the Fog is coming in . . .

The end of December I did a blog post about fog. I come form a valley that was perpetually filled with fog for several months from late Fall thru Winter and into early Spring.  My favorite Etsy Team has a monthly challenge and I  participated with that post.  I further challenged myself to do an art piece about fog. 

Just thought you might enjoy an update on the project not finished yet:

I am in process . . . I found a picture that I thought would lend itself to an embroidery design and dove right in.  It involves embroidery floss with subtle shade gradations. I don't know if you can actually see the different gradations in my picture but they are necessary to rightly depict the fog.  This design will obviously be monochromatic in the end, with shades of gray, although there are pale shades of tan also.  Wish me luck on the completed project!

What are you trying that is a new process for you?

Linking with Create-with-Joy's Inspire me Monday link party!  (I'm on the second page--popular linky!)

The Making of an Apron

Apron sales at my wholesale buyer's store (previous post) are still booming!  Currently I have a special order for some monkey fabric aprons for mom and child.  Should be a fun project!

Thought I would share a bit of the making of my aprons.  Since they are my own design and because I exclusively sell them wholesale at this time, I will not share the pattern.  At the end of this post, I will share a picture of my latest design for the celebration of the store's anniversary.

The buyer and I pick the fabrics together,  then the pocket material is sent out to be embroidered.  In the mean time, I sew up the aprons; here a mother and daughter set, without pockets.

When I get the pocket material back I finish the pocket, making sure that it is lined, protecting the embroidery.

Next after attachment of the pocket, I add the straps.  I usually use cotton webbing, so I apply fray check to all the cut edges.  Since they have to dry, they are secured with a pin on a thread spool for air drying.

 I add D-Rings:

A finished apron:

I add my custom tag designed exclusively for my buyer. (I also add my company iron-on tag on the inside of the apron.)

The ones you see here have gone to the shop and some are already sold!

Now, besides the afore mentioned special order, I am working on the aprons for their anniversary sale--a new design! If you have seen the previous post or know about Bob's Red Mill, you know that their brand color is red!  And since they sell grains, this fun design is what we have come up with for the anniversary!

Wheat grains and Red dots half apron

Sew . . . what have you been up to lately? 

Book Review!

I rarely do book reviews, but I found this little book by Aimee Ray called Doodle-Stitching and I just knew I had to recommend it if you like hand embroidery as much as I do! The sub title is "Fresh & Fun Embroidery for Beginners".  If you've not tried embroidery, this is the starting point for you!

I do hand embroidery in the evenings when I am sitting in my easy chair catching the news or my favorite TV show.  I have a basket beside my chair with my latest project in it.  I also keep a plastic container with all my embroidery threads and my embroidery scissors handy on the end table.   It only takes a few minutes time to sew a cute little design when you are set and ready!

Samples by Aimee Ray from her blog 

The reason I like Aimee's book is that it is simple!  It shows you how to start, using your own doodling designs.  She has a neat stitch library and shows you the stitches in the plainest way that I have ever seen!  Some books can make their stitch descriptions and illustrations soooooo confusing, but not this book! She explains  the split stitch, back stitch, stem stitch, chain stitch and many more! If you just knew these few, you would be well on your way to pretty embroidery!

Another reason I like and recommend this book is that it is contemporary and not stuffy!  It allows for current design--your design! If you are a doodler or like to design, you will love taking your images to the next level of creativity!

my own work available in my Etsy shop

The third reason that I recommend this book is that Aimee is a fellow Etsyian!!  Yay!  Be sure to visit Aimee's Etsy shop here.

Doodle-Stitching was published in 2007 by Lark Crafts, An imprint of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. of New York.  I am sure you could obtain a copy on Amazon or another online site.

Year in Review

As part of my reevaluating process, that usually takes most of January for me, I have been reviewing my blog posts for last year.  I find that I have a few favorites and from looking at the stats, I see that they might have been your favorites too!  I have chosen one from each month for review!  Enjoy! (And keep going--there is something extremely cute at the end!)

January 

Studio Guest!

I often house sit for a friend who has a huge sewing studio!  Lots of space with three machines, a light table, cutting table etc.  If you love studios, you will love all the pictures here!  I love it, and will be house sitting again for her in a few days!

February

At the urging of a blogger friend, I decided to tell the story behind my shop avatar. It got lots of views!

March

March was  a big blogging month if your views were any indication!  It was hard to choose since many of my posts were popular--the BBA challenge Part 1 and Part 2, the Goodbye Winter post about our local river stroll, and the Shamrock Charity Run, but I chose one post about my Sew Expo Perspective, since I did several posts on this subject and all had lots of views and comments!

Sew Expo in Puyallup Washington

April 

With the start of spring and an April Easter Sunday, I had the urge to make something new.  Sew . . . I made a new Crayon Roll-up from some fabric that is still my favorite!  Oh . . . and there was a cute post about my future crafter granddaughter Vivienne: Vivi's Pins

Favorite fabric for a roll-up!

May

May is for Mother, right? I did a post of an old vintage picture that I found of what I think is my own mother!
I also celebrated my 500th post!  Yay!  But my pick for this month was about hand embroidery, since I love and appreciate the handmade quality of it over machine embroidery.

Embroidery enhanced Cell phone case

June

In June, there were graduations, birthdays, softball, fun runs, and Father's Day!
I did a series of posts, four in all, on "Got Creativity?" Actually started them the 29th of May, but finished the series in June. Links can be found on one of the home page tabs at the top of my homepage. 

Trying something new-- get creative!

July

Summer hit and I was out doing a summer craft fair with my granddaughter! I was also involved with creating a new line of aprons for a local merchant with a relationship that started back in May. It kept me busy for the remainder of the year.

August

Not much bloggin' in August--to HOT and had vacation fever!!  But I did introduce a new line of products! Children's tote bags! 

Kid Sized!

September

Still had a little vacation fever, and went on a little trip to visit a local volcano: Mt Saint Helens.  Posted pictures of our trip.  I blogged about National Sewing Month, my patio garden, and my broken sewing machine! 

Trail head sign on Mt Saint Helens

October 

In October I became a grandmother--again, with the birth of our 26th grandchild!  Yay!  Most of the month was taken up with that, and not much blogging.  Here's a current picture of Gideon!

Doesn't that smile just melt ya?

November - December  

November was full, with the start of the holiday season, with craft shows, Thanksgiving and family  celebrations, and a yo yo tutorial.  Right after Thanksgiving, I started a "30 days of Christmas Fun" Series with lots of ideas.  Here's one that got lots of raves!  My cute little scrappy snowman pillow!

Hope you enjoyed my review and will visit some of the year's posts that interest you! 
On to a New Year of Fun and Creativity!

Broken Sewing Machine!

It's National Sewing Month and my sewing machine finally "bit the dust"! It had a good long life; I've had it since about 1979.  I gave away my sewing machine kitty (designated savings) to a family that was short on rent money, due to a lost job.  (They have since gotten back on their feet! Yay!)  I did a side job, but will not be paid for about 30-45 days.  So what does a textile artist do besides the mending?  Well. . . .

 There is more to sewing than a sewing machine. 



Sew up a pretty broach with scraps by pruittcreations



Get out the floss!  Embroidered Art Hoop by pruittcreations

Or grab your scissors and some fabric scraps and make yo yos!!!


Yo yo tree wall hanging that I am working on for Christmas



Embroidery accents sewn on

It's fun and creative! And it's what I am doing lately,

until I get a new machine :)  



Summer Lovin'

The Blogging Business Artisans have a monthly challenge.  The July Challenge  by Jenny of A Bird in the Hand Art is about Summer Lovin'.  We were to do anything summer-related, love-related, GREASE (the movie) related.  I did a Grease post on Friday that you might like to see, but knew that I needed to come up with a completed project.

I finally came up with a new pillow cover design for my primitive wholesale line.  It sports quilted lace trimmed hearts on a muslin background.

I have embroidered some little french knots and a dashed outline stitch around the perimeter.  The muslin was then frayed for the primitive look and attached to a homespun fabric.  

The pillow cover is finished with buttons for easy closure from either end.

This pillow will be offered as part of my wholesale line for primitive ad country shops.  Wish me luck!

 Other team members' challenge pieces can be seen in this BBA post.    

Please visit. Thanks!

Got Creative Correctness?

(Part two of my Got Creativity? series.  First article here. )

Do you feel that you must have your creations turn out exactly like you envision?  And absolutely with the correct techniques you are attempting?  Let me tell you, correctness is a killer!  There is an old saying that you need to remember, if you are in the afore mentioned state.  And this statement is not currently politically correct, either!  Remember:  "There is more than one way to skin a cat!" (I think this saying originated with hunters and they were referring to a polecat!)  Maybe a more politically correct saying that conveys the thought would be: "There is more than one way to get to Chicago." tee hee!

Just because a pattern, that you might be using, says that you must do the procedure one way, doesn't mean that it is the only way to complete the task! Honestly, if it were, there wouldn't be a plethora of craft/sewing books available that tell you how to approach it!  Let yourself go, try your craft like it feels right to you! Throw the rules out the window, just come up with a finished product that is pleasing and sound.  You will be invigorated, refreshed and motivated to move ahead with further creativity!  So what if you don't like the first attempt?  It's OK.  Try it again!  Remember Rule one: Stick-to-itiveness.  We talked about this in part one of this series)

Here's my example:  I first started with embroidery art hoops using just a line style and one color:

Next I tried filling in the design and came up with this which I am sure is not correct technique and, by-the-way, not one of may favorites pieces:

Next I tried some different techniques including a couching technique (on the grasses--enlarge and look closer) and came up with something that I do like:

Practice makes perfict . . . I mean perfect!!  Keep at it and don't let correctness stand in your way nor let it derail and stall you!

On to more creativity tomorrow!!!

Nature Inspiration

My favorite Etsy team, Blogging Business Artisans, hosts a monthly challenge.  Team Member Sharla of beadedtail.etsy.com  has challenged us this month with:  "Your challenge is to incorporate your favorite inspiration into a project of your choice."

I always look to nature for my inspiration.  For me, just one look out my window into the tree tops is restful, calming and invigorating! It takes my mind away from the mundane and transports me into the infinite possibilities.  Ever really looked at a tree branch?  In one tree, there is a myriad of ways that the limbs and leaves attach to the branches, never to be redone in that exact same way again.  Ultimate creativity! And you thought a snowflake was really something!!!

So, I took my inspiration from the tree and created nothing as elaborate as God can create, but a tree none-the-less, a simple one!

 
This is my embroidered tree on muslin and homespun.  It's a button down pillow cover.  This is the first in my line of primitive country products for wholesale only.  Not available in my Etsy shop, at least not at this point in time. 

Thanks Blogging Business Artisans for the monthly challenge!  It keeps me creating!!!
P.S.  Visit  the blog link between the 26th and the end of each month to see what other members are creating and find out more about our team!

Embroidery Embellishment

Coin Purse by PruittDesign

Lately, I am really enjoying embroidery.  I haven't really sold many of my embroidered art hoops, but I still enjoy embroidery in the evening; it's relaxing.  This weekend I was making a batch of zipper pouches for an upcoming craft show, when I was inspired to put embroidery on one of them.  It turned out pretty cute and I was pleased.  Apparently several Etsians were too, because it got several fave's in the first few hours that it was listed! 

I am wanting to do more elaborate designs, especially in conjunction with ribbon embroidery, crazy quilting and embellishing with beads.  I have done this before, even have a couple of items in my shop with crazy quilting (including this brooch that is clearance priced!)


Crazy Quilt Brooch by PruittCreations

but . . . I haven't done enought of it to suit me! One of my goals for 2012 involves being more extravagant.
So you can see what I am talking about, I have found a couple of Etsy items that I really like that utilize these techniques. 


Victorian Pillow by Kittyandme



Phone Pouch by HummingNeedles

And then there is my very favorite, Waterrose.  I like most everything that she embellishes, so do over 11,000 Etsy admirers!

Hydrangea Bridal Cuff by Waterrose

Hope this inspires you, like it does me, on to newer projects and different techniques! 
What are you longing to try?  Anything extravagant?

Studio Guest

This week and part of next, I am a "studio guest."  I get to work in my friend's studio!

I've been "going on and on" to my Etsy team buddies about my current house sitting and pet sitting for my friend who has a large sewing studio in her home!  I get to use it when I am here and so I thought I would show why I have been talking so much about it!  You must remember, my "studio" is in a one bedroom apartment that utilizes part of my bedroom for the sewing machine; the kitchen table for the serger when it is not set for dining; and an ironing board in front of my living room easy chair for fabric cutting and embroidery handwork supplies (not to mention ironing and pressing!)  Thus, I love creating when there is soooooo much room!  Enjoy your tour of my friend's craft room:

There is a large home made light table that my friend uses for tracing patterns for rug hooking. (That's her work on the wall above the table!)  I imagine using  the table for photography!  In the corner is a storage chest and the ironing board.

Sewing/Quilting machine and serger (hard to see in this picture) near the window for natural light and more storage!

Another shot of the sewing machine and the embroidery machine next to it.  Beyond the machines are the fireplace, love seat (with sleeping black cat, Griffey) and the reading/library area.

Another shot of the library shelves and reading area.

View from the reading area showing, from left to right, the serger, sewing machine and embroidery machine . . .  and MORE storage! (I never touch the embroidery machine!  It's too complicated for me!)

And back around to the large cutting table and MORE storage!

So . . . how do you like that!  Drooling yet?

BBA Challenge!

I belong to an awesome team on Etsy.  Although it's members are blogger friends that I have enjoyed meeting over the three plus years that I have been blogging.  It is a new team; Blogging Business Artisans support one another, and they host a monthly challenge.  This first Challenge is hosted by Deb of Storybeader because she was always wanting to try new projects but she stressed about where to find the time.  So this Challenge is to set aside time to work on a new project we haven't tried before.  It could be within our field of expertise, but doesn't have to be.

I do a variety of crafts, i.e. sewing, paper crafts, beading, etc.  I get bored doing the same things, so I had a hard time trying to pick something for this challenge.  After thinking about it, I decided to pick a technique that I have been wanting to try, but hadn't had the time.  I love embroidery and have tried ribbon embroidery and floss hand embroidery.  But I had never tried to do a technique called 'couching.'  This technique takes a cording, yarn or thread, and drapes it across the fabric in a desired position then adheres it with another stitch.  It can be done on a machine with a zig zag stitch, but I first tried it on my hand embroidered art hoops.

I recently hand embroidered this hooded oriole which is native to Southern Texas waterways.  I thought that the overall look of the hoop was a bit stark.  So I decided to try the couching method to add a background of reeds.







After choosing two types and colors of threads, I  draped them across the hoop to decide where I wanted them.

I sewed them thru the hoop fabric at each end of the desired length for each "reed."  You can see some, in this next photo, are loose from the design and present a shadow on the fabric.  Next, I sewed them down using a thin thread.  You can see some reeds completed and some not completed in this next photo.

The couching technique has provided some texture and dimension to my hoop, besides completing my project, don't you think? And it is just so much more fun than machine embroidery, I think!  (This art hoop and others available in my Etsy shop.)

Please visit the BBA blog to see what projects the other members have attempted for this Challenge!  Thanks!