Stuff from the Barn

Not only did I still have the printed instructions with all the tips and techniques for constructing a garment from vintage linens, I actually went out to the barn and found them. ....under a bench behind some bins.... but I found them.. So I started a whole new area in my etsy shop ... "Stuff from the Barn" .... and will start adding more treasures from the barn.


Three full double-sized pages of helpful hints and techniques for assembling a crazy quilt garment using vintage linens... covering everything from supply list, preparation, and actual construction...

It all applies to any garment you wish to make.... jacket, vest, apron, or jumper. Detailed closeups and simple-to-follow instructions.

Now's your chance to make something really special with all those embroidered linens you've been collecting....especially those with a stain or damaged edge or two...

So if this is something you might want to add to your list of things to do in your spare time I listed them for sale on etsy for $3.

I did this years ago and all the good photos are on a zip drive... and of course zip drives have gone the way of film...

Last Block...seams only

This is my last block in the "Seams Only" RR and it belongs to Helina... As you can see there are only four patches and three long seams.. But Helina has very cleverly requested and put out the challenge for wide seams..... I will use some ribbon or lace to increase the possibility of seams...

And I love wide seams.. the large space they take up visually creates such interesting patterns...




As a contrast Jeanne's block in the same RR had 9 patches and endless seam possilities but all very short...









There are fantastic wide seams in my Carole Samples "Treasury" book such as the one I circled at the left... I've always wanted to use some but I seldom have the space...Now's my chance... There are so many that it will be difficult to choose just a few... I won't have time to get started for a couple days but will keep my book handy to start highlighting the ones I might try... This book will be the first thing I pack going to CT in April.

Carole says others take their books to office supply stores and have a plastic binder put on it. I think that is the greatest idea and I would have NEVER thought of it...

Motif Swap for Adventure

I signed up for a motif swap at the upcoming adventure in CT.... Susan assured me that one of my little embroidered birds on felt would be acceptable..

So I checked the state bird for CT and it's a robin...one of my favorites... THEN in yesterday's mail my embroidery magazine "Inspirations" came and look what was their master class in this issue..... a robin.. This was definitely a sign... All right it's a European robin but Wilma is coming from the Netherlands and maybe she'll get my motif...

Trish Burr of South Africa has written the article... It calls for DMC stranded cotton in no less than 39 colors and her instructions are really explicit so I'm going to give it a try... Mine will be a bit modified by being smaller and using less colors but since I do so many birds I'm excited to try some new techniques... you can follow along...

Fool's Gold (a.k.a. ticky-tacky Christmas trims)

This is just a reminder that it's the season to hit the fabric, hobby and dollar stores for Christmas trims... Most of this stuff is ONLY available at this time of year... in fact lots of them have brand names like "Christmas Traditions." And near the end of the season it's at clearance prices.

This is my "Fool's Gold" drawer and it contains ribbons, braids, cording, rick racks, sequin trims and odd gold lace and tulle. I have another small drawer containing only cording of all sorts... about 20 different thicknesses and textures. Some of it REALLY looks cheap and tacky but once you start beading and embellishing, it can be spectacular... Also it can be antiqued easily with a little brown or black acrylic paint or antique gold paste. I do this A LOT!!!!! In fact I antiqued the gold braid I used on the tiny fan ornament.

This is the start of a piece I did this summer using gold work techniques. The circle has 3 different cordings and a braid... all couched. The dragonfly cutout helps me with positioning as I was using the wing to hide the beginning and endings of the gold stuff for the circle...

For me this was just an experiment with gold work techniques and I definitely want to do more... My favorite book is "Goldwork Embroidery" by Mary Brown and there is a wealth of information on the Internet...

This is the finished block for Leslie... The dragonfly wings are actually wide wired-gold Christmas gift ribbon with sparkly edges...dreadful stuff... I smooched the wire into wing shapes and sewed and trimmed the excess. In the upper right hand corner is the most gaudy ever gold rickrack but it becomes elegant when beaded with bugle beads... I love all the couching and it certainly carries over to other work... in fact I use some gold in almost every piece I do.

Get out there and hit those sale bins!!!!

Barn Stuff & Thanks for even more Edmar help

I've decided to add a whole new category to my esty shop -- barn stuff... I have a couple bins of old needlework like this... I had planned to used this as a centerpiece for a wall hanging and border it with CQ.... but I just have to let go of some of my inspirations as I can't live long enough to do them all... I have all but abandoned esty since I'm gone all the time for the next few weeks... I did get some cottage buttons painted but struggling with the photography... As much as I love the mother-of-pearl, it is a reflective nightmare... I need to take several hours and experiment with lights and settings... hours not available right now....

And on to Edmar........

Both Pat Winter and Melisa B suggested doing the steam thing which I will do when I start another skein..... "Take the tag off a skein of Edmar thread and hold the two ends around your fingers then hold over a steaming teapot while gently tugging them and moving from end to end. The threads will be as straight as a poker and you can put them in a bag and pull one thread at a time with no tangles."

Bobbi Pohl was right on with her suggestion: "Your trouble with the French knots may be because the Edmar threads are Z twist instead of the the standard S twist. It means you should work the knots in reverse of your usual practice, so they don't try to untwist in the process. I bet that's hard to do." She was right as all the unraveling disappeared when I reversed direction working the french knot... And right again when she suggested hard to do... It took me about an hour before I was comfortable with it.... like eating with my left hand...

And Margaret sent the greatest news: "I have one of those plastic EdMar storage things, and it came with a custom "hook-a-ma-jig" to pull the threads into place. If you want it -- and the threads -- I will be HAPPY to mail it to you! I love the colors of EdMar, but haven't ever enjoyed trying to use it. Not my cuppa tea. Let me know if you want the whole thing." And I am jumping at the offer and will soon have my very own "hook-a-ma-jig".... (and I bet that sends spell check into orbit...)

Thanks everyone...blog friends are great!

I love having 27 shades of red....or blue or brown

As I'm going through this time caring for my mom while we wait for an assisted living unit to be available, I do get a lot of stitching done while driving her places and waiting for her at the nursing home, doctors, etc. But sometimes it's not long enough time to get needlework out, or nor the right space or I'm too tired or stressed... So I went searching about the house for something mindless I can keep in the car and whip out for even a short time...

I found the perfect thing.... this is several month's of DMC thread acquired at thrift store.. Obviously thread left over from needlework kits.. But I love it as there are a lot of "off" shades of color that are perfect for doing long and short embroidery of animals such as birds and bunnies... or flowers such as roses, daffodils, etc. There nothing like mixing several shades of a color to give depth.

I have been sleeping at home so I can get my animals cared for before I leave.... Off for the day now and do not expect to be home until late tonight... Morris misses me terribly....Should have her settled by the first week in December if all goes well with her manfriend.

Update on lace cottage block

I wanted a smaller "cottage" pocket on the other side of my UFO cottage tote... . I had started by sketching a cottage scene on a piece of fairly heavy white silk.

So the next thing I did was color it lightly with alcohol inks.... It was a big decision for the lace for the cottage walls and I went through my whole stash... The one perfect piece was really too small but it was a tiny remnant of very old lace which was gifted to me by Cathy Kizerian during my visit last winter... Because it was the perfect weight and texture AND a gift from a friend I was determined to make it work...

It took some creative piecing and may need a vine to cover a spot or two. The lace for the thatch (roof) was easier. This was all in July and the decisions I made doing everything and why are in this post if you are interested...http://olderrose.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

Now that it's this far along I'm thinking the old lace may be a bit fragile for a tote so it's future is undecided...probably the center for a piece of CQ. This has been my tote along needlework because I can easily stop and start and since it is almost all french knots it's mindless... And mindless is what I'm needing... My mother's longtime boyfriend, housemate, caregiver, and designated driver had a stroke and went to a rehab center after he was out of the hospital last week.. She is 91 and he is 90... She needs a walker and really couldn't be alone so I was staying there.. Then she had an "episode" with her heart and had to go in for a pacemaker on Thursday...

We're trying to get them into an assisted living facility because living independently is not an option any more... She came home today so until she can be moved (she's first on the waiting list) I'll be filling the roll of caregiver etc.... During that time I expect to get a LOT of stitching done... and everything else goes on hold...

Almost done with Arlene's Stumpwork

The lorikeet body is sewn on and stuffed but the wing is just pinned there and not shaped yet... I need to add leaves and beads to the flower garlands and it will be easier if I don't have to work around the wing. The wing will be the very last thing I secure...

To sum up and did I follow my first instincts... pretty much.! I had wanted to add a third bold motif to balance the two already there and I believe the lorikeet was successful in that regard.. It was an awkward shape to fill and I wanted to bring Cobi's stumpwork flower into the composition. The colors of the lorikeet were perfect for the block...It's hard to believe a real bird has those joyous colors...

I also felt it needed much more lace as a unifying element and I added a lot... Usually I'll use repeated color or a visual shape or element for this so using lace was a first for me... Of course there's no such thing as too much lace ... I will do a little more beading on it .. I'll bead in short sittings because of persistent headaches and should have this in the mail by Friday...

One more time.......

Often when I have a design I like I want to try it in
different techniques.. The stumpwork bluebird I did for Cobi is a good example. I had previously used that same design on a block for Ati in Norway and I beaded it.... This is from a block I did for Kerry in a beaded RR. I really liked the design and how it came out but I wondered what it would look embroidered.... or in goldwork

As I am finishing up Arlene's lorikeet I am thinking ahead to Leslie's Art Nouveau block and thinking I want to use this dragonfly design...

At the first of the year when I was setting goals I wanted to do something with goldwork techniques...not real gold... fool's gold... all that cheap gold cording, thread and braids that they sell by the bin before Christmas... I have a big bunch of it...

So when I ran across this goldwork flower on Mary Corbet's site I immediately fell in love with it and could see it on this flower by the dragonfly...... The gold cord is couched with red thread.... how cool is that...? I don't know if I will do the whole design in gold ..although that would be fabulous I think....but the flower for sure... I will HAVE to work this on a hoop so will add extensions to Leslie's block to make it fit a hoop...

Speaking of birds.......

I'm so happy to be stitching again and what could be a better treat than to work on Arlene's lorikeet... I had barely started when I had the accident and have been so anxious to get back to it... The colors are just so joyous that they make me glad to be alive. One of my favorite stitchers is Lauri B. and if this weren't a real bird she would have invented one in these very colors.. so whenever I think of a lorikeet I will think of Lauri B...



And speaking of birds... if you are thinking of trying a long & short hummingbird than go to http://dmc-threads.com/hummingbird-vintage-chinese-screen/ I copied this image and pattern and they're from the embroidery on a vintage Chinese screen... What a great pattern and I am going to do this for sure!!!!

I follow their site. Most times their things are not in my interest range but every once in a while I find an absolute jewel and this pattern is definitely a gem...

Work begins on Arlene's stumpwork block....post #690

This is Arlene's block as I received it from Cobi... I'm the last to work on it so I can pretty much do whatever and not worry about using more my share of space . Cobi added the red flower upper left and the delightful colorful garland lower right....both adding much needed color to this very blue and white block...... As I was studying it yesterday I will share some of my thoughts with you...


First the single polka dot upper right has to go so will add lace to repeat the lace that Cobi added and some interest there as well.


Secondly there are two large motifs, Diane's calla lilies and Karrin's pansies, and both are about the same weight visually.. and both are in the lower portion of the block which makes it bottom heavy. Since things should be done in odd numbers, a third motif of the same weight is called for and I will put it in the odd space left to be on the upper left (see circle) which will balance out the block.

Finally the block needs color, color, color.... and Cobi's additions are wonderful. I will pick up where she left off and use colors from from Diane's Edmar seam and Karrin's pansies. And how you say am I going to do that....? Well this is my summer of birds.. I have this and two other blocks before I quit RRs until January and I want to do a bird on each.... A bluebird would be an obvious but I wanted more color and I've done so many bluebirds lately...


So I went in search of colorful birds, specifically colorful birds in Australia where Arlene lives... Much to my delight I found the perfect bird.... a Scarlet-chested Parakeet... I will have to change it's sitting position so it fits that space and I want it to relate to Cobi's stumpwork flower and also be a directional element moving the eye around the block.... Follow along as the fun begins on Arlene's block

The whole block is complete! Post #689

I finished today during the mid-day heat..(in the 90s today).. My first inclination was to do the background and then applique the owl and then I changed my mind and appliqued the owl first... I should have followed my first inclination...

I didn't get the owl on quite straight and it made doing the background harder...and it was all a little off kilter but luckily Margreet left plenty of extra fabric around the stitching area and I was able to change the basting lines so all ended well.. Having extra fabric around the block is a great idea...

As you can see I did use a lot of the background shape from the owl rack and I also used the iron brace decor for ideas also... I love the iron piece and will use it as inspiration again in the future. I have to admit I did miss doing seams but the two previous stitchers didn't do seams so as I stongly believe in being a "team stitcher" I followed suit... Believe it or not I am really getting into seams and looking forward to the seams-only RR.

While browsing I came across this great Art Nouveau owl tile... Isn't it a beauty?? All the while I was finishing up this block I had Arlene's stumpwork block out and trying to figure out what to do... I did come up with one great idea and I will share that tomorrow.. After the Art Nouveau designs and the stumpwork I am ready to get back to some regular CQ......

Margreet's owl on block..end in sight!!

The owl is cut out and appliqued on the block and I'm well on my way with the Art Nouveau detailing.. I'm still working on a hoop so will leave bead work and ribbon pine cones until the very last... With any luck I should be able to finish this block tomorrow... Monday at the latest... I'm loving these colors and decided that I'll use earthy greens for the DYB RR coming up.

Things are going better now as Wednesday was a very bad day. I started the day with no Internet access, spilt a large mug of coffee all over my desk, then the tractor wouldn't start and it went downhill from there ending with a lamb tangling with a porcupine and getting a face full of quills..

But the next day my dear tractor man came and got it running, Wil showed up and helped me catch and load the sheep I was selling and now I can get my alfalfa into the barn... Definitely looking up.. having grand time with GD and visit is flying by.

Owl is Finished

The little barn owl for Margreet's Art Nouveau block is finished and ready to cut out and applique to the block... Just one technique I wanted to point out.... I outlined the sections on the wing in black. Since I didn't want it to look like stained glass when finished.... as I filled it every once in a while I nipped the rust threads into the black outline... which broke up the line visually.

I also used two contrasting threads on the wings...closer in color than the two I used on the chest.

Yesterday we went through a bunch of old pictures... By far this was the favorite....when the kids coerced Gpa into going on a monster roller coaster... He's the one hanging on for dear life....

Owl and mini-tutorial

First the owl... I have left it at a high pixel so when you enlarge it you can really see the stitches.. Notice the smoother texture of the face using just one strand of thread and the different texture of the chest created by using two contrasting threads.. I created the "feather scallops" on the chest by doing a horizonal guideline as well as a vertical guidelines...

I used to have a terrible time filling in irregular shapes until I worked out a techniques for myself which I call "halfsies."

I'm sure there are conventional ways to do this but "halfsies" work for me...

The rust colored shaped around the owl's face is a good example.. It is not only curved, it changes shape as it goes around... I always also have difficulty explaining things that are simple to do but here it is. I will answer questions...

I just have the wings and feet to go before he is finished.. but another granddaughter is coming tomorrow for 11 days... Here's picture of her about 15 years ago.. I'd like us to don hats and do it again now that she is 20 years old..

Progress on Margreet's Owl

I've completed the face with the long and short satin stitch using only one strand of cotton thread.. I love the barn owl's little heart-shaped face and serious expression. Since I am doing this motif on muslin and the edges will have to be turned under, I used alcohol inks to color the owl and and edges.


Now I will begin the body and am thinking I will use 2 threads, contrasting colors.. .with a satin stitch.



I did something similar when I did all the bunnies for Lisa except in that case I didn't do a satin stitch...I did parallel stem stitching along my directional guidelines.. I liked the texture when using two different colors of thread together.

I couldn't resist this shot this morning... They were waiting so patiently for DH to finish his yogurt just in case there may be a treat at the end for them..

The Owl and the Granddaughter

I used a fine line permanent marker to sketch the owl on the muslin...I'm starting with the head and you can see I put the directional lines for the feathers in with a pencil.. I do them one section at a time because the pencil will smear. I love the barn owl's heart-shaped face and the ruff of feathers around the face. It has the most beautiful plumage..

Of course even though I have hundred of skeins of DMC cotton I never have the right colors for what I want.. Had to stop at Joanne's to pick up 5 more... Urgggggggggg....

Here is my lovely all-grown-up granddaughter Madison... It was actually a car deposit rather than a bonafide visit and she only was here one night... She graduated from NAU at Flagstaff, Arizona with a degree in hotel management and hospitality so she had all her life's belongings jammed into her little car. Since she is now on her way to the Netherlands to do a semester of study there, she had to do something with her car and all her things until January.....Grandma to the rescue!!!

Everything was taken out of the car, sorted and repacked and of course, Morris was only too ready to help (and pose).

Her friend Emily (on right) also just graduated and made the road trip with Madi.... Emily will fly home from Seattle and prepare for her new job as an environmental educator in SC.... Both sweet and lovely and even though the time was short I was grateful for it AND of course it means I'll get to see her again when she comes to collect her car in January... which hopefully won't be snowed in.

Cottage Tote

This "Lace Cottage" is from a 2008 landscape RR... I had trouble with the perspective on the cottage and couldn't resolve it without starting over before I sent it out.. Debbie Smith, Lyn Gaskill, Janie Jones and Leslie Erhlich did the work and it was lovely when it came back and the work on it was delightful.. You can see what it looked like going out here http://olderrose.blogspot.com/2010/07/lace-cottage.html It is going to be the pocket on my "Sunday Best" tote... As I do with many things I do it again and sometime three times trying different techniques and approaches... Yesterday I put a thin layer of batting under it and backed it with cotton and quilted it... and it has a very nice feel and weight to it... I'm going to a posh garden luncheon next week and wish I could have it done but not likely.

I wanted a smaller "cottage" pocket on the other side. I started by sketching a cottage scene on a piece of fairly heavy white silk. I am not going to piece this as it is going to be very heavily embellished and textured like the RR cottage and since it is quite small...6x7" the piecing would be lost... I will back it with white muslin and do the whole thing on a hoop...

So the next thing I did was color it lightly with alcohol inks.... and I shall begin... It's not like I don't have other things to do but one of the nice things about getting old is I often blur the line between what I should do and what I want to do....

Although while I am working on this and waiting for the next RR block I am going to try to get my BJP back on track...

Ritva's Art Nouveau Block finished....almost

Invariably I think it is done and then I see it on the screen and see something that needs to be done... First I forgot the legs and antenna on the bee.. Insect jewelry during this period was very popular.... especially dragonflies, butterflies and bees... Next I had some wonderful antique buttons I had laid out to add and forgot... Then it will be done...

All the talk I do about directional elements and then I have the bee heading right off the block but it was the only way it was going to fit. I really like the hummer and will pin some of that thread to the drawing and repeat it on something for myself..

You can see I added a lot of seam work and tried to repeat the circle (or arc) shape as often as possible. Also I loved the blue patch in the lower left and tried to use it in almost every seam to carry it around the block..

Cathy's art nouveau block almost done

I need to run some beads along the cording on the pleated braid bottom right and finish a dragonfly button but then it will be done.... The voluminous folds on her dress suggested an iris to me before the block even got here... I did the scalloped seam treatment to echo the yoke on her dress...

Morris kinda chewed the leaf part of the motif out of shape but Cathy will forgive him I know.... I was aiming for a rich opulent look...