Sorrrry!

I know I have been neglecting my blog.

I have bought a new house, although still living at the house of

beautiful dogs - still for sale.

The price has been lowered, so we are having

new showings. Duke is refusing to

get in the car . . . we had to use cheese today.

I will share photos of the house on Monday,

today, the other big news is . . .

the pouch is finished! It will go to my cousin Marybeth.

This is the back:

 This is the pouch closed:

Close-ups of the back:

This is the inside:

The lettering reads

"Other things may change us,

but we start and end with family"

Made for Marybeth Bond Scott by Linda Bloom 2013

Love, Linda

Updates and Progress on the Pouch

I am packing to move house.

What a challenge!

My house isn't sold yet, but I have bought a mobile

home in the town of Bath, PA

It needs work.

But,

It is in a nice park on a nice lot.

So this blog may become

"The Trailer of Beautiful Dogs."

That is why my blogging has become sporadic,

but I hope to continue regular posting

in October or November.

I will continue sewing, cooking, lots of doggie pics,

as well as ongoing remodeling and decorating

of my trailer. It has nice flower gardens

which I will continue to expand.

So I hope you will travel along with me.

That said, I have a beautiful blue hydrangea

bush here.

So I took cuttings, so I will have lots of shrubs for my new house.

Here is the update on my needlework pouch.

I will keep you updated.

Duke is taking a sunbath.

Love, Linda

Duke here . . .

Hey, I haven't posted for awhile.

A lot has happened this summer and I have been busy

helping mom eat up the leftovers,

and guarding the house, and making sure

those men fixing the road don't come any closer.

This morning mom asked if I wanted to go for a walk!

I hurried.

 She put on my "no pull" harness. HA HA

 and off we went! There were lots of things to sniff

 I left a lot of calling cards! Ha ha!

 I got tired and sat down for awhile.

 More calling cards!

I really like walking in the middle of the street.

One of the neighbors had pretty flowers. Calling card left!

When we got home I had to lie down and pant!

And I was all out of calling cards!

Love, the Duke

More white embroidery . . .

I have made more progress on my white on white pouch

Here is a nice long line of bullion knots!

They are slightly easier than last week, and this frill is staying!

A decorated patch little enough for a pinky finger.

(complete with hair in photo!)

Some buttonhole lace on the seams,

And my secret patch! See the tiny patch sticking out??

There is another one hidden inside.

All stitched together, and you can't see the

secret patch unless you look inside!

Such fun! Love, Linda

Class by Karen Ruane at Contemporary Embroidery

here

Embroidery Progress

I've been having a terrible time with bullion knots, which is a wrapped,
 loopy stitch, so pretty when done right.

Tonite, I emailed my instructor Karen, whining about the problem.

She had uploaded a video for another student

who was having problems as well.

Success!

I commented:

My earlier whiny comment about not being able to do bullion knots has disappeared, but not to worry. After watching the Sara video TWICE, I attempted again. And found: 1. Wrap thread singly, not on top of itself. 2. Put the needle almost all the way through before wrapping. 3. HOLD the wrapped threads tightly - don't know if this is proper technique but I use both hands and my TEETH to work this knot. (Holding the wrapping thread with teeth.) I guess you could say that this evening I am embroidering "tooth and nail." Pix of not the most beautiful bullion knots are posted on Flickr - next I have to work on spacing them - maybe toes.

So, although, I'm not using the approved stitching posture,

here's the result.

These will go all the way across the ruffle.

I'd better get busy!

Love, Linda

New Needle Class

I'm taking a new class from Karen at Contemporary Embroidery
 called Simply Stitch

Simply Stitch here

This is the foundation of my new "pouch" - it will be folded or rolled to contain something precious. It contains various white fabric,

 eyelet, and silver metallic tissue.

 I have added a piece of lace, and below I have added binding stitches to hold down the lace.

Stab stitches hold down the patchwork squares, which are embellished with French knots and pinwheels.

More next week.

Love, Linda

The Latest

I've made some hearts - now for sale in my etsy store.

And my lace piece from Karen Ruane's Lace Class is finally finished.

We made our own "fabric" from scraps and lace, then embellished

it with embroidery!

Working on a new project!

Love, Linda