Catalogs and Sunshine... two of my favorite things

I have joined a blog catalog, http://www.blogcatalog.com/ A website where you can search for blogs specifically. You'll see off to the right on this page a small button asking you to rate this blog. Please do. You won't be taken from this page. Just choose a number (5 is the highest) and press "Go". The more ratings I get, the easier it is for people to find me on the catalog. If you click on the "rate my blog" you will be taken to BlogCatalog's homepage, which will make my rank rise even more as well as give you access to thousands of blogs. You can always press your browser's "Back" button to return here. Thanks!

Here is another of my beaded figures. I made it for my friend Dave for Christmas a few years ago. He loves orange. I called it "Butterfly Sunshine". Those are glass butterflies flying around the body. I also used various sizes of seed beads and sequins. The back was hard to capture as I was using a scanner. On the rear end is my signature bead. It is hard to see but there are two H's on it. I thought I'd share this doll, as I am craving sunshine. It has been dreary and rainy here in Wisconsin.

front

back

Otherwise I have been crocheting a lot, both for Christmas and to get ready for the coming frigid temperatures. I made myself a neck warmer that I can't wait to show off. It is like a scarf, but is short and buttons closed instead. I will post pics soon. As for the rest of my projects, I am bound to secrecy. I don't want to give away any Christmas surprises! But as soon as all has been revealed, I will share.

I'll be wearing a smile for the next four years!

Well, I don't know about you, but I very happy about how the presidential election turned out. If you disagree, that's OK. I like all kinds of people. ; ) But for those of you that share my enthusiasm, here are two freebies to show it.

The first is that http://www.moveon.org/ is giving away these really cool stickers featuring President-elect Obama. They were created by artist Shepard Fairey. You can get one sticker for free (including shipping!!!) or more for a small donation. And starting November 8, they will be selling prints as a fund-raiser for all their good work. Here is the link: http://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/

And as a bonus, I created a bead pattern based off the print by Shepard Fairey. It is free as well. I recommend making it using peyote stitch. It only has 5 colors of beads. A dark blue (recommended Delica beads color: DB 0277, amount needed: 8 grams), medium blue (DB 0167, 5 grams), red (DB 0723, 5 grams), medium gray-blue (DB 0266, 1 1/2 grams) and very pale blue (DB 1497, 2 1/5 grams). The pattern is 61 columns wide by 67 rows tall. I have not made this pattern myself, so I would LOVE to see it finished! Send me your pics and I'll post them (or if you're shy, just let me look... please!)

If you have trouble getting a large enough picture to work from, double-click on the pattern. It should open in a new window. Right-click over the picture and choose "copy". Then "paste" it in a document where you can drag the corners to alter the size. You can make it fit a full page. Then print. I tried this and it worked well for me. If you can't get that to work, let me know and I can send you a .pdf file.

I know I promised...

to post pictures of that wedding I went to. And I will. Unfortunately I discovered at the wedding that the batteries in my camera were dead. But my friend David took great ones and promised to share. He is just taking his time getting them to me. : )

Here is some new work of mine. The first are Queen Esther Earrings. They were named thus due to their regal color and the 24 karat gold beads. Perfect for Hannukah or as a way to show your faith daily. To purchase this pattern: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?method=itemnumber&keywords=14820

If you are not Jewish or have anyone of that faith to make those for, here are a pair inspired by Medieval architecture. Named Jeweled Quatrefoil Earrings. Quatrefoil is a Middle English word from the 15th century meaning a representation of leaves or a flower with four leaves or petals. This idea inspired these earrings. To purchase this pattern: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?method=itemnumber&keywords=14843

These earrings are special to me as they were the first piece of beadwork I made after my husband died. It took me almost 6 months to start beading again. The rose montees had been sent to me the year before by a friend for my birthday. I just adored them. One day, when I accidentally came across them, I was inspired again. I am so glad. I really missed beading.

To see all the patterns I have for sale: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?designer=Heather%20Hall

Brrrr, it's cold outside!

It is 47 degrees F outside and getting colder by the day. Somehow my head has been in the sand and I have totally missed the fact that it is autumn and winter is quickly approaching. I haven't had my quilt or my winter coat dry cleaned yet. I am not sure where my gloves are. I still have my straw hats out and my wool ones packed away. I need to get moving. But instead of doing all of that, I have spent my time creating a fun pattern for winter. Not only is this bracelet cute and winter-themed, it helps out a good cause.

Have you heard about the declining numbers of polar bears? No matter what you may personally believe about global warming, it is a fact that the polar ice caps are melting and polar bears are dying because of it. Without the ice, the polar bears have no place to rest during their search for food and often die of exhaustion. An estimated 70% of polar bear cubs die before their 3rd birthday. Here is a great site to learn more about the problem: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/

Here is another site with fun facts: http://www.kidzone.ws/sg/polarbear/polar_bear.htm

One dollar of every pattern sold will be donated to Polar Bears International. To learn more about this organization and to make a donation, go to: http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/

To purchase the pattern: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?method=itemnumber&keywords=14819

To see all the patterns I have for sale: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?designer=Heather%20Hall

Masquerade Wedding and New Pics

On Saturday I am going to a Masquerade Wedding. The rules are masks only, no costumes. Unfortunately I just learned of the wedding less than a week ago, so I don't have a lot of time to prepare. I don't have a mask yet. That is one of my tasks for tomorrow. I am going with my friend David. I'll make sure we take pictures to share. It should be interesting.

Here are two new patterns I posted tonight. The first is a beaded cuff bracelet with a pattern inspired by historical Greek designs. I made this bracelet when I was recovering from my surgery that I mentioned in my last post. At first I couldn't sit up for very long. So this bracelet was almost entirely beaded with me lying on my back and my head propped up on pillows. It is a elegant yet easy pattern.

Here is the link to purchase this pattern: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?method=itemnumber&keywords=14781

The second is an interpretation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A great way to show your faith or your funkiness. A very popular symbol with Catholics and tattoo enthusiasts. Here is a great site to read about the history of the Sacred Heart: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07163a.htm

Here is the link to purchase this pattern: http://www.bead-patterns.com/shop/shop.php?method=itemnumber&keywords=14782

Sacred Healing Bag

Five years ago I became ill. Very ill. I had to have a hysterectomy to save my life. That was when I created this bag. I call it a talismen bag because inside it are objects of importance of me. The top of the bag is actually sewn shut to contain them and keep them safe, as opposed to an amulet bag which is open at the top.

This project was posted to the BeadWork magazine's website in 2006. It is free to download. Here is the link. I hope you enjoy making your own version!

Happy Birthday, Joanna!

Tomorrow is my good friend Joanna's birthday. Here is to a great birthday, Joanna!

I spent a few days celebrating with her earlier this week. We had a great time eating, drinking, buying beads, and having long chats. Here is a picture of her birthday present from me. She saw me wearing a similar bracelet and wanted her own version. She also wanted it to be the band of a watch. The pattern is from the October/November 2004 BeadWork magazine by Kathleen Kimball-Baker.