Finally...Milan. Surprise!

I put my feet into my house less than 20 minutes ago, was looking so hard to find something special...a package I've been waiting for...for 3 months!
I feel so bad about my Spring Pantone Swap Partner Lori, but first the Post screwed up and was so late (more than 1month!), then I had to leave for Rome for my BFF's wedding and from there I went to my hometown.
I had planned to be there only 2 weeks, but then it became 2 month and a half...and didn't want to make the pack go postal again, I was afraid it would be lost this time.
So I just waited. Until today.

Well I'm already sleep deprived, but I was overwhelmed by Lori's generosity and creativity...

I still can't believe my eyes!
There are beads from all over the world, of any kind, and I'm particularly excited about a couple of things that I'm never able to find here (like sari ribbons and paper beads).

There is also a beautiful magnet which is already on my board, a super nice card, well I was so lucky!

I will play with many of these beauties really soon...now I'm just going to thank Lori properly and have some sleep after a 12 hours night ride on the train.
And..get ready for next Pantone swap! Autumn is near!

Bellflower

One of the Pantone spring-summer 2012 colors is a bold Lilac called Bellflower.

via Pinterest

Seems pretty neglected from what I've seen in shops, while Tangerine Tango and Margarita are going to be the big hits of this summer.
I was just looking at a huge bag of beads in this wonderful tone on Ilenia's blog. Have a look and drool!
Yes, because Ilenia (a fellow beader from Etsy Beadweavers team) is one of the participants of the Pantone 2012 swap, and she was lucky to receive her partner's gift in no time...
Maybe sharing brings good luck, 'cause after reading her post I looked at my shop and saw...1 more sale!!!
This puppies are going to leave me tomorrow

and they happen to be in the same Bellflower color I was watching.
Hope they will bring some colorful joy to my customer's summer!

This is what happens...

...when you work too much and have little fun.
It took me a whole month to figure out how to combine the 2 things: my first crochet-rope and my beaded dolls, patiently waiting for me in my bead box.
This is the result:



I'm always inspired by Dia de los muertos, and I like the chunky, kitsch result!



Now I have to figure out what to do with the remaining skull beads (and the ones from last year too).