I designed and finished the above bracelet tonight. I'm calling it "Spring Vine." I'm wondering if people might be interested in a class on this weaving technique? I incorporated a freeform spiral stitch with lots of embellishments.

I finished stitching the above Cabled Herringbone bracelet very early this morning. Design credit must be given to Rae Reller-what a beautiful design for Herringbone stitch!

Charlie the Retriever in training!

Above is a finished Spiral Stitch Bracelet done by Dell from tonight's class. What a beautiful job she did! Click on the photo to zoom in. The beads Dell used are size 8 Miyuki and are stunning together. (The unfinished spiral is mine-it's a type of freeform spiral.)

Here is "Jake" from today's Daily Puppy. Jake is an Alaskan Klee Kai, which is derived from Alaskan Athabaskan words meaning "small dog". His breed (a mix between a Siberian Husky and a Schipperke) is relatively new, having originated in the early 1970's. What a sweet dog!

Wire-Wrapped Bead class today...wrapped with beautiful sterling silver! Starting on the right in the bottom picture: Kathy's, Cindy's, Holly's, Tina's, Alice's and Linda's. Girls, you did such a fantastic job! Hope you all love your bracelets and had fun! Make sure you click on the pictures to zoom-in on the stunning work...

Here is one of my new designs and a brand new class. Because it incorporates the Herringbone stitch (also known as Ndebele Stitch) I've named it "Herringbone Highway."

The above are Fibula Pins made in tonight's class. Tina, Sharla and Bonnie did a wonderful job on these beauties! I told the gals that the Pins are like making pancakes--they get better and better as you make more of them! Click on the picture to get a closer look. Nice job ladies!

Mr. Groundhog saw his shadow...yep, 6 more weeks of winter.

So sweet--Claire, The Daily Puppy, taking a snooze...

Monday Trivia...

No word in the English language rhymes with: orange, month, silver, or purple. (I guess you could always write about an "orange door hinge"- but that isn't a single word.)

The above are from tonight's "Altered Treasures" class. Starting at the 9 o'clock position, is Kate's beaded sea-foam-green faceted gemstone. At 12 o'clock is Mary's beaded Czech glass button. The 3 o'clock treasure is a beaded antique Mother-of-Pearl buckle being created by Mary Lynn. At the 6 o'clock position is a retro-look button that was beaded by Sara. All creations are the same beading technique, but don't they all look so fun & different? Each is very distinct & creative. Make sure you click on the photo and get a closer look at their detailed treasures! Beautiful work girls...Bead on!

Weather Trivia...

On this day, January 22, 1943 at about 7:30am MST, the temperature in Spearfish, South Dakota was −4 °F. Two minutes later the temperature was 45 °F above zero. The 49-degree rise in two minutes set a world record that still holds. At 9:00am, the temperature had risen to 54 °F. Then suddenly, the temperature tumbled back to −4 °F. (The Chinook Winds must have really been working overtime that day!)

Congratulations, Mr. President! You fill our hearts with hope. What a wonderful day!

Wowza! Look the the above beautiful Sidewinder bracelets created in class tonight! From the top of the photo: Susan's (Purple Haze & Golden Shadow crystals with Palladium 15/0 Miyuki seed beads), Sandy's (Aruim & Golden Shadow crystals with gold iris 15/0 Miyuki seed beads), Renee's (Emerald ABx2 & Aruim crystals with black 15/0 Miyuki seed beads), Mary Therese's (Aruim & Golden Shadow crystals with gold silver-lined 15/0 Miyuki seed beads), Bev's (Titan Blue & Clear crystal with sky-blue lined 15/0 Miyuki seed beads), and Beth's (Arium & Golden Shadow crystals with 24Kt gold plated 15/0 Miyuki seed beads.) Click on the picture for a closer look...fantastic work girls!

Did you know...

James Buchanan was the only bachelor president.

Do you know...

Often depicted wearing a tall black stovepipe hat, 16th president of the United States Abraham Lincoln carried letters, bills, and notes in his hat.
I think I had heard that at one time (probably school) but had forgotten it. Did you remember that tidbit?

The above are the beautiful bracelets from this morning's class of Basic Stringing & Crimping. Starting from the top of the photos are creations designed by Kristine, Carol, Tina, Theresa, and Cathy! Aren't their bracelets stunning? Click on the pictures to zoom in and get a closer look. Wonderful work, girls!

Cute Alert...

Do check out Alex on the "Daily Puppy" today! Click on his picture to see some adorable photos of Alex! He is just so cute!

The above is a bracelet I finished tonight. It is made using a Herringbone beading stitch. A "crossover stitch" gives it the cabled look. Click on the pictures if you'd like a closer look.

The above "Wiggle Room" bracelets are from tonight's class. This is a Right-Angle bead weaving technique. What a great job all the gals did! Starting from the top of the photo is the bracelet done by Sara who used pinks and vermilion colored seed beads. The middle bracelet was made by Mary who used green and metallic gold iris seed beads. The bottom bracelet was created by Cindi who used varied shades of grey seed beads and silver rings. Beautiful work girls!

The people of Cedar Rapids can say the weather has shown them another first: 29 degrees below zero. That all-time record was reached at 7:51am Thursday morning as daily record lows were broken in many eastern Iowa cities. Wind Chills dipped to 50 degrees below zero in spots. The previous all-time record low for Cedar Rapids was 28 below zero reached in January of 1974.
More cold is forecasted before temperatures bounce back to the 20s and 30s above zero next week. It is currently 14 degrees below zero and I hope my car starts so I can get to my 5:30 class on time! Burrrrrrrrrrr

Need I say more?
It's cold tonight.
-19 degrees right now at 10:45 pm.
I think the record in going to be broken tonight!
Burrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Monday Trivia...

What was the first novel ever written on a typewriter?

(No googling allowed.)

Beautiful Buttons... miniature pieces of art... which shall I use on my next bracelet? Click on the picture to see the detailing on these beauties!

Soft, silent, and slow descends the snow... yes, about 7" worth.

Yes, it's the start of the weekend. Today I was substitute teaching 6th graders-never a dull moment with subbing. Have you ever done it? Everyone should experience it. (not)
Tonight I am working on a new bracelet out of Herringbone stitch. It will be a new class on the February calendar...pictures soon.

The above are two brand new bracelets that I created. I call this new class "Altered Treasures". The class will be offered at Bead Haven in Cedar Rapids on Jan. 22. I loved designing these bracelets because you can use a variety of small treasures that you have collected through the years. You know-- those little bits of things that you just can't throw away: a special button off a favorite childhood garment, or that one earring that belonged to your grandmother, a special coin from a vacation, a favorite one-of-a-kind orphan bead, or a component off a special toy that you cherished, numerous things we saved and are probably in a special box tucked away in the bureau or in your jewelry box. Why not display them in a special place of honor that you can wear? What a great way to enjoy them! What old treasures are waiting for you to "alter" into a new piece of art jewelry?

"Throwing away ideas too soon is like opening a package of flower seeds and then throwing them away because they're not pretty."...Arthur VanGundy

This is a pin I recently made and is available at Cateri's Gallery in Amana, Iowa. It is one of those "keep it simple" designs. I like the movement it possesses and it makes a neat sound, too!

Here are some photos taken as we left St. Joseph, Missouri.

Matt and Sara...looking cute!

I am back from a wonderful visit with my son in St. Joseph, Missouri. (Here is a picture of the outside of his place-yes, it was snowing!) I am posting on my new computer & flat screen monitor that Matt gave me for Christmas! It is so great-how very surprised I was! We had a wonderful time spending time with Matt, Sara and Sara's mom, Karen! Jim-missed seeing you...next time.

Isn't this perfect: A log cabin, a stone fireplace with a roaring fire, a precious dog in front of the fireplace, Christmas tree and Christmas candles, and looking out the window to see gently falling snow...with even a deer in the background. Can you feel the warmth? Merry Christmas!

Do you know?

This movie marquee appears in a popular Christmas movie.

"The Bells of St. Mary's" is playing at the movie theatre on Main Street. Do you know what Christmas movie it is? And, the actor who played a key role in this movie also starred in "The Bells of St. Mary's". Do you know the actor's name and role he played?

Do you know?

Do you know the name of the above Christmas movie ?

On the way to South Dakota we love to stop at Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota! The above are a couple of photos I took when we were recently there. That's my sister Anita in the dark blue jacket (bottom photo) getting us some of Wall Drug's famous 5 cent coffee. Have you had their donuts? They are huge!(and delicious) Can you spot them? The top photo was taken in another room displaying a classic Americana Christmas scene. Wonder how cold it is in Wall tonight? It is -1 degree here in Cedar Rapids and we are under a blizzard warning...

Snowboarding Anyone?

Here's Matt on a chairlift going up Deer Mountain! This is at Mystic Miner Ski Resort outside of Lead, South Dakota.

Oh my, scroll down and click on the Daily Pup photo for today - right column of this page! There you'll meet Summit the pup! What a cutie!!! (...but everyday is cute.)

No, this is not Cedar Rapids, even though it did snow 4 inches today. It is actually a photo I took the Friday after Thanksgiving of Main Street in Deadwood, South Dakota. It was beautiful! "Silent and soft and slow, descends the snow." ~Longfellow
What a nice time we had! I will try to post more pictures later...

On This Day...

December 15, 1939 - "Gone With the Wind," produced by David O. Selznick based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, premiered at Loew's Grand Theater in Atlanta. The movie starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.

This is what my sister and I encountered on the car windows when we came out of the coffee house this afternoon. The temperature today went from 55 degrees, to what is now 5 degrees. The wind speed is presently 30mph. Burrrrrrrr, Crazy!And yes, I am back! My sister and I went to South Dakota over Thanksgiving. My son, Matt, flew into Rapid City and joined us! What a great time we had-more about our trip later. Also, I have not posted online since I was without a monitor for a while. But I am now back...cold, but back.