Embroidery Project Update

The major portion of my embroidery project is now finished, so now it's on to the next phase, which is to embroider the letters which will go around the border. My next update should be of the completed project!

Kyla's Birdhouses Reach The Artful Eye

Kyla's Country Crafts barn board birdhouses and Carolyn's Fiber Crafts crochet over jute pieces are now both on display at The Artful Eye in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Carolyn now has a rug, place mats and mug rugs. Kyla has several birdhouses and a little bench. This lovely store is open seven days a week. The owner will be making the space next door available for a flea market every saturday  starting March 24. Watch the website for more details. 

go to The Artful Eye

Placemats for the Seasons

 SPRING: Iris and Daffodils

WINTER: Snow Shine

FALL:  Red Maple

SUMMER: Azaleas and Water :Lilies

The four season place mats are done in crochet over jute. They show an interpretive design that came from the rug done in this technique earlier. These take much less time and look very nice on the table. They may be a bit busy, so I have planned to do more placemats with 2 colors in a frame, or perhaps 3 blocks. Less time and more flexibility with match napkins or dishes, etc. These will be available at The Artful Eye in St. Johnsbury, Vermont during the week of Feb 27.   Check out this great new shop at       www.theartfuleye.com

Embroidery Project

I have been spending much of my time working on a large embroidery commission. When it is finished, it will have an inscripted border and will measure approximately 36 X 30 inches. It is for an Orthodox Church in California and will be used in their Good Friday worship service. My goal is to have it completed by April 1st. It is a very time consuming task, but fortunately, I love embroidery! I will post another photo when it is finished.

The Artful Eye

The day I met Lisa McDonough at her new shop, The Artful Eye in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, was a very special day. I showed her my crochet over jute work,  (see pics) a rug and mug rugs. She was impressed enough to take them for the store. I am out there and so excited! The mug rugs have hearts on them for this month's holiday, others will be plain, striped or have blocks of colors.  I have started sets of 4 place mats using the colors and design in the rug.  Check out the gallery on her website, or stop into the shop if you are in ST J. It is wonderful place, full of rustic country furniture, country style decorations, artwork....all hand made by artists and craftspeople from the local area. I guess that means ME!

Trying out the Inkle Loom

My husband made me an inkle loom for Christmas, so I have been teaching myself how to weave on this small loom.  Great fun. Now I have to figure out uses for these narrow strips; so far I've done them all with handspun yarn, which is tricky to work with.  It's fun to be using up some of my huge stock of handspun!

Three different warp faced patterns

 

Mug Rugs - crochet over jute

Using jute and yarn, these mug rugs have been created and are fun and easy, quick to make. Wool yarn would be best. So far I have done stripes and hearts with a tapestry technique. To find out more about this technique, visit this blog   http://www.leisurearts.com/enews/archive/05_2010/YarnLink/InTheKnow.html .

Crochet Over Jute - a landscape rug design

This rug pattern was discovered in a recent book  by Lena Maikon, Unexpected Crochet for the Home. She called it Field of Farms. I have adapted it somewhat, but the idea comes across. Finding good jute for rugs took some doing. Blocking the rug will help it lie flatter. The pattern has been put onto a spreadsheet so that other patterns can be created for smaller rugs. It was heavy on my lap when working on it, so smaller rugs are planned. Following the pattern, I used Lionbrand Woolease, but would not recommend this in the future, too soft. Rug wool is the best way to go. 

 To find out more about this technique, visit this blog   http://www.leisurearts.com/enews/archive/05_2010/YarnLink/InTheKnow.html

Looking Ahead...

I've been making a few of these felted wool brooches every week and am enjoying choosing the color combinations of dyed wool fleece and embroidery floss.

There is just something about the traditional heart shape that I love! First, I felted the hearts by using a cookie cutter as a guide for the shape. Then using pearled DMC embroidery floss, I embellished the hearts and sewed the two together. Lastly, I sewed a metal clasp pin to the back.

A nice Valentine's Day gift, but really nice for all year round as well!

Evergreen Garland

I love evergreen garlands and went out into the woods yesterday while the evergreen trees were clear of snow and brought in some boughs to decorate above the windows in the living room. Instead of bringing in a tree, I decided to hang our ornaments on the garland along with some lights.

Wishing you all a Joyful Christmas!