Shooting Star Beads

Pink MOP Flower Choker

2010-12-18T20:09:00.003-06:00

I am done photographing of my new pink Mother of Pearl

flower choker. I did the wirework by twisting an assortment

of pearls, yellow jade flower, pink quartz flower and MOP

flower beads. I used 22 gauge brass wire. I started the

wirework yesterday.

Summer Berries Basket

2010-07-17T16:00:00.006-05:00

I finished the latest beaded bracelet on the 4th of July.

I designed the agate cabochon with peyote-stitch. I like

the angle of the cabochon. I embellished a lot of different

pearls and sequins. It reminds me of a berries basket.

The clasp has an amethyst in the center.

January 2009 Stargazer Lily

2010-03-07T14:07:00.002-06:00

Bead Journal Project 2008-2009
January 2009 Stargazer Lily

I started Stargazer Lily on 1-16-2009. I wasn't
happy with the transparent seed beads and put
it away for over a year.

I finished it last night and I am making it in a pin.

I am catching up and know that I am so far behind.
I have 7 to go and am going to be able to finish 7
more.

American Girl Gallery

2009-07-11T23:02:00.002-05:00

Jean's American Girl Gallery Exhibition
August 3 through October 1, 2009
8400 Fairway Place in Middleton, Wi.
Informal Reception on Monday, August 3rd
11:30 AM to 1:30 PM

2009 Agate Cabochon Bracelet

2009-05-31T10:31:00.002-05:00

I am back. Sorry that I haven't blogged for a
couple of months but I was very busy at work
and now I am a little settled down. I have
been outdoors biking and kayaking.
I made my own new design of the bracelet
that I finished last night. I beaded an Agate
cabochon with peyote stitch and used netting
stitch for the bracelet base. I loved the cab
design that was center for ripples of seagreen,
bronze and dark grey. I was very happy with
the colors that I picked out.

Moss Horse

2009-03-14T22:12:00.001-05:00

I love the horse with mosses. I wish I had one
for my garden. It was taken at The Flower
Factory.

Shy Chipmunk

2009-03-14T22:02:00.002-05:00

Dean saw the shy chipmunk first so I tried to get a
close up at The Flower Factory. The chipmunk's pose
was brief.

Water Lily Photo

2009-03-14T21:52:00.002-05:00

I took pictures of a water lily at The Flower
Factory.They are located 1 1/2 miles from
Oregon. Last summer we went there on the
way to Rotary Garden in Janesville.

December 2008 Bead Journal Project

2009-03-14T20:20:00.003-05:00

The water lily pin size is " 3 1/2 x 3 1/2."
It is for the December Bead Journal Project.
I know that I am very slow. I have to finish
" 5 x 5 " page.

New Pin

2009-03-14T19:58:00.002-05:00

I haven't blogged for a couple of months.
My work was very slow and I have been
working out alot.
Now I am busy at work again. I just finished
my water lily pin tonite. Dean took pictures
of me wearing a new flower pin.
I am working on a new coral reef neckpiece.
It is not done. I have been making some new
bracelets, too.

November 2008 Bead Journal Project

2009-01-23T20:50:00.002-06:00

I finished my November BJP flower pin before
New Year's day. It is a Lotus. The pin size is
3 1/2 " wide by 3 " height.

Six days after New Year my November page was
done.

Lotus

2009-01-23T20:29:00.002-06:00

lotus : a fruit held in Greek legend to a cause
dreamy content and forgetfulness
: a water lily used in ancient Egyptian and
Hindu art and religious symbolism.

I took pictures of Lotus at Stricker Pond last
August. I had to wade in to the water to take
close-up pictures.
I bought a new 60mm f/2.8 Macro lens last
summer.

Black-Eyed Susan

2009-01-23T20:20:00.002-06:00

Thanks so much for helping me with the
identification of the flower for my October
Bead Journal Project piece. It is a Black-
Eyed Susan. I took pictures at the Rotary
Garden in Janesville last July and thank
you for the nice comments about my Oct.
flower page.

This Weeks Showcase

2008-12-22T19:54:00.002-06:00

This week Beaders Showcase selected one of my
new work " Turquoise River." I made the new
bracelet a month ago. It is one-of-a-kind and it is
for sale.
They have 3 featured members every week for
this weeks showcase.
477 members belong to Beaders Showcase. It is
a community for all beading artists to showcase
their work.
Visit Beaders Showcase at website link.

October 2008 Bead Journal Project

2008-12-14T14:12:00.002-06:00

The size of the flower pin is 3" x 3."

My October project was done just before
Thanksgiving.
I bought 2 pretty fabrics from Jo Ann Fabric.
I used my new sewing machine for flower and
leaf stitches. The size of the fabric is 5'' x 5.''

What kind of flower ???

2008-12-14T14:06:00.002-06:00

I need your help ! I don't know what of flower
it is. It looks like a daisy or sunflower but I can't
find more information from the internet.

Late Autumn Hike Day News

2008-12-14T10:25:00.002-06:00

This was the last day we hiked near the Stricker
Pond thru Wexford Park with Jasmine. It was a
beautiful autumn weather with gorgeous fall
colors.

Late Autumn Hike Day Photos

2008-12-14T10:19:00.001-06:00

Late Autumn Hike Day

2008-12-14T10:08:00.003-06:00

Night at the Capitol

2008-12-14T09:01:00.001-06:00

This is Jenni at the Espresso Royale Cafe near
the Overture Center.
Jenni took pictures of my husband and I at the
Capitol after the reception.

Overture Gallery

2008-12-14T08:19:00.006-06:00

The Madison Open Art Studios had an exhibition
at the Overture Center in downtown Madison
last September.
Here is my beaded water lily pin at the first floor
gallery located off the Rotunda Lobby from my
cell phone pictures. We went to the opening
reception. The food was wonderful. Each artist
had one of their works on display on all 3 floors.
140 Madison artists particapted in the 2008 Open
Art Studios Tour the first weekend of October.
The picture of my daughter and me is in the
Rotunda.

2008 BJP ~ September Page

2008-09-21T19:43:00.003-05:00

This year I took pictures of Red Poppy at Bailey Harbor in
Door County last July.

I finished my September Page today. Red Poppy Flowers are
one of my favorites. My format for this year is smaller and it
is a " 5 x 5 " square. The bead embroidery techniques I used
was back-stitch with 4 beads. I used Lacy's Stiff Stuff and green
fabric paint.
I just bought a new baby Lock sewing machine for my birthday
and I have about 80 selections of stitch patterns and adjustable
stitch width and length.
I used Czech Charlotte Cuts size 13/0 beads and Delica beads.
I stitched the leaves with embroidery floss. It was lot of work
but it was worth it.

The size of the flower is 3" width by 2 1/2" height. I used red
felt on the back of the pin.

Keweenaw Peninsula Slideshow

2008-09-11T21:13:00.000-05:00

2007 Bead Journal Project Slideshow

2008-09-11T21:06:00.000-05:00

Award of Excellence

2008-09-08T21:07:00.001-05:00

Just got back from Hancock Michigan this weekend. I
got an Award of Excellence from the 5th biennial Great
Northern Beadwork Exhibition at Copper Country
Community Arts Council. My husband went with me
and we explored Keweenaw Pennisula for 2 days. We
toured the Keweenaw Bay and Lake Superior shores.
I took 900 pictures and we saw alot of waterfalls,
lighthouses, old mines, sunsets, landscapes, etc. It was
so beautiful up north.
The exhibition will run from September 5 through 27.
Diane Fitzgerald will give a slide presentation on
" Fads and Trends in Beadwork." This event on the
fourth weekend of Sept. will launch the Northern Bead
Symposium, which will include presentations, workshops,
demonstrations, and bead shopping.

Clematis Flower Pin

2008-08-31T12:39:00.000-05:00

The pin size is 4" wide by 3 3/4 " height.

Panorama

2008-08-31T12:25:00.000-05:00

I designed a panorama of Marianne. Friday we biked
and made it to the end of the bike trail in Springfield
Corners and went back to the parking lot in Middleton.
The weather was beautiful It was about 12 miles round
trip. We had pizza at the Roman Candle. She never had
been there before. The pizza was wonderful and we ate
on the sidewalk.

2007 BJP May Page

2008-08-30T22:21:00.000-05:00

At last I have finished my 12 flower pins for the 2007
Bead Journal Project.
Here is my May page and photo of a clematis.
I am participating in the 2008 Bead Journal Project.
It will start September 1st.

Clinton, Wi.

2008-08-24T22:57:00.000-05:00

We stopped in Clinton for lunch at The Central
House Supper Club and Lounge. Took pictures
of old buildings of the bank and movie theater.

Union, Wi.

2008-08-24T22:54:00.000-05:00

Windmills
Farm scene

Teardrops

2008-08-24T22:49:00.000-05:00

The last stop we looked at the teardrops in
Sun Prairie. They are so cool and we hope
to have one someday!

April Photo

2008-08-24T21:46:00.001-05:00

It was taken at the UW Arboretum in Madison.

April 2007 BJP Page

2008-08-24T21:38:00.000-05:00

My April BJP Page is done. It is a Magnolia.
I used canvas photo. It is free-hand without
looking at photo. I love the warm color of
dark dusty rose flowers and brown leaves.
It feels like Autumn. Hard to believe it is
almost September.

August Update

2008-08-24T20:21:00.000-05:00

It has been a very busy summer for me.
I wasn't happy with my March BJP page. My girlfriend,
Georgia told me to work more on the fabric background.
I was impressed. It is so much better that it was before.
I am done with my May BJP flower pin this morning and
right now I am working on the fabric for the background.
After I was done with my Clematis flower pin, I started
to make free-form peyote stitch to make coral forms,
and I use shells, pearls and corals on a black felt bracelet
base. I really like working with free-form peyote stitch
now. It has been so long since I used peyote stitch.
I did not have the time to post pictures of my vacation,
April and May BJP pages yet but I will real soon so
come back !

Door County Vacation

2008-08-02T18:40:00.000-05:00

Hope you are having a good summer. I can't believe that
August is here already... We just got back from vacation
at Door County and we had a wonderful time. We went
biking and walking alot.The weather were gorgeous.
We went to 2 lighthouses at Cana Island, Bailey Harbor
and Eagle Bluff, between Ephraim and Fish Creek. Dean
got a flat tire at Bailey Harbor so I biked alone after that.
He did not bring extra tubes or tools to fix his bike but he
will bring them next time when we go on vacation... I
took alot of pictures and I will post my pictures soon.
I would love to go back to Door County again.

May Rainstorm

2008-07-03T19:24:00.001-05:00

This is my favorite shot of our Honda after a
rainstorm at dusk.

Nasturium

2008-07-03T18:45:00.000-05:00

This picture is a orange nasturium. I bought 2
little pots from the garden center and I used
them in containers last year.

Orange Flower Pin

2008-07-03T18:42:00.000-05:00

The pin size is 3 1/2 x 4.

March Bead Journal Project

2008-07-03T18:37:00.000-05:00

March 2007 Bead Journal Project is done

February Page is done

2008-06-05T20:31:00.000-05:00

The Poinsettia pin is 3 1/2 by 4. I was running out
of the yellow beads to make the petals-2 dimension.
They did not have beads in Madison so I will leave it
this way.
I started the March page. I will post it later. It is still
not finished so I will have 3 more left before Sept.

Poinsettia Photo

2008-05-20T21:16:00.000-05:00

It was taken at the Olbrich Garden end of December.

Poinsettia Flower Pin

2008-05-20T21:08:00.001-05:00

I am so happy that I finished my 9th flower pin
tonite. It took me about 4 days and 8 hours. It
is a white Poinsettia.

Handmade Bicycle Rack

2008-05-18T10:48:00.000-05:00

Dean made a handmade bicycle basket rack and
Jasmine was very happy to go for a bicycle ride.
It was taken last week and Jasmine was looking
at Dean.

Bead Journal Project Website

2008-05-18T09:35:00.000-05:00

My page is up now. I am participating 2007
Bead Journal that I started in June and here
is the link to see my 8 projects and I have to
finish 4 more. There are wonderful member
pages, too. Click on 2007 BJP.

Orchid Photo

2008-05-17T21:01:00.000-05:00

It was taken at Olbrich Botanical Garden and I
made a beaded orchid pin.

BJP January Page

2008-05-16T20:30:00.000-05:00

I am done with my January page. It took me
about 10 hours to complete. I used purple
felt with black embossing powder. It is not
wool. I was going to find black felt but I am
glad that I used purple felt. I love the color
of resin flowers and green leaf beads. It
reminds me of a night flower garden. All the
seed beads are 15/0. The orchid pin is 2 3/4
inches in height and 3 1/2 inches wide.
I have started my ninth Poinsettia today.

2007 BJP December Page

2008-05-07T10:17:00.000-05:00

I finished my December page today. The white
mat is 8 x 10 and I am thinking to use black
shadow frames with easel on back and you
can remove them to wear a pin.

" Double Trouble " Dahlia flower pin. The pin is
3 1/2" width and 3" height.

"Double Trouble " Dahlia

2008-05-06T22:06:00.001-05:00

I did not know what kind of flower that I
beaded for my December page. At first I
thought it was Camellia. I have my mom's
old book that my brother gave me about a
year ago " The Colour Dictionary of Garden
Plants " Published in Collaboration with the
Royal Horticultural Society. It has 2048 photo
illustrations in colour. I found it similar to my
flower photo and beaded flower. It is a Dahlia
" Double Trouble." I did not take any 2007
flower photos in November and December.
The Dahlia flower photo was taken at the
Chicago Botanical Garden about 3 years ago.

I started my December page about 2 weeks ago
and I finished the flower last petal today so you
can see a little canvas cloth. Photographs will
follow. I am going to make a pin and work on the
felt background to sew with lucite flower and leaf
beads.
I bought canvas cloth from Office Depot to try and
loved it. I started to use canvas cloth with beads
on my October, November and December pages.
It is much faster than my old projects with paper
cut, draw and paint.

Sunday Walk

2008-04-29T08:47:00.000-05:00

We went to the Overture Center Sunday afternoon to see " Women
of Madison Glass Art " at the Overture Center- Gallery 1 first floor and

my favorite sculptural glass artist is Shayna Leib. Her works are coral

reef from glass canes. Please check her website and click on Wind

and Water Series.

http://www.shaynaleib.com/

We walked around the Capitol and took pictures of tulips. It is a little

early for tulips to bloom and not warm enough but in about 2 weeks

I will go back and take more pictures of tulips and the Capitol. We had

a latte from Starbucks Coffee. It was good and I am glad that we walked.

Shawn came home this weekend for dad's birthday.

2008 Fire Mountain Gems Ad

2008-04-25T22:13:00.000-05:00

Today I was at Barnes and Noble and found
my necklace featured in a Fire Mountain Gems
ad in Bead Unique magazine Issue # 17. They
changed from email to my blog address and it
is the same picture from April 2005 Bead and
Button magazine if you want to check on my
blog from October 2005.

2007 BJP October and November Pages

2008-04-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

" Treasure Flower "
Native to South Africa. Treasure flower is a
popular African daisy. This plant is attractive
to bees, butterflies and birds.
Taken on a gorgeous fall day in Madison, Wi.
We were out biking and stopped at the UW
Madison Botanical Garden between Lathrop
Hall and Chamberlein Hall on the way home.

This is my October page. It is done with felt,
embossing powder and machine embroidery
then embellished with lucite flower and leaf
beads

"Viola Flower "
Most popular edible flower in America. It taste
like mild pea flavors and is good with salad.
Last year I bought some viola flowers for the
container.

I finished my November page a few days ago.
It is done with felt and embossing powder then
embellished with lucite flower and leaf beads.

September photos

2008-04-12T17:07:00.001-05:00

Glad that Dean and I went back to see the waterfalls
again. We enjoyed our hike. The last time we went to
Copper Falls was when our children were small.

Morning Glory

2008-04-12T16:14:00.000-05:00

This photo was taken last September in the
neighborhood.

Morning Glory are my favorite flowers and this is
my September page. I found a small branch from
my front yard. The fabric was green and I painted
it brown with fabric paint. I embroidered gray yarn
on the edges. I used lucite purple/pink flowers and
large leaves.
I started my own collection of flower pins.

Here is my flower pin that I wore.

September Project

2008-03-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

I am back. I am almost done with my September
project. It is a morning glory. I started it when
Dean and I went on a 5 day vacation in late Sept.
We went up north to Wausau, Minocqua, Copper
Falls, Ashland, Bayfield and Corncicopia. We
enjoyed seeing gorgeous fall colors and I took
about 600 pictures. I never finished the project
from September thru March. I was to busy with
work.

Lodi Road Trip

2007-09-17T08:31:00.000-05:00

One day in early August I went to Lodi to a party
and took some great pictures.

August Bead Journal Page

2007-09-17T07:21:00.001-05:00

The water lily is done. I cut out 4 green felt for lily
pads and yesterday I stitched around the pads. I
am going to make a pin and you can take it out of
the fabric background.

Hawk Photos

2007-09-09T16:17:00.000-05:00

We rode our bikes around Middleton and we
saw a hawk on the ground eating a dead animal.
I got off of the bike and tried to get close up. I
was careful and brave to take good pictures of
the hawk. I was lucky that the hawk didn't attack
me. I know it was dangerous to get too close.

Rainy Weather Photos

2007-09-09T15:25:00.001-05:00

Here are rainy weather photos at Olbrich Garden

Water Lily

2007-09-09T14:34:00.000-05:00

This is the water lily that I took at the Olbrich
Botanical Garden last month. It rained that day
and I had a umbrella with me to take some
pictures. You can see alot of rain drops on the
water lily photo.
Here is my photo that I cut up pieces for my
drawing.

I made a few mistakes with the colors of the
beads so I had to take them apart and start
again.

This is my last progress picture. I have been
working on it this weekend and the project is
almost complete.

Bike Trip near Elver Park

2007-08-10T00:19:00.001-05:00

Shawn and I went out to eat for lunch at Great
Dane Pub today and later we went on a bike trail
by Elver Park. We had so much fun.

Shawn's Move/July Page

2007-08-09T22:35:00.001-05:00

Tuesday I beaded and finished one of "Pink Lily "
petal in the car when I went with Dean and
Shawn to Milwaukee. Shawn is going to college
at U.W. Milwaukee this fall.

Locust Drive, downtown near U.W. Milwaukee

This is Shawn's house. We got Shawn
moved in. He has a very nice house and
a large bedroom. He can walk as he is
one block from school. He will live with
us for two weeks.

This is me sitting in Shawn's Rocking chair.

I think I am done with my July Page-Bead Journal
Project. This morning I finished the last petal and
painted all the leaves. Sewed the flower on fabric.
I embellished Lucite purple and dark yellow matte
tiny flower glass beads. I was very happy with it.
It was less work than my June page. I think I will
use a matte and metal frame later.

July 2007 Bracelets and Necklaces

2007-08-06T21:56:00.000-05:00

In July I made 5 bracelets and 2 necklaces.

This was an old bracelet that I did not like so
I embellished it with shells and pearls. I like it
now in its second version.

"Lavender Garden " was in the works for over
a year and half so its a little old and a little new.

"Moonlight Garden " is one on my July
favorites. It features Swarovski crystals
and pearls.
"Pastel Garden" is a new bracelet.

"Cranberry Mojito " my daughter, Jenni named
my newest bracelet. A mojito is a popular summer
mixed drink with a lime flavor and a sprig of mint.

I made " Early Spring Blooms " last spring.
I replaced the magnetic clasp with a " S "
clasp as the magnetic clasp wasn't strong
enough to hold the weight.

August 1st Project

2007-08-06T21:10:00.000-05:00

This is my latest project. I rubber stamped the
leaves for the background using green fabric.

July 31st Project

2007-08-06T19:48:00.000-05:00

Morning

Afternoon

Night

I did not post at all last week or finish the July
Bead Journal Project.
These 3 pictures show morning, afternoon, and
night progress.
Jenni and Bill came over to fertilize and I watered
our garden. They grew 2 champion cucumbers
15 inches long.
Last weekend, I exhibited at the Firefly Art Fair.
Women in Wauwatosa are now wearing lovely
beaded earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

3 Day Project

2007-07-28T15:14:00.001-05:00

I picked out some seed beads to match the
flower photo.

I used regular paper to cut-out and applied
Lacy's Stiff Stuff. I looked at the photo to
draw.

I started beading in the middle.

On the 3rd day I painted it pink and started
around the petal edges.

July Flower Photo

2007-07-28T15:03:00.001-05:00

I took this picture of a Pink Lily while we were
biking around Lake Mendota. I started beading
for my July page~ Bead Journal Project.

New Announcement

2007-07-28T11:59:00.001-05:00

I will be showing at the Firefly Art Fair next
weekend ( August 4 & 5 ) in Wauwatosa.

Here are pictures at Kneeland-Walker House and
Gardens from last year.

Citrus Embroidery Cuff

2007-07-28T11:25:00.001-05:00

This morning I finished putting the leather on to
enclose a large snap button. I don't think that I
ever did it before. It worked very nice on top of
the round hide clasp and you can wear it either
on top or bottom of the cuff. I am very glad that
I finished it. The embroidery cuff is not new.

This is the cuff in the closed position.

Starting Over

2007-07-10T19:51:00.001-05:00

I did not like my original June page project so
I cut it apart and started over. I worked on it
all morning.
I kept the pansy but redid the background and
used 6 x 8 Lacy's Stiff Stuff Beading Foundation
on the back with fusible.
I picked out the colors of lucite flower and leaf
to match the beaded pansy for corners. It looks
Victorian. They are not heavy and the fusible
gives more support. The project is about 25
hours.
I am very glad that I started over and tomorrow
I am hoping to start my July page project. I will
use the same size of beaded flowers and 6 x 8
fabric.

Currants

2007-07-08T10:13:00.000-05:00

The English word "currant" has been used
for this fruit only since 1550, taken from the
fruit's resemblance to the dried currants of
Greece, raisins made from a small seedless
grape. Currants grow best in summer humid.
Deb has currant shrubs in her garden that
she makes currant jellies. I love to eat English
muffin with currant jelly for breakfast.

Bird Photography

2007-07-08T09:14:00.001-05:00

Ken wanted me to try his 600mm telephoto lenses
and a tripod again to take pictures of birds. I took
pictures of a hummingbird and a robin. They are
not sharp pictures. When we were on vacation, we
saw cranes and a swan that I couldn't take closer
pictures so I wanted to buy a telephoto lenses and
tripod.

2007-07-08T09:01:00.001-05:00

This is the bike routes that we biked. The pink line
was our first night and short trip. The green line
was our second day and longest trip.

June Bead Journal Project

2007-07-03T07:16:00.000-05:00

BEFORE
AFTER

I finished my June Bead Journal Project last
Wednesday but didn't have time to post my
picture in the blog. I was gone for vacation
for 4 days.
The beaded pansy was too large for wearable.
I used my old fabrics, yarns, and a small nylon
butterfly. This is my first 6 x 8 wall-hanging
quilt project.
Last week I was going to use my old sewing
machine but it did not work. So I decided to
sew the fabric by hand. I almost gave up ! I
have used Pellon fusible fabric before.
Last night I sewed a buttonhole stitch for the
border. It is not perfect. My next project will
be easier and better.
I have too many fabrics that I never use them
and will use them for my 12 projects.
I am going to use July flower picture for this
month project. I bought a book that I am going
to try to embroidery flowers and leaves. You
will have to wait to see it when I am done
before August.

Custom Paint Job

2007-06-24T21:06:00.000-05:00

Mary took a picture of me. It was to dark so I used auto
enhancement and color reduction. I had fun to play with !

BBQ and Mallard's game

2007-06-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

Linda and her son, Ryan

After kayaking, I worked out and saw my girlfriend,
Linda. She invited me to go BBQ and to the Mallard's
game at Warner Park. Linda is a board of trustee for
the Vera Court Neighborhood Center. They sponsor
programs to help children at the neighborhood center.
The homemade food were good and Linda and I had a
fun time together.

2nd Kayaking trip

2007-06-24T19:39:00.001-05:00

Mary and I went kayaking again last Wednesday morning.
I took about 40 pictures.
I wanted to take close-up pictures of forget-me-nots by
Gallistel Woods so I had to get out of kayak and wade
through the water. The water was VERY COLD ! Forget-
me-nots are my favorite blue flower. I was happy that
one of my flower pictures turned out good.

Melanie's wedding garden bracelet

2007-06-24T19:30:00.000-05:00

I made my girlfriend, Linda's future daughter-
in-law, Melanie's wedding garden bracelet last
weekend and gave it to her as a bridal shower
gift. She liked it.

Lake Wingra pictures

2007-06-17T14:31:00.001-05:00

Here are pictures that I took at Lake Wingra while I was
kayaking.

Kayaking

2007-06-17T14:22:00.001-05:00

My girlfriend, Mary from church invited me to go to kayaking
last Wednesday morning at about 8:30 AM. The boathouse
at Wingra Lake served Ancora coffee and Mary bought a
delicious carrot muffin and split half of it with me. I brought
my insulated coffee cup with sugar free cream. We finished
eating our muffin and the we took off kayaking. We were
gone for about 2 hours. Mary took some pictures of me and
altogether took about 88 pictures. It was pretty warm but
some areas were cool next to the arboretum. I took some
pictures of water lilies and irises. It was so much fun.

Last weekend

2007-06-15T08:46:00.000-05:00

I did not have time for beading last weekend.

Last Friday I went to the Bead and Button Show from
10:00 in the morning until 8:00 in the night. I had
lunch with my friend, Barbara from Green Bay.

Saturday I worked for two hours in the morning. I
mowed the lawn. Dean and I rode 12 miles around
the lake.

Sunday morning we had a appointment for a new
battery for our car. We invited my brother for lunch.
Harry and I took a short bike ride at the neighborhood
walk/bike path. It was relaxing and we had a nice time.

3 Piece Beaded Pansy

2007-06-07T23:18:00.001-05:00

I am making a beaded pansy from a cut and pasted
digital photograph that I took.
The Pansy is progressing. It is made up of 3 sections
that are layered to be three-dimensional.

Beaded Pansies

2007-06-03T11:44:00.000-05:00

I did not have time to blog this weekend because I was
busy planting flowers and cleaning the house. One of my
customers came for a beaded bracelet. Dean and I took
a long bike ride.
Here are two photos of my old beaded pansies. Thought
you would like to see them. One is an embroidered
project and the other is a square-stitch that I made 4
petals and sewed them together. I didn't like the necklace
because it was too long and the flower pendant wasn't
supported so I took them apart.

Too Many Decisions- Saturday, June 2nd

2007-06-03T11:32:00.000-05:00

I had to choose one theme and the theme is flowers.
I was going to use square shapes but I thought it
would be alot easier beading on embroidery for a
circle shape and maybe I will use 3-dimension
beaded petals and center.
My June project flower is a pansy. I photographed
pansies at the Capitol today where Dean and I went
to the Farmers Market. We bought strawberries,
sunflower greens, radishes, rosemary herb, and at the
last stop I bought two different fuchsias. Dean wasn't
happy about the flowers but I told him that I needed
to plant a few flowers along the empty foundation.

Bead Journal Project - Friday, June 1st

2007-06-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

I joined Bead Journal Project before the deadline.
Robin Atkins is the coordinator and we have 239
participants. Here is the address:
www.beadjournalproject.blogspot.com
I have too many thoughts about theme, size,
and shape. I have been looking through my books
for ideas of shape and theme. I picked out two
themes : flower and coral reef.
I had a dentist appointment in the morning and
had lunch with my two old bead friends, Gail and
Donna that I haven't seen for a long time. Gail
picked out the restaurant " Flat top Grill " because
it serves healthy food. Donna and I haven't eaten
there before. They have a buffet of vegetables,
meats, and sauces to fill up a big colored bowl
for stir-fry and it was good.
After lunch I worked out and rode my bike home.
It was beautiful sunny weather but it rained hard
in the late afternoon. I am glad that I didn't water
the vegetable garden before the rain. Melinda, my
life coach told me that it was supposed to rain all
weekend.

Favorite picture

2007-05-31T00:13:00.000-05:00

This is my favorite picture of lilac.

Arboretum pictures

2007-05-31T00:00:00.000-05:00

University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum

2007-05-30T23:51:00.000-05:00

Dean took me to the Arboretum one Saturday before
Mother's Day and I took about 100 pictures. Beautiful
weather was on tap for the lilacs.

Rotary bike

2007-05-30T23:49:00.001-05:00

We saw a rotary bike like Dean's.

What I did in May?

2007-05-30T23:38:00.000-05:00

Dean asked me to go to Slimey Crud with him in Leland.
Here are some photos that I took. It was very pretty
driving out in the country. We had bratwurst for lunch.
It was fun and relaxing.
Dean dropped me off and I rode my bike home after
Slimey Crud. I took the bike path by Highway 12 about
12 miles. It was hard pedaling because of the wind.

Beaded Embroidery Neckpiece

2007-05-04T21:26:00.000-05:00

This neckpiece is an unfinished project that I posted
last November. I have started working on it again and
have been working on it for about 3 days. The neckpiece
consists of a pair of fossil palms, drury quartz, black
breciated jasper, and black plain wood cabochons,
accented with black, brown, amber and cream seed
beads.

Spring is here

2007-04-29T21:24:00.000-05:00

On the way home in downtown Middleton I found some
very yellow and orange tulips that radiated with the
white background. It was 86 degrees this afternoon.

Heron

2007-04-29T20:44:00.001-05:00

Dean saw a heron at the marsh in Middleton today while
we were biking.
Luckily I had brought my Canon and was able to wade
into the marsh to capture the bird digitally.
He then photographed me emerging from the expedition.
Jasmine enjoyed her bike outing from the comfort of her
padded basket and looks forward to many more adventures.

Busy Week

2007-04-28T20:15:00.000-05:00

I made a multi~strand bracelet for my girlfriend
Linda's birthday that was on Monday.
I made another bracelet this week.
I fixed my girlfriend Georgia's beaded purse. A few
of the beads came off and threads were frayed.
Dean's birthday was on Wednesday. Jenni and Bill
brought pizza and cheese bread.
Shawn came home from Milwaukee for supper on
Friday and we all went for a neighborhood bike ride.

Sunday with Shawn

2007-04-22T15:09:00.000-05:00

Our son Shawn came for a home cooked breakfast of
sausage and fried potatoes. Then we went for a five
and a half mile ride to the Old Missouri tavern.
Dean was the official trip photographer and chase crew.
Shawn was skeptical of track bikes but now is a devotee
after the ride and said he would like one for himself.

More Spring Flowers/Family outdoor portrait

2007-04-15T17:53:00.000-05:00

Weekend Bike Rides

2007-04-15T17:37:00.000-05:00

We rode around Lake Monona today. I photographed
spring flowers, a blue unicorn, totem poles, and a
confirmation. Yesterday we rode the trail from
Middleton to Springfield Corners that follows
Highway 12.

"April Evening "

2007-04-14T20:08:00.000-05:00

The " April Evening " bracelet is finished just in time for
May flowers.

Jean's Weight Loss Profile

2007-04-14T20:01:00.000-05:00

This is the latest photograph of me. I am finished with
my weight loss program. I have lost 65 pounds and 43
inches. I bought some new clothes as now I am a size
6. Kerry took the pictures of me at Healthy Inspiration.

Pussy Willows

2007-04-06T16:38:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we had rainy weather. I rode my bike to
church. When I got home I was soaked. Now it is getting
cold ! I finished my business taxes this week. We did not
ride but for Monday as this is not good biking weather.
The Pussy Willows are in blossom. I took pictures last week.
I thought it was a nice shot with the white picket fence !

City Geese

2007-04-01T08:12:00.000-05:00

I photographed for over a half hour to get the best
pictures.