Lace, lace, lace everywhere

 Well all the lace is cut, positioned and pinned in place.  All that remains is the sewing it by hand to the bobbinette (cotton tulle) which I figure will take probably most of December....unfortunately this is not a take along project.

Sleeves to the left.  It did make a dent in my supply of laces but not enough for me not to be thinking of other lace projects when I get this done.











I found some cool lace bags that used lace scraps not big
enough for garment construction.



























It's not that this lace obsession is anything new.  My kitchen is lace free but every other room is festooned with lace everywhere and I never tire of it.....  Here are just a few examples.

Happy Dance, New Class and Necklace Upcycle!!!

I do a little happy dance every time I'm choosing threads.  I couldn't be happier since I now keep my thread on the large rings.  It is such a joy to lay the ring of threads right across the block to make my choices....

And remember in September when I told you I had a new workshop coming up at a quilt shop  using a new format.... an introduction rather that a series of classes.?  It's only a one-day workshop and I asked for only 7 people.  Well 9 have signed up and we've added another date in Dec. and that has filled up and now there is a waiting list for after the first of the year...  Mine you they are not really learning anything ....just seeing if they think they would like doing something with no directions, time consuming and addictive... If they like it, I can have sit & stitch at the shop or they can come to the house.  We meet here the last Saturday of the month and a couple Wednesdays during the month.. It's informal with everyone working at their own pace.   It works best here at the house as I HAVE STASH.... Wish me luck...  Here is how the workshop was advertised.

 Sunday Nov. 3 - 12-4

   "Introductory Workshop  to Crazy Quilting"

by Gerry Krueger

Crazy quilting is free-form and embraces all aspects of various needlework skills. 

Each piece is one-of-a-kind.

The afternoon  will begin with a slide show on crazy quilt history and various styles of crazy quilts..     Lots of samples of crazy quilting will be available to fondle and discuss.  Time will be spent on how to build multiple-layered seams, the hallmark of crazy quilting. Finally the construction of a block for a first project and a guide to the steps for success in crazy quilting. Lots of eye candy, freebies, and handouts. 

Although the jazzy red necklace upcycle was not on any to-do list , I just had to drop everything and do it...  It's been a long time since I've done any jewelry and I noticed I had a bunch of brooches waiting to be upcycled... Maybe this winter.  I lost touch with my beading buddy so I'll have to track her down.... I can hardly wait to wear this...

I used old beads, an old brooch, parts of another necklace and various beads and findings...plus the necklace I bought and disassembled...of course.

UPCYCLE -Sparkles and red to boot!!!

Red is my most favorite color and you would only have to look at my closet to know that. It's always a mood elevator for me. Yesterday my dear friend (and my driver) took me to a thrift store in a neighboring town and I found this precious necklace.

Beside the red glass beads there is a lot of intricate enamel work.  Even though I fell in love with it I immediately realized it was much to delicate for my ample bosom as I am a woman of substance.

So when I got home I went to my stash of red and sparkly   jewelry bits and parts.  The very first thing I'll do is mount the pendant on a larger piece of filigree to give it some weight. I love the pendant on the filigree but it overwhelms the rest..

So I'll enhance the other parts from my stash.  I've been wanting to use this large red stone in this brooch for some time and I think the bracelet parts will be perfect....maybe some heavier chain ...a fun challenge for sure

Then I looked on Etsy and found two pair of vintage earrings that will be perfect..

Skunks and another GREAT treasure for dotage!!!

Since there is already snow in the foothills we have probably been spared the frequent autumn skunk trauma...  Skunks don't actually hibernate but they like to "den" up in a warm spot for the winter and they are usually a group of females together... And they are usually pregnant.  Years ago they had actually burrowed under our house before we realized what had happened and we had a heck of a time luring them out without them spraying scent.  Now every fall we are super alert to any sign of their presence,  Usually their odor is a dead giveaway but not always... so we are continually  checking for any sign of them tunneling under the house in the fall..

Here is my work so far on the block about Morris and the skunk trap... I'm working these "off block" and will applique them on later.   I'm posting it so you can see how I use guidelines when doing contours...

Now today my dear friend picked me up for a thrift store run... Our first clue of the success to come was getting  a "movie star" parking spot right next to the door...  Always a lucky omen for us... Sure enough I found this gorgeous 40" tall jewelry armoire that will be ideal to take to my dotage domicile for my stitching supplies... The sides open out also but I still have them tied while I figure out how to get it into the house...very heavy...  Not only did I get it for a song, there were two of them so my friend got one also... Her's was a different style and not as large but equally lovely and functional...

Lost wagon found plus lovely surprise!!!

In 1984 I acquired this old wagon on the left and planted that small beauty bush next to it.. I fully intended it to be the focal point  and the beauty bush was to be a backdrop...  Well on the right you can see by 1998 the beauty bush was consuming the wagon (see arrow).  As years went by I had all but forgotten the wagon was even there...

But Thursday when we were cutting out plum trees which had self-seeded throughout that area I came upon the wagon and it immediately has gone to the top of my "to-do" list for rescue...

But as I came closer I made a remarkable discovery..  leaning against the wagon was an old leveling bar and a piece of decorative metal gate.  I must have put them there years ago with every intention of using them in a project but obviously had forgotten them all together.

Here it is leaning against the garage where I will mount it to support a newly planted clematis.  It is a handcrafted piece.  All the ends are either hammered and tapered or carefully folded.  Many sections are wrapped... Of course after this period of abandonment it is wonderfully crusted and rusted.  I have absolutely NO idea when and where I acquired it...but what a delight to find it.

And speaking of metal work be sure and stop by Block Talk and see how the black lace used by Rengin is reminiscent of wrought iron work of Victorian times...

Favorite Site

One of my favorite sites is  http://parisrags.blogspot.com She is having a giveaway right now.  She does the most the most clever things with old clothes and old lace...  If I were younger and skinnier I would love to wear some of her tops, skirts etc.... but I could manage this hat..

When Madi was here I found a lovely purple crushed velvet jacket for $4.00 at a thrift store... It is at least two sizes too big.  I bought it to cut it up for the velvet but it would be  perfect decked out in old lace...  I rummaged through my lace stash for lace collars and found 3....all of which I had cut out great hunks for other projects... I'm sure I'll find something if I keep digging and even try the lace bins in the barn...  Don't you love the side thingy!!!