What I did during my Recovery..no idle hands here!

Hello, Everyone! I know, I know, I've been remiss from posting, but I'm getting back on my feet, almost ready for getting back to work next week. My knee looks like it had a huge staple removed out of it, but is healing! The doctor is pleased with my recovery and I started physical therapy today. I'll be gimping back two more days this week and will then follow up after work next week. Thanks to everyone for the wonderful comments and thoughts. It is much appreciated!

So, what does one do when stuck in bed with a knee connected to a Polar Care Knee Brace? Well, inking is not in the cards. Also, being on the computer is also not practical when the knee has to be up and your computer is on a desk. Thus, we head back to what can be done in bed between naps...beading and crocheting, both yarn and crochet. So, needless to say, I'm on a bead kick again.

My mom was always a knitter and I was able to do some basics...then she learned this crochet stitch and has been making blankets like a madwoman. So, like mother, like daughter. This is my second go; the first one I made was for my friend Danielle's absolutely adorable son, Kieran. My mom picked this Country Basket colored yarn up for me and I've been working on this blanket from time to time. it's fun to do when I don't need much to think about.

I also got in some new bead mixes and finished up one of my bead crochet ropes. I'll then be ready to put something on it for a necklace down the line. Can you see a blue theme here? Many have asked me about the bead crochet. It's actually pretty simple once you get the hang of it. It just becomes whether you want to do a more intricate pattern, which involves stringing them on one at a time in a certain order, or just going for the bead soup. For a wonderful reference and coolio bead mixes, check out the BeadWrangler!

I also finally got to work on some of my Swarovski stash. I worked with my C-Lon cord that is in a bazillion colors and works great for macrame and some top drill Bicone Crystal AB Swarovskis that have been burning a hole in my crystal horde. A super reference for some jewelry macrame is from Sherri Haab, Beaded Macrame Jewelry. This resulted in an anklet for me, one for my mom (Happy Mother's Day), a bracelet for my niece as part of her First Communion present...now with requests for more!

Rivolis are the latest rage and before my surgery I picked up this wonderful book from Laura McCabe. The instructions are clear, the graphics understandable and most of all, blingy! The first one I made was using various matte and shiny black seed beads, Jet Black 3mm Swarovski bicone crystals and a Crystal AB Rivoli. The Montana (denim-y blue) one is still a work in process. I'm working on the necklace still, but am so psyched as to how the hanging dangly rivolis turned out! I also totally agree with Laura's recommendation to use Fireline wire for beading. because the crystals can sometimes end up cutting event the toughest beading threads, this stuff will really hold up!

So, between naps, doctor's visits and icing, icing, icing of my knee, I've been keeping my hands busy while my knee is healing. Since my knee is really showing good signs of recovering, my keeping my a*$ in bed was with a very positive result!

Once I get back, it will be non-stop-Ranger U and Summer CHA! No rest for the weary, my friends!

Inky Hugs, Robin