Fiddling with Beads

An Evening Spent Fiddling with Beads...

So while watching "The Voice" last night I decided to have a sort out of my jewellery findings & beads!! Oh my, talk about seriously under estimating the size of the job involved!! I've been collecting and wearing jewellery for as long as I can remember so have quite a lot...I also noticed I've a lot of broken pieces just bagged or boxed up! The reasoning behind it...the bits & pieces will always come in handy for something else!! 

(As this is one of several boxes so I think I really need to watch a Hoaders programme or two, next LOL!!) Anyway after more fiddling I got the urge to actually make something as I kept finding bits that I'd bought for previous projects!! I found several kilt pins & lots of key chain clasps so after dismantling several old & broken pieces I decided to reuse the beads!! 

Here's what I came up with...the first piece is a kilt pin made with various plastic beads in red & orange with a pink button & 3 metal charms...a feather, a birdcage & another charm in the middle that I've no idea what to call LOL!! 

The next pieces are bag charms made in much the same way with various beads & findings from my collection reused & reappropriated. They all have a murano glass bead & at least 2 metal charms. 

This next one has lots of lovely glass beads & is actually quite heavy but looks much better IRL...should really have waited for natural light to take better photos but you get the idea!!

The next one is my favourite made in blues with lots of yarn wrapped balls & metal beads. 

So the first has already been sold which is lovely even if it is to family. LOL Thanks Aunty Joan!! 

Think I will spend the next few nights having a gradually sorting out & see what else inspires me. :)) 

Thanks for looking, let me know what you think & which one is your favourite!! Txx

Family Paddy's Day

              St Patricks Day 2014

We had a great CRAIC...

We decided to have a get together for St Patricks Day as we now have 3 little leprechauns in the family. My daughter Leah (7yrs), our nephews Finn (2yrs) & our newest little leprechaun, Jude (4mons), it was his first Paddy's Day!! 

All our leprechauns with Uncle Paa'trick!!

We started off with drinks & dinner out in the garden. The starter was either Dublin Bay Mussels in a White Wine sauce or Irish Smoked Salmon with a Dill sauce & soda bread. Followed by My Mam's Recipe for our Irish Stew (which isn't very tradition, we make ours with Beef instead of Lamb & it's got a much thicker & richer sauce) with more Soda Bread & Kerrygold Butter, another must have on Paddy's Day. Dessert was made by my mam...an apple crumble & an apple tart. We even had Tayto Crisps, Kimberley biscuits & lashings of Club Orange. 

Myself, Jennifer & Gemma gasbaging on the sofa about our upcoming trip to Ireland!! 

This is the cutest little leprechaun ever!!

(Photo courtesy of Gemma & Patrick)

We had loads of fun in the garden, Leah put on a show singing a couple of her favourites. While Patrick had even more fun throwing himself on the floor playing with the kids!!

Leah & I had great fun decorating the house for our party...we spent lots of time searching through Pinterest for ideas when we happened upon this idea, which we absolutely had to do!! So at least I can also say I also took part in See It, Pin It, Do It or SIPIDI which my friend fiona-staringatthesea.blogspot.com/

Leprechaun Pee with footprints...so funny!!

          Mam & Dad with Leah & Finn

Patrick & Finn with Mark setting up for the family photo in the background!!.

Leah & Finn playing with the Guinea Pigs. 

Patrick, Leah & Jennifer in the Garden. 

Ian eating Tayto with Leah, holding Red & myself & my brother, Mark in the only Paddy's Day Selfie I actually remembered to take!! LOL :))

I was also lucky enough to receive a St Patricks Day card (my only one this year :(( boohoo!!) from my lovely friend Karen. (Thank you darlin, I've made you an honorary Paddy!! :))

Leah & I in our Green outfits & very Traditional hats you understand!! 

So I hope you all had great CRAIC too...can't wait for next year, Leah is pinning & planning already!! 

Txx