Some Stitching, New Buttons and Two New Challenge Projects

Tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. we have the house closing, it was moved up two days early so I have been busy getting my ducks in a row and looking for kitchen appliances and found them on sale until early June.
We had a long hot weekend, yesterday evening we did get some much needed rain which I listened to while I did some stitching to unwind after a busy day.  I put aside the Celtic Cross for now I'm just working on some less detailed pieces when I have some downtime.

This is a new piece for the drum and dance series I am doing.  A while back I purchased several crystal grids this one is the Flower of Life grid. Then simply added the drumming woman on top of the grid scanned it and printed it onto Stick and Wash product.  The photo is a bit blurry.

On Saturday the Theodora Cleave buttons I ordered arrived, I just love them and can't wait to be moved so I can get on with some projects I have in mind.

The designer Barb Smith creates such wonderful buttons, about 10 years ago I came across her hand embroidery patterns back then as The Woodcutter's Daughter, I still have the patterns and once I move I plan to stitch some up.  Here is a closer look and the large button, I guess I should have taken them out of the package before snapping the picture.

These are the other two buttons

The buttons can be found here https://www.theodoracleave.com/

There are two Needlework Projects I am taking part in over the next few weeks I thought I would share the website info if you are looking for some interesting needlework projects too.

The San Francisco School of Needlework and Design's newest stitch at home challenge is underway, the theme is Talismans here is a link for information:
https://www.sfneedleworkanddesign.org/rules-and-entry-form/

The deadline to submit is August 15, 2019  which gives me plenty of time after I move to make the deadline, I have drafted a few designs now I just need to get moved so I can begin working on it.

There is also an interesting on-going project by Paula MacGregor called Dangerous Pockets Project which I'll be taking part in, though it's been put aside for a bit while I move. For information check out the link here:
http://www.paulamacgregor.com/dangerous-pockets-project.html

And the Facebook pages can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/DangerousPocketsProject/

Paula MacGregor idea for the project was inspired by the Sharon Owens poem Dangerous Coats.

DANGEROUS COATS    by Sharon Owens

Someone clever once said
Women were not allowed pockets
In case they carried leaflets
To spread sedition
Which means unrest
To you & me
A grandiose word
For commonsense
Fairness
Kindness
Equality
So ladies, start sewing
Dangerous coats
Made of pockets & sedition

These 18th century pockets could hold many a secret bits as well as leaflets I wonder if this is the type of pocket Sharon Owens thought of when she penned the poem.

To take a look at the size of the 18th century style pockets follow the link to Jenny LaFleur's designs https://www.jennylafleur.com/precis/2013.001.htm

Anyway you can view the various types of pockets participants are making on the Dangerous Pockets Project website and Facebook page at the links above.  I first read about it Sunday in the current issue of Be Creative Workbox magazine

Perhaps I will make something similar to the little pocket purses I made a few years ago using an old pockets from worn out jean.  I have several pockets from clothing found at thrift stores or have worn out, I usually cut off  the pockets and buttons and a square ot two of the fabric if not too worn out or stained. 

Though I like the idea of making a pocket from fabrics in my stash that have been waiting for just the right project.  All will be revealed once I am moved and the project is underway.

Quick post

Good Morning all with my impending move approaching my posting will be quite sporadic over the next few weeks, the house closing is on the 31st of this month, most of June will have me moving from one home to unpacking and setting up house in the other. Right now for me I am purging my closets and cabinets donating stuff I no longer use, and combing my bookshelves for more books I have read or no longer have an interest in reading.

My hand embroidery and crochet projects have been put aside for now though I'm sure there will be moments when I just need to stitch I have a small travel case set up for just such needs, more than likely it will be small stitching pieces or practicing stitches I still wobble. 

Have a great day!

Slow Slow Stitching

It seems the days are moving by at a snails pace now that I am awaiting the closing of the house on the 31st.  Everyday that passes and I don't need to sign another form or write another check is a good day where I feel I can breathe a little easier.  I am a waiting for the other shoe to drop kind of person and I really detest last minute messes so at the end of each day of sorting this and that, and organizing to pack up the house I take time to pick up my stitching or crocheting.

 If I am feeling a bit to tense to make those embroidery stitches I crochet, then after pulling out a row and a half of crochet the other day I just pulled a book off the shelf and started to read.  Here is where I left off on the Celtic Cross I am currently stitching excuse the photo for some reason my phone picked up an orange tone which I lightened a bit.

I am currently working the lines inside the cross just about finished when my fingers begged me to stop for the evening.   I will be linking to Kathy's Quilts https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2019/05/slow-sunday-stitching_19.html

While I was sorting through fabric bins and other places I came across some fabric I purchased a while back I think I will use some for one of my Greenman pieces, I both love and hate when I find fabric I forgot about.  Once I move I need to figure out a better way to store my fabric bins and stop buying fabric just because I like the print, or have an idea for it.  The truth may be if I don't buy it when I see it most likely it will be gone when I decide to buy it. I say so what, there will always be one more fabric print I like and one more idea I have.  I don't want any more than the 3 fabric bins I have now for quilt fabrics plus one smaller bin that holds all the fabric I use for embroidery. 

I know I won't live long enough to use all the fabric in those three bins so why add more.  Believe me when I say those bins can still hold more fabric.  I am considering donating of some fabrics especially the pieces I bought to make baby quilts or thought would be cute baby quilts then found something I liked even better or I just thought the fabric was too cute to pass up, I don't have a photo at the moment but two come to mind, the fabric with the cutest Owls and the bright green and yellow Bees, and Frogs my son and his girlfriend at the time picked out with my on my birthday which was about 18 years ago.

Oh yes sorting and purging has its perks before a move just yesterday I donated 2 coffee bean grinders, 2 sets of dishes, one standing mixer, one blender, 2 electric knives still in the boxes.  All stuff I haven't used since I moved here in 2011.  In fairness I have to say, I don't much so the standing mixer went, I have a perfectly good hand mixer.  The blender was replaced by the monster Ninja blender, I barely use.  Funny I thought I donated the blender when I got the Ninja.  The coffee bean grinders were in a high cabinet one was used to grind my own spices and herb blends which I haven't done in a few years. 
The electric knives were in the garage give away box both were gifts. I never got the hang of using one that I bought and just now remembered its in the other high cabinet. Slapping hand to forehead and uttering oh boy!  The new house has less cabinets in the kitchen so all the extra tea and coffee cups, the odd saucer or plate have to go. This is the best and worst part of the actual move getting rid of stuff cause you know 6 months from the time you toss it you will spend time looking for it. Cause you know you had one and it's just a senior moment of forgetfulness of where it went.  And on that note I will end my post today. Wishing everyone a wonderful day of slow stitching.

A new hand embroidery project is on the hoop

Mother's Day was yesterday I hope of you that are mother's had a wonderful day.  After spending the day with my son I had a chance to pick up my newest hand embroidery project later in the evening.

The piece is a Celtic Cross the pattern gifted to me from a friend a few months back and I have been eager to get started but as we all know other things tend to get in the way and then there is other stitching projects that are underway, or in the midst of being completed.

I finally washed off the stitch and wash product and did a quick pressing for my second in drum and dance series, once the frames arrive I will iron out those creases and wrinkles and hope I didn't pull my thread to tight.  I was uncertain how the metallic thread would hold up when washing to my relief everything turned out well.

For this piece my first in the drum and dance series I was considering adding more stitches to the skirt perhaps little stars, then I thought leave well enough alone I can always make another on, after all I had several ideas in my notebook for this one. I like the idea of doing more of the pattern with my other ideas, one which includes using fabric for the skirt and hip scarf.

This third piece of the drum and dance series I recently finished stitching and gave a quick press once I am ready to finish it will get a good pressing I hope that crease comes out with a good dose of Best Press.  I have two other pieces for this series waiting to be stitched with a ideas for a few more, a friend is creating a pattern for this series. So now after looking at the blocks I am considering putting them all together for a wall hanging or a quilt.

Right now all thoughts of  quilting or framing will have to wait, the property survey for the house we are planning to buy happens this week so as long as things go as smoothly as they have we should be closing on the 31st of May.  It's time to clear out the closets and fill the donation box and get started on packing.
I am keeping this cross piece and the Greenman on hand to stitch in the evening when I'm ready to unwind for the night, and one crochet project for when my eyes or fingers are too sore for hand embroidery.

I am linking to Kathy's Quilts a day late for Slow Sunday Stitching check out what other bloggers are stitching: https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2019/05/slow-sunday-stitching_12.html

For the Mermaid fans out there for the month of May this lovely Blog: Days Filled With Joy, will be hosting a month long stitch along aptly named Mermay the patterns are free to download and it's not too late to join in. Here is a link for those interested.
https://www.daysfilledwithjoy.com/2019/05/07/mermay-free-mermaid-embroidery-block-1/
I came in at the tail end last year (pun intended) and just didn't have time, I plan on starting the first mermaid later today she is all printed out and waiting to be traced onto fabric.

Happy Mother's Day

I wish all of you a Happy Mother's Day!

Rain and Sand, Sunflowers and Slow Stitching

Happening right now outside my door an early afternoon shower, the skies just open up and pour out buckets full of rain.

I think I prefer yesterday's weather much more, though it did rain there too in the late afternoon, but most of the day was bright and sunny with big white puffy clouds.

I love the beach, it's the place I head to when I need to relax and re-energize myself, there is something so calming listening and watching the ebb and flow of the ocean, the distant call of seabirds and the faint taste of salt air on the tongue.  I tried to do a bit of stitching on the Greenman, unfortunately I didn't have my magnifying sunglasses to see and forgot my sunhat which would have shaded my eyes so I could see better.  I gave up after a little stitching and so glad I did, when I returned home I had to undo 2 lines of stitching.

These lovely beach sunflowers grow so beautiful I am always amazed how well they do in the sandy soil.

There are some nurseries in the area that sell then and I'd love to have them for my yard someday.  I have seen them in several gardens in my area. 

I finished the stitching on my drumming woman piece now to finish it either as a small wall hanging or frame.

I have a few pieces of drum fabric to chose from if I decide to make a wall hanging or to use as a frame around the bock before framing it.

I like the top piece for backing if I decide to make a wall hanging the bottom piece possible to frame the block. 
I will be linking my post for Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts here is the link:
https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2019/05/slow-sunday-stitching.html  She has made some lovely embroidered blocks and has the most beautiful pastel fabric to coordinate with them have a look.

Happy May Day to All of You!