Warning! Watch Your Pictures

Warning watch where blogger is storing your pictures. Today someone visited my blog and got this warning on their computer. This lead me on a quest to find out what the problem was. The answer was found in the blogger forums. 4.bp.blogspot.com is a site blogger uses to store the photos you upload to your blog. Apparently there is malware at this storage site. This is only a problem for PCs running Microsoft Windows.

How do you fix this problem you ask?
Check the html on your photos when you upload them to blogger.
Look for this URL in your picture code.
These are safe storage sites for blogger pictures.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com
http://2.bp.blogspot.com
http://3.bp.blogspot.com

If you find your picture has been uploaded to 4.bp.blogspot.com Remove the picture and upload it again. Check the code again and make sure it has gone to one of the safer sites. This should take care of the problem.
Watch your photos and be safe. It is an ugly place out there on the internet with malware, spyware and viruses.

For Amiee

The pattern is by Jenny Van and it was on the cover of Beadwork 2010 magazine. I made this for my daughter Amiee. I am one lucky Mom to be bless with 3 wonderful children. it seems funny to call them children when they are grown adults. I thought Amiee needed something special because she is special. She is a great mother, wife and caretaker of a their cat and new puppy.
I think this necklace will look quite lovely on her.

BTW

It's BTW and this is on bead table today. I designed Mardi Gras Jewels around a crocheted rope in 2003. It's hard believe I made this piece 8 years ago. I took this picture to late in the day. It was hard to capture the purple iris of the beads. Taking the picture on my bead table wasn't a bright idea! I needed more light.

The crochet rope is a variation of theElizabethan Rope by Judith Giffin The pattern for Mardi Gras Jewels can be found here

Thanks for stopping by for Bead Table Wednesday.

Dragonscales and Dragon Bangles

I made my first Dragon Bangle by Nancy Jones featured in Beadwork magazine Feb/March 2011. I shared a sneak peek on BTW. The pattern was done with the brick stitch. I loved the look of the bangle but wasn't happy with how stiff it was. I immediately contacted Judith and asked for her help to make another one using bead crochet. I really had to pay attention while stringing the daggers and seedbeads. All the magatamas had to be facing the same direction. I tried several times before the right combination produced the results I was looking for. I knew I would be using a focal bead to join the bracelet. I had a large hole Tiger Eye bead. It reminded me of the eye of a dragon. Try as I might I have a hard time doing an invisible join with bead crochet. I understand the concept but getting it to work is something my brain can't compute. I love the supple feel bead crochet produces. It rolls over the wrist with ease.

At the Artbead Scene you can learn how to make a quick and easy photo collage using Picnik

If you would like to try your hand at bead crochet I highly recommend you visit Judith's site "beadline.com" where you can purchase her books and CD's.

BTW

It's Bead Table Wednesday and look at these beauties sitting on my bead table. As you know the Gem shows are finishing up in Tucson. One year I went and it is forever branded in my memory. The Holidome with all those gemstones being picked up and put back down sounding like a thousand coins spilling through your hands. The Best Bead Show with the best bead vendors and To Bead True Blue filled with bead artist and supplies.

My friend Judith from Beadline studios lives close enough to go every year. She sent me a get well package with all those lovely beads. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the words of encouragement and well wishes that came my way this past week. The package Judith sent in the mail made me feel extra special.
Thanks!!

BTW

On my bead table lies Dragonscales. I love the texture the long drop beads give this design. The pattern is by Nancy Jones. You will find it in the latest issue Beadwork magazine.