I finished my August Bead Journal Page on time! Today! Twenty minutes ago! 7:40 p.m. EDT.
Early in the month, I decided that my theme for August would be celebration. The celebration of completing a year's challenges, reflection and work. Again, early on, I chose purple with gold accents as the color of celebration. A royal color, for a celebration. And gold for a celebratory sparkle.
Technical Details:
As with the other pages, I used Lacy's Stiff Stuff. I painted it purple with Dye-na-Flow.
Most of the beads on this page are 11/0s. There are some Delicas, some 15/0s, some 8/0s and a few 6/0s. There are two kinds of 11/0 Toho triangles, some 8/0 Miyuki triangles and three cubes. A few bugle beads complete the design.
As I did throughout the year, I used the backstitch almost entirely.
The page is 2.75 inches by 2.75 inches.
This page was stitched with C-lon lilac thread.
What I Was Thinking:
When I conceived this Celebration! piece, I assumed it would be all about celebrating my completion of the BJP. Then I saw on the BJP blog how few of the 260 or so of the initial participants actually expected to make 12 pages. I was surprised at the low number.
This month I took a workshop with Anita Luvera Mayer at the Michigan League of Handweavers. As we introduced ourselves, we were to tell something that we liked about ourselves. And there it was, right in the front of my brain ready to be blurted out, "I take my obligations seriously." Well, that statement was far off to the left of what everyone else said. But I do take my obligations seriously, and I like that about myself.
Last summer I thought quite a while about whether I should join the BJP. I needed to be sure I could meet the expectations. If I committed to it, I would complete it. That's just the way I am.
Now I know that life happens. In fact, life has happened to me. Other people may not have thought that joining the BJP meant that completing the pages was an obligation. Or even a commitment. That's ok for them, but it wouldn't work for me.
So this page celebrates the completion of the project and honors my attitude toward my obligations and commitments.
Issues That Came Up:
I was majorly distracted by other activities--even commitments and obligations--during August. (See earlier posts.) I was determined to finish the page by the end of the month. In fact, my original idea was to finish exactly on August 31. I actually did not get started stitching until last week.
It was starting to get dark by the time I took the photo, and the purple looked blue. I doctored it up a little with the photo editor, but I'll take a new picture tomorrow.
Next on my list is to post all my photos to the BJP website. And I'm ready to sign up for next year's BJP.
17 comments:
Yeah Marty! Way to go! I take my obligations seriously as well. I would have finished this if it killed me. I love the colour of your celebration. Great job! BTW, you'd probably get more comments if you went back and put a reference to your blog address on the post. I think you forgot it. Hee, hee, hee.....
Congratulations on finishing! This is such a pretty piece. It feels celebratory - purple was definitely a great color choice for this!
Wow, Marty -- I am not usually a purple person, but I love this piece!
Kathy V in NM
Oh this is glorious and regal! beautiful COLOR! I am sooo very glad you joined the BJP this year, and will be so glad to see you again for the next, Marty! You ARE joining again, right?
Great job!
Yep, Anne Marie. It was getting late and I forgot to set up the link. I edited it this morning.
Marty S
I'm so encouraged to read how committed you were and that you accomplished your task. I'm like that too and as a new beader have been wondering what I will get into if I sign up for the next go-around.
Now I feel I can do this! Your piece is exquisite. Thank you for the encouragement!
Wonderful finale to a great year, marty!
Hi Marty
Again, your page is perfection. I think of all the bead styles, I admire yours the most because of your ability to use different size and style beads so well.
Yes, I take commitments seriously also. I will finish, though late. I was also surprised so many didn't plan to finish. But then I look back on all that happened to me in my life this year and its easy to see how some might have issues that took priority.
I am so glad that I met you here and so glad that you will continue with another year.
I love the rich purples. Very pretty. Love the fabric dying too. Scrumptious. Julie C
Congratulations on being true to yourself and finishing your journal. I've finished my 12 pieces and feel like it was a gift that I gave myself, not something I dreaded doing. Beautiful piece for August!
Marty this is GREAT!
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Marty - I love the way all the purples go together, they feel happy and like they are truly celebrating! I'm glad you take your obligations seriously and completed the bjp, because we all benefit from seeing your work.
Well Marty! I cannot be the first to congratulate you but I am in the fan club that's for sure. I have completely enjoyed being in the bjp with you this year and have enjoyed all of your thoughts as well as your beadwork. I always love your honesty...and I'm proud of you for being proud of yourself.
I plan to finish this year too, though late. It was my first year and I learned just how big a 5 inch square really is!!! But the other thing I've learned, is that there are great people like you to share the journey with. Thank you for being on the road with me and sharing your life. I hope you'll check in on me because I'll need the kick in the butt to get finished in time...
And I'm not so sure I can hack it again next year...
Love the purple -- it's for royalty, my dear, and you're a queen in my book!
Just for your information I used liken theat I found in yelowstone on mypiece. Julesc
Last April, your theme was "choosing to grow" and now here you are celebrating a victory, a serious commitment well met and growth all along the way. I am so looking forward to seeing your pieces all together on the website. They will look stunning! I think my favorite is still "control" (something about that one brings up a big issue for me), but I love them all. Such beautiful beading! Congratulations!
Way to go, Marty! Purple, as you probably have guessed by now, is one of my favorite colors. Isn't it a good feeling knowing you are done for this year. Great job!
Arline
Glad you finished your pages. I love the purple. I haven't finished mine and that "taking my obligations seriously" stuff is really keeping me bugged about not getting done yet. I need to just do it!
Enjoyed your story about the pedicure. I've only had one which my son gave to me for a present. It was fun. Can't help you with the small shoe size. Have you tried Neiman Marcus? I know they are expensive but my sister goes there for small sizes because no else has them.
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