June 15, 2012

African Stripes Countdown

There are only 5 spots left in the African Stripes String-Along. If you were thinking about joining in, now is the time to do it.  If all the slots are filled I'd start the project a bit earlier than July 1st.  Meanwhile, the early registrants  are considering what colors they want to use, buying beads, or sorting through their stashes for good colors to use.  I did two swatch bracelets to see just how my light and dark colors are going to work in the Mud Cloth Necklace. If you join in, this is the first pattern you'll get so that you can get your feet wet before we start in on the first 50" necklace.

Come join us for some bead crochet fun


June 12, 2012

Epic Fail

My son had a Birthday yesterday and today I sent him this photo.  I had good intentions and started out to bake him a birthday cake.  Well, that cake just didn't want to be a cake.
          * it didn't rise... it was flat as a pancake and sort of  like two dry cracker
             rounds.
          * I set it aside to make coffee.  Next thing I know all of the cake crumbs ran
             off the plate.
          * danged sugar ants are going to drive me crazy in the kitchen, no matter what
             I do to get rid of them.
          * so I set the plate out on the deck and made my coffee - boy did I need a
             cup of coffee!
          * Later I went to get the cake plate and there was a red squirrel sitting in the
             middle of the plate, happily munching away. Surprised the chipmunks didn't
             find it first.

The remains have now gone to feed my compost pile.  The way things have been going in the kitchen lately, I think I may just have to retire as a cook.


June 10, 2012

African Stripes - Registration

African Stripes String~Along 
Open Registration



We will be making a pair of 50" bead crocheted necklaces that will be designed to wear together. Participants will get a pattern section (or two) each week to string and crochet.  At this point I don't have any idea what the final pieces are going to look like as I'll be designing them as I go along.



My colors or colors you choose, come join us for a fun journey.  It's sort of like the old serialized magazine stories - you don't know what's next...


Africa - mud cloth and Zulu love letters - are the inspiration for this pattern set.  The cost of the entire string-along is $34.00 through PayPal. Limited to 40 participants.

SOLD  OUT 

You should be comfortable with the slip-stitch bead crochet technique. You will be working with 8/0 beads,  pattern graphs, stringing tables and adding each section to the last one. A FaceBook Group has been set up to share progress, colors, inspiration, and photos. It works like an extended workshop with lots of help, discussion and a few giggles thrown in.


June 8, 2012

African Stripes Reminder

Registration opens
12 noon EDT on June 10, 2012
 I visited the African Village during the Tucson Gem Show back in February. It gave me so many ideas for an African inspired set of necklaces.  What great graphics and beautiful colors.  We're going to start with a Mud Cloth Necklace in just two colors and then do a Love Letter Necklace in seven colors.

My problem is choosing which two colors to work with for the first necklace.  I've done bracelet swatches with both black and white as well as brown and tan.  They both look great.  And then I'm thinking that later I may want one in turquoise and coral, and ...... so many bead colors!

Mark your calendar as the group is limited to just 40 participants.
I sure hope I get my AM's and PM's right for a scheduled blog post with the sign-up stuff as I won't be home when it starts.


FLYER with more information is here.....