| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 21 2005 : 3:07:52 PM
I have just been busy busy busy embroidering the past couple days..set my knitting aside and now I am busy with dishtowells and some pillow tops for gifts. I love to work on one type thing for awhile and then switch off and do another thing. I love the section on embroidery in THE big book..good ideas and inspiration. I want to do the vegetable band ones for me sometime...for now I have done several differnt "Aunt martha" iron on patterns for dishtowels to give relatives..there are some cute vintage looking ones. Any of the rest of you embroidering things for Christmas??
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 17 2006 : 12:23:35 PM
I'm going to Conn the last week of May to the first week of June, but after that, no big plans until Farm Fair. Oh, boy, a baby to spoil!!
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 17 2006 : 11:01:22 AM
You all let me know the date, and I'll be there! I am super-flexible timewise, except that I believe you'll need to plan on a couple of chairs for me after June - baby due in July!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 7:14:15 PM
Early June is better for me..we have a big pageant here in town and the kids and I are all in it every year..takes up TONS of time..but early June we just have practices that can be missed if needs be..the performances are the 18th and after I think this year.
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 6:40:53 PM
You got it! Let's plan a date -- summer? Sometime in June? What works for you Jenny? I have to plan ahead so I can save the money. I checked on Google today and it is 904 miles from my place to yours. So probably a 2 day drive.
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 5:37:45 PM
How fun...a farmgirl gathering right here...Libbie isnt' far..maybe she can come too! I love that idea!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 4:06:41 PM
Hey, I'll motor on down to Jenny's when you come, Kay, if she'll have me, and we'll all sit around, rock Mona's baby and embroider!
Come visit my Etsy store at www.chezPatricia.etsy.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 3:42:04 PM
That would be wonderful!! YOu are welcome here any old time!!! And Mona will be happy to see you too I am sure!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 2:20:18 PM
Jenny -- I am truly going to do that this summer! I've been wanting to make a road trip for so long. Maybe I can talk Missy into coming with me. Then we can also see Miss Mona's new baby -- if she ever has it! Then we could sit around and stitch.
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 11:13:59 AM
You will love it Kay...still wish you could just come on over here to Utah and embroider with me though!!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 10:29:41 AM
Just had to share I signed up for an embroidery class in March. Since I can't make it to Aunt Jenny to have her give me lessons I'll have to do learn from someone else. I just can't figure it out on my own!
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| owwlady |
Posted - Dec 12 2005 : 08:31:54 AM
The talent, the creativity, the energy, the generosity on these forums is incredible!! I wish I could spend a week with each and every one of you!!!!! Frannie and Jenny, what beautiful craft work. Keep the pictures coming, I get so inspired from them. |
| DaisyFarm |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 1:31:16 PM
You know Rachel, I never did get the hang of that rotary cutter thingy...I couldn't cut a square block to save my soul with it. I went back to good ole fashioned scissors and had much better luck. One thing I did invest in was two quilting rulers...a small and large that are marked off in 1/4" grids. They helped immensely and I even used them as I sewed to make sure the blocks were the size they were supposed to be as I went along and joined them all (hope that made sense!).
Have fun with your quilting...it's a great feeling of accomplishment to finish a one.
Di on VI
|
| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 11:31:54 AM
I am hard on myself! I know I have talent for writing but I'm trying to discover a "crafty" talent besides scrapbooking. I'm going to start trying to quilt again. I do have a rotary cutter and a mat and I still couldn't cut straight. But I did learn that the rotary cuttery is FABULOUS for clipping coupons! :) I fully intend to get over my fears and just do it. I don't want my quilts to be perfect anyway....I'm going for the primitive look anyway! Thanks for being encouraging! I appreciate it! |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 11:29:35 AM
chile' EVERYWOMAN has talents to give and talents to receive. think of all the incredible obstacles we've overcome over time. and i PROMISE you .. 'sewing' is on the 'easy' list! if you can find a creative woman near you who would be willing to be your 'mentor' .. to show you a few easy steps and tricks .. it will AMAZE you that 'creativity' really is a bigger percentage of desire and practice than it is of 'talent'.
we learned our abc's and our 123's .. we learned to ride a bike .. and bake a pie .. and as the old 'ad' used to say .. we've learned how to 'bring home the bacon ... fry it up in a pan' ... and many farmgirls have also learned how to raise and slaughter the pig it came from! ... and SO much more .. and i truly believe that there is just about NOTHING we women cannot accomplish if our heart is in it. sometimes it takes practice and the doing of ... over and over again ..
and i also believe we have to let that 'inner critic' take a hike! just like the 'little engine that could' .. if we huff and puff our way toward any goal (and i personally would change the word from 'think' to 'know' ... "i know i can .. i know i can" ... it is only a matter of time and practice before we have realized our goal.
there are so many Farmgirl Friends on this forum that has knowledge to share .. just ask away and you will get great tips and ideas, shortcuts and information to help you 'quilt' .. or anything else you wish to accomplish. xo, frannie
p.s. editing here .. i just read the other farmgirls' advice .. and i agree that you have to find what 'makes your heart sing' ... and if quilting is it .. you WILL be able to learn to be a fabulous quilter .. i think most creative people 'dabble' in this and that in the 'arts and crafts' world .. and one day .. they will just KNOW the direction they want to walk towards.
True Friends, Frannie |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 11:27:42 AM
Rachel, I've been sewing for over 40 years but have never quilted. I'm learning and my squares don't line up so great either. That's why I do rag edge quilts because things don't have to be so perfect! Do you have a rotary cutter and a mat? That is the best way to get your squares cut evenly. I have a beginning quilting book that I'd be happy to loan you. It shows how to line up your fabric, cut, etc.
I agree with Kathy -- take some time to discover what your outlet is. Maybe quilting isn't it. Sometimes you have to try several different things. I've realized that while I may want to quilt I'm not going to sit and do all the cutting and piecing it takes for some of the gorgeous quilts I've seen. So I'm going to stick to simple 9 patch or other things that will go quickly. I'm too impatient to spend a year making one quilt! That's where discovering your outlet comes in. I am a perfectionist when it comes to my sewing, which can be good, but sometimes you just have to relax and let the creative juices flow. I think that's why I'm having such a hard time with embroidery and doing the free hand stitching. My mind tells me it needs to be perfect and I just need to relax!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| Kathigene |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 11:03:37 AM
Rachel, I have no doubt that you have creativity but you just haven't discovered your "outlet" It might be words on a lined sheet of paper. Or it may be chalk on the side walk. Or your creativity may be quilting and your problem may be with your inner "critic" That awful person who rears up and tells you that what you are doing isn't good enough. I suggest that you go to the library or the book store and look for books on creativity and just let yourself go. Get colored pencils and pens and big big pads of paper and don't try to create anything, just have at it. Or start out with crayons and a coloring book. Or threads and scraps of material or yarn.
Your creativity muse is there, she is just hidden. Your inner critic may have been trying to kill her or your job may have forced you to bury her away. If you invite her out and don't put a lot of pressure on her, she will pop her head out. Maybe while you are cooking or gardening but she will come out if you make a loving atmosphere for her to grow in. Maybe she won't be award winning but I know you will nurture and enjoy her.
Kathy
Dogs make such good friends because they wag their tails rather then their tongues. |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 10:57:23 AM
Frannie and Jenny -- your things are sooooooo cute! I actually have a something that I traced onto muslin but my stitches just don't look so great. I'm trying hard to master a simple backstitch and it looks awful!!! Guess I need to come to Utah, stop by Patricia's for my first lesson then on to Jenny's for more. Plus I could see Mona! Maybe when Spring comes and the mountains aren't covered in snow! Wouldn't that be fun!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| RachelLeigh |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 08:30:50 AM
Oh whyyy can't I have talent??? Why why why?? I'm so sad. I see all these creative women and then I remember how I decided I was going to start quilting but gave up after I couldn't even cut my squares correctly. *sigh* :) |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 10 2005 : 07:03:05 AM
jenny .. your pillows are DELIGHTFUL!!!!!! thanks for sharing the pictures ...
(is that your PHONE i hear ringing?)
True Friends, Frannie |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 9:15:53 PM
Here are some pictures of some little gift pillows I stuffed tonight while watching "Scrooge" on video ( a REALLY old version) The "call your Mother" ones are for my 2 oldest sons
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| Judes |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 9:09:33 PM
...just wanted to add my favorite saying...as I'm feeling generous today. I've embroidered a few things with it, and use it on greeting cards too. And any baby born within an earshot of me gets something with this saying written on it.
"Hush my dear, lie still and slumber
Holy Angels guard thy bed.
Heavenly Blessings without number
Gently falling on thy head"
Judes
http://schoolstreet.typepad.com
www.jac.etsy.com |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 9:05:43 PM
cute Frannie!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 8:03:24 PM
while watching a movie on tv tonight, i scribbled out these two little Red Work .. 'letters to santa' with my left hand (i'm right-handed) so it would look like a child wrote it ... (on olde white 'sugar sacks') .. and added a red/white check border (was a vintage kitchen cloth) ... will put a 'red string or ribbon of some sort (wanna' find an olde one) through the top so they draw up and can be used as 'christmas stockings' for goodies.
True Friends, Frannie |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 6:23:13 PM
Stop in Salt Lake City on the way to Jenny and Stu and I will cook something special. Woo hoo!!
Patricia
Happy Wishes! |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 09 2005 : 2:26:38 PM
kay .. if you do the more 'primitive' embroidery .. it is such an easy thing to do .. there are pretty much 'no rules' and the more childlike .. the more dear! the stitches are all very simple .. just go to your library or local book store and get a book on 'stitches' ..
all you need is:
* an embroidery hoop ..
* an embroidery needle ..
* some cotton muslin or osnaberg ..
* a 'disappearing' marker (in the quilt or notions department of your local craft or
fabric store.
scribble (or print it on your computer in any 'font' you like ...
a 'saying' or tape a simple line drawing (even from a cute coloring book) to a window .. tape your fabric over it .. trace it .. and just start stitchin'!
let us all know how it comes out .. and ask away if you have any questions .. lots of stitchers on here to give great tips and techniques. xo, frannie
True Friends, Frannie |
