Foxy

Hello Friends!
Not so long ago I participated in an embroidery swap on Craftster, the theme of the swap was "Twinchie". What in the heck is a twinchie, you ask? Well, it's a little embellishment, a piece of art, in this case embroidered, that is less than 2" square.

For this swap I was lucky enough to be partnered with my friend, Crystal and so I was also lucky in that I knew exactly what I wanted to make for her, love that! No fretting this time around like I usually do, wanting to make just the right thing for my partner. This time I knew... I was gonna get FOXY! 

Crystal loves foxes as do I, all woodland animals actually, so this was really going to be a pleasure, I just needed to find the right fox and when I stumbled on this image I knew it was the one. Crystal is a wonderful mama, her little boy Baxter is a cutie pie, who just turned two years old, I feel lucky to get to see him grow into a little boy, it's astonishing how time flies though, seems like he was just an infant yesterday!



Picking colors for this sweet, nestled mama & baby fox was fun, russets, burnt oranges, browns and creams, a fox has all of those colors and more. As soon as I had a good mix I started right in. Stitching was a dream, some projects just flow and this was definitely one of them. Even though it was early summer when I started this project this snoozing autumnal duo had me dreaming of fall.

See? All nice and little and confined to two square inches. Yay twinchies!

I did hit one snag when it came to hooping up this mama & baby, I'd ordered some special tiny 2" hoops, so that this could be an embroidered pendant necklace but alas, two inches was the size of the outside of the outer hoop, poop. My foxes didn't fit. Plot twist! I grabbed a 3" hoop from my supply (yes, I actually keep a supply of a variety of hoops at all times as evidenced here) and was back in business.

To add a little sparkle, I embellished the hanger with a couple of gold & amber beads.

This is how I've been finishing the backs of my hoops lately, card stock glued to the back of the hoop with Fabri-Fix. I finally, finally have found a way to finish these hoops that I really like and gives me a neat, consistent result. I've done this a couple dozen times now, love it. I've tried lots and lots of different methods and for me, this one is best. Usually I use plain brown card stock, but for Crystal's foxy pair, I wanted something a little different.

I was very pleased with how this mama & baby came out, my favorite is the baby paws, eep! So little! And his (or her) tiny face.

Crystal knows me so well, look at what she made for me!!

A Vespa, with rainbow toots! Lol, I'm sure they're not toots, but the thought of a tooting scooter makes me laugh and laugh.

Seriously though, how sweet is this? I love mint green, I love eyelet, I love rainbows and lawdy, lawdy do I love me a red Vespa! It's so perfect. Thank you, Crystal!!

This was a really fun swap, I'm so glad I got in on this one.

What about you, are you participating in any swaps this summer? There are a LOT of them going on, I wish I had time for all of them! There are a lot of stitch-a-longs going on as well, I'm doing two of them, I'll post about them soon, promise!

oxo,

Lisa

Little Birthday Things

Greetings Bloggy People!
Wow, this summer is zooming by, I have so much to tell you and so much still to do! Before I get too scattered thinking about aaalll that other stuff, let's back up a minute and and look at some cute (if I do say so myself) little things I made for my pal Pam for her birthday, some I made, some I just tjuzed up a bit.

Like I mentioned in my last post I am woefully behind in birthday making this year, like seriously, a few months behind. Actually, if I'm being honest I feel behind in just about everything right now, Lord help me, there's never enough time to get it all done, so many balls in the air... At any rate, I personally don't mind a bit if I receive a giftie some months after my actual birthday, but I sure don't like doing that to other people (sorry Melissa, sorry Dez - I haven't forgotten your milestone birthday's, I promise, I swear.). For my dear Ms. Pam, her birthday coincided with our vacation to her home town of Portland, Oregon and there was no way I was turning up empty handed on her birthday, I do have some couth. But still, right to the last minute I was working on her pressie, on the train and my hotel room the morning of her birthday. Last minute Lisa, that's me!

In fact, these photos were taken in the window sill of the hotel room right before I packed them up and met her for a really nice day spent futzing around together along with my sweet hubby (who's birthday was also the the purpose of this trip, more on that later). And can I just say, the light there in Portland, it's gorgeous! I don't get pictures like this here at home... sigh... So! On with the goodie parade!

A few months ago we were having a conversation about mini's and Pam's desire to create a doll house, in particular we were both gaga for these rugs. Ah-ha, inspiration! So I set about making a punch needle mini rug. Somewhere along the way I thought, "wouldn't it be neat to start a room for her?" and since we're crafty friends I thought a craft room was a nice start so I expanded my initial idea a little more...

Here is the finished rug, a whirling, swirling sea of blue accented with little French knot roses in shades of mauve & pinks. I've only ever done punch needle once before and it was a looong time ago and a stamped pattern at that, which I vaguely recall was similar to coloring within the lines but with a needle. I don't remember much about it though and was surprised at how much floss punch needle takes, this little rug which is approximately 3"x 6" took 5 skeins of DMC for the base. Round and round and round I went. I enjoyed the process once I got the hang of holding the punch properly. Once I got the rug to a size I liked and stitched in the flower sprays, I cut it out of the fabric it was stitched on (14 count Aida), glued it to some wool blend felt, then blanket stitched the two together. I kinda like it!

Good lighting is essential for good crafting so Pam's little room needed a light! I made this one out of things I already had in my various crafty stashes. Beads, washi tape & a pretty little button are all you need to make this mini lamp. I used this tutorial. I genuinely love it, it's stinkin' adorable.

A crafter also needs a comfortable chair, preferably a pretty one. I bought a simple plain wooden chair and painted it as best I could (be gentle, I'm no painter), I also bought the little craft basket, it was already put together but the basket was also plain so I painted that a sunny, mellow yellow - much cuter.

Anyone who crafts is *always* short on space, so I also gave Pam a craft cabinet. Purchased in plain wood I also painted this little cabinet inside & out and make a teensy bunting with washi tape to decorate the front.

Just for kicks I wanted to make a couple of things to go in the cabinet, since Pam and I love embroidery so much I had to make her a tiny skein of floss (tutorial here - not in English, but you can manage with just the pictures). Look how dinky it is! 

And lastly, maybe my favorite tiny thing, a wee stack of fat quarters! I used the smallest prints I could find in my little stash of 30's repro fabrics from this project (still in the works). I think they're so cute all tied together!

Just for scale here's another picture, see how little? I love little things! I used this tutorial to make the fat quarters.

So there we are, a few little things to start out a miniature craft room. Nothing too matchy, but they all kind of go nicely, don't you think?

Mini's are fun. I have very very little experience with them myself, but I sure enjoyed making these little bits, even if they aren't perfect, they sure are cute!

In a happy turn of events, guess what Pam got for her birthday? A dollhouse kit! So now she'll have a few things to start off with and I'm so pleased I could be a little part of it. Pam has the touch for mini things, just look at her new beach themed fairy garden, so I just know her doll house will be darling! I can't wait to watch it come together slowly but surely.

I hope not to be away for so long between posts this next round, I have so much to share with you guys! It's becoming difficult, sometimes a downright challenge to keep up with blogging, but I'm digging my heels in, I will do better! I started this blog in part to remember and document all the different little things I make and right now many of those things are stacked up in my computer and need to get out, so I'm hoping I can find my rhythm again and be more regular about posting. I so love to share these things and seeing what you all are up to as well, the blogging community is a great one and I definitely want to stay involved!

SO! What have you guys been up to? Do share! And let me know what you think about my little foray into the world of mini's! Have you done mini's? Point me to them, I want to see!
oxo,

Lisa

A Big Heart

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you've all had a simply smashing Valentine's Day, have you done anything special?

We had a quiet evening here at home, dinner (Korean Beef , so good!) and a Walking Dead catch up, good times. My honey has to work in the morning, so we're saving our date for tomorrow night, going to a Sweethearts Ball at the Moose Lodge. Oh! I forgot to tell you, we're Moose now! Well, Sean is a Moose, I am a "Woman of the Moose". I wonder if there'll be a secret handshake? 

So earlier this week I came across this pin of a giant cross stitched heart and was so inspired, I had to try a smaller version for my family room right away. 

I bought a piece of red poster board from JoAnn's for $1.79 (with my handy 40% off phone app coupon) and strategically punched holes, after graphing a big heart out on graph paper. Then I stitched the design with big, fluffy yarn.

Hey look, it's the neatest back-of-a-cross stitch you'll ever see from me! Probably a fluke. Anyway, after the design was stitched and I evened things up by cutting the poster board evenly around the heart, then I mounted the entire thing to foam core I already had left over from another project with double sided stick tape.

Those couple pieces of scotch tape are where I accidentally punched more holes than I needed - whoopsies! I simply took the little circle I punched out, put it back and covered it with tape. You can't even see it from the front, not at all, whew!

I used a length of satin ribbon and two long sewing pins pushed into the foam core as hanging hardware and put this baby on the wall,

My girlfriend sent me the most perfect goodies in our Valentine swap which make for a very happy little scene together with the big heart, just look! Two new embroideries, a cute Valentine print out, a wee bucket of sweets and a beautiful Valentine Pin!  

Pam is such a great stitcher, just look at this darling little pup in a basket! He is oh, so sweet.

I do love this big heart. In fact, I'm already planning to make one out of painted wood to leave up permanently. Hearts are okay year round in my book!

The little bunting on the lamp shade is from last years door wreath, reuse and recycle, kids!

When I make the wooden stitched heart, I'll definitely be sure to share. Speaking of sharing, I can't wait to show you the little table runner I made this week as well (I've been a very industrious crafty lady this week!), I think it's one of my all time favorite projects, so come back and visit again soon.

Have a great weekend, sweetstuffs!

oxo,

Lisa

No Time Like The Present

We now interrupt your regularly scheduled Halloween post for something a bit different. 

I had a birthday recently, well... not that recently (mid August). 39. 

39? Is that possible? Who sped up the clock?

Anyway this week was a banner week for receiving birthday goodies in the mail from a couple of my crafty pals, and as you probably know, when you have friends who are also crafters and who make all their pressies, time doesn't always go as according to plan. And I am perfectly ok with that! Time, as you know is wibble wobbly, timey wimey... stuff. *wink*  

Allons-y!

The fabulous Mistress T made me this stellar, foxy ribbon. That means I win at being a fox! 

Woooo!

Look at that cute little foxy face! 

Also fabulous & feisty, my pal Pam stitched me this adorable birthday cake! Pam's stitches are legend, they're tiny and they are perfect. Perfectly awesome!

I think she must have harnessed her super telepathic powers because this looks almost exactly like the actual cake my husband had made for me for a little surprise party he threw for me. 

It's an embroidery cake! The yellow ring is the hoop and the white frosting (omg, the frosting! SO good. Light as a feather whipped cream, my favorite!) is the fabric hanging down with stitching on the top, adorbs!

 My dear, dear friend Melissa harnessed a different power, the power of my dreams! She stitched me the sweetest little camp trailer, with a purple bunting! 

I have ambitions to buy one of these in the coming year, a real one! I even started a Pinterest board with a few little things. I've wanted one for as long as I can remember. I love, love, love tent camping, and I think I always will - but uh... it's a lot of work. There's something about just hooking up and hitting the road that really appeals to me. When the time comes, you know I'll share that adventure with you.

Melissa also stitched me this sweet Leo, isn't she cute?!

Love her ever so!

Speaking of Leo's, I picked myself up a little Leo lady this year, too.

Yes, I am a grown up. What. 

Lalaloopsy is too cute to resist, look at her crown purse, and her little mousy friend, eep! I have a few of them, more on that in an upcoming Halloween post!

I am blessed with awesome buddies.

Thank you girls! All of these goodies have happy new homes, hanging in my craft room, I love them almost as much as I love you guys!

Halloween posts to resume shortly!!

oxo,

Lisa

P.A.M. = Pretty Awesome Mama

My friend Pam recently celebrated her birthday, I was a couple of days late, but I made and sent her a little goodie to keep the party going and this tiny bunting fairly screams birthday ♥

Let me tell you a bit about my pal, Pam.

 "P" for pretty, inside and out. She's a lovely soul, and she doesn't give up no matter what kind of crappy day she's having or what kind of challenge she's up against, she powers through with a little sass and a whole lot of class.

 "A" for awesome, because she seriously is. Take a look at all the neato stuff she makes, here, here & here! This lady is uber talented.

"M" for mama, because she's the one of the bestest dog mom's I know, and I'm sure her three crazy little dogs Lola, Jujube and Pete would agree, they have the most caring, nurturing, loving mom on the planet. 

Yep, she's a keeper! I'm so glad to count this fabulous lady as a friend. Now, if only I could get that Star Trek "beam me up, Scotty" thing to work so we could see each other on a regular basis, California and Oregon are close, but not close enough.

Happy Birthday, Pam!

oxo,

Lisa

Spring Fling Towel!

Hey Guys!

Oh boy, I'm so excited about sharing this with you. You might remember that a few of my stitchy friends and  I decided last year to do an embroidered tea towel swap. We each started with our own, blank slate towel which we sent out into the wide world to be embroidered by our friends. It took a lot longer to complete the swap than we initially thought it would but I love this so much that it was worth the wait!

Here is my completed towel! This small piece of cloth has traveled around the world, much farther than I have, but more than that, it was held for hours and stitched by each of my friends! Many of whom I may never meet "in real life" but who are just as dear to me as if they lived across town. I will cherish it always, let's start the tour!

Eeeeeeep! My friends know me so well! I love these people dearly.

Could it be the Dormouse?! I think it is!

This adorable little fellow and these tea-rrific teacups were stitched for me by Erin Gibson, she lives in swinging city of Las Vegas, Nevada. This little guy makes me smile, he's one of my favorite characters. Love his tiny hat!

Oh, this sweet flower girl, I cannot get enough of her! 

This little lady with her perfectly pink French Knot hair and all these beautiful flowers was stitched for me by my friend, the one and only Pam Pedersen of Portland, Oregon. I have met Pam in person, I was fortunate enough to get to spend a few days with her last September, and she is just as fabulous as she seems. Love ya, girl!

 Oh my!! Oh my!! I love this one to death! A Mad Hattress!

This delightful lady was stitched for me by my pal Becky Stancil of Raleigh, North Carolina. Ok, look for a moment at this, look at the detail! She has my hair color, she's wearing pink, she has big bazooms (heehee!), she's in a chair that's embroidered with flowers, and she's embroidering flowers! I love flowers! And, and! She's resting her little Mary Jane clad footsie on a teapot! I mean, does Becky know me or what?? It's perfect. I wonder if I could rock a top hat in real life? 

Oooh, look at this cool dude!

This handsome Praying Mantis was stitched for me by the enormously talented Victoria Crowder Payne in Kansas City, Missouri. Did you know that one of the earliest references to the mantis is in an ancient Chinese dictionary and it's attributes are that of courage and fearlessness? That's Victoria in a nutshell, she's as 

courageous and fearless as she is beautiful. Thank you, VCP!

It's not just ladies in this tea towel swap, oh no!

The irrepressible, Bascom Hogue of Wichita, Kansas stitched this wonderful little winged elf, perched on a mushroom for me, he's a real fungi - haha, get it, fun guy. Oh, I kill me. He is wonderful (actually, they're both wonderful, Bascom and the elf!). I love him, and I really love Bascom's style. Bascom has been through a lot these last few months. You're in my thoughts & prayers, Box. 

Eeep! A scooter girl!

I've wanted to stitch this pattern for a couple of years, and my friend Jack B. Nimble of Salt Lake City, Utah stitched it for me! Woohoo! I love her, and her flirty little dress and her cute little shoes! Although, I do have to admit, if I saw this young lady in person, I'd be compelled to have a very serious conversation with her concerning her scooting apparel, safety first! 

Off to New Zealand!

This fantastic Maori poi spinner was stitched for me by my friend, Jo Ashcroft of Auckland, New Zealand! I love, love, love her! Jo stitched something for each of us that related to her adopted homeland, and I was the lucky duck that got this lovely poi spinner. Unknown to Jo, is that several of my friends and family spin poi! My friend Lorna does it with fire! I love this spinner, reminds my of my friend Jo who lives so far away, and of my family here at home ♥

 I want to take this with me everywhere!

My friend Becky Wagner of Greensboro, North Carolina stitched this beautiful Scandinavian design for me, it is so, so pretty! Becky is a elementary school teacher, which makes her a superhero. Teachers don't get the credit, or support they deserve. They devote so much of themselves to the children they teach, so much more than spelling and arithmetic, and they never really "clock out", I don't know how they do it, especially in an increasingly demanding, results orientated environment. Like I said, superhero. I wish I'd had a teacher like Becky when I was a kiddo. Bee-dub, you're the bomb!

 Eeep, flowers & tea cups! 

This happy cuppa was stitched by my pal, Crystal Rhew-Staley of  Chapel Hill, North Carolina and I just love his sunny disposition. Those sweet flowers, too! I want to eat them I love them so. Speaking of things I love so much I could eat them up, Crystal had the sweetest little boy last year, his name is Baxter and he is a doll! You can read more about Crystal & Bax here. His smile is enough to turn me to mush, cutest kid ever.

Hey, is that Bigfoot?!

Why, yes it is, and he's rather a dandy gentleman, thankyouverymuch. This fact is evidenced by his gold, striped bow tie and his oh, so proper meerschaum pipe. If I were to imagine the whole ensemble, I see Mr. Foot as a professor. Professor Foot, and he would be wearing a tweed suit, slightly rumpled with patches on the elbows. And polished wingtips. With a name like Big Foot, snazzy footwear is not an option. My pal, Tara Fields of Florence, Montana (formerly of Portland, OR) has a sincere love of the Big Feet. Check out all the sightings she's caught of him! Tara has stitched a variation of Big Feet for all of us in the swap, they are fantastic! 

And that, as they say, is a wrap!

I can't say enough how much I love what everyone has stitched for me, every one of these embroideries is perfect, simply perfect. I don't know yet what I will do with my towel, currently it's hanging in my craftroom where I can gawk at it at close range whenever I pass by. I always see something new, too.

Thank you, stitchers & friends. You're silver & gold to me!

oxo,

Lisa