Latest bracelets and a splash of colour

 I have finally got round to making the wrap bracelet using Tila beads ( in a colourway called Blue Iris), based on a design I saw on Jewellery Maker, and tutorials I saw on the internet.  It was the first time I have done 'proper' bead weaving and once I got into the rhythm of the thread pattern, it was enjoyable.

 The fastening is a button and this one had been lurking in the button box just waiting for this project!

 I have also made another memory wire and seed bead bracelet which was an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so.  I added the little charms for a bit of extra movement.

I like the way it looks like three individual bracelets.  Both bracelets have been admired by my work colleagues.  My next projects are some more 6mm gemstone and silver spacer bracelets.

Chris was recently helping a work colleague to clear out a house following a death in the family and there was a mass of sewing equipment. I loved the vibrant colours of these vintage sewing threads - most were on wooden spools. I would have kept them as a colour display, as the threads themselves broke easily, so were not  really usable,  but I just don't have the space.  They have gone to a charity shop that specialises in vintage items.  I hope they are enjoyed in their new home - wouldn't they look lovely on a shelf display?

This week...singing, tulips and bracelets

This week, I have been taking part in a vocal workshop at a local village hall, which was great fun and from which I learnt a lot about the technical side of singing and performing. The workshop was run by Tsavocal and involved singing three songs from Les Miserables - 'Do you hear the people sing?', 'I dreamed a dream' and 'Bring him home' (none of which are that easy to sing).  It helped that I knew the songs, but it was all done by ear and was a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.  I used to sing a lot; I was in a church choir for fourteen years and also joined a Gilbert and Sullivan Society for a few years, but hadn't done any 'proper' singing for ages, so it was lovely to be able to sing again (without worrying that I was annoying the neighbours!)
In other news, this week I have still been enjoying my tulips as the new Ballerina tulips I planted last autumn are flowering now.

 They are so pretty...

 ...even after the rain and hail we've had this week.

 This rogue fringed tulip which I didn't plant, which came up for a few years, then disappeared and then came up again has flowered this year too and is a welcome addition to the spring garden.

Tulip Ronaldo and Princess Irene are still flowering away and I am wondering whether next year I should plant each variety separately as well as some together...now there's a thought.

I have also found a bracelet pattern which  I am going to try to make - a wrapped bracelet using Tila beads which are flat squares.

Photo from Jewellery Maker

These wrapped bracelets were made by Jo Barclay-Loggie and were featured on Jewellery Maker this week, which is what fired my interest.  Watch this space.