The second, I’ve already given you a peek at – I’m trying this new frame and so far do NOT like it. If [...]]]> I have hopes that both of these projects will move quickly – first is this cute applique mini-quilt. I’ve been looking at these sheep for forever – here they are in mid-assembly:

The second, I’ve already given you a peek at – I’m trying this new frame and so far do NOT like it. If you have any tips/hints on using the frame I’d love it. My biggest complaint is that it doesn’t pull really tight – now I’ll admit this is a really really cheap frame, but I didn’t want to invest until I liked the concept. Is it the frame’s fault? Or mine? thoughts?

Anyway, this will be crewel – can’t wait to pick out some fun colors and start playing with it!

To develop patience, you need someone who willfully hurts you. Such people give us real opportunities to practice tolerance. They test our inner strength in a way that even our guru cannot. Basically patience protests us from [...]]]> My word of the year (see my sidebar). I just ran across this quote and had to share:

To develop patience, you need someone who willfully hurts you. Such people give us real opportunities to practice tolerance. They test our inner strength in a way that even our guru cannot. Basically patience protests us from being discouraged. – The Dalai Lama

So, without [...]]]> What a weekend! But I finally feel caught up. I was (because of the afore blogged about kitty project) behind on my TAST projects, but luckily the Cretan happens to be a stitch I love (and probably do too often) and the feather is also one of my favorites!

So, without further ado – the Feather:

Obviously my simple attempt, but I use this stitch everywhere and when I discovered crazy quilting it was the only stitch I did!
Below is how I love the feather – it’s fun, unpredictable and even though I did do some background marking (see the little chalk dots?) – I didn’t really follow it!

Next on the agenda is the cretan – I love the cretan and I’ll have to admit that I cheated because this project already had it on there.
My intention is to “take it further” sometime during this week and so some more interesting things with the cretan – either that or I’ll show you how I’ve interlaced it and done other things – as I mentioned this is one of my favorite (ahem, probably overused) stitches!

I have always wanted to do this stitch – it’s from Dorothy Bond’s book “Crazy Quilt Stitches” – and has caught my eye for years, but I never had the perfect spot to put [...]]]> I’m late, but I’m already working on next week’s photo. However, just to catch up, here’s last weeks:

I have always wanted to do this stitch – it’s from Dorothy Bond’s book “Crazy Quilt Stitches” – and has caught my eye for years, but I never had the perfect spot to put it.  I’m very happy with how it turned out!

My first excuse is that I don’t think I really LOVE the fly stitch. I did end up liking my second example and I’ll play with it more in the [...]]]> Well the good news is I stitched all weekend – the bad news? I didn’t get around to posting my stitches and projects until today.

My first excuse is that I don’t think I really LOVE the fly stitch. I did end up liking my second example and I’ll play with it more in the weeks to come – maybe I’ll find my peace with it. Do you find you “like” some stitches better than others?

Anyway, the good news was that I finally found an example of the stitch below (the one that looks like a branch) and really liked it. I’m sure I’ll embellish further, but it’s a start.

So, should I rip out the other one? Or I could build on it? I’m thinking maybe flowers either direction off the center? Not quite sure yet.

When I got bored doing the fly stitch, I worked on my cross stitch piece, which is almost done. At this point I’m fixing mistakes and finishing it up. Can’t wait to be done and have this one framed.

Well, I’m almost tempted to say I gave up on “Bloom” – I certainly didn’t write much on this blog and I finished a measly assortment of crafty projects (not one of them big artistic works – not even SMALL artistic works).

Finished projects (bleck, this is pitiful):

Easy Blanket with Binding

Painted a [...]]]>

Well, I’m almost tempted to say I gave up on “Bloom” – I certainly didn’t write much on this blog and I finished a measly assortment of crafty projects (not one of them big artistic works – not even SMALL artistic works).

Finished projects (bleck, this is pitiful):

Easy Blanket with Binding

Painted a pottery plate

No-sew Quilt wall-hanging

Martini Towel

As I look back over the year, not many of my big projects were even touched – a few trotted out, looked at and put back, but nothing really even worked on.

However, what I did do was more internal – I’ve now focused my work goals and I know where I’m headed professionally. I’ve gone through all my projects in my studio and know what I want/need to work on.

I’ve also discovered the Mid-Century embroidery as a possible niche and something I really enjoyed doing.  I’m hoping to make more designs and put them on Etsy – maybe even some kits, so we’ll see.

I feel I’ve “bloomed” as a person, but now it’s time to plant some roots!

I’m late. I struggled with my “word of the year” this year – and actually my husband suggested this one. I hadn’t really thought about it, but the mere thought of pursuing “patience” immediately made me really uncomfortable and so I knew that it was a great fit!

I’m never patient. [...]]]>

Chinese Patience Symbol

I’m late. I struggled with my “word of the year” this year – and actually my husband suggested this one. I hadn’t really thought about it, but the mere thought of pursuing “patience” immediately made me really uncomfortable and so I knew that it was a great fit!

I’m never patient. I always seem to need to finish things now – thus the quality lacks and sometimes I make horrible mistakes. So, this year, this is the word.

One of the things I really love about having a word of the year is that it sort of takes shape as the year moves along.  Sometimes I’ve started the year with one idea of what that goal looks like and it changes and morphs.

Anyway, a few fabulous quotes about patience:
Patience is the greatest of all virtues.
Cato the Elder (234 BC – 149 BC)

It is very strange that the years teach us patience – that the shorter our time, the greater our capacity for waiting.
Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – ), “A Wreath of Roses”

There art two cardinal sins from which all others spring: Impatience and Laziness.
Franz Kafka (1883 – 1924)

Even with being patient, I have created some goals/posting goals for myself this year.  I do however vow to be patient with myself if I verr off track and to just steer myself back into the zone!

Some of these are ongoing projects and some are things I’ll just be posting about:

• TAST – I will be doing “Take a Stitch Tuesday” – where we get a new stitch each Tuesday – the goal is to cross post here and on the new group blog I’m participating in.
• Sewing Lessons – I’m going to try to each weekend work on a machine sewing projects
• Book Reviews – I read enough that one book review a week shouldn’t be a big deal at all. My reading goal this year through Goodreads is 80 books (I read 77 in 2011)

With all of those, if I give you the occasional update on my smaller projects I should be blogging a WHOLE lot more this year – wooo hoo! Thanks for hanging with me this year and I really hope 2012 sees me artistically back on track.