03.04.10
Posted in Finished Projects at 11:46 am by deRomilly
The pillow in question
As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, I have a phobia about REALLY finishing needlework. I’m working on it. But I’m always terrified (and it really is terror) that I’m going to ruin a piece of stitching that I’ve spent hours and hours working on. If it entails more than just lacing it to a back and sticking it in a frame, I freeze.
But I’m taking it gently. I have several pillow designs that I want to release this year. They’re going to include finishing instructions as well as the needlework design. (There, I said it!) So I’ve been trying to get myself to finish the pillows I have half finished around the studio so that I can do it.
I started with this candlewicking piece. I got the kit at a garage sale for about 25¢. The stitching was finished in about a week other than the three months I spent trying to find enough thread that matched for FOUR knots after I ran out. Candlewicking thread is NOT all the same. Ick. But I found it, finished the stitching three years ago and put it in my “Finished Objects to Finish box.” (As usual, click the photos to enlarge for more detail!)
The "scary" zipper... Not so scary after all!
Last week I dug out my Singer Sewing for the home book that my heart-sister the former interior stitcher recommended, teased the instructions out of three different areas in said book (not the best organized, but really good instruction!) and to paraphrase Nike, “just did it.” I’m pleased. I’m not completely happy with the zipper, which I wanted because we always have pets and cats like to bring up hairballs right where you don’t want them: In other words, the pillow cover NEEDS to be washable! But it’s more than serviceable. I’ve made a pillow form for the crazy quilted pillow I posted about ages ago, and now I just need to attack it with the black backing, black zipper and the same book. I figure by the time I get to the models, I’ll have enough stitched that I’m not QUITE so terrified any more.
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12.14.09
Posted in GoldenCircleDesigns.com at 5:51 pm by deRomilly
You remember a few months ago, when I said that when the Universe yells at you, you should listen? Well, I tried, really I did. I started focusing on cleaning the studio. I even found a patch of floor that I didn’t know I had. The shelves are still falling over, though, because they need to be emptied before I can fix them… and and and…well, things got busy. We had a software release at work, then there was the new beta to get started on, and Thanksgiving, and friends who wanted to see me before I die, and my father, who also wants to see me before EITHER of us dies… and so on. I worked on designs. I worked on the studio. Sporadically. I didn’t get the first newsletter out, although it is mostly written.
Well. The first week in December the Universe got tired of my wimbling. It pulled out a two by four and smacked me over the head about not pursuing my dreams. You see, I think the universe really wants me to succeed in Art and Design, even when I would much rather pull the blanket up over my head and hide from the world.
That two-by-four? It’s called a layoff. Suddenly I have all the time in the world to focus on the business, getting this pile of designs I have finished ready for you wonderful folks to buy and stitch and love, and the book on how to design your own needlework done…
And then the day after, my Dora-kitten got sick. (OK, she’s four. But she’s still my kitten. And she features in the design book, so she’s even more special!) Very sick. Sick like “in the hospital for three days with kidney failure” sick. I’ve been spoon feeding her, running her to the doctor, and trying to keep her warm in a cold house ever since (they shaved her for an ultrasound). In true family fashion, they know what’s wrong, but they can’t figure out WHY.
But you know? Through it all, I’ve managed to get my butt in gear, edit another chapter of the book, almost finish the model stitching for the snowflake pattern (Which means, that if you want it at the pre-release pdf price before the model is done and in the pattern shop, you should order it now at the Snowflake Mat pattern page! It’s an instant download, and the individual snowflakes make for great quick ornaments/gift tags!)
In addition, I put several of my beaded chatelaines on Etsy for last-minute gifts. If you’re within the US and want them by Christmas, I know I can get them there if they’re ordered by Friday the 18. I can’t guarantee if they’re ordered by Monday, but I’m sure there’s a pretty good chance they’d still make it. 
So. The Universe is calling. And I’m making an attempt to answer it. Now if it would stop throwing sick cats at me in between steps… !
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10.13.09
Posted in General at 3:21 pm by deRomilly
And raring to go. The workshop was a glorious success. I learned a lot about sacred dance traditions from Artemis Mourat. Want MOOORE!!! And Donna Mejia is a wonderful teacher that had me feeling like I was back in my old college professional dance classes. Yeouch. Talk about sore! I set off my clicking hip for the rest of the vacation, which wasn’t very fun, though. Chelydra‘s Mood Swings class took one simple combination and demonstrated how to tweak it to perform in different moods – subtly smoldering, smoldering, “perky”, and er… “cute.”
The show was a hit. Beach Blanket Beledi is never an “ordinary” bellydance/raks sharki, orientale dance show. The only rule of the workshop/show is “have fun” and I can verify that everyone I met there was following that rule to the letter. I can’t reveal details yet, as we’re doing the routine again at Blue Moon‘s Haflaween in two weeks. Then I’ll make sure to get pictures and share. 
At breakfast on Sunday the rest of the troupe apparently were told multiple times that if we put out a dvd they’d buy it. I was VERY glad that I had ordered the dvd of the class and show. Looking forward to getting it now.
Everyone’s performances were beautiful. And so much fun.
And I’m almost done with the model for a new square geometric pillow design for Golden Circle Designs… So look for that being available in the next month or so. I’m trying to remind myself that model stitching counts as work, so even though I didn’t open the computer all weekend, I still accomplished stuff. Much stuff, actually. And I got home to find the fabric for a Winter mat model waiting for me, so I’d better get stitching on that, too!
I promise to sit down and pull together actual stitching or dancing posts tonight or tomorrow. I’ll be back on a regular posting schedule soon!
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07.01.09
Posted in Giveaways at 7:00 am by deRomilly
Well, sort of. I mean, I’m announcing it on the first, and skipping the 4th, and drawing a name on the 13th. LOL But it encompasses Independence Day, so that’s what it is. I can do that. It’s my stash.
So what am I giving away? I’m celebrating the Grand Opening of Golden Circle Designs (read Monday’s blog post if you missed the Discount code…) And I’m still working on a plan for this whole thing.
Stash Giveaway!
The Stash
- 1 hand beaded, black and crystal chatelaine with 2 fobs.
- 2 9″X13″ pieces of Silkweaver hand-dyed evenweave fabric – perfect for ornaments.
- Assorted threads.
Edited: Picture added!!! I took a new one, even though I found the archived ones. That one was just of the chatelaine. Click the photo for a clearer shot!
Rules
Post a comment on this blog entry by July 12. I’ll randomize entries and have the EO draw a name on the 13th and will post and email winners by Tuesday, the 14th just to keep the Independence day theme by ending on Bastille Day?
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06.29.09
Posted in GoldenCircleDesigns.com at 7:00 am by deRomilly
Lucinda in the Rose Garden
The website for Golden Circle Designs, my needlework and art design company is now live!
I am very excited. Also very nervous. Most of these patterns had a previous life as printed charts back in 2000 when I first opened GCD. Then I went and moved cross country, got married, and life intervened – I never reopened in my new state. Until this year. It’s been a hard six months trying to get my ducks in a row to do this. But I’m very happy with the results.
Charts are all in pdf format, so if you order them, you’ll be able to download them as soon as your payment clears. This will let me keep my costs down — and yours, too. If you absolutely have to have a printed chart, please let me know. I hope to add them to the site in the next couple of months (no promises, though!) The cost will be slightly higher, however, to cover printing and packaging costs.
Currently there are items for sale in the patterns and the Accessories area. I’ll be adding more over the course of the summer, although some of the charts I have on the burners are still in the process of being test-stitched, so expect more jewelry first.
And as an Independence Day/Grand Opening present – use the code INDEPENDENCE in the checkout screen for a 10% discount on everything in your cart. This will be in effect until July 10.
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