Flocks of Birds...

Bird stickers, actually. I ordered quantities of stickers of the cardinals and mama robin with nest that I designed for my two previous bird embroidery wall hangings. They arrived on Saturday, and I'm really happy with the quality of the finished products.

They're not very big. Each sticker measures 2" wide. They're perfect for attaching to the back of an envelope, or for adorning a sewing machine. They'd be great on a travel case for embroidery essentials, too!

Handsome will be home in mere days, and then I have a list of things I'm going to be doing. I may close my Etsy shop for a few days to update inventory...or I'll just update it on the fly while I keep it open. I haven't decided yet, but I will be adding sticker sets to my listings. Of course, once I complete the bluebirds, I'll order a set of stickers from that embroidery, too.

I'm also going to get stickers of my goldwork pieces...mockingbird, blue tit, koi fish, frog, the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart. I already have the Tag, Bella and Carly stickers, and will soon be working on stickers for Claudette, Crystal, the real Otis, the sweet woodchuck I rescued, and Roxanne Raccoon. who came back with her babies a couple springs ago. By the time I'm finished, there'll be a real collection!

First thing is to complete the bluebirds, though. I'll build the rest after that. For now, I'll separate the ones I aready have into categories and package them as sets. These (above) will probably be two to four of each in a set.

Still have a few things to do before Handsome gets home tomorrow, so I'm going to be busy right up until I leave to pick him up at the airport. I'm even getting Bella and Carly excited at the prospect of having him home again. We've all missed him! I'll close for now...

Taylor, The Sewing Mouse...

Well, this little mouse sure was fun. I adapted the design to create this cute, fuzzy mouse with an embroidered coat. He's also a mere 2" tall (not counting the spool), and has a needle and thread in one paw. In the other, he's holding his mousy tail. I attached a printed twill tape with spools and buttons on it. I think it may need a button or two attached, too. I'll do that later. There's even a tiny spool with the same thread on it, just in case Taylor runs out!

Can you tell I'm having fun with these? I may need to find one of those typesetter's trays just to display the ones I make! I wonder what I should do next? Any ideas? Let me know in the comments if you think of something fun. 

Busy day today, so I'll keep this short. It's a bit warmer outside, so there's that. At least the below zero stuff has moved along. I'll be back tomorrow with pictures of the Birthday Girl. See you then!

First Drawing...

I've been busy working on my concept for my next wall quilt hanging with the bluebirds. This is my first drawing, with the basic idea. It won't be my last, though. I want to move the bird in flight up and to the right, and the post and rail will change somewhat, as well. 

I began by taking copies of the images I wanted to use and sized them for the area I'll be working on with the music fabric that is the same on all this series. Then I laid them out and did the tracing/drawing. Once that's complete, I go back to my other two embroideries and reevaluate the placement. This is when I decide if I'm happy with the placement, or if I need to adjust so the series works together.

I'll do the adjusting, and redraw the piece, and then transfer it to my fabric. Once I've done that, I'll hoop it and begin the process of building the images. 

You'll see my rendering transferred to the fabric next. I'm working today, so I'll probably get back to this on Wednesday. I'm excited to get going on this one, so I'll get back to it as soon as I'm able. You'll see it again before you know it!

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!

Winter Song...

As I write this at midnight Sunday evening, I've completed everything except adding the binding, hanging sleeve and label for Winter Song. The binding will be the same fabric as the last outer border, so it won't change the appearance. 

I have over three hundred hours in this piece, and am very happy with how it finished. I'll finish it this morning, and then I can focus on things I need to accomplish before my next surgical procedure this week. For now, I'm going to sleep. When I wake up, I'll get this done and enjoy my finished wall hanging...after coffee, of course.

Working On A Strawberry...

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Sachet Hollyhocks

I began work on this last evening. I'm embroidering a strawberry sachet for a friend who loved the hollyhocks (as much as I do). I'm hoping to have it completed over the weekend, and then I can send it on its way early next week.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Strawberry Sachet Hollyhocks Detail

 

I'm not finished with all the details on this yet, and there will certainly be more stems as I've only begun the embroidery. I have centers to stitch for some of these blossoms, and then I'll move to the left to start more plants. 

 

I think my best gardening efforts involve thread. The hollyhocks outside have taken on a life of their own and they're thriving in spite of me, but I like that I really don't have to weed the flowers I stitch. It's definitely easier on the knees. lol 

 

Speaking of knees...I think my injection is helping. At least I'm not suffering the reaction I had from the cortisone! I believe the swelling prior to the injection is actually diminished, and I am having an easier time getting around. The doctor said it could take up to a month for me to see and feel the effects, so I think I'll just pamper my knee to be safe. Thanks to everyone for their prayers, thoughts, and concern. I really appreciate it!