November Update & Question

I'm working on November but it's going kind of slow. This goes with an ee cummings poem.

I realized today that I wasn't explaining the tie to each month so far! September's poem/project didn't really have a strong meaning for September. It's just one of my favorite poems & I wanted to begin with it. I love fall and October especially and it always makes me think of the poem Fire & Ice so I did that for October. November's poem is special and the heart has a special, pretty personal meaning for me.

A question: I'm having difficulty getting the edging beads to lie flat and smooth. If anyone has tips I'd appreciate hearing them!

October Done!

Here is my October bead journal project. It is based on the poem Fire & Ice by Robert Frost. I had originally planned to completely fill in the fire side & then my daughter suggested leaving it unstitched at the top to give more of a sense of flames. I like the way it came out!

Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
~Robert Frost

October Progress

Progress so far on my October BJP. I'm having way too much fun with this! I hate to stop beading and do "real" work. This one is based on a poem by Robert Frost but I won't post the poem until I finish the piece.

September BJP Done!!

I finished my first one! I'm really excited about this and pleased with the way it came out. I'm anxious now to start on October which I plan to do tomorrow. Aside from small bead kits, this is my first ever beaded project and I love it! Maybe I'll start October tonight . . .

A short explanation: Each month's heart will be based on a poem that I like. This month is from Emily Dickinson.

After great pain, a formal feeling comes -
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs -
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round -
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought -
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone -

This is the Hour of Lead -
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons, recollect the Snow -
First--Chill--then Stupor--then the letting go -

Bead journal project

I'm way, way behind on my bead journal project. I hope not the behindest person but I'm a little worried. The project started in September & I'm currently finishing September - - -

Anyway I had hoped to post a finished picture today but it is taking longer than I'd planned so I thought I'd post my progress so far. I'm hoping to finish by tomorrow night and then I'll be able to start on October. I have drawings and poems for each month through February. My goal right now is to finish through December by the end of this month and catch up by the end of March.

I'm using heart shapes and each month's project is designed around a poem. September is a poem from Emily Dickinson which I'll post when I post the completed project.

Convent's Herbal Garden - Finished!

Last Fall Ornament

This is the last Fall ornament for the tree this year. We are going to work on Christmas ones now. I say we, but really mean Jill as she is the one doing all the work! For sure next week I'm going to get one done!