BJP 2012 - January BE Kind

In an attempt to slightly challenge myself during this year's BJP, I decided to play around with embroidery.  I say slightly, because (honestly) I've got so many stupid personal challenges pressing me down these days, I'm looking for the BJP to once again transport me to my happy place while I stitch away the hours and escape the turmoil in my heart.

 Pretty bad huh?  I did go to the library and got two great embroidery books, so here's hoping February is a little more polished.  And if not, well......there's always March.....or April......or, well here's hoping by December the embroidery doesn't look like a 5 year old did it!

 Using (of course) Nicole's super-duper-how-did-I-ever-bead-without-it Bead Backing, I drew a flower.

Since January's birthstone is Garnet, I choose a color story of the same (thanks for that stellar idea Tracey!)

And then placed my 'character of the month' in the center of the flower and surrounded it with peyote.

And my first BJP 2012 was born:

 I selected this tea pot fabric for the back, as a nod to my sister Laurel, who's birthday is this month.  Not only is she mega-KIND, she's also a tea drinker.

The flower looks so cute on my vintage sled outside my door. 

Too bad I can't trust the weather to continue being......KIND (ha ha ha ha), so I can leave it out there.   It is January after all and this crazy winter of sun and 45 degree weather can't last much longer, can it??

~ Bead Happy and Often ~