Blog Hopper...

I have been blog hopping today via Lori Anderson's Bead Soup to take a peak at what everyone else has received and wow! There is some amazing (and rather intimidating) talent out there!

I am doing my best to visit every blog on the list but am only up to about 50 :/ I will do my utmost to visit, comment and follow all.....

I was a little disappointed to see that some have not blogged about the challenge nor posted pics of what they have received. I'm hoping that this is because they are too busy creating to blog about it. I sat up till stupid o'clock myself trying to perfect a part of mine. I thought I may of bitten off more than I could chew but I nailed it at around 1 am :-D I am still on the first piece though (I have four pieces sketched and planned) because I began with the one I knew would challenge me the most. That is after all, the whole point in taking part. I'm having so much fun with it, it's great and I highly recommend the experience. The only thing I am having trouble with is the actual reading everyone else's blog. Maybe that has something to do with having to pry my lil munchkins sticky little fingers off my laptop first though? hehe

 I have been lucky enough to take the week off work (half term) to spend some quality time with said lil munchkin. We had hoped for more snow so that we could make a friend for Albert.... yes, this is Albert. Him indoors and lil munchkin wanted to be sure everyone knew he was indeed, a He *sigh*

I had hoped to use some of this time to make more jewellery but I haven't had the time to as yet. A few days left yet though! I did find the time to take new photo's of all my tinkering's currently for sale on Etsy.... what do you think?

My lovely friend Basia has previously taken all my photo's but she will be returning to her homeland of Poland in a couple of months and so I need to be able to take my own photo's and be happy with them. She very kindly tried to show me how to use photo shop (I'm a technotwit!!) but I can't seem to get it to work the way she can... and so my trials with pics continue. I quite like the background and props but I can't get the colour/shading consistent. I guess that's what comes from setting it all up in front of the patio door to take advantage of the daylight.


I did think about investing in a 'light box' but funds are limited and so I might just have a go at making my own...

Click on the image to see this very clever chap tell us how...

Darren Rowse is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School. He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips and TwiTip Twitter Tips blogs. See.... terribly clever!

Forgive me father.....

For I have not blogged since the 1st of February....

.... because I don't have much to say. I know! I'm a shocked as you are!

I have in fact, been a Very busy lady... working on my bead soup jewellery and of course the day job and the domestic goddess and super mummy stuff. There simply are not enough hours in the day. My stress levels are painfully high :( All that coupled with this no smoking melarky has brought out my inner bitch. And boy is she mean! I don't like her at all. I'm beginning to wonder what else I might be addicted to other than nicotine? Just what is in cigarettes these days anyway? Especially that last batch I purchased from a friend (who shall of course remain nameless) which fell off the back of a lorry? The cigarettes that is, not the friend. Whatever it is it brings on these waves of irrational anger along with the cravings. Moodiness is me! Anyway, less talk of smoking, it's bringing on a craving *sprays her nifty nicorette mist thingymabob*

It would of been my Dad's birthday today. Dad was very much a cup of tea and a slice of cake man. I wonder if they have cake in heaven? I hope it's good....

A cup of tea and a slice of cake Aunt Sally ;)

Bead Soup Challenge

My mystery parcel arrived today from my challenge buddy, Dee Elgie.

I was so excited I ripped it open whilst still at work. The girls joined in with the 'oos n ahhhs'. It's brilliant.

1. An amazing glass focal made by Dee herself called 'Oilslick Twist'
2.  Amazonite Beads
3. Vitrail Light Rivoli's
4. Size 11 Seed Beads
5. A selection of 4mm Swarovski Bicones
6. An antique gold tone Toggle Clasp 
7. Green Goldstone Rounds

 

I am bowled over by the colours, one of my favourite combinations is blue and green. Whoever came up with the saying 'Blue and Green should Never be seen' was, in my humble opinion, quite barking. Have they never been witness to the beauty of a Peacock?!

I have not used Rivoli's before so that will be interesting! I'm having lots of fun sketching ideas already.

And OMG that gorgeous focal! I wonder how long it took Dee to make it? The colours are just amazing, sadly my camera skills are pretty rubbish and don't do it justice at all. I promise to do better for the reveal.

To see what the other 199 bead buddies are doing, click on the image below and check out Lori's blog. A list of all the other crafters joining the soup can be found on this page. Just click on their name to check out their blog...