Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Dreaming

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
I read my friend Janet's blog (http://www.janetbrandt.com) about her adventures in England attending the very first Bath Textile Summer School.  I think it is held at the Holburne Museum.  Whoa, would you look at the building?

 It sounded like so much fun.  She took a class from Jenny Adin-Christie (my hero!).  She saw caskets - in person!  I told Janet that if she went back next year, I wanted to go with her.  But Jenny's class for next summer was full so forget that.  Then Janet said, let's go in 2016.  I could plan for that.  It would be a trip of a lifetime.  Janet knows the ropes now that she's already been there.  I would never be brave enough to go by myself.  Jenny has added another class for next year's school. There are several more teachers and classes too.   But now Janet and I have a plan.  Jenny's class in 2016.  I've always thought it would the ultimate stitching experience to take a class with the Royal School of Needlework.  But I'm afraid I wouldn't fit in.  I stitch in hand.  I'm a rebel and change stuff.  I don't baste unless forced to.  Having made several of Jenny's kits, I know I could handle a class with her.  I also know she has great directions.  It is my dream trip.

I finished stitching the little pin cushion.

I have to go through my stash and see if I have something that will do for the backing.  In my mind, I would like a piece of velvet that is the color of the bowl the bird is perched on.  Maybe I have a piece of wool that color.  We'll see.  Maybe I can find something at Stitchville.  Sounds like a plan.
A

Monday, September 29, 2014

Monday Again

The weekend went by in a blink of an eye.  This week is also going to go very fast since we have a trip.
But as is usual for a Monday, bathrooms are now clean and I can go on to other things.
I finished stitching the top of the Jubilee Pin Cushion.  I really like it.  The middle band is about half done and I can start on the back.

I got distracted - again.  While perusing the internet I came across a photo on the Blue Ribbon Girl's site.  She showed a bowl full of smalls and I spied a project that I had started and was somewhere in the mess around my happy chair.  So I went looking and found the various parts of this chart.

 At first I was confused.  The pin cushion looked so sweet and small in the photo, maybe it was done over one.  Nope.  It was over two.  I loved how it looked and decided to put some stitches in it.  I couldn't find the right floss, which is probably why I quit working on it in the first place.  I remember looking at various needle shops for "Palomino".  So I just grabbed some floss that I thought would do.  This is sweet, I think I could finish this.  It will be fun to look for some small buttons to finish this off.
Happy Monday!
A

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Bits and Bobs

I've gotten little bits done here and there.  I put the twisted cord and hedebo on the little thread winder holder from Jackie.

Now it is really done.

Then I worked away (mindlessly) on the Jubilee Pin Cushion.  I think I can finish the front today and move on the the back and side.  For some reason I really like the all over pattern of roses.  I like when cross stitch mimics fabric.

Then I put a few stitches in the pomegranate.  I made a mistake stitching this.  I forgot the directions about changing colors so I had a small fix to make:  taking out a line that was the wrong color in the wrong place.

Then I put in a few stitches in the latest Shepherd's Fold pin cushion.  I think this would be a good project to take with me on my trip this week.

I have been humbled.  I went looking for something and was reminded of the bags of stuff I bought this year and last year.  It was like "Oh, this is the bag of stuff I bought at The Attic".  This is the Spring Fling trip bag.  This is the bag from the first trip to Salty Yarns."  One bag was so full of stuff it tore.  I honestly don't need another thing to stitch.  Ever.  I guess I needed to be reminded of the stuff I have to stitch before I go shopping at Stitchville on Thursday.
A

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Frozen

Frozen is a very popular movie for kids.  I haven't seen it but I sort of know it is about sisters.  JoAnn's advertised Frozen fabric on sale.  So I thought I would see about making a bag for Claire using Frozen fabric.  I got a yard and figured I surely could make a good size bag out of a yard and have enough for lining.
I didn't have a pattern.  So I was flying by the seat of my pants here.  I have some stuff to use as interfacing inside the bag.  It is called Soft and Stable.  I didn't know how to use it.  I have a bag for me all cut out and I just didn't know how to proceed.  So the internet came to my rescue.  I googled it and low and behold a photo helped me see how to work with it.
Ta-Dah!

It turned out pretty well (but don't look too closely!)  I wasn't sure where to put the seam.  I wanted it to be at the edge of the side and not be noticeable.

 It didn't quite work out that way but it is fine for what I need.  I filled the bag with books and toys and a Frozen shirt.

 The Soft and Stable worked like a charm and gave the bag enough oomph to make it stand up on its own.  It is a bit big for a small child but it holds all the stuff that I wanted it to.  I hope she likes it.

I've been walking at the park.  I've gotten stuff at the Farmer's Market.  I've paid the bills.  Is it time to stitch yet?  You betcha.
A

Friday, September 26, 2014

A Small Finish

I finished up the small project to prepare me for Fair Maiden's Work Bag.  Do I dare start such a large project?  I'm still thinking about that.  But this little thread winder holder is sweet.


I still have to put some twisted cording and a hedebo on it.  I'm also still figuring how this works.  I think the twisted thread goes down inside under the scrim and up through a hedebo on the back so that you can pull the twisted cording popping out the scrim.  I'll have to check my photos and see.

I'm getting excited about my trip next week.  It's not a stitching trip as Son#1 is getting married but I do get to go shopping at Stitchville.  I'm making my list and thinking of what things I've made to take and show to my BFF.  She absolutely has to see my Casket Keepsakes Butterfly.  I want to make this again but as a pin.
I want to get together a little goodie bag for Claire.  It will be so fun to see everybody and especially Claire.

I finished the border on the front of the Jubilee Pin Cushion.  I started the band that goes around the edge of this mattress style pin cushion.  I also started the backstitching for the back.

 But now I see a slub in the linen.

 I think I'll start the back again in a different place on the linen to avoid that slub.
I hope your day is a lovely as mine.
A

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Something Small

I went through my Salty Yarns bag looking for something to work on.  I really want to work on Fair Maiden's Work Bag but I am a little bit afraid of such a big project.  I thought maybe I could make the little drawer.  Then I came across the little kit Jackie gave us to try out the gold thread and flowers used in Fair Maiden.  It's a small project to hold a scrim thread winder.  I could do that.  So I did.


 I just have some more of the border to do and I can put this together.  I feel a bit more competent on the flowers.  I'm not great on the reverse chain stitch border but I'm getting better.
I put a few stitches in on the back of the pomegranate Autumn Casket Keepsakes.

I also worked just a bit on the Jubilee Pin Cushion.  Progress is slow on this one.

I'd kind of like to start Sew Beautiful, the Attic/Jackie kit.  I saw Dana working on it and want to do it too.  I'm a copycat.
A

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

House is Done

Lindy Mouse's House is all done!

I am very happy with it.  The roof sections bow out just a bit.




 I would have thought that the lower section would be a pin cushion but it isn't.  The roof sections on the inside hold needles and Lindy Mouse is in there.


Cute!

I started the latest project from Shepherd's Fold, the pin cushion.  It was just too much trouble to change it so I'm doing it as charted.  Well, I am going to change the writing but just slightly.  And I did change the linen.

I send in my last payment for Williamsburg today.  I'm really excited to go to this retreat as I've never been before.  The place they are holding it, King's Mill, looks very nice.

I threw out all my make-up.  It was donkeys years old.  I bought some new basic make-up and it is supposed to come today.  It is always fun to wait and listen for the UPS man.  I will have no excuse for not wearing any make-up now.
A

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Consrtuction Zone

I am constructing Lindy Mouse's House.  I had to go shopping yesterday for the interfacing (hence, no post).  I didn't know how stiff the recommended interfacing, Pellon Craft-Fuze, was.  So I didn't know if I could substitute.  I bought some and then decided to use a slightly stiffer interfacing that I already had.  Six squares of cardboard are taped together to make a box and it fits inside the bottom of the house.

I put stuffing in the box, although you don't have to.  The sewing together of the roof sections is going well (that means it doesn't look too messy!)  I just have to sew one more roof section together and onto the house.



Then I need to whip stitch the bottom section closed.  And voila!  Done.  I think this is really cute.  I put two eggs in the nest instead of one.

I still can't decide on what to do next.  I put a few stitches in the Butterfly Pin.

 I also put a few stitches in the Jubilee Pin Cushion that goes with Mistress L's Band Sampler.

I finished knitting the coin purse although I have an errant stitch I'm not sure how to deal with.  I think I'll just try to fix it on the back, tying it up so it doesn't unravel.

I'm ready to felt it.  I've never felted before so this is an experiment.  We'll see how it turns out.
Have a happy Tuesday.
A

Sunday, September 21, 2014

A Finish

I finished up the Sea Serpent!

I put in all the backstitching and added buttons and a charm from stash.


I like how the whipped backstitch looks.

I think he would look good as the front of a tote or zippered bag of some sort.  I have to think about this.

Then I really wanted to finish Lindy Mouse's House.  I am almost done.


 I have the little mouse and date to do and maybe my initials.  Oh, yeah, I have beads and charms to put on but I'm waiting until the end to do that.  I'm so close to being done.  I was watching "The Roosevelts" as I stitched this and now that's what I think of when I see it.

Finishing two projects presents the tantalizing idea of starting something new.  Or even a couple of new things.  I've got several things in mind.  I'd like to work on Jenny Adin-Christie's Butterfly pin.  I want to get going on the Autumn Casket Keepsakes.  I'd love to start Fair Maiden's Work Bag and/or the Attic's Jackie kit.  My goal this year was Mistress L's Band Sampler so I should work on that too. Decisions!?!  There are a hundred other possibilities too.  It's a lovely dilemma.
A

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Little Bits

I made good progress yesterday on my stitching.  I got the tail done on the Sea Serpent.  Now all that is left is little bits here and there and a few buttons and backstitching.

I am almost done with the spring/front door side of Lindy Mouse's House.  I think I can finish it today.  Again, there are bits here and there and backstitching left to do.


The bottom side looks like it will be easy to do.  Then I can start putting it together.

I've been to the farmer's market and Walmart.  I am ready for my second cup of coffee and then playtime.
It is a lovely day today.
A

Friday, September 19, 2014

Pitiful

A pitiful amount of stitching got done yesterday.  I spend too much time on the Internet.  That's part of the problem.  Life gets in the way too.  I am now up to working the tail of the Sea Serpent.

I started the front door/spring side of Lindy Mouse's House.  Not much to show for it yet.

I did get my Autumn Casket Keepsakes in the mail yesterday.

Cool.  I printed out the lessons. (30 pages!)
I put the first piece in the hoop.  I got one measly line chain stitch but at least I am started.

I have been knitting.  I'm not a very good knitter.  I can make dish cloths.  I knitted a pretty fancy sweater for Son#1 when he was three.  I saw Paula buying two little purse kits at Salty Yarns which made me want to buy one too.  So I did.  It looked simple and basic.  That is my style of knitting.  I'm stitching the flaps now and then I need to felt it.

 But I have a mess.

I'm hoping I can untangle enough to finish the flaps.
It's Friday again already.  Stop the world, time is going too fast.
A