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.

Her Name is Biscuit

I'm here, and I want to blog about my "month off," but I'm a little under the weather with a cold or something right now, so I just don't have the energy. I'll try to get something posted in the next day or two.

In the meantime, we named the puppy Biscuit—the one name everyone in the family could agree on. In the South, a biscuit is an unsweetened baking powder roll, not what we call a "cookie." My son is especially fond of them.

Now, off to bed.

Is November Over Yet?

I haven't been very good about staying away from other people's blogs and from Flickr. And I couldn't resist showing you the newest member of our family. We still need a name, however.


Edited to add: Thanks for the reminder! It's a girl!

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.

Just Because

I bought these teacups last weekend just because I love them. Eight for $6.50. I feel like I've already gotten my money's worth.

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...