More Studio Frenzy

Having an organized place to work is a treat, but I must confess that it’s hard to keep it that way.  Putting things back as they are used is a challenge, and the vacuum cleaner is running almost as much as the sewing machine!

What has been great fun is pulling out the scraps, finding pieces that work together and using them in creative ways.  Here’s what’s happening today.

Christmas stockings made from a collection of handwoven fabrics, cut and stitched on to a piece of muslin in a crazy quilt pattern.   When completed, it was laid atop quilt batting and a lining fabric and cut into a stocking, which can be any shape you desire.

Rather than hand embroidery, I tried a variety of sewing machine stitches and for embellishment added zippers and hem tape.

The back of the stocking is nothing more than a piece of complementary fabric.

The same is also used to bind the top edge.

Now, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care hoping that St. Nicholas will soon be there.

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Joining Seasonal Sundays, Just Something I Whipped Up, Marvelously Mess Monday, Made By You Mondays

Studio Frenzy

Now that we can actually find our way into the sewing room, let’s get to work!

The granddaughters are here spending the night which makes it a good idea to find a project we can do together.  We’ll start with yarn, scissors, styrofoam balls in various sizes and a hot glue gun.

We’ll wrap the balls with yarn securing the end with a drop of glue.  It’s more important that all the styrofoam be covered than it is for the wrapping job to be perfect

After a few practice wraps the process becomes very easy, even when a change of direction is required.

With the balls all finished, they are glued to a wire frame, part of which is wrapped with ribbon and voila, the girls have their own special wreath to hang on their door.

I continued playing with the concept to make a wreath for our back door. I found that by cutting some of the balls in half it was possible to layer them thus creating more dimension.  Before glueing the balls in place, I arranged them, making a few changes here and there to get the right balance.

Putting  found objects among the balls adds interest.  Here I used some small ornaments that were hiding in a drawer, a couple of berry clusters and a spindle that was sitting on a shelf.  With each addition I thought of a new idea and can’t wait to make more of these wreaths using different elements reflective of the seasons.  Won’t it be fun to use mussel shells?  And what about buttons and wooden spools, game pieces and……..well, you get the idea.

The process is a simple one and is an opportunity for creativity to shine.  If you use materials you already have on hand, the only expense is the purchased balls and wreath form.  Speaking of the wreath form, there are several that can be used, but I like the metal one because it lays flat on the  surface where it hangs.

Here’s hoping you’ll come up with your own creation and share it with the rest of us.

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Joining Show and Tell Friday, Pink Saturday, Seasonal Sunday, A Pinteresting Link Party

A New Look

Do you ever have a room you just can’t get right?  For me, it has been our bedroom which is a really wonderful space, but somehow it has never come together.  I’ve tried different colors on the walls, changed bed coverings, rearranged the art and always there’s something not quite right.

Here I had in mind a crisp gray and white room, but when the Venetian plaster was done, the walls were not as gray as I envisioned.  The white  bed set is nice but, again, the look left something to be desired, and adding the red pillows from a past color scheme didn’t help.    When all is said and done, the room strikes me as cold, and I like a friendly, comfortable bedroom.  In addition to the colors not working, there is another problem.  Do you see it?

If you guessed the long bank of window, you are right.  I love the windows and the light, but the shades don’t do anything to warm up the room, and I am not a curtain person.  So, what’s a girl to do?

A slightly altered color scheme just might work.  Here we go, add more of the not quite gray wall tone along with some new accent colors.

And what about a soft, sheer curtain, just enough to soften the starkness of the window.  Maybe I could live with that.  OK so far, but once I honed in on the changes, there was another problem.   The painting over the bed is totally out of place so I went shopping in the house and found another piece of art which works surprisingly well.

Not only are the colors complementary and the dimensions right, it gives the illusion of a headboard, an unexpected bonus.

The real test comes when the hubby walks in.  He’s used to my changing things around and usually just shakes his head, but this time he said, “Hey, you know this really looks good.”

Sometimes a little tweak here and there makes a big difference.

Linking today to Metamorphosis Monday, Blue Monday and Show Off Your Cottage.

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Thinking Ahead

Today is a cold and gray Sunday, a good day to stay inside and get started weaving for a September show.  Yep, September is 9 months away, but it’s not too soon to start creating, especially since considerable time must be invested to create an inventory of handwoven pieces.

Hmmm, what colors inspire me on a gloomy day?

I think I will keep it simple and work with just 2 colors.

Now, it’s to the computer to design.    This is the most creative part of the process because there are so many options to explore.   The only part I don’t like is that the program I use for designing only operates off a PC, and I am very attached to my Apple.  Since I am working with just 2 colors, I think I will play around with shadow weave structures.

The computer can’t totally show how a finished fabric will look, but it gives a pretty darned good idea.

With the design work being done, the next step is threading the loom, not my favorite part of weaving, but you have to be warped to weave!

All is ready, so let the weaving begin.  It doesn’t take long to see the results of the design effort, and with each throw of the shuttle, I’m thinking ahead to what the next piece will look like, a little change here and there with color and treadling order, and I can create a whole different look with this warp.

Creating, not a bad way to spend a Sunday.  How are you spending your day?

Loom: 16 harness, 60″ AVL

Computer Program: Weave Planner

Weave Structure: 6 harness shadow weave

Fibers from Silk City Fibers

This entry is linked to Seasonal Sunday and Blue Monday.

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Pumpkin Delight

Years ago these pumpkins were purchased at a luncheon benefiting The Women’s Home, and year after year they appear on one flat surface or another from October through November, and each one of those years they seem new all over again.

Can you guess what they are made of?  If you guessed dryer ventilation hose, you are correct.  This material is readily available at Home Depot, Lowe’s or a hardware store.  Here’s how you make the pumpkins:

Cut lengths 24-26”; glue the ends and spray paint with diluted acrylic paints or purchased spray paint in your desired colors.  If you use more than one color as shown here, let each paint color dry before applying the next. For the stem, stick a twig in the hole left in the top when the ends are joined, glue a few fake leaves around the stem and voila, you have pumpkins to enjoy for years to come.

Easy enough, huhn?  If you have other ideas for dryer hose, do pass them on.

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Done!

From tear out to finish was almost five months, but the kitchen is done

and all the stuff you’ve seen in previous posts piled on every available flat surface is back in the cabinets except, that is, for the things that just didn’t seem necessary.  Some of you are definitely responsible for helping me decide what to keep and what to get rid of.  Thank you!

The jello molds survived and are tucked in a drawer of seldom used things.  They will be pulled out next week though for the traditional Thanksgiving jello salad.

The corningware bowls given me by my father so many years ago are on a top shelf where I can see them and who knows, I might even use them again.

The almost 50 year old canisters that belonged to Mother are back on the counter.  Though they may not have the “look”, they have sentimental value.

Many other things did not survive, but they’re not likely to ever be missed. A case in point is cookbooks.  I mean how many do you need?

These are back on the shelves and are more than needed,  but 2 boxes more will be included in the weekend garage sale.

Overall, the kitchen is a dream, especially the drawers and doors that all but close themselves, and I owe it to my husband who insisted we redo the whole thing.  I’ve never had such a “big girl” kitchen, and he must be thinking it will be put to good use.

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What to Do?

Writing is hard when exhaustion takes over, and I am exhausted after three long days of trying to get the kitchen back together.  Remember this

and this?

We’re in a little better shape now, and the kitchen is starting to look more like this.

There’s still work to be done, but it’s complete enough to begin organizing the cabinets.  Taking it all out was nothing compared to putting it back in.  No way is all that stuff returning to the shelves.  Things that I haven’t used in years or that aren’t absolutely necessary are being boxed up for a future garage sale.  As tired as I am tonight, how can I even think about that?

Sorting through stuff does have its dilemmas.  Take this Corning Ware.

My daddy gave it to me when I moved into my first apartment.  He got it with S&H green stamps which tells you how old it is.  How can I possibly get rid of it when it brings back such a special memory?

And these chillers which keep shrimp or fruit salad or ceviche or cold soups just the right temperature.  At one time, I thought they were a must and was very excited when Mother gave them to me for Christmas.  All that aside, I can’t even remember the last time they were used.

Jello molds.  Who eats Jello these days?  Well, I still make it at Thanksgiving and these molds did belong to my mother-in-law, and I think of her happily every time I use them.  No, they can’t go.

Oh dear, so many decisions to make.  Anybody out there who can help or are you enjoying a relaxing Sunday?

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Cleaning Frenzy!

Lest you think I do nothing more than indulge in lobster rolls, write a few words here and there, enjoy a martini on the porch, let me assure you that things get dirty around here and someone has to clean.  Guess who that someone is?  I didn’t know  this morning when I got out of bed that a cleaning frenzy would grab hold, but when I stepped out on the front porch and saw, once again, the dirt and grime that had collected on the woodwork, I thought today is the day it has to go.

Equipped with mop, broom, rags and a bucket of cleaning liquid, I went to work and hours later the porches, front and back, were returned to gray and the woodwork to white.

With everything so clean, the porches needed a little dressing up. This little pail with brightly colored gerber daisies (yes, they are pretend) adds some punch to the front door, but wouldn’t it be nice for the porch to be more welcoming.

Off to the nursery which was sure to have some quick fixes like this lovely pot of blooming beauties.

And, how could I resist this adorable little birch chair planter, yet another way to honor the pledge to buy handmade.

Now, the front porch is not only clean but friendly.

The back porch sparkles as well.  The furniture is clean

and pots are planted with flowers and herbs.

Now it does seem a good time to have that martini.

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How Does Your Garden Grow?

Last year my son-in-law and I built a raised garden which would be my first attempt at growing veggies. Thanks to a very wet Maine summer things didn’t do too well, but that didn’t dampen my intent to try again, perhaps with some different things.

So, with the help of Amy, who knows far more about gardening than I, my garden grows. Lettuce is ready for plucking, and it won’t be long til radishes, carrots, broccoli, red and green cabbage, sweet peas, peppers and beets are ready for the table. So exciting!

If you are interested in an at home garden, this one couldn’t be easier to build. It requires three 8 foot 2 x 12 inch boards, one of which is cut into 4 foot lengths. The boards are screwed together at the corners to make a 4′ x 8′ frame. All that is left is to put it in a sunny spot, fill it with dirt and plant away. Then, enjoy the thrill of watching those veggies grow and the pleasure of the harvest. Yum!