THIS IS MY GARDEN AND I'LL LIE WHERE I WANT......GOT IT!

THE MEIKLEJOHNS

Lovely photo of my step kiddies.......

Here's Alice.......

No not the one that took Christopher Robin to see the changing of the guard...........Sams new home on wheels is now called 'Alice'.

Taken from Sams Facebook page.........

'The adventures of Alice in Wonderland' Wonderland, of course, is Aotearoa!!!! This fairytale has been my fav since I was a little girl and I have always dreamed of living and travelling in a bus since I was little also. Sam and Alice, friends forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BUCKINGHAM PALACE by A.A. Milne

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
Alice is marrying one of the guard.
"A soldier's life is terrible hard,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We saw a guard in a sentry-box.
"One of the sergeants looks after their socks,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
We looked for the King, but he never came.
"Well, God take care of him, all the same,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
They've great big parties inside the grounds.
"I wouldn't be King for a hundred pounds,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
A face looked out, but it wasn't the King's.
"He's much too busy a-signing things,"
Says Alice.

They're changing guard at Buckingham Palace -
Christopher Robin went down with Alice.
"Do you think the King knows all about me?"
"Sure to, dear, but it's time for tea,"
Says Alice.

I GOT SECOND!

That makes me feel that the sore eyes, sore back, sore finger from stabbing myself with the needle a few times........... Very worth while. Now all I've got to do is sell 'Parterre de Fleurs'.

It's not the prize that's important, it's the kudos that gives the buzz....

Hi Jen

Thanks so much for entering the challenge with your gorgeous "Parterre de Fleurs" bracelet - there were only 3 votes between you and the winner (out of 112 votes altogether), so it was very close.

I must apologise for mis-spelling your surname in the newsletter, I have just realised that it's e before i.

Your voucher is attached and is valid until the end of November 2011 - you might want to hold onto it as we're launching a sale in the next few days :)

Thought you might like to read a few of the comments from your voters to make you smile ...

hi I would like to vote for Jen Mieklejohn beautiful creation

i love the combination of colours and textures

Open Category: "Parterre de Fleurs" Bracelet by Jen Mieklejohn of Jenz Designs
I can't even begin to imagine how much effort went in to designing and making that bracelet.

entry # 13 by Jen Mieklejohn. It reminds me of the spring time and I think it is really beautiful.

My vote is for:
Entry No. 13 - "Parterre de Fleurs" Bracelet by Jen Mieklejohn of Jenz Designs

Its so delicate yet bold, caught my eye straight away and still my fav!!!

Entry No. 13 - "Parterre de Fleurs" Bracelet by Jen Mieklejohn of Jenz Designs

I like the great use of colour in this lovely bracelet by Jen.

I would like to vote for the following entries please
Entry 13 - Jenz Designs
Entry 5B - Iron Butterfly

Reason that I chose both pieces is that I find them both visually more appealing to me with the colours and the amount of time each of these ladies put into their piece. They feel more like spring to me than the other pieces.

My Open Category selection is: No13 as "Parterre de Fleurs" beautifully sums up the wonderfully and delicately created October Spring-time coloured bracelet

The spring time flower bed truly shows the freshness of new life, depicting how beautiful spring-time is. I like the spiral weave stitch and Jen's use of a mix of seed beads, charms, Czech baby bell flower beads and crystals, pearls, Amethyst chips, Jade chips, Lucite flower beads and a pearly button clasp making this bracelet a joy to behold. Oh! to own it.

... you may have some idea who sent in this last one - I am guessing Alvyn is your wonderfully supportive husband? :)

Thanks again Jen and well done, your work is exquisite.

Cheers,

Jo :)

Jo Lewin

Thank you to those that left such lovely comments and voted for my bracelet.

Here's my entry into the 'Joys of Spring' beading challenge

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2010

"Joys of Spring" Beading Challenge is Launched - Time to Vote!

Wow - 24 beautiful creations have come in during October, so now it is time to choose your favourite.

All the fabulous entries are now listed for viewing on the newspage of our website, so head on over and check them all out.

You have until 5pm on 8th November to cast your vote - remember, there are 2 categories this time, "Beginners" and "Open", so please vote for your favourite from each category.

Votes may be cast by leaving a comment below, or via email toinfo@beadsgalore.co.nz. To be valid, votes must include your name, email address and a brief description of your reason for your choice.

Thanks to all our talented entrants for taking part ... looking forward to another fun challenge :)

Is there anybody out there........

Should you be happening by my blog, do take a look at the cat video below. If you don't crack up laughing and find it hard to stop............................ Then that is sad sad sad (for you). But a word of warning, the language is a wee bit......well you know! Anyway back to the real job, I should have some new pics of pretties coming up soon. It's been a slow couple of months getting over this 'slipped disc' and having lost my beading 'mojo'. But things are looking pretty good now, and if they ain't well they should be! First pic will be a competition entry, so keep looking.

Cat vs Printer - The Translation

Time to have a wee chat to myself.....

It's been an absolutely non productive two weeks, mainly because I've been laid up with back pain, an ongoing complaint that goes back 30 years. In those years I had a few episodes of intense pain and this has been one of them. Some call it a 'slipped disc', and when it slips...... boy can it be painful! But today I feel it might just be on the mend, I've even felt like doing some beading this afternoon, and can now sit at the computer for longer than 5 minutes! And move around the house a bit faster than a snails pace.

A few weeks ago (before all this happened) I made myself a necklace using the spiral weave technique, and named it 'masquerade'. I wanted a necklace that I could just pop over my head and not worry about clasps. Didn't think I would have the patience to make a necklace that was so long, but there you go!

Here we go again...... thinking cap on!

http://www.happymangobeads.com/trash_to_treasure_beading_contest.aspx

And here she is 'Rhapsody in Blue'

So........ I won a prize!

'Songs of Summer Beading Contest' WINNERS!

What an absolute thrill it's been downloading and then viewing the amazing entries as they were submitted in this contest. We were astounded by the originality and creativity! Thank you to everyone who entered, we had a total of 175 entries, many more than we anticipated and it took the judges a couple extra days to complete their work. PRIZES: Our overall grand prize winner won a $100 gift certificate to Happy Mango Beads, honorable mention and all 10 category winners each won $25 gift certificates, plus 5 additional "staff favorites" won $15 gift certificates. We sincerely appreciate the effort of all contestants and we look forward to the next beading contest.

Comments from the judges: "This is a really amazing collection of works by some very talented artists. I'm sure anyone who viewed the entries would see that it was incredibly difficult to judge! The entries were so numerous, and so well done -- I wish we could have awarded many more prizes." "The entries in this contest were amazing! Almost impossible to decide!" "What a pleasure to be able to judge a contest with entries of this caliber. Such absolutely inspiring work. Everyone deserved to win!"

My entry 'Rhapsody in Blue' was one of the 10 category winners. I was astounded by that!

Beads Galore NZ: July Beading Challenge is Launched!

Beads Galore NZ: July Beading Challenge is Launched!: "I am so happy to annouce that we have 12 wonderful entries for the July Beading Challenge! Photos and information on each entry, plus ..."

If you are reading this, don't forget to pop over to Beads Galore and have a browse at the entries, and of course vote!

Songs of Summer Beading Contest

Songs of Summer Beading Contest: http://www.happymangobeads.com/songs_of_summer_beading_contest.aspx

Might just give this one a go too. Keeps the old grey matter working!

I've entered the Beads Galore July Challenge with this piece....

I've never done this type of work before, except with wire and although I know how to do peyote stitch I've always stuck to neat and tidy. Well this suited me down to the ground. Free Form Peyote, just let your imagination go 'wild'. I've called it 'Gypsy' because I could let the beading needle just 'roam'. Very apt.

Sway

Early one morning just as the sun was shining.....

And look who I saw! Our Daisy trying to ignore some interloper trying to get in on her sun!

Don't talk to me I'm not listening, I'm sunbathing!
So...... I'll sit under my bed then.

Trying out lots of new stuff!

Last couple of weeks I've taught myself to knit with hoooooge knitting needles, like......25mm! So much fun if you use the right yarn, which I didn't so got myself into all sorts of muddles. Picture to come when item is finished.

Also learnt tunisian or afghan crochet stitch, again lots of fun.

And for the beads, I learnt how to do Russian Spiral Weave. And then proceeded to make a necklace.

Another Sunday and yep it's raining.......

And also another birthday done and dusted. As usual it was very quiet. No hang on, last years wasn't and I had 2! How could I forget that with my ole mate Jac over here to help celebrate both our 60th's.

Beadhive Divas have another bead swap, except it's not a bead swap this time! The lovely kind June has organised it and sent us all the same beads, and the theme is.......................................... Have to keep that secret until all the beady ladies have received their beads and rules. I received mine on Friday and my item is made already! Once I get an idea in my head, there's no stopping me.

Speaking of birthdays, here's last years pic again taken March 1st on board the River Queen.

Its a sunny Sunday after an early overcast, chilly start

the river is slowly going down after it swelled its banks and all the flower beds, paths etc are looking quite bogged! But not as bad as that awful flood in July and August '08. So I didn't rush out and take pix this time. I took pix of my latest designs, they've been sitting on the work table crying 'pick me, pick me'. So here they are.

Both are brooches, but can be used as hair adornments, bag or hat adornments. And yes, I've been fossicking around in the button tin again. Enjoy viewing these and my other creations. And please leave a comment! I mean, I love talking and writing to myself.........But!

Saying hello to old friends and new ones if you're lurking.....

Sunrise on Waiheke Island. Makes a change from jewellery viewing.

Here it is, the brooch that needed a little something more

Not sure if it's right yet, but liking it so far. Saying hi to Edith..... I've left you a comment (at last).

So much to do on a rainy day....

A little bit of gold & black for a heart brooch, hair adornment or pin to a bag or whatever your 'heart' desires!

And one more before bed....

Painstaking work this! Lots of crocheting with fine black wire, but what a great way to use up piece's of paua shell with 'no holes in them'.

But wait there's more....

This is my first one made but still needs a little something more....

Not only felt flowers but paua ones too....

This brooch is a custom order that has now been finished and gone to it's new home.

And nearly finished but fading light stopped play....

Last but not least. And just might become 'my precious'. By the way, Kerryn gets to have the blue one.

And going back in time....

This is the first brooch I made using Kerryns felt flowers.

A brooch that isn't a brooch....

It's gonna be a hair tie, or decoration for the hair, but it can still be a brooch! And it's for Sam.

this was made today....

Crocheted flower in black wire with added Czech AB Green seeds beads, and a centre of three glass turquoise pearls.

this one was made yesterday....

I've added crochet copper wire leaves, a peridot green feather, Czech glass leaves with peridot green beads and Czech fire polish beads for some added sparkle.

Making brooches ......

I was given about 6 felt flowers last year by another beady cyber friend (Kerryn). Now I know what to do with them
there's no stopping me! Brooches galore are being whipped up every day in all different styles and colours.

What's this trickery!!!!!

Working with seed beads can turn a sane person absolutely bonkers! I rest my case.....

La Femme Expo done and dusted.....

So pleased to get that under my belt, so to speak! Exhausting but great day. The wee pink and black stall was said to be very pretty and the jewellery was admired by so many people.....that's got to be a good thing! And the lady herself was all dolled up in said colours. A few close up pics to come.

Copyright pics

I am completely over this! But I think I've managed to suss out how to copyright my pics. So here goes.....

6 more sleeps before La Femme Expo....

In Blenheim on the 2nd May, 10am to 4pm.

Jenz Designs stall will be there and it'll be pretty in pink and black.

The planning is going well, everything is priced up (just about).

And just another necklace to add to the collection.

April's YOJ theme is 'Autumn'.

Bracelets 'Sea Nymph' & 'Calypso'.

Happy Easter......

Better late than never I suppose. No choc eggs or even a bunny. Too busy being a 'nurse maid'! But did have a little bit of time to finish another necklace. She's called 'Daffodil Dance'.

More crocheted necklaces....

Main pic is called 'Hot Gossip'. Top right 'Dusky Sound'. Bottom right 'Emerald Isle'.

Where to start..........!

So much has happend in our personal lives, outside of beading that is. But still managing to bash out the odd piece. The big push at the moment is getting a lot of new stock made up for Blenheims 'La Femme Expo' on the 2nd May. I have a stall booked and a lot of ideas all of a jumble in my head. Getting lots of these crochet necklaces made all in different colours and beads. This one is called 'Sunrise/Sunset'.

Just got to start the day with a nice cup of tea! Even Daisy agrees.

Me ole mate Jac, sunset on Kaikoura beach March '09.

Watch and Listen.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv7rgMtX9I0&NR=1

Sam...

For Sam...

Listen to your heart
but rule with your mind.
The knowledge I impart
for many this is kind.
We need our love beside us
to take us through the years.
We need our love beside us
to starve the many tears.
Listen to your heart
the sense within you lies.
To rule the mind,
to be kind,
to our love,
the heart,
she sighs.