Lost In a Sea of Beads

Sigh!  Didnt think it would happen to me, not so soon and not when I had so much determination.  While everyone else is, at the very least, working on March, I am still stuck in January (hmmm, I could almost say that is not a figurative statement).  Reasons?  Excuses?  Lots of those......my health took a huge downturn soon after I started, I kept running out of beads and we live hundreds of miles from any bead shop, and we received life changing news which involved big chunks of time being used up. But even then I've had periods of health where I've worked on January's piece, and times when it absolutely overwhelmed me!   Also, and most important, I think I bit off more than I can chew.  I was just giddy with the idea of filling a 4" x 6" (which somehow stretched to 4.5" x 6.5") cloth with beautiful shiny beads, not realizing the *time* it takes to do so.  So, here I am, head bowed low, filled with embarrasement and humility hoping I can somehow "catch up" and truly belong among the great bead journalists who make up the BJP.  Even if I never make all 12 pieces by the end of the year, I will (shakes fists in the air) complete this task!!!

There is a question here......as you can see by the picture below I totally messed up on the tree.  I apologize for the quality of the image, but I was tired when I took the picture and when I touched it up.

I believe most of the BJP participants are bead artists; I mostly bead (off-loom) jewelry as a hobby and always wanted to try bead embroidery.  I am by no means an artist!  I beaded the tree during a very painful (physically) period in my life, and indeed, the tree does look like its in pain, lol.  I would like to re-do the tree, it looks hideous to me. My husband says that since this is a "journal" and not "art" it reflects a true part of my life at the time and that I should leave it.  I am asking for some help here, which is it, art or journal?  I can finish the purple background in a few more days and be done with the piece, or I can take apart the tree (which was very time consuming) and fix it.  In any case I am ready to get on to my next month's project (skipping a few months and with enough beads in hand).

This is for you Robin,  a close up of the geode.  That light band going thru it is natural, not a reflection.

I thought if I encased the geode with a lacy look it might look more like a rock "dusted" with snow.  I think from a distance it sort of works.

Thanks for visiting after such a long absence.  I hope to add more to my bead journal(s) and blog more often now as I am feeling quite perky!