Thursday June 24th 2010

Good golly gosh it has been a long time hasn't it? Why it seems only yesterday I was grinding my teeth with torment and vengeance whilst attempting to complete the now 'infamous' 5 strand bracelet. But firstly allow me to apologise sincerely to you dearest diary and loyal companion for my recent neglect, but there have been many of what I'd consider to be justified reasons for this i.e. stupendously sunny weather, barbeques but perhaps more significantly the World Cup. Yep, I'm a self-confessed football fiend and as it stands right now, the only games I've missed are the ones that have been on at the exact same time, but thanks to the genius of the red button I can flick between the channels. I said this before the tournament and I'll say it now if I had any money I'd put it on Argentina; remember kids you read it here first.

Anyway I'll move on but before I do can I express my admiration for the World Cup Coca-Cola song (Wavin' Flag - Knaan). It's amazing, initially I got the tune in my head because of the ad, so I looked it up, downloaded it and it's been on my player ever since. It's so catchy and summery 'when I get older I will be stronger, they'll call me freedom just like a waving flag'...Ahhh, amazing.

Despite the fact that I have slacked off a bit from putting finger to keyboard and recording the gradual progress of my beloved recreational activity I have not vacated it. In fact if you care to visit my Flickr page you will find two new pictures waiting to be stared at. The first being THAT bracelet, initially I said that I was going to keep it as it was so I could laugh at it, feel myself turn red each time I caught a mere glimpse of it to the point where I'd want to dig a hole and bury it. But rather than put myself through that humiliation voluntarily I chose to take it all apart and start again. I pretty much kept up with the initial design but replaced some of the smaller more overlooked beads with some larger and brighter ones for a better effect, which seemingly worked. The finished piece looked a whole lot better and as for the fastenings then in a bid not to destroy my newly beaded strands I paid meticulous attention to detail, ensuring each individual wire was carefully wrapped around the jump ring and secured with a crimp bead. This time I ensured all the loops were the same or at least very similar in size and I think you can really notice the difference when you compare the 'before and after' pictures. I appreciate that it might not appear to be 'perfect' in the eyes of the pros but that's why I'm not one - yet at least. Not only was I pretty damn pleased with the outcome I was also greatly surprised at how well the whole procedure had gone - well compared with my previous effort.

The other piece is very simple indeed, my mum called me asking if I could possibly make her a necklace that consisted of purple and black because at the Bradford University where she's some kind of manger they've been given a purple & black uniform so she was seeking jewellery to match; the theme was CHUNKY. Flattered that my services were being sought to Pink and Dizzy I scurried and got a bunch of satin diamond and an aluminum pendant then got to work. The picture is the final outcome, I showed it to my mum she was most impressed by it but I'll be giving it to her in July when I pay a flying (well National Express) visit to northern dwellings.

Last night I actually had a dream that Matty had his name changed officially to 'Apple Green Beads' I don't quite know what to make of that, too much beading on the brain you reckon?