Friday 10 August 2007

I ran out of beads

I have been busy beading my 2007 Journal Quilt. I finished the centre of the quilt and made a start on the four motifs one of which you see here. I got three and a half of them done when I ran out of beads (rocailles). I have only ever added a few beads here and there to my work but since I started the Bead Journal Project 2007 I have been sorting out my beads and it's no suprise beads are appearing more and more in my work. I thought a full tube of beads would be sufficient to complete what I wanted to do but it wasn't to be.

I searched to see if perhaps I had bought two packs of these but there were none to be found. I thought I would have to go shopping for more, no hardship but I wanted to get this finished. I have a lot of beads I bought when I was in San Francisco, that was one amazing bead shop I can tell you. Anyway I found a selection of black, white, clear and the same colour I have been using.

I have had these beads in my stash for a while and I was wondering if, like fabric, beads would be hard to match? The Gutterman beads have a colour No on them but some I have had for ages. I was also wondering how you decide how many beads to buy? I suppose the more you bead you will get a feel for how many your will need to buy. Questions, questions.
I have been busy picking out the right colours and have almost finished the beading. The rules of the JQ project prevent me from showing you the whole quilt at the moment but I will post pictures once the Houston show has opened.

I am also going to use the above design for my July Bead Journal Project but this time it will be postcard size. The first one was a little bigger as I plan on it being the front page of a book which will hold the rest of the years BJ pages. The theme for my BJP is paisley designs so it will fit in nicely.

I was busy ironing in the very early hours of the morning earlier this week and look who has decided to make it her bed! Bless her little heart I couldn't move her and there she lay until of she smelled the bacon cooking.

I was tagged with the Nice Matters award again yesterday by Susan of Art of Textiles, thank you Susan. I can't pass the opportunity of tagging more really nice blog friends by so here they are:

deb; Dianne (Fairie Di); Lynda (Purple Missus); Joanna; Shirley; SuZ; and last but not least Sandy from LA Centre who doesn't have a blog but is thinking of starting one.

I was also tagged by Marion (Artmixter) the rules say:

Each person gives 7 random facts about themselves and should display these rules on their blog. I should also tag another 7 gardeners. Here are the random facts (gardening related)!

1 My Dad is a keen gardener and grows his own vegetables and the most wonderful flowers.

2 My paternal step grandad was a wonderful gardener with the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. He had lots of climbing roses. I think that's where I get my love of roses from. When I was young I used to go and stay with my grandparents during the summer holidays and those times hold special memories for me.

3 I don't like "straggly" bedding plants. I prefer the neat and tidy ones which probably says a lot about me.

4 I love gardening in all weathers. I love the peace and quiet and just caring and tending each and every little plant.

5 I am not very good with house plants and only have one because I adore the colour and texture of it's leaves and it seems to survive against all odds.

6 I waited years for our flymo (a big industrial one Norman bought and loved) to break down as I could never cut the grass as it was so heavy. I was delighted when it finally gave up the ghost last year (and Norman couldn't fix it). Now I can cut the grass and not have Norman do it all the time.

7 My father-in-law used to have the most beautiful and HUGE hanging baskets. I have tried over the years to emulate them but to no avail but I am still trying.

If you would like to take part in this meme then consider yourself tagged.

7 comments:

Sandy said...

Waiting to see your Journal quilts. I buy as many beads as I can afford-sort of like how much fabric to get. Then I use the smaller amounts in random color schemes, so it doesn't matter if I run out. You are trying to shame me into a blog. I'm thinking of a name now. Sandy in La Center

Donna said...

my cats to think that folded laundry means "sleep place" -- I've learned to toss an old towel over things I don't want covered in cat hair! :-)

I''m in awae of your beading. I've never done much -- never really figured out how often to stitch down with a bead or where etc.... so am enjoying seeing your wonderful work.

Alis Clair said...

You piece looks lovely and beautifully beaded.
The thing with beads is that they are like chocolate - you just have to have some more!

Sweet little thing ;0)
They do love warm ironing - purrrr

Purple Missus said...

Thank you so much for the 'award' Carol - I am flattered that you should think of me. I have made so many friends since I started blogging last November its unbelievable.
Love the colours and design in your journal quilt. Look forward to seeing the whole piece.

Papoosue said...

Your bead work looks amazing Carol, I'm not surprised you ran out of beads - it's amazing how many you can get through isn't it?!

Thanks for your comments on my blog - I hope you do visit Falkland, it is really lovely and I'm sure you will like it.

Dianne said...

I love the colours you've used on this quilt!!! Thanks so much for tagging me - now I best put my thinking cap on!!

Nola said...

Love the bead piece and can't wait to see more of it. I think beading is just like fabric - sometimes you run out and that makes you more creative. I have lots of beads - more than I'll probably ever use - but I'm sure if I did an intensive beading project like yours, I would run out.

Our gardening styles sound rather similar - no straggly plants, and yes please to roses. And while I can grow things outside, I am so not good with things in pots, especially indoors.