Collar Necklace in Miniature Crochet

Good Morning!  I just wanted to make a quick morning post and share my latest completed project.  It is a collar necklace from Lunarheavenly's first book.  I used DMC Cordonnet Special size 80 in ecru with a .5mm hook for the crochet flowers.  I used Rit Liquid Dye to paint my flowers, and for the jewelry findings, I used antique brass cable chain and findings, and a 6mm freshwater pearl.  I am happy with the results and a wonderful time was had creating it.

There are many types of different projects in lunarheavenly's first book and I am looking forward to creating more of them.  I put in a few online orders and am waiting to receive various items needed to complete certain projects.  I also ordered some Jacquard Dyna Flow Textile paints, as well as some ink that can be used to paint fiber art.  In her book, lunarheavenly does use ink to paint her creations, and I can not wait to receive my goodies so I can try out some new painting techniques.

I recently ordered lunarheavenly's second book which is chock full of adorable little critters created using a combination of embroidery and painted crochet.  At the moment I am working on a little critter. . . I won't tell you which one yet.  lol  I will wait until it is completed.  In her second book, she also uses different size threads.  The sizes she uses are crochet cotton size 80, 100, 120 and 160.  I can easily find size 80 and 100, but I have yet to come across size 120 and 160.  Instead I am using thread for lace making which comes in a variety of sizes.  It is quite a challenge crocheting with thread that is thinner than all purpose sewing thread, but the results are adorable!

Well, I better get going.  We have two little baby Pekin ducks arriving today that are barely a couple of days old.  They will need a lot of special care and attention, and there are still some things that I have to do to prepare for their arrival.  I hope you all have a wonderful and inspired day!  Til next time.  . . 

Happy Stitches!

Kitchen Curtain in Reticello Lace Embroidery

Good Afternoon!  It took many hours of work, quite a bit of thread, and more than a few needles, but I have completed my kitchen valance, and the hard work was certainly worth it because I LOVE it!  It really brightens up the window, and there is an indescribable sense of pride and accomplishment whenever I look at my kitchen window.

For this project, I used Sotema 20L linen in cream, and DMC coton a broder in sizes 25, 30 and 35.  I also used a bit of DMC Floche size 16 for the satin stitches.  I did not follow a set pattern but rather took bits and pieces from my collection of books by Giuliana Buonpadre, and also some ideas from different embroidered curtains I saw online.  Since I decided on an elaborate border, I kept the rest of the curtain pretty simple.  I added a butterfly swirl trail using satin stitches, buillion stitches, and back stitches, and also added some satin stitch designs above the reticello embroidery.  I also placed some smaller reticello crosses and a square in the center of the valance.  I reinforced all the edges of the curtain with first a satin stitch using DMC embroidery floss (one strand), and then using white cotton sewing thread, I machine sewed very small straight stitches over the satin stitches. . . this was quite difficult.  lol  The sides were pretty simple, but the constant turning and the corners on the Reticello edge really took some time.  I did manage to complete it neatly, and then finally, using coton a broder #25, I buttonholed all along the edge.

Of course, the valance was not yet completed.  I had to trim all of the excess fabric from around the buttonhole stitches very, very carefully so as not to accidentally cut any of the needlework.  I have a special pair of embroidery scissors that I use ONLY for this purpose.  It keeps the blades sharp and clean.  I soaked my piece overnight in water and gentle detergent, then this morning I rinsed it alternating very hot and very cold water, and inspected it to make sure it was 100% clean.  I used a towel to roll the curtain up in and remove the excess water.  It did not take very long to dry, and then I ironed and steamed it. . . and then steamed it and ironed it.  It was a very satisfying moment when I put my many hours of hard work on the curtain rod and hung it on my kitchen window.

I then proceeded to take a plethora of photos. lol  Many of which I will now share with you.

The Reticello Embroidered edging took the most amount of time to complete of course.  I used the many windows to use a variety of filling stitches, while still trying to keep a sense of uniformity to the piece.

I used filling stitches that I had used on the rest of the border to complete the center diamond.

I added small windows of Reticello Embroidery in between the decorative satin stitches.

The buttercream color of the linen really brightens up the kitchen window.

I love the look of the lace on the window so much, I'm already planning on making more embroidered curtains for my living room windows.

After completing this lengthy embroidery project, I am going to take a break from embroidery and work a bit on crochet.  I recently ordered Lunarheavenly's 2nd book, as well as some new paint brushes, and threads.  Her second book is filled with adorable animals of all types. . . there are also a couple of projects that I have been wanting to complete from her first book.

Well, I hear my crochet hook and threads calling me. . . I hope you are all having a wonderful inspired day!  Until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

Spring Activities

Good Morning!  It's been almost a month since I last posted, and what a busy month it was!  I had my final breast reconstruction surgery almost 4 weeks ago, and though I am almost fully recovered, I must admit it was a harder recovery than I expected. . . still I am happy to say that it was the last one, and prefer to look forward rather than behind.  I have not gotten as much done on my latest project as I would like, but it is coming along, and nicely.  I am currently working on a curtain valance for my kitchen window.  It is a small window, but the reticello embroidery work is very entailed.  I decided on a "scalloped edge" for the curtain.  Once all of the reticello embroidery is completed, I will reinforce the needlework with running stitches and buttonhole stitches, and cut around the embroidered lace.  I also plan on adding some more needle work to the body of the curtain . . . perhaps some more reticello, or maybe some satin stitch designs.  

I am using Sotema 20L linen, and DMC coton a broder in various sizes.  It took me a good long while to count the threads to figure out how many "windows" to pull and in what design.  And it also took a good long while to cut and withdraw the reticello threads. lol

I decided I  wanted a reticello diamond in the center of the bottom edge.  I thought about using a uniform lace design throughout but then decided against it.  There is a pattern to the lace, but I use different fillings in each area to achieve the pattern.

And here is a close up of the large center diamond which is not completed yet.

I will probably just mirror the same filling patterns and designs on the other side of the center diamond.  I will take more detailed photos of the finished curtain.  I am hoping my progress will speed up a bit since I have gotten all of my Spring cleaning done, and our brood of ducks and chickens are situated in their permanent living quarters.   The weather did not turn Spring like until this past week, so we had to make sure the birds were warm enough, which meant keeping them indoors.  Thankfully, it is finally starting to feel like Spring, and the birds are enjoying their new found freedom.  We have a large piece of land, so we allow them to free range.  I managed to get some photos of the birds and I would like to share these photos.  The large white duck is a Pekin duck, and the darker ducks are Rouen ducks. 

And here is one of our bantam chicks all cuddled together.

And these are our Rhode Island Red Hens:

Well, it's time to go check on these critters, and make sure they have food and water.  It is a beautiful sunny day, so I may grab my needlework and spend the rest of the morning outdoors.  I hope you all have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!

Completed Zipper Pouch

Good Afternoon!  I recently completed a zippered pouch.  I used reticello embroidery designs from one of Giuliana Buonpadre's books.  It is a cute little pouch about 21 cm wide and 16 cm long.  I had never worked with a zipper before and it was nice that I was able to use the zipper foot on my sewing machine for the first time. lol  I will admit working with the zipper was a little tricky only because you do not want to have your needle sew over the metal part of the zipper.  I found a great simple tutorial by Melly Sews called the 15 minute zipper pouch.  Mine took longer than fifteen minutes though because of the embroidery.  I used a silver satin material behind the reticello which I attached using double sided fusible webbing.  I could have also sewn the satin to the embroidery linen, but I like the fact that the satin can not move away from the linen.  I just cut a square out a bit bigger than the reticello window before ironing the satin and linen together.  Then I just followed the rest of Melly Sews' tutorial.  If you're interested in making your own zipper pouch, you can find it here.  There is also a video tutorial to accompany the written and picture tutorial.

For my pouch I used 20L Sotema Linen in Antique White, DMC Retos D'Alsace size 12, DMC coton a broder 25 in blue and silver for the embroidery, silver satin material as a backing for the embroidery, white cotton lawn with fusible interfacing for the lining, and a beige 7 inch zipper.  Instead of machine top stitching to stabilize the fabric near the zipper as Melly does in her tutorial,  I hand sewed a running stitch in a matching blue pearl cotton.  It was a cute, quick and fun project, and now I have a one of a kind pouch to hold my threads and smaller tools.  Here are some photos of my completed pouch:

Last time I posted, I mentioned our brood of birds.  Well, I am happy to say that both the chickens and the ducks are thriving, and love their new home.  They are now old enough to start settling outside.  We have the ducks and the bigger chickens in their new outside homes, but the little bantams are still inside with us.  They probably will be for another week or so.  Since the birds are becoming more self sufficient, I have more time for needlework.  I am also having surgery tomorrow. . . the last stage of my breast reconstruction.  Thankfully it is out patient, so I will be back home tomorrow evening, but I will have to take it easy for a month or so, which means even more time for needlework!  I decided to go ahead and make curtains.  I've been toying with the idea for a few months now, and I decided it is time to do it.  I'm working on a small kitchen valance right now to start.  I figured I would start with a small window before I try our large picture window in our living room.  I did order the linen from Italy for the living room curtains, and of course lots of thread!  For the kitchen valance, I am using Sotema 20L linen in a lovely butter cream color with snow white coton a broder.  I've drawn all the threads for the reticello border and will decide what other types of designs I will use after it is completed.

I'll post updates as I make more progress.  Well, I must go . . .I'm trying to get that last bit of the more strenuous housework done before tomorrow.  I hope you are all working on something lovely, and inspiring!  Have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

~Happy Stitches!`

Completed Reticello

Good Morning!  I completed a Reticello Tea Cloth.  The design is one Giuliana Buonpadre's.  It is a kit booklet based on the teachings of her Vol. 3 and Vol. 5 of her books.  I enjoyed making the cloth and am very happy with how it turned out.  I used Sotema 20L linen in Antique White, and DMC coton a broder sizes 25 and 30 in Snow White.  In the booklet there are instructions to also turn this particular project into a cushion.  The finished cloth is approx.  53 cm x 53 cm.

The project took a little bit longer than planned to finish because we recently acquired a brood of bantam chick babies of various breeds, and they require quite a bit of care.  Bantam chicks are a smaller breed than other types of chickens, and I must say the babies are just adorable.  We will be spending some time this weekend, getting their coup and living areas situated.  We also acquired 5 mallard ducklings and one gorgeous Pekin duckling.  . . so of course we will also be putting a duck pond for them somewhere on the property.  Watching the ducklings swim and play in the water is very entertaining, and enjoyable.  Ducks and Bantam chickens are great for controlling mosquito population, and bugs that can harm gardens and crops, so hopefully this summer we can spend some time outside without getting bitten as much as we have in the past. . .sitting outside with a cold glass of iced tea with some needlework is one of my favorite things about Spring and Summer.  Now, I will also be able to watch our little chickens and ducks while outside as well.

I do have plans to start another project soon . . .  I think an embroidered zipper pouch would come in handy.  Who couldn't use more storage for threads and/or needles and sewing notions?  lol  A smaller project won't take long as I still am putting in a lot of time taking care of our little chicks and ducklings.

Here are the photos of my latest completed project:

Well, I hear some baby chicks calling for me.  I hope you have a wonderful day and until next time. . . 

Happy Stitches!