R.I.P - Mitzy

We had to have our 16 year old
cat Mitzy put to sleep

on Saturday.

The house is quiet with only Cosmo left.

Pedal to the metal

Yep, the past couple of days I've been sewing like a mad fiend and have one jacket finished and another one almost three quarters done.  Since you've all seen my jackets before (ad nauseum, I'm sure), I won't bore you with another picture.

Because I've been staring at the front side of my sewing machine so much the past few days when I stumbled on a post from Studio Kat about pimped up sewing machines I just had to check it out.  Go HERE to have a look.  I'm almost tempted!

Switching gears

Here's the latest bit I've done on my white project...

A friend gave me the mother of pearl (?) belt buckle and it worked perfectly to help ruche an old hankie.  Obviously this piece isn't done because it hasn't been stretched.






This morning I did the grand change in my studio and switched over to working with denim again.  It's not that I want to put my white work aside - far from it, however there are jackets needing to be done and I guess the paying jobs should come first.  I plan to put in as many hours as I can this week to see if I can get at least one done and a good start on another.  Such is the plan anyway!!

I've been meaning to mention to you that the newest issue of Pat Winter's Crazy Quilt Gatherings magazine is available now (mine is on order already).  Go HERE for further information. I already know it's gonna be good!

A slight rant -

Tonight I have been playing catch-up on some of the blogs I read and am giving up in complete and utter disgust.  WHAT is up with blog-grrrr anyway?  Why do some blogs who are set up for word verification suddenly require TWO words (or combination of letters/numbers)  and why does one of those words look so out of focus and nearly impossible to read???  AND, just to compound the issue....not all of the comments are requiring word verification at all and this is all happening on the same blog??? 

Why must they mess with what works perfectly well?

Another block completed...

Here is the block I just finished last night.  The pocket will hold information about why the cloth was made and when just in case future generations might be interested.  My previous post showed a close-up of the pocket.

This is a closeup of the top of the block showing the little hexagons and lots of french knots.  I crocheted the 'flower' and added a vintage button for the centre.  You can also see some cross stitched hearts.

and, now we have a whole!

...a completed pocket, that is!

Remember a couple of days ago I posted a picture of something
that was only a part of something else?

Well, here's the completed thing....

It's a pocket for my white cloth.

Inside I plan to put information about who did the cloth (me); who taught the class (Karen); and some further information about the origins of the white fabrics I have used. 

Who knows, the pocket might end up holding all sorts of things!!

mumblings, again.....

Not much stitching has been accomplished over the past couple of days so I really have nothing to show you.  However, I do have a few things you might be interested in having a look at...

1.  There is a tutorial on the Threads magazine site for some really pretty ribbon trim you might to include in your stitching projects.  Go HERE to see it.

2.  Have you heard of a type of whitework embroidery called either 'Chikankari' or 'Chikan'?  Go HERE to see it and if you'd like to try it, there's a free class being offered too. 

3.  If you'd like to see some crazy quilt eye candy, the Crazy Quilt Journal Project site is the place to go.  Have a look HERE (and be sure to scroll down and keep checking back for new postings). 

4.  Karen Ruane has posted about her newest on-line course called 'Extending Embellishment'  that will be starting soon.  I would dearly love to sign up, but I really do have to finish my current project before I take on anything else.  Go HERE to read all about her latest class. 

Hope you enjoy checking out the things I've found to mumble about.

Part of what will be a whole....

This is what I did this afternoon - it will be another addition to my white cloth.  You'll have to wait & see what I plan to do with it!  ooooh - the intrigue.....

Latest piece of white

Beautiful warmth!!

Last night we visited with our friends and

were presented with handknitted sweaters.

Ginette knitted both of these and I
just HAVE to share how
beautiful they are!! 

This is mine.....

The second photo is more 'true' to the colour.

And this is Jacks....

Ginette certainly puts me to shame when it comes to knitting - her attention to detail and willingness to tackle even the most difficult patterns is a testament to her talent.  Not only does she do beautiful work, but she's fast too!!  

Saying 'thank you' for such a labour of love
is simply not enough.