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Well, we're at that time of year when time speeds up to an unreasonable pace and I find myself in panic mode trying to get ready for the holidays. Joy joy. I think there might be less panic, though, because I started earlier than usual with the hand made presents. I got the socks done weeks ago, and I have finished the first beaded gift. Here it is. The beading technique is Peyote With a Twist . I used the pattern Green by Chantal  Martens which is a free pattern available to the members of the Facebook group Peyote With A Twist - Not Crochet . Obviously, I used different colors since mine isn't green. I used colors I know the recipient of this necklace likes. The necklace is 19 inches long. It was only 15 inches long when I finished the pattern chart, which is four inches shorter than I wanted, so I started the chart over again and did two inches. Then I added beads on the ends before the clasp to make it a full 19 inches long. I did beaded caps for the ends of the rope, and I...

Earlier this month I found a group on Facebook called Peyote With a Twist - Not Crochet  (Peytwist for short). I was curious, so I joined it and this is how I learned there is a new beading technique. It bears the name of the group. The technique makes peyote stitched tubes that look just like slip stitch bead crochet rope. I love bead crochet rope necklaces. I've made a few, but haven't in several years because the eyes don't want to see the tiny thread I need to crochet with to accomplish the task. So I kind of got excited about this new peyote technique and have set about learning how to do it. It is actually fairly easy once you know how to start it. The July 2018 issue of Bead and Button featured this technique, which was invented by Gerlinde Lenz . I didn't get that issue. My subscription ran out in June and I decided not to renew it. Anyway, Gerlinda and the other members of the PWAT group were very helpful in directing me to resources that helped me learn it, i...

I have a new silver rope necklace. Finished it this week. It's just a simple piece done in Spiral Rope stitch.  I used matte black for the core, and silver lined crystal and nickel seed beads for the spiral. It has a simple toggle clasp. Nice to have it finished. Hmm, I think I'll start a Christmas ornament cover next. Layette set #26 is just about done. I just have to block it and sew a button on the cardigan. We're getting lots of rain. It has cut back on the wild fires around here. I'm glad about that. More rain is expected for the next few days. As long as it isn't snow, I'm happy. Live long and prosper. \\//

I have finished a beading project! I've made a necklace with pale amber matte superduos and gold plated size 11 seed beads. I used size 6 Fireline for my thread. It's a net stitch tubular rope. Instructions here:  Superduo tubular rope . The tutorial is in Russian, but Google does a good job of translating. I put bead caps on the ends and attached a toggle clasp. It's a total of 19 inches long. I love this necklace. I see myself wearing it a lot! I took tons of pics using different colors of scrapbook paper as backgrounds and various small props. I've posted my favorites. Click on them to embiggen. Live long and prosper. \\//

I have an actual finished beading project. The twisted triangle of 2 years ago is now a necklace. I've named it Lilacs By The Water. I decided to go the easy way and did a Spiral Rope chain. I put glass pearls and bi-cone crystals between the triangle and the chain. It goes pretty well with the spirals in the triangle. The clasp is a simple sterling silver toggle and loop. The triangle is made with size 15, 11, and 8 Japanese seed beads and size 11 delicas. I want to make another one of them. They're fun. It's just a regular peyote triangle done with different sized beads to cause the undulation, or as it's more commonly known, Cellini Spiral stitch . If you are interested, the pattern is here:  Gimlet . Be aware, it's in Russian. I put a silver cone with a glass pearl on the bottom point with 5 seed bead fringes. It's been nice putting beading back into my life. What old beading project will I finish next? Hmm.... Live long and prosper. \\//

Hello! I'm back! We had a lovely camping trip. The weather was great, except one day where it was cloudy and chilly all day, but we didn't mind. We had a camp fire. Other than that, it was perfect. I relaxed and enjoyed myself the whole week. I know I said I was taking my camera and some of my dolls for photo fun, but I promptly forgot to pack the dolls. I didn't feel like taking pics without them. So that's that. I did take my knitting with me and got a lot done. More on that later, after everything has been washed and blocked. Got lots of baby stuff done. It's fair time so I've been busy getting some entries put together. I'm going to have 5 items this year, assuming I get the last item done. I've knit a LOT of stuff this past year, mostly for baby layette sets. But I can only enter two of them. They've decreased the number of categories considerably this year. All the work I did to make the categories great has been undone by a new Superintendent ...