Saturday Wrap-up

First thing that I worked on this week was this embroidered cuff. The plaid pattern was inspired by a fuschia/green plaid shirt that I saw at the Belk last weekend. The colors really hit me and I just had to recreate it.

Also, remember the sewing machine from Thursday? Well, it all started when I was trying to think of a way to take my construction to the next level and I remembered what my mom always told me, "It's what's inside that counts." So, to that end, I added my little stamp and a little pizazz to the inside of the cuff.  I can see this becoming very addicting. I already have plans for some longer messages embroidered on the inside of larger cuffs.

If you'd like to see more pictures, this cuff is in my shop.

(By the way, I was gonna put LBJ on the back, but I really don't want my work to appear as a homage to any former presidents.)

I also added this bracelet, Busy as a Bee to my shop. I think it'd be perfect as a Christmas gift for a teacher, mostly because I know from experience that this time of year they are definitely busy as a well...you know.

Okay, this next cuff was totally me trying to get rid of my fear of orange. The pattern was inspired by this repeating pattern that I saw in a book about Islamic architecture. The cuff itself has a very luxurious feel. The colors fade from a deep, almost persimmon to a soft creamy yellow with the little repeating pattern in the center. My plan (if I can get around to it) is to create the pattern and offer it free to you guys as a download.

In the meantime, I need a name, any suggestions?

As I created this cuff, I remembered why I don't do much peyote anymore... I do not have the patience!

I also finished my first headband for the shop! I call this one Autumn Turquoise.

I think this would look so cute on a little girl. Unfortunately, I do not have one of those, so in the meantime it's gonna be adorning my big cabeza. :)

This second one is for my sister, so it won't be in the shop, but I did get it done last week.

Okay, these last two rings won't be going in the shop because I have plans for them (stay tuned). But this first is a skinnier version of Heather's Ring in some fall-appropriate colors.

and a Bollywood Bling Ring in holiday tones.

Whew! If you hung in for all of that and made it through, you deserve something special, which is why I'm doing a surprise giveaway!

Last week I cleaned out my bead hoard stash and found a ton of beaded beads that I'm probably not gonna use anytime soon, so I've decided to give them away to someone who will use them, and as I know that a lot of the peeps that read my blog are stringers, (Oddly enough, my grandmother's maiden name is Stringer...go figure) I figured you could use some beads.

These are all individually handmade. Go ahead and click on the pic to see them bigger. Some already have the wires in them, but you can definitely snip those out. My only requirement for the giveaway is that you leave me a comment with a suggestion for the cuff that I created above that I don't know how to name. Also, you can share if you want, or you can keep the news to yourself in the hopes that no one else will comment and you take home the loot. It doesn't matter to me, but I'm just gonna do one entry per person and I'll draw on Wednesday!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

(On Monday, I'm gonna send you some inspiration for Margie and Me. How's your Margie and Me project going by the way??)