What next??

Not that I don't have about 4 projects going - ones that I actively work on, but I am thinking, thinking thinking.... I've been looking at pictures of my dog Molly. Molly is the amusing, lovable, entertaining dog and would be good to put in a bead embroidery piece. I have several pictures of Molly that would be good. Above is Molly and my niece, Isabel's feet. Below is Santa Molly - which would be cute, but I don't think that I can leave it out year round....

I'm certain that one of these days, the picture will just JUMP out at me, like Casie on the Rocks did.

Casie on the Rocks - Finished!

I was camping in northern Michigan (well, it was actually Mid-state, in West Branch, but anything past mile market 200 on I-75 equates to being "Up-north") for the last 8 days. What great weather - not too hot, not too chilly, just wonderful.

My beads and I did a lot of work this week. I finished "Casie on the Rocks" while sitting in the sunshine, watching Casie and Molly check out all the dogs that walked by their jail - er, pen.

I'm pretty pleased with the way that this piece turned out - I might do a little more on the rocks, but then again, I might not. I used an adaptation of the Nepal or Biva chain to add textural leaves to the piece.

Casie on the Rocks - part 5

My work on "Casie on the Rocks" has continued this week. I promised myself that I would complete some projects before I start something new. I have been working on the rocks - browns and greys, with a little black thrown in. I also re-beaded Casie's one leg - the back one that is to the right. I didn't like the other texture and colour that I beaded it in, so out it went. The new one, on the left looks better.

Progress!!

Casie on the Rocks - part 4

Ah, work on my "Casidilla" (you know, Mexican food) continues. Casie is almost complete - down to her little pink collar, ears at attention. Just a great little dog. I have the big rock to work on, adding leaves and maybe some other "rocks" - I might even have some bead "chips" that I could use for rocks - I'll have to look.

I am starting to work on and think of another project that I have been invited to join. I know that some members are not keen on seeing pictures until everyone gets started, but I have decided on a few items. I have some shapes and colours that I will be working with.

Casie on the Rocks - part 3

Casie continues - I actually did quite a bit last night. Amazing how much beading can be done when I am not shoving food in my face, eh? I like the tilt of the head, but not the mouth. I'll be continuing with the body, and finishing the rocks this evening.

It's been a rainy day in Michigan, and exciting things going on my backgarden. I blogged the information at my other page
Molly's Little Adventure, if you want to read about it. It's been about 45 minutes and I am still giggling. Molly is just indignant about the whole thing now and wants to go outside to settle the score.

Casie on the Rocks - picture 2 and Bellisimo Beads

Progress is happening on "Casie on the Rocks" - much of the background is finished, although the bushes on the right will get some leaves sticking out. The rock/ground under Casie is progressing. It's going to be hard to bead fur on a dog who is practically hairless, but it will be a good attempt.

I haven't worked on this as much as I would have liked as I have been practicing my right angle weave technique for Marcia DeCoster's class at the Bead and Button show in about a month. I will be classroom assistant, classroom monitor or classroom 'ho - depending on who you talk to. Regardless of what you call me, I am honored that Marcia got in touch with me to help her.

My train ticket has been purchased, I have my confirmation for the show admission. I love going to the bead show in Milwaukee as I can see all my beady friends and meet new ones. I wonder what trouble Anne and I can get into this year. At least we know where there is a great bakery - although I need to stay out of there!

Casie on the Rocks - started

I know, I know. I was working on the Moose and the Alpaca - the Amerika's. But right now, I can't get into it.

So it's time to work on something else, which is Casie on the Rocks. Casie is my 9 pound toy fox terrier who I adopted when she was about 3 years old. Now she's 11 and beginning to slow down (which scares me to pieces). Casie sleeps by my hip almost every night, she's afraid of thunder, lightening freaks her out. She doesn't like firecrackers, cars that backfire, loud sudden noises like Alan yelling at the officials during a football (either American or European).

This picture was taken many years ago while we were on the north shore of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Canada. It's so beautiful up there - just wonderful!

I started with one piece of pellon (thank you Annie, for what seems to be my endless supply) and have added layers on it. Tree, rocks, Casie, her face, will be different layers. I started beading about April 18th and have gotten this far. The tree actually is thicker, plus using a variety of sizes (8s, 11s, and 10's) in multiple colours of brown have given the it great texture. On top of the greenery on the right, I am going to have small beaded leaves attached to the top to give it a real woodsy feel.

Ganesha - gets crowned!

Ganesha is a happier Deity today! He was crowned yesterday and today he feel like a shining star! I used a gold plated daisy spacers to add lots of texture and richness to his crown. Now I just have the background to complete in the silver lined gold beads. I am using these again for a couple of reasons:

• I like the richness of the beads.
  
• I like the way that they appear different colours when light hits them.
  
• I purchased 1/4 kilo of them when I was scheduled to teach a class and I was making kits. The class was cancelled and I have 1/4 kilo of these beads.

Looking ahead to my next projects, I am thinking of a picture of Casie - my dog on some rocks - put together very similar to projects ala "The Lone Beader" with layering, etc. I do have to get more colours of 15's to complete the dog - so that will wait for a while.

I am also working on my largest flat bead embroidery piece - It's going to be called (at least for now) "North American meets South America" and it's 8 inches high by 17 inches wide. I know, I know - I really need to get a life!!!