During the school Easter holidays I decided the time had come to find a few other UFOs which were lurking around the place. One was a beautiful new baby sampler, which had been started but hadn't progressed very far. As luck would have it my best friend's baby was due in early May, providing the perfect motivation to get it finished. After the baby was born I added on the all important personal information and then mounted it (with the help of my Mum) and put it in the frame. I was quite delighted with the results and didn't have to undo it half as many times as I thought I would!
Having finished the embroidery before the baby's arrival I had a bit of time left to make some jewellery using bits and bobs from my stash. So here's a necklace made using a vintage cabochon and strung onto a spiral chain with a glass clasp. I've not used a glass clasp before as I usually go for a metal one, but on this occasion I think the black glass one is perfect.
I have also completed one UFO which has been in my box for ages. The lovely Christmas tree earring kit from Spellbound has been half finished for an age, mainly as I managed to loose one of the star beads for the top of the tree. The kit was the usual high quality I expect from Spellbound but the kit is very fiddly due to the size of the beads (I think they are size 15). I am satisfied with the end results although they are currently very squashed due to being in the bottom of my box for so long!
Next up, a bracelet made with one of the new muse kits from the lovely smitten beads. They arrived on Thursday and I couldn't wait to get started using them. The little bird house is from bead me up buttercup and i was having difficulty matching the colour, so I decided to go for a contrast and I think it's turned out really well. I love the way the packs are put together as most of the hard work co-ordinating things is already done for you. I especially like the peanut beads, which I haven't used before. They sit really well and give a nice texture to the bracelet.
As a half term treat I booked myself onto a course at Beautiful Things in Brentwood for a crafty cuppa session. This is where you go along and are taught to make an item/items which are on the class list. The week it was meant to be button bracelets but, as I have already made one, it was the turn of zips! I never knew you could do so much with one! Claire had some suggestions for how to make a flower brooch and then there was plenty of time to play and come up with my own ideas. It is always nice to be in the company of other like-minded, crafty people who will share their ideas, enthusiasm and, in my case, a lot of their expertise.
Projects which are underway but not yet completed include a knotted wrap bracelet with swarovski crystals, a knitted Eeyore toy (which currently has both ears complete along with his nose) and a Beautiful Things crochet flower brooch. I hope that there will be pictures of some of these things finished, ready for my next blog!
'Til then happy crafting!!!
