Woodland Textures

Fuzzy



Veined



Prickly

 ... along the entire path

Rockhoundin'

When I was hiking through Kiwanis Park last week, I spotted this painted rock! I hadn't found one in quite some time, so this was a mini joy.

It's the blue that caught my eye. And dare I say ... that's a heart? Sorta.

This one was placed by someone in the Coeur d'Alene Rocks group. I'll let it be know that I found it, and hide it in one of the parks I visit on Wednesdays this summer.

Points of Purple

More #flowersforfriday from last week's walk in the woods on a stormy day.

These blossoms grace the clearings near the picnic tables.

Yellow and purple grow side by side ... contrasting colors in nature. The graceful frond caught my attention as it swayed in the wind.

This spray down by the river caught the wind just as I was snapping the photo. The little poofs of purple sure stand out against the brown path and green foliage along the shore.

Throwback Thursday - 2005 Part 3

In March 2005 I completed four stitched items, a beading class, and one "jewelry" craft. Let's jump in the Wayback Machine and take a look at the first of these projects:


Gloria's Birthday Card

In 2004 I made bookmarks and included them with the birthday cards given to my quilt group ladies. In 2005 I decided to make the cards themselves. Here's my first attempt.

I found the idea for stitching a small square and adhering it to the front of a card in a stitchery magazine. So I've been collecting small charts just for this purpose. I chose this pretty Spring flower for Gloria's birthday card. The design, small as it is, took about three hours to stitch.

Fun With Beads and Peyote Stitch Class

I'd wanted to learn some beading for quite some time. In March 2005, I had the chance to take a correspondence course to learn the peyote stitch, an off-loom beading technique. I was very happy to learn the basics. Where the course instructions were vague, I turned to some books and online sources for clarification.

The first part of the course taught us to do a basic odd-count peyote stitch with Delica seed beads. By using two colors of beads, it more easily illustrated how the beads fall into place ... a bit like bricks in a wall, as you create the first three rows. This first image shows a close-up of my practice piece as I learned the basic stitch.

In the second step, we learned to weave a fabric of beads and turn it into an amulet pouch. I chose to learn to add a point to the beaded fabric. Once the pouch was constructed, I added a beaded necklace using the string bead technique.

To complete the pouch, we were given a choice as to how we wanted to finish the sides. Here is where the instructions fell apart. I ended up trying a number of bead combinations, and came up with this solution.

I alternated seed beads with the larger beads used in the necklace. I strung them, laid them over the seam of the amulet pouch, then couched them into place. I'm very pleased with the finished result. This detail image is a close-up of the side seam.

The final step of the course was to learn to stitch peyote in the round, making either a Zulu necklace or a scarf holder in a spiral pattern. We were also urged to try using round beads instead of the Delicas.

I didn't think either finished project was something I'd end up using once it was completed, so I chose to make the smaller project, the scarf holder. Also, since I was not planning on using the finished piece, I simply used some beads from my stash that were the correct size, even though it's not a very pretty color combination. My main objective was to learn the technique.

I had stitched peyote in the round once before, when I made a beaded tassel for another correspondence course. That was a nightmare! Thankfully, this scarf holder was much easier to construct than the tassel. I think having learned flat peyote first, and then attempting peyote in the round, made all the difference.

Overall, this course was a very satisfying experience. I have made a few other beaded projects in the intervening years, but not many quite as complicated as these.

Retreating

All my bags are packed
I'm ready to go
They're waiting here
By the front do'

Dale's holding down the home front while I'm basking in the gorgeous Columbia Gorge. Yoga. Meditation. A riverboat cruise. Swimming. Walking in the woods. Dancing. Circles of women. Amazing meals. Music. Seven teachers. And a troubadour.

This is going to be a memorable few days. I'm so grateful for this amazing gift that Dale bestowed upon me.

Woodbridge

I'll be busy packing on Wednesday (my usual day out), so today I'm continuing my summer treat of visiting one park per week, and finding one geocache. I did both today at Woodbridge Park on the west side of Post Falls. The park is mostly an open field with a small playground on the southwest corner. After finding the geocache, I walked the half mile perimeter, and snapped a few pics.



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Poinsettia Coin Lady

Today's Lady of the Evening is a small round coin purse. She's only 3-1/4 inches in diameter. I don't know that this is actually a poinsettia, but that's what the flower reminds me of.

The outline of the flower is made of matte white beads. The petals are filled with clear glass beads. The flower is surrounded with gold glass seed beads.



The design is only on one side. The back of the coin purse is filled with concentric circles of the gold seed beads.

I don't recall how this little lady came into my life. But she is a little worse for wear. Though most of the beading is intact (note that one little strand of thread by the left hinge), the clasp doesn't work at all. The frame must have gotten a little bent. Though the two knobs of the clasp come close, they don't snap into place. Any coins held in this lady's grasp would soon be spilled on the floor.



Also, she's a dirty little girl on the inside. There are quite a number of stains and a small hole.



But sitting on the shelf among my other gold Ladies, this little lass holds her own in beauty and sparkle.

Preparations

I spent the majority of my day in the Studio. Most of my alterations and mending are done. I finished four items today, added to the five I fixed last week. Tomorrow I shorten some sleeves and hem a couple dresses, do some pressing, then I'll be done.



I've already started putting outfits together so they're ready to pack. It's quite the bohemian vibe with flowing shirts, embroidery, beads, sequins, and fun prints. I'll hardly recognize myself with these clothes. No sweats or t-shirts.

I'm eyeballing how many outfits to take with me. I'll be dancing. I'll be on a daytime river cruise. I'll be hiking. I'll be swimming. I'll be listening to lots of speakers. I'll be socializing.

It's a wonderful conundrum to have to navigate. I'm so looking forward to this retreat!

I Have Dale

There are times when I can't get out of my own head. Today is like that. I have a malaise about me. A lack of energy. A touch of ... sadness ... unnamed.

To break the circular thoughts, Dale and I took a ride in the convertible. A little wind in my hair. My favorite human by my side. A bit of distance vision.

It helped for a while. Then that passed and the lack of vision returned. So we try the next thing. It works for a while. Then we try the next thing.

Maybe the dropping barometric pressure is bringing me down. Maybe I haven't had enough hours of sleep. Maybe it's because my excited, "I want to try this!" list has devolved into a "When the hell are you going to get around to it" list.

Maybe it's part of the grief because one of my brothers died. I don't quite know what to do with the feelings of losing a brother who hasn't wanted to be close to me for years. How do I grieve the loss of a person in death when I've been grieving our broken relationship for years when he was alive?

All these feelings will pass. Or morph.

In a few days, I'm off to a long-anticipated, soul-opening retreat. The teachers and women I meet there are sure to help me alter my energy and outlook.

Until then ... well, until then I'll hang close to Dale. I'll attempt to be kind to myself, to allow the uneasy thoughts to slip out of my grip, and try the next thing, and the next thing, and the next thing until some effervescence returns.

Pops of Yellow

Three different yellow flowers glowing bright on my wet walk in the woods.

I see hearts!

#flowersforfriday

Throwback Thursday - 2005 Part 2

In 2005 I decided to start stitching up several of the giraffe charts I'd collected. The Wayback Machine is taking me to February 2005 to take another look at these four projects:


Baby Hugs: Cute Giraffe

This is the second of the giraffes I stitched in 2005. I chose this kit because of the bright colors. This cute little guy is stitched on perforated plastic.

I wanted to try a different finishing technique on this piece. After the stitching was complete, I first cut the perforated plastic to size. Then instead of gluing a backing on, I stitched a piece of black felt to the completed stitchery by outlining the entire giraffe with a backstitch through both the plastic and the felt.

Then I trimmed the felt with pinking shears. I used some sparkly gold ribbon as a hanger, stitching it to the felt backing. Then I added the bow. This way I was able to add black and gold to the piece so it blends with the other giraffes in my herd.

I Simply Love You

This is the Valentine I made for my husband in 2005.

I wanted to try a collage effect. I incorporated parchment card stock, colored pencil, ribbon, paper cutouts and a fancy craft scissor edge on the front.

On the inside, I changed the color scheme of this Twisted Threads mini design from those on the chart. I stitched this pattern on an 18ct parchment-colored aida with two strands of Gentle Art Sampler Thread (from their Simply Shaker line). Then I layered the stitching with my own handmade paper, and picot-edged satin ribbon.

I must say, my card-making skills have improved over time!

Blue on Blue Bookmark 

This design is also known as Assisi Bookmark #4 by Dunmani Designs. I stitched this one for another member of my quilt group for a birthday gift.

The original pattern had four motifs. But I was using up a scrap of blue lugana that was *just* large enough for three motifs. I also miscounted when I stitched the first square so had to compensate for my error by adding a second vertical row through the center of each motif.

I used some overdyed floss from my stash for the two main shades of blue and some DMC 823 for the navy backstitching.

Margaret T's Bookmark

This is from Dunmani Designs, Bookmark Pattern #7. It's stitched on 18ct Ribband, so ended up being a short little thing.

A Forest Walk

I decided to go for a walk in the woods this morning. After a couple hot days, this morning was cool and overcast. As I started down the first trail, I felt some light sprinkles, but was protected by the trees.

By the time I walked down to the river, there were thunderboomers ringing up and down the river canyon. The trees thinned, and the rain began in earnest.

I climbed back up the hill, and made my way down another favorite path back to my car. The clouds opened up. The deluge was exhilarating! It's been quite a long time since I got caught outside in a storm ... without so much as a jacket or hat.



On the way from the park to the grocery store, there was a minor flash flood running down Greensferry to Ponderosa Blvd. Now, it's dry enough for our neighbor to be mowing his lawn.

I like summers here in north Idaho.
The forest is blooming.
I've got pictures to share for days.

Father's Day Card

Who goes there?

A very fine, mustached man

with a sweet sentiment.

Remember to sign your cards!

Quiet, Now

This is a good reminder, and very timely.

It's worth reading this entire short article. It begins with this statement:

If you’ve found yourself in a heated conversation or a downright fight, if there’s no clear way out, you can create your own doorway and walk through it. All it takes is silence, the decision to say nothing additional. To leave it alone and walk away.

I had to walk away today. Though my inner child wanted to yell and scream, I've learned that with this one particular person, I must not feed the beast.

.

Next!

Father's Day

Jeanne came by to spend some time with her dad and me for Father's Day. They played some backgammon, admired the dog kennel rehab, and talked career strategy. Then we had a picnic lunch on the deck.



It's so great having adult children who are fun-loving, interesting, and kind ... and who want to spend time with us.

Dog Kennel - part 2

A little update on a project that gives me more joy than it ought to.

Today we gave the dog kennel a plywood floor. Out with the 25 year old particle board that was falling apart from having gotten repeatedly wet over the years. In with a plywood floor cut to size.



It's really not a big deal. We had the plywood on hand, for some unknown reason. It's fairly weathered itself. Dale fit the plywood to size, notching the end to fit around the posts so that we no longer will trip on the threshold. That will be a nice change after over two decades.

Dale did the measuring (because Dale = good with numbers and measuring; Margaret = not so much). I was his Girl Friday, holding the boards steady, passing him tools, leveling out the gravel base that we covered with the plywood, helping with clean-up.



Then we added the winter tires, Dale's telescope case, Melody's wagon, and the wheelbarrow. So tidy, with lots of room to spare. There's plenty of room for the patio furniture when the cooler weather arrives.

Crazy what makes my heart sing.


Plus ... I spent the morning in my Studio altering half of my new clothes while listening to podcasts. Any day with a needle in my hand is a good day. Then I had a text conversation with my brother Barry. This, all wrapped around a gorgeous summer day with a light breeze and lots of robins, quail, and blackbirds playing tag on our block. Today, all is right with my world.

June Bloom

The only rose bush that has survived the 26 years we've lived in this house bloomed today. It gave us one single shoot.

and this gorgeous bloom. This rose has the most delicate delicious aroma. I'm glad she keeps coming back.

#flowersforfriday

Throwback Thursday - 2005 Part 1

While I begin to deal with my grief over my brother's death, I'm going to try and do "normal things to help me feel normal." With that in mind, I'm back to sharing my older cross-stitch projects. Let's take the Wayback Machine to January 2005 in the Year of Small Projects.


Lotus Blossoms

I stitched this 6" quilt square for the Tsunami Quilt project. For those who may not remember, a massive earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean on December 26, 2004, causing a catastrophic tsunami.

The objective of the collaborative quilt project was to create a hanging quilt that was auctioned to raise funds for the tsunami victims. It was to be a inspiring quilt to send a message of hope to those who lost everything. I got the idea of using a lotus from a friend who wrote:

"As I was thinking of a design for my square for the Tsunami quilt, I asked the ESL [English as a Second Language] teacher about any ideas....his wife is from India. He told me that for both Buddhists and Hindus, the lotus is a symbol of hope because it floats above the mud and water and survives. WOW!! What perfect symbolism."

I couldn't agree more.

When I found this chart in my stash, I decided to try and complete a square in time to be a part of this ambitious project. I stitched just a portion of the original pattern for the quilt square so that the image would fit in the designated size block.

What I liked about this project is that a quilt was made by international stitchers and quilters, then auctioned off on an online auction site. Rather than the quilt itself going to someone in the disaster area, the money made from the auction will be sent to a reputable organization helping tsunami victims, UNICEF.

That way, the person receiving the quilt appreciated it — after all, they spent good money on it via the auction. And UNICEF got what they needed — money.

You can see my quilt square on the Tsunami Quilt site, page two of the photos. It's quite something to see all these quilt squares again after 14 years.

Puffi Giraffe

Back in the day, I collected giraffes and giraffe cross-stitch charts. (I no longer do). Giraffes were my mom's favorite animal. I stitched my first giraffe in her honor in 1998 after her death. To me, a giraffe is a symbol for people who "stick their neck out" for other people. I aim to be that kind of human. 

So I had a ton of giraffe charts to choose from. This is the first of the giraffes I planned to stitch in 2005. I chose this kit so I could try a new finishing technique.

After the crosses were stitched, I sewed a piece of muslin onto the back of the stitchery while backstitching around the edge of the giraffe. Batting was stuffed into the "pocket" between the stitchery and the muslin. Then the backstitching that forms the details of the legs are stitched. This is what causes the puffy 3-D effect.

I had a goal of finishing/framing all my stitched giraffes in a similar way — with a gold frame and a black mat or black detail. The kit came with this gold plastic frame. I added the black bow detail.

Allison's Bookmark

I continued to stitch special bookmarks for my quilt group friends. This design for Allison was a freebie chart on the web at Dunmani Designs. I just love her geometric and Assisi work designs.