update

I have continued to knit Antarktis (pattern by Janina Kallio).  Yarn is wood rose, BloomingYarns Cashino.   Also a few more rows on hitchhikker wrap (no curent pic)

 News.  In the current Piecework Magazine, 

my knitted Lace No. 10 photo is on pg. 4.  I know.  How cool is that?

more info on the trim, LINK HERE.

I struggled with dishcloths knitted on the diagonal.   GF, Sue, had knit these many times.  She patiently showed me the ropes, and I finally got the hang of it.  Sugar n Creme yarn, size 9 needles.

... and, once I had the 'know how' knit this for GF Amy.  Pattern is Leisure Arts, Love to Knit Dishcloths by Evelyn A. Clark, called Radiating Hearts.  Sugar n Creme. 

... this free pattern was from Yarnspiration web site -- link HERE.  Sugar n Creme yarn.

This is  new-to-me yarn, Lion Brand 24/7, cotton.    Pattern is Leaf Lace dishloth ...  link HERE.

I like to have my fav needles close at hand + worry about ruining the points.   I have been using this wonderful woven pouch + it is perfect. 

Toys -- did you see the sheep shape stitch markers? 

I wasn't sure about the yarn-it, yet, when I saw the sale, bought a pink one.   I hope to keep the "hat" yarn free of cat fur.   oh, the shedding. 

Fusing ... embellishing.   More photos - link here.

My iron is a mess -- a gust of wind blew the mistyfuse into the iron plate.   After cleaning the iron, I am looking forward to making this owl kit w/DD.

and.... if you like contests .... 

if you are in the neighborhood --- 

visit Lace Day!!!   

 

 details on the

Lafayette Lacemaker blog, link HERE.

Porter Co Fair: Part Two

Category 1 Arts and Crafts (continued):

Section 115 - Miscellaneous Crafts:

Needlebook:  Fused w/fabric, paper, tatting, tulle.  Further

embellished with buttons, charms, beads, pins, tatting.

(this is the back side)

Comment Card:  "Very nice design.

Very well done, tatting!

Like the way it is decorated.  handy idea

to store needles."

Section 110 - Jewelry

a. Necklace:

Beaded amulet bag w/photos of the children inside

Comment Card: " very nice

good choice of colors

good craftsmanship"

b. Bracelet:

Double spiral in shades of blue beads.

Comment Card:  "nice selection of 

colors + materials

good design

good craftsmanship

beautiful"

c. Earrings:

Crystallized Medici Drop Earrings

pattern designed by

Marcia DeCoster

blogging at Mad Designs

Comment Card:   "delicate

nice choice of 

colors

nice design"

e. Other:

Nutmeg Diamond Magnifica 

Beaded jeweled Bar Pin Kit

Mill Hill 2000

Comment Card:  "nice selection

of materials

great design

outstanding

craftsmanship"

Part Three .... Tomorrow : )

Dream

I cut this image out -

it was on the envelope of a greeting card.

I have the fusing done,

and am searching thru my 'stash' 

for charms, beads, ribbon,

things to embellish the cover of this needlebook.

Keeping my fingers crossed 

Tuesday's NANI class

goes over well with the members.

Or this 'dream' will become a 

nightmare.

Grateful for friends to lend a hand and keep me sane.

F Word

Fusing ...

(What were you thinking????)

These are starts of needlebook projects.

Friends and I are going to enjoy sharing

a creative evening with NANI members.

I wanted to get out some stash and make a few models (so I'd do ok trying to explain to somebody else!!! --- why is it easier to just sit down and "do it" vs. instructing other people?)

I find by taking pictures --- I can easily spot things needing to be 'changed' or embellished before I call it quits on fusing.

I like using Misty Fuse.    I have a needlebook cover sewn (by machine) and like to use a layer of Misty Fuse, then layer with texture .... followed by paper, stamps, tatting practice pieces, and fiber orts.    So far, these have a couple layers of Misty Fuse.  

Next, I pause and take a photo.....  (take a pause before I continue)

Before I trim the edges I look at the overall flow of the images + see if it all relates to my theme.

---These pictures are just a start .... I have more embellishing to do:

I look at my pile of scattered images (from greeting cards or craft freebie images, etc.) to see what I might want to add.   (or peel off!).    I like to have a theme.

Once I'm ok with the overall flow, I take misty fuse + top with tulle.  Fusing done --- needle threaded for more embellishing.    Embellishing is so much fun - use  beads, charms, floss, perle cotton next.    Last, sew in the pages, button, and some kind of easy tie closure.

Maybe have some finished needlebooks in the next day or two.  

Porter Co Fair (continued)

Thx for all your kind e-mails & comments. I entered items into two county fairs this Summer --- I did ok. Better last Summer, but all good. If you are in the Chicagoland area, and enjoy needlework exhibits, make sure to stop by & say 'hi' at the Threads that Bind exhibit by the members of Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana October 2-3, 2010 (10am-4pm) More awards: Section 507 - Miscellaneous Needlecraft a. Combination of Techniques Violet Square c 1986 Needle Maid Designs, Inc. It made with DMC floss, one yellow bead (from my stash) on 30-count creme linen I used Garnet Iris seed beads around the outer edge Section 506 - Counted Thread Work I. Other Mimi's Pin Cube Olde Colonial Designs C.2003 by Pamela D. Reed This kit included 32-ct Fratelli Graziano Italian Cream Siena Linen, Gentle Art Old Red Paint and Grecian Gold, DMC 3052, 611 & 642. The pins, cardboard, and padding also included in the kit. Section 506 - Counted Thread Work F. Counted Cross Stitch - Other (not suitable for framing) ex. pillows, afghans Tiny Sampler La-D-Da Freebie I used perle coton #5: 932 lt blue, 801 brown, 3045 gold, 3687 pink, 3052 green, 930 blue on 18-ct Shaker Linen. 8" x 8" Section 113 - Miscellaneous Crafts Mixed Media Needlebook Made it at the International Quilt Festival April 2010

Mixed Media Needlecase

International Quilt Festival/Chicago
 April 16-18, 2010 Donald E. Stephens Center, Rosemont, IL Karol and I arrived & were greeted by a friendly lady giving away wrist bands for FREE entry into the Festival Woot!!! Among the quilts, lectures, shopping, shopping, shopping ... were workshops scheduled each day. Called Make it University!™ Chicago 2010 We tried our hand at One-of-a Kind Needlecase taught by Kristen Rodriguez Fiber on a Whim post from her blog My kit theme was PLAYNeedlecase Front Inside our kits were a cloth for texture, bits of scrapbook papers, bits of paper to embellish (ie ticket, map, music, dictionary page), button, and fiber (+needle) We received instructions for placing our paper pieces on the needlebook cover having the paper pieces stick on the fabric using a product called Misty Fuse we embellished with perle cotton Final touches: sewing on the button, a tie, and the pages inside Whole Needlecase (outside) Marjorie took a different class, Kelli Perkins - cartoon fabric paper collage pins see her post: Quilt Show; Oh we had fun!