2008 Projects

I mentioned yesterday that I doubt I'll have any stitching to share until after Christmas now. With my in-laws coming on Saturday, I just don't feel like starting on a project and then having to put it down. It's ok as sometimes it's good to take a break.

Sharon B. was recently discussing her philosophy on the "Slow Cloth". Basically, that would be the type of craft that one would take the time to plan out and orchestrate slowly with an emphasis on detail, technique and craftsmanship. Not necessarily something worked entirely by hand but not one of those "whip it in 5 minutes" type of craft projects. To read Sharon's post on this subject, please click here.

Sharon was wondering if we need a better definition for well-thought-out projects that take time to create. I do believe there is a place for the "whip it up" type of projects. It's not what I do or would want to do but I know there are people out there who don't have time or patience for anything but the simple craft project. I do feel that there needs to be a separation in this area rather than all craft projects being lumped into one catagory.

If you have any thoughts on this, feel free to leave a comment here or better yet, since is Sharon's discussion really, leave a comment on her blog.

I've been thinking a lot lately about Sharon's post on this subject and it's made me re-evaluate my own projects. Generally, I don't start something that I can't see myself finishing. I really don't have any UFO's so to speak. A couple of Works In Progress yes, but nothing that I can't bring myself to finish.

You may remember my antique crazy quilt that I bought over the Summer and intended to repair. I'll admit, after starting on it, I do prefer to just do my own CQ projects from scratch. It isn't as much fun to repair an old one but I still intend to do so. Perhaps just a little at a time to get it to the point of it being stable so it doesn't deteriorate any further.

The only other project that I have going is a "sane" patchwork quilt that I started a few years back and only work on in the Winter months. The quilt is done but I've been hand-quilting it and decided that that is just too boring for me. Thankfully, it's almost done and I hope to have it completed by the end of the Winter. From now on, when I get a bee in my bonnet to make a patchwork quilt, I will either tie it or I will machine quilt it.

I can see now that for the most part, my choice of stitching projects is based on what will hold my attention long enough to see it through to completion. For the most part, I choose small projects that I can do in a couple of weeks. It's not so much that I like to have a lot of finished projects to show for my time, but rather avoiding a feeling of being overwhelmed. I do get bored with projects that take more than a few weeks to finish.

It may come from my over-active sense of creativity. I always have a lot of ideas floating around in my head and although I don't keep a "visual journal" as many artists like to do, I do keep a list of the ideas that I really like and want to eventually create in a physical form.

I do have several projects planned for 2008. First is that I plan to partake in Sharon's Take It Further Challenge. This is a year long project where Sharon will post a concept for stitcher's to work with.

The challenge is to take the idea, develop it and push it towards a resolved design during that month. In other words you interpret the idea and apply it to fiber or paper.

Stitcher's can work in their normal medium, for example, in my case, I will be working in the CQ mode. I will be stitching each month on a different 9 inch block and when the year is over, I will assemble them into a quilt.

You may remember that I didn't stay with the TAST challenge. I fully intended to but at one point, I got busy with my work and couldn't keep up and then in other cases, I couldn't apply the weekly stitch to my current project. I also realized that learning new stitches just wasn't what I was interested in. I always go back to and use the basics. Those simple basic stitches that I learned as a child and I will honestly and openly tell you that I am absolutely ok with that! For me, crazy quilting isn't really about the stitches. It's about the over all composition and balance of a piece. And of course, it's about the embellisments!

The other project that I am planning on doing is my Peacock Quilt. It's all pieced but I can't remember when I did the piecing so I can't find the photo in my Flickr album. Anyway, back in the 80's, I stitched a peacock on black satin. It was a pre-stamped design and I never finished it into anything. I came across the stitched piece over the Summer and decided to make it a focal point with CQ worked on either side of it. I still have to pick up a frame that the CQ panels will fit on or I have to ask my husband to make one for me. I really dislike stitching without some sort of hoop or frame to hold onto.

Of course, in between the Take It Further Challenge project and the Peacock Quilt, I will be doing some more purses, some cellphone pouches and of course, more cats for the Comfort Doll Project.

Well, I guess that's quite a bit of rambling for one day. I'll end here and be back tomorrow with more one whatever pops into my head!

December News Brief

Well, whatever annoying little bug found it's way into my system, I'm glad to say that it is now on it's merry way. Elvis has left the building! Thank you to everyone who sent me their kind wishes.

I thought I would write up a simple news brief today. I don't expect to get much stitching done in the next week or so. My in-laws are coming up on Saturday and will stay until next Wednesday. I had thought about taking a "blog break" but honestly, I like blogging and I'm sure I have readers who actually enjoy and look forward to my ramblings! Just to warn you though, heaven only knows what I'll be chatting about this coming week. My thoughts are up for grabs here so you may read about some personal aspect of my life, or possibly some deep insights on creativity. I may find some interesting link to share with you and of course, it's possible (very) that I'll whine about the Winter weather. I guess it'll depend on my mood.

I was asked about release dates for the Butterfly Fantasy designs as well as the Hearts & Flowers Biscornu's:



I will release those designs immediately after Christmas. Either on the 26th or the 27th. I didn't see any point in releasing the designs now as I'm sure everyone is getting ready for the holiday and in many cases, putting their stitching down for the time being.

I would like to mention that all the designs in my Etsy shop are exclusive to Etsy. They are only available through me. You will not find them in catalogs, other online shops or local needlework shops. When I started designing needlework (eons ago) I decided at the time that I wanted to design needlework. Not spend my time messing with print shops and distributors. That's why I started out working with magazines and manufacturers. My thoughts were, "let them take care of the printing and I can do what I enjoy doing".

A few months back, I was going to close down my Etsy shop but I was still getting requests for some of my previous designs and it occurred to me to just keep it and perhaps add a few new things to it. Also, since I'm back in the swing of doing mystery projects, it's a easy place for stitcher's to order and sign up for them.

If you decide to order any of my designs, what you will get is a large print, easy to read B/W symbol chart printed out from my pattern software and inkjet printer with a color image of the design. Nothing fancy. What you'll be stitching from is the same thing I stitch from. In my opinion, the design is the focal point. Not some fancy expensive commercially printed leaflet. I print them up one at a time as the orders come in.

I've also decided to add a few more of my stitched pieces to the shop as there are always ideas floating around in my head that I have to actually create in physical form (if I don't, it'll bug me) but they aren't necessarily items or designs that I would use myself. I love making cellphone pouches but in all honestly, I don't use them.

Well, my father just stopped by so I will continue with my ramblings tomorrow and news brief tomorrow.

A Bit Under The Weather

I've been a bit under the weather with what I think is some annoying little flu bug. I don't know how I could have that since I got myself a flu shot back in October. It isn't the "flu from Hades" that I had a few years back but it's enough to slow me down a bit.

Yesterday I was so tired and my mind was terribly spacey. That seems to have passed but my back is achy today. I'm sure by tomorrow, the worst will have passed.

I have to run to WalMart for a few things and then I'll take it easy for a few hours and perhaps wrap gifts this afternoon.

I don't plan on any stitching today. I'll probably just read like I did yesterday. I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm here, just not quite up to par today.

Ocean Goddess Pouch

I got in some stitching time yesterday and finished up this little project:



I really love doing seascapes but the funny thing is, I've never seen an ocean. I'm guessing some of my inspiration comes from what I see on television. We really don't watch much network TV. We prefer The Science Channel, The Learning Channel and The Discovery Channels. And of course, the big joke in my family, The Food Network. As you know, I don't cook!

There really is something peaceful about seashells and creating an ocean garden.

I'll get this sewn up on my next sewing day and add it to my Etsy shop.

Also, I don't mean to sound redundant but being that it's Christmas time, I don't want anyone to miss out on this:

The 2008 Valentine Mystery Stitch-Along starts on January 3rd. It's always more fun to start from the beginning. You can order this here.

Weekend Ramblings

First, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who left a comment about my antique sewing machine. I really enjoy reading your comments even though I don't always reply personally. Many times, if someone leaves me a question, I just answer here in case other readers were wondering the same thing. That's what I'll do now with a question. The question is:

What needle do I use for Kreinik #4 Braid? I usually use a tapestry needle when I use the #4 on CQ's. For X stitch, I use (I believe) a #14 X stitch needle. My suggestion is to fold the #4 Braid in 1/2, pinch the thread with your fingers as close to the top of that loop as possible and try pushing that through the needle. That usually works for me. The metallic threads can be a challenge to work with but the results are so totally worth the effort!

Back to my antique sewing machine, I can't tell you how many times since we brought it home, that I've sat on my cedar chest and just about brought myself to tears with gratitude for it. I've wanted one for a year and 1/2 now.

I saw an antique treadle machine at a flea market back in May of 2006. It wasn't a Singer, it was a rare European machine, only in fair condition but I was fascinated with it. I remember thinking that I would like to have one someday but that I would want to have a Singer and that I wanted one in very good condition. I didn't think about it much after that, until Spring of this year when my neighbor mentioned (out of the blue) to me that his girlfriend has one. Then I remembered that I wanted one and started thinking about it more and more. We kept looking at flea markets and antique shops and we really starting seeing them but most were in very rough condition. When this one came along, I knew the moment I saw it on Ebay that it was my machine. It was Pick-Up only but I just knew it was my machine when I saw that it was just over the border in Iowa. Just a 3 hour drive away! And thankfully, my husband was more than willing to drive to Iowa to pick it up.

When he said that he was going to strip it and refinish it for me, I think that blew my mind! I never expected that. It didn't even occur to me to ask him if he would refinish the cabinet. I was just happy to have one but he insisted. So yes, I look at it and quite often, I'm overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. I'm just so thankful to have this beautiful antique machine.

I've sat there, looking at it, wondering about the women who originally owned it and what sort of things she made on it. Clothes? Quilts? I will never know but I hope that where ever she is now, that she knows her beautiful machine is so much loved and appreciated.

Ok, I don't get mushy too often but ya'll know I have a thing for "moldy oldy stuff" as my sister puts it! "You and that moldy oldy stuff" she always says! Yeah, I really do have an appreciation for old things. I just love them!

Anyway, I finished up my Blizzard purse yesterday (on my electric machine) so here is a photo of that:



I had wanted some white foo-foo fringe for the bottom but I couldn't find any anywhere! I thought white would look like icicles. Instead, I had to settle for the aqua blue foo-foo fringe but it works nicely. I'll probably start using this one a few days before New Years.

I also thought you would enjoy this photo:



This gorgeous little creature is our Lucy. She's 7 pounds of hair! Ha, ha, ha! Honestly, she is the sweetest, happiest little kitty you will ever meet. My husband rescued her back in 1999. She was only 8 months old at the time, filthy, matted, covered in weeds. Our vet literally had to shave her. We never would have gotten her brushed out.

Lucy worships the ground that Scott walks on. She looks at him like he's Zeus! She follows him everywhere and she talks to him constantly. And he absolutely adores her.

Anyway, I thought she looked so cute sleeping in the chair so I took a picture.

Last but not least, this is my little 2 foot Christmas tree:



I'm not huge on Christmas for the most part. My favorite holiday's are Thanksgiving and St. Patricks Day. Don't ask why for St. Pats Day. I have no idea. I think it's just because it's the beginning of Spring! Anyway, I didn't feel like putting up the big tree so I brought this one out. It's just enough to add a nice Christmas feeling to the Living Room without seeming overwhelming, esp. when it comes to putting it away!

Well, that's my post for the day. I know much of it is a bit off topic. I usually stay with my general needlework theme but I'm waiting for my husband to get home from work so I thought I'd just share a little bit of personal stuff with you today.