Faerie Garden Strawberry Sachet...

It's Finished!

It's always satisfying to finish something I so enjoyed creating. I took longer to complete this one, simply because life knocked me off course a bit, but I'm so happy with the way it turned out.

I always ask Handsome for input when I choose the wool for the leaves on top of the strawberry. I had leaned toward something completely different, but he made a suggestion that I keep the leaves more subtle to enhance, rather than overpower, the flowers. He was so right! I love the final wool used to crown this strawberry.

If you'd like to see a short video I recorded of the Faerie Garden Strawberry Sachet, you can click HERE. It shows all the colors more accurately in indirect daylight. Be sure to turn on your sound if you'd also like to hear the music I selected for the recording. 

Faerie Garden will be available later today in my Etsy shop. 

Faerie Garden...

I've completed the embroidery for my current Strawberry Sachet. I'm calling this one "Faerie Garden". I've tucked a lovely winged sprite amid the flourishes.

I'd hoped to be able to share this one as a finish, but I was too tired to do that after work yesterday. I'll assemble the strawberry today, and I'll be back tomorrow to share the completed piece. 

Saturday Silliness...

I certainly can relate to Steve these days! I did manage to do more embroidery on my Strawberry Sachet before work, though, and that's a good thing.

Turns out, I didn't have to work a long shift yesterday, so I'm on my way to Craft Day with my girlfriends in Portage this morning! I'll share what we create on Monday. Have a great weekend!

And Still It Waits...

All the "busy-ness" of this week, and I still haven't picked up my Strawberry Sachet Project to complete the embroidery. I'm hoping to get to it soon, so I'll avoid making promises I apparently can't keep.

My boss has been frustrated to tears that the young people she's hired have disappointed her so much lately. No calls. No real explanations. They just don't show up at all, and then come back to work a few days later like nothing happened. Because we're short-staffed, they feel invincible. They don't even consider that someone else has to step up to fill their hours, and it's usually my boss, who ends up pulling two or three shifts in a row. She's exhausted.

She found out that one of the kids is just skipping out on their hours today, so after talking with her, I agreed to respond to her plea by agreeing to work 4-10 pm to cover a shift. She's so grateful, and as a result, she's informed the offenders that the next time they just don't show up when they're scheduled, they'll be terminated. At least that way, she knows which shifts need to be filled ahead of time, instead of last minute.

How is it that today's young employees are so irresponsible? I would never have dreamed of just blowing off my work schedule when I was their age. (I know I wouldn't have gotten away with it either.) It puts all the other employees on the spot, and they're not even considering how it affects their coworkers. They don't care. 

Well, I've blown off a little steam on behalf of my boss (who I've known since she was about seven). I called her after she put out the request for a volunteer, and listened to her cry in frustration. Truthfully, I wanted to take someone out behind the wood shed!

So, I'll get home tasks done during the day today, and work my extended shift tonight. Craft Day is tomorrow, but I already know I won't make it.  That's a disappointment, but I know my limitations, so I won't try getting up extra early to drive over and back. I'm going to hang out here and maybe I'll get some stitching done. Either way, I know I'm doing something good for someone I really love. That's good enough for me.

Adding Leaves and Buds...

Di showed up yesterday with one of her granddaughters, so I didn't stitch as long as I'd planned. I did get started with the buds and leaves, though. I'll definitely add more the next time I work on it. (As I posted my progress from the weekend in my last post, you'll be able to scroll up and down to compare the two to see the differences.)

Our neighbor contacted me to let me know he has sweet corn now, so I met him at his house to get three dozen to pressure can. I'd planned to do that yesterday afternoon before Di drove in, so now it will have to wait until Wednesday, as I work today. 

Three dozen ears will hold us over until next season, but he offered more when the next crop matures. I've already accepted that offer, so the second batch will be the prep for creamed corn. I don't add dairy to my preserved foods for safety reasons, so I call the creamed corn "prep" because I add cream and butter when I use it, rather than in the canning stage.

Handsome and I already discussed what we'll be canning this year...tomatoes (of course), carrots, corn, tomato basil soup, and jalapeño jelly. I'll also be canning more beef tallow, and meat, to round out the pantry. 

While I'm processing the corn, I'll also be packaging more brownie mix, corn muffin mix, and some seasonings. We'll roll into winter this year fully stocked.

So, I'm off to work today, and I'll be back tomorrow with the news of the day. Happy Tuesday, dears. I hope you have a wonderful day.

A Few More Flowers...

I accomplished quite a bit this weekend, but not much in the way of stitching. I added a few more blue buds, and started the lavender ones. I'll still have leaves and a few other blossoms and the ribbon "flourishes" to add, but then I'll be able to assemble the sachet. 

Should I add lavender to the wool stuffing when I assemble this one? I'm contemplating that as I stitch. I'll find a fun wool to use for the leaves, too. Perhaps by Thursday I'll have it done. 

I think the heat is finally on the way out, so we've opened the windows again. It's nice to hear what's going on outside, instead of listening to the constant whirrrrr of the window air conditioners (to say nothing of the electric meter!). 

I hope you have a wonderful week this week. 

Laundry Day Stitching...

It was laundry day (actually most of this week...sigh), but I did manage to get in a little stitching amid the sorting, washing, drying, and folding. I'm adding new colors into the mix, so we'll see where this goes from here.

Laundry was (understandably) neglected over the past few weeks, so it's time to catch up. I'm glad there's not a lot of ironing to do, but if I decide to tackle Handsome's white formal band shirts, I'll be doing that in the basement where it's considerably cooler.

With a little help from #2 son, we got the window air conditioner down from the attic and installed on Tuesday. The larger of the three is now installed in the kitchen, too, so we have cooler air downstairs for as long as we need it for this current heat wave. People and pets are all much happier. Of course, we prefer the birdsong during the day and yips and howls of the coyotes at night, so as soon as the heat breaks, we'll be back to open windows around the farmhouse.

Di will be back in Wisconsin this weekend, so I'll work to a deadline to get her patriotic tote sewn together so I can give it to her when I see her. I'll share the finished project with you first. It should be an interesting day. Laundry in the basement, and sewing on the second floor. I see a lot of ups and downs in my immediate future. 

And then there's this (already)...

 

Finally!...

It rained most of the day, but it was still nice to be on our farmhouse porch. Late day, the clouds moved off and the sun came out. I started this piece in the parking lot at the clinic while Handsome was in the clinic for his physical therapy appointment. I had all my supplies in my needlework tote, ready to go.

When we got back home, I did a few things around the house, and then grabbed my supplies. I stitched while I listened to the Baltimore oriole's four noisy kids sharing grape jelly from the feeder, and the Bee Gees on my iPhone in speaker mode (The Still Waters album). I listened to other music, too.

I think I got quite a bit done, but this is going to be another strawberry, so there's a lot more to do yet. I'll work on it more this week when Handsome goes to his other appointments, but I'm liking what I've got so far.

Today I'll be up at the station for my shift. No time to dally. I'd better get going. See you tomorrow!

On To The Next Part...

The embroidery is complete and it's time to create the strawberry. Doesn't it look festive? I'm thinking I may even add a special spot of frankincense to the core when I stuff it. I did add a ring of Swarovski crystals all around the poinsettias for added sparkle. You should see them shine in the sunlight!

I really only have one more decision to make. I originally thought of red plaid for my leaves, but it seems I don't have a red and green wool plaid in my inventory. So, I need to decide between the red leaves or perhaps this green. Do you have an opinion? I am going to look again to see if I have the plaid I'd hoped for, but just in case, I'll likely go with one of these two.

You know the routine by now. Cuppa and perhaps a little leftover marbled rye toast, and then to my needlework. I'll complete this project this morning so I can share my finished strawberry with you tomorrow. 

It's about time to get those Jammies on the agenda too. Dang elves don't work without supervision (and a little participation). See you tomorrow!

I managed to stitch a bit over the weekend and this is where I am so far. In the top image, I'd begun to add pine boughs to my embroidery. I took that photograph while there was plenty of daylight. In the lower image, I'd decided against my choice of colors for the boughs, so I took them out, and am currently in the process of adding more leaves.

Once I complete the leaves, I'll go back and add boughs (and sparkle). I'm going to choose a more subtle, blue spruce-type color for the pine accents. I'll work on it again today, and show you where I get to when I'm back on Wednesday (with better photographs). As usual, the short guy will be back tomorrow.

Goodness! I just realized Christmas is only two weeks away, and I'm going to need to make some Grammie's Jammies. I'll get started on that in a day or so, too. It seems Santa's Workshop got a bit waylaid this month. Time to get back on track. People are counting on me! No time to waste.

A Holiday Sachet In The Works...

This idea has been percolating for a little while. I just have to stitch a holiday strawberry sachet! This one will have poinsettias, evergreen boughs...and some sparkles! I may add a few white roses, too. I began work on it yesterday, and will continue my embroidering until it's complete.

I'm so excited to see this one when it's all finished. I'm already imagining red plaid leaves on top! I may even begin a series, where I create one for each month of the year! Can you even picture a bowl filled with twelve unique strawberries? 

I'll share my progress as I work on this one. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of this one so far - and what you think of my idea to do twelve unique designs to represent months of the year.

It Only Needs A Stem...

Once I've made the twist stem for the top, it will be officially finished, but I just had to share it with you now. It's a tiny bit bigger than my other strawberries, but I love it just the same.

I'll list is up to my Etsy shop this afternoon. Wouldn't it make a lovely gift for a special someone? Wooly Bear, acorn, luscious fall colors. Who could possibly want for more? I'm in love!

Red & Yellow Roses Sachet...

 

Here's a look at the completed embroidery I've been working on. If you'd like to see the completed strawberry, please click HERE to go to my Instagram page. The link should take you to an image of our Compass Barn and it will load a short video (turn on your volume if you'd like to hear anexcerpt of Ella Fitzgerals singing while you watch).

I'll be tending my garden for a bit today, and then my plan is to work on the goldwork hearts I started a few weeks ago. I guess I'm in the mood to finish my current UFOs, and then I'll be able to begin a very special brooch. I can't wait to share images and details as I work out what the finished piece will look like!

I'm looking forward to a restful weekend. How about you? What do you have planned for the next few days?

Red Roses...

 

Not one who enjoys idle hands, I started a new sachet last night. This one will use the colors shown on the project. Red and yellow roses will be the centerpiece of this strawberry, and it will be a small gift.

Today is Craft Day, so I'll be driving to Portage this morning. It's my turn to lead our group so I've chosen something quick and fun. I'll share it with you on Monday.  

I need to be on the road for home by about 11:30 to be back in time for my final goldwork session for the "Blue Tit Workshop" this afternoon. It's going to be a whirlwind day and I'm looking forward to every second of it.

 

Have a great weekend, dearies. I've got to run. I don't want to be late!

 

 

 

Bella's Strawberry and "The Hoop"...

Bella's Strawberry Sachet is finished, so I can share it with you today. Lots of little flowers, and a special silver paw print near the tip. Of course, I have a silver acorn attached to the top, too. 

I chose a grey houndstooth wool for our black Labrador girl, and the tassle top is composed of thread colors used in the embroidery. I stuffed this one with organic cotton so it's nice and firm. It will join the other berries I've kept in a pretty, oval creamware bowl.

 

I worked on this piece last time I was with the Sewcial Sisters, and Kathy D. noticed my hoop. You will have seen it in photographs every time I share a small piece I'm working on. It belonged to my mother-in-law, Evelyn, and when I'm working on something special, I reach for this one first.

Kathy asked if it was a Queen hoop, and I said, "I don't know. What's a Queen hoop?". I turned it in hand and sure enough, it said "Queen" on the edge. I asked what might be special about it, and she showed me a listing for an oval one on Etsy or Ebay (I can't remember) that was listed for a whopping $700! We agreed that it was probably an astronomical asking price, but while there were other circular hoops listed, this was the only oval.

So, I took my embroidery off the hoop and showed her the features that make it different from our other hoops. Queen patented the metal wheel tightening mechanism in the 1940s, and there is an imbedded wool felt liner on the inside hoop that helps keep needlework taut. Because of the wheel mechanism, the outside hoop does not completely open and come apart.

My understanding is that they also manufactured metal hoops with the same tightening wheel, and if I look hard enough, I'll find the one that I also got with my mother-in-law's embroidery things.

I have to say that if Handsome's dear mother had seen that $700 listing, she would have laughed out loud. If you look on the lower right image above, you'll see that written in pencil on the inside of the felt-lined hoop is "25¢". I can hear her chuckle as I write this.

All I know is that this hoop is precious to me because of who previously owned it. It has the patina of age and use that was worn in by Evelyn's hands, and no amount of money - large or small - will make a difference to me. It's priceless in my eyes, and I'll continue to feel close to her every time I use it.

Ready To Assemble...

 

The next time you see this piece, it will be a completed Strawberry Sachet. I began this one while we waited for Bella's ultrasound results, so it will be our reminder of the day we spent in Madison, worried about our girl. I'll be adding ribbon embroidery and a small "Bella" touch before it's all done. Then, I'll share it again so you can see the completed piece.

I have a story to tell you tomorrow about the special hoop I use when I create these strawberries and other small pieces. It belonged to my mother-in-law before it came to me, so it's special in its own right, but there's more that would thoroughly tickle her.

I'll put this together today, so you'll see it tomorrow, too. I'm going to be in the garden first, and then I'll be back in the studio for a bit. Hard to believe we almost have another week behind us. Somehow it just doesn't seem fair. sigh Slowing down time a bit would be nice.

 

Take It Easy...

Monday was spent doing mostly nothing. I kept the outside girls company for part of the day, and paid lots of attention to the pups and Handsome. I tended my garden for a bit, and then did a little needlework. I set the stitching aside when my hand started to bother me. I was taking it easy.

We both had hair appointments right in the middle of the day yesterday, so even though Handsome told me "we need more bread", that had to wait until today. After our appointments, Handsome and I took all the pups outside and I tended my garden. Tomatoes have buds, peas have sprouted, green peppers are looking healthy, and my radishes were ready to thin. My plans today are bread and laundry. That should keep me plenty busy. If there's time left later, I'll continue to work on this piece.

What do you have planned for the day? Do you have a garden this year? Perhaps a needlework piece is holding your attention these days? I'd love to know! 

Sewcial Sisters...

 

This is what I worked on yesterday when I was in Larsen with the Sewcial Sisters. I still have more to do on it, but this is what I accomplished in a few hours. It was so great to see all the ladies again and to be able to see what everyone has been busy creating. There were some gorgeous projects in the works!

 

I didn't stay into the late afternoon as usual because I needed to get back home to finish preparing my "inventory" for the Purge & Splurge Sale at The Gatherings this weekend. There will be about thirty of us with booths of personal quilting, sewing, needlework, knitting, etc. items to sell. Handsome is going to help me move everything into my area this afternoon, and then I'll drive up again on Saturday for the sale.

Fingers crossed that I sell a bunch and come home with as little as possible.

 

When I was writing this post, I realized that the date was wrong for yesterday's post, so that's up now, too. You'll get to see two posts today instead of just one! I still have a few things to pull together before we leave, so I'll close for now. I'll take some pictures while I'm setting up my tables today, and share them with you tomorrow.

 

Cultivating My Thread Garden...

 

This is how far I got on my newest Strawberry Sachet project yesterday. It was so hot outside, but it was comfortable in the farmhouse. Ceiling fans moved the air, so we kept the windows closed. 

I went out frequently to make sure the Barn Girls were okay. I gave them fresh water, and added ice cubes to it. They stuck close, preferring the covered front porch to the Compass Barn or woodshed. I was glad to see them and know they were comfortable.

Handsome had his first concert of the summer season this evening, but we had tornado watches and heavy storms coming, so it wasn't going to be held outdoors. In the end, we decided I'd stay home with the dogs and he'd go to his concert. I'm glad I was home because we got seriously heavy rains, and the dogs were agitated. I was able to keep them calm, and make sure the girls were okay in their beds on the porch, too. I'll make it to the next concert, for sure.

In between, I stitched. There's still more to do before I form it into a berry, but I think it's coming along nicely. I'll be listing this one up when I'm finished, but I'll share the progress with you in the meantime. 

I have a haircut this afternoon, but will work on this before and after my appointment. What do you think? Do you like it so far?