the f word

It’s funny how out of sorts a redecorating project can make you feel. Because of the floor installation, the furniture (including my stitching nest) is out in the garage, the TV is in my studio (not hooked up), and I don’t know where the cd player has gotten to. I read for a while last night but I couldn’t focus well with my little world out of order. So I turned to the f word… FELT.

I have had a list of ideas for felt projects I want to try for a long time now. I have tons of wool felt squares, boxes of wool roving, needlefelting tools, etc. I have been preparing for my foray into the world of felty goodness for well over a year now and have never started a single felt thing! Why is that?! WHY don’t I make more time for fun things I’d like to try?!

After philosophizing for a bit, I decided to get started on a needlefelting project. But the needlefelting stuff is in my studio, which is where my computer is, and I thought I’d just check my Etsy convos first, which I did… but then I went off on a little tangent and found some really cute things made of felt. Just when I was inspired to begin, the fireworks started.

Every year the neighbors behind us put on a fireworks display that rivals those put on by major cities. Really. Although I was able to get a better picture than last year, the clearest of the bunch is still not very good. I’d need a better camera and photography skills to ever get a good one.

After the neighbors finished up, I walked into the living room to admire the flooring. I started thinking about what kind of area rug I’d like, and imagining what pictures I’d like to have on the walls, and noticing how bland the kitchen floor looks now, and so on. By the time I redecorated almost the entire house in my head, I was tired and went to bed.

Another evening spent not felting.

 

TGIF. No, really.

Woohooo! Today was a banner day for mail… not only did I get Mary Katherine’s most gorgeous pin pillow, I received my Spring Exchange as well. I haven’t a clue who put together the spring bag (it was a central exchange– I’ll have to ask the hostess) but I couldn’t have gotten a better one. I love that bright sparkly yellow fabric and I’ve been wanting to try the DMC Variations threads, so yay! And MK’s pillow is so pretty in person… her attention to detail is incredible… she even put a little ribbon-tag with her name on it on the backside. Thanks much to Mary Katherine and whoever-you-are!

I have (finally!) been able to make some more threadholders, too… the first batch is now listed in my Etsy shop. I’ve been seeing these around on the blogs and I’m so happy you all like them so much! Thank you :)

All of your fabric-related comments on yesterday’s post were great. I was able to get my mind off things for a bit, although the down side is that I really, really want to go fabric shopping now!

I decided to just give up on What Was She Thinking [notes on a scandal] by Zoe Heller. I wasn’t enjoying reading it at all, and life is really too short for things like that. I may see the movie one of these days, although I’m not particularly motivated to. This evening I plan to start The Handmaid’s Tale, one I’ve seen recommended on several blogs.

***I have a question for you Christmas Quaker stitchers… how many skeins of the main color would I really need? I’d like to stitch it using 2 strands on 28ct. I’ve heard that 22 of the 5yd skeins is required, but that sure sounds like a lot to me. ***

P.S. Guess what’s next on my learn to do list… picked up the last of my soldering supplies today on the way to the doctor. Can I have a 25-hour day, please?

Thank you, Lord, for this beautiful day… and for the energy to enjoy it.

Edited: just found out the Spring exchange bag was from Debbie Draper :)

 

a nice thursday

So here’s how my purple beaded thing turned out. (background story)

I took my newfound prosperity shopping yesterday… it was market day at my LNS, and I met up with the girls for a little stashing and lunch. There wasn’t much left by the time I arrived (the girls are avid shoppers) but I did buy these:

And how cute is this fishy face?!

My dad built my daughter a trundle bed for her American Girl dolls, but the Webkinz wanted to try it out last night:

I’m dying to start a new stitching project this morning, but instead I’ll be disciplined and get to work on more threadholders. I believe I’ll be able to list more in my Etsy shop this evening. Thanks for all the great words about these, too… I’m so happy that you love them :)

simple pleasure: a good lunch with good friends

 

Amigurumi cuteness and DVR coolness

I’ve become captivated by amigurumi, which is the Japanese craft of crocheting (or knitting) small animals or cute foody things. This will be the next thing I learn how to do! When I can make the time, that is. I haven’t a clue what I’d actually do with a crocheted cupcake, but aren’t they adorable?! Surely this is a craft that would provide nothing but smiles once mastered. The pics up there are clickable, linking to Etsy sellers, but my all-time favorite amigurumi designer is Ana Paula.

We got our DISH TV hooked up yesterday, along with our new DVR. None of us had ever experienced life with a DVR, so we didn’t know what we were missing… boy is it ever neat. Now I will be able to record all those crafty shows that DIY shoved into the wee hours of the morning, and pause live tv for a break! wow. We’ve come a long way from the days of my childhood when we had about 7 channels to watch and you actually had to leave your chair to change them.

With our DISH service, we acquired a few new channels and lost a few, so our watching habits will be a bit mixed up for a while. I admit I watched a few races on the Horseracing Channel last night, but what’s funny is that my daughter has glommed onto The Game Show channel… surely she was switched at birth.

I think I was using too much instant coffee in my mug yesterday because I only slept for four hours and I’m wide awake. I seriously need to go get a coffee maker.

simple pleasure: being able to create things that others enjoy :)

 

comfort dolls

Have you heard about the Comfort Doll Project? People are making little dolls to give to battered women in order to provide them with a bit of love. Fantastic opportunity to do something if you ask me. According to Pat (the organizer):

I know some may think making dolls to give to a woman who has just been beaten,raped, or abused in some way is like putting a band-aid on an amputation. Well, I see it as sending a message of hope,love,and encouragement. A gentle hug,a smile,a nudge to go forward and see there is sunshine ahead.

Many moons ago, I didn’t have much sympathy for battered women. Weren’t they dumb to stay (?!) I thought… and I never thought I’d wind up there myself. I don’t plan on going into the gory personal details here, but I can tell you that abuse involves a fair amount of brainwashing. Slowly but surely, you begin to believe you are not worth being treated any better and even worse, that you deserve to be beaten. It takes incredible courage to leave an abusive situation; extraordinary courage. And a certain indescribable fortitude to not wind up in that same place again.

I plan to get started on a comfort doll soon. Anyone care to join me?

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. -Anne Frank

 

2008 decisions

Goodness…the last few days have flown by! I’ve been stitching, beading, sewing, and painting; also catching up on a few household chores and pondering moving to a little cottage in Vermont.

I’ve made a few decisions about 2008. I won’t call them resolutions, or even goals, as I don’t want to think of them as things I’ll try to do but rather as things I will do. What I’ve decided:

• I will answer at least one call for entries every month.
• I will submit a cross stitch design for publication at least once per quarter.
• I will participate in at least two blog-based challenges each month.

A roundup of links to blogs with challenges that sound interesting to me:

Think Monday- Think ATC
Mixed Media Monday
Gothic Arches
4 x 4 Friday
Inching Artists
Salt
Theme Thursday
TGIF
Skinny Saturday
Arty Girlz
GPP Street Team
Step Outside Your Box

I have signed up for Sharon B’s Take it Further challenge, which will require developing a theme into a finished design on a monthly basis. There are almost 300 of us participating and I’m really looking forward to this!

I have joined a new stitch along for 2008, the Bride’s Tree SAL, which is open for more members… there’s still time if you’d care to join this one.

And I’ve signed up for round 5 in the ever popular Fair & Square exchange. Signups are still being taken if you’d like to play, too!

OK, this looks like a lot now that I’ve typed it out. Hmm.

 

Etsy, anyone?

I love Etsy!  It’s a marvelous place to discover new artists (and old ones), get inspired by crafting endeavors, or just absorb the creative goodness.   The pictures above are items from my favorites list– and they’re clickable.  (great jumping off points for an Etsy exploration)   And while you are over there check out the new “pounce” feature, which shows items that have just sold along with images from other items in the same shop… fun!

After meaning to for months, I have finally opened an Etsy shop. I think Tanya gave me the final push I needed.  There’s not much there yet, but at least I am over the hurdle of the start… for me, one of the hardest parts of any large project.  So far I have listed just a few of my zipper fobs;  I hope I can make the time to stock my shop pretty soon. 

BTW, there was  a lengthy but good article about Etsy and its place in the overall craft movement in Sunday’s New York Times Magazine.