67 days since I started

50 Quilt Blocks in 67 days!  I'm a little behind.  Since the challenge was 100 Quilt Blocks, 100 days!  I may not make it.  When I sew each block, it is just that.  But when they're all laid out, then I get really excited.  Each block measure 6.5" X 6.5".  Not big!!  I will have to make extra and/or decide how I want to put them together.

It's not as easy as you think

I had this idea to make a new Troll.  Sketched it out and everything.

So then I had this idea to make it real primitive, rectangles, squares, stitches that can be seen and so on.  Well, much to my surprise that is not as easy as you think.  The first head I made was my traditional, except I'm using a heavy T-shirt.  And that was OK, but not what I was going for. 

So the past few days I've been stitching.  Letting things happen as they may.  Using an applied method, instead of needle sculpting. When it gets real ugly I stop.  This is my progress so far.  It doesn't even come close to the sketch.

I will keep going for a while, see where it goes.  Or it may just end up in the Trash.  Who knows?!?

Collecting Mickey Mouse Shirts

I've been collecting Mickey shirts for a while now.  Today I took the plunge and cut them.  This Modern version of a Muumuu has four T-shirts incorporated into one big one.  

Carefully hand stitched all the pieces together.  I love how it turned out.  I wore it to the swimming pool as a cover up.  It rocked!!

Hand stitching has begun

I absolutely love this part.  I'm using an applied method for the clothes.  Yup, it's just what it sounds like.  Hold the fabric to the body, adjust to your liking, pin, cut and sew.  

Accordion Stitchery Book Done

Finished and in the mail!

Been working on my accordion stitched Journal

Been working on this here Accordion Stitched Journal.

This has been a fun little project.  I'm taking the on-line class from Dispatch from LA by Mary Ann Moss.  This little accordion booklet is stitched onto canvas.  It started out as the weekly lesson exercise but now has turned into this very personal little gift for my sister in Germany.

Today I will make a little protective cover for it.  Then off in the mail it goes. Oh' I forgot it has secret pockets, that I will fill with special little momentos.  

Goal for the week

Well my goal for the week is to finally finish my Forest Troll Girl.  Gosh the poor thing has been waiting for ......oh' I don't know how long?!?  Yesterday I attached her hair and made her a cane with mushrooms.  Can't wait to see what else she wants.

Summer time

Summer time is always a busy time and since my studio is upstairs, it tends to get quite warm. I really haven't worked on my troll since May.  Yesterday I pulled her out because I do need to finish her.

With that said............I will share some pics of what has been happening this summer. 

I'm always making something.  Crocheting, Art, Sewing.... you name it.  I also did a little canning.  Made some yam. Attended several concerts and am just enjoying life.

Finally some shoes

Funny how life goes on and not every day is a creative venture.  Today I finally started on the shoes.  I'm real happy with how they add to the over all look of my latest Troll.  It helps if you have a good book to listen to.  I just finished listening to Anansi Boys.  Getting lost in creating and the story.  Hopefully it won't be long now that she'll be done.

Oh' almost forgot.  The shoes are made from a t-shirt scrap.  Then painted with Sobo glue, which dries clear and gives the shoe a little stiffness.

Oh the hair

Yesterday I worked on what kind of hair this lovely lady would like to have.  I dug through my wool roving and found the perfect white long Karakul.  Ready to weft. I made up some sections and pinned them to her head.  

Not real thrilled?!?  

Then I looked up yarn hair, that was OK but still not what I wanted. 

Lastly, I ended up using scraps from a T-shirt, cut 1/4" strips, pulled it and voila.................................that was it.  It's just pinned and I will have to figure out how I want to attach it.  Plus I will need to make some tail hair.  Then off to the shoes and maybe a few more treasures on her head.

The Journey continues on............

Doing a lot of hand sewing on this little lady!  Yesterday I started the forest. Not sure quite how to begin?!?  But then it just happened.

I love how where this is going!  Trees are made from a recycled T-shirt, as is the little mushroom. I think its time to give her shoes and hair and then maybe a few more forest things.

Boro stitched Pouch

It took a while, but I finished my Boro stitched bag.  It was a lot of hard work pushing the needle thru the layers of denim.  I really enjoyed the process.  I will try it again with lighter weight fabrics.  I can't wait to use it and show it off.

Then this happened

Tuesday, I went to the studio to start a new Troll.................then this happened.

I've been very intrigued about Boro and Sashiko stitching.  This piece will take a while to do.  I'm using denim scraps and it's very hard on your fingers to push the fabric onto the needle.  Yesterday I worked on it for a while.  

This will be a good project to work on off and on.  Another Troll will be coming soon.  I have an idea.  My inner self just isn't quite ready to start. 

Alabama Chanin Apron

Yesterday I finished my Alabama Chanin Apron.  Made from Jersey Knit, Potato stamped with Acrylic paints and a lot of hand stitching.  It'll be fun wearing this.