Wednesday, August 28, 2013
August Christmas Ornament SAL
Here's my August Christmas Ornament SAL. It was such a joy - and for such a sweet little boy!!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Happy Blogiversary to Me!!
Greetings!
Six months ago today, I started my blog. I want to celebrate by doing a give away. Here are the rules:
Six months ago today, I started my blog. I want to celebrate by doing a give away. Here are the rules:
1) Put a comment on this post and you are entered into the giveaway.
2) If you are already a follower then your name is put in twice.
3) Put the photograph of this giveaway on your blog and then get another chance.
4) If you blog about this giveaway in a post on your blog then you get another chance.
5) If you are a follower and refer someone to become a follower of my blog, you will get 5 more chances.
Please let me know if you have done any of the above. Drawing will be September 3rd at 6PM CDT.
Oh! I guess I should share what I'm giving away. It's a hand braided Romanian porcelain heart-shaped dish (4.5 inches by 4 inches). I've painted a traditional European design and embellished with 24KT gold. Perfect for pins, needles, whatever.
Good luck - Happy stitching!
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
From Paris with Love
Here is the pillow I just finished this morning - my first attempt at sewing fringe - and I LOVE it!
The pillow is a gift for a dear friend. I can hardly wait to give it to her.
Happy stitching - Cheers!
Monday, August 19, 2013
Busy Hands
I wasn't able to post last week, so much going on...but I've been busy stitching and thought I'd share with you.
Do you find angels and cupids as enchanting as I do? I have a stack of patterns I want to stitch - here are two. I believe they both can be found at http://ccarinne.canalblog.com. The blog is in French - and SO lovely.
Do you find angels and cupids as enchanting as I do? I have a stack of patterns I want to stitch - here are two. I believe they both can be found at http://ccarinne.canalblog.com. The blog is in French - and SO lovely.
I just finished stuffing the pillow, now it needs to be stitched closed at the bottom.
This lovely lady will be a 16x16 inch pillow. I have fringe all set to go - I couldn't resist adding some 'bling' ;). I've tried to find the blog where I found the free pattern so I can give credit to the designer, but have been unsuccessful.
I originally had the idea of making this purple goodie into a paper weight, but I loved the fabric so much, it grew in size. Just have to stuff it and sew cording around the outside and it will be complete. This is one of Lynn B's lovely patterns.
Last, but not least, is a WIP. I found this enchanting freebie at Papillon Creations. It rang true with me, especially since my sweet mother's stroke ordeal. I can hardly wait to finish it.
More later - Happy stitching -
Cheers!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Beaded Scissor Fob
For some reason, I've been obsessed with making a beaded scissor fob. This is my first - pink Czech glass beads, pink pearls, clear crystal beads with silver and rhinestone spacers with a sterling silver charm on the end of an old fashioned shoe.
I know now how I will change what I did on the next one. It took me over an hour - fighting with the fishing line (it was too long and kept getting crimped up and tangled). SHRUG. Never a dull moment.
I know now how I will change what I did on the next one. It took me over an hour - fighting with the fishing line (it was too long and kept getting crimped up and tangled). SHRUG. Never a dull moment.
Happy stitching - Cheers!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Different Finishing Technique
I've been having so much fun trying to figure how to finish another cuff bracelet. This one is also designed by Orna Willis and is called "The Flower Cuff".
Once again, it was fast, challenging and fun! I learned some new stitches/stitch designs. The flower was a blast and I'd never stitched the Jessica before.
I was ready to finish it and remembered I'd ordered some 2 inch aluminum cuffs from Art Beads over a year ago. They had been sitting in my stash of supplies....hmmmmmm......could I make this work?
Using my sewing machine, I sewed the canvas to a piece of ultra suede, then attempted to glue the piece to the aluminum cuff. It would NOT stick and I was more than a little upset I had probably ruined the needlework. Then I remembered I had some E-6000 glue. Presto-change-O! It worked like a charm. Using Aleene's Tacky Glue, I glued another piece of suede on the underside of the cuff to give it a neater finish.
Trimming the suede was interesting. I quickly learned regular sewing scissors wouldn't do the precise job I wanted. I purchased a pair of Singer "DetailPro" scissors and they are AMAZING. I could get close, make small adjustments when trimming, and the result was superb.
The last step was beading the picot edging.
Now - off to start another one.
Happy stitching - Cheers!
I was ready to finish it and remembered I'd ordered some 2 inch aluminum cuffs from Art Beads over a year ago. They had been sitting in my stash of supplies....hmmmmmm......could I make this work?
Using my sewing machine, I sewed the canvas to a piece of ultra suede, then attempted to glue the piece to the aluminum cuff. It would NOT stick and I was more than a little upset I had probably ruined the needlework. Then I remembered I had some E-6000 glue. Presto-change-O! It worked like a charm. Using Aleene's Tacky Glue, I glued another piece of suede on the underside of the cuff to give it a neater finish.
Underside of the Flower Cuff
Trimming the suede was interesting. I quickly learned regular sewing scissors wouldn't do the precise job I wanted. I purchased a pair of Singer "DetailPro" scissors and they are AMAZING. I could get close, make small adjustments when trimming, and the result was superb.
The last step was beading the picot edging.
Now - off to start another one.
Happy stitching - Cheers!
Friday, August 2, 2013
I've Got a Secret
I need to thank all of you who comment on my posts, enter my give aways and give such kind compliments and kind words. Without you knowing, you have given me a cheerful something to look forward to each and every day since the middle of May. My mother - my best friend, my confidante, and traveling companion, suffered a major stroke. Without going in to all the details, I was half way across the country visiting our daughter when it happened. I immediately flew home, praying she would survive until I got to her. She survived because of the skill of the doctors and the caring nurses and therapists.
She is now in a nursing home and I know she will never be the woman I knew. She has always been an independent woman, a career woman, who inspired me throughout my life. She is now totally dependent on others for everything. It breaks my heart. She was always been there for me, all 57 plus years. Her faith in God is unshakable and strong. It hurts to see her go through the pain and suffering each and every day, but I am there for her. Not as much as I'd like, but as much as I can physically and emotionally bare.
In my 20's, I stitched her a pillow (which she still has): "I loved you as Mother through childhood and youth. Now I've discovered a wonderful truth - you are also my friend."
My mother stitched few things and what she has done are displayed proudly in our home - and in hers.
I always told her she was "tiny but mighty" and she still is. I've also always told her "I want to be just like you when I grow up." Her response was always, "Be careful what you ask for."
Anyway, it's been a tough few days. I want to thank all of you for being so supportive and cheerful as I enter my blog updates. You have been a ray of sunshine for me - more than you know.
I wish you many more happy and content hours of stitching.
Fondly -
KimM
She is now in a nursing home and I know she will never be the woman I knew. She has always been an independent woman, a career woman, who inspired me throughout my life. She is now totally dependent on others for everything. It breaks my heart. She was always been there for me, all 57 plus years. Her faith in God is unshakable and strong. It hurts to see her go through the pain and suffering each and every day, but I am there for her. Not as much as I'd like, but as much as I can physically and emotionally bare.
In my 20's, I stitched her a pillow (which she still has): "I loved you as Mother through childhood and youth. Now I've discovered a wonderful truth - you are also my friend."
My mother stitched few things and what she has done are displayed proudly in our home - and in hers.
I always told her she was "tiny but mighty" and she still is. I've also always told her "I want to be just like you when I grow up." Her response was always, "Be careful what you ask for."
Anyway, it's been a tough few days. I want to thank all of you for being so supportive and cheerful as I enter my blog updates. You have been a ray of sunshine for me - more than you know.
I wish you many more happy and content hours of stitching.
Fondly -
KimM
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Off the Cuff - WHAT?!?!?
OK - I have to admit, I'm a woman who likes jewelry. Rings, necklaces, bracelets - love to wear it all. I got hooked on cuff bracelets years ago. I like how they look and feel when I wear them.
As usual, I was intrigued to find out the history of cuff bracelets. Because my mind works in strange ways, it dawned on me, there must be a story behind the phrase "off the cuff". After a bit of searching, I discovered that, back in the days before credit cards, most people weren't allowed credit. If they did borrow, the debt was written on the cuff of the lender. When a man would travel from town to town, the livery stable owner would let them put what they owed on credit and would write it on their cuff. If the traveller owed money to different stables in different towns, he was said to live "off the cuff."
Back to bracelets. People have worn cuff bracelets for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians were known for their elaborate and intricate jewelry designs. In Mayan culture, cuff bracelets were a measure of social class and status and date back to circa 1000 to 1500. The Greeks wore bracelets on their upper arms, as well as their wrists; Greek and Roman soldiers wore wide leather and metal cuffs around their wrists for protection during battle. The ancient Celts, Asian cultures and Native Americans also wore cuff bracelets.
Coco Chanel made cuff bracelets chic and a fashion staple in the 1930s. They can be worn with jeans or a little black dress. Today, there are so many glorious designs, it's hard to choose.
I got brave.....and stitched my own. Here is a needlepoint cuff done in wool and metallic threads:
And here is a cuff I just finished. It's a kit from Orna Willis, called "Nightshade". It was fun, fast and challenging! I had quite the time figuring out how to do the beading on the edges, but once my brain clicked in, it was a snap. Can hardly wait to stitch up the next one.
As usual, I was intrigued to find out the history of cuff bracelets. Because my mind works in strange ways, it dawned on me, there must be a story behind the phrase "off the cuff". After a bit of searching, I discovered that, back in the days before credit cards, most people weren't allowed credit. If they did borrow, the debt was written on the cuff of the lender. When a man would travel from town to town, the livery stable owner would let them put what they owed on credit and would write it on their cuff. If the traveller owed money to different stables in different towns, he was said to live "off the cuff."
Back to bracelets. People have worn cuff bracelets for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians were known for their elaborate and intricate jewelry designs. In Mayan culture, cuff bracelets were a measure of social class and status and date back to circa 1000 to 1500. The Greeks wore bracelets on their upper arms, as well as their wrists; Greek and Roman soldiers wore wide leather and metal cuffs around their wrists for protection during battle. The ancient Celts, Asian cultures and Native Americans also wore cuff bracelets.
Coco Chanel made cuff bracelets chic and a fashion staple in the 1930s. They can be worn with jeans or a little black dress. Today, there are so many glorious designs, it's hard to choose.
I got brave.....and stitched my own. Here is a needlepoint cuff done in wool and metallic threads:
And here is a cuff I just finished. It's a kit from Orna Willis, called "Nightshade". It was fun, fast and challenging! I had quite the time figuring out how to do the beading on the edges, but once my brain clicked in, it was a snap. Can hardly wait to stitch up the next one.
I'm currently working on doing the finishing on a needlepoint bracelet of a gold snaffle bit. I'm making it up as I go, will post a picture when I have it done.
Happy stitching - Cheers!
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