Stitchery Journey, Part 2

Oh my--I am so sorry!  I never intended to be two weeks between posts but life does get in my way.  I am not sure at this moment that I am ready to post "Part 2" but thinking I might make it happen.  

Steps of construction are very important.  When I don't have a pattern before me, I can easily get ahead of myself and be sorry as I must unsew.  This is not a word to anyone but me? Spellcheck certainly does not recognize it but you and I know it happens.  I decided the next step would be the quilting but I couldn't decide to quilt all 3 layers (top, batting , and backing or lining) because I will be attaching not only the doily with the Stitchery to the top, but plan on adding more embroidery and possibly buttons and ribbons and a closure.  I decided to stipple quilt the top to the batting --attach the doily with Stitchery, embroider and add buttons and then add the lining.  On the lining I will add pockets suitable for my embroidery threads and a couple of wool booklets to keep extra loose threads and needles.  The last step will be to attach the front and lining together with the binding.  Not to worry if you don't get it at this point.  

The picture above is the process of stippling the front and lining.  Stippling is fun to me but I'm sure there may be some of you who have a big ? On your forehead right about now so let me if that's the case, just quilt in some way with straight lines.  About 3 rows side to side will be great!  Get this done before my Part 3.  You and I both know you have plenty of time ! 😜

Remember that I trimmed my Stitchery to the size I wanted for it to fit in the middle of my doily.  I decided to frame it with a piece of my lining fabric.  I used Heat and Bond light to adhere them together and to the doily.  Then came some of the most fun!  Choosing embroidery threads and stitches.  As you can see I   auditioned many colors then decided on black.  It's kinda like outlining a coloring page.  Black just made everything pop.

The stitch is the controversial Buttonhole/Blanet stitch.  Love it for edge stitching.

I'm pleased with finished look.  There are many stitches that could be used.  Try something new--Make It Your Own.  That's my motto.

In case you get ready for more before I return, I want to get you started on the inside pockets.  From my extra front fabric I cut a couple of strips 4 1/2 inches wide.



Fold them in half and press.  The pockets will go on each end of the lining.  This will be a great opportunity to use some kind of trim. I'm partial to antique lace and tatting but hey-vintage rick rack would be precious too!  Here I have pinned them in place but I  did not trim them.  I will be unpinning to apply my choice of trim. You can prepare your strips with trim and pin them in place and more instruction will be in part 3. Just wait to trim them.  Trust me!

The above pic show you better how I left them.

I have been working on my pin cushion for the middle but things did not work out the way I wanted so it will present itself in part 3.  I will tell you that crushed walnut shells are great for pincushion fill.  I got a huge bag for $10 on Amazon.  Questions can be ask in the comments although I don't have any proof that anyone is reading this much less actually following along with me...... 😁

Doesn't matter--I'm having all the fun!!!

REMEMBER GOD LOVES YOU AND SO DO I!!

MOLLY

Needle Book ---The Journey Begins ---As Promised--Part 1

I promised a few weeks ago I would take you on a designing journey---step by step--one that I, myself, don't know how will turn out. The day is here!  Pattern design is a process that turns an idea  into a real tangible, in my hands, something.  My Stitchery ideas hardly ever turn out the same as my original thought.  Most of the time, BETTER!

Today we start with my choice of a doily, two coordinating fabrics,  and a finished piece of embroidery.  The embroidery is my inspiration.  I can either start with fabric in mind and match the colors I use to the chosen fabric or start with a finished stitched piece and find fabrics to match.  Fabrics chosen can be one or more than one. Personally I love the more the better.  More makes the piece exciting and fun!  If you use several fabrics where colors coordinate but are different in pattern and size of motif, you get a finished product that people can't keep their eye off of because each time their eye sees one thing of cuteness, it must travel to another.  I've excited myself, so let's get started.  Supplies for this project are just suggestions and can be changed in any number of ways.  Just use this as a jumping off point.  Make this your own project, not a copy of mine. 

You need a small doily of your choice.  Any will do.  Purchased or made.  Vintage doilies are my favorite!  Each one gives a unique opportunity for design.

1.  I folded the doily and a piece of freezer paper twice then pinned them together at the corner to make my pattern.  

 

2.  This step requires a decision--how much larger than my doily so I want the surrounding fabric?  I have chosen an approximate inch plus 1/4 inch to account for the edge binding.  (We will talk about that later but still just add 1/4 inch to whatever width of fabric you decide to add).

I eyeballed it!

3.  Layer your top and bottom fabrics together with a thin batting in the middle.  My picture does not show the batting as I forgot I could cut all three at the same time.  sorry  Press the shiny side of the freezer paper in place then cut around your pattern.

Remove the freezer paper pattern.  Notice that my top and bottom fabrics are different! smile

4.  I have decided that my new needle book will be a tri-fold.  The reason being is that my stitched embroidery dictates that.  I am now auditioning my idea with the placement of the embroidery.

 I used Heat and Bond Lite to adhere my embroidery to a piece of fabric that will set it off because the background and the doily are about the same color.  Then again use Heat and Bond Lite to adhere the piece to the doily.

This is the end of part 1. I have some more decisions to make before we meet again.   I will give you some time to get your stuff together and get started and then we will resume.  

I love you guys and GOD loves you too.  See you soon!

GOD WILL NOT FAIL ME!  I CHRONICLES 28:20

Molly

1. 
   

Evolution Made Manifest

Life, with it's twists and turns has stopped me from my best intentions toward my blogging buddies.  Pops has to have another surgery.  This time, hopefully, the last.  The metal plate that was placed to hold his new jaw bone in position (after cancer removal) has done it's job and will now be removed.  The screw is actually showing and infection is a real threat so---here we go again.  Next Thursday is the day.  I just really feel that this is the final step to recovery and am actually looking forward to having it done and finished.  Thank you for all your thoughts and kind remarks and certainly prayers.

My needle book love has grown to three and number 4 is about to begin.  I promised that I would post one in sequence so that you could watch along with me so, that time has come.

 But first, let me introduce you to book #3.  My love of vintage everything is the focus.  Such fun I had choosing coordinating fabrics, then matching the embroidery threads to the fabrics, then making the decisions on what laces would be added, then buttons, then ribbon closures.

This one sports a different look and style.  It's actually an armchair caddy in that it will serve as a holder for all the necessary instruments and needs of my (or your) latest project.

As you open it, you notice that the closure is a ribbon attached to the back in proper position so that when tied into a bow,  an opening above the bow is left large enough to slip over the button on the front and cause the closure.

  Pockets on each side hold threads and threaders.

  The cushion along the center holds pins and needles.  I used crushed walnut shells to fill it and added antique lace on each end to make it more inviting to the eye! ---EYE CANDY!

 

I used to own a very good camera that I used for all my blogging.  That camera was stolen.  All I have now is my Iphone camera.  I thought that it would be great to use it and be able to blog from  my phone, but I notice that my pics are just not nearly as good a quality as I am use to.  I am thinking about purchasing myself a new camera.  If you have any thoughts on this particular subject or any other, please leave them in the comments.  I would appreciate your opinion.

THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE.  LET US BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT!  
This has been a wonderful day for me and my family as our pew was full and we worshiped together and sang songs of praise to God together this morning and then we gathered together with our Church family for lunch and fellowship.

I made a layered salad, which was a success and completely gone when lunch was over.  Pinterest holds many Layered Salad recipes.  I did not chose just one, but made mine by example and used the items I had on hand.  Thought you might like to see it.  This and a German Chocolate chip Pound Cake with my mothers fudge sauce was almost more than I could bear not to completely devour before I got it to the Church!!  😋

As I close, I want to say tell you that I will post again in the next day or two with the first pics of my newest needle book, stitchery case, or whatever you choose to call my creations.  A differest shape?
YES!  A different style?   YES!  But as you know, they evolve, so even I don't know just how it will look in the end.

Hope your Sunday afternoon and evening are Blessed!!

Giving God all the Glory!

Molly

I FINISHED IT AND COULDN'T WAIT TO SHOW YOU!

I FINISHED THE BUTTONHOLE STITCHING AND JUST HAD TO SHOW YOU. TOOK
ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF.

THE CLOSE UP IS A LITTLE BLURRY. DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH THAT. SORRY!

DID YOU NOTICE THAT I CHANGE ONE OF THE LEAVES TO BRIGHT GREEN. GAVE IT A LITTLE MORE INTEREST? MAYBE?

STILL STITCHING, SISTER!!

I drafted this basket block lately in order to use it in a large two block quilt, but this one was just a tad shy of 12 inches. I have decided to use as the center of a Christmas wall quilt. I have added some wool felt applique pieces and will hand stitch them in place.

I am constantly looking for new ways to be more efficient. Sometimes I think that I spend more time doing that than quilting/stitching/designing. I discovered that this large basket works well for all my inventory of stitchery needs.

My rings of threads hang beautifully from the handles to theoutside where I can grab them and see all my colors so that I can make my choices.

This small pocketed bag fits nicely inside and serves the same purpose as the purse organizers that everyone is using these day.
This is the piece I am working on at the moment. As you can see I have not done very much--just wording mostly.

The Embroidery of Stitches Pocket Guide you

see in the large basket above and the item at the

right I purchased from Rosie. The pocket Guide is small and easy to carry as a reference for "some" stitches. These tiny scissors are fantastic! I have seen them several times and

have finally purchased them. They are only about 3 inches long, very sharp and have big finger holes. Perfect for snipping threads. If you visit Rosie, from REDWORK PLUS, and purchase something, be sure to tell her Molly sent ya.-----LATER GIRLS!!

BTW-was thinking of doing a tutorial for the basket block--is anyone interested?

Noah's Ark Block of the Month

Well, my stitchery is still on top of my "what I am doing today" list. I am enjoying it so much that I find myself thinking about it whatever I am doing and trying to figure out when I can get in a few more stitches. The pincushions are on hold and I have shifted to the Noah's Ark BOM from Lynette Anderson. I have been anxious to get at least one block done so that I can say that I at least got started. Actually I now have 2 blocks done.

I decided to do white bunnies instead of black or dark brown as most I have seen. My background is on the dark side, so I could get away with the white. The back stitch around the edge is all 6 strands. I like the thick look of it to give the block a nice frame.

I veered off into "doing my own thing" on this block as I tend to do in all areas of my life. Two sides of the frame are green to represent the tree and the other two brown sides represent the bark of the tree. I did a back stitch and then random stitches on either side to resemble bark. The leaves in the corner are also an addition I made.

Thanks for visiting and taking a look at my blocks and let me say "THANK YOU" again to Lynette Anderson for sharing her ideas and her talent for designing beautiful stitchery blocks.