Stickin' with Stitchin'

I've decided that during this busy season in my life, there is no time to practice and to develop skills that I do not already posses (i.e. drawing, painting, etc.)—at least not in my very limited leisure hours! Therefore, during my free moments in the car or on the sofa while watching a Friday evening movie, I'm going to focus on what I know best, the needle arts. I am pretty confident in my crochet, knitting, and embroidery skills, and I can easily pick up and put down those projects as my schedule permits.

I started a new embroidery project recently. I am stitching a pair of dishtowels for my MIL for her birthday. I found a great set of chicken transfers at a craft store during a recent trip to Washington state (for work!), which are in keeping with the theme of her country kitchen.

I also scored a good deal last week on Ebay on size 12 Valdani perle cotton. I'm stitiching the rooster in size 8 DMC perle cotton, which is comparable to the size 12 Valdani, and I really like it, so I decided to invest in some more threads. I love the subtle colors of the "Muddy Monet" collection.

A Stitch Here and There

Well, I did have an FO very soon after my last post some weeks ago, I just didn't post it! (I did upload photos to Flickr, however.) And even worse, I have yet to deliver the baby afghan to its recipient!

I'm still attempting to adjust to this new phase in my life. It's not easy for me. Women who work from 8 to 5 everyday, do the laundry, keep the house in some semblance of order, and have time for their families and their hobbies...you are cut from different cloth than I am! I'm trudging along, keeping my head above water. I haven't given up my creative interests, I just haven't been very successful at working them into my new schedule. Hope springs eternal!

For My Children

I was recently inspired to make these totes for my children's piano music. I purchased the bags more than a year ago for half price at Hobby Lobby. I made a template using clip art I found online, and the fabric for the notes was from my stash. I secured the notes with Heat n Bond Lite, and I embroidered around the edges using DMC size 5 perle cotton. I used a blanket stitch on my daughter's, but I was running out of time when I got to my son's so I used a straight stitch for his. I am pleased with the results, and my sweet little ones were delighted with their gifts—delivered just in time for their first piano lessons of the school year yesterday afternoon!

A New Era Begins

For the first time on Friday, BOTH of my children went to school. My mom was here, so I had a fun day with her.

We spent some time sewing, and I finally made a pillow for which I had done the embroidery months ago. I think my aversion to the sewing machine may be waning ... a little bit.

We went out to lunch, and then we went to one of our favorite shops. I picked up a few things including some vintage buttons.

With the potential for so much more crafting time, I've really been inspired in recent days, and I anticipate much more frequent blogging in the future!

Thank you, Mom, for all of your encouragement and inspiration! I love you!

Embroidered Art: Walk

This past weekend, I finally completed a project I have had in progress for several months, and since there has been some interest expressed in how I did it, I wanted to share the process here.

First of all, inspiration: The design was inspired by Isaiah 30:21—Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it, " whenever you turn to the right or to the left. There are also numerous other verses that encourage walking with God that come to mind, but this is the verse that prompted the project. I decided to make it as a belated birthday gift for some like-minded loved ones who I know will appreciate it.

Next, the drawing: While I am working on improving my drawing skills, I was not confident enough in my own abilities to draw the sandals without some help. I took a photo of my Birkenstocks, and I rendered the photo in my photo editing software to produce an outline. I then traced the outline onto tracing paper using a transfer pencil and ironed the design onto my chosen fabric. The word, "Walk," and my intials were written freehand with a water-soluable marker.

Materials: The fabric I used is a linen/cotton blend that I purchased at the local discount store. It was okay, but I'm still searching for my perfect linen or linen-blend fabric for embroidery. The stitching* was done in dark brown DMC size 5 perle cotton, my thread of choice. I like the thickness and texture as well as not having to separate threads as you do with stranded cotton.

Mounting/Framing: I purchased an inexpensive art canvas at the discount store for mounting the project. I sprayed the canvas with Elmer's Craft Bond following the instructions for a temporary bond, and then placed the embroidered fabric on top smoothing it as best I could. I flipped the canvas over and folded the excess fabric over, then glued, taped, and stapled it on the back of the wooden frame.

I am very pleased with the finished project, and I hope the recipeints will be too. I had considered making a pillow, but I'll do whatever I can to avoid the sewing machine!

* I used size 8 black perle cotton for my intials.

Welcome February!

I am so glad January is over! I had two colds and a sinus infection, and apart from the brief cleaning out frenzy that commenced as I was recovering from cold #1, the month was not very productive. Two bright spots last week were in the from of packages from France! I received these goodies from Sonia...

And this Etsy order from Anna arrived the same day!

Thank you, ladies, for brightening a dreary week!

I've been crocheting some, and I made a birthday gift for a friend from an embroidery project completed several months ago. I started a knitting project and promptly frogged it when I realized I was being too optimistic as to what I could accomplish feeling as I did. Last week, I picked up a book that I put aside a while back, and now I find it hard to put down. Finally, this is the season for Masterpiece Classic, so it wasn't a dreary month altogether. However, I am hoping for more crafting in February, which should mean more posting as well.

An FO!

Finally! A finished object! I completed this pillow for my mother on Monday in preparation for her visit yesterday. I was pleased with how it turned out. Many thanks to Mary Corbet for providing the patterns for this wonderful alphabet!

Tomorrow being New Year's Day, I'm going to spend as much time as possible on creative pursuits. You know what they say...what you spend your time doing on New Year's Day is what you will be doing all year long.

Have a wonderful 2009!

The Winner of the Redwork Giveaway is...

Lovestitches

Appropriately enough, she has a redwork blog banner!

Congratulations, Steph! Please email me your mailing address so I can send you your goodies.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment!

My First Giveaway!

I have been the recipient of a couple of giveaways recently, so I thought I would share the love and have one myself. I am giving away PatternBee's Redwork Christmas iron-on embroidery pattern set, a red and white kitchen towel ready for stitching, a white fabric bookmark, and three shades of red DMC embroidery floss. (Click on the link to see all of the images included in Redwork Christmas.)

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. I will close comments and select a winner at random on Monday morning at 11:00 a.m. EST.

Have a great weekend!

November Report

November 2008 Mosaic
Originally uploaded by Kathryn Estelle

Hello, my name is Katy, and I am addicted to the Internet.

I had no real struggle avoiding blogging or uploading photos to Flickr during my "month off," but I couldn't stay away from reading my favorite blogs and looking at photos in my favorite Flickr groups. I've thought a lot about the possible reasons for this, and I think it is because these sources are where I get so much of my inspiration. I have only a few artsy friends, and I'm not able to spend much time with them, so I get this particular need I have met online.

I wasn't as productive as I'd hoped to be. I finished the chicken embroidery for a pillow top, and when I completed it, I resumed working on my Birkenstocks design. The quilted table runner didn't get finished as I'd hoped. However, I did resume doing some drawing and art journaling (I have not posted ALL of my efforts!), which I didn't necessarily plan to do, but I'm glad that I did. Also, I made a little progress on my knitting and crochet projects. The last week of the month, the kids were out of school AND we got a new puppy, so anything I intended to accomplish THAT week, didn't happen!

Anyway, I'm glad to be back, posting as I'm inspired to, and interacting more often with my online friends who motivate me so much!

Edited to add: You can click on the mosiac to see larger photos, or you can go to my Flickr set here.

November Break

My current embroidery WIP is my own design:

I'm also knitting and crocheting and working on an art journal and doing calligraphy! Needless to say, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

I've been thinking about taking an online break for some time now, and I think the time has arrived. No blogging or Flickring from now through the month of November. Thank you to everyone for your comments and encouragement! I will try to check my gmail account at least once a day, but otherwise I will try to keep my backside out of this seat as much as possible! Online Christmas shopping, alas, cannot be avoided!

Blessings,
Katy

Happiness is...

Seventy dollars worth of size 5 perle cotton for $20 (shipping included!) via EBay.

The Birthday Crown Mystery

Last week, my baby, affectionately referred to by me as "Roo," turned five. I was determined to make a birthday crown for her, and I did. I was able to successfully attach the trim using the sewing machine, but when it came time to sew the front and back together, I experienced the one hiccup in my new found sewing success. I had contemplated blanket stitching around the edge anyway, so I decided to go ahead with it—despite the fact that the only blanket stitching I had done was on my beginning embroidery sampler.

The blanket stitching left a lot to be desired, but I knew the recipient had not inherited her mother's tendency towards perfectionism, so I overcame my misgivings about the final product and gave it to her on the afternoon of her birthday. She loved it! And she wore it that day and the next day as well. When it came time to have our family party a few days later with my parents who came from out of town, the birthday crown was no where to be found. We searched everywhere, and it still hasn't turned up! Needless to say, I am very disappointed. Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to take a photo immediately after I presented Roo with the crown!

On a happier note, I have perfected the cupcake. I use a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix, which makes 24 cupcakes. (I know, I know, but I tried baking them from scratch, and they just aren't as good!) The frositng IS made from scratch using the Easy Buttercream recipe from the King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion. Finally, I sprinkle a little decorative sugar on top in colors that will please the honoree. These cupcakes have gotten rave reviews from everyone who has tried them.

Making Peace with the Machine

One of the reasons I resumed this blog was that I was inspired to begin sewing. However, my first efforts were less than satisfactory, so I allowed myself to shift my focus to drawing and later to embroidery. BUT last week, I was determined to make my daughter a simple doll quilt for her birthday, and I was successful! I used the instructions for the Easy Baby Quilt in Last Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts. My mods were to make it smaller and to use regular ties since there is no risk of a baby eating the ties. I would have preferred a different fabric for the top, but if you know a five-year old girl...

My success with the quilt led me to make a pillow out of an embroidery project I was working on for my very wise friend Michelyn's birthday. I had already done most, if not all, of the stitching (I can't remember!), but I couldn't decide if I should frame it, mount it, or what. Once I felt comfortable with the sewing machine, I decided to make a small pillow, and I was thrilled with the result. The taupe linen I used is from a size 4X shirt I bought at the thrift store for $3! (I only used a piece of a sleeve for this project!) For the back, I used a dark red and taupe gingham, and I added a dark red grosgrain ribbon for hanging. The embroidery was done with my new favorite, #5 perle cotton, in dark brown (DMC #938). I made up the design myself using a vintage owl pattern I found here.

My sewing machine success inspired me to lay out a new table runner design using the "Fabulous Fall" Moda Charm Pack I bought during our trip to NC. I love the colors! I've never done any patchwork before, and I am shooting from the hip here (no pattern), so this could be an adventure.

Update 7-22-11: Looking at those beautiful fabrics makes me sad to have to say it, but I recently gave away most all of my sewing and quilting stash to someone who will make good use of it. Sigh...

Two More Reasons to Love Embroidery

1. It's really fast! I completed this project in a few hours.


2. My kids can do it too! They are not ready to knit or crochet yet, but they have had no problem learning to embroider!

Why I Love Embroidery

I can't remember exactly what inspired me, but a few weeks ago, the embroidery bug bit me, and I am hooked. I have been crocheting for more than three years and knitting for more than two, so maybe it's just time for me to try something new, but I think it was a natural progression for a crafty type like me. I haven't had the time to do nearly as much embroidery as I would like, but I have been thinking a lot about what has attracted me to this medium. In no particular order...

• After teaching myself to crochet and to knit, learning to do embroidery was extremely easy.
• It is easy to pick up and put down and to transport.
• You can do a lot with a few basic stitches.
• There are a limited number of inexpensive supplies required for the craft.
• The color and design possibilities are endless.
• There are hundreds of free patterns available. Here are a few of my favorite sources: 1. Needle'n Thread and 2. Needlecrafter.com, and 3. the Hoop Love Vintage Transfers Flickr group.
• Simple line drawings can be traced and used for patterns. This is what I did for my first project. I Googled "fleur de lis," printed a clip art image, sized it using image editing software, printed it, and traced it onto my fabric using a water soluable pen.
  
  
• The supplies are generally readily available. I say generally because in the town where I live, I CANNOT PURCHASE EMBROIDERY FLOSS. Yes, you understood me correctly, and I am not mistaken. I live at least an hour-and-a-half from the nearest craft store! However, as you probably guessed, there is a Wal Mart in town, and it still sells fabric, so for that I am thankful. I got a really nice muslin there this week.
• Because I do a little drawing and lettering, I am inspired to create my own original designs, and I already have several in mind.
• Embroidery can be combined with quilting and sewing and other types of mixed media such as artist trading cards and art post cards to create wonderful, interesting artwork. Take a look at this!
• There is a great Flickr group with lots of inspiration.

I'm sure I will come up with more reasons to love embroidery. If you embrodier, WHY DO YOU LOVE IT?

Sneak Peek

Just a quick look at what I've been working on...

My first efforts at embroidery!