PRETTY PRINTS AND THINGS

I´m in love with my new fabric! They make me smile when I look at them. I have several ideas for sewing some of these pieces into something, but I first need to sort and combine the colors to my liking. I am hoping to get some time for another market bag, I´d like to try a different style this time, and another apron. I just can´t seem to think about anything else but this fabric right now. What can I say? With all this prettiness staring at me each time I walk by...I just can´t help myself. *smile*

Take a look.....

(I love the cheeriness of these colors...)

I also picked out a bit of Mary Flanagan´s hand dyed woolen pieces for some smaller projects I have in mind. Mary Flanagan and her husband Scott have an old 1920´s home in rural Wisconsin, where they make their business, of seven years.

(The wool is incredibly soft?)

I´ve also been challenging myself to give a try at hand knit socks. I purchased two varieties of yarn for trying this project. One, an import from Serbia and the other a hand dyed 100% Merino Wool, import from Wales. I am a little nervous with this project first, because it requires the use of five knitting needles at the same time and second, because the yarn is a fingering weight yarn, which is very fine. I am up for the challenge, but I have a feeling this might be a slow project, at least until I can get the feel of using five needles and such fine yarn.

I´m sorry for everything running together in this post. I realize that it is a bit distracting, but Blogger is not letting me edit.

PRETTY RUFFLES

Putting a few hours into this pretty, ruffley apron was just what I needed for some afternoon occupation yesterday . I had so much fun making this. The fabrics arrived via my logistics company, from the U.S. last week. I purchased them from Purlsoho, and I couldn´t wait to get my hands on some. These are beautiful cottons and each ruffle was cut using different color textures. A bit of Robert Kauffman, another bit of inspiring Amy Butler, with another small piece of Nancy Gere´s "Old Glory" make up this darling apron. I just love the fabric combinations, and can´t you just picture it? - a dainty little duster in hand, flitting about fluffing and foofing, ahh, so pretty!

Purlsoho is a wonderful yarn and fabric company that has been around since 2002 and has grown to include a variety of products. Their fabrics are of heirloom quality cottons and diverse patterns. You can find contemporary prints, historical reproductions and a variety of beautiful imports through their company. I truely love the large quantity of options and gorgeous fabrics they offer. In my next post I will show you some of the other pieces that I purchased.




(Beautiful Fabric)

Many dishcloths have been flying off the needles these past few weeks. I love making these because they take so little time. Whenever I have a few minutes here and there I can pick up my needles and stitch a few rows, before I know it another one is completed...These are the kinds of projects I truely enjoy making, because in such a short time I have the finished product.

(A bowlful of dishcloths)

Now I am off to embellish more bath towels with a touch of lace, another really fast and easy project. Hummm, what shall I do for the rest of the afternoon, maybe a little fabric sorting or organizing my lace and ribbons, looking through my button jar, maybe a good book, so many possibilities...

(More pretty lace)

Our water is off this afternoon, again! Therefore, the dishes will have to wait, no matter there are plenty of other occupations calling to me...

THE FRUIT OF HER HANDS

You all have been waiting so patiently for this post, your such dear, sweet friends...

First, let me tell you that Ling, guessed right off that this was a turtle, but because she said it was a pin cushion she was partially wrong, and therefore her answer was incorrect. (Remember I never said it wasn´t a turtle, but that it wasn´t a pin cushion in the shape of a turtle.) In addition, I couldn´t let the game end after only the first answer, could I? (Grin)

Let me tell you about this darling stuffed turtle -

Over the years I´ve tried encouraging my dear friend Rosie, to give her hand at sewing or crafting. She always felt that she didn´t have the talent (you be the judge, I think she does), but some time after she married she broke down and bought herself a sewing machine, after all, every women needs a sewing machine, right? Then she jumped in with both feet and took a pattern making class (Wow! quite a challenging way to start). (Smile)

If I remember correctly, her first project was a skirt. I can´t remember if she ever used it (maybe she can tell us), but I do remember being so proud of her for her determination and accomplishment.

Because this was close to twenty years ago and because we´ve rarely lived in the same city, or country for that matter, I don´t remember all the details, but I think she may have done a little sewing for her darling daughter Danielle (say THAT fast, 3 times!), when she was just a little girl.

However, there hasn´t been much coming out of her craft room through the years, so you can imagine the suprise and delight I had when I was gifted with this sweet stuffed turtle, many years ago, made by her own hands. She did a fabulous job, and I was truely touched that she chose me to be the reciever of such a precious gift.


This little turtle is very dear to me, having travelled across nations and oceans, weathering many hugs and kisses by my dear children through the years, she still stands strong and sturdy, and I hope to have her for many long years to come. I plan, one day, to pass her down to my own precious daughter.

TIED UP IN STRING

This has been a full week for us here in Maracaibo. We´ve had a wonderful week, overflowing with blessings and an amazing time of meetings in the church, we had a full house each and every night. Our Pastor, Pastor Rice, preached five fabulous sermons and we saw many visitors and conversions each night.

We tremendously enjoyed our visit with Pastor and were sad to see him leave, but we were much encouraged and are truely thankful for his sacrifice in coming to us here, in Venezuela.

Pastor was gracious to take an armful of gifts that I´ve been busy making recently, tied up and packaged, ready for gifting. I have some ideas for new projects that I will begin soon, to get me ready for our visit to the states this summer. The time is fast approaching and I have several things I´d like to complete before then.

Thank you all for your patience during my absence this past week. In addition to the busyness, we continue to have computer problems, so this limits our computer time. Hoping to reslove this soon.

Anyway, I haven´t forgotten about the little story and pictures, I will get to that soon, until then , dear friends, may God bless you, as He does me...

NEEDLES AND STITCHES

I´ve been busy in the craft room (which is anywhere I can find a comfortable place) this week. I enjoy making pretty things that I can whip up quickly, as I like to see the results of my labor in short order.

Finding inspiration for making pin cushions has been my latest venture. There are so many cute ideas for these little gems, but I am having some difficulties in finding fabric that would be suitable, and that I particularly like. Oooohhhh, I found an M.S. inspired beauty made out of a crochet granny square that I must make, just as soon as I find the proper crochet thread...it´s not cute, it´s beautiful....

(Aren´t they darling?)

I like working with natural fibers, cottons, linen, wools, ect., but with living where I live in South America, resources for these are rather impossible to find. You would think that living is a tropical climate would afford a great variety of natural fibers, at least cotton and linen, but alas the people here prefer synthetic.

In some ways I suppose I understand this, the fact that ones clothing will almost instantly become a sponge for the perspiration which is inevitable, thus leaving clothes rumpled and soggy looking. With synthetic fabrics, at least, one still looks put together at the end of the day.

On occasion, I run across something that I find useful and will purchase enough to satisfy my creative urge. Though, I may have to settle with some of the fabric print options, because of the lack of variety, but I can usually imagine a completed project that is worth my efforts and that will satisfy. I thought these little cushions turned out cute enough and they will soon be gifted to some sweet someones.

                                        
Dishcloth pattern from Homespun Living Blog

I´ve almost finished another set of dishcloths that will be a gift to another dear girly, as well. I really like the color of these and may make some for myself, one day. I love making and gifting, I find such pleasure in it, so satisfying...

Let´s play a fun, little guessing game, please join in. Take a look at these picture´s below, and tell me what you think it is. Some of us do know and others of us should know, but let´s see what kind of answers we come up with. In another post I´ll show you and tell a little story...