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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

January Bead Journal Project

My first Bead Journal Project for 2011 is finished! :D It's a little bit late, but then I was away for three weeks and it took me a week to catch up, and I still had to decide on my size and shape for this year and only then did I realize I needed to order beads too! Yikes!

Without further ado, here is the finished January Bead Journal Project piece:

January Bead Journal Project 2011 African Penguins

Penguins! African Penguins, to be exact. These were sketched from pictures taken at Boulder's Beach. I love penguins, and the African penguin is really cute. They make funny sounds, sometimes it sounds like they are really making music! The penguins are just as cute in the wild as they are at the zoo...even cuter! I really love penguins, so seeing them in the wild at Boulder's Beach was amazing. :D

Here it is with the inspiration/project sketch page:

January Bead Journal Project 2011 African Penguins with concept sketch

Project Notes:
Size 11 and 15 Delica seed beads in opaque black, white, blue grey, transparent matte teal green, ceylon beige, and lined light aqua
leftover quilter's cotton
size D Nymo thread with size 10 beading needles
backing: blue costume suede

January Bead Journal Project 2011 African Penguins supplies

I'm really pleased with the way this turned out, as I wasn't really sure how to finish the piece and couldn't find any resources that were very helpful. Eventually I just ended up slip stitching it to some blue costume suede stuff I had lying around, and then stuck a picot edge around it.

January Bead Journal Project 2011 African Penguins - back of the piece

One of the reasons I chose the oval format was because I figured it would be very versatile, and for the penguins I decided to go with a bracelet finish. And of course I didn't think to take a picture of the bracelet on my arm. I will have to do that and create a photo collage, which was my initial plan...and then I decided that was taking too long so I'd better just put something up!

I'm hoping I can get February's finished before too far into March - I actually had January's finished a full week ago, but it took me a week to take and edit pictures and get this post up - I know, I'm such a slacker - and while I did get February's sketches finished and prepared the fabric, I haven't actually started beading yet as I have desperately been trying to finish up items for a package (still not done - this package is consuming my life!). And now wouldn't you know I need to order the beads for March! Maybe I can get February finished before the beads get here. :)

I'd love to hear your feedback, this is my first bead embroidery piece and while I think it turned out pretty well for a first attempt I would love any suggestions you might have!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

So sweet and whimsical with those adorable penguins! This will bring back memories of your trip every time you see it.

Lisa Fuller said...

Awww, I love penguins! Great interpretation and I love the color choices too. Would love, as you said, to see this on the arm. Thanks for showing your sketch. I love seeing how an artist's work develops.

Good luck with your next piece. I am glad the deadlines are so forgiving. My January piece was late due to a crazy month and I finished February just in the nick of time. ;) Hope March allows me the time to stay on the ball.

Robin said...

You really did translate the whimsey and cuteness evident in your sketch into the bead embroidery. Excellent!!! I'm a little envious about you seeing them in the wild. I've spent many hours watching them at the zoo. Thanks for "bringing them home" for me in your work!

Robin A.

Anonymous said...

Its so nice, I like your penguins