Hearts and Acorns...

 

I've been waiting for an order to arrive with rose gold swords for my Immaculate Heart. When they arrived, I was not happy with the finish. It looks more coppery with my lavender pink kid leather. I'll be changing it out for a silver one today, and then I'll list them for sale in my Etsy shop.

My next project - you guessed it, MA! - is an acorn brooch. I'm going to use suede as the base, and I've pulled possibilities for the embellishments, too. I've chosen colors from gold/gilt to deep chocolates, and will begin work on it later today. 

Tag will be here to visit with you tomorrow, and I'll show you my Acorn Brooch progress on Wednesday. Another week, and we're on our way again. What do you have planned?

Heart Embroidery Finished…

When I get home later this week, I’ll cut these out of the hoop and turn them into brooches. You know I’ll share them when they’re done. 

Now it’s time to tell you about my next project, though. Two months ago at our monthly Craft Saturday, Adrienne’s young daughter, Belle saw one of my heart brooches and loved the sparkle. Then she showed me her drawing of a dragon standing on its hind legs. I told her that if she drew a sleeping dragon, I’d stitch and create a goldwork brooch from her drawing. 

This is the drawing she handed to me at our last craft day. I’ve only changed the size to make it easier to add the goldwork elements for a brooch. Now that I’ve finished my other brooches, I’ll start this piece…and I’m really excited to create a dragon brooch for her. Updates in the near future.

Gilded Sacred Heart...

 

I'm finished with the goldwork on my Sacred Heart - all in goldtones this time - but can't turn it into a brooch until I complete the Immaculate Heart. If I cut out the gold one, I won't have enough fabric to support the other one in my hoop. 

 

Once they're both finished I'll turn them into brooches and make them available to purchase. I'm never sure which is my favorite, but I really enjoy making them. I actually have an idea for a future project along this line, but as I've said, I have a special commission that will be up after I finish the Sacred Heart here.

I'm going to finish these today, and after Tag's post tomorrow, I'll share the special commission idea I'll be doing next. If you're still off for the Independence Day holiday, enjoy another day of family and friends. 

 

Today marks three years since Dad's passing. It seems like a lifetime and just yesterday all at once. So many times I've wanted to pick up the phone to call him. How I'd love to see his nostrils flare as a smile crosses his face, and to hear his laughter one more time. I miss you, Dad. Until we're together again...

Gold Sacret Heart WIP...

 

After tending the garden, pulling weeds and such, I came back to my studio to work on these two hearts that I set aside after beginning the goldwork bird class with Clara. 

 

I began with the gold heart, and even though the flames look like they have a pink tinge, they are gold. I wanted to do this entire piece in gold this time. This one will be a Sacred Heart, and I have the crown of thorns yet to stitch. I think I'll do this one a little differently than the first one I did, but I'm not settled on the technique yet. I'll figure it out over the weekend. 

Once I finish that, I'll turn my attention to the pink one, which will be another Immaculate Heart, with the sword and roses.

I still haven't worked out the Most Chaste Heart yet, but I will do that one before the summer is over. I do have another goldwork project in line before that one, though, and I'll share it with you next week.

I do hope you have a restful weekend, spending the time doing something fun with someone you love. That's exactly what Handsome and I have planned. Thank you for all your healing thoughts for him. He's still in a lot of discomfort, but we're hoping he'll feel better by the day. In the meantime, we'll just take it easy, and I'll give him lots of TLC. Stay safe out there!

I Can't Not Stitch...

 

My hands still hurt and as I said yesterday, my great doctor has no idea why I'm in pain. So, in keeping with what I said in my last post, I'm going to needle dance in short sessions.

 

I pulled all my materials together to get back to creating a couple more Heart Brooches. I'm thinking these may become available in my shop once they're finished.

 

 

 

I stitched down the gold super purl pearl edging yesterday, deciding to stop when I completed this much. I'll return to this today and add the same trim to the flame area. I'll decided whether to go on to the next (inner) border of gilt twist once this part is done.

 

Once these are finished, I'm so anxious to show you what I'm going to create in goldwork next! It's not going to surprise many of you, but it's going to be a sparkling version of something near and dear to me. Can you guess what it is?

 

If I take it little by little, I'll get take care of my hand as I fulfill my need to put needle and thread to fabric. I can move on to other things without feeling too crippled for doing what I love. I think it's a workable compromise. We'll see. (I'd cross my fingers, but that actually hurts. sigh)

 

 

PS. If you don't see my posts appearing around midnight CST, it's because I couldn't wrestle my computer into behaving. I get my daily writings up the next day as soon as I can. I'm holding off buying a new computer until I can decide whether I want just a laptop, or the larger screen afforded by a desktop version. Thanks for understanding.

Completed Sacred Heart...

 

I finished the Sacred Heart Brooch and it now sits on a special pincushion next to my first Immaculate Heart. I'm working out the details for the lilies for the Most Chaste Heart, but in the meantime, I'll set up another of each of these two to make available in my shop for purchase. 

It was a long day yesterday, but I think we narrowed down that it's not a neurological issue with Bella, which is a good thing. I think there's still a CT scan in her future, along with a possible change in medication, but we're narrowing down the issue. I'm waiting for a call back from the clinic, but I think her next appointment will be back in Madison on May 10th - after Handsome and Carly are back home. (yay!)

My sister, Jan offered a watercolor class in her Facebook group last night, so I pulled out a set of watercolors I bought for using with needlework and just played along. I've never attempted painting an actual scene or anything, but I had fun with it. This is what I created. I have to say it was a peaceful way to end my day.

Handsome will be returning soon, so I'll probably be working upstairs again today. I really want to get this organizing and purging finished by the time he gets home, but I also want it done so I can get outside while this weather is so perfect! Time to get after it! Right after my morning cuppa...

 

Immaculate Heart II...

 

 

I completed the second Immaculate Heart Brooch yesterday. This one looks completely different in this colorway, and I really like it. My client has seen it and chose the style sword from the assortment I offered. He loves it, too.

 

I'm having so much fun getting back to my needlework, and am already thinking about what the next project will be. I haven't settled on it yet, but you'll be the first to know once I've made my decision. 

 

I'm kind of enjoying taking my time these days without deadlines.  I'm taking care of the critters, getting the house cleaned (doing a little early spring cleaning), and putting things back in order before Handsome comes back home the first part of May. Life is good.

 

Immaculate Heart Brooch...

 

I completed the stitching and inserted the sword for my Immaculate Heart. When I finished that, I released it from the ground fabric and prepared it for the pin and backing. I'll do that today, now that the back of my needlework is properly prepped.

I've got more swords on their way in gold and silver, and already have a commission for another! I'm going to start on that one today or tomorrow so it's ready to finish when my swords arrive. In the meantime, HERE'S a link to the video I shared on my Instagram (and Facebook) page after I released it from the ground fabric and prepped it for the pin back. 

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