I've been having a delightful and very busy time these past few weeks. Mette, our former exchange student from 25 years ago, our Danish daughter, has been visiting and I've been taking her around Michigan and playing with her (later this week, Mette, Annie and I will go to Chicago for a few days before Mette flies back to her wonderful husband and children in Denmark - thank you, Morten, Mads. Sos, and Tess for lending Mette to me for two and a half weeks). Today, Mette, Catherine and I went to the butterfly exhibit at Meijer Garden in Grand Rapids. I took tons of photos, some of which turned out (those butterflies are fast little fliers and do not seem to have grasped the basics of staying still while modeling). Below are some of my favorite photos from today.
This past week-end, I finished the necklace I have been making for Mette (how else am I going to send her back with something made in America?). I made a bead bezel around a cameo I bought when I took Mette to South Haven. I knit a pouch (pink beads and a purple pouch were her request). I beaded a "cuff" around the top of the pouch, a fringe and a free form woven necklace. All this took quite a while. The necklace is below.
I finished some other projects this week-end and hope to get them posted soon; well, maybe not until I get back from Chicago. Having all this fun is very time consuming.
So beautiful- the necklace and the butterflies! Glad your friend made it back safely to Denmark with all the 'ash' out there! xo Lou
Posted by: loumcculloch | April 30, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Wow! How lucky is she? She'll be the talk of her town with that gorgeous piece, and all the wonderful memories she'll take with her!
Posted by: kari mcknight holbrook | April 22, 2010 at 09:03 AM
This pouch is fantastic!!! and your butterfly photos are amazing, Joanne -- you never cease to amaze me with your talent !
Posted by: martha brown | April 15, 2010 at 08:29 PM
The necklace is gorgeous! What a wonderful memento for Mette to take back. Thanks for sharing the butterfly photos - had to laugh at your remark that they weren't very good models.
Posted by: Karen Owen | April 15, 2010 at 01:36 PM
I love the necklace! What great pictures of the butterflies!
Posted by: carol sloan | April 14, 2010 at 07:03 PM
That's FANCY! She's sure to love it ;)
Posted by: erica | April 14, 2010 at 09:50 AM
What a gorgeous necklace you made for Mette. I'm sure she will treasure it!
Posted by: last minute lynn | April 14, 2010 at 08:56 AM
oh wow...that is so cool- and intricate! i bet she loved it!
Posted by: connie williams | April 13, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Gorgeous! Mette will be the envy of all Denmark when she wears this piece of art!
Posted by: Fran | April 13, 2010 at 11:02 PM
THAT is totally awesome. I know how long it takes me to do a wee bit of beading. This was seriously major labor intensive and it is such a special gift and divine treasure -- Mette will love it forever. I'm not sure which was more complicated -- the pouch or the necklace!
Adore the butterfly photos -- isn't that a wonderful spot? I think you did very well, particularly considering their flights of fancy -- on their modeling time!
Posted by: Jeanie | April 13, 2010 at 01:54 PM
Oh, I enjoyed the Meijer Gardens (sans the butterfly exhibit) when we visited GR. I love the photo of the black/white winged creature. As for the necklace you created, I have only one word ...... WOW !!!
Posted by: jan | April 13, 2010 at 01:31 PM
I do cherish the beautiful necklace, I've seen how much work and love Jo put into it. It touches my heart - as she do all the time. Jo - you mean so much for me. Thank for this wonderful vacation with you and Annie.
Posted by: Mette | April 13, 2010 at 09:14 AM
sounds like a wonderful time
Posted by: Barb | April 13, 2010 at 05:31 AM
Glad that you and Mette are continuing to have such a grand time. Be sure to get to the KIA exhibit as the grand prize winner looks like an altered/recyled dress sculpture thing. The necklace is wonderful!
Posted by: lorrie grainger abdo | April 12, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Joanne, the butterfly pics are so pretty and colorful just like the beaded piece you made for Mette. Just fabulous!
Posted by: Lorri Scott | April 12, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Wow your photos are so impressive. The necklace is so gorgeous and what a great design! I love that you did this for her. She
must be very special to you.
Posted by: Kris | April 12, 2010 at 11:26 PM
The pictures of the butterflies are outstanding, but there are no words to describe the necklace you made for Mette. It is out-of-this world gorgeous.
Posted by: Judy Streger | April 12, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Beautiful, Joanne! I know how much work and time this took. I know Mette will cherish it.
Posted by: Sue Trump | April 12, 2010 at 10:55 PM