WILD ROSES OVAL BOX

Another project completed!  I'm happy with how Wild Roses looks.  I like the top of the box better than the first....Monet's Garden.  Of course, there is almost always something I would want to change.  Maybe I'll design one more (Christmas?) box but will wait to see what stitchers think of this one.  In the future it will be available as a two to three day workshop.

HOLIDAY CARDMAKING

 I used to make Christmas cards every year, particularly when my children were small,  but in the last few years times seems to just disappear.  And I always thought when children left home and I retired from my "day job" I'd have lots of time.  Hah!  But, for this year at least, I've decided to make the time for a few handmade  traditions, including card making and a little holiday baking. 

I also received a call from the finisher to say the Wild Roses Oval Box I just completed is already finished. I'm very excited to see how it turned out and will post a picture on Monday or Tuesday. 

BRANCHING OUT

I've recently been sorting through my design file in seach of new project ideas, stitches, stitch combinations,  interesting color color combinations....you name it.  I usually end up cutting out pictures/articles or thread or fabric samples and then stuff them in my accordion file.  Then, every 6 months or so I look through and sort things out, trying to group them into something that makes sense to me.   Over the last few years I have used bits of ideas here and there.  Some are clippings of ideas I love but do not feel ready to execute.  BUT, this year, after repeatedly going back to my sketches and clippings, I lept forward with a new project, Poppies, which includes "random stitching...within a framework".  That since of accomplishment is great and gives me that extra push to keep stretching.

My suggestion to everyone is to keep an "idea file".  You don't have to be a "designer" to keep one.  If you see a color combination in a design magazine, save the page.  Or, see an interesting combination of threads used for a stitch?  Make a note of it on a scrap of paper and add it to your file. If you're like me you won't remember where to look later if you don't write it down.   How about neat ideas you see for finishing ...make notes about them for later use.  I would love to hear what types of things are in your "idea file".