Thursday, July 28, 2011

Wow! Practically the whole month without an entry but I guess I have been gone a lot and haven't had much time to do other laces.

I started this during our last bobbin lace session and then finished it this week. I didn't have my instructions with me and had to wing it. The wings are a little different but until I find my instructions, I won't know why. Even so, I was encouraged by the fact that I could come up with something that worked.

I've been debating between working through the new book I got and venturing out on my own. I suppose I could do a bit of both if I ever get my other pillows workable. Other than taking my cat to the vet tomorrow, I don't have anything specific planned so that might be a good time to make the cover for my new pillow, finish my roller pillow and maybe, just maybe, finish the travel roller pillow.

I also want to do more embroidery and needle lace. It's already near the beginning of August, the 8th month of the year. WHERE has the time gone???

I've got so many entries to make in my Lucky Find blog too.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

I found the pattern for this Fat Cat on the DMC Threads Blog last summer and have been itching to stitch him ever since. So, on impulse, I started him earlier this week and was enjoying it up until last night. It just wasn't turning out as pleasing as I hoped and you know how you kind of lose interest in a project when that happens?

I finished the embroidery last night and damp-stretched it, hoping the removal of blue transfer lines and a smooth finish would help but instead, it just seems very amateurish. Everything is a learning experience though. I did not use embroidery floss. I was using the thread I typically tat with which was laying all around me. So it was an experiment with thread and with stitches. I did pretty much follow the suggested stitches but I would like to do one now with specific colors and with embroidery floss. I have plenty so there's no reason not to.

I reduced the pattern to a small size, less than half the original. I still like the smaller size and will probably use that again. I will also use a color scheme and shake the stitch type up a little. I messed up on the tail. I messed up on the whiskers. I couldn't get the double stitch cross stitch right so changed to French Knots. The blue transfer pen I use really makes the lines too big. I might use a different method to transfer the pattern next time. I'd also like to add some beads and maybe couch a few fancy threads down. I might use a different colored background too instead of white. It does look better in person than the photo.

This is my roller pillow in process. The bolster was something I made for something else but then I remembered it seemed the same size so I dropped it in. I'm debating on whether to unstaple the velvet and add more padding or just continue from here. I really wanted a bolster on a dowel and didn't realize until we had the class that it wouldn't be. Still...it's the only roller pillow I have so I should get it done.

Here's the cookie pillow I bought last week....just need to cover it, hopefully sometime this weekend.