inspiration

I'm feeling so inspired today. After speaking to my Aunt Pam this morning about our favorite subject... ah-ha - the needlearts... I found a gem of a blog called Cose y calla; and after 5 seconds of scrolling I was addicted. Naturally, I immediately called Aunt Pam to rant and rave and ooh! and ahh! about it. I can't get over this woman's creativity and how beautifully perfect everything turns out. 

I'm hooked!

And punchneedle... It's calling my name again. I have a WIP, but after going back to Notforgotten Farm's blog and surfing through her Etsy shop all I want to do is punch my little heart out. After seeing this box (find it here), I'm done. It's mine! Wait till you see the 'extras'. It comes in many different colors. I like Robin's Egg or Black; haven't decided.

This even inspired me to research ways to feed a large family on a budget. 

Tonight's meal: Bean & Beef Chili with Cornbread.

~*Soul Food*~

"Making amends isn't just saying, 'I'm sorry,' It means responding differently from our new understanding."

fun freebies finished

I cannot believe it’s April already ~ AHHH!!! Where is the year going??? Spring has sprung here in Nashville. We’re finally having more normal weather ~ the 60’s to 70’s. This evening will be unpleasant though. We are going to have severe and high risk thunderstorms with the possibility of tornados. This is the second time in a week. It’s terrifying and we still have a few more months of this type of weather and it’s only going to get worse.

I can finally post another finish and another one on the way to be finish-finished. I stitched up primitivebetty’s freebie called Tulip Time. It’s so springy and cheery. I made a couple adjustments via color choices and I added initials. My dear mom needs some cheering up and I wanted to give her a little gift from my heart to hers. She so deserves special treatment and I’m honored to be the one to dish it out. She stopped by my house this afternoon and brought lunch for us and Cameron. She had no idea I had a wee tiny surprise for her. She loved it, by the way! She even shed some tiny little tears (I love you, Mom!).

I stitched this on 28 ct White Monaco and used my mom’s favorite colors of yellow, gold and mauve. I made two bunnies brown and two a soft black. I had fun with this and had it stitched in two days. I finished it off with two big black buttons from my own lot, fabric from my stash, and the lacey material is actually from my late-Grandmother’s stash. Can you keep a secret? The lace isn’t lace (nodding my head) ~ it is hem binding. (HeeHee) I made it into a wall hanging by inserting ½ inch thick natural batting, so now my mom has something cheery from me to hang in her stitching room.

I’ve completed my punchneedle carrot. The pattern is from one of my punchneedle books by Cheryl Haynes and daughter Sarah Haynes Knoerr called Punchneedle Embroidery and Wool Work. The pattern originally was created to be made with wool felt, but I don’t create with felt (at least not yet I don’t) and I changed it to my liking. It’s punched with DMC and WDW’s Carrot (how appropriate, ugh?). This was fast and easy. Next on the agenda is to secure the edges with tacky glue, cut to size, stuff with fluff, and lay in a basket for Easter. I have a cute little bunny waiting for his carrot too. :D I’ll post photos once I’m done assembling it.

Now I have two more days open for projects: Tuesday and Wednesday. Oh the possibilities are endless!

I’m on such a Twilight kick (can’t you tell? – see sidebar of Edward Cullen). I’m half way through New Moon. I’ve never had mood swings like this over a book. One minute I’m depressed. The next I’m hopeful. Then in an instant I feel reassured that Edward will suddenly jump back into Forks, but then devastated by his no-show. O—M—G!!! He needs to show his beautiful self or I’m going to die (screw Bella!). I’m livin’ the nightmare here. Anyway, Jacob is becoming more likeable. At first I wasn’t pleased with them getting close, but there is something down inside me that is relieved Bella has “something,” but I am still not happy with the development.

My favorite part so far is when Edward whispers demands to Bella when she is seen by Laurent. Lordy! I was frightened for her and I actually thought for a split second (a girl can only hope and dream – ugh!) that Edward would fly in and save “his” damsel in distress. Man, this book is getting good now! It’s been slow moving since it started, but I can’t put it down now. I stayed up until 3:00 am last night reading. I can almost feel Bella’s pain and her pit of despair. It’s excruciating to read. I know…you don’t have to tell me I’m crazy. I’m fully well aware of this fact.

Gotta run and pick Jose up from school. Happy stitching!

progress underway

My needles must have flames behind them because I have finished another project and I’m half way done with my carrot. I don’t know where this fire is coming from because lately I haven’t been feeling well. I’m not ill; just not well. I’ve had my migraines and headaches for days now so I’m heavily medicated and regularly. I’m not having such a good time either. I am faint-like, light headed, run down, a bit slow even, and a tad on the confused side. All I can do is lay around and luckily I’ve been able to stitch once the pounding subsides and then it’s time to take more meds to keep myself functioning for Cameron’s sake. I keep crossing my fingers hoping each new day will be a brighter one. Onto stitching though…

I finished the January Primitive Floss Tag by The Needle’s Content. I hand-dyed 32 ct natural linen with walnut crystals and sprayed distressing solution on it, then baked it. I did this before stitching because I used Gentle Art Sampler Threads and as we all know are not colorfast. I’ll assemble this little cutie in the next couple days. I’ve already purchased February and March floss tags and they are really cute. Annemiek is designing floss tags for all 12 months ~ so cool!

This is my progress on the carrot. I used two DMC colors (green and rusty orange), but I’m using WDW Carrot for the body. The pattern came from a punchneedle book of mine. I traced the pattern using an iron-on pencil and then transferred it onto plain weaver’s cloth. I should have given more thought to this little project. From the beginning I planned to stuff this carrot and lay in a basket for Easter or something like that (who knows!), but what I should have contemplated was the color of weaver’s cloth. I should have used a spring color like pink, yellow or purple. I mean, I have those colors. I just didn’t think all this through. Oh well, you live and learn!

This morning I was resting on the couch and Cameron nestled up on my side. He must have been really comfy (although it doesn’t look that way) because he fell asleep before his actual nap. He looks like a little monkey all rolled up.

I'm excited that I have another finish in one week. This means I have two days open now for something new or something old. Decisions. Decisions. That's it for now. Talk soon!

so many things…so little time

I have many things to talk about and it's been awhile, so first things first...

Twilight review…I read the book and have finally witnessed the movie. First, I did enjoy the movie. Let’s not forget that; however, I was disappointed a little. It was missing something. Maybe it was the director. I felt the movie missed so many topics that the book hit on that I felt were important to the story line. I felt the movie to be choppy and too “piecey”. It jumped from one scene to the next without the fade of that particular scene having a conclusion. For example, the girls are at school discussing prom and driving into Port Angeles to buy prom dresses. Bella wants to go and all of a sudden they are there trying on dresses. Less than 2 minutes later we see a book being handed to her and now she’s being barraged by strange men; Edward appears. It just happened all too quickly for me. I felt like the movie was sped through.

I understand that “Hollywood” has to take a hundreds plus page book and mash it down to 90 minutes and maintain substance, but other movies have fared better with WAY more complexity in the story, such as The Pelican Brief, The Firm, The Da Vinci Code (just to name a few) that had a tremendous amount of conspiracy and twists and turns, and those directors managed to keep the content. I feel Twilight lost this. Twilight was such a success with words that it didn’t stand a chance at losing its audience on the silver screen. People were going to almost automatically like it no matter how bad or good it was. There was a bias.

The only thing from this movie that remained faithful to the book was Bella and Edward. I think the two actors playing Edward and Bella were perfect for the part. What I wouldn’t kill to be Bella, really! The amount of intensity and passion these two share. The anticipation of “taking” each other, but having to endure such restraint, especially when Edward softly commands her to be still, don’t move…OMG!!! He had me there. A line like that floors me. What a turn on that scene was. I would have made him take a bite. Heehee

I hear that New Moon is also being made into a movie and that it’s getting a different director. I’m glad if that’s true. Maybe the next movie will be right on topic. I am glad I saw the movie. I own it and plan on watching it over and over and over again to get my Edward fix. There is enough of him to go around ladies. :o)

"My heart belongs to my husband, but neck belongs to Edward." Anonymous

Saturday…I went to moonlight stitching with mom at our LNS and it was really fun. We enjoyed ourselves tremendously. My mom saw an old friend, Katie, from the original sit ‘n stitch evenings from years ago so that was a treat for mom. Melissa joined the party as well and brought along her two table runners. Go to her blog and check them out ~ so beautiful!

Crafting area…I am making great progress in my creative-domain! This is where I do everything - rotary cutting, piecing, sewing, ironing, sorting, organizing, and looking for projects, etc. You name it; I do it there, except for stitch. I either stitch in the living room with my Ott-Lite or in bed.

I finally alphabetized my single charts into magazine holders and they have been relocated on the new lower shelf. I like this a lot better. This isn’t all the charts I own though. I have scissor fob kits and singles, smalls, etc. These are just in other places in my area. Since I’m still not done repositioning everything I can’t show photos just yet, but I will in do time. I am happy with how things are turning out.

Groupies…I recently joined another Yahoo! group. (The photo is clickable.)

I started contributing to the Blackbird Designs blogspot so go and check out that little place. I’ve always been familiar and an admirer to BBD, but just until recently have I become addicted (hence BBD addict sidebar photo) to the designs. In my very humble opinion I feel the designs have changed over the years and I really like the new look. I don’t know if it was intentional or even noticeable on their part, but I really am enjoying the new look of all their designs. I see a new design and have this aching feeling that I have to have it. What about you?!

Finishings…For the last few days I’ve been busy finishing up a couple projects. I have cleared another current rotation project – Stacy Nash’s Hallows Eve Sampler Pillow.

Design: Hallows Eve Sampler Pillow
Designer: Stacy Nash Primitives
28 ct Autumn Fields (front/back)
DMC 301, 310, 612, 730, 838

This took way too long! Granted, every Friday wasn’t a good stitching day; therefore, no stitching was to be had, but it is done…finally! I loosely stuffed it with Poly-fil. I didn’t want it to be stiffly stuffed with fluff (I’m a poet and didn’t know it). I added my own touches by attaching a black key to the front and added my initials in a ‘hallows eve’ kinda way, along with stitching one of the keys 1 over 1. I didn’t coffee stain or use walnut crystals because the Autumn Fields is over-dyed. I didn’t free hand cross stitches either. I like how it all turned out.

I’ve mentioned a couple times about making a punchneedle case for my new Cameo needles. I already have a needle case for my Russian punchneedles with a needle punch design atop the clear plastic container. It’s an Erica Michaels design I received when I took her punchneedle class years ago. The container houses my Russian needles perfectly; threaders and all.

The dilemma was I didn’t want any ole’ plastic container case for my Cameo. I wanted something a wee bit nicer. Besides, the threading needles are much longer than the Russian threaders, so I was going to need something more substantial in width ~ at least 7” wide. Since most of the designs I punch are folk art and/or primitive, I thought it only appropriate to use my Civil War fabrics. I am extremely fulfilled with this accomplishment! No pattern. No design. I just went with the flow and my result was perfect for me.

Design: Pig and Chicken
Designer: Hooked On Rugs
Thread: WDW
Fabric: beige weaver’s cloth

I added several little touches after my brainstorming of the needle case. I free hand stitched my initials on the wool inside. I added two buttons; one for decoration and one to hold the case closed. I used walnut crystals to stain a piece of hem binding that came from my grandmother’s stash of lace and hemming pieces. I used the blanket stitch to attach the wool. I used interfacing and a 1/2” thick piece of batting between the main fabrics; both to give stability, and it worked! I used Mod Podge to affix the pig and chicken to the top/front of the case. I’m really happy! In fact, I did a little dance last night!

Oldies…I wanted to share the very first needle case I ever stitched and finished by myself.

The design is from Olde Colonial I picked up from CATS back in 2004-2005. Since I was a ‘virgin’ at this kind of thing I didn’t notice until after I assembled it that I’m off by one stitch on the “5” of 2005 ~ I went too far. I was really upset at the time, but now it doesn’t bother me so much. It’s funny to look at it, but it’s also a reminder at how far I’ve come and where I started. I love my little scissor and needle case. I wouldn’t change a thing. :o)

Cameron speaks…FINALLY!!! Cameron is saying ONE word. He is saying “Mama” with intention. And when I answer him, ‘yes,’ he has the most excited grin. He knows he’s speaking and I’m so proud of him. It sounds so sweet to finally hear. I’ve been waiting a long time to hear his little voice utter sweet little words like ‘mama.’ It’s music to my ears.

On a very different note, Cameron is throwing things…ALL things. It’s a difficult phase to address. I’ve sought out some mommy advice from Tanya and she’s been very helpful. Jose went through this very same thing, but not to this extent. Cameron throws the tray from the highchair which can really hurt someone. It also makes for a very loud crash. Even though this phase isn’t funny, the other night we were eating dinner and had smoked salmon dip as an appetizer. We’re happily enjoying our meal, and as if God wanted to throw something down from heaven, a pacifier came and landed in the dip. SPLAT!!! It made quite the interesting indentation in the dip. We had a very difficult time controlling our laughter. It was surprising to say the least.

Cameron has been enjoying the outside. He cries if we don’t let him out and I believe he thinks he’s Pink Panther, or either Mr. Bean, but he’s making attempts to find a way outside without assistance. We have to be very conscientious about locking doors around here. We were at my FIL’s a few weeks ago and he has a doggy door. I know I don’t need to tell the story, but guess where we found Cameron? Yep! Heading out the dog door. We locked that up real quick bc my FIL has a 2-3 foot deep pond. Very scary place!

Other…Not that anyone cares, but it is part of my ‘makeup’, I am waiting to receive my gun carry permit in the mail. I completed the application process, had my photo taken, background check done, and was fingerprinted. We’ve purchased the gun I’ll carry, which is compact called a Glock 19. I’m not excited per se, just waiting around for yet another HUGE responsibility to maintain.

Jose…Jose returned to school today from spring break. I’m a little relieved bc Cameron can get back into his normal routine. Not that I had him off of it with Jose around, but it gave me a challenge that’s for sure. I’m not relieved bc I’ll have to leave here around 2:30 everyday to pick him up. Not that I don’t mind picking up my son, it’s just that I don’t feel well today and going out in this sunlight makes me feel ill. I was going to take Cameron to the park today, but I feel too bad so it’ll have to be another day. It’s in the 70’s today so that’s a bummer.

DH…I’m going to end this post on a silly note. I’m sure most of us can agree that men are much different than women – much different doesn’t even begin to explain the difference, does it?! The other day I walked into the kitchen and this is what waited for me.

Why do men do this kind of thing? My DH can take apart cars and put them back together. He can do plumbing and electrical work. He works on computers and can fix any mechanical toy or machine (he’s educated for this). He’s a sharp-shooter. And can solve just about any problem even though he has no training in most fields. He can just do these things. HOWEVER, he cannot load a dishwasher to exhaust all usable space and he cannot open a waffle box. What is up with this???!!! I’m going to quote Anne Hesch in the movie Seven Days, Six Nights when she speaks to Harrison Ford and asks after they’ve crashed onto a deserted island:

Anne: Aren’t you one of those guys???
Harrison: What guys?
Anne: You know…one of those guys you give a tooth pick and a shovel to and they build you a shopping mall???!!!

That is my DH, but not with a waffle box. Ugh!!! And as if that wasn’t enough, what’s wrong with this picture?

I must have wakened in another house. Who keeps motor oil on the counter around food??? Please! If anyone knows, I’d like to hear about it. I’d like to know I’m not alone here. Have a wonderful Monday and a fantastic week!

real quick...

...I wanted to post my finished punchneedle piece called Family by Erica Michaels. I punched this years ago, but never finish-finished it, and now I have! I like how it turned out. I wanted to keep it simple because my idea is to place this in the center of a wall and then get a picture of every person in our family to surround it. I think it'll look neat. I was even thinking about making all the photos in black and white or sepia - what do you think?

I used a reproduction cotton sheen fabric and cut it an inch larger than the mat board. Once I had that set I used Mod Podge to stick the Family in center. I bought that frame at Michaels for $3.00 and I didn't want or need the glass. As we all know, photos never do a piece any kind of justice, so please use your imagination. The fabric is also very soft to the touch.

Well, that's it for me. I'm off to sit in bed and watch an old classic 80's movie: Peggy Sue Got Married. I love this movie! This was one of the first movies that Jim Carrey was in; when Kathleen Turner was gorgeous, and Nicolas Cage was scrawny and nasely. LOL The movie makes me cry every time. Family is all we have, you know. How fitting for my piece, ugh? I didn't plan this, honest. :D

Goodnight!

i love being productive

Finishing
Cutting
Baking fabric
Coffee staining
Distressing
Ironing
Piecing
Gluing
Mod Podging
Measuring
Fabric sorting

"these are a few of my favorite things..." (this is my effort to sing like Julie Andrews -ahem!)

I have been pretty busy lately and I haven't posted in a couple days because of that. I wanted to have something worth posting so here it goes. I have been in a storm of craft supplies.

I finished 2 projects, yes 2 projects in one week. How's that for having a rotation and sticking to it?!?! I'm very pleased with myself. I even had time to do "extra" projects and I still have more to tackle. Yay!!!

I finished Sarah's ABC Pincushion Tuesday night. I changed Sarah Tobias to my own name (duh!) and stitched '09 at the end. I used a different silk than what was called for ~ I used Kelp by Waterlilies. It turned out really really pretty. The fabric behind the piece is what I am going to use to finish the pillow pincushion.

I finished Pig and Chicken by Hooked on Rugs. I may just frame these two but their fate hasn't been sealed just yet. This was punched on weaver's cloth using WDW and GAST.

Now that I have finished two projects this week, Tuesday and Wednesday are open for something new or something old to fill those days. I think I'll take one project from my WIP's basket and move it to rotation, and I'll start a new project for the remaining open day, even though I shouldn't. :o)

Other than that, I have been crafting up a storm in the last couple days, let me tell you! For the first time ever I took a stab at covering a paper box with fabric and then adorned the top with a punchneedle piece. The punchneedle piece was actually a mini rug design for a dollhouse, but I had other ideas. I even took my fabric-covered box even further and made a little stitchery word ("LOVE") using a piece of white felt and blanket stitching around the edge. I coffee stained the felt, sprayed distressing solution in the bowl, baked it for 5 minutes, pressed it with the iron for a few seconds, and applied it to the side of my box.

I am happy with the results overall. I used Mod Podge to apply the fabric and I used this tutorial to make it all happen. I think I'm going to add twisted cord around the rug edge to soften that up a bit. I used the same piece of fabric that came from the quilt I made my MIL, so the fabric has meaning. I have to give Beth credit for inspiring me to even attempt this project or else I would have never done so. Thanks, Beth!

This is the progress I'm making on the January Primitive Floss Tag by Annemiek (aka The Needle's Content). I dyed the fabric myself with walnut crystals. It's a cute little tag. I'm also waiting patiently for February's tag, but I know that Annemiek is very busy keeping shop and doing her thing. :o)

This is what came in the mail today.

From the Notforgotten Farm, obviously. This little charm is so teeny-tiny and sweet. I can't wait to wear it. I like it so much that I ordered the red saltbox house from Lori this evening.

I've done so much since Saturday. I ironed and planned out my Be Still piece ~ I'm thinkin' I'll lace it onto board instead of using tape. I finally decided the fate of my punchneedle piece Family, and I also went through all my fabric and have chosen a coordinating fabric for it to be mounted on and then framed. It is prim so I like it a lot. I've steamed and pressed all my pieces and are now awaiting Finishing Fridays. :D

I'm still working on re-organizing my crafting area and still there are shelves that need to come down in order for newer and bigger ones to go up. I'm in the process of revising my current rotation too. The rotation is still working, but I'd like to have more than one project per day, but not everyday; just a couple of days a week. Also, my mother and I are in a round robin together and we've chosen to work on Carriage House Samplings' Shores. She is almost done with the first block and I cannot wait to get my hands on this piece. I'll take photos once I receive it from my mom. And here is what I picked up from Market on Sunday.

It's late and I must head off to bed. G-night! Will post Saturday's adventure soon.

progress not perfection

I am progressing beautifully with my new (adaptation) system for current rotations. By today’s end it will be my 4th day in the rotation. I’ve become so quickly successful that I actually finished a project last night and I’m so happy about it. I’ve already chosen a project to put in Wednesday’s place ~ I am excited to see it again! It’s a punchneedle design that is almost completely punched called Pig and Chicken by Hooked on Rugs. Its folk art and so cute! All that's left to punch is the background which has already been started.

punched on plain weaver's cloth & used WDW cotton threads

(this is the back to which you work from)

(started November 4, 2008)

(right now)
28 ct Vintage Country Cream by Lakeside Linens & used Crescent Colours Bandana

Vintage Country Cream

I finished up Schoolgirl Lessons by LHN. I started this November 4, 2008 and because of its small size and being stitched monochromatically this should have been done a looooong time ago. I’m so embarrassed about it. See, this is why I need a reliable rotation system. So far, I think this is going to work wonderfully for me. My mother may even adopt this same system. Good for her because she probably has more UFO’s than I do. :o)

Yesterday afternoon and into last night I worked on cleaning up my crafting area. It’s been such a mess and a catchall place for months. It has been a disgrace and completely unlike me. But now it is clean and ready to use…for now. I’m still not done though. I need to install two wired shelves above my work station so I can access my more commonly used supplies and stash instead of them being shoved into closed doors and cabinets where they are not easily accessible. In addition to cleaning the mess, I rearranged two pieces of furniture in this space. I moved my sewing machine table next to the craft table and the cabinet that was once there is now where the sewing machine table used to stand. I like it so much better this way; however, I need better lighting or more lighting rather.

Be Still...by The Sampler Girl
28 ct. Jobelan Sand Castle & using DMC

Today is really nice out ~ high is 65 and sunny with a bit of overcast. It is Thursday so that means I’ll be stitching on Be Still…by The Sampler Girl. I’m almost done with this so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll get this stitched up today. Wish me luck!