The Beading Yogini

* macrame * lampwork beads * jewelry*

Vintaj “Radiant Raven” October 2012 Challenge

Written By: admin - Sep• 27•12

I decided to participate in the October Vintaj monthly challenge and create a piece inspired by ravens.

Did you know that ravens have one of the largest brains in the bird kingdom?

They were one of the first animals to be let out of Noah’s ark?

They like round shiny objects (hey not so different from jewelry designers after all!)

Oct 2012 Vintaj Close Up by The Beading Yogini

Title: corvus corax

Vintaj Radiant Raven Challenge by The Beading Yogini

Inspired by: (The Raven – Edgar Allan Poe) …“while I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping…” I wanted to challenge myself by creating a piece entirely of metal and use only cold connections. No patina, no cord, no glass beads, and no glue.

Model Vintaj Oct 2012 Challenge by The Beading Yogini

Materials used:

Components Vintaj Oct 2012 Challenge by The Beading Yogini

I used the Vintaj Natural Brass Nail Head Rivets, Vintaj Feathered Wing Blanks, Vintaj Arte Metal Chain, Vintaj Brass Chain, assorted base metal charms, wings, beads, pieces and parts and dark annealed bailing wire.

Take your interpretation of “Radiant Raven” and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass, Arte Metal and/or Artisan Copper! Submissions are due by NOON (CST) Friday, September 28. Voting will be open from October 1 – midnight October 5, with the challenge winner posted on Monday, October 8. Editor’s Pick will be posted the same day.

RR_challenge1Vintaj Radiant Raven Challenge

 

Bead Table Wednesday September 26, 2012

Written By: admin - Sep• 26•12

It’s Wednesday already!

What’s on my bead table?

Iron Tattoos 2 by The Beading Yogini

I gussied up a few metal pieces (The Lipstick Ranch) using Vintaj Patina, rubber stamping and hand painting (on both sides of course.)

Whipped out a few leather cords. Now I have a some necklaces.

BTW Iron Tattoos by The Beading Yogini

See what others have on their table this week at the flickr group for Bead Table Wednesday.

 

Double Wave Bracelet and Earrings

Written By: admin - Sep• 22•12

Even though summer is over for most, it is still hot here in the Mojave desert and I am still dreaming of a visit to the beach.

Double Wave Bracelet and Tin Earring Set by The Beading Yogini

That’s probably why I designed this double wave bracelet in aqua and tan (waves and sand).

Double Wave Bracelet by The Beading Yogini

The earrings are recycled from a tin found at a yard sale.

Turquoise Tin Earrings by The Beading Yogini

Ranger Vintaj Patina Play

Written By: admin - Sep• 12•12

Here’s what is on my work bench for Bead Table Wednesday.

I picked up some Vintaj (Ranger) Patinas several weeks ago, but just now had a few spare moments to play.

Ranger Vintaj Patina Play by The Beading Yogini

Made some small charms and earrings as a test run. So far so good.

The patina seems to adhere really well and dries very quickly.

The colors layer nicely and you can also use solvent ink to stamp over the patina.

The sealer is a little bit glossy for my taste, kind of wish they had a matte version.

Since they are working so well, I decided to order the remainder of the colors in order to have a complete set.

Now, I must give these the wear and tear test.

I expect great results, but I’ll let you know if they do not hold up to my abuse.

Art Bead Scene September 2012 Challenge

Written By: admin - Sep• 07•12

Love the inspiration for the challenge this month at Art Bead Scene.

sept 2012 - flora by giuseppe arcimboldo palette

Flora by Giuseppe Arcimboldo, 1588

Oil on wood, 73 x 56 cm

Private collection, Paris, France

(Color palette by Brandi Hussey)

When I first looked at this I thought, Dia de Los Muertos!

It reminds me of a floral version of sugar skulls.

And the colors are so vibrantly scream Autumn.

Close Up Sept ABS by The Beading Yogini

I love this color palette.

Here’s what I decided to do with it; convertible macrame bracelets/necklace.

(One of those multifaceted designs again.)

Sept ABS Bracelet View by The Beading Yogini

 Three separate bracelets that can also be worn as a necklace.

Sept ABS Necklace by The Beading Yogini

Lots of wire wrapped lucite flowers and seed beads. A few tiny lampwork glass beads, cord and chain.

Sept ABS Macrame by The Beading Yogini

Take a peek at what other designs have been inspired by this piece of art at Art Bead Scene flickr.

 

Challenge of Travel Blog Hop

Written By: admin - Sep• 01•12

Thanks to Erin Prais-Hintz for hosting this Challenge of Travel Blog Hop

button_sm Challenge of Travel Blog Hop

First off, I must admit that I wasn’t really sure where Oceania was located.

But I liked the sound of it because it contained the word “ocean” in it, so I figured that I probably could not go wrong with a little arm-chair travel to any place surrounded by an ocean.

Since living in the Mojave desert, any body of water (even mud puddles) have become particularly appealing to me.

I chose to go with the surprise element and the luck of the draw (so Vegas!)

The country that I was provided to work with is Tonga.

Which by the way, is officially known as “The Kingdom of Tonga”.

I proceeded to research a little about the place. The things that I found fascinating about Tonga are as follows:

Those folks really appear to know how to enjoy a feast.

So, I decided I could most likely live there based on that fact alone because I really enjoy eating.

Tonga Feast photo from www.symoonraker.com

(photo credit www.symoonraker.com)

It is a refuge for the humpback whales and you can actually swim along side them!

Tonga Humpback whale Warmus 2005 photo by William Warmus

(Photo credit to William Warmus)

They make the most amazing fabric designs using mulberry tree bark and decorate them with organic dyes.

These hand made works of art are called Tapa.

I know if I went there for a visit, I’d just have to get my hands into that action.

tapa

(photo from www.pacifictapa.blogspot.com)

There are 170 islands that make up the Kingdom of Tonga.

But I think I read that there are now 171 because a volcano erupted and busted one island in half.

220px-Tonga wikipedia photo

(map from wikipedia)

The people in Tonga are very conservative especially when it comes to the manner of dress.

Women must dress modestly (upper arms covered, skirts at knee length or longer.)

On special occasions, the woman wear a decorative girdle over their dresses called a kiekie.

It can be woven or just long strips of material.

172px-Kiekie3

(photo from wikipedia)

I based my designs for the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop on the humpback whale theme and a spin off of the kiekie.

Tonga Whale Tail Hoop Earrings by The Beading Yogini

Tonga Whale Tail Wire Wrap Earrings (white coral and seed beads)

Tonga Whale Tail Necklace by The Beading Yogini

Tonga Whale Tail Macrame Necklace (Buffalo Bone, White Coral and Seed Beads)

Tonga KieKie Necklace by The Beading Yogini

Tonga “KieKie” Necklace (White Coral, Seed Beads, Chain, Misc. Beads)

Reverse Side Tonga KieKie Necklace by The Beading Yogini

Reverse Side of the “KieKie” Necklace (You know how I like to do that both sides wearable.)

And it is really comfortable to wear!

Tonga KieKie Earrings By The Beading Yogini

Tonga “KieKie” Macrame Earrings

Tonga KieKie Macrame Bracelet by The Beading Yogini

Tonga “KieKie” Macrame Bracelet

Reverse Side of Tonga KieKie Bracelet by The Beading Yogini

And yup, it is reversible too.

Here is your free pass for more global travel, hop on board:

Name

Blog

Region Chosen

Inspiration Nation

Monique Urquhart

http://ahalfbakednotion.blogspot.ca/

Africa

Burkina Faso

Niky Sayers

http://silverniknats.blogspot.co.uk/

Africa

Egypt

Therese Frank

http://www.theresestreasures59.blogspot.com

Africa

Kenya

Raychelle Heath

http://abeadloveaffair.blogspot.com/

Africa

Lesotho

Joan Williams

www.lilrubyjewelry.wordpress.com

Africa

Mauritania

Sherri Stokey

http://www.KnotJustMacrame.com

Africa

Senegal

Regina Santerre

http://reginaswritings.blogspot.com

Africa

Seychelles

Raida Disbrow

http://havanabeads.blogspot.com

Africa

Tanzania

Kristi Wodek

http://livedinlife.blogspot.com

Africa

Zimbabwe

Sally Russick

http://www.thestudiosublime.com

Americas

Brazil

Melissa Trudinger

http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com

Americas

Mexico

Tracy Stillman

http://www.tracystillmandesigns.com

Americas

USA

Sandra Wolberg

http://city-of-brass-stories.blogspot.de

Asia

India

Tanya Goodwin

http://pixiloo.blogspot.com

Asia

Japan

Susan Kennedy

http://suebeads.blogspot.com

Asia

Japan

Beth Emery

http://storiesbyindigoheart.blogspot.com

Asia

Japan

Lisa Cone

http://inspiredadornments.blogspot.com/

Asia

Japan

Tanya Boden

http://fusionmusebangkok.blogspot.com/

Asia

Japan

Inge von Roos

http://ingetraud.wordpress.com

Asia

Laos

Erin Prais-Hintz

http://treasures-found.blogspot.com

Asia

Nepal

Dee Elgie

http://cherryobsidia.blogspot.com

Asia

Phillipines

Carolyn Lawson

http://carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com

Asia

South Korea

Lisa Stukel

http://carefreejewelrybylisa.blogspot.com

Asia

Sri Lanka

Elly Snare

http://themagicsquarefoundation.wordpress.com

Asia

Thailand

Shelley Graham Turner

http://www.shelleygrahamturner.blogspot.com

Europe

Austria

Mallory Hoffman

http://rosebud101-fortheloveofbeads.blogspot.com/

Europe

Bosnia Herzegovina

Paige Maxim

http://www.pmaximdesigns.blogspot.com

Europe

France

Jenny Davies-Reazor

http://www.jdaviesreazor.com/blog

Europe

Germany

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson

http://sharylsjewelry.blogspot.com

Europe

Greece

Evelyn Shelby

http://raindropcreationsbyevelyn.blogspot.com/

Europe

Iceland

Holly Westfall

http://silverrosedesigns.blogspot.com/

Europe

Ireland

Rebecca Siervaag

http://www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com

Europe

Ireland

Toltec Jewels

http://toltecjewels.blogspot.com

Europe

Ireland

Lee Koopman

http://StregaJewellry.wordpress.com

Europe

Ireland

Laren Dee Barton

http://larendeedesigns.blogspot.com

Europe

Italy

Cindy Wilson

http://www.mommysdreamcreations.blogspot.com

Europe

Norway

Kathleen Lange Klik

http://ModernNatureStudio.blogspot.com

Europe

Poland

Shaiha Williams

http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/

Europe

Portugal

Jennifer Justman

http://soulsfiredesigns.blogspot.com/

Europe

Romania

Elsie Deliz-Fonseca

http://ladelizchica.blogspot.com

Europe

Spain

Lola Surwillo

http://www.beadlolabead.blogspot.com

Europe

Sweden

Kim Hora

http://www.kimmykats.com

Europe

Switzerland

Leanne Loftus

http://firstimpressiondesign.blogspot.com

Europe

The Netherlands

Patti Vanderbloemen

http://myaddictionshandcrafted.blogspot.com

Europe

The Netherlands

Marcie Carroll

http://labellajoya.blogspot.com

Europe

Turkey

Marlene Cupo

http://amazingdesigns-marlene.blogspot.com

Oceania

Federated States of Micronesia

Ine Vande Cappelle

http://jewelsbyine.blogspot.com

Oceania

Fiji

Tammie Everly

http://ttedesigns.blogspot.com/

Oceania

Guam

Alice Peterson

http://www.alice-dreaming.blogspot.com

Oceania

Kiribati

Elisabeth Auld

http://www.beadsforbusygals.com

Oceania

Nauru

Susan McClelland

http://mistheword12.wordpress.com/

Oceania

New Zealand

D Lynne Bowland

http://islandgirlsinsights.blogspot.com

Oceania

New Zealand

Denielle Hagerman

http://somebeadsandotherthings.com

Oceania

New Zeland

Rebecca Anderson

http://songbeads.blogspot.com

Oceania

Papua New Guinea

Mischelle Fanucchi

http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com/

Oceania

Samoa

Kari Asbury

http://hippiechickdesign.blogspot.com

Oceania

Solomon Islands

Cece Cormier

http://www.thebeadingyogini.com/ (YOU ARE HERE)

Oceania

Tonga

Emma Todd

http://www.apolymerpenchant.com

Oceania

Tuvalu

Debbie Price

http://greenshoot.blogspot.com

Oceania

Vanuatu

 

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Hop

Written By: admin - Aug• 25•12

It’s been a great party so far and now it’s the 3rd Reveal for the Bead Soup Blog Party Hop.

My partner has been very busy, hosting and creating and let’s give her some applause for taking on this task… you go Lori Anderson!!! (Pretty Things)

I received the best soup ingredients to use to stir up some jewelry designs. In my usual fashion, I like to mix n match, and make loads of different jewelry pieces.

(Photo credit for this pic Lori Anderson)

Bead Soup 1 photo by Lori Anderson

So here is my 1st piece of jewelry.

BSBP6#2DaisyChain108 by The Beading Yogini

Daisy Chain 108 is a micro macrame and chain bracelet. Soup ingredients used:

the purple crystals, pietersite bead and bronze jumprings. I added african trade beads, C-Lon cord, copper center piece, copper chain, and a lobster claw clasp. It wears well and fits me perfectly. The temperature was 108 degrees on the afternoon I cooked this bracelet up.

Next up … those square beads

The only items that threw me for a moment were the square shaped light butter colored beads. Eventually my creative muse surfaced a design for those and I think it is a keeper. I added those square beads to a repurposed bracelet medallion. The colors are a perfect match, and I found an old copper colored cuff to mount the macrame bracelet, in keeping with the copper theme. Plus, I got to incorporate some of those little tiny twin beads I’ve been wanting to play with.

BSBP6ButterBracelet4 by The Beading Yogini

This next copper necklace is a departure from my macrame pieces.

Although I did manage to throw a wee bit of fabric into the design.

It features a peace pendant charm.

BSBP6PeaceTimeNecklace3 by The Beading Yogini

 BSBP6Peacetimenecklace1 by The Beading Yogini

It can be worn lariat style as well. Soup ingredients used on the copper necklace: textured copper ring connector, copper clasp, spotted lampwork glass bead and the small woven copper connectors.

BSBP6PeaceTimeNecklace2 by The Beading Yogini

Here’s what became of the sweet little round, etched ribbed lampwork bead, a few of the shell beads, the copper bead caps, the purple/green crystals, the purple cord, the white cord… I added flowers shaped amber crystal beads and a few small etched lampwork beads. A cute little macrame, slide closure bracelet.

BSBP6RibbedSliderBracelet2 by The Beading Yogini

I think I’m keeping the next piece for myself. Those Marsha Neal ceramic pieces ended up as a necklace and earrings.

My favorite color too.

BSBP6Breathe1Necklace by The Beading Yogini

If you follow along at all, you know how I often like to make the back of the piece as wearable as the front.

So goes for this necklace.

I used a Tim Holtz metal piece for the flip side of the pendant.

I’m also in love with that little Tierra Cast Buddha head bead.

BSBP6BreatheNecklace2 by The Beading Yogini

What became of those Czech glass purple striped lentil dangle beads?

A little pair of earrings and macrame necklace, using one of those vintage cloisonne beads for the focal point.

BSBP6FlightNecklace3 by The Beading Yogini

BSBP6FlightNecklace1 by The Beading Yogini

This seed embroidered cuff bracelet features a beautiful moon faced clay bead by Birgitta Lejonklou as the centerpiece.

BSBP6 seed bead cuff by the Beading Yogini

I added Lori’s pietersite beads and the small shell beads are going in this design too. Oh, and lots of tiny seed beads and thread.

Time and life sort of became very busy for me, so watch for the completed design on this at a later date.

And here’s a gallery page of photos with a few different views of all of the designs.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the hop. Participant list as follows:

 

Hostess, Lori Anderson, Pretty Things

Agi Kiss, Moonsafari Beads

Alice Peterson, Alice Dreaming

Alison Sachs, Beads by Earthtones

Amanda Dittloff, Passion Smashin’

Andra Marasteanu, Bijoux de Monanage

Angie Szlovak, SweetBeads

Anitra Gordy, Leelu Creations

Ann Sherwood, Ann’s Blog

Arlene Dean, A Glass Bash

Audrey Belanger, Dreams of an Absolution

Barb Solem, Vivi Magoo Presents

Barbara Blaszczyk, laboratorim Flory

Becky Pancake, Becky Pancake Bead Designs

Beth Emery, Stories by Indigo Heart

Bianca Odenthal, Zydies Glasperlen

Birgit Klughardt, GitesBeads

Bobbie Rafferty, Beadsong Jewelry

Bonnie Coursolle,  Jasper Gems

Cece Cormier, The Beading Yogini (YOU ARE HERE)

Charlene Jacka, Clay Space

Cherrie Fick, En La Lumie’re

Cheryl Foiles, Get Your Bead On

Christie Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Christina Miles, Wings n Scales

Christina Stofmeel, Feng Beads

Christine Stonefield, Sweet Girl Design

Cindy Cima Edwards, Live to Design

CJ Bauschka, 4 His Glory Creations

Claire Smith, Embergrass Jewelry

Cynthia Riggs, Cynth’s Blog

Dana Fowler, Trunk Full of Treasure

Dawn Pierro, Turtle Moon Designs

Dee Elgie, Cherry Obsidia

Donetta Farrington, Simply Gorgeous

Dot Lewallwn, Speedie Beadie

Eileen Snyder, Dorset Hill Beads

Elizabeth Bunn, Elizabeth Beads

Eva Kovacs, Ewa gyongyos vilaga!

Evelyn Duberry, Sheba Makeda

Fay Wolfenden, Torch Fairy

Fen Li, Bead Flora Jewels

Gail Zwang, Angel Moose Enterprises

Geneva Collins, Torque Story

Grace Dorsey, Fan of the Flame

Gretchen Nation,  Art Food Lodging

Hannah Annear, Squintessential

Hajer Waheed, My Beaded World

Heather Goldsmith, As I Bead It

Heather Otto, The Craft Hopper

Heidi Kingman, My Bead Therapy

Hope Smitherman, Crafty Hope

Isolina Perez, Isolina Perez

Jacqueline Keller, CreARTelier

Jane Haag, Did You Make Something Today?

Janeen Sorensen, Wild Vanilla Designs

Jean Peter, Jean P. Designs

Jennifer Judd, Jen Judd Rocks

Jennifer L Justman, Soul’s Fire Designs

Joanna Matuszczyk, Bizuteria z filcu

Joanne Brown, Jo’s Jewels

Joanne Lockwood, Jo Bunkum

Joyce Becker, Joyce’s Joyful Gems

Judy Riley, Three Red Beads

Karen Mitchell, Over the Moon Design

Karen Williams, Baublicious

Karin von Hoeren, Creative Ideen

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Kashmira Patel, Sadafule .. always in bloom!

Kate Richbourg, We Can Make That at Home

Katrin Lembke, AllesPerle

Kathy Combs, Torched in Texas

Kathy Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Kelley Fogle, My Life, One Bead at at Time

Kelly Hosford Patterson, Traveling Side Show

Klaudette Koon, Only Road

Lara Lutrick, Lampwork Beads by Lara

Laura Guenther, Blue Antiquities

Laurie Lalonde, Simply Mod Jewelry

Lilik Kristiani, Soul of My Embodiment

Linda Younkman, Lindy’s Designs

Lisa Chapman, Beach Cat Beads

Lisa Lodge, Pine Ridge Treasures

Loretta Carstensen, Designs by Loretta

Lori Bergmann, Lori Bergmann Design

Lori Dorrington, Lori’s Adventures in Etsy Land

Lupe Meter, Gem’s PC Corner

Lynn Davis, LLYYNN

Malin de Koning, Beading by Malin

Mandi Effron, Craft-o-licious

Mandy Williamson, Mimi’s Beading

Margot Potter, The Impatient Crafter

Maria Rosa Sharrow, Willow Street Shops

Marianne Baxter, Simply Seablime Jewelry

Marina Dobrynina, Savon Feutre

Marjolein Trewavas, Room for Change

Marelene Cupo, Amazing Designs

Marsha Neal, Marsha Neal Studio

Marta Kaczerowska, uhuhu

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Menka Gupta, Menka’s Jewelry Blog

Michelle Burnett, Reverie and Revival

Michelle Escano-Caballero, The Cabby Crafter

Miko Wiropati, Uniquely Yunikua

Milla Hope,  LB Creative Arts and Crafts

Mimi Gardner, Other Curiosities

Miranda Ackerley, MirandackArts

Natalie McKenna, grubbi

Noemi Baena, fuego, metal, y color

Pam Ferrari, Ferrari Originals

Pam Sears, Crazy Creative Corner

Penny Neville, Copper Penny

Rachel Baron, R. Baron Designs

Rachel Myers, Rockabead Jewelry

Rana Wilson, Definitive Designs by R. Wilson

Rebecca Anderson, Song Beads

Rebecca Sirevaag, Becca’s Place

Riki Schumacher, Riki Jewelry 

Rose Binoya, Ahtee’s Blog

Rossana De Gaspari, Rdegas Blog

Sally Anderson, Wild Sally Road

Sandi James, Do Be Do Bead Do

Sandi Volpe, Sandi Volpe

Sandra Wollberg, City of Brass Stories

Sarah Goode, Pookledo

Sarah Small, blog by salla

Shai Williams, Shaiha’s Ramblings

Shawn Mills, Shawn Marie Designs with Bent Wire

Sheila Davis, Stone Designs by Sheila

Sheryl Stephens, Babble Bead

Shiraz Biggie, Secret Song Designs

Solange Collin,  Ahowin Handcrafted Jewelry

Sonya Stille, Dreamin’ of Beads

Stephanie Dixon, The Dixon Chick

Susan Kennedy, Sue Beads

Susan Sheehan, Strands of Thought

Suzann Sladcik Wilson, Beadphoria

Sweet Freedom, Sweet Freedom Designs

Tabatha Dinger, Modernly Created

Tania Hagen, Pelima Jewellery Design

Tanya Boden, Fusion Muse

Terri Gauthier, Blooming Ideas

Terry Carter, Tapping Flamingo 

Tracy Stillman, Tracy Stillman Designs

6th Bead Soup Blog Party Design Gallery

Written By: admin - Aug• 25•12

Vintaj “Asian Lantern” September 2012 Challenge

Written By: admin - Aug• 24•12

Take a few Vintaj jewelry components and piece them together and this is what I end up with…

VintajAsianLanternChallengeBeadingYogini

It’s my entry for the Vintaj ‘Asian Lantern” September 2012 Design Challenge.

September 2012 Challenge: “Asian Lantern”
Take your interpretation of “Asian Lantern” and create an inspiring piece using Vintaj Natural Brass, Arte Metal and/or Artisan Copper! Submissions are due by NOON (CST) Friday, August 31. Voting will be open from September 3 – midnight September 7, with the challenge winner posted on Monday, September 10. Editor’s Pick will be posted the same day. Hop on over to the Vintaj Blog between September 3- midnight September 7 to cast your vote.

Asian Lantern Beads by The Beading Yogini

Vintaj Asian Frame photo from Vintaj

VintajAsianLanternComponentsBeadingYogini

I wanted to use the Vintaj brass pieces along with (four) two holed wooden beads and design the lantern in 3-D. It took a little fiddling around to figure out how to make it work without using a drop of glue. Held together by double half hitch knots. Sort of like one of those turkish puzzle rings, but (knot) exactly.

VintajChallengeAsianLanternCloseUpBeadingYogini

Materials used:

Vintaj materials used: brass flower links, brass chain, asian frames, window frame, Vintaj Patinas.

Also, S-Lon cord, cinnabar beads, wooden bead, seed beads, brass jumprings, brass coin, brass tassle and brass toggle.

Bead Table Wednesday August 15, 2012

Written By: admin - Aug• 15•12

It’s been quite some time since I’ve shared a Bead Table Wednesday post.

So here it is.

cactus garden series 1 by The Beading Yogini

I’m calling this one the Cactus Garden Series. I get lots of color inspiration from the cactus and succulents at the nursery.

cactus garden series 2 by The Beading Yogini

The colors fit so well with the southwestern palette. I’ve really been liking the matte seed beads lately.

Other than trying to stay cool, I’ve been attempting  to finish up one more piece for the

Bead Soup Blog Party 3rd Reveal on August 25th.  And kicking around some ideas for the Challenge of Travel Blog Hop.

Stay tuned to see what creations are forthcoming for both of those events.