Something different

This past week I suddenly had the urge to "play" with beads, although I really should have been working on my baby quilts. My excuse was that I needed a birthday gift in a hurry and since I have tons of beads as well as all the components to make jewelry, I gave in gracefully. I remembered I had some porcelain beads I bought in China a while ago I combined them with a few lapis lazuli as well as some sterling silver beads. I strung them onto a waxed cotton thread and made a closure with another bead. By using cotton thread the necklace is soft and very comfortable to wear unlike when using "Tigertale" which is a nylon covered wire.

Of course I couldn't stop at just one and made a couple more

and included some Chinese cinnabar beads. I was wearing one of the necklaces yesterday evening to a party. It went perfectly with my blue and white top. 

My "love affair" with beads started a long time ago when we lived in Indonesia. I became an avid collector and connoisseur of old/antique beads and soon started to make my own necklaces. The idea was that I would sell them, but I seldom could bare to part with any of them and therefore have probably more necklaces than there are days in a year ;)!I have a small collection of those I wear regularly on my dressing table.

Until next time, take care.
Cheers
Vreni x

I'm still here!

Amidst a constant stream of visitors and guests I have found little time for sewing. But I have finish three more Camelot blocks:

Block 9

Block 10

 Block 11

I also started a baby quilt for a soon to be born little boy. He will be the first baby of the next generation on my husband's side of the family and we are all very exited. I'm using the pattern "Rush Hour" by the very talented Kellie from Don't look now. 

I really need to get going with this as afterwards I will have to make another baby quilt for another new baby boy born just last week in Australia. And if that isn't enough, I also need to make a wedding quilt for a friend of my daughter. Luckily the wedding isn't until May. I'm happy to have a "free" weekend coming without any guests, visitors or invitations so I'm planning to spend a large junk of it in my sewing room. I hope you have an equally lovely weekend ahead! 

Cheers

Vreni x