This is a wrist band I made for my great neice, together with a matching headband and brooch.   I am absolutely hooked on making these peony flowers.   Instructions for these very easy to make flowers can be found at: -   http://www.creaturecomfortsblog.com/home/2012/4/3/diy-fabric-peony-flower-accessories-gift-toppers.html

Many thanks to Ez, the sweet lady who was kind enough to share her 'how to'.

Back to stitching

I belong to a small group of stitchers, each Christmas we make a hand-made gift for each member.  This year we are exchanging ornaments.  I made these hearts, but was concerned that one heart would not seem much of a gift, or they might seemed a bit 'cheesy'.  So, I hope volume will make up for cheesiness!  I made thirty hearts - three for each member. 

Phew! It feels good to have a Christmas project finished - one down!

A variety of silk strips were stitch together with decorative machine stitches. Three different heart-shape patterns were used to cut the hearts, some at an angle, from the silk fabric. The heart shapes were embellished with embroidery, beads, silk ribbon and lace. A back was attached with blanket stitch and a little stuffing added. Ribbon was stitched to the back to form a hanger.

Tila bead bracelet

I just tried the new (well new to me) Tila beads - square beads with two holes.  Very easy to work with and lovely colours.  Here I used the Tila beads with pearls and seed beads.  

Right Angle Bead Weaving

I took a class yesterday on Right Angle bead weaving.  It was a very enjoyable class and our teacher has the patience of a saint.   Here is the 'Right Angle Dangle' necklace I made.

My latest bracelet

 This bracelet reminds of a sea anemone - the beads move as I move my wrist - the beads swaying as if under water.   I made a bead base, to which long bugle beads were added.   A 'loop' of seed beads connects each pair of bugles, which gives a lacy effect.  A few crystals were placed along the center of the bracelet.    The bugles are black and very shiny and the seed beads are clear glass with a sliver lining.   

A few more beading projects

Here are some barrel beads, made with 3 sizes of pearls and seeds beads.  Also some easy seed bead bracelets - good for a beginner to beading.

Beading projects

I have not been doing much sewing lately, but I have caught the beading bug.   I took a class to make a focal bead from pearls and seed beads, that class inspired me to try some patterns from a beading magazine and much to my surprise I managed to follow the instructions.    I really got carried away with a lariat necklace, which has approx 3,500 beads!    The lariat and blue bracelet are made in a beading pattern called St. Petersburg double chain, it is an old Russian pattern.