This week from Kathryn:
When you start a new work do you look for something small, do you look for another huge project or do you consider your UFOs?
It depends. If I already have a large project up and running, I may consider a small project that I can complete in a short period of time. Then again, if there's something I'm really excited about,or very different from the current project, I'll start that, wether it's large or small.
As far as considering UFO's, well, they're UFO's for a reason, either there's a problem I'm not ready to figure out, or the project hasn't captured my fancy to continue with it....basically any excuse to just leave them be in the closet with the slight feeling of guilt that I've abandoned it, but with the hope of some day coming to it again.
All in all, the choice depends mainly upon whim. A choice made on Monday, may be different on Tuesday. Happily, I don't do this in other aspects of my life...I consider it a luxury to be a bit flip-floppy in my creative life...
29 June, 2007
27 June, 2007
red & white sampler
Some progress...
the left side of the sampler
the right side of the sampler
I haven't done any stitching for the past three days (gasp!).
It's funny how you can miss doing something when you haven't done it in a while. Sometimes you don't feel like it, sometimes you're just too busy with other things (like I am right now - doing some late spring cleaning in the summer...), sometimes you don't know how to proceed. All of the above count for me, and in the second photo (the one that turned out a bit strange, I don't know why there's a pink color wash over the photo!) I got stuck with the weaving. It didn't seem to come out right! Hopefully this evening I'll be able to sit down and take a look at with a fresh pair of eyes or I'll be lazy and start another motif and come back to it later...
the left side of the sampler
the right side of the sampler
I haven't done any stitching for the past three days (gasp!).
It's funny how you can miss doing something when you haven't done it in a while. Sometimes you don't feel like it, sometimes you're just too busy with other things (like I am right now - doing some late spring cleaning in the summer...), sometimes you don't know how to proceed. All of the above count for me, and in the second photo (the one that turned out a bit strange, I don't know why there's a pink color wash over the photo!) I got stuck with the weaving. It didn't seem to come out right! Hopefully this evening I'll be able to sit down and take a look at with a fresh pair of eyes or I'll be lazy and start another motif and come back to it later...
22 June, 2007
Happy Birthday Darwin!
7 weeks
12 months
He's a year old today - I can't believe it's almost been a year since we received our little white bundle who's now grown into a fun-loving bear.
21 June, 2007
17 June, 2007
a work in progress
I've been meaning to do this for some time now, but never got around to it. See here one the longest works in progress lurking in the closet:
'n Hollandse Schone or "A Dutch Beauty" A.D. 1790
This sampler has special meaning to me and was a catalyst for entering the world of quilting and later a serious re-entry into the world of cross stitch. Out of my mind with back pain and not wanting to keep taking drugs that left me fuzzy headed and, quite frankly worse, I felt driven to work with a needle. I just saw this pattern in the shop, gathered the threads and linen, got some beautiful golden needles and went to work. I can't recall now what made me put down this project, for I still think a stunning sampler, but somehow, this sampler got me into quilting, and 5 years later, to today, back to the little golden needles.
Later a specialist physician explained why I unconsciously abandoned the knitting needle in exchange for the sewing needle, and it all made sense. Sometimes I recall and feel a twinge of guilt for rejecting my knitting (a passion for most my life) so definitively, but as time goes by I feel less of it now that I've come to understand why. One day I may pick up my favorite Addis or Rosewood needles and go digging in my woolen stash, or even get behind my spinning wheel and enjoy the feel of soft Merino between the tips of my fingers, lulled my the soft sshhhh... of the wheel.
So wether or not this sampler will ever be completed, doesn't really matter, it has already served it's purpose in a way and I am very grateful to it for that. Yes, it would be a shame to leave it unfinished, but when the time comes, I'm sure it'll call me to it again, just like it did those 6 year ago...
'n Hollandse Schone or "A Dutch Beauty" A.D. 1790
This sampler has special meaning to me and was a catalyst for entering the world of quilting and later a serious re-entry into the world of cross stitch. Out of my mind with back pain and not wanting to keep taking drugs that left me fuzzy headed and, quite frankly worse, I felt driven to work with a needle. I just saw this pattern in the shop, gathered the threads and linen, got some beautiful golden needles and went to work. I can't recall now what made me put down this project, for I still think a stunning sampler, but somehow, this sampler got me into quilting, and 5 years later, to today, back to the little golden needles.
Later a specialist physician explained why I unconsciously abandoned the knitting needle in exchange for the sewing needle, and it all made sense. Sometimes I recall and feel a twinge of guilt for rejecting my knitting (a passion for most my life) so definitively, but as time goes by I feel less of it now that I've come to understand why. One day I may pick up my favorite Addis or Rosewood needles and go digging in my woolen stash, or even get behind my spinning wheel and enjoy the feel of soft Merino between the tips of my fingers, lulled my the soft sshhhh... of the wheel.
So wether or not this sampler will ever be completed, doesn't really matter, it has already served it's purpose in a way and I am very grateful to it for that. Yes, it would be a shame to leave it unfinished, but when the time comes, I'm sure it'll call me to it again, just like it did those 6 year ago...
16 June, 2007
Dogs are fun, dogs are fun, dogs are fun...
How does a dog that is supposed to look like this:
End up looking like this?
Sigh.....
This is the third time I'm changing my clothes today...
I love my dog, I love my dog, I love my dog........
End up looking like this?
Sigh.....
This is the third time I'm changing my clothes today...
I love my dog, I love my dog, I love my dog........
14 June, 2007
SBQ of the Week June 14th: Storing Stuff
This week's question is from Jennifer
How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?
I have a plastic envelope-style folder (A4 size) that a couple of centimeters (about an inch) thick. In there I can put my linen, my ring and slip in the pattern. In a separate little box I keep my threads, scissor, needles and such.
For projects that I'm kitting up but haven't started yet, I keep a binder with plastic see-thru sleeves on it. The pattern, fabric and threads are all tucked into the sleeve. This way, when I'm ready for it, I can just grab and go!
Still considering getting one of the larger Yazzi organizers to be able to put more than one project in so when on the go I can easily change between projects.
How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?
I have a plastic envelope-style folder (A4 size) that a couple of centimeters (about an inch) thick. In there I can put my linen, my ring and slip in the pattern. In a separate little box I keep my threads, scissor, needles and such.
For projects that I'm kitting up but haven't started yet, I keep a binder with plastic see-thru sleeves on it. The pattern, fabric and threads are all tucked into the sleeve. This way, when I'm ready for it, I can just grab and go!
Still considering getting one of the larger Yazzi organizers to be able to put more than one project in so when on the go I can easily change between projects.
08 June, 2007
Stitching Blogger's Question of the Week June 6th
This week’s SBQ was suggested by Ish and is:
What has been your most challenging project and why?
Gee, I'm relatively new to this stitching business, so I still have a lot to learn! Although I have "Dutch Beauty" or "Hollandse Schone", a large reproduction sampler lying in the closet for a few years now waiting to be completed, I would still have to say that my current project, the Red & White sampler the most challenging project is. Why? For me it's an exercize in being able to work freely, without planning. Sounds easy, but for so long I've been making things from patterns, to exact specifications, in my knitting and (a bit less) with quilting, I wanted to do something different and try something new.
I hope this will help me with my other crafts, so I can be able to work more spontaneously, less fearful of "getting it right".
So now it's no deciding in advance what I'll stitch next, just finish one motif, and see what fits next, what I feel like. It's fun, freeing, and I won't know what the end product is until it's complete. An exciting prospect for one who is used to already knowing how the story ends.
What has been your most challenging project and why?
Gee, I'm relatively new to this stitching business, so I still have a lot to learn! Although I have "Dutch Beauty" or "Hollandse Schone", a large reproduction sampler lying in the closet for a few years now waiting to be completed, I would still have to say that my current project, the Red & White sampler the most challenging project is. Why? For me it's an exercize in being able to work freely, without planning. Sounds easy, but for so long I've been making things from patterns, to exact specifications, in my knitting and (a bit less) with quilting, I wanted to do something different and try something new.
I hope this will help me with my other crafts, so I can be able to work more spontaneously, less fearful of "getting it right".
So now it's no deciding in advance what I'll stitch next, just finish one motif, and see what fits next, what I feel like. It's fun, freeing, and I won't know what the end product is until it's complete. An exciting prospect for one who is used to already knowing how the story ends.
06 June, 2007
red & white sampler
It's been quite some time since writing for this blog! Life happened and took priority.
But in between those priorities, I did manage to extend my cross stitch library with several good reference books, and work some more on my sampler. The unfinished bit is a flower from a pattern destined for my daughter, but I felt like trying it out, so why not on this sampler? Some of you may recognize my internet "call name" .....
I also took a side track with my quilting friend and tried our hand at making a biscornu. See here the results of the first try. I just grabbed some linen I had in my stash of which I couldn't remember its purpose. Not really my colors, but then again, it was just a dry run to see if I could make this thing and more importantly, liked making it. After a few false starts (that's what happens when you're chatting away ), and fiddling with the corners, it took shape and I got the hang of it. It's a really cool thing to make! Wouldn't be cool as a gigantic poof?
The week after we spent decifering a japanese book and tried our hand at making a needle book! It was a very funny experience trying to figure things out, but two heads being definielty better than one in this case, we finally got it. Thank goodness the diagrams are clear...here's a photo of one I made for a friend. It's not my dream needlebook, but it was a good way to find out what I did and didn't want in a needle book.
Back to the sampler, I had to stop (unwillingly) to work on the Friendship Sampler of the cross stich group I'm in. This one is more classic than the last - Flowers in Pots is the subject. Worked in one color, a beautiful color, DMC #3858. As soon as it's completed, I'll post a photo.
That's it for now, oh, and yes, I've been tagged - have no idea what that is, and what it entails, but now my time is up at the computer, so dear daughter can do her homework. Tommorw I'll make work of this - so whoever tagged me, don't think I"m ignoring you, it's just that life hasn't allowed me to spend much if any time behind this thing! In the meantime, have a crafty day!
But in between those priorities, I did manage to extend my cross stitch library with several good reference books, and work some more on my sampler. The unfinished bit is a flower from a pattern destined for my daughter, but I felt like trying it out, so why not on this sampler? Some of you may recognize my internet "call name" .....
I also took a side track with my quilting friend and tried our hand at making a biscornu. See here the results of the first try. I just grabbed some linen I had in my stash of which I couldn't remember its purpose. Not really my colors, but then again, it was just a dry run to see if I could make this thing and more importantly, liked making it. After a few false starts (that's what happens when you're chatting away ), and fiddling with the corners, it took shape and I got the hang of it. It's a really cool thing to make! Wouldn't be cool as a gigantic poof?
The week after we spent decifering a japanese book and tried our hand at making a needle book! It was a very funny experience trying to figure things out, but two heads being definielty better than one in this case, we finally got it. Thank goodness the diagrams are clear...here's a photo of one I made for a friend. It's not my dream needlebook, but it was a good way to find out what I did and didn't want in a needle book.
Back to the sampler, I had to stop (unwillingly) to work on the Friendship Sampler of the cross stich group I'm in. This one is more classic than the last - Flowers in Pots is the subject. Worked in one color, a beautiful color, DMC #3858. As soon as it's completed, I'll post a photo.
That's it for now, oh, and yes, I've been tagged - have no idea what that is, and what it entails, but now my time is up at the computer, so dear daughter can do her homework. Tommorw I'll make work of this - so whoever tagged me, don't think I"m ignoring you, it's just that life hasn't allowed me to spend much if any time behind this thing! In the meantime, have a crafty day!
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