My nose is running away with me

Douglas Adams once wrote in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy:

In the beginning, the universe was created.

This made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move. Many races believe it was created by some sort of god, but the Jatravartid people of Viltvodle VI firmly believed that the entire universe was, in fact, sneezed out of the nose of a being called the Great Green Arkleseizure.

The Jatravartids, who lived in perpetual fear of the time they called "The Coming of the Great White Handkerchief" were small, blue creatures with more than fifty arms each. They were therefore unique in being the only race in history to have invented the aerosol deodorant before the wheel.

The Jatravartids would not like to hang around me.  I have two white handkerchiefs in my coat pocket, another in my pants pocket, and a stack of them freshly laundered and ready to be used. 

I’m thinking I need to embroider ‘Don’t Panic’ on one of them.  Or little blue creatures in the corners. 

Create: Tea Towel Embroidery

This year I've really had a thing for embroidery.  I embroidered my bag, my kiddo's pencil case, and now I'm working on tea towels.  They were supposed to be a present, but I don't think they will be done in time.  Besides, it's my first time doing this, so I probably shouldn't give my first attempt as a gift, right?  We'll see if it gets done or not.

When I decided to embroider tea towels, I searched online for what sort of stitches to use.  And I couldn't find anything.  I had recently looked up blackwork, so I decided that a double running stitch was just want my towels needed to reduce the chaos of the back.  I am planning on using some satin stitches and split stitch as well. 

I used the towels I received at xmas last year from my grandfather's girlfiriend as a guide.  I really like having examples in front of me when I do things.  Unfortunately, the lovely lady who made those towels passed away on Wednesday.  She was crafty and caring and put up with all of us on top of dating my grumpy grandfather.  She really brought out the best in him and we all miss her dearly. 

Create: A Work In Progress, or Catching Up

My To Do list is currently longer than my done list.  There are some things a bit higher on my list than others.  One of those things is the ArtVend Machine.  This week was dedicated to getting some stuff made up and painting the machine at our meeting.

I learned something too.

Always check what kind of paint you are using before you go getting it all over your hands.  Oil based paint does not wash off like water based paint...  And now, a few days later, I'm finally learning that baby oil or olive oil could have removed it that night instead of waiting to buy mineral oil.  Can you tell I'm a blonde? 

On top of my list right now is a project for a swap.  If it works as well as I hope it does, I'm hoping to make one for myself.  It's will to be a kite shield bracelet, my take on the one Harry Dresden wears.

Are you working on embroidering or embellishing something small?  Baste stitch some extra cloth around it so it fits better in the hoop.  I cut out my bracelet before embroidery and basted scrap felt around all the edges.  I was able to put it in a large hoop without worrying about creasing the edges.

Have a great weekend!

Create: Phoenix Pouch

On the list of school supplies this year was a three hole punch pencil pouch.  The type that you could put into a binder.  Last year, I made the kiddo a plain zippered pouch that was black on the outside and red on the inside.  I felt like I needed to step it up a bit this year, and so I got to work.

I found a really nifty phoenix outline online (and can't remember where) and printed it out.  The kiddo loves phoenixes, red, and black.  It used to be armadillos, then dragons, and I remember sighing when orange was the favorite color.  Now I want things that are yellow and orange, I guess it sunk it a little too far.

I'm not going to give directions for making the actual pencil pouch because I feel I goofed several times.  Like somehow the lining was an inch or two bigger than the outside... 

Once I cut out the fabric, I chalked the design into place and went over it with a silver sharpie.  It was what I had on hand.  After consulting a couple different embroidery books, I got to work with no plan but to make it look cool.

Of course, once I got most of the way finished, we went school supply shopping and the kiddo decided he would rather have an accordion file instead of a binder.  That's cool with me since I don't have to make the holes right now.  I can always do that later.

Now I just need to make something about accordion thieves...

Create: Shepard's Pie

It's more English than Irish, but for St. Paddy's day I made Shepard's Pie.

Here's what's left since I was too hungry to remember to take a before photo!  I found the recipe here and mostly followed it. It turned out very yummy and fulfilled my craving for it. 

I've made shepard's pie burgers before.  Take all the veggies and mix them into the ground beef and make hamburgers.  Once they are done, top with mashed potatoes and cheese.  Very yummy.

I've also been working on my new bag but keep getting distracted by netflix.  I'm embroidering the front with a pattern I found in Woolly Embroidery:  Crewell Work, Stump Work, Canvas Work and More!  Most of th e pattern lines have rubbed off now so it's a bit hard going.  I kept having to undo all my work last night.  It's not done yet, but I'm getting close.

Have a great weekend!

Mused: Gifts of the Season

So I have shown you some of the gifts I made, now it's time to show you the gifts we received! 

 My grandfather and his girlfriend made these blankets for me and the kiddo.  Everyone in the family received one with their name, even my mom's dog.  They are all sorts of nice and comfy!

 These, plus one I didn't get a picture of because it's in use in my kitchen, came from them as well, but only his girlfriend did the work.  I guess she embroiders during her morning coffee.  I think that will be my hope for the future. :)

Aren't these wonderful?  I adore, ADORE, embroidered flour sack dish towels.  Let me say that again, ADORE!  They remind me of my childhood when we used them all the time.  I remember my great grandmother making these.  Now, teddy bears aren't my favorite thing in the world, but they are adorable and will be well used.  I have had dish towels on my list of projects to make forever.  Maybe these will inspire me to finally get them done.

A friend wants to do a themed xmas next year, Our Ethnic Heritage, so I could whip some of these out with Dutch tulips and patterns.  Although I think I might make them into cloth napkins...  Ah, so many project ideas!  At least I know what I will be doing for my summer crafting.

Happy New Year!

Create: A Maze of Choices

I kind of embroider.  I say 'kind of' because I rarely do so.  I've always got big plans on doing a big piece, but never get around to it.  The bag I'm currently using for work is a thrift store find.  It had a funky logo on front that, while cool, was totally not my style so I blacked it out.  But time and moisture has started fading the black.  I've thought about getting a patch and covering it, but once again, haven't gotten around to it.

I ran across this idea on The Anti-Craft! site and finally decided that it would be a great patch for my bag.

Yup, the one side didn't turn out straight, I think it happened when I ironed the backing on.  But I still think it looks nifty.  And it definitely has set me down the path of making a more intricate patch for my bag later.  I've already got a few designs in mind from Urban Threads.