Tribute to Japan

I was reading through some other Beader's Blogs last night and saw a request for others to make a paper crane as a tribute to Japan. So, I went on line and found a tutorial and folded my crane. I am so amazed at the dignified way the Japanese people have conducted themselves through this wole awful ordeal that they are going through now and will be going through for some time to come. I am thankful everyday for what God has allowed me to have in my life. I do hope when the time comes, and it always comes, that I will behave with as much dignity.

I just finished my Journal square for March. We will celebrate 41 years this month so I thought the double Moon face well represented the two of us and the stars at the bottom represent our four children. I am also working on a bead embroidered collar for the show in August. I have made many embroidered necklaces, but this is the first collar I have done. It is going well, my only concern is how it will lay on the neck. Well, its just beads and thread, so if I have to make adjustments when its done....well, lesson learned. I have been using Sherry and Heidi's book as a reference so, it should work. (I hope). When I get further down the line, I will consider posting a picture. For now, I am just posting my March Journal square.

Today was a bummer day at work I worked all day inputting information in the computer just to find that it did not save my changes. So...I get to do it all over again. Life is very busy right now, busier than I care for it seems. I so value my private time in the bead room, and right now, outside projects keep interfering with my bead time. By outside I don't mean OUTSIDE I mean other people and their projects that seem to have fallen my way. Boo Hoo...can you tell I am tired? At least I was able to finish the beaded piece I am going to put on a leather bag for our Grandson. It will be a gift for his 18th Birthday. He shows great promise in the bead embroidery world himself. If we lived closer together, I would be encouraging him to keep at it. I have a piece that he gave me and I treasure it. I have also squeezed in some time to start on my pieces for the show in August. I just wish for more bead time. Soon...soon...

Tonight is our Secret Sister revealing party at the Lodge. My Secret Sister has been gone most of the winter, but her gifts keep leaving the Lodge so I assume that someone is picking them up for her. Anyway, I have made her a necklace as her last gift of the year. I used crystals, Mother of Pearl, and beautiful Coral beads. The cabachon is a resin casting of two women. "Sisters"

I have finished December, January and February of my Bead Journal squares. I am so happy with myself, now if I can just stay even and finish each month on time. My squares have been influenced by the power and phases of the moon. Starting with the eclipse in December, the wonderful aurora in January, and well February is February. The moon has so much power over the earth and the tides etc. It even has some control over my life...full moon always brings on insomnia....wonder why. We have seen some wonderful moons this winter. Well, since there is a full moon just a few days away, I will have plenty of time to bead, since I won't be sleeping much. So, there is the upside of insomnia. Enough rambling, back to beading.I have yet to decide how I will finish these squares...maybe use them on a handbag, make a bead quilt...just haven't decided as yet.

Talked to our Son this evening, he finally received his backpack and was very pleased with it. I had to laugh, because he thought he should never use it for fear of losing beads. I told him they are on there for life and he had better use it. I made him promise!! I never did hear from my Granddaughter as to whether or not she was happy with her handbag I made her for Christmas. I guess I will assume that she was happy with it. We had quite a ride up the road today, we had to go to Soldotna for a Doctors visit and ended up sliding sideways in the southbound lane, as we were heading North!!!! Ended up in a snowbank. We are fine, the grill on our car is not..could have been worse, there could have been a lot of traffic. A very kind young man and his Dad pulled us out of the snowbank and got us back on the road. We told them at the clinic that we did not want to make the trip again until spring, or much better weather. Alls well that ends well. Back to the bead room.

Another batch of "Little Dresses" done. That makes 30 of the 50 that I hope to make and send. The last batch will be awhile because I need to get with my Bead Journal pages for December and January. Also I found the sweetest "Jonquil" colored crystals to make another necklace for the Gallery..so Beads first for awhile.