Greenman Project

Hello All,

I've started a new project, a bead embroidery of the Greenman.  The Greenman is a mythological figure in many cultures from ancient times to now.  I like to think of my Greenman as Father Earth, a companion to Mother Earth.

I started my project by googling images of the greenman.  Many of them are fierce, angry looking fellows.  I wanted my Greenman to be friendly.  I sketched a image.

Greenman sketch 4" square

I pieced log-cabin style a 10 " square using various green fabrics.  I started beading and ripped it out twice before I was satisfied with the third incarnation.  I enlarged my sketch and stitched it to my square.  Then I removed all the paper and was left with my thread image.  It looks a little busy right now, but most of the background fabric will be covered with beads.

Greenman in progress

Since I like to make decisions as I go along, I'm not sure how it will be finished.  One idea is to attach it to a canvas, a la Lyric Kinard.

Another idea I have is to attach it to my green & brown "scarf" and make a wall hanging.  It's 44" long by 11" wide.  The green stripy section would be the top.

Woodland scarf

 I could add lots more beads!  I got a little carried away buying beads for this project, not that I didn't already have green beads.  They just needed more variety.  Most of them were bluish green and I wanted more browny green and yellowy green.

Beads auditioning for Greenman project

 It would be fun to use a tree branch as the hanger.  We'll have to wait and see what inspiration strikes.

Hope you're all doing creative fun things.

Jewelry I have made

Hello All,

Prior to the 8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop I want to share some of the jewelry I have made.  I took some classes at the Beading Heart of Santa Fe and also learned some beadweaving stitches online.

Peyote Stitch Amulet Bags

Russian Spiral

Russian Spiral

Peyote Stitch Spiral

Bead Embroidery 

I took an on-line free-form spirit doll class taught by Cindy Chavez at CraftArtEdu.

Right Angle Weave Swarovski Crystals

Paperclay beads 

Paperclay Beads Herringbone Stitch

Wire work

These last 3 were created for the Art Bead Scene monthly challenges inspired by selected pieces of art.

8th Annual Bead Soup Blog Hop

Hello All,

Lori Anderson of Pretty Things is hosting her 8th annual Bead Soup Blog Hop.  It's a lot of work so it's pretty amazing that even though she has major health issues she's still doing it this year.  Thank you, Lori.

This year there is only one day to sign up, February 9th.  Lori explains everything about the process on her blog.

This will be my first time participating.  I'm sure it will be exciting meeting other beaders, exchanging beads then sharing our creations.  The whole point is to broaden our horizons, do something out of our comfort zone.  I love to experiment so it sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Hello All,

Wow, it's been 3 weeks since I last posted to my blog.  I finished the Cat in the Hat baby quilt.  Yeah!  The baby shower was yesterday and in the morning I was clipping threads and doing a final wash.  Had to get rid of all the dog and cat hair!

It's so sweet.  I love it.

before quilting

after quilting

I love how even simple quilting adds so much.  The quilting is far from perfect, but it doesn't matter.  The texture is great and it's so drapable.

the words are quilted

I pieced the back with the border prints.  I cut 5" squares and foundation pieced around them in a wonky log cabin style.  I like things to be irregular and asymmetrical.  

It was a fun project and I can't wait until the new grandbaby arrives!

Now I'm working on a design for a small beaded wall quilt.

Hope you're all staying warm and having fun doing something creative.

Hello All,

I've been putting the borders on my next baby quilt.  It's going  to be so cute!

I'll be piecing the other side.  I have 2 Cat in the Hat prints which I will use to cut large squares and the border prints will surround the squares.

My current plan for the quilting is to outline the Cat in the Hat and underline the words.  I haven't decided on the quilt pattern for the borders.  I'm thinking I'll treat the borders as one unit.

I'll be back soon with another progress report.

Be creative and have fun.

Hello All,

I spent the past week in Santa Fe, New Mexico training on new software.  It was a lovely visit catching up with my co-workers and friends.  winter in Santa Fe NM 

I didn't bring any crafting projects or supplies, so I have no progress to report.

I'm planning to participate in the January Art Bead Scene challenge.  Lois Mailou Jones inspiration piece for January ABS challenge.  I missed the December challenge, but I still want to make a something inspired by this Kadinsky Winter Landscape.  December Art Bead Scene Challenge inspiration piece


Until next time, keep warm.  Do something creative and fun.

Happy New Year!

Jerry, Pito and I wish everybody a great 2014, filled with creativity and fun.