Soutache necklace

I am a member of Cyberpointers - an online ANG group.  We did an online class in Soutache embroidery with Amee Runs with Scissors.  I really enjoyed making the necklace.  Putting it together, not so much.  I am not good at the wirework parts of making jewelry.  I hate making centered loops.  I am glad I got to try this technique, but I think I will stick with seed beads.

Entire necklace

Close up of the center section

2013 UFO Challenge

Cyberstitchers is the online chapter of the EGA.  They are doing a UFO (UnFinished Object) challenge in 2013.  I added a page with the 4 UFOs I hope to complete in 2013 with a short summary of each one and a starting picture for reference.

I have done a bit of work on Elizabeth.  Her background step 2 is complete.  On to step 3 of the background.

Bead Soup Necklace

I got a bead soup in 2012.  I showed one necklace made from it in this post.

Bead Soup

I completed a 2nd necklace, but had some camera issues and never got a picture up on the blog.  I wore this for most of Christmas.  The clasp is based on Kate McKinnon's power puff.  The bottom part is strung on gold beading wire.  The side beads are peyote.  Pretty much everything came either from the Bead Soup or from stash.  I think I bought the bicones.

Green Bead Soup Necklace

Veil complete

I did take out the left side of the brown line of the veil.  I have now completed the veil.  The next step is the background.  I am getting close to adding the beads.

Veil redone

If you want to compare the new line and the old line, the previous post is here.

Happy New Year

Yes, I am still here.  The last time I posted about Elizabeth was in early October.  And she only had one sleeve complete.  I have a picture from mid October with both sleeves complete.  And I have a current picture with the background tent stitch, her skirt, and the beginning of the veil.  I am trying to decide if I like the line of the veil or if I want to take out the top (brown) edge and redo it.  Comments are appreciated.

Elizabeth with both sleeves shaded

Veil in progress

Veil closeup - the brown top line on the left needs to be higher I think

Bead Soup Necklace

For some reason Blogger hates me today and it is doing odd things with my pictures.  So you get the necklace first and the explanation after.

 I made a necklace using part of my bead soup.  I used the blue hexagon beads, 2 clear glass beads that I framed with cubic right angle weave (CRAW), and 2 of the diamond shaped beads.  I added beads from stash that actually were given to me by a lady who made wire bead flowers with them.  They are hank beads and I was concerned that they might not be regular enough to use for beading, but they did great.  The strap is St. Petersburg Chain.

Necklace made with Bead Soup

In September I got a Bead Soup from Beadlush in Charlotte, NC and Kalmbach Publishing.  I showed you a picture of my soup, but I am going to share it again. I sort of explained it when I put up the picture before. Lori Anderson wrote a book called Bead Soup.  The idea is for people to send leftover beads or beads they do not want to use or special beads they have made to another person and see what they come up with for these beads.  It started with the former idea.  For this soup, Kalmbach the publisher asked bead stores to put together a package of beads to be sent to beaders.  I have until the end of October to do something with these beads and email it to Kalmbach Publishing.  Oh look there is a Pinterest page too.

Bead Soup

WIP Wednesday

Work continues slowly on Elizabeth.  We have a contractor repairing some water damage at our house. I was hiding in the basement, working on Elizabeth, when I heard someone coming down the stairs.  It was the plumber who needed to get to some pipes from underneath through the drop ceiling in our basement.  Suddenly, before I knew exactly what he was planning to do, he was removing ceiling tiles very close to my stitching area.  And standing on the bar.  I was grabbing up the laptop and all its pieces parts and Elizabeth and quickly stashing them out of reach.  Luckily no damage was done except to the ceiling tile which cracked.

Elizabeth with one sleeve shaded

I will apologize for my poor shot of Elizabeth this week.  We are staying in the basement since they are going to start sanding the new sheet rock soon.  So no natural light for this picture.  I have done the blackwork pattern on both sleeves and added shading to one side.