Creating Awareness

Happy Birthday, MJ

Today, my handsome son turns 22!  I can't believe the years have gone by that fast.  Seems like just yesterday, he was holding my hand to cross the street.  Now, he is student teaching and about to graduate from college.  He is also engaged to a beautiful young lady and will be getting married this summer. 

So, today, I just want to wish him HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!  and tell him I AM PROUD OF YOU!!

Lately, I have been obsessed with Awareness Ribbons.  This is a project I have wanted to do for a while now.  My life has been effected by so many issues.  Several of my friends are Breast Cancer Survivors.  I have a young lady in my life who is a survivor of Childhood Lukemia.  I have other friends who have served our country in the Armed Forces.  I have friends who have been touched by Domestic Violence.  And my own family has been touched by Animal Abuse.  I have wanted to make collars for our fur-babies to help bring awareness to these causes.

But, it wasn't until a fellow beader asked me to create a collar for her to support Breast Cancer Awareness and Relay for Life that I actually got a start on the project.  I did two versions of the Small Awareness Ribbon Collar Motif and posted the pattern last week.  Because the small collars come in two lengths, the pattern includes 4 versions.  I did both lengths in both loom and peyote stitch.  Something for everyone.

 Then, my future daughter-in-law's Mom saw the photos of the collars that I posted on Facebook and asked me to make a version for her "little boy" Max to wear.  So this is the collar I created for him.

I didn't want the medium sized fur-babies to be left out.  So I went on the create and post the patterns for the Medium Awareness Ribbon Dog Collar Motif.  This pattern also includes both the loom and peyote versions of a short and long medium dog collar.  That is 4 patterns in one.  I decided to stitch this one as a yellow ribbon collar to support our troops.

And now, I am starting on the large versions of the collar.  After all, Tanner is considered a large dog.  This one is for my future daughter-in-law's dog, Moocow.  She wanted pink ribbons with the purple relay background.

But for Tanner, I am going to do Purple Ribbons on a yellow background.  I want his collar to support the Prevention of Animal Abuse and Domestic Violence.   These two causes have really impacted our life in the past month.  I'll keep you posted as I get the large versions done and posted.

Update on Tanner

Tanner went to the vet last Wednesday to have his stitches removed and to get his annual physical.  He weighs 76 lbs and, according to the Vet, is in perfect health.  His ear infection is even cleared up.

Now, we just need to get the scabs on the side of his face healed up.  We are washing his face twice a day with mild oatmeal puppy shampoo.

And he also needs a bath, badly.  But the groomer can't fit him in until Thursday, so I am toweling off his paws after each play session.  We have had a lot of mud and rain here lately.

Thanks everyone for your prayers and well wishes for my boy.  We celebrated our first "Gotcha Day" on Saturday.  And I do mean Celebrated.  It  was a great time!!

Blessings,

Beth

Catching up & Sale Time at Bead Patterns Boutique

Sorry I have not posted for the past several days.  We had an emergency here that has kept me pretty busy.  My beautiful Golden Retriever, Tanner, was attacked by another dog on our Sunday evening walk.  My husband and I struggled and struggled to get the other dog off of him.  Finally a neighbor came along and used a chain to get the dog to release.  We believe that was what saved Tanner’s life. 

We spent the next 7 hours at the ER Vet getting Tanner stitched up.  Then we brought him home and have been giving him lots of TLC.  If you want to see photos of his face, you can check out his blog:  Tanner Trains the Family.  The post on January 15 has the photos. 

Tanner is doing a lot better now.  The drains were removed yesterday and we are allowed to play with him as we normally do.  But we are all still very scared, because that dog is still in the neighborhood.  It belongs to a neighbor and we are working with the state dog warden to get it declared dangerous.

Thanks to all who have already sent ‘get well’ wishes.  We appreciate your support.

Now, for some good news.

Sale Time!!!

It's sale time at Bead Patterns Boutique again. Stock up and save! We have many wonderful patterns to choose from for Valentine's Day or even that just because gift you've been looking for. The design team is hard at it day in and day out to bring you the best of the best when it comes to fully tested patterns.

 
Don't forget to register as a member and sign in before you shop. Not only will you be able to take advantage of immediate download, you will also earn 2% virtual cash back that can be used on any future purchase! No gimmicks, no waiting, no expiration, it's yours to use any time you want to and it can be applied to anything our store carries. If the store gives you any troubles when you try to register, you can get help at help@beadpatternsboutique.com We are always happy to help.
This sale won't last forever! The discount code will be valid for only the next 3 days!

 
Sale is for January 19th through the 21rst only.

To save 20%, take this discount code shopping with you: ms20

Don't wait or you'll be too late!

Click here to shop now: http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com click "Catalog" and let your beady adventure begin! There's something for everyone at the Boutique.

Hope you can Bounce by and save some green!!!

Blessings,

Beth

Fireline tips and tricks

Yes, I have rethought working with the “F” thread.  I needed to choose a thread for my new tea light cover that would not melt and was transparent.  I had very few options.  And the one that I settled on was Fireline.

In my past experience with the thread, I had faced a lot of tangles and knots.  I am also an avid hand quilter, and I remembered a technique I use with quilting thread that helped with the Fireline.

I had thought because this Fireline was a fishing line, it would not have a “direction” to it.  But it does.  When I take thread from a spool to hand quilt, I thread the needle and use the thread the same way that it comes off of the spool.  In other words, my knot (in my quilting thread) goes on the end closest to the place where I cut the thread from the spool.

When I applied this technique to my Fireline… Well, it made all the difference in the world!!!

One thing I noticed right away was that the thread is stiffer than Nymo (duh!).  But that fact kept it from getting caught on things as I worked.

And it also made it harder to tear out when I made a mistake.  But I guess that is the point.  I am not supposed to make mistakes !!

I also noticed that the finished piece was straighter than pieces I had done with Nymo.  Usually the Nymo pieces curved into a slight rainbow shape, but the Fireline piece did not.

I also tried doing some Brick stitch with the thread.

The first thing I notice was that my ladder stitches stayed close together and even.

But, when I tried to work the first row on top and bottom of the set-up row, I did have some problems slipping the needle under the threads between the beads.

My conclusion:  Fireline is not all that bad to work with.  It has it’s place and uses in my bead box.  It will not longer be banned or bad-mouthed by me.  I have always said, use the right tool for the right job and you will get a good result.  Fireline will now be my tool for tea light covers and transparent projects.

I don’t think I will use it for fringe work, though.   It is just too stiff.

Blessings,

Beth

Re-thinking Fireline

From the first time I tried Fireline, I Hated it!  My first project using Fireline became so hopelessly tangled and tied in knots that I swore I would never us it again!

I have since learned… Never say Never!  Usually, when I have done that in the past, something forces me to do what I said I would not do.

That was the case here too!!

Little did I know that my Daughter becoming a pastry chef would inspire/cause me to use the dreaded “F” thread again.

Meghan loves to make pastries.  She and I like to make cupcakes.  They are easier to eat at a party and go faster than a cake usually does.  We have seldom had to bring any home from any place we took them.

But how many can you eat??  I know, some will have not problem.  But me, they go right to my waist and hips.  So I decided to make a tealight cover so I could have cupcakes around all the time.

With all the wonderful fragrances in candles now, I can even have these smell like cupcakes if I choose.

The problem is… I needed a thread that would not melt but was still transparent.  The choice was obvious.  I had to try working with Fireline again. 

As you can see, I was successful.  And I learned a few things along the way.

Tommorow, I’ll share some tips I learned from re-thinking Fireline.

Blessings,

Beth

By the way, the pattern for “Sweets for the Sweet” is available here":  http://www.beadpatternsboutique.com/catalog/sweets%20for%20the%20sweet.html

Projects in Progress

 

It has been a busy beginning for the New Year here at Bouncing Wolf Creations.  Last time I posted, I told you about several goals that I am setting for 2012.  I am well under way working to meet them. 

My first ornament for 2012 is ………  Well, I am still working on a name, but here is a photo to whet your appetite.

Oh, and I have two more in the works. 

This one is inspired by a Native American Nation’s Flag.  I can’t wait to do the fringe work.  I have such plans!!

And there are two more stilling on the beading table as charts.  It should be a great year.

I have also started a new collection.  What do you think I am going to do with these???  Hang around and see.

I also have several new collars already listed, and several more in the works. 

I just wish there were more hours in the day.  I have more ideas than time to stitch.

Back to beading,

Blessings,

Beth

New Year, New Goals

First, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!  I heard someone say recently that the only difference between 11:59 pm on 12/31 and 12:00 am on 1/1 is one minute.  These minutes happen every day, all day long.  It is us who are different.  Some of us just choose this time to make a change.

I had a very long, sometimes painful year last year.  I didn’t do a lot of beadwork, or knitting or quilting.  I did a lot of baking.  I didn’t post to this blog regularly, but I did try really hard to keep up with my puppy’s blog “Tanner Trains the Family”.

I changed, as a person during 2011.  And I must say, I think I am better for the experience.

I am not one to make Resolutions.  These are just promises that are easily broken. 

I set Goals and spend the year chasing and achieving them.

So, you may ask, what are my beading and crafting goals for this 2012?

1) Learn to make Lampwork beads.

I have ALWAYS wanted to do this.  But to tell you the truth, I was a bit afraid that I might burn myself.  I am the kind of person who needs to touch everything and I was afraid that I might do that with this craft.

I also saw a lady in EPCOT making some wonderful beads and I decided I HAD to confront my fears.

I did some research, and found a class close to home.  On February 25, I will be having my first class.  I am sure I will be hooked and bring home some new tools.  I’ll keep you posted on that.  But for now, CHECK!

2) Create One (1) new Holiday Ornament Pattern each month.  They may not all be ornament covers.  Some may be flat, some may be dimensional.  But I am setting a goal to create one a month.  You will be happy to know that I have one ready to write the pattern, one in the beading stage and one on paper.  A pretty good start!

3) Learn at least one new stitch this year and create patterns in that stitch. 

I am still trying to decide if that stitch will be herringbone or RAW.  I may have to try both before I see which I like better and which stimulates my muse to design.  But I still have a bit of time for that.

4)  Spend more time on this blog.  I want to share my journey with you.  I want to share the things I learn and my experiences. So you will see me here once or twice a week.  That is my goal.

Oh, and one other thing I forgot to mention.  I have recently opened a “Collar Me Urs” on Artfire.  I am offering handmade, customized and personalized pet collars and patterns for pet collars there.  If your fur-baby needs some new bling, please feel free to drop by.

Hope you all have a great 2012. 

Blessings,

Beth