As for size, the big one here is about the size of the palm of Jeanne's hand.
Friday, September 14, 2018
Jeanne's Rocks
These are the rocks my daughter Jeanne painted while we were together. She's the one that figured out that the colors will pop more with a base coat of white or black. I like the way she used the shape of the rock to help determine what she painted. I am impressed with her strawberry.
As for size, the big one here is about the size of the palm of Jeanne's hand.
As for size, the big one here is about the size of the palm of Jeanne's hand.
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Throwback Thursday - 2001 (Part 7)
Seven Intricate Tassels
Tassel with Yarn Bead Collar
In this tassel, the collar is made from a "bead" of yarn. Two thread collars are tied around the tassel, then a "bead" is created by stitching the Cretan stitch anchored by those two thread collars. Once this bead is created, it cannot be removed because it's sewn onto the tassel itself.
The trick is to tie the two thread collars very tightly so that they stay in place as anchors while you work around them. The further the two thread collars are placed apart, the larger the bead and the better the design of the Cretan stitch shows up.
This tassel is six inches long and made from tapestry wool in several shades of green. The yarn bead is about one inch from top to bottom.
Tassel with Multiple Wraps for the Collar
On this tassel, a thread is tied tightly at the top of the collar. The collar is divided into three equal sections. Each section is wrapped with a contrasting fiber. Then the three sections are twisted into the desired shape. Finally, the sections are recombined to form the tassel skirt by tying a thread tightly at the bottom of the collar.
I find this tassel weird and disproportionate. It looks like a girl with braided pigtails wearing an ankle-length dress and a long-sleeved brown shirt, holding her hands behind her back. I can't imagine actually using this tassel as a decoration on anything.
This tassel is made of a 4-ply variegated yarn. The collar is a 4-ply solid brown yarn. It's an eight inch tassel with a 2.5 inch collar.
Tassel with Collar of Multiple Bead Rows
This is another of my favorite techniques. The beads on this tassel give it an elegant, understated look.
The trick to making the collar work well is to be more concerned with how the beads lie flat against the tassel threads than the concern that each of the three collars has the same number of beads.
This tassel is made from #5 perle coton with green seed beads. It's a 4 inch tassel.
Tassel with Single Bead for a Collar
I love the simplicity of this tassel and it's another of my favorites. I think this one is effective because I used simple household string for the head and skirt and a bead with an interesting size and shape for the collar. The proportion is just right. It's a very casual, cute, fuss-free, fun tassel.
This tassel is made of string and a wooden bead. It's a 5 inch tassel.
Tassel with a Single Bead for the Head
This is my least favorite tassel of the bunch. I think it looks completely goofy. It may be because I used an oblong bead instead of a round bead for the head. I'm not sure. It could be that this is just an odd technique. I think it looks lopsided and disproportionate.
This tassel is made with 4-ply variegated yarn with a wood bead for the head. It's a 5 inch tassel.
Tassel with Beaded Dangles
This idea may have worked well had I used different materials. As it is, I find this tassel quite unsuccessful.
The goal of this tassel is to have some beads stationary on the tassel head, have them caught in the collar, then have them hang freely over the tassel skirt. Were this tassel made of a silkier fiber, and were the beads smaller, and were there six or eight strands of beads instead of four, it might be quite pretty. I think the dangles would look better if they were the same length as the tassel skirt as well.
This tassel is made from white baby-weight yarn that has a shiny rayon strand wrapped around it. The dangling beads are 4mm, and the end bead is a 3mm round opalescent bead. It's about 5 inches long.
Beaded Tassel
I adore the final look of this tassel. Boy, did I have to work for it! This little tassel took over six hours of concentrated effort, and quite a slew of curse words.
I'd never attempted a peyote stitch before this project. Trying to learn with tiny beads had me crying and pulling out my hair. So I took some yarn and pony beads (larger scale) to figure out the technique. When I went back to the seed beads, I decided to use two colors, yellow and green, so that I could more easily tell the difference between row one and row two. That strategy helped me keep track of where I was on the pattern.
I also had a lot of trouble pulling waxed thread through those teeny tiny holes in the seed beads. I broke a number of beads in my attempts to pull the long, skinny needle through them, so had to replace the beads as best I could. It was a test.
But isn't it pretty?!
This tassel is made entirely of seed beads and waxed thread. The head is 5/8 of an inch long with a two inch skirt.
The next #throwbackthursday tassel post will show six embellished tassels.
Tassel with Yarn Bead Collar
In this tassel, the collar is made from a "bead" of yarn. Two thread collars are tied around the tassel, then a "bead" is created by stitching the Cretan stitch anchored by those two thread collars. Once this bead is created, it cannot be removed because it's sewn onto the tassel itself.
The trick is to tie the two thread collars very tightly so that they stay in place as anchors while you work around them. The further the two thread collars are placed apart, the larger the bead and the better the design of the Cretan stitch shows up.
This tassel is six inches long and made from tapestry wool in several shades of green. The yarn bead is about one inch from top to bottom.
Tassel with Multiple Wraps for the Collar
On this tassel, a thread is tied tightly at the top of the collar. The collar is divided into three equal sections. Each section is wrapped with a contrasting fiber. Then the three sections are twisted into the desired shape. Finally, the sections are recombined to form the tassel skirt by tying a thread tightly at the bottom of the collar.
I find this tassel weird and disproportionate. It looks like a girl with braided pigtails wearing an ankle-length dress and a long-sleeved brown shirt, holding her hands behind her back. I can't imagine actually using this tassel as a decoration on anything.
This tassel is made of a 4-ply variegated yarn. The collar is a 4-ply solid brown yarn. It's an eight inch tassel with a 2.5 inch collar.
Tassel with Collar of Multiple Bead Rows
This is another of my favorite techniques. The beads on this tassel give it an elegant, understated look.
The trick to making the collar work well is to be more concerned with how the beads lie flat against the tassel threads than the concern that each of the three collars has the same number of beads.
This tassel is made from #5 perle coton with green seed beads. It's a 4 inch tassel.
Tassel with Single Bead for a Collar
I love the simplicity of this tassel and it's another of my favorites. I think this one is effective because I used simple household string for the head and skirt and a bead with an interesting size and shape for the collar. The proportion is just right. It's a very casual, cute, fuss-free, fun tassel.
This tassel is made of string and a wooden bead. It's a 5 inch tassel.
Tassel with a Single Bead for the Head
This is my least favorite tassel of the bunch. I think it looks completely goofy. It may be because I used an oblong bead instead of a round bead for the head. I'm not sure. It could be that this is just an odd technique. I think it looks lopsided and disproportionate.
This tassel is made with 4-ply variegated yarn with a wood bead for the head. It's a 5 inch tassel.
Tassel with Beaded Dangles
This idea may have worked well had I used different materials. As it is, I find this tassel quite unsuccessful.
The goal of this tassel is to have some beads stationary on the tassel head, have them caught in the collar, then have them hang freely over the tassel skirt. Were this tassel made of a silkier fiber, and were the beads smaller, and were there six or eight strands of beads instead of four, it might be quite pretty. I think the dangles would look better if they were the same length as the tassel skirt as well.
This tassel is made from white baby-weight yarn that has a shiny rayon strand wrapped around it. The dangling beads are 4mm, and the end bead is a 3mm round opalescent bead. It's about 5 inches long.
Beaded Tassel
I adore the final look of this tassel. Boy, did I have to work for it! This little tassel took over six hours of concentrated effort, and quite a slew of curse words.
I'd never attempted a peyote stitch before this project. Trying to learn with tiny beads had me crying and pulling out my hair. So I took some yarn and pony beads (larger scale) to figure out the technique. When I went back to the seed beads, I decided to use two colors, yellow and green, so that I could more easily tell the difference between row one and row two. That strategy helped me keep track of where I was on the pattern.
I also had a lot of trouble pulling waxed thread through those teeny tiny holes in the seed beads. I broke a number of beads in my attempts to pull the long, skinny needle through them, so had to replace the beads as best I could. It was a test.
But isn't it pretty?!
This tassel is made entirely of seed beads and waxed thread. The head is 5/8 of an inch long with a two inch skirt.
The next #throwbackthursday tassel post will show six embellished tassels.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
You're all ANIMALS, I say! Animals!!
Jeanne and I had some fun painting rocks recently. I painted nine rocks of varying sizes. I plan to hide them in a local park later this week. These are my first three:
Chicky-poo (about 3 inches from head to toe)
Stretch (covers the palm of my hand)
Aldo (about two and half inches from head to toe)
All three of these designs were inspired by by ideas I found on Pinterest. I'll see if I can find time to add direct links to the original designs later on and update this post.
---
Inspired by Archlux
Inspired by unknown artist
Inspired by unknown artist
Chicky-poo (about 3 inches from head to toe)
Stretch (covers the palm of my hand)
Aldo (about two and half inches from head to toe)
All three of these designs were inspired by by ideas I found on Pinterest. I'll see if I can find time to add direct links to the original designs later on and update this post.
---
Inspired by Archlux
Inspired by unknown artist
Inspired by unknown artist
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Finishing Touches
To round out the Autumn decorations in our living room and dining room, I added a few more touches.
The sunflower corner has two of my photos from flowers a grew a few years back, along with a sunflower stitchery.
A shelf that holds our Tivo, crystal, and glass also holds the punch bowl filled with Autumn excelsior (crimped paper shreds in shades of brown and orange), more gold ornaments and red apple ornaments, all wrapped up in a big Autumn bow.
On top of that shelf is a display of three large serving bowls in the shape of leaves, and another Autumn photo of a leaf spray from a tree in our front yard.
Finally, on the opposite side of the mantel sits a glass basket overflowing with Autumn excelsior and more apple ornaments.
I so enjoy the sparkle and shine. Festive!
The sunflower corner has two of my photos from flowers a grew a few years back, along with a sunflower stitchery.
A shelf that holds our Tivo, crystal, and glass also holds the punch bowl filled with Autumn excelsior (crimped paper shreds in shades of brown and orange), more gold ornaments and red apple ornaments, all wrapped up in a big Autumn bow.
On top of that shelf is a display of three large serving bowls in the shape of leaves, and another Autumn photo of a leaf spray from a tree in our front yard.
Finally, on the opposite side of the mantel sits a glass basket overflowing with Autumn excelsior and more apple ornaments.
I so enjoy the sparkle and shine. Festive!
Monday, September 10, 2018
Autumn Mantel
This year my entire mantel has become a pumpkin patch. First, I hung the oil painting over the mantel. I inherited this beautiful painting from my parents. I have a fall-colored scarf as the backdrop. I've added about three new resin pumpkins this year. I used some books and boxes and glassware to add levels so that each pumpkin can easily be seen. On the left is a needlework pumpkin I stitched and framed.
I've also added a couple other items to this vignette. I bought three mini bales of hay. (Boy, are they messy!)
I filled my glass pumpkin-shaped cookie jar with gold balls (ornaments). Then I tucked fairy lights around them to add more sparkle. This string of LED lights uses two AAA batteries to light them.
I intend to add some soft crocheted pumpkins before the end of the season. I'm so pleased with how it's shaping up!
I've also added a couple other items to this vignette. I bought three mini bales of hay. (Boy, are they messy!)
I filled my glass pumpkin-shaped cookie jar with gold balls (ornaments). Then I tucked fairy lights around them to add more sparkle. This string of LED lights uses two AAA batteries to light them.
I intend to add some soft crocheted pumpkins before the end of the season. I'm so pleased with how it's shaping up!
Sunday, September 9, 2018
Wreath Re-do
In Autumn, I hang two wreaths on my porch. A large one on the garage-side wall, and a small one near the front door. This is the large wreath ... looking rather shaggy in 2015. I added some leaves to it last year, so it looks a little better now.
But the small wreath was looking shaggy on steroids. I'd taken a straw wreath form and wrapped two swags of autumn leaves around it. It looked ... full ... but bad. I didn't even bother to take a "before" picture of it. I decided it needed a haircut and new 'do.'
I cut all the leaves and do-dads off the swags, then sorted the leaves by size and color. Then, using floral pins, I arranged the leaves in a pattern around the wreath, added the berries and do-dads back in, and secured a new hook on the back so it could hang more securely.
My son-in-law would say that my wreath is much more "orderly" now. (I love that term that he gave me when talking about our gingerbread village a few years back. He was figuring out which artist did which gingerbread cottage. He picked mine out easily because it was "orderly." I take that as a badge of honor).
So now, instead of a shaggy, scraggly wreath, I have a small tidy wreath by the front door to welcome guests.
But the small wreath was looking shaggy on steroids. I'd taken a straw wreath form and wrapped two swags of autumn leaves around it. It looked ... full ... but bad. I didn't even bother to take a "before" picture of it. I decided it needed a haircut and new 'do.'
I cut all the leaves and do-dads off the swags, then sorted the leaves by size and color. Then, using floral pins, I arranged the leaves in a pattern around the wreath, added the berries and do-dads back in, and secured a new hook on the back so it could hang more securely.
My son-in-law would say that my wreath is much more "orderly" now. (I love that term that he gave me when talking about our gingerbread village a few years back. He was figuring out which artist did which gingerbread cottage. He picked mine out easily because it was "orderly." I take that as a badge of honor).
So now, instead of a shaggy, scraggly wreath, I have a small tidy wreath by the front door to welcome guests.
Saturday, September 8, 2018
For No Good Reason
It simply seemed like a good idea.
Dale and I started watching the new season of The Great British Baking Show this week. It's one of the gentlest food competitions on TV. No dirty tricks. No meanness. Good camaraderie and a helping hand among the contestants.
Watching makes me itch to get in the kitchen and bake. So I did.
Granted, I did it in the easiest way possible, with a roll of store-bought cookie dough (it was already in my fridge). Still, it was fun to get out the flour, sugar, and rolling pin. I got to dig through our stash of old cookie cutters from when our daughters were little girls. I got to add sugar and decorations. As a bonus, the house smells great!
And we have a platter of flowers and stars to share. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning.
Dale and I started watching the new season of The Great British Baking Show this week. It's one of the gentlest food competitions on TV. No dirty tricks. No meanness. Good camaraderie and a helping hand among the contestants.
Watching makes me itch to get in the kitchen and bake. So I did.
Granted, I did it in the easiest way possible, with a roll of store-bought cookie dough (it was already in my fridge). Still, it was fun to get out the flour, sugar, and rolling pin. I got to dig through our stash of old cookie cutters from when our daughters were little girls. I got to add sugar and decorations. As a bonus, the house smells great!
And we have a platter of flowers and stars to share. It's a good way to spend a Saturday morning.
Friday, September 7, 2018
Autumn Entryway
Since our fireplace mantle is completely covered in a pumpkin patch this year, I decided to relocate the "FALL" signs to the entryway.
I lined them up on the right side of the front door, and lined up the new framed glitter leaves along the left side. It's pretty -- and a new decorating spot for me.
I hung the frames using this new tool. After using some cardboard to figure out just where I wanted the frames to hang, I used this tool to help me mark where the nail was to go in the wall. It is so nifty! I wish I'd used it the day before when I was hanging the sunflower pictures. Dale and I put three holes in the wall before placing the 5 x 7 photo correctly. Anyway, I highly recommend this great, simple, inexpensive, effective tool.
I lined them up on the right side of the front door, and lined up the new framed glitter leaves along the left side. It's pretty -- and a new decorating spot for me.
I hung the frames using this new tool. After using some cardboard to figure out just where I wanted the frames to hang, I used this tool to help me mark where the nail was to go in the wall. It is so nifty! I wish I'd used it the day before when I was hanging the sunflower pictures. Dale and I put three holes in the wall before placing the 5 x 7 photo correctly. Anyway, I highly recommend this great, simple, inexpensive, effective tool.
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Throwback Thursday - 2001 (Part 6)
In August of 2001 I completed a correspondence course in tassels. The purpose of the class was to learn to make a variety of tassels from various fiber, and decorate them using fiber and bead embellishments. It was quite a challenge! There are a total of 22 tassels, so I'll show them over four #throwbackthursday blog posts.
The first set are Conventional Tassels.
Simple Tassel with Multi-colored collar
The trick to a good simple tassel is learning to keep your head threads straight, your skirt threads combed and your collar heads wrapped tightly against one another. The ends of the collar threads are then hidden in the skirt.
This tassel was made with DMC perle coton #5. It's 3 inches long
Two Mini Tassels
The trick to these two mini tassels is that they were wrapped at the same time, then cut into two separate tassels. They were a little hard to control as they were being cut and tied because they are so small.
These tassels were made of stranded cotton floss. They are less than one inch long.
Tassel Used as a Scissors Fob
This is one of my very favorite tassels because of the simple thread I used. This main difference between this and the first tassel is the twisted cord made of the same fiber that's used to attach it to a pair of scissors
It's made from crochet cotton.
Pom Poms
I didn't automatically think of pom poms as a type of tassel, but they are! The secret to a great pom pom is to first wrap enough yarn into a tassel, then to tie the head tight enough that the threads will pop into a spherical shape. The threads are then trimmed evenly for a balance ball appearance. If the pom pom isn't full, they are sad, sorry sights.
These pom poms were wrapped 200 times around a two inch cardboard. They are made from a basic 4-ply yarn. The finished size is approximately one inch in diameter.
Ribbon Tassel
This tiny ribbon tassel is another of my favorites. Satin ribbon tassels are used for decoration, but they don't hold up well if they're handled a lot.
The length of a ribbon tassel is determined by the width of the ribbon. The more narrow the ribbon, the shorter the tassel. Because the ribbon is satin, it was slippery and unruly to work with. The finished product is worth the trouble.
This ribbon is only 1/16" wide. The tassel is only 2 inches long. I decided to make the collar from cotton floss because it worked more easily than ribbon to wind around the top of the tassel.
My next #throwbackthursday post will show seven intricate tassels.
The first set are Conventional Tassels.
Simple Tassel with Multi-colored collar
The trick to a good simple tassel is learning to keep your head threads straight, your skirt threads combed and your collar heads wrapped tightly against one another. The ends of the collar threads are then hidden in the skirt.
This tassel was made with DMC perle coton #5. It's 3 inches long
Two Mini Tassels
The trick to these two mini tassels is that they were wrapped at the same time, then cut into two separate tassels. They were a little hard to control as they were being cut and tied because they are so small.
These tassels were made of stranded cotton floss. They are less than one inch long.
Tassel Used as a Scissors Fob
This is one of my very favorite tassels because of the simple thread I used. This main difference between this and the first tassel is the twisted cord made of the same fiber that's used to attach it to a pair of scissors
It's made from crochet cotton.
Pom Poms
I didn't automatically think of pom poms as a type of tassel, but they are! The secret to a great pom pom is to first wrap enough yarn into a tassel, then to tie the head tight enough that the threads will pop into a spherical shape. The threads are then trimmed evenly for a balance ball appearance. If the pom pom isn't full, they are sad, sorry sights.
These pom poms were wrapped 200 times around a two inch cardboard. They are made from a basic 4-ply yarn. The finished size is approximately one inch in diameter.
Ribbon Tassel
This tiny ribbon tassel is another of my favorites. Satin ribbon tassels are used for decoration, but they don't hold up well if they're handled a lot.
The length of a ribbon tassel is determined by the width of the ribbon. The more narrow the ribbon, the shorter the tassel. Because the ribbon is satin, it was slippery and unruly to work with. The finished product is worth the trouble.
This ribbon is only 1/16" wide. The tassel is only 2 inches long. I decided to make the collar from cotton floss because it worked more easily than ribbon to wind around the top of the tassel.
My next #throwbackthursday post will show seven intricate tassels.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Glitter Leaves
I came across this idea by one of my favorite YouTubers, CraftyGirl.
Four glittered leaves, four inexpensive frames, some green glitter paper, and a bit of hot glue makes for some new Fall decorations. I'll be hanging these in a vertical row next to the front door.
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Inspired by CraftyGirl
Four glittered leaves, four inexpensive frames, some green glitter paper, and a bit of hot glue makes for some new Fall decorations. I'll be hanging these in a vertical row next to the front door.
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Inspired by CraftyGirl
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Monday, September 3, 2018
Sunday, September 2, 2018
Vintage Tin
The texture and tone are exquisite.
I had an enjoyable afternoon at the vintage mall last week. I wandered around for over two hours and took more than 200 photos. I was playing "dodge the price tags" the entire time (they're not very photogenic). I'll be sharing my favorite photographic finds over the next weeks.
I had an enjoyable afternoon at the vintage mall last week. I wandered around for over two hours and took more than 200 photos. I was playing "dodge the price tags" the entire time (they're not very photogenic). I'll be sharing my favorite photographic finds over the next weeks.
Saturday, September 1, 2018
August Goal Update
Now that I've revamped my 18 goals, lets see how I've done so far, shall we? The blue print shows what I worked on or completed in August.
This is my overall scoresheet:
1. Finish all the charts in 2006 Cross-Stitch Calendar and frame them
or get them ready to display.
Finished in May
2. Finish or dispose of Newborn King
Disposed of it in January
3. Post a #ThrowbackThursday post each week.
Ongoing multi-year project. I've posted images of my projects from 1986 to
half way through 2001
4. Stitch and finish/frame Letter Snow
Completed in July
5. Crochet 5 different pumpkins
My September crochet project
6. Read and discuss the book Diana, Herself
Have read about half of it. Will finish it in September and discuss with a Facebook group.
7. Special Christmas ornaments for my daughters
Finished in May
8. Learn to use my new sewing Machine
Figured out the basics in June and will continue to learn more features as needed
9. Improve my health enough to extend doctor visits to every 6 months
instead of every 3 months
Done! I got the go-ahead from my doctor in August. Plus, I've been good about exercise
and have lost a little weight.
10. Make a pattern from my favorite t-shirt and use it
to make some shirts
Got the t-shirt made in July and attempted to dip-dye in August. The dying was semi-successful.
I'm ready to buy some new fabric and make a shirt from my pattern from scratch.
For the previous t-shirt attempts, I used fabric my husband's old discarded t-shirts.
11. New shelf paper in kitchen
Finished in May
12. Finding Your Own North Star
Read in April
13. The Artist’s Way
Finished in August! This is a big one, folks. The 12 week course turned into 7 months for me.
I learned a lot and will continue using its principles and exercises.
14. Read the washer manual
Completed in July
15. Design a new back deck and have it built
Jeanne and I designed it in June. It was built in July.
I've begun prepping the ground at the base for replanting.
16. Learn basic pattern drafting
I have a recorded TV course that I'll begin watching in September.
I'll figure out which techniques to try as I go along.
17. Take a color theory course
Scheduled to begin in September
18. Go on a retreat
Completed in April
Current Tally
Completed: 10 ... xs, Newborn King, Letter Snow, ornaments, sewing machine, health, shelf paper, North Star, Artist's Way, washer manual, retreat
Working on: 4 ... #throwbackthursday, Diana, Herself, deck, sew new t-shirts,
Yet to begin: 4 ... crochet pumpkins, color theory, pattern drafting,
Scheduled in September:
I hope to finish reading Diana, Herself, to prep the ground at the base of the deck, and to crochet the pumpkins
I learned a lot and will continue using its principles and exercises.
14. Read the washer manual
Completed in July
15. Design a new back deck and have it built
Jeanne and I designed it in June. It was built in July.
I've begun prepping the ground at the base for replanting.
16. Learn basic pattern drafting
I have a recorded TV course that I'll begin watching in September.
I'll figure out which techniques to try as I go along.
17. Take a color theory course
Scheduled to begin in September
18. Go on a retreat
Completed in April
Current Tally
Completed: 10 ... xs, Newborn King, Letter Snow, ornaments, sewing machine, health, shelf paper, North Star, Artist's Way, washer manual, retreat
Working on: 4 ... #throwbackthursday, Diana, Herself, deck, sew new t-shirts,
Yet to begin: 4 ... crochet pumpkins, color theory, pattern drafting,
Scheduled in September:
I hope to finish reading Diana, Herself, to prep the ground at the base of the deck, and to crochet the pumpkins
Friday, August 31, 2018
Brooch
I found this pretty pin at a vintage shop yesterday and bought it for my daughter Jodie. She has a soft spot in her heart for this type of pretty brooch. It's about two inches in diameter.
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Throwback Thursday - 2001 (Part 5)
In June and July of 2001, I completed only three cross-stitch charts because I was working on a correspondence course on how to make tassels. I made 23 tassels altogether, so it will take me a few weeks to share them all. In the mean time, here are the three Christmas stitching I made that summer.
Two Turtle Doves
This is day two of the Twelve Days of Christmas by the Cross My Heart design company.
Partridge in a Pear Tree
And here's the first of the same series. I have high hopes of making this series into a quilt by the end of 2019.
HoHoHo
To distract myself from making more tassels in July, I decided to stitch up a quickie Christmas ornament from the 2001 Better Homes and Gardens Cross-Stitch Christmas magazine. This design is by Cecilia Turner of Heart in Hand, one of the designers I met at the retreat I took earlier in the year.
I remember enjoying stitching the pattern, but being quite disappointed in myself for the way I did the finishing work. It's a door hanger, meaning you hang it as a decoration on a door handle. I feel like I did a very clunky job of it, though. Looking back, I sort of feel sorry for the person to whom I gave it as a gift later in the year.
On the next #ThrowbackThursday, I'll share the first five tassels I made.
Two Turtle Doves
This is day two of the Twelve Days of Christmas by the Cross My Heart design company.
Partridge in a Pear Tree
And here's the first of the same series. I have high hopes of making this series into a quilt by the end of 2019.
HoHoHo
To distract myself from making more tassels in July, I decided to stitch up a quickie Christmas ornament from the 2001 Better Homes and Gardens Cross-Stitch Christmas magazine. This design is by Cecilia Turner of Heart in Hand, one of the designers I met at the retreat I took earlier in the year.
I remember enjoying stitching the pattern, but being quite disappointed in myself for the way I did the finishing work. It's a door hanger, meaning you hang it as a decoration on a door handle. I feel like I did a very clunky job of it, though. Looking back, I sort of feel sorry for the person to whom I gave it as a gift later in the year.
On the next #ThrowbackThursday, I'll share the first five tassels I made.
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Daddy Time
OK. Last photo from our August visit.
Our granddaughter sure does have a good daddy. It's common to see Melody sitting in Jeff's lap, listening to a favorite storybook.
Bonus: Just look at how he color-coordinated her snack bowl with her socks!
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
A Shapely Thank You
A longtime good friend of mine knows I have a collection of evening bags. I call them my Ladies of the Evening. Over the years she's gifted me several unique pieces. Recently she sent two, one of which is quite old and of a shape I've not seen before.
So I decided to make her a special thank you card -- in the shape of an evening bag!
As you can see, the shape of the purse flap is one-half of the shape of the paper on the inside message. The die-cut set has several sizes of the same shape, so they are easily stackable. I embossed the blue scrapbook paper to give it texture. Then added a message on top.
I have some beaded evening bags that are quite pretty. Perhaps next year I'll make one of my 19 in 2019 goals to post photos of each one and tell the story of how it came to be in my collection.
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Inspired by scrap-a-little.com
So I decided to make her a special thank you card -- in the shape of an evening bag!
- I found some ideas online to get the basic shape.
- I pulled out some handmade(?) special powder blue paper with silver glitter starbursts. I recently purchased a huge lot of scrapbooking paper from a local gal I found through Facebook Marketplace. The lot had some unusual and beautiful paper mixed in with garden variety scrapbook paper designs.
- Then I used a few new die-cut shapes to create the purse flap and the little flower shape where I stamped the "thank you" cloud with blue ink.
- I added a silver ribbon for the purse's handle.
- I made the purse "clasp" from two sizes and shapes of sequins. So sparkly!
As you can see, the shape of the purse flap is one-half of the shape of the paper on the inside message. The die-cut set has several sizes of the same shape, so they are easily stackable. I embossed the blue scrapbook paper to give it texture. Then added a message on top.
I have some beaded evening bags that are quite pretty. Perhaps next year I'll make one of my 19 in 2019 goals to post photos of each one and tell the story of how it came to be in my collection.
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Inspired by scrap-a-little.com
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