Embroidery

Now for those of you who don't know what a craft swap is (I'm actually pretty new to it myself) it's loads of fun. There is usually a theme, a specified crafting time, specified sizes of items to make (like one small, and two medium items etc), and a partner to craft for who also crafts for you. The packages are mailed off and you get wonderful handmade items. So for the Jim Henson Swap, which was my very first craft swap, I made this pillow featuring everyone's favorite frog, Kermit.
The image was from a pin image I found online. Then I backed it with this lovely Kermit fabric that I was surprised to find--Kermit being kinda old and not Spongebob, Dora, Hannah Montana or other characters of the day. I was so pleased with how the stitching came out on this. I added one of his catch phrases, "Hi Ho" and added a little button for detail.


It was really hard for me to send this out to my partner! I really wanted to keep it for myself. I do have leftovers of the Kermit fabric so I guess it gives me a good excuse to make one for myself. I just think his pose and gesture really capture the spirit of Kermit. He's such a treasure. So in the spirit of Jim Henson--dare to be creative and never stop dreaming.

Rocky Horror Picture Show swap

I was in the RHPS swap on Craftster recently and I received the most awesome package from my most awesome partner Trisha2010.

I got a load of jewelry themed around the movie and one inspired from my wists. A paddle ball, knit socks, and a Magenta finger puppet. I was so thrilled with everything. Everything was so well made I was beside myself. She really made my day. She also did some wonderful drawings. I love swaps and so far I have the best partners.

Holidays on the brain

Man I am already thinking about the holidays---Halloween and most importantly Christmas. I decided that this year I would make at 75% of my gifts. I don't think it will be that hard to do it's just that I'm not all that well known for great time management. So to try to combat that, I've already started. I've got one Christmas gift started and will go shopping this weekend to finalize my supplies. Not only do I have my own gifts to make, I am signed up for two more craft swaps on Craftster which will take more of my time. So, this will be a test.

On another note--I am totaly obsessed with vintage Halloween images. I want to make cards with them but need to work on my printer a bit.

Little houses

I stitched this up this past weekend as a housewarming gift for an old friend. I, of course, decided to make it the night before the shower so I worked like three hours straight on it. Eh, no surprise there. I am the queen of procrastination! Anyway--the houses pattern is from Sublime Stitching and is part of the artist series. This is the Emily Martin "Black Apple" series. It has some wonderful designs that I hope to stitch up soon. These houses were fun to stitch. They have fun, scalloped roofs and the design really lent itself to fun, candy colors. The tree pattern is actually from a Clover pattern that I purchased at Joanns. That particular set actually has some really cute animal patterns also that I want to try soon. It originally had five birds in the tree, but I cut one away to represent the family members--one mom, one dad and two daughters. I thought it added a more personal touch. I'm very pleased with how this turned out and the recipient really liked it.

Things I learned while stitching this:

**I love the Dharma Trading Company flour sack towels I just bought.

**The stem stitch finally clicked in my head! I don't know why I could never quite "get" it before (duh)

**Don't wait until the last minute to make someone a gift.

Excited

I started a new painting and I'm really excited about it. I did a great embroidery of a horse that is attached to the painting and and now building up the images. I think it will be a successful painting.

Grandmother

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my grandmother's death. I had wanted to write something yesterday but just couldn't quite do it yet. She was very important in my life and man do I miss her. I have so many fond memories of her and thought of some yesterday to honor and remember her--like taking a walk in the woods behind her house and visiting the pet cemetery where some of the family pets were buried, spending the night at her house and her always cooking a good breakfast the next morning, her laugh, making a meringue for banana pudding, baking apples from her apple tree, taking a walk around the neighborhood and so many more. She was the strong center of our family and I feel so honored that she was my grandmother.

Started again

Well, I started a new painting....finally. I'm trying to get a body of work together to start really putting it out there. My goal is to have a show next year. It may not happen but it is at least a goal. I feel good about the new piece and hope it turns out like it looks in my head.

On another note...the season finale of Dr. Who blew my mind.