Thread Ring Options

I mentioned my thread ring yesterday and I still had them hanging on the back of the door on a cup rack....but it was a really cheap cup rack and quite flimsy so I looked around a bit for a sturdier one or a better option.

One of these cast iron models would be great.  It has 5 folding  arms with a total of  15 hooks and they all fold back against the wall... but alas they are very pricy. If money were no object this would be my choice.



Other things I found include an under the shelf model which pulls out....great for someone using a closet for storage.  Another also goes under a shelf and swivels around... And there were many that you got only hooks but a shelf as a bonus...

I have a lot of vintage coat hooks in the barn and could have done something like this without too much effort..

But in the end it was the usual make-do with what I got.  One of my problems was the center of the door was recessed and the rack wasn't stable which added to the flimsiness. So I added a brace (arrow) to the back which not only fill the recess gap, it stabilized the whole rack.  The wooden pieces to hang the cups on were attached with nails  and I replaced the nails with screws which also helped greatly.  So this now my permanent home for my thread rings.  Now I just have to get the rest of the thread  on the rings...no small job in itself.

Had a bunch of green cherry tomatoes left and made green tomato chutney this morning.

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.

Lower right!

As I've on the finishing end I have been jumping from block to block trying to keep things balanced but the last step is always the buttons...and they're on here.  I'm sure there will be some last minute tweeting at assembly time but for now this block is done.

The fancy stitches are done on all blocks and I've just been beading ....and quite heavily but only tone on tone... It doesn't detract from the images but adds depth and complexity to the block..

I love to include tiny beads, button and jewels to fill out a trail of buttons... something learned from Sharon B..  It's so exciting to be using all the buttons I've been collecting for this project for the last three years.  You can see in this closeup that the beads on the brown gimp match it exactly.

Almost 2 years ago I went to LA to visit Susie and bought lots of trims, etc. for this project in the garment district.  One was this "rhinestones-by-the-yard" trim.

When I use a piece of trim from that trip I can remember the store...the smell, the diversity of items, the excitement of each find.... it is sewing on wonderful memories as there is certainly nothing like it here in Spokane.

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..

Back Again!

We took our first "together" vacation since 2006 and went to a duplicate bridge tournament on the Oregon coast.  You can't blame a low score on bad cards in this situation. Every person in this picture sitting in the same direction is playing exactly the same hand of cards (hence the term duplicate).  You just have to play it better. The group is divided into sections of various abilities (hence the L, N, etc.. This is just part of the main floor of the convention center and the second floor was full of tables as well. Over the 6 days almost 3000 tables were in play. DH is very competitive and loves this. I do it because I love him...

But one doesn't expect this kind of weather on the northern Oregon coast in October.  We shared a condo facing the beach with another couple and each morning I watched the sky turn from night to shades of pinks and finally blue.  I was able to stitch a couple hours each morning with this view.

I did manage to find a small bead store  and bought some delightful  tiny  topaz beads which will be perfect for the suffrage quilt which is moving along nicely.  I was hoping to have it ready to assemble by Christmas and I do believe I'm going to make it.

And of course a person having a rainbow door couldn't resist these outrageous gypsy earrings. They are huge and I plan to combine  and "redesign"  them   into a pendant for a necklace...

The dogs welcomed us home with much enthusiasm and by tomorrow things should be back into "getting ready for winter" mode...