Happy New Year

This has been a very busy year. Not so much with my art and business ventures but with house renovations, packing up the house and moving to Nova Scotia in October. Our house in NL sold in November and closed just before Christmas so that was one of the best gifts we could have received. Since the move, I have visited Espanola, Ontario and taught there at the Fibre Art Festival. Of course, the very best thing, we get to see our family all the time, as they are just a 10 minute car ride away!
 
I managed to get to a few stitch days during the year with friends but not as many as I wished.
Thanks for your friendship as it means a lot. Thank you for following my blog posts and to those who leave comments. I may not respond to all of them but they are read and appreciated.

My main goal for the new year is to have a fully functional studio where I can create new fibre art. I have some new yarns and I'm just itching to try them out! 

I wish you health, happiness, time with family and friends, and lots of fun in 2018!

From my house to yours:

Happy New Year! 

Ornaments

I have two new stained glass Christmas ornaments for my tree. These are Newfoundland Mummers. For those of you unfamiliar with mummering, check the link above.

My brother, Don, made these, as well as the cat with the Christmas Ball. The cat was made many years ago and is meant to hang in a window.

Christmas

Merry Christmas to all of you. I hope your Christmas and New Year is full of joy and laughter with family and friends.

Thanks for following my blog and reading / commenting on things that interest you. It is very much appreciated.

Today we put together a gingerbread house. After several flops, as icing was very soft and didn't stick the house together very well, it worked! Lots of sticky fingers but everyone had fun!

 

A Surprise!

It was my sister, Joan's birthday on the 18th. She certainly got a surprise gift from me, my hand embroidered / quilted 'Snow Happens'. It had caused me some frustration as I had difficulty with the blue blocks on the border and of course, I ranted about it last year to her. So when she opened her gift, she wrote right away: (we talked later that evening).

YOUR blue snowman embroidery!

I can't believe you gave that away - you did so much work on it - and actually I was thinking

about it a few days ago - how much I liked the blue embroidery and maybe after

Christmas I'd get a pattern and work on one!

Thank you soooo much - it's beautiful.

Isn't it nice to surprise someone!

Enjoy, Joan!!!

Christmas Trees

It has taken a week, but my Christmas tree is up and decorated. I had lots of help from my granddaughter, Gale, on Sunday. She also finished her smaller tree. It's suppose to go in her bedroom but this is as far as it got. 

Gale made some of her ornaments and also chose ornaments from the boxes. She selected most of the birds and a few cats! Like me, she loves glitter and had to have the silver tinsel garland. Needless to say, we had fun.

Gale's 4 foot tree

• Past posts referencing Christmas Trees HERE and HERE
• Feels Like Christmas Mug Rug 
• Stitched Christmas Trees   
• Plaid Tree Cross Stitch  More HERE on Pinterest  
• How to Crochet a Tree 
• No Sew Quilted Christmas Tree      

Enjoy!!
       

Finished Project

My Celtic Christmas Tree - in Sashiko, from Indigo Niche Designs, is finished. It was a relaxing project to stitch. I decided to mount my tree on a canvas instead of quilting it.

The pattern suggested adding beads to the finished tree. I used gold seed beads which don't show up in the photo. However, when the light shines on them, they sparkle. It was worth the extra effort of stitching them on as I like sparkle!

Enjoy!

 

Happy is Hand Made!!!

The only tree we have up yet is the small tree I use at shows. It's covered in Shimmers! The main tree will be put up later this week.

There's still time to make a few Christmas Ornaments. Check these out:

• Felted Christmas Ornament  (Try out other shapes using this method)
• Woven Hexie Ornament 
• Felt and Pine Cone Elves 
• Easy Ornaments (lots there)
• Interesting Tree Mobile  
• Hand Made Ornaments (scroll down)   
• Fabric Origami Ornament Tutorial 
• Reindeer Ornament         

Happy Crafting! There's still time.
Enjoy . . .

        

London-Wul Fibre Arts Studio

Usually by this time of the year, I would have created a whole bunch of new Fibre Lace Scarves for the two fairs I attend in St. John's, NL. Because of our recent move to Nova Scotia, all that was put on hold. I have spent four weekends checking out the various Christmas Fairs in Halifax and thinking about what I might like to do next year.

However, my mind is still in planning mode. I have been visiting yarn and fabric shops as I never know what might trigger an idea. A couple of weekends ago, I visited London-Wul Fibre Arts Studio which just opened in Mahone Bay. This store and studio is owned by Heidi Wulfraat of Woolworks Studio. If you are interested in yarns, fibre and fabrics (small collection), then this is a definite destination to make in Mahone Bay.

Here's what caught my eye and is now added to my ever growing collection of yarns:

These will eventually be used in Fibre Lace Scarves, Needle Felted Pendants and Needle Felted Ornaments.

Enjoy!

Crazy Quilted Post Card

As I posted on November 27, I won a gorgeous crazy quilted postcard from Magpie's Mumblings. It arrived a few days ago and is lovely. The button embellishments are quite tiny and the beaded stocking is very dainty. Thanks again, Mary Anne.

• Crazy Quilted Christmas on Pinterest HERE.   
• Christmas Crazy Quilt  
• Christmas Stocking  
• U Tube how to sew a Crazy Quilted Stocking 
• Crazy Quilt Embroidery Stitches  
• Crazy Quilting at Needle 'N Thread       
• Tutorial from Pin Tangle  

I also added Sharon Boggon's Visual Guild to Crazy Quilting, to my library.  In this book, Learn crazy-quilting techniques with colorful photos that show every detail. Sharon combines fabric, embellishments, and 35 stitches as well as endless variations of these stitches to create stunning crazy quilts. This is a 'must have' if you like making crazy quilted projects.

Enjoy!1

New Books

I wasn't going to purchase any more books for awhile as I already have an excellent collection. But since Gale, my granddaughter, has shown an interest in needle felting, how could I pass up Sweet & Simple Needle Felted Animals by Sachiko Susa. Step by step instructions and photos show you how easy it is to make basic shapes, attach components, add details and attach findings to make accessories. This book is one that felters of all levels will enjoy.

My second purchase was Simply Stitched with Applique by Yumiko Higuchi. This book combines embroidery stitches with applique using felt, cotton and linen. You will learn to create beautifully layered designs full of texture and contrast, then embellish with just a handful of basic embroidery stitches. The colourful photos of over 30 motifs inspired by nature, are beautiful.

Enjoy!

I Won . . .!

Imagine my surprise a few days ago, to find out that I won the lovely crazy quilted postcard embroidered by Mary Anne at Magpie's Mumblings. The winner was asked to send in their favorite Christmas recipe. My Mom's Dark Fruitcake, posted HERE, is my favorite.

This cake was baked a couple of years ago. Mom always said to smooth out the uncooked batter with a knife dipped in hot water! It didn't help my cake as you can see. However, the cracks didn't affect the taste!

A Crafty Afternoon

Monday was a school holiday here, so we had Gale for most of the day. She wanted to do a craft. We looked through some books and found a Santa ornament. We didn't have any paper plates so a plate was traced onto red computer paper and cut out. The circle was folded in half for extra strength and glued into a cone. The directions were followed but with modifications. Children do come up with great alternatives when the suggested materials aren't available.

• No black construction paper for the boots so Gale drew a pair and coloured them in
• No cotton balls. Wool roving instead
• No arms in the book pattern but Gale made them anyway

We both had a good time. She was happy with her santa ornament!

•  Santa Plastic Ball Ornament 
•  Santa Face Pillows    
•  Santa Hat Ornament    
•  Cross Stitch Santa on Pinterest HERE  
•  Faces of Christmas Wall Hanging   
• Santa Quilt Block 
• Patchwork Santa Wall Hanging    
• Santa Quilt Blocks on Pinterest    

 Enjoy!!
   

Credit Card Holders

Today I finished making seven Credit Card Holders from my fantasy fabric, for my booth at the Bridgewater Elementary School Craft and Vendor Fair on Saturday.

 

Check out a few more HERE and HERE.  

Ta Da!!

Here's my newest Shimmer Ornament. The sea horse will debut this weekend at the Bridgewater Elementary School Craft and Vendor Fair. Credit for the design goes to my husband. The designs are created on the computer and converted to stitch for my embroidery machines.

Shimmers Showcase and more . . .

Today I decided to showcase some of my Shimmer Ornaments and a few other larger pieces. Since moving to Nova Scotia, people have been asking me what I do. The links below take you to past posts about my work - mostly shimmers at the moment with a few other things put in. If there are any questions, please comment on this post and I will get back to you.

• Music Shimmers 
• Christmas Shimmers More HERE
• Newfoundland Map & Flag 
• 2016 Booth at the NL Craft Council Christmas Craft Fair  
• Icebergs 
• On the Tree 
• 2015 Booth  
• Christmas 2015 and HERE 
• Sailboat  
• Halloween 
• Starfish 
• Maple Leaf  
• The Dory 
• Viking Ship
• Gingerbread House  
• Fantasy Fish 
• 2014 Christmas Craft Fair     
• Lighthouse and Anchor
• Cat  
• Tree and Star 
• Icicles  
• NL Trade Show (showcases most of my shimmer ornaments)
• Showcase of a few larger pieces (scroll down)   

          

Knitting is Finished

I finished another pair of mittens for granddaughter, Gale, last night. Hand delivered this afternoon. She was delighted.

The wool is 100% merino yarn, worsted weight superwash and is The Yarns of Rhichard Devrieze. (No, I did not misspell his name).

• Yarn Basket Ornament 
• Knitted Snowman 
• Knitted Mug Cozy 
• Love Knitting, free patterns    
• All Free Knitting Patterns 

 Enjoy!
        

Winning Quilts from Recent Shows

It's time to check out the winning quilts at this year's International Quilt Festival, Houston. The subject was 'A World of Beauty'. Check them out HERE.

• Find the winners of the Pacific International Quilt Festival HERE.
• In Chicago, the Celebration of Color Judged Show is HERE.
• World Quilt Competition Winners from New England are HERE.
• Sauder Village 2017 Quilt Show Winners HERE. 
• The $10,000 winner of the Handi Quilter Best of Show Award, the International Quilt Festival-Houston. Harmony Within by Sue McCarty of Roy, Utah. 
• In January, I posted about the Tokyo Quilt Festival. See it HERE

Grab a cup of something and enjoy!!

We Remember . . .

A day to remember.
These poppies grew in my Newfoundland garden. They originally came from my mother's garden. Poppies and forget-me-nots were among the flowers she planted.

Her brother, Charlie Emberley, served in WWll and survived. These are for him and for all of those who fought to keep us free.

Kopanang Universe Canticle - Part Two

Here are the rest of the photos of this exquisite exhibit:

Kopanang Universe Canticle - Part One

The Kopanang Universe Canticle is a traveling exhibit created by women in the Kopanang Community in South Africa. I was fortunate to see this body of work during the Espanola Fibre Arts Festival last month.


This collection of 35 stunning hand embroidered wall hangings depicts the universe's story of evolution but also reveals and strengthens the spirit of the Kopanang community. The intricately embroidered panels tell the story of the universe as interpreted by 17 Kopanang women as a means to celebrate life and creation.

Here's part of the display. Click on photos to enlarge and see the details.

Wool Pets

Back in October, I blogged about my granddaughter needle felting two penguins during craft hour at the  Lunenberg County Lifestyle Centre. Well, two weeks ago, her cat got hold of the larger one and tore it to shreds! Gale was not a happy camper but realized she had to put her small stuffed toys out of reach. Lesson learned (until the next time).

Yesterday, Gale decided she wanted to make another small animal. We had borrowed Wool Pets from the library and still had it. This is an excellent book to use with children as it gives step by step photos and written directions for each pet.

Gale chose to make a bunny. Here's the book photo:

 Here is Gale's masterpiece:

I couldn't find my seed beads to use for eyes so French knots to the rescue. The mouth is black roving. I did this part for her. We measured the length of the roving and rolled it up. Both of us needle felted into the body. Gale made the head and we both did an ear. She did the legs and puff tail. The pattern called for two legs but she was determined to give it four. I told her she was on her own for that (under supervision of course)! Gale's bunny has a ribbon on its ear because it was to show that this is a girl bunny. She was very happy with her new felted pet. 

• Felt Ornaments with Decorative Machine Stitching 
• Ribbon Candy Felt Ornaments  (Hoping to do this one with Gale) 
• Needle Felting Tutorials on Pinterest HERE,   
• Felted Snowball Ornament 
• Felted Gnome Ornaments 

Enjoy!!
      

Happy Halloween!! - A few Days Late

I totally forgot that I had written this blog post!  Too many things to keep straight - oh dear . . .

Yesterday (that was 2 days before Halloween) was a trip to the farm to look at pumpkins and scarecrows.

Before

After

 

Check out a few of my past Halloween posts HERE, HERE, HERE & HERE

Enjoy!

Sunday's Class

Here's a few photos of the pendant making class on Sunday. A felting machine was brought to class by one of the students and everyone got a chance to use it. It certainly makes felting go faster than using the one needle. However, if you are only doing occasional projects, a felting machine isn't necessary. Several of the ladies (from both classes) belong to a fibre arts group. Every month they have a challenge to complete. One member of this group felted a background that she was going to use for this month's challenge. I hope I get to see her finished piece.

Free Motion stitching with Sulky Sliver Metallic thread

supply table

 

This is for the fibre group challenge

 Here are a couple of the finished pendants:

Interesting use of free motion stitching

I enjoyed my stay at Espanola and teaching my Fibre Art Pendant class. The ladies were a great bunch to work with. Thanks for everything!