Beaded Hearts. . .

First, I want to thank you all for your support and lovely comments on my last post. I really appreciate your encouragement and the support you share with me!

I wanted to share the squares that I sent to Jeanette, this past week, for the 2009 Bead-It-Forward Quilt. These squares are small and stitched to 1-1/2". Jeanette stitches the squares into quilts and then donates them to Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer for their annual auction. This years theme was "bead artists have the heart to take on breast cancer." 

It was getting so close to the deadline, I really thought that I might not be able to contribute. However, when I found out that a dear friend's breast cancer had returned...a mutual friend to us all, Bobbi,...I knew in my heart that I wanted and needed to make the time and stitch some squares. I have participated for three years and always for the sake of all, however, this year I wanted to stitch some in her honor. I did not have time to encrust my squares this year.  But, all my squares were stitched on wool felt except for one that I did on Ultrasuede. The beads and sequins are vintage and the seed beads I used were 11/0, 16/0, and 18/0's. I used a vintage Guilloche 'Heart and Roses' Enamel Cabochon, vintage tan heart shaped nailheads, and a vintage red sew-on heart on the nude. The only new pieces were the hope and bird charm and the tiny red heart beads.



















The beach image didn't turn out quite like I had hoped. As you can see, I about mutilated the Pellon. I really wanted to do this square by needle felting and then adding beads, but I didn't have the right colors of roving...so I improvised.  I really need to buy a variety pack of colors to have on hand. I also tried stitching the seagulls with 18/0 beads and it just wasn't right. The beads needed to be smaller. I do have 20/0 and 22/0's, but I *absolutely* refused to suffer like that!!! I don't know where my brain was when I purchased those beads or the size 16 needles either!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!!! 

I also wanted to share a beautiful stitched 'Peace' sign that I received from a new blogging friend, Elizabeth, that lives in Denmark. Grace kindly shared her wonderful blog named Landanna. Thank you, Grace!  She embroidered the french knots on felt with raffia!  Raffia is such an great idea to embroider with...it stitches up beautifully!  It is a lovely piece of embroidery and I will always treasure it always!  Thank you so much Elizabeth, for your wishes of *peace*!  I hope you will take the time to visit her. She is a very talented and stitches from her heart with a lot of symbolism! 

I stitched another sketchbook bag recently for a gift. The first bag I made, I made for me because I sketch a lot.  I made this pouch with black Ultrasuede. It has a picot edge done in black 8/0 seed beads and vintage bronze seed beads. It is stitched with vintage black nailhead, bronze nailheads, and black heart nailheads. It comfortably holds a Moleskin sketchbook and pencil. It is a great size to put in your purse and, hopefully, it will be loved.

I have a couple small pieces in the works, but my biggest priority right now is getting up-to-date with the bead journal project. The two pictures of fabric and thread are favorites of mine that I picked out that are waiting for some attention!  As soon as I post my bead journal pages...I am going to begin cutting some fabric and I'll share that with you soon.

Awhile back, Bobbi, had suggested a wonderful movie on her blog. Mark and I watched it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I wanted to mention it because I thought maybe you'd enjoy it also. It is a documentary about an artist and is called...The Cats of Mirikitani. It is a fascinating and heart-warming story of injustice, pride, tragedy, beautiful art, compassion and acceptance. You'll be enriched by his art, but even more so by his spirit! I hope that maybe you would enjoy it too. I told Bobbi, I know who to contact when I want to see a good movie!

Since it has been awhile since I have posted...I included some photos that I have taken recently in the post below. And, Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! I am off to finish up an Irish feast for my family...Corned beef, new potatoes, carrots, and cabbage and hoping there will be enough leftover for corned beef sandwiches! Take care and I'll talk to you soon...~Lisa ;-)