Lucet Braiding

I have attempted my first cord with the lucet.   I'm using:

 Lucet Braiding: Variations On A Renaissance Cord by Elaine Fuller.

I used some crochet cotton - size 3.   With practice, I should

get a better tension.

There is a lot of information on-line & this was quick

and fun to make. 

--------------- edited 12/19


Here is a direct link to Amazon :  
 http://www.amazon.com/Lucet-Braiding-Variations-Renaissance-Cord/dp/1891656066


Sorry, link in the post did not work.

Gifts from Mom

Christmas Cat Tree

Michelle M. Lash:  Brittercup Designs

Christmas Tree 2011

Karen Kluba:  Rosewood Manor

from Just Cross Stitch Magazine

(2011 Ornaments Issue)

------------------

Not sure the designer or pattern name.

Sure is pretty ; )

Thx Mom.   Your ornaments are beautiful.

giveaway(s)

Victorian Motto Sampler Shop

hosting a couple holiday giveaways .... 

Details on these posts:

Hand Dyed Floss Giveaway for Christmas

AND

Merry Christmas Giveaway: Hand dyed floss, charts, + Hand Dyed Trim!s

Kanzashi Flower Maker

I have enjoyed the Clover Templates for round and heart shapes.   Also, fun to make the round and butterfly shapes.  


When they made Kanzashi (flower) templates, I was over the moon!!!!   They have three types of flowers in two sizes;  (six templates) for flower petals.   The  petals are strung on a strong fiber/thread (I like quilting thread) ... then, embellished with stash.   Buttons, fibers, tatting, yo-yos, etc.   


Should you get the chance, pick up a template and enjoy making some flowers!!!

Jewelry Open House

Advent Calendar Links

Serendipitous Stitcher,

Brenda's Advent Calendar,

The Lace Guild - Advent Calendar

What is it?

Ah yes, dear readers ... I have something

new to play around with.

Beginner's Kit

for

Quilling!!!

We had an introduction to Quilling during

Tatting Corner's 11th Annual Tatting Day.

Jennifer passed out paper, rulers (templates), glue,

card stock & all of the students made a heart and

attached it to card stock.    Oh, my - really had a good time!

(And, as things seem to vanish around here --- 

I've already lost the ruler with the circle guides and had to order a new one.)

While I should have picked up holiday kits,

I bought bugs + butterfly (bug collection).

Stay tuned, hope to have some little bugs soon.

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art

I have wanted to view this exhibit

since October.   I never seem to

find free time to go!

The article on the web site 

is so interesting - check out the photos, too.

----------------------------

General Information:

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art
220 Cottage Hill Avenue in Wilder Park
Elmhurst, Illinois 60126
Phone: 630.833.1616
Fax: 630.833.1225
eMail: info@lizzadromuseum.org

Hours

Sunday	1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Monday	Closed
Tuesday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Friday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  (Free Admission)
Saturday	10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
*	The Museum is closed on major holidays

Hello Kitty

Recently, I've had fun 

with Hello Kitty

Happy Meal Toys.

DD got the one in the middle, a small jewelry box

with two braclets AND

DS got the one on the right - you wind it up and the hula hoop swirls around.

And, during a recent trip to Hobby Lobby

with DD and DH, picked up the TY Beanie Babie (on the left)

to clip on to a bag (or something) - Maybe put it on the tree!

I must remember to pick up an angel

costume for my 12" HK!   She will need holiday theme!

Textile Exhibit opens December 16th at the AIC

Art Institute of Chicago

Galleries 57-59

has a new exhibit opening

December 16, 2011 (thru May 13, 2012)

Fabric of a New Nation: American Needlework + Textiles 1776-1840

From web site: 

 "over 45 bedcovers, coverlets, needlework, printed handkerchiefs 

+ other household textiles from the permanent collection 

of the Department of Textiles.  "

----------------------------------

Art Institute of Chicago

111 So Michigan Ave

Chicago, IL 60603-6404

"The Present"

Today is ...

Button Day!

--------------------
The buttons picture above
are from a recent giveaway
sponsored by
Button Floozies

Halloween Issue

I was happy to be selected

by Sharon

for her magazine giveaway.

She had an extra

Annual Halloween Issue of 

Just CrossStitch.

Thx Sharon!

And, swing by her blog, Sharon's Cross Stitch Obsession,

 when you have free time.  

Among her beautiful needlework projects, 

she has a  couple wonderful

samplers in progress.   

Buttons!!!

Laurie at

Button Floozies

pulled my name for the 700 followers giveaway.

I'm so lucky!!!

I received a fabulous package in the mail:

Imagine opening all this???? 

(Did you hear me squealing with delight???)

A splendid assortment of carded buttons, recycled glass.  

I am the proud owner of a unique --

creative decorated tin FULL of ceramic, plastic, wood, glass buttons. 

Thank you so much!

I'm grateful and am enjoying the button assortment accross my desk!!!

I wish the weather cooperated in cheerful photos ---

Much better images by Laurie:

Photographs HERE

--------------------

Should you be interested, there is a

Button Swap

being coordinated (sign up Nov 1-11).

Details on the Button Floozie Blog

Happy Birthday: Hello Kitty

(Per official character profiles for Hello Kitty, 

her real name is Kitty White and she was born 

in the suburbs of London, England on November 1)

Elm Creek Book Series

Look what is being released

in NOVEMBER ...

The Wedding Quilt

by Jennifer Chiaverini

It is a giveaway ....

Isn't this charming?????

Crows Take A Break

Candle mat by

Margie

Details can be found

Hungry Hook Primitives

blog

Keeping my fingers crossed to become the WINNER!!!

Shopping ....

I thought this so pretty with the beaded button ...
and embroidery.

Found at the

10,000 Villages store.

There is a zipper section inside - probably perfect for a couple tatting shuttles on the go ...

Button Floozies

Button Floozies

Is a wonderful place to see creative

ways to use buttons --- and,

well, all things "button".

If you have not visited this site ... rush on over ....

(and, did you notice the little book with

tatted edge?)

Lots of Celebrating going on ...

Flowers from DH : )

For our Anniversary.    

We hung out at Starbuck's with DD 

 and decided to include the children in our evening plans.

We took them out to dinner

at Don Quijote Restaurant to celebrate DD's birthday and our Anniversary.  

The tapas and paella were delicious.

  What an enchanting evening of good food, fun conversation, 

and delighted by complimentary dessert + toast from the owner!

I bought tennis rackets for DH + I -- he bought John Mellencamp concert tickets.   

DH wins, he is the better gift giver!   Something to look forward to next month.

L.A.C.E. class

On Saturday, Karol and I went to the L.A.C.E.
spool knitting class.

Karol used wire and awesome pink + green beads. Watch for picture on her blog, Rosebuds Stitching!

I learned a new way to start the spool
(backwards from the way I used the spools as a kid)
and add BEADS.

Here, I used Cebelia #20 with 6/0 craft beads, adding
beads in one row, knitting a row, adding beads. (row isn't quite right as these are circular)

Did you see the awesome spool? They are wooden with a wonderful center.
Large enough for the beads+fiber to fall thru. They are by
Simply Wild Crafts in Naperville, IL.

I was curious how it would look
with #3 crochet cotton - and adding a bead
in every knitted stitch. So perfect, almost
looks like a cord!

My next attempt will be with a black crochet cotton - maybe a size 10.
It is quick and fun to do. A nice way to use up some craft stash I have on hand.

These are the spools I already own.
It took me awhile to get them all in one tin!

Free Admission to participating Museums

September 24th is Museum Day

Per their web site:
In the spirit of Smithsonian Museums, who offer free admission everyday, Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket...for free.

For a list of participating museums,
click on This Link

Feast of the Hunters' Moon

Feast of the Hunters' Moon

September 24 - 25, 2011

Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT
Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.

Location:
The Feast is held on the grounds of Fort Ouiatenon
Historic Park,
four miles
southwest of West Lafayette, Indiana.

3129 South River Road,
West Lafayette

pdf file - brochure


Visit their
web site
for additional information.

Covered Bridge Harvest Fest, Crown Point, Indiana

Fifth Annual

Covered Bridge Harvest Fest

Lake Co Fairgrounds

Crown Point, IN

Fri 9/23

6pm-10pm

Sat 9/24

10am-10pm

Sun 9/25

10am-6pm

Web link - Covered Bridge Harvest Fest

Hay rides, live entertainment, corn hole tournament,

 arts + crafts, food vendors, car show, pumpkins, 

model railroad exhibit & more.

Duneland Heritage Fest

Duneland Heritage Days
formerly known as Duneland Harvest Festival

Saturday, September 17, 2011 - Sunday, September 18, 2011
11:00AM - 5:00PM

This free event features authentic music, dance, demonstrations, hands-on activities, and traditional foods for the whole family.

Bailly Homestead/Chellberg Farm
Mineral Springs Road
Porter, Indiana 46304

Duneland Heritage Days - link to information

When : June 13th and September 10th

Sewing Machine Day celebrates a very important invention ----- the sewing machine. The first sewing machines were made in France in the 1830s. It wasn't until 1846, that they were patented in the U.S. What a great invention. Prior to it's creation, clothes items were sewn together by hand...stitch by stitch.

People who know how to use a sewing machine are dwindling in number. Our mothers and grandmothers had a sewing machine in the house. They used it, too. But, look around your house. Do you have a sewing machine? Chance are, the answers is no.

If you have a sewing machine, enjoy today making things with it. If not, consider picking up sewing as a hobby.

Per Holiday Insights web site.

I'm on page 14!

I was very excited when Pat Winter,
blogging at Gatherings,
asked me to send her a photograph and article for
the Autumn issue
of Crazy Quilt Gatherings Magazine.

It was a challenge for me to write the article. The flower making
was so much fun!

The information is on page 14 of the Autumn 2011 Issue of Crazy Quilt Gatherings Magazine.

I have some new cuts of fabric, need to grab a tin of buttons and give my tatting shuttles a work out ....

so stay tuned for more ...

Material World

April 22, 2011-February 6, 2012
Paul Textile Gallery & Fashion Arts Gallery

Web Site
LINK HERE

Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 Michigan Road,
Indianapolis, Indiana 46208-3326 | 317-923-1331

back from Florida ....

Yesterday, I visited the Patchwork Pig in Lakeland, FL.
It was a lovely shop and I found some beautiful fabric pieces
for Kanzashi flowers.

While in Florida, I visited the Morse Museum and was delighted with all the Tiffany on display. The pieces on display included jewelry, lamps, pottery, paintings, windows - and the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (was in Chicago). Impressive!!!

In addition to Morse, I visited the nearby

the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. (pictured above)

The Cornell had a fabulous Albert Bierstadt painting on display. Oh my, stunning. In addition they had two galleries of photography - and I enjoyed the Watch Keys. A whole display case of watch keys - with carvings, gems, shapes, crystals, coins ... very creative keys!

Valparaiso Popcorn Festival

Saturday, September 10, 2011
Valparaiso, IN

brochure

E-mail: info@valparaisoevents.com

DIRECTIONS
From the West, take I 80/90 or I 94 E. to I 65 S. to
US 30 E. approximately 10 miles to Hayes Leonard
School - SOUTH Popcorn Shuttle area.
From the East, take I 80/90 or I 94 W. to St. Rd. 49
S. Turn right on to Vale Park Rd. (400 N.) Follow
signs - NORTH Popcorn Shuttle area.

Camera Photo by DH

Good Morning!

sight unseen, must have ...

EDITED: I just noticed, Anita has pictures from both of these publications .... check out Anita's Stitching Blog!!!

When I heard about the A Schoolgirl's Work from the Blackbird Designs blog, I wanted it. 
 Picked it up last week + have enjoyed it --- as for the patterns, I liked Hannah's basket .... then, I saw Rosebud Sachets and think if I ever get around to needlework --- that would be my first choice from the book.
After I get some tatting done ; )
 And, the Ornaments 2011 magazine is out ... picked my copy us this afternoon - and a copy for Mom.
 (Good to see you Kathy H! - w/o blog, who needs one to showcase her awesome Halloween stitching!)
 Back to orn mag ....I'm happy w/this issue. 
 Esp interesting - Shepherd's Bush, Janie Hubble Designs and Mosey n Me. Fun snowflakes + snow people. 
 Baffling to me - a coin purse, an Easter egg?

Doll and Bear Show

Valparaiso Dolls & Friends Club
are sponsoring

Doll & Bear Show

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9am - 3pm


Porter County Expo Center
North East Corner of U.S. 49
and Division Road

Four miles South of U.WS. 30 on Rt. 49

Valparaiso, Indiana

Quilts on exhibit

If you get the chance, stop by Lockport, IL
and see the quilts on display.

It is four miles from 355 in Lockport, Illinois.

I visited Sunday afternoon + caught the presentation, too.

NANI friend, Lynn, had gone and said some nice things about the information + quilts in the gallery. I headed out there (oh my, they really need to fix 80).

The display is up thru September 16, 2011 ....

Did I mention the Yarn + Tea store next door to the gallery?

Or the Quilt Store on the Corner? Oh yes, visited those, too.

Found this perfect size
Art Bin at the Yarn Store.

Yes, the size 20 fibers
fit well!!!

People who knit have the best stuff!

Japanese Kimono

Web Site
LINK HERE

Japanese Kimono, 1915–1940: From Tradition to Ready-to-Wear
June 16–November 13, 2011
Galleries 57–59

The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60603-6404

Gifts from the Stitch Bitch

Anna, who blogs as
the Stitch Bitch,
recently posted:
At Long Last.

I was thrilled to be the recipient of her Souvenir de France project.

Anna has flawless stitches.
Oh my, I'm green with envy!
In her post, she said the fiber was
Rainbow Gallery's cashmere (I think it's violet).
The color is just beautiful.

This is the reverse side:

it has a pocket in the back
for scissors - and, the magnetic pin is so
kewl!
I've arranged the tiles a few times. Nice toy for this old fossil.

In addition to the beautiful eiffel tower + MoMA Pin,
she tucked in more gifts:

I know!
I'm so spoiled, I stink!

The quilted rectangle is awesome. I want to put it in my kitchen. Check out the beehive card! And The basket chart from BBD - will be a fun stitch. She even enclosed a few pins and trim for embellishments.

Thx Anna! Your pkg made my day!