Chocolate, Kidney Bean Muffins

From this......

To this......

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.