Three Earring Patterns

"B" Strong Support for Boston patterns

World Autism Awareness Day

Today, April 2, 2013 is World Autism Awareness Day.  I wanted to share a pattern for a free form awareness badge, done in brick stitch.

Autism Awareness is important to me, because my eldest daughter is on the spectrum.  I hope for more people to be aware of the signs and symptoms, to help with early diagnosis.  An early diagnosis allows for early intervention, and early intervention is the number one thing that can help with function.

Leafy Pendant

This free form leafy pendant would look lovely suspended from a length of delicate chain.  I would either attach a jump ring to a couple of beads on each end (Make sure you reinforce those beads big time with Fireline!)  or perhaps start a delicate beaded strand from each side.

I think this piece has a bit of a nouveau feel to it, and would compliment a revealing neckline!

Cute Foxes!

These cute little foxes would also be adorable worked in free form, without the back ground.

mouse peeking out of a pocket

It's tiny and cute and would make a sweet pendant or pin.

09-12-2010 update:  I looked at this and realized there are two beads missing along the upper edge of the left ear!  I will go edit this and try to get an updated chart posted. - G.

girl scout emblem

I worked this up as a freebie - I came across a request for a pattern to use as a gift for graduating girl scouts. This makes a great ornament, pendant, or work up several to wrap around a glass ball ornament.

Surviving Winter Doldrums part 3

Yay!! I just finished the design - "Winter Doldrums" that I posted as my first Blog entry, at the first of year. I know I am pretty slow at finishing things -(Too Many projects all going at once!) But every once in a while, I do finish something!

I especially had fun coming up with a necklace that went with all the bold color, without being too heavy. I ended up with this design, that is a modified RAW.

The main things I had to keep in mind when I designed this was to try and keep the elements balanced between shape and colour. I also wanted something very spring - summery to get me out of my winter funk. Of course it took me until Spring to finish it; but everytime I looked over at my bead board, I had bright cheery beads and shapes to cheer me up.

Flat Stanley

Flat Stanley in Beads Flat Samantha in Beads

For those who have kids in their life, there's a good chance you have heard of Flat Stanley, or even had a visit from him. For us, he seems to be a perenial second grade visitor for each of my three girls.

In brief, for those who aren't familiar - Flat Stanley is squished flat by a bullitin board. He goes about having adventures, until he decides he wants to go back to regular. His brother pumps him back up to normal with a bycycle tire pump, and all is well again.

What does this have to do with BEADS!???

Since this is the last time Flat Stanley will be visiting us for a while, I decided to commemorate with a bead pattern! So here is beaded Flat Stanley and beaded Flat Samantha (his sister).

To read about Flat Samantha's visit to Milton to see Big Steve and Melin, go here -- She had a great time and the pictures are priceless! I think The grandparents had as much fun as Flat Samantha, during her visit. :)

Flat Samanth's Visit - part 1:

http://mixedsoup.blogspot.com/2008/05/flat-samanthas-visit-to-milton-part-1.html

Flat Samantha's Visit - part 2:

http://mixedsoup.blogspot.com/2008/05/flat-samanthas-visit-to-milton-part-2.html

Flat Samantha's Visit - part 3:

http://mixedsoup.blogspot.com/2008/05/flat-samanthas-visit-to-milton-part-3.html

To learn more about Flat Stanley go to his official website:

http://www.flatstanley.com/

maple wings

Spring has just begun to sneak in upon us - I love all the colours!! Down the driveway, the red maple put out it's seed pods - we called them helicopters when we were little. Now I hear them called maple wings. I couldn't resist making something to evoke the fun I associate with these things.

I plan on making several more for a necklace. I thought it would good to include the pic I took which I used as a basis. Having finished this one, were I to go back and do it over, I would use the darker colour of green on the bottom and the lighter on top to better make it look more rounded. Sometimes you have to make mistakes and get messy to learn something!!

Surviving winter doldrums, Part II

I decided the doodle from my first (ever!) post was worth while enough to edit it a bit. First, The pattern was extended using some free form to let the elements extend beyond the sides.

Then another panel was added to continue the swirl part of the design. It will be attached with short fringe. Additional fringe will be next to the panel to balance the color and shape. Fringe will be used to continue the light blue arch running through the center of the design.

The small panel on the bottom has been finished and the larger panel is being worked on. I hope to have it finished in a week or two.

I have to say I was inspired by several works of Ronit Florence. Her work is "WOW!" I will try to find a way to create a link to share her awesome work. She is good at "thinking outside the box."