08.26.09
Posted in Stitching Genres at 7:00 am by deRomilly
I am really enjoying my foray into the deeper levels of Crazy Quilting. It will likely remain something I do mainly for myself: it’s extremely time consuming, but also very satisfying.
It has also renewed my interest in my little band sampler – I got it into my head to work all the stitch combinations in Carole Sample’s Crazy Quilt Stitches book in thread of some sort. Of course, choosing different thread and spacing can make the exact same stitch combination look completely and utterly different. Currently, though, I’m using what’s easy – the cottons in my “traveling” box with few, if any, beads or embellishments. I’m changing the weight of the thread by adjusting the number of strands, and I’m mostly only stitching each stitch combination once, in one color or thread-weight scheme. I may amend that as I go, but this is a DENSE book that will keep me busy for years as it is!
And then there are the historic works available online for free, like this book, which has nice, clear diagrams that “pop.”
Some of these techniques could be adapted to embellishing clothing – without the “crazy” element. Maybe that’s my next step… I do have this tunic in progress… and there’s that velvet choli top I need to finish so I have something to teach in….
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08.25.09
Posted in General at 8:35 pm by deRomilly
I’m back from Havi‘s workshop. Wow. Just wow. I’ll tell you more later, but right now just know that I got home late on Sunday after a driving detour and a long weekend. I’m still processing everything I learned about myself, and all the techniques.
I did pick up a needle today — working on the model for a new graphic pillow design. I alternate between thinking it’s really busy and loving it. It’s getting done in bits and pieces on my lunch hour and in the evenings, so hopefully the pattern will be up soon. I’ll try to take a photo of it later this week in progress an let you have a sneak peak!
Going to go to sleep now. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz
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08.21.09
Posted in General at 7:00 am by deRomilly
I’ve been moping recently about the state of my studio. It’s very difficult to work in right now, because it never really got set up, for various interruptions in my life. But I had gotten it into some semblance of semi-ordered chaos, and while I never wanted to just stay up there and stitch, which is the final plan – a hidey-hole/regeneration/playroom… I COULD work.
Then came the almost-missed deadline. The you have 4 days to dig out the design you did, or do another one, stitch it, finish it into an ornament and get it into the mail or it isn’t going to get into the magazine that wants it. Oops. (Almost blew that one, didn’t I?)
So I was well on my way to finishing it and opened the closet – the one that came with shelves from the previous owners, that I had put some of my lightweight supplies on – loose thread, not so loose thread, a couple yards of interfacing. NOTHING big or heavy. I promise! I reached for the box containing the batting I wanted to use on the ornament. Crash! Yelp! Big jump backwards as all of the shelves pull free of the wall and everything falls on me.
Now there are two good things about this. Remember how I said nothing was heavy? This means that the box that landed on my foot did no damage, nor did the one that bounced off of my head. Second? I already had the batting in my hand so I didn’t have to worry about digging it out from out the detritus.
This, I feel now, was the Universe’s not-so-subtle way of telling me that “you need to take care of yourself first.” The EO is right, but on a bigger level than just getting more sleep. I need a space of my own, just like he needs a space of his own, and I think that right now we both need to concentrate on getting those spaces finished and usable. In the process some very important work on the house will get done as well, and we’ll both be happier for it. And happier us means that we’ll be able to accomplish more of what we want to do in life. (And I’ll have the space to get the next set of designs finished and available for y’all!)
So now. I’m off to Asheville, NC to go to a wacky brain-repatterning/yoga/destuckifying/get your business going workshop with Havi Brooks and her duck Selma from TheFluentSelf. Have a wonderful weekend, and remember to listen to the Universe BEFORE the shelves fall on your head!!!
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08.17.09
Posted in Blogroll at 5:59 pm by deRomilly
This is a list of some of the needlework blogs I read on a regular or semi-regular basis. Things I really really like to spend time on when I can.
So, in no particular order, my 10 favorite inspirational needlework blogs.
- Pintangle – Sharon Boggin’s blog. Between this and her stitch dictionary, my stitching life could be complete.
- Annie’s Crazy World – I found this site through Sharon’s. Annie is one of Sharon’s Australian friends, and follows her sampler and her crazy quilting escapades. Very cool eye candy.
- Grumpy Shopkeeper – Sally Webster keeps a small shop in Edinborough, and blogs about her adventures with knitting, crochet and other needlework stuff.
- Virginie - yes, it IS in French. Look at the pictures if you don’t read French.
- Moonsilk -Just cool needlework to look at.
- Rooted In Mississippi – Rissa stitches and bellydances in Mississippi.
- Elmsley Rose - Megan is learning historical embroidery by making a beautiful sampler of stitches.
- Needle ‘N Thread - If you’re interested in the broad needlework world like I am, you’ll want to keep up with Mary Corbet’s blog. Pictures, giveaways, and lots and lots of good information.
- Witchypoo - Lovely stuff. Just beautiful work, in everything – art journaling, needlework, and such.
- Linn Skinner – she’s been off and on because of health issues, but Linn Skinner provides really cool links, and she’s a gem of a source for historic needlework information.
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08.10.09
Posted in Dance at 5:13 pm by deRomilly
Yup. That little blurry area is all that's done. 
Stalled. Stuck. Not moving at all.
So I have, theoretically, been building a turquoise bedlah, as several past posts have demonstrated. Right now, however, it’s stalled.
The fabric is over the bra, I’ve got the base shape for the belt found, but not cut out, and I’m supposed to be stitching the sequins onto the bra. But I just haven’t’ been able to bring myself to do it. It’s not like it’s all that difficult, either – or maybe it is. I’m a perfectionist. Spacing of sequins is NOT a perfect science. Nor is it supposed to be. They are, in this pattern, just supposed to cover the silly thing and sparkle. But I keep expecting more – mostly, I think, because I’ve been doing appliques so much. And it’s driving me batty.
That is all. Hopefully more to report soon.
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