Hello Everyone

This is my first post to the BJP08 blog and my first post to any blog. I have so much to learn about blogging. That sounds so funny to me, because I head up an IT department. When you do that, people tend to think you know everything about every thing computer related. Way back when I started, I knew most of the important stuff. Now, I hire kids who are a lot smarter than I am. But, enough of that.

In the way of introduction, I am a 54-year old making her way through life. I was married for 28 yrs, divorced, and now live with the true love of my life, Jeff.
I've been an artist/craftsperson for as long as I can remember, love being outdoors, reading, sewing, beading, knitting, crocheting, crazy quilting, cooking, playing with the neighborhood children, blowing bubbles, and cuddling with my minature dachshund, Wylie, and chocolate. I've lived all over the U.S. and in Italy. And finally, the day I do not learn something new is a wasted day.

I thought long and hard about a theme for my bead journaling. Ultimately, it came down to the questions I've been asked or have asked, an quotes that started contemplation and meditation on answers or responses. The contemplation continues and the answers change or elude me altogether. I thought the journal could help the contemplative process. Guess we'll find out. September's question is "What were you like when you were a child?" So I've gathered bits and pieces I still have from my childhood and we will see what comes out of it all.

Greetings

Hello to all the new members and returning 2007 members. I am not feeling ready to start beading since the weather here along the Maine coast is so beautiful. But if this weekend we get the predicted winds and rain, then I'll start. Once again it will be fun to see what everyone does.

Is it September already?

I'm new to the BJP this year and am looking forward to it. 2008-09 has many personal challenges ahead for me and I'm hoping to let the bead journal help me sort it out. I'm from South Lyon Michigan, near Ann Arbor, and am mainly a glass beadmaker, but I'm drawn in many different directions...seed beads, bead embroidery, PMC, glass fusing....etc.

I have a shape and symbol plan for the year, and will let the beads and experiences guide me. Hats off to all of you have participated before and returned, and a grateful thanks to those who make this project possible.

Shapes

Last year I thought and thought about what shape to use and ended up tracing around a coaster that was under the glass that I was drinking out of - how simple! It was right under my nose.

This year, my co-worker helped me out with the puzzle shape - which I shared with Linda, Madeline and Sue S, who are in my Loomatics beading group (we meet in Dearborn Hgts and sometimes in Ypsilanti, MI). They approved of my choice. I know that the pieces are not going to fit together exactly, but it works with my theme. Square one is almost completed.

"Life is a puzzle, and it's up to each one of us to solve it."

I'll be working on this projects and a few others over the holiday weekend since I'll be camping with the dogs and husband.

New Hampshire Hi

Hi--I'm Jann from Etna, New Hampshire (part of Hanover, home of Dartmouth College) and Sunapee, New Hampshire. We live on an island on Lake Sunapee in the summer.

I enjoy weaving, quilting, and beading. In fact, beading has taken over my life. I am now having fun beading rivolis for a bracelet, pendants, and lots of Christmas tree ornaments. I've also tried Robin's finger weaving this summer and made two tassels. When my 15 year old grand daughter was visiting in July she made three mini-tassels for herself and friends to put on their backpacks for school.

I am a returning bead journal member. I'm planning to bead pins this year. My goal is to add more dimension to my work. Of course, it isn't yet September so I might change my focus. Once we move back to Etna in a couple weeks I will again have my bead stash to inspire me.

Happy beading!

Hello from the Pacific Northwest!

Hi...my name is Lisa Rauch from Pursuing Art...Life and Dreams and I live in Milwaukie, Oregon. First, I'd like to say Thank you to Robin for spearheading such a wonderful project and continuing again this year! I was so relieved when I saw there would be another year. I feel fortunate and honored to be a part of this group of talented artists that include the most friendly and supportive people. My biggest regret last year was not signing up for the 2007 BJP. I considered to the last day (minute actually) and decided against it because I was still working on my first (large) piece. I felt that if I committed myself to one more thing, I would feel too overwhelmed. Well, I was so sorry for not doing it because I know I would have grown with each piece, each journaling, and even learning how to have a blog. However, I have been a devoted fan to the BJP and have admired everyone's work, the growth they have all shown, and the friendships that were made. I have learned so much this past year just in watching and listening and even 'on the seat of my pants' I learned how to start a blog and do most of the things that come with it!

I think I was born with a needle in my hand. I have always loved sewing, embroidery, needlepoint, knitting, beading, etc. In the fall of 2005, I really discovered bead embroidery. After doing lots of research, perusing the internet, buying some books and supplies, I began to teach myself in the winter of 2006. I am loving it and still learning! I've decided on a theme this year which will be 'fragments of my life' although I am still deciding on the actual size to see what will work best. My pages won't be totally encrusted because I don't trust myself to complete that every thirty days. I've learned from watching and know that I don't want to be overwhelmed in completing each month.

To those that are returning, I'm glad you chose to be here again and without many of you knowing...you have been an inspiration to me! To those of us that are new, I know it will be a great year and a wonderful journey!

~Lisa ;-)

Greetings Fellow Beaders

I'm so happy to be part of this monumental endeavor. My name is Z'anne, like Suzanne without the Sue. I live in the wonderful, wet and green foothills of Mt. Hood in Northern Oregon. I've been beading for 15 years now, (wow is it the long?) and missed out last year because I didn't hear about the BJP until after sign ups. Glad I paid attention this year.

I decided to start small for the pages of my journal this year. My father-in-law was the kind of man to save everything, and I mean everything. After his passing we had to clean out all the various outbuildings and shops he had on his property and I came across this bag of filters. They were used respirator mask filters. Some had been washed, some were unused and some had been used and not washed. I went through the bag, found 12 of the cleanest and unused ones, washed and dried them and now have a "page" each month, ready to go. They are all about 3.25" to 3.50" in diameter. I'm glad I didn't throw out that bag.

Z'anne

It's Great To Be Back!!

Wow 260 members, what a spectacular turn out!!! I'm happy to be returning for another year, last year was an awesome experience. I want to encourage all the newbies not to feel intimidated or shy, check out everyone's blog or website and leave comments or ask questions. Everyone loves to get comments and everyone loves to answer questions about their page. Last year we had several participants that actually posted tutorials on their creative process and what a learning experience that was for everyone. Have fun and enjoy, the journey.

Last year my pages were 4X6, this year I' thinking of trying 4X4, can't wait to see how the year unfolds.

SueU

Introduction

Hi all
My name is Cindy and I live in Suffolk Virginia. My blog-name is Loomgirl and I'm new to blogging! We'll see if this works!!
I love almost anything dealing with fibers and beads - and am so excited to be participating in the bead journal project. I'm planning to do a 4 by 6 inch format using tapestry weaving, bead weaving, quilting - and I have to do some bead embroidery. I'm not sure about the finishing of the project, I haven't decided about making a book or a quilt, I'm still pondering....

I've been warming up for the bjp the past few weeks by making beaded buttons - using the directions in the lovely Beaded Embellishment Book by Amy Clarke and Robin Atkins. I've just fallen in love with bead embroidery and if I don't have a button going at all times - I get cranky. I'm going to have to make some clothes now to go with all the buttons.

I'm so thrilled to be participating in this year's bjp - just doing my warm-up buttons has made me look at design and color and shape and see what works, and what doesn't. I'm starting to plan September's page and may not be able to wait until September to start it!

Bead with joy!

Hello from South Carolina

I started the BJP last year and learned a great deal. I learned that trying to bead a 7 by 7 inch page each month was over whelming. I learned to color outside of the lines. And I learned that the beads really do talk to you and show you what they want to do if you listen. I didn't finish the year, but I am far richer for the experience.

I have been beading for about 6 years, but I have worked with needle and thread all of my life. I'm looking forward to this year and meeting all the other participants. Can you believe that we have grown to needing 3 blogs just to hold all of us?! WOW I am going to be busy reading.

Be gentle with Your Self
Sue

Welcome

Welcome everyone to the 08/09 Bead Journal Project. I am Diane Moore, the moderator of the blogs (or blog angel however many who know me personally might question the angel part). If you have any questions or problems with the blog, feel free to email me and I'll try my best to help.

In the next few days I'll be adding a sidebar to the blog with a list of labels for your posts. Robin developed these so there would be some consistency within the blog especially for people who wanted to see a specific thing, say everyone's page for a certain month, or people who are asking for technical help.

I am a returning Bead Journal Project participant and am anxious to get started on the coming year. Last year I did heart shapes but I'm thinking of rectangles this year. If you are interested in seeing some of the work people did last year, there is a group on flickr with lots of great photos.

Again, welcome to the BJP - I'm certain you'll have an amazing year!

Time flies when one is having fun . . .

Greetings from the high desert country of southern New Mexico! Our state motto -- the Land of Enchantment -- really says it all when it comes to living in a place with constant creative inspiration.

Can't believe it is time for the next BJP already. Spent the entire summer beading up a storm on many other projects and now it is nearly time to solidify thoughts and plans for my 2008 BJP pages. Last year I used a 6 x 8 inch format which was ambitious and there were many months when I had wished I began with a smaller format. So, this year's efforts will go a teeny bit smaller -- 4 3/4 x 6 3/4 inches.

Welcome to all the new folks joining in the project. You will find we have become a family of sorts and this will be the best online group experience you can hope to have anywhere! Lots of encouragement and love gets spread around liberally.

Looking forward to this year and all the creativity and inspiration I am sure will be generated in abundance . . .


Kathy V in NM

http//:artfulmuse.blogspot.com/

Hello From New Hampshire

Hello there! I'm a newbie to beading, but not to blogging. I started quilting four years ago. Earlier this summer I started to take an interest in adding embellishments to my designs. I've been writing a quilt blog for over two years and this summer I started an At Home blog.

I have a two foot by three foot piece I made this summer of Shadowplay fabrics from Maywood Studio. My journal project will be exploring the interplay of colors between the fabric and the beads.

I live in Dover, NH with my DH of seven years. My children are grown and on their own. One son is married and lives in a nearby town. My other son lives in NY with his girlfriend. I worked with my DH in a family business until earlier this year when I went on medical leave. Now I'm at stay-at-home wife and loving every minute of it.

I'm excited to be a part of this project and can't wait to read about everyone's project.

Introduction

I'm a returning member from last year. I loved working on the project - and enjoyed the fact that it really made me think of what I wanted to do. I originally planned to do a certain thing each month, wrote down my basic idea, and then when the month came, I thought of something else, couldn't find my scribblings, or just plain out changed my mind.

I am from the metro Detroit area (Dearborn Heights), I've been beading for about 15 years now. I have had two pieces in Bead and Button's "Your Work" gallery and was published in "Flatwork" by Nicole Campanella (Page 46, in case you are looking at a copy of it). I also have several pieces in this years "Bead a Day" calendar.

Linda D and I are members of the same bead guild in the area - the Great Lakes Beadworkers Guild.

Looking forward to a very creative year - I want to really push myself this year.

Liz - the Bad Liz

Welcome Everyone!!!!!

Wow… there are about 260 of us starting this thing. The thought of us, scattered around the whole world, taking up our beads, fabrics, needles, ephemera, photos, buttons, etc. … and starting to stitch the month of September just thrills me to pieces!!!!

We are separated geographically, yet together in purpose and united here in our blog. May your individual beaded pathway and our collective journey be rich in friendship, growth, healing and fun.

A few details…

1. You may have a plan and/or a theme for the year… or not. It’s totally up to you. Personally, I like to take each month as it comes, without a preconceived plan or theme.

2. Just a reminder. You do not have to make a book or journal. The word journal for our purposes refers to the concept of visually showing what’s going on in your life or your thoughts/feelings at a given time. The word page refers to your piece, but it doesn’t have to be literally a page of a book/journal.

3. For the first three months (Sept-Dec), please do not post pictures of your BJP pieces on this blog. You are welcome to post them on your personal blog or website and then post a link to them here. Starting in January, you’re welcome to post your BJP pictures here.

4. Please do not post movies or sound clips on this blog. They take up too much digital space on a team blog that may have thousands of posts by the end of the year.

5. Remember to sign your posts (with a link to your blog/website if you have one) as I have below.

A Big Ol’ Snaffoo…

Blogger has recently changed the blogspot rules. They no longer allow unlimited authors on a blog. At this time they only allow 100 authors on a team blog such as ours. Ooooops… We have 260 members… what to do?????

Your coordinators gnashed our teeth and deliberated about this, considering various solutions. For now, we decided to have three blogs for this year. They are:

08BJP
morebjp08
andmorebjp08

You will be invited to be an author on only one of them. Please make a note (somewhere you can find it!) of your sign in information (email address and password) and which of the three you can post to.

Please visit, read and comment on all three blogs! Together the three of them will be our support and unifying system.

Some of you may have more experience with blogging than we do… if so, we welcome any suggestion you may have for a “better” solution (contact Diane).

Happy September BJP and beady blessings to you all...

Robin A. (your leader in this great adventure)