Monogram Monday - FGH

Here are more letters in the Old English Font that can be used for hand embroidery monograms. Clean up the wobbly lines when you trace...to create smooth slopes and curves.  

Monogram Mondays - Old English - C, D, E

 

HEX this month...

My contribution this month to the StitchMAP HEX challenge projects is how to stitch a spider-web with beaded spider. A very "necessary" thing if you do any traditional style crazy quilt work. 

Here is a closeup of the body beads as I'm stitching on the legs. You can also see how the spokes of the web are "wrapped" as the circular rounds are stitched...and the embroidery work of the branch (Stem Stitch) and leaves (Triple Detached Chain). I like to have some kind of plant life around and/or across my spiderwebs when that fits the space...so liked doing this little HEX with a branch. It makes it a bit more realistic. And...pretty little beads keep the spider from being "scary".
 

Rayceen

While looking for a lost file on my laptop today (and I'm still looking...wish I could remember what I named it...arhgggrrr)....I came across some old designs for shadow applique fairies. I did these quite a few years back; and it dawned on me that this one...Rayceen...would be nicely done in embroidery too. So, here she is for you.

More Thimble Cases...

I'm working on more thimble cases today. This is little Brady's first week of daycare...so I have some extra time on my hands...and, I sold the last of my thimble cases on Etsy last week.  I sure miss having a baby underfoot however...it seems kind of quiet here this week too!  

I managed to get two cases finished...and they are loaded on Etsy now. So, next...I'm working on some cross-stitch versions using waste canvas. Have you been crafting lately? It's so hot here now, staying inside is the only way to breath! Hugs to all!  

OA-B plus swirls

Today's monogram is the Old English letter B. The outline might be a bit swiggly...as it is just an Old English font enlarged and I have not had a minute to clean it up any. But, when you trace...your line will be gently curved and not swiggly I'm sure. 

  If you want to dress up any of these Old English style monograms..you can add swirls.  

I designed two options for you...an angled and a vertical. Just trace your monogram...then trace your swirls where you would like...in a different color from your monogram tracing.  

OE-A

This Old English style monogram would be wonderful done on solid quilt blocks...quilted and stuffed trapunto style. For traditional embroidery work, a whitework style letter in a 1-2 inch size would also be especially nice.  

Last call for book discounts...

I posted the other day about my book being on sale for a little longer...and today is the last day. Tomorrow, the price on my Etsy shoppe goes up to $20. So, if you want the book for $14...better get hopping today.   Little Brady goes to daycare next month; and I hope to get some more thimble cases made in July. Thanks to everyone who has been asking me about new things. And, thanks for such a warm reception to my table-top embroidery/CQ/needlework hoops!    Hugs,

Blackwork First Attempt

I'm pretty happy with the results....especially for a first attempt. It is small enough to have actually gotten done in a couple of days. I might do more...but, the project will have to be one that really intriques me as the same pattern for a large area could get boring.    Of course, MY blackwork...is not black...as my muse rarely does anything "by the rules". This is one of the three HEX designs offered at StitchMAP this month.  

Multi-size, Free-standing Table Top/Lap Needlework Tension Frame

  The past couple of months, I've been designing, perfecting, and using a table-top frame system...made from PVC pipe and fittings. If you follow my blog, you know that I'm a HUGE fan of Q-snap type frames because they hold tension nicely after you wrap the under-side pipe. They are easy to adjust and light to use.

  The only real problem with them...aside from the "wrapping need"...is that they don't stand alone. My shoulders have started to bother me because I do so much stitching and holding large hoops for crazy quilt work. So, there just had to be a better...and cost effective way.   I have found what works for me...and think it might work for you too! So, I made a couple more and have them for sale on my Etsy page. I'll make more if there is a need.   They are for sale in two forms...a FULL KIT and a PARTIAL KIT.   The full kit has all of the parts and assembly instructions. The partial kit has only the clamps and assembly instructions. No special tools are needed for the full kit.    Or, if you are a handy gal (or have a handy pal) that prefers to cut your own PVC pipe and get your own fittings...you can just buy the partial kit and get the tension clamps and assembly instructions and save a few bucks. But, you'll have to spend your own energy getting the other parts, cutting the pipe, and use your gas shopping.   Either kit has EASY TO USE instructions...complete with photos (not just words).   The Needlework Tension Frame does not require wrapping the bottom frame to get a good tension. The frame comes with two sizes (12 x 12 inches square, and 12 x 9.5 inches rectangle) The frame sits on a table (in three positions) or in your lap. Tension is adjustable, but holds well when set. Can be assembled as a standard hand-held frame as well. The frame also makes a great display for your work at guild meetings, sewing bees, craft shows, etc.!

Monogram Monday - Joy

 

Book Sale Ending Soon

  Just a quick reminder to everyone that my book is on sale in my Etsy shoppe right now...but will go back to a normal price soon. Amazon is carrying it also, at $20.52 so the $14.00 shop price is a really good deal...better get off the fence is you've been considering it.

Hugs!
 

Monogram Mondays - A

This is the last monogram in this series. Next week, I'll begin a new group!  

Freebie Design

Here's a little design I thought you  might enjoy. It was conceived as an SRE design, but could be done in standard embroidery as well.  

Mixing Dyes

My baby sister had four boxes of this little mini-whisky bottles in the family yardsale a few days ago, and she gave me all four boxes. (She got them at auction with some other stuff and didn't have a use for them.) At first I wasn't sure exactly what to do with them either...but, I knew that I'd find a good use some time. Well, today...it came to me. I have been saving up some baby food jars to use for mixing my Jacquard acid dyes in...but, why not use these instead. 

 I had a huge pot of vinegar water remaining after dipping it into dye cups for Easter eggs (yes, that was over a month ago...and yes, this has been sitting on my stove waiting for me to collect enough baby food jars...I've been just moving it from the stove to the counter when I needed the stovetop. I know, vinegar is cheap...please don't write me as I don't know why I do what I do sometimes)

Next I gathered a plastic tray to work in. This is easily washed up later on and is to catch any spills. You can choose to work outside if you like...but I don't do that for such a small amount of dye to work with. If you're dying fabric...you will be using buckets...go outside. My plastic 1/4 teaspoon (could not find a 1/8 size in the drawer), two plastic cups (like you'd use in the bathroom for mouthwash, etc) and paper towels are also needed. The measuring spoon WILL NOT be used for cooking any more after this.

You also need a pair of good rubber gloves. My doctor's nurse kindly donated these to me, and they are so great!

Of course you need the dye as well. Jacquard acid dye is a powder dye that is activated by simple vinegar and water. You can also use Rit Powder Dye available at your grocery story in the laundry aisle; it works the same way...and comes in a lot of colors. Jacquard has more colors...but you can get a good selection with Rit as well. A very important caution about working with powder dyes...DON'T BREATH THEM IN! I hold my breath when I'm measuring out (stop laughing); and I make sure NOT to have any fan on nearby...so it won't be 'flying around in the air'. Again...use common sense...this stuff is not good for your lungs if you snort it!   Organization (and reading glasses) is a good idea if you are dying several colors. I have my bottles all labeled with their color, and that specific dye powder sitting next to the bottle. When I mix, I check the color on the bottle against the color in the dye jar...just like you'd check Mom's hospital baby bracelet with Mom's bracelet...you don't want to mix things up! (You can also see that I have mixed about seven colors, BEFORE I remembered to get the camera and blog this. See, I'm getting rusty!!)

First step...put some hot water in the sink. It can be cold water...I just prefer putting my gloved hands in hot water rather than cold. This is going to be needed to rinse off the measuring spoon and pouring cup after each color is mixed...before moving on to the next color. Now, if you want to use an individual plastic cup and different measuring spoon for every color...go ahead...spend your money. I prefer to buy chocolate with any extra funds...so am being frugal here.

Okay, here is the actual PROCESS I used. You see two plastic cups? The one on the right is a dipping cup...it gets the vinegar water out of the pan; keep it clean. The cup on the left has been "bent, smushed, etc." on one side to get a little Pouring Spout. IF you use baby food jars, or containers that don't have the tiny little narrow necks that these whiskey bottles have...you don't have to worry over a 'spout'. Pour a bit of water into the "pouring cup" from the "dipping cup". Put in your dye and stir. (I used about 1/8 teaspoon (half of my measuring spoon) of powered dye for each little bottle...which holds about 1/4 cup of vinegar/water).

After stirring and pouring into the bottle, I found that the bottle was not full. That's actually a good thing, because I don't want to waste the powder dye...so mix with a little water, not a lot.

 Then, add a bit more vinegar/water to fill up to the top line. Label the bottle with the dye color (and any other info you like). Then, move on to the next color.

The pouring cup, and measuring spoon are rinsed clean after every color. Dry the spoon with a paper towel, the cup can just be shaken to get most of the water off. Change out the rinsing water in the sink ever few colors as it gets pretty colorful. AND if you have a porcelain sink, I highly recommend you invest in a disposable turkey roasting pan to use instead...and pour it outside when changing the water...or into your wash sink in the basement if you are fortunate enough to have these.

Even with caution...I managed to get a bit of color on the counter. Not to panic...get some full strength bleach and a paper towel...

...and the counter is good as new. It's important to do this right away...if you wait until morning...you'll have a colorful counter top for ever. See...good as new.

Now, here are all of my new colors. To use them, I'll dilute them when I get ready to paint some lace or ribbon.    These little cups are so handy (got mine at Sams for $5 a set of four). I put a little measure of dye and 2-5 measures of more vinegar/water depending on how 'light/weak' I want the color. You can have a medium, dark, and very dark depending on how much MORE vinegar/water you add to your already made dye solution. Experiment on a paper towel until you get a color shade that you like, then try that on some ribbon or lace. The fun is in the experimenting (just use some less expensive lace first...). But, the lace/ribbon painting will have to wait for another day...this one is about over, and I'm pooped out! Maybe this weekend...I'll get to play with painting some lace. Hugs!  

Monogram Mondays - B