My First Cheery Lynn Rose

When I went to the Cardiff Show I bought the Cheery Lynn Rose Dies. Only thing is I have forgotten how to make the Rose. I did a google search and came up with this site that used two sizes of the Die (Large ad Medium) to make a Rose.
http://www.limetart.com/zestblog/index.php/2012/02/perfect-roses-with-the-cheery-lyn-dies/

It works. Here is my first effort.

There is a Brad in the centre and you glue the petals of one of the medium flowers around the brad to form the centre. I am really pleased with my first effort. I am sure this could be done with punched flowers as well.

Second Challenege

I entered a second challenge on facebook. We had to make a piece of jewellery using Crystals and two different sizes of seed beads. This is my effort.



I didn't design them but made them from a pattern bought from "Around the Beading Table" Her patterns are so easy to follow even the more complicated ones. The patterns are downloaded PDF files.

The beading thread I used is called Fireline and is a refined fishing wire. It is fairly expensive to buy but is virtually unbreakable. I went to the pound shop one day to see they were selling fishing wire on 2 very large reels for the usual pound. Instead of getting just one to try (cos they might not be there next time) I bought 5 x 2 reels. Guess what. It was of no use what so ever, too thick and rigid. Any fishermen out there?

My First Challenge Entry

Today, for the first time I have entered a Challenge. Its not a Blog challenge but one on Facebook. Its on Beaded Jewellery Challenges.

The challenge was to complete a project with a spiral. I have entered a bracelet I made that is called Spiral Staircase. I bought a kit from Spellboundbeads when they were at the Cardiff Bead Show last October. In the kit you got beginners instructions and the beads to complete three projects. This is project 1.

I also bought a kit that will teach me Brick Stitch but as yet have not got round to trying it. Maybe one of the challenges will be to use Brick Stitch and that may spur me on.

Jewellery Class

I went to the bead shop in Cardiff last week and did a class in Shamballa Bracelets. My grandson Sean has been impatiently waiting or me to go as he wanted one in wood but they are expensive to buy. So impatient was he that I didnt get a photo. I have done a couple since one in lavender which my daughter has and this pink one that I managed to take a picture of.

The pink thread is Rattail 2mm. The stitch between the beads is Square Knot. Its really easy to do but you need to complete the two parts of the knot before you leave the work or you wont know which part of the knot you are on. I found this out when I stopped for a coffee break. Luckily there are only two knots between each of the beads so I just undid the knots back to the bead and started again.

I have also been playing with my Spellbinder dies. I saw this card on Sue's Blog so thought I would give it a go. I used a Paisley embossing folder and the Flower dies. After embossing the dies cuts I inked them using a distressing inkpad. The sentiment was stamped  (yes me stamping) then cut out using a Nellie Snellen Die.I decorated a couple of hat pins with some beads and fixed them behind a circle die cut tht had holes around the edge so I just had to put some stitching there.

I tried another of Sues Designs it was her tutorial on a Quilt card. Well I may be able to do patchwork with material but this effort ended up in the bin well before a photograph could be taken. That was a wasted afternoon. Oh well will try it again.

Cards I have made Today

I have had a card making day today. I have difficulty cutting out these days so I invested in a Happy Cut and have been buying cutting dies like they are going out of fashion.

Today I have to say thank you to Lexie for the inspiration for these cards. I have used label die No 1 to cut the base card and the first layer

The images come from different MCS cd's of which like many other people I have many.

Card 1

This image is from MCS Fab Glam 50's. I sized to fit inside a Spellbinder die then added a plain blue area from MCS behind it so that the die cut edge of the picture looks like a frame.

The little handbag is an X Cut die that I have had for a long time.

Card 2

A second blue card so I didn't waste the second half of the first layer. This image is from MCS Sassy Chic and the frame was don as in Card one.

Card 3

I have used the same shape for this card as I tend to do a few the same and then change styles. This uses an image from MCS Floral Masterpieces. Again the plain colour was added and a Spellbinder die used to cut it this time using the round option. I used a smaller die to mount the flowers on. I purchased these from Wild Orchid Crafts after seeing them used by Lexie.

Card 4

This is a second yellow one again to use up the second half of the patterned layer. The image is again from MCS Fab Glam 50's and the bag is from the X Cut die.

My next task is to use up the die cuts that I have cut out as I have loads of them now. I had to cut them all out to see what they looked like. They are i a not so small box waiting to be used.

Smaller Panels

I dont always make large panels I have a lot of small patterns that I have purchased from a site in the UK called www.threadabead.com They have hundreds of patterns on many different subjects that can be downloaded for a very small cost. Not being a designer I find sites like this invaluable.

This one is called Birthday Balloons. Maybe I will use it on a card one day as a topper. Its just they take so long to make it seems such a waste. What else to do with them though I really don't know.

This is Chocolate box Cottage

This is a Christmas Tree hanger showing a Snowman and a Christmas Tree. I think its amazing that a piece where the main body is only 3.5cm x 2.5cm can be so detailed.

This is a Christmas Lady. She is hangs on the Christmas Tree.I have a Summer Lady as well but she is in my "to do" pile

This final one is called Christmas Rose. Mind you I don't see that it looks much like a rose but I love the design anyway

All I have to do now it decide what to do with them or they will become "dust collecters"

My Beadwork

I have recently discovered beads in all their glory. I have completed a number of pieces of jewellery but as I dont wear much found I was giving it all away. Then I discovered Delica beads and Peyote stitch so a new love was born. Now my Mam would call these dust catchers. What she meant was very nice pieces of work with no use whatsoever lol.

This piece is done from a pattern bought from a site in America. It took me weeks to finish and reminds me of an Aztec Rug. It measures 15.5cms x 10.5cms and I have no idea how many beads were used. May be one day when I have nothing better to do I will work it out. Can't see that day coming any time soon ha ha.

My First attempts

This blog is just a way for me to record some of the craft pieces I have completed. As I give away most of what I make I have no record of what I have done. How often I add to this will depend on how much I am able to photograph with my new Digital Camera. I am hoping it it easy to use as a tech wizard I am not.

Carrie