
Boy! These projects take a LOT of glue.

My inspiration was the project from a class I took 
Oh and I'm finally on Instagram
You'll find some of my favorite pictures from my blog, 
the military sterling silver I sell and my latest craft projects like this...

Hi Mom! :)

Friday, February 13, 2015

Introducing Dear Jupiter

Yesterday partners were announced for the 

So it is my pleasure to introduce you to...
Peggy Johnson
of Dear Jupiter &

Oh course I got distracted at her online shop, but if you
are in Minnesota you can visit her bead shop.
For those of us too far away we can give her facebook page a "Like".

I have to say even though I've never worked with Peggy before 
I have heard of her work thanks to
 this big beautiful online beading community. 
The chunky chain challenge she hosted caught my eye a while back.
Remember that?
I remember thinking all the participants (and the host of course) were incredibly clever 
because I actually thought on it and came up with exactly zero ideas.
.
.
.
Yep, got side tracked checking out all the pretties Peggy has.
I love her custom stamping pieces! I haven't stamped anything in a while.
This thought just occurred to me...
WHAT THE HECK DO YOU SEND TO SOMEONE WITH THEIR OWN BEAD SHOP!?!
Oh and her aunt owns a bead shop too.

Side track #2 the preview for Love Lust of Run (with Stacy London) has a girl with
 a huge metallic pink link strand hanging from one ear.

Okay, now off to learn more about Peggy and play with my beads.
I have to say this lady seems like a fun gal. 
I am really looking forward to this Swap N Hop.


---All these pictures are Peggy's.---





Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Bit About Me

I am officially "IN" the upcoming Swap N Hop so 
as instructed I'm going to share a bit about myself.
Here we go...
1. Why or how did you get started making jewelry?
I started making jewelry 8 years ago 
when I fell in love with Swarovski crystals and 
could not afford what people were making with them.
I am 90% self taught.
Humble Beginnings
2. What style(s) of jewelry do you like to make?
Wow, I really don't know. I prefer bracelets to anything else, but I'm the sort that would wear an ornate bead embroidery collar or a simple chain and pendant with a tee and jeans so there are no limits. I've used $40 beads and stuff my son picked up off the ground for me to make jewelry.
3. What materials do you prefer to use (and which ones do you avoid)?
I prefer seed beads, lampwork, polymer clay, sea glass, found objects, almost every metal finish...I'm sure there's more.
I do not prefer things that have to be sealed to preserve them, fibers, size 15 seed beads, big beads (10mm and up)...not sure what else.
4. What techniques do you prefer (and are there any you don't like)?
 I love RAW (right angle weave). I spent years avoiding anything that said RAW only to find out I'd been doing it not knowing the name of the stitch I'd fallen in love with. I also love peyote, drilling and soldering too, stringing for an easy day, soutache, bead embroidery, polymer clay and stamping for custom sentiments. I could go on forever here.
Most of the things I would say I don't like are things I'm still afraid of, but like bead embroidery and RAW I'll probably love them if I ever give them a go. I might even be surprisingly good at it. Who knows. The top of that list at the moment is memory wire, shibori ribbon with bead embroidery and cutting curves for soldered pendants.
5. What colors do you use most, and which do you run screaming from?
 I love almost everything BLUE. After 4 years on a tropical island teals, oranges and corals are now among my favs. I HATE pink. I had pink glasses as a kid...you can guess where this story goes.

Alright well it's Carnival season here 'round New Orleans 
so I've got to catch up on "have-to's" so I have enjoy the upcoming parades. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Bead It Forward Peyote Patterns

I resolved to try to creep out of my introverted shell this year.
I know I got a late start, but boy did I start out with a bang!
Saturday for lunch I opened my home to the local bead society.
Where I finally started my first Bead It Forward Square.
I visited our local bead shop where I only found 3 of the colors I needed.
Luckily the ladies had literally buckets of beads. Thank heavens honestly because $5.75 for a tube of delicas seemed like a lot to me. (Yes, please leave your delica resources in the comments.)
Here are some more patterns I made up for the event.
My kid loves penguins!
My dad loved eagles.
I love the warm color background on this one!
 And our Bead It Forward Queen of the BSS, Maria, made a mermaid and asked if that would count. I giggled and said, "It's certainly a wild animal." So on the theme of mythical wild animals here's my childhood favorite...a unicorn.
By the way HUZZAH for Maria who has at last count 
made 43 squares for Bead It Forward this year!
I finished my first square on Sunday morning after we said good bye to the overnight guests from the party I helped my husband host Saturday night. Yep, two parties in a single day, but a great first step to resolving this overwhelming shyness that crept up on me over the past decade.

Yes, I know my panda is missing 3 black beads which sort of makes him look like he's missing an ear, but a friend suggested I think of him as one of the clipped ones. Apparently there is a program that clips ears to show they've been rescued and released. I thought that very fitting.

I hope to give this pattern another go to get the ear right this time. 

Oh and I tried my hand at 3 drop peyote a while back

Now to finally decide how I want to finish it.

What have you been up to?