Update on Icon

I haven't done much the last week, as my husband has been pretty sick and was even admitted to the hospital, He's doing much better now and I'm back to crafting! Here is the update on Russian Icon I'm working on now. Still long ways to go, but I can say it's coming along!

I tried to photograph the best I could. It's really hard to photograph the beads, they're really shiny and look so much prettier in person. Oh well, you get the idea :)

Day 2 and 3 of working on the beaded Icon

So Tuesday and Wednesday I got a lot done! I was watching some shows on the computer while working on the Icon and it's going pretty fast. I have also adjusted my frame and have been very careful with the beads, so no more spilled beads for me! Unfortunately, the picture will never show the true colors and true beauty of the seed beads. By the way, I'm working with Matsono beads (made in Japan) and Jablonex (made in Czech Republic).

Everyone have a happy day!!

New Icon!!

So yesterday I had the urge to start on a new Icon. I pulled this one out of my stash of about 20, that I brought home from Ukraine and started working on it. And then, I remembered the magic powers of Icons - once you start working on it, you can't stop!!! I really couldn't! 3-4 hours later and after I spilled the beads on the carpet twice and had to collect them, I decided it was time to take a break. I got a lot done in just one day! This morning I want to get back to it again :) It's truly magical!

On the other hand, we're supposed to get snow showers today and originally I was going to a few stores to get some decorations for my son's birthday party, but I think I might stay in for a while and see what happens. So far, it's nice and sunny and the skies are clear, but I know that could change quickly.

Stay tuned, I'll be posting updates on the Icon tomorrow!!!

Granny's Icon

Just realized that I never showed off the finished project. I framed it and gave it to granny for her birthday which also fell on Easter this year. She absolutely LOVED it! Every time I talk to her, she tells me how beautiful it is and how much she loves it. Here it is all framed and finished.

What I've been up to...

If I haven't blogged recently, doesn't mean that I haven't got anything done. I have finished my icon #3 for grandma! It turned out so pretty and doesn't matter how hard I tried, I couldn't take a picture that would show the true color and beauty of it. I might have to take some photograpgy classes to improve my picture taking :)

I also finished the kit that I purchased called "Winter". I like the way it turned out, however not sure how easy it will be for someone to frame it. The silky fabric that I have stitched on easily puckles up. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. The company that makes these kits is called "Nova Sloboda" and they have another 7 kits in this series. They are all gorgeous and I'd like to make at least another 2, but I'll have to frame this one to see how it turns out before I buy anymore.

And finally more news: I have started on the icon #4!!! Another St. Nicolas, bigger and better for myself!!! Here's some pictures, check them out!

Beaded Icon days 5,6,7.

So I got quite a lot done... I'd say a few more days and it will be finished. I like the way it's turning out, it actually looks a lot better then on the pictures. It's really hard to take a picture of the beads, never turns out the same. Oh, I forgot to mention that I'm using the fabric print I purchased ( about $5.00). It has the colors marked and also includes the amount of beads to purchase. I've been using Jablonex czech beads (size 10) and also some chinese beads. Of course the czech ones are gorgeous, but they're also a lot more expensive. If I use only the chinese one, it doesn't look as pretty, but when using a mix of both, turns out very pretty and also economical :)

Beaded Saint Nicolas. Day 3 and 4.

Just a quick update on my progress. Days 3 and 4. It's going pretty fast and I like the way it's turning out. My grandma's birthday is April 4th (which is also Orthodox Easter this year), so I need to hurry up and finish it. Then take it to get framed.

Oh, my mom's boss who bought the 1st and 2nd beaded icons I made, came to her yesterday and was asking for me to make him another one. This time he wants one of Jesus. So I guess, I'll work on his next, then make one for myself.

Working on a Icon # 3

Finally, the last but not least, I started working on a beaded Icon # 3. This is St. Nicolas for my grandma. Her birthday is coming up this Easter, April 4th and I want to give it to her as a gift. She absolutely loved the first icons I made and was a little sad that I sold them. Oh well, I can make myself new ones, bigger and better. LOL. Here's the pictures of the progress: 1st, 2nd and 3rd day.

Beaded flowers

There will be a few posts today. I finally uploaded some pictures from my camera and can't wait to show off some of my work. The 1st one to show is a pcture of beaded flowers. This one was a kit I bought in Ukraine, cost me about $8.00. The kit had the beads and the fabric. I took it to the frame shop and it cost me another $8.00 to get it framed. It didn't turn out very big, but I like it. I might gift it to someone before I leave, not sure yet.

Beaded Icon #2

Here is the beaded icon #2 that I have finished. The pictures are very bad quality and here's why: as soon as I brought it home from the frame shop my dad took some pictures with his cell phone. Then, my mom decided she wanted to take both icons to work to show them off. So she took them to work, then she called me because her boss was very impressed and wanted to buy them for himself. I was a little hesitant at first, because it was a lot of work, but I went ahead and sold it to him (besides, I got a lot of money for it). So here I am - without any decent pictures, but with a bunch of money. Well, actually I went to the market with my mom this week-end and got me some more stuff. Now I'm working on the Icon #3 for my grandma. I learned my lesson and for sure I'll be taking pictures before I let anyone touch my work :)

Beaded Icon finished

With the holidays I have not had the time to post anything on here, but I still had the time to craft. I have finished my first beaded icon of Saint Nicolas and now I'm working on another one. That one is almost done as well. This is just a quick post to show the icn off. I'll be back soon with more pictures of the projects I've finished.

Beading

While in Ukraine, I bought a few beading kits. One of them - the Icon - I have already finished and took to the frame shop to be framed. I will post the picture of the framed icon after I pick it up. For right now - here it is right before it got done.

The other one is "The Apples"... That one is almost done and needs to be framed as well. I'm thinking about giving that one to my grandma for Christmas. She really liked it when I was working on it and I think it will be a huge surprise if I give it to her :)

I have also finished the snowflake dolly I started a few days ago. I will have to take a picture of it later today.