31.5.11

Give Away Winners

I'm guessing you all thought I'd flown the coop, but no I am still here but had to take a bit of an absence last week. My mom continues to need more care and so we had to admit her to a nursing home. It was a sad day but we are all trying to adjust in our own ways.

But onto more fun things! Denise was the winner of the giveaway! The kit to make Anya will be winging it's way to her soon. Congratulations Denise!

22.5.11

Sew Mama Sew Give Away Day!

Bettina



Today is Sew Mama Sew's Give Away Day and I am participating. I will be giving away a pattern and kit for one of my matryoshka dolls. There are three to choose from and you get to decide which one you prefer! The kit includes the pattern, instructions, felt and embroidery floss, enough to complete one doll.
To enter, leave a comment after this post (if you would like to follow me I will enter your name twice!) and let me know which kit you would like. Also leave a way for me to contact you if you are the lucky winner. You must enter anytime between now and midnight central time Wednesday May 25th. The winner will be chosen randomly. To see more blogs participating go to Sew Mama Sew. Good luck and have fun!




Anya (above) Sasha (below)

18.5.11

Easy Embroidery Sampler





This is my first post on my new computer. Everything faster and the screen is shinier...much more fun!




I've been working on a design to use when teaching a beginning embroidery class and this is what I have come up with. The stitches are easy...stem stitch, satin stitch, chain stitch and french knots. I tested it out and really like the colors but would also like to try a set of colors that are either much brighter or in a green and blue palette. Right now folks are getting geared up for summer plans so that gives me time to test out some other colorways before teaching. I think this design would make a nice little pillow, gift bag or even a pocket on an apron.


Don't forget to come back on May 23 because I will be participating in Sew Mama Sew's spring Give Away Day! Remember those Matryoshka dolls from a few posts ago......

16.5.11

Pink and Fancy









This weeks Every Inchie Monday theme is fancy. Now, you might be wondering why I did an inchie with two dogs on it. Well, when we got our dog as a puppy she was really energetic and wanted to constantly play. On a walk we met one of our neighbors who understood how warn out we were. She invited Tia, our puppy, to come and play with her dog Fancy. That began a great friendship between the two and when we even said Fancy's name, Tia became excited. The beads are on the inchie because Fancy's mom gave Tia a collar with rhinestones to match one Fancy had. These two dogs were so far from being frou-frou that the collars were a joke. Unfortunately we have moved away from Fancy but if for some reason we have to say that word in front of Tia we say f-a-n-c-y so she doesn't get excited and think her friend is back to play. Here is a picture of the real Fancy (white) and Tia (black).


If you read my previous post you know why I missed last Monday's inchie. The theme was pink and here is my version. Not only are the materials pink but I used my pinking scissors to "pink" the edges! To see more inchies go to Every Inchie Monday!

13.5.11

Prayer Stitches




Last Sunday I had a great plan for Mother's Day, my parents were going to visit and I was going to make a great meal complete with English Trifle brimming with fresh fruit. Instead I recieved a call that my mom was sick and being admitted to the hospital. My mom has Lewy Body Dimentia which is Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease all rolled into one and then some. I went home and spent the last few days with my parents first going to the hospital and then helping my dad get her situated after she returned home. This is a really difficult disease for everyone, especially the main caregiver, in this case my dad.


As I was dashing out the door I knew I needed something to stitch, keeping my hands busy is always a calming thing, my version of prayer beads I guess. I grabbed a piece of blue felt and tossed it into a ziploc bag that already held some embroidery floss. As I was stitching I discovered a crocheted medallion and that became part of this piece. I have no idea what this will become, and maybe it will just be what it is a small bright spot amidst several stress filled days.


My mom is doing much better and is home once again and for that we are all happy.



On a fun note I am planning on participating in Sew Mama Sew's giveaway day on Monday May 23, so come back and see what is up!

5.5.11

Three Matryoshkas








Sasha, Bettina and Anya are among the projects I completed in the last few months. They are inspired by matryoshkas, the Russian nesting dolls. These don't nest, however, and are made of felt and ornamented with hand embroidery. The embroidery stitches are basic and I had a lot of fun creating them.










One of my goals is to make patterns so that other people can create some of my designs and I decided these dolls made the pattern list! I told my friend Barbara of Stony Mountain Fibers and she asked me to make kits that would include the felt and embroidery floss. That was real motivation and so I got to work! She is taking them this weekend to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Show and I am anxious to see how they do. After I get some feedback from her I will adjust what needs to be adjusted (price, packaging, whatever) and list them on etsy. I'll be sure to let you know when I get them listed.

2.5.11

Every Inchie Monday...Heart



Todays Every Inchie Monday theme is heart. I thought of different ways to make this inchie, but when it came down to it our weather was my inspiration. We have had a gloomy, windy and cold spring often punctuated by bouts of snow. In fact I heard from a friend that is was snowing this morning a few hours west of here. Given that, I wanted something bright and sunny to make up for the outside gloom, so here is my yellow heart stitched with bright orange and magenta thread. I am thinking of it as a talisman that will call to the sun and bring it forth! To see other heart inchies go here.