The Potting Shed / The Stitchery: Nicki Franklin

 The first few days in August were a physically exhausting roller coaster due to the flaring of chronic health issues I have briefly mentioned through out by blogging history.

It was such a nice treat from my older daughter and husband to get me an online class: The Potting Shed by Nicki Franklin from The Stitchery! With a bit of encouragement and help, went to Hobby Lobby with my younger daughter to purchase all the DMC threads required in the class. She helped me in finding the numbers and reaching out for them (something both of my daughters used to help me do when they were younger for the fun of competing with each other... LOL, who will find the called for DMC number first).  

After that I was ready to head back home, honestly, chronic health issues and aging are the bomb... in the literal way. I was a bit concern of driving back if I took longer out and about. Still, on our way home not far from where we live, we did a brief stop. I wanted her to grab some treats for being such a good sport in encouraging me to get my threads, accompanying me, helping me with the task while at the store, and saying how happy it made her to see me cheered up. 

So slowly but surely everything was gathered and came together nicely. An inexpensive 3 ring binder, some pocket folders, and trading card sleeves, from Amazon. The rest of the materials and supplies from my stash, all lying either on my bed or on the top of my stash cabinet. While I sat on a chair reaching out for this and that until everything was in its place. It took me a few days to get it ready because I was moving at a snail pace, but it got done and it felt good!

I have printed only 6 of the designs. Those 6 are my most favorites. As you can see, the Sunflower was my chosen one to start with. Why? Because it is almost Fall y'all ;-D! 

In fact I already started working on it, but will show you once I have made more progress. I hope those of you out there living with chronic health issues are finding ways to cope not only with the physical pain, but also with all the emotional fluctuations that can affect our mental health. Take it one hour at a time, and work on seeing your glass half full instead of half empty. 

I look forward to the day when the words in Isaiah 35:5,6 will be a reality! Stay strong and may you have inner peace and joy!

Until next time!

Non-affiliated link: Nicki Franklin's website.

Stash Enhancements: Printed Fabric and Embroidery/Sewing Pattern

 

  In the last couple of weeks these, in the picture above, made it to my stash!  

  The Spoonflower printed fabrics are by Kathy Schmitz. I have both of her booklets; Simply Sweets and Tiny Treasures. Now I will not have to spend time tracing all the cute little designs in the booklets. When I first got Tiny Treasures (blogged here), I was tracing by hand. However, life gets busy and I prefer to stitch rather than trace. Maybe will prewash the fabrics to reduce shrinking. In that way if I need to  wash the final product then the embroidery will not pucker. 

  The "Wildflower Eyeglass Case" pattern is designed by Alice Makabe sold by Zakka Workshop. It comes with one clasp, and the embroidery design already printed onto water soluble stabilizer ready to be applied on your choice of fabric. The embroidery design drawing is also provided in the pattern. I also ordered an extra clasp.

  Not sure when I'll get to these, but is nice to have them within reach!

Notes: Non-affiliated links. Kathy Schmitz's booklets on her Etsy shop, and her printed fabrics on her Spoonflower site.  Alice Makabe pattern on Zakka Workshop Store on Etsy.   

Flowers; Works of Art

Hand embroidered flowers are so beautiful! Of course, nothing compares to the exquisite magnificence of living flowers, however, even a handmade representation makes my heart sing. 

(Notes: book author is マカベアリス  Alice Makabe a designer/artist from Japan. You may find her here: @alice_makabe)

Flowers

Spring is in full swing around here, so I'm reposting about this Japanese embroidery book all about hand embroidered flowers.

Really like the look of this fabric scrap medley of all kinds of hand embroidered flowers. A very unique piece!

Simple coin purses embellished with delicate but simple hand embroidered flowers.

Working with needle and thread.... a lovely universal language!

Throwback Tuesday: English Paper Piecing

Throwback to an English Paper Piecing session few years ago. Taken on January 21, 2016 at 1:06 PM. January is flying. Volunteer work time, almost complete. Homeschooling going well. Not much time for needlework with the exception of a printed cross stitch kit, so easy to do. Once I fulfilled the hours I committed to on my volunteer work it'll be time to give some TLC to the few embroidery projects that are on pause at the moment. Until next time!

Another Update: Flower Bouquet Hand Embroidery

Almost done with this flower bouquet! It's been fun, and therapeutic. 

Rainy Day Embroidery / Silent Embroidery Vlog no.2

Dedicating some time to continue to embroider my Garden Sampler project, by Kathy Schmitz. 

Worked on it outside on the porch. The day was rainy, in fact the rain was really pouring. I love rainy days. They make me slow down, and think about the most important things, with wholesome self-examination and meditation. 

Took along a few books to examine carefully, to oooohhh and aaaaahhhh 😍📚 about all the beautiful designs in them. Until next time!

Non-affiliated Links Notes:

The Garden Sampler by Kathy Schmitz may be found on her Etsy Shop.

Books are Japanese hand embroidery books from Amazon Japan. 

Plant Lady book English translation from Amazon USA.

Silent Hand Embroidery Vlog: Brief Peek

Playing around with video again ;-). 

A brief silent video giving a peek of my work area for that day.

Holding On

Yes, holding on to the tension on my embroidery thread for a smooth French Knot. Keeping ourselves busy through out these challenging times is a must, even if that means starting all the projects, while watching lovely hand embroidery videos in YouTube.

Some days are better than others, and that is okay. We keep firmly holding on, looking ahead. Be well!

Notes: Design is part of a kit by Tamar Nahir. Got mine from snugglymonkey on Etsy.

Hand Embroidery: Flowers

Started this hand embroidery project couple of days ago, and I'm really liking how it is turning out! 

Barney Park Embroidery Sampler

 

Barney Park Sampler is getting completed soon!

Thread: Presencia Perle Cotton no.8

Design by: Charlotte Lyons

English Paper Piecing Dilemma: Solved

Finally was able to make it to our local quilt shop to find the fabric I needed to continue working on this English paper piecing project. This was my first time visiting the shop since our moved to this area. Couldn't browse long because my family was patiently waiting for me in the car, we had just come out of our meeting for worship and the kids and hubby were ready for physical nourishment. Decided to go with those three solid colors. My plan is to alternate between these solids, with what is left from this project's fabric prints. 

Need to get these cuts of fabric ready, before continuing with the fun part of basting and joining hexagons. Maybe I can get it done before the weekend. Also need to finish hand embroidering the rest of the centers. No more being bummed by the initial setback... now I'm very excited to continue working on this lap quilt!Today my older daughter and I have plans to meet with some friends and spend the day doing volunteer work. Once home will prepared a quick dinner and afterwards we have family night, so I don't think there will be time to get these cuts of fabric ready today. 

Perhaps tomorrow ;-). 

Take care, until next time! 

PS: Blogger is acting funny, my blog entry is not posting as drafted :-( . Sigh. 

Notes and Non-affiliated Link:

Hand Embroidery Patterns design by Mollie Johanson.

Japanese Embroidery Books: Lovely Florals

Decided to gift myself a few stash additions to enhance my Japanese embroidery book library. 

These were the ones that made it to my personal library.

All these inside peeks are of just 3 of the 5 books.

So many cute floral designs!

They look simple to recreate. A completely hand embroidered page will look great displayed on a table frame on top of a chest near our front door.

A fun and cute one here, look at that gardener piggy!

Even though I wasn't able to stitch these past few days, I'm definitely day dreaming about it. Starting to get some of my embroidery projects ready in order to continue working on them. By mid March I should be good to go... or so I hope.

Until next time! Be well!