The Stitchworks

A Year Gone By

2011-11-02T08:55:00.012-05:00

I'm back after a long time away from blogging. I have learned a lot and have grown in many ways but I have done very little crafting or sewing other than for classes. It is now time to change that!

I am excited to have met with the founders of Made In Michiana (http://madeinmichiana.com/) about crafting classes. They are a group of amazing women who have a variety of skills and fantastic artistic vision. The store is a fun and colorful place to hang out and a great little gift shop for the holidays. I started off my classes with a free make-it-and-take-it craft for First Fridays in Downtown South Bend! Stay tuned for updates.

A stretch bracelet made with hair elastic bands. (I love to wear them stacked.)

Great Weekend

2010-09-20T11:07:00.007-05:00

This weekend had beautiful weather, typical of fall - hot during the day and cool in the evening. I am really loving this! On Saturday, I helped my friend Lance lead the ritual to celebrate Mabon at the farm. It was a lovely, meaningful and powerful ritual. He made offerings to help us focus our desires for the coming year. They were formed like little brooms out of herbs that are known to be cleansing and protective. We wrote "I wish to sweep in _________" on one side of a piece of paper and "I wish to sweep out_________" on the other that slipped over the handle of the broom. The idea is to use only one word to complete each statement and they were to be tossed into the fire at the end of the ritual. We then shared with each other what our offering said. Very nice. The "Juice" was really flowing.

Sunday was a full day. The local country radio station holds a free concert event for over 36, 000 people from the Michiana area and we were able to get 8 tickets. We both love all kinds of music but we share a love of country and one band in particular - Bomshel (http://bomshel.com/). They are an ACM nominated female duo that has performed at this festival for 3 years in a row. They are a huge favorite here. One of the advertised bands couldn't make it and Bomshel was called in 2 days before the concert to fill in so we were very excited! They are amazing performers and played an acoustic set because their drummer wasn't able to make the trip on such short notice. The above photo was taken after they played when the ladies saw that Phoenix had had Bomshel tattooed on her arm last year! She is such a BIG fan that I'm making her denim barn coat into a fan coat. They autographed it, I'll be stitching them on and adding their logo to the back. I promised to send pictures.

Of course, they were not the only act. We enjoyed discovering Lee Brice (http://www.leebrice.com/ a very exciting up-and-coming band. If it weren't for Lee's heavy accent I'd have sworn they were playing classic rock); Little Big Town (I never realized how many of their songs had aired); and John Michael Montgomery (http://bit.ly/ayrfxz) who is such a great performer that he played a 12 song encore. Too bad we missed that part (we were exhausted and sunburned). I'm glad we were able to spend the day with good friends and great music.

I was just letting you know what was new and exciting. It's time to get back to work. Have a beautiful day.

Excited to Learn New Things

2010-09-17T12:25:00.009-05:00

I've been bitten by the fabric dying bug! I'm so excited to start that I can't wait til I get the projects done that I have on the board! This all started with an unusual find in a discount grocery... food colors!

According to credible sources on the web, I can use these to dye protein fibers like silk, wool, alpaca, mohair, cashmere and other animal fibers if I add an acid to the dye bath. I love silk so, of course, I have some on hand. This brought back some thoughts I'd had on doing some batik-like resist. I found a couple of things I want to try: gel glue (makes a reasonably cheap resist although the designs are not very precise), freezer paper templates, paint-on crafter's resist and oil pastel/crayon sticks. I do have an old batik tool so I will someday do some of that.

I checked in my stash and found some additional chemicals that have my juices flowing: dye painting additive (latex based), photo transfer medium, inks, pure pigment (in red), pigment sticks, oil pastels, soda ash (additive for dying cotton fibers), a whole box of spray-on dyes, lots of permanent markers, acrylic paints, several all-purpose dyes (need to be heated) and two fiber-reactive dyes (for cotton). Not to mention the different methods for applying the dyes - spray, dip, paint, calligraphy pens, rubber stamp, etc. The possibilities are endless!

Pluto in Capricorn Means Reevaluating Our Lives

2010-09-14T12:56:00.003-05:00

I was reading an email from one of the astrology websites that was trying to sell readings. I usually don't bother to read these but I was curious about what the planets were up to. It seems a good thing for me that did because it gave me some clarity (and a little peace of mind) on why I've had some of the challenges I've faced lately. Since April Pluto has been retrograde (it appeared from Earth to be moving backward in it's orbit) and went direct this morning. According to this email that means that we should have learned the lessons that Pluto has been asking us to learn and are now in a reevaluation period. We are being asked to look at our lives, habits, and patterns of behavior that belong to the past and no longer are working for us. We are supposed to get rid of the baggage now and focus on our future. For true transformation to take place, we have to learn to let go of what we have outgrown. I'm ready to get rid of a lot of stuff that is left in my life. Physical and emotional clutter both take up space that I could find better uses for. I launched my Facebook and Etsy stores with just a couple of items each and plan to keep adding things as I can photograph them. My Zibbet store will be next. So much stuff, so little space.

It is almost time for the fall mushrooms again! Just in time, too because I have only one bag of Cauliflower mushrooms left in my freezer. Yum! They are not the only ones I hunt this time of year, just the best! Giant puffballs, Honey mushrooms, Gem studded puffballs and Chicken of the Woods are some of the other varieties I look for. All very tasty (and pretty) in their way. This has always been my favorite time of year and the mushrooms are a small part of the bounty to be found in our wild places here in Indiana. Herbs, nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies of all kinds, so many wonderful things if you know where to look. The gods and goddesses have given us so much to be thankful for. Recipes for warm, thick soups and baked squash have been coming to mind even though it's still too warm to try cooking them. I long for cooler days, longer nights and the sounds and smells of the season. Leaves crunching underfoot, blowing across the street as we walk the dogs, swirling in the corners when the wind blows; wood smoke from the neighbors' fireplaces; spices I only cook with a few times a year (I'm allergic to cinnamon but I love it's earthy smell); bread fresh from the oven and pumpkin pie; corn chowder with fresh local ingredients; peaches, apples and tomatoes fresh from the farmers I have come to know at our local Farmer's Market. It is the only time of year they taste like they are supposed to. Love it!

This Saturday is SPIRAL's Mabon Celebration. It is actually on the 22nd this year but we celebrate on the weekend for convenience. My friend Lance will be leading the ritual again and I am looking forward to it. He is very particular and we joke that he is an EpiscaPagan but it will surely be a meaningful ritual. He wants to lead the Autumnal Equinox ritual every year - this one is most special to him as it represents balance. I love Samhain and all it represents as Halloween or All Hallow's - but more on that in a later blogpost.

Here is the recipe for that Corn Chowder. It is not a low calorie recipe....

Corn Chowder Serves 4.

2 medium onions, roughly chopped

6 slices hickory smoked bacon

5 medium baking type potatoes, cut into ½ inch pieces

2 ears sweet corn, cut from cob*

1 quart whole milk

2 tablespoons flour

¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter

Salt

Pepper

In a large soup pot boil the potatoes until tender. Drain and set aside. Add the bacon and onions back to the pot. Over medium heat, cook until the bacon is crisp and onions are golden and soft. Do not drain off the fat. To this add the flour and cook a minute. Add the butter, corn, and milk. Add the potatoes to the milk mixture smashing some of them with a potato masher or spoon. Over med high heat bring to just below boiling. Turn down the heat to low and heat until thickened and corn and potatoes are warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

* May substitute frozen corn if it is extra sweet.

Costume Time

2010-08-10T11:15:00.004-05:00

I've been spending a fair amount of time for the last few months making things for online crafting swaps. It has been a valuable, creative, mind- stretching experience. We are usually partnered with one person at a time and given a minimum quantity of items to craft. The partner is required to fill out a personal questionaire that tells what a bit about themselves, allergies, like/dislikes, what they are in need of, etc. and we create things that fit their desires. It reminds me of designing for the theater and I need that kind of stimulation from time to time. I really miss it. The swap I am currently working on is a Burlesque costume for my partner. We decided on red and black for the colors as they are also my favorites and I have lots of fabric on hand. It is a corset top made from lame, satin and heavy lace with boy shorts of a 4-way stretch fabric. Here is a sneak peek at what it will look like. The beaded flowers will form a ruffle across the front of the top. (The photo on the white background is closer to the actual color.) I will probably throw in a couple of extra things to go along with the outfit just for fun.

The next swap will be a pagan-theme for the Autumnal Equinox. Partners will be announced after this Friday. I am really looking forward to that one too. Fall is, by far, my favorite season. I have a big piece of fabric with autumn leaves printed on it.... ;D

Time Flies!

2010-07-26T12:47:00.006-05:00

Well, it has been a while since I posted but, as promised, changes are in the works. As you know, I have been struggling with what direction I want to go. I am now leaning toward my first love - costuming, but I am having trouble with how to go about it. He are the questions running through my mind today:

Do I want to make one of a kind pieces and hope someone can wear that particular size?
Should I make some Halloween style pieces that are lesser quality but also cheaper?
What do I do in the meantime for money while I am making these costumes (if they take time and materials I may not have on hand)?
I want to specialize in plus-size alternative styles. Is there really a market for these? or will I be stuck with inventory?
Most of the materials that I have will make only one piece. What do I do if that isn't enough?
I have had trouble getting commissioned pieces made by deadlines and I am afraid my friends won't ask me to sew for them again so is this really what I want to do?

Enough of my thought spiral...

I happened to "meet" a nice woman today through Freecycle and I wanted to give you a chance to get to know her also. Her name is Steph and she is a fellow eco-friendly stitcher. Her Etsy shop is www.forgetmenotecogifts.etsy.com and you can find her blog at www.forgetmenotandme.blogspot.com Please take a minute to check them out! The items she sells are great for gifts and really help our Mother Earth. Thanks Steph!

The weather has been unusually hot and wet lately so we thought that the mushrooms would be abundant. A hike in a local park yesterday showed that was NOT the case. {sigh} I found 2 King Boletes and a half dozen chanterelles along with lots of inedibles. We picked more herbs than mushrooms so it wasn't a wasted trip. I am helping my friend Lance to learn to identify wild plants (he's my 'shrooming mentor) and yesterday we focused on those that helped with skin irritation. Yarrow, Burdock and Milkweed were especially abundant. The mosquitos were also and the yarrow, crushed between fingers, provided some relief. Even Lance's dog was covered with bites. Oak leaves and acorns that will add to the altar decor at my upcoming ritual for Lammas were gathered too. I even picked up a branch from a hemlock to make wands. It was also a lovely hike on a 72F evening (a welcome relief from the heat of the past 2 weeks).

Our usual ritual space on the farm in Walkerton, IN will be the site of a Lammas/Lughnasadh ritual this Saturday. I am very excited to lead this one! We will be honoring the fairy folk who live on the farm. I am planning on a very light-hearted, get-in-touch-with-our-inner-child ritual. Drumming and dancing will be expected!

I am sending out a swap package today for the WWP Lammas Craftster.org swap. My partner is a fellow Hoosier and we had hoped to work out a meetup but it was not to be (yet!). The requirement was 3 smalls (each less than 1 hr of work &/or $10 in materials) and I made 3 plus extras. Pictures after she receives the package. The Craftster.org Adults Only Swap is in progress. I am planning a Large and a Medium for that one and a Favorite Color Swap on Swap-bot will start soon. These have been keeping me motivated to think creatively and working toward a deadline. Now that I have some confidence back in my sewing abilities, I can get back to real work. I just don't want it to be "work". It should be fun so I am trying to create a business model that helps others rather than just being an income tool for me. Any ideas?

Coming to a Turning Point

2010-06-01T12:39:00.008-05:00

My life has been a whirlwind of emotions for the last few weeks (months maybe?) and I have been having a hard time focusing on my art and work. It had been especially bad this last week until today - ok, it's still feeling the same but I now have some insights into what may be happening.

I have a growing list of clients and commissioned work (along with an ongoing swap that has been a source of inspiration) along with growing piles of dirty laundry and dishes that need to be washed. Needless to say, I have plenty of work! I am lacking focus and "play" has been put off for too long. Phoenix and I are making plans for a mini-vacation - soon, I hope.

In my ongoing search for what my passion really is, I have discovered that I want to assist sensitives, animals and those with developmental disabilities in some way and still continue to create handmade things. It is still unclear as to how to combine all these. I have 2 online stores (with no inventory to sell), 2 online auctions set up (with lots of things to sell but not enough time to add them), a Facebook fan page and this blog.

In my younger days I had very strong feelings of anxiety, the desire to turn to addictive behaviors and, more often than not, physical illness, on and around the days I now call "holidays". They occur about every 6 weeks starting with the winter solstice also called Yule. They are the holidays celebrated by neo-pagans and practitioners of witchcraft worldwide. I felt similar feelings around the full moons to a lesser extent and I came to understand that I was sensitive to energies outside the awareness of a large portion of the population. I was only 19 when I had a spiritual awakening - an epiphany - that I was to follow the pagan path. It has never failed me and has been a great source of strength throughout my life. I have made changes in my belief system over the years that have brought me to Green Witchery (http://witchofforestgrove.com/2009/09/12/kitchen-green-witchery/). I have always found that I am easily swayed by the stars & moon and their interactions. I found today that the influences of these bodies has been causing havoc in the lives of those who are sensitive for some time now. http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/sensitives.html This gives me hope. Now the real work begins.

Life Doesn't Always Give Us What We Expect

2010-05-29T08:38:00.002-05:00

The giveaway didn't go as I had wished so I think I will hold off on doing any more of them for a while. My thoughts are that I should:

Continue blogging and promoting

Create some more tutorials

Try making a video

Find out how to make downloadable/printable projects

Interview some interesting people

Move more toward the Fine Arts than crafting (like art quilting)

Do you have any thoughts on this? Anything you would like to see?

GIVEAWAY!!!

2010-05-17T12:27:00.010-05:00

As promised, I am posting a giveaway. To kick off summer, my first giveaway is a first aid kit, handmade of course, and stuffed with supplies (worth $30 retail). It will be perfect for tossing in a beach bag, saddle bag or wherever you need it to go.

Post a comment on my blog page before midnight EST on May 23, 2010 to get an entry into the drawing. Bonus entries for every comment letting me know you follow me on Facebook or Twitter. Please post a separate comment for each entry to make it easier for me to track.

Uses for Essential Oils

2010-05-14T10:41:00.004-05:00

One of my favorite websites has given us a list of 20 uses for essential oils that I just had to share with you today.

http://www.favecrafts.com/Candles-Soap/20-Uses-for-Essential-Oil

At the end is another link that gives 20 more.

I recommend going to a store where they sell essential oils that you can test. Collect one or two at a time (they cost about $10 here in the Midwest) and save tons on cleaning and fragrance products you would ordinarily pay too much for and reduce the number of synthetic chemicals in your environment, too.

Coaching

2010-05-07T15:38:00.004-05:00

I had the pleasure to speak with a success coach for a little while a couple of weeks ago and it changed my idea of how I view myself and how I live my life. I have decided to add coaching to the services I offer in my business. I am very excited to know that I will be helping people live more satisfying lives.

As promised, here is a link to register for a F.REE teleseminar:

http://www.becomingconsiderablyhuge.com/ to sign up. It is part of a series of teleseminars that I have been attending since my birthday week and it is sure to be worth more than you expect. They will send you an email link right away so be sure to check it and be there!

Monday, May 10, 2010
11:00 am Pacific | 1:00 pm Central | 2:00 pm Eastern

How To Be Financially Smitten in 2010

Presented by Lora Sasiela
www.FinanciallySmitten.com

Do you ever wonder why you are repeating financial patterns that keep you feeling trapped?

Is it a struggle to make decisions regarding money?

Are you ready to kiss your financial heartache goodbye...forever?

On this transformative call, you will learn how to:

uncover the unconscious beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes that are holding you back from being financially free
simple tips to develop and nurture the relationship with money that you dream about and deserve
identify the limiting money beliefs you’ve inherited and stop them from holding you back from living financially free
use an easy but powerful tool to manage money anxiety that you can use anywhere, anytime and free yourself from worry, doubt, and fear regarding finances.

About Lora Sasiela:

Financial therapist and money coach Lora Sasiela founded Financially Smitten to educate and inspire women to create a relationship with money that supports them in living the life of their dreams. Her transformative private and group coaching programs, workshops, and teleseminars are empowering women worldwide to kiss financial heartache goodbye.

Changes

2010-05-07T11:32:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe that 2 months have gone by since I last posted. Many things have changed since then and I can't wait to tell you about it!

In my quest to improve my blog I have discovered some online resources that I did not know existed

Hay House Radio - (www.hayhouseradio.com) for the most amazing group of speakers and intuitives I have ever found all on one website. They are on 24/7 and have regular shows that I highly recommend (ex: Dr. Wayne Dyer, Doreen Virtue).

Free classes and teleseminars - these have introduced me to a whole new way to reach people and learn things that are very important to building my business and growing as a person. Stay tuned for a new weekly feature on this.

Crafting Swaps - Those of you who create things and love to share may find this a fun thing to do. The swaps are usually organized and there are some requirements (especially at the beginning) but I have had some great experiences, not to mention received some great things. I will post photos soon. I couldn't believe the different kinds of swaps that I found when I searched. There is something for everyone!

New websites for alternative crafts - This I suspected but had never looked into before. Places like theanticraft.com and monstercrochet.com I had seen but now I am going to share them with you. I will post any interesting new craft and sewing related websites that has an alternative or artistic theme in the list on the sidebar called "Favorite Websites".

I am hoping you will find something here to keep you coming back so please follow me.

Blessings and Light,

Lynn

Time Passes By...

2010-03-03T09:37:00.013-06:00

The last few weeks have just passed on by without making much..... housework, repairs, cleaning, laundry, etc. You know - life happens. Well, it is Craft Day again and I AM READY! The theme for this month is St. Patrick's Day and I have found, from the last two year's experience, that this is a difficult holiday to craft. Not that there are no project ideas available but the majority of the projects are for kids and that's not what I'm after.

A little background: I teach a crafts class on the first Thursday of every month to the clients (and their staff) from Partners In Opportunities, Inc. They are a company who provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

The individuals I teach are not interested in kid crafts. They want things that they can make easily, that are beautiful, (not necessarily functional) and can be given as gifts to their friends and staff. They are of many different levels of functioning so I come up with crafts for 3 different levels of ability for each month. The simplest one takes very little manual dexterity and few pieces (ex: creating a greeting card with stickers). The most complex may involve many pieces to assemble and some more advanced skills. (ex: decorating a basket with wire floral picks and ribbon)

This month we will be creating (from least to most difficult): bookmarks using stickers and markers, building paper mobile from printed pieces and making shamrock refrigerator magnets.

Our bookmarks will start with card stock, markers and stickers. I have cut and pasted related designs from crafting websites into a MS Word document to serve as a base for the bookmarks. I will print these on cardstock and cut them apart ahead of time. I will offer these pieces with the other tools and a couple of samples and let them create as they wish.

The mobiles are based on a design I found on LeeHanson.com and are available as a printable: http://bit.ly/dokxns Instructions are included on the .pdf. I like this because it has a lot of pieces that they will have to cut out and glue together. Lots of dexterity and coordination building involved in this! It is an attractive mobile and I am sure they will teach me other ways it can be put together!

The shamrock magnet uses green chenille stems (think pipe cleaners), 1/2 inch circles of felt for backing, 1/2 inch round magnets and heavy duty crafting glue like Gorilla glue or Goop. Take one chenille stem and shape a shamrock by folding over about 1" to form a "leaflet" then giving the fold & stem a twist, fold the next "leaflet" and twisting it.

Folding a third "leaflet and twisting it you should have a short bit left to serve as a stem. Any excess can be trimmed away or wrapped around the center of the shamrock. Open up the folded "leaflets" and form them into "heart shapes".

Glue to felt backing then glue felt to magnet. I hope this is clear enough.

Blog Changes in Progress

2010-02-03T12:32:00.002-06:00

I have been thinking that the blog is a bit dry and I am planning some big changes. Keep watching for some new content in the next few days. I think a giveaway, favorite podcasts, music links and perhaps some other surprises. See you soon!

2010-01-31T10:58:00.002-06:00

Last Minute Ideas

2009-12-10T12:13:00.013-06:00

I can hardly believe how quickly the days go by this time of year! Rarely do I hear how much people enjoy the preparation part of the season. I love the creative opportunities but become quickly overwhelmed by the possibilities! I found a link on my Facebook page yesterday for 100 crafts ideas from that great blog I mentioned in my last post, kindovermatter.blogspot.com The link there transported me to a creative dreamland where I spent the better part of 2 hours! I went to visit Martha Stewart, The Purl Bee, Wise Craft, Pretty Ditty, Retro Mama, The Felt Cafe and many more.

Another great idea came from another friend on Facebook "Furoshiki - Japanese fabric gift wrapping" (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/eco-friendly-wrapping.html). What a great way to use those big scarves we all wore in the 90's that we just couldn't part with and save some trees.

My own embroidery this week has been for gifts so I really shouldn't share specifics but I couldn't help myself. Check out the slideshow for pictures of what I've been up to. I can do any of the designs you see in time for Christmas (except the purple scarf) if you let me know by the weekend of the 19th to allow for express mailing.

Below are some items we have on hand that are in stock but limited in quantity. If you are interested in any of these drop me a line and we can discuss it. I have photos but they are not in my Photobucket album so they do not appear on this site.

A large selection of holiday stockings that are made from sweater knit. No two are alike. Priced at $15 each or 2 for $20 they are sure to sell out fast.

Brand name Tuganator tug toys for your dog with a tennis ball that squeeks! At $8 each (suggested retail $10).

Small Milkbone brand plastic food dishes. $3 each.

Dog Collars - various sizes. Nylon with leather ends (personalized free) with metal buckle. Closeout price $6. Leather Collars with metal buckle. Closeout price $6.

Scarf made from fancy yarn - resembles a feather boa. Fun and washable! $10 each or 2 for $18.

Wreath bows - various sizes and colors $3 to $5 each.

Wreaths - wire and berries type $35 to $50 each.

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls. All handmade 24 inches. $40 each or 2 for $70.

Some Thoughts on Gifting

2009-12-06T11:25:00.010-06:00

This time of year brings to my mind all the giving opportunities that we encounter throughout the year. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays, etc. give us a chance to show others how much we care by giving them a gift. It is our busy lives that usually keep us to these accepted events but what about giving when it is not expected? How many of us think to give to a stranger or leave a little something for a friend who has been there for us when we needed them? I have been following a blog called "Kind Over Matter" that addresses this all year long (http://kindovermatter.blogspot.com/). As they say "our blog is dedicated to Kind Acts, Inspirational Art & Kind Projects." What a wonderful concept to give happiness to someone you haven't met just for the sake of giving a little joy. During this stressful season consider giving yourself a gift by passing on a little happiness.

Do you make any of the gifts on your list? You don't have to be a Martha Stewart to make handmade gifts. I love FaveCrafts.com for quick and easy crafts and decor that anyone can make, Ravelry.com for fiber arts and Craftster.org for, well, everything. I check back with them often. A couple of new sites I'm looking at are crochetinsider.com for amazing crochet art and wearables (not your grandma's crochet!) and weavershand.com for weaving and braiding. They are definitely must see sites for the serious fiber geek.

Do you re-gift? Check out Regiftable.com for ideas and stories on this newly revived tradition. Another place you should look is the article I was interviewed for in INMichiana magazine (http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?i=24451) and look in Contents for an article called "Regifting Rules" (pages 30-31). Click on the page to zoom in.

How about giving to a charity instead of a physical gift? My choice is PetsConnect! Inc. (www.petsconnect.org) and click on the "Ways to Help" tab. The easy way to give to the person who is difficult to buy for.

And, of course, you wouldn't forget your pets this holiday season. My favorite site is thepoop.com (I love the name!) It's a one-stop-for-everything pet site.

I hope this helps your gifting be a little less stressful this season. I think it should be a joy to give, not a chore. Happy Holidays!

Christmas Inspiration

2009-11-30T08:15:00.003-06:00

It is now the Monday after that wonderful family holiday and I have finished cleaning up after a big project. A couple I have known for several years had a loss in their family and wanted to share keepsakes with their family and friends that attended the memorial service so I was commissioned to make monogrammed handkerchiefs. It feels good to have been able to help them in this difficult time. I have known loss in my close family in years past so I can identify with the pain the couple feels and I feel fortunate that my family could get together over the weekend to celebrate.

Today is a rainy, cold day that feels colder than it is. It would be a good day to hunt fall mushrooms if I could get out. I've been told that the fall oyster mushrooms are out and I really want to try them. I've had early summer whites and late summer goldens and I loved them both but the late fall oysters are gray-brown like my favorite, the cauliflower. I saw some in the Farmer's Market a week ago.

I'm listening to Christmas music to try to get some inspiration for gifts. The family gifts are going to have to be homemade this year, no doubt about it. My mom will be receiving an embroidered sweatshirt or two (she has been complaining for months that she can't find them anymore). I have a woven afghan started that may be done by Christmas if I work on it while I watch tv. It's made by weaving bulky yard through a soft mesh fabric. This one is multicolored and will be nice with many color schemes. My mind also keeps going back to gift baskets with a variety of foods, nice glassware or dishes and embroidered kitchen towels or napkins. Perhaps a bottle of wine or sparkling juice. I can't be more specific because some of my family read this blog!

There is another reason I am listening to Christmas music. Some of my old friends get together once a year to go caroling and I want to exercise my voice. I don't sing as much as I could and I'm a bit rusty. I want to be able to hit the high notes - especially if I'm the only soprano like last year! It was so much fun singing with others who can harmonize so beautifully. A few of them are in community theatre and some are university professors but mostly they are people I sang with in Concert Choir in high school back in the late 70's. That was an really awesome group!

The next few Saturdays I plan on being at the South Bend Farmer's Market selling bows, gift baskets, and a few embroidered gift items. My friend Lance has 80+ sweater knit stockings for sale and my mom has made lots of wreaths so I will have quite a variety. Come out and see our stuff 7AM -3PM every Saturday until Christmas. Or until we run out (I can hope, can't I?)

Thanksgiving - 2 days away

2009-11-24T16:27:00.003-06:00

The days seem to slip on by lately. It's way too close to those dreaded "holidays". My projects list just seems to be growing instead of getting shorter. It never fails to amaze me how this works every time. Oh well, it is still a really great job that I look forward to every day.

I was able to acquire a set of really beautiful set of embroidery files with a lot of cats and wild cats, some dogs and horses. They are picture-based and the one I did as a sample was very realistic looking when stitched out. This gives me some fantastic new ideas. Gifts, fundraisers, wearables - all possible in the coming months. Maybe a giveaway after the start of the new year...

Way back in April of this year I posted a note on my Facebook page offering a gift to the first 5 people who responded to the post. Here is the text of the note:
______________________________________________________

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me. This offer does have some restrictions so please read carefully:

- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make.
- It will be done this year (2009).
- It will be something made in the real world and not something over the internet.
- It might be a mix CD, an original photograph, collage, or other artwork, baked goods, or a photograph of a poem about baked goods and artwork...who knows! Remember, I do machine embroidery for a living....;-)

In return, all you need to do is post this text into a note of your own and make 5 things for 5 other people.

Make sure to comment here that you are interested in my little giftie and tag me in your note.

Void where prohibited, use only as directed, for a limited time only, store in a cool dry place.

Let's keep it going!
______________________________________________________

Well it is almost time to pay up. I will not be posting the names of those who will be receiving them but I will post photos after they are finished. It doesn't matter whether I get anything in return - it is my pleasure to share.

As you can see, I opened a fan page on Facebook. It is my hope that I am as accessible as possible to anyone who needs me. Please feel free to post a comment here or on the fan page to ask questions or to suggest projects.

Slowly Working Through the Projects Pending

2009-10-30T15:30:00.002-05:00

I am happily posting photos of projects I have finished in the last week. Now I am excited about starting something new. I just can't decide which one to start next. Too many fun things on the list and so little time until the "holidays". Today, however, is one of those fuzzy, non-creative days when I can't focus on a design to save my life. That means working on something already on my list. I just can't decide which one to move to next. Too many things on the list and so little time until the "holidays". Commissioned pieces first, followed by gifts for family seems to be the logical path but I really want to do something for myself, too. All in it's own time. Two machines down in the same week and I am feeling a little frustrated. One machine seized up (I suspect it's a total loss) and the other, the serger, just has a broken part. I've ordered the part but it is holding up some work, limiting the project list somewhat, for now.

I was interviewed for the November issue of INMichiana magazine and it's available online now. http://digital.ipcprintservices.com/publication/?i=24451 The article is on regifting. I really prefer repurposing (to remake an item into something related but different) over regifting but it's all good. Someone should be able to benefit from the item whether it's given as a gift or given to a charity resale shop and purchased there.

On a more personal note - mushroom hunting has been put on hold for today - it's raining and Lance hasn't called me back. Tomorrow is supposed to be cloudy but not so wet. Lance will not hunt on Halloween (or after Halloween for that matter) so I may take Phoenix or one of the dogs and go anyway. I know I have enough Cauliflower mushrooms to last the winter for myself alone but as I want to share with friends and family, I will hunt until the first really hard freeze. Then I can happily "cook up a storm" for potlucks to come. Maybe I will find one of the other 'shrooms that I have been looking for so I can make a nice lunch for myself early next week. Well, I'll admit I have several kinds in my freezer now that I can cook into a nice little dish, but it's still not like I'd pass them up if I found them. :::grin:::

Where has the Year Gone?

2009-10-18T13:38:00.002-05:00

I realize, as of today, that there are only 10 weeks left until Christmas week. That means I have to get things made in a very short time that I have been thinking about for months. Those months have been lost but I can't focus on the negative. Many projects can be finished in a very short time if I focus. The real task is focusing on creative work while the "house mess" goes untouched. Some days it's all I can do to go into the studio because the floor needs to be mopped, dishes and laundry done, clean, clean, clean... My time management training is going to waste. Well, I have a planner. Just open to today's date and start writing, I tell myself. It's under a stack of magazines I've been meaning to file away, and then there's the book shelves in that room that are filled with old paperwork spilling onto the floor, and a pile of clean laundry that needs a place to go so I can sit in that chair in the corner. All the while I am writing this, Med, the 2 year old boxer, is licking my elbow telling me it's time to go outside. ::::sigh:::: Maybe if I find a place to work where I can't see these things....

I am also feeling the strong urge to escape to the woods to find more mushrooms before the season is past. I have 7 (or is it 8?) different kinds of mushrooms in our freezer now. My hope it to find a lot more of my favorite Cauliflower Mushroom (Grifola frondosa) so I can share the love. All of my dad's side of the family grew up hunting and/or eating these and they all love them too. Perhaps I can work out a trade with my neighbor for some venison. I haven't had any to cook since Phoenix moved in. She doesn't like the smell and to tell the truth, I didn't either for several years after I cleaned and cooked a whole deer for an SCA feast. I won't ever do that again at home.

I am cooking the frozen 'shrooms as I can while Phoenix is not home because she doesn't like the smell those either. Two of them (Gyroporus castaneus - Chestnut Bolete and SUILLUS GRANULATUS - Slippery Jack) are types I haven't tried yet and I am very excited to cook them tomorrow while I have the house to myself. They are very similar in color and physiology but, as with all polypores, both are safe to eat. I am curious to see how they compare to one another. Lance loves the G. castaneus and says he thinks I will too. The S. Granulatus are considered average by some writers on the net and tasty by others. I say it's all how you cook 'em. I love Giant Puffballs and Lance can't stand them. We shall see.

Everywhere I look today I see creative possibilities so I'm going to sign off for now and get sewing. I'll post some pix later tonight of the chemise I'm working on. It's very simple but pretty.

A Nice Time

2009-09-28T14:51:00.003-05:00

I attended a lovely luncheon with members of my father's side of the family today. Why is it question of the day: When we were younger we talked about our kids, now it's about our pets. Why is that? It was a good time. Cousin Becky (and husband Bill who I met for the first time) from California, Cousin Linda (and Terry), cousin Jane (and Dave), Aunt Veedie (and Michael), Aunt Florence, cousin Larry (and Pat), my mom, cousin Ross and myself were there. There is something different about being from such a large family - having not met someone doesn't seem odd. All of them remember having eaten wild mushrooms as a kid and some still hunt them now. I took a small bag of Cauliflower mushrooms to Larry and Pat and they were excited. We talked about the places we used to hunt that no longer exist, those we go to now and where we'd like to go.

I'm sure it seems like a crazy hobby to those who don't like mushrooms, but they make those of us who enjoy them, very happy. Yesterday, Lance and I went on a 3 hour hike and each took home a large bag full. I found 5 different kinds (2 very different kinds of cauliflower, fall oyster, pestle-shaped puffballs, chestnut Boletes) cleaned and ready to cook or freeze. Lance also found cauliflower and buttons which I don't care for. I also picked up a bag of hickory nuts (I like these better than pecans). We laughed about the two deadly varieties we saw and were amazed by some strange-looking types we've never seen before. I will still go hunting this fall but I have enough in the freezer already to feed me for the winter. I will probably share what I get from now on.

It has been several days since I was able to get any sewing done so it's time to get back to work. The week ahead is bound to be very busy with the Arts & Crafts class on Thursday, the local GLBT Pride event on Saturday and the Niles, Michigan Apple Festival on Sunday.

Michiana Arts

2009-09-27T10:03:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we attended the local festival called Art Beat. What a great day! They advertised over 200 artists in attendance and I believe it. It spread over several streets in downtown South Bend, Indiana and spilled out over the river. Music, arts, crafts, theatre, culinary arts and more. I saw some friends and artists I have lost touch with, spoke to someone at a new art school about modeling, and was inspired in so many ways. Even Phoenix saw some things that inspired her to start learning new things - woodcarving and stained glass with some interest in drawing and painting. Of course, we found more places we wanted to go and shows we wanted to see. Circa Arts, Fire Arts, Moreau Center for the Arts, and the Snite Museum are on our list for this fall.

The Goldmine Pickers were the feature musical act. While we watched their generator quit, and like the pros that they are, they kept on performing. They just got close to edge of the stage to be closer to the audience and finally getting down off the stage onto the gravel parking lot that they were set up on and asked the audience members to gather 'round in a circle. They were fantastic! I can't help think I've seen them before. I think they were on WNIT, the local National Public Television station and perhaps at Fiddler's Hearth, a local Irish Pub known for their live music, a few while ago. Looking at their website www.goldminepickers.com they will be at Fiddler's again on Oct.9th.

My sewing will have to wait again until Monday. Today is a House & Garden working day at home. The place needs some tender loving care. It will be a much more pleasant place to live after a bit of tidying up. We have a bit of cooking to do, too. Fresh from the Farmer's Market green beans and ham for a boiled dinner, and chicken wings I marinated in Tuscan Romano Basil dressing, chicken drumsticks to be panfried (because I thawed them out yesterday), the acorn squash my mom gave us and some potato soup because I got an outrageous deal on gallons of milk at Kroger. Most of this will be for days to come because we have leftover chinese also.

We still have cauliflower mushrooms in the fridge because I found another one on Friday when Lance & I went to the woods I used to hunt as a kid. I am planning on sharing this one with friends and family. It is divided into three bags of not-too-much each. The next-door neighbor said she like to try some so I will go visit her later today and maybe the neighbor across the street who hunts deer on Susan's farm.

I was reading through a reference book on wild edibles recently and I am now inspired to gather some more things to eat from the area. I finally de-bittered the acorns I gathered last week and dried them so I can make flour to bake into a quick bread for Lance's class. Perhaps a trip to the woods is in order today too...

Happy Mabon!

2009-09-22T10:37:00.001-05:00

Fall is truly my favorite season! I love the smells, the colors, the cooler temps, and, of course the foods. All my favorite flavors are in season - apples, nuts, squash, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and mushrooms!!!

The day before yesterday was quite a day! We went to the Trail of Courage Festival in Rochester, IN and celebrated Native American culture pre-1830's. We saw some of my Brothers and friends from the SCA and a young friend who I worked with at Jo-Ann Fabrics. It was a pleasant time. We bought all the foods we love from the festival: kettle corn, homemade root beer in a great cobalt blue bottle, apple sausage, apple dumpling. Last year Lance went with us and we brought home giant puffball mushrooms so I looked in the same spot and I found one but it was already too old. They must have come on early this year.

We were pulling into town from the festival and Lance called to ask if we would like to go mushrooming. We went to our usual places and each came home with a plastic sack full of cauliflowers (Sparassis Crispa), a couple of pretty Violet Laccaria (Laccaria Ochropurpurea), and a handful of Milky's (Hygrophorus and Latex). Phoenix went with us and, although she doesn't like mushrooms, proved to be really good at finding them. (I think she is a living Sycamore tree fairy. ;-)) I was hoping to find some buttons, a puffball or two and some Chicken-of-the-Woods before the end of the season. Perhaps we still can but if I don't, okay. At least I have my favorites in the freezer for winter cooking.

We also picked up about a pound of the biggest acorns I've ever seen. We could have had so many more but I don't really need them. I promised Lance that I would make some bread for his class to try. They had talked about Native people eating the acorns and how they had to prepare them so I think it would be nice for them to try some. I would love to have found 2-3 pounds of hickory nuts. I really love those! A similar flavor to pecans but more buttery and delicate. I can buy them at our Farmer's Market but what fun would that be?

We have been putting up in season favorites like making and freezing Fried corn by Phoenix's recipe (it's SO GOOD!) a dozen ears or two each week since the beginning of the sweet corn season; I made & froze several dozen stoneground corn muffins; next we plan to buy a 1/2 bushel of fresh tomatoes to make soup to be canned. In the spring of this year, I picked up a KitchenAide meat grinder attachment for my mixer and I want to make sausage for the freezer and for gifts. A sale on pork would be really nice right about now....

Request for Donation

2009-08-26T11:15:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I was asked to donate something to a fundraising event for Aids Ministries/Aids Assist. It brought to mind a series of thoughts on charities, work I've done for charities in the past (a considerable number of them in 14 years of Jaycees) and the question - "how do I want to handle this in the future?"

I have always enjoyed doing projects and I am generous by nature and upbringing so I naturally want to give as much as I can. Working for charity is a fantastic thing but I have done so much for so many that I have become a bit jaded when it comes to picking which ones I spend my time on or give my money to. Some will always touch my heart, like MDA (http://www.mda.org/) and Camp Millhouse (http://www.campmillhouse.org), while others, who shall remain nameless, will never have another dollar of my money. Not that they are not worthy but either they are badly run, rude, or spend too much in administrative expenses per year. Well, let's face it, some of them are just downright dishonest. This is the way of the world.

The limiting factor in this case (for Aids Ministries/Aids Assist) is my lack of finished pieces. I will have to create something just for this event. I have at least half a dozen projects for people who have been waiting already. Do I stop working on paying projects to make a piece for charity? Ask Phoenix and she'll say "No way! Make some money please". Ask my clients and they will likely say that their projects can wait. I say I should get off this computer and get to work!

In the future I suppose I should offer to donate only if I have a piece completed that I can spare. Hopefully, I will soon have enough bags finished to launch a sales website and be able to give as I choose. Have a lively and pleasant week!

How Could I Forget

2009-08-17T19:30:00.005-05:00

It occurred to me today that I have been posting to this blog now for several weeks and I haven't introduced myself! I have been living in Indiana all of my life and almost all of them in South Bend. The house I own is very near the edge of the city (and cornfields) and supports an abundance of wildlife. I live there with Phoenix, Spike, Med, Danni, Gina LeBelle, Izzy and Ace. I consider myself to be a Green Witch, pagan and Unitarian Universalist. I have played with the SCA for over 30 years off and on (and I ride with the Great Dark Horde), done quite a bit of theatre, been an active Jaycee (I am a JCI Senator), been active in the LGBT and pagan communities, been a Steelworker and other interesting things. I've worked in a custom bridal shop, done accounting and payroll, managed a fabric store and a theatre costume shop, tried to sell lots of different things and now, finally, I own my own business. Did I leave anything out?

On a more personal note:
I've spent the last week, with the help of friends and family, putting together a yard sale. We had a mountain of "stuff" in our house that really needed to find a new home. Anyone else's home. We did well in getting rid of some things and made a little money in the process. Now I have to clean up the stuff I left out that was rained on. I just ran out of steam. Oh well, another day of work ahead.

Harmony

2009-08-05T15:46:00.003-05:00

My favorite bag is finished! This one was originally designed for my mom's birthday but I realized it wasn't something she would use and it would probably sit in her closet to be later re-gifted. (Don't tell her, please!) It took me longer to make it than usual because I wanted to paint on it and I was nervous about it. What a waste of energy! Once I started to paint it was like I knew just where my hand had to go.

The next few projects are going to have to be things for pay instead of my designs. (Yes, even I have to pay bills.) A friend has asked me to create some garments for her and embroider a ready-made bag so that's what I'm up to for the next week or so along with prepping for a tag sale because we have so much extra "stuff" in our house. We need to make room so we can decorate and feel better about our space. If you are in need of anything we probably have at least one...

On a more personal note:
My life is changing for the better, by the minute...

I am listening to an audiobook as I work in my studio today. It is a self-help book by James Arthur Ray called Harmonic Wealth. It talks about many things I already know but I am not yet putting into practice. Very good, sound advice and practical methods. More later...

Today's Inspiration

2009-07-29T16:47:00.003-05:00

I happened to be in a thrift store near my house yesterday and I found a few pieces that inspired me so much that I had to bring them home to play with. An olive drab wool jacket that someone had wash and run through the dryer (making it wool felt) , a green leopard print silk shirt, a microfiber knit print shirt that was as soft as silk. I already have sketches of bags that, combined with leather, would be perfect for all of them. The prices made me very happy.

In my stash I found some woven leather placemats and two woven leather rugs that sparked my interest but they both need to be cleaned. I've heard vinegar and water will do a reasonable job but I think these need more help than that so they are on hold for now.

Several remnants are speaking to me from my remnant shelves. Three matching purple pieces, a couple of chocolate brown, a Japanese print, a black/red brocade, a very bright tulip print and a skirt made from brightly colored boucle (the stuff those Chanel jackets are made of). And yet, designs to go with them are not coming to me.

I have so many projects already in progress that it's not important right now but it's good to know I won't run out of things to work on.

My inspiration board

2009-07-26T16:52:00.003-05:00

I have recently started to take a sketchbook with me wherever I go so I can capture some of the images that are constantly flowing through my mind. Maybe it's my imagination but it seems to me that the more I put on paper, the more I create. Maybe it's just that I am able to move forward to new things and stop drowning in details on the older stuff. Whichever it is, I have more designs than ever and more excitement about them than usual. I have the sketches, fabric swatches, buttons, hooks and other things that I already have on-hand for projects posted on a cork bulletin board next to my computer. It serves as an inspiration board and reminder of what I have collected and what I need to look for. It has made my studio a lot brighter and more cheerful.

On the home front:
Phoenix has been healthy (except for the usual, chronic pain) now for several days. She had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and broke out in a "chickenpox-like" rash all over. It wasn't a pretty thing. Now her eyes are bright and mischievous again. I even managed to get her to go out two nights in a row to three different events. My 30th high school reunion was this weekend and and a welcome home party for a friend who had had surgery overseas. We had a well-deserved weekend of fun. Life should settle down a bit now that the parties are in the past. The dogs and kitties are glad to spend time with us whenever they can and we are glad to be home.

Welcome to My New Blogsite!

2009-07-05T15:22:00.000-05:00

I am so happy to introduce my new blog for Blackwidow Stitchworks!

The idea of having a blog seemed so scary (putting my words in writing AND publishing them?!) that I was afraid to get started. As it turns out, it isn't any harder than throwing a comment out on Facebook. I laughed to myself - how many people will be reading it anyway? A few friends and some relatives maybe. Just to let you know how my business is going and keep you up on the happenings in my life in general. But that's what a blog is for, isn't it?

My projects list is ever changing. I am working on:

a long peasant style gown called a chemise
a long robe with a hood
a child's bookbag heavily embroidered with flowers and lace
a hand-painted suede bag with hand-dyed microsuede fabric and embroidery
2 or 3 pair cotton sleep pants
a jacket with a phoenix embroidered on it
Lynn's promise - a gift to the first 5 people who posted a reply on my Facebook page
a repair to a cotton jacket where the pocket tore stright up & down
2 viking style tunics for Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA)
adult booster chair to restrain an individual with DD in the car safely

Last week was my monthly Arts & Crafts class at Partners In Opportunities, Inc. We made beaded suncatchers. I was pleased when 2 of the staff told me they wanted to do many more of the beaded projects. ::giggle:: I've hooked a couple more...

************************* Of a more personal nature...*****************************

A dear friend has been allowing me to tag along on his hikes in the park with his dog to look for summer mushrooms. What a joy!! I'm learning how to identify so many new varieties and taste-testing the isn't bad either. So far we've found (of the edible types):

Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Small chanterelles (Cantharellus minor)
Fawn mushrooms (Pluteus cervinus)
Hygrophorus Milky (Lactarius hygrophoroides)
Yellow Cracked Bolete (Boletus subtometosus)

Phoenix is really sick as I write this. She seems to have a serious UTI and a fever. She's been on an antibiotic (Bactrin) since Thursday but it doesn't seem to have made much of a difference yet. Tomorrow may mean another trip to the clinic. Those can be several hours at a time so I'll take a sketchbook and pencils. At least Save-a-Lot is next door so I can get a little shopping done too.

Happy 4th of July everyone. Have a pleasant night.