The 52 Week Challenge: Pendants

At the start of 2012, I felt as though I had been neglecting my beading and wirework a little and, with a challenge in mind - creating a pair of earrings each week throughout 2012 - I headed on over to Facebook to encourage some of my jewellery making friends into joining me in the challenge. During the course of the earring challenge, I learnt a lot (and not just about beading.) I tried new beading stitches, improved my wire-work and worked on my photography.

At the beginning of 2016, I once again felt as though I had been neglecting my jewellery making in favour of paper-crafting (and, um, Netflix) and decided to instigate a new challenge. This time around, I'm focusing on creating a new pendant each week, though some of the other jewellery makers joining me have decided on earrings, bracelets, necklaces and more! (You can see our work in the 52 Week Challenge Album.)

January might be nearly over (what?) but there's still time for anyone who's interested in joining us to stat taking part - and there's no need to 'catch up'. Leave me a comment if you're interested and I'll send you some details! 

Reading Challenge 2016

Love nothing better than settling down with a new book? Then you might be interested in joining me for the 2016 Reading Challenge from Goodreads. There's still plenty of time to sign up for the challenge and it would be lovely to see some familiar faces in the forum.

There are two tiers to the challenge: Tier 1, which involves reading 52 books - all 43 from the 'categories' and an additional 9 wildcards; or Tier 2, which involves reading up to 36 books, with at least 32 from the categories. I'm hoping to finish the Tier 1 challenge (and I do feel that my commute should at least be useful for something) but it's nice to know that I can ease off and still complete the Tier 2 challenge if life becomes a little hectic.

I will be making the challenge a little harder for myself though, as I'm hoping to make it through 2016 without buying a single book! It will be very difficult - I love the smell of new books - but with at least two thirds of my 'To Read List' also on my book shelves, I think it's time to scale back on my book buying habit. Hopefully, I'll be able to find enough books to fit the categories for the 2016 Reading Challenge but if not I'm sure I'll be able to borrow the remainder from the local library.

Of course, I'll be tracking my progress in my new Webster's Page's 'Color Crush' (and already have my eye on the new Bibliophile Stamps from Pinkfresh Studios) so that the challenge stays fun.

Already On My To Read List: A Book About/Set By The Sea; A Book Published In The Year You Left School; A Book About/Set In Antarctica.

I'm struggling to think of books for a few of the categories, so can anyone recommend some books that might fit the following: 

A dead author's last book?

A debut novel?

A book about books?

A book with LGBT content, matter or characters?

A book with two authors?

If not, tell me what your favourite book is (or, at least, a current favourite.) I have 9 wildcards, so I might just choose one to read.

Summer In The City {August's Counterfeit Kit}

Is anyone else having difficulty processing the fact that it's August? I mean, seriously, when was summer? I can't recall there being one. It's been a little dull and miserable. But then I have spent most of my 'summer' months commuting between Liverpool and Manchester - and while both are beautiful cities, neither is renowned for it's amazing weather.

So, when deciding how to use this month's Counterfeit Kit Challenge - Globetrotter from Scrappy Canary - I decided to work with the summer, travel theme and the bright colours of the kit to create my own kit based loosely on the original. I wrote a small list of 'elements' and, rather than attempting an exact copy for each one, included: cross-hatched patterned paper, chevrons, cameras, anchors, envelopes, luggage and travel themed embellishments. At least I now have something bright and cheerful to inspire me during the next month!

Summer In The City includes: Cameras: Everyday Ecelctic - Echo Park; Charming Colin: Enchanted - Dear Lizzy; Breezy: Hello Sunshine - American Crafts; Love Birds: Lost and Found - My Mind's Eye; Wedding March: Love Stories - Papermania; Flower Power: Yellow Mania - Sodalicious; Blooming Blossoms: Victoria Gardens - Echo Park; ABC Stickers - Lily Bee Design; Mini Alphas: Every Day Eclectic - Echo Park; Macaw Glitter Letter Stickers: Thickers, American Crafts; Assorted Stickers & Embellishments: Echo Park, American Crafts and Dear Lizzy; Camera Charm - Blue Moon Beads; Anchor Charm - Bead Shop Liverpool; White C5 Envelopes - Paperchase.

I'm intending to use the kit, combined with an A5 Kraft Ring Binder from Paperchase, to document Week In The Life, which starts later in the month. I've been finding it increasingly difficult to 'find time' over the last few months as work has been incredibly busy, I've been experiencing some health issues and well, life! You know? So I'll be preparing some of the album in advance to make it easier to keep up and complete. 

With that said, I'm popping over to visit the Counterfeit Kit Challenge so that I can find out what everyone else will be making with their kits!

The OTTBS August Challenge: Spike Beads

So, it's the first day of a new month (um ... how quickly is time flying by?) and that means that it's time for a new challenge over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash. The challenge this month is to include beads in Purple, Green, Blue and Black (with an optional twist of adding spike beads.)

Image by Cath in Dorset

Valentina from Beads & More By Yashma is sponsoring the challenge this month, so a wonderful prize package is guaranteed!

Read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS July Challenge: On The Beach

The weather here is truly miserable - it's hard to believe that it's July - but at least it's time for a new challenge over at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, hopefully, the theme 'On The Beach' will lift my spirit a little!

Davida from The Old Bicycle Shop is sponsoring the challenge this month, so I'm sure that whoever wins will be in for a treat later in the month. Davida's little store is a treasure trove of loveliness!

You can read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS June Challenge: Earth Tones

We're celebrating all things natural with this month's 'Earth Tones' challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, the optional twist of adding something that's 'not a bead', should mean that we have some really interesting entries this month!

The Rocks, Magic Light in Forest, Moss on Path

This challenge this month is sponsored by Rachel who is offering £15 to spend at RB Beads.Check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for more information.

The OTTBS May Challenge: Inspired By Fabric

This month's challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is 'Inspired By Fabric' - which means that we should see some beautiful entries full of colour, pattern and texture.

All beaders, bead makers and jewellery designers are welcome to enter the challenge, so check out Operation Tackle That Bead Stash for more information about entering the challenge - and details of this month's sponsored prize from Celia at Jencel!

The OTTBS April Challenge: Bollywood

The latest challenge colours at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is a beautiful combination of Pink, Orange, Purple, Blue and Metallic Gold. And, with the extra optional 'twist' of adding a fringe, could it be any more Bollywood?

Photos by (clockwise from left) A Guy Taking Pictures, Darwin Bell. Moyan Brenn, Deborah Cardinal & Rachael Towne.

This month's challenge is sponsored by Valentina from Beads & More By Yashma who is offering a £25 voucher for her beautiful store. Swoon.

Read more about the challenge - including how to enter - over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS March Challenge: Grimm's Fairy Tales

This month's challenge at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash is to create something inspired by one of Grimm's Fairy Tales. With a collection of over 200 stories collected by 'The Brothers Grimm' the challenge will be deciding on a story.

Davida from The Old Bicycle Shop is sponsoring this month's challenge with a £15 voucher to spend in her lovely, little online store. How can you beat that?

Visit Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog to read more about the challenge and how to enter.

The OTTBS February Challenge: Red, Blue & Gold

Well, the February Challenge has been revealed over Operation Tackle That Bead Stash and, for me at least, it would be a real challenge. Red, Blue & Gold. With an extra twist that means including some free-form beading!

You can read more about the challenge - and find some additional links to free-form tips and techniques over on the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog.

The OTTBS January Challenge: Inspired By A Song

The lovely lasses at Operation Tackle That Bead Stash have revealed their first beading challenge of 2015. The challenge is to create using a song as inspiration and, although that *sounds* easy, I think that I'm going to have some difficulty choosing from the ideas currently floating around my head!

A Song and a Smile

All beaders, bead makers and jewellery designers are welcome to enter the challenge. Check out the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog for more information about entering the challenge - and details of this month's sponsored prize!

The OTTBS July Challenge

The Operation Tackle That Bead Stash July Challenge has been revealed - and I think that I'm going to have some difficulty choosing from the million and one ideas currently floating around my head! 

This month's challenge is being sponsored by Chantal Hanna from Snoochy who has offered up a beautiful inspiration kit full of Czech Glass, Pearls and Findings for the (very lucky) July Winner! 

All beaders, jewellers and bead makers are welcome to enter the challenge. Check out the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Blog for more information about entering the challenge - including the all important theme for this month. It's truly inspiring!

Autumn Glow {November's Counterfeit Kit}

It might seem a little late in the month to be joining in with the Counterfeit Kit Challenge but, actually, I'm thrilled to be joining in at any point this month! It's been a long, long time since I was last able to join in with the Master Forgers because, sometimes, life just becomes stupidly busy! 

So, this month, I'm keeping it small and simple - with a mini-album kit inspired by the October Papercrafting Kit and October Artisan Kit from Jenni Bowlin. What struck me the most when I first caught sight of the Inspiration Kits was the beautiful, rich colours. Hues of mustard, brown and green, combined with hints of navy blue. It had me thinking of autumn walks in the countryside, with bright blue skies overhead and crunchy leaves underfoot - and it's this feeling that I tried to emulate with my own kit - Autumn Glow.

Knowing that I wanted to make a mini-album, I decided to start rummaging through my over-flowing basket of scrap patterned papers and cardstock. I started by pulling out papers that reminded me of the inspiration kits - whether by colour or pattern - and then cut them down to 'mini-pages' of 3 x 5 inches. I like to round the corners of my mini-albums, so I do that at this stage too - so that it's ready to go as soon as I have some photographs printed.  

You'll see that there's not really many papers in green or navy - but if you're rummaging through scraps, it's worth having an open mind about what to include. I am happy though, that I was able include lots of pattern and texture - and I adore that little piece of embossed feather paper from American Crafts!

I've added to my mini-pages with embellishments that continue the colours and textures of my kit. I found these Spring Colour Hemp Cords, which match my colour choices perfectly - and a random selection of stamped elements, die-cuts and bling. I also included alphas from October Afternoon, Sassafras and American Crafts - even finding a set of Thickers in a navy blue. Result! I'm not sure whether they'll be a little too large for the mini-album, but I'm keeping them on hand, just in case.

I'm hoping to make a start on my mini-album this weekend, when I'll be visiting my local scrapbooking crop but, in the meantime, I'm going to pop back over to the Counterfeit Kit Challenge to look for more inspiration.

Indian Summer Necklace

This was my entry for last month's Bead Shop Liverpool Challenge. The theme was "Indian Summer" and I chose to take inspiration from the rich, bright colours of India. I went for a combination of Fuschia and Bright Yellow Gold. Not a usual combination for me, but love it all the same!

Fuschia & Gold Beaded Swarovski Rivoli Necklace 

This month the theme is simply 'October' and I'm a little bit overwhelmed with the potential. I'm thinking long walks in the afternoon sunshine, changing colours and crunchy leaves underfoot - but I'm still a little unsure about translating that into a wearable piece of jewellery. What do you usually think of when someone say's 'October'?

The Stashbusting, Stashdive Challenge

This month sees the founding anniversary of one of my favourite blogs and beading communities - Operation Tackle That Bead Stash - and to mark the occasion, we've been issued with a challenge. The Stashbusting, Stashdive Kit Challenge! (Sarah, who founded Operation Tackle That Bead Stash has the best ideas, but rarely comes up with titles that roll off the tongue easily!)

The aim of the challenge is to reduce our deep stash just a little bit during the month of April. Sarah states "We all have lovely beads that we oohed and aahed over in the shop, brought home, put away and promptly forgot about. Well this is your chance to give purpose to those long forgotten treasures and let them shine! So let's take a dive in those stashes and dig out a kit to work on throughout the month of April. Don't worry about what you will make yet, just what you want to use."

Our directions were to include at least: two tubes of seed beads and/or delicas; one or more focals; and at least twenty accent beads. Everything included in the kit must have been in our stash for at least a month and, although we're allowed to supplement our kits with stash if we run out of beads, we're not allowed to purchase any additional beads for the challenge. 

My kit went through several combinations before I was happy, but here's what I finally chose to include: 200 x 3mm Swarovski Bicones, Padparadscha; 200 x 3mm Swarovski Bicones, Fuschia; 2 x Swarovski Drops, Padparadscha; 14mm Swarovski Rivoli, Rose, 10mm Swarovski Rivoli, Light Rose; 8s - Galvanised Gold and Rose Lined Crystal; 11s - Light Peachy Tan, Pale Rose, S/L Dark Amethyst and S/L Light Amethyst; 15s - Galvanised Gold. Taking pride of place as my focal is a beautiful Rose Quartz Pear Cabochon, gifted to me by the lovely Bonnie Houghton. 

We now have the rest of the month to use as much of our kits as possible and, thankfully, I have a few ideas. However, those ideas do include learning how to bezel a pear-shaped cabochon, so expect a few moments of panic during the next month! What would you do with this little lot if it were yours? Do tell, I'm going to need all the inspiration you can give me!

Mix & Match {January's Counterfeit Kit}

I know, I know it's been a while! But what better way to throw myself back into blogging and creating than by creating my first Counterfeit Kit of 2013. I'm a little bit late to the party, but it's taken me a while to wade through my scrapbooking supplies. My craft room is in desperate need of a tidy!

In effort to start sorting - and using - I've only pulled cardstock, papers and embellishments from the mess that was on my desk. Surprisingly that means that I have quite a bit to work with - ahem! As I'll be building a Project Life album during 2013, all of my card and paper scraps have been 're-sized' to either 3x4 or 4x6. As I'm a little bit nervous about combining brighter colours and heavy patterns with my photographs and ephemera, I've stuck to a large palette of neutrals, with just a few nods at the reds in the Inspiration Kit.

However, I've gone to town with my embellishments, including a rather electic mix leftover from previous counterfeit kits - including brads, buttons and floral cabachons. I've also included some brighter die-cuts from Elle's Studio and Dear Lizzy, some washi tape and baker's twine. It's actually quite an exciting little mix of goodies!

Even if we are already half way through the month, I have no doubt that I'm going to be using a fair chunk of this little kit. I'm really looking forward to discovering what will and won't work in a Project Life album and to re-discovering my mojo. No doubt it's hiding somewhere underneath all the rubbish on my desk!

The End Of An Earring Era

I never, ever thought that I would manage to keep up with a year-long jewellery making project - even if it was to make 'just one pair of earrings each week'. But, I did! And I have loved every minute of the Operation Tackle That Bead Stash Earring Along so much that I have encouraged everyone in the OTTBS Facebook Group to sign up for another challenge in 2013. 

In the meantime though, let me share my last three pairs of earrings from 2013, all made with some of the amazing beads, findings and stringing materials from Blue Moon Beads. 

I must admit that I'm a little bit in love with this first pair - they remind me of pink champagne and I feel happy every time that I see them! The majority of the components for these little lovelies actually came from a pre-made pendant (but we all know I can't leave anything in one piece, right?) All I added into the mix was a couple of luscious pink round beads and ear-wires, both from Blue Moon Basics.

This second set of earrings came together really quickly with a combination of elements from the Feather Jewellery Collection, the Mud Pie Bead Mix and some amazing tassel chain earring components. They make little swishy-tinkly noises as I walk. Great fun!

And finally, proving that sometimes less can be more, these cute earrings are made up of simple ear-wires, oval jump rings and some of the most amazing metal charms - loving the tiny touch of central bling in all that metal. The charms are from Blue Moon Beads' new collection, Urban Warrior, which is a little bit swoonsome! I guarantee that you'll be seeing more of that very soon!

Autumnal Greens & Golds

It's been a little while since I've managed to join in with the monthly challenge over at Operation Tackle That Beadstash, but this month's beautiful combination of autumnal greens and golds made me determined to make something; anything. So I had a little rummage through my stash. I came up with lots and lots of greens and almost no gold.

What I did find though was a few bobby pins, some gold wire and a little package of mixed green beads leftover from other projects. I then spent a happy half hour weaving and winding. I love making a little something out of (almost) nothing.

Counterfeit Card Kit {Counterfeit Kit Challenge}

I love the process of putting together my kits for the Counterfeit Kit Challenge each month so given the opportunity to put together a Card Kit, based on this month's Inspiration Kit, I became a little bit excited! Another kit to put together? Where do I sign? 

I wanted a card kit that would work well with my main kit because I knew that I'd eventually want to start mixing things together, especially when it comes to all the little leftovers. With that in mind, I started with some 6x6 papers from Studio Calico's Heydey and Dear Lizzy's Neopolitan, which will co-ordinate perfectly with the selection I put into my main kit. Some amazingly awesome patterned papers from Lawn Fawn's Dewey Decimal Collection and Ils' Summer Dreamer, along with some plain cardstock in complementary colours added more options, but not so many that I'll feel overwhelmed!

I used this 3 x3 Envy Template to emulate the cute, little envelopes in the Inspiration Kit. Then used the rest of the sheets to make some card bases to fit - I do like my mini-cards! 

As I still had a lot of embellishments, including ribbon and buttons in my main kit, so I went with an ecelectic mix of little stickers, rosettes, resin flowers and leaves that were just 'hanging around' on my desk and then threw in a couple of plain washi tapes for good measure. 

No card kit is complete without some multi-purpose stamps, so I've included two sets from Lawn Fawn's recent release - Happy Everything which literally covers all eventualities - seriously, no card-maker should be without this little gem of a stamp set -  and A Birdie Told Me, which makes a lovely change from using banners and labels.

So, although it might be nearly the end of the month, I still have some counterfeiting to share with you before the next inspiration kit is revealed on the 5th October. Stick with me.

Positive Negatives {Counterfeit Kit Challenge}

Oh man! I am absolutely loving the Counterfeit Kit Challenge this month. Well, really, I love it every month but I've really had to stretch myself a little during my stint as their Guest Designer. And, of course, I've also been stretching my stash! 

Master Forger Challenge #3 was to use the negative space from a punch, die-cut or die-cut machine. Having made quite a mess whilst making my earlier layouts, I gathered up all of my little leftovers to make some cute cards. For my first card, I chose to simply use a piece of scrap patterned paper that already had a little star punched from one corner; then added a little bit of twine, some stickers from my kit - and voila!

For my second card, I gathered up all of those long, strips that were lying around on my desk and attached them to a piece of white card. Then, using a large scalloped circle, punched the edge of my card to leave a negative space. I attached the card behind the punch-out and, because it was all layered onto white card, the inside still looks nice and neat! An Elle's Studio banner and a couple of handmade flowers finish off the card!

There's some amazing ideas from the Master Forgers DT already on the Counterfeit Kit Challenge, so do head on over to have a look. And don't forget that if you've been inspired by any of the challenges, you can link up your projects so we can all stop by to say 'ooh'.