Plowing Forward

The plan for the start of year was to hit the ground running, I was optimistic, it was GOING to happen! So far.......not so much. We started off the year by passing around a cold, now recovered. Still I can't seem to get motivated. The inspiration is there, I've even written down a few ideas for new embroidery projects and paintings, I just can't seem to get past looking at my supplies and sorting out the bits that I need to get started.

I did do one creative project, I made my husband a rustic little book for his birthday.

Just a little something for when inspiration strikes, a thought, small sketch, or poem.

I had no idea what I was doing, as is how I approach most of my projects. With supplies in hand and a bee in my bonnet I jumped in feet first. I watched a couple videos on making books, got a bit frustrated along the way, but I like the way it turned out.

He seemed to like it too.

Happy Birthday Honey!

Rag Rug Experiment

So, the other day I got a bee in my bonnet to weave a rag rug. I don't know what came over me, the only weaving I've ever done was on one of these as a kid.

I cut up a bunch of strips of felted sweaters, 2 pairs of old jeans, and some brown cords that had a hole in em.

I don't have a loom, so I stitched the strips together and wound them around an old wood frame.

To push the rows nice and tight I used the bamboo handle of my son's butterfly net.

The edges turned out a bit wonky and it is defiantly on the rustic side, but I like how it came out. It's nice and thick and soft under the feet.

After I give my hands a little break I think i'd like to make a white and cream one for my bathroom.

In The Bedroom

That is not my bedroom.

Our bedroom is not quite so elaborate, more on the utilitarian side of things.

Recently I got it in my head to remedy that. New soft sheets and pillows, a fluffy down comforter with a duvet, a feather bed topper, and maybe even a new mattress...mmmmm

Also I'm making a quilt. I'm not a quilter, measuring and being precise makes my brain feel squeezed, so there will be as little measuring as possible. I found an awesome deal on blue cotton velvet at denverfabrics.com, it wasn't exactly the blue I wanted so I dyed it navy blue along with some soft cotton fabric. They came out just beautiful.

(The photo doesn't really do it justice)

I will combine the navy blue with black and charcoal grey and do lots of embroidery, etc. Then piece it all together. I'm not sure how it will come out in the end but I would like it to have a Gothic/fantasy feel to it. somewhere in between the photo at the top and this

Gothic & Fantasy but light and airy as well....hmmmmm

I'll post my progress.

Dyeing Projects

Rit has made a new color chart system with tons of color recipes to choose from, and I have a pile of things waiting to be dyed.

Most of my clothes are black, when I do buy things with color I prefer jewel/earth tones, but have a hard time finding those colors, so dying is a great option. It's always a bit of a gamble, and sometimes things have to be dyed more than once to get just the right shade, but it's fun to experiment.

Some time I would like to try some natural dyes like onion skins and the like (I have used tea) but for today it will be Rit.

Do you ever dye? What do you use?

I just wish the colors had names and not numbers....maybe I'll name them myself.

Time to go break out the dye tub. I'll let you know how it goes.

Dabbling

Busy Busy Busy
My kitchen table is a mess of projects.



I have been playing around with making some earrings. I like the way they turned out, and will list a few on my Etsy in the next couple of days.



Then onto the next idea...to many projects in my head...must get some out.