Pretty Palettes Challenge

It is awful late in posting but I have to tell you about this.  My sweet friend Erin of Treasures Found is also a blogger for Halcraft USA and a few weeks ago she contacted me and asked if I would take part in her "Pretty Palettes" challenge she does for them each month.  You can imagine that I was taken back because even thought Erin does not work in seed beads I am totally and completely enthralled with her work.  Well you know I could not say no.

For Aprils challenge she choose this palette from Design Seeds, which if you are not familiar you need to go there after reading this post as the palettes are truly amazing to see and offer a boost if you are in need of one.

Then she choose the beads.

96345 – Silver plated floral spacers, 3x14mm
59350 – Purple glass AB 4mm round
80197 – Sapphire glass faceted cube 5mm
80343 – Silver glass luster oval 9x12mm
56841 – Peridot 8x11mm faceted oval

What an amazing selection and since I have been feeling a bit stagnent in my designs they are offering me quite the challenge in a good way.  And I have been working on my designs ever since.

Make sure to stop by on April 29th for the reveal!

Hugs
KK

Happy Hands brought to you by the letters B, S and T

I am have been thinking about starting a new feature and when I picked up the mail today I knew for sure I wanted to begin it today.

Every time I get new beads lately I have been taking quick pictures of them in my hands.  I have yet to post them because like I said I was thinking of making it a feature.  So today when I go the mail and knowing I needed to post about these anyway I decided for sure to make it a reality!

So today's Happy Hands post is brought you you by Blueberri Beads, Smitten Beads and Thea Elements!!!!!!

I am participating in the...

I am in love beyond words!!!!!!!!!

That is my Happy Hands Post!!!!

Hugs
Kristen
 

Artbeads and me

Frankly when I first learned of the Artbeads Design team challenge this round (I have to thank Mikki for giving me a heads up when she posted hers) was "Whats old is New Again" I was a little worried.  I haven't been beading long enough to have old jewelry lying around and I really wanted something unique.  I asked my hubby what he had in his workshop that I could use to make this work and at first all I got was "HUH?" then I told him what Mikki had done and he said he still had some coins from when his father used to travel for work.  Okay but I didn't want to mimic what had been done so what now?  He got all his coins out and there they were.  Two very unique coins that were used in Brazil for telephones.  Well I doubt anyone would have those so cool we have a start on the challenge.  I waited for Duchess to send me my notice all the while leaving them on my tray to see what inspiration would come.  I looked through patterns and there it was a beautiful bracelet from the February issue of Bead and Button.  Nebula by Grace Nehls.  I love to take elements from patterns and use them and this was perfect for me.  The pattern is very well written for what is able to be published in magazines and the diagrams were very helpful and (as I like) there are ways to modify her design to make it work for what I needed to do.  Now what about colors...humm well in comes my sweet hubby again and says "why don't you use the colors that copper turns when you heat it?"  He is so smart!  Off to Artbeads to shop (I love that part!) I chose the most beautiful blue steel delicas and some gorgeous round Toho seeds to match and then totally out of my box I choose antique copper links and chain and I have to tell you that when I received them I was so excited they are gorgeous!  Oh I didn't tell you that on the coin is an etching of an old rotary telephone how cool is that?  So here is my piece I have decided to call "Dialed Up"

I will tell you that this is the first time I have bezeled with delicas and I love it.  Oh an I also rubbed out and polished the coin to preserve it.  I have to say that I did go out on a limb for me but I really like everything about the necklace and it wears so well.  ( I am wearing it today) I am also working on a bracelet to match. Although I am not so sure on how I am actually going to put it all together yet.  Any Ideas?

Once again I have to thank Duchess and the Artbeads team for including me in their Design Team.  It is a blast and is also helping me "Grow" (my word for the year) as an artist. (still not sure if I am there yet) I am also still a bit nervous about posting this because you should see these other STUNNING creations.

The Beaded Carpet

NEDbeads

LaBella Joya

BeadsForever

These ladies are so amazing artists and I do hope to grow up to be them someday...(LOL I don't intend to ever grow up!)

Disclaimer

I am a reviewer of products for Artbeads.com. I received the beads above free of charge. I have used and reviewed this product and my statements are an honest description. I receive no compensation from Artbeads.com for my endorsement as it pertains to the product above.

Margie and Me the Finals

First I would like to thank you all for commenting on my cheezy poem and knowing that it came from my heart especially to each of you!  I so look forward to the coming year with all of you!


Please go to LaBella Joya and check out all the gorgeous creations for this "Throwdown"  you will not believe what you see!  Don't forget to vote for your favorite.  This was my pallet choice and my creation.

I want to tell you that I love the focal part for 2 very specific reasons!  The owl is one that Shelby made for me on my birthday and the other is a Julsbead that happened to be a perfect match.  It is a simple necklace but I love the colors and the beads are so special to me.
Thank you so much Marcie for putting this all together and inspiring us to take our beading to the next level!  You are one awesome Chicka!

Hugs and Blessings
KK

Coming Soon.....I am drowning but......

Everyday Celebrations and Surprises

Oh My I have soooo much to tell you about today I don't where to begin!  

Everyday Celebrations

My idea for this post was to tell you about my daily routine and how lucky I am to have it.  I wake up every morning feeling like I didn't get enough sleep to see my sweet Shelby off to school (ok sometimes if Derek has been up in the night I don't get this opportunity) sometimes she is in a great mood and it is a smooth start to the morning but sometimes......well she is 17!  I realize that I don't have a lot of morning with her left and know that this part of our relationship will no longer exist and I am happy and saddened by this.  I look forward to seeing her find her place in this world but I will so miss where we are now.  She even has her own blog and I so wish all of you to check it out!  Little Bizarre Things is hers and she is so trying to find her place in the blog world too!

The next part of my morning is hearing Derek wake up with the sweetest "Good Morning Mommy" voice and a hug.  After Shelby is off to school there is a brief cuddle time and then breakfast.  We see Daddy off to work and the rest of the morning routine begins...making beds, picking up all the stuff left behind the night before, shower, watching a "show" with what ever toys he gets out for it, lunch, off to school, finish housework, pick him and sometimes Shelby up from school, hear about their days, prepare dinner, Hubby home, etc.....  As we know this is the same for all of us in some manner but really how lucky are we!  We are warm, safe and loved.

Surprises

Then there are the surprises that come during those days.  You know the unexpected things that happen.  On Friday I participated in Erin's "Challenge of Color" Blog Hop and the response that I got was overwhelming!  I not only had a great time with my part I was also able to see so many other wonderful creations and meet some great artists in fact I even won a giveaway!  You should really check out Jeannie's Blog!  Here is the necklace and beads she made for the challenge that I will be getting (how cool is that?) 

And she has some great ornament ideas as well as more giveaways for the holiday season!  Thanks Jeannie I can't wait to get my gifts!

Speaking of gifts LOOK LOOK LOOK what came in the mail on Saturday!

Barbara Bechtel at Second Surf you all know her beautiful creations sent me these.  She calls the black one an "ugly owl" but I think he is the cutest owl and I am so looking forward to giving him and his "perfect" friend a home!  Thanks so much Barbara I love them!

OK I know this is a long post already but I have to share one more of the most unexpected surprises that literally made gasp and almost forget to start breathing again!  I WAS FEATURED!  I know isn't that amazing?  Mortira at Inspirational Beading featured MY little blog!  I have been following her and I will have to tell you that she offers great inspirations and tutorials for anyone looking to start beading.  She even just finished a challenge to make 30 necklaces in 30 days and to be honest I have no idea how she was able to do it!  If you click the link you can see what she said!  I am still blown away!  Thank you so much for this gift, Mortira I will cherish this memory!

More to come later this week!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Challenge of Color Blog Hop!

OK so my knees have been knocking ever since I agreed to participate in this Hop.  I thought I was being a smart ass when I told Erin at Treasures Found that if she could come up with a palette that matched my current stash I would join.  Never challenge Erin when it comes color she is going to win every time! So after sending her this picture she said "Oh I found one and will send it out today!"  Oh Boy what was I thinking?

So a few days later I received this in the mail

Fontana Blue

White Shoulders

Red Earth

OK once again I did give her a picture of my stash and I did say I would do this so what do we do now?  Well here is a picture of what I first came up with and I really love these stars.  They sparkle and seem earthy hummmmm what to do with them?

Oh I have no idea.  

OK checking e-mails I came across a sale at Bead and Button (Kalmbach Publishing) 1/2 off all patterns.  Hey I have been wanting a few and they are instant download....Win, Win!  Oh by the way at this point I should tell you that I looked at the list of participants and OH MY what was I thinking?  Well in steps a pattern by Maiko Kage called Ruffled Rondelles and since this challenge has gotten my shoulders in a bunch, ruffled you could say I present you with "Ruffled Shoulders"!

I so wanted to use all the colors and this is the perfect pattern for it!  I like the way they blend and sparkle at the same time.  I am so glad I accepted the challenge if only to learn that next time I go to the paint store I can jump out of my box and pick out a palette and challenge myself and for that I am truly grateful to Erin for her encouragement!  THANKS ERIN!  Oh I know you are all wondering what happened to the stars so here one is and I must say that I even surprised myself with "Earthen Star"

OK so that is my entry in this Hop and I so hope you will check out all the other amazing artists that also chose to have fun with this "Challenge of Color"

• Alice Peterson
• Amy Freeland
• Beth McCord
• Brandi Hussey
• Cary Scholes
• Catherine Pruitt
• Cindy Wimmer
• Claire Maunsell
• Cory Tompkins
• Courtney Breul
• Cristi Clothier
• Cynthia Riggs
• Emanda Johnson
• Holly Westfall
• Janea McDonald
• Jeannie Dukic
• Jennifer Cameron
• Judy Campbell
• Karyn White
• Keirsten Giles
• Kelly Morgan
• Kristie Roeder
• Kristin Stevens
• Lisa Godfrey
• Lisa Tracy
• Lori Anderson
• Mallory Hoffman
• Marie Voyer-Cramp
• Mary McGraw
• Nicole Keller
• Nicole Valentine
• Paige Maxim
• Patty Gasparino
• Rebecca Anderson
• Renate Stark-Krammer
• Rita Parra
• Shannon Chomanczuk
• Sheila Summers
• Stefanie Teufel
• Yelisa Rojas

Hugs and Blessings

KK

I am working hard so this is just a little reminder!

The Challenge of Color Blog Hop is coming and I am really busy working on my entry! I am really excited but at this point I will have to tell you that I am going into a whole nother direction and only one hint will be revealed at this time. Here it is "My shoulders are in a bunch....ruffled you might say" I know it makes no sense but that is all I have time for today. I have to volunteer at Derek's school today and my sweet hubby's is getting a front tooth pulled so things are crazy as usual! So crazy in fact that I am going through my blog list one by one to see all that I have missed in the last week or so.

Stay tuned for December 3rd! Head over to Erin's Treasures Found blog for the list of participants. To be honest I can't look at it because my knees start knocking!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Goodies, Thanks, and HELP

I was so blindsided yesterday afternoon with a killer migraine that I wasn't able to post my goodies from Lori and Out of the Flames who by the way is holding yet another comment contest this month and she is giving away some gorgeous glass cabs AND if you can believe it a stellar polymer cab that you have to see to believe!  Anyway first I would like to ask anyone who gets migraines why do we insist on trying to make it go away when we all know they have to run their course?  I still can't understand that!  

OK so on to the goodies!  I told everyone that I won the giveaway for Lori's comment contest and that I was giving it to my sweet Shelby because she so needed a boost.  She picked the colors and Lori custom made this for her!  How awesome is that!  I was going to so as I have in the past a full on "open the prize" with you all BUT....I had to take it with me to pick Shelby up from school so she could be the one to open it.  DARN  I know how you all like the suspense.  LOL  She opened it but I was the one with the first "Hand to the face GASP" when the box was opened and this is why....

There in the box were three stunning glass cabs (MY First by the Way  YIPPEE) and the coolest little faux Dichroic polymer clay cabs.  AND little seed beads to match!!!!!  If I could hug her from here I so would!  But now I really need to learn embroidery soon because I already have a picture in my head of that gorgeous pink and gold one.  I was going to take a picture of Shelby;s bracelet but you know what....She won't take it off!  Lori's stitching is perfection and the colors look so nice on her that she is wearing it with everything.  Except her work clothes you know food service. LOL  Lori had already sent me a picture so I am using hers instead........

3

Isn't it beautiful?  I may have to steal borrow it from her at some point!  Thank you again Lori for making both of our day!

Speaking of thank yous as we all know this is Thanksgiving.  And although plans for the holiday may change due to a number of things for any one of us it is a day for giving Thanks.  I am one of those people who probably says Thank You way too much for others but I believe that it is one of the most important gestures next to Love.  This season I am once again grateful that we have been blessed with another year together as a family.  I am also lucky enough to be truly thankful for the many friends that I have made through this little blog.  I never knew it was possible to make friendships that I hope will last for years to come through my keyboard and monitor.  I am thankful for all of you this holiday season!

OK now I need my beady friends opinion!  Really I need you HELP!!!!  I know I told you about the "Challenge of Color" blog hop at Erin's Treasures Found blog.  I have been working on it but this is all I have come up with so far.  

I do love these but I am wondering where to go from here if I should!  Any Comments will help!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

My Creative Chaos and a Challenge

I have been fighting a cold and I think at this point it is winning but I thought just in case anyone missed me I would give you a look as what my bead tray looks like right now

I never seem to be able to stick with one project at a time!  I think that is pretty obvious!  Some of what is there is waiting until I can restock some of my stash and others are just starts and restarts.  There is however a sneak peak at some beads for a friend and a piece for my Color Challenge.

I am participating in Erin's Challenge of Color Blog Hop and this the paint chip card she sent me.  I actually challenged her to start as I am on what she labeled as a bead diet.  I sent her this pic of my stash and said if she could make anything out of it I would participate.  (I wasn't sure she could but if you know her you know she can make gorgeous out of chaos!)

So I don't know if anyone can see my start but if you do tell me what you think because as usual for me now I seemed to have pulled it out of my...... oh yeah beady brain that's it!

Ok so now I need to go hack up a lung so I wish you all a great week and I swear I will get to all of your bloggy goodness when I am better!

Hugs and Blessings

KK

Check out this blog challenge from Lorelei!

Oh so this is another quick post.  (really it is) I need to tell you about what Lorelei is doing on her blog!  A couple of weeks ago while bead shopping with a friend (I am so jealous) they decided to challenge each other by purchasing the same beads from Michael's and seeing what each one could create.  Now she has made another Michael's purchase and asked her readers to participate.  I think this is so cool as I know (darn budget thing!) most of us have access to a Michael's near us and the bead prices there are reasonable.(unless you over shop)  Anyway I also like the awesomeness of knowing even my favorite artist use these beads.  You so need to check this out and participate if you can!  (I can't this time can I say darn budget thing again!!!)  I will be tuning in an so should you (really you should because I said so.....Ok I know that doesn't hold much water but I needed to get it out anyway)

Here is the current challenge just click the pic and it will take you to her!

Hugs and Blessings

Kristen