Woops!

Look closely at this photo - see the mistake? I didn't notice the mistake in the weaving until after I posted the photo. It will stay the way it is and I will not fix it but thought it was interesting that I have looked at this many times and didn't see it. The same pattern is made for the other side of the bag and what a coincidence that I photographed this side. Would never have seen it otherwise.

Now look closely at the photo below where the arrow is pointing. See that white bead...there should be a blue bead in that position.

The Herringbone Stitch pattern really shows up on this close up view doesn't it? It is not a hard pattern to stitch but I prefer the Peyote stitch. The thing with this stitch is that the stitches have to be put down in pairs and this pattern has an odd number of beads in it so the outside rows on the sides are not the same. One side has 2 rows of blue beads and the other has 3.

Lynn

Star and Tulip Amulet Bag

Remember me telling you about the beading class I took in Grand Island this fall? Well, I finally got the Star and Tulip amulet bag finished as of last night. I had the bag part done right after the class but wasn't sure how to attach the neck strap or the fringe until we had our friends day here last Friday.

The class I took was on learning how to do the herringbone stitch while making this bag. It is 2 1/4" wide by 2 1/2" long with 2" fringe.

It will be so much fun to wear - not sure what I have that will look good with it right now. Oooo...maybe that means I need to go shopping for a shirt to go with it!

This beading stuff is really fun but I need to get back to sewing my started quilts (UFOs) one of these days. I have the Scrapaholic quilt needing borders, the Bonnie Hunter mystery to complete, my miniature flower basket quilt needing to have the applique finished then completed. There are a couple of basted quilts in my closet needing to be machine quilted and the miniature flower garden quilt that I have partially hand quilted....probably more projects partially done too but can't think of them right now.

You know maybe it is good to have several projects going at the same time. Don't know about you but I get bored doing the same thing day after day so maybe that is why I jump from project to project. I must remember to finish some of them though!

Here's wishing you well as Christmas draws near. Don't get too frazzled with all the preparations and take time to enjoy your friends and family. Time has a way of slipping by so quickly.

Lynn

Best Friends

I have the best friends - you all probably do to. My friend Shirley crocheted this wonderful star ornament for me. It is about 5" across and is starched stiff. It is so pretty hanging on my Christmas tree.

Janet was busy and made these cute things for my purse. The one on the top is a tissue holder and the one on the bottom is a little folding money purse or card holder. They will be so much fun to use.

I made each of the three gals (showed Fays beaded spools in an earlier post.) a beaded bead like the twisted one I made my mother but in other colors of beads. I did forget to take photos of them before I gave them away though.

Got my Christmas letter sent to part of our list - the ones I attach it to an email. That is so easy and so fast, besides saving on postage costs. I still have to mail the rest in the next day or two but need to get more printer ink first. I always try to keep printer ink on hand but didn't get it replaced the last time I used what I had in the cupboard. Have never been this late sending my Christmas greetings but guess they will be read no matter when they arrive.

Still have the two pillowcases to make yet for my sister's grandchildren. I got the fabric washed last night so it won't take long once I get it all pressed and cut out.

My brother is coming here tomorrow. He will be flying into Kansas City and then will have a 4 1/2 to 5 hr. drive from the airport to here. He plans to drive to our home town to see our mother and other relatives on Wed. but he may be snowed in here for a day or so though as a snow storm is predicted for Nebraska Tuesday night and Wed. John and I plan to drive out to be with the family on Christmas day so hope for good weather that day too for us and everyone traveling.

Lynn

Beaded Gifts

Yesterday was a most wonderful day. Three of my good friends that I room with each year at QuiltNebraska Convention met here at my house for a day of visiting, having lunch and beading. We try to get together for our birthdays and do something fun. We used to meet and go shopping and have long lunches but anymore we would rather just get together and visit. We met at Janet's store Quilter's Delight in Holdrege for my birthday in September and Fay taught us how to do bead weaving.

Yesterday I invited them all here to celebrate Janet's birthday. We again worked on beading projects and had a great time. I took photos of the beaded gifts that Fay had made. These first three were Christmas gifts to Janet, Shirley and me. The photos don't really do the ornaments justice as they are all beaded around antique wooden spools and so tiny. They are just so cute! The first one is Janet's and has cardinals on it. The second has angels and belongs to Shirley and the one on the far right is the one Fay gave to me and has a frog on it. The backside has bees flying above the water. Like I said before - cute, cute, cute!!!

She also showed us others she had made for other gifts she plans to give. The one on the left is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus and the one on the right is bells.

Left has a snowman and the right one is a Christmas tree.

Here are the last two - another Holy Family and a poinsettia.

Each of the spools has a little charm hanging from the bottom and has a ribbon hanger. Homemade gifts are the very best.

Lynn