Putting It Together

So...have you ever bared your soul to the unseeing public and then felt like an idiot? 
After throwing my loving boyfriend under the bus this week, I felt a bit like a heel. He was okay with it, thankfully. I used that energy to work on the afghan. Yep, I am still talking about that stupid afghan. Good news though: PROGRESS!

WIP Wednesday: The Never-ending Afghan

A very wise person once said, "I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday." He or she was obviously talking about making an afghan. Obviously.

Good News: all the squares are complete.

Stitching Up a Happy New Year: Embellished Tea Towels

Whoa, does anyone still even remember me? I barely remember myself. Nine months since my last post. Nine months. Enough time to create a human life. While I didn't create anyone new, I did spend plenty of time creating myself. 

I have been promoted...twice. I have directed two more shows. I have run another half-marathon. I have been to Disney World. I have had surgery.
The surgery was recent, just last week. It was frightening, but I am healing. Go through the procedure and now nurturing myself through the healing process, I have really been able to focus what makes me happy: making things. I am committed to making more time to make.

Although I have multiple WIP that I really should be working on (more on those soon, I promise,) I decided that a great way to start the year would be to make some embroidered and embellished tea towels for my kitchen. I focused on things that I really love. It also showed me that I REALLY love decorating tea towels...weird.

WIP Wednesday: CS Lewis Embroidery

I really meant to be a better blogger. I have been taking photos all summer long...tons of food prep shots, a baziilion macros, gardens, waterfalls, and festivals. I had every intention of sitting down every evening and writing a blog post. Sadly, being unemployed and constantly looking and anticipating is utterly exhausting. The process takes your best intentions and whisks them away. I tip-toed in and made a few design changes. I have been making and planning. I am assisting my local bead store in a move/re-design. In fact, if it wasn't for the money (and therefore, the job) necessary to live, my life would be perfect.

I have been spending time each night looking at inspirational quotations on Pinterest. I truly think that I may take some and design a line of embroidery patterns like to one above. I am taking Mr. Lewis's words to heart, "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." 

Keep an eye out for the pattern here soon.

WIP Wednesday: New Craftventures

 I love to learn new things. It makes me seriously happy. I went to the craft store to get transfer paper today. Sadly, they did not have any any. Th did, however, have yarn, beautiful embroidery floss, and wool felt. It all jumped right into my basket. It wouldn't have been right not to bring them home.

I have decided recently that I wanted to learn to crochet. Luckily, my dear friend Paula is a wonderful teacher.  This is my first ever piece. I am making a cowl (yes, another one) out of just single crochet. Tonight, she also taught me double crochet and shell stitch. Yay for new skills!

I also bough several pieces of wool felt (and ordered some other colors) to start some brooches. I have not done applique before, but I did some research and our local library has several books available. I am super excited to try it out!

WIP Wednesday;The biggest project of all...

me.

It has been a difficult week. I have been sick. Very sick, like lie in bed and barely move your head off the pillow sick. I have missed 4 days of work and have cancelled a week's worth of rehearsals. It has not been pleasant. My more sweetie has had to listen to me moan and groan ad nausem...poor guy. But I did do LOTS of planning. I have posts planned through mid-November and my menu until the first week done...all three meals/day. I was able to do a teeny bit of work--some roasting, some hand sewing, some knitting.

You will see the fruits of labors soon, once the hard work of getting well is done.

WIP Wednesday: Embroidered Sketchbook

Today was a rough day. As a gal with MS, there are little challenges that I have to deal with daily. Tinglies, numbness, fatigue are part of my life. Not that it is a huge deal and not that I am not blessed, but some days it just adds up. I had a MRI scheduled for this morning. I got to the Imaging clinic on time, changed into my gown and was ready for a slightly loud and annoying process. Little did I know how annoying...

WIP Wednesday: Re-purposed tins...sorta

Sometimes, a project just doesn't work out the way you hoped that it would.

You think that you are prepared with the right tools. You are excited for the outcome.

And wham. Failure.That can really take the wind out of your sails.

Re-purposing cookie tins seemed straight-forward enough. 

Some cans, some paint, some tape=something cool and usable. 

Seem being the primary word here. This is what I did and what I will do to actually fix the problem. I hope.

WIP Wednesday: Embroidered T-Shirt...and Weasinart

This weekend, I had a meltdown. I had a project that I was working on and it was going all wrong. I was frustrated...very frustrated. It made me second guess all that I was doing and frankly, why I was doing it at all. Why am I doing all these projects? Why am I writing this blog? Is anybody even reading it? You know, one of those "self-doubt, nothing that I do is worth anything, I should just quit" meltdowns. And I almost did.

I don't have the answers to all those questions yet. I know that I like to work with my hands and make things. I know that I like relating what I do to the rest of the world. Readers? Well, hopefully they will come with time...

Meanwhile, as I am sorting out the why of the blog, I really want to make it better. I am thinking and wondering. What will make the blog better for you? More photos? Better photos? Different layout? Different features? Please let me know. 

While I switch things up and make them better, I am working on several other projects in the Weasinart:

A free-embroidered t-shirt

Upcycled Canisters (or: "The Meltdown Project")

A fat quarter apron

A steering wheel cover and match seat belt cozy

Sunday Funday: Back in the Saddle...again...

Life sometimes just takes you away from what you would like to be doing. Granted, so many aspects of my life are astounding. I haven't been able to make many things lately (or at least record many)--I have run a huge race and am training for another, I have had a really great summer jewelry show (and VERY stupidly got NO photos of the work that I made and sold), and have been loading up on quality time with my sweetie before the busy autumn overtakes us.


That being said though, I feel a little hollow not producing things and sharing them on this blog. It is not that my readership is huge. Some posts, I am the only one. But in times of uncertainty, it has lent so stability and predictably to my life.


So, here I go again...dusting of the Weasinart and giving her priority again. Baby steps, but any steps are better than standing still. 


Tonight, my sweetie and I made a lovely vegetarian feast, full of produce that we grew or got just 'round the corner. And I finally took photos of it...enjoy.

Salad that we grew, squash and tomato tian and pesto rice...yum!

To make the tian, I sliced up two yellow squash, two zucchini,
and two heirloom tomatoes. 

I layered them in a casserole dish and topped with thyme.
It baked in a 400 degree oven (covered with foil) for 30 minutes.
I then sprinkled a light layer and shredded Parmesan and
baked, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes.

We had a load of basil in the garden,
so we whipped up a couple batches--one with walnuts
and one with pine nuts.

We mixed one scoop with some basmati rice and sprinkled on some cheese.
The rest we scooped onto a parchment lined sheet and popped them into the freezer.
Once they are solid, we will individually bag them to use thus fall.

After dinner, I walked by the studio and noted that I wouldn't be likely
to make anything when the bench was still cluttered from my
last session.

Ten minutes later, and I am ready to work again soon.

So, here I am again. Feeling a teeny bit more focused and ready to zip into autumn with scissors in one hand and my lap top in the other--ready to share it all with you.

Why was the Weasinart unplugged?

For the last month, the Weasinart has been unplugged. It was never my intention to just stop blogging. I had just finished producing a show and time was tight. I had just postponed a big life change. And I was (and am) trying to prioritize my life. While all this was going on, it suddenly became summer with its new responsibilities and opportunities.

I am an artist and jeweler, additionally though...

I am a runner.

I am a gardener.

I am a partner.

Recently, I have been focusing on my running training. I have a very hilly 15k in just 10 days and have only been able to run for the last month. I have also planted two gardens and all the work associated with that task. I am also focusing on my relationship. My sweetie lights up my life and I want to be the best partner to him that I can be.

I am missing making things though. I may not make as much in the summer as I try to balance my creative zeal with the rest of my life. Baby steps. The Weasinart is plugged back in and new treats will start coming again soon.

Thank you all for your support and stay tuned.

WIP Wednesday: TARDIS Embroidery and Quilt Block Swap

Sometimes, you agree to things without paying much attention to what you are doing.
Earlier, this year I signed up for a quilt block swap. What I neglected to notice is that blocks had to be done shortly after the play...oy...
The fact that it took me three sewing machines to get them done was frustrating, but they are finished and will be in the a mail an entire day before the due date!
I have also started a project that I have wanted to make for quite a while. The TARDIS is a great shape to stitch and will make a cute little plushie when I am done :)

A slow start, but looking good.

The TARDIS pattern and blue floss.
It was tricky to pick the right shade. 

The blocks for my swap. The other quilters chose the
colors, I chose the fabric and pattern.

WIP Wednesday: Felt Flowers

Sometimes an outfit needs a little something. A flower is always a good way to spruce things up, even when they aren't in season. This flower works great a a brooch or you could attach it to headband to liven up your 'do!

I started by drawing a template on a thin piece of cardboard.
I drew a flower and a circle.

I traced them onto the fabric using a sharpie. You could use pencil
so you can cut over the lines or just hold the template
to the fabric so there are no lines. I wanted my petals to have a "dipped"
edge, so I went with marker.

On some flowers, I extended the edging the make the petals
look really dipped.

I folded each flower in half and then in half again. I snipped off
the point and applied hot glue. I attached each flower to the circle. I started
on the edges and filled in the center.

Once the petals were all attached, I glued a small piece of fabric
over a pin. You could apply the same technique to a headband.

Ready to brighten up your day!

WIP Wednesday: Lace-covered Shoes

Pinterest is a tricky things--fitness tips and decadent recipes, beautiful products and awesome DIY projects. Sometimes, my pinning eyes are too big and I get excited to do hundreds of fun ideas. Of course, who has time to them all. This girl is making time! A very popular pin right now is for fabric/mod podge shoes. I decided to take it to a Weas level and cover them with lace.

Supplies:
-Shoes
-Lace
-Mod Podge
-Foam Brush
-PLASTIC WRAP
-Clothes pins

Cover the shoes liberally with mod podge, starting in the front.
Because I used canvas shoes, I filled the toes with tissue paper.

Use a piece of lace slightly loner than the shoe. Starting from the
fron,t pull the lace over the shoe. Split the lace over the opening of the shoe
and smooth over each side.
I used clothes pins to secure the lace while the glue was drying.
It was a good theory, except the pins stuck to the glue :(
Next time, if I use clothes pins, I will cover the shoe with plastic
wrap first.

Use an exacto knife to trim the excess lace around the sole.

Wear and be prepared for the compliments!

WIP Wednesday: Sleeping on Sunshine

Another sunny day here in CNY, another day at the physical therapist., another day without a run. 
I am not going to dwell on it--I am am going to embrace the sunshine. 


Right now, I am working on a fun new throw pillow for my bed that will have me thinking sunny thoughts:

I have embroidered the front of the pillow using several stitches,
including the back stitch, split stitch, whipped back stitch and
french knots. The beams are 4 different shades of yellow on an
orange cotton background.

I will be using the yellow cotton on the back and will be
doing the blanket stitch along the edge for some additional
decorative interest. I MAY attempt to put in a band between the front
and back.

I think it will look great nestled among my other handmade pillows and shams.
Check back Saturday when I hope to post the finished product!!

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 :)