Slow Stitching - No. 006 - Listen to the Cloth

This is my piece for week 6 of the slow stitch challenge hosted by Kathryn at K3NClothTales.  

The prompt for this week is: Listen to the Cloth.  Basically, cloth will have certain properties and work with them. 

I acquired a few more fabric scraps this week at the ReUse center and I am happy with my coordinated color scheme. 

The top left piece may be silk. I doubled it so I would have more to work with. The circle wreath is a piece of cheesecloth fabric which is very loosely woven and had to be confined to work.  I couched the circle and left the tails to speak about the original properties of the cloth.

The dark pink on the bottom was quite heavy so I just used a running stitch in the same color. There was a color gap in the floral piece so I added the light pink piece in bottom left corner which is satiny and just added a piece of narrow lace for fun. I made French Knots!  The olive green piece got double seed stitches.  The floral piece has tiny stitches in green following the green in the cloth.

Christmas Tree Scent Ornaments

For those of us who put up artificial Christmas trees wouldn't it be nice to still have the smell of a real tree during the holidays?

I love the smell of a real tree.  I received one of these last year for my tree and I was on the search for the right scent.  I discovered that it can be tricky.  I believe we always had spruce trees at Christmas when I grew up.  Others will have different types of trees in their tradition therefore a different scent.

There are quite a few Christmas tree blends available as well.

I bought Pine Needles last year which was not quite right.  I will add Spruce this year in a blend and see how that goes.

I have hung these on a tree ornament stand.

I started with traditional green triangle trees for the first set.  I cut them 3.5 inches high and 3 inches wide at the base.  Triangle trees are very efficient in materials.  I cut 2 exactly the same size. I embelished the front triangles. On the left with red embroidered garland with gold e bead ornaments. On the right with small round felt button ornaments tied on with gold thread.  Of course the need a star and a trunk. 

Once the fronts were done, I layered them together, put my trunk and my hanging thread in between and sewed very close to the the edge all the way around.  The stars were added on last with a bit of hand stitching.

I made 3 felt ball wreaths with these non traditional colors of white, black and aqua.  I strung them onto string cotton thread and tied them really tight.

I added a white thread hanging loop.

For these ornaments I would recommend put the oil on the black balls so no discoloration will show.  For the other ornaments I would put the oil on the back so again if the oil causes some discoloration it will not be on the front.

I made some round ornaments featuring reindeer die cuts.  The white one is sporting the red nose of Rudolph. 

The reindeer were layered on a medium circle then onto the 3.25 inch circles.  The reindeer and the medium circle were attached to the front large circle then they were sewn together very close together in coordinating thread with the hanging thread in between.  

The one on right I tried making my own grey hanger and on the second I just put a small circle of felt in between the large circles and stitched it in. 

I made one with a white snowflake die cut on red medium circle on dark green large circles. Then used a small felt circle for the hanger. 

On the right, I made a non traditional colored one with purple, white and some blues.  The focal element are white and blue layered hearts to which I stitched some silver ebeads. I added an tiny felt button with silver ebeads again on the right hand side. These were stitched together with a small purple felt circle hanger with white thread loop. 

I ended up finding some die cuts in my stash which I used to make a couple more.

The pink and white dove has a pearly ebead for a eye and again is in not traditional colors. The wings are stitched on both sides and it has a felt hanger.

The gingerbread man was cut from ginger looking felt and blanket stitched around both layers with a piece of red fabric put in between for the hearts and a bit of white for the eyes.  The mouth was outlined with black permanent marker.  Just a simple thread loop to hang.

These can just be ornaments on your tree with out having scent added to them.  If you are going to add essential oil to them be sure to put it on the back in order to avoid discoloration on the front of the ornament.

Christmas Card Challenge - Watercolor - Silver Foil Joy

I had some small Christmas note cards featuring a wreath and Joy in silver foil on white card.

I decided to trim the card front off and water color the background with the Stampin Up Watercolor Wonder crayons.  I left the center of the wreath white.

On this card I used Tempting Turquoise with salt.  Once it was dry I trimmed it a wee bit. I added the TT Thread with a large round silver brad to hold it in place aligned the left hand side.

I adhered it to the Tempting Turquoise card base with double side tape.

This card features the same silver foil wreath with the Old Olive watercolor. 

This one was just a basic wash on the background again leaving the inside of the wreath white.

I found some coordinating round sequins in my stash and mounted them with tiny silver brads.  I chose some green and some silver.

The watercolor layer was adhered to the Old Olive card base with 3D foam tape.

A seasonal insert with a white envelope completes the card.

For this card I used the Brave Burgundy watercolor and created a gradient wash with it being light at the top and darker at the bottom.  I actually painted this upside because it works better to start dark and add water as you get lighter.

I chose 4 large silver star brads for this card.  I put them in the four corners.

I adhered the greeting layer to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I made 2 of each color so I have 6 more cards in the Christmas card box.

Sylvia's Simple Shots

At the end of the day full of errands I found this sky at the park.

I was out because it was the first day of reasonable temperatures -10C in 10 days of -30C or colder temps.  I have been hibernating for sure.

There was a band of heavy cloud above this brilliant band of gorgeous color right at the horizon and the sun shone through!

It's been a time of very few outside photos but we are going to have a week of decent temps so I will head out every day. 

The COVID numbers are ridiculously high so one has to be careful all the time.

The wall Christmas tree is put away and I was wondering what I was going to hang in this new space.

I have decided to hang my gold geometric wreath.  It works well and the size is just right.  I have hung a mercury glass ball in the center for now.  I was going to put a bow above it but did not have any ribbon that would work.  I'll take another look later.  Certainly not doing anything other than essential shopping right now.

The shelf was another challenge because it is very shallow.  Fortunately, I had not culled all my small photo frames.   I found these 3 black frames that work well.  I went through my photo collection and found 3 that worked in them. The center is a water drop on a single piece of grass, The left is a silhouette shot of weeds against sky and the right is dew drops on a spider web.  The 2 far end pieces are just what I had on hand.  I will work of something different for there.

I inherited this enameled cast iron pot from my Mom.  We called this the "bean pot" as she made home baked beans in this pot and it has made it to many a potluck meal.

During my visit to my aunt's before Christmas she showed me how to make vegetable lentil soup.  Very easy.

With my doctor recommending my reducing my sodium intake I will be making my own soup from now on.  This pot is just the ticket.  Thanks Mom.

The World that we Knew by Alice Hoffman is a story about a Jewish woman in Berlin, German during the second World War.  Hanni Kohn is a widow with a 12 year old daughter who has to do what she must to save her and ensure her survival. She decides to consult a renowned rabbi, but it’s his daughter, Ettie, who offers hope of salvation when she creates a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who is sworn to protect Lea. Once Ava is brought to life, she and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwined, their paths fated to cross, their fortunes linked.

Ava and Lea travel to France and end up living at a convent where Jewish children under 12 are housed.  Ava becomes the kitchen worker. Ettie is working for the French resistance and saved many children by walking them to the Belgian border. A love story, a warrior story and full of brave women.

It was a very touching story and I would highly recommend this book!

The theme for Flickr Macro Mondays was "corner".  Of course, the options are endless but what will make an engaging image.

Above are 3 of the images I took for the challenge. Left an crystal block, a post in note block and a magnetic frame. You can check out my Flickr Photostream (SMDPics) to see the image I submitted.

I am sharing with Angie who hosts Mosaic Monday #163 and Mersad who hosts Through My Lens #320 

Have a great week!

Exchange Cards - Christmas Cards

I am playing catch up on my exchange cards.  With Dad`s hospitalization I have spent more time with Mom which involving traveling.   These are December`s cards then I will get the November and October ones done.

I chose Stampin Up Christmas Jingle designer paper because it had a green and red side.  I decided to make A7 or 5x7 inch cards. I printed a greeting layer of Very Vanilla with greetings in Real Red and Old Olive trimmed to leave a border all the way around. I punched 14 stars out.  Then applied thin 3D tape to the bottom ones and thicker 3D tape to the top ones.  The top ones match the card base color.  I placed them in a round shape to create a wreath. I added a Real Read wide grosgrain ribbon below the wreath and taped the ends to the back.

I adhered the greeting layer to the card front and pressed them over night.  This morning I added the prism elements of a snowflake on one and a star on the other adhered with Bling Zots.  I then added a thin gold cord bow to the wreath.

These are headed to my exchange partners. 

Christmas Card Challenge - Feb - Watercolor Cards 2

Here are the next 4 cards in this watercolor challenge.

I lightly drew the shapes with watercolor pencils. I then used red watercolor to paint this trio of elliptical ornaments.  The 140lb watercolor paper was taped down to a piece of glass and allowed to dry taped down.

Once dry, I added the black lines with a thin permanent marker.  

I then added spatter with gold liquid acrylic color. 

I mounted this on a dark card base.

This card is a round  ornament in fuchsia color.

I added a string where it hangs and a tiny bow. I added some pearl liquid acrylic to the sections of the shape.  Spattered with fuchsia color.

The greeting is from the Stampin Up Good Greetings set in permanent black ink.

I really loved the snowbanks I created in this composition. 

I added a twig tree with the black marker.

Stamped the greeting on the lower right hand quadrant.

This wreath was created with light and dark leaves. Remember to keep them in the same direction.

I added black outlines on the leaves and a bow at the bottom of the wreath.   

Stamped greeting above the wreath. 

Spattered with red watercolor.

Recent Photos

It has been a whole month that I have kept my dining room table clear of clutter!

I can actually sit at the tables for meals but rarely do.  I should work on that habit.

I worked on the process when I got a lot of company before the holidays. 

I quilted recently and that requires the wooden table so it was messy for a few days but I put all the quilting stuff away and it's back to looking good.

Aren't DVDs great!  When you are ready to get back into the routine they still provide their programming as they did the last time you started down this road.

I love the Leslie Sansone program because I can customize the work out to my available time, works the important muscle groups and provides 5 aerobic programs.  Going on 3 weeks now of 5 days a week.  It contributed to my better response to the 10 days of -30 weather we had recently.  Last year, I hid under the blanket on the couch for most of the cold snap.

I bought this wreath on sale after Christmas.  I was looking for a smaller one with more elegant lines than this one which I have used since 2015.

I will refurbish it for next Christmas. First, the greenery it makes it hang crooked because the weight is only on one side and it is not the most elegant fake greens.

I just love this geometric one that I bought a couple of years ago and just don't what to take the chance of losing it by hanging it on the outside of the door.  I enjoy it all year round in my place.

I finished this book last week - Father Melancholy's Daughter by Gail Godwin.  It was a tough read for me.  The idea of a mother abandoning her child did not sit well with me.  Then the father suffers depression episodes which leaves this girl fending for herself often.

The book is about an Episcopalian priest so church life is very prominent in the story.  Living in a rectory, saying mass, and the meeting of the vestry.  His social life which bring in parishioners of every temperament.  

The book has a surprise ending but for me it did not redeem the book that much. 

I had a new deadbolt installed this week as well.  The old one has been sticking for a while then the cold made it worse.  I put WD40 in which made it much worse.  Just eventually nearly refused to turn and I did not want to break my key.

I had to wait 2 days to get service but I had a great locksmith come to help me in the cold last week who worked beyond his schedule to get mine done.  He was able to provide a brushed nickel finish which was great.  Now I need to replace the door knob so it will match.  I have brushed nickel knobs on all the doors on the inside of my place.

I will be purchasing a tube of graphite lubricant which is what locks need.






I have been enjoying aroma therapy every day.  Using a wax warmer makes it really easy.  I don't burn candles anymore.  This model is from Febreze and I chose it for it's simple elegant lines, neutral color palette and no light bulbs to replace.

My favorite scent is Cinnamon Vanilla from Scentsy.  I will have to find a rep so I can purchase more.  I tried over Christmas but was not successful in getting a response from the rep I contacted.

I have the warmer on a timer so I don't have to remember to turn it off.

Mosaic Monday - Recent Photos

I do have my Christmas wreath on the front door.  I updated it this year with a vintage glass ornament. It is deep red with gold dots and has a matte finish.

I used a clear wreath hanger since I don't have a gold one which would work best.

I am still working on the decorations on the inside.













I recently finished another Maeve Binchy book called the The Copper Beech which is the tree in the Shancarrig school yard.  The book follows several young people who have carved their initials in the bark of the tree.  Eddie becomes a pen pal to someone in Scotland. They share many interests and letters go back and forth between them.  They eventually share telephone calls but only after he discovers that he has been writing to the "girl".  She eventually comes to visit Ireland and decides to stay!

I broke down and bought the lastest Kate Morton book - The Clockmaker's Daughter.  It is as epic as her previous books.                                                                 It involves a long abandoned mansion, families in recent history as well as many years ago and some delightful mysteries involving a blue gem.                                                                    It is written in the from the Clockmaker's Daughter point of view who lived in the house.  I resisted just reading day and night but I have to admit the last half was consumed with little eating and a few bathroom breaks.                                         The colorful tile was a purchase at the art show in early December.  It is art by Val Enders. 

It is decorated with a process called Alcohol Ink Painting.  It is 3x6 inches.  The color is vibrant and gorgeous!  It seems that it may have a clear coat over the paint to protect it.  

It has a hanger on the back which allows it to be hung and enjoyed.

I bought this little metal yellow bicycle last week.  It was filthy but after a soak in soapy water and some tender care with an old toothbrush it was bright and shiny.

I am working on scenarios to place into for my photography.  I think a white picket fence would be great or a nice tree like the front of the Binchy book cover.

I am sharing with Mosaic Monday #7 hosted by Angie at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf.

Cardmaking - CH - Class 5

Style 2 - Designer Paper Split.  I bought these 12x12 glitter papers together but don`t have a designer or manufacturer.

This is very versatile paper in that it has lots of colors.  The bottom piece is cut 4 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall.  The top piece is cut 4 inches wide and 1.75 tall.  These are taped together on the back.

I added a kraft ribbon over the join which was taped to the back.  This layer was then adhered to the front of a nice pink card.

The greeting was printed with colors from the designer paper.  It was punched with the 2 inch oval and adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

I created kits with kraft card and pink ribbon and green card with red ribbon.

Style 3 - Square - The ornament element is 3.25 inches square.  It was adhered to a 3.5 inch red layer which coordinated well with the ornament color. Creating a hole with a push pin, I added a clear crystal brad in the center and pressed the prongs apart on the back.

I chose a deep burgundy card which matched well with the background color on the accent.  I glued a piece of gold moire paper to the card front leaving a small border.

I wrapped a piece of gold ribbon around the card front and taped the ends to meet under the accent layer.

The accent layer was then adhered over the ribbon with 3D foam tape aligned with even borders top, left and bottom.

Style 8 - This card was designed with Stampin Up elements.  I chose a Garden Green card base.

The diagonal stripe designer paper is from the Be of Good Cheer DSP set.  It was cut to leave a small border of card color.

I cut a 6 inch length of Cherry Cobbler Tulle and wrapped it around the DSP in the bottom third of the layer and taped the ends to the back.

The greeting was created with ivory metallic card stock cut with one of the SU Apothecary Framelits.  It is attached to the card front over the tulle with 2 tiny green brads on the bumps on the right and left sides. The greeting was color printed and punched with the SU Word Window and mounted to the label with 3D foam tape.

The designer paper layer was then adhered to the card front.

The felt wreath is from the Stampin Up Stitched Felt Winter Wishes Embellishment Set.  I added a Cherry Cobbler bow made from thread which is held in place with a Bling Zot.  The wreath was attached above the tulle with Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive.

Recent Photos

Here's my new wreath for the front door.
The one I am using is a large evergreen looking one with silver accents I had made for my office door.  It came home with me when I retired.  The frame is 16 inches wide so 23 inches with the greenery. I thought I would replace it with a smaller one but then it blocked the peep hole so I decided 20 inches would work.  I wanted something I could decorate for each season.
I became aware of Geo Wire Wreaths at a handmade boutique I visited in early December.  They had a kit for sale using plastic straws and connectors but it would not be sturdy.
I decided I wanted a metal one so started my internet search.  Not finding what I wanted in Canada I was going to settle for a 23" flat one from Pottery Barn which would mean a visit to West Edmonton Mall, not my favorite place.  On Thursday, I thought I would check Canadian Tire's website to see what they may have on Christmas clearance since I was headed out anyways.  Well lo and behold if I did not find exactly what I was looking for on SALE!!  I have added a string garland of silver and gold beads and a single gold ball.  This will do for winter I think.

Another great book from Karen Kingsbury.  This one features 2 brothers and 2 sisters where one in each was affected by Down Syndrome.  The approaches one the way these children were raised were completely different.  In the girl's case she was encouraged to do all she could, provided with opportunities to grow and become independent.  While in the boy's case he was kept at home and spent his days playing video games and most everything done for him.  By chance, the boy is enrolled in the class for learning life skills to be independent and he flourishes.  He is diagnosed with epilepsy and the parents are reconsidering their decision.  The big brother has come home for a while and is no sure his brother is capable of independent living. The man and woman get to know each other and come to see a way forward for each of their siblings.  The life skills taught were taking the bus, cooking, managing money, getting along with others and prayer.

The sun is shining just beyond the clouds so hang in there.

I did spend some of my Christmas money and bought a Cherry Red Diamond Weave Nordic Mug which was on my list.  I added some tea sacks and some loose teas as well - Organic Saigon Chai and Organic Earl Grey.  I've only tried the Chai so far but I am happy with the taste.

I toned down my table to a white Battenburg table runner and the red table cloth.  I added the stainless steel tree folding table decor for a bit of a festive touch.

I clear glass plate holds a few goodies from the bake sales before Christmas.  Nanaimo Bars and Thumbprint cookies were a nice complement to a mug of Chamomile tea.

Sharing with Share Your Cup #278 hosted by Jann.

Bernideen's "Sharing Tea with Friends"

Tuesday Cuppa Tea hosted by Ruth.

Christmas Cards - Refurbished Set 3

I used to print greeting cards with a Gocco printer.  This ivory wreath card is my own design that I printed in gold ink on ivory card stock along with the greeting.  I added the ivory organza ribbon onto the wreath. 

To refurbish - I trimmed the card front to leave a small border and mounted that onto a brown card front.




If you want to check out the Gocco printing process I found this video on line.  Turn the sound down on your computer before clicking.

This card features a small nativity clipart image.  It is layered onto a layer of white card stock. I then chose a piece of purple mulberry paper.  It was wet with a paint brush in order to be able to rip it in the shape desired.  I dried the paper with an iron then adhered it to the card front which had the greeting color printed onto it then mounted the other layers.

To refurbish this card I trimmed the card front to leave a small border and mounted it onto a purple card to coordinate with the purple mulberry paper.

 This card features a Christmas tree in a modern design.  It is stamped onto a white layer with a green ink pad.  It was mounted onto a piece of coordinating green bond paper and trimmed with decorative scissors.  It was then mounted to the greeting layer which has a greeting color printed in red.

To refurbish the card I trimmed the card front to leave a small border.  I then mounted it to the front of a coordinating green card.

 This is a card I designed for my work a few years ago.  It features coordinated digital images of the star and the word PEACE. 

To refurbish I trimmed the card front to leave a small white border. Then I layered it onto a red card stock layer then onto a warm green card.

This card features a small store bought card in turquoise with a bright red bird. 

I mounted the small card front onto white pearl card stock leaving a small border. Then onto the front of a black card which picked up the black in the words on the card.

Christmas Card Challenge - April - Green/Foliage

It's time again for my monthly Christmas Card Challenge.  The challenge for April is Green / Foliage.  Foliage could be pine trees, wreaths, evergreen branches, Christmas tree, poinsettias, holly, and much more.
My choice is  a green wreath on a window with a night sky behind on a deep red card. I pulled the Cuttlebug Holly Wreath die and folder combination from my die storage, which I have never used. I chose dill textured card stock. First, I cut the wreath with the sizzlet die then ran it through the embossing folder to add the textured design.  I cut the window from white card stock with the Memory Box Grand Madison Window die.  I spritzed a piece of navy card stock with white acrylic paint to create a night sky and adhered it behind the window.  The element was adhered to card front aligned along the top edge.  I then adhered the wreath centered on the window.  A bling Zot holds the red thread bow over the embossed one on the die.  I color printed the greeting onto white card stock and cut it with the Stampin Up Bitty Banners Framelits thin dies.  I adhered it  below the window.

R2G Card Kits - SU - Wonderful Wreath

Another Ready2Go Card Kit for a kid's Christmas Party!

This set has a Stampin Up True Thyme card base.  I used the Wonderful Wreath Stamp Set with the wreath in True Thyme.  The greeting in Riding Hood Red.  I added a RHRed Tafetta Ribbon bow held in place with a Zot.  This is such gorgeous ribbon, it ties beautifully and lies flat which makes a card which can easily be mailed.

Cards - Exchange Group - December

I made these cards for my exchange group.  

I chose a brown card to coordinate with the pine cones in the designer paper.  I cut the piece of paper to 4.00 x 5.25 inches then cut it again at 2.5" crosswise for this landscape (wide) card.  I put a red cotton ribbon across the fold and taped the ends to the back.  I adhered this layer to the card front. I stamped the greeting in Real Red with the Stampin Up Perfect Punches Stamp Set. It was adhered to the card front with 3D foam tape.

On this card I chose a warm blue card which matched the branches in the designer paper.  I used the same red cotton ribbon and the same Stampin Up stamp. 

Mosaic Monday - Christmas Wreath

I've put up my Christmas Wreath on my door.  This is one I've arranged myself with supplies from the local craft store.  Silver and green is the theme with a green door hanger.

There is a bird, an apple, a pear, a poinsettia and pine cones.

And Christmas begins after celebrating the first Sunday of Advent.

Submitting to Mosaic Monday hosted by Judith at Lavender Cottage.

Christmas Card Challenge - Nov - Wreath - Folding - Fiber

Welcome to my monthly Christmas Card Challenge.  This challenge ensures that I have cards to address December 1st.
The challenge was Wreath, Folding, Fiber this month.  Here's how I brought these together.  I chose the Stampin Up Wonderful Wreath stamp.  I made it Real Red on white card stock. It is 3" square so I trimmed it leaving a small border.  I found a 3.25 inch piece of dark green card stock to back it.  I added a seam binding ribbon bow.  The ribbon was not as soft as I was expecting so I changed my plan. I overlapped a length over itself 3 times. I then tied it in the middle with thread and pulled the ends down and trimmed them.  The bow is held in place with Zots.  I chose a Real Red card which I scored in the center then again in half on the front piece.  The half was folded back to the side fold. I placed the greeting from the Joyful Christmas stamp set in the bottom right hand corner of a piece of white card stock.  I trimmed it to leave a red border all the way around.  This layer will serve as my insert as well where I can write my message.  I mounted the wreath to the left and top to balance the greeting.  I managed all three elements. Really happy with the way it turned out.