More Stitching

I'm continuing on with my spring sampler and it's coming along nicely. I hand-dyed some laces to incorporate in yummy colors of peaches and pinks.
They all were in the dye bath for the same amount of time and it's fun to see how differently they all turned out.

Practicing my split stitches, satin stitch, lazy daisies and French knots.

Stitch, stitch, stitch. . . . .

A cute little birdie - I think he needs some legs - or maybe a nest! I like this kind of freestyle embroidery {as Teresa calls it} because it is so organic and just kind of evolves as you go along. It's perfect for me because that's how I work on all of my art anyway.

The sun is out this morning, which is a welcome sight after yet another unexpected snowfall we had last night! Sheesh! Enough already!!!

Monday, Monday

Wow, I just realized it's been a week since my last post! Where does the time go? I've been busy following along with the gals in Teresa McFayden's Freestyle Embroidery class making this spring sampler and I really, really am enjoying it. Hand stitching is one of the most restful, peaceful, types of crafts to do. You can do it anywhere; take it with you anywhere. So portable and so satisfying. I was re-introduced to it last summer in Charlotte's class at ArtFiberFest where I made this. We had a bit of a distraction in the class (those of you who took that class with me know what I am talking about) but it didn't even matter because we were all so busy concentrating on our hand-stitching.
Have you seen this magazine yet? It is officially due out tomorrow, but copies have been popping up little by little all over the place. Flea Market Style is a collaboration between the amazingly talented Matthew Mead and Ki Nassauer (formerly of Junk Market fame). Like me, many of you have been following along with Matthew and Ki during the entire inception of this magazine, which I liken somewhat to waiting for the birth of a new baby. Well let me tell you -you MUST get yourself a copy when you see it, because it is definitely worth the long wait.

And yes, Mr. ground hog was correct about the 6 weeks of more winter. And here's the proof - more snow! I was up early and snapped this photo. Everything looked so pretty with a fresh dusting of the white stuff. But regardless of it's lovely look I am still wishing for spring.

Heart Sessions :: 8

Heart Sessions :: 7

These Valentine's Day potholders were made by my daughter. Aren't they cute? I think the "love bird" fabric is so adorable! Thanks Natalie!

Heart Sessions :: 6

Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame.

~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Heart Sessions :: 5

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

~ William Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream

Heart Sessions :: 4

This heart is dedicated to my grandparents. Grandma and Grandpa met on a ship coming to the U.S. from Scandinavia. Grandma was coming from Norway accompanied by her sister, who was trying to mend a broken heart after a broken engagement. Grandpa was coming from Denmark to America, like many others at that time, seeking opportunity in the land of the free. They fell in love and were married within the year. "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" was written in 1910 (the year they were married) and was their favorite song. I can still remember my grandma singing it to me.

Let me call you "sweetheart," I'm in love with you.

Let me hear you whisper that you love me too.

Keep the love-light glowing in your eyes so true.

Let me call you "sweetheart," I'm in love with you.

Lyrics by Beth Slater Whitson - Music by Leo Friedman

Heart Sessions :: 3

Last month I had a whirlwind of swap projects to complete. This one was for a Valentine Ornament Swap hosted by the talented Vivian Neroni. It was a small group of just six of us, but there was still lots of variety. Collage, paper crafts, rubber stamping, needle-felting, sewing were all represented here. Check out the slide show below to see all six ornaments!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Heart Sessions :: 2

The sweet envelope for this Valentine card is from Teresa McFayden's Paper Romance E-Zine.

I used a cupcake liner-turned-rosette as the base. The large chipboard heart is sprayed with Candy Apple Red Glimmer Mist. Small paper doily is from Martha Stewart Crafts. The damask heart is a rubber stamped image (from Michael's) embossed with clear embossing powder for a little sheen.

Heart Session :: 1

Rebecca Sower is hosting Heart Sessions on her blog during the days leading up to Valentine's Day. It seems so appropriate since Rebecca is such a generous and big-hearted person herself. For proof just check out the blog she started called Haiti by Hand to help in the relief effort in earthquake ravaged Haiti. So starting today and throughout the week I will be posting various handmade hearts here and you can catch links to other Heart Session participants here.

Sweet Inspiration Boxes

Heather of Speckled Egg hosted the Second Annual Inspiration Box Swap last month. Each of us were to fill a large matchbox with things to inspire our partners to create something for Valentine's Day. You'd be surprised how much you can fit into these small boxes! The old saying, "Good things come in small packages" certainly applies here. The photos above show the box (and contents) that I created for my 3 swap partners - Sarah, Marian and Andrea. And pictured below are the beautiful boxes these ladies created for me!

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Then my friend Cerri and I were having so much fun creating these boxes for our swap partners that we decided to do a private swap with each other and this is the sweet box that she made for me:

And this is the box I sent to Cerri:

Valentine Tag Swap Reveal

My friend, Natalea hosted a fun little swap a while back and I finally got around to photographing all of the tags I received. I have looked at them over and over again and I discover something new each time. Some of the gals have strung the tags on ribbon and create a Valentine garland, which I think is a great idea. Some have attached them to a string of pink or white lights - I really like that idea. And some of us still have their tags in book-form, which is how we received them in the mail.

1. Kathy Lowry

2. Kimberly Laws 3. Diana Ptaszynki

4. Beth Holcombe 5. Robin Kesner

6. Rachel Velder 7. Vivian Neroni

8. Jane Palmer 9. Natalea Kanderfer

10. Alisa Noble 11. Grace Palazzolo

12. Wanda Clark 13. Connie Senyitko

14. Kana Conger 15. Geralyn Gray

16. Wendy Robrecht 17. Tammy Lucik

18. Linda Hanes 19. Marion Ballog 20. ME!

If you have time, you have to check out the cute little tutorial

that Brandy has posted on the Joli Paquet blog.