My New Ort Bags

I have been using my new Purple Travelling Bag of sewing accessories to take a project with me when I leave the house. I always have something that I can do with those random moments when I am waiting or between tasks. I was able to find a tool set to add to my kit that seemed to be just the right thing. The Donna Dewberry 12 in 1 tool even came in purple. It seemed that it was "meant" to be (or at least I could justify the purchase).

But taking this kit with me to work and waiting rooms, I knew I was still missing a vital component. What could I be missing, you ask? The answer is an ort bag. What is an ort, you ask?  Meriam-Webster defines ort as a noun that came into being around 1500 A.D. that means "scrap" but I personally like the definition that can be found at Needle Orts.com. 

Everywhere I go I am looking for a place to put the little left over pieces of thread. I haven't been keeping them but rather just throwing them in the trash. I have changed my mind, however, because in addition to the tidiness issue there have been several times when I needed a piece of thread for just a stitch or two. I've also heard suggestions that the thread pieces can be used to create new fabric, fill a clear ornament and be used in tassels.

What to do with these thread pieces is not a new problem.  Needleworkers have always faced this dilemna and there have been some creative solutions proposed. Mary Corbet at Needle'nThread has a cute blog entry about those pesky pieces that I enjoyed reading. I was able to find a popular style of ort bag from The Scarlet Thread, and Merriment Design. I also found some for sale at and Embroidery.com and at Nordic Needle available for around $20. 

Triangular Thread Catcher or Ort Bag

But it was the Triangular Thread Catcher at Needling Things that I knew I had to make.  I saw a picture of this on the Internet and it was my friends at StitchMap that located the tutorial.  I made two of them this afternoon.  The instructions were clear and easy to follow.  I think that this may have been one of the easier sewing projects I have done. It was also very appealing in that I could make one to match my new Purple Travelling Bag.

I have to laugh.  I am remembering a discussion on a newsgroup a few years ago where the name for these left over pieces of thread was a topic for debate.  We had our "Ort" camp but there were also some "Snippet" followers.  Humorously we agreed, that at least for a little while and among ourselves, they would be known as Snorts!

CQ2012 January's Block

I am so excited.  I feel like a kid who has just learned to ride a bicycle with no hands!  Can you hear me saying, "look at me"?  What is all the fuss about?  I finished my first block for the CQJP2012 project.  A thank you to StitchMAP for the CQ class that made it possible for me to think I could actually do Crazy Quilting.

CQJP2012 January



Fan Close Up

 I really had fun with this project.  It started out slow.  I found the fan picture on Hoop Love Vintage Transfers. I used tissue paper to transfer the design.  It worked very well.  I used DMC regular 6 strand cotton embroidery floss.  What was so fun is that I experimented a little with Long and Short Stitch on the flowers.  Mary Corbet has a tutorial for the stitch which I had participated in last year.  Also, I have to admit, that I have purchased Trish Burr's book, "Needle Painting Embroidery"  It was such an excellent book that I had to also order  Colour Confidence in Embroidery.  I am still going through these books. I have no doubt they will be important resources for me.

Silk Ribbon Flowers Close Up



After the fan, I used Buttonhole Stitch to applique the lace rose. Because the 12 blocks in the project are destined to become a pair of pillow shams, I have imposed some limits.  I don't want a lot of beads or buttons because the piece will need to be washable.  Also, I'm pretty sure they would not be comfortable.  I originally thought the same about silk ribbon embroidery, but this corner kept calling out to me.  It wanted some silk ribbon flowers and I was hoping to duplicate the flowers in my center piece fabric.  My picture is a little blurry, but how do you think I did?  It is only my second time using ribbon.  These ribbons are actually organza ribbons that I purchased on e-Bay.  That's where I also purchased a laying tool made of bone.  It really does help to keep your ribbon unbunched and full.


The seam treatments were fun. The Buttonhole Wheels were transferred from a pattern by Kathy Shaw.  You can find more information about her book Embellishing Crazy Quilts which contains these templates on her blog, Shawkl. I used waste canvas on the Herringbone Stitch and the Fly Stitch seams.  Kerry Katie Cakes has a nice tutorial on using waste canvas on your crazy quilt block.  She uses it to apply an image.  I used it to build even seams. I first saw the idea on the blog, Kitty and Me Designs.  Pam Kellogg, blog owner, has put together two e-books on seam treatments that are on my wish list. I follow her on Pinterest because I love her work! 

Here is one last look at the block.




Another look at CQJP 2012 January

 

Lagoon Day 07/23/2011

07/23/11 was my annual work sponsored day at out local amusement park, Lagoon.  A summer day spent at Lagoon was the season's treat for me as a child and I know my daughter feels the same way.  This year she was able to treat her friend and her aunt.  It was much anticipated and the three of them had a great time.  I was the tag along adult who was only there for the money and the access I could provide.  It is quite alright and understandable that my thirteen year old didn't want to hang out with Mom!  In fact, I didn't want to hang out with her.  I had abdominal surgery a little over a month ago and knew I wasn't up to their youthful exuberance.



Antique Shoe Collection



I planned a day of stitching.  I had been teasing my co-workers for a week that I planned on setting up a craft station and getting some cross stitch done.  Sure enough, Saturday morning dawned.  I packed a cooler with soda, sandwich makings and grapes.  We had a bag of water bottles, sun screen, chapstick and wipes.  I took care of my special supply bag.

 

Hat Collage



It consisted of my Z Frame Table Stand with Clamp, my clip on magnifier, my pattern holder and a table model magnifier and battery operated light. I had my project, my needlebook, my floss ring. The floss ring contains the embroidery floss for the entire project separated into baggies labelled with the floss number and color.  I had my seam ripper and my scissors.  I also had approximately 10 hours to get some marathon stitching in.

  

After the tickets were bought and we entered the park it was quite a hike to the reserved pavilion. Once there we agreed on a check in time and the kids were off on their adventure.  I set up my work station.  Those of you who followed my earlier blog know that I have a 3 piece project that I am working for my daughter.  It is the Hat Collage, Purse Collection and Antique Shoe Collection.  The Hat Collage is done and I am currently working on the Purse Collection.



Purse Collection

I haven't had much time for it lately, so I enthusiastically started stitching.  Almost immediately, I noticed a young girl watching me.  She started inching closer and closer.  I smiled at her encouragingly.  She wasn't paying any attention to her family which was setting up lunch but she was watching every move I made. 

After a few more minutes, I asked her if she wanted to see what I was doing. Alexandria was taking it all in and asking questions.  I am working the project on 18 count Aida fabric, so I showed her how she could look in the magnifying glass and see the holes in the fabric.  She wanted to know if the needles were sharp so I showed her one of the tapestry needles and explained since I didn't have to make holes in the fabric I didn't need a sharp needle.  She asked how I could make the picture and I explained that I made a cross stitch on every square and the pattern told me what color to put there.  I had to let her see the pattern too.  It was also being magnified.  Alexandria and her family came back to the rest area several times and each time she came back she watched me just as carefully and wanted to know my progress.

Throughout the day, I had several adults ask to see what I was working on.  Some commented on the magnifying glasses.  Some commented on how much work it was.  A couple wanted to know if I thought my daughter would appreciate the work.  It was good for a laugh and one answered her own question by saying she probably would not appreciate the work at least until she had made one of her own.

The fun was the kids.  One little boy kept asking me if I wanted a skittle so he could watch me.  He asked me if I was an artist. I told him that some people might call me an artist, but what I really was is a needleworker.  Another young man exclaimed, "Wow, you are so good!"  I think the high point was when a young lady, probably around 10 years old, came in and said "That's cool!" She was very excited and I told her all about the process too.

This picture shows what I was able to accomplish in approximately 10 hours of marathon stitching.  I thought I would get more done, but I am happy with the work. I especially like the handkerchief that is falling out of the purse.  I have some plans to make some of these.

Purse Collection 07/24/11

This picture shows the current progress on the piece. 

 
It was a very good Lagoon Day!

Still More Butterflies

I am done with the Butterfly Bookmarks.  I have to admit that they did turn out very nice. Turn out is a good phrase for what I've done.  I have a set of 5 and so does my daughter.  I have 10 of them to contribute to the Arts and Craft Auction for United Way.  I have also given out so many that I forgot to count them.  Here's a photo of 5 in all the colors that I used.




Butterfly Set


The tassels are what put the finishing touch on these.  I used some of the cotton thread and added various ribbons that I had on hand. I picked up a tassel tool a long time ago and decided it was time to make the investment pay.  I don't remember how much I spent on it as I am sure it came from a Yard Sale of Thrift Store. I wouldn't call it a necessity, but it was fun.  Here is a picture of it.




Trim-It, a Tassel Tool


I was curious about the tool and did a search. I did not find this tool but I did find Crystalites Tassel Tool, Tassel Master,  and Tasselitt.

There was also an interesting Tassel Making Primer at Pretty Impressive Stuff. Did you know that you can make beautiful tassels out of fringe and cord?

The tassel makes the bookmark, well the word that comes to mind is flutter by.  This is a term that has been coined by Kelly Fletcher on her blog, Materialistic - A Blog about Stitching on a series of free butterfly designs for surface embroidery.  I love her work.  This is her 3rd set of patterns.  She has already released Jacobean Leaves and Bloomin' Marvelous.

While we are talking about butterfly patterns, I wanted to mention that last week I saw an e-Bay listing for the Butterfly Shade Pull that I listed in a previous post. I recognized the graphic used as it was taken right off the web site.  It had a minimum bid of $4.95 and free shipping.  I wonder how many times this seller has charged someone $5 to provide them with this link.  I think this is shameful!  I know that it is important to be an educated consumer, especially in a forum such as e-Bay.

I have put away this project.  The The Trim-It tool is in the sewing tool box.  The scissors, hooks and remaining threads and ribbon have been put away. BTW - I used 5 full skeins of #10 crochet thread. Now it is time to move ahead to the next project which is a CQ crochet case.

During the Basic CQ class hosted by StitchMap, I made two extra pieced blocks.  I have seamed them together.  Once I have finished embellishing them, I plan to make a crochet case.  Here is a photo of them as they are now:

Nearly Naked CQ Crochet Case