Thank goodness it's over

It's amazing how I fill my time, doing something with my hands. The forced rest was painful (in more ways than one)!. For the first time in years, I was bored!!! Yes, bored!! I played games, read, played more games. And I was still bored! It's been a while since I've been stuck for what to do. The real issue is my hands were idle. I stopped ALL activity to really rest my hands. Luckily it paid off and a few days later I was back on the horse. I've never been happier to pick up a needle!

I've been spending time reweaving the warps on the purse. I even worked on it on the bus journey home from work. Once, a last sat near me was impressed by it. She asked to hold it and seemed to enjoy the feel!

Anyway, I finished reweaving the ends and started joining the sides. With this one, I decided on odd-count peyote for the join. I like the solidness and sturdiness it affords. I got an idea for the strap while searching online for Swarovski crystal beads and pendants. I'll have to see the element in person so I can work out some measurements.



The fringe design is still eluding me. If anyone has any ideas I'd be glad to hear them. There is something I saw, but think t would be too chunky. I'll continue pondering on it, luckily there's still a little time.

I'll be starting the Nelson Mandela bracelet soon....or rather as soon as I empty the loom! So by Sunday it has to be freed up. I've got to buy one colour on Monday then I'll be good to go. I shifted the pattern down so the face would sit in the middle (thanks Noreen). But I've yet to decide what to do with the blank area above. Perhaps a bead soup could work.....I'll decide when I get to it.

I had a little shock when we got home from the beach on Sunday. My husband had cleared the 'cloakroom' and had put my violin in the corridor along with some other things that needed throwing away! It's a good thing he didn't do it that day, I would have been crying!! I've put it back where it was *sigh of relief*

So I have a lot of catching up to do. Hopefully Sunday I'll be more up to date. Till then, have a good evening.

A lightbulb moment

It's amazing what a bit of time away from something can make it 'click' when you get to trying it again! I felt this way the first time I tried tatting. I just couldn't get the knots to sit correctly. There was a lot of pulling hair (figuratively speaking of course), throwing the shuttles down in frustration, and scissor action! I put it away after being brought to the brink of tears of frustration. A short while later, having refused to be beaten, I tried again. AND SUCCEEDED! I don't know why or how, but it clicked.

So, I felt (almost) the very same thing when I first tried loom bead weaving with the shedding device. The first two rows were okay, but it was downhill from then on! I followed the instructions - specifically a Mirrix video on YouTube - but it just didn't seem to be working! I didn't want to up the frustration level so decided to just leave it for another time.

My loom is empty since I cut off the panel for the purse, so I thought I'd try loom bead weaving with the shedding device again. This time, I used double delicas (size 8), with Nymo for the weft and top stitch thread for the warps. I figured it would be easier to do with larger beads. So I set to warping, getting the shedding device and the heddles on with ease. I watched a recent video that concentrated on the weaving part, and wove as followed it. And guess what, it WORKED!!!! The beads were going into their spaces nicely, and there were none out of place at all!!!!! It's just a sample, so I'll have to try it on a 'proper' project before I give a full review!

So I cut the sample off quite quickly and was once again left looking at a naked loom! I thought I'd make a start n the patterns I designed for the side of the violin. I made the mistake of taking out my stash of delicas and other beads. I ended up having three projects I wanted to work on. So I warped the loom for three. Here is what WAS on the loom up until this afternoon.

I'm not entirely happy with the middle bracelet, but someone likes it so I'll finish it and give it to them. I wasn't happy with the bracelet on the right, so I undid it and changed the deign entirely. There is an element still to be added. This will be done when it's been cut off the loom as I think that will be easier.

I'm absolutely loving the design for the side of the violin. I also drew these up, and will loom them eventually as well. Hopefully they all look s good!

If you're still awake after reading this, thank you for doing so, and I hope you enjoy! Happy beading, and enjoy the remainder of your weekend.