Update : Chocolate, Kidney Bean Muffins

 Just had one of these with my evening cuppa.  OMG!!!  Absolutely delicious.  So healthy too, no dairy, sugar or flour.  

Chocolate, Kidney Bean Muffins

From this......

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Another culinary delight, I hope.  Haven’t tried one yet as they are to have with our evening cuppa.  Chocolate, Kidney Bean Muffins, a recipe by Dr. Claire Bailey.  Full of good things.  No dairy, no sugar.

Another Necklace Finished

Just finished this necklace. A design by Joanne Ivy from Cranberry called Daisy.   An adventurine doughnut centrepiece encased with delicas.  Those perfect little beads make the best bezels.  The next component is a brick stitched metal ring held by a rope of beads,  Framing the bezeled doughnut are individual “arrows” constructed with warped squares. I have added my own touches by hanging a crystal in the middle of the metal ring and matched my toggle by brick stitching around it too.  The piece is quite substantial and could be worn with casual clothing or a much dressier outfit.

Fair & Square Bracelet

 This stunning bracelet is a Liisa Turunen design.  It is a free pattern on her website and can be made as a single or double strand.  I chose double because I knew it would be amazing. 

Day Lily

 This stunning beaded flower measures 10 cms high by almost 8 cms from petal tip to petal tip and was designed  by Melissa Grakowsky Shippee.  It was a LOT of work and a first for me working from a graph rather that a word pattern.  Normally I would steer clear of graphs but fellow beaders encouraged me to have a go.  I did find it a little repetitive to bead after the first two petals but the final result was worth it.  My Day Lily will become a beautiful brooch. 

Chocolate Pennies

 Nothing better than a little chocolate treat when you are beading.  Chocolate Pennies are delicious and “healthy” too.  They consist of 3 ingredients only, Melted dark chocolate (85%),  chopped raisins and toasted slivers of almonds sprinkled on the top.  Scrumptious and so easy to do.  I did an online cooking experience with my almost 5 year old grandson yesterday.  We made these pennies and he chose to top his with chopped dates and coconut.  I might try dried cranberries next time.

Fixed!!!!

 Following on from my previous post.  I have now fixed the break.  It wasn’t that hard to do and why on earth I left it for so many years I do not know.  Perhaps I know a bit more about beading now and it was not as daunting.  I have decided to reinforce the entire bracelet with 8lb Fireline to avoid any further mishaps.  Hopefully!

Oh No!!!!!!!

 Some time ago I made this bracelet.  Not my own design.  Normally I would credit the designer but it was so long ago I can’t recall who it was.  Sadly, as you can see, it broke apart and has been sitting like this ever since.  Today I have decided to mend it!  I think perhaps I should have used a heavier Fireline.  From memory I did it with 6lb so I might reinforce the whole bracelet with 8lb.

Beetroot & Chocolate Brownies.

As mentioned previously, I am cooking up a storm during lockdown.  Each week we have a special treat and I have been trying some baking that’s a little different for me.  In fact, I do not usually cook at all.  My husband has been the primary chef in our household for over 30 years now.  This eventuated when he began working from home and I worked in the city four days a week.  He is an amazing cook, often  creating meals from nothing other than bits and pieces from the pantry and fridge.  He covers many different cuisines.  However, I digress.  

This week’s treat is Beetroot and Chocolate Brownies.  They are rich and delicious.  One square is enough and we enjoy just that each night with a cuppa.  Well to tell the truth, one square is not enough.  I would love to have more but we are being very strict and resisting.

From this......

To this......

 Today I watched a live demonstration for using brick stitch on a metal finding by Paula Gething from On A String.  One of the best things to do during lockdown.  Below is an earring design I did after the demo.  My first attempt at brick stitched around a metal shape.  Pretty happy with it.  I used a black metal square as my base.

I have a wonderful collection of beading books and many, many beading magazines.  One of my very favourite books is Shaped Beadwork And Beyond by Diane Fitzgerald.  I am a little embarrassed to say I have had it for a few years and not made anything from it.  This all changed in COVID isolation.  I have now made 3 pairs of earrings and a pendant from this wonderful book and have a stunning bracelet pattern in my sights.

Strange Times

Life is difficult for everyone at the moment.  As I type,  I am looking out at a beautiful view.  The sun is shining, skies are blue even though clouds are rolling in over the mountains.  I am so glad I have this view to gaze upon.  We have just begun Stage 4 lockdown to fight this dreadful Corona virus!  I give thanks every day for the fact that I am a beader.  I have a huge stash of beads, crystals and findings.  This has meant I’ve been able to keep myself occupied since March when we first went into isolation.  I have attended Zoom classes, chosen challenging projects from my books and magazines and joined in with fellow beaders doing projects together via Messenger.  It has also been the perfect time to complete the many unfinished objects I have, some started over 5 years ago.

I’ve also been cooking up a storm.  Not my own recipes but they are delicious and healthy.  I have to credit them all to Dr Clare Bailey and Justine Pattison and the inspiration given by Dr Michael Mosley.  Just for fun I will post some of them here.  If you decide you want to make something, let me know in the comments and I can give you the recipe.

I recently attended a Zoom beading class taught by an amazing Australian artist Paula Gething from On A string.  The necklace is Treble Brilliance and it is stunning.  Here is my finished item.