First Thursday Thiimble - October

Well, today's thimble is a little scary...and, I am now sure that I have "spiders on the brain"! But, here ya go!!

I thought about Halloween and then, I didn't want to do that...since some folks don't participate in that October Festivities...so, that lead me to deciding on a simple little Black Widow Spider. Seriously...isn't she really cute! Okay, perhaps not-so-much. Hey, stitch her in Pink...and change her name to Pink Lady!
Okay, enough...I seriously need coffee this morning! I'm starting to just chatter on!

Glorious Buttons!

 More buttons arrived yesterday afternoon! And, I'm working hard to get photos and a write up done on each one for the Etsy site...AND that's before coffee! Yikes!Here is a little teaser photo...and I'll just have to promise more info later today...cause I just HAVE to go downstairs to Mom's for my morning coffee and chat!

 Edited to add: Okay, it's 10:49...and I've had two cups of coffee. No breakfast yet...so, I might as well wait until lunch! LOL! I just finished loading all of the new buttons on to the Etsy site...so you can now go there and actually purchase any of these you might want. Here are more photos I took so you can see the groups of dragonfly styles compared to each other...and the other buttons in this group as well.

 

Posting these also has resolved (at least partially) a design issue I've been having lately. There is a large CQ Project I've been wanting to do, and I have the idea for the colors but something was missing. These buttons (especially the dragonfly ones) has helped me complete some of my thought process...and come up with a "name" for my project. In other words, now I have a "direction" in my design...and that will greatly speed up the design process for me. My new quilt will take some time...and of course I'll blog each and every little element with you. It will be called "Dragonfly Garden"...so you know there will be ton's of dragonflies and dragonfly buttons/cabochons...and flowers, trees, plants! And, finally...here are close ups of the remaining buttons...for your enjoyment!

 The cobalt blue button is simply not to be believed...it is so gorgeous! I almost didn't list them as there are so stunning I was tempted to hoard them for my own projects! So, ya'll know you are my BFF's because I'm willing to share!

 This peacock button was hard to get a photograph of so you could pick out the detail of the bird. I did a sorry job of it I'm afraid with the sewing room lights. It is truly very unique and so pretty!

 This photo might be a little better...it doesn't have as many shadows perhaps.

Snow Anyone?

It has gotten a little cooler these past couple of days, and I'm in serious denial! I refuse to turn the heat on yet! So, I'm in socks and sweaters! Thank goodness it's supposed to be back up in the low 80's the next couple of days so I can thaw out! But, the mornings are so good...while I'm still in bed anyway! The covers are piled high and the bed is toasty warm...and the room has a chill in the air. Perfect sleeping!

But I can't escape thoughts of winter around the corner. And that got me to thinking of snow, snowmen, hot cocoa...so I went hunting for beads. Here are little scissor fobs..snowman and teapot/cup. 

 I'm really happy with them and am putting them on the Etsy Shop.The little snowmen are easy if you have the right beads...here's what you need, and they are in the order of the beading too.

Ya'll stay warm!

More Beading...

I'm still making spiders...got some pink and silver ones done. I like and wear more silver than gold...and maybe some other folks do too. Then, I decided to start on another large jewelry piece...it will take me a while, because all of the bead components need to be made first. And, you know that I'll need more beads before I'm done. This one will be a lot like the Mermaid Necklace...but it will be Victorian in style. I'm thinking about doing a Shabby Chic style too...but that's later for sure!

Here are the bead components I've completed so far!

 

Some Effort...but Not Enough

Have you started a project...and just totally lost interest in it? At present that has happened to me regarding this CQ project.

It was started as part of a challenge on HGTV Message Board, but my "muse" decided right smack in the middle of creating it...that she didn't want to work on it. And I just have not found my "mojo" yet to complete it.

So, for now at least...it is another UnFinished Object in my craft room. I'm in the middle of stitching the French Knots for the cattails...hopefully, it will not remain un-attended for too long. 

What do you do when your muse leaves in the middle of a project?

Need a Chuckle...at My Expense?

 You might as well...my family has. Here's why...this flower is growing in Mom's front flower bed.I walked all the way around there to get photos of it for you...and only noticed afterwards that something just isn't "right" about this flower. It has no leaves on the stem.

THAT's BECAUSE IT'S SILK!! DUH!!My Sister-in-Law Tracy thinks it's hilarious that I actually took pictures of it! (Bet you can guess who "planted" it too!) I was not the only person caught up in this little joke...as others in the family also commented on how pretty the flower is. But, I'm the only one (so far) who has actually gotten the camera out to take photos!Seriously, you just have to laugh at yourself sometimes...

Christmas Tree Earrings and Pink Spider Necklaces are now Loaded ...

...on the Etsy Shop.  

Please pass the word along for me...Thanks!

 

 

  

Too Early?

 Yesterday, my beads arrived for the spiders...

And check out what else I got too...for making little crystal Christmas Tree earrings!

Aren't these just too cute!And you know I'll be beading spiders today!!

Wednesday Wine Country Monograms - L

 

Elvis Has Left the Building...

Well, almost...

If you're old enough to remember this refrain at the end of every Elvis concert (and if you don't know who Elvis is...then you are entirely too young to be talking to me!)...you'll understand the meaning. The Studio will close it's doors tonight at midnight...all will be finished tomorrow.I'd like to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone for their support to the shoppe, and especially during the clearance sale. We have some things left, not a huge amount, but a few if you want to grab what's left today...and I know, I know...the deals were spectacular!! Wish I could have done that for you longer...but all good things have to come to an end sometime!
 And, today is that ending....

Gates and Fences

Here are a couple of gates and fences for your embroidery use. Put these on a crazy quilt block...then add some vines and roses! That's my plan! Enjoy!

Beaded Seams

Here are a few beaded seams finished recently...eye candy anyone?

They aren't completely finished...but close!

LAST CHANCE SALE!!!

I just finished marking down the clearance prices at ShawklDesignStudio...and this is your last chance to get stuff before it is gone!Thanks to those who are asking "what next"...and here's the scoop! The Studio is run by a software package from Intuit, managed by a company called Homestead. It is cumbersome, slow, and does not have it's own inventory controls...unless I buy an expensive upgrade. So, I've decided not to do that...and after the inventory is sold or donated the Studio will simple not exist.I considered keeping a small inventory...but, that is just money down a rabbit hole because of the monthly fee the software costs.So, anything I decide to make or supplies I want to carry will be on the Etsy site after the Studio closes. There will be things I'll be buying for myself...and if you can't find something elsewhere...please feel free to email me and perhaps I can help you out in your hunt!