The Bling Pouch is finished!

Seems like I have been working on this for years, but it is finally finished!

Here is the front - it's a pouch to store things in.

I'm going to keep fabric inside.

Or maybe unfinished lace embroidery.

Here's the back. It has three decorative tabs to slip your hand

underneath. I also did some lazy daisies on top of

the patterned fabric. The whole thing is white, ecru, tan, and beige,

with touches of gold.

A close-up of a "pile of squares" with a couple of prairie points

sticking out, buttonhole stitch around the edges,

and embellished with beads.

Getting damp stretched.

I added some tiny gimp, couched down and embellished

with pearls.

Another pile of squares on the back. On the right you can see

a "bumpy bit" encircled with French knots in 2 colors.

I used seed beads, as well as pearls and some larger ones.

A strip of vintage embroidery on net and a row of prairie points.

I took this class from Karen Ruane at Contemporary Embroidery

You can find her here

I also added pearls along one edge.

Now onto the next project!!

Love, Linda

Ruffles

How do you make nine ruffled dresses for a custom  Etsy order?

First, you start with the tea dying . . .

It took a LOT of tea - about 6 pots full!

 Then cutting them all out - and keeping them straight

Had to sneak in a photo of the "beautiful dog of the house"

He doesn't like his picture taken

Here, after three weeks, is some of the finished product

 The backs of the dresses have little crocheted circles

Here's more!

 They are off to California in the a.m. for a talent show

I'm seeing ruffles in my sleep!

Love, Linda

In the bleak midwinter . . .

It sure is winter around here.

Although we have been spared the huge snowfalls of Boston

and the states north of us, we are experiencing the

freezing temps and huge wind gusts right after trash

is placed at the curb.

Gabe loves this weather, and wants to go out and prance around

in it all the time, and eat snow.

Keep warm! Spring will be here someday!

Love, Linda

My New Bling Pouch

So I have started on my new stitching project.

It will be a pouch to keep my silk fabric safe and clean.

It is in shades of gold, off white and browns, and will have

lots of blingy beads and stuff.

I pieced the fabrics together, made some bumpy bits,

and some prairie points.

 There are a few snippets of antique lace.

I have just started some buttonhole lace on the seams, but

haven't done any other stitchery yet.

 After the embroidery is done, I will add lots of beads and bling.

 These are some strips/bands that will go over some of the lace -

(more to come next time).

Happy New Year to all from Linda and Gabriel!

Gabe Here . . .

Christmas was pretty exciting around here.

First of all, mom has been cooking and baking all kinds of stuff -

and I have been right beside her the whole time

just in case something falls on the floor.

We both like the floor to be really clean!

She put these silly reindeer antlers on my head.

I took them off right away!

I didn't want them.

She tried to talk me into it, but I just laid down,

no stupid antlers for me!

Then Aimee came for Christmas and there was LOTS of treats.

All of a sudden, the antlers weren't so bad.

In this photo, someone is holding a very yummy treat.

 In fact, I forgot all about the antlers.

Humans are really silly!

Merry Christmas, Love, Gabe

O Christmas Tree

I didn't have a tree last year, because I had just moved in here.

This year, I decided on pink and white decorations!

I got a new artificial tree from Balsam Hill at half price.

It's 4 and a half feet tall.

 Many of these decorations I bought while shopping with my sister.

The balls with the roses were hand painted by Jennie Hepler,

now a famous doll maker. (Prim Pumpkins)

My mom made these angels for my sister and I many years ago.

 This arrangement is on my desk.

I hope you had as much fun decorating as I did!

Love, Linda