I work every day, including weekends. Long gone are the days when I looked forward to the weekend for rest and respite from a 9-5 job. Sometimes I get nostalgic for that feeling, but not for the 9-5, not at all. I traded a regular paycheck for a feast-or-famine income, and I work harder than I ever have before, but I cling fast to my chosen path because it gives me an irresistible reason to face each day.

Sunday stitching. Little pretty things. A brooch, and a mini art quilt.

And some brushstrokes.

And a new week begins.


 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Yesterday went by without me noticing, and I missed my Monday blog post. I felt strangely rudderless. Everything was frozen, and I don't just mean the weather. By evening, I pushed myself; there are things that have to be done and giving in to lethargy has to be temporary (yes, I do give in a little). I made a list of very important things that have to be done this month, put it aside, and decorated some textile fish that I had made a while back.
Baby steps.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 One day, in a fit of laziness, I bought a package of pre-cut duck canvas for ATCs by 7gypsies. In my book, it's laziness because I have some canvas and scissors, and could have (usually do) made my own backgrounds.

Anyway, I've been using them. Two layers of canvas stitched together before embellishing. The resin bird is from Stampdiva.

The bluebird of happiness!

My Funny Valentine

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 A piece from a cutter quilt, a needle and thread, a button or three. And don't forget the thimble.

 
Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 I finished the last item of my waxy painting project today, just as I intended. In all, six paintings. Now they have to be wrapped, packaged and mailed. I'll think about that tomorrow!

Sneak peek of the final piece.

 I've also been stitching a series of wee dresses, listed in my Etsy shop. They are having a modest success, which makes me happy because I love making them.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 My family album dress is finished and is in the shop. No machines were used in the making of it! I carries my Belgian pin, an antique that I've hoarded for long enough, a bird with the Ghent coat of arms.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Working on another dress. It's bigger than usual, and I decided to stitch by hand rather than use the sewing machine. Ribbon and wire can be looped through the "shoulders" for hanging.

 


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I love my work. It may be feast or famine type work, but I love it all the same.
I also love dreaming up new ideas. Like this one. It may not be new, but it's new for me. And if you know me, you know that I'm mad about tags.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

I had an overnight guest yesterday. Her keeper is moving and she will be going to a new home later today. Luckily for me, she won't be moving too far away.

She does this......

 .....while I work

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 It was time to do some stitching.
Small is good, especially when you have so many small pieces piled up in a number of boxes....

 Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Everything has its time. And place.
I've had this tiny tintype gem for years. I even lost it once, but I found it and kept it with its companions. It recently found its way to an orphan lace glove and this happened.

Glove quilt, detail

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

 Stitching Sunday.
Two small pieces.

Button Tree

My Pet Bird

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

It's much cooler indoors today.
Unfortunately I have to go out in the sweltering heat.

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

Friday Stripes!
Enjoy the long weekend.

Assemblage on book cover

Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

More details.
Fabric collage with a little paper.

 Arranging colours and patterns to create something pleasing to the eye. My kind of patchwork.


Simplicity is the removal of the useless and the unnecessary--source unknown

This project went on and on. And on. But I finally finished it. It went on, because I started with a blank "canvas" and kept adding to it. Little by little, it turned into something. Small steps do work... Essentially it's a book, or a folder since it doesn't have pages inside. When you open it, this is what you see.

The front cover looks like this:

The back cover looks like this:

Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.-- Irish proverb

From standing in front of my easel to sitting down to sew. I tend to stand on both feet rather than lean on one foot, which apparently is a good thing because recently I read that you use more energy (calories) standing on both feet (weight-bearing!). So remember that when you're standing in line somewhere.

I've fallen in love with the bow. It's a lovely embellishment, made with vintage materials, of course. And I can sit while I'm making them.

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí. (Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

Friday's child

I've been aging and distressing...no, no, I'm not speaking of myself, I'm speaking of what I've been making. Two more "antique" canvas pouches, and a vintage hankie.

Ná bris do loigrín ar stól nach bhfuil i do shlí.
(Do not break your shin on a stool that is not in your way.)

Friday's child

I finished this piece this morning and I'm proud of myself because I'm learning to control the free-form stitching. I lightly pencilled the shape of the face, then took it from there. You have to be fearless with this free-form stitching thing!

I've been possessed by transferring images onto fabric with iron-on paper (I like Lesley Riley's TAP best). It frees you to make the transfer onto your own fabrics and bits and pieces. So when I came across this ethereal handkerchief, I wanted to keep it intact and add something to it.

So......

To hang it, I used a cream-painted safety pin.

Be good to your friends -- Kevin Bacon.

Recipe

Take half of an antique collar, wash and iron, admire how wonderfully aged it is, look at it and imagine a design. Stitch, appliqué and transfer an image on it. Create a little cushion to display it on.

[If you're wondering about the other half of the collar, I turned it into a cuff.]