This was the summer....

I had one of the best summer's ever - a lot of good friends, many good beverages, and a lot of U2 concerts. Over the course of the summer, the pile of tickets, wristbands and goodies really added up! I've been a fan of the band for a while, but it wasn't until I went to Vancouver two years ago that I discovered what was really possible in getting to see the band. The last concert of the tour was in Moncton at the end of July, and it was a great time. It was sad to see all of the people I'd hung out with for a couple of years depart for the last time. All of the other times we'd said goodbye, I'd always been able to say that I'd see them in the next town, or in a few weeks. This time, it really was goodbye for a good long while. As sad as all of that was, I am so greatful that I was able to do it, and it felt like a new part of my life had begun.

So to celebrate, the August BJP is a butterfly, in bright beautiful colours. I love the fact that the colours remind me a lot of those used in a lot of native beadwork, as to me, there was a really spiritual element to the summer. I am enjoying doing the BJP again - it's nice to get a chance to stitch and just bead, without having to think a lot.

New Beads

I entered an exchange over on Lampwork Etc., where each participant has to make 5 beads for each of 5 other people. This is the first set of 5.

What I've Been Working On

Necklace (chain, lampwork beads, plus silk cord, not yet finished) and BJP for August (with many months in-between not yet started or unfinished)

Knitting

The new scarf is getting there! The yarn has a very, very short bits of each colour, and the pattern (The Prismatic Scarf - free from Ravelry) promised to make yarns like this not look like clown barf. I'm rather fond of it, and am sure that I'll get good use of it in the winter.

New set

Stitched - Egyptian Garden Update

Progress as of September 6th

Tribal

I'd had the silver beads forever, and recently paired them with some garnet red lampwork hollows and disks. I'm rather fond of the result.

Inspired!

I haven't felt like continuing on with the Bead Journal project for months, and suddenly inspiration hit me today. Here's the colour scheme, and I'll post more when I'm further along the project.

Beads!

A new set from me:

Hairsticks!

I was approached by a lovely woodworking friend of mine to purchase some beads. Since I knew she wanted to make hairsticks from them, I asked her about a trade. She came up with these fabulous hairsticks, with perfect teardrops for beads in them!

Melanie Moertel and More

I've been travelling a lot this summer, but was fortunate to attend a Melanie Moertel workshop in Edmonton. She's super sweet, and we all had a great time at the class. She also drew names for the beads she made in class (again, super sweet!), and I ended up winning her fairy bead. It's been strung, and is now resident on a lovely chain for wearing!

More

Just Pictures - New Beads

Happy 5th Blogiversary to me!

It's been such a busy couple of weeks that I totally forgot about updating the blog, including annoucing that Heather won blog candy. I also totally forgot about my 5th blogiversary. I've never kept a journal, diary or other record of my life for this long, so it's pretty interesting to look back and see what's gone on.

I also have new beads to share - I cracked out the tumbler this weekend, so I have lovely smooth, satiny beads. Tumbling with fine grit is the only way to etch some glass, and it leaves most of the other glass with the most wonderful sheen and texture - sort of like ivory, but not really.

One for me... and one for blog candy

Thanks to all for the lovely comments on the scissor fobs! It's been one of those weeks (ok, months) where it's hard to push yourself to do anything except work. I'm glad I made the time to get the packages together. Several of the recipients blogged about the receipts, so the full packages are with: Kathy , Erica and Jo.

I did manage to get torch time in over the last few weeks, and these are the result - cute, funky heart pendants. I've earmarked the green heart for myself, and as much as I love the lavender/blue/green heart, I'd like to give it a new home. If you adore the heart as much as I do, leave a comment, and I'll draw for something at the end of the week (April 1st).