Free yarn from Anna, WIP and ribbon embroidery

Anna came to visit yesterday and she gave me these:




I am going to do some swatches soon and see what I think. The blue and darker olive are sort of like ribbon and the burnt orange and light green are a blend. If I like them, she has 9 more balls of each so I can make something big. Or, a bunch of little things. Hmm. Something big might be good for me. I'm thinking a top would be nice with the ribbon-like yarn if it's lacy over a tank.

I started this last night:



I am hoping for it to be a shrug or capelet which I plan to add felt bits and bobs too. I'm excited about the idea. We will see how it works out.

And, MSL arrived yesterday. Did you see the ribbon embroidery?

I especially liked the fruits and flowers..

Flowers




Something else for me to try someday. Add it to the never-ending list.
Happy Weekends everyone.

Olive, Pipa, Amanda and Scarlet

Last week the J Crew catalog came and I saw this and got enamored with the brooch on the clutch. It reminded me a little of prize winning pins.



So you know, I had to pull out the ribbons, jewels and buttons and make some of my own.
The olive green one is decorated with an old rhinestone earring. The screw on kind for those who don't have pierced ears. I think the pain of ear piercing is nothing when compared to wearing the screwed on kind. Anyway, that one and the pink velvet one with the pearl and clear button remind me a little of Kate Spade. (Oh, and so does the pink/green ribbon combo one with the gold button). I am going to call them Olive and Pipa for the pink one.
Yes, I'm naming them.
The other 2, I combined 2 color ribbons. The pink and green one reminds me of the country club. I am going to call that one Amanda.
I think the black and scarlet ribbon with the scarlet button is my favorite at the moment. Oh, I have to call that one Scarlet.
I still need to put pin backs on them. I think they will look charming on your clutch, on your lapel or coat.
Don't you?

grandma's tatting

Here are a few of the spools of Grandma Cook's tatting. Jaleelie was an avid crocheter. Whenever she was 'resting' she was at her crochet. She made beautiful clothes, delicate snowflakes which she starched etc. I always admired her hands moving quickly and the beautful things that would emerge. She did try to teach me once or twice but we only got as far as the chain. I'm now able to do single and double crochet but have only made a crocheted flower thus far.
This tatting is beautiful to me to have and to look at. I imagine one does beautiful edging on dresses or tablecloths with tatting. Someday, I may get around to this but, for now just seeing them up on my shelf above my desk both inspires me and reminds me of her while I am working.
Here are a few pieces of tatting trim meant for something she didn't get around to finish or laid aside for the right purpose. I wonder what she had planned for these. I wonder what I could do with them that she would be proud of.



Here they are close-up. The photos don't do them justice.

all i want to do is knit

There are many projects I want to be doing but, all I really want to do right now is to knit. This has a lot to do with it being absolutely freezing outside, 19 degrees to be exact. I'm listening to myself and just taking it slow and knitting away. I'm getting back into this











and making myself one of these

with this yarn




I am also eating those damn double chocolate milano's again...I'm addicted.

I signed up and got accepted for my first ever swap. It is an apron/smock swap for the mini's in our lives. Being that I have a boy, I'm hoping for a art smock for Matty.

Crewel Yarn

My ebay'd crewel embroidery yarn showed up last week. I didn't know what a lot of 51 would look like for some reason.
Sometimes you can't imagine these things. I am very pleased with the stash if only I had a good place to store it. My bedroom's hiding places are getting a little busty.
My first project with it was to embellish the second eyeglass case and so I did this.


A pretty simple design but, I like it.

I've another item to felt but, I'm not sure how to go about this in a stackable washer without water going everywhere. Any thoughts? I could go to the laundromat but, I think they might get mad at me checking the progress constantly. I've only done felting at my parents house so far.

In other news, on Saturday night I got really really sick and basically everything came up for about 2 hours straight. It was crazy and I'm still not feeling up to par so my usual energy is a bit slowed down at the moment. Boo hoo....

needlecase

I've been excited about needlecases and needlebooks lately. You might say that I'm a bit excitable about a lot of things which would totally be true especially if it concerns making things. I'm thinking of making more of these but using another pattern or making up one as I have needles of many varietites- sewing, embroidering, beading, darning so at least 4 pages.
This is called a Valentine needlecase and it is from the Patternbee website as was yesterday's project post. I made it from 100% wool and I think it is darling. Here is a look at the inside.

and take a look at this one.

...a little lamb

This here is lambkin...poor little gal had to go to the hospital twice for extra stitches last night. She is made using this pattern. So sweet and huggable. Her collar is made from peppermint stripe bakery string and millinery flowers. The Patternbee website is making me all crazy in the good way. I'm already at work on another sewing project from there.