My Owly Craftiness

I've developed quite a thing for birds here lately.  So when I saw this pattern from Sublime Stitching and then the tote a few weeks later, I knew I had to give it a stitch.

This was my first go 'round with the "Owlbert" pattern.  He's a little lost on the huge kitchen towel, but not bad for practice.  Can you see that I figured out how to do french knots!  I added a few for a bit of a starry effect and went a little knot crazy!

And here's the tote.  I used a variegated thread on the body, but I don't think you get the full effect unless you are filling in your work.  I'm not ready for that yet.  It was all I could do to get through satin stitching the moon - my first attempt at the satin stitch. 

With a Cherry on Top!

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Finished!

I want to have it framed, I think. 


So I finished up my sampler and went right into embroidery. 

It was fun!  Such a cute little chocolate cupcake with a cherry on top.  The pattern is from the book, Sublime Stitching. (I like the book better than I though!)  I just have no idea what to do with this darling little cupcake now.  I think I will just use this piece of fabric, which is quite large, to just practice.  My stitches need to be more uniform, but that will come with time I suppose.  I tried the split stitch and backstitch on this little cupcake with some "seed" stitches thrown in as sprinkles.  Hmm, what to try next.  Maybe a pretty little birdy.

I found some textiles for sale at the Sublime Stitching embroidery site I might like to try, once I get a few practice projects under my belt, a half apron and kitchen towels.  
  

Cross Stitch

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I guess I feel most connected to the FarmGirl within and the past through my crafting.  I picture farm ladies of old sitting by the fire with their needle and thread in hand darning socks, or working up a homespun crochet or knit piece to keep their farmer husband warm as he works in the winter cold.  I dream of what it would have been like to live on the prairie like Laura Ingalls.  My husband assures me I'd never make it.  Still, I continue to dream.

Here is my latest "FarmGirl" crafty endeavor:

I thought I would start out with a stamped cross stitch pattern, or rather re-start, to get back into needlework.  I did counted cross stitch as a teenager.  I plan to try out embroidery next.  I've only made one or two attempts at embroidery with poor results.  I found a book to help me out, Sublime Stitching.  Not crazy about it, but the price was right and I had a coupon.  It should be enough at least to get me started.  It has all the basics.   And a few cute patterns, too.        

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  Proverbs 31:13