A Time To Stitch 8

Hello and welcome!

Today is the reveal date for A Time To Stitch 8 blog hop, hosted by wonderful Therese and Christine. Thank you ladies for organising this event. And the theme is 'What's your bag?'

My bag is an amulet bag. Let me introduce you to Floral Grace. The most beautiful amulet bag I've found. I have made it from a kit. I think it is so practical to find all the beads, the pattern, and all of the materials in just one place that I couldn't resist to order it from Jencel, an online bead shop from the UK. It is a Sheila Davies design. 

For those not familiar with the meaning of an amulet bag, I'll explain. 

Amulet bags are originated with the Native American tribes and they are generally worn at heart level. In ancient times, they were used by Native tribes to carry herbs or things to ward off evil spirits. They were also used to carry prayers for loved ones. If you have a family member or a friend who is going through a tough time, you can put prayers in it for them. Also, if you have small gifts that others have given you, you can put those in the bag. Gifts of love are thought to hold the energy of love for the recipient of the gift.

Today, most people wear amulet bags as jewellery, like I do. Amulet bags can be made in any stitch you want, one bead at a time. Mine is made in netted stitch and it lacks the usual fringe. I've made a change to the decoration and the strap was done in a more solid daisy chain.

I've used everything from the kit except for the Nymo thread. It had a beautiful light blue colour but since I've discovered the advantages of Fireline I don't use any other thread.

There is a lot to see and admire in this blog hop. So here's the list of participants. Enjoy!

Therese

Christine

Jenny

Bobbie

Ana (you're here)

Amy

Cynthia

Karin S

Maryanne

Liz

Lori

Paula

Jasvanti

Dagi

Kim

Kepi

Samantha

Alicia

Motidana

Becky

Sources:
http://sacreddreamsbeadyblog.blogspot.pt/2009/08/what-is-amulet-bag.html
http://www.victoriancrochet.com/tipstricks.tpl?cart#What%20is%20an%20Amulet%20Bag?

Butterfly Challenge Blog Hop

Hi and welcome!

Today is the Reveal Day for the Butterfly Challenge hosted by talented Alenka Obid (aka as Pepita) from Slovenia. Thank you so much to Alenka for your organising.

After the indecision created by seeing so many beautiful patterns out there (you can read about it here), I've decided to make two bracelets.

One bracelet is a peyote pattern from MigoToChou (Amanda). This is a beautiful, feminine and elegant bracelet done in odd two-count peyote pattern. To my surprise, I didn't how to do it and I found it complicated and time-consuming. In a blog post, I've found an easy way to overcome it: doing an even count peyote and eventually adding the rest using brick stitch (pinned here). How about that?

I've tried to use similar or close delica beads as the ones from the original pattern so it looks pretty close to the photo seen in Etsy.

And the second bracelet is a Deborah Roberti design. It is called Butterfly Lace Bracelet. It looks lacy. I don't know what kind of stitch you call it. Usually made with two colours of bicones, I've opted for a simpler look. I've used matte dark blue seed beads and Swarovski crystal bicones.

If you've been following my blog for some time, you may already know that I have opened an Etsy  shop for my beading pieces. You can finding both bracelets for sale there.

As this is a blog hop, you can expect other participants. This is the list. Do check them out but let me warn you for finding 'out of this world' beading! Be(ad) happy!

1. Alenka (Pepita) --> the hostess

2. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)

3. Beti Horvath

4. Kathy Lindemer

5. Kepi

6. Christine Altmiller

7. Amy S.

8. Dini Bruinsma

9. Cynthia (Antiquity Travelers)

10. Alicia

11. sheilaposter

12. Therese Frank

13. Rebecca White

14. Rachel Mallis

15. Liz E

16. Ana (ACBeads) --> you are here

17. Jasvanti Patel

18. Carolyn

19. Nan Smith

Butterfly Challenge

Hi! I've just taken a new challenge. I've joined in Pepita's blog hop dedicated to Butterflies. If you are a fan of butterflies like myself, maybe you would like to join us too at Pepita's blog.

You'll have to create something on the theme of butterflies - it can be a piece of jewellery, an ornament or something else, and write a blog post about the final creation with the list of participants on the 11st May.

Some time ago I shared a simple necklace I've made using a butterfly pendant. You can read it HERE.

I'm not sure if I'll redo it in a more elaborate look or if I'll use some of the butterfly charms I have in my stash and make a bracelet fit for Spring.

I'm still indecisive whether I'll do something in beadweaving using one of the amazing patterns I've found on Etsy.

A pattern for a peyote bracelet - FLUTTERING BRACELET- from MigotoChou.

A pattern for a butterfly that can be used in a ring or lapel pin - from ButterflyBeadKits.

A beaded pendant - BUTTERFLY EFFECT - from mariposa8000.

I'll have to choose at least one. What is your favourite? 

Be(ad) happy!

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.
~ Rabindranath Tagore ~

A Time To Stitch 6 Blog Hop Reveal

Hi! Today is the reveal of A Time to Stitch 6 Blog Hop. This is the 6th edition of the blog hop organised by Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller. A big thank you to the hostesses.

This time the objective was to use a graphed chart, a word chart or a picture chart for creating our beadwoven piece. You can read more about it here.

After I signed up for this challenge, I searched for a beautiful peyote pattern for a bracelet. I am attracted to small geometric patterns like those designed by Diana Costa (Etsy Shop), Anna a.k.a. as Anabel (Etsy Shop) and Carol Dean Sharpe (Etsy Shop). These are my favourite designers in what comes to peyote bracelet patterns. 

Nevertheless, when I laid my eyes on the Crazy Paisley from Fusion Beads, I said to myself, this is the one I'm going to make. As my bead stash is limited, I had to order new beads which eventually arrived, but then came Christmas and Christmas gifts. After that, I couldn't find the ordered beads anymore. They have gone astray. 

Printed instructions with bead list

So, plan B had to come in. Last year I had heard about Bead-It-Forward project and I had decided that I had to donate something to this charitable programme in favour of breast cancer research.

I have made two squares and I plan to make two more.  If you are reading this and you are interested in participating too, you can read the guidelines here.

Each year there is a theme and this year's theme is Animals - Wild About Finding a Cure. You can create your own patterns or use the ones already available. There are several I love but the one I chose (the two-drop peyote bunny pattern) was, by coincidence, designed by Therese. I have used the word chart instead of the graphed chart which was a surprise to me because I think I am a visual person more than a word person. Don't tell anyone but I've spotted some mistakes when comparing the two squares. I'll be remaking the flawed square this weekend.

I can't wait to see the creations of the other participants. This is the list. Enjoy!

1-Therese Frank  (Host)    

2-Christine Altmiller  (Host)

3-Cynthia Machata

4-Samantha Wescott

5-Karin Slaton

6-Wendy

7-LizE

8-Dagi (Kokopelli)

9-Lola

10-Paula

11-Karin G.

12-Becky Pancake

13-Ana Cravidao <---- you are here

14-Alenka

15-Debbie (Kepi)

16-Nelly May

17-LiliKrist

18-Sally Russick

19-Maryanne

20-Kim

21-Amy

My Country Blog Hop

8th Bead Soup Blog Party post
A Time to Stitch 5 post

~~~~
Today is the reveal for My Country Blog Hop, an international event hosted by Canadian Nan Smith. A big thank you to Nan.

A bit about myself. My name is Ana Cravidao and I am from Portugal, a country in Southwestern Europe. In general, Portugal is associated with sunshine, beaches and good wine.

(click on any photo to enlarge)

Less known aspects are the old architecture, the tile making art and the pavements made with black and white limestone.

Tile making is a traditional art here in Portugal. It was introduced by the Arab peoples many centuries ago in the Iberian Peninsula. Their intricate designs were of the utmost beauty.

Tile work has evolved. From geometric motifs where the blue colour was generally used, nowadays any colours and motifs, or no motifs at all, can be used.

Traditional tilework

old artistic tile work 

traditional tile work

artistic tile work

artistic tile work

My fascination with the elaborate geometric motifs in the Arab tiles as led me to choose, or should I say, to 'borrow' the Persian tile pattern from Marcie Abney.

I had planned to make a bracelet with several 'tiles' connected by wire links but I must confess that I ran out of time. I ended up with one 'tile' that I've attached to a silver plated trace chain. I hope you like it.

I look forward to seeing everybody's creations in this blog hop. Be ready to be amazed because there are great artists participating. 

Nan Smith - the hostess (Canada) http://nanmade.blogspot.ca

Ana (Portugal)                            http://acbeads.blogspot.pt   <--- you are here

Rita (Mexico)                              http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Dini (The Nederlands)                 http://angazabychanges.blogspot.nl

Robin Reed (Indiana, USA)         http://willowdragon.blogspot.com

Lilik Kristina (Indonesia)             http://pcbylik.blogspot.com

Karen Mitchell (South Australia)   www.overthemoon-design.com

Melissa Trudinger (Australia)       http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Johana Nunez (Puerto Rico)       http://artincendi.com

Kepi (Alberta, Canada)               http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca

Deb Fortin  (Ontario, Canada)     http://studiok24.blogspot.ca

Divya  (India)                             http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com

Tammy Adams (Arizona, USA)  http://paisleylizard.com

Baizoran (Bulgaria)                    http://bairozan.blogspot.com

Carolyn (Calif.&Pacific Northwest,USA) http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Linda A.(Washington DC, USA) http://fromthebeadboard.blogspot.com

Inge Van Roos (California, USA) http://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Natalie (New Zealand )               http://www.northshoredays.com

Lori Schneider ( )                       http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com 

Mary Harding (New York, USA) http://maryhardingjewelrybeadblog.blogspot.com

Bouchra Rebai (Algeria)              http://bouchrarebai.wordpress.com

Michelle McCarthy (Florida, USA) http://Fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com

~~~~

Photo credits:

1,4 Município de Setúbal - Galeria de imagens

2  Praia da Califórnia (Sesimbra) 

3  Port wine

6  Avenida Luísa Todi, Setúbal

7  Mekhnes Place El-Hedine Mosaique3

8,9,12  Viúva Lamego

11  Carlos Botelho, Painel de azulejos, Av.Infante Santo, Lisboa

~~~~

A Time To Stitch 4

Hi everybody! Welcome to my blog. Today is the reveal day for A Time To Stitch 4, a blog hop hosted by Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller. This is my first participation in this bead-weaving challenge.

In this edition, the 4th, everybody does net stitch which must be used in one of the pieces. The other stitches than can be used are spiral rope, chevron stitch and chenille stitch.

Besides netting stitch, I have chosen spiral rope. Here are my pieces. Click on any photo to enlarge.

This is a cuff bracelet made using net stitch. The seed beads are a bit irregular and this stitch demands a certain uniformity in beads, nevertheless I like the end result.

This is a bracelet made in net stitch with a picot. I love its amethyst colour. It's my favourite of all the pieces I've made.

A netted collar made with seed beads and faceted beads using vertical netting stitch and a picot. I was inspired by Ukranian and Russian beadwork designs where this kind of netting is often used.

For the second stitch, I have chosen spiral rope.

A bracelet using 5mm white pearls, 11/0 and 15/0 seed beads in grey colours.

Thank you lovely ladies, Therese and Christine, for creating and organising this event. I have learned a lot. Please tell me which your favourite piece is. I really look forward to see what the other participants have created and the stitches they have chosen. The list for the blog hop is the following:

Hostesses:

1. Therese Frank          http://theresestreasures59.blogspot.com
2. Christine Altmiller      http://onekisscreations.blogspot.com

Participants:

1. Amy Severino           http://amybeads.blogspot.com
2. Janet Bocciardi         http://www.honeyfromthebee.com/
3. Cynthia Machata       http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
4. Alicia Marinache        http://www.allprettythings.ca
5. Paula Kramer            http://cavecreekbeads.blogspot.com
6. Kim Hora                  http://www.kimmykats.com
7. Dagi (Kokopelli)         http://kokopellidesign.blogspot.com
8. Maryanne Gross        http://zingalasworkshop.blogspot.com
9. Liz E                         http://beadcontagion.blogspot.com
10. Sally Russick             http://thestudiosublime.com/
11. Becky Pancake          http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
12. Jasvanti Patel            http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
13. Karin Slaton               http://backstorybeads.blogspot.com
14. Alenka Obid               http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com/
15. Sarah Sequins            http://www.saturdaysequins.com/
16. Tanya Goodwin          http://pixiloo.blogspot.com
17. Debbie Rasmussen     http://kepirasmussen.blogspot.com
18. Shirley Moore             http://beadsandbread.blogspot.com/
19. Crystie Willard            http://thebeadingstylist.blogspot.com
20. Nelly May                   www.smellynelly.blogspot.com
21. Ana Cravidao              http://acbeads.blogspot.com <-------- You are here

~~~~
Hoje é o dia do evento A Time To Stitch 4 organizado por Therese Frank and Christine Altmiller em que os blogues participantes mostram o que fizeram com os dois pontos usados nos trabalhos com missangas - o ponto de rede (netting stitch) e o cordão em espiral (spiral rope). 

Fiz quatro peças: três em ponto de rede e uma em cordão que podem ver nas fotos acima. Qual é a vossa peça preferida?

A lista inclui todos os participantes no evento que publicam hoje, dia 15 de Janeiro, as suas criações. Disfrutem. 

Desafio do aniversário do blogue de Pepita / Pepita’s Blogoversary Challenge

Welcome! Alenka Obid, also known as Pepita, has celebrated her first blogoversary with a giveaway and a blog hop. I was one of the lucky recipients of her handmade art. Besides creating jewellery, Pepita designs and makes the most beautiful polymer clay components.

There are 13 participants (a lucky number for Pepita) and each one received a different piece. The funny part is that even Alenka didn't know what piece she was sending to each of us.

I loved my pendant. It is an S-shaped pendant in bright green with yellow hues.

The challenge was launched: when I carefully looked at it, I noticed that it was top-drilled from side to side, and I thought: how am I going to hang the pendant, besides stringing? Maybe using wire to make a bail. Well, no. I'm just beginning in working with wire. And what about using seed beads and incorporate the pendant in a bead weaving design? Great idea, but my skills are limited to brick stitch. That was a lesson: I need to need to learn more beading and jewellery techniques. So, what about stringing? Too boring. And if cotton cord is used? That is interesting - I said to myself. Then I started making the necklace you can see in the photos below. I combined glass, ceramic and acryllic beads in different shapes to get a modern look.

I'm very happy with the finished necklace and I've worn it on a white top. By the way, I'm not so happy with the photos - it was a '4-day session' until I got some decent ones. I hope I have managed to capture the beauty of both pendant and necklace.

I would like to thank you, Alenka (Pepita), for your generosity in gifting us with your art and for hosting this event.

This is a blog hop so you can see many other creations with Pepita's beauties when you hop over to the blogs of real jewellery artists.

Ginger Bishop
Susan Kennedy
Becky Pancake
Debi Rasmussen
Evelyn Shelby
Dini Bruinsma
Monique Urquhart
Jo-Ann Woolverton
Penny May
Carolyn Lawson
Ana Cravidao <---- You are here
Dolores Raml
Cynthia Machata

GIVEAWAY ALERT: There is a surprise at Pepita's blog! Check it out here.

_____

Bem-vindo, caro leitor! O post de hoje faz parte de um blog hop patrocinado por Alenka Obid, mais conhecida como Pepita na blogosfera, que para festejar o 1.º ano do seu blogue ofereceu a 13 leitores um trabalho seu em massa polímera. São componentes de massa polímera, todos diferentes. É muita criatividade, não acham?

Contas, separadores, conectores. pendentes e fechos - todos criados por Pepita 

Recebi o pendente verde em forma de S que podem ver no canto inferior esquerdo e com ele fiz um colar enfiando contas variadas em fio de algodão . Já o usei e gosto muito do seu look moderno. Mil vezes obrigada à Alenka por ter criado este evento e por tão generosamente ter oferecido os seus trabalhos.

Não deixem de espreitar o que os meus colegas, alguns artistas premiados, fizeram com estas peças. Usem a lista que está acima na versão em inglês do post, mas não deixem de passar pelo blogue da Pepita ond há um sorteio-surpresa. Até à próxima!