Spring Inspiration

A new version of my leaf pincushion has been waiting to burst forth. Kind of like all the sneezing I've been doing since the land is waking up in Wisconsin, these colors just seem to burst forth and come alive!

This may be a bit more fun than a sneeze, but I"m so happy its finally more than an idea.


I really love the brighter colors and the pink foundation.



My green version is one of my best sellers and that makes me happy because its so fun to make!
I made this one during the summer.

This one was designed in Autumn.

I love to see how this pincushion has improved as I recreate it each time. Its gotten brighter and better with age.
(Kind of like me...I hope.)

I've been racing to make use of all the new wool colors I picked up this year from Misty Pond Primitives on Etsy.
In fact, this is what my stash looks like now!


I better get sewing because people are drawn to fabrics by the season. All of my wool items will soon sit in warm hibernation for the summer.
Funny how that works.

I have a few new rings in my shop too. These are actually season proof. Accessories are too fun to ignore, no matter what the weather.


I love my wooly rings. I use recycled sweaters that have been felted. I center a circular design using needle felted wool roving, embroidery and beads. Once I'm done with the decoration, I gather the outside edge and pull it tight. I slip a powerful little magnet into the center, (to help keep the pins from slipping out). I securely attach it to a fun adjustable ring finding and its ready to work! A few fun beaded pins for decoration adds the final touch.

Well, I'm going to sneak in a few more wool items this week. I have some pretty needle cases inspired by some fun buttons I picked up this winter. I also received a creative push from some awesome, modern prints which are echoed in wool applique designs.

I love spring!!!
Watching the land wake up from a long and dreary winter always inspires me to open my eyes and see all the wonder around me.
I love that the weather is allowing for some long, meanering walks in the woods near my home. Its a joy to watch little green leaves poking through the dead leave beds.
When I get back to the machine, I feel like I am waking up too!

Hope you are enjoying the end of winter too.
See you soon!

Managing your Threads.

I think one of the reasons people don't enjoy embroidery is knots, tangles and frustration. I know that these things can turn a fun project into a pain in the butt. Let me share with you a few tips on how to make it more enjoyable just by managing your threads and floss.
I'll post a few short tips and tricks this month. Let start with bobbins.

I like using bobbins. I know that a basket full of floss hanks can be very decorative. But once you start pulling threads you will find that that beautiful little pile is a big pile of problems. Then you stop embroidering.
Here is a cute image from the Invincible Summer Blog by Nikki.

Before you judge, you have to visit her cute blog tutorial on how she makes her own bobbins. Easy peasy and so cute!

I use basically 2 different threads for most of my embroidery. There are more, but these are commonly available in most craft stores, so I can keep my stash stocked.
I like to buy high quality embroidery threads. When you purchase the bargain brand you are asking for some problems.
They tend to knot up more.
They sometimes leave color behind in stitches, so when you remove a stitch, you are left with a colored hole in your fabric.
They may not be colorfast. That means they may fade in sunlight or with washing.

Your time and creative efforts deserve the best. Embroidery is not a fast little craft. It involves many hours and days of work. Can you imagine creating a little masterpiece only to see it deteriorate before your eyes? I would cry.
Besides, if you are selling your work, your customers deserve the best. They have so little control over what goes into their items. Its up to you to be a watchdog for quality control. Your payoff will be work you are very proud of. That's such a great feeling. DMC has a nice product which can be found everywhere. I am using their images of their products. I'll be posting more about the different embroidery threads later. In the meantime, take a look at some of the info and tutorials here.

Perle Cotton is a multi ply, cotton thread that cannot be separated. It comes in a variety of sizes. I use size 5 for most of my work, but use size 8 for details.
It comes in a 27 yard skein or a 49 yard ball in 306 colors. Sizes range from thinnest to thickest 12. 8, 5, 3. Most craft stores sell size 5 or balls in a variety of sizes.
It is has lovely sheen. You can easily create a nice thick line or a full solid satin stitch.
I use the smallest embroidery needle I can fit into the eye. Size 24 or 22 Tapestry needles work well. More on needles later.

6 Strand Embroidery Floss is my other go-to embroidery thread. It has 6 separate strands which can be pulled apart for your desired thickness.
Floss comes in 8.7 yard skeins in 454 colors.
It is the perfect choice when doing tiny work with lots of detail. Most crazy quilts are embroidered with single or 2 strands. I use 3 strands when I want a good filler. But 2 strands work for most projects.

This post is mainly about how to manage your embroidery floss and thread so it is ready to go when you are.
I use bobbins instead of skeins. This helps me keep my stash tidy and bobbins fit into most organizers.

DMC sells plastic bobbins. Any brand will work.


You can find some fun handmade bobbins. I found these on Etsy.
Here are some adorable wooden bobbins from Giggle Snort Society


Here are more designs from Sugar Cookie


They may not be the most practical bobbins, but they sure are sweet!

Here are Nikki's bobbins from her tutorial, "Embroidery Floss Organizer".


I'm just using the plain plastic bobbins for now.
Here is how to manage your embroidery threads...


Perle Cotton
I am showing one skein as it comes from the store and the other has the wrapper undone.
Don't throw that wrapper away just yet. I recommend making a note of the color number on your skein, so when you run out, you know what to purchase.
I write the number onto the middle of the bobbin and also on the very end. There is a rough side of the plastic and a smooth side. I use a pencil to write the numbers down.


You will find the beginning and end to the skein at one end. they are tied together. Carefully snip them apart making sure to remove the knot.

Untwist the skein just enough to expose the loop of threads.
Begin winding one end onto the bobbin. Wrap a few times to make sure it has a good start.


Now here is a trick I've learned which involves some very technical equipment...your knees. They work better then anything I've tried and they are always available.
Just place the skein over your knees and pull it taut. As you unwind the thread it won't twist or twirl and you will avoid knotting and kinks.

Continue to wind your bobbin keeping the thread taut, but not stretched.
There is a lot of thread to wind, so try to keep winding your thread evenly across the bobbin till you get to the end.

Ta da! Ready to use and to store.

As you use the thread just keep tucking the end into the slit on the bobbin. When I have left over thread I just wrap that onto the bobbin. That way you won't waste an inch.
If you are stitching on a rough fabric and your thread becomes worn and ragged, don't keep the leftovers. They will only cause you headaches later. Keep them for the birds!

6 Strand Embroidery Floss
Now anyone who has ever used floss knows that it knots very easily. Winding onto a bobbin helps by smoothing the floss fibers onto the bobbin. Less folds and kinks means less knots later on.
Again, unwrap the label from your floss. Make note of the color number on your bobbin in the middle and on the end.

Carefully split the skein into a loop.


My special tool for floss is my wrist, (roll up your sleeves for this).
Place the loop of floss over your hand so the end easily unwinds.
Begin winding the floss onto the bobbin. AS you pull the thread it will spin around on your wrist and easily unwind without tangling. If it catches up on itself, slow down and unwind it by hand for a bit until it starts to spin on your wrist again.

As you use parts or strands of each color, wind the leftovers back onto the same bobbin to keep things neat and avoid waste.

When you are done, keep them clean and organized in a box. I found mine for 99 cents.
Everything in its place...


I have a confession. My boxes do not look like this. I used this photo from Junie Moons blog.
I'm a busy stitcher. I promise to show you my stash later.
Now go stitch!

My March CQJP13

I decided to do something homey and simple this month. I am currently working on a number of needle books. Most are wool. All involve lots of embroidery. Needle books are great little places to put something pretty.

I first pieced a number pretty fabric scraps on a muslin foundation. I picked red, white and black prints. I just love how they feel so summery and warm. I dedicated this particular needle book to my Aunt Martha. I remember family picnics as a child. She was always ready with a pinch of my cheek and a big bowl of potato salad. What fun!

Well, after piecing my cotton fabrics, I added some crochet trims, vintage buttons and lots of stitches along the seams. I closed this book with a simple snap. I wanted to make it a simple and durable closure.



Inside you will find 2 pockets. One is lined. Between the layers of fabric I added wool batting, so the pocket also acts as a pincushion in a pinch. In the other pocket I put another pincushion. This one was made with a yo-yo shape and a fabric center, stuffed with more batting.

I love how it turned out. I hope to have something with my silks next month. There are just so many possibilities!

Scrappy Little Nest Maker

I've seen this idea in a number of bird magazines and on a few "green" PBS shows. Now that spring has arrived (on the calender at least) I decided to give one a try. Most of what I have seen at the local garden center involved some icky plasticy bags with little holes. I had envisioned something more natural with a lot bigger holes, so the little birds could see what I had to offer. Since I never throw anything away...well I had lots to give my little feathered friends.


I used a large crochet hook and some cotton twine. It took me all of 15 minutes to stitch it up. It was fun finding scraps of wool roving, cotton thread and floss and cotton fabric scraps. I love how it looks. I hope the birds use these bright little tidbits to do some serious nesting.


Here are the basic instructions. The beauty of this project is that is sure doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to hold stuff. So, if you want to add some fancier stitches, or if you are looking for a sweet project to do with a novice crocheter, try this. It is sure to brighten up your life and the offer some warm, soft lining for a nest full of new chicks.

Tools and Materials
You will need a scissors, cotton twine, a size 10 or N large crochet hook, a large eyed yarn needle and bits and pieces of cotton or wool batting, yarn, fabric scraps, embroidery thread or twine.

Row 1
Chain 4 and join to form a loop.

Row 2-
Chain 2. Then single crochet in the loop 15 times.
Join at the top of chain 2.

Row 3-
Chain 3.
Double crochet into each of the single crochet stitches from the last row. Join at the top of the chain 2 at the beginning of the row.

Row 4-5
Chain 3.
Double crochet into each of the double crochet stitches from Row 3. Join at the top of the chain 3 at the beginning of the row.

Row 6
Chain 2
Single crochet into each of the double crochet stitches from Row 5. Join at the top of the chain 2 at the beginning of the row.

Long cord
Chain 30 or to the desired length of the cord you will need to tie your nest making ball to a branch. When finished, tie off and cut leaving 2 inches of plain twine.
Thread the twine at the end of the cord onto a yarn needle.

Last step
Thread the cord through the top loops of each of the last single crochet row. Pull gently and leave a large enough opening to stuff.

Stuff your ball with thin cotton fabric ripped into pieces about 4 inches long by 1/4" wide. Add wool or cotton yarn scraps, cotton batting, cotton cord, thread or twine each about 4 inches long.
Pull bits of a bit so the bird can see whats inside and pull them out easily.

Tie onto a branch of a tree.

Do a little birdwatching and see what develops in your local bird nesting spots.
Enjoy!

Choose from my fun fabric stash!

I often receive custom orders in my Etsy shop Fiberluscious.
I thought I would make it easier on my customers if I could show them just what I have.

I also want to take some of the guess work out of choosing from so many different fabrics so I groups coordinating fabrics together.
Most of my patchwork pincushions require 2, 3 or 6 different prints. I normally use at a time, like with this new tomato from my shop.


I may use 6 different prints...


or maybe just one...


or lots!


So if you are looking for just the right colors or prints for your mom's mother's day gift..here are just a portion of what you can choose from!

My Stashes


Here are some fun coordinates



More to come....
My batik stash- 1930's coordinates- lots more flowers and some fun dots and modern prints.

To see my most recent fabric choices, go to my Fabric Choices Page. (see the left margin to click on that page).

Thank you!

I was so pleasantly surprised to find in my mailbox a sweet "Thank You" card with an pretty crystal angel charm. It was from Creatology, the winner of my Grow Your Own Blog Party giveaway. I was so touched. Thank you back!!!
That was so unnecessary but very much appreciated! I have it on my key chain and I know it will bring me a smile each time I catch a glimpse of that pretty little sparkle.

I am often touched by your comments and find them very encouraging and uplifting. My feedback on Etsy often brings tears to my eyes.
My husband often complains that I work too much. He worries when I'm stressed over too many orders. He sometimes, well, really doesn't understand why I do this.

Its because of you all. Its because I'm always inspired by your blogs and shops. I love to hear your comments. I eat them up!
When my fingers are sore and my eye lids are droopy, I still have a smile on my face. I can't wait to share my next project with you. When I hear that I have inspired someone to bring out their sewing supplies, I feel great that I've inspired someone else to bring more beauty into this world. When someone invests in one of my handmade items, I feel like its an opportunity to give someone a piece of my creative spirit. It so longs to soar...

I was on Pinterest for a few hours just drinking in all the beauty and my brain was working a million miles an hour trying to keep up with ideas. I love looking at how someone can take the same fabrics and materials I have and come up with something I never thought of. I'm in awe. I'm in love with handmade. What an amazing movement we are enjoying right now.

Maybe life is not all about stitching, piecing, embroidery, stuffing and all the pretty sparkles we play with day to day. But thank goodness it has a place in this world. Things can get a bit depressing these days. Money is tight and life can be a bit demanding. But for just a few hours a day, its all about pretty colors, bright patterns and oodles of imagination. That makes it very worthwhile and the perfect reason to start a new project. Don't you think?