Repair on an antique purse

HI!
This is a repair for a client on an antique purse. It would be great if the old purses could be used. Once in a while you find one that has been protected well and can be used. This purse was made with cotton thread. The thread is so fragile that during the repair I would get one fringe fixed and another one would come loose. The owner learned her lesson. She is going to put this one on display. I told her I would teach her the stitch if she wanted to make a new bag in the same pattern, then she could carry around a look-alike.

Love these old bags!
Beady things,
Cindy

New Bugs

HI! Everyone,
I am finally getting back to my Blog. Here are a few pictures of "The Bugs". I am using up my old polymer clay and making bug pins and fridge magnets. I sell them at  the Bead Merchant here in Grants Pass, OR.

Roses

Here's a few pictures of some of the roses in the garden. Madame Parfume' is a beautiful and fragrant rose, she is blooming out nicely.

Eureka is a nice Yellow-Orange Rose.

Then there is Betty Boop. This rose goes from bright coloring to fading out to almost white. It has only a few petals and opens full out. What a beautiful flower.

I am sure I will be posting more Rose pictures. The new rose bed is still getting set in so the blooms will be a little later. I am anxiously awaiting blooms from

Monkey Business. Something ate the buds off, it will come back. Hot Cocoa is blooming. They are a very different color of red with a unique fragrance. Sisters at Heart is a nice Apricot flower.

All for now.

Love and flowers,

Cindy

Beaded Bead bracelet

Here's a picture of the bracelet and barrette I made to go with the Fall Amulet. The large "beads" are actually a beaded-bead. I made 8 of them then strung them together on stretchy cord.

Beady things,
Cindy

Been a While

HI! Everyone,
I don't seem to have anything post worthy lately. I've been busy. I sell pies at our local Grower's Mkt on saturdays for two more saturdays. I have been trying to get more patterns finished up. Plus, playing and experimenting with polymer clay.
My current favorite clay for making canes is Kato Clay. I have been trying to use up all my old stuff. I still have a little left. I am trying out the Sculpey Ultra Light white clay to use as bases for my flower petal cabs. So, far I like it much better than the Crayola Modeling stuff. The Sculpey product can be sanded and shaped easier after it's baked.
More another day......hoepfully sooner than later.

Hugs,
Cindy

New Amulet

HI! Everyone,
Here's a photo of a Flower Amulet created for a client. She picked really beautiful colors. It is stunning! The Flower Amulet pattern in not one of my own. It is one from Renee' Gomez-Smith. You can get the pattern in her new book. Go to her website: http://www.beadmerchant.com/ to get it.

Smiley

HI!
Here is a picture of Smiley the Rabbit. I made him from Karen Shifton's Renaissance Rabbit pattern. He was a Christmas present for my Mom & Dad. I couldn't post his picture until I gave them their rabbit. I carried him in a canvas bag as part of my carry-on luggage when I flew to San Diego. They named him Smiley. He leaps from wall lamp to wall lamp in their abode.

I am getting the itch to make another doll. Ideas will start to brew.

Thoughts of dolls, Cindy

Home again!

HI!
I am home now. I am so,o,oooooo allergic to Arizona. I CANNOT go there in Feb!! Although, I cannot imagine never going back for the Gem and Bead show extravaganza. There was nice weather everyday, even if it was rainy. I love the rain! It even snowed on the mountains around Tucson and the mountains around the So. Cal. desert.

Snow from a viewpoint on the road to Mt. Lemmon overlooking Tucson.

There are many more pictures I will share as many as I can.

Rainbows in the Desert

HI! Everyone,
Here's a Rainbow in the desert. I got here to So. California and evidently I had sent the rain ahead. It had been raining all week and didn't stop for 3 more days. The difference is: It rained for 5 days and the desert only got around 4" of rain! This is rushing water in the washes amounts of rain. A mere drop in the bucket compared to Pacific Northwest standards! Their normal here is 2". This year they will probably top out at around 7". There will be weeds and grass and wildflowers everywhere!
I am here for a few more days then off to Tucson for the big Gem, mineral and bead shows!

On a trip

HI!
I am on my way to Southern California tomorrow. I am going to visit with my parents for about 11 days then over to Tucson to see my long time friend, Leslie. I will be there for the Tucson International Gem and Bead Shows. There are only a few things I NEED and a city full of things I want!
Dew and I are here in Portland staying with our son, Gabe. It has been a great visit. Going to see Avatar 3D at noon today. Dew and I have already seen it once. Then off to friend's, Dave and Carol, to have dinner.

Just a quick update. I don't think anyone reads these but me, but that's OK. It's a place to write down a few thoughts.

Hugs,
Cindy

Our Christmas tree

Here's our Christmas Tree for 2009. We had a great Christmas with our son Tyler and his family. Bolt, the 7 month old Jack Russel Terrier, was actually on his best behaviour. They all came over on Christmas Eve and stayed through saturday noon. We love having sleepovers with them!

Love and much hugs, Cindy

Polymer Clay

HI!
Help I am stuck in the Polymer Clay vortex and can't get out! Polymer Clay is my play time. I started playing with clay in 1994. You would think after 15 years I would be better at it. But, like I said, "It's my playtime." I have 10 books by several Polymer artists. I pick a technique and see if I can even come close. Well....the only technique I ever get a decent result from is Sarah Shriver's kaleidescoping technique. I have taken 2 classes from her. I am trying to use up my supply of clays.  I have a mix of several kinds and want to give Kato Clay a try. I also like to sculpt with it.
I have 2 Donna Kato books. She makes the coolest box pendants. So, when I get the new clay I am going to try my hand at a box pendant.
Here's some "happy accident" beads. But, I burned them to a crisp! I didn't check the temp on the toaster oven. Fried them at 400 degrees! They became black charred blobs. Most of the pieces I make are made from random blobs of clay. I want to make something intentional. I want to have a design in mind for a specific project and have it resemble the original idea. It is one of my goals for 2010.

Happy New Year!

To everyone! Hope this finds everyone well, happy and healthy to start this new year. I wish the best for all. And hope 2010 find everyone focusing on family, friends and loving one another.

Love and hugs to all,
Cindy