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."

They're On Their Way...

These are in the mail now and on their way to Marilyn, Terri, Clara and Jody - the last four to receive theirs. I'm so grateful they were patient, and I hope each recipient loves their gift from my heart to theirs.

I work today, but am looking forward to homekeeping (kitchen restocking) for the rest of the week. I'll share photos - and perhaps even a recipe or two! See you tomorrow.

Four to Go!...

Four wee frogs ready to hop to new homes. I didn't show them finished so that they'll be a surprise for the recipients. Three will be scissors fobs and one will be a brooch. I did my best to make each one of (all of) these completely different from the others. 

In total - including the first one I made in class - I've completed fifteen frogs. I think I'll take a break from them for a bit and then I'll make a couple for my Etsy shop later this summer.

I'm going to be baking and canning this week. I need to restock the pantry with hickory syrup, canned mushrooms, pizza sauce, stewed tomatoes, tomato basil soup, my baking mixes (brownies, cake mixes, and corn muffins), and some of my cooking mixes (gravies and spice blends). 

I think I've told you before, but my main goal is to preserve many of the things that we usually buy at the store. With prices skyrocketing and all the additives (some not necessarily healthy), I'm happy to do the work in consideration of both of those things.

It's going to be a busy week, so I'm glad the frogs are done and will be on their way. I can't wait to hear how the last of the giveaway winners feels about theirs.

Three To Get Ready...

One more and they'll be ready to complete and ship! I'll do Number Four this weekend, and plan to do the mailing on Monday. If you're still waiting for your frog, are you excited? I'll let you know when your frog is on its way. 

I'm going to make my morning cuppa and head to my needlework frame. I hope you have a fabulous Saturday!

 

Regal Frogs...

I'm really loving the crowned versions of my goldwork frogs! I had one rosy gold crown, so I decided to make a little girly one. Yes. This one is already assigned to its new owner.

I finished stitching two of the "Charming" frogs, and only have one side and two legs to do on the third.  That leaves one more to finish all the frogs from my giveaway drawing. When it's done, I'll do all the final assembly. Three will be scissor fobs and one will become a brooch. 

I may even finish the stitching before I go to work later this afternoon. If not today, then definitely tomorrow. My plan is to have all of them stitched and made into fobs and a brooch by the end of the weekend. I can't wait to show you more. 

My hands are still hurting, but I'm not going to sit around licking my wounds. Time to soldier on and do what I love, even when it's not easy. I can say that I'm more content when I'm doing what I love.

Definitely makes for a Happy Friday!

PS. I did, in fact, write a post for yesterday. I think operator error set it to publish on the wrong date. I fixed it, but apologize that it didn't go up on schedule yesterday. sigh

This Is More Like It...

Now I'm working "Prince Charming #1" in the correct order as I work toward completion. I'll definitely finish stitching this one today, and then start on the next one. From here through the next three, I'll work them one at a time, as I need more mental continuity as I choose compatible colors for each one.

I do like how this one is turning out. What do you think? I can almost hear the sound track from Rogers and Hammerstein's Cinderella! "In my own little corner, in my own little chair..." or "Do I love you because you're wonderful? or are you wonderful because I love you?" I can see Stuart Damon as Prince Charming, and Leslie Ann Warren as Cinderella. It's definitely one of my favorites!

Well, enough day dreaming. It's time to do a little waltzing with my needle and thread. I'll share more tomorrow. 

Completely Out Of Order...

I'm supposed to do the smooth purls on the "eyelids" of the frog first, but I couldn't wait on this one! I had to figure out how I wanted to attach the crowns and went headlong into securing it to the wee frog's head.

Then I filled it with chippings to see how that would work. Squeee! Isn't he going to be regal? Now I'm ready to do the rest of this one to finish it. Once it's complete, I'll work my way around the rest to finish all of them.

Yes. I'm going to be sitting at my needlework frame today. My hands feel good enough to play with needle and thread, so I'm going to see just how much I can accomplish. Are you as excited as I am?

Finally! Back To This Project...

After taking some time off to spend with Handsome, working ten hours on Sunday, and another six yesterday, I'm finally off "work" until Friday evening. That means I can do some needle dancing and homekeeping - my two favorite things - beside spending time with my husband, of course.

I managed to get this far on the frogs before I had to work on Sunday, and you can see I only got half the legs done on the frog in the 3 o'clock position. I'm couching down the gold super pearl purl, and will finish that one first. I'm also going to determine the placement for the crown on one of the frogs before I go further on that one. 

After I've done that much, I'll couch in the details around the eyes and body before getting down to the sparkly bits. Isn't it fun that each one seems to have its own personality? That will become more apparent as I fill in each their unique colors. 

I admit, the last few work days have me a bit tired, but needlework always restores me. I know this will be a great day. I hope for the same for you!

Today's The Day...

My needles and threads will no longer be denied. There shall be needle dancing today. You already know I'll be working on my goldwork frogs. Everything else is on hold until I accomplish at least a few hours of stitching. 

It's going to be a great day!

Dancing With Frogs...

Needle dancing, of course. I accomplished quite a bit yesterday. I took care of all the girls first (Bella, Carly, Claudette and Crystal), ran the vacuum and tidied up around the farmhouse, weeded the corner of the retaining wall (removing the volunteer crown vetch that threatened to kill the plants I put in last summer), and then sat down to stitch for a while.

I managed to add the eyes and "brows" to all the frogs, and then started outlining each one with the gold super pearl purl. I still have two to do, which I'm hoping to get done today. 

I'm going to wait until after our next rainfall to tackle the kitchen garden, as I think it might be a bit easier to pull the offending plants when the ground is softer. Plus, I don't really want to spend the day on my knees before I have to go to work. Perhaps I can get to that tomorrow.

I'd like to get all the outlining finished on these guys first, and then do the detail around the eyes and across their backs done today. Then, I'll fill in each one before moving to the next.

It's hard to believe it's already Friday again. The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, so I'm looking forward to spending that time outdoors. More work on my frogs first. I'll share my progress tomorrow!

Last Four Giveaway Frogs On Deck...

I've started the last four giveaway frogs that will go to Clara, Marilyn, Terry and Jody! It won't be too long and they will be on their way to each of you! Three will become fobs and one will be a brooch, per their requests. Three will be green, and one will be "stitcher's choice".

These are going to be fun to create for each of you.  I love trying to choose unique color combinations for each one. I hope you'll all enjoy watching them progress! 

I'm back to my regular work schedule now, so I'm looking forward to stitching, canning, and getting our garden under way. I'm going to be updating my Etsy shop this week, too! Working more than that takes away from the homekeeping things I love so much. This is going to be a great week, and I hope you'll follow along.

More Cider and New Colors...

Sorry for today's late post. Last night at work was exhausting, but I'm not going to talk about that today. Brush it off and move on. 

The mail came today with new colors for my goldwork supplies. These are all new bright check purls. I ordered more in the color I used for my corgi brooch (cider), as well as some new greens for frogs. 

I'll be setting up the last four frogs today, and begin working on them so I can get them mailed out soon.

I'm working again tomorrow - yes, Mother's Day - so the kids who work at the store can be with their moms - so I want to make the most of today. Next week, I'll be back to my regular schedule of Tuesdays during the day, and short Friday nights. I'm going to do my best to stick with that so that I can do the homekeeping things I love so much during the summer...canning, gardening, and being here with Handsome. (I saw the light last night.)

I hope you have a lovely Mother's Day tomorrow - whether or not you're a mom, or still have yours with you. Simply take it easy and enjoy the day. Let someone pamper you for a change. You deserve it. I love you and value your friendship, and hope to see you back here on Monday to see what kind of progress I made on my frogs.

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.

My Current Work In Progress...

I began this new froggy on Saturday and then everything went in a different direction. I planned to work on it again Monday night while Handsome was at rehearsal, but there was something in my eyes and it was too blurry for me to work. I know you understand my meaning here. 

I'm going to be working on this one again today after I clean up my sty of a studio and office. I've been neglecting them lately and it's time to put on my big girl panties and stop procrastinating. Once I've done that, I'll sit down with my needle and threads again.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment for me here and on Facebook. I've read each loving, considerate, comforting word you've written and promise to answer each one by the end of the week. You understand that it's difficult for me as this grief is still new. It will get easier with each passing day, and then I'll be able to respond thoughtfully - and hopefully, without blubbering all over my computer keyboard. Please just know how much your outpouring of support has meant to me and Handsome. 

So, for now, I'll deal with these feelings by purging, cleaning, and organizing (again) in my studio. It's how I've always been under such conditions. I'll try not to make all of this weeks posts "Debbie downers", and look forward to sharing more completed projects soon. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I'm being gentle with myself, and needlework has always been my refuge, when I'm not leaning on family. I need to give them a break, too. Thanks again. Really.

More Frogs...

I've only set up one new one for now, but I'll definitely be back to creating new frogs in the near future. I think I have five or six left to make for the giveaway I had before Christmas, and I don't want this project to linger too long. If you're expecting a frog in your mailbox, I should have them all done in the next month or so.

I have a hair appointment this morning, but when I get back home, needle dancing is on my agenda. I think a little sitting around is just what the doctor ordered. The sun is already streaming in the south windows of the farmhouse, so the light will be perfect for playing with goldwork threads. I'll be sharing updates on my wee frogs again soon.

Yup. It Happened...

This was supposed to be a completed scissors fob froggie. You'll notice the cord I so carefully secured to this sparkly guy is nowhere to be seen. It seems in my careful attention to cutting around the backing for this one, for just one moment I lost track of that cording...and accidentally cut it.

It's a good thing you weren't in the studio with me. It might have changed your opinion of how sweet and ladylike I am (yeah, right!). You'll be happy to know I didn't actually curse, but a lot of naughty thoughts went through my head, and I may have stamped my feet. 

I'd secured the base of the cord - as well as the beautiful gold backing - so well that I would have destroyed all my goldwork if I'd tried to remove it to add a new cord. I was the true embodiment of crestfallen. 

I went to my list of future frog recipients to see if anyone else had asked for a frog just to stand in a place of prominence in a new pond, and found that there are only requests for fobs and brooches remaining, so this wee boy will be staying with me. Perhaps I'll add him to my koi pond. Perhaps I will just place him with my other goldwork creations. I haven't really decided. 

What I do know is that I'll begin a new frog to make for the person who was meant to have this one, but I won't start it until after all our Christmas projects are completed. I'd go lie down and pout, but there's no time. Lots to accomplish before I can lollygag about again. I can't wait to share the gifts I have in mind. See you tomorrow!

More Autumn Flowers...

 

I think all I need to do to finish my embroidery is to add the silk ribbon flourishes on the left side of my strawberry. I'm calling the floral section "complete". It's possible to overwork a piece, and I want to avoid that.

 

Notice the little critter I added to this one? A wooly bear! Based on the width of its center section, this wooly says it's going to be a mild winter. That's hard to believe since today it was in the 20s and started blowing as the sun set. It's not even December yet, and I'm crying "uncle!". At this rate, I'm going to get a lot of needle dancing done this winter!

Here's an angled view of the embroidery, so you can see how I added a little more dimension to this piece. I added dried hydrangeas to the rusty orange flowers, the fuzzy yellow blossoms, and my wooly bear is truly wooly - thanks to the turkey stitch I used. I'm going to be adding more wooly bears in the future. I loved doing this one!

I'm going to get my hair trimmed this morning at Wendi's, and then I'll be home to complete my work on the this so I can assemble it into a strawberry. I can't wait to show you the finished piece. I'll share the completed goldwork frog scissors fob, too! I'd better go so I can get to my appointment on time. Results of this piece and the frog tomorrow. See you then.

Do A Little Dance...

 

Make a little frog... (Are you humming Casey and the Sunshine Band, "Get Down Tonight" yet? Sorry. I couldn't resist.)

I still have to turn the wee frog into a scissors fob, which I'll do today. Most of Sunday was spent baking. I made white chocolate chip scones for breakfast, and mixed up a batch of brownie mix to have on hand. I took all the dry ingredients used to make brownies and made a huge batch. When I want to make a batch of brownies in the future, I just scoop a measure of the mix and add the wet ingredients to pop into the oven. (I didn't bake brownies today, though.) Then I baked bread. When everything was cleaned up and dinner was in the oven, I sat down to stitch a bit.

I managed to add quite a bit to my Autumn Strawberry project, but I have a lot more to add, to create a lush fall floral design. This is shaping up nicely, though, in my humble opinion.

Handsome has a dermatology procedure today (my fair-skinned Swede), so I'll be taking along my needlework to keep me occupied while I wait. I'll share my progress when I see you again on Wednesday. Tag will be here tomorrow. What are you up to this week?

No Black Friday Here...

 

This is what I worked on yesterday. We had a lovely, quiet day, so I had time to stitch for a bit. We're getting together with #1 Son's family today, so I did a little baking to contribute.

Our dear daughter-in-law can't eat gluten due to health considerations, so I've baked gluten-free dinner rolls, a g-f raspberry torte, and corn casserole. The recipe for the torte is from a Wisconsin restaurant I went to in the late 70's-early 80's called the Jamieson House. It was near where I lived in Portage, and it was also a bed and breakfast upstairs (I never stayed there). Anyway, years later, I saw recipes from the Jamieson House in a magazine for this torte, and also for Devonshire Cream (which I had when I was there for dinner). That dessert was served at Handsome and my wedding reception. I would have made the Devonshire Cream for today's meal, but was really curious about the torte. I'll let you know what everyone thinks.

You can see I made a little progress on this frog, too. I have to finish its back feet and leg, but I'm still deciding on the colors for the oval on its back. I guess we'll find out all together what I choose. I'll get back to it on Saturday.

If you followed me for more than eleven months, you'll know that I don't do Black Friday events in the stores. I may take advantage occasionally of a good cyber deal, but no way this ol' girl is going shopping out in the wild. I just don't see taking a day to be thankful for all my blessings, and then running out the next day to buy more stuff. No thank you, very much. You can always find me right here if you need me. 

If you're going out, be safe out there, and I'll meet you back here tomorrow.