Today I finished up two sides of the purse I’m making for my Uncle’s friend’s daughter. LOL! A lot of people involved.

I’m trying to keep it pretty simple, as it is for a child. And although it does have beading, she is a responsible little girl and takes pride in her treasures, which is what I hope this will be for her.

A lot of French Knots make up the flowers in her apron/skirt and in the tree to the left, just a hint of flowers.  Some variegated Glorianna (Princess Perle Petit) silk thread in the Creation stitch on the ric rac with size 11 seed beads.  I decided to add some silk ribbon flowers to a fan charm and I think it works well.

 

On the second side of the purse, I decided to follow the interest of the little girl in the photo. I added a butterfly charm to the flowers on the fabric and then added the spider for luck, since they are both insects. Using 2mm silk ribbon, I put a little cumber bun and bow on the print.  Finally, a strip of ric rac with the same Glorianna silk thread as on the first purse side, and added some metallic pink Mill Hill beads.

 

 

I’m pretty happy with the way this is going. Hope you do as well.

I started this project earlier this week and now to finish for Christmas. My wonderful uncle has a friend that lost his home to Sandy and has 4 children. This uncle has been organizing a group of friends and family to help them out. They lost everything!

Anyway, my uncle wants to give the little girl a handmade item for Christmas, and has asked me to make something that the child can use for a couple of years to put her little treasures in.  I decided a Reticule Bag might be nice.  So here is the work in progress:

This little one discovering Insects, gives me a chance to add a well-placed spider web for luck. I think it would be cute in the purple area. Also thinking about adding silk ribbon to the comber bun and bow on her dress.

 

Two lovelies who love music playing and enjoying the Spinet and Mandolin. Hopefully this will give the little girl a sence of growing up and trying new things. Still thinking on this one for a while.

 

Most little, and big girls, have a love of flowers. So, I just couldn't leave this one out of the project. I'm using French Knots for the flowers. Although it is not completed, I think it is taking shape.

 

And what girl doesn't like to have story time with Mommy. I love this picture, it reminds me of when my mother used to read to my sisters and I before bed time. It is what has made me an avid reader. So of course I had to add it to the collection. Also and older child here. Trying for an item that can be used for a longer period than just one year. I want the purse to grow with her. 

 

So, now that I've shared, it's back to work. Got to get it done before Christmas.

 

Well, I finally finished up on the Redwork Course I've been taking. Although it has taken a little over 6 weeks to complete, I'm happy with the results.  I learned a lot and improved my stitching skills as well as getting something out of this course other than just more knowledge.

I now have a lovely set of Fabric Weights. Take a look! Nice, right?  I took the little Flower and Scroll motif and made a scissor fob. The strawberry was made into an emery for my needles and pins.
I'm pleased with the outcome.  But take a look at the next picture-

 

 

You just have to have something to hold those fabric weights. So, we got to make a bag to put them in. I chose the Poppy Motif and tried my hand at some threadwork. I'm pleased with the reslults for a first try on the threadwork. And, I got to use some of my stash. Bonus!! LOL!

 

 

 

Every one of the ladies in this class did beautiful work and I'm happy to have taken part. I learned a lot of new information.  Thanks to the ladies of StitchMap.

Not Enough Time ~ And Now The Holidays~

How do you deal with that lack of time feeling that comes to one who just gets too involved and can't seem to keep up?  Personnally?  I just ignore the feeling. LOL! 

Yes, it does get me into some pretty tight spots, but I'm trying to deal with all the wonderful things going on and work on things when I am able.  It seems to be working. My attitude is "up beat" and things are getting done.

Memory, not so good. I have found myself sending off more emails without attachments lately, but I've been able to correct that now by putting the attachments into the emails first.  That way, when I finish my letters, the computer reminds me I need a subject before sending out the email. Hey! That's better than no attachment. LOL! 

I told you in September that I was working on a Redwork Course with StitchMap and would keep you informed of my progress. Well, that never happened! So, I thought I'd show you some pictures of the motifs I have finished for the course.  They will be made into Fabric Weights.

First we have the lovely BlueBird that was completed using the Outline  and Fly Stitches. Oh yes! We must not forget the Satin Stitch for the Iris of the eye.

 

 

 Next up is the (unfinished) Daisy Motif with lots of  Lazy Daisy Stitches, I'll get to the scrollwork and French Knots later in the course.

 

 

My lovely little tree!  Although it is lacking some leaves, I really like the root system. This was worked in the Stem Stitch and of course, the Lazy Daisy Stitch. I think it has character! LOL!

 

 

 I believe that this is one of my favorites so far, a lovely Red Apple. Yum! Outline Stitch for the stem, outline of apple and center line. Chain Stitch on the Leaf and Running Stitch for the cut line. And last but certainly not the least, the ever present Lazy Daisy Stitch.

 

 

Ok, get ready, because this is my favorite so far!  The Pansy! Ta Da!  I love it. I think it turned out so nice. I have always liked Pansies, because they look like little faces. Mine is done in Purple, as that is one of my favorite colors. Isn't she cute?

 

 

My CQ group is having it's Christmas meeting the first weekend of December and we will be doing a CQ Christmas Cracker swap. I've been working on this project and will post pictures after the event. I don't want anyone to know yet what I'm planning for my Cracker. Shhh! It's a secret. ;-)                     

 

 

I finished Cathy's block and I really had fun with this block.  Cathy and her husband took a trip Europe and the Mediterranean, taking pictures along the way. Cathy has incorporated these pictures into her RR blocks. Lucky for me, The Parthenon in Athens was left for me.

As a retired Army Sergeant First Class, and Former WAC, I felt it was my duty to work on The Parthenon block. Athena being the patron of Athens and the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the Parthenon was built and housed an Ivory and Gold stature of Athena. She was also said to have brought the Olive Tree to Athens, winning the contest with Poseidon for the right of Paton of Athens.

 

As you can see, I have included a picture of the statue of Athena which is said to have stood inside the Parthenon and the Olives of Athens, Greece. And of course, I had to let the viewers of the block know that they are looking at the Parthenon and that it is in Athens.  The large Red Button was placed on the block, because I thought it looked very much like a Greek shield.

Cathy included the Necklace and the “evil eye”, to be used with this block. I wanted the necklace to look as though it is just lying on the block.  The “evil eye”, is placed on the block for protection and to bring the blue from the top of the block to the lower portion of the block, along with the Greek Key pattern.

I’m happy with the block and hope that others enjoy the block as well. I’m going to be pretty busy in October, as I will be taking StitchMAP’s “Pilot” Traditional Redwork Class and Mentoring an Apprentice at the same time.   I think this will be exciting and informative as well as fun!  Will let you know how it’s going.

Well, September has been really hectic and I'm glad that it is almost over.  I know, someone my age should not be glad that anything is over, but What a Month!

I have finished Anne's block for the RR and I'm pleased with the way it came out.  Anne chose the Far East/Asia as her theme, and I love the cultures of that part of the world, so I ran with the theme.

I embroidered the Geisha outline and put flowers on the Kimono, Anne wanted gold on her block, so I added the two gold trims, one with faux pearls and the other with the silver braid. I've gotten to be a Ric Rac person and love working with all colors and types of Ric Rac. This was embellished with a chain sticj with a sequin and blue seed bead on the bottom and placed Hyacinth above the Ric Rac.

The Gold and faux pearl item in the center is an old clip earring. I used a varigated Silk Ribbon for the flowers, which hold the earring in place the faux pearls on gold chain actually drape, but not for this picture.  And then of course, I had to use the Fly stitch to put in the vine of blue flowers.  The flowers a made with two, four wrap Bullion knots.

I'm currently working on Cathy's block and almost completed, so it should be up soon. 

I'm playing "catch up" now. I finished the Color Theory Class a little early, as I'm trying to get back to the Round Robin that my CQ Group is working on.  And I'm running a little behind. LOL!

The last couple of classes were interesting and I had a wonderful time. The last class was one that really intregued me.

Start with a picture:   Ok, I started with a picture of a garden pond and chose the fabrics for a block background. Then added threads and beads to the combination for a CQ Block.  I like the combinations.

Make do with what you have:  You know how you start something and you don't like it. Well, my first choice on this one was a pink block I made for another project, but since I'm not a fan of pink, I put aside and didn't use the block.  Big surprise here! I didn't use it for this either. I picked up that pink block and then said, "No. I can't get inspired with this thing".

So, I pulled a piece of fabric I had left from a finished project and was inspired by the purples and oranges.  This is what I came up with to make another block.

 
I really like this combination. I've not worked with this color combo before, and I think I'm going to enjoy the process of puting this project together. But, for now. The Round Robin.

I have printed out these pictures, dated them and put them in my Idea Jar.  Ok, it's a huge vase that sits on my desk!  However, I use it to keep me on track with my projects. When I finish one, I go to the jar and put the ideas in date order and pull the next project. LOL!

Hey! It keeps me going. But yeah, the jar never gets empty. I've got some great ideas in that jar. 

Got to get back to the RR. Working on Anne's block. Will post picture when I have it finished.