My Sept Page

Blogged all about it
since I am new to the beading thing, I hope you will check it out and give me some feedback!
thanks
Sheba

#1 Done

I just finished my first BJP...for September...you can see her picture and read a little about how she came to be at my blog http://www.atawhisper.blogspot.com/

I think this is going to be fun!

Beading done!

I finished the first piece last night and you can see my little september man on my blog today.
http://didi-beadwork.blogspot.com/
Kiwi Diane from New Zealand

Finally Started

I finally felt that I could start on my new BJP block.  I have been waiting for my hands to heal from over-use during August.  Now I have about 75% of my block finished, so am very happy.  I ended up using a very small format for me.... only 2-1/2" square.  You can go see my progress here.  I am pretty pleased even though I got such a late start on this year!

September's page is finished

YAY! It's here. I learned from last year to finish as I go so I sewed a sleeve in the back of this piece so it will hang. I'm way excited to see twelve of them lined up!
On to October!

Diane

Beginning

I am beginning to start work on my November block. I am really enjoying this challenge. Thank everyone for their comments and support. I am also enjoying everyone elses work too. There is a lot of talent out there and I am so glad to get to see so much of it. I live in a rural area, only recently got the internet and love being able to do this project.

Finished

I have completed my September block. It is in memory of my son Tony, who passed away in September 2005. You can see it and details on my blog, , I enjoyed working on it very much.http;//knotsewsquare.blogspot.com

I finally chose a size and shape!

OK, I know I'm late, but I'm finally getting started. I chose a size and shape last night and beaded for an hour. I like how things are going, but I won't put a picture on my blog until I finish. I'm just glad to get started before the month is over! And I just found out that I don't have to work all day Saturday like I was scheduled to, so I might be able to finish on time. Wish me luck!

bohemiangirl

playing catch up/making progress

I finally finished my last page for the 07/08 Bead Journal Project - I don't know why but I kept procrastinating about finishing it - Now to finish the edges of the pages and bind the book.

I also have made some progress on my September page. I'm really hoping to have it done by the end of the month and now that the rains have arrived in Western Washington, I'll probably have more than enough 'in the house' time to get it done.

My blog is here if you'd like to take a look.

Diane
http://mountainsaltstudio.blogspot.com/

September complete!

Hi everyone - my September page was a HUGE chore for me, but here it is if you would like to see!

pam T (WI)

My september piece is ready. If you would like to take a look: be welcome. Thank you.

soe

September

I've posted by September piece on my blog http://focus-on-fiber.blogspot.com It's nice to be part of the group again. Sandy in La Center

2008 BJP September Page

My red flower pin and page is finished. Check it out on
my blog.

September page completed

So my embroidered photo from a Shogun's garden in Tokyo is done. I've put up before and after shots on my blog. http://m-bellishment.blogspot.com/

I shouldn't be surprised, working in the print industry, and having taken photography courses when photos don't really look like there subjects, but what can you do. I hope the idea is still clear, even if the photo isn't great...

Adding the BJP button

Can someone please let me know how to add the BJP button to my own blog and also how to make just the one word the link to your own blog. I have been catching up with others and really love the fact that there is a button on the blog to identify them. this is my blog which is slowly coming along and will have more pictures in a couple of months after I move to broadband. http://didi-beadwork.blogspot.com/ Diane

FINISHED!!!

Septembers page is DONE! I am so happy, I wanted to share with the group. You can check it out on my blog if you care too! I will be doing a Halloween Give Away tomorrow too for anyone interested! Check back then for details! Have a great day everyone! I am off to plan Octobers page. Wish me luck!

BJPers are The Best!

I just want to thank everyone that takes the time to look at all the different blogs and leave comments. It may not seem like much, but it's incredibly lifting!
Joan Cromley

Hello

I wanted to pop in for a visit, just to let you know how beautiful work you have done.
I've visited in many of your blogs and sites, and it's been a sight for my sore eyes! Lovely!
Everyday I'm more thrilled about this BJP, not only because of the project itself, but for the ppl I get to know and what I can learn from you.

I'm slowly starting to make a plan on my October piece. Before that I emroidered a bracelet cuff as a snack to improve my appetite. (althoug it couldn't be any better than it already is... ;o)

And greetings from Finland to all of you. It is getting bit chilly here and trees are getting beautiful autumn colours.

Take care!

Satu-Marja

I have nearly completed my September block, need one more thing for it, so I am working on October for now. This sure is fun. It gives me the push I need to create a little each day. See my progress on my blog.
Betty R.

Info Requested re: Site Build It

Hiya, all. I am in search of information. Who among us has heard of the Site Build It product from SiteSell? I want to learn what's bad about it. And if there is nothing bad about it, too. Can you help?

I am trying to do my 'due diligence' fact finding first instead of my usual last and teary kind.

All help, gratefully appreciated. Thanks ...Helene...

PS - If I have just broken a rule, I am sorry. I'll learn that too, the hard way. ...H...

September page under construction

I always bite off more than I can chew...

What with a full-time job, and 2 university courses each requiring an average of 12 hours a week of class time / homework / research / darkroom, I don't know how I will ever finish a single page for the Journal.

But the page for September has been started.

Unfortunately, I'm making this post from work, and the photo I'm using as the base for my page is at home, but at least I can give a little background.

I was recently in Tokyo, Japan, visiting my brother and his wife's family, and while playing the tourist, we visited a former shogun's private garden, right in the middle of Tokyo! There were times as we walked through the forested portions where the buzzing of the cicadas was nearly deafening! And try as I might, I couldn't manage to capture one in a photo... :-(

But toward the south end of the garden there is a small lake, with a tea house built on pylons in the center. So I managed to take a number of photos of this wonderful setting, several of which show the tea house in the middle ground and skyscrapers in the background, and the idea started to percolate that one might work well as the basis for a journal page.

But what would I do with a photo in the way of beading? Well, I could print it on card stock, and stitch on transparent beads, to create a physical texture. Initially I had thought of was beading the entire portion which is not modern buildings or sky, but once I actually started to work with the photo I realised the tea house would be lost, so I have decided to only do the trees, trying to take into account the actual texture of the trees (eg. pine needles as bugles...) as much as possible.

Hopefully the whole process can be finished in time!!! I'm supposed to be beading with a friend on Saturday, and hope to get a good section done then.

Wish me luck! ;-)

Sept Page Finished

...for now. I want to add more darks and of course decide on framing, but I think the framing needs to wait for the end of the year, so I can see all 12 together. Pix on my blog.

1 down, 11 to go!

My Sept piece is done, you can see it here, along with the explanation.
Joan Cromley

I Know Everything and Just Learned Something

JEEZ - This learning and growing ( I just typed 'groaning' ) IS making me groan. First I didn't understand how this whole thing was done. Next I had several fights with memory wire (still stinging after those battles). Now I discover it's okay to post pix on my Glass0Beads.blogspot blog. Oh, I can't tell you how much typing that will save me.

I've been visiting blogs this evening and I am awed by the creativity and capability of these here beaders. I know a thing or two about bead jewellery making and bead embroidery. I'm not bragging, I've been at it for over 40 years - experience counts for something, doesn't it?! The work of the beaders I've visited is exquisite. My hat's off to you talented people.

I wanted to leave a message with some of you but couldn't find anything appropriate beyond WOW to say. It's not easy to shut me up.

Lastly, a note to the people who responded to my arthritic post: a2Susan, Diane, Kathy, and Sabine. Thank you for your kind words. My hands are still swollen but I've dropped the meds dose and should be at my beading table tomorrow. And I will be taking pictures for everybody to see. Again, thank you for your encouragement.

Glass0Beads (aka Helene)

Getting Started

It's great to see so many people starting and even finishing their Sept. pages. For those of you who are still unsure how to get going, check out the FAQS section on the homepage. Several people who participated last year wrote advice based on their experiences.

September BJP

For those of you interested, I have a progress update on my blog I hope everyone is moving right along on their September pages! I will have some time to look around tomorrow and see what everyone is doing! Tracey

September Notes - Phoenix Rising

I have arthritis in my hands and right now I'm in the midst of a flare up - that means my hands are screaming in pain. And it makes sense: I need my hands right now because I have decided to make a cuff bracelet using memory wire. Those of you who have used memory wire can understand that using the stuff is painful just thinking about it.

My 1st effort and shaping memory wire into a cuff shape took several efforts but I did manage to get the shape and secured it with crimp tubes. I let it sit overnight and the next day I had the piece explode in my face. A shower of black beads went to the 4 corners of my PigPen (aka workroom, aka studio, aka office). The beads are still where they fell: I'll pick them up bit by bit.

I resigned myself to a change in design. The initial rib has been worked on it and, while I was writing about it elsewhere, I came up with another idea about shaping memory wire.

Well, the result is I have 2 cuff bracelets on the go. I've left both overnight and won't touch them again until tonight at the earliest. Pictures are posted on Bauble Babble. ...Glass0...

September page progress

I finally decided on my theme & page & have some pictures of my progress so far, on my blog Dollie Bead

Ellen aka Dollie Bead

Unstable finish of beads

Sorry, I have forgotten who of you raised the question of beads not being colourfast. That's why I am writing this post instead of a comment. On September 10th, Jean Campbell wrote an article on this subject in the newsletter "Beading Daily". Here is the link to the respective Interweave Press website: http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2008/09/10/how-to-keep-the-finish-on-metallic-and-dyed-beads.aspx

Sabine

Another progress picture

I don't always do progress pictures but I thought it would be fun to do it for this page. There is still lots to go on this so if you are interested, feel free have a look! Denise's Blog
Cheers, Denise

September page finished

Hello fellow beaders

My September page is finished.
You can view it HERE

Happy beading to all
Hugs
Caroll

Using Labels and other reminders

So - it's me again. Now that we are in full swing, I'd like to repost some info from Robin:


Labels
For this BJP year, I've already determined the acceptable labels for your posts. Please stick with these labels. It will take a few posts to get them all in the index. In this post, I've added all the months. If you post about your work for a specific month, you can use the appropriate month label for it.

When you post, click on Show all at lower right of posting box, and choose appropriate label(s) from the list shown.

The reason to limit the possible labels is because it's easy to get too many labels (confusing) or ones that are too long (hide the down arrow).

Hope this is OK with everyone. If you feel it's important to add a label, please ask Diane M. (our blog master) about it. Thanks!

Please note... there are too many of us to label posts with our names. Instead, please sign every post with a link to your blog, website or email, as I have done below.

Robin A.

Blogging Tips

Hi - it's me again - the blog "angel". There are a lot of new folks joining us this year and it's been requested that I post some information about easy ways to post to Blogger, so here goes -

* If you want to add a link to your blog (or any other website) in your post: Click "New Post" Type your entry into the box. Highlight the words you want to link to by left clicking the words and dragging the cursor over them. They will turn blue. Then click the icon that looks like a green circle with a link on it. A window will pop up that says "script prompt". In that window type the URL of your blog. For example, the URL of blog #1 of the 08 Bead Journal Project is "http://www.08bjp.blogspot.com"

* If you want to add a photo to your post do the same steps to make a post but click on the icon that looks like a photo (the 2nd one from the right). From here you can either upload a picture from your computer by using the buttons that says "browse", finding the picture on your computer, the clicking 'upload the image'.

OR

to use the 'add an image from the web" feature, type the URL of the picture into the box and click 'upload the image'. The URL of the picture can be found by right clicking the picture and going to 'properties'.

* If you want to add the Bead Journal Project to your blog -

First 'right click' on the button and save it to your computer.
Then on your blog, go to 'edit layout'.
Pick "add a gadget".
Then pick "picture"
In the 'link' field type http://www.beadjournalproject.com
In the 'image' link chose "from your computer" and upload the graphic you've saved.
Click "save" and you're done.

I hope this helps - If you need help, feel free to email me.

Diane
http://www.mountainsaltstudio.blogspot.com

About beading foundation

I haven't got that much experience, so I'd like to know about your beading secrets ;-)
I've mainly used Lacy's stiff staff as my foundation, but now I'm wondering if there might be a different alternative to it . Sometimes stiff staff turn into too hard surface to bead into, if there is glue on it. Any exprience of that?

• What kind of beading foundation are you using ?
• If you're beading on a fabric, is there something to consider about?
• What kind of paper would do a good foundation? Or is there any?
  

Thank you !
Be..ad happy!

Hi from France

Hello everyone,

I'm a new member and I'm very exciting by the BJP challenge. By the way, there's two challenges for me. The beading one of course, and the second one is speaking english !!!
So, I will apologized for my english. I haven't write something in english since a so long time. I promise you to do my best.

As I registred at the BJP, I asked myself what kind of beading work can I do ? .......... and after a long long brainstroming (ho my poor head), nothing comes . And on monday the 1st, the day when the BJP started, the day of my birthday too, when I woke up, the solution appeared to me : I will tell the story of a year !
For me, each month is full of different feelings and emotions, depended on the lightness, the weather, the everyday life, the events of the moment. May be a little bit ambitious, but as Anne Marie says before, "if it's complicated, I love it..." I hope I will manage to do it.

Only a few words to introduce me : I'm a new textile artist, only two years experience. I'm not healthy enough to keep a job, so embrodeiry and now art textile bring me alive. But don't be mistaken, I'm a joyfully personn.

I don't have a blog, and I'm working to have one ... I will inform you

Enough speaking now, let's take fabrics, needdles, beads, ribbons, anythings else and let's go...

September page started

I finally started my September page yesterday. It's on my blog if you'd like to take a look.

Diane

Sept started

I've got all the planning done, and my Sept piece started. You can see it here.
Joan Cromley

September - Translations

I've just met Satu-Marja from Finland. I visited her blog and translated the Finnish into English. Aren't I clever?

No, not so clever after all. Google has a tool that does the translating for you. The quality of the translation is not really top drawer but it's good enough that you can understand what the conversation/blog entry is all about.

It's a great way to learn about other cultures and bring the people of the world a bit closer. Fear is dispelled by knowledge and the translation tool is a step in the right direction.

At least, that's what I think. ...Glass0...

Notes to Self - Crimp Beads and Bead Embroidery

State of Brain: Manic
There is so much I want to accomplish today. Some of it is done. But there is so much more to do and I'm going to have to break off in less than an hour to get dinner out of the way.

One thing I got done is to add to my blogs: http://Glass0Beads.blogspot.com and http://BaubleBabble.wordpress.com.

What makes that so important? There's a new book out there for bead embroiderers and since I've read some of the entries of my fellow beaders here at the BJP08 who want to discover the techniques of adding beads to their embroideries, I thought you might like to look it up.

And I learned how to make my own crimps thanks to Melody MacDuffee's work with the people of Krodo District, Ghana, West Africa. I feel so liberated from having to pay an arm and a leg for commercial crimps. And the story of her Soul of Somanya Project is uplifting. See what it's all about by visiting my 2 blogs. ...Glass0...

September

I am working on my September Piece. I am sure my work can use a lot of input from others. I am already thinking of what to do for October. My block for this month is in memory of my oldest son who died from lung cancer in 2005. This is a hard month for me and working on it has brought me much pleasure. We miss him a lot. He had one child and she loves to craft like I do. I can't wait 'til she comes and sees my block. I have two other children and they are very supportive of me and all the time I spend in my sewing room, so is my husband. He has put up with me for a lot of years.
Thanks for the opportunity to do this every month and I look forward to learning new and wonderful things.

My first BJP baby

Hello BJP friends!

How are you?

My name is Satu-Marja and I'm from Finland. BJP is all new to me and I'm soooo excited about this that I got my first BJ-page done today.

I started with something primitive almost childlike piece, but it goes without saying that I enjoyed doing it, and that's the main thing, right?!

I wish you all very creative and enthusiastic beading moments!

Returning Member

Hi from the Pacific Northwest of the US. I am a returning member of the BJP and so excited to think of the few hundred of us, all around the world, working on the same project.

Last year my page was heart-shaped and though it was fun and sometimes a challenge, I'm going to do 5 x 11 inch rectangles this year (no more curves and points!). Last year was my first attempt at bead embroidery and was a year full of learning for me. I've still a lot to learn and this year I plan to focus on technique and incorporating more texture into my pages.

I live in a semi-rural area (it was rural when I moved here, not so much these days) of Washington State with 4 dogs, 6 cats and a goofy musician. I have one grown son who was married this past spring and work at a community mental health center during the day and do most anything that involves fabric the rest of the time.

I'm happy to be back and can't wait to see everyone's work!

Hi from up north in Wisconsin...

Hello everyone..... pam T (or pamtru) here from Wisconsin ..... such incredible enthusiasm from our participants for the start of the 2008 BJP! Wow, this takes quite a bit of time scheduled in the day to read all the blogs and keep up with everyone! I am awed once again by the art I am seeing.
I am a self-taught beader who has an incredibly short attention span, thus the happiness when I finished the 2007 BJP and actually signed up for a 2nd year!
I'm very much looking forward to getting to know everyone and bead my way through the year, hopefully learning more about me... (oh yeah, along with beading and techniques) as we go.
My firm belief in life is that things just ARE, life just IS and everything turns out the way it is supposed to.
Here's to an exciting and beadiful year!
pam T

'Bad Liz' is Profound

I think therefore I am - Rene Descartes
I am therefore I am good enough - Bad Liz
Yes, Bad Liz, I agree. You are profound. And I would love to adopt it as the unofficial caption to the 2008-09 Bead Journal Project.
Warmest Regards
Glass0

Blogger Troubles?

It appears that quite a few people did not receive their invitation to become authors on the BJP blogs that were sent last month. If you did not receive your invitation, or if you know someone who did not receive theirs, please email me and I'll fix you right up.

Diane
diane.moore at gmail dot com

Started September

I am happy to say I've gotten a good start on my September page. You can see it here:bits of beads and fiber. Thanks for having a look!
Cheers, Denise

Inspiration for the journal

As a practise first attempt at blogging I set up - http://kretakat.blogspot.com/ Here I'm going to keep a diary of our move to the country village of Amari, in the middle of the island of Crete (already live on the north coast but in the middle of the busy, touristy area so am looking forward to some peace and quiet to get on with my textile work).
Hope you like the photos of the area, I'm hoping they will inspire me!

Hi everyone

Just checking - am very new to blogging, it's been hardwork so far but am so looking forward to starting the project it must be worth it!
Kath

Am I here yet?

Hi everyone! I have been trying to get the hang of blogging since the end of August and with the help of pamtru over this w/end I just might have it!
Anyway, I am really anxious to get going on this project, and I have my plan already and set to go---I am so happy to be among all you creative people and looking forward to seeing everybody's work. I was so impressed with the entries for the 2007 BJP and can only imagine how spectacular 2008 will be!
Just to announce myself--my name is Barbara, but my co-workers years ago dubbed me barbiq. I am an ultrasonographer and I work full time and I try to unwind by beading and quilting in my spare time. I live in northwestern Connecticut--very woodsy and picturesque although I was a city girl originally from Hartford, CT--a small city but a capital city just the same--and I still work there. I hope to touch base with some of you if not all in the near future. So here's to a very interesting and creative year--can't wait!!!!

A cautious start

I made a start on my September page & posted to my blog (scroll down to after the TIF post). A quick question - is there an easy way to look at the blog of the person who posts here or do we have to always include a link to our blogs?

I wondered how it would work - September's page is actually thoughts carried over from August - you may think I'm daft, but I really worried about that and now that I've started, it's no problem at all.

Old stuff popping up

In my last post I said that a good old search through the stash always uncovers something that you had completely forgotten about. That was prophecy. I found something wonderful: A clothes-peg apron that my grandmother once embroidered for me. In some places it is worn and torn beyond repair, but I could never throw it out. There is not enough intact fabric left to do twelve BJP pieces with, so I will integrate a little into each piece. The embroidered part will be cut out and used for something else.

Have I finished my first piece? No. There are still 27 days to go in September, plus the rest of this day ... But I have done the machine sewing, and a LOT of thinking until late last night, because, having arrived at a certain point, I found that my original plans for part of the piece would never work. Thinking always works - I found a solution.

The thoughts you think during and because of the BJP that you might never think without it ... The selfmade little problems, and the selfmade great solutions ...

I am off to instal my brand-new scanner to do something with very old stuff (also BJP-related). Please cross your fingers/hold your thumbs that I can tackle the installing!

See you, Sabine

Practice Page

For anyone who cares too look, I have posted my first ever bead embroidery piece that I did last month to see if i could actually "do" bead embroidery. Comments or constructive criticisms are welcome! Tracey
http://abeadifulmess.blogspot.com/

Flickr Group

A lot of people participated in the flickr group last year and it was a lot of fun so I've set up one for this year.
- HERE IS THE LINK -
Come and join in the fun!

Diane

This Is Australia Calling

G'Day Everyone,
So glad to be back on this great journey with you all.
I really enjoyed my little beading holiday and can't wait to pick up needle and thread again. I've got lot's of plans for this years BJP and have decided on a theme, but that dosn't mean I'll stick with it.
The only thing I can promise is to keep my size the same as last years - 4"x6", I found this size was workable for me and not too big that it was daunting.
I took a big step- in the right direction- during the break and am now smoke free!
Coming up for 10 weeks now. Feeling pretty good and hope to stay that way.
It's a beautiful spring day downunder and I'm off to start my September page, I've got some really pretty beads just waiting to be coerced into something, hopefully, wonderful!
Cheers
Nospoj - Dinah

Grateful Thank Yous

Thank you both, Sheba and A2Susan. I did say my brain was missing. I've been fussing and feel a right fool now. Thank you for taking me out of my misery.
What's really good is I have already started working on a bracelet for my sister - in the colours she sees when she hears the word 'Spain'. She's saving up for a trip there.
I'll say no more about the project until I've more to say.
And thank you both again.
Glass0

Umm...

I don't think I'm going to be good enough for this....pretty sure not....eeep! Thinking about trying anyway....

September piece

Well here I go. I have started on my piece for September. I decide on a finished 8inch square. I hope by the end of the year that I'm not sorry about that. My friend Phyllis, who got me into this, will probably go smaller. I don't really have a theme for each block, but this first one will have very special meaning to me. I enjoy quilting also and hope it is Ok to include small amounts of it in my work. I look forward to the time when I can see everyone's work. Happy Beading.

Hi from VA

Hi everyone!
I'm not new to beading, but I am new to the bjp. I'm excited to be trying something new and have no idea what I want to do! I haven't chosen a size or a theme and I think I'm on option overload because there are so many possibilities! I'm hoping to use this "journaling" to teach myself to slow down and enjoy the moment. I've been dedicating more and more of my life to my job and running on fumes for about 18 months now, and I know I need to slow down.

Thank you for this idea and giving me a way to work through my transition and a built-in support group! I can't wait to get to know everyone!
bohemiangirl

September Project

State of brain today: missing
Okay, I got up early this morning to find out what this month's challenge is and had major grumpiness because my 'machine' wasn't working. Can't find where the month's subject is. Is this normal? Or am I missing something that is at the tip of my nose?

Do I have to wait for end-of-shift today to learn this month's topic? Is there a special place I need to visit? I've visited BeadLust and the home of Bead Journal Project 08. I've sifted through blog entries from o7-08 and o8-o9. I've looked in my inbox. I can't find anything resembling a monthly subject.

Please, somebody, put me out of my misery. What am I not doing that I should be doing?
Glass0