Gathering Inspiration

Some people adore Winter. I am not one of those people. Winter depresses me and saps my motivation. Thank goodness that Spring FINALLY seems to be here. I am gathering inspiration from the weather, nature, my lack of socks (okay, just once so far...)

Stitchy Saturday: Lace Headbands

Wearing lace can be a little tricky. A gal can end up either looking like a baby or a granny. That's why these headbands, designed by the super-talented ladies at A Beautiful Mess are perfect. Their design was for a head band using three types of lace, but I decided to experiment with some single pieces of wide lace too.

I only planned on making one. But, I ended up with four
and plans to make more.

The original design called for lace to tie under your hair, but
thought that ribbon would work better and be a
little more fun.

Measure across the crown of your head, from just under your ear.
Cut one-three pieces of lace and 2 pieces of ribbon.
I used 12 inches of ribbon per side.
I stitched the ribbon to the lace with embroidery floss.

Perfect for a busy day in the studio.

Six hours later, and my hair is still in place :)

WIP Wednesday: The chain stitch and I aren't speaking.

News flash: I am a perfectionist. Sometimes to  a fault. I would prefer to be awesome at everything the first time that I do it. 


Reality check: Not gonna happen. The chain stitch hates me.


I learned to embroider by reading online articles and watching videos by Wendi Gratz. I have make lots of cute things that I adore having in my studio and have even designed my own pattern. I support other stitchers by buying patterns and reading blogs...an embarrassing amount of blogs, frankly.


It occurred to me that the best way to do something is often the old school way. I mean old school...like stitch by candle light, working through a sampler old school. Granted, samplers were traditionally done by 6 year old girls way back when. The chain stitch probably loved them. (It senses my frustration, I think.)


I combined the old school with the new. Rather than being sat down by my granny, I downloaded a couple of guides to work from, one from Windflower and one from DMC. I plan on working my way completely through each guide. I whipped out an awesome vintage oval hoop from Sew Green, which is a local sewing store that is supplied by donations. It is a huge hoop and it was only $3.


I was trucking right along with some basic stitches: back stitch, whipped back stitch, split stitch, stem stitch, fly stitch, lazy daisy...and it was all going wonderfully, until I came to the chain stitch. It seems so simple. But it lies. It is an evil stitch bent on my destruction. I will show it...I am gong to pick it out and start again. Who's tough now? Anyone have any tips? Help a gal out here!

Progress to date (except the evil chain):

Going for the color spectrum theme.

Isn't that hoop awesome? LOVE it!

Marking out the lines.

Let's do this!

Sweet dreams sheep--DONE! It will have an excellent home.

The wall of cute in the sewing studio. Love the
patterns by Penguin and Fish and .Wild Olive
Still have the otter to stitch up :)

Stitchy and Stock-Up Saturday: Being a Local Tourist

I woke up this morning already in a good mood--Friday date night included a trip to not one but TWO thrift where I stocked up on things like framed, horribly painted canvas )which I will cover with all due diligence, linens and fabric, and some old Doctor Who comics to use for an upcoming project (yay!). 


I arose early to get some projects started/finished before my sweetie and I went off for a day of adventure and inspiration. I finally got the tiny owls from Wild Olive framed and hung, fabric selected for tomorrow's project, and did some prep for some upcoming posts. I felt very accomplished...all before 10am.

Our day of adventure began at the Everson Museum of Art where we took in a great special exhibition of the work of Robert Henri, some some great enamel work, and tons of cool ceramics.

After a tasty deli lunch, we headed to Mecca Commercial Art Supply, where I purchased some great new supplies and ogled a ton more. Is there anything more wonderful than looking at 2673 varieties of paper, 896 shaded of paint, and 438 types of drawing implement? I think not. If anyone wants to make me VERY happy, take me there and give me a gift card. HAPPY WEAS!

Following our lovely arty excursion, we headed to the mall for a teeny bit of shopping and a movie followed by an awesome Indian meal. Seriously, yum.

Not much creating today but tons of inspiration and lots of great time with my guy. Have the next three days to wallow in my craftcation and just MAKE STUFF! Super excited!

Progress report on Sweet Dreams Sheep: each sheep takes me about an hour. Just need to finish Blackie and do some fun Lazy Daisy flowers.

Foodie Friday: Spring Date Night Pizza

Friday night is date night in our house. And sometimes, the best dates are the ones where we just stay home and relax. This week, it was a pizza and Netflix kinda night. 


I am gluten sensitive, some I made a crust using a GF mix from Bob's Red Mill but there are tons of great recipes out there. You could also grab pre--made dough or crusts at your local grocery store. 

Ingredients

-Pizza dough or crust

-olive oil

-minced garlic

-asparagus

-heirloom tomatoes

-mushrooms

-roasted red peppers

-goat cheese (two 3 oz. tubes)

-basil

Instructions

-Prepare crust (I blind-baked mine at 425 for 7 minutes before topping)

-Slather the garlic-infused oil onto the baked crusts

-Slice tomatoes and mushrooms

-Rip basil

-Shave asparagus (I used a veggie peeler...you could also slice)

-Layer one tube of goat cheese over oil

-Add tomatoes, basil, mushrooms, and peppers

-Sprinkle on asparagus shavings

-Top with 2nd  tube of goat cheese

-Bake for 12-15 minutes

Since I didn't want sauce to mask the flavors of the
other ingredients, I chose a tasty heirloom tomato as the base.
The Orange Blossom tomato just melts into the crust! 

Crust, resting and getting ready to roll.

Garlic-infused olive oil that I brushed onto the crust before

Everything ready to go!

Pretty as a picture.

Ready and delicious. Bring on the Mad Men, the comfy couch, and my sweetie!

Other Topping Ideas

-Pesto, tomato, and yellow squash

-Gruyere and roasted mushrooms

-Ricotta and roasted broccolini

Challenge Accepted: My First Free Downloadable Pattern

Last week, my friend erin (who is an amazing artist) inadvertently issued me a challenge. 
While commenting on a recently completed project, she said that she wanted to see sheep jumping over a fence next. My gears began to spin...why not try my hand at designing my first pattern?


I googled "how to draw sheep" and made many doodles before I getting it right. I knew that I needed something besides just offering up a sketch though. I really admire the patterns by Mollie at Wild Olive and Alyssa at Penguin and Fish and tried to do something much more professional. 


I am very pleased to be able to share my first ever pattern, Sweet Dreams Sheep!

Click above to download!

Transferred and ready to stitch!

My first sheep, made with tons of French Knots.
I call him Michael.
Check back on Saturday to see if the gang is complete!

 I had some time while my students did a line rehearsal, 

so I took the time to whip up a little gift too.

I liked how my first one came out so I decided to make one
for my dear friend Paula.
It also gave me the chance to practice two new (to me)
stitches: Lazy Daisy and Chain Stitch.

A little bit of spring time!

Cute as a Button

What a productive week! Most "normal" people would view Sunday as a day to rest and reflect. Not me...Sunday=Funday...a chance to make or do something frivolous and fun. Today, that meant doing fun stuff for this blog. I made a fun and super-easy project for How Tuesday, worked on next week's Foodie Friday (and got an awesome breakfast with my sweetie out of the deal), bought some new supplies (!) and tried some new techniques for Work-in-progress Wednesday and finally did my own  take on a project that I had admired on Freckled Nest. 


Leigh Ann had designed a fun and easy project to evoke spring. It was a rainy gross day here in the Northeast and I wanted a little sunshine. 

I decided to add some rick rick hills for fun!

I added some additional elements like rick rack hills, grass, leaves, and felt flower cut-outs behind the buttons. I am rather thrilled with the results!

It will add a little fun and whimsy to my office and remind me that there is always time to make something great. 

If you'd like any details on the construction, please let me know!