I've been using the month of January, cabin fever and winter weather to spend more time crafting. I've used this excuse even if it was 72 degrees on Monday- it snowed yesterday and today, so winter weather is a very valid reason to want to stay hunkered down in your crafting chair and play with wool.
This stitched sampler reminds me of the cross stitch patterns published by Vanessa Ann in the 1980's. Does anyone else remember those? I think the darker colors give it a kind of folk art feel.
I used wool I got from Lisa- she has more in her Etsy Shop.
Here's a freestyle embroidery sampler that I stitched using an old dinner napkin.
The finished edge and hem stitch border made it an easy piece to finish. The back is an old baby blanket.
Both of these pieces are in my Etsy Shop- Gathering Dust.
And I'm still working with paper- a couple of journals I made yesterday.
I was particularly proud of myself for finally stitching paper into a journal- the one on the right. I had the holes in the cover all poked and lined up with the paper and went to find some quilting thread to stitch in the pages. I couldn't find any, so I used dental floss, and my book has a minty fresh smell.
It's just 10 pieces of nice paper, a piece of folded cardboard and some...dental floss, but it did give me a very satisfied feeling. Who knows what's next- 20 pages, 30 pages, full size books--- the possibilities are unlimited!
But first, I have to finish this. Its a patchwork of different colors and weaves of wools. It sounded like such a good idea, but it's getting to be HARD. I stitched the wool squares to a piece of batting and the batting is STIFF and not fun to stitch through.
I wish I could shave the layer of batting in half. There must be some kind of tool I could use- the first thing that comes to mind is a really SHARP cheese cutter...
I think if I could get a bit more stitching, some appliques, lace, buttons etc on it, it might be something I'd be really happy I finished.
That is the risk of trying a new project- they don't always go the way you planned, but sometimes they turn out better.
Crossing my fingers (and my embroidery needles) for better.
Minty fresh smell. lol Love all of your projects!
Debra
Posted by: Debra Ganas | January 30, 2013 at 07:57 PM
It's already so pretty, don't give up!
Posted by: Karla | January 30, 2013 at 09:52 PM
Great projects! All of them!
Posted by: Diane | January 31, 2013 at 06:30 AM
...loveliness...
Posted by: Laurie | January 31, 2013 at 11:02 AM
Beautiful stitchery pieces!
Posted by: Sheila R | January 31, 2013 at 01:26 PM
The wool blanket is a challenge, but it will be so warm when you are finished!! I admire your tenacity to keep stitching. I am not disciplined enough to stitch everyday...but I so love to see what others are doing. I am working on a cross-stitch piece and maybe I will show it soon.
It is cold and snowy today. Taking Charlie in to be groomed.
Posted by: Sharon Penney-Morrison | January 31, 2013 at 01:39 PM
Gorgeous cabin fever work! Your stitching is very happy! Makes me smile.
Posted by: jeanie | January 31, 2013 at 03:00 PM
Glad you got some journals finished - great idea with dental floss. go ahead and make more - it´s quite addictive you know ;-)
Posted by: tina | January 31, 2013 at 03:37 PM
Wow! I love everything! Especially the wool sampler, can't believe you can give it up after all that work! I love it when I am driven to create! hugs! karen....
Posted by: karen | January 31, 2013 at 07:25 PM