Catching Up!

It's been awhile since we chatted!

Let's see if I can remember how to do this.

 

First, thank you so much for all the kind comments, encouragement and support

regarding the closing of my business.

The main reason for my absence here has been the flurry of activity on my website.

Seems I spend the majority of my time filling, packing and shipping orders.

 

My husband and I also took a few days off to attend his 40th high school reunion and visit family and friends in Tennessee.  It was a delightful time!

 

Now, the temperatures are dropping, the leaves are changing, and my life is heading in new directions. 

There are still some orders to fill and merchandise to sell, but the website will soon be closing permanently.

 



Many of my sewing friends are busy packing their bags for Atlanta.  The 2012 Convention of the Smocking Arts Guild of America begins on Tuesday.  How I wish I could be in attendance with them.

I am certainly there in spirit, and anxious to hear their reports afterwards.

 

 

A small part of me is also there in this chatelaine.

I made and contributed it to the Delphi Heirloom Sewing and Smocking raffle basket.

The chatelaine, combined with a silk embroidered hussif, reticule, scissor case and handmade scissor fob, will be won by a lucky attendee!

Some of you may have already seen the photographs shared on Facebook or at HS&S.

The chatelaine is made of blue silk satin ribbon, woven through mother of pearl rings.  A pair of small embroidery scissors is looped on one end.  A ribbon pouch, embellished with seed pearls, can hold a thimble.  The silk strawberry, filled with emery, is for polishing needles.

A small mother of pearl heart-shaped button holds the ribbons together at center back.

The chatelaine can be draped around one's neck. 

I use mine mostly to just keep track of those small scissors on my often cluttered sewing surface!

It also comes in handy while sitting and stitching on a comfy couch or chair.  It is more difficult for everything to disappear among cushions and pillows, when they are all linked together!

 

 

The photograph prompted many inquiries and requests for additional chatelaine instructions and information.  I thought I would share a few similar chatelaines and sewing accessories I have made over the years. 

The chatelaine above was made and donated to the Wee Care raffle basket during the 2004 SAGA Convention.

This particular chatelaine included hand embroidery on the ivory silk satin ribbons.  A small pincushion and more elaborate ribbon thimble pouch were also included.

Another SAGA member generously donated various decorative sewing tools.  They, and the strawberry and pincushion, were attached to the chatelaine after this photograph was taken.

 

This is a chatelaine I made for myself several years ago.

 

 

While perusing photographs, in search of chatelaines, I stumbled upon this silk ribbon embroidered mouse pincushion!  She was made and contributed to the Wee Care raffle basket for the 2005 SAGA Convention.

 

 

I also rediscovered this pincushion and emery strawberry.  They were made to coordinate with a pair of Gingher designer embroidery scissors, and given as a gift.

 

It is so much fun to make these sewing accessories, whether you keep them for yourself or share the joy with others.

 

None of these ideas, for the chatelaine, pincushions, strawberries or thimble pouches, are necessarily original.  I have taken ideas from a variety of sources, and fitted them for specific persons or events.

Due to the many requests, I will try to soon share basic instructions or resources for making some of your own.

 

In the meantime, happy stitching -- whether in the solitude of your own home or sewing room, or while gathered with fellow sewing sisters!

 

Spit!

Yesterday's agenda included embellishing and monogramming a few burp cloths for a sweet new baby.  As the day unfolded, it became the only thing on the agenda.  During several moments, I was the one doing some serious spitting, sputtering and fuming!

It has been awhile since I used the embroidery feature of my sewing machine, and it evidently decided to teach me a thing or two.  Or, at least test my patience.

I am not one to upgrade each time a new machine is introduced.  My Husqvarna Viking Designer I still uses those obsolete things called floppy disks to transfer the design from the computer to the machine.  That means plugging an external disk drive into the computer, since my computer no longer even accepts floppy disks.  We evidently replace computers more often than sewing machines around here!

After finally getting everything set up, or so I thought, all I received were error messages. 

The thought occurred to read the instructions.  Maybe I had forgotten some important step.

After digging through my sewing room, finding many other treasures in the process, I ultimately found the user's guide to my embroidery software. 

No enlightment there.

A call to my dealer provided no clues, either.

Except to shell out several hundred dollars for new software.

No, I don't think so.

The search for the user's guide also provided the embroidery software CD.

At that point, what did I have to lose?

I decided to remove the software from my computer, and reinstall it.

Don't ask me why, but it worked!

It only took six hours, five cans of Diet Coke (the sixth drink, if needed, would definitely have been something much stronger), one bag of Ghirardelli Sea Salt Soiree dark chocolate squares, and two broken fingernails.
But, the monogram was finally transferred to a floppy and headed toward my machine!

In the end, there are three monogrammed burp cloths!

Today, I am off to one of my least favorite destinations:  the dentist.

I actually like my dentist and all his office staff.  They are almost like family. 

I am just not fond of the pain sometimes incurred.

After yesterday, I am thinking a day of drilling is nothing.

I am pretty sure no fingernails will be broken while sitting in a chair.

And please, let's just keep my Diet Coke and chocolate addiction between us.

That is not something he really needs to hear.

May your Wednesday be wonderful!

Have Iron, Will Travel

Last week, I received a package from a sewing friend.

Upon first glance, I thought it was a very cute tote.

Then, I realized it had a specific purpose.

It is an iron caddy!

You know all those times that you need to take an iron to a sewing class, stitching retreat or

guild workshop?

Your iron fits safely inside the padded tote, when buttoned.

As each side is unbuttoned,

it becomes your own portable ironing pad!

The inside features silver heat resistant fabric.

Pretty darn nifty!

She used the pattern found here, which can also be ordered in sizes to accommodate smaller craft and travel irons. 

If your sewing area and iron share space in multi-purpose rooms, it would also be a great place to keep your iron safely tucked away. 

I think my friend may have known the colors of my sewing room, as this one coordinates so well.  I may let my iron live in it, even when not traveling!

The sweet ladybug buttons hold a special meaning to our friendship.

Sewing friends and surprises are such a blessing!