Presenting.......RIBBONS OF HOPE!

TAST - Cretan Stitch

This week Sharon of www.inaminuteago.com has chosen the cretan stitch as our challenge. It is one of my more favourite stitches and is what I used to do all the seams in the wallhanging I'm working on.

Today I'm working hard on finishing the hand stitching on the piece with plans in place to do the backing, etc. tomorrow. Hope it comes to pass!

For more info on TAST, go to http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php/take-a-stitch-tuesday-challenge/ 

I'm getting there!

Things are progressing on my wallhanging (they'd better since it has to be in the mail the end of this week!!). Today I did a little detail to the left of the large pink ribbon...just some stem stitch, beads, and a heart-shaped button. Pretty simple.

The other picture shows more...I did three areas surrounding the simple rose. To the right are some flowers that look somewhat like cosmos, done in some variagated nylon thread, with some pearl cotton to do the leaves and stems. To the left of the rose are just some free-form flowers done with ribbon and some absolutely horrible-to-work-with 'stuff' that insists on fluffing up and doesn't want to form into anything concrete. Ok...so they're fluffy flowers! The area sort-of between and above the fluffly flowers and the cosmos has some more silk ribbon flowers and a pearl button. Some of the flowers are done with the loop stitch and some were spider web roses. Tomorrow I hope to finish the stitching.....

Recharged

Camera is recharged, so here are pictures of the progress over the past couple of days. All four corners are done now with the vine-y treatment to the right on one of these pictures. To the left of the vine I did three flowers using organza ribbon. Above that you can see a rose done in outline stitch with a button centre.

The other picture shows another vine type treatment in the mid-left, with mother of pearl buttons as 'flowers'. To the right you can see some more flowers (on the shiny piece of fabric) done mostly with beads and some embroidered leaves. To the right and slightly below you can see some more flowers, again done with stem stitch and using sequins as the flowers. As always, click on the pictures to get them to enlarge so you can see the detail.

Oops...

I forgot to re-charge the batteries in the camera...so...no pictures today! Sorry.

Instead, I will do another book review of one of my absolute favourite books about Crazy Quilting. This is one of two books I would highly recommend for anyone wanting to start into crazy quilting and for anyone who is experienced as well. This book is very well illustrated and tells you step-by-step how to construct a block. The author also gives you a nice selection of embroidery stitches, silk embroidery, painting, dyeing and finishing techniques. There is also a section showing you ideas for embellishment and lots of colour pictures throughout. A very valuable resource to have in your library, for sure. Stats: 'The Magic of Crazy Quilting' by J. Marsha Michler, published by Krause Publications, ISBN # 0-87341-622-8

TAST

This week the 'homework' consisted of the Detached Chain Stitch and here are my efforts. There are so many ways to use this versatile stitch. As always, thanks to SharonB of www.inaminuteago.com and anyone wanting more information about the TAST challenge can check out the link in my sidebar.

I continue to work on my wallhanging, but today is just doing more of the same as I showed you yesterday in the corners.

And more....

Today I haven't managed to get too much done. However, I did a combination button and straight stitch/lazy dazy in fine pearl cotton in the centre of one of the pictures. The other picture shows a corner I'm still working on. The original idea came from 'Motifs for Crazy Quilting' by J. Marsh Michler. I'm using variagated embroidery floss and multi-coloured beads. I think I will work the same 'idea' in each of the corners, only varying the layout to fit in the areas I have.

I also did the little clump of flowers to the right of the corner treatment in the picture (idea from another book I have called 'Ribbon Embroidery for Crazy Quilters', put out by the American School of Needlework). It's done with silk ribbon leaves and the flowers are padded straight stitches also in silk ribbon. Stems are good 'ol stem stitch using embroidery floss! Enjoy.

More.....

Today I did a bit of ribbon embroidery and surrounded it with a circle of pre-strung beads and added a lonely teardrop bead at the bottom (sorry the picture is sideways).

The other section I worked on is in the middle of the other close-up. Some odd beads I had and then some single strand embroidery floss fly stitches to pull it together.

Progress and my best helper

I'm not sure in which order these pictures will show on your screen, but here goes. One picture shows a large-ish pink ribbon flower and to the right of that a clump of flower and leaf shaped sequins held on with pearl and silver beads. I'm still working on that part.

Another picture shows two more areas I worked on today. The top flower clump is done with french knotted silk ribbon and stem stitch. Below that is a three-some of lace flowers held down with pearl beads. The flowers originated in a piece of trim I had.

The last picture of my work shows a nosegay made from tiny ribbon roses, and various threads in both french knots and fly stitches. I used sewing thread again for most of the fly stitches.

And last, but certainly not least, is my kitty companion...Cosmo. He watches me quite closely to make certain I'm doing it right!

Reporting again...

Today I've had more time to play on my wallhanging. One of the pictures (click on it to enlarge) shows a rose (to the left of the appliqued ribbon) which I did using one strand of sewing thread and stem stitch. There's even a droplet of dew!

The other picture shows a close-up (in the middle) of another area I did today. The idea for this came from an article in the CQNewsletter  and is a pattern created by Shirlee Fassell. The flowers are assorted pink beads and the leaves, etc. are a combination of stem stitch using fine pearl cotton and a semi-long & short stitch using embroidery floss. Enjoy!

Progress Being Made!

I don't know how well you can see the detail on this, but here's my progress so far. I think if you click on the picture, it will enlarge...I hope!

The clump of flowers on the right is made with small yo-yo's and beads..leaves are also beads.

The three little flowers on the left are done with a single strand of metallic thread in the same way as people are doing the embroidery on paper. Picking out the waste tissue paper was fun!! The small pink ribbon on the upper left is done with embroidery floss cross stitch on waste canvas, which was then removed. I then highlighted the flowers which were already in the fabric with some pearl beads and did a single straight stitch (couched down) in each of the leaves to give a hint of green to them. Enjoy!

TAST

This week the challenge on TAST (Take a Stitch Tuesdays) is the buttonhole stitch. Since I'm still working on my donation piece, I haven't time to do any extra actual stitching, so I spent a few minutes drawing up some ideas of stitch cominations. Anyone interested in learning more can go to: http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php/take-a-stitch-tuesday-challenge/

I actually got some more done on my wallhanging and will post an updated picture tomorrow.

Book review...'cause I got nothin'

Yep, I got nothin', unless you count shopping for groceries and my hubby's appointment at the doctor. So...another book review!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who knits. There's not a whole lot of excess 'writing' in this book, but a huge amount of very clear pictures - all in color. The chapter titles include: Introduction to Knitting; Basic Techniques; Basic Stitch Patterns; Correcting Mistakes; Learning To Read Written Instructions; Finishing Details; and more. There are a few knitting projects included, but this book is much more valuable as a resource. Specs: published by Wiley Publishing Inc., C2006, ISBN # 0-7645-9640-3

Catching up

Sorry about the no-post yesterday. We were in the city spending time with our kids. #2 son took us shopping and I was able to purchase the exact type of winter boots I wanted and in the very first store we went to, which was an amazing feat (no pun intended) for me. Of course the purchase might be a moot point if we don't end up getting any snow!

Progress on the wallhanging has been good, but nothing worth showing at this point. I did end up doing the second row of cretan stitch in ivory over the pink stitches and like the effect much better. I've also stem stitched around the pink ribbon on the upper right side.

Progress report

Moving right along on the seams on my wallhanging. Cretan stitch is one of my absolute favourites and works up fast. This morning I'm testing out my idea to overlay the pink stitches with another row of ivory, just to tone down the pink-ness a little. I want the embellishments to be in the forefront so I'm thinking a little less pink might be better. We'll see after I test a bit.

In my normal way of doing CQ each seam would be a different treatment, but in the interest of my time constraints I have to forego that and concentrate on the embellishing instead. Kind of feels like I'm copping out!

Take A Stitch Tuesday...Herringbone

I spent some time last night sketching out some combinations using the Herringbone stitch which is the first challenge on Take A Stitch Tuesday (www.inaminuteago.com) . I should be actually stitching the ideas, but right now I'm pressed for time, at least until I get the donation piece done for Breast Cancer. I think Sharon will forgive me!

Another interesting question I came across at Studio Friday. How would you fill in the blank in this statement: "Proud artist of ____________"? There are two words in that statement that scare me...proud and artist. Me, an artist? Me, proud of something I've done? Wasn't I always taught that pride goeth before a fall? I admit I am trying very hard to overcome the label of 'craftsperson' and move over to 'artist', but it's awfully hard. I'm my own toughest critic and there hasn't been an article I have made that I haven't wanted to change in some way. There's always something 'wrong' with my efforts and therefore I feel I come up short. So, having said all that, I don't know that I could fill in the blank. How would you do on the same question?

Argh!

I know about paragraphs, really I do! Blogger seems to take it upon him(her)self to remove said paragraph function from selected posts...not all, just some. I write the same way all the time, so what's up?


Anyway....don't forget to vote in my poll at the end of the last post!

Progress, a Christmas present, and a poll

Two pictures today. One is of my progress on my wallhanging. I've appliqued the pink ribbon and started my seams using cretan stitch and two strands of pink embroidery floss. I will overlay the pink with another row of ivory, also in cretan stitch...or at least such is my plan!

The other picture is of the cover of one of the books I got for Christmas. I love this book!! I was planning to write my own review of the book, but instead I will quote from the back cover: "Join 15 artists as they explore a rainbow of color schemes in a remarkable art journal collaboration. Using all kinds of media, each artist contributed a journal cover in her chosen palette and a page -- or more--in the journals as they traveled from studio to studio throughout the United States.....these one-of-a-kind works are filled with page after page of techniques and mediums, including stamping, painting, sketching, fabric art, metalwork, transfers and layered texturing". There is enough inspiration in this book to last a life-time. Specs are: 'True Colors - A Palette of Collaborative Art Journals' , published by Stampington & Company, c2003, ISBN# 0-9717296-3-8.

Poll question is this: Would you like me to continue to review some of my favourite books here on a semi-regular basis (not every day)?? Please leave a comment and let me know! B'sides, I want to know how many people are reading this!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone. I hope 2007 is a great year for you and all you hold dear.


The picture today is the beginning of my donation wallhanging and explains why I had so much 'stuff' spread all over my work table you saw in my previous post. I'll be showing my progress on this piece as I go along.

SharonB started the 'Take a Stitch Tuesdays' today (I know, it isn't Tuesday here...yet, but it is where she is!). This is going to be a fun challenge and I hope to participate as much as I can. If you're interested in finding out more, follow the link to inaminuteago in my side bar.

Creativity Unleashed!

Just take a look at all this mess! Would you believe I'm in the throes of creativity? One picture shows my pile (!) of assorted 'bits' made up mostly of broken jewellry. The other shows my pile of trims (or at least some of them). What is all this mess leading up to? Well, stay tuned and you will see!

More....

Today's pictures are of a couple more things I made for presents. The blue 'thing' is one of two prayer shawls I knitted for my sons' girlfriends...the other was in purple shades. The other picture is of a set of crocheted washcloths (and a bar of soap) which several people received from me.

Promised pictures of Christmas 'makings'

I mentioned before that I would show some pictures of some of the things I made for Christmas gifts. I made 27 of the domino ornaments to either give as presents or to use instead of a bow on other gifts. First I painted the back of the domino using green and gold paint and my finger to rub it in. The face was part of a rubber stamp image which I stamped onto tissue paper and then decoupaged onto the domino. 'Believe' was also stamped on..directly to the domino, and then was embossed in red. The little red flowers were just from some paper trim from the dollar store. The red beads at the top were from an old belt which belonged to my mother, so they are definitely vintage.

The other picture shows the mug totes I made from recycled denim and scraps I had in my stash. We have to take our coffee mugs to our quilt guild meetings, so it's nice to have a tote to carry them in.

Tomorrow I will show more and also maybe some pictures of some of the things I received for Christmas too. Enjoy!

Groan...and happy news

Yep, we're groaning still after the huge meal last night. Why oh why do we think we have to eat so much? You think you're having just a little bit of everything and it ends up being a huge bit when it hits the stomach. The day after is for vegging out and that's precisely what we're doing!

The good news is that we're going to be parents-in-law!!! #1 son and his girlfriend are engaged! Woohoo! We are sooooo excited about it. He gave her a ring which they are calling a place-holder until he can afford to get a proper engagement ring. Right now he has to concentrate on his schooling and then getting a job before he can take it to the next level.

I got so many nice presents yesterday...a DIL-to be being the best one; books (always welcome); a new purse which I love; a wonderful piece of art from the One of A Kind Show; and we got a weekend away at a b&b. There was a lot more under the tree, but those are the highlights. Now I'm heading back upstairs to veg some more. Happy day after everyone!

Merry Christmas...

from Mitzy the tree cat!

Merry Christmas to all...and SNOW!!!

Yes, I found some snow this morning! In one of the mall parking lots there is a pile of it...covered in mud and yucky stuff, but nevertheless it's snow. I think maybe we'll all take lawn chairs on Christmas day and sit around it with some hot chocolate! All kidding aside, I'm sure Denver would love to send us some.

This is likely to be my last post until after Christmas so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for reading my blog and to wish you and all you hold dear a happy and safe Christmas. Season's Greetings!

Eye candy....

Today we braved the grocery store and got the last minute food we need for the weekend. I hope we don't have to do any more shopping for at least a week (preferably more!). I really don't appreciate crowds and line-ups. The drivers in this town are nuts most of the year, but even worse when Christmas gets close. Goodwill to their fellow man simply does not exist.

It's raining too, which makes things thoroughly dismal. No snow to be seen and none in the forecast either. It doesn't seem right not to have a white Christmas.

Take A Stitch Tuesdays!

I have been meaning to tell you about something that's going on in the stitching world and if you're interested in furthering your skills, you might want to check this out. SharonB of inaminuteago is starting a new challenge/teaching the first Tuesday in January called 'Take A Stitch Tuesdays' which will be running for 2007. Each week Sharon will be posting a different embroidery stitch and several variations of that stitch. Participants are encouranged to try the stitch and the variations, plus try some variations of their own. The results are then used as a sampler, a journal, or basically however you desire. If you are interested further details are here: http://inaminuteago.com/blog/index.php/take-a-stitch-tuesday-challenge/ I have signed up and hope to create a journal of reference stitches with mine.

I love the art of embroidery, mostly because it is done by hand. I know there are embroidery machines out there that create beautiful designs, but to me, hand work is the best. I am a collector of embroidery books and I think I will thoroughly enjoy Sharon's challenge. How about you?

Yet another Christmas tree

I know, all the blogs are posting pictures of their respective Christmas trees, so I can't be left out! However, behind the tree you can see the colour we painted the living room. Actually this picture is a pretty good representation of it.

Guess what I did today? Remember my saying how much I dislike wrapping presents? Well, I spent from 9 am til 1 pm doing exactly that at the local mall. My friend and I volunteer pretty much every year for a shift at the fundraiser booth for the Christian school (where her kids attend) instead of just having coffee together as we normally do. It's for a good cause...and... we got to wrap two diamond necklaces for a couple of lucky ladies. That was fun!!

Pictures!

I have a couple of pictures to show today. One is of my most-treasured Christmas items...my nativity set. When I was working as an Avon rep these were offered and I bought as many as I could afford at the time. I don't have all the pieces, but I do have the most meaningful ones. They are pure white porcelain. The creche itself is one Jack bought me for Christmas a few years ago. There are a few ornaments on the tree that are quite special to me, but my nativity is 'Christmas' to me.

The other picture shows a present I received yesterday, along with one of my Santas from my collection. The 'lump' is actually a lamp...made of salt (!) mined in the Himalayans. It is extremely heavy, but gives off the most wonderful glow. Jacquie said that it's supposed to be good for balancing ions in the room, which I don't know much about, but she promised me a pamphlet on it later on. I don't care about the ions...I love the lamp!

\

200 (!) and the very last present

Drum roll, please! In case you're the least bit interested, this is my 200th post (and they said it wouldn't last). Even I am impressed!

The picture shows the very last present for this year...a snow-blowing hat for Jack. Although, if we don't start getting some snow, it might be a wasted effort. The pattern came from the label on a ball of Bernat Denim Style yarn, using 5mm needles.

Boring...boring....

Who likes revamping old curtains to fit smaller windows when there's Christmas things to be done? That's exactly what I did this afternoon. These are our old living room curtains in mid-process of being shortened and the tops being redone so they don't have to use hooks. #2 son wants them to fit their windows, at least for now. It really wasn't such a difficult job, just unwieldy. These curtains also weigh a ton, which makes it even harder to work with. Hopefully they will fit when we hang them tomorrow!

Late nights and errands

We went to the city last night to pick up #2 son for a few days. Not a bad thing, in and of itself, but we didn't get home til nearly 2 am. My old bones aren't happy with such hours and as a result today I'm just spinning my wheels...and running errands that are not of the fun sort.

Having the cards done, the gifts made, the wrapping pretty much done and a late night makes for a very non-productive day. I have finally resorted to half-heartedly making some atc's for the swap just after Christmas.

On another note, the trees next door are all cut down with only the stumps remaining (for now). It's a complete and total shock to look out right now. The yard just doesn't look right!

Post # 2

OK...Sir Blogger. I give up. What have you done with the paragraph function? I know where I put them...and they're gone. Eaten. Blown away. Disappeared. I want 'em back.

463, and counting

Yep. I'm sure it's 463*. Or is it 464? Or 465? All I know is I hate wrapping presents and I'm sure that's how many I've wrapped today. What's worse is that I'm not done!!! To be fair, there's only two left, which isn't too bad.

The picture today is of the forest next door (sorry about the dark photo, but there's never any sunshine when you need it). Imagine if you can, eighteen trees, all nearly 50 ft. tall. All poised to come crashing down like bowling pins at some point in the not-too-distant future. Well, they're crashing down allright...by design. We're not sure if we should be sad or glad. We certainly won't miss the mess they leave after every wind storm or rain, or snow. We won't miss the roots taking the good out of the soil in our garden. We will miss the shade and the lovely sound they make when it's windy (but not TOO windy). Half of them are gone already and we think we're living in a whole 'nother neighbourhood!

*For those that think we're wealthy and go totally overboard, the above number is very much exageratted. It was really only 462.

Finished box and frustration

I've decided that there is one week before Christmas that I suffer from complete and total frustration. Everything has to come together all at once and it's just plain overwhelming. I'm down to the wrapping stage, which isn't my favourite thing to do at the best of times. I love the making of presents but once they're done I don't want to see them again and certainly don't want to have to wrap them. Too bad I couldn't just give them the way they are!

Anyway, here's a picture of the finished box I showed you in mid-go a couple of days ago. I'm not 100% pleased with it, but it will do. It's a first attempt and I've come to the conclusion I would have been further ahead to just purchase a box at the dollar store and recover it. This pattern (Vogue) used 'cardboard' of undetermined strength for the box sides, top & bottom. I used bristolboard because I felt it would bend into the oval shape easier and should be sturdy enough. Not so much. It's ok, but don't put any pressure on it or it will buckle. Yet another reason why I dislike Vogue patterns (other than the price). Their instructions assume you know much more about the project than you actually do and really don't spell things out thoroughly enough for most mortal people. I keep hoping they will change.

Just a movin' along

Today the picture is the finished paper doll. Sorry about the quality, but I ended up having to scan her rather than take a picture. Of course the camera needs to be recharged! I just hope my swap-mate likes these colors. If she doesn't, it's too late now. For anyone wondering...her face is glued into a bottle cap, her arms are wrapped with bits of wool (as is her hair). Her wings are made from a used dryer sheet dry brushed with paint.

We managed to get all the Christmas cards done yesterday and I finished making the last gift. Too tired to celebrate though. Now I have to get busy and get things wrapped because everything is piled on #2 son's bed and he tells us he's coming home for the weekend. I hope I don't have to resort to just moving it all from #2's bed to #1's!

Today was one of those days where there are too many things going on and it's hard to spread yourself around. I could have oinked out at two separate Christmas luncheons, but finally chose one. After a very excellent meal, I walked up to the other meeting. I must admit I'm liking not having to be 'responsible' for anything at the quilt guild and can just go and enjoy the meetings.

Decorating frenzy

The house is decorated for Christmas (pictures will follow at some point). It's done...hooray! What a huge chore and this is after we got rid of five boxes of stuff we don't use anymore. Before you ask, they were big boxes too! There's another box ready to go after today. Do you think maybe we have too many ornaments?

The pictures today are of my latest project I'm doing. The blue paper doll is one I did last month for the CQTeers challenge and the other is one I'm starting for a swap I'm in. My blue one has one shoe. Think Cosmo ate the other one. Rotten cat. The second doll is already painted in Twinkling H2O's and has her head ready to put in the bottle cap. I haven't decided on the clothing color yet, so her 'underwear' isn't painted. Maybe tomorrow sometime, but there is a lot going on and I'm not at all sure that there will be any time to craft.

More progress!

I'm working on the last present - I think. This will be a decorated box for my friends dresser. She always complains that there's too much stuff cluttering it up, so maybe she can put some of it in this. Such is the plan anyway! I'm doing my usual and putting several patterns together into one - plus some ingenuity on my part to make it blend together and somewhat look finished. I snagged a piece of her bedroom border print when I helped her put it up, so that has been my inspiration for colors. Can't say I'm not the debvious sort!!

The glue should be dry by now, so back to work!

Pet grooming and shopping and TSO

Well, so much for my planned afternoon working at my last official Christmas present. Instead I spent my time clipping cat toenails...and not for my cat either. She was formerly our cat, but we gave her to friends who are too timid to do her nails.

We also did some shopping for stocking stuffers. Boy, they sure can be expensive! I save all our 'points' from Shoppers Drug Mart all year and then use them towards the stockings. It sure helps!

The reference to TSO is my all-time favourite Christmas music. Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I absolutely love their music. It's a combination of opera/rock/old-time music (only rocked up). There's nothing quite like putting their cd's on and cranking them up!! If you're interested their web site is www.trans-siberian.com . I've seen them live once and they are fantastic. I wanted desperately to go again this year when they appeared in Toronto, but it was not to be. Maybe next year.

Doing a header...or two

Pictures! Hope you're excited about that. There haven't been many lately.

Today I spent finishing one Christmas present and doing the headers on the new curtains (hence the picture of the curtain!!) Actually this one is in the dining room...the light was wrong for taking pictures in the living room. Curtains are the same, but the walls aren't.

The other pile of 'stuff' is my santa makings, or at least some of them. I've been collecting things for my tall santa for years and I'm hoping this will be the year that all this becomes something. Stay tuned!

27....count 'em....done

Twenty seven Christmas ornaments are done. Sorry I can't show a picture just yet but rest assured that one has been taken and will be posted later.

I finished another Christmas project too and got another one well under way. I hope to have most of them done this week so I can start the cards and the decorating. I might (if I don't say it too loud and jinx myself) even have a chance to start making my large santa I have been hoping to do for about four years. Maybe.....

One of 'those' days

It's been one of those days when nothing I set out to do managed to get done. I had great plans of working this afternoon after my yoga class but it was not to be. Instead we took one dog out for her hair 'do' and then went for groceries. I hate grocery shopping. I really, really hate grocery shopping. Really!

However, on a bright note, our curtain rods are up and the new curtains are hung, thanks to #1son and DH's efforts yesterday afternoon. I have to revamp the curtains somewhat because the sleeve the rod goes through is a bit too small to operate smoothly. Don't anybody suggest we change rods because I happen to love these and they are staying...so there! Right now the furniture and carpet in the dining room are drying from being cleaned. It's all good.

Now I'm going to play around with my prototype for the Christmas ornaments. Keep your fingers crossed that it works!

Home safely...but son is cooking

By the time we got away to the city yesterday afternoon the freezing rain was over, which was a good thing. I hate travelling in either heavy fog or freezing rain.

Tonight #1 son is cooking. Of course he doesn't cook the way we would, using ingredients we have on hand. Nope, we have to spend a small fortune at the store to pick up such exotic things as lemongrass and goat cheese (can't be just any old goat cheese either). We're even having some sort of appetizers made from beets (??). Then we're left with a huge mess to clean up after him. Isn't it fun to have an aspiring cook in the family?

Travel, freezing rain, and painting done

We just finished the final coat of paint and only have a couple of little touch ups to do at some point over the weekend. Think we like it, but, until all the pictures etc. are up, we're never sure. Just very glad it's done!

Of course we have to make a trip to the city to pick up #1 son for the weekend...in the freezing rain. Lovely. We wouldn't go other than for the fact he has to go to the bank tomorrow to get his loan for going to college in January. We'll stick to the main roads and hope everybody else keeps their wits about them. The sanders will be out in full force so it should be ok. Keep your fingers crossed!