Bead Soup Blog Party Reveal

Time to reveal our creative endeavors with beads sent by our Bead Soup partners (see my last post to see what I received).  I am only a little late but at least it is done.  I used the focal sent by Michelle McCarthy to create this necklace.  I also added a few of Michelle's ceramic beads and the clasp she sent.  The rest is from my stash, including some turquoise, jade, chain and some rusty things.

Here is a closeup of the focal with some upcycled metal I added to it.  I have had this metal piece for a while and really wanted to use it.  I laid it on the focal that was made by Staci Louise Smith and it was like they were meant to be together.  This is only slightly in the style of Staci.  It is very intimidating working with her components because she is so talented. 

This is very different than my usual style and really challenged me.  But it was so much fun.  

I also made a pair of earrings with the Czech glass beads.  

I still have lots of beads and chain left so I am planning for another pair of earrings and a bracelet.  

Thanks again Lori.  This is always so much fun and definitely challenges my creative brain.  
Now here is the long list of other bead artists copied from the leader, Lori's blog.  Have fun checking out their blogs to see what they have created.

Lori Anderson :: Hostess

Claire Fabian

Jennifer Strehler

Rochelle Brisson

Annita Wilson

Melissa Trudinger

Loralee Kolton

Valerie Tilghman

Mischelle Andrade

Elizabeth Bunn

Marianna DeLuca Wehner

Johana Nunez

Jenny Kyrlach

Elizabeth Hodges

Lennis Carrier

Candida Castleberry

Mary Govaars

Sandi James

Arlene Dean

Kristina Eleniak

Nan Smith

Nadine Edris

Denise McCabe

Donna Marie Hanna

Audrey Belanger

Nicole Rennell

Robin Reed

Terry Jeanette Carter

Donna Hoblit

Ann Schroeder

Klaudete Koon

Veralynne Malone

Lorelei Eurto

Ann  Sherwood

Jackie Locantore

Mowse Doyle

Dorit Woldenga

Cheri Reed

Dolores Raml

Palak Udeshi

Laurie Vyselaar

Heather Canepa

Dorothy Supri

Sharyl King

Elaine Robitaille

Heather Marston

Terry Matuszyk

Andra Weber

D'Arsie Manzella

Sooz Anzalone

Karin King

Leona Smith

Tania Spivey

Jasvanti Patel

Danielle Kelley

Shai Williams

Jacqueline Marchant

Erin Kenny 

Becky Pancake

Kelly Schermerhorn

Renetha Stanziano

Rana Wilson

Janine Lucas

Kelly Hosford Patterson

Andrea Glick

Joanne Bell

Sarah Strover

Sam Waghorn

Helena Hatten

Jackie Ryan

Bridget Torres

Inge von Roos

Krafty Max

Iveth Caruso

Rebecca Ednie

Amy Severino

Blanca Medina

Dyanne Everett-Cantrell

Samantha Wescott

Christine Stonefield

Silke Groeber

Alenka Obid

Lori Bowring Michaud

April Grinaway

Yvette Goodridge

Kathy Lindemer

Kathleen A Breeding

Joyce Becker

Pam Farren

Divya N

Sherri Stokey

Terri DelSignore

Kate Gonska

Jean Wells

CJ Bauschka

Bonnie Coursolle

Barb Fernald

Noemí Baena

Dana Phillips

Karen Firnberg

Michelle  Escano Caballero

Natalie Ettinger

Valerie Norton

Rachel Mallis

Denise Milward

Bobbie Rafferty

Vonna Maslanka

Elisabeth Auld

Hannah Rosner

Carla Fry

Terri Gauthier

Teresa Fischer

Tanya Goodwin

Barbara Judy

Leanne Loftus

Carrie Stalcup

Lori Schneider

Joelyn Bissing

Kate Dufour

Gail Poveda

Katie Nielsen-Nunez

Pam DeBoer

Dee Elgie

Judy Jacobs

Elisabeth Matouschek

Shawn Elkins

Sally Russick

Susan McClelland

Tracy Stillman

Robin Lynne Showstack

Marianne Baxter

Maria Rosa Sharrow

Therese Frank

Sandi Volpe

Leslie Scholz

Joan Williams

Laura Guenther

Liz Engriser

B.R.Kuhlman

Bev Breisinger

Radel Vela

Kim Dworak

Carol Dillman

Alice Craddick

Janeen Burlingame

Leah Curtis

Ann Marie Hodrick

Hajer Waheed Khalil

Lucy Clasen

Michelle McCarthy

Maria Rios


Babette Cox
Natalie Davidson
Brenda Ballou
Christina Hickman

Keep on creating,
Carol   

Bead Soup Blog Party - Partners!

I am participating in Lori Anderson's Bead Soup Blog Party - Hoarder's Edition.

In Lori's words:
"The goal of this bead swap was to trade with a partner you don't know, giving them a bead or beads you have hoarded, treasured, and loved, sending them out to be worked up into a piece of jewelry or art. Each participant was also supposed to write a note about the beads they sent -- where they came from and why they were chosen."

My partner is Michelle McCarthy of Firefly Design Studio and Playing with Clay blog.  Michelle creates beads, pendants, finished jewelry and functional pottery in her home studio, located in Port Charlotte, Florida.

Here are the beads I sent to Michelle - a collection of my own lampwork beads in my favorite colors.  Time to let them go and see what another artist can do with them.

Here are the beads that Michelle sent to me.  The focal was made by Stacy Louise Smith.  The sweet little ceramic bead sets in the center were made by Michelle.  So many fun things here to spark creativity.   

This focal is very different from the components I usually choose and will definitely stretch my creative skills.  So come back on March 25 to see what I and the other bead artists design with the treasures we received.

Ready to create,
Carol 

Bead Soup Blog Party Is Back!

After quite a break from my blog, I am finally back.  This is thanks to Lori Anderson and the Bead Soup Blog Party.  I can't resist a good party and when that includes beads, it is especially inviting.  It seems that getting two new grandchildren and doing two house remodels took up a great deal of time and my blog was one thing that had to be put on hold.  So after nearly two years I now have the time to resume.  I want to encourage other bloggers out there that have let your blog slide for a while, whether it is a month or years, give it a try again.  We can do this!

You may recall that my husband and I added a garage, sunroom, outdoor deck and bead room on to our house.  Also I own a house and my daughter and her family wanted to move back to Virginia and asked if they could live in that house.  Since they already had one of my grandchildren, of course, I would love to have them nearby.  The issue was that the house needed a lot of updating so I embarked on some major work.  Of course, much was hired out like the new kitchen and bath and new roof.  But I painted every room in the house and managed all of the other work.  There is still ongoing work to be done on the house but the bigger jobs are complete.  And best of all, my grandbabies are only 15 minutes away. 

Best grandbabies ever!

Of course, now I am finding all the projects that I had to put aside in order to get the work done.  In a past post, Quilt Finish, I showed a quilt that I was finishing for my new grandson.  It was done before he was six months old.  Now my granddaughter is nine months old and her quilt is still not completely pieced.  Time to get sewing.  In my defense, during this time my sewing room was completely packed up and moved. I have added a couple of pictures from her quilt to prove it is in progress.  Yes, there is a lot of pink. 

My beading and jewelry making during this time was almost non-existent.  So much so, that I had to close my Etsy shop.  I am happy to say that the Etsy shop is open again but I need a lot more listings.  And yes, I also moved my whole bead room too.  

I am more organized now but it is taking time to get back in the habit of working in my studio.  So Bead Soup Blog Party to the rescue! 

Let's get creative,

Carol

Quilt Finish

At the end of January I gave a sneak peak of the quilt I was working on for my new grandson.  Well, it is finally finished and in his nursery. 

I made several samples of his embroidered name and used one to make a matching pillow. 

 

Here is a view of the front  

 

 

and the back with the label.  This was a relatively easy quilt to make with only a few challenges laying out the back. 

 

That's my DH holding the quilt.  Oh, the things they have to do for us.  

 

Here is a more current picture of my perfect gentleman.  Just love this guy and today he fell asleep on my shoulder for about 30 minutes.  (I loved just holding him.)

 

 

What is your latest creative finish?

Carol

 

GYB Winner!

Hello All!

I am a bit behind on announcing my Grow Your Blog winner due to weather and other things.  Because my prize was a mystery, I will now reveal the faux sea glass earrings that I created just for this event. 

It is a little difficult to see in the picture but the glass pieces are square.  They are very lightweight and I hope the winner will enjoy them. 

And the winner is -   (Drum roll please!!!)

Val of Val's Quilting Studio

 

Val is a very talented quilter with a very bright and colorful style.  I hope you will check out her blog to see her many quilts.  So Val, please send me your snail mail address and I will get them on their way to you. 

 

Hope everyone is finding time to create something,

Carol

Happy Valentine's Day to all

Hope everyone is having a pleasant Valentine's Day however you choose to spend it.  Just relaxing here.

Don't forget to comment on my Grow Your Blog party post to be entered for a surprise giveaway!  I will be drawing a name some time tomorrow.  Good luck! 

Keep creating,
Carol

Grow Your Blog 2015

Welcome to the "Grow Your Blog" Party - 2015.  A big thank you to Vicki, at 2 Bags Full blog, for hosting this event.  Over 400 bloggers have signed up and the fun begins today.  

My name is Carol Dillman and I live in the mountains of Virginia, USA.  I am retired from the education field and keeping busier than ever.  I have two grown children, a son and a daughter.  Both are married and my daughter just had a little boy in November.  I also have 4 grown stepchildren and 3 more grandchildren. Whew!  The family is growing.  My husband and I love to entertain and spoil the grandchildren and sometimes the granddogs. 


The Mr. and granddogs

I am so glad you have come to visit my little space in the blogosphere.  This is where I get to share my adventures in lampwork glass beads, jewelry, sewing and some photography.  I need to be busy all the time with creating, learning and improving skills. 

Zinnia in my garden

I love to sew and have been sewing since I was fairly young.  Though I am currently in to quilting and making baby clothes, my daughter and husband can sometimes get me to create projects they devise.  Mending is not on my favorite list. lol 

Quilt made for the Crisis Pregnancy Center

Another sewing project I enjoy is upcycling leather garments in to handbags and totes. 



Leather tote made from leather skirts

Next on my list is making lampwork beads which means I melt glass in a torch flame. 



Lampwork beads from my torch

Then, because I have so many beads, I use a lot of them in jewelry.  This also gets me into some metal work. 

Sterling silver and lamwork beads

Seems that one thing just leads to another in my life.  Does anyone else just like to try out everything?  And this explains my stashes of fabric, glass, yarn, etc., etc.  So many projects - so little time.

Glass stash

This year I have decided to join in with a GIVEAWAY.  All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win.  Of course, I would love to have you follow my blog but it is not a requirement to win. 

The gift will be a surprise as I haven't decided what it will be yet.  I will announce the winner on February 15 so be sure to leave your comment before then to be entered.

Thanks so much for visiting with me!  If you are a blogger but not a participant in the "Grow Your Blog" party, leave your blog site in your comment and I will visit you, too. 

Now if you are ready to have some fun and meet some new friends through their blogs, please click here on Vicki's blog.  Vicki has a list of all of the participants and links to all of the wonderful blogs that are participating.  Many of the blogs are also having giveaways.  Here's to making some new friends!

Keep on creating,
Carol D.

Sewing for a Special Guy

I am a new grandmother!!  What a great feeling.

It has been a busy fall and winter but I did start early to make a quilt for the new little guy.  Here is a sneak peak. 

Pin basted front side

My daughter picked most of the fabrics and the squares design.  I added the borders because she wanted his name embroidered on the front.  Will have to show that picture on a later post.



Pin basted back

The back design came about because the star fabric wasn't wide enough on its own and I didn't want to just sew two pieces together (could never have lined up the stars).  When I started quilting, I learned some lessons I will share later.

This was the first time I had ordered so many fabrics online for a project.  I got most of the ocean themed ones on Etsy and was quite pleased with quality and service.  It allowed my daughter and I to choose them together.  The rest I sourced locally. 

Even though the quilt was not quite finished, it was included in some photos with the new guy.  He is only 2 days old here and just home from the hospital.



New guy with his quilt

I made the receiving blanket with the London buses (under his head) also.  They lived in London for 2 years and are decorating his nursery with a travel theme.

Thanks for indulging a new grandmother!
And hope you are creating something new,
Carol