Sunday Scripture - Resurrection Sunday...

Matthew 28:6 (via domesticgeekgirl.com)

Handsome came home Saturday. We'll celebrate Easter together here at the farmhouse.

Happy Easter, indeed!

Working It Out...

I've completed this much of my little ladybug, but am still working out how I want the head and antennae to look. 

Heads are typically black, so that's the direction I'm heading, but I still have to delineate the eyes so they don't disappear. I think I'm going to outline the eye beads with gold super pearl purl - as I outlined  the body. I'm planning to use a thin wire for the antennae.

I'm going to finish it today, and then work on the other two so I can "release" them all at the same time. I already have 3mm sequins I'm going to try on the next body to use for the spots. (Thanks for that idea!)

Handsome has been in the hospital for the past couple days with a recurring issue, but I'm hoping to bring him home today. It would be nice to spend Easter together. 

Wishing all my friends a Happy Easter.

Newest Labels and a Plan...

I know I told you that I've been working on a few ideas to honor Tag. Yesterday, the labels arrived for packaging my ideas. Anything that bears this label will have a portion of the proceeds donated to CorgiAid to benefit Corgis and Corgi mixes.  I love how the labels turned out!

Beginning next week, you'll be able to find more items in my Etsy shop under the "For The Love of a Corgi" section. The first item that went into that section is the Sheep Pendant Necklace. (There's still one available, by the way.)

I'm also creating a Limited Edition Goldwork Corgi Brooch, a Beverage Coozie or two, Tag Labels, Labrador Girls Labels, and taking orders for the Corgi totes and wallets I showed you a couple weeks ago. I'll add to the collection as inspiration strikes.

I posted a video on Instagram to highlight my new labels, so if you're interested in seeing it, you can click HERE.

Thinking About My Boy....

I got home from work yesterday to find an email from our friend and dog trainer extraordinaire, Mike Sommers. Handsome had spoken with him while in Florida last week and told him about Tag. The email expressed his and his wife's condolences for Tag's passing. He included this image that hangs framed in his kennel building. He said he'd never forget my boy.

I vividly remember the day this photograph was taken at the training property Mike owned. I took lots of pictures, as this was our mid-training appointment to see how Tag was doing with the program. As always, he loved running with the big dogs. When his training was over about a month later, I remember Mike's surprise when I told him Tag was only eight months old. He thought he was at least a year old.

I went back into my computer and pulled up the rest of the photos I'd stored from that day and thought I'd share a few more with you. So, without more words, I present Mike, Tag and the Labradors (all in training)...

Those are some happy memories.

Rest...

I worked yesterday from 9:30 in the morning until nearly 5 pm. We were wonderfully busy, and I offered smiles and greetings to everyone who entered the store. My job title is "cashier", a little bit waitress, and some bookkeeping for my cash drawer at the beginning and end of my shift. With all that busy-ness, by the time Handsome picked me up and we got back home I was ready for a nap.

Instead, I made tea for both of us and we sat down to talk about our day. Again I thought about a nap, but we decided to make a light dinner together. After dinner, I really didn't have the energy to set up my needlework to sit at my frame to finish my little ladybug. So I didn't. 

We also decided to turn in early (for us). We're both night owls, but not last night. I work again today, so it was prudent to get a good night's sleep.

I'll see how today goes and how I feel when I get home. You know I'm happiest with a needle and thread in my hands, so I'm hoping to stitch this evening. 

Thanks for the comments about my current ladybug, but I'm already contemplating how I'll change her for the next one...and I'm still open to modifying subsequent ones until I really love how they'll look. I have small sequins, so I may try that for the spots. I may add more outlining in layers, too. We'll see. 

I'll close for now, as I need to get ready for work. I love it when it's busy because the time really flies, and before I know it, Handsome is waiting outside to take me back home. I do love the chauffeur service! Have a great day, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Home Again...

D. Morgan "Home Again" Cross Stitch (Leisure Arts)

He's safely back home and all is right in my world again. I tried (unsuccessfully) to capture a good photo of this piece, which hangs in our back hall.  It's a perfect piece to place where we see it during each of our comings and goings.

The verse reads: "I hear your footsteps down the hall. You are home again...and safe. All the burdens of the day are softened, and all the night noises are music to my ears."

I guess I wrote about this back in 2015. I didn't get a very good photo of it then, either. You can see that post HERE.

I took this photograph of the girls to send to Handsome while he was in Florida. I also shared it to my facebook page. My stepsister saw it and commented that she saw the "heart" on the gravel between the girls and said, "I see a heart from Tag between Bella and Carly". Once she said that, I noticed it, too. She said she also saw his shape lying in the snow behind them.

Needless to say, it made me smile (with a tear in my eye). I like the thought that he left a little love note for us when we were taking this picture. The heart is where he usually would have sat during our photo sessions of the trio.

I'll be at work today until four, so Handsome will spend the day here with the ladies. My plan is to finish my first ladybug when I get home. Sherry was right in her comment about my post yesterday. Of course, they have little antennae, so I'll figure out a way to add them to mine at the end. We'll see what I can come up with, and I'll be sure to share when the first one is done!

See you tomorrow!

I Couldn't Wait...

I spent much of yesterday baking, as Handsome comes home today. I wanted to have some tasty treats for him to enjoy once he gets settled back in. However, I did have time later in the day to sit down to stitch. I couldn't concentrate on my mockingbird, though. I had this on my mind!

I drew out a little ladybug and proceeded to set up the project in my hoop. I'm not sure how I feel about the black chipping for the spots. I either have small black seed beads (like the eyes), or really large black beads for larger pieces (like the frogs). I think I need to find a bead that's a #8, rather than the #11s for the eyes. I'll complete her this afternoon and then see about getting what I need to do the other two.

What do you think? Do you like my execution for this idea so far? I'm not planning to stitch legs. I think she'll just be "tucked in" for the little brooch. I'm still deciding whether or not I'll do this little antennae. I don't recall seeing them on the read ones. Decisions. Decisions. More results soon...

Sunday Scripture...

Psalm 91:11

 

Goldwork Pieces...

Today, I'm happy to answer Lois' question about the piece at the top of my cushion. First, let me say that the gorgeous cushion is the creation of my dear blog friend, Dawn Edmondson of The Feathered Nest blog and shop. She has a way with natural materials, and I purchased this piece from her when I first started blogging. 

The Lucky Clover, Sacred Heart, and Immaculate Heart were all the first pieces I made from the classes I took with Clara of Clara Stitching. I've come a long way in technique since that first piece (the clover). I'll likely make another soon to show myself how different another would look from the first.

I also added my koi and first frog to the display for this image. Afterward, I returned both to their fish bowl display. These are all the small class pieces I've done, but I also have my goldwork wreath framed under glass in my studio, and my blue tit bird ornament also hangs in my studio.

Here's a closeup of the beautiful beetle I won in a drawing - also when I first started blogging - from Lee Westfield of Notes From Under the Mountain blog. I tried to link to her blog today, but the link is having issues. Suffice it to say, she's made some extraordinary pieces through the years, and this one is a true treasure to me.

Now that I know more about goldwork, I know that she used red brilliant check purls and black beads on this piece. There is also a piece of suede for the upper body, and the piece is padded. She stitched on a ground of dupioni silk and then mounted the piece to card stock.

Lois thought she was seeing a ladybug in yesterday's photo, but this is what she saw. Funny though, as I've been contemplating a ladybug ever since I learned goldwork...all inspired by this piece Lee created.

So, if you're reading this, Lee, please know that I treasure this beetle as much now as I did the day it arrived. The difference is that now I understand the skill and time it took to create it, as well as the techniques you used (thanks to my tutor, Clara Warschauer of Clara Stitching).

Now, I'll be moving the ladybug up in my goldwork To Do list. Soon there will be a "Loveliness of Ladybirds" in my studio. Isn't that neat (and appropriate) that that's what a group of them is actually called?

Green and Gold...

I've completed the stitching on this little frog, so I released it from the hoop and will set it aside until the other four are completed. Then, I'll finish them all at the same time, so they can mail in a group to their new homes.

MA asked me yesterday whether or not the purls were sharp when they're cut and if I would be concerned that the edges would cut my threads. Here's my reply, in case anyone else was curious:

The edges of the chippings from the brilliant check purls can be sharp when they're cut, but they're also fragile. If I pull an end of the cut coil, it easily unravels, leaving just the thread behind. Traditional methods call for doubled, waxed thread, to stitch down the chippings, and even the small bit of wax that's transferred to the thread protects it during the stitching process. 

Depending on the metals used - super pearl purl, check purls, smooth purls, bullion, rough purls, or others that are hollow and metal - they're all cut to length and then handled like beads, anchored by double, waxed threads drawn through the center of them. The resulting work is strong, beautiful, and enduring, which is important if you want heirloom-quality results.

The last session for our Northern Mockingbird class is tomorrow, so I'm not working on it again until after the class. I'll likely set up the other four frogs on the hoop today as I finish up some homekeeping tasks. 

I'll be baking bread and cookies over the weekend in anticipation of Handsome's return home, and I'd like to get a few loads of laundry behind me as well. I don't mind doing laundry at all, but I miss the ground floor laundry room we had in Florida. Some days these stairs could do me in. Stairs are about the only drawback for us to this wonderful farmhouse. Either way, to do the job, I have to deal with stairs, so deal I shall. I'll be back tomorrow to show you what's next under my needle.

Happy Friday, y'all!

A New Frog In Progress...

I'm back to working on goldwork frogs for a while. I took this photograph to show you what the brilliant check purl looks like. It's like a shiny, colored, hollow, square Slinky™. It will lose it's shape if pulled, so it's important not to let it stretch out while you work with it.

To use it, the "slinky" is cut into small bits called chippings. Once cut, it is attached like a bead to the project, typically with two strands of Gutermann waxed thread. I was just getting started on the chippings when I took this first photo.

This is where I stopped for the night. All the check purl has been attached, and my next step will be to begin filling in the belly sides and legs. I haven't decided what I'm going to use there yet, but I'll choose when I work on it again today. 

I have five giveaway frogs left to do, so my plan is to complete all of them and get them mailed out in the next few weeks. I'll complete this one today, and then set up the final four on one hoop. As always, I'll share photos to show you my progress.

Mockingbird Head Is Finished...

My mockingbird's head is finished, and I'm really happy with the results. My execution is a bit different from Clara's design, but that's what makes it mine, too. Rather than cut the smooth purl on the top part of his head into small chips, placed haphazardly (as with the bright check purls), I chose to place the smooth purls in more of a feather pattern you'd find on the real bird.

Here's a closeup of the head detail. I'm really happy with how the eye turned out, too.  Once I take pictures, I'm able to see things I don't see - even using a magnifier. I need to trim down some of the fuzzies on the felt, just for starters. That's what's obscuring sections of the silver that outlines the entire body and wing. I'll trim that tomorrow, and then set it aside until our next class session...unless I find that I just can't wait to work on more of the design!

The blue lines you see around the outline of the bird, as well as placement for the feet are drawn using a Frixion™ heat erasable pen. Even though they won't show on the finished brooch, I'll take my small iron to the edges when this is all finished to make the lines completely disappear before I tackle the task of finishing the back.

Next class session is Saturday, so I've got some froggy stitching to return to in the meantime. I'm keeping track of the names still on my list, so I'd better think about getting them done to be able to mail them out sooner, rather than later. See you tomorrow!

Beginnings of a Mockingbird...

 

First, please believe me when I say it's just as weird for me, as I'm sure it is for you, not to see Tag's handsome face here on Tuesdays. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with his absence here and in my life. I'll do my best to make your Tuesday visits here worth while without him. 

When I got back from the airport, I couldn't wait to begin working on my mockingbird for the first session of the class. I had the tracing done before I went to bed Sunday night, so I could cut out all the pieces of felt and start stitching.

I attached all the felt padding, stuffing as I went; couched down all of the super pearl purl outlines; and finished the day by adding the eye detail. By the time I was to this point, it was late and dark, so I didn't do a very good job with lighting to show any closeups. I'll do that when I start working on it again today.

I did take out a section early on because I wasn't happy with the way the padding was progressing. Once that was removed, I reapplied and was much more pleased with the result. 

My stitching today will be to add chipping to the head, using two different "threads" - brilliant check purls in silver, and smooth purls in shades of gray. Once that's done, I'll be caught up with our class assignment. I'll post photos tomorrow to show you how it looks after the purls have been stitched down. 

Time to get to the really fun part. (I love cutting and applying all the little chips of check purls!) See you tomorrow.

St. Patrick's Day...

I planned to work on my mockingbird all day yesterday, but alas...the best laid plans...

Handsome is going to Florida today for the funeral of a dear friend of ours, so instead, there was prepping to do so he could pack, and I wanted to make a nice dinner for him before he left for restaurant food for the next week.

I decided on a traditional Irish dinner featuring a loaf of homemade Irish Soda Bread to accompany corned beef, cabbage, carrots and red potatoes. I placed everything into a large dutch oven and let it cook all afternoon. 

The bread was easier than most varieties I bake. This took about fifteen minutes to mix and forty five to bake. No rise time at all. Irish Soda bread is tasty, but not as flavorful as some of the others either, but it was a perfect side for the rest of our meal. I later had a small piece, toasted, with peanut butter. Yum!

So, today the plan is to sit down to my needlework frame and get in some needle dancing to start the mockingbird. Our second - and last - session is next Saturday, so I want to get up to speed for that class. I'll share what I accomplish today when I see you again tomorrow.

Sunday Scripture...

Psalms 27:7-8

 

Class Day...

Today, I begin my morning with a Facebook live class that I'm teaching. At 10:30, I'll share the techniques for dyeing the plastic eggs we did last weekend. I'm looking forward to showing others how simple and fun this technique is.

This afternoon, I'm taking a new class with Clara of Clara Stitching. This class is the Northern Mockingbird Brooch. I pulled this image off her website so I could show you what we're learning. You know me...rather than complete it as a brooch, I'm going to finish this one the same way we did the Blue Tit - as a hanging ornament. That way, I can display it next to the other bird in my studio. 

You can see from Clara's drawing that this bird is waiting for its legs and feet, and then it will be beautifully finished.

I'm planning to just take notes today, but will begin the work on it soon. I have a few other important pieces in line ahead of it, and this will be a two-session course. The second session is next weekend, so I'll try to get something done before then.

It's going to be a busy day, and I still have final setup to get done before the class I'm teaching begins, so I'd better head to the studio. I hope you have something fun planned for this weekend! We can compare notes on Monday. Happy Weekend!

Listed...

 

The first items in my "For The Love of a Corgi" collection have dropped in my Etsy shop. I'll be making more of these, as well as a selection of limited edition new items. They'll be located in my shop in the section of the same name.

A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these items will be donated in Tag's name to CorgiAid, as I mentioned yesterday. This is my way of honoring my boy.

I intend to make some of the Corgi wallets and totes, as well as a very limited quantity of Corgi goldwork brooches that I'm currently designing. The set shown above features a tri-colored dog, but the ones I'm doing will be colored like Taggart, unless special ordered. I'll have wallets available separately, too.

If you're interested in any of the items shown here, you may contact me for pricing and I'll custom make your pieces ahead of the rest I'll be making. I thought I'd share this with my readers first before posting to Instagram and Facebook. 

Counting Sheep...

Two More Sheep.

Someone asked me how many French knots I stitch to create each of my little sheep. Well, yesterday I counted, and I can now tell you that there are at least 130 (sometimes more) in each one.

The pendant measures approximately 1 1/2" x 1 1/4", and the sheep measure roughly 3/4" x 1/4", so that's a lot of knots fit into a small space.

These will be finished into their pendants today, and the necklaces will be listed in my shop this afternoon. (I have a hair appointment at 10 this morning, so they'll have to wait until I get back home.) So, if you're a knitter, love wools, love sheep, or even have a herding dog like Tag's breed, you may like wearing one of these.

Oh, and next week, I'm going to debut more items that will be labeled "For The Love of a Corgi". Every time I tell you they're in this category, a portion of the sale will be donated in Tag's name to CorgiAid. It's a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping corgis and corgi mixes get the medical care they need, and also providing carts to corgis with mobility issues. If you'd like to learn more about CorgiAid, HERE is a link to their website.

Watch for the sheep to land in my shop this afternoon. I'd love to send these two to new homes and will definitely make more in the coming weeks. They're for a good cause.

Well, THAT Was Fun (Plus Class Information)...

Well, if you know...you know. This is how I spent Monday, preparing to get to the hospital at 7:45 Tuesday morning. Good times. Actually, I was out cold for most of the morning.

In the interest of avoiding "TMI", I'll forego the details. What I'll say is that I got a perfectly clean bill of health. Came home with Handsome as my chauffeur and spent the rest of the day doing mostly nothing. 

My deep apologies for not sharing something creative, but I can't show what I haven't got. I did hoop up more natural linen fabric, so I can make two more sheepy pendants for my shop, but didn't have the clarity nor concentration to start making perfect, little French knots. 

I think Handsome wants me to run errands with him this morning. He needs to get some new dress slacks for his concerts - and sadly to wear to a funeral of a dear friend next week who passed away in Florida. I'll take him to the airport next Monday. I'll stay home with the my canine and feline girls to keep the home fires burning.

When we get back home, I'll start on the sheep, hoping to finish them today or tomorrow and then get them listed.

There's been some interest in learning this alcohol ink egg coloring technique, so I'm planning to do a  FREE Facebook live class on Saturday morning.

If you're interested, please comment letting me know. Participants will need to purchase their own alcohol inks. Hobby Lobby, Joann's, and Michaels all have them, so hopefully you can pick some up. Here's the full supply list:

Alcohol Ink Assortment - in the stamping section of the stores

1 or 2 sheets of felt (will be cut into smaller squares)

White plastic  eggs (white works best. Must be plastic)

99% isopropyl alcohol - small bottle is fine (I got mine at Walmart)

plastic table cloth or something non-porous to protect your work surface

disposable plastic gloves to protect your hands - you'll want more than a few pairs. I bought a whole box at Walmart. 

Plan to wear a smock or an old shirt if you tend to be messy. The ink won't come out of anything you get it on.

Lastly, you'll need a non-alcohol sealer for your eggs. Sarah suggested Krylon™ Kamar Varnish, which you can get at Hobby Lobby or Walmart. This is what it looks like to help you find it.

I'm planning the class for 10:30 am Central Time (US), Saturday, March 16, 2024, so you'll need to find out what time that might be for your time zone. I'll save the video to Facebook so those who can't make it can view it later. If you are unable to get your supplies by the class, don't worry, you can pick them up later (or order from Amazon) to make your eggs another time. I'm doing the class now in case you'd like to have them to add to your Easter decorations this year.

I hope you'll join me in my studio on Saturday morning! I can't wait to share this technique with you!

A Completed Commission...

An order came in yesterday for one of my sheepy pendant/necklaces. As I'd sold what I had in stock, I happily created another to ship out today. I wonder how many French knots were stitched into this little sheep? (I'm really wondering. I didn't actually count them. lol)

I have a medical appointment early this morning, so I'm out the door way earlier than I usually even get up. When I get back home, I'll be working on my frog again - probably after a nap. I'll show you how much I accomplish when we visit again tomorrow.

It feels weird not to have a Tag post today. Next week, I'm going to share some ideas I'm working on in his memory to offer in my shop. Don't worry. I'm not going to do a sad post. More next week. I'd better get moving so I'm not late for my appointment. Fun times! (Not so much.)