Heart My Beading - 2/24/26

February 24, 2026--Here's another beautiful design by Nancy Cucci called My Beading Heart.  The instructions were printed in the January/February 2010 issue of Needlepoint Now Magazine and were very easy to follow.  I did have some problems sourcing the Mill Hill Treasure flat margarita beads #13005 since that color has been discontinued.  The color I found is a bit "pale", but I used them anyway.   I also had problems with DMC Red #321 thread from my stash--it bled into the white sections.  I've never seen that happen before but have read that it does occur occasionally.  So, I switched to RG Splendor #820 Ruby Red--perfect.   

The beads give lots of dimension and shine.

My Beading Heart Completed

My Beading Heart Side View

I did have fun learning how to color in the red sections using acrylic paint.  I first had to mix up a batch of Flow Aid Solution by diluting it with water, then mix some of that up with Gesso to prepare the canvas, then mix up some of the diluted Flow Aid Solution with the red acrylic paint (almost a 50/50 mix).  I used a thin, flat brush to spread the paint into the red areas and a dry flat brush to open any holes that got blocked.  It turned out to be a very easy project, and I look forward to using this technique whenever I want to use dark thread on white canvas--no more "show through".  

My Beading Heart Painted

Necklace Beaded Casual Friday - 2/18/26

February 18, 2026--Thoroughly enjoyed beading up this necklace called Casual Friday designed by Glenda Paunonen of Beads Gond Wild.  I purchased the full kit which included all the beads, pendant, clasp and thread, along with an easy to read and understand set of instructions.    The pendant is removable, so I can wear something different with the necklace.  Love options.

Necklace Casual Friday Finished

Necklace Casual Friday Being Worn

Necklace Beaded Dreaming of Venice - 2/12/26

 February 12, 2026--Here's another beaded necklace I worked up designed by Design and Adorn called Dreaming of Venice.  I ordered the full kit which included an excellent set of instructions, beads, pendant, string, needle, Tierra Cast toggle clasp and endcaps, jump rings, etc.  This necklace is done using a Kumihimo disk which I love--it makes for a very portable project since the beads are pre-strung, and each string is rolled up on a bobbin (8 of them).   I love the "ombre" color movement from light, silvery blue on the sides to black with gold interspersed in the center.    In fact, the hardest thing about this necklace was the exact count required for stringing up the beads.  Once that's done, it's easy to move forward on the disk.

The last time I worked up one of these Kumihimo necklaces, I learned how to easily fix errors, so was able to do this while working with the light blue, silvery beads.  Once I started placing black beads, I see now that I missed a few.  Fortunately, the spots with the missing beads are not visible, so I'm not going to stress about it.  

Necklace and Bracelet Beaded Chenille Stitch - 2/11/26

February 11, 2026--I worked on this project off and on for over a period of 12 months, even having to order more dark blue beads.  The color of the #8 blue beads is called Montana, and I've used this color in other beaded projects--love it.  The size 8 white beads are a mix of matte, shiny, clear, opaque, etc. called "White Wedding Mix".  I like how it seems to give depth to the chenille stitch.  The instructions were done by Jill Wiseman Designs and these, along with her YouTube videos, made the stitch extremely easy to work up.  Next time I'll make a necklace set using size 11 beads.  It'll be narrower but will make an excellent "rope" for an embellished pendant.

Necklace and Bracelet Beaded Chenille Stitch

I just realized I haven't posted anything about beaded jewelry since September of 2024.  That's too long.

Santa Mardi Gras - Updated 2/6/26

February 6, 2026--Stitching is complete on another one of Janet Zickler Casey's Santas--this one is the Mardi Gras Santa.   The stitch used for the hat brim looked very "tweedy" when first done, but when fluffed up with a Bunka brush, the stitch lost its definition.  However, I like how full it looks now.   I'm thinking about making a Kumihimo cord of red, green, purple and gold 1/8" ribbon.  What do you think?

Santa Mardi Gras Completed

I'm glad to report that my lungs have healed, for the most part, from the pneumonia I caught last month.  The second set of X-rays confirmed this.  Yay!  

January 29, 2026--The hat is done and was a lot of fun to stitch.  The gold thread separating the three segments of the hat was supposed to have been worked up with a Color Twist Dark Gold thread, but I shredded the devil out of it, so gave up and used a Kreinik #32 flat braid couched down with a matching Accentuate thread.  I like it so much more since it really stands out.  Next up--the beard and hair on the side of his face.

Santa Mardi Gra Hat Completed

I'm so glad that along with my husband, I have needlepoint and beading to keep me occupied since I was diagnosed with pneumonia last week and have quarantined myself in order to get well and not infect anyone.  January has been a roller coaster ride health wise.

January 25, 2026--In August of last year I purchased the latest Santa cutie designed by Janet Zickler Casey from the Shining Needle Society.  This one is called Mardi Gras Santa, and I understand the design is based on Polish glass Christmas ornaments which worked perfectly with ANG's 2025 Seminar in New Orleans where this latest Santa was taught as a class. Due to supply chain issues, we didn't get the kits until last week and I've been able to complete Lesson 1.

Now that the "mundane" stitching is done (nose, eyes, face), I'm going to stitch the hat, working from top to bottom.  It has some fun stitches embellished with gold beads. Then I'll do the hat band, beard, and lastly, the moustache.  

Santa Mardi Gras Face Stitched