New chainmail items!

I have recently learned a new chainmail weave, and have been experimenting with it. The weave I learned is called Aura. It is really easy, and it looks awesome. I made a chain of segments and was very pleased with the results.

Then I discovered a downside to it. Unless you have a connector on all 3 sides, the outer double large rings like to flip inside out and hang. I don't know a better way of describing it, and I didn't take a picture of it. I looked online to see if there was a way of securing the bottom rings, and that's when I discovered the Inverted Aura.
Basically, the middle ring is doubled, and the outer ones are singles. It was perfect! Whilst not quite as easy to make as the aura, it holds its form, and looks amazing as a necklace.
So, I went about dismantling the Aura length I had made, and remade it with the Inverted Aura. I am going to attach some chain and a clasp to the ends and make it into a choker.

Here is a closeup:

I even made some earrings with this weave, and added some charms that I had on-hand. I'm tempted to add the stars to the necklace, too.
I loved the earrings so much, that I made them in several different colors!

Needle minders!

I have been seeing everyone using needle minders and talking about their new minders and showing their minder collection, etc. I haven't really used a needle minder, but I got the sudden urge to make some, though.
I went to the handy dandy internet, and I ordered some magnets and a few items that I can turn into needle minders. Let me tell you, waiting for everything to come in the mail was excruciating! I wanted to make them now!

Finally, things started coming in, but the magnets weren't in, yet, so I had to stare at the supplies that I did have, and just wait on the rest to arrive. The magnets, at long last, came in 2 days ago, and I was so stoked!

I gathered up all my supplies, removed bits here, glued bits there, and Ta-Da! Here are pictures of some of my new needle minders (many of which may end up in my Etsy store!)!

I love them! My favorites are the Tardis (even though it is small (hey, it's bigger on the inside, anyway)) and the companion cube. These were super fun to make, and I want to just make more! I learned quite a bit with this batch, and I'm excited to get more supplies to keep making them!
I did learn from this batch. I actually had over twice this many, but the glue peeled right off of the smooth surface of the vinyl. I'm going to keep experimenting with them to see if I can get it to work OK without the glue peeling off.  I'll post pictures if I can get it to work.
My question to everyone out there. Do you use needle minders? Do you like them? I'm curious as to how I did, too! I welcome all feedback!

Goodies are here! Yay!

I have been eagerly awaiting a parcel in the mail for a few months, now, and I am super happy to say that it has finally arrived today!

Back in May I was contacted by someone who had found me through this very blog (how cool is that?!)! They introduced themselves as someone who works for the company Riolis, and they asked if I had ever stitched any of their kits. I had heard of the company, but I had never gotten to stitch one of their kits.
I got to go through their catalog, and was offered one of their brand new kits that just came out. I have been waiting for it to be released so I can get mine, and it has finally arrived. I will get to be one of the first people ever to stitch this particular kit, and I can't wait to get started and share the stitchy journey with all of you!

Here are my pictures! This is the front of the kit, with the picture of what it will look like when finished.

Here is the back. I just love the neat, organized look of the thread. Plus, it feels softer that normal floss, too.

I plan on getting started on this kit very soon! (Must study and pass a certification test for work next month, first). This will be my focus piece and the only thing I work on until it is finished.

My question to my few readers out there... Have any of you ever stitched a Riolis kit before? What were your thoughts?

99 Bottles - Beer #3

I had a chance to drink and stitch another beer for my 99 bottles project. I wanted to choose one on the top row, just to make things easier.

This time I tried Rogue Dead Guy. I just love the name!

The menu had this beer described as balanced.

What I liked: It was very drinkable. It has a nice full flavor, but isn't so bitter that I cringe whenever I take a large swallow.

What I didn't like: Because of that full flavor, it didn't seem to go well with what I was eating for dinner, and seemed to overpower the food a bit.

Overall I really did enjoy this beer, and I wouldn't mind having it again some time!

Here are the pictures of the stitched version (I had to skip a beer. The one I skipped isn't easily found around here):