Portholes # 14 and # 15

Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there!

Sharing more of the Portholes Project with you today... as it may be another few days before I'll be able to share more.





Porthole # 14 ... hmm ... in retrospect I don't find this one too exciting...must have been in a dull mood that day or something. Had a big piece of lavender trim that seemed to go, and stitched over the "leaf" centres with darker thread. The wandering vine is threaded through with gold cord but does't show well in the scan. The navy Chevron bit was over-stitched with chain and detatched buttonhole. The seam above that has a herringbone row stitched over with cretan and Colonial knots. The hot pink seam is buttonhole half wheels with Lazy Daisy filler and metallic beads.






Porthole # 15 has a lot more excitement. The lace was a gift all the way from Israel. I used gold Ribbon Floss to tack down along top and Colonial knots further down. I had a vase button from which I removed the shank and added a bouquet of roses and "glads"? Opposite that is a Cast-on stitch rose and leaves. The vine looks like I meant to add more...and might yet. On the off-white silk panel I added a double row of herringbone and crosses.


(Hey Gwen ... look what I did! Couldn't cut....but did click and drag!)

Fun on My Day Off

Well...my sis and I had a great day with Mary Anne Richardson today,,,there is that old saying that "one's man's (womans's) junk is another man's (womans's) gold mine! MA was looking to clean out her stash in the basment and we helped her out.....big time!

Cathy being a seamstress found two whole boxes of fabric she could use to make stuff from....which got her really excited. Me...I found bits of this and that to work into CQ stuff...two whole bags worth...so everyone wins.......MA cleaned up her basement and we carted off a trunkful of stash!

In addition we scored more beads...to embellish same. It doesn't get any better!

We did a share of beads tonight........and works for us.....so all is well!

Work tomorrow.....early.....so best close.

Fabric and bead dreams......ahhh.

Introducing....Robin Cymbaly

I want to tell you about my friend Robin!

We have known each other for over 5 years, working together at Canadian Tire.....but beyond her day job (like me) she has artistic talents that she indulges in ..... and since completing school she is searching for a position where she can use her skills.

When I was patterning my ornament covers, I wanted to include shots of them hanging...the end result and how it would be seen. My sis was going to help but just when I was ready to do them ... all plans had to change as she had to start packing to move.

I asked Robin if she could help as I wanted to have the pictures done before the Artfest show so that I could sell the prototypes. She agreed and we spent about three hours hanging - snapping -changing - hanging - snapping. It was fun...and we got them all digitized!

Thanks Robin for a job well done!

I've added a new link on the sidebar to her site ... where you can see her work!

Enjoy!

Portholes #12 and #13

You may have noticed that I have been posting less frequently ... that is typical this time of year, as business is booming...blooming too...and there I am...riding the roller coaster! Staffing is getting better...but just when I think I have it all worked out...Murphy throws me a curve ball! Such is life.

This week I had just posted my perfect schedule, and I got a frantic phone call from one young lady telling me that her grandfather had just been rushed to hospital...and was not expected to make it through the day! Unfortunately he passed away just before she arrived.

You can't plan for such things....just have to deal with them as they happen...and scramble after the fact...trying to make it work a different way. It always works out somehow. I get the easy part...comparatively speaking.

Anyway.....I thought I'd post two Portholes today. This pair are strikingly different....the epitome of my aim on this project. Different fabrics, threads and even stitching at different times all factor in to create diverse finished pieces.

The first one has more of that lacy motif fabric and my fave basket charm filled with French Knot roses. More metallic threads and Ribbon Floss round out the seams.

The second one has some velvet, silk and satin jazzed up with bright pink Pearl Crown rayon, rich regal purple, ruby metallic thread, fine black metallic ribbon and a silk ribbon vine with beads.

Enjoy.

I Was on TV Today!

It was very exciting news to find out this past week that our store placed 10th amongst all of the Ontario Canadian Tire stores in sales during the Heart and Stroke fundraising promotion in February! Yay Team!

I was contacted by a representative from our Head Office who wanted to arrange the presentation of a plaque to us by the Heart and Stroke team, in addition to capturing the event with pictures and video.

Wow...the sent a whole crew out...representatives from Rogers TV documented it for local airing. I thought we were all done and proceeded about my duties when one of the crew asked if I could give her a few more minutes to answer some questions about the campaign and our success.

So there I stood listening to the questions and trying to come up with intelligent answers ... trying not to put in too many ummms etc. I detailed how we had a great team with dedication to the effort and that we have done this annually for the past few years.....and that it was really good to see our young people get behind it...showing that they are socially concious in supporting a worthy organization.

While I haven't seen it yet...one of my staff called me later very excited saying it was fabulous! I was so happy to hear that...after all... it's a rare occasion to be recognized with such honour and to be on TV...all in the same day!

The gentleman from Rogers was especially thankful...as he himself is a heart attack survivor who underwent triple by-pass surgery a few years ago...and understood well the cause that our efforts helped support.

That was icing on the cake!

Portholes # 11

This Porthole has a decidedly Victorian feel ... as I focused on the lady in the centre patch and extended it outward. I added a bunch of red glass flowers and a piece of pretty lace (which really jumps out contrasted on the dark green) Above her is a bower of LD Bullion Tip flowers. On the left I used Ribbon Floss with a metallic thread to create the fan-type seam...which began with a zig-zag row of chain stitching and filled in from there with LD stitching. At the bottom a row of Chevrons overlayed with a row of Herringbone ... both with the point pieces embellished.

Show and Share - Bluestone # 4 , 5 , 6

I just realized that I still had parts of this project still to show!

Numbers 4 and 5 detail the wrought iron fence that runs along the bottom edge. I added a lot of the flowers in this bed...especially the French Knot rosebush and the Griffin Bud tea roses.

6 shows the embellished applique tree on the left side above the gate. It came complete with the bird house!

Published Again ... CQ Mag Online

Just to let you all know...I have another article published! This one is a creative tutorial for Pin Pals (which is my fancy name for a pin cushion).

Also have one project in the Readers Showcase ... a pillow done as a birthday gift for a niece.

Rissa did a great article about Tiny Tassels that she has made ... and added a link to the tutorial I posted here a while back.

So ... check it out ... there is a link to CQ Mag Online in my list of faves!

Glorious Spring Weather on Earth Day !

I spent Earth Day (yesterday) tackling a big clean-up job here at the co-op...it was the first chance I've had to get busy with pulling off the winter kill from the many garden beds. We have a total of 9 of them...various sizes...two flanking the entrance, a Memorial Garden, and the rest were built up around trees in the "circle".

They are for the most part perennial beds. I've chopped up and moved plants from one to another over the years ... and last fall added about 50 donated spring bulbs for some early colour. I was really thrilled to see that all of them came up and have not been bothered by the population of squirrels...as I made sure to put lots of blood and bone meal around them (they don't like the stuff).

The last beds added were two big ones at the top end of the circle...this is their third season in now so well established...and after cleaning and weeding only require periodical maintenance. The task went a bit faster with an extra pair of hands...as my brother-in-law helped out almost all day...and it was fabulous to see that two beds had already been cleared by ladies who live in close proximity to them.

The Memorial Garden is usually the most work...but is really special and worth the effort. On the highest section of the garden wall we added memorial plaques with the names of residents who passed away....and it had a dedication ceremony attended by local dignitaries a few years back after we finished major renovations and had a grand re-opening event.

The area used to be a kiddy playground at one time...but the equipment there was old and falling apart...and had to be removed...not to mention that stray cats frequented it as a litter box...so not healthy. When we were contemplating what to do with the area...I got a really fabulous idea to turn it into an elevated garden. It has a retaining wall at the back end...and several small trees that bloom in spring...and produce red berries in the fall (I have no idea what they are). We built a wall of pressure treated wood to frame in a triangular shape...then filled it with gravel at the base...and topped it with earth...left beds at the back and put sod down on the front. This elevated garden can be seen above the cars that park there.

My favourite bloom time is when the Giant Germanic Irises are opening! They have 3 foot stocks with huge deep purple blooms...really awesome! I'll make sure to get pics this year to share. I have several amazing Hosta plants at the corner of the Memorial bed that are also very spectacular...will have to wait a while for those though...they are mere tips right now.

After six hours of work on them...I was downright exhausted...but it was so worth it...as they look all fresh now and ready for summer! I'll be adding a few flats of impatience in late May for some vibrant colour and fullness.

Porthole # 10

Porthole # 10 - This is another of the brighter cheerier pieces. The centre fabric came from a fabulous dress acquired for a whole $7 at a thrift shop. I actually bought it to wear to a wedding...and did...then afterward decided that it was way longer than I liked so I shortened it by about a foot. I can still have the dress and use the extra fabric!

The floral motif ... started out with a silk-covered button...working around the perimeter I added loops of violet - tone beads for the petals.

On either side of it I used Ribbon Floss...Lazy Daisy leaf sprays on the right...and a "stacked" Chevron on the left. The latter is actually a row of Chevron but the top section is a "pseudo"... not a complete pattern...as I had to eliminate the inside bars.

Above that on the yellow patch is a squadron of teeny butterflies in Kreinik # 4 metallic braid.

On the grey satin patch I did a pattern that is remeniscent of those old string art kits...working on a 180 degree grid from bottom to top allowing the thread to overlap...then crowned each with a Colonial knot.

Lastly...just above the floral motif...a row of Cast - on stitches in cotton perle.

Food for Thought - Dark Clouds and Silver Linings

I dragged my tired sorry butt home today...a little worse for all the grief I've had to contend with on the job over the past few days...and decided to drown my sorrows in a few beers.

Had to fire one young girl yesterday...and suspend another...for infractions that cost the company money. I've always hated this aspect of the job...not only because of how it affects the individual...but also because of the waste of time I've invested in each...only to have to flush it all. As a manager it was a call that I had to enforce because it was dictated by my superior...and ultimately I know it had to happen.....but it still sucks to see a young girl in tears as she is being told she's being terminated.

Ah well...life goes on. Many of us have "been there...done that" whether by our own fault or issues beyond our control ( like down-sizing )...and we know how bad it feels.

I had to make it all go away...so turned to the solace of my beads. Lo and behold in the midst of my anguish a new idea emegered...to whit I just had to make it come alive.

Working with a variety of silver and malachite tone beads I created an edging piece that is reminiscent of tatting ... with rings and chains...only in beads!

When it was finished...I had to sit back, admire and actually smiled.

Dark clouds....with a silver lining...literally!

I am off tomorrow.....and just as glad. It's supposed to be another glorious spring day...and I plan to enjoy it! Gardens are calling...tulips are growing...and time is at hand.

Porthole # 9

Porthole # 9 - I decided that I was doing too many deep jewel tones and should do some to brighten up the project. On the bottom right I added a cheery yellow spray of Griffin Buds and trimmed the piece with Bullion Stitch cording (YLI Candlelight Green). It's metallic...but the scanner never quite gets metallics right. Opposite that the yellow stitched seam...is YLI Pearl Crown Rayon (which is fabulous thread to stitch with). I started with a row of Cretan and stitched over with long stitches to alternate points. Above that I added a wee tatted B-fly...and other bits here and ther to fill in.

99 ..... 100 !

It's hard to believe ... but that was the count mark I hit today on my Deluxe Free Form Embellisments! And I'm not even counting in the various colour variations that I did along the way...these are patterns only.

I have never denied it ... I am obviously obsessed!

I even took a bit of a breather yesterday while I turned six of them into the actual pattern set that I wanted to include as the bonus with the ornament cover set...in addition to some minor changes that I made to the ornament set too (like adding a credit to Robin Cymbaly ... the fabulous photographer who captured the hanging ball images for me!)

The last one (# 100)I was so tickled with...it is a vine of sorts...with a pair of leaves...so much so that I made 2...one to save / scan and one to add immediately to one of my newest Portholes.....because it was just the perfect thing and colour for one particular seam.

So...I'm thinking this might be a good time to put the brakes on (if I can). While not all of the pieces will end up being parts of pattern sets.....my next objective will be to select ones that I do want to offer in collections and then get to it!

My time off is almost at an end...back to the grind on Monday...and will have to resume squeezing things I want to do in around my day job and other home duties...which will be harder to manage now heading into Garden Centre season! ( Why couldn't I have been born rich instead of beautiful?)

Okay well...life goes on! Funny though...how the busier I get...the more I seem to get accomplished! Not sure exactly how that happens! Maybe I'm that kind of person who functions best under stress. Whatever! Like I said ... life goes on!

Show and Share - Bluestone # 3

The gate ... I must say that I was very pleased with how it turned out and delighted with the floral additions on the pillars. To create the ball finials at the top of the pillars, I cut small circles out of quilters template, added a thin layer of batting and cinched a piece of moire over it then appliqued in place.

If you look at the bottom left corner you can see where I started enhancing the blocks. That's why I ended up stopping work on the project....I wasn't happy with how it was turning out. I had been planning to rip it all out and redo it with finer floss...but just didn't get back to it.

Food For Thought - Comfortable in My Skin

This down time from the day job seems to have my brain out of sorts. I have a whole list of things that I wanted to accomplish this week...but can't seem to get in gear! Spent much of the day "playing" ... which I guess is okay on holiday time ... and I did create four new Portholes!

Whilst checking e-mail today ... I had an update from Classmates.com letting me know that this year my graduating class from Applewood Heights Secondary School is arranging a 35th Year Reunion! HUH??? OMG...it has been that long??!!! Yup! Class of '73...the math is right!

I started thinking about "those good ol' days" ... the ones when we never realized how easy we had it...the ones before we all turned into adults...and started to live "respectable lives".

I have found and hooked up with a few friends from that era...but often wonder about a lot of others whose names I see listed....and what life's path has dealt them over such a long time. I am seriously considering attending this reunion...even though I have not been to any before...just to see who shows up...and to catch up. I think it'd be a blast!

We were all such victims of peer pressure back then...and am sure that now that we're all grown up with families of our own ... that we'd see the whole deal in different light. I'd sure have a lot to tell...as I'm sure they have too...and that alone would be worth going for.

I know that I'd feel comfortable...not only with these old friends...but in knowing where I've been and what I've done ... accomplished ... created ... and in general...the self-satisfaction that my life has turned out pretty good....and yes....that I am comfortable in my skin.

Show and Share - Bluestone # 2

This section is counter clockwise from the house. It is the creative work of Trisha Gray. The Magnolia in bloom set the tone...as you see lots of spring flowers...but she also added lavender ('cause she knows it's one of my faves). Someone decided such an estate needed protection and added Fido on the walk!

Show and Share - Bluestone Close-up # 1

I finally located the Bluestone piece and scanned in the various sections. The first is the Bluestone itself. Some of the flora had been stitched by others, but I did much more on it...the vine travelling up the house and all the tiny pink ones (reminiscent of impatients...my fave summer plant) and the yellow carnations.

The incredible fountain at the bottom left was created by Jakkie Lease...(and the bench too I think). I could not find the journal booklet that travelled with the project...which details exactly what each person stitched.

Porthole # 8

Porthole # 8 - Two of the fabrics on this were finds at second - hand stores. They must have been all the vogue at some time. They are silk and both have that "running colours" effect which I found intriguing. Though I've lightened this picture a bit...it's a bit difficult to see some of the darker metallic work. The white lace motif was cut from a larger piece which I found at the dollar store (and was used on several pieces). Have been playing more and more with chain stitch on these with different threads...as it "travels" nicely.

Time to Chill

I finally made it through this last week and can now enjoy a whole week off from my day job.

Haven't had a breather since Christmas (only 3 days) so am long overdue! Figured I better do this before we get the garden season happening...'cause then it's like being on a high-speed roller coaster...that doesn't slow down until July!

Need to get some spring cleaning done and will plan a few day trip visits here and there. I want to spend some quality stitching time...to make a bunch more portholes to stitch on.

I used to take a stitching box to work for those hour lunches and want to start doing so again. It never takes me an hour to eat...and could do some seamwork on these small portable pieces.

This will be a great opportunity to get some patterns transferred from notes to computer too.

Lots to keep me busy....and a while a week seems like a long time...I know it'll be gone in a flash...so need to put my "time management" skills into high gear. Make a plan and "get 'er done"!

Show and Share - My Peak

Could it be true??? Is it really gonna be spring now??? I hope so! That'd mean I can start some gardening! Lots of perennials that need some clean-up. So glad to see the tulips growing!

This is my fave gardening attire...keeps the sun out of my eyes! Those are Melanie Roses in Nectarine and Green with #12 Silk Perle from Vikki Clayton.

Show and Share - The Bluestone

I was cleaning out some old files yesterday (amazing how much stuff you save over the years) and came across the original pictures that inspired a Round Robin piece done back in 2001.

This particular project was a real challenge for me. I prefer small, quick pieces...this one measures in at 18 x 24". I called it "The Bluestone". I found a picture of this century house in a book at the library. It is located in a small town east of here...Port Hope....which incidentally is one of my husband's fave fishing spots and home of his friend and long-time fishing buddy Chris. He has passed this house on many occasions and was intrigued that I used it as a stitching theme.

It took quite a while to compose the background...to get the perspective right and I think it came out quite as planned. I had a fascination with wrought iron going on back then and wanted to incorporate some into the project. I found a fabulous site with tons of pics showing the work of one company.....and was quite taken with one set of gates. I used some moire to create the pillars and then used Kreinik metallic threads to work the wrought iron gate and front fence.

The driveway was a bit of work...I used wax crayons to detail the stonework, then pressed it between sheets of craft paper...which removes the wax and leaves the colour. The trees were appliqued. The house was done with blue fabric and the trim / front porch worked in white ribbon. The shutters were cut from black felt and embroidery floss marked out the cross panes of the windows.

When it was done I sent it off. I think there were about 8 participants...all really accomplished stitchers...and there were some incredible additions made to it. I've since added more of my own , and still have some to do on it...some day.

Out of the whole group...I was the only Canadian. The thing I recall most vividly....is that it returned to my mailbox on September 11th....the day that shook the world! I had cried several times that day watching the horrific events unfold...and cried again when I opened the mailbox...as I felt a little closer to my American friends....especially my wee friend Trisha Gray who was one contributor and lives right in NYC.

Porthole # 7

Porthole # 7 - The centre fabric set the mood and theme ... butterflies. Used beads to do kind of an abstract one and added a fleet on one seam. I liked the gold "lace" at the bottom. It's a compilation of stitches...herring bone over herring bone and bullions. Took a few hours and I don't think the scanner did it justice.

April Fools on Me!

I got to work this morning as usual with my head full of all the things that I had to attend to, punched in, dumped my gear and coat and was about to head out to the floor ... when my Cash Office gal handed me a letter. Dread entered my heart.....letters nearly always mean bad things....so I unfolded it and yup...proceeded to read "Due to personal reasons and with much regret I must resign my position ... " .

This from the gal who started back in the fall and was my saving grace...my Christmas gift from above! My heart sank. "When does this take effect?" I asked....nearly in tears. Well...the joke stopped there...she hugged me and said "April Fools!" WHEW....so she said "You can rip it up now!" So I did...into little bitty pieces. She got me!....but I will get her back...she won't know when .... and revenge will be sweet...can't believe I fell for it!

Don't know how March flew by so fast...April is already here.....but spring seems long in coming. Mid April last year we had staff in the Garden Centre on weekends...that will not be until May this year for sure....but at least allows me time to take a mental breather next week.....a bit of time off is just what I need right now.

I've hit the "spent" point again with my new beading frenzy...have hit the 75 mark on these li'l add-ons....and while a short breather is in order...am sure it will be short....I can feel a new wave about to hit.

Decided tonight to divert....actually stitched one of the edging pieces on to Porthole #29 (looks as cool as planned).... and finished the last two seams I had to do on it. I will get a few more pieced next week and add more on the new ones.

So.....day off tomorrow...and enjoying a bit of wine tonight to chill.....and glad that all's well at the end of this day.

Show and Share - The Pillow That Never Was

Many years ago I decided that I wanted to make a new cushion to fit on a foot stool. The original cushion had a foam insert and it was disintegrating inside...so it had to go! The dimensions were about the same as a standard size bed pillow so I decided to make a pillow and simply put this in its place.

I took the project with me when I went to spend a vacation week with my sister up north. When I told her what the piece was for, she was aghast! "You mean you're gonna put your feet on this??? Its far too pretty for that!" Despite her objections the plan remained. I saw it as a functional CQ piece...I wasn't stitching anything too fancy on it...and didn't plan to add buttons or things that would bug my feet.

When the week was over I packed up all the stuff ... but forgot one thing...my footstool cover! Cathy phoned to let me know I left it behind and said that she would save it for me.

In the mean time, she aquired an interesting frame at a yard sale and when she came home with it happened to lay it on top of the CQ piece that was on the table. It immediately caught her attention....as to how perfect it looked!

The next time I went to visit she told me about it. In the mean time she had made a backing board for it and inserted it in the frame to show me....and begged me not to make her take it out and could she please keep it! She volunteered some fabric from her stash that would make a nice pillow...so I gave in to her request...and allowed her to keep it.

As it turned out I didn't end up making that pillow because the footstool and chair that went with it were in worse shape than I originally thought ... so the set got trashed and we purchased two new chairs. All's well that ends well ... and Cathy hangs this piece proudly in her home.

Of special note ... the picture on the shelf at the bottom right corner ... is of my maternal grandmother ... who was one of my stitching mentors. She was a professional seamstress ... made all her own wardrobe and could make a pattern simply by looking at a finished garment ... which was why she had such a steady clientelle! Cathy inherited this talent from her.....and her machine stitching abilities blow me away!

Show and Share - The Chatelaine

I know there are some of you out there that remember this piece! It was one of my first huge patterns! I still have and use my original one.

It was also the theme for a swap on one of the lists ..... and what I remember about the event was that the same pattern in the hands of a dozen or so individuals will yield some pretty amazing results! The second and third pics were two that I did for the swap (and I don't think these were posted...if so only on that one list!)

The participants were allowed to use the set of templates to construct in whatever method they desired. The variety ranged from simply using printed fabric to an entire CQ set. some opted to work floral patterns of their own design and there were some gorgeous ones shown! Very impressive work! If any of you readers were original participants in that swap and have pics to share....please feel free to drop me a line. I can post them here or share a link to it....whatever!

List swaps are a great way to bring a more human element to this electronic age....not to mention that you can realize some fabulous treasures from participating! I have kept every swap item I've received over the years ..... with one exception ..... it was a baby hat for my neice!

Portholes of Inspiration - # 6

Porthole # 6 - More metallics and beads - I especially like the little glass flower beads! Added a medallion of red metallic thread topped with a floral bit and bead centre. The beaded feather stitch helps to pull out the blue, and the light coloured buttonhole / Lazy Daisy seam treatment at the bottom shows off against a dark background.

Happy BD to Kota!

My not-so-little Kota kitty is a whole year old today! He is actually taller than Muffie and will be interesting to see how big he does get when fully grown. He has very stunning colour and his fur is a kind of long/short hair mix. Weird thing is...seems the darker hair is shorter and when stroking him along the side you can actually feel the stripes.

He is quite a character. He chatters...a lot...especially at the birds out the back window. This is one of his fave things to do. He is also very vocal at dinner time...he simply must know what we're eating...and always sounds like he's asking for some. I sometimes think there is a human trapped inside there....and that all this chatter is what he/she is saying and that they believe we actually understand!

He is very fond of foil balls...loves to chase after them and will fetch and return with them...funny to watch....with all those claws getting no traction on the tile floor...almost seems like he's running on the spot before he actually gets going!

Muffie is sort of like a mom figure for him...and she was used to having her brother around for so long....so she tolerates Kota....but is also queen cat. She will inform him with a loud hiss and a quick smack of the paw who is top cat....but if all else fails she will simply run...which is okay too...she has definitely gotten a lot more exercise doing so. On rare occasion she will cuddle up with him....even give him a cleaning....but sleeps with one eye open when he's around.

Show and Share - The Fourth Memento

While I was writing the article about the mementos, I knew I had a pic of the last one I did ... for Paul's other neice Courtney ... but I couldn't find the picture!

In looking through some files yesterday ... I spotted it! Not where I would typically put!

This one was themed as "Something Blue". I think (if I recall correctly) the fabric used was a leftover remnant from my wedding.....my Matron of Honor wore that blue!

Portholes of Inspiration - # 5

# 5 - The fabric in the centre was from one of the ties that I found at Goodwill. You'll see it in several of the pieces. More metallics and beads on here. I liked the fan trio on the bottom right patch...did Buttonhole for half wheels and then Detatched BH along the edges to enhance it. Tacked a turquoise montee at the centre of each.

Show and Share - The Cube

This project was one of my first commissioned pieces. It was another that came my way from Crafters Marketplace inquiries. The cube itself was a gift to the client. It's actually meant for photographs and was then part of the product line of Bombay Company (I know this because I ended up using part of the payment from this project to buy myself one!)

Instead of pictures the lady wanted silk ribbon embroidered panels in each side and the top. She gave me absolute creative reign. All she asked was that each piece was different.

Well my friends...this is the piece that I "gave away"! I charged her a total of $100 ... in hindsight ... it probably should have been about triple considering the time invested...let alone the yardage of ribbon it took! Ah well ... like I said ... live and learn!

Happy Easter to all.

Enjoy!

Portholes of Inspiration - # 4

I was pleased with the look of this piece. Typically these are not colours that I work with a lot and was kind of inspired by a "neopolitan" phase that Melanie had last year...seemed all the clothing that she chose to buy and wear were in this colour scheme.

Tiny Gold Tassels - Tutorial

I really like making small things. There is a certain challenge in making things this size. It requires a degree of manual dexterity which might not suite every individual.....but I've always found the end result to be greatly rewarding.

Two projects shared recently employed these tiny gold tassels which I feel were the component that made them special. In browsing through my files I found the original graphic inserts that I created for the Sir PAL instructions, and decided to share them with you.

This would be the perfect finish for a Fan motif on a CQ piece. Oh...and I also came across a card that I did in a CQ fan that I added a tassel to....and tho it was not gold but purple....you can see what I mean by a perfect finish.

Kudos to Kreinik for their superior products...which perform wonderfully for the gold tassels!

These two products are staples in my thread stash....I would never be without them!

Gold Tassel Template:
Cut one piece of Dritz Heavy Duty Template Plastic
measuring 1 ½" L x 5/8"W.
Notch as follows: 1/8" down from top, make top notch 1/16" W x 3/4""L. At bottom edge make bottom notch 1/16" W x ½" L.

For each tassel you will need:

Kreinik 002P - Cable - Gold - 14"

Kreinik 002C - Cord - Gold - 10"

Thread needle with the 10" length of Cord.
With one 14" length of Cable and template held
as shown, hold loose end to the template with your
left thumb at X. Make 5 complete wraps over the
template moving left to right, then 5 more wraps
over these moving right to left.

Push the wraps together so that the inner end of the
top notch is open (as shown). Hold 3" of the Cord
at the back of the template, bring needle through and wrap around all loops; bring needle to the front through the opening and pull to tighten.
Repeat 4 times more (5 wraps).

Cut the wrapping thread 3" long. Tie ends together.
Thread both of the 3" cord lengths on needle and
take the needle inside the wraps & pull down.
Snip ends at bottom of template. With remaining
cord, take needle under wraps above the top notch,
loop over and through again. Pull tight & tie off.
Do not trim these threads, as they will be used to
anchor the tassel to your fabric!

Cut open the bottom end of the tassel as shown and trim even.

Using the tip of your needle separate the strands of Cable.

Voila! You have it!

The tassel shown on the Fan card uses YLI Jeans Stitch in Lavender.

Portholes of Inspiration - # 3

For # 3 I used some of my Hummer/Morning Glory fabric, embellished with a lace motif, metallic, cotton and rayon threads, as well as some French Knot roses.

Idea Barrage Ended ... and Scan-a-thon

I know I'm at the end of a creative streak when I feel "spent". A couple of days from now that could all change when another wave hits me...but when the idea stream ends...that's when it's a good idea to get the scanner humming and actually digitize what has been created!

20 turned into 37....sometimes it even boggles my mind! Mostly these have come from one idea evolving to another or extrapilating to other colours sometimes making minor pattern variations. Sometimes I'll be attempting one thing and quite by accident something else will happen. The results are gratifying and that is the beauty of patterning "on the fly'.

With my final aim being saleable patterns for these...I'm going out on a limb here to show you why I have been so excited and "guarded" of these ideas. Here are just a few of the pieces that comprise the 37 created so far. I've searched around a bunch of beading sites...and thus far didn't come across anything that is similar. Hoping that the rest of the stitching world will become as excited as I have when they debut!

The beauty of these creations is the patterning precision. Like a crocheted or tatted embellishment, once finished they can be couched onto CQ projects as embellishments....adding a certain "wow" factor, either on their own or with more stitching incorporated. Their versatility (especially in the seam treatments) is in being able to adjust the length of the finished piece to a desired length simply by adding the number of pattern repeats.

I will be adding some of these to my Portholes series and share them again when stitched onto pieces to give the full end result.

For the mean time...enjoy!

Show and Share - Wedding Mementos

Back when I had the booth in Crafters Marketplace, in addition to the stock that was there I also left a box with business cards and a message to contact me for any special requests or commission work.

I had one really interesting request from a young lady to create a "wedding memento". At first I had no idea what she wanted, but she elaborated that she wanted a piece that would be stitched into her dress with their names and wedding date so that future generations who might wear the gown would know when it was originally worn.

She wanted an elaborate floral frame done around their names in "summer/fall" colours...I gave her my ribbon box and let her pick them, and then worked a variety of flowers into the frame. It was an awful lot of work for something that was not even visible....but the point was that she new it was there. I did get the idea and loaded it with a whole lot of blossoms. Needless to say, Nicole really loved it.

On my next trip into Crafters I was telling the manager about this piece and she loved the idea! Little did I know that she too was planning a wedding and wanted one too! Her idea was to be a bit different though. She had received a glove from her Mom ... it was to be her "something old". The mate to it had been lost and she was contemplating how to work it into her attire....she thought she might use the fabric to make a garter (and there would have been enough as it was one of those old elegant long ones that went up to the elbow). When she heard this new idea she immediately knew that it would work fabulous for this memento idea!

Her idea was to have a simple heart of roses around their names, but wanted the existing original embroidery incorperated into it, with a bit of gold metallic thread to give it a bit of glitz.

She also wanted it in an oval shape trimmed with fine lace. It was a lovely idea and she loved the final creation.

Shortly after this, one of my husband's nieces announced her engagement! I told my sister-in-law about the idea and she mentioned it to Kyla. She love the idea too! She wanted to have some blue colours worked in so it would be her "something blue".

It's amazing how one idea snowballed into several creations ... but how each bride had a different concept as unique as each of them!