As predicted

Yesterdays weather omens proved correct. It is bitter today. Blowing snow, icy winds and we saw our high for the day in the wee hours with the temps slowly falling all morning. I'm hibernating with "Catching Fire", the sequel to "Hunger Game" and the indigo dragon. Maybe he can breath some fire to warm me up.

DC Goodwill Fashion Blog: Guest Blogger: Goodwill Finds…Refashioning, Upcycling and More.

DC Goodwill Fashion Blog: Guest Blogger: Goodwill Finds…Refashioning, Upcycling and More.

Before I start...

I've been gathering materials together and I'm just about ready, but I have a question that is looking for opinions...

Should I sew in hems and casing first or wait until the pattern is embroidered? I don't think the stitching will cross into the hems... In fact I'm thinking that instead of stitching I'm going to applique the dark red outline band.

Maybe.

What are thoughts?

Oh, here's a picture to remind you...

Also... I took a short workshop in tatting this past Fall and I'm going to mix in some tatted flowers with the embroidered ones around the dark blue areas. I've the perfect color thread!

Michele's Pillow

I got a lovely note from Michele in South Carolina along with a photo of her beautiful pillow inspired by my book Colorful Stitchery. Isn't it beautifully stitched?

You can read more about her project on her blog Calico Daisy.

Thanks for sending the photo Michele!

The Plan

Thanks Kristin for allowing me to join!

These are my kitchen windows...

Notice any difference?

Yes, it's true... one is semi-naked. Somewhere in the last move one of my one-of-a-kind-made-from-a- stained-old-40's-tablecloth-gosh-I-loved-them curtains disappeared.

So here's my plan...

Using Kristin's book as inspiration and guide, I am going to create an abstracted representation of the existing curtain for the naked window!

Here is a close up the florals. I'm figuring a light satin stitch for the roses. Maybe some sort of outlining stitch, like a stem stitch, for the Daisies. French knots for the daisy centers and the little blue blobs (maybe they're forget- me-nots?). Mixing media... yarn for the grasses and floss for the flowers?
Like I said... a representation, not an attempt to re-create.
We'll see how it goes!

Sunflower

I finished this up yesterday. It was inspired by Kristin's sunflower pictures and was rendered with the help of Kristin's book. Thank you times two!
I had a hard time getting a decent picture. The colors are a little off here. It was truly a work of using what you have on hand. The fabric is from an old skirt of mine and the crewel embroidery wool is some I have had forever. I'm not wholly pleased with it, but not totally dissatisfied either, given my limited supplies and expertise. I had trouble with the points of the petals, but I expect that that's due to inexperience. I did love all the chain stitching in the center.
Thanks, Kristin for the inspiration and help!
(It actually looks a little better if you click on the picture for a larger view)

Summer and the stitching is easy

This poor little blog - no new posts in such a long time!


Well, I've finally finished a new project. The bright green pillow has been in progress for at least two years. It's been sitting in a pile - finished, waiting for the backing fabric to be sewn on. Today it happened. The light green pillow is from Colorful Stitchery. They make a nice pair. I've posted a bit more about the design on my regular blog.

Embroidered Shirt

I embroidered on this work shirt years ago for my husband. I call it An Old Hippie Recalled to Life. I'm so glad that we still have it. It was such fun to do and I like it even more today than I did so many years ago. Lots of memories, lots of miles..it brings a smile to my face just to look at it!

First potholders

It was great fun to stitch these potholders! I created the designs on my computer, then used transfer paper and pencils to put the designs on fabric. The wool fabric is a bit lightweight (felted skirts), so there is a layer of heat-proof fabric in between the two wool layers. The reverse side of the potholders is the purple/teal plaid that you can see in the background.

This is part of a WIP inspired by Kristin's sister's embroidered jeans jackets. It had been many years since I had done any embroidery, and after looking at Krisitin's blog, I couldn't wait to get started. I dug into my closet and found a favorite chambray shirt that I no longer wore because it had found a stain somewhere and began embellishing. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed this during the 70's! I have added a double eagle to one shoulder, this celtic bird to the other, foliage to the pocket flaps and a winged heart to the back yoke, and it's still a WIP. What fun! My husband loved watching the images grow, and checks the shirt often to see what has been added. I wore it to school and everyone oohed and aahed. I think some of them were inspired to pick up needles and floss again as well. Thanks Kristin for unselfishly sharing and inspiring everyone around you, the most desirable qualities of a true teacher.

Business Card Holder

I printed up some Jan-Knit business cards this weekend. Then I needed a case to protect them in my big bag. It's crocheted out of recycled gray wool, embroidered with some of that thrifted crewel wool I found a while back, lined with a bit of cotton scrap from a sewing project, and fastened with a leftover blue mother of pearl button.

Nice Review on Flickr Embroidery Blog

All of us at the Colorful Stitchery Stitchalong welcome new readers via the Flickr Embroidery Blog! Amy did a love write-up about Colorful Stitchery - thanks so much Amy! I hope we all can keep inspiring each other.

Now maybe I can get my act together to finish that latest pillow! You're spurring me on.

Chinese Slippers from Adorn

I embroidered these Chinese slippers last year for the premiere issue of Adorn Magazine. They didn't take long to do and really look like spring.

I just found a great new blog called the Flickr Embroidery Blog. You all have got to check it out. It's being done by a few members of the Flickr Embroidery Group which is also definitely worth a peek. Maybe some of us should join this too!

Happy Spring!

Sharing: first practice piece

Colorful Stitchery has been on my shelf for one year! It's about time to get going and make something! Tried a lazy daisy on some scrap fabric and learned that I need practice before starting any "official projects".

This practice piece was quite fun. The fabric is recycled wool that was crock-pot dyed. Stitches practiced are lazy daisy, French knot, and blanket. Maybe patches like this could be used to embellish jeans or a denim jacket.

Spring has sprung, and it's supposed to get up to 70 degrees here in South Dakota today, so thought of flowers in the grass.