Late Night Ramblings

It is very unusual for me to be up so late at night, I love my sleep and I rarely have any difficulty slipping into the land of nod.  However, I am blaming tonight's random burst of energy on the dark chocolate fondue our neighbours brought round for us this evening!  Apologies in advance for any typos.

I thought I would share with you some photos of what I have been making recently.  Firstly, a crochet project, one that I can share with you as the major project that I have been working on is a gift that has not yet been given.... This is a cushion I made for one of my daughters, the front;

the back

Both girls went on their first sleepover to a friend's house so I had this waiting on F's bed for when she got home.  I am now making something similar for E but with purple, light green and cream.











There has also been some torch action and subsequent jewellery making!

A fully adjustable macrame bracelet that is waiting for some glue

A sterling silver bracelet with a pretty flower and bell charm.  I might end up keeping this one......

Another sterling silver bracelet.  This is sporting an eclectic mix of some of my handmade buttons.  I am rather fond of this one too.....










Thanks for stopping by, sorry I haven't been very consistent with my updates.  I have some more beads waiting to be cleaned and who knows I might even get around to posting some pics of them too!  But don't hold your breath.

I know its been a while

I've been experiencing some very annoying technical hitches with the camera and I don't like to post without a pic or two.  When I am in the postion to buy a new camera I'll be buying one that downloads direct to the computer instead of having to use a card reader, they break continually.

Anyway, we've been busy as a family and for half term we had a fabulous trip to Canada.  The primary reason for going was to surprise my Grandad who turned 90 this year!

You wouldn't believe he is 90 if you met him, he is so fit and mentally with it.  It was so great to see him, makes me realise how much I miss him.  It was such a whirlwind of a week with family events and touristy things to see and do. 

I am planning to get to the torch soon, so hope to have some glassy pics to share with you until then I hope you get some sunshine....

Progress...

I've been experiencing abit of the lampworking blues of late.  Not able to get motivated to light the torch, not inspired by any colour combos, just generally bleurgh!  I know I'm not alone and we all experience the mojo walkabouts every now and again.  Anyway, I think I am emerging from the dark tunnel and I have actually lit the torch and fired up the kiln twice in one week. 

I was having a little mooch around YouTube and found this video tutorial for how to make a star bead and after watching a couple of times I ventured into the 'studio' and lit the torch!!!!  Here are my first attempts

They aren't bad for a first attempt.  They are a little wonky, the points aren't as even as I would like.  I need to practice the raking technique which is how the colours get pulled down to the hole.  All in all though I was rather pleased.

My latest session was a little more successful...

I like the colours of these two (left and below)  but there is still work to be done, the dots around the holes have been melted in a little bit too much for my liking  but I definitely feel I am on the right track.






           

                                                   
 While my mojo was on walkabout I decided some glass related retail therapy might be in order.  I bought some beautiful rainbow murrini from FlamingEck beads and this what I came up with

I think these might be keepers, they are so colourful and they make me smile! 

Well its pouring with rain here - I know its what we need but it does dampen the spirits.
                                                                                                                                                

They are up...

At last I have listed my Larkshead Knot Bracelet Kits there are 5 colourways to choose from.  The weather here has been beautiful.  I went for a 10k run this morning along the canal and across the fields, it was so peaceful and the views were amazing.  Then this afternoon I managed to get my photos done and get my kits listed.  I would love to know what you think to them.  I'll be back soon with some pics of some beads I made recently.  Need to go and do the Sunday Night Ritual which is bath and wash children.

Oh dear

I have so failed to keep to my promise..... The light on Friday was terrible and I just couldn't get any decent shots so rather than take some sub-standard photos I decided I would wait until tommorrow.  I couldn't do anything today because we went to meet my brother and his family in Guildford.  The weather was fabulous, we had a great meal in Wagamama's, did a little bit of shopping and then took the children to the park with their scooters.  A perfect day!

I will definitely have some pics taken tommorrow and will be listing the kits AT LAST!

Nearly There

Hooray, having a mini celebration because I have almost finished preparing my kit instructions!I have taken

 lots of photographs to make sure that I have captured each step.  I will have a couple of colourways on offer and I hope to have them in my Etsy shop by 9pm (GMT) tonight!  Yes, that's right, I've actually publicly declared a deadline which means that I will have to stick to it instead of getting side tracked into 'other' stuff.  Having difficulty getting the light right for photos on this dull day but I'm going to persevere.

See you later........

A Whiff of Spring

We had beautiful weather here yesterday, it really felt like spring is just around the corner so to celebrate the fact and to try to bring some spring-time cheer to a dull and damp day I made this treasurey in Etsy.

I ordered some new glass colours on Friday so hopefully there will be some neew bead pics coming soon!

Enjoy!