Thinking About Twittering?

His phone rang and he walked away from his loud drunk friends. He told her a lie so obvious he flinched. She didn't care. Her lie was bigger

- a 140 character "Tweet" from tiny novelist Arjunbasu

Hopefully, I can be of some help with your Twitter questions. Twitter is a new-ish social networking site which can link you in the fastest way possible to friends, family, and others with similar interests to yours. You can check out my twitter page , or you can visit twitter's home page to sign up for your own twitter account. It's free, fun, and highly addictive. (I'm just forewarning you about this)

There are pages you can visit if you have more questions about how to navigate twitter  or, Mollybob posts a great resource if you are new to twitter called "What I'd like to have known when I started using Twitter" How great is that?! In any case, try Twitter today. You will find it'll become your newest best friend :o) *tweet*

Things To Think About

A Stumbling Block To Creativity - Me?

Well, I came upon a wonderful new blogsite called Pikaland through, of course, Twitter. (my newest form of distraction). Pikaland has a wonderful project called the Good to Know Project I really identified with this project because I do actually have my own stumbling blocks to creativity, and one in particular has reared it's ugly head lately. I still feel a bit squeamish even talking about this, but since blogging has become a form of therapy for me (thank you), I am going to just press on, and divulge it here, all over this page. Ready, here goes... 

"By All Means, Be An Artist… Just Don’t Make Purses" -an actual quote heard during dinner party conversation. ....Okay, there it is. That is my major stumbling block. 

We have people in our lives who touch us in ways we may or may not like. I don't really know why I let certain people affect me the way they do, as when I overhear this type of dinner party conversation. I know they weren't directing this comment towards me. In fact, the comment was directed towards someone studying art, who wasn't even present. And, I did take it personally. 

My rational is that I do struggle with this very issue deep inside myself; can purses actually be an art form? I studied Fine Art in order to be a fine artist, and paint fantastic paintings. But why can't fantastic paintings be created from fiber instead of paint? And why can't one's canvas be recycled wool, instead of muslin? My stumbling block here is of my being misunderstood by the greater artistic community, inadvertently subjecting myself to a lesser artistic level by not being a purist and keeping my paintings on canvas. Society seems to dictate what is acceptable, marketable, "real art". I suppose my compulsion to stand my ground, and fight for acceptance of the art form I choose to create may backfire. But, for today (and tomorrow), this is my path. It's the path that makes me happy, makes my heart sing, the path that people support by buying my work. I may get back to canvas one day, when I am ready. Then, those people can decide whether or not they deem my art "acceptable". In the meantime, I am quite happy to forge my own path, thank you very much!

Part II: Lola's Favorite Walk In Coronado

Back from the Bay

I know you have been waiting patiently for the second part of this walk, and I promise you will only have to wait a short time more. In the meantime, I have a post rushing to get out of me, so will finish that, then get back to this. Please be patient with me, and, in the meantime; thanks!

Lola's Favorite Walk in Coronado

Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets

Lola likes this walk. She really likes this walk, and Greg and I like it too. I call it the Beach and Bay Walk, because you walk by both within minutes of each other. It's always the nicest part of the day to take this wonderful walk through some of the more scenic sections of Coronado. These are "off the beaten path" areas, so I've tried to document it properly. I want YOU to be able to take this wonderful walk too. If you see Lola and me, stop us and say Hi!

If you are familiar with Coronado, start by the Post Office. If you aren't familiar with

Coronado, drive over the bridge, turn left on Orange Ave, and left on B Street. Go one block, turn right and park in the vicinity of the Post Office, on Ynez and A Ave. Grab your hat, put on some sunscreen, grab a pup on a leash if you have one, and away we go!

Begin walking down B Street towards Orange Ave (where you just turned if you came by car). Cross Orange and now you are walking down Loma Ave. You will walk by Fabrications (a shop I love) and Chez Loma Restaurant. Take a peek at the menu.

Maybe you'll come back for a French lunch ;o). Pass the beautiful historic Victorian houses on your way to Star Park Circle. Continue on Loma towards 

the beach. Look at the amazing brick walls, and take a moment to appreciate the history on this block.  When you get to Ocean Blvd, stop and have a long look. It's so pretty here looking across the beach towards Pt Loma.

Now you are going to turn left and walk along Ocean Blvd towards the Hotel Del Coronado. As you get close to the Hotel, you will notice a walkway that takes you on the beach side of the hotel. Follow this path, and marvel at the beach homes along here. They rent for $2200.00 PER NIGHT. Okay, yes; people actually stay there... regularly.

Now you are walking behind the hotel, and if you are walking without a pet in tow (dogs aren't allowed on Del property), you might

choose to venture off the walking path, and explore the Hotel Del. It's lovely, but I will warn you: drinks now start at about $12.50. There are shops to explore, a fabulous spa, old world history, and even a resident ghost. An amazing place, the Hotel del Coronado! 

As you continue on down the path behind the hotel, you may find sand art along the way. The Sandman has been here and left his charming art brushed out of sand from the beach. If you don't see sand art, you most likely will then next time you walk by here!

Now you will cross over a cul de sac street end, and are looking for the walkway path along the beach which leads you behind

the Shores. The Shores are the tall buildings you see when you are crossing the bridge. Now you will see them from a different vantage point, and will think it actually might be nice to... hmmm, visit... go to a party there... or maybe, just walk by quickly and focus your attention on the beach. You might see dolphins in the waves, surfers, paddle board surfers (don't ask, I really don't know... I think it's a Pilates type thing). You might see the Seal teams practicing on or in the water, you might see Military maneuvers in action. If you are really lucky, you might see the brown pelicans flying in formation, so low over the water that it looks like their belly's will touch the tops of the waves. I love that :o)

Focus on looking for the parking lot now. There's a ramp leading down to the street level, and will often be covered with wet footprints since that's where the surfers park. Walk through the parking lot and straight ahead towards the bay. You will pass these street signs by the guard hut for the Shores, and will continue across the highway at the Strand. Walk across this street and you will see Lola's reason for loving this walk. Here is her favorite fountain (designed by James Hubble) for a little splash and a shake, and *ahhh* a cool down! She's happy now... (We generally have to run for a bit now with all the water excitement, and most likely stop for a potty break)

I should point out that you have just passed Coronado's new 

Community Center which is a fabulous place for a work out, a swim, a rock climbing session, a play, and more. You can walk through the center and check it out. You won't be disappointed.

Now you are on the Bay side of the walk. You are probably pretty warmed up now that you are over half way finished 

with the walk, and off the windy beach. Take a moment to look out over the boats, golf course, bridge and mountains. So peaceful and serene. I love this scene. It's one of my favorites.

Okay, back to it! Now you are going to turn left, walking back towards the Hotel Del, with the boats to your right. At the time of this writing, the pedestrian walkway is not yet completed, but will be very soon. Final touches are being put on a facilities building, an outdoor play structure, and the finishing up of the walkway. Soon one will be able to walk entirely by the water, not having to detour through the parking lot. Can't wait!

(Time for me to take a break now. Lola and I are tired since this post is taking me so long to finish. Lola is looking at me as if to say *Isn't it time for bed now?* I'll finish up 'Part 2; the Bay Walk' on my next post, so tune back in soon!)

My Springtime Garden

A flower filled Springtime Garden is in our midst, and we are loving every minute of it! The birds are enjoying it too, and that's why they've been flocking to our yard in abundance. We have babies in the trees, and orioles hiding in the bushes, chittering away like crazy. Even a hummingbird has nested in my mom's garden. We've been watching the dedicated mother bird tend her babies. Two tiny heads covered with mini feather sticks have grown to two bigger babies with fluffy heads looking out upon the world, resting in the comfort of their tiny mud nest. They are sure to be off soon, never to return to their sweet and safe beginnings. 

Hummingbirds love all our flowering succulents and cacti. They go crazy over the bright foliage. They scold us sharply if Lola or I venture into their midst. The sparrows and finches are busy too. They gather twigs and bits of fluff, ready to start their nesting prowess too. They scatter around in the dirt, taking puffy dirt baths, leaving small crater shapes over the garden floor. Looks a bit like a moonscape down there!

Happy Spring to you. Sit in a garden for a bit, and enjoy the birdies. Listen carefully, and they'll tell you a thing or two!

The Way I See Things

I have secrets... for example... I lied about signing my mom's name on my tests in 4th grade, and swore I didn't do it - until I was hauled off to the Principal's office, then confessed it all like I was in church. I want to bleach my hair white, but I'm too afraid of people's judgmental looks. I would pick a magazine any day over a book, but I read books so people will think I'm really smart and not addicted to People Magazine.

Since my kids have gotten older, and I have more free time, I realized recently that I have developed some fresh new secrets. I like to call it the disappearing theory, mom-on-vacation-at-home, even HIDEOUT. I could blame it on my kids, crafty-pressures, trying to get on with my new "job" even... you pick. However, with my understanding husband, and my girls, I am making my way through my newest 'situation', and trying to get everything sorted out... for my sanity's sake. I'll keep you updated on the progress.

Share a secret today!

Cuteness Continues

Birdbrain... Me?

Glitter, paper, ribbon, oh my!

Give me a birdhouse

And decorate, I'll try.

A bird to perch here,

An owl over there,

Sprinkle with glitter-

My heart's filled with cheer!

Can you tell that I am in love with these friendly birdhouses? I was so taken by the Glitter House class I took at Paper Tales, and these birdhouses are the result. Can one go too far when it comes to loving little birdies? Please, let me know if that's what's happening to me!

Try Again: The Kreativ Blogger Award

Thank You, Tamerie!

... for that nice award. I do try to be creative with my blogging, and sometimes I think I'm successful. It's nice to hear that others think I succeed :o) I am truly happy to be recognized for this, especially with such a pretty award!

Part of the award is listing 7 things that I like/enjoy/love. So, here goes:

1. I love my family; 1 husband + 2 sons + a grammy (close by) + Tex, and including my pets, Missie Lola, and even a crotchety Birdita. There are others too, just more than I can name here!
2. I love creative people, all sorts.
3. I am blessed to be able to work out of my home, on my creative endeavors
4. I love my girls (you know who you are :o)
5. I love living in Coronado, and reconnecting with my "roots"
6. I am happiest on a bright sun-shiny-day, working my creative fingers to the bone
7. My garden makes my heart sing

The second part is to bequeath the Kreativ Blogger Award to 7 blogs I think are creative. My, it will be tough to stop at 7!

1. The most fabulous blog: Little Brown Pen
2. I love all the creativity in Marcia's studio
   
3. I don't know her, but I think I love her... blog! Stitch Poet
4. A place for some great street fashion: The Sartorialist
   
5. Always inspired by a bag maker/rocker: U Handbag
6. I am smitten by Bairbre Aine's creativity.
7. Not a blog, but my favorite shop :o) The Grove  Visit the Grove this Saturday night for the Walkabout. You won't be disappointed!

Thanks again, Tamerie. I couldn't have done it without you and all your inspiration. See you tomorrow at Miguels!

Oh my, An Award!

(Ok, this is why I need your help Tamerie!) I DID take the Handmade Pledge, and have wanted to post this as a sidebar on my blog. Somehow I just couldn't figure that one out. So, now, here it is here... just not exactly where I want it to be... Back to the drawing board on the award...

Coronado Eagle & Journal Features Val's Art Studio

Thank you, Elizabeth!

For that wonderfully informative article in this week's Eagle & Journal. I tried to post a link to the article here, but apparently, they update the website the week following the current paper. Well, next week you might be able to go online and view the article then. 

So many people are very curious about needle felting, and how it's done. Though I most often do flat or 2-D needle felting onto a surface like a sweater or purse pocket, there is a very different art to 3-D needle felting. Tricky; you are not only designing a dimensional shape while trying to get the proportions correct, but you are trying to make something presentable as well. I have been asked to teach a class on needle felting at Paper Tales, and the Grove, and will let you know as soon as the dates are finalized. If you are loving this art form, please plan to bring a lot of patience with you to the class. The little Harriet QT took me 3 hours to needle felt (not including the dress!), and she's very tiny, standing only about 3" tall. Also, these needle felts are somewhat fragile, so they are not meant for children's toys. They prefer sitting pretty on a shelf, and being adored with loving eyes.

Of course, there are many other options

beyond flat felting and needle felting QT-pies like Harriet. There are the needle felted purse bobs (which can double as a pendant). Not yet introduced to my repertoire, here's  a peek: These have a different set of challenges, namely: beading. Are you ready for this? Best put your best set of eyes forward if you want to try a bit of beading. The biggest challenge is getting that beading needle threaded!

Leave me a message if you are interested in any of these needle felting options. I will take any feedback into account when figuring out the best sort of needle felting class for offer.

Stay tuned for (hopefully) a link to the Eagle article next week. And, again, Elizabeth: thank you very much for your thoughtful and well written article!

Cuteness In My Studio

Cute, Cute, Cute

Just can't help this post, but I'm all about cute today...

Maybe it's because I've been thinking about one of my favorite studios, Boy Girl Party. I just love the level of cute that happens over there. I can't get enough of looking at those cute characters, their expressions, the whimsy of it all...

Perhaps I'm busy looking over at my lovely Glitter House. Cute! I was so excited to take this class at Paper Tales. It's a box, lovely, glittering in the sunbeam where I have it perched, with a sparkling message: Shine.

Maybe it's because the birdies are all about me today, and don't we know; they are very cute. We've had the oriole pair in the yard, flitting about slyly with their lovely yellow-iness. We've had the green twitter-tots (love that,

Susan :o) out there too. Don't know their names, but they fly about in a noisy chattering pack, with their grey green bodies all a-twitter with liveliness. We've had the black phoebie's too, flitting and twirling about, catching one bug after another. I guess Spring must be in the air. I'm noticing lots of birdies gathering sticks and such

... love is in the air too!

Maybe it's my newest needle felted friend, who I named 'Harriet QT'. Can't help it...cute's got a hold of me. Do you notice she's all dressed up... in orange no less... :o)

And, finally, the cutes have spread themselves wide and far upon my studio table. Cutes today are colored in oranges, pinks, reds and purples. See them over there? They are pincushions just waiting for me to finish this post so they can get stitched up properly. Best get going now,

cutes keep calling...

One last thing about the Pay-It-Forward challenge. If you are one of my "3", make sure you email me your address. Never telling when something extra cute might end up in your mailbox...

vgheebee@aol.com

Now, go have yourself an extra cute day :o)

The Pay-It-Forward Post

What's It All About?

When I read Bairbre Aine's post about her Pay It Forward Challenge, it just seemed like the right thing to do by getting involved. Plus, I was one of her 6 people :o) - she's doing two pay it forward challenges. (I am number 6! Just squeaked in) I love this concept, that you can be a blog reader who reads a beloved blog, or even stumbles upon a blog, decide you like it, and by (quickly) commenting on the post, can be selected to receive a lovely handmade item for absolutely free. How great is that?

Here's how it works: The first three (3) people who leave a comment here on my post will receive a handmade item from me, sometime in the next three months. Just one day, out of the blue, at no cost to you, a special something will arrive in your mailbox. I'm sure it will brighten your day :o)

The turnabout is that you must choose to participate in the round robin of giving yourself, by posting the 'pay it forward challenge' on your blog, and partaking in it. It's going to be so much fun, I just know it :o) I can't wait to see who responds...!

Mr Cabernet...

Tweeting "Hello"

Here is the finished Mr. Cabernet purse, flitting by for a quick visit before he flies off to travel to Colorado. He is being shown to "gallery people" in Telluride to see if he is "most acceptable" to join their flock of gallery related items. He is traveling with a felted children's sweater called "Bambi in a Wooded Glen", which does seem rather appropriate for the wooded areas in the Colorado Rockies, don't you think? I hope they will be deemed relevant and admissible, or perhaps even fabulous and unforgettable... but we will wait patiently, gather up some lint, will not fidget or cause mayhem, whilst the verdict is out... sigh.

BTW, I made Mr. Cabernet 1 of 2, and 2 of 2. Let me know if you are in love, and I will give you first notice when Mr Cabernet #2 is landing in Austin's Gallery. My last purse, Mustard Rose "Magnificent Maggie" sold the instant it made it's spring debut at Austin's. Go by quick, or check my etsy shop to preorder...

Did I say "thank you" for supporting all things handmade? No, not today? Well, thank you very much! I appreciate all your good will more than you will ever know.

Also, stay tuned... I am taking part in the "Pay It Forward" challenge. More on this in my next post...

Inspiration

Where Does It Come From?

Today I was inspired by a tiny puff of wool. The piece of wool just appeared out of nowhere on a scrap of sweater fabric. I had been struggling with combinations of colors and patterns, and all the sudden here's this piece of cabernet colored wool, floating out of the air to give me guidance... Overall, I think it was the color. Finally, the creation is allowed to come into focus. The first thing was that the colors and patterns of the sweater fabrics gelled together. The cremes and grays, and patterns, all the sudden they were perfect together. Then, there's a need for

a little bird ... so evident now on the face of the purse

pocket. And now, voila!, the arrival of a little cabernet birdy comes into being. He is wonderful :o) Next, the trim. Thanks to Mr. Cabernet, I now know what I should do... relief and happiness abound. It's all going well. Next will come the sewing together of Mr. Cabernet's purse. Stay tuned... photos to follow!

Thanks for checking in with me, and for supporting all things handmade. Come back soon to see the finished purse. It won't be here long, Mr. Cabernet will be flying off to Colorado soon!

Me, A Teacher?

Yes, it's true!

Ask, and I will teach. Yes, I will venture into a new world. I promise I will be prepared, and will try to be an interesting and informative teacher. Now, let's just hope people sign up :o) No pressure, or anything....

I am offering a Felted Scarf class at my very favorite shop in the world, The Grove at 30th and Juniper in North Park. In my opinion,there is nothing better than spending some 

time at The Grove, being creative and making friends. It's such a wonderful place, and I always seem to run out of time when I'm there. Or, I should say that I walk through the door, and then it seems a whole hour or day flies away, filled with fun, laughter, and people who talk the language you talk. Getting to know Anne and especially Susan has been a main highlight of my life over the past five years. Susan taught me to knit, and I actually worked for Susan for a few months when she started getting really busy in the yarn shop during her first year in business. Now, to be teaching classes there is such a gift for me. I can't 

wait. Here are pictures of the lovely silk felted scarf. It's an easy scarf to create, and a great introduction to needle felting. Plus, you will take home a gorgeous and unique piece of art that works equally well adorning a table top as it does your neck!  The bottom photo is Gail's scarf. While others in the class made simple designs, Susan and Gail made these beautiful freeform patterned scarves that were so artistic, they took your breath away!

When I'm not at the Grove (which is rare), I have taken to visiting my newest other favorite shop, Paper Tales in Point Loma. Paper Tales is a scrapbook store, and much more. In my past life (when my boys were babies), I was quite the scrapbook queen. I have beautiful scrapbooks depicting every moment of my young son's lives. Well, up until about when Kyle was born, when everything pretty much came to a screeching halt. (How does baby #2 do that?) When Kyle turned about 6, and I realized I was still working on his first year of life, I decided to stop pressuring myself, and pretty much threw in the scrapbooking towel. At least I have those 3 beautiful albums to pore over and appreciate. The boys appreciate them too, and I hope they won't hold it against me that I only documented their very young lives...

Michelle at Paper Tales has invited me to teach a pincushion class. I am 

thrilled at the prospect of teaching at Paper Tales too! I will teach those who are interested to make an Itty Bitty Bouquet of Roses Pincushion. These pincushion have been so popular, and if you desire, you can learn to make these for yourself. The class date hasn't been announced yet on the Paper Tales website, but I will give you a hint; April 4th from 3-5pm. Visit Paper Tales fun blog, and soon you will find the listing for the Itty Bitty Bouquet of Roses Pincushion class. They also have samples at the store that you can buy if you think you aren't quite up to making one yourself.

I hope to see you soon at The Grove or at Paper Tales, and will be thrilled to meet you if you are in a class I teach :o) ...It's all very exciting!

Thank you, Friends!

What would we do without our friends? First off, probably die, or go into some comatose state, or a deep depression perhaps. I know that's what I did when one of my best friends ever left and moved away... but that's a story for another day. For today, I want to say that I love all my friends, near and far, close to my heart, and those coming a little closer every day, as I get to know them (you :o) better. Hopefully, you know who you are. I'm sending a little happy thought your way... poof!

I'm finding the power of blogging and staying in touch with friends, clients, and those who just want to know more about you to be a powerful tool. So, today, I want to thank my blog friends. In case you don't know who you are, I will try to link to you so anyone who stumbles upon my blog can find out about you too. I hope I can link. Marcia told me how to link, so here goes: Marcia .... Hmmm, didn't work. Marcia Yes! It worked! So, now you can find out about Marcia, and her incredible world of beading. Marcia is an amazing bead artist, writer, teacher, and she is teaching us (Grove Girls) beading. I am just about finished with my Right Angle Weave Cuff. Will post picture soon...

The other thank you for today goes to: Tamerie of A Little Bit of This, That, and The Other. I met Tamerie last fall when I was working out my ideas for making purses from recycled sweaters. Tamerie came to the rescue when my fabrics got too fat to fit through my sewing

machine. Since Tamerie has industrial sewing machines in her workshop, she would surely be able to solve my dilemma. Low and behold, Tamerie's machine was no match for my thick group of sweater fabrics, and I had to resort to hand sewing. About broke my fingers, but I finally finished that purse! In the meantime, I've had the chance to get to know Tamerie, lucky 

me. Also, lucky for me, I have figured out the right recipe for thickening up the felted wool without adding bulk so my sweater fabric can fit through the sewing machine. I couldn't have done it without you, Tamerie! Here's that first purse in all it's thick glory.

Here's a picture of my current purse-in-progress. It's made out of a combination of a gorgeous Japanese sweater, (thanks to Jean, my Sweater Queen), handpainted wool, and an antique sweater donated lovingly by Pete Holmes' mom. Happily, it slips seamlessly through my

sewing  machine without a hitch (yea, Tamerie!) Jean is a dear, old friend, who recently relocated to the West coast. I am thrilled to have her amongst my easily visit-able California people. Jean is a wonderful artist

who explores the quirky side of life in her lush 

paintings. Jean also sweater shops for me, meaning she is a lover of thrift stores, and happily takes breaks from painting by sweater shopping for me. My, oh my, Jean finds the most fabulous sweaters. This recent Japanese sweater takes the cake, and I couldn't resist making it up into a new purse tout suite!

 

Okay, enough for tonight. More thank-yous coming soon. Please don't think I don't love you because I didn't mention you. I just didn't mention you YET!

A Bird In My Hand

Today, a hummingbird

flew right in my door, passed me in the kitchen, and into the living room. Oops, big problem when that happens. The top of the ceiling in the living room is about 25 feet high, and once a hummingbird starts flying around up at that hight, it's nearly impossible to get him down. About 30 minutes later and me chasing around with a broom and a step ladder, and we are both utterly exhausted. Well, I think this hummingbird was a baby, because he just kept flitting around in the window. I went over and actually got him to sit on my finger! Then, I cupped my hands around his tiny body, took him outside, opened my hands and away he flew. So sweet, that made my day. :o)

Happy Birthday Jeff!

February 16

Today marks the first birthday within our group of friends, the Pigs, or those born in the Year of the Pig; 1959. There are 5 of us turning 50 this year. Jeff, whose birthday is today (Happy Birthday Jeff! All the way to you in London), then Shawna is next on March 20th, followed by Greg on March 23rd. Then Nalini on August 23rd, and last will be me, on August 31st. Oops! I left out Barbie! Also turning 50 this year, though she really doesn't look it, damn her!! 

Waving a sad good bye to the decade of 40's ... Filled with fun, yet behaving responsibly. Laughter, though we've shed a few tears. Living to the fullest, though there have been a few losses. And prayers, there's been a few more of those. Our kids are growing up faster than we can comprehend (thus the reason for the extra praying... that we'll survive the next few years that is!) But all in all, a thankfulness for the time we've had together, the fun we've shared, and the good times on the horizon. Here's a toast to you Jeff! Have a wonderful day!

The Two Cutest Girls

Meet Anna and Emma

Establishing new clients and making them into new friends are some of my favorite things about having my own art studio. I had so much fun working with Barbara at Christmas time, and designing a pair of Candyland sweaters, with matching skirts and purses, for her beautiful granddaughters. She was so kind to send me a picture, and I can't resist sharing it with you. Sadly, Barbara and her husband will be moving away to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Who can blame them? Barbara, keep in touch. I can't thank you enough for the pleasure of getting to know you, and providing happiness amongst your beloved family. Happy move, and best of luck!

Kitting at Marcia's

Knitting or Kitting?

Did I tell you that my Knitting Girls have turned into Kitting Girls this week? We spent Tuesday at Marcia's (http://maddesignsbeads.blogspot.com/) helping her prepare beading kits for her upcoming beading shows and classes. Man, that woman has talent, and beads! She just returned from Tucson and the big bead show there. So, amongst the kitting preparation, Gail, Susan and I learned how to Right Angle Weave, and are in progress with our first bracelet in the sparkliest combination of fire polish, and glass polish, and finished off by a big giant Swarovski crystal. Believe me, you will see me coming when I have this puppy finished and wrapped around my wrist! Here's a picture of mine "in progress":

Marcia has decided to take up all under her wing, along with Judy, and teach us the fine art of beading. We have declared this year the "Year of the Bead", and are starting things off in fine fashion with this lovely project. It's all very exciting, and hard to do anything but get back to those sparkly jewels that keep calling oneself away from any other imaginable task... Must - get - back - to - beading - - - -