The Stitch Up

New Year Renewal

I'm just starting to get back to my normal schedule after the holidays.  I really do love the first week of January and the opportunity to plan out goals for the new year, but after that burst of excitement over starting fresh with a clean slate for the new year, I kind of slow down, embrace the cold weather and cuddle up inside.

The weather here has been encouraging the slowed down lifestyle with a little snow and beautiful views from the window.

I've been doing some baking: a little fresh bread and - in celebration of her birthday this month - coconut cupcakes using Dolly Parton cake mix.

I've been doing some stitching here and there and planning out the projects I want to finish this year.  I'll run down all my WIPs and exciting plans in my next post.  I hope everyone's New Year is starting off great!

Fall WIP Round Up

I've been juggling several projects for the last few months.  Part of it is the fact that I get a bit bored just working on one project for weeks at a time, and the other part is that some projects need occasional prep steps: transferring patterns, stitching different parts together or finding the right color of embroidery thread.  Despite the stops and starts however, I've made some progress on the various projects I've been working on.  Not enough to finish all of them by the end of the year, but enough to feel like I haven't lost all momentum and the finish line is close.

Project 1 - Spanish Ladies Quilt

I have about 3 “tile” patterns left to stitch for the bottom section of the front of this quilt.  Once that is done, I can move to some borders, a really cute backing fabric and then bind it all together.

Project 2 - Mexican Tourist Jacket

This has been slow going, mainly because I can’t work out exactly how to transfer the embroidery patterns onto the felt. I’ve tried a couple methods - heat transfer pencil and sulky stabilizer paper - but they don’t work so well for large sections.  Currently I’ve been doing some basting stitches to get the pattern down and then re-stitching with the wool embroidery thread. Since I'm basically stitching each pattern twice, I’ve just made it through the pockets and one sleeve.

I probably wont finish the whole jacket by the end of the year but I would like to get most of the embroidery on the jacket pieces as I think the most challenging part for me will be actually sewing the pieces together so that it becomes an actual jacket.

Project 3 - Sashiko Quilt

I really pick this up during breaks from my other projects.  It's pretty easy and quick to transfer a sashiko pattern to a denim square and start stitching whenever I need a short term project. I’ve made 10 squares and a couple of small panels.  These squares come together pretty quick and I think once I focus on it, this can be turned into a final product without too much trouble.  The one issue I do have is that I keep wavering a bit on whether I want these squares to become a quilt, or if I'd rather turn them into a bag, or some other end product.

 

4. Year in Stitches Tea Towel 

Surprisingly, I’m almost up to date on this.  I just need to stitch up something for the month of October. It’s been fun to think about the big events of each month and try to capture them in an icon or two.  This is another nice project to pick up whenever I want a break from my larger projects.

 

I wanted to give myself this sort of status check since we are fully into the holiday season now and I've got a number of Christmas projects in the works.  I'm hoping I can still find a little time over the next six weeks to work on my various WIPs, but if not - there's always next year!

Sending out my wish that everyone is having a wonderful Fall and enjoying a little relaxation before the holidays kick into gear.

Wrapping Up Summer WIPs

The end of summer is fast approaching and I’m happy to report I did finish a couple of the projects I've been working on.

First up, I FINALLY finished my Mountmellick project:

Overall I’m happy with the way the purse came out and I think Mountmellick is one of my favorite embroidery techniques.  I’ll definitely be doing another Mountmellick project soon.  However, my finishing work leaves a little to be desired. I think juggling multiple WIPs can result in my just trying to finish one or two of the items I’m working on rather than focusing on just one item until it’s done.  I would have a more refined result if I was willing to rip out bad stitching and start again when something goes wrong. In this instance, my attachment of the purse frame to the exterior and interior purse design is a bit sloppy since I was forcing it all to fit.  You can see it in the photos of the interior:

Ultimately I do have to be honest about how I craft and the truth is I just get bored sometimes with one project and I need to pause and work on something else. After I've started and stopped a few projects there’s a point where my craft room gets messy and disorganized with various half done projects I'm working on and I realize I have to crack down and actually finish a few.  My plan is to find a way to organize my disorganization so I'm less stressed about the various projects I'm juggling.  Thankfully, a lot of crafters seem to have this same problem and I've found some suggestions to corral the chaos.  I'll try out a few and share any that seem to work!

Next, I also finished weaving the pink scarf I was working on. This is the second project I started in the weaving class I took in January. I love weaving! The casting on process is still going to be a learning curve for me, but I’ve found some good resources on youtube and I've been checking out the blog Hello Hydrangea  which has a lot of amazing tutorials so I’m hoping to slowly progress with this new technique.  My goal is to make some gifts for the holidays – I’m thinking dish towels or something similar.

I also fit in a quick project for my friends. I’ve been trying my hand at macramé and had seen some cute car air fresheners I wanted to make. I have two friends with birthdays coming up and decided to make this cute craft for all my ladies.

I’m still learning the various macramé knots and the process of learning knots has taught me a bit about how I learn things in general. There are some GREAT youtube videos which helped me understand the whole process for making the air fresheners. However, I often need some kind of illustration when I’m learning a new knot. I need a real step by step this string goes over this string’ type of explanation to really understand what to do. Once it all makes sense to me thanks to the diagram, I can follow along with a video. And can I just say there is such an art to making a great video or written tutorial. I’m so appreciative of people who can take a detailed process and explain it so that others can follow along. The awesome video I used for this macramé car air freshener is from Macrame Princess here.

Lastly, I started a new project (of course) because I just can’t help myself.

I'm starting on a Sashiko Quilt.   This is actually turning out to be a fun project and the process of using sashiko embroidery for each square is a pretty quick process. It’s also fairly portable as I can just stick one or two squares in my purse and stitch whenever I have a spare moment. It will take some time to finish all the squares I need for a complete quilt, but I’m off to a good start.

I still need to calculate exactly the number of squares to complete the quilt but I kind of changed my concept once I pulled everything out and put it together. My original plan was to do one side of the quilt in just Sashiko embroidered squares and then on the back use a couple Tenugui Towels I’ve bought at Japanese book stores in the past. However, once I pulled everything out, it really made more sense and creates a much cooler look to use the blue and white Tenugui Towel I have with the squares I’m embroidering in white and then on the flip side, go with the colorful Tenugui towel I have which I plan to partner with embroidered squares in bright pinks, blues and purples.

And that brings me to the end of summer and starting to inch toward fall. Soon I know I’m going to get the itch to start on some knitting or crochet projects so, once again I need to shake my tail feathers to get a couple more things done before diving into new projects. I hope everyone is enjoying the end of Summer, looking forward to Fall and progressing on all of the projects you might be juggling!

Crafty Status Check

I know the saying is that 'time flies when you're having fun' but it also seems to fly when you're just working and meeting deadlines.  I always feel like I should have more to show – craft-wise – after more than a month since my last post.  Truthfully, I've been working away on a few things, but my day job and some back yard projects have been taking up the bulk of my time.  That said, I wanted to update the blog with my current WIPs and upcoming projects.

I HAVE completed one project - the “travel project” from my Texas trip. I turned the embroidered piece into a textile necklace.  I'm happy with the end result but I learned a lot of things for my next "jewelry" project.

After I finished stitching the pattern I designed, I used some fabric glue to attach it to a cream colored felt.  It gives it a bit more structure and gave me a way to attach a necklace cord.  I outlined the design to reinforce the attached backing.  I used black embroidery thread for the outline which had the added benefit of giving the design a bit more pop as well. 

I wasn't quite sure about attaching cording or chain, so I ordered necklace cords in a variety of colors and sizes to see what color and texture looked best with the design.  I decided to use a black cord that I cut in half and stitched to each side of the design.  It worked but I did not anticipate the cord fraying like it did so I ended up doing a combination of glueing and stitching the cord to the back of the design.  The next time I do this I will use more of a formal connecting ring or something for the cording.  I enjoyed this process enough to read up on it a bit and try a few different things until I get it right.

I am SO close to finishing the Mountmellick purse is as well.  I’ve sewn the outside and inside purse panels together and now it’s just a matter of sewing in the purse frame.  My problem with THAT is I did not fully understand the process to attach the purse frame - which - honestly is not exactly difficult.  But I thought the frame would be attached on the inside of the purse and I could fudge a bit with the size, but it's actually attached to the outside of the bag which made it obvious that I had ordered the wrong size purse frame.

I am a big proponent of guiding principles in sewing such as "measure twice, cut once".  Everything works better if you read all the instructions, work with precision and follow directions.  But I am also the great granddaughter of Ida Tunnell and her more organic, "It'll Never Be Seen On A Galloping Horse" type of crafting, so sometimes I have to learn the hard way.  The lesson here is that with purses that utilize a frame you should really be making your purse pattern around the frame rather than making the purse and trying to find a frame to fit it later.  WHICH I KNOW NOW.  I think I've found a frame on etsy that will work and the purse will come out cute despite the hiccups.

While wrapping these two projects up I’ve been fitting in some time to work on my second weaving project.  It’s basically set up to be a scarf although I might see if there’s some other way to use it.  I do want to experiment with embroidery on weaving so I might use this finished project to try out some different techniques.  I also finished another square for my "Spanish Ladies" quilt and did a couple of “quickie” up-cycling projects.  

I’ve been collecting patches from places we visit over the years and also some patches that I’ve seen when shopping that I just find cute.  I used them for fancy up two items.  I used a beautiful bird patch I found at World Market to class up an older blazer that I don’t wear much anymore but I think I’ll get a lot more use from now!

Most of the other patches I put on a denim jacket that I bought on Thrifted.  I love that this is kind of a wearable souvenir display.  There are patches from our recent trip in Texas, from Vegas trips, New York and other spots.  Plus I'll also be attaching patches that I make, like the swallow tattoo design that was a previous "travel project".  

I’m excited to keep adding to this with more patches from future trips.

Summer took a while to get going this year, but it has officially arrived and we are soaking up the sun.  We’ve been fitting in some pool time and grilling every chance we get.  I really love to slow down and spend time outside once the great weather starts so I focus on portable projects I can take outside on the patio or to the pool.  My next project is going to be a Sashiko quilt.  I’m planning to use denim I’ve up-cycled from jeans we don’t wear anymore that I’ve cut up into squares.  To start off and kind of "learn" the process I bought a cool pre-printed Sashiko kit on Etsy.  It comes with everything you need to start.  I'm finding it's a different way of working with thread.  My plan is to use this for the back of the quilt along with some really cute printed "tenugui towels" I've bought.  The Sashiko process requires some practice to try and get the stitch lengths equal and thats working WITH a preprinted pattern.  I think this is a good way to kick off learning this technique and it's helping me work up the confidence to try some free form designs for the front of quilt squares.

I hope everyone is enjoying great weather and finding time to stitch in the sun!

Circling Back - Way Back

I know that it takes me a while to get back to projects that I've started, but this one more or less goes back 13 years, which seems kind of crazy.  I posted about our trip to Ireland back in 2009 (!) and the day trip I took while we were there to Mountmellick in County Laois.  The purpose of the trip was to take a class on Mountmellick embroidery at the Mountmellick Development Association and it was wonderful.  I'll let you go back in time to that old post if you'd like to read a bit about the class.

After finishing up the project I started in the class (it only took a year to finish it)  I intended to create my own "Mountmellick" project.  In 2019 I created a design that I had hoped to submit to the Mountmellick Embroidery Competition, but, as often happens, I cut it a bit close and didn't finish.  The project I intended to submit is a purse.  I finished one side, then put it away to work on some Christmas crafts and didn't take it out again until now.

Looking back through the blog I realized I didn't write anything about the design, what my plan was or how it relates to the traditions of Mountmellick embroidery or the class I took back in 2009.  So, as I'm picking this project back up, I'll try to remedy that now.

Essentially, in reading about Mountmellick embroidery and in my discussions with the instructor, I learned that the motifs used are usually inspired by nature.  I wanted to create something that, while referencing the Mountmellick embroidery designs I saw in Ireland, incorporated the flowers that are distinct to my region.  So my design is daffodils and cherry blossoms - with a few leafs and berries thrown in for effect.

I managed to finish one side before packing this away and "past me" did "future me" a solid by making a stitch guide I could use when I picked this back up again.

I wanted to use at least one of the stitches that is specific to Mountmellick embroidery, so I've used the Mountmellick stitch here along with stem, satin, french knot and coral stitch.

I've got the first few stitches going on the second side.  It actually stitches up pretty quickly which is great, but doesn't really explain why it's taken me so long to finish it in the first place.  I think it's primarily the never ending list of projects I want to work on and the battle to focus on them one at a time.

For this one, once I'm done with this side, I'm hoping to line it with a fun fabric that will give it a pop of color when you open the bag.  As I'm working on it, I'd like to focus on some history of Mountmellick embroidery and provide links to some great resources.  Look for that next time when I update on this project.

 

End of Spring WIP Update

Progress on WIPs!  It always feels good to be able to say that I've actually knocked out a project here or there and that I'm progressing on others.  I managed to finish up my "travel" project - the Cowgirl Boots.

I'm happy with the way it came out and glad that I decided to fill the boots in rather than just leave them outlined.  I think the colors pop and it should go well with the other material I'm planning to use for my "Cowgirl" quilt.  In a pretty glaring departure from my plan to just use up patterns and materials I've already bought, at the same time I was finishing this up, I purchased a sampler with the Calamity Jane quote "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend she should go ahead and be one."  In my defense, I was shopping in a really cute needlework store that I wanted to support AND although I bought a new pattern I plan to use fabric I already have stashed.  REALLY.

For the Spanish Lady quilt, I've finally got a plan of attack for the additional quilt squares. I'm planning a mix of nine patch (pic below) and a few "mosaic" quilt square patterns.  The nine patch is a bit plain right now.  I think the color goes with all of the embroidered squares as it picks up the green and blue that dominates the squares.  I do plan to embellish the center of some of the nine patch squares with some blackwork designs with either blue or green.  So, while I've at least started to dive into the quilt squares I'm still struggling a little with what I envision as the final design.

Picking up my other two WIPs has been good and bad.  Good in that I feel confident that I'm going to be able to wrap them up this time.  Bad in that, being away from a project for a bit gives you a critical eye when you pick it back up.  There are a few spots on my Ida Tunnell sampler that I'm contemplating picking out and redoing, but I'll decide after I finish up the parts I need to finish.

In other news, this weather is so amazing right now.  Perfect for sitting outside with some stitching, some wine and a sleepy cat!  I hope the weather is lovely where you are as well.  

Summer is Actually Still Spring and Inspiration

I vastly underestimated how long it would take me to finish my Spring projects. Either that or I underestimated how much life in general would get in the way of my important crafting deadlines.  Since we are well into Summer, my Spring Bohemian projects are really now Spring/Summer Bohemian projects. It's a little bit of a bummer as I had some desert themed projects in mind for Summer, but there's always next year!!

WIPs

Despite not wrapping them up, I have made some progress on my projects. I'm close to finishing up the Art Quilt project "Little Selfie on the Prairie". This started with a sketch and then I more or less played it by ear to create a portrait with fabric.

I'd planned to give this a crazy quilt look with some finishing stitches.  This has ended up being a little tough with the appliqué layers.  I should have done a lot of the crazy stitching on the background fabrics first, then appliquéd the girl and wagon on after, but - you make, you learn right?  I'm almost done with the stitching now and I think over all I'm happy with the result.

The knit shawl is in progress.  I'm finished with the first color, and have just moved to the next, which is a darker grey.  Two more colors after that so it's got a ways to go but this was another project that involved some new techniques to me, so I'm happy to be learning as I go.

Last but not least, the needlepoint bag - it's so much stitching!!  I finished one side, I'm almost done with the straps and then it's just ("just") finishing the other side.

At this point I think I'll still be working on this needlepoint bag through the end of the year, but it's so pretty it's worth the time!

Inspiration

I've been reading a book by Lisa Congdon called Finding Your Artistic Voice.  It's really helping me identify ways to focus in on what I want my "voice" to be as an artist.  I'm realizing that a lot of the things I've been doing this year with the "Bohemian Frontier" articles, some of the WIPs I've prioritized, and the themes I've been creating for each season are all methods I've been using to pursue a concept - I just haven't put everything together into a cohesive "voice".

Lisa Congdon's book recommends some exercises to get you to work through your inspirations, practice what interests you and get to that original idea or style that makes your art your own.  One of the exercises she recommends is making a "Family Tree" of your inspiration - making each branch one of the things you're inspired by.  I loved that idea but decided to make it an inspiration quilt drawing.

Congdon also has lots of interviews with other artists who give great advice on the process of creativity.  Overall, Im loving the book and I think even as a hobbyist I enjoy what I'm making so much more when everything is kind of clicking together and I think her books helps get you to that place.

 

 

 

Winter WIPs - Working Through 'Em

I've finished a couple of the WIPs on my Winter list - the tea towel and the tablecloth.

The tea towel was a nice project. A stamped project is a great way to kick off crafting in the new year and the September House has such great patterns.  

I spent a little extra time outlining some of the flowers and leafs and I think it helped them pop.  

I also finished the tablecloth.  This was exciting since I'd been stashing this fabric for YEARS and saying I was going to turn it into a tablecloth and now I finally have!

I even managed some mitered corners so it has a finished look.

This is going to be a perfect "anytime" tablecloth - it's neutral but the fabric is so nice.  It also goes well with my mom's china which she passed on to me last year in an effort to start downsizing a bit.  

Just a couple of projects left to finish up before Winter officially ends.  I've got my scarf started and the textiles cut up to start the bag, so this week should be just some wrapping up of my Winter efforts before I start planning for Spring! 

WIP Progress

I wanted to check in with my WIP progress.  I've knocked out a good bit of the embroidered tea towel:

I've also got a plan for the tablecloth and I think I'll be able to finish that this week, so more exciting progress updates to come!  I also thought I'd show off the salt and pepper shakers from my collection that are getting sunlight during this "cozy" winter period.

I don't think I really have any winter themed salt and pepper shakers so after the blow out at Christmas, when all of the holiday themed shakers get their time to shine, I have to search around a bit for a theme to start the new year.  This year I decided to put out all of my cat shakers:

These are a mix of vintage finds and new purchases.  The set of siamese cats at the top are vintage although I haven't been able to find out too much about them - just that the set dates from around 1960 and is from Taiwan.

This is a cat and dog team.  My aunt found this set for me in a thrift store in Arizona.  These were a midcentury promotional set put out by Ken L Ration (a dog food company.)  They used a yellow dog named "Fido" on their ads and I've seen this set referred to as Fido & Fifi so I guess the cat is named Fifi!  The set was made by Fiedler & Fiedler (F&F) Mold and Die Works of Dayton, Ohio. 

This is a mix of vintage and brand new.  The blue flowered cats date from about 1970 and come from Thailand originally.  The happy cats are a recent purchase from World Market because I just thought they were adorable.

And speaking of cats, here is my kitten enjoying the small amount of snow we've had so far this winter:

For anyone else working your way through a WIP pile, I wish you luck and productivity!  I hope winter is treating you well. 

 

New Year New Plan

Like so many other crafters I have a ton of WIPs - both projects that I've started and stalled on and projects where I've bought all the supplies but haven't found time to get the project underway.

My first effort to get make some headway on my WIPs was adding the progress bars to the side of the blog to publicly shame myself into getting to work on specific projects so the progress bars don't stay at 0% all month.  

My new plan is to basically work seasonally.  I'm going to pick 3 or 4 projects that inspire me that season and work to finish them before moving on to the next season and next group of WIPs.  Anything to get inspired and get moving!

The first season is of course - Winter.  It's kind of the perfect season to start this effort since the colder weather means a bit more time spent indoors cuddling next to the fire with some needlework.  I also just love this time of year.  I enjoy the quiet after the busy Christmas season, I LOVE setting goals and resolutions for the New Year and I have been inspired by the whole hygge movement to really indulge in creating a cozy experience during the winter months.

So my theme for the winter WIPS is "Cozy":

Yes, that is a vision board for my projects - I am SERIOUS about getting motivated!

The projects I've picked for this season are:

1. 2020 Tea Towel Calendar.  I've started on this tea towel calendar kit from SeptemberHouse.  I love her calendar kits - this has become something of a tradition for me and is usually the first project I'm working on each year.
2. The Long and Lacy Scarf by Mrs. Moon.  I picked a very pretty green yarn from my stash to use for this scarf and I'm excited to see how it comes out.  
3. Marimekko Tablecloth.  This isn't on the vision board as it's an older pattern so not on the Marimekko website and I didn't want to cut in to my fabric as I think it's currently the perfect length for a tablecloth.  But here is the fabric:

    I've gone back and forth on whether to add trim but I think I'm going to just stick with hemming the fabric.  It is perfect for a winter white theme so I want to get it on the table before we move into Spring.

    4.    Vintage Textile Bag.  My goal is to have one "upcycling" project each season.  For this season I want to use some of the vintage embroidered textiles I've bought over the years and make a bag similar to this or this.  Many of the textiles I've picked up are stained or ripped and can't be used for their original purpose as a pillow case or tablecloth for instance.  But I want to save the beautiful stitching so I think a project like this will work great!

So that's what I'll be working on - stay tuned for exciting updates to the progress bars and follow up posts on my (hopefully) finished projects.

I hope everyone's New Year is starting out great and that you are enjoying a productive start to your crafting year!