Stocking Done!!

HAPPY DANCE!!!!

I've finished stitching Cole's stocking in time for Christmas!!! Now for the finishing....

20 x 13.5 inches

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

Good morning, Ladies! Super Mom - No Cape, once again, is hosting the Monday link party.

Last week was so busy - lots of fun with friends and family. I know I've been neglecting my blogging friends, but promise to get back in the swing and stopping by your blogs to visit and chat soon.

Here's what I've been up to.

Finished "Count Your Blessings":

Finished Lizzie Kate's "Love is Best":

Had a blast making cuffs from up cycled ties:

The cuff bracelet here is a bit difficult to see, as the Swarovski cabochons actually highlight the design. They look rather random in the pictures....the underside is lined with ultra suede.

And another - for my friend who visited us last week. Again, made from an up cycled tie and embellished with Swarovski cabochons, the underside is lined with ultra suede.

I've also been working away on my sweet step-grandson's stocking....and picked up my brushes again! It's been a great, creative week.

Meet Bird's Nest Marie

Another fun, FUN 5.5 inch doll I made - Bird's Nest Marie. Again, if you want to see beautiful dolls designed by Dana Burton, go here.

It's difficult to see the details on the white gown, but there are tiny white beads down the center and a white lace bow at the bottom with a crystal cabochon in the center.

Bird's Nest Marie - 5.5 inches tall

Can you see why she's called "Bird's Nest Marie"?  I actually took apart a small Fairy bird's nest (sold at Hobby Lobby), matched DMC floss to the color and wove a teeny tiny bird's nest, then glued it and - last step - covered it with clear nail polish to help hold its shape. The eggs are made from FIMO clay, then painted with blue nail polish. I made the masquerade mask from card stock paper, glued glitter on and then glued the colored feathers. The wand is a corsage pin with Swarovski crystals and pearls.

On the the next creative adventure!!

Writer's Workshop Adventure

Several years ago, my BFF talked me into attending the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop. I forget the name of the workshop we signed up for, but we had a BLAST! One of our assignments was to write about something we had experienced from our perspective and then from the perspective of someone else who was involved with the same situation. We were limited to 150 words or less - I ran across my stories and thought I'd share.

Side note: This is a true story. I felt like I was living an episode of "I Love Lucy".

My Perspective:

It was a muggy Iowa July night. Hubby was hunting in South Dakota for a week, so it was me at the farm with our two little dogs.

"SCREECH!"

Wondering who was invading the house at 2 a.m., I bolted out of bed. Missy ran to cower behind the toilet, Sally shivered behind me.

The carbon monoxide alarm was screeching. I cranked open the windows.

"SCREECH!"

I ripped the alarm out of the plug and tried to get to the battery.

"SCREECH!"

I threw the alarm outside.

"SCREECH!"

The 9-1-1 operator calmed me as she dispatched fire fighters.

Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror in my flimsy nightgown, I ran to the closet and pulled on jeans, a shirt and sandals. Makeup and tooth brushing followed. The bed got made.  OOPS! Forgot underwear. Back to the closet to undress, put on undies and dress again.

Four handsome young men arrived. Pointing to the room that was possessed, they marched in and one came out holding the alarm. In one confident motion, he replaced the battery and said, "Have a nice evening, ma'am."

Fireman's Perspective:

Being a fire fighter is an exciting job. I thrive on the action and challenge. July in Iowa can be particularly interesting with brush fires and river rescues.

Dispatch called the station at 2:20 a.m. A carbon monoxide alarm was going off in a home. Four of us launched into action and rocketed out of the station, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Every second counted.

Arriving at the home, we found a woman who looked like she was ready to serve us brunch. We could smell freshly brewing coffee and Danish. Makeup and hair perfect, dressed in a crisp white shirt, jeans and bejeweled sandals on pedicured feet, she pointed to the room where the alarm was housed.

While I tested the air, my buddy, Danny, pulled the alarm out of the wall socket, looked at me and winked.  "Easy, peasy," he said.

After handing the alarm with the new battery to the woman, we walked back to the truck.

Did I say my job was exciting? Maybe I should have described it as entertaining, too.

Link Party, Old Friends, New Inspiration

If it's Monday, it must be Super Mom - No Cape's Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party.

Remember my sweet step-grandson's stocking and how I ran out of threads for the background? They arrived late last week - YEA! Needless to say, I've been working on it -

 Here's the previous progress:

Here's my next doll, Bird's Nest Marie (you'll find out why the name in a future post). Almost done dressing her -

If you're interested in creating these wonderful dolls, don't hesitate to visit Dana Burton's website. Pour yourself a cuppa, put your feet up and explore her website and creations. It's addicting!

I wanted to drape a shawl around her and have been experimenting with a couple of different patterns and threads/yarn. This one is on size 1 needles and is knitted with a very fine sparkling yarn. Wish I knew what it was, but a mischievous puppy took off with the yarn and managed to destroy the label.

This shawl is knitted on size 0 needles using DMC size 8 Pearl Cotton (work in progress):

Once I get them both finished, I'll see which one drapes the best for Marie.

Now for old friends. The Illinois WOCP State Convention was this past week. I was invited to visit with two of my dear friends and painting teachers, Cookie Barton (from Oregon) and Beverly Miller (from Illinois). So, I drove about an hour and 45 minutes to Peoria, IL.

(Left to right) Cookie, me, Beverly

The time flew by - it was SO GOOD to see them, to chat and catch up. I haven't picked up a brush for four years or so - for various reasons. However, these ladies inspired me to pick up the brushes again - especially Cookie. Her insight, encouragement and caring seemed to turn a light on for me. I came home, checked all my brushes, cleaned off my painting palette and prepared four tiles so I can start to paint again! Our reunion was this past Friday - and this is Monday - wo-HOO!!

Vintage Embroidery Monday and Stitchery Link Party

It's Monday and time to party with Super Mom - No Cape!

I can't show you what I've just finished - these are for a swap I'm participating in. As soon as my swap partner receives them, I'll share the fronts -

Meet Angela

Well, I finally took the plunge and designed the dress and wigging for a 6 inch doll I had on hand. Meet Angela - my own creation. I was inspired by a dress worn by Anne Boleyn in the second season of "The Tudors".

 Angela - 6 inches tall

 Notice all the itty-bitty pearls individually placed on the gold trim?

 Notice the teen-tiny gold beads on the bottom edges of her sleeve?

And how about these shiny gold shoes with black suede trim?