Who put the snow on my spring fever?

Well, its Wisconsin where the winters are long and cabin fever burns deep. Its been a really mild and relatively warm winter. Unseasonably warm days have given me a touch of spring fever. Despite my better judgement, I've allowed it to sow it's seeds in my heart. The days are awfully gray around here.
We've had 3 snow falls in the last few weeks. That's just a few more than we've gotten all winter! I love the snow. I really do. I just hate the cold. Even on cold winter days I am drawn to my "penthouse" perch, (balcony) in our apartment. I'll throw on a big sweater and my mittens and enjoy a breath of fresh air now and again. As you can see, the view is lovely. We figured that it extends about 10 miles in one direction. Its a bit gray now, but in summer, well, its breath taking. The last snow was comprised of huge fluffy snowflakes that drifted softly and slowly in every direction. They left piles of white on each branch in site. Photos just don't do justice.

I am a sucker for a snowman. In fact, each snow I go out and make 2. Here are the sad remnants of the last pair I made after a sunny day.

These are the days I'm glad I work at home. Driving in it is a whole different story....

Being stuck inside can be wonderful. Errands can wait another day. Its inside play time and I've had many days to enjoy staying inside, wrapped in a big fuzzy sweater and stitching to my hearts content!

I think I complained about how few snow storms we've had too soon! Its been snowing ever since. This last one was so beautiful. Looked like the world was sugar coated.

Maybe it's time to bring my garden gargoyle in. Although, he seems to be enjoying playing in the snow!

Ribbon Embroidery- ooohhhh aaahhh

I have a new addition to my "Come Stitch With Me". I recently ordered some pretty silk ribbon, a long overdue luxury purchase. I ordered just a few colors, and I wish I had ordered more. There is something so traditional and vintage to silk ribbon embroidery, no matter how modern the artist.

I then hand dyed some vintage seam binding. Its 100 % rayon and took the Sei Tumble Dye well. I use this quick and easy dye to customize many trims, fibers and fabrics. Take a look at how easy it is. This tutorial can be found on my Tutorials page.






I began stitching on some lovely recycled cream colored wool from blazer I found at the Goodwill.
I dove right in and fell in love with how easily the ribbon glides thru fabric. This lovely 4mm ribbon is hand dyed.

I stitched this directly onto my sampler using embroidery cotton and a blanket stitch. Wish I had some tiny vintage trim to slip behind the edges of this patch. It would add the perfect touch.

I used the wider, seam binding to do another form of hand embroidery. Its not so much couching as it is tacking. I created the flower by cutting a 5-6" piece of ribbon. The short ends are sewn together to form a loop of ribbon. I then used the wire in the ribbon, only on one side, to scrunch and gather the middle of the flower closed. I then stitched the flower shape onto one of my sampler patches, tacking it down with french knots and beads. A few long stitches and french knots form the drooping stamen.

I took another piece of ribbon and manipulated it into a bit of a swirl. I tacked it down with french knots and beads.

If you haven't heard about the Stitched Online Video Workshops, you just have to check it out. Over 20 amazing fiber artists give indepth video tutorials on beautiful fabric and fiber projects, from a wide variety of fabric flowers, quilts, recycled a sweater bag, and a lot of embroidery and construction ideas.
You just have to see them to see how amazing this workshop series is. I'm one of the artists and you can find my tiara workshop in there. I will show you a bunch of ideas on embellishments you can use on all of your fiber creations. Visit Alma Stoller's website to see what you are missing!

What I haven't mentioned so far is that Alma has procured some fantastic giveaways in conjunction with Stitched. Most recently she added Rayna Gillman's book on Freeform Quilting. Its a beautiful book I wish I could win. The Stitched deadline has also been extended to January 2013! Click Here to see more....



Here is a wonderful project from Stitched that has inspired me in my Sampler Project. However, Kelli Nina Perkins takes a very different approach to the sampler...

Click here to visit Kelli's blog

Click Here to see some of the other lovely giveaways on Stitched!

New Needlecases in my Etsy Shop

Hello all,
I just finished some really sweet little needlecases. I do a lot of embroidery to fill my time when I am waiting here and there. I keep a little travel bag read to go. The last 3 times I left the house, I brought out my projects only to find that I forgot to pack a needle! Arrrrrrrrrrrgh! I was so disappointed and frustrated with my forgetfulness.

To prevent future flubs I decided to create a needlecase for my travel bag. Well, they turned out so cute, I decided to add them to my Etsy shop. I'll have to get to my own before my next waiting errand.
Take a look! They are so easy and fun to make. Create one for your bag!

Not sure how to proceed.... Check out my Needlecase Kit. All the materials, fabrics and directions are there for you!

New materials always get me going....

I just recieved some amazing colors of Perle Cotton from Erica's. I nearly drooled as I opened the package. Brilliant pinks, sunny golds, tangy oranges, rich blues and a wonderful assortment of muted colors in green, blue, mauve and rose pink. I rarely order on-line, except for Etsy. I am strongly compelled to touch things before I buy them. But DMC is DMC and the availability of colors was to die for! I just wish they carried variegated skeins. Those are my favorites. I should add that my first order from Erica's was a real pleasure. A few colors were backordered. By the time I responded to their email, which gave me choices on how deal with the back order, the color I wanted the most was in! My shipment came just a few days after that email. The whole thing took less than a week. I will absolutely order from them again.
Here is the first thing I made... A Dizzle Dazzle Pincushion Ring

You can find my rings in my Etsy Shop, Fiberluscious.
I used a few old stitches, such as the satin, bullion, back and seed stitch, but added a stitch I learned for my sampler. Gosh this sampler project is paying off. I'm loving my new stitches. Click here to find a lovely video tutorial on Mary Corbet's site, Needle 'n Thread














Of course, I had to add something to my Sampler with my new brilliant booty. I made a lovely little bird and added it to the bare foundation, which gives it a special little place all it's own, by not having its own place...make sense?

I'm a bit disappointed. I have to admit, it was supposed to be an applique with lovely turned under edges and a bit of stuffing to give it dimension. I was inspired by a blog I found called The Floss Box. Emily Wilmarth, a talented fiber artist and a fellow member of the Hand Embroidery Network Team on Etsy.
Here is Emily's Bird. I think my mistake was my foundation fabric and the tiny size of my bird. I just couldn't get the edges to turn under neatly. I used flannel instead of muslin. Take a look at Emily's tutorial and she'll show you how...

Well, back to my stitching. I have a few Etsy projects to get to and birthday presents to stitch up for my granddaughter's 1st Birthday. Wow, a whole year. Life is good.

The "Classic" Pincushion Tutorial

Click on Tutorials (above tab) to find a tutorial on The Classic Pincushion.
What is the classic?
Its one of the most practical and versatile pincushions around.
And....its super easy to make!
Here are just a few examples of how I do the "Classic".
Follow my tutorial and do your own!

Click here to get started!

I am lovin my sampler!

Time....I need more of it. Either I am squeezing in late night stitching sessions or I am struggling to record, photography and post my progress. What can I say? I'm sure you can relate.

I love how my sampler is coming along. I am learning so many new stitches! I am rediscovering my stash of fabrics, which is such a treasure trove of inspiration and I am finding so much delight in seeing this project finally come to life!
So where do I start? I guess I'll begin by showing you the blocks I've completed and list the stitches I used for each one. I also have a few stitch tutorials to share with you and more to come.

So click here to Come Stitch With Me!

Sampler Progress

Here is how my awful computer sketch has translated into fabric. I'm so excited! I can finally envision what I want to do. Thank goodness the days of indecision are behind me!

I am using a color palette that is rich and varied. I love each and every one of these fabrics. These are the base pieces. I just sewed them down, (bottom layer only. I mostly used a simple straight stitch on my sewing machine. Where the edges will show, I used a fun zig-zag and some sketchy triple stitching. I the patches down with a spray bottle and ruffed up the edges to give them a more worn-in look. I would suggest a run through the washer if you really want the edges to get ragged. I'll photograph it when dry.

More.....