Micro Organizing

One of my favorite ways to spend time when life's been unsteady is to over-organize my belongings. This Threads and Bobbins Project has been on my radar for years. 

I've got around 50 spools of thread, each with their matching bobbin. My previous organizing system involved spool toppers that held the bobbin to the top of its matching spool of thread. The problem with the system is that because the spools are not of even height, the lids to my thread boxes wouldn't close. The stack was quite tipsy.

So I got myself some bobbin cases to hold the threads and bobbins separately. But how to match each thread to its corresponding bobbin? I decided to number them. My first attempt, using paper reinforcers, nearly worked. But not quite. 

So today I used a black ultra-fine tip Sharpie to mark the front and back of each bobbin, and the top of each thread.

Voila!

Completing this organizational task makes my heart go pitter-patter. 

When there's chaos in our world, in our household, and in my brain, having a small corner of order and calm delights me.

Conjuring Momentum

I need a place to rest my head.

I got emotionally overwrought again this week. (Thus, missing days of posting on my blog). You know, medical stuff. Family stuff. Stuff stuff.

When I get like this, my Studio gets turned inside out with all kinds of partially finished projects strewn across my work table. Chaos in my Studio becomes chaos in my head. Or is it that other way around? Who can say?

But I woke up this morning hurting and sad and crying and overwhelmed. So I took my meds. I had a good breakfast. I started making order out of chaos. I returned to my "bed piles" technique. Each project was removed from my work table and put in a neat, compact pile on my bed. Then I can tackle the project piles one at a time.

But how do I decide where to start? Decision-making is a test when my mind's off kilter. This time I decided to make a game of it. I used the "fish bowl" approach of putting categories of projects on slips of paper, then pulling one paper to lead me to which project to start with.

My first pull said, "Easiest thing." So I cut up scrap paper, disposed of recycling, put yarn and crochet tools away, put the things that belong downstairs away.

My other categories include:

• Want to do the most
• Biggest dent
• For someone else
• Want to do the least
• Waiting the longest to get done

My second pull said, "For me."

I decided it was time to finish my Penguin Pillow. I'd put it off for over a month. It's time to treat myself to finish a project I get to keep.

Since I was dealing with a plaid fabric again, I decided to applique the stitching onto the front pillow fabric, rather than piecing the fabric to the edge of the stitching. This time I sewed some red piping to the edge of the stitching, then centered the stitching on the pillow front and sewed the penguins in place.

I hadn't worked with piping in years, so that was a fun technique to revisit.

'Tis done! 'Tis done! We have a new decoration for this coming Christmas.

Very satisfying.

I think I'll stop for a meal (it's 3pm), then pick my next project. There's a chance I could finish something else today.

Friends and Flowers - Fini

She's a cutie, alright!

She gave me some heartache and trouble wrestling her into her final form, but she's worth it.

This 12" x 12" pillow took me a full three months to complete. I'm out of practice. Sigh

Yet I'm pleased with the outcome.

Beaded Ornaments - part 2

The second batch of beaded ornaments are the icicles.  They are a bit more than 2 inches in length.

The tricky part of these for me was the wire work. I've not tried bending and swirling wire much. I had a hard time keeping the beads on the straight part of the ornament to stay there while I bent the wire. So for my sanity, I added a bead of hot glue at the right-angle bend. Works like a charm and doesn't look too cheesy.

My inexperience with wire work also means my swirls are rather uneven. Perhaps I should have watched some YouTube videos for some tips before attempting the swirl.

But they got better as I learned. This one makes me proud.

I'm very happy with my choice to keep the two parts of the ornament separate. They'll work beautifully on my tree.

Now to get the tree out of storage and decorate it!

Beaded Ornaments - part 1

This week I took a few hours to make 16 beaded ornaments. This first batch looks like snowflakes or stars (because snowflakes don't have eight legs).

The ornaments were assembled from this kit. It contains all the beads, wire, hubs, and stones needed for eight tiered ornaments.

Because I wanted small ornaments, I kept the two tiers separate. So I have eight snowflake/stars and eight icicles. These are only about two inches in diameter.

The ornaments are made with plastic beads and stones. They sure do sparkle in the light! I really like the flecks of gold in the center stone.

These small ornaments will work well at the top of the tree on the short branches.

Elf Container

Ho Ho! It's time for another Christmas craft!

Several years ago, my three daughters and I had a craft "club" called AuralArtists. We'd either choose a theme and make items to share, like our wizard wands, or I'd create a "mystery box" which I'd fill with oddball items that we each used to create a craft of our own choosing.

On Earth Day in 2016, Jodie and I had a crafternoon via Skype and decided to craft with recycled materials. I used:

• Oatmeal box
• Peanuts can
• Batting bought at a thrift store
• Fabric from a child's dress
• Nylon stocking
• Styrofoam ball (not recycled, but old)

I also decided to start that season's Mystery Box challenge at the same time. It had a Holiday theme. That day, I began this project. You can see how far I got if you look at the Earth Day blog post.

Today I finished it!

The origins of this elf go all the way back to when I was in 2nd grade. My mom was a girl scout leader for my sister's troop. One of the projects the "big girls" made was a Santa made out of an oatmeal container, a styrofoam ball, and some contact paper. I think that after the project was done they filled the Santa's belly with cookies.

I was too small to do the project then, but I remember how much it intrigued me.

So with my mom as my inspiration, and my supplies at hand, I decided to make my own version. The main body of the elf is pretty straight forward. I wrapped a big oatmeal container in some fabric from a recycled children's dress (a sewing project my mom started and never finished). The belt is made from a strip of black craft felt, glued into place. The buckle is cut from a piece of thick silver paper that was the inside of a fancy Christmas card envelope.

The elf's head is made from a styrofoam ball. I first covered it in batting, then covered the batting with a nylon stocking, all held in place with pins.

I used more batting to create a beard and mustache, held in place with pins and glue. I glued on some wide googly eyes. Then I formed a hat out of a triangle of the same deep red fabric. I used another length of batting for the hat trim, gluing it in place. The poof at the tip of the hat is an old powder puff, which I sewed in place.

To hold the hat to the head, I slipped a silver snowflake-shaped piece of sequins onto a strait pin that has a silver head. I then dipped the pin into hot glue, and pinned through the brim of the hat into the styrofoam ball. The snowflakes go all around the brim. 

A peanut can acts as the elf's neck/chest. It, too, is covered in the red fabric. I used a black Sharpie to color in the top edge where the fabric doesn't quite reach the lip where the lid attaches. The elf head is hot-glued onto the lid of the peanut can. This way the entire head can be removed so goodies can be stored in the small can.

The small can is glued to the lid of the oatmeal container. It, too, can be removed so that more treats can be stored there. 

Does this mean it's time to start baking Christmas cookies so I can fill the canister? Oh! I hope so!

Welcome Blanket

A story in two parts


Part One

When I was six years old, I had my very first birthday party where I was allowed to invite school friends. I invited friends from my new first grade class along with my best friend from kindergarten. It was one of the best days of my life. I felt indescribably special. Among other gifts, I received a Midge doll, Barbie's best friend.

But my very favorite gift was a big box with lots of tiny bottles filled with fragrances and a bunch of teeny tiny labels. It was a perfume lab ... sort of like a chemistry set for girls. The idea was to use the eyedropper to mix three drops from one bottle, six from another, two from a third and develop your very own personal scents. Then you could name your concoctions and add a label with the name of your new blended fragrance.

I so loved that gift! My family wasn't quite as thrilled because the new fragrances didn't necessarily smell good. But I loved it. Long after all the little bottles were used up, I carried the remaining mini labels around with me ... even to college.

One of the things I loved most about the experience of that gift was having that box full of possibilities. Ever since then, I've looked longingly at similar boxes of "learn to do this" crafts in stores. Learn to draw. Learn to make beaded bracelets. Learn to do macrame. Learn to fold origami. Wooden boxes full of pastels and watercolors and markers and colored pencils. But I didn't have the money for them as a kid, or even in high school. Then I outgrew them. My age grew beyond the age on the box: "For Children 6 to 12 Years Old."

Well, a couple months ago, I found myself in the aisle of Walmart where these enticing boxes are all lined up. I ran my hand along the shelf, that wistful little Mimi inside me yearning to explore all of them. I found one craft I've been meaning to learn: making a fleece blanket. I picked up the box. Sighed. Put it back on the shelf, knowing that it won't be so very long when I can buy a craft box for my granddaughter.

I moved on to the next aisle. Then walked back. I picked up the box again. Then put it on the shelf again. Then I looked at the price and realized I can afford this now! I didn't need it. There are all kinds of free ways to learn the technique. I had no use for such a blanket. But it was pretty and colorful and not very expensive. So I bought it, brought it home, and added it to the shelf of "someday" projects in my Studio.

Part Two

Those kids. Those parents. Torn apart at the border. Taken from each other for weeks and months. Me, feeling revulsion and impotent. It's a daily horror. Some of those little girls are even younger than my granddaughter. Their caregivers were not allowed to hold them and comfort them. Cruel. Unnecessary. I'm horrified that our government would treat people like this. Angry that we are told the United States no longer wants to help those seeking asylum.

No. Just no!

NO!!!!!

Yet what is my part? Financial donation? Carry a picket sign? Call my congressmen? What can I do that fits with my gifts and talents?




Then this opportunity was presented to me. Welcome Blankets. Here's what it's about in a nutshell:

The proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico is almost 2000 miles long. Imagine if the massive distance of this wall was re-conceptualized and re-contextualized not to divide, but to include. Instead of wall, a concrete line, to keep people out, what if lines of yarn became 3,500,640 yards of blankets to welcome people in?

A welcome blanket is traditionally created to lovingly mark the arrival of a new person into the world. In the Welcome Blanket project, each handmade blanket is a physical manifestation of this celebration of new refugees and other immigrants: “Welcome to the United States and your new life here! We are so glad you have arrived.”

So here I have a chance to do something tangible. Here I have a chance to use the blanket kit I'd bought. Here I have a chance to use my gifts and talents to maybe share some love through giving a gift of a fuzzy blanket to a child who could use some comfort.

When my two baby daughters and I left the women's shelter 30 years ago, we were given a blanket with a Snoopy print on it. We used it for decades - until it was shredded. I know what it's like to be homeless, and to be given the gift of love from someone who cares, someone who didn't even know me or my daughters. I'll never forget that gift.

So here's my chance.

On the 4th of July, I spent the entire day making a Welcome Blanket for a new American.

When cruelty, racism, and bigotry are eating away at our society, Welcome Blanket harnesses our creativity and community to stand up for those who are marginalized, those who are hurt, those who are often unseen. Together, we say: we are so glad you are here.

A full circle moment.

Cuddle Pile!

A little about my blanket:

The kit came with all the colorful squares. The slits were already cut to create tabs on all four sides of each square. It's as simple as lining the squares up and tying the tabs together with a square knot.  I thought the finished blanket was a little too wimpy and could use a back. So I looked through my stash and found a nice piece of black polar fleece.

I cut the black fleece to size, cut slits in the edge, then tied the colorful tabs on the quilt top to the black tabs on the quilt back. I reinforced each corner where the colored squares meet by tying black yarn through both top and bottom layers of the quilt. The finished quilt is approximately 36" x 56".

Letter Snow

While I was feeling under the weather last week, I started this counted cross-stitch design, Letter Snow by Hillside Samplings. This is one of my 18 in 2018 goals. I'm happy with my progress.

Here's what the finished piece will look like.

Winter Warmth

'Tis done!

I decided to alter the chart just a bit to change the background behind the cup from black to green. I like it quite a bit. I also added more backstitching on the flower motifs on the cup to help them stand out, as well as backstitching around the steam. Those elements *pop* now. I also chose to leave off button embellishments because I didn't find any that worked well. I don't think this piece really needs them.

Winter Warmth is the last of the patterns from my 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar. This means that I've now completed another of my 18 Goals in 2018. Hooray!

I like that it only took me twelve years to complete these twelve small charts. I have many other patterns much older than this. In fact, I plan to stitch one of them later this year called Letter Snow. It's a snowman standing in a snowstorm of flakes shaped like the alphabet. That one will be in homage to my mom whose favorite Christmas song was Let It Snow. Stitching that pattern is another of my annual goals.

April Goal Update

It's that time again. Let's see what kind of progress I made this month on my 18 Goals in 2018.


Goal 1: Finish all the charts in the 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar and frame them / get them ready to display.

I finished Bud Vase and I'm nearly done with Winter Warmth.

Goal 12: Read Finding Your Own North Star by Martha Beck

I listened to the audio book. FYI, I recommend reading it and working through each of the exercises instead of listening to the audio book. The narrator really oversells it and is crazy annoying to listen to. Gratefully, I got out of the book what I needed.

Goal 13: Work through The Artist's Way course

I'm making nice progress and totally enjoying the process.

Goal 18: Go on a retreat

I went to Arizona for a Celebrate Your Life retreat with authors Elizabeth Gilbert and Martha Beck. It was spectacular -- so much more than I'd hoped for. I met some marvelous women and learned some techniques that I continue to use every day to nurture my soul and creativity. The retreat dove-tailed beautifully with The Artist's Way course.

This means that at 1/3 of the way through the year, I've completed three goals and have made progress on four more. I feel good about this.

Winter Warmth - part 2

I made some great progress on my stitchery today! Depending on how late I want to stay up, it's conceivable that I can finish the stitching tonight.

I'll need to wash it before framing, so that can't happen until tomorrow at the earliest.

I love this progress, though. I decided to give the cup a green background in half cross stitch rather than black full cross stitches. I'm liking it. The cup will 'pop' more once the backstitch is done.

I'm glad this chart is so pleasant to stitch. I was not expecting to enjoy this design.

Final Start

Today I began the last of the patterns in my 2006 Cross-stitch Calendar. A little steamy somethin' somethin' in a pretty flowered cup.

It's stitching quickly. Hooray! I'll be satisfied when this annual goal is complete.

Bud Vase

My Bud Vase stitchery is finished, framed, and ready for display.

Once again, I used a simple square frame from Dollar Tree to hold the stitching and the mat that was included in the 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar.

The chart called for four small buttons. I looked, but in my stash I didn't have four tiny buttons that matched. So I turned to my bead stash and found these gold flat beads. I attached them with for small stitches to hold them in place in the corners.

Ta Da!

With this piece done, I have completed 11 of the designs. One more small stitchery to go and I'll have completed goal Number 1 of my 18 in 2018 goals. I'll have an update on the entire list in three or four days.

Update on My Bud

Vase, that is.
Bud Vase

Merely need to finish the border.

Back At It

I'm getting quite close to my goal! I started this chart from the 2006 Cross-stitch Calendar a couple days ago.

It has a very limited color pallet which should help me complete it lickity split.

The King of Spring - Part 3

After a month-and-a-half, another chart from my 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar is now done. I'm one step closer to finishing one my my 18 in 2018 Goals.

He is a dandy little fellow, with his polka dot breast and golden crown. I added a heart-shaped button to the stitched heart.

The specialty stitches incorporated into this design are the yellow smyrna crosses at the corners of the border, a satin stitch for the big dots on the wings, and a half-cross that makes up the purple background. I'm crazy about the mat that came with this design and think the gold frame sets off the piece beautifully.

I think I'll take a short break from these calendar charts and work on a different piece of needlework over the next month. But I am determined to finish the last few charts before the end of the year.

Looking Forward to Spring

Time for a new project! This is The King of Spring and is the next of my designs from the 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar. I have the end of this calendar project in sight!

Let's hope this is a fast stitch. I'd love to have it complete in a week or two. I got a nice start on it today by adding the grid to the fabric, then beginning the bird. It's an interesting color pallet. I've never seen a bird this shade of purple before!

My Loss is My Gain

Well here's something you'll rarely see from me. I gave up on this stitching project after having put hours and hours and frustration and years into it. I finally decided to discard Newborn King.

I cut off any usable fabric from the edges. They're big enough for ornaments or bookmarks. Then -- BOOM! -- I threw the rest away.

I thought I'd hear a trumpet fanfare. Or at least a rim shot.

But no.

I heard only the scratch of pencil on paper as I checked off the first finish of my 18 in 2018 goals.

Truly, I thought I'd feel either relief or elation. I felt neither, and that's slightly disappointing. It simply felt like the next thing to do. Perhaps this will help me realize I can watch old hopes and projects fall away as I turn toward newer projects that light me up.

A plus? I do have a bit more room on one shelf of my Studio.