tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86915342024-03-23T14:16:57.147-04:00Fairy Tales & French KnotsOnce upon a time, there was a girl who stitched...Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.comBlogger1144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-30562378505338794542021-05-20T14:57:00.001-04:002021-05-20T14:57:31.666-04:00Craft Sale!So my mother and I set up our little table at the craft fair this past weekend. And we didn't do terribly! I sold $125 worth of needlecrafts, and Mom got about $89 from her little plant starts.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWu7xpRjnvgGC7jQjq1nREUcuIjb2ZMXwlAyVhWfeKhtxBs9OY32xz_zrdHACn2Irj8AUMdTJHBKO2HGHso18Iub0IvHbV0BT8XtmrbRCZqsFBDPHuKoilzUIuAiceOgKavt4/s2016/pfeiffer1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWu7xpRjnvgGC7jQjq1nREUcuIjb2ZMXwlAyVhWfeKhtxBs9OY32xz_zrdHACn2Irj8AUMdTJHBKO2HGHso18Iub0IvHbV0BT8XtmrbRCZqsFBDPHuKoilzUIuAiceOgKavt4/s320/pfeiffer1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The center of our space. I sold the mermaid box, the little "Cozy" plaque (next to the red box), and all the tooth fairy pillows.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxW0rc4-Za-yft3nJUv8bLmIXSphzfmgbMoXELgpdncdFJ9HLMfAYH6j1u8M2D1iBIR4rC3E8V0cECwNfjspqrs5i7SHJ4MbDE4At9V33ISOTP1pAvRCyBakGUicJlmL8jsRK/s2016/pfeiffer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxW0rc4-Za-yft3nJUv8bLmIXSphzfmgbMoXELgpdncdFJ9HLMfAYH6j1u8M2D1iBIR4rC3E8V0cECwNfjspqrs5i7SHJ4MbDE4At9V33ISOTP1pAvRCyBakGUicJlmL8jsRK/s320/pfeiffer2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This seemed to be the prime selling spot - the large box, the little jade plant, and 2 of the jars (the butterfly and the one with the blue flowers) all sold.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0DkpzAPDbA_OmMNtAT-vRjYrGeM_VVf4XKScnlo4e4IJtjIEh4qrNP9ugcDNWQKBL4i8ITkNoSLSFgoAtCxbflq_m_d_9lzkr_airqLFlciCa4RLzmnUTzIj1CLJy7DLhDvy/s2016/pfeiffer3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM0DkpzAPDbA_OmMNtAT-vRjYrGeM_VVf4XKScnlo4e4IJtjIEh4qrNP9ugcDNWQKBL4i8ITkNoSLSFgoAtCxbflq_m_d_9lzkr_airqLFlciCa4RLzmnUTzIj1CLJy7DLhDvy/s320/pfeiffer3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mom's plants (we ended up with another table here, making the plant space wider).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefV8QkrKg6D4wE9LcjlPNHmM-RjwSAowiHcKuUozJco7y9Ym9WRV4V9TIp5F45EFkBNWCwpEHRFIhfn1v7HP0wm6rU8FNkVA8k8PfMBLSBGisdiOXOUAKkAPhad5dKx0fdMUC/s2016/pfeiffer4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1504" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiefV8QkrKg6D4wE9LcjlPNHmM-RjwSAowiHcKuUozJco7y9Ym9WRV4V9TIp5F45EFkBNWCwpEHRFIhfn1v7HP0wm6rU8FNkVA8k8PfMBLSBGisdiOXOUAKkAPhad5dKx0fdMUC/s320/pfeiffer4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here, the long box with the Ink Circles vine sold (it is actually the same box as the mermaid one, but it was priced $5 less - I based most of my prices on size, but the mermaid was more because as my artist friend said, "don't forget to charge a little for emotional investment - get more for the ones you really love"). And it is hard to see, but there is a little chipboard box up next to my sign in the back - that sold, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There were 17 vendors there, and it was in the middle of a field at a rural nature center, so it wasn't incredibly busy. There was a live band for a few hours, and a couple food trucks for snacks. I spent a little money myself - because who doesn't need some homemade goat's milk body lotion with the name "Monkey Farts"? - and we had a good time. Many thanks to my dad for helping us set up our tables and awning, so we weren't baking in the sun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now I can't stop making little boxes, in hopes of trying this again...</div><br /><div><br /></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-12913338451508097912021-05-07T11:36:00.003-04:002021-05-07T11:36:40.691-04:00An Appropriate Sampler<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9BZpd8mCBmacmkOd0KELMt0IjKtdXEZNsPrVSQYazFagG43oUsYQ-DIOhXnCUxoqZDCOYRXO5NoKhIRIr5rTWzFABEtbvnvD4A8ZAnnWTH4Qgc_nM-3k34CXDXU1sXSUGMcd/s2015/antiquealphabetin+the+timeofcovid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2015" data-original-width="1603" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9BZpd8mCBmacmkOd0KELMt0IjKtdXEZNsPrVSQYazFagG43oUsYQ-DIOhXnCUxoqZDCOYRXO5NoKhIRIr5rTWzFABEtbvnvD4A8ZAnnWTH4Qgc_nM-3k34CXDXU1sXSUGMcd/s320/antiquealphabetin+the+timeofcovid.jpg" /></a></div><p>I've been pretty busy this past month trying to do some finishing...my mother wants to set up a table at a local craft show to sell some of her plant cuttings in little tea cups she has collected, and she mentioned that I could sell some of my finished needlework. So I've put more pieces into jewelry boxes from thrift store trips, and finished a few other small things. Pricing them is difficult - I want to be fair to myself, but I also know that "profit" on handcrafts is next to impossible. And I don't want to bring all the stuff back home! I don't need 14 little jewelry boxes... The sale is next weekend. Crossing my fingers that I sell even a few things.</p><p>The finish above is a piece from Lauren Sauer, of Forget-Me-Nots In Stitches. It is titled "Antique Alphabet in the Time of Covid," and was a round robin piece from last year's virtual Celebration of Needlework. I stitched it with Carrie's Creations' Aubergine variegated floss, and made a few changes to personalize it (namely, I flip-flipped the V and W, and changed the dimensions of a few letters...also made the motif after the Z more balanced). I framed it myself in a frame I found at an antique shop. I made a few small repairs to the frame, and sprayed it with a coat of polyurethane - but I left the "distressed" look, chipped paint and all. I have no idea if the frame is really that old or rare, but I thought it suited the sampler.</p><p></p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-38493566214363026912021-03-30T16:58:00.000-04:002021-03-30T16:58:02.177-04:00Finished!!<p> After 6 years....</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk8aa3A-S_MxQ1KGAwBWpzc2-hMwPLaZo5fjSsm_t7ODCmyLLlsNS-8_wPFhzRlPTkRxkcfpgkNxE_irKHfsEDMSAC10jW9z0GdriOFih2FKJJ5XfO7Q3cY16UHaE_PVVpRJb/s2819/20210328_160942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="1116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIk8aa3A-S_MxQ1KGAwBWpzc2-hMwPLaZo5fjSsm_t7ODCmyLLlsNS-8_wPFhzRlPTkRxkcfpgkNxE_irKHfsEDMSAC10jW9z0GdriOFih2FKJJ5XfO7Q3cY16UHaE_PVVpRJb/w253-h640/20210328_160942.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><br />...she's DONE! This is "Family Treasure III" by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum/Told in a Garden. I started it in 2015, and finished it this past Sunday (3/28). I made a few changes (as always):<div>- I added white seed beads in the outer border, and I replaced some of the "flowers" with beads as well (pink, purple, blue, and gold).</div><div>- There were many hearts in this pattern. I don't love hearts, especially not the very 1980s-styled ones here. So I replaced many of them... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLb1nXiwToYIAT_VZl96PNguxeYPo9NgSRb9BcQmL5k0WKsMMPBdBfyXKctY0CeOHSQRmtyFQ_6JbY5k4yEbMyOYx6rm7_o4EZexlypgQz05GYqTKZ4bAsQ83jYkZz31Yayf/s1720/20210328_213546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="1720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mLb1nXiwToYIAT_VZl96PNguxeYPo9NgSRb9BcQmL5k0WKsMMPBdBfyXKctY0CeOHSQRmtyFQ_6JbY5k4yEbMyOYx6rm7_o4EZexlypgQz05GYqTKZ4bAsQ83jYkZz31Yayf/s320/20210328_213546.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...with lazy daisies...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY6sIFA3-ty2vzHNyuhXfbtN5ULwh4541BcM8fqigWoRMu5w7GeK1YOnMy46OP6W3Dqtig8hsMOVdULSCxLLHn9mPlggB3s3T6LS871rYCs67HlNZt0SZ2s3lc6EnXI7V0HhA/s2048/20210328_213610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsY6sIFA3-ty2vzHNyuhXfbtN5ULwh4541BcM8fqigWoRMu5w7GeK1YOnMy46OP6W3Dqtig8hsMOVdULSCxLLHn9mPlggB3s3T6LS871rYCs67HlNZt0SZ2s3lc6EnXI7V0HhA/s320/20210328_213610.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">...and with Rhodes hearts and eyelets.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The more I look at this, the more I see that I scattered beads all over the place. There were just so many places that were perfect for a little bit of sparkle and bling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEzQy2U7PDjkapf2Jx0cvyMxuRW8Jy0xP1UUl2WdzTDyGuOH_x3n4y3nONPPM3uzVt5QeRAKtGmw1nke3r0az6kf3qaYi7I_ag8QM3xhk4KE4_gZzAtA3gjI5nQL4AM-YgnLM/s2048/20210328_214218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEzQy2U7PDjkapf2Jx0cvyMxuRW8Jy0xP1UUl2WdzTDyGuOH_x3n4y3nONPPM3uzVt5QeRAKtGmw1nke3r0az6kf3qaYi7I_ag8QM3xhk4KE4_gZzAtA3gjI5nQL4AM-YgnLM/s320/20210328_214218.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mill Hill petites for "bees," and a little glass flower bead that just fit perfectly below.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I've already dropped the piece off at the frame shop, because at over 2 feet long, I just don't have a good place to store this! And after 6 years on a scroll frame, it deserves to be on display ASAP.</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-1475119527312033992021-02-24T10:36:00.004-05:002021-02-24T10:36:34.256-05:00The Piece That Never Ends<p>Do you have one of these in your WIP pile? A piece that you started with the best of intentions, but just can't seem to focus on and finish...yet you aren't ready to discard it completely?</p><p>For me, it is "Family Treasure III" by Told in a Garden/Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum. I started it in February of 2015, and have worked on it, bit by bit, ever since. On 28-ct fabric, it is about 5" wide by 30" long, and you'd think working bands that are only 5 inches wide would be quick work...but no. Not at all. Tons of color changes, and space between stitches that means stopping and starting threads...ugh. Lots of times I'd pull it out, put in one length of thread, and then put it aside again for weeks. I modified a few bands, added some beads here and there, and kept trying to make it more fun, because I really DO like the look of the finished design.</p><p>And today I realized that I've almost reached the bottom portion, with the design I've been looking forward to for...well...years... SQUEEEEEE!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIelpL3mJdO5_wiYt5k7Pk3D5FMR7O66dFY5bx7Y6FQulUCNcngcusCMywubz6at-k12jMUZQG8EserZgFy7sbEZSjUE4o5LVMJAk6ds-xFy9SdM4rKqbtueqZJF0fqlFk-Cb-/s1247/IMG_2039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1247" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIelpL3mJdO5_wiYt5k7Pk3D5FMR7O66dFY5bx7Y6FQulUCNcngcusCMywubz6at-k12jMUZQG8EserZgFy7sbEZSjUE4o5LVMJAk6ds-xFy9SdM4rKqbtueqZJF0fqlFk-Cb-/w400-h283/IMG_2039.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That bit of stitching at the bottom is the top of the "bower" that arches over the lady at the bottom of the picture (the picture from the pattern is terrible - dark and tiny - blame the 1980s). If you enlarge the picture, you can see some of my changes in this section - the white beads in the border, the pink beads in the flower bouquets, and the gold beads in the centers of the yellow flowers. And the Rhodes heart - because I just couldn't stitch the 1980s-style heart there. In a section farther up I changed hearts to lazy daisies, and in the bit below the lady's skirts I'm planning to do Algerian eyelets. Hearts in sampler bands aren't my thing, obviously. But the lady is my favorite bit, and then the lovely scrollwork at the bottom. Hooray!</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-6226438057918688262021-02-10T10:57:00.003-05:002021-02-10T12:51:27.972-05:00Teeny Tiny Quilt-Thing<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My contribution to the Fully Finished SAL this month...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I've been doing a lot of sewing/quilting lately (I actually finished another quilt top for another niece - no pics yet!), and I got an idea for my little flag finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23CQUShyphenhyphenxvp8Qbdq3whLIVjddMSYvQpva0CytAcfW2uxp0HFR6igJnn9-jOzCmCgOKknIgFBifAlSBkxYYCBqFI4zsa4OriBJX8hVfeWOGV9N0DPqac5Em9o3nl2MOrG427J5/s849/finishedhistory.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="849" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23CQUShyphenhyphenxvp8Qbdq3whLIVjddMSYvQpva0CytAcfW2uxp0HFR6igJnn9-jOzCmCgOKknIgFBifAlSBkxYYCBqFI4zsa4OriBJX8hVfeWOGV9N0DPqac5Em9o3nl2MOrG427J5/w400-h396/finishedhistory.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I cut 1-inch strips of white, red, star stripes, and the navy with scattered stars fabric, and sewed them all together. I basically got lucky with the alignment, because I didn't measure very carefully before starting! I used larger patches of the navy for the corners (obviously). Then I laced it to matboard and fit it into this little shadowbox frame that I picked up at Wal-Mart...it originally had a clip attached to the back and was designed to hold a photo/thing that was approximately 3" x 5". I've removed the clip so the stitched piece could sit all the way into the back. It isn't perfect...my piecing is a little wobbly in spots...but I think it is adorable. I'll just call it "primitive." LOL</p><p>I also enjoy the fact that it is sitting next to "Equal Rites," one of my favorite Discworld titles. So appropriate!</p><p></p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-34914385720867744882021-02-03T21:21:00.002-05:002021-02-03T21:21:19.100-05:00Reclaiming the Flag SAL finish<p>I don't often talk about current events or politics on this blog, and I recognize that is definitely a privilege I have. My life is largely unaffected by the divisive issues in the media, although I DO have opinions and feelings related to them! But all of the ugliness surrounding American exceptionalism (that culminated in the absolutely gross and scary events of January 6) has left me...well...less than proud of the country that I really DO love. In the area where I live, American flags fly much too close to Trump yard signs, and are too often tied to positions I find cruel and uninformed. </p><p>So. When a Facebook group proposed a "Reclaiming the Flag" stitch-along, I wasn't sure I wanted to join. I don't typically stitch patriotic pieces, and lately I just haven't FELT patriotic... Then I had an idea. I started with the Primitive Hare's "In God We Trust" design from a back issue of Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher magazine, and made changes that made me smile.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RQMDLzCPUlHcNh3v5EuYjGNwU6EkVnJySS9dwOF8pcC-kY5H9Dnx4bNuCMmHfnoRBsq6_TWKtnQcOgJOLaqXKoq2dblcAYyNyFsCOxeL9aw6TgZqxDPWwOydW9iheTZaMMJV/s765/history.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="621" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RQMDLzCPUlHcNh3v5EuYjGNwU6EkVnJySS9dwOF8pcC-kY5H9Dnx4bNuCMmHfnoRBsq6_TWKtnQcOgJOLaqXKoq2dblcAYyNyFsCOxeL9aw6TgZqxDPWwOydW9iheTZaMMJV/w325-h400/history.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><p>First of all, I left off the "In God We Trust" text on the top. It just isn't my style. Then I made the colonial lady a bit more reminiscent of our new vice-president, and charted a line from Amanda Gorman's gorgeous poem for the bottom (it is designed with 2 flags and the date "1776" in the center). The poet's name and date are stitched in sewing thread - since I was working on 40-ct. linen, my single strand of floss kept getting too fuzzy to be legible!<br />My other changes, documented mostly for my own records: red = GAST "Cranberry"; blue = Romy's Creations "Stacy's Primitive Blue"; black = Romy's Creations "Black Tulip"; colonial lady skintone = DMC 167; colonial lady's hair: DMC 3371.</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-12048640188287019542021-01-15T10:45:00.005-05:002021-01-15T10:48:36.313-05:00Maybe It Will Be A Year of Smalls?Apparently small projects are my groove this year. In addition to the little pot topper from my last post and the first tooth fairy pillow from my New Year's update, I've finished another tooth fairy pillow (for potential craft fair inventory), a Blue Ribbon Designs ornament I started last year and abandoned, and then this little piece that was in the back of my desk drawer.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyIInfEg7bPFFx8nPlRxkuaGGD2V1zA7qbjH8jiiYK1nSBuMfVnU8q8Q2niCQ8gmfZVd9VMCY9cpk9cosgusPtSVb2vydeA9CxC1ejQZOXz1ZQgBdWeRWh6dvAu8ee2FBggmL/s2014/shipbottlebox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2014" data-original-width="1085" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyIInfEg7bPFFx8nPlRxkuaGGD2V1zA7qbjH8jiiYK1nSBuMfVnU8q8Q2niCQ8gmfZVd9VMCY9cpk9cosgusPtSVb2vydeA9CxC1ejQZOXz1ZQgBdWeRWh6dvAu8ee2FBggmL/s320/shipbottlebox.jpg" /></a></div><div>The little ship-in-a-bottle design was a kit from Hobby Lobby, purchased before I realized that I had issues with the company's position on....lots of things. (I no longer shop at Hobby Lobby.) And the kit wasn't great, either - it came with a teeny square of cheap aida which I quickly replaced with a scrap of unknown count/color linen from my stash. The flosses were not DMC, or any other quality brand I've worked with, and I ran out of 2 colors (one was white, which was easy enough to replace, and the other was the dark brown used for backstitching). So basically, I finished it because I am stubborn, and couldn't just throw it away.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>The little box is one of those cheap basswood/plywood items from the "unfinished wood" section in any chain craft store. I think I grabbed this one at A.C. Moore last year before they went out of business. It is designed with a slot for 3"x5" photo, so I laced my finished stitching and attached it to the photo backing board. Then I made a padded liner for the bottom inside of the box, and made a matching fabric-covered piece of matboard (actually comic book board - my husband gave me a whole bulk package of them that he didn't need!) to cover the back of the lid. Then I made some twisted twine cord, attached a compass rose charm, and voila, fini!</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I don't know what to DO with it....probably more craft show inventory...</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-19400978052750760652021-01-07T08:37:00.005-05:002021-01-07T08:37:40.643-05:00Put a Lid in It<p>A few months ago I found a cute little pot at the thrift store - evidently it held a candle in its previous life (the bottom of it has an imprint of "Lang Candles, Ltd"). And I'm a sucker for cute little things...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY39n1T9bDxU9TpCTMArNjEHB9DbAjw6SSF5GVHy11TAkqRyfF85ji-T0INpXzlZYrRBcv63C9yuNqKKV247Hcba7mrubO49ofYpF_I6w7sBCrfdCTUbKTPAHzhG1a0HxA6-xJ/s1280/pottopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY39n1T9bDxU9TpCTMArNjEHB9DbAjw6SSF5GVHy11TAkqRyfF85ji-T0INpXzlZYrRBcv63C9yuNqKKV247Hcba7mrubO49ofYpF_I6w7sBCrfdCTUbKTPAHzhG1a0HxA6-xJ/s320/pottopper.jpg" /></a></div><p>The flower is from "Kindness Matters," a pattern by Teresa Miller in the Summer 2020 issue of<i> Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher</i>. I changed the bottom leaves a little bit, and used GAST Cranberry for the red. I stitched it 1-over-2 on a scrap of 40-ct. linen, and made the lid from basswood circles. The top is a 2.5 inch circle, and there is a smaller one attached to the underside so it won't slide off the jar too easily. I made the trim with perle cotton, and hid the joined ends of the cording with the wee button. It was a fun little project! And now I have a new item to hunt for in thrift shops...</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-4131093009283665962021-01-03T12:14:00.001-05:002021-01-03T14:29:05.375-05:00Janu-whut?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAlFpov7PrN1hB2_J27JJL8dGZjn67RYag727Eip1jTJzzAz0KUxFBEvsgAMen-cvBLr7-uNZ_j8JZQf7zKBa81b8q42HO03j-6C-pTA5_3fnGictPdw2sES8ZD5XwRsegID/s969/2020orts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="969" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyAlFpov7PrN1hB2_J27JJL8dGZjn67RYag727Eip1jTJzzAz0KUxFBEvsgAMen-cvBLr7-uNZ_j8JZQf7zKBa81b8q42HO03j-6C-pTA5_3fnGictPdw2sES8ZD5XwRsegID/s320/2020orts.jpg" /></a></div><p>Well, it may be a few days late, but since I've lost all sense of time this "year," anyway... It must be time for the annual recap.</p><p>After moving to a new home/town in January, it took me a while to get back to my stitching. My first finish was in February - a wee tooth fairy pillow for my niece.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu2c4mz1cm-vLXW49Grf2lPxzEq6_7ZxdhqpXowfHn6Uiq7UqjiGLlQYwQ03qv71eSpT_YQJmZwrE1Suh8i-okZK-IN8i6ea-NvCyuB3dKVIBc69sP0WQSFym2WR6f34pDtGk/s912/maggiestoothfairy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcu2c4mz1cm-vLXW49Grf2lPxzEq6_7ZxdhqpXowfHn6Uiq7UqjiGLlQYwQ03qv71eSpT_YQJmZwrE1Suh8i-okZK-IN8i6ea-NvCyuB3dKVIBc69sP0WQSFym2WR6f34pDtGk/s320/maggiestoothfairy.jpg" /></a></div>And then March happened. I was working from home, and my daughter was doing virtual school from home, and then in April we started a kitchen remodel (the house desperately needed it, and I'm still glad we went ahead with it - since we were lucky enough to still have jobs and steady income). The year didn't get any less crazy as the months went by - my employer offered a retirement incentive that took away about a third of the library staff, and then we had to try to figure out how to reopen the college library with rotating flexible schedules to accommodate all the unexpected changes in the staff's outside-of-work lives, as well as track all the students/patrons entering and exiting our building, while remaining open a (IMHO) ridiculous number of hours. And oh yeah, there were no summer camps for my daughter, my husband was briefly furloughed, and...and...and....<p></p><p>Anyway. I managed to finish 20 stitchy things, mostly smallish in nature. I also worked on a few of my larger projects - I foresee a finish or 2 this year. And what I'm really proud of - of those 20 finishes, 17 are completely finished! Not relegated to The Box! Having a room to stitch and craft in (that isn't the basement) has been a game-changer, I think.</p><p>I also got back to quilting and sewing. The same niece who received the tooth fairy pillow will also be getting this quilt soon. (I got it back from my longarm quilter just before Christmas, have finished the binding, and am now just giving the USPS some time to catch up a bit before shipping it out.)<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2__e0t-HhDR5Z6Bo51Z2tibkNEr0vMiveIzbgawHgQ2kO3TZcPrr6p6qK6pisTOUurSbK7lofr5ocbekH3-tenozrwop9d9cwjWHL_ph7ks7Mlv62LdDLyc1rSDUXqcuKShK/s912/maggiesquilt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2__e0t-HhDR5Z6Bo51Z2tibkNEr0vMiveIzbgawHgQ2kO3TZcPrr6p6qK6pisTOUurSbK7lofr5ocbekH3-tenozrwop9d9cwjWHL_ph7ks7Mlv62LdDLyc1rSDUXqcuKShK/s320/maggiesquilt.jpg" /></a></div>I also put together this one for my daughter, using "quilt squares" purchased from a school art fundraiser - the squares are NOT quilting material, and were terrible to work with. My longarm lady couldn't even quilt through the fabric - it is more like a shower curtain than cotton. But my daughter loves it, and that is what matters.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ302tXRdzbmyGqZko113jSteu63VL3JtC9DBpiQydYpkA2lB3OrJeu6H3cK71LldRWzUykEWhkMoextkYYq6ErKqPlysnyGEBjrTrIo-Z4HYZbSP0CDvLiXePRI6SxTU3LdM-/s912/maurasquilt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="684" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ302tXRdzbmyGqZko113jSteu63VL3JtC9DBpiQydYpkA2lB3OrJeu6H3cK71LldRWzUykEWhkMoextkYYq6ErKqPlysnyGEBjrTrIo-Z4HYZbSP0CDvLiXePRI6SxTU3LdM-/s320/maurasquilt.jpg" /></a></div>She picked the colors herself, and what you can't really tell from the picture is that it has a bit of a diagonal rainbow effect - it starts with red, then yellow, then green, then purple, and then repeats out to the other corner ending in red again, with a blue border.<br />And finally...a coworker challenged me to make an Ugly Quilt. We used the Ultimate Beginner Quilt pattern that she found online, and pawed through our fabric stash to find the most bizarre combinations we could....ta-da!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGtlVu9URGGsnfgALQDYRl6Iq0aoPqUQVShH1iFbTMdnly6D5yNFTc65Tq8a-iBYYPLjWtbCG2ZMyq2P0JRDfk5oOR12MiKmuD9ZARF9wURdwaitOxdla3gILQkiB52iiBCNT/s912/insanity.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGtlVu9URGGsnfgALQDYRl6Iq0aoPqUQVShH1iFbTMdnly6D5yNFTc65Tq8a-iBYYPLjWtbCG2ZMyq2P0JRDfk5oOR12MiKmuD9ZARF9wURdwaitOxdla3gILQkiB52iiBCNT/s320/insanity.jpg" /></a></div>I learned a LOT about making triangles and matching seams...however, some of my seam allowances are sooooo teeny, I'm afraid this beast won't hang together very well! It hasn't been quilted yet, and I'm not sure if it ever will be. Although my quilt lady thinks it is hilarious. I must admit, it does seem to sum up 2020 in quilt form - a patchwork of strange held together by a few threads in a couple places. LOL<p></p><div>I wish you all happy stitching in the year ahead! I'll try to do better at popping in/commenting on other blogs...I do love to see and read what everyone is up to. I also have an Instagram account, and am a member of a couple Facebook groups...but the narrative style of a blog is still quite satisfying. And to bookend this annual recap, I'll share my first finish of 2021. With a bit of background: my mother wants to try having a table at a small local craft show this coming fall - it benefits my old high school, and she has a bunch of thrifted teacups she been nursing baby jade plants in. She suggested some of my needlework might sell as well, so I've started collecting ornaments and other smalls, along with some of those finished re-purposed jewelry boxes. And she thinks my tooth fairy pillows could be popular...and they are quick stitches that I'm good at finishing...so I whipped this together last night.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc2Apcr88bJvczi05ElAc3hiKdk1rvW1JqdE7SAswjs6zvgRw20fsO95fHMb5F0UGuAZnHFRKuO9pOD4S2uxkrCxwJXD4aSrKS-xw9smczqJjbvZfqGk42yNzYnE6iMOUtCoG/s912/toothfairy1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="912" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikc2Apcr88bJvczi05ElAc3hiKdk1rvW1JqdE7SAswjs6zvgRw20fsO95fHMb5F0UGuAZnHFRKuO9pOD4S2uxkrCxwJXD4aSrKS-xw9smczqJjbvZfqGk42yNzYnE6iMOUtCoG/s320/toothfairy1.jpg" /></a></div>Happy 2021!</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-65390795976796478182020-12-03T12:10:00.003-05:002020-12-03T12:10:28.496-05:00Getting Medieval<p> In an effort to finish a few things, I grabbed this piece out of the WIP basket - "Arthurian Places" by AuryTM. It was a kit, but the included materials looked NOTHING like the kit picture! It reminded me of those "is it white and blue or pink and gray" photos.... and the first time I photographed the finished piece, too much flash resulted in the same washed-out look. Rest assured that the fabric IS a lovely mottled pink!<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT2JWGvfhFcCbCSJViLrpCyVMMF_piErcZ0HlYxqF95MrByjPRDoYxg2n92XPKYJq-ECqr___39jnc-GzlpSBaAdDaCPxxYdiMSIz46wdxFlIQtcol476V8eHUm5AV4Hs3m1w/s994/ArthurianPlaces2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="994" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT2JWGvfhFcCbCSJViLrpCyVMMF_piErcZ0HlYxqF95MrByjPRDoYxg2n92XPKYJq-ECqr___39jnc-GzlpSBaAdDaCPxxYdiMSIz46wdxFlIQtcol476V8eHUm5AV4Hs3m1w/s320/ArthurianPlaces2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw69uizrau2aLye1eLV4NIj9oh8FhZZrGBrdKxlidEIvl3bUyC38SmDd6zL8nLRfmCHBsMjj2I2VMCEGwoEgKirCp4kxvd1h2Lx3LVET_EYIrsXOQy6Wdvzmn4LdPjmL-7arC0/s466/ArthurianPlaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw69uizrau2aLye1eLV4NIj9oh8FhZZrGBrdKxlidEIvl3bUyC38SmDd6zL8nLRfmCHBsMjj2I2VMCEGwoEgKirCp4kxvd1h2Lx3LVET_EYIrsXOQy6Wdvzmn4LdPjmL-7arC0/s320/ArthurianPlaces.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>I made a few small changes. The words are stitched with Waterlilies' "Royal Jewels" silk, because the kit floss - the one used for the inner scalloped border - was just too light on the dark pink fabric. I also added beads in the dark pink motifs, and stitched Rhodes squares on the corners. I'm not quite sure what I'll do with this yet. It is about 4 1/4" square, so it could fit in a 5" standard frame...or maybe I'll make some other sort of flat finish with it.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-74431303094987780872020-11-18T18:00:00.002-05:002020-11-18T18:00:28.921-05:00Return of the Pudgies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEt9yG6E3USwBdbX-1OjsL88sOzsuuV3C1_gmVEZ7XgMKbCx_mSFpZQPzSP1f9ZW0qFDpbQ5tcGw4gKBp6BeoAraP0ozOIRpFQRBJsU8pN3yDxxfMrrGPzwh31X5AkcJ6Dd4m/s810/hedgerow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="663" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEt9yG6E3USwBdbX-1OjsL88sOzsuuV3C1_gmVEZ7XgMKbCx_mSFpZQPzSP1f9ZW0qFDpbQ5tcGw4gKBp6BeoAraP0ozOIRpFQRBJsU8pN3yDxxfMrrGPzwh31X5AkcJ6Dd4m/s320/hedgerow.jpg" /></a></div><p>This is the first Shepherd's Bush design of any significant size that I've ever finished...and as much as I love it, I'm not sure if I'll be starting another one any time in the near future. :/ This is "A Devon Hedge," with some modifications - like I left off the text that says "a devon hedge," as well as the top "abc" lettering band, and I duplicated the top floral band in reverse on the bottom. I mostly loved the verse about the children of the heath, and the little pudgy people! But all those fiddly vines...and the bands of 2 different shades of off-white on off-white fabric...did NOT love that. The frame is just one I picked up at a thrift shop some time ago, and I took the glass out.</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-54238566693091840032020-11-01T22:12:00.006-05:002020-11-01T22:12:48.606-05:00The Littlest Mermaid<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcmSyWKbsvfuSqRy0ZiI4gkth8wH2XbIBWkBYYbyyTiIiP8BZ_DLmO-eIFdCbxI4Ur3yFQrkYO36hhz5TWHLXtS5_vfcXCJeFgLj11-xGtpXMYfpuvXvnWEG9NDiESC9M9dj7/s1053/littlestmermaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1053" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPcmSyWKbsvfuSqRy0ZiI4gkth8wH2XbIBWkBYYbyyTiIiP8BZ_DLmO-eIFdCbxI4Ur3yFQrkYO36hhz5TWHLXtS5_vfcXCJeFgLj11-xGtpXMYfpuvXvnWEG9NDiESC9M9dj7/s320/littlestmermaid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> Another "small"! This is "The Littlest Mermaid" by White Lyon Needleart Designs, a kit from the virtual round robins at Celebration of Needlework 2020. A quick little stitch, and the finishing wasn't too challenging - I'd never made a humbug before, but it came together pretty easily (I did use my machine instead of hand-stitching it together). <p></p><p>I changed her eyes to blue, and added the bead in her left hand. Even the littlest mermaid needs some bling!!</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-76278363164542334702020-10-21T09:05:00.003-04:002020-10-21T09:05:46.651-04:00Smalls Everywhere<p> Work on all my larger projects seems to have stalled, but I keep going to the pattern stash for Little Things. And I did the finishing, too!</p><p>First up is a freebie from...I think it was Armada Designs, a long time ago? It is a reference to a character from "Game of Thrones," and it just made me giggle. I honestly don't think I'd ever hang it on my Christmas tree, but it was just a fun little stitch.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbbbwDGujrxzWX9BefVccQDB7kb_JgLZfObLGLRDh8pCnqL1aon1-9LYZL7h5OVfVr7vlr1psSRlih2LvWONZCAposQuj1uukNcYHcsa8M0DQis23KWLrJYcyUV7A9pEdwQOt/s863/hodor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="863" data-original-width="698" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXbbbwDGujrxzWX9BefVccQDB7kb_JgLZfObLGLRDh8pCnqL1aon1-9LYZL7h5OVfVr7vlr1psSRlih2LvWONZCAposQuj1uukNcYHcsa8M0DQis23KWLrJYcyUV7A9pEdwQOt/s320/hodor.jpg" /></a></div><br />And then, when I was looking through my quilting/finishing fabric stash for something, I found two little houses I stitched a couple years ago - I think they were part of one of the "Year of Smalls" SALs. And there was a piece of quilting cotton that had a similar design, so I sewed them together. I found this little shadowbox at a thrift store (I think it had some quote about pets in the middle) and added the pine branch pipe cleaners to fill the space around the stitched piece. I couldn't make the stitched piece any larger - the brown fabric was cheap, stiff stuff from a magazine kit, and the blue was reeeally soft evenweave that kept fraying. There was a LOT of glue involved in getting this all together!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzut-kh6reKJijdzMWeW4rmCbiP7egnRNX_8jkfX29S17uxTzGZwclwP6EvzsD_2M2PBArnZfO9_Qt42Eck1ormCzSG3Yp_6G-_MG7L-d_iPCTYxIBme10mIjFw4cQW3b_uUPy/s1108/houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="1108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzut-kh6reKJijdzMWeW4rmCbiP7egnRNX_8jkfX29S17uxTzGZwclwP6EvzsD_2M2PBArnZfO9_Qt42Eck1ormCzSG3Yp_6G-_MG7L-d_iPCTYxIBme10mIjFw4cQW3b_uUPy/s320/houses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I keep thinking that it needs just a little bit "more" - maybe a little bow or 2? I'll have to think about it for a while.<p></p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-46723644375675069122020-10-02T21:05:00.001-04:002020-10-02T21:05:14.585-04:00Easily distracted - but at least I finished it.<p> My mother is always hunting through the thrift stores for those old jewelry boxes I like to put needlework in....she found a rather nasty one a few weeks ago. But I graciously took it, cleaned it, spray painted it black, replaced the hinges, and stitched this little lady.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPIqozEZ58SFJGMs1ylfUDHuaVZsELDKzZdS-EFuWn7Sy66Kbm_uAFeLkNth6EEy0ROmLlGJYHmmrJJ52xPhU0JVHG_zQF7XfKqmdi1R4A-KMLBeYvnURvXZXmiqBI1pUTZgB/s2048/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPIqozEZ58SFJGMs1ylfUDHuaVZsELDKzZdS-EFuWn7Sy66Kbm_uAFeLkNth6EEy0ROmLlGJYHmmrJJ52xPhU0JVHG_zQF7XfKqmdi1R4A-KMLBeYvnURvXZXmiqBI1pUTZgB/s320/IMG_1971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Which Witch" (in part) by La-D-Da<br />stitched on 40-ct. lambswool linen with DMC 310</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">The inside of the box is also painted black, and I used the same "spooky apothecary label" fabric that I used on the little witch jar wrapper in the post below to make a padded bottom. Overall, I'm pleased with this one!</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-15887198278946979992020-09-14T10:58:00.003-04:002020-09-14T10:59:10.842-04:00School, as it is...<p> Today was my daughter's first day of school (5th grade). Her school is going back in person, and she's wearing a mask and social distancing.... :/ It is all totally necessary and we are staying positive, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. I keep telling myself, we're in rural upstate NYS, our positivity rates are low and community transmission seems limited...but still.</p><p>But I stuck to tradition and took a vacation day for myself today. I stitched up a little witch over the weekend ("Salem" by M Designs from an older JCS Halloween issue), and made her into a jar wrapper. I love the fabric! The outside is a creepy apothecary print I found at JoAnn Fabric, and the inside is a lime green solid with sparkles.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPog0zvOwRsAmSHP2huRDOF52u2D06kb-ipWpj9zt-vqGsgHld7nKttvuXZdDFvWhtW5JcZYHkj5UGgw17418PRX8da-1UMz5-BWQh1klgBrz3DfGcj3oanHsfiy5OZUIBihdt/s837/witchjar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="837" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPog0zvOwRsAmSHP2huRDOF52u2D06kb-ipWpj9zt-vqGsgHld7nKttvuXZdDFvWhtW5JcZYHkj5UGgw17418PRX8da-1UMz5-BWQh1klgBrz3DfGcj3oanHsfiy5OZUIBihdt/s320/witchjar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-53531047472474441912020-09-09T14:20:00.000-04:002020-09-09T14:20:01.995-04:00All the Little Things<p> Every year, I plan to go to Celebration of Needlework in Nashua, NH. Well, obviously that didn't happen this year...but there was the option to "attend" some of the classes virtually. Since I wasn't spending money on travel or a hotel room, I decided to splurge a bit and do two of the round robin sessions - where designers bring a small kit and provide stitching/finishing instructions. You never know which designers will be in which class session, so I took both just so I wouldn't miss anything! I don't usually like EVERY kit I get, but the anticipation is still fun and I eventually get around to stitching a few of them</p><p>One of the kits I got this year was from Sharon Verbos of The Purple Thread - a sweet little pincushion that fits in a teeny metal wheelbarrow. There was a challenge on the Celebration FB group to see round robin finishes, so I decided I needed to get moving! And since it was a kit, I had everything I needed...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbk5cpBQr9VvwYeNVICksB7TSGV49Vojt23aSkfiSqi8aSOLhM-mewz9-MeXNtJzzD4i2dDaolISarQT3sdUYhsR6f4eL-e3Z_vnOVa2mcNiApK-LTU2vsq6D5-zp6-tgY0eSK/s1314/IMG_1967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbk5cpBQr9VvwYeNVICksB7TSGV49Vojt23aSkfiSqi8aSOLhM-mewz9-MeXNtJzzD4i2dDaolISarQT3sdUYhsR6f4eL-e3Z_vnOVa2mcNiApK-LTU2vsq6D5-zp6-tgY0eSK/s320/IMG_1967.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>It just seemed right to use another one of my husband's grandmother's bird beads on this one. :) It was designed with three little wooden beads in that spot, but I like my change! I also attached the pink buttons with the darker pink thread (the chart used the lighter one). And I filled it with crushed walnut shells to give it some bulk but not a lot of puff.</p><p>After finishing that, I was looking through my stash of "things that could eventually be used to feature finished stitching," and came across a teeny teacup and saucer. I think I found these at a thrift store years ago, and was smitten with the idea of making a teacup pincushion. Well, since I was also trying to thin my book/pattern collection, I found the perfect pattern in a book I was contemplating passing along, stitched this little rose over-one on 25-ct., and voila!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qu2OzyyPMyVxNQ7FlA153BFLucCuewH4GHS9r3TC8CMKsYgNb9ZxaPg2L81qscTggEl-mcOPkt3i_wTIux6Kr5RI_51UMhofXd8BpPmS8ZD4ayXr_Bew80-yRUKJJeIG7aZ-/s1103/IMG_1966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1103" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qu2OzyyPMyVxNQ7FlA153BFLucCuewH4GHS9r3TC8CMKsYgNb9ZxaPg2L81qscTggEl-mcOPkt3i_wTIux6Kr5RI_51UMhofXd8BpPmS8ZD4ayXr_Bew80-yRUKJJeIG7aZ-/s320/IMG_1966.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>I used the directions from Nordic Needle's "Save the Stitches" blog, in this <a href="http://www.nordicneedle.net/guides/finishing-techniques/pincushions/#.X1kcB3lKiUk" target="_blank">post about pincushions</a>. It was a little fiddly, but not too hard. (I may have over-stuffed a bit, as the stitched poof kept trying to pop out of the cup. </p><p>I feel so productive.</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-83478681077941872972020-09-02T15:16:00.001-04:002020-09-02T15:18:41.943-04:00Don't Lose Your Head<p> I finished "Spooky Hill" and turned it into a wall hanging using a $5 wooden plaque from Michael's, $4 worth of wooden leaves from JoAnn Fabrics, and some other bits from my stash (the little pumpkins were from a fall floral sprig - they were just styrofoam, so easily split in half with an Exacto knife). I love how this one turned out!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKvOqZbe8FcwssnBik-vPmecZSBLIPVxBpMY_5atG3nNSKthdtpmaPkIquaCJ1d6wr7vdHGa1_VjKDCDqj0T_uooc_OEn3d4uGHI63pqpc4G4TyiINCjBhvm3gsgswnULHPIB/s960/spookyhill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxKvOqZbe8FcwssnBik-vPmecZSBLIPVxBpMY_5atG3nNSKthdtpmaPkIquaCJ1d6wr7vdHGa1_VjKDCDqj0T_uooc_OEn3d4uGHI63pqpc4G4TyiINCjBhvm3gsgswnULHPIB/w410-h410/spookyhill.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-187450117717917132020-08-30T15:45:00.005-04:002020-08-30T15:45:55.665-04:00Mermaid treasure box<p> The very first music/jewelry box I deconstructed and added needlework to was <a href="https://ftnfk.blogspot.com/2018/03/finishing.html" target="_blank">this one - where I used a small Ink Circles design</a>. I really loved that box, because the glass lid was held in not by cheap little metal clips (like most of the ones I've found since), but by a wood "frame" of sorts. So when I found another on eBay, selling for .99 since the music box was broken, I snapped it up! Even with $8 in shipping costs, it wasn't a bad deal. And then I stitched up this little mermaid design from The Primitive Hare, and voila!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRr0JlmKgXuWqWQ6CdL3x9I_88AfTR7T-k4RD5tsCM6eu5uTThk6ItHwomMEeZJ0tg_bchHx_wUIlIB90b6OO0vPvekAmEJe_aa4iWidmAuin6t29IcWDBciGt_iiPtTyqQ3m/s912/phmermaidboxext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="912" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRr0JlmKgXuWqWQ6CdL3x9I_88AfTR7T-k4RD5tsCM6eu5uTThk6ItHwomMEeZJ0tg_bchHx_wUIlIB90b6OO0vPvekAmEJe_aa4iWidmAuin6t29IcWDBciGt_iiPtTyqQ3m/w512-h295/phmermaidboxext.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwr6lHGw0eGB7nc_GyLudxQePScsIt624VNVRRmV1qGxnIzLYsP0Cxen2Zo8T3-dmHcrFN8RiJg1HsZUjWpcHciQI45NjAAJO0JhWxrIIpJnA3FNrgkRMzbCKevNAD8SM41k2/s912/phmermaidboxinside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="784" data-original-width="912" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQwr6lHGw0eGB7nc_GyLudxQePScsIt624VNVRRmV1qGxnIzLYsP0Cxen2Zo8T3-dmHcrFN8RiJg1HsZUjWpcHciQI45NjAAJO0JhWxrIIpJnA3FNrgkRMzbCKevNAD8SM41k2/w512-h440/phmermaidboxinside.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>Everything came from my stash - linen left over from one of my half-dolls, DMC floss, an assortment of beads, and cotton fabrics from my finishing supplies.</p><p>A friend of mine rents space at a local craft marketplace, and she has hinted that she thinks she could sell some of these for me. I may not make a huge profit, but I also don't need 7 (8? I've lost count...) jewelry boxes sitting around my house.</p>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-17267680515183852022020-08-24T10:51:00.004-04:002020-08-24T10:51:22.223-04:00Unfocused Covid Photo Dump<p> Working from home for almost 6 months now, and time has lost all meaning. My daughter is practically feral, and being raised on video games and fruit snacks. My husband is back in his office, and I have to go in to the library once a week, but it just feels like nothing is getting done. I know it is, at least in part, situational depression and anxiety, but DAMN. This is not where I thought I'd be in my 40s, that's for sure.</p><p>But I keep stitching...it keeps me at least a little bit sane. I start gobs of things, and eventually maybe I'll finish a few. Here's some pics for proof.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHxD2yTqSm9qJ7bX75rQxc0iYwRGXjvp7u_954TeOzoQf5OobG8mt_GVWcAvXRfB6jhZUtq0PTfpPAaF-ZvNVLQNUoFKaDeVngAo5JRzI-R0j8iOZgI3UDNnU8hQ3uddR3THw/s2048/20200802_005305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHxD2yTqSm9qJ7bX75rQxc0iYwRGXjvp7u_954TeOzoQf5OobG8mt_GVWcAvXRfB6jhZUtq0PTfpPAaF-ZvNVLQNUoFKaDeVngAo5JRzI-R0j8iOZgI3UDNnU8hQ3uddR3THw/w384-h512/20200802_005305.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shepherd's Bush "Devon Hedge." Some bead substitutions made, as well as a slightly different family of brown/tans because I thought the ones called for looked just the tiniest bit green on my fabric choice.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd7UWhyphenhyphenUvZAM0si975qvO-XjnwrMSMvhV7iw8YQyN4qd6161pc67LltHUjmEDzkxGsD6hyBGh1jw2K1npbXqkKMHp9ERijJ8qmhyz1CbwbdFj6DCLSFVl2jRDClaarzsCYnZn/s1319/20200802_115430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1319" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd7UWhyphenhyphenUvZAM0si975qvO-XjnwrMSMvhV7iw8YQyN4qd6161pc67LltHUjmEDzkxGsD6hyBGh1jw2K1npbXqkKMHp9ERijJ8qmhyz1CbwbdFj6DCLSFVl2jRDClaarzsCYnZn/w410-h410/20200802_115430.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one IS a finish - "Time to Fly" by StitchyFish Designs in this year's Just Cross Stitch Halloween special. I wanted to finish it in a Tim Holtz alarm clock, but it was just a smidge too big.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGXGbPjDhEKUxLdkw7zQrhI_-iNNlw_ZpILx-8_BoKR_H1DBABtSwAnfJNbIEI7TcY0WuThbTdwkc2IEWZbjHTjfR9PRPngDVarb1_kw_FGXjT6VknWLxMXyZMzEzaUOtdkuh/s1589/20200808_170023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="1589" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsGXGbPjDhEKUxLdkw7zQrhI_-iNNlw_ZpILx-8_BoKR_H1DBABtSwAnfJNbIEI7TcY0WuThbTdwkc2IEWZbjHTjfR9PRPngDVarb1_kw_FGXjT6VknWLxMXyZMzEzaUOtdkuh/w410-h410/20200808_170023.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My start on the SamSarah "Shining Star" pattern I picked up at the LNS closing sale. It reminds me of the friend who passed away - she loved Christmas. So this will be Julia's piece. <3</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYqvw-gWm72jmbhVSgBpc_bVb8IjdbZ6KHDkmyredi9muD118UNkUHVfljZtQ3wn3f4d9LWE5i_4yGFqU88ddNrhO3zSGvdhqH3vIfk5bzEbBd8iXX-vKWpBMUEWdDB0WmM1X/s1992/20200823_004403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1992" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYqvw-gWm72jmbhVSgBpc_bVb8IjdbZ6KHDkmyredi9muD118UNkUHVfljZtQ3wn3f4d9LWE5i_4yGFqU88ddNrhO3zSGvdhqH3vIfk5bzEbBd8iXX-vKWpBMUEWdDB0WmM1X/w410-h410/20200823_004403.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">By the Bay Needleart's "Spooky Hill." This has been in my stash forever, and thinking about stitching it always made me smile. I had all the flosses it called for (and of course I substituted for one, anyway - I used Romy's Creations "Black Tulip" for the rider's body, since I didn't like the orange color used in the pattern!), so I decided to dive in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K227qLJ4vQRFCNm5Yz8zlKUWy2AuF8NroZFVUmnnbDaDem25YKt2ME04I9GOIxV_6Dg5CdBvLI6pPqErRS85kMU66lM1J0ofsIs2Gu2n44MwX4BCeeWrV2vM2svqXIjgymO4/s1726/20200823_222948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1726" data-original-width="1726" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6K227qLJ4vQRFCNm5Yz8zlKUWy2AuF8NroZFVUmnnbDaDem25YKt2ME04I9GOIxV_6Dg5CdBvLI6pPqErRS85kMU66lM1J0ofsIs2Gu2n44MwX4BCeeWrV2vM2svqXIjgymO4/w410-h410/20200823_222948.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And finally, a little find from a new ritual. There is a giant antique mall less than a mile from our new house, and a few weekends ago when I had to walk into town to drop some mail at the post office, I wandered into the store. I could spend hours there! There were some pieces of old needlework, but nothing I felt compelled to "save." This little...candleholder? vase?.....though - a perfect fancy ort holder! It makes me smile. And reminds me that many old things find ways of staying with us, of being rediscovered at the right time by the right people, even as time marches on. We'll be all right.</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-41239542397354007322020-08-02T18:24:00.002-04:002020-08-02T18:24:12.879-04:00Finishing is my coping mechanismAn internet friend of mine passed away very unexpectedly last week...so I've been crafting (and plotting new home decor, thanks to Wayfair).<div><br /></div><div>Here's a little jar wrap, using a Lizzie Kate piece I finished years ago and a jar I picked up at the thrift store for 79 cents.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EVPW7gADZvff0rDj280vOW_7Uw4QYKkXMPTvuN4eITNzVjjvQcYYaPRSQkEsTWzbrRPsSETjL766tMYEQRZc-mZdEqSGUZYdoXgDqXNR7LZRonmBXF9gX9AikT0avxXab_YZ/s814/jarwrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="814" data-original-width="701" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EVPW7gADZvff0rDj280vOW_7Uw4QYKkXMPTvuN4eITNzVjjvQcYYaPRSQkEsTWzbrRPsSETjL766tMYEQRZc-mZdEqSGUZYdoXgDqXNR7LZRonmBXF9gX9AikT0avxXab_YZ/s640/jarwrap.jpg" /></a></div></div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-29147548064397115952020-07-30T14:59:00.001-04:002020-07-30T14:59:43.468-04:00Well, THAT wasn't what I intended...Earlier this summer, I found out that my LNS will be closing soon. <:( Beginning today, all patterns, kits and fabric are 25% off, and flosses are 15% off (as they get closer to closing, the discounts will get deeper). So I wandered in...and wandered out a few dollars lighter...but with new pretties.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV30AZDshQo2eDxzEcvj21e9TQVb-TpoliUEaQSGbSNejyLu80YtMu4SmfKYFuyZrvF8VtdbKvFzgng2PYFkCfMckv8wkYg4DZ5y2y1h0jHJCumdsH08F9v2XGQ7NhtxtwJWt/s1225/IMG_1936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV30AZDshQo2eDxzEcvj21e9TQVb-TpoliUEaQSGbSNejyLu80YtMu4SmfKYFuyZrvF8VtdbKvFzgng2PYFkCfMckv8wkYg4DZ5y2y1h0jHJCumdsH08F9v2XGQ7NhtxtwJWt/s320/IMG_1936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>That is Shepherd's Bush "Spooky Spots" (it is a full kit, and I've had my eye on it for a while!), Just Nan's "Sirens of the Sea" with beads, and SamSarah's "Shining Star." I also got floss and fabric for the SamSarah pattern.</div><div><br /></div><div>Stitching this summer has been going in fits and spurts. Some days I want to do nothing but stitch, other days I just feel so beaten down that stitching just isn't worth it. Ugh. Oh, and on my last post Maddy asked if I was on Instagram - I am now, under the handle "ewfrenchknots." Feel free to follow me there! But don't worry, I'm sure I'll still blog. I like writing, and blogging just feels nice.</div>Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-9219445747282968842020-07-18T22:33:00.000-04:002020-07-18T22:33:18.169-04:00Representation MattersThis spring and summer, there has been a lot of talk about diversity and representation - and the lack thereof - in the craft world. Now, I've always felt that cross stitch and needlearts are very much a hobby of "Nice White Ladies." And since my designs of choice tend toward fantasy and fairy tales, I've never had a problem finding patterns of fairies, princesses and mermaids who look like me...but I found myself wondering, "why AREN'T there more fairies, princesses and mermaids who DON'T look like me?" I mean, jeez, they're creatures of magic and imagination, not historical portraits! So I'm going to try to stretch my comfort zone a bit and look for patterns that are different. I'm also thinking about changing skin tones on one of Mirabilia's free mermaid patterns, to create something more along the lines of an African Mami Wata spirit. <br /><a href="https://africa.si.edu/exhibits/mamiwata/intro.html" target="_blank">Information/Exhibit from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art</a><div>
Now, y'all know that I'm probably the slowest, most easily distracted stitcher on the planet, so it may be a while before you see any progress on these ideas, but I'm putting my thoughts here to keep myself accountable!</div>
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In the past months, there have been a few diversity-themed SALs out in the online world, and I joined the #representationmatterssal and stitched a free mystery pattern from Lindy Stitches. When the final section was revealed, I wasn't sure how much I liked it...and then I learned that the design inadvertently spoke to some racist language of the past. The designer handled it with class and sincerity, so I don't blame her at all - and she also released a revised pattern that turned the creature in the pattern into a dinosaur or dragon of sorts. Well, I decided I wanted a different dragon, so I went my own way! Here's my version of Lindy Stitches "Onward Noble Steed," stitched on 32-ct. SMF Shimmering Morning Meadow lugana (yes, that was in my stash for a looooong time!). I also used Romy's Creations "Winter Violet" for the little girl's dress, GAST "Chives" for the dragon body, JP Coats 5-A for the dragon's wings (something from an old stitcher's stash that my dad found for me at an auction), and added little purple beads in the girl's hair.</div>
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I'm no Teresa Wentzler, that's for sure, and to me the wings still look a little too jagged...but I think she's cute nonetheless!</div>
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-33812375266047125462020-07-02T15:26:00.000-04:002020-07-02T15:34:33.893-04:00The Conclusion of a REALLY BIG Summer ProjectI know that summer is really just beginning (although with this new Pandemic Lifestyle, who really knows what month/day/hour it is anymore?), but my kitchen/dining room remodel is complete, and I'm celebrating!<br />
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When we bought this house we knew the kitchen needed help - we didn't realize just how critical that would be until we were moved in and experienced the kitchen after sundown. DANG, it was dark. And cramped. And every day I used it, I hated it more. So the project began about 2 months after quarantine, and was completed by a team of 2 guys. I can't speak highly enough about their skills and their professionalism. They showed up every day on time, told me what was going to get done, and explained what happened if there were problems. They had a few mishaps - for example, they gouged the new flooring when they were moving the stove in - but they told me about it and fixed it at no additional cost. As with all home improvement projects, there were a few unexpected costs, but they were fair and honest (like repainting the back door, and removing some ugly louvered doors down to the basement rec room space).<br />
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Not sure if anyone is really following the whole saga anymore, but here are a few pics of my new kitchen/dining space.<br />
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Here's the kitchen end of the room - don't mind the dishes in the sink! (We had mini meatloaves last night, and it is faster to wash the muffin pan by hand after that rather than put it in the dishwasher.)<br />
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My favorite thing in the kitchen is the little "breakfast nook."<br />
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It really is beautifully light - just my camera overcompensating for the window in this shot...<br />
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The dining room.<br />
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I know, there are many shades of wood there! The table was one my dad refinished for me years ago, and I don't want to get rid of it just yet. The chairs that came with it were small and really beaten up - they were painted an off-white, but were really kind of nasty. My daughter and I tried sanding them, only to find MORE layers of hastily applied paint. It was a very frustrating process. And then I saw these 4, in a lovely "berry red" shade, on sale on the Wayfair webpage...so here they are. And the little stand in the corner was something I got at an auction years ago. It isn't as light as the table, but it isn't as red as the chairs. Hmm, maybe I need to refinish that??<br />
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And yes, just to keep this post stitching-related, there IS a piece of needlework there...on top of that little 4-drawer stand...<br />
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...I "framed" the little Mani di Donna piece in a rustic shallow box that I found at a thrift store some time ago. The pitcher and bowl were from a student potter at the college I used to work at, and the doily was one my grandmother had (made? I'm not sure). What can I say, my decorating style will probably always be "Eclectic Clutter." :)Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-18205395182075784242020-06-26T22:57:00.000-04:002020-06-26T22:57:19.787-04:00A Small for June<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I actually have a small this month! This is "New Hampshire Woods" by The Workbasket. It may have been a limited edition kit, but I'm not sure...I AM pretty sure I picked it up at Celebration of Needlework sometime over the past few years. The kit came with 35-ct. linen and the materials to finish it as a bookmark -- I was just crazy enough to stitch it on 40-ct. instead and finish it as an ornament, and then remembered this little fish photo holder (each fish has a little grabber clip on it's back). I added the shells to keep the stitched piece from sliding away, and ta-da, a finished finish!</div>
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Of course, I made some changes....from the top down:<br />
- I added my initials and date<br />
- gave the mermaid French knot eyes, and stitched her arms/chest in a flesh tone instead of the charted green. Used an over-dye (Romy's Creations "Camouflage") instead of the DMC green charted.<br />
- sailor has French knot eyes (he had NO eyes in the pattern!).<br />
- modified both the mermaid and the sailor to have necks of a sort...<br />
- both the boat and the tree trunk are an over-dye - Crescent Colors "Brown Sugar."<br />
- added some light "beams" to the light house.<br />
- the lady in the widow's walk was charted in the same flesh tone as the mermaid and sailor's face. This was unsettling....did women often stand on the widow's walks in the nude?!?!? I decided "no," and stitched her in a pink dress instead. (Six Strand Sweets "Mulberry Wine.") I also did the entire house in blue - the pattern used gold for the rectangular side - and stitched the windows in gold as if the house was lit from the inside (the pattern had all the windows in gray). <br />
- I stitched the willow tree in the same over-dye that I used for the mermaid.<br />
- and finally, I completely left out the gray....dog, I think?...that was between the lighthouse and the willow. He was just too much for me. And he looked like a crossroads demon dog.Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8691534.post-57462242001459766922020-06-09T11:29:00.001-04:002020-06-09T11:32:48.258-04:00Life in an HGTV show(Well, not really, but it certainly has felt that way for the past few weeks!)<br />
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Back in February, we started calling contractors to discuss our kitchen plans. We found one who we trusted and who quoted us a reasonable price (NOT the company that came in at $35,000...really, what was he thinking?!? That is almost a quarter of the purchase price for the whole house!) We picked out the cabinets we wanted, ordered the countertops...and then Covid happened. With both of our jobs in limbo - and my husband was temporarily furloughed - it didn't seem smart to move forward with a remodel. But, after we got our federal stimulus check, my husband returned to work, and my job seemed pretty secure with a work-from-home arrangement, we decided to go for it. After all, we had budgeted for it from the sale of our old house, and our savings will be relatively untouched. So here goes, in pictures:<br />
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1) First, the old kitchen/dining room. Both rooms were approximately 11' x 13', divided by a partial wall and with entrances to each room from the hallway/entry.<br />
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Hopefully those 4 pictures give you an idea of the layout. My biggest issues with the space were the lack of light and the limited counterspace. The stove was right next to the refrigerator (there was one slim trash can between them, but no counter or place to set things), and the drawer to the left of the stove wouldn't open all the way because it bumped into the oven handle. Everything felt messy and cramped. There was also limited cabinet space, and no pantry or convenient space to store even a little bit of food.<br />
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So we started knocking down walls.<br />
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2)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCULIc_MTN1QX8-Zt3-N1-xGI5XLYU10OICXkh4L4AvOWVQXo5y-bEryvu4omew6P0LL0VQ64B92fyeNckJn_BO6gndDKKzpAILigCqSKGK28098UU5NluKBYzqeHtCnJljhb/s1600/99068124_10158297723789347_6849388585511026688_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCULIc_MTN1QX8-Zt3-N1-xGI5XLYU10OICXkh4L4AvOWVQXo5y-bEryvu4omew6P0LL0VQ64B92fyeNckJn_BO6gndDKKzpAILigCqSKGK28098UU5NluKBYzqeHtCnJljhb/s320/99068124_10158297723789347_6849388585511026688_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The kitchen side of the room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJAKdYF1B2N2-4QZJbpCij0JR9g3L7Se5CPxdlkMJEQ1gXyFXF2HII4bxJrXA8AmeI7tdp5rqxTCH4PrVMd-CbMSLQX8lsoSAN0n4iK0HzwYKDlvv6GN0q9NzVptaDDOMws_3/s1600/99098485_10158297723909347_8214428599197892608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJAKdYF1B2N2-4QZJbpCij0JR9g3L7Se5CPxdlkMJEQ1gXyFXF2HII4bxJrXA8AmeI7tdp5rqxTCH4PrVMd-CbMSLQX8lsoSAN0n4iK0HzwYKDlvv6GN0q9NzVptaDDOMws_3/s320/99098485_10158297723909347_8214428599197892608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking into the old dining room.</div>
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3) And where we are now! (I took this picture while standing in the "dining room" end of the space)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKJc4MtQQhJd89eihG92-GAKNrc-9ArtQpozFdtdjDcpwB8gN7BUG0o3Zm_4k-PqIC7vxNTXd717ZFF1S9dRFVfmiocLN-dqXHmjUtVQBtvfbsr5HXFy0nD52-014Di7Id-kO/s1600/101664503_10158336963039347_8648622979342663680_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1440" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKJc4MtQQhJd89eihG92-GAKNrc-9ArtQpozFdtdjDcpwB8gN7BUG0o3Zm_4k-PqIC7vxNTXd717ZFF1S9dRFVfmiocLN-dqXHmjUtVQBtvfbsr5HXFy0nD52-014Di7Id-kO/s320/101664503_10158336963039347_8648622979342663680_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We closed in the entry that was next to the fridge (in the second pic above), and basically moved the fridge down to that space. That opened up about 4 feet, which was enough to move the stove down a smidge and create some clearance for drawers. We also put in a lazy susan corner, where previously the cabinet just extend back into the corner and was just about unusable. And finally there is one base cabinet with a counter between the stove and fridge - just enough room to set the milk carton down or make a sandwich without using the range as a counter! And all the glorious light! There are 13 LEDs in the soffit, 8 under the cabinets, flush mounts in both spots where the hanging lights were, and a pendant over the sink. The counters are actually in now, and my contractor is downstairs tiling the backsplash (white subway tile) as I type.</div>
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So that's what's going on, and why all of my craft room - on the other side of the wall behind the stove and fridge - is covered in drywall dust. I'm thrilled, but tired of eating microwave food and takeout....Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08033703156926977849noreply@blogger.com0