A Whale of a Navajo Weekend

Hey Everyone, thanks for visiting this week.  Over here at the nest we, my kids and I have unilaterally decided that the cat must have gotten rid of the needle without us catching it!  Because it has been almost 3 weeks and no sign of it, but she is back to her chasing and attacking, bitchy self.  Now don't get mad at me for calling her that!  She is a bitch!  She is mean and attacks at will (poor Will!).  We all call her that almost as a term of endearment.  LOL.  

So now, over at Every Inchie Monday the theme is Whale.  I got the idea for my inchie from an insurance commercial that shows a huge whale jumping out of the water.  This is what I came up with after translating that into an inch.

I used 4 colors of Delicas and decided against adding an eye on the whale.  I am not sure that was a good idea or not but I went with it.  

This week is also the week for 2x2x2 and I have been waiting for this one.  The theme is Navajo.  My family is part Native American, I don't know the tribe but I think it has watered down by time it got to me, cuz I don't look like it but my Mom and sister both look Native American.  Or maybe the only part I got was the love of beading.  After all the stitch I always use for my pieces is peyote stitch.  Which is widely used in the NA community for beadwork and jewelry.  

I decided to take my cue from a Navajo rug.  I really loved the look of the design that had 5 Yei Females holding Sacred Eagle feathers.  I just really like the geometrics in the rug and that it translated so well to the beads.  I may save this as an idea for a bigger piece later on.  But for now, check this out.  This is just 2 of the Yei's 

This one has 6 colors of Delicas, 2 of which are matte.  I love the depth that the matte beads give the piece.  I am not sure why I don't use matte beads more.  I may have to look into that with some matte beading projects LOL.  (not like I need an excuse to bead!)

Lastly, if you have been following me you know that I was working on an amulet bag that was supposed to be done by July 1st.  Well that did not happen!  But I am still slowly but surely working on it.  I have both panels done and attached, which I am not ready to show.  Not yet anyways.  But I did want to show you what I am doing for the necklace.  I decided to do it in a herringbone stitch and after a few trial pieces, that did not do what I wanted, I decided on this.  

These are the colors and the pattern I will be using.  I can not wait to get the necklace done so I can work on the fringe, then I can reveal the whole thing!  

Hey guys, just want to say thanks for stopping by and leaving me a message.  I really enjoy the comments and don't forget to fly on over to EIM and 2x2x2 to check out the great work there.