A Year of Blackwork

I have been participating in A Year of Blackwork, from Peppermint Purple SAL Group (facebook group), which is 52 weeks of a free stitch-a-long. This is my stitching so far:

• Needle n' Thread free blackwork patterns  
• Blackwork Embroidery
• Blackwork Freebies on Pinterest HERE 
• Russian Blackwork        
• Blackwork Charts

Enjoy!!

Blogging - 1589 posts!

I was reading Margaret Blank's blog and she mentioned that she has been blogging for 15 years and posted over 1500 posts. That got me thinking, so I checked my blog profile and so far, my total is 1589 posts. I didn't think I had written that much in ten years (it will be ten next August). Some would say 'long winded'!

I've tried to keep my comments related to my art and the art of others. Most of the time, I've linked to lots of interesting sites where you will find things related to textile / fibre art such as free patterns, tutorials, YouTube videos, other blogs, teachers, classes, quilt shows . . .

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.
Now it's time to view a few links:

• Magpie Mumblings has lots of interesting links. Her writing usually gives me a chuckle or two.
• Needle and Thread Network  
• Brown Paper Bag (from Magpie Mumblings) 
• Asian Sewing Patterns 
• Fabulous Fat Quarter Sewing Projects 
• Sashiko and Other Stitching (Susan Briscoe's photos from Tokyo 2018 Quilt Festival)
• Free Coaster Tutorials & Patterns for all Occasions   

 Enjoy!


  Here's yesterday's visitor:

Plans!!

I have been making progress on my credit card holders but nothing to show yet. Since I gifted my Snow Happens hand embroidery / quilted piece to my sister, I've traced out another one to stitch. This will be a piece to do in the evening or when I go out. I don't expect to finish it quickly. My puzzle is coming along. I only work on it in the evening and then for a short period of time as it was taking over my free time. It's covered up during the day.

New Shimmer Ornaments are in the works!
I want to do more framed art . . . new studio first as I need the space to work.
An on-line shop is planned for 2018.

Now for some links:

• If you are interested in Gnomes, you might want to take a look at the BOM on Fat Cat Patterns
• Check out the links at The Needle and Thread Network
• Pattern Pile has lots of freebies   
• Sew Bee Social is a weekly publication on So Fresh Quilts where quilters can 'Show & Share' their work. 
• Mid Week Makers on Quilt Fabrication is another 'Show & Share' blog

Enjoy!

Friday's Workshop at the Espanola Fibre Arts Festival

It was a busy weekend at the Espanola Fibre Arts Festival! I flew up on Thursday, just in time for supper followed by a very informative lecture by one of the invitees (more on that later). That deserves a post of its own.

One of my Fibre Art Pendant workshops was the next day. It was very difficult to get time to do a post as there were things going on during the evenings too.

I had a bunch of very enthusiastic ladies in both classes. A good friend of mine from Newfoundland  traveled all the way to Espanola to take my Friday class.

There was lots of felt and glitzy yarns provided to make the bases for the pendants. I had lots of samples prepared and demonstrated my method for embellishing the felt, making templates, beading and cutting out the pendant shapes. Everyone had a relaxing day and went away very satisfied with their pendants. A few of the ladies visited me at the Vendor's Market the next day, wearing their piece of original art!

I've hooked up with The Needle & Thread Network.

Linking Up

There hasn't been any creative stitching going on these days even though I took some work with me! However, I've had a little one search through my sewing kit looking at all the stuff. She had fun with the telescopic magnet wand that came from Princess Auto.

I did stitch up a seam in Gale's pink sleeping bag and it HAD to be pink thread. SO, out came the pink floss - she was a very happy camper. Doesn't take much to please a 6 year old.

Linking up with The Needle & Thread Network.

Working

I have been working on getting my workshop materials ready for next Monday's deadline. The workshop in Espanola, Ontario, isn't until next October, but all the promotional materials have to be done well in advance. I will keep you posted on the festival.

Shimmers are on the embroidery machine. New orders came in today! Busy times . . .
Here are a few links to check:

• Your Whims Wednesday #302  (My Girlish Whims)
• Embroidery Tutorials (I love the french knots)
• Needle & Thread Network 
• Mini Crochet Easter Eggs Basket (borrowed from a friend's blog)
• Free Bunny Applique 
• Mini Tote Bag (Free PDF)         

 Enjoy!

Here's a applique quilted piece that was made in the late 90's. The light background is Sashiko. The thistles are dimensional.

Linking up with The Needle & Thread Network!

Linking Up!!

Once again, I've joined up with The Needle & Thread Network, where Canadian textile/fibre/fabric artists, link up with others to share the things they are creating.

Needle & Thread Network Link

This week I've linked up with the Needle & Thread Network.

Joan's Latest Quilt

This gorgeous 'scrappy' quilt, is the latest made by my sister, Joan, in Tennessee. She said it would have fitted in quite well with my previous post. This one is 78" x 90".

On Wednesday, I also linked up with The Needle and Thread Network. Please drop by to see what our Canadian quilters are doing.

It's Almost Christmas

It's almost here! 

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday. I love the glittery decorations, decorating the tree, making and purchasing gifts, baking and spending time with family and friends. Most of my baking is done and gifts are wrapped and sent away and the others are under the tree.

Do you have all your gifts finished and wrapped? Or do you put things off to the last moment? In any case, you have one day left to get it all done.So why don't you take a few minutes to relax and have a look at some 'stuff' to ponder for your next project.

• I've linked up with the Needle & Thread Network again.
• Please check out the 110 links on Crazy Mom Quilts. I'm sure you will need a cup / glass of something before you start. 
• I do like this free Log Cabin Hexi Potholder pattern from Craftsy.

 A baking tradition at my house are these Melting Moments shortbread cookies. Mmmmmmm!!!

Another Reversible Fibre Lace Scarve!

I linked up again with The Needle & Thread Network. Drop by for a look!

Another reversible Fibre Lace Scarve with an entirely different colour pallet.

Needle & Thread Network

It's Wednesday and I just signed up to The Needle & Thread Network. There you will find lots of Canadian quilters displaying what they are working on. Please drop by for a look.



Also, take a look at this tutorial, Mini Bookshelf, from Don't Call Me Betsy. This one caught my eye as a simple one to do as a gift. You could embroider the book titles or do it as shown in the tutorial. It would make a nice wall piece for a child's room or your sewing room. Think about it - lots of possibilities!

Enjoy!!!

I'm working on new needle felted ornaments! Photos coming soon.

The Needle & Thread Network

Yesterday, I linked up with The Needle & Thread Network. There are 14 different Canadian bloggers showing their 'stuff '! Please drop by and have a look around.

The Needle and Thread Network

 

Today I'm linking up with The Needle and Thread Network where you will find out what various Canadian bloggers are doing this week. Please drop by to have a look.

The Needle and Thread Network

I hooked up with The Needle and Thread Network. Please check them out today!
I just love the colour of these flowers. They would make a nice embroidery don't you think?

Photos and The Needle & Thread Network

Today I've signed on to The Needle & Thread Network. The sign-up begins for Canadian bloggers at noon on Tuesday and goes until noon Thursday (Saskatchewan time). So please check out all these blogs to find out what's going on in the different parts of the country.

Here are three photos from my photo excursion this week.

I like to take photos of windows and doors. Often, in older buildings, there are interesting design elements that might come in handy for applique and stitching.

I took a photo of a hedge of leaves. Below is just a small bit of the original photo. Note the light and dark of the greens.

I can see some dimensional work with a combination of hand and machine stitching developing from the close-up of the tree.

Enjoy!

 

Happy Canada Day



 

Happy Canada Day!

I would like to extend a Happy Canada Day to all my relatives and friends living outside this wonderful country of ours and to those of us who live here!

Enjoy your day wherever you are.

 

You can find this cute mug rug HERE.


I've also hooked up with The Needle & Thread Network
  .

Links

I've linked up with The Needle & Thread Network this week. Please check out the work of Canadian bloggers who also linked into this network.

Check out some of these other links:

• Table Topper
• You Can Make This
• Buzzing and Bumbling Tutorials

Enjoy!

The Needle & Thread Network

Today I've linked up with The Needle & Thread Network. Please check out all the marvelous work by Canadian bloggers.

1000 Posts! To Celebrate - A Giveaway!!!!

Post 1000 today!!!! YAH!!

To celebrate, I am having a giveaway open to anyone, anywhere! To be entered, just leave a comment, any comment is accepted. Maybe you can let me know in what part of the world you live. It's up to you. You don't have to be a follower but you will get an extra chance to win if you are. You can follow via email or bloglovin. Just send a second comment telling me how you are following. That's it! Good luck.

The giveaway will end on May 24,2015. I will remind you during the next week or so when I post.

Oh, yes, the giveaway prize will be three of my shimmers and an art card. If you aren't familiar with my shimmers, you can see a few of them HERE & HERE. Lots more throughout the blog. I do three types of art cards: embroidered flowers, iceberg and felted abstract.

I'll let the winner decide which type of card and shimmers (if in stock) they would prefer.

Here's some sample cards:

Sample Card

Sample Card

Samples (not finished)

I've also linked up with The Needle & Thread Network. Drop by to see what some of the Canadian bloggers are doing.