A Little Bear...

Barrett Teddy Bear

I couldn't decide what I wanted to work on next, so yesterday I opened my cabinet drawer and pulled the first item on a stack of the myriad needlework kits I own. I've already begun sewing. The instructions are interesting, in that I'm told to assemble all the bear's body parts prior to starting the embroideries.

Teddy's Fibers

These are the threads I'll be using for this sweet bear. They came with my kit. I'll get back to embroidering this bear later today. I'm baking bread today, and then I'll sit and sew.

Sunday Scripture...

John 14:27

Homebody...

Created by The Woolen Wagon

This was me for much of the day yesterday. Not actually sleeping, but giving the studio a rest. Instead, I did a few obligatory housekeeping chores, cleared our front walkway (we got a lot of snow last night) while Handsome ran a few errands, and spent time with him and the furbutts after he got back home. 

Thanks to Andy plowing out the driveway, all that was left to clear of the snow and ice was our front walkway. Yes. There's still ice on the driveway, but much of it close to the house melted once the sun came out. By afternoon, all our walkway was dry with no ice, and I know we and our pets who frequently use it are grateful.

I'll be planning my next project over the weekend, so you'll have to wait until Monday to see what I choose. In the meantime, I've got critters waiting for my attention, and then a few errands of my own to run. Coffee first, and then off to the races again.

Have a great weekend!

Hello, Bluebird...

Latest Finish - Bluebird Floral Doily

I completed my embroidery mid-afternoon yesterday. I'm so happy with how it turned out. I filled the upper left area by embroidering a little bluebird. I guess I'm already looking toward spring (as the snow fell a significant portion of the day while I stitched).

Bluebird Floral Doily Detail

I even managed to tuck a tiny signature acorn into the bouquet. Can you find it? I think I'm honing my skills for the new-to-me style roses, so I'm already looking forward to my next one.

I'll be sitting down this morning with my project list to see what's up next. I have a needlepoint piece my bestie, Cyd asked me to complete for her; a few stumpwork pieces that are calling to me; another version of the "sparkly peek" I recently shared with you; and a couple other Primitive Gatherings projects that I'd like to work on again. I'll go to my list and see if I missed anything. Maybe I'll write all the projects on pieces of paper and have Handsome grab one from a bowl. That could be fun.

Yesterday and Today...

Two Days' Embroidery Comparison

I thought I'd make it a little easier to compare my daily progress if I put the previous work day's image next to the current status of my embroidery. 

I realized yesterday that my design is just a bit off-center on my doily. I'm not going to remove needlework to make it more centered. Instead I think I know what I'm going to add to the offset area to balance my piece. I'm either going to stitch a butterfly or a bluebird. That's what I'll be working on today, and I'll share my progress again tomorrow. I think I'm closer to finished now that I previously thought.

Homekeeping next, and then to the grocery store for a few things before I settle in to stitch. I'll be back with more pictures.

Little By Little...

Floral Embroidery Detail

The way I deal with a sleety snowstorm at the farmhouse is to dance. Inside. Needle dance. I did morning feeding of all our pets, tossed in a load of laundry, and enjoyed a cup of coffee before settling in at my needlework frame in the studio.

My Needlework Space

I'm situated right in front of the southern window in my studio. In addition to lovely natural light, I also have my daylight lamp and magnifier close at hand. Tag settles in on his little bed to keep me company, and Handsome is downstairs reading, with the ladies engaged in their morning naps. All is right in my world.

I work slowly, adding petals here, leaves there. I sit up straight and survey what I've stitched. While most stitches stay in place, I'm not averse to frogging an element when I don't think it belongs, the color isn't quite right, or my stitching isn't up to par.

My basic color palette is laid out on my work table, but I have backup colors in DMC and Anchor threads in case I choose to add a new color. I'm quite happy with the way this bouquet is growing, but I don't think I'm much more than half way yet.

This embroidery is being done on a vintage, crocheted-edge doily. It's secured in a 6" hoop, so you have an idea of the size of the bouquet. I'm planning to increase it by at least another inch in diameter, but I'll see. I may be further along than I'm thinking as I add more to the lower section seen in the photograph.

By the end of the day the ice and snow had formed a slippery, hard layer of white on our driveway and yard. The mailman never showed. The forecast for today is a high of 21ºF, and partly sunny. I think it will be another great day for more needlework. I think I'd better get my morning tasks done so I can get right to another day of dancing. Color this girl happy.

Tuesdays With Tag - These Aren't Cats...

Little Black Opossum

 

Hi, Everybody!

Sunday brought the most awesome warm(er) temperatures, and even the wild critters were takin' advantage of it.

Mom was in the kitchen in the mornin' and called Dad in to see this little guy scarfin' up birdseed that had blown out of the feeder over the past few weeks. The meltin' snow revealed a real smorgasbord for the 'possum.

Claudette and Crystal had him cornered by the big rocks for a while, but Mom went out and shooed them into the barn, eventually lockin' them in the garage until the 'possum waddled off. It was only about thirty minutes, and Mom went out and released the cats. She just wanted to make sure they didn't gang up on someone their own size.

Well, Hello!

My favorite place to hang out when it's sunny is in the back stairwell. The window on the storm door is perfect for a vertically-challenged, handsome guy such as myself. I can see the whole yard - even when I'm lyin' down, so I was out there all mornin'.

Mom told Dad when the little black opossum waddled down to The Habitat so we thought all the excitement was over. Imagine our surprise when a larger, light-colored opossum showed up next!

We all watched as this one hoovered up more of the bird seed, but Mom started giggling because he/she proceeded to cross the driveway to check out the kitchen garden (where there were more birdfeeders/seed).

Big White Opossum

 

Next thing you know, it was snufflin' right under my nose at the back door! You could have knocked me over with a milk bone! That guy never even looked up to see I was there. Just kept on workin' his way to the pole barn and up the hill.

I was pretty excited, but I didn't make a peep. When Mom and I first moved up from Florida, we used to sit in the dinin' room every night and watched these guys come up onto the porch to steal birdseed. I learned then that, if I was very quiet, I got a real good look at the wild things around the farmhouse. 

I even came nose-to-nose with one that winter. Mom had let me outside to do my private business, and there it was. It stood lookin' at me, and I looked at him. We were practically the same size! We sniffed each other, and when the opossum turned to head back into the bushes, Mom had to call me to come back to the house ('cuz I was gonna follow him home to meet his family). 

That winter was awesome, but Sunday was definitely a day to remember. Mom was happy to see that these guys looked healthy, and they hadn't lost parts of their tails to frostbite. We'll keep puttin' fruit and nut mix birdseed down at The Habitat in case they need a little extra sustenance. 

Last night we got freezin' rain and snow. Mom says Mother Nature must have some ragin' hormones. Cold one day; meltin' the next; and then crazy cold, causin' dangerous road/driveway conditions. Mom isn't lookin' forward to shufflin' across the driveway to take care of the Barn Girls this mornin'. She'll wear her best ground-grippers to make sure she doesn't fall. She doesn't bounce like she used to. 

I'm low to the ground, so it's a little easier for me to deal with the ice (snow is not so easy), but we'll be makin' sure Bella or Carly don't get hurt either. Dad took a tumble last week, and bruised his ribs. He's sore, but he's gonna be okay. We just want to make sure no one else gets injured. We're all dreamin' about Florida these days, and lookin' forward to warmer weather. But bein' able to see sweet opossums and our family makes up for it. I hope the critters visit again soon.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Slow Dancing…

 

Weekend Progress

My laptop (where I usually write my posts) is giving me grief, so I’m posting from my iPad today. For that reason, I’m going to keep this short today. 

I thought I’d share another image of my current work in progress. I’m just dancing away the days with tiny stitches. I don’t consider that I’m even halfway yet, so there’ll be more to come. 

I’m going to Sit & Stitch tomorrow, so it will be up to Tag to entertain you. I’ll be back again on Wednesday. See you then. Happy Stitching!

Sunday Scripture...

1 John 4:10

Afternoon Playdate...

My Current WIP - Pastel Floral Mat

 

The weather turned cold again, and last night we had a nasty Snow Squall Warning, bringing with it frigid temps, high winds, snow (of course), and hazardous driving conditions. It was building throughout the day, so after taking care of my outside girls and doing a little housekeeping, it was a perfect day to stay in and stitch.

I chose my thread color palette, hooped my vintage linen doily, and set about creating something pretty.

 

My Current WIP - Pastel Floral Mat - Detail

By dinnertime, this is what I'd accomplished. It's far from finished, but I made good progress. I'll be working on it again today, and will set it aside when I need to do something else.

I did pull fabrics yesterday, and will have new items listed in my shop over the weekend, too. I plan to get a lot more needlework in, though, and will share more photographs on Monday. 

Please have a good weekend, and I hope you get to do something creative - or do something with someone you love. 

Are You Ready?...

My Fabric Studio - I'm Getting There

Here's a progress photograph for you today. I told you I'd be sharing some declutter tips with you, so let's get started, shall we?

So far, I've begun to tackle the fabric studio. It's a room I really don't enjoy entering these days because it's so cluttered. I forced myself in there and took a few boxes and grocery bags with me. The boxes are for items to be donated and/or sold. The grocery bags are for trash. 

What you're seeing on the cutting table is what I have so far for donation, giveaway (in boxes), and sale. I'm not finished yet because I'm pulling fabrics next. My goal is to no more than to three fabric shelves of bolts, and only a few stacks of folded fabrics. As much as I love my fabrics - and I really do - I know there are many in my studio that I'll never ever use. Heck, I've even thought about having a buyer come in and take what I want to move for one price! (I just don't even know where I'd begin with that.) So, I'll do this piecemeal, but consistently, until it's down to where I want it to be.

I'd love to tell you that I've figured this decluttering process all out on my own, but I don't want to lie to you. I'm awful at letting go. I've been coming across things I've held for decades, so the thought of finally giving it up is going to be a little painful. In order to share real tips and tricks, I have to go to other bloggers for help.

I've found the beautiful blog site hosted by CoCo at The Crowned Goat. Her images alone are worth a look. I know I can learn a lot from her about presentation, too. (I'd like to consider myself - even at my age - as a work in progress.) 

I'm going to share the link to her Simplified and Organized Home Challenge page HERE, but be sure to explore her entire site while you're there. There are even convenient printouts that you can put on the inside of a cabinet for convenient reference.

I know I'm getting onto her 2022 schedule late, but I'm going to catch up. I'm looking forward to having a home without the clutter. I can do this, and if you decide to jump onboard, we can do it together.

I'm really looking forward to sharing my progress. It's not going to be pretty (right away), but I'm committed to getting there by the end of the year. I've got this!

It Was A Good, Good Day...

My Japanese Fabrics

I really appreciate the comments left for me yesterday. You made me smile, so Thank You! Today was much better. I accomplished a lot.

I spent the day in the fabric studio, sorting fabric and tossing sooo much paper. (I thought computers were supposed to eliminate all the paper?) It looks 1000% better in there now, so I know that I accomplished something, and I feel good about that.

I'm making my daily list again, and tomorrow I'm going to share a declutter schedule I came across ages ago from another blog. I'll give you links so you can pull the schedule for yourself. We can even do this together if you'd like!

I've separated things that are going to donation, family, and for sale. For now, I'm going to just sit back with my morning coffee, and admire my hard work. Then, I'll get back to my next project...sorting out more fabrics.

The Wall...

My Evening With A Seam Ripper

 

Not that wall. I'm talking about the occasional Creative Wall. You know. The one that just pops up in front of you without warning. The one that completely blocks out your creative light. What do I do to surmount my creative wall?

First, let me tell you how this one popped up. I've been cleaning out non-essential paper(work), fabric scraps, and other things I've been moving around my two rooms for months. That in itself would usually create The Wall, but I simply ignored these things over the holidays and leading up to this month. Rather, it was coming across so many projects I really want to do that slowly erected this latest creative block.

So, what did I actually accomplish yesterday? I did purge a lot of paperwork that's been clogging my workspaces. I also spent more than a little while removing the overlocked stitching on a pair of pajama pants. Don't laugh. I have a lesson here, too.

This pajama set was a favorite set. So favorite, in fact, that I actually never wore them! I bought them in Florida years ago and set them aside. When I opened the box which held these and other special things, I decided not to save them anymore. Instead, I'd wear them. Except I couldn't. The elastic in the waist was no longer stretchy. It was dried out and needed to be replaced. I thought I'd just toss everything out, but remember, they were favorites, so I couldn't bring myself to do it. Hence, the time spent removing the old, dried-out elastic so I can sew in new.

I don't need to tell you the lesson. I think it's obvious. Don't let your elastic dry out. Use it. Enjoy it. Don't wait until your decision is tossing or replacing. 

I can safely say that, at the very least, I'll get new elastic sewn into my jammies. Then, I'm going to wear them tonight! I may even get a little needlework in today. 

I haven't begun my dog embroidery because I've been waiting for a special order to arrive. It shipped from overseas a month ago, before all the drama lit off over there. I actually ordered it from a talented needleworker in Russia. My timing couldn't have been worse, and now I patiently wait while I track my package sitting in the same post office since January 23rd. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it leaves their country soon to come to me.

I'm going to lay out the projects I want to do, and try to prioritize them, and then put on my blinders to climb my wall. Lists have always worked for me, so I think this will lift me out of my creative funk. I'll let you know how it works. 

Tuesdays With Tag - Each Day Is Valentine's Day...

Yours Truly As A Puppersnapper

  

Hi, Everybody!

I know Valentine's Day was yesterday, but that doesn't mean I can't celebrate it again with you today. Years ago, when we still lived in Florida, I wore my first red tie and captured Mom's heart. She said I was so distinguished lookin', and red was definitely my color.

Still Handsome After All These Years

You saw me dressed in a red tie again (after my groomin' session with Miss Joy of Canine Design), and although I'm a little whiter in my face, I think I've still got it. Mom says I'm just as beautiful to her now as I was ten years ago.

Farmhouse Valentine Dogs 2022

So, today I'm sharin' these pictures to ask you to be my Valentine. Like Mom says, it's not belated, it's extended. I sure hope you had a nice day - even if you had to spend it without me. 

Will You Be My Valentine? 

(Please check one)

                              ___ Yes   (You'll be my Valentine this year)           

 ___ No (Nothin' Personal, Tag)

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

A Valentine's Gift...

Sunday Stitching Supplies

I pulled these threads and fabric so I could get a little needle dancing in. This wasn't a large project (that little frame is only 2" square!), so I knew I could finish it in one sitting. A perfect project for Super Bowl Sunday.

My First Heart Framed Flowers Piece From Last Year

This is the first piece I did to put into one of the two brass heart frames I had. This one was gifted to someone special to me. 

Brynwood Heart Framed Flowers II

This piece was a request. I didn't want it to be exactly like the first one, so I embroidered two larger roses, and one rosebud, and then I did the lavender. When I was finished, I mounted it on a backer, and then framed it...just in time for Valentine's Day.

This is my last miniature heart-shaped frame. I haven't been able to find more, but I'll keep looking. In the meantime...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday Scripture...

Isaiah 44:3-4 (image via Pinterest)

 

Dances With Dogs...

Taggart and Bella Line Drawings

 

Something new floating around in my head. I'm going to embroider all three dogs (and likely the Barn Girls in the future). I've been reading books and combining it with the techniques I learned in my RSN class in Kentucky when I made the stumpwork butterfly, so I think I can do this.

I have all my supplies, so soon I'll just jump in and see how it goes. I'm sure I won't be as fast as some of the other needleworkers I watch who are well-seasoned in animal art. I'm also sure that, while the project will be my first with animals, I'll be striving for perfection, so that might add extra time, too.

I'll likely start this next week. It will be fun to do some needle dancing that involves our much-loved pets. Choosing the thread colors will be the most fun - especially with those black dogs!

Have a great weekend. Enjoy the Super Bowl, and if you're where it gets cold (we just got another snow dump), please stay safe.

Sometimes I Just Sits...

Beautiful Bella

The whole quote is "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I just sits". I'm sharing photographs of our beautiful Bella today because I did absolutely nothing yesterday, and that's just what she was doing in these photographs.

I woke up with shooting pains in my right leg (caused, I'm sure, by the knee that likely will require future replacement), and Handsome said I had to  prescribed rest and ibuprofen for the day.

Just Look How She Sits! lol

 

As a result, I actually had a really great day. I spent the time watching YouTube videos and reading. I learned about a number of techniques I've been wanting to try, and of course, was sidetracked into watching a few music and cute animal videos, too. 

I'm still sore today, but I won't just be sitting around. I can do that for one day, but I'm not good at doing nothing long-term. I think I'll get back to doing some needlework. It's not strenuous, physical work. I can handle that, and I'll definitely have a more interesting visit with you tomorrow.

Okay. Just A Little Peek...

A Little Closeup

It's a little difficult for me to photograph a sparkling thread closeup, but I gave it my best shot for you. It's just a little peek so you can see a bit of what I've been working on. You'll definitely get to see more soon, but I wanted you to know my needles are still busy.

I managed to fill another box to declutter yesterday, too. I'm blessed with oodles of things I don't really need. A little from the kitchen, a little from my studio, a little from my closet. I'm feeling better about it by the day.

I'd also read that whenever a box is delivered (Amazon order, or something like that), you might consider filling it with items to donate. I liked that idea, so when an order arrived today, it was that box that I filled with donations. It felt really good, so I'll definitely continue that process.

More of all the same for today. (It snowed a bit last night, so I'm not going outdoors, except to feed and cuddle my Barn Girls and air out Tag, Bella and Carly.) 

One more thing - I can't believe it's already Thursday, and the weekend is nearly here again. How is time passing so quickly? I feel like I need to get busy! See you again tomorrow.