Last Saturday's Online Class...

Clara Warschauer Goldwork Cross Class

This was the Zoom class I took last Saturday. Clara Warschauer (@clarastitching) was the instructor, and she taught this in collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing (ES) in Minnesota, USA. Kits could be purchased from Clara, and other materials are available from ES. 

This is a lovely piece, which measures approximately 3" square, and will make a nice tree ornament, box embellishment, or framed piece for someone special. I intend to stitch it in another colorway as a Christmas gift. I'll be using champagne-colored silk dupioni rather than the red, as I think the colors I want to use will look better on that color.

I am making my list of Christmas projects now, and will begin creating them this week. Sunday is a cookie exchange at my niece's, so I'll also be making at least six dozen cookies and a dish to pass for that. Handsome will need some cookies, too, so I'm planning extras for him.

I've decided to make the delicious koulourakia cookies that my friend, Kathy in Florida always made to share with the Panera's group during the holidays. They're especially tasty because of the bergamot flavoring that goes into them, plus they're not overly sweet, so I think they can be enjoyed by all.

Today, I'm working again my usual 10 am - 4 pm, but I'm going in an hour early. My boss needs to take another day at home, so Teresa will come in early to cashier, and when I get there, she can go home and let her dogs out before coming back to work her usual kitchen shift with me out front on the till.

The projects begin tomorrow, so I'll probably go to bed at a reasonable hour tonight so I'm fresh to start creating. We're supposed to get another snow dump starting after work, so I'll be happy in the studio. I've got lots of food out for the birds and critters, so I'm making sure they're taken care of, too.

If you're in the snow belt, stay safe and warm. I'll be back tomorrow with my list. You'll be able to see what the elves and I will be up to for the next couple weeks!

My New "Spoolie" In Progress...

He's not finished, but he already has a name. Otis, in memory of the little opossum I cared for in the Compass Barn a few winters ago. I wrote about him HERE.

I still have some things to do on him, including something for him to hold in his little paw. I've almost completed his coat. I'll also probably add something to the spool, and maybe he needs a little corsage on his lapel? I just couldn't wait to share him with you!

I'll try to finish him today. I'm still putting things away...mainly because I mostly sat around all yesterday. "Sometimes I sits and thinks...and sometimes I just sits" is an old quote that comes to mind. I don't even feel guilty because I got so much accomplished when Dan was here.

I thought I would be going to Portage this weekend, but one of the gals corrected me. Craft Day isn't until the 22nd, so instead, I'll be home. I have another Clara Warschauer class in the afternoon on Saturday, and after I complete Otis, I'm going to work on that needlework box I wrote about earlier in the week. I'm hoping to share that soon, along with my little finished opossum.

I hope you have a great weekend doing something you truly enjoy. Life's to short not to. See you Monday!

Marian Monogram Class...

I'm going to be taking another of Clara Warschauer's goldwork classes (Clara Stitching). I'm enrolled in her Marian Monogram course scheduled for Saturday, March 1st. This is a class collaboration with Ecclesiastical Sewing in Minnesota to create a bible cover. The course is free, and kits are available for the goldwork from Clara, while the bible fabrics can be purchased from Ecclesiastical Sewing. The bible cover pattern is free from them, too.

One of the new techniques I'll be learning is using thread for padding the monogram. I already have Clara's supply kit, and plan on using my own dupioni silk for my ground fabric. I'm really looking forward to learning more from Clara in this online course.

If you're interested in learning more, you can go to Clara's webpage HERE. Once there, read her information and follow her links to get to Ecclesiastical Sewing. I'd love for you to join us!

Clara's Article...

Issue 123 - Inspirations Magazine

I just received the latest issue from my subscription of Inspirations magazine in the mail. I love exploring each issue for ideas, and I always mark the projects for my copious To Do list. Every photograph and article carries me away for a little while.

Imagine my delight when I turned the page to find one of Clara's goldwork frogs ready to jump off the page! My dear friend and tutor, Clara Warschauer submitted her class to the magazine, and it was accepted for publication. I immediately sent her a text to tell her I'd just found it.

She told me that she hasn't received her copy yet, so I actually got my copy before she did! I'm only showing a partial of this page because it includes her tutorial for making the frog, and the pattern is with the others from this issue at the back of the magazine. 

If you're interested in creating your own version of this piece, you can order a copy of the magazine HERE. In addition to Clara's frog, there are many other fun projects you might consider, too. As I've already stitched fourteen or fifteen (I can't remember) of these wee frogs, I think I'll wait before I tackle more. I do love the project, though, and once you make four or five, you can feel like you've gone a long way toward mastering the technique.

Congratulations, Clara! I'm pleased to be able to say, "I knew you when."

Goldwork Mockingbird - Nearly Completed...

Wednesday went even better than I planned. It started with packaging up almost twenty pounds of fabric to send to my dear friend in Arizona, along with tidying up the studio a bit. I "hoped to work on my goldwork mockingbird" to make a little progress afterward. Imagine my joy when I actually finished all the needlework!

 

I think I may have even captured a little of the sparkle on it in this shot! My plan today is to release it from the ground fabric, add feet, and then turn it into an ornament like the blue tit I did previously. It won't have a nest hanging below it, but I will have another completed class piece from Clara Stitching.

I'm hoping to show you the completed piece tomorrow, and then I'll hang it in my studio with all my other embroidered birds - the quilts and the goldwork ornament. It might be time to think about my next bird quilt, too. Hmmmmm. Bluebirds? Orioles?

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?

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!

Saturday Class...

This is the goldwork class I took on Saturday with Clara (Clara Stitching). Its a cross that can be embroidered directly onto fabric, or as a separate patch to place after sewing. These images were shared by Clara and are not my pieces.

She taught this class in conjunction with her new association with a company from Minnesota called Ecclesiatical Sewing. (The name of their business is a link to their online shop.) They provided the bib and tabard fabrics and patterns for the bibs, as well as the original white cross patch used in the class. Clara taught her technique for adding the goldwork to the patch.

Eccliastical Sewing carries many fabrics and supplies to create your own religious vestments, and other religious articles, including some goldwork threads. It's nice for me that they're a next door neighbor to Wisconsin!

Clara's class was to create the gold (gilt) cross, however she also stitched the piece in silver, which I think is equally beautiful.

My plan is to create the gold version on a Christening gown that I'll offer in my Etsy shop when it's completed this spring. Once that one is done, I'll likely stitch the silver version on another gown to sell. My gowns include bonnets, so my plan is to add goldwork touches to that, as well.

I''m feeling well enough to make bread today. It's been three weeks since I did so, and it's about time to restock our supply. I owe Andy a loaf this week, too, for clearing our driveway when we were too sick to help in any way. I'll likely send a dessert up the hill today, too. Don't worry, though. I'm going to take it nice and easy. I absolutely do not want to relapse back to that sick girl who I was one short week ago. Better safe than sorry. 

Tag will be back to see you tomorrow. He's missed sharing his myriad irreverent thoughts with you. I'll see you again on Wednesday!

Every Koi Needs A Pond...

 

Don't you agree? I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday morning in search of a bud/fish bowl so I could create a miniature koi pond for my wee fish. I headed straight to the floral section and found not one, but three different sizes. I opted for the middle size, declaring it "just right".

I also found a jar of fine gravel (or coarse sand, if you prefer) to place in the bottom of my bowl, but was unable to find small plastic greens there. I ended up getting those in the fish section at PetSmart. Before I left HobLob, I grabbed the supplies to put resin into my fish pond rather than water. I paid for my purchases and scooted home.

 

The bowl looks cloudy because (apparently) the resin off-gasses as it cures. I was able to test rubbing it off, and it will, so once it's completely set, I'll clean the inside of my bowl before placing my koi on top of the "water".

I was thinking I should do one more layer of resin that would fill about half of what's left, but Handsome thinks this is enough. I probably should have turned the bowl so you can see that there's a clear area around the other side for me to lay my fish. This side is where most of the greenery sits. He thinks the fish will look good nestled in the water plants, as a live one might do. Is he right again? 

It will take at least forty eight hours before I'll even attempt to place the koi in the bowl. Before then it will be tacky, and I don't want it stuck permanently to the surface. I will want to be able to remove it from time to time. I'm not going to put a pin back on my koi, either. Instead, I'll just have a flat back on it so it can sit flat on the surface of the resin/water. 

I spent about an hour last night releasing my fish from the hoop and ground fabric. It's finished and just waiting to take it's place in its own pond. Once it's all done, I'll show it to you again so you can tell me what you think. Oh, and let me know if you think Handsome is right, or whether you think I should add about another inch of resin. If I'm going to, it will have to be done today.

My last class session for Clara's class is this afternoon. I can't wait to share my completed fish, as well as my finishing technique. I hope they like it! 

That Went Well...

 

I completed my Koi piece yesterday afternoon. It went faster than I expected, and I managed to take multiple "Tag" breaks, too! Every time I stood up to take a breather, I took Tag outside and we walked around for a while.  He sure liked the program, and I got a chance to stretch, too.

If you compare Clara's koi with mine, you can see where I chose to insert my own personality into it. I changed the fibers used on the top of the head, and I completely changed up the tail. I decided that the tail is actually a fin, too, so I gave it the same treatment as the side fins. 

I have to admit, I'm pretty chuffed over how it turned out, and now it's time to pick up the things I'll need for the way I want to finish it. Handsome and I are running out this morning just to look for supplies. 

Saturday is our finishing class, and as I said earlier, Clara asked for other finishing suggestions. I'm hoping that I'll be completely done by Saturday so I can show her how I finished mine. 

Handsome and I are going to take care of the dogs (and I'll take care of the cats), and we'll make our shopping plans over a cup of morning coffee. Then we'll be off on errands. If I get this done today, I'll share the results with you tomorrow.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun...

 

I just had to finish my koi's head yesterday. Then I added pearl purl to the fins and tail. I'll be filling in the fins and tail next, and then I'll be ready to add detail to the body. 

 

This is actually working out a bit faster than I expected, but I can say that I have approximately twelve hours into it so far. The eyes were especially fiddly. I'm only aware of how long I've been sitting once I try to get up. It takes me a few minutes to straighten up and wake up my legs. I think I need to set a little timer to remind me to get up, walk around, and air out Tag. We can both benefit from the break. Indeed, Time flies when you're having fun.

The Stitching Has Commenced...

 

It may look pretty bare so far, but believe me when I say I already have hour upon hour into my Koi at this point. I'm becoming more and more a perfectionist as I work on these pieces. The materials are not inexpensive, so there's that. More importantly, as this is a class in technique, I want to be able to show improvement from class assignment to class assignment.

All the padding was completed on Monday, and I did the body outline and details late day yesterday. Handsome and I had much needed hair appointments early afternoon, so that took a chunk out of the day, but there was still enough daylight for me to sit in front of the dining room windows to work on my little fish once we got back to the farmhouse. Besides, we both really needed those haircuts. 

 

It was humid enough yesterday - and I was baking a surprise batch of cookies for Handsome while he was at rehearsal - that my too-long locks curled up so much I looked like a high school gym teacher from the '70s. (You can laugh. Everyone does when I say that because we all had a gym teacher who had really curly hair, so everyone knows what I mean.) I'm back to a shorter style, although not as short as when we were in Florida. I feel like me again.

I'll be working on more of my fish today. My goal is to have all the needlework done by the next session on Saturday, so there's no time to dally. I best get back to it so I'm not rushing at the end. Slow and steady wins the race, right? I'll be back tomorrow to show you how far I got today.

Weekend Projects...

 

Session One (of two) for the latest Clara Warshauer (@clarastitching) class was Saturday afternoon. This project is to create a koi brooch, but Clara is looking for suggestions from her class on other ways to finish it. When it's finished, it's a bit larger than I'd wear a brooch, but I have a few other ideas in mind that I'll share later.

Our class was two and a half hours long, and they're Zoom classes so we get to meet other classmates and interact with Clara while she's teaching. She also records the sessions so that we can watch them later, if needed. Her classes are always fun, and two of the other students have goldwork certificates from the Royal School of Needlework, so I value their shared information, too.

Our second (and last) session for this class is next Saturday, and Clara would like to see our work at that time, so I will be stitching mine this week. She also encourages students to use their imaginations when assembling their own pieces, so you may see that mine will have a few variations when I get to that point. I only took notes on Saturday, so I'll be busy getting caught up, and will share my progress as I work on it.

Handsome and I did some more canning this weekend, too. The result of our labor is twelve half pint jars of pizza sauce, and eight pint jars, plus one twelve ounce jar of salsa. This time we used Mrs. Wage's Pizza Sauce Mix, but only half of the 5 tablespoons of sugar it called for.  The salsa is also a Mrs. Wage's mix that we've used before and love.

One thing I'm doing differently since learning it from my aunt, is that I'm not blanching and skinning the tomatoes prior to processing them. After washing and removing the stem and core, she cuts them into quarters and chops them up with her stick blender. While I have one, I chose to use my Cuisinart™ food processor instead. Once everything is chopped up, the skins just about disappear in the mix, and as they cook, the chopped tomato skins don't rise to the top as larger pieces usually might. They're well and truly incorporated into the tomatoes, saving so much extra time and effort. They also add just a bit more texture to the cooked tomatoes, which Handsome and I think is a plus. We'll continue to do them this way.

This week, in addition to my needlework assignment, we're planning to make applesauce. I still have canned mushrooms and canned potatoes on my list, but that won't likely happen this week. I'll be needle dancing instead.

I hope you're planning something that makes you happy for the next few days. If you're in the mood to share, I'd love to know all about what you'll be doing. 

I'm Taking Another Class...

I've learned many techniques from my friend, Clara Warschauer already, but I really wanted to take this class from her. I'll be learning more of her tricks during a two session Zoom class in September. 

These are Clara's goldwork fish in the photo, but we'll only be doing one. Hers shown here are finished as a framed piece, however what we'll do in the class will be to create a brooch. I'm really looking forward to the class, as well as showing you my finished Koi fish brooch at the end of the class.

I baked and canned yesterday, and will finish up pears today. The weather has cooled down so it's comfortable for working in the kitchen, and the warmer weather has helped ripen more tomatoes. What I didn't turn into salsa yesterday, I froze to make pizza sauce at a later date.

It's going to be a busy, busy week next week, so I'm trying to get ahead while I can. I'll tell you more about all that very soon. Have a great weekend!

Time For Me To Fly...

 

 

This is my completed goldwork Blue Tit from Clara's workshop.  I shared a short video on Instagram, so if you'd like to see it closeup - and also see the back - just click HERE. I've hung this in my studio for now with my cardinal and robin wall quilts. (Which reminds me, I should start work on the bluebirds soon.)

I hoped you liked following along as I created this piece. I'll be working on the red roses strawberry sachet today. Handsome has to have a procedure done, so I'll stitch while I wait. I'll show you how far I get with that piece tomorrow. Have a great day!

Embroidery Progress...

 

 

Whew! This part was harder than it looked. I did the goldwork on the belly of my wee bird yesterday. The class was great, and really, Clara made this part look almost effortless. Have I got a lot more practice to perfect this technique!

 

One thing I learned is that it's easier to see the thread against the gold if I'm not in bright light. I found shading my work with my hand helped me find the previous threads so that I could create the brick pattern required when couching down the vintage Japanese gold and gilt twist threads. Apparently, my new magnifier "glasses" weren't much help in my quest for stitch perfection. I'm not sharing a closeup because it shows all my wonky "less than perfect" stitches. I'll just remind myself that this is my first attempt at that technique, and I'll get better with practice.

The next step is to create the feathers on the upper wing, which I'll begin this week. First, I have to go around the inside of the wing with a green purl, and then the feathers will be created using small flat sequins. This part is going to be fun!

I'll share more when I finish the wing. After that, I'll make the separate feet for my little bird. Then I'll be ready for the final class next Saturday! Tag will see you tomorrow, and I'll be back Wednesday. We'll see how much I can accomplish between now and then.

My Garden Update...

 

Everything is growing well as of today. In the bed in the foreground (from left to right): marigolds, one green pepper plant, basil (grown from seed), a whole row of green peppers, a row of roma tomatoes, and more marigolds. I'm going to plant a row of garlic between the tomatoes and peppers this week, too.

 

In the far raised bed I have more marigolds, bush beans (from seed), and Early Girl tomatoes. It's interesting that the romas already have little tomatoes setting on them, but not on the Early Girl plants. hmmm 

In the stock tank, I have marigolds on the ends, English daisies in the pots (I have to clean out the kitchen garden so I can plant them over there), peas, and radishes (both from seed). I'm going to run cord from the tall plant hanger down to the ground so the peas will have something to climb.

I need to get the weed eater into the enclosure to knock down the grass. I'm looking to find a mat material (like rugs) that our younger daughter-in-law placed in her garden to keep the weeds down and have a tidy surface for walking around my garden beds. Otherwise, I'm contemplating a base of plastic or cardboard, covered with pea gravel.

 

 

Next to the garage/storage building I have leaf lettuce, onions, and garlic growing in the raised stock waterer. I have more onions growing in bags further down the line, and the honeysuckle transplanted from the old front porch location is loving this spot where it can climb the short section of fencing. I need to tidy up around it this weekend. 

 

I have an old Radio Flyer wagon nestled under it, and Claudette loves sleeping in its shade. Now that it's blooming, the hummingbirds are likely to visit it, so I need to make it a little lot less convenient for her to "watch" them while they sip from the blossoms.

 

Last of all (for now) is the galvanized tank that was my dad's. I have chives gowing it it, but planted fennel today. I have to build a 2 x 4' base for this, I think, as the metal stand that I brought home with it is really rusting and falling apart. Alternatively, I may see if I can't locate an old stand lacking the basin. I'd really prefer that.

Well, that's my garden tour for now. Handsome actually would like to purchase another galvanized stock tank like the one inside my fenced area.We still have plenty of soil from our delivery, and I could use if for carrots and herbs this year. We just have to find another one like the one I have. Our local Fleet Farm is out of stock now. Perhaps another one of the stores close to us will have one? We'll see.

I have my second session with Clara today (@clarastitching), so I'm hoping to do a little more stitching on my goldwork bird this weekend. I'll update you on Monday. The weather is supposed to be nice all weekend, so I hope you have something fun planned for outdoors. We soak it in while we can!

Aspirations...

 

I shared my progress on my class project on Monday. I thought I'd share a photo of Clara's Bird (the nest was still in progress in this image).

You'll notice that my bird head is slightly different from hers. My bird's cheek is a bit smaller, and the crown and neck "feathers" flow in different directions than shown here. It's one of the wonderful things about needlework, in that we can always make adjustments to make it "ours".

I spent the day following up on insurance claims for our dear Bella, along with transcribing my needlework class notes. I'm going to get back to working on two goldwork hearts I set up a few weeks ago, and then I'm going to finally get to the Tudor Rose goldwork project from one of Clara's previous classes (ugh. I've never even started it.) When I was at the Primitive Gatherings "Purge and Splurge" event, I purchased a beautiful oak Sudberry lidded box. Would you believe it only cost me fifteen dollars? It's roughly 8" square and 2" tall. I'll show it to you soon. My intent is to mount the Tudor Rose on the lid once it's completed.

I admit, I have so many goldwork projects in mind now, that I may just stitch all summer. Won't that be wonderful? My projects will sparkle all winter! Just a little something to aspire to, and I hope you'll join me on my stitching journey. 

 

Little Bird...

 

I started another goldwork class last Saturday with Clara at Clara Stitching. This one is called "Blue Tit Goldwork". The first (of three) session was to begin the basic setup and then do the stitching on the head. I've learned to take notes and watch the process rather than try to stitch along with Clara during the Zoom classes. That way I don't miss any of her steps.

 

 

So, yesterday I sat down late morning and began to make my own little bird. I began by tracing the design onto my ground fabric, followed by cutting out all of the padding pieces. I then stitched them down, filling with padding as called for.

Once that was done, I set about doing the goldwork on the head. I completed this after midnight, having only stopped for tea, potty breaks, and dinner. I just couldn't set it aside until it was finished, although I admit I almost packed it in a few times trying to thread my #12 sharp needle. I could barely see the eye on that darn needle - even with my lighted magnifier! Each time, I reminded myself to lightly wax the thread, take a deep breath - and miraculously the thread went into the eye so I could continue stitching.

Now, I'll work on something else as I wait for Session Two next Saturday. This one is going to be a fun project and a different finishing technique. I can't wait to share more!

 

PS. This blog title is a song from Don Quixote (Man from La Mancha). lol