Projects, Projects, and More Projects.....

Where has the time gone?  My last post was at the end of July and here it is, the middle of August already.  Since I finished the four blankets for my grandchildren earlier this year and made a few more items to stock in the Gallery at the end of June, I've been working on my Heaven and Earth and Mystic Stitch cross stitch designs, started a few hand embroidery projects, (still want to learn Brazilian Embroidery technique) ordered a few more embroidery books for my library, played around with some crochet for infants and toddlers, and added two models for my photo lab.  Oh yes.....we are still in the construction phase of our house addition (pictures in a previous blog entry) and now that the temperature has gone down a notch, I have been working a little bit in my garden. In July I also took a week off and we did a family hiking trip in Lassen National Volcanic Park (write-up in another blog entry).  My sister and brother-in-law from Wisconsin stopped by for a short visit this week after spending time with their children in the San Francisco Bay Area.  We had a nice visit and they were introduced to our little piece of California heaven in the foothills.  Now they are finishing their vacation with a road trip up the California, Oregon, and Washington Pacific coast line before heading East back to Wisconsin.

As much as I enjoy machine embroidery for the speed in sewing out nice designs and being able to complete beautiful projects in a hurry, there is still a high degree of satisfaction in being able to produce lovely items by hand with needle, thread, ribbons, flosses, beads and other little embellishments.  Many years ago I picked up a silk ribbon embroidery project that turned out very nice.  With my renewed interest in hand embroidery, I added to my collection a little book, Elegant Stitches published in 1995 by Judith Baker Montano.

This handy book presents 144 basic stitches and includes sections on silk ribbon embroidery, crazy-quilt combination stitches, composite stitches, and more.

I also add Embroidered & Embellished by Christen Brown.  This book has several little projects that look relatively easy to complete and good practice items to start.   

 And then another of my finds is The Art of Dimensional Embroidery by Maria A. Freitas.



Going on from hand embroidery, I have several little crochet and knit baby blankets that look a little plain all by themselves.  So, I thought I would package them as a set with a few more items.  Prowled the Craftsy and  Crochet Pattern Central websites (among others) for infant's crochet items.  These two sites have many free patterns.  Made good use of some of my scrap yarn to practice on a few booties, caps, bibs, and headbands.  Here is the result......  I am thinking that in addition to crochet flowers, I can also incorporate some dimensional embroidery.  I don't particularly care for worsted yarn for some of the apparel items, nice for blankets, but decided to use cotton yarn.  I've read good reviews on Patons "Grace" mercerized cotton yarn, so will give that a try.  The yarn is a little more expensive, but I like the look and feel of this cotton yarn.  Will have to purchase when it goes on sale.

 I also added to my collection two little models.  Please meet Colleen and Collin.  Collin could not wait to model the little cap and one bootie.  The bootie was a free pattern from Whistle and Ivy blog.  I like the design, but not the construction method, so am making alterations.  I did purchase a leaflet with different styles of booties...there are so many talented designers and crafters.  Now to find just the right items to coordinate and pair with the blankets.
 

Colleen and Collin

Whistle and Ivy

Not wanting to ever be bored, I volunteered to accept the position of Vice President of our local Friends of the Library.  I think I donate and give away more of what I make than I do selling the items.  But then, it feels good to know that whatever proceeds are received will go to worthy causes in this area.  My recent donation to the Friends of the Library will be an Autumn themes quilted blanket.  I plan to incorporate some machine embroidered leaves.  Yesterday I completed a few of the blocks and when I am finished with this blog update will be at the sewing machine again.  Here is the start of this project.

Falling Leaves Among the Stars

After this one, I will have one more blanket to make for a donation.  Then, I am all donated out for this year.

It is also time to start thinking of Christmas.  Thought you might enjoy seeing a couple little wall hangings I completed several years ago.

The machine embroidery designs in this wall hanging are free designs from Missi Phillips of Skeldale House.  She is a wonderful digitizer.  I have a few of her design sets and use some of her quilting designs in finishing my quilts. I am getting better at using the embroidery machine to do the quilting rather than all quilting "in the ditch".  This wall hanging is also embellished with beading.

The designs in this wall hanging were free designs from Heather's Home Designs.  She used to sell through Oregon Patchworks, but must have gone out of business.  I am unable to find a link to her designs.

Counted Cross Stitch....how can I leave without putting something else is here?  I have many little pieces with the cross stitch design finished, but have not made anything with them.  I did most of these when I was working.  It is a mindless activity that got my mind off work in the evening.  So, I decided to practice embellishing. 

I am going to finish these as little scented pillows and will post a picture when they are completed. 

A little bookmark I thought was cute.  Did a crochet edging and finished the back by fusing a piece of material over the stitching.  A give-away item for sure.

Oh, goodness......I almost forgot.  I've been adding to my Pinterest site lots and lots of pictures and links of wonderful project ideas.  Check some of my boards out if you are so inclined.

That's all for now.