Today

These grace the table. My bright cheery roses.

And somehow I find that today, for today -

I have everything I want.

Othello's For Friends

The day is summer, but it reminds me of fall. Thankfully the lavender is blooming, and so there is no misconception. It's winter, charcoal dark outside and the seeming pineapple express rages. This day was made for studio time. I can hear the purr of fine stitches made by machine, though the lights are not on, and the machine will not go right now.

It smells of fine chocolate and nuts, and warm lemon cut out cookies. I get little whiffs of lavender still on my hands from picking the blooms to decorate the gifts. The last cookie has been pulled out from baking, and I just feel fortunate to know these women and to be able to bless them with a surprise. Surprises make life- living.

Why is it that rainy days are sew days? I hazard to suspect that it is not because one can't be outside, but rather that it is due to the somber light. It is this tone that make one seek color. And fabric and thread do not disappoint. Artists flock to their stashes and seek fibers to bless the lives of others with.

Do you give away your quilts? Your pieces of art? Do you use your talent to put beauty into this world? To bring resources to those who are in need?

There is movement in the rain which affects the soul willingly. Almost as if the ringed puddles could be permanent; not etched on cedar or grass. These days seem long and slowing.

HOO YA MASTER CHIEF!

IT'S CLEAN.
The counter anyways.
I know you want to cut on it.



I couldn't resist: they are wearing wedges and plaid pants, and a scarf- the precursor to dew rag hip. I will make the blue number and pray for some metallic wedges with hemp braid and ties up the ankle and then stumble across a wide plastic bracelet. . .


A bound washcloth made using a serged terrycloth square. I stitched it with a walking foot and a triple step zig-zag for durability.

And the best for last- this *WOW* halter dress number was acquired for less than the price of a spool of thread. Five minutes of repairs with thread I happened to have on hand, and I have a piece that fits as though it was custom fitted. It's not ready made, I can tell by the construction, but well done. I'm so thrilled with this, it must have been meant. . . for me.

The Rose Wristlet

This is the embroidery that I used from the CreativeDRAWings(r) cd, and now the wristlet is finished! It was done on microfiber faux suede and is fully lined and zippered with fringe applied on the bottom edge, ribbon is used to make a wrist loop and zipper pull. You may see it here soon? I have put the software instructions at the end of my post if anyone is interested.


Here are some glimpses of the process:







This was a fun little project, and a great use of those embroidered squares that people can sometimes wonder what to do with beside making a quilt. I like the not just embroidering on cotton idea.


Well, today is the day that I put in my hour of cleaning the studio, I want to use this white polka dotted red sheer sometime soon and will need the cutting counter for precision. I am mustering up the courage to cut out my pattern for the storage towers later when all is done today.

Rose Wristlet Software Instructions:
Double Click the Creative DRAWings desktop shortcut to the open the software.
Click Create New
Click From Embroidery
Select Design Folder
Open the folder 01
Open the folder Roses
Select & open Tres rosas
Choose fabric type
Select Finish
Using the Rectangle Selection tool Click and drag over an area to highlight any areas that you may want to change the color of the design. ( The display models yellow roses with green stems and buds). When selected click on a color from your palette to insert the color change. Clicking on areas with this tool selected will highlight spaces to make color changes possible.
When finished with any changes select File, Save as, and choose the format you would like to save as.

Vogue 2939

Carolyn showed this on her blog!

OH MY GOSH! I could do it.

Fabric Covered Storage Carts

Oranges & Lemons (faded just a bit in sun)

Well the weekend was relaxing and fun, sitting by the water's side watching the muscle boats and the jet ski's. It made me long for more time off, but I feel fortunate to have the week that we will get sometime this summer. There may be the possibility to fly somewhere, and I am hoping that works out as I have wanted to see Monticello.

I realize that for now daily needs have trampled the studio time, and so that is just life. New fridges go out, cabinets are wrong, workouts and food shopping excursions get in the way of constant accomplishing.

However, the next project on the list is one I have been waiting to do, and having found the fabric, I will now proceed this week on it. For lack of a china cabinet (I will get one when the time is right), I store my china in it's boxes along with other entertaining paraphernalia on the wire rack shelving carts that roll (to be found at Costco). I have two of them pushed against the back wall of my dining room where they fit perfect. I wish I had written down the name of the decorator book that shows these nifty fabric enclosures, fore they are quite regal looking. The only thing is, they had no pattern, so I am making my own and it will take just a bit more time.

The long awaited fabric:

It is more navy/denim in real life. I am really happy to find a fabric that I feel will be great for this project at the price point I had to have in order to do this: $1 per yard. I figured that much more than that, and I would be well on my way to a china cabinet with no additional sewing efforts required. I plan to use the denim with white swirl fabric as the body, and then some white duck for a stripe along the bottom and down the center. I also may add custom piping between the dark fabric and the white, a perfect application for my serger's piping foot.

I like the future usability of this storage solution, because later when I do have grow-up furniture (I am visualizing a light wood antique number - a girl can dream) I can use these covered storage towers elsewhere in the house.

Now if this isn't motivation to get the cutting counter clean, I'm not sure what is.

I am so thrilled that I have the skills to tackle this project for two reasons:
1) This will allow more storage than a cabinet (which I require right now)

2) I can get a custom look without a custom price

Well if it weren't for all the practical stuff, Hmm, laundry, I would be getting down to this right now. I will use my drone time to come up with my mental plan.

Doesn't one need a mental plan before starting on such projects? Usually I splash right into something, but when fabric is tight, the ruler comes out and I actually draw diagrams.

Well I hope this inspires someone to tackle a home-dec. sewing project that may be just a little scary for them, because there is so much reward in having done something yourself that meets your vision.

Have Floss Will Travel

Well, we are off for the weekend, so I have packed a bag of cross-stitch stuff to keep me busy. I come loaded with presents, and water toys, and wear a wonder-woman hat. Cross-stitch keeps me supplied with a color fix when I travel. It also for me is a form of meditation, and I find rich and rewarding thoughts when I sit and stitch at little crosses. Yes, I could stitch by machine, and I do. I like the feeling of floss as the outdoor breeze disturbs it's behavior.
There will always be handwork. Hand stitches will endure. No matter your sewing machine or your equipment, or software or technology; deft little pinches of fabric will be tucked by hand. People have to stitch- they have to make things beautiful. What they find is what the stitches make of them.