The Glass Snowflake Star Ornament

 I've made my very first 3-D peyote stitched Star ornament.

The pattern is The Glass Snowflake Star from Crystalstargems on Etsy. The star is made by constructing 5 warped squares in peyote stitch, then sewing each square together to form a star. Here is a close up of one point so you can see the pattern better. The main color is clear. I used a very pale lilac with a darker shade lilac for the geometric patterns.

Inside there is a support tube made with peyote stitch that helps support the shape, but I admit I did stuff the whole thing. I used plastic wrap in hopes that light will go through it. There's a flat crystal in the center of each side. This helps to hold the inside support in place.

The pattern has just one crystal bicone and then a delica on each point. I used some very sparkly round crystals with a small 3mm bicone crystal and then the delica.

The star took a lot more time to do than I expected. I really love how it turned out though. I'm looking forward to hanging it on my tree this year.

I had a nice Thanksgiving. It was low key this year. A total of seven of us for dinner, not including Zoey. We still managed to have enough food for 20 people. I made Strawberry Jello salad, the stuffing, an apple pie which didn't get touched, and a Raspberry Victoria Cake. 

It turned out almost perfect. I'm getting better at the cake making thing. That whipped cream looks so white and it was so good! The filling included raspberry jam. Goodness, it was so delicious, we didn't eat any of the other desserts.

Tonight we had the annual Park family Leftovers dinner at Dan's house. So much delicious food. This time the pies were eaten. I didn't take the leftover cake because there wasn't enough left to bother hauling it over there.

Making progress on the socks. The first one turned out just a little bit big so I'm making the second one shorter. After it's done, I'll frog the first one back and shorten the foot. I'll be much happier if I do that.

In the meantime, I've decided not to make the first socks I started yet. I don't have time before I have to send this stuff to it's destination. I found a very nice hat pattern with Octopus on it. I've ordered the yarn and it should be here next week.  After Christmas I'll go back to the first socks and make them for Opal's birthday, which is in January.

That is all for now.

Live long and prosper. \\//

My nephew Jonny and his family made the rest of the meal. 

Russian Spiral With 8's

 Decided to make a new white necklace. I have a Russian Spiral I made some years ago and I wear it a lot. It's one of my favorites. Here's the new one.

Here's the old one. It's made with one color of size 8 seed beads in Miyuki Pearlized White and size 11 Miyuki Silver Lined Light Gold. Unfortunately, the light gold outside color came off leaving me with clear silver lined beads. I still love it though.

I used 3  colors in the new one. Miyuki Clear AB, Miyuki Opaque White, and Miyuki Pearlized Ceylon White, with a size 11 Miyuki Sparkle Metallic Gold Lined Crystal. 

Here's a close up so you can see the detail of the spiral.

I made a toggle clasp with a simple loop.

The rounds had 6 beads, so I attached the clasp by continuing the size 11's past the end by just a couple beads, so three lines coming to one. I also put a piece of wooden toothpick inside the toggle to stiffen it up. Otherwise, the toggle would be kind of bendy, despite my efforts toward tight tension..

I used 4 mm White AB Fire Polished crystals on the ends just to look pretty.

All in all, I think it turned out quite nice. I'll be wearing it a lot.

I had intended to do this post a few days ago, but I had problems. My little Sony Cybershot DSC-H3 is an old camera even though I just bought it this year. When I sat down to take pictures of the new necklace, I forgot to put the Smart card back into the camera. I'd been downloading pictures into my laptop a couple days before, and just forgot to put it back. After 14 pics, I got a message that said the internal memory was full. It was a surprise! I didn't even know it had internal memory. 

I put the card back in and took the rest of the pics. Later, when I took the card out to load them into my laptop, the first 14 pictures weren't on the card. Apparently, the camera can not transfer the internal pics onto the smart card. I need a rather large cable to hook the camera up to the computer and download them directly.  Arghh! I had that cable. I bought it special because it didn't come with my camera, though honestly, I didn't know what it was for. It was on the coffee table for months! Now that I need it, it's gone! Missing! Vamoosed! Astray! Disappeared!

Hubby and Ruth helped me ransack the house and the shop for 2 days and we did not find it. I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did with it, assuming I did something with it. I'm so careful with my camera equipment. I make sure any bits not being used go into the appointed camera storage place, except that cable being on the coffee table. When I saw it wasn't on the table, I automatically went to the file cabinet. It wasn't there. 

I've ordered another one. Thankfully, they are still available. It's supposed to arrive late next week. I expect the missing cable will appear right after I open the box for the new cable. In the meantime, I retook those 14 photos. I've also ordered more smart cards so I can swap out when downloading. Then it won't matter because I'll always have a card in the camera.

By the way, we own a LOT of black cables. USB cables, phone charging cables, tablet cables, computer cables. Dozens of them. Boxes of them! Three drawers full of them! Time to cull the herd and get rid of the ones we don't use anymore. Good grief!

We had a glorious rainy cool day last week! It knocked down the smoke, and was like a balm after several days of oppressive heat and solid air. It warmed back up yesterday, and today it's gonna be hot hot hot. Then it's back down to the 70's Monday. The smoke is building back up in the air. The lower temperatures will help the firefighters though. 

All my Learning links are updated. See the side bar, just above the knitting owl.

Sweet Hubby is teaching a class at the U of Idaho/Coeur d'Alene this semester. He'll be out of the house 3 times a week. I love him so much, but I also like to have a break every so often. He's home all. the. time. I shall enjoy this semester,

That's all for today.

Live long and prosper \\//

 

A Russian Necklace

 In my last post I talked about the necklace I'm making for the gal that works at the liquor store. I finished it last night. It's 30 inches long.

This is a close up of the chain. It's done in Biva Nepal stitch, though it probably doesn't look like it because Biva Nepal usually looks like a chain of flowers. 

It had been a very long time since I've made Biva Nepal, so I used this tutorial to refresh the memory: Biva Nepal Stitch  However, I made some substitutions to get this rather lacy look. For the three black seed beads, I used one white size 11 seed bead. For the 5 red beads I used 4 white size 11 seed beads and one 7mm clear silver lined bugle bead.

This is a close up of the transition between Biva Nepal and the focal section. I used 4mm and 6mm silver filigree beads, and a couple glass coin beads in an iridescent white.

The focal section is made in Russian Spiral stitch with size 11 white seed beads and 7mm clear silver lined bugle beads. You can find a video tutorial for this here: Russian Spiral With Bugles.

It was easy and worked up fairly quickly. The clasp is a sterling silver toggle. I used a couple clam shells to attach the clasp to the chains.

I'm happy with how it's turned out. I hope the receiver will be too.

If not, I'll wear it myself and find out what color she would like. I can make another one.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Hugs And Kisses Bracelet

When my father passed away a few years ago, I had to fly to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to take care of his funeral arrangements. I took some of my beaded jewelry with me including a Hugs and Kisses style bracelet in shades of purple and pale yellow. I ended up giving that bracelet to one of my sister's because she liked it so much. I do that sometimes. Someone in my life loves something I've made with beads, I'll take it off and hand it to them thinking "I can make another". Anyway, last weekend I decided it was time to remake that bracelet because I loved it so much I need one for me.

I don't have, nor have I ever actually had a pattern for this particular bracelet because I did it from pictures of the design. I had joined a bead-along on a now long gone Yahoo beading group. I didn't actually get the pattern. I just recreated it looking at a picture of the finished bracelet. 

Later, I wanted to make something similar and found a pattern to purchase that I was quite happy with. I seem to have misplaced that pattern. I googled it and unfortunately it's gone from the internet. All of the patterns I know of that are similar to it are gone! I'm surprised and disappointed. I wanted to share a link so others could make it. I'm seriously thinking about learning how to draw/write a beading pattern because it's such a beautiful design. Maybe I can do that next winter when I will need things to do because there's too much snow to go outside. In the meantime, I copied this one from pictures of the one I made back when.

In the process of trying to find a pattern, I discovered I've made quite a few of these bracelets. I think it might  be my favorite. I've also found all the links I posted for each bracelet are broken. Kind of sucks and is rather frustrating.

I used 6mm glass pearls for the base, done in right angle weave. I then embellished with 2 colors of 4mm Swarovski crystals and some size 11 Miyuki seed beads in a pearl lavender finish. I wanted to copy the original exactly because it was such a beautiful combination, but I didn't have 4mm crystals in the sand opal color, so I just used some more of the dark purple ones. 

I also didn't have any of the pale yellow seed beads, thus lavender. I love it though, just as it is. In fact, I love it more than the original. It glitters a lot in the light.

This is the back of it. You can see the thread path a little better from this side.

This is how it looks on my wrist.

On the knitting front, I've taken a break from the layette set. I need to block it before I can assemble everything and I've had a beading project in the way. Now that is done, so I can put out the blocking board. 

I also started a new project. It will be a pair of mittens if I ever get it done. 

It's been very frustrating. I've tried it twice so far. I ended up frogging it again this morning. I'm using fingering weight yarn as required and I haven't been able to get a gauge of 30 sts per 4 inches. On size 2 needles (what the pattern calls for) I got 9 sts to the inch which is way smaller than normal for me. I tried size 3 and size 4 and still am getting 8 sts to the inch. I'm reluctant to go up to size 5.  I'm thinking maybe I should go to a larger size of yarn. Maybe sport, or even dk. None of it is making sense.

This past week's weather was absolutely wonderful. I spent time out on the deck every day. The air smells so lovely because the tall Sweet Clover is in bloom. This weekend, though, it's hot. 91F today and hotter expected tomorrow. I plan to go out in the morning and knit in the shade before it gets too hot for me.

Well, that's the end of todays post. 

Live long and prosper. \\//

Buffalo Plaid In Beads

 I finished this Christmas ornament some weeks ago, except for the little gold crown. Finally got that done last week, and some pictures today.

I have been on a Buffalo Plaid kick lately, so when I saw this pattern, I had to make it.

The pattern is Cozy Plaid 21PBL024 from ladylunarcat.com. This is made by making a series of 20 triangles and then sewing them together. It calls for 3 colors of Miyuki size 11 Delica beads. I stuffed it with chips of memory foam, available in the craft department of Amazon.com.

This particular pattern includes instructions for making a little crown for hanging it on a Christmas tree, or display stand as the case may be. I liked it so much I made some for the other two balls I finished too.

I had a lot of fun making it. The pattern is pretty easy to follow. There are lots of pictures, and there's both colored graphs and word chart. I'm looking forward to putting this little beauty on my tree next Christmas.

This designer has this plaid in a 3D Star ornament pattern too, which I have. I don't have enough beads in the colors required to start it, so I'm going to have to wait until I can order more.

Last weekend was a busy one for the Park family. We held a memorial service for Sue, my sister-in-law, who passed away last November from cancer. It was held at her husband, Dan's, house. When we all get together it's amazing how much we can do. We cleaned up Dan's yard, obtained tents, tables, table cloths, chairs, flowers, and made tons of food, set it all up, and took it all down afterward. About 80 people showed up. Lots of family came from out of town and it was so good seeing each other. Sue's workmates came too. We all told stories about Sue. The whole thing was wonderful. It was exactly what Sue would have wanted.

The weather has been gorgeous. It was perfect for Sue's memorial, and I've been spending lots of time out on the deck enjoying it. We did have one day of rain last week, and we were glad to get it.

I need to do a WIP post. I've got some projects going.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Purple Poinsettias

 I finished this project a couple weeks ago or so. I've been taking photos of it to blog about it ever since. Horrible photo's, in my opinion, but I don't want to drag out the light box equipment, so this is going to have to suffice.

The pattern is the same one I used for the last peyote stitch ball I made, which was Peyote 3D ball Poinsettia 20PBL005 by Lady LunarCat.

I used regular Miyuki size 11 seed beads, instead of delicas, because I wanted to see what the difference would be. First difference is the shape. I stuffed and stuffed and stuffed until I couldn't get one more molecule of foam chunks in it, and it still would not round out like the delica beaded one did. It insists on being it's original Icosahedron shape, which is rather pretty.

And, it was larger. Much larger than I expected. See the comparison photo? The red ball is 3 inches in diameter. The purple one is 4.5 inches.

I have made a little beaded 'crown' to sew to the top too so I can hang it on my Christmas tree next year. I've got the whole year to get that done. 

I'm working on a third peyote ball now. It features a Buffalo Check pattern. I have 19 triangles finished. Unfortunately, I ran out of beads for one of the three colors. I only have 21 beads left of that color, and I need 108 for that last triangle. I should have had enough, going by grams of beads required/obtained. 

While I'm waiting for the tube of beads which, by the way, is going to cost twice it's retail price because of shipping charges, I'm working on finishing the knitted slippers I started last year, and I've cast on for a knitted chicken. (You read right. A chicken.) I'm working on the bicycle cross stitch because daughters birthday is coming up in April and it would be so nice to have it done and out of my hair. I'm gathering beads for a couple necklace projects too. Keeping myself busy between all the "have to's ".

The fountain water bowl for the fur kids is being used regularly, and the cats have been eating the "old" food. Merino is still pooping on the floor at night. I just don't get it. I'm beginning to suspect a dominance issue here between him and Boba. Boba is kind of a bully and he's full grown. We have been forcing the cats out side on nicer days to play. I say to them "Go bother a rodent." 

Temperatures have come up and we're averaging low 40's during the day. We've had a bit of snow, rain, and a couple days of sunshine. The snow is melting, though we've still got loads of it. Getting closer to spring, and the sun is finally shining in the living room window again. It is so nice to have the light returning. I've come to the conclusion I would never survive living in Alaska.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Chain Row Counters

 Here is some more Christmas present creations. I made some Chain Row Counters for knitting friends. I ran across this idea on Amazon.com a couple years ago. I decided I wanted to make some this year so I ordered some number beads, and 10mm silver closed rings. I used beads and wire in my stash. Here are the first four. (These pics suck so bad, My apologies.)

I didn't make them fancy because it was the first time. It was not easy for me either. I'm not so good at making loops in wire.

I made 2 markers for each chain (hanging on the last loop). As you can see, the above one has purple beads. One is a pressed glass flower and the other is a carved amethyst bead. The numbers are white glass.

This next one has deep ruby 4mm fire polish crystals.

This one has two pressed glass beads. One is a light green flower, and the other is a green twisted oval.

The fourth one features blue pressed glass flowers.

It took me several hours to make them. I went through quite a few silver t-pins just trying to get decent wire loops made. 

After I was done, I made some Printable Boxes to put them in. This is a little hobby I had several years ago and kind of forgot about it after awhile. There are templates both free and for purchase all over the internet. You print them out on 8.5 by 11 inch cardboard with your printer, cut them out, fold in the proper places, and glue or tape together. Now you have a tiny box perfect for a small gift. Here are the boxes I made. If you find this intriguing, google Printable Boxes.

The day after I got these done, someone in the Facebook beading group mentioned a tool called Wire Loop Pliers. I'd never hear of them. Intrigued, I googled. Wish I'd known about it sooner. especially two days sooner. Sigh. 😑

I knew I was going to be making two more chain counters, so I ordered the pliers right away. It arrived a couple days later. Oh. My. God! What a wonderous device.

It makes absolutely perfect loops every time, and cuts the excess wire off to boot! I sat down and whipped out another chain in 15 minutes! So much easier! I made this one for daughter Ruth to stuff in her stocking.

You may notice it's a little fancier. The numbers are silver. I put 4mm Picasso druks in sage green/brown either side of the numbers to dress it up a bit. I used 4 and 6 mm Picasso sage green/brown faceted beads on the markers along with a couple bicone Swarovski crystals. A person could get mighty creative making these.

If you want to know how to make the basic ones like the first four chains, see this tutorial:

DIY Knit Row Counter

If you want to know how the row counter works, watch this:

Live long and prosper. \\//

Peyote Stitch Christmas Ball

 A few months ago I saw a picture someone posted in one of the Facebook beading groups of a Christmas ornament ball done completely in Peyote stitch that was so beautiful I had to find the pattern. I found 3 designers of these wonderful things. This is the first one I've made.

The pattern is Peyote 3D ball Poinsettia 20PBL005 by Lady LunarCat. It's made with Miyuki delica's in 5 different colors. 

You make 20 triangles, then sew them together. It's not difficult. The pattern is very well written with both color and word charts. It's just time consuming. In my book, more time beading something is more fun to have.

The balls need to be stuffed so the ball will hold it's form. I stuffed mine with memory foam chips. Other people have used all kinds of things to stuff them from aluminum foil, to polyester fiberfill, styrofoam balls, or custom made foam balls. 

It's about 3 inches in diameter and it looks great on my tree.

If you're interested in making one, click the link above. I have ordered some delica's for my next one.

This is my Christmas tree for this year. My daughter and I put it up and decorated it.

We put all the beaded ornaments I've made on it and about 3 dozen glass balls from our first Christmas. I love the lights we have. They're led and change color. They were white when I snapped the picture, but change to colored. The star does the same thing. I'm very proud of the fact I got both of them white in the picture.

Live long and prosper. \\//

Rainbow

 I have finished a beading project. This is a necklace done in the Peyote With A Twist, or Peytwist, method. 

I started this ages ago. Christmas knitting brought it to a stand still for awhile. There wasn't a whole lot left to do. Just bead caps and clasp. I was able to work on it this last weekend and I finished it today.

The pattern is called Rainbow by Bev Baines. It's available free via the Facebook group Peyote with a Twist - Not Crochet. It's actually a bracelet pattern. I just kept beading until it was long enough to be a necklace. It's about 20 inches long.

The original is white with silver and bright primary rainbow colors. I chose matte black, gold, and pastel rainbow colors. As usual, I made my own beaded toggle clasp in matte black and gold.

I also beaded some bead caps, and put gold colored bead caps on the end of them. I used these gorgeous flattened oblong black beads with gold dots on them, some obsidian round beads, and gold 4mm beads.

I am extremely happy with the finished project.

Grandkitty update. The wound on Boba's tummy got suddenly worse last week. Ruth took him to the vet. He had developed a deep abscess. He needed surgery right away. 

He had to have a drain tube in for a few days and, of course, the cone of shame has to be worn. He got the drain tube out today. We're keeping that cone on until the wound is done healing. He's doing quite a bit better. He's sleeping on one of my knitting bags in the picture above.

A little weather news. Our weather has been unseasonably warm. Over the past couple weeks we've had a considerable amount of rain. Last Monday we got 2.5 inches of rain in 24 hours. I'm so glad it wasn't snow. It would have been well over 2 feet deep! In the meantime, the 2 feet of snow we had a few weeks ago has been melting very fast. We can see our lawn, in February!

There is talk of an early spring. I'm not holding my breath though. This could turn into a frigid nightmare in no time.

In knitting news, I've finished the knitted layette pieces. I need to cut the holes in the fleece edges so I can crochet the edging. That's why I finished the above necklace. It was taking up the room on my table. I needed to finish it so I could have room to do the blanket stuff. I have KnitWits this week, but I'm not going to have the blanket done by then. I can wait to turn it in for March. Maybe I'll have a second set done too.

The dog sweater is about 3/4ths done. I'm looking forward to seeing it on Zoey.

We got rid of our racoon so I've put the bird feeders back out. I've got lots and lots of birds coming to them. Mostly Chickadees and House Finches. I'm hoping something different drops in for a bite.

Until then, live long and prosper. \\//