tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67858371023342759052024-03-13T13:04:50.250-05:00Threads of InspirationMusings on CreatingThreads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-52285796108331894662023-11-13T11:33:00.001-06:002023-11-13T11:33:16.518-06:00New Stuff, Earlier Stuff, Stitching Stuff!<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0gbr9rsF9znGCsTPksnEaZU2IH8xWXsNWR_eLzj8_oVZOov_FGEn1HVRxvCnqhSxoXyL4OGYSSaH-JJgx-IGvtgknd8aTa6LnLp_T3XqrvXx4JXlaWOA-PDCxG-BSvqApIi0C_NWNithfeMjERuuSaJu3MWT_Q75oxLB7VcJ4Hpc9PbDJ0ZDVd4AJCo/s2978/7395E1DB-4798-43A2-925E-DBC2E67F7E8B_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2978" data-original-width="2577" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0gbr9rsF9znGCsTPksnEaZU2IH8xWXsNWR_eLzj8_oVZOov_FGEn1HVRxvCnqhSxoXyL4OGYSSaH-JJgx-IGvtgknd8aTa6LnLp_T3XqrvXx4JXlaWOA-PDCxG-BSvqApIi0C_NWNithfeMjERuuSaJu3MWT_Q75oxLB7VcJ4Hpc9PbDJ0ZDVd4AJCo/w346-h400/7395E1DB-4798-43A2-925E-DBC2E67F7E8B_1_201_a.heic" width="346" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Newest Santa Experiment</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Happy Monday to all of you! It's a sunny November day and the temps are expected to be in the mid 50's. That's quite warm for this time of year in the northern part of the U.S. The weather makes this post seem out of season but Christmas is just 6 weeks away so it's time, or maybe even a little past time, to start thinking about holiday stitching.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">First up is a brand new experiment for me. I tried my hand at wool applique and embroidery. I drew this Santa maybe ten years ago and he just sat waiting patiently in my sketchbook. My friend and neighbor, CB does this type of work and I relied on her for guidance and even some fabric. I blew the design up and stitched away. It was fun to work on this thick wool because there is little drag on the thread. It stitched like butter. I intend to turn it into a pattern but if you look closely (not even very closely) you can see I have some things to work out. While I'm puttering away with this, here are some holiday PDF patterns that you can get started on now! Click on each photo to take you to the pattern page in my <a href="http://www.threadsofinspiration.etsy.com" target="_blank">Threads of Inspiration shop.</a></span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/651005138" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEwqF_R-Px3km2T7onwLJCCBt4pXWRyAyRxd8EAWgRA68-q3Mxha74Is9uhvYYOBl7Cn-N-uF428sOauBqqXVN6vU2oGgMkVyUwD8WIDQPGo4PJuZFKRW5hfTlVeyKURBHGv26vmrlO0gUkpdGNnwlpEV08ebvWkE_UCnPt2-2doAxvy8VlZZsKfhWiM/s320/887A1B2F-2DDE-45EE-A730-2696FBC80664_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/651005138" target="_blank">Christmas Sweater Ornaments</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/651005138" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEGIMyIgtvdREtu7iYanr2AOUSbMI5_Q9wLBTu-5y5Ei_VO9iZuagSRLnbiUp6Axfq-4ZzlICALsz1Uoecc1bQILbCz6bER-0Qz4gRAdrZap8GBMqL3u6XvfRoAVaJSABiD8Unf29d4BhPHhtfZl2cLio28aKtY51oFBvXlE_V3ECJbh8F-1aBIrLr2aQ/s320/5EA463F7-C6E3-4134-8BBE-679C03B31343.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/651005138" target="_blank">Scandinavian Inspired Star</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/871881330" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3739" data-original-width="2240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3O4OcHY6b-eZUsMGZPRRn1fqAUrR5gBtU6_U2VtXnLs_KzRYdrrMgeP7bbCBemcPqb8UDon3f46mu-MTfcnzWH-Pm6b3Xm5hiAweCHg9SMN4NFWRD2rFRnRz0clqDFJd3-nf8L7c0SMTIoV7SnF7HUQm3hB-gwImeEDfKXI8x_vp1NFILPGykIJAgmjA/s320/F67907B6-416C-4BEF-9B99-D997FBB46D75_1_201_a.jpeg" width="192" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/871881330" target="_blank">Redwork Santa</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/1533423919" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="2776" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeQMl67nephF9aGaby-r9Ae3mJ3HVWERWT5SpAIK_xMT_ELCsNyneQw3aUsMfGi_Ky0BXS6Lt3xGU9y8Y3GAs8iEPTkAeZ6h8k-FoYiqqhhFMKeCZLYqNw7G_yTsa_25gttB2qtq6BW-nJFXWPyk2E16xoFGV98PwoRW1f-AaP1yZviyq6mcegL51LZY/s320/Pattern%20cover%20page.jpg" width="282" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/1533423919" target="_blank">Dickens Christmas Spiral</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Stitching!</div></span><br />Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-65655784708049137632023-10-22T08:58:00.000-05:002023-10-22T08:58:17.735-05:00More Color Inspiration<p> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnXCoRj52uEMxmidTdv-3JTwg9ZLJCsS-iu6u505QRwK_k3TghpHqXD1aypB0NIZ-BTssCN45V5CG4xaEQkwkC9SR8y1agrE83BhEWb1Shq4sEuDZ3yT0dCc_lHr_1r17hS85lIxMN0qZcBcTBySxZkpZbTBR5tY8jH3CAlOErIK2gOCOEkTqoKY_N3s/s4032/mapleleaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnXCoRj52uEMxmidTdv-3JTwg9ZLJCsS-iu6u505QRwK_k3TghpHqXD1aypB0NIZ-BTssCN45V5CG4xaEQkwkC9SR8y1agrE83BhEWb1Shq4sEuDZ3yT0dCc_lHr_1r17hS85lIxMN0qZcBcTBySxZkpZbTBR5tY8jH3CAlOErIK2gOCOEkTqoKY_N3s/s320/mapleleaves.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maple Leaves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As promised, I have a few more color inspirations from my wander the other day. We are having another glorious sunny fall day and I have the most gorgeous maple tree in my backyard where these leaves are from. When looking at objects for color inspiration it is always so interesting to note, especially in natural objects like leaves, rocks and sticks, just how many hues and values can be found. These leaves range from a deep yellow all the way to a dark brown, with many colors in between. Of course, sticking with a few keeps stitching a bit easier.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DMC 720, 728, 801, 920, 922</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5jbcJCaVWXza6LsW1m6wCD9QwTeihI0dmmXbAmzxkPfOX6mmHLd1a_abaMgTDjcvU1aZ0qMPULo6bCS1YgyJtvnZ4CjBdjZztVZvJxCAP8Nk1pfcX354qy8Xbhtxk1R3FJlnhNEr_6WAEQgv1Ltc27cXjrBoEc4ayGTtcQBzx044xwn_s_vUxgVaCYU/s4032/thistles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge5jbcJCaVWXza6LsW1m6wCD9QwTeihI0dmmXbAmzxkPfOX6mmHLd1a_abaMgTDjcvU1aZ0qMPULo6bCS1YgyJtvnZ4CjBdjZztVZvJxCAP8Nk1pfcX354qy8Xbhtxk1R3FJlnhNEr_6WAEQgv1Ltc27cXjrBoEc4ayGTtcQBzx044xwn_s_vUxgVaCYU/s320/thistles.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thistles</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">There are a few plants in our garden that have great seed heads and we leave them all winter for the birds. Since we get so much snow, they also are an interesting contrast in color and texture against all of that white.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DMC 869, 898,938, 3032</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTNIwdtn816_6U6tsK_BDrTgANNpKakcdCkxukHFT0i9V6WbRWkOKAmdL_XbH6yCUm-GJ_Th4oRYL9ND42-xKBSpzPEvgGgVtnn1qfTiGre3JnXeZAem6bWprtHWEjOXFdku-T4SoR04hLcS5kLf-W_EoPiok3dyWp1bGAiSCg4uuCG4tr-U_3hcJWYg/s3181/Fall%20color%20palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3181" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTNIwdtn816_6U6tsK_BDrTgANNpKakcdCkxukHFT0i9V6WbRWkOKAmdL_XbH6yCUm-GJ_Th4oRYL9ND42-xKBSpzPEvgGgVtnn1qfTiGre3JnXeZAem6bWprtHWEjOXFdku-T4SoR04hLcS5kLf-W_EoPiok3dyWp1bGAiSCg4uuCG4tr-U_3hcJWYg/s320/Fall%20color%20palette.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn Color Palette</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>When seen as a whole, all of the colors from the this post and the last create quite a lovely autumn color palette. <p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Row 1: 351, 922, 921, 920, 945, 720</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Row 2: 3822, 728, 726</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Row 3: 472, 471, 320, 3052</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Row 4: 316, 917</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Row 5: 3781, 869, 801, 938, 898, 3032</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What are the ways you come up with color palettes?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><br style="text-align: left;" /></p></div>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-40650944480721496512023-10-12T16:18:00.000-05:002023-10-12T16:18:31.746-05:00Backyard Autumn Palettes<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vtSGyzTISQwjh4jdUYbR8KYEhtFlsTietY8DP0K4XpAuMWY4mkk_wRz_c7eg1zCYA6tB-Bezepg7zTiGc_E5_1LkUhl8kR7fG4yKlcJByLPF4Uuh-DBsAmsoDnFOwa3oddPzqmmU_Nv663VMd3g6HE9fBTkZO1MR2FrkdrTUL6CECu1nw3agNIc7uL8/s3248/fallflora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2731" data-original-width="3248" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vtSGyzTISQwjh4jdUYbR8KYEhtFlsTietY8DP0K4XpAuMWY4mkk_wRz_c7eg1zCYA6tB-Bezepg7zTiGc_E5_1LkUhl8kR7fG4yKlcJByLPF4Uuh-DBsAmsoDnFOwa3oddPzqmmU_Nv663VMd3g6HE9fBTkZO1MR2FrkdrTUL6CECu1nw3agNIc7uL8/w640-h538/fallflora.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Backyard Color Inspiration</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /> </span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Autumn Greetings!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This time of year is so beautiful as the trees change their wardrobe and show off their brilliant colors. The changes inspired me to think about fall embroidery. I am frequently asked how I choose colors for my stitching. Often it’s intuition, but I think finding new ways to experiment with color choice is helpful, so I took a walk in my yard to see what inspiration I could find. The trees have only just begun to turn here so I wasn't expecting a lot but I was surprised to find pink in the Autumn Joy Sedum and drying hydrangeas along with reds, oranges, yellows and browns of leaves, berries and seeds.</span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You can never go wrong with color choices when you let nature take the lead. I looked closely at what I had gathered and used my trusty DMC color card to pull out colors that matched. A note, my color card has actual thread in it, as opposed to printed color patches, so you can see the true color. If you design your own embroidery it is a tool I highly recommend! Even if you don’t, it would still be useful. You can find it <a href="https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/floss-color-card-mouline-pearl-cotton" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here are a few of my color palettes and their inspirations.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K6MiMd1Oh3FUM7AH2JRKRoFxecNei8w_0adOleMHQiYiPTxxPvlwN3zl42qFbXdgw7Sq_DN5nEsfvvdcmykBUhhahBOotzB8cR9CST7cauzTt4GY0p4gJYvKxLq3mzbYwPN0jxAWBLMqkTwJpJs8-gklKi4z-z125kYHswjyK2x8ss4iKE3O3vtXmbE/s3017/crabapple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3017" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8K6MiMd1Oh3FUM7AH2JRKRoFxecNei8w_0adOleMHQiYiPTxxPvlwN3zl42qFbXdgw7Sq_DN5nEsfvvdcmykBUhhahBOotzB8cR9CST7cauzTt4GY0p4gJYvKxLq3mzbYwPN0jxAWBLMqkTwJpJs8-gklKi4z-z125kYHswjyK2x8ss4iKE3O3vtXmbE/s320/crabapple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><br /><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">From a distance the fruit on this crabapple branch looks bright red but on examination, it is various shades of orange.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">DMC 351, 921, 3052, 3781</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc1cAdsp9csi9OIXTm8lXQGnDN3kAZzaJVWHAgM3dxnnoSCL5pKIADO0Ih1lfA5tIvxRiTb2qc-oWUUDjEp7sgdu2475AbQ_oM2K0KHdXj2e04PCISwFnwE837ZMFR8iOUGpWUC1fsOCjRaRQXv7rPvtBL6QRD731svfNrzKjG0kSc4dpIdz2we7_Gr8/s2813/yarrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2442" data-original-width="2813" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXc1cAdsp9csi9OIXTm8lXQGnDN3kAZzaJVWHAgM3dxnnoSCL5pKIADO0Ih1lfA5tIvxRiTb2qc-oWUUDjEp7sgdu2475AbQ_oM2K0KHdXj2e04PCISwFnwE837ZMFR8iOUGpWUC1fsOCjRaRQXv7rPvtBL6QRD731svfNrzKjG0kSc4dpIdz2we7_Gr8/s320/yarrow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Again, from a distance, Yarrow looks so grayed out and dusty, but looking at it closely shows sparkles of vivid yellow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DMC 320, 472, 726, 3822</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdqQWGtqVP64Qei8csUetzKKHEG6fJeP5E6vBODnxcH-yS6NN4RItioocHTuJrgsWKTLGyC1F4Ek3EDNPlKXDz-90zAZ9A-LKZYiOF3m-HJ90pi_2kEw0vWU1-X8JrCPCtAn8GeppEj5oZyb_DqK_oNKvcITf7EQfL6fA0hEtEmSgIpsClocWC0rq1I0/s3024/Autumnjoysedum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2814" data-original-width="3024" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqdqQWGtqVP64Qei8csUetzKKHEG6fJeP5E6vBODnxcH-yS6NN4RItioocHTuJrgsWKTLGyC1F4Ek3EDNPlKXDz-90zAZ9A-LKZYiOF3m-HJ90pi_2kEw0vWU1-X8JrCPCtAn8GeppEj5oZyb_DqK_oNKvcITf7EQfL6fA0hEtEmSgIpsClocWC0rq1I0/s320/Autumnjoysedum.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Autumn Joy Sedum is the last inspiration. I was surprised that this fuchsia could still be found in the garden. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">DMC 316, 471, 917, 945</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am saving a couple more for the next post, so stay tuned!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the meantime, if you are looking for some fall inspired embroidery projects I have two in my shop you might have fun making.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqaqMDqTPGg-1IAdyGnYnlMyAQSW2mP4w93tna_m6XWuCBhpDRuFK7jM5oL5gs1zVsPhV3UtEVAAhWqx3AMTLGgLIITyCWiHVrddwLaeXNvjdMMAD5V-EEPWjLY37JBDeWERjvM2-zWrrC8Ie_l95mLOZVXvm2L_-eqJeJA7NBDZ5jhBVVkARKueA2_E/s3153/Autumn%20spiral%20with%20watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3153" data-original-width="2994" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqaqMDqTPGg-1IAdyGnYnlMyAQSW2mP4w93tna_m6XWuCBhpDRuFK7jM5oL5gs1zVsPhV3UtEVAAhWqx3AMTLGgLIITyCWiHVrddwLaeXNvjdMMAD5V-EEPWjLY37JBDeWERjvM2-zWrrC8Ie_l95mLOZVXvm2L_-eqJeJA7NBDZ5jhBVVkARKueA2_E/s320/Autumn%20spiral%20with%20watermark.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/729165457" target="_blank">Autumn Trees Pattern</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg62Etgai6nvxic4x0sGHKoUXKNUBP42LFCdFCRsY-avMoTmOV455u7w5TS6DqAkCl2B3d6mxariBC6ZHVrYdDkWjo2mVwq6V-BGgjvTx9MpoNeq4_3Cy81_-INF0fI8nX8U03S6c6XnLuikeLlpRSwlpj4k2AstuCeohSMlY2jUWJKbwcrtYalzPACc/s2702/3232AA94-AEF4-4D63-BFEF-EDACA9DFDD65_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2702" data-original-width="2642" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDg62Etgai6nvxic4x0sGHKoUXKNUBP42LFCdFCRsY-avMoTmOV455u7w5TS6DqAkCl2B3d6mxariBC6ZHVrYdDkWjo2mVwq6V-BGgjvTx9MpoNeq4_3Cy81_-INF0fI8nX8U03S6c6XnLuikeLlpRSwlpj4k2AstuCeohSMlY2jUWJKbwcrtYalzPACc/s320/3232AA94-AEF4-4D63-BFEF-EDACA9DFDD65_1_201_a.jpeg" width="313" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://threadsofinspiration.etsy.com/listing/848296278" target="_blank">Tis Near Halloween Pattern</a><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-65833579914153274712020-11-18T20:07:00.006-06:002020-11-18T20:07:55.633-06:00Redwork Santa Pattern<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzny-KnRrE8/X7XM4F5sP_I/AAAAAAAADI0/lTZZAMV232AWunB3l2c5n2mlSYQ8AhrhACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_510.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1227" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qzny-KnRrE8/X7XM4F5sP_I/AAAAAAAADI0/lTZZAMV232AWunB3l2c5n2mlSYQ8AhrhACLcBGAsYHQ/w226-h376/fullsizeoutput_510.jpeg" width="226" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redwork Santa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Hello again! I hope you are all doing as well as can be expected and have stayed healthy during this unprecedented year. I have discovered that I am more of an introvert than I realized and have found many house projects to keep busy. There were some new projects as well as some I'd put off for a good long time. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As far as studio work goes, I completed two new patterns since I last wrote. A Halloween spiral, which can be seen below and <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/848296278/tis-near-halloween-embroidery-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_2">here</a>. The newest pattern is a <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/871881330/redwork-santa-hand-embroidery-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_1">Redwork Santa at right</a>. It was a lot of fun to make because I used one color of thread for most of it (red, of course) with just a touch of green. My other patterns are fun and full of color but when keeping track of it all to write a pattern it sometimes gets to be a bit much. To see these patterns and all of the patterns I've designed click here to go to<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration"> my etsy shop!</a></span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78U7CoCEbPM/X7XNboV4bHI/AAAAAAAADI8/yvSfNmCUNZYa57P25FPEmmJgx7M9VwUdACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/fullsizeoutput_4c9.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1998" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-78U7CoCEbPM/X7XNboV4bHI/AAAAAAAADI8/yvSfNmCUNZYa57P25FPEmmJgx7M9VwUdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_4c9.jpeg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halloween Spiral</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Two years ago we bought a house in great need of renovation. It had dashes of the 50's (pink kitchen countertops), a lot of 70's including gold and orange carpet and lots of dark paneling and just a touch of 80's wallpaper border. The carpets and some of the paneling have been replaced. Among the things accomplished in these quarantine months are some newly painted rooms, we changed all of the interior doors and are in the process of adding new molding. I surprised myself and whitewashed the fireplace last week. I thought that was going to be a project I dreamed of but would never get around to doing because, frankly, I was a bit scared to try it. I think it turned out really well though and it only took a couple hours.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UkiVE6teWo/X7XNywOe5NI/AAAAAAAADJE/iR0XNFEoLxcT-matPEwY4A1dA-DVRIQUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/8aQ7CtTFQH2iXAKA6mWGNw.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9UkiVE6teWo/X7XNywOe5NI/AAAAAAAADJE/iR0XNFEoLxcT-matPEwY4A1dA-DVRIQUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/8aQ7CtTFQH2iXAKA6mWGNw.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace after painting but still has green tape around it. <br />We're also trying out some new paint color</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />I have also been going through boxes and boxes of old family photos and scrapbooks. The images of those who have passed are filled with emotion and more than a few tears were shed, but there was also laughter and joy. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I hope you have been able to find time to breathe, accomplish some home projects and perhaps a little stitching during this odd time we all find ourselves.</span></p>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-3612351032398000892020-03-31T13:13:00.001-05:002020-03-31T13:13:07.970-05:00Spring or Easter Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eggs Waiting to Become Cards</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How are you all doing? I have been, for the most part, enjoying my home time. I've been organizing, playing with Dave the kitten, and, of course, stitching. One day last week I was feeling bonkers and I decided to change things up a bit and put aside my embroidery. I got out some water color paints, pencils and markers and made some egg shaped Easter/Spring cards. There was an odd size piece of watercolor paper in my stash and I painted stripes of color in soft pastels. Pattern and detail were added with watercolor pencils and thin Micron markers.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGLzzi0Ur1A/XoN2VqcCjxI/AAAAAAAAC_E/Yczw3wcjenEM9gkjl-IMn-_PkCaWdAUrQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoCPRcs0qaVl86CoFKl8Tq_-CWKqX61UE3swnuJdFg8-bSZLRwpVp2EBbPcAMRnQtV7N03UWInF9b4VAPtrwpb3hwgiJXXh3eTuUNiy0McLsFiwXhRl5DHTveS07jeRpzYs7QlBKMTFogwlJb081KVl6W7HdNobVhgyzzwtpAXxeQtH8YSM0lS1Ebj9reJJ07TjOVUt_ExKc9Hf9pb4IZ_tNsT0kkbX1vAeEN8xog32ERkr03_mTEs32Q6CLzF7Av4cqn_Iny-NyERIA68nqf1RZaqAwLG7PNq4EUDZM2KidHF6shJOn0uvBAgXyW4FCaVQ7OydpjFXSh1gzVQi67u_0ItPOCwuQj5-94GcSp7xt7dll_z9jRDrnvAltKPgRMS0CBS5naGOxQBvwLWY2FXcZHAdA1OfaQFlWbI3rMT9JkPcMzG3FioNlemNM-p2xunoTuPKqbzmCvjcAd95uSY5EeQWJZGCefKnZealyENEgcGMqzQ-jCDJ0jdI8iRwHB5b7bw340fpmC__LgxxVs3z8szndu2KJqznAxFJcm6DS8Ksgr0BWGoNMeo-MEDKlLtwDbtsQy8io4IbzC4Zi3PjgRj-7vwqAgb8wjPSN9AU/s1600/fullsizeoutput_46f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGLzzi0Ur1A/XoN2VqcCjxI/AAAAAAAAC_E/Yczw3wcjenEM9gkjl-IMn-_PkCaWdAUrQCEwYBhgLKs0DAMBZVoCPRcs0qaVl86CoFKl8Tq_-CWKqX61UE3swnuJdFg8-bSZLRwpVp2EBbPcAMRnQtV7N03UWInF9b4VAPtrwpb3hwgiJXXh3eTuUNiy0McLsFiwXhRl5DHTveS07jeRpzYs7QlBKMTFogwlJb081KVl6W7HdNobVhgyzzwtpAXxeQtH8YSM0lS1Ebj9reJJ07TjOVUt_ExKc9Hf9pb4IZ_tNsT0kkbX1vAeEN8xog32ERkr03_mTEs32Q6CLzF7Av4cqn_Iny-NyERIA68nqf1RZaqAwLG7PNq4EUDZM2KidHF6shJOn0uvBAgXyW4FCaVQ7OydpjFXSh1gzVQi67u_0ItPOCwuQj5-94GcSp7xt7dll_z9jRDrnvAltKPgRMS0CBS5naGOxQBvwLWY2FXcZHAdA1OfaQFlWbI3rMT9JkPcMzG3FioNlemNM-p2xunoTuPKqbzmCvjcAd95uSY5EeQWJZGCefKnZealyENEgcGMqzQ-jCDJ0jdI8iRwHB5b7bw340fpmC__LgxxVs3z8szndu2KJqznAxFJcm6DS8Ksgr0BWGoNMeo-MEDKlLtwDbtsQy8io4IbzC4Zi3PjgRj-7vwqAgb8wjPSN9AU/s320/fullsizeoutput_46f.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Decorated Paper</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Next I made an an egg shape template on an old manilla folder and cut the shape out with an Exacto knife. As you can see from the photo I removed the egg and used the remaining outline of the shape. That way I could see the placement of the designs on the egg. I traced the pattern onto the watercolor paper and cut out the eggs.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tracing the Template</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I thought about writing greetings on the back of the egg but decided to create a card that would open. As you can see, I folded colored paper in half and glued the egg very near the fold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I cut around the egg but left about an inch an a half of the fold intact. so it could be opened.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Card Opened</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF6sYQ2GarY/XoN29bw8O4I/AAAAAAAAC_U/YF9Wv6BF83YNJ1zwUCm5cVK-oZmdPFEgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_474.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1327" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nF6sYQ2GarY/XoN29bw8O4I/AAAAAAAAC_U/YF9Wv6BF83YNJ1zwUCm5cVK-oZmdPFEgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/fullsizeoutput_474.jpeg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Next is writing some notes and getting them in the mail! Then I will get back to those birds and some other stitching projects I've got going.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POnzXVu0jRs/XoN3WRRvBEI/AAAAAAAAC_o/x4s_9uMmoPompDHkxH8A0xYmKCPVpCRhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_476.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1085" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-POnzXVu0jRs/XoN3WRRvBEI/AAAAAAAAC_o/x4s_9uMmoPompDHkxH8A0xYmKCPVpCRhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_476.jpeg" width="216" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you're feeling bored with your projects try something different for awhile. It keeps your creating time more interesting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm wishing you all the best of health, peace and contentment as we navigate this new way of being. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a little Dave to make you smile.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORNdQYYB6cc/XoOIC04RS8I/AAAAAAAADAI/KVyh67AFgUwWBI51DAShqNrKxtcF5kU2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/E9oVdTJ9TH2SSFXd9OFa7Q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ORNdQYYB6cc/XoOIC04RS8I/AAAAAAAADAI/KVyh67AFgUwWBI51DAShqNrKxtcF5kU2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/E9oVdTJ9TH2SSFXd9OFa7Q.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-64717053779038810212020-03-22T15:37:00.000-05:002020-03-22T15:37:58.240-05:00Dave and Embroidery Floss Storage<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dave!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As I write this I hope you are all healthy, practicing social distancing and going out only when necessary. A couple weeks ago we got a six month old kitten and that has made staying in a lot more entertaining. We named him Dave!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> Aside from playing with Dave, I've been doing a lot of organizing and cleaning up and out. One of the first projects I tackled was my embroidery floss storage. I keep my floss on those little bobbins with the numbers written on them. I had them in a plastic storage bin with drawers and I rigged up a system to keep them in nice neat rows. Unfortunately, about a month ago I dropped it and since it was pretty old the plastic had gotten brittle and the outside structure that held it all together smashed into bits. I was able to keep it together, sort of, until I found something to replace it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wanted something other than plastic and my husband offered to build a wooden set of drawers for me. I appreciated the offer but I knew it would be awhile before he would get to it. The day before the dire warnings about Covid-19 hit I was in Home Goods and found these three drawer boxes in the Office section. The drawer height seemed right and so I bought two of them knowing I could return them if they didn't work.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msL_kixZOx0/XnfK_bGlSwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/3n9lXxAWDrwAIcNJZcVn7BtJGaT-DJ7GACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_46e.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-msL_kixZOx0/XnfK_bGlSwI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/3n9lXxAWDrwAIcNJZcVn7BtJGaT-DJ7GACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_46e.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I tested them out the bobbins were just a bit too tall but I decided that I would trim about 1/8" off of the bottom of each one because I loved the look of the chests and they were so functional. That seems a little crazy since I have so much floss but really, it was about two hours of snipping while watching TV to complete it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The inside of the drawers weren't divided so I got some balsa wood and cut dividers to go the depth of the drawer and then some smaller pieces that I placed against the front and back walls of the drawer to hold the longer pieces in place. I filled one of the chests and the other one will be divided differently for other embroidery supplies like needles, thimbles, scissors, etc.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCayxVEXCxM/XnfLJ4y6h-I/AAAAAAAAC-Y/N_459R2G_uotbrUkT120ahTHwgU9vRWpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/c9iHAKPmQ0e1aFkbBd7ldg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qCayxVEXCxM/XnfLJ4y6h-I/AAAAAAAAC-Y/N_459R2G_uotbrUkT120ahTHwgU9vRWpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/c9iHAKPmQ0e1aFkbBd7ldg.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balsa Wood Divider</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmEQeVaoMmo/XnfLVQtNjPI/AAAAAAAAC-g/XQUaaXaZ_aYkhmvzVdxnqogrTh2Ylyy-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/j41hH9%252BUQjiyODPq3Hanug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mmEQeVaoMmo/XnfLVQtNjPI/AAAAAAAAC-g/XQUaaXaZ_aYkhmvzVdxnqogrTh2Ylyy-QCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/j41hH9%252BUQjiyODPq3Hanug.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dividers for the Rows</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are so many different ways to store embroidery floss and each one works best for the person who uses it. My grandma stored hers in a big jumble in a Wonder Bread bag! How do you store yours?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5wvSeyGVpk/XnfLzqEmW0I/AAAAAAAAC-s/IPfIkRnzWYIv2M6HKWl4iwg7Y41SJg_3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/m5JF67bQRF%252Bxj%2525dnbq%252BURg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5wvSeyGVpk/XnfLzqEmW0I/AAAAAAAAC-s/IPfIkRnzWYIv2M6HKWl4iwg7Y41SJg_3ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/m5JF67bQRF%252Bxj%2525dnbq%252BURg.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Drawers Organized and Filled</td></tr>
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</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-48196208506281443282020-03-15T13:36:00.001-05:002020-03-15T13:41:27.152-05:00It's Just Too Precious<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYQSgcCfNWY/Xm50n6grbfI/AAAAAAAAC9w/HHo3UbMA5Xsrr3vGfezx5K5V-4rVXKclQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_46c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYQSgcCfNWY/Xm50n6grbfI/AAAAAAAAC9w/HHo3UbMA5Xsrr3vGfezx5K5V-4rVXKclQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_46c.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been making little fabric birds for awhile now. I've made them in various ways and out of different materials. I've never embroidered on them though and decided it was time to try that out. I made two out of a nice dark blue and a tried new shapes for the tail. I was really pleased with them. Then came time to stitch on them and I got stuck. I wasn't sure what to do. No, that's not really true, I wasn't sure of the perfect thing thing to do. So they sat and I occupied my time with making cat blankets for the local Humane Society. That was a good thing to do but really it was a way to avoid making a decision. I have been in this place before, too many times to count and frankly, it's getting annoying.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was pondering my inaction as I was showering (often my best insights happen in the shower) and I was reminded of my friend Susan. She is a textile artist that I am in a critique group with and she thrives on experimentation and her work changes, expands and gets more exciting every time I see her. I realized that I was thinking of those two birds as the only birds I will ever make. They had become precious. If you saw my fabric stash you would know how absurd that was. I needed to make more birds and try as many things as I can think of so I headed to the studio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As I was going there I remembered all of the vintage embroidered pillowcases in my stash. They are very worn and not good for anything except recycling into something else and the embroidery was the perfect thing to use for my birds. I made two and then found some commercially embroidered fabric so I made one with that too. It is white on white and doesn't show up very well so I'll add to it with some of my own stitching. Realizing I can make more took the preciousness away from those two little blue birds and allowed my mind to free up to more possibilities.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXoks5xVz18/Xm51Au0BGeI/AAAAAAAAC94/dcZ8lNTqjewFriz7rZJteogc2rMu2oq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/fullsizeoutput_469.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1405" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AXoks5xVz18/Xm51Au0BGeI/AAAAAAAAC94/dcZ8lNTqjewFriz7rZJteogc2rMu2oq5QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/fullsizeoutput_469.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today I will make more birds and perhaps start embroidering those polka-dots I'm thinking about for one of the blue ones.</span><br />
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Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-67667205673557013952019-09-09T10:56:00.003-05:002019-09-09T10:57:32.295-05:00A Little Travel, a Little Art<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_5TyIuxVT0/XXZy35UJ3fI/AAAAAAAAC4g/YwVQsXn6VwYfInQn4vikLUspshbPDACfgCLcBGAs/s1600/DCpz7CMGSKOXue3xA9FOsw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o_5TyIuxVT0/XXZy35UJ3fI/AAAAAAAAC4g/YwVQsXn6VwYfInQn4vikLUspshbPDACfgCLcBGAs/s320/DCpz7CMGSKOXue3xA9FOsw.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We recently took a little trip to Michigan, a state I've never explored before and it was beautiful. From the amazing turquoise waters of Lake Michigan (I thought you had to go to the Caribbean to see such lovely water) to the fruit trees, lavender farms (we hit two of them) art and food.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A day spent on the beach relaxing was capped off with a visit to one of the many wineries. We sipped some wine at <a href="https://www.marivineyards.com/" target="_blank">Mari Vineyards</a> while overlooking the lake.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A visit to the <a href="http://www.dennosmuseum.org/" target="_blank">Dennos Art Museum </a>was the perfect thing for a dreary day. A wonderful show by <a href="https://gknodel.com/" target="_blank">Gerhart Knodel</a> was on display. It is always a nice surprise when I happen upon a show by a well known textile artist. I was intrigued with his work because it was inspired by pieces of a Chinese textile that had been cut into pieces and he played a version of a surrealist game Exquisite Corpse, to extend and explore the images on the textile. You can watch a very interesting 22 minute video of him talking about his work <a href="https://gknodel.com/videos" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I always feel excited when fall starts and now that I'm back from vacation I've started teaching one of my favorite classes at the Textile Center of Minnesota, Interlace Embroidery. It's an eight week class and we all get to learn a lot of embroidery stitches, techniques and get to know each other. I even get to see finished works by the students, something that never happens in short form classes. I hope you are all having a wonderful beginning of autumn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'll leave you with a fierce little transformer floating his way around Lake Michigan and a beautiful wall of drying lavender.</span><br />
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Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-53674679041834881692019-08-17T12:58:00.000-05:002019-08-17T16:49:41.521-05:00Aaaaaand, I’m Back...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seacoast at Rye NH</td></tr>
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I find that I often begin a blog post with the phrase, "Well, it's been awhile..." or something like that. It has and it's been a needed break but I have been thinking about why I blog, why I have changed the focus of my blog and do I want to continue. First off, I really like my blog and haven't been able to bring myself to take it down. There's a lot of good stuff on here, at least I think so, and I often refer back to it to find a recipe or post that I put up awhile back.<br />
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I think I got sidetracked with blogging because there seemed to be a lot of pressure to be the best kid on the block - ads, metrics, followers, blah, blah, blah. It was so daunting that I gave up. I also got exhausted thinking about recording every aspect of my life that seemed blog worthy. Sometimes I just wanted to admire a sunset, or enjoy the flavor of some food I made, or look at art without recording every aspect of it. And then somewhere I read that blogs should be focused so I turned it into a blog with only textiles and embroidery. Oy vey!<br />
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A few months ago <a href="https://austinkleon.com/" target="_blank">Austin Kleon</a> posted a link in his <a href="https://austinkleon.com/newsletter/" target="_blank">newsletter</a> to an article by Marc Weidenbaum called <a href="https://disquiet.com/2019/06/16/word-blog-20th-anniversary-1999/" target="_blank">Bring Out Your Blogs</a> and it got me thinking more and more about getting back to blogging. Here's the thing though, I want to blog my way, the way I began. So, you will find some food and recipes, certainly some textiles, especially embroidery, the daily happenings of my life that I think are fun to share and it will be all mixed up. I hope you will find it inspirational and follow along and comment once awhile. That would be fabulous but if you don't, that's ok too.<br />
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What you wont find here are a bunch of pop up ads that prevent you from seeing the content...one of my pet peeves that prevent me, frequently, from reading a blog post that sounds interesting. I know that if this isn't fun for me, it won't be fun for you. So, here's to starting again, my way.<br />
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FYI, the photo is of the seacoast at the <a href="https://www.seacoastsciencecenter.org/" target="_blank">Seacoast Science Center at Rye New Hampshire </a>and the site of my nieces wedding last weekend. A beautiful place and an equally beautiful wedding.Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-70424775963495409772018-04-03T14:11:00.000-05:002018-04-03T14:11:59.463-05:00French Knots!!!French Knots are one of my favorite embroidery stitches. I love the texture and the many ways they can be used and it is a rare piece that I don't find a way to add them in.<br />
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I usually use embroidery floss and French Knots can be made with anywhere from one to all six strands of floss. The number of strands used will help determine how large the knots are. Another factor is how many times the thread is wrapped around the needle. One of the most helpful things I have done is make a grid of French Knots using from 1 to 6 strands of floss and one to four wraps. This little grid is helpful when deciding what size knot I want to fill in an area or create a round counter point. You might consider making one for yourself to keep as a handy reference. I can't tell you how often I use it - but a lot! Here is what it looks like.<br />
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Here are some of my favorite ways to use French Knots.<br />
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To fill in areas like the sheep and treetops.</div>
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To fill in for texture in a background or border.</div>
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To enhance other stitches and create the center of flowers.</div>
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Another example of adding them to a set of stitches.</div>
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If you have not tried French Knots, they can be a little tricky but here is an <a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2006/11/french-knot-video-tutorial.html">excellent video as well as some stitching tips from the fabulous Mary Corbet of needlenthread.com. </a><br />
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I thought I'd end with bright pink French Knots exploding out the ends of this flower. Happy knotting! </div>
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<br />Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-65820570132108698152018-03-26T11:37:00.000-05:002018-03-26T11:37:14.443-05:00Wearable Stitches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So many things have been happening lately that I feel like I've been in a whirlwind of stitching to finish up art work, create samples and design handouts for classes and attempt to cook dinner once in awhile. I've been better at the first two, that's for sure!<br />
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If you've been following along you know I was involved in Artists in the Kitchen, a collaboration between women artists and women chefs/restauranteurs/influencers. You can read my blog post about it <a href="http://www.threadsofinspiration.net/2018/03/artists-in-kitchen.html">here</a>. The Minneapolis Star Tribune had a great article about the exhibit that you can read <a href="http://www.startribune.com/variety/taste/">here.</a><br />
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Since embroidery is all over the runway and in the stores it seemed like a perfect time for developing a class on embroidered clothing, so Wearable Stitches was born. It was fun to test out different methods of transferring images onto clothes, figuring out the best way to design around buttons, seams and body curves and stitches that are most appropriate. This experimentation resulted in some very fun samples and a class that everyone seemed to enjoy.<br />
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My personal favorites are the peek-a-boo animal that looks out the front of a child's shirt and some shoes with simple stitches. My husband likes to draw cute little animals so I set him the task of designing this for me. It turned out so well I'd like him to do a series that I can put in my etsy shop. Fingers crossed!<br />
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The shoes sometimes had to be stitched using a thimble and pliers to pull the needle through tough spots but I think it was well worth a few needle sticks to make them. My favorite part is the little sprig of flowers on the side. These shoes are ready for some summer fun!<br />
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If you are interested in any of my classes for your organization or group send me a message using the contact into on the side bar!</div>
Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-59099657832121725652018-03-18T15:32:00.002-05:002018-03-18T15:32:17.408-05:00Artists In The Kitchen<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfODyw2qF0c/Wq7LhCbanGI/AAAAAAAACsc/bMvRtiDNb_ARwrY-JMeaBRFJBAAqnJMuQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfODyw2qF0c/Wq7LhCbanGI/AAAAAAAACsc/bMvRtiDNb_ARwrY-JMeaBRFJBAAqnJMuQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryland Crab Feast</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There has been a lot of fun stitching happening around here! I was invited to participate in a collaboration between women chefs/restauranteurs/influencers and women artists and it has been great fun. I was paired up with Golnaz Yamoutpour, the woman behind <a href="https://www.instagram.com/eatdrinkdishmpls/" target="_blank">EatDrinkDishMpls</a> , an Instagram account that focuses on great taste treats in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. One of the things she told me when we met was her focus on food came about not only because her family had been in the restaurant business but because she thought of food as travel, which she couldn't afford to do at the time. This sparked my imagination because I love to try new cuisines. Flavors can take you both to places you have never been and back to memories of times and places you've experienced. I made 9 images some from the foods and experiences Golnaz told me about, some were my food memories and some were iconic food images.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I decided to work in a grid, which is the way images on Instagram are laid out. I knew if I worked large I'd never get done so each image is approximately 1 3/4" square. You can see all nine of my embroideries on<a href="https://www.instagram.com/susanleschke/" target="_blank"> my Instagram account here.</a> If you are in Minneapolis between March 21 and May 19, 2018 stop by <a href="https://textilecentermn.org/" target="_blank">Textile Center of Minnesota</a> and see the work of all 50 artists.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAKtyxLEijE/Wq7LwvTtmmI/AAAAAAAACsk/znCiKiASp1cQ4vTKI63VZk37qWOl_NIKACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AAKtyxLEijE/Wq7LwvTtmmI/AAAAAAAACsk/znCiKiASp1cQ4vTKI63VZk37qWOl_NIKACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waffles with Berries and Whipped Cream</td></tr>
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</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-55997823776216518782018-02-21T15:52:00.000-06:002018-02-21T16:04:50.413-06:00Hello Again!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEcqMMR4aAk/Wo3mEQg1pzI/AAAAAAAACr8/HMweUR6vLCkrAuN3MlLZBZMrAtXvJJylQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WEcqMMR4aAk/Wo3mEQg1pzI/AAAAAAAACr8/HMweUR6vLCkrAuN3MlLZBZMrAtXvJJylQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like many artists I have found myself in the past year or so posting more on my Threads of Inspiration Facebook page than on this blog. I am not very happy with that platform for many reasons I won't go into and so, I'm getting back to blogging. I will continue to put links to my blog posts on Facebook so if that is your place to find me, I'll still be there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Now for the updates. Wow! I've had so much going on and so many exciting things coming up! Here are just a few. I continue to teach at Textile Center of MN and expand the classes including <a href="https://textilecentermn.org/product/wearable-stitches-%E2%80%A2-32418/" target="_blank">Wearable Stitches</a> on March 24. We'll add some stitched embellishment to clothing, accessories and even shoes!! I've got a pair of light weight canvas slip-ons just waiting for some design and color. A great new addition to the Textile Center's line up is a series of classes that will be taught over the course of 8 weeks geared to learners over 55. I will be teaching <a href="https://textilecentermn.org/product/interlace-embroidery-%E2%80%A2-april-25-june-13/" target="_blank">Interlace: Embroidery </a>which I'm really looking forward to. Click on the title to see the full description. It begins on April 25.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'll also be teaching at two great locations, <a href="http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/" target="_blank">Crossings at Carnegie</a>, an art center in Zumbrota, MN and <a href="http://www.shakeragalley.com/" target="_blank">Shake Rag Alley</a> in Mineral Point, WI. While the Crossings at Carnegie classes aren't listed on the website yet, I'll be teaching Rumi Wisdom on Saturday, April 7 and Quilting Outside the Lines on Saturday May 16. I'll put the links up as soon as they're available. Here is the link for the class at Shake Rag Alley called <a href="http://www.shakeragalley.com/fiber-arts-workshops/18c140-beginning-embroidery-summer-spiral-with-rumi-wisdom#.Wo3jRZM-dsY" target="_blank">Beginning Embroidery: Summer Spiral with Rumi Wisdom</a> on July 28. This will be an all day class where I'll be covering some extras - more stitches (YAY) and special focus on various ways to stitch text. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I plan on making some updates to my blog including a list all of the classes I'll be teaching on the sidebar so you can always find out where to take a class. If you'd like to have me teach at your guild you'll find a contact section on the sidebar.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I hope to meet some of you in person this coming year!</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-44191512609783045942017-07-31T17:12:00.003-05:002017-07-31T17:12:29.227-05:00Four Ways to Embroider Text<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I taught my first beginning embroidery class a few years ago, one of the first questions I was asked was how to embroider text. It is such a good skill to have so I made sure the design I made for my next class included text. As you can see, it was a spiral with text underneath. I enjoyed the format of the design so much that I have continued designing spirals with interesting quotes. It also has led me to try out different methods of embroidering text. I'll discuss the three I've used, each one giving a little bit different effect and another that is quite common but not on my spiral designs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I designed <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/452183904/rumi-wisdom-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_5" target="_blank">Rumi Wisdom</a> I knew I wanted to use back stitch because this was going to be used to teach beginning embroidery stitches. It is an easy enough stitch that covers lines very well and works up pretty quickly. A drawback is the letters end up looking a little blocky. If you want smooth curves, this might not be the best stitch to use. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux8Qr0OlHfM/WX-kgGuF5LI/AAAAAAAACnM/575AgFAmcEoDQPrvuPpG-mWMNvti2Ev_ACLcBGAs/s1600/Emerson%2BCover%2BImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ux8Qr0OlHfM/WX-kgGuF5LI/AAAAAAAACnM/575AgFAmcEoDQPrvuPpG-mWMNvti2Ev_ACLcBGAs/s400/Emerson%2BCover%2BImage.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/489079764/emerson-winter-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Emerson Winter</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The second spiral design, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/489079764/emerson-winter-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_6" target="_blank">Emerson Winter</a>, has letters that are a little more stylized with small curves at the ends of some of the letters. I knew that using a back stitch wouldn't give me the look I wanted, so this time I used couching. If you've not done any couching you might find it awkward at first because you have to manage two threads in two needles but after a little practice it is easy. Basically one thread is placed over the line you want it to cover (called the laid stitch) and with the second needle and thread (referred to as the working thread) it is tacked down with tiny stitches. In the case of Emerson Winter I used embroidery floss, but this method allows you to use laid thread that is difficult to stitch with (metallic, thick, fuzzy or loopy threads) because it isn't going in and out of the fabric with every stitch. Couching allows you to get all the loops in the letters you could ever want. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv9jQgcIEf8/WX-lEZq-kvI/AAAAAAAACnQ/i8AtMafXIiIj44OTibECX538FtG1QLd7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1600" height="269" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tv9jQgcIEf8/WX-lEZq-kvI/AAAAAAAACnQ/i8AtMafXIiIj44OTibECX538FtG1QLd7QCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Couched Letters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/534153207/grateful-heart-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1582" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4anuKf5rqGY/WX-l2hndZWI/AAAAAAAACnU/ZhSyU45birE5c_v5jmUvyfA7GYwDJC8fgCLcBGAs/s400/Thaxter%2BSummer%2BMain%2Bimage.jpg" width="395" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/534153207/grateful-heart-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">Grateful Heart</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next design I created, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/534153207/grateful-heart-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">Grateful Heart</a>, used a different treatment. These letters also have a lot of loops and serifs but I wanted them to stand out more and so I first stitched them all using stem stitch. If you've stitched many curves with stem stitch you know the thread sometimes has a tendency to fall over on itself and the curves aren't very well defined. To keep the definition of the letters I then stitched a satin stitch over the stem stitch. So, essentially, the stem stitch acts as a padding. Although this is fairly time consuming, it creates a really lovely raised letter and I would do it again in a minute.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jrN1tieCpQ/WX-mbgNah8I/AAAAAAAACnY/0qFxcXG-PUwlaOTnUwmIrRX74-nzsHSJwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jrN1tieCpQ/WX-mbgNah8I/AAAAAAAACnY/0qFxcXG-PUwlaOTnUwmIrRX74-nzsHSJwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0715.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working Satin Stitch Over Stem Stitch</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All of the lettering in these projects is pretty linear but another method of covering letters that have larger areas to be filled is satin stitch. This is often seen on vintage linens that have monograms. to see some fine examples of satin stitch monograms go <a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/tag/monograms" target="_blank">here</a>. Mary Co</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">rbet's Needle n Thread has a fine list of amazing examples.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In addition, here are links to Mary's videos that give excellent instructions for creating the stitches that were discussed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/embroidery-stitch-video-tutorial_24.html" target="_blank">Back Stitch</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/couching-video-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Couching</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2006/10/embroidery-stitch-video-tutorial-stem.html" target="_blank">Stem Stitch</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.needlenthread.com/2006/11/satin-stitch-video-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Satin Stitch</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy Stitching!</span></div>
Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-78969386978365775062017-06-04T16:03:00.000-05:002017-06-04T16:03:18.068-05:00Grateful Heart Embroidery Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkw-N2OKhhk/WTRzThX05aI/AAAAAAAACl8/PjG00XgfUlQiJ27iDlcI_eIEIoHQwQ9_wCLcB/s1600/Thaxter%2BSummer%2BMain%2Bimage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1582" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fkw-N2OKhhk/WTRzThX05aI/AAAAAAAACl8/PjG00XgfUlQiJ27iDlcI_eIEIoHQwQ9_wCLcB/s640/Thaxter%2BSummer%2BMain%2Bimage.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I had mentioned in my previous post that I was going to write about various stitches to use for text. I decided you should probably have a look at my newest design before I get to that. I've been showing bits and pieces of my newest embroidery pattern and of the process creating it here and on my Facebook page which you can find @ThreadsofInspiration.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jo4snZvY-Ug/WTRzlnxR-sI/AAAAAAAACmA/hQL8y2VEnKo2h_qiEfRdA_7i_3bqVhQ7ACLcB/s1600/fruit%2Bstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jo4snZvY-Ug/WTRzlnxR-sI/AAAAAAAACmA/hQL8y2VEnKo2h_qiEfRdA_7i_3bqVhQ7ACLcB/s400/fruit%2Bstand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is the third in a series of designs that uses a spiral and a quote. Each piece is inspired by a season and of course, the quote. The newest one, Grateful Heart features the words of Celia Thaxter and little summer vignettes - a hammock swinging between two trees, a sailboat on the lake, a small campsite and sunflowers. With each piece in this series I have tried a different way to stitch the text and this pieces uses a combination stem stitch and satin stitch. I think it gives the letters, little swirls and serifs great definition.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZosOUuXKOJg/WTRz0LzjDyI/AAAAAAAACmE/ERurPcucA6sVgIrcuUjeThDrj41jCxZBQCLcB/s1600/tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZosOUuXKOJg/WTRz0LzjDyI/AAAAAAAACmE/ERurPcucA6sVgIrcuUjeThDrj41jCxZBQCLcB/s200/tent.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can find it in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration?ref=seller-platform-mcnav" target="_blank"> etsy shop.</a></span><br />
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<br />Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-6807081805033582842017-06-02T15:30:00.000-05:002017-06-02T15:30:48.017-05:00Knitting, Sewing and Stitching<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiHpy9UvKBQ/WTHHotXhueI/AAAAAAAAClk/z_Nx6IuohpsRjsV-5Rx8qHARwAmd3h21ACLcB/s1600/French%2BCanCan%2BDetail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="640" height="239" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RiHpy9UvKBQ/WTHHotXhueI/AAAAAAAAClk/z_Nx6IuohpsRjsV-5Rx8qHARwAmd3h21ACLcB/s320/French%2BCanCan%2BDetail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ever since I added to my stash with things from the Textile Center's Garage Sale I've been busy making. I'm working on a scarf using this Ravelry pattern, <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-cancan" target="_blank">French CanCan by Mademoiselle C</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also finished a skirt using the black and pale pink pique which fits perfectly. I usually have trouble fitting commercial patterns so I used <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3J61LVpulI" target="_blank">this YouTube video by Felicia Zee </a>and made a pattern from my measurements. I have to say it fits like a dream! I have sewn quite a bit in my life so I didn't have any problem making it. If you haven't sewn a lot you may want to find some instructions for cutting lining and facings and putting in a zipper. All in all I was quite pleased with how it turned out.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBUXtQtFkR4/WTHH78EqDnI/AAAAAAAAClo/bTo3sQIwFmQbT3jmObgR0qSiDStmJ7-tgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBUXtQtFkR4/WTHH78EqDnI/AAAAAAAAClo/bTo3sQIwFmQbT3jmObgR0qSiDStmJ7-tgCLcB/s200/IMG_0752.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A funny thing to add is while I was writing this post I couldn't think of the word pique so I googled fabric types and found <a href="http://www.sirsfabric.com/80+-Common-Fabric-Terms-a/259.htm" target="_blank"> Sirs Fabric, a site with images and descriptions of different fabrics.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've also finished my newest spiral pattern called Grateful Heart. You can find it in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration?ref=seller-platform-mcnav" target="_blank">etsy shop here</a>. I'll have more on that in my next post and some tips on stitching text to achieve the look you are going for. Until then, enjoy your day - the weather here is (finally) stunning so I'm heading out to soak up some sun.</span><br />
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Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-75562069134138314542017-05-02T12:17:00.002-05:002017-05-02T12:18:02.825-05:00Inspirational Quotes Part 2<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R33lUcgZl4U/WQi-DUthVqI/AAAAAAAAClA/Y-ADW0nxpj8ys1TIwWDErDb_hFvyFFIvQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9843-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R33lUcgZl4U/WQi-DUthVqI/AAAAAAAAClA/Y-ADW0nxpj8ys1TIwWDErDb_hFvyFFIvQCLcB/s320/IMG_9843-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin Kleon's Rolodex</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other day I received a newsletter from Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like an Artist, (<a href="http://www.threadsofinspiration.net/search?q=austin+kleon" target="_blank">which I wrote about here</a>) and he had an interesting idea I thought I'd share with you. He used an old Rolodex to write interesting tidbits about people he knew. I thought it would make an alternative way to keep quotes handy. You could organize them alphabetically by author or topic. <a href="http://austinkleon.com/2017/04/27/the-rolodex-project/" target="_blank">Here is the link to his post.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">By the way I love his newsletter. He posts it every Friday and there are links to things he finds inspiring. I always save it for a time when I can leisurely check out what he's offered.</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-7424199851526934362017-04-24T12:49:00.001-05:002017-04-24T12:49:49.062-05:00Largest Textile Garage Sale in the World!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgHzTmm85H8/WP45KCTWJBI/AAAAAAAACkg/q4WC-0nnETYTvZ3SZuci6Vu_At5zrvg9QCLcB/s1600/fabric%2Btreasures.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgHzTmm85H8/WP45KCTWJBI/AAAAAAAACkg/q4WC-0nnETYTvZ3SZuci6Vu_At5zrvg9QCLcB/s640/fabric%2Btreasures.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some New Stash!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know I have posted about the <a href="http://www.textilecentermn.org/" target="_blank">Textile Center of Minnesota'</a>s Garage Sale, which they have billed the world's largest and I suspect they are correct. The sale was this past weekend and of course I joined in the festivities! I've always wanted to volunteer to help before the sale but in the past I have had conflicts. Not this year though, so I sorted and priced needlework. The sheer volume of stuff that comes in is incredible and it's hard to believe that it all gets sorted, priced and displayed in two days. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-go5s8On-6hY/WP43he32x4I/AAAAAAAACkQ/2dU3x0eDK70YnVjaglbRJ7UJgkFMcvUXQCLcB/s1600/yarn%2Btcm%2Bsale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-go5s8On-6hY/WP43he32x4I/AAAAAAAACkQ/2dU3x0eDK70YnVjaglbRJ7UJgkFMcvUXQCLcB/s200/yarn%2Btcm%2Bsale.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yarn aisle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdRWJCnFSck/WP435XakICI/AAAAAAAACkU/A_-A0W3AmvcsGd8SZwzdY1uH9hZczWCkgCLcB/s1600/ready%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bsale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UdRWJCnFSck/WP435XakICI/AAAAAAAACkU/A_-A0W3AmvcsGd8SZwzdY1uH9hZczWCkgCLcB/s320/ready%2Bfor%2Bthe%2Bsale.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Almost ready!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkfEpZG8FaY/WP44afIyj5I/AAAAAAAACkY/tLFAMXFX41UhSRynb772uwoA_dAjG0dfwCLcB/s1600/Great%2Bwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IkfEpZG8FaY/WP44afIyj5I/AAAAAAAACkY/tLFAMXFX41UhSRynb772uwoA_dAjG0dfwCLcB/s1600/Great%2Bwheel.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A great wheel ready for a new owner.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you can see in the first photo, I scored some yarn - there's a scarf pattern I want to make and why make one when there are two beautiful yarns to use? Check out the pattern on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/french-cancan" target="_blank">Ravelry</a>. I also was drawn to fabric for a summer blue daisy dress, pink and black flowered fabric for a skirt and some funky neon geometry for a bag. Plus a few pieces of embroidery linen, and some great Vineyard merino wool for crewel. Plus a few odds and ends to make some samples for a class I'm going to teach, oh and sock yarn.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But the thing I'm most excited about is this fanny frame. You put your needlework in the hoop and then you sit on it. That way both hands are free for working which is a big deal for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm trying to think of one exclamatory word to describe the experience but I need more....fun, amazing, overwhelming, wonderful, creative.....I'll leave it at that. If you are in the area next April be sure to check it out!!!!</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-89440818888422288442017-04-17T11:52:00.001-05:002017-04-17T11:52:40.013-05:00Inspirational Quotes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Various blank books for keeping good words.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Long before I ever started designing embroideries with quotes I started a little book to write down the words that inspire me. Some were by well known people, others things my friends and acquaintances said. Another fun inspiration was magnetic poetry. I had the little words on the refrigerator and while I was waiting for a pot to boil or toast to pop up I would compose little phrases and poems. My husband even got into the act and came up with some of the best ones. Of course now I have a Pinterest board called Good Words where I save lots of inspiration quotes and thoughts. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/susanpl/good-words/" target="_blank">You can check it out here.</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here is one of my favorites.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart. Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #674ea7;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Carl Jung</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;">Patience is overrated. SWIM NOW!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"> my friend Jan R.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Scream as though it is essential.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"> magnetic poetry from Susan</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is your favorite quote? How do you save the words that are special to you?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-59042580023232789322017-03-01T11:06:00.000-06:002017-03-01T11:06:36.938-06:00Scottish Thistle Needle Book<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottish Thistle Needle Book</td></tr>
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I often find that I putter around a lot and time slips by and I don't get much done. Then I get frustrated about all of the tasks piling up. I know the secret to ending this cycle of inactivity is what I call Butt in Chair Time! Really, it means what it says. Put my behind in a chair and get some work done. Several years ago I heard an interview with the daughter of Roald Dahl, one of my favorite children's book authors. She said that her father would go into his office to write for two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Spending just four hours a day he wrote Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, The Witches, The BFG and many more. It struck me that so much can be accomplished in so little time. So, with four hours a day, I too have accomplished a lot.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A peek at summer spiral drawing</td></tr>
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First up is this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/514403883/scottish-thistle-needle-book-stumpwork?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">Scottish Thistle Needle Book Pattern </a>which you can find on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">etsy site here. </a>On the outside is a Scottish thistle that uses a few stumpwork stitches. It's not for the beginner but anyone that has a few basic stitches under their belt should have no trouble. Once you have the thistle finished you can stitch it into a needle book that has space for lots of needles, a pair of scissors and a needle threader. Again, it's pretty easy to sew and the pattern includes photographs to help you along.<br />
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The next thing I got done is a new design for another spiral pattern. I plan on doing four of them, one for each season. The newest one is summer and has a sailboat, tent, fruit and vegetable stand, sunflowers and features a quote from Celia Thaxton. I'm excited about getting to the stitching but first I get to make a trip to the needlework shop (always fun) to pick out some fabric. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/452183904/rumi-wisdom-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=listing-shop-header-3" target="_blank">Rumi Wisdom (spring)</a> and<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/489079764/emerson-winter-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_2" target="_blank"> Emerson (winter)</a> can already be found in my etsy shop. I'll keep you posted about my progress.<br />
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And lastly an update on my A Year of Stitches project!<br />
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<br />Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-7211497687070047042017-02-16T15:19:00.001-06:002017-02-16T15:19:41.333-06:00Embroidery for Crazy Quilts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's always fun to come up with an idea for a new class and my newest brain wave is a class on embroidery for crazy quilting. I'm not really a quilter, although I have made a few but I love to embroider and teaching a class that focuses on the embelishments for these beauties seemed like a lot of fun. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thanks to suggestions from my friend MA at <a href="http://magpiesmumblings.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Magpie's Mumblings</a> it turned out to be a blast putting this sampler. I made rows of a basic stitches and then an additional row of the same stitch but embellished with other stitches and colors. I thought you might like a peek and if you're in the Minneapolis area look for the class coming up in a few months.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am scheduling classes for the future so if you belong to a group that would have fun with some embroidery I'd love to have a conversation! I have several classes scheduled at the Textile Center of Minnesota in the meantime so if you're in the area I'd love to see you at one. Here's my schedule:</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.textilecentermn.org/classes/embroidery-design-2/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;" target="_blank">Embroidery Design (2 sessions)</a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> 3/14 and 3/21 10-1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.textilecentermn.org/classes/quilting-outside-the-lines-2/" target="_blank">Quilting Outside the Lines </a> 3/16 10-1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.textilecentermn.org/classes/embroidered-photographs-2/" target="_blank">Embroidered Photos</a> 4/4 10-1</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-20594165772166673152017-02-07T13:36:00.000-06:002017-02-07T13:36:12.178-06:00Midwest Fiber Arts Trails<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSW-JQ8amwU/WJoeuB-nZxI/AAAAAAAACgA/bbLYIhPvnzMx2vzqW4jW3CO9IwFf0dh_QCLcB/s1600/MFA-Trails-logo-sign_v2clr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSW-JQ8amwU/WJoeuB-nZxI/AAAAAAAACgA/bbLYIhPvnzMx2vzqW4jW3CO9IwFf0dh_QCLcB/s1600/MFA-Trails-logo-sign_v2clr.jpg" /></a>One of my favorite things about teaching is the interesting students that are in my classes. Jenny took an embroidery class from me awhile ago and I discovered she has an amazing website and blog called <a href="http://midwestfiberartstrails.org/" target="_blank">Midwest Fiber Arts Trails</a>. The site focuses on textile related events that are going on all over the midwest. Included on the site are current exhibits and events including fairs and festivals, shows and sales, classes and calls for entry.<br />
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And then there are the trails! Trails are designated areas that have a good number of shops, artist studios and events all related to fiber arts. In addition there are also road trip suggestions. If you are planning a trip through the midwest you really need to check out all that is going on. Perhaps you'd like to know where to see some barn quilts. <a href="http://midwestfiberartstrails.org/midwest-roadtrips/" target="_blank">Go here</a> and hover over the quilt emblems (there are a lot of them). Perhaps you'd like to hear Karen Ann Hoffman speak about her amazing Iroquois Beadwork. <a href="http://midwestfiberartstrails.org/threaded-streams-fiber-arts-trail/" target="_blank">Go here! </a> If there is an event in your area you'd like to include you can find Jenny's contact information on the website.<br />
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Midwest Fiber Arts Traills website is so rich with information that I know I can't cover it in one blog post. Please go and see for yourself all of the amazing things that are happening in this part of the country. Kudos to Jenny for putting together such a spectacular resource. If you don't live in the Midwest is there anything similar in your location?<br />
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<br />Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-58323798184557442982017-01-18T13:13:00.002-06:002017-01-18T13:13:28.313-06:00Free Hand Embroidery Projects<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My first embroidery with a few supplies<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">Sometimes I like to play around with stitch patterns and designs, other times I like someone else to provide the inspiration. The other day I stumbled upon some free embroidery projects and decided to do some further exploration and share my finds with you. </span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tt1NLTg2C-c/WH-ployGtGI/AAAAAAAACek/q-zunvIy5L0UP5NMTrip_eTisnVSLVfnwCLcB/s1600/tulip-carnations-embroidery-pattern.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tt1NLTg2C-c/WH-ployGtGI/AAAAAAAACek/q-zunvIy5L0UP5NMTrip_eTisnVSLVfnwCLcB/s200/tulip-carnations-embroidery-pattern.gif" width="200" /></a><br />
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M<a href="http://www.needlenthread.com/patterns" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;" target="_blank">ary Corbet's Needle n' Thread</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first comes from one of my favorite embroidery sites, Mary Corbet's Needle n' Thread. Mary has a whole page of patterns that can be printed and used for stitching. Some would make excellent applique designs as well. She, generally speaking, gets her patterns from vintage embroidery books. She then cleans them up with her graphics program and puts them up for all of us to use. After you are inspired by the free designs, check out the rest of her site. It's a world of great information!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.needlenthread.com/2017/01/dillmont-rose-hand-embroidery-pattern.html" target="_blank">Dillmont Rose Hand Embroidery Pattern</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I opened my messages this morning and found that Mary Corbet just put a new free pattern on her blog! It is a pretty symetrical medallion flower pattern. It isn't posted on her free embroidery pattern page yet so I couldn't let the opportunity to share her newest pattern with you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.egausa.org/index.php/resources/free-projects" target="_blank">The Embroiderer's Guild of America</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Not only is this a good organization but, they have some free stuff even if you're not a member! While there are a few patterns on the page there are several instructional booklets that can be downloaded that give good information on stitching. The topics include Technique Basics of Surface Stitchery, Counted Cross Stitch, Blackwork and Stumpwork.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Embroidered-Owl-and-Flowers/" target="_blank">Embroidered Owl and Flowers</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On Instructables I found this darling owl idea from craftknowitall.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://mypatchwork.wordpress.com/2014/08/23/hand-embroidery-projects-and-ideas/" target="_blank">Sewn Up Teresa Down Under</a></span><br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5bBQeQ_E5A/WH-o_jywudI/AAAAAAAACec/4DmeCh-xVpkZtuPzrjadC_Kk8m7TE5lHwCEw/s1600/designer%2Bfabric%2Bidea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L5bBQeQ_E5A/WH-o_jywudI/AAAAAAAACec/4DmeCh-xVpkZtuPzrjadC_Kk8m7TE5lHwCEw/s200/designer%2Bfabric%2Bidea.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I was going to choose just one project from this site to show you but there are so many adorable ones I decided to post a page with links to all of her projects. I especially adore the napkins with a French poem embroidered on them and creating an embroidery from designer fabric. You'll have fun roaming through her projects, I think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-69034898766461301832017-01-04T15:23:00.000-06:002017-01-04T15:23:45.717-06:00A New Year Begins<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1 Year of Stitches Days 1-3 </b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hello 2017! This year feels different to me. I want to get organized, commit to things, complete stuff that's hanging out there, move forward and focus. This usually comes over me in September - the usual back to school emotions. This year I got a planner (<a href="https://inkandvolt.com/product/spark-notebook/" target="_blank">this planner from Ink & Volt</a>) that is making me think about my year differently. I won't go into the ins and outs of the planner but I am thinking more about goals and achievements. I'm hoping to create a lot more embroidery patterns and put them in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration" target="_blank">my etsy shop.</a> I'd like to find some more venues to teach and I've committed to a stitching </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">challenge that will last the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sara Barnes at <a href="http://www.brwnpaperbag.com/" target="_blank">Brown Paper Bag</a> started up 1 Year of Stitches 2017 and I've decided to participate. It is a celebration of embroidery and the idea is to make at least one stitch per day on an embroidery of your choice. The group is nearly 2,000 strong and everyone has their own interpretation for how to proceed. Some are finishing ufo's, others are working from patterns, there is cross stitch, free form embroidery, beginners and folks teaching their children and just about anything else you can think of. If you'd like to join in it's not too late. You can check out Sara's blog for instructions or go to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1294313713974098/" target="_blank">Facebook page 1Year of Stitches:201</a>7 and ask to join. My photo covers days 1-3. I hope to see your stitching!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One more thing! I've listed the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/489079764/emerson-winter-embroidery-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_feat_4" target="_blank">Emerson Winter pattern</a> from the previous post on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration" target="_blank">my etsy shop</a> in case you feel like stitching up some inspiration! It's a downloadable PDF pattern so you can get started on it right away!</span>Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6785837102334275905.post-7681975457116434282016-12-03T16:42:00.000-06:002016-12-03T16:42:52.661-06:00Inspired by Winter<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.</i></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: large;">-<i>Ralph Waldo Emerson</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm pleased to tell you that I have recently completed a new embroidery inspired by winter, the spiral form I used in the <a href="http://www.threadsofinspiration.net/2016/07/rumi-wisdom-sometimes-i-get-sidetracked.html" target="_blank">Rumi Wisdom</a> embroidery and the quote above from Ralph Waldo Emerson. It seems to me that winter is all about patience - the patience to sit by our fires and create slowly, to let a stew simmer for hours and hours developing amazing flavors and finally, the patience to wait for the snow to melt and the earth to wake up and grace us with greenery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now that the embroidery is complete and my notes are in mostly good order I've started working on the pattern. I'm hoping to have it in <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/threadsofinspiration?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">my etsy shop</a> in time for some long winter stitching.</span><br />
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Threads of Inspirationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10068595934542214350noreply@blogger.com4