Getting Back to Other Projects...

It certainly feels nice to get back to working on some of the other projects I was working on before I caught "The Ghastlie flu". That was a "flu" I really enjoyed though. I won't deny that. I'm sure I will catch a "flu" when I see another cool fabric line out there. ;)

I worked a little bit on my stitching project. The design is called "Tree of Stitches" by Abi Gurden. I realize I have gained many new followers in the past week (of all different crafts), so I will back up and explain this project I'm working on.

For those who don't know who Abi Gurden is, she is a designer that creates patterns using Speciality Stitches. She also creates Hardanger designs, Drawn Thread Work designs and Pulled Thread Work designs. She runs a private group on Yahoo called The Stitch Specialists Group. The focus of this group is to educate stitchers on learning speciality stitches, Hardanger,  Drawn and Pulled Thread Work techniques. If you need a visual of the stitching I am talking about, here is an example of a Hardanger Piece:

( Pic came from here)

Beautiful and intricate right? I agree. A craft that takes a lot of patience...(one can only assume!)

Here is my progress to date on my "Tree of Stitches". So far I have learned how to do the Smyrna Stitch (green stitches) and Eyelets (the orange ones with holes). I chose my own colors for this project.

**Editors Note: Eyelets are a pain in the back side to pull out should you A) stitch them wrong or B) stitch them in the wrong place. Just wanted to throw those two cents out there.**

Time to go back to working on a few other pending projects. One being a special "non-sewing" present for my stepmother. It is kind of overdue.... Okay not exactly true.... IS overdue. It was supposed to be for her birthday and that has passed. Yikes! When I post pictures, you will understand when I say it is not a quick project....No it is not a quilt. I'll give you all a hint. It is made out of Seed Beeds....No its not Jewelry either.

Care to take a guess what it could be??

Happy Crafting/Stitching/Sewing Everyone!

Jen :D

Quilts, Stitching, Cards...Oh My!

I have some project updates to share with you all today and it is a little bit of everything and some more.

First, let me introduce you to my quilt. This is the quilt I was talking about in one of my previous posts. The one that has a deadline to finish date of 12/25/11.

I do not take credit for the color choices. I purchased a kit with the pattern from an Ebay seller; however the hours of piecing I take credit for! As you can see, a few rows need to be added before the top is officially done. The pattern is called "Tic Tac Moe". There is a story behind why I chose this pattern and color choices but I will save that for another post.

Next! Here is a "Hello" Card I made this last week. It will be included with my Exchange piece that I will be shipping off this Thursday. Papers and Embellishments all came in a kit I bought from Cupcards to Go. The little "Hello" is a Dazzle sticker from Paper Wishes.

Next! I did some stitching this weekend. I worked on a few projects. First is my "J" Fairy. I finished her left wing and did the back stitching.

I also worked on my "Tree of Stitches" by Abi Gurden from The Stitch Specialists Yahoo Group. I stitched the trunk in Crescent Colors - "Hickory Sticks".

I also worked on my Halloween Exchange piece for the Stitched with Love Exchanges group. It is a secret. :) Can't show it!

Next! I will participating in a blog hop next month starting on October 24. (Button on my sidebar) It is called The Ghastlies Blog Hop hosted by Madame Samm over at Sew I Quilt Now. What are "The Ghastlies" you ask? Well...it is a line of fabric. A really unique line of fabric. I call it fabric with a bit of "personality" (or maybe lack of). Personally, I think they are cool. They make me think of the Haunted Mansion ride in Disney World.

For this blog hop, we are being challenged to make sewing projects out of this fabric. Quilts are not excluded but the point is to see what other sewing projects can be made using this material. Can't say what I'm making...that is a surprise. Hmmmm, I've been saying that a lot lately. I have many secret projects don't I?? I will tell you all a little more about the blog hop when it gets closer to starting.

For you cat lovers!

Finally, I was bad this weekend. I stopped at Joann Fabrics for one particular thing and look what I walked out with: 

I just love the bats. What am I going to do with all this??? Not a clue right now. I have that disease called impulse buying. Have you heard about it? Is there a cure? Never fails, I go to Joann's or Michaels, I buy. I go to my LNS or knit store, I buy and we won't even go there about a bookstore.

With these two fabrics, I am going to make a bag. The top will be the outside and the orange will be the lining fabric. Next month, I am going to the Mickey Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. I heard they give out tons of candy. I don't think my son's little bag will be enough so I am preparing a bigger storage medium. :)

Okay! That is it, at least till next week. I am so excited right now. Friday can not come fast enough. My boys and I are going on a cruise this Friday to Monday to the Bahamas. It will be our first cruise. We are sailing on the Norwegian Sky and we have a balcony room. Can you say heaven? I will definitely report to you all my trip experience with a few beach pics. Here's hoping that the weather behaves. All projects are staying home in case you are wondering. I think I will be too busy staring at the sea while enjoying good food and a few drinks.

Happy Crafting and Stitching my Friends,

Jen