Name that Flower!

These were such pretty flowers that I had to take a picture.  But what is the name of this beauty? 

Aren't they nice with the other blue whats-its?  They are at least 3 feet high, with plummy-mauve petals and creamy white petticoats.  Yes, I am just making up the flower terminology here. 

Can you also see the purple spikey things?  Like most of my photos, these will enlarge if you click on it.  I was very impressed with these flowers, and when I get a garden again maybe I will plant some (if I can figure out what they're called).

Purple and Lilac Stretch Bracelet

I used this really pretty crystal and brass connector to make a two strand stretch bracelet.

One row has pearly pale lavender beads.  The other row has translucent glass beads in two kinds of purple, a blue based purple and a red based purple. 

Large Green Pearls with Golden Accents

These crystal pearls are described as "evergreen" and they are indeed the color of pine trees.  I added some gold plated pewter beads and caps to the necklace.

If you look closely, you will see I've used Miyuki Delicas in translucent amethyst with an AB coating.  I think the sheer purple sets off the opaque luster of the green pearls nicely.

Violet in Chains

Violet matte pinched ovals, violet charms, violet chain.  Violet much?  I added almond colored pearls to the mix.  I think this has an updated Victorian look to it.  Pretty much all the components are from the Cousin Corp. , a brand sold in local craft stores.  They've recently come out with some new charms and pendants, which have piqued my curiosity.  I've found the widest selection of this brand at my local A. C. Moore store.

This necklace took a couple of tries.  I originally thought I would put the charms and pendant directly on the chain, but it didn't sit right.  Then I changed my tactics, and made the main necklace with the charms and pendant as the center focal, and strung the matte pinched ovals with pearls on either side.  I then attached two strands of their violet chain to the clasp area.  That seemed to work out much better.

A Bouquet of Iris

Our iris garden is in full swing.  It is brief, yet beautiful, like so many things.  Quite a few of our irises fell over due to their weight, so Allen made this bouquet.  He is my resident flower arranger.  The photo, like others on my blog, will enlarge if you click on it.

Brown Purple Hair Fascinator with Flower and Feathers

A fascinator is somewhere between a barrette and a hat.  At least, that's how I describe it.  They have become more popular lately.  I have made a few and plan to make more.  I need to use some different vendors, which has been a research task.

This piece is mostly in neutrals, but it needed a bit of a "punch", so I added a blue/purple feather to the other brown tones.

Working on the fascinators brings back pleasant memories of my great aunt Leila, who owned a millinery store in Santa Cruz, California.  She might be pleased to know the netting is back in style now also!  I remember playing in her store and looking at all those colorful hats!

Violet and Black Beaded Crochet Bracelet

This bracelet has violet purple and black beads on two types of crocheted stringing material.  I used a violet pearl cotton and also black beading wire for the crochet.  I believe the bead crochet is fairly new to popular beading.  I have many afghans, scarves, caps, and slippers in my past and was interested to see its surge in popularity.  I believe these fashions stay out of style long enough for me to lose things, for instance my old crochet hooks and my yarn stash.  No doubt I will find them once they are no longer a la mode.  I had to buy new crochet hooks for this. 

Red and Purple 2 Strand Bracelet

Red pearls with red swarovski crystals on purple beading wire, and purple fluorite beads with purple swarovski crystals on a red beading wire.  The colors together are beautiful, and you don't need to wear your "red hat" to love this bracelet!  It is about 8 inches long and closes with a silver magnetic clasp.

Pasqua

This is a super long necklace with no clasp, which can be worn as one long strand or doubled up for a two strand look.  Purple beading wire is adorned with large lime green bicone beads, which are nestled between orange cream rondelles. This is a fun look for Easter or any other time you’d like someone to ask “what are you wearing?”

Amethyst Wedges

This is a necklace full of purple and tiny sparkles.  Wedges of chevron amethyst are strung with small shiny light purple glass beads.  It is finished with a large pewter toggle clasp in the shape of a flower.

The color made me think of violets, so I had to put the flower shaped clasp in it.