Painting It Red Etc......



My favorite,  Sublime( Deb Bliss) a bit a cashmere and lovely to work with



Love the play of texture and color all in one scarf

Up close and personal all the details

Drama Queen

And so the final end results......Lovin it:)

Just showed a colorful array of yarns and textures to apply to a new scarf I have just finished it.  Yes, that"s right, DONE,COMPLETE, READY TO WEAR SOON!   I have a vintage style duster from J. Jill my all time favorite store okay so one of them, along with Anthropology and well a few dozen others.  Anyhow, vintage, have always loved the look and that is how my scarf began just a few weeks prior my jacket need a fashion accessory. I used the book I just posted the other day and showed the scarf design I chose.  Notice how different it looks by just changing up colors.  I am very pleased with the results just needs the finishing touch of a gorgeous button.  Wouldn"t you say?  Today as we speak I now have a brand new lovely scarf to go with my jacket. I simply love red .so I chose some color combos I though I might ,like and here is the rest of the story.......

What Was I Thinking????

Storey Publishing: 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders

Cascade Painted Sock Yarn for socks what else....




Funky socks to come soon, I hope LOL



THIS

PLUS THIS =



ANOTHER NEW PROJECT, WHO WOULD HAVE GUESSED...



A sneak peek at something new.  Part of  a revamp.  Stay tuned for more.....

Okay I am suppose to be  getting projects done.   RIGHT???  Well, that was the idea anyhow.  Somehow it has gotten out of hand once again.  Now you know why I am so behind by hundreds perhaps thousands who is to know, LOL.  I found that a yarn shop opened just recently  in a great antique store near by. Well, really a knitting corner inside the shop.  It is really very quaint and fun, so I was drawn in.  When I came out I had new double pointed needles,colorful hand dyed yarn and a pattern for, you guessed it ,another project.  I was thinking to myself, don"t you have some things you need to finish first?  Apparently that was not to stop me as I heard myself saying, I will see you for class @ 6 pm and off I went to my other knitting group.   Addiction at it"s finest .  I found time to hurry home that evening make some quick dinner after a day of  comedy and knitting.  I actually did get my scarf I have been knitting done, so hey ,I am pretty proud on that note.  I got to the class for none other than making socks.  Just wanted a challenge, and yes I believe I have out done myself here.  The place was very cozy, lots of antique and vintage chairs and a lovely round wooden table with chairs.  I found myself surrounded by every kind of fiber you can imagine  in an assortment of colors from soft to brights and beyond.  Eye candy for sure,  my mind was already whirling with new thoughts on what my next projects will bring.  I know, I really need to stop this crazy thinking.  I looked around at the smooth bamboo needles in sparkling aqua blue mason jars and big hand carved wooden bowl of vintage buttons and the softest heather pink wool that catches my eye. Back to my task at hand, my sock or what was the beginnings of something sock like.  I swear I have gone more backwards on this than forward. Don"t ever give up I say and on I go....  I will get some pictures on the new knitting spot when I can you will love it too! Easy to pretend you are here with pictures I think. On to the pictures so here goes.......

Sculpture By Mother Nature

They call this elephant rock

Just a few pics of some fantastic ice sculptures via mother nature.  After all she is one of the best sculptresses I know.  How can these possibly be replicated by man??????????   Now that spring is trying to make yet another appearance.  I imagine the first tries were not so successful thus far.  I thought you all might enjoy some things I captured over the past weeks.  Since the snow melted and then became frozen once again it made for some great ice formations.  Just a few for your viewing enjoyment.....

Scallop Edged Curtain w/ Bias Trim Tutorial

Search Amazon.com for ralph lauren fabric

Scalloped Edge Bias Curtain Tutorial



Cut a strip  double the finished size. 



This one is cut 2 inches then pressed in half

Press in half , raw edges together



Pin raw edge of bias to wrong side of scallop edge



Stitch 1/4 " along edge of bias.  I use a foot that has a lip on the right side so I always have a perfect edge.
Hint: Use a longer stitch length so you do not stretch the edge as you sew.  I use a 3.0 SL.  Change foot pressure to a lower number this places less pressure on the fabric to reduce any stretching.

First press seam flat ,then fold bias towards front edge of fabric

Press flat and pin making sure you only see the bias on the front edge of your fabric

Looking good and ready to sew again!

Make sure pins are in  place and everything is pressed properly before proceeding

You will be able to see a bit of color on the back side of your fabric

I use an Edge Stitch foot so I can follow very close to the edge. I move my needle over so I am about 1/8" from edge of the folded edge on the left side.

Sew along the edge and use a 3.0 SL and go slowly, always take pins out before getting to them.  It is  helpful to stop with your needle in the down position as you stop to take pins out to pick up where you left off.



Looks like this when done, this is your finished side at front.



Lo and behold this is the finished scallop edge,beautiful is it not?



So the finale, and now you can start redecorating every room right?   Have fun and go make some great new curtains......



I have finally gotten to putting together this tutorial with step by step pics to add a professional bias edge to a scallop edge curtain.  I am in the midst of making these curtains for my mom and sisters cafe.  I picked a fab fall look fabric from Ralph Lauren purchased @ JoAnn's  Fabrics the colors are really rich.  Kind of wish I would have bought some for my house ,as well.  I have a room totally dedicated to fall as it is my absolutely favorite season hands down soooo why not enjoy it year round I thought to myself.  Okay, back to the task at hand.  I picked a color from the fabric to use as my bias edge.  I made the scallop using a pattern I designed myself, but I do recommend using a scallop ruler to make it easier on yourself they come in different sizes.  To begin I finished the edges on my cut curtains with my serger with a three thread wide overlock stitch.  I do like how it finishes the edges for a clean professional look.  I pressed all edges for future stitching purposes.  So here it goes lets begin the steps you will need to get a great finish on any curtain edge.  I must say it gives it a nice finished edge and adds some color at the same time.  If you want a fun look for curtains might I say I really love Amy Butler's line of fabrics, they are so fun and bright and the large scale is perfect for curtains like this.  I love the finished look and hope you will too.  Now it"s time for you to follow along and make your own.  Hope this will help you delve in and go for it.  Remember it"s  not as hard as it first seems.  You can do it! 



Once done sewing , press from front edge and make sure edge is smooth and flat



Ode To Spring

Remnants of  dinner , squirrel style

Squirrel Yoga

Of better things to come....

Grand Dahlia Lama

The mc of spring has   arrived and now the show begins......

Finally signs of spring that maybe could bring it on a little faster perhaps.  Seeing a bit of life popping up around us is a good thing.  Could it be that my garden is ready to be colored and cared for once again????   I sure hope so as there are so many projects yet to be tackled.  What are your projects you have been dreaming about during the long winter months?  I am dreaming of tall spiky hollyhocks along the gray wooden fence and trailing vines of morning glories opening to face the sunny mornings and sitting on my porch drinking a steaming cup of cafe au lait and listening to the sound of birds and bugs in chorus....

A little ditty from my sewing studio

Loved this cute pincushion hand stitched and hand dyed



Just fun and almost done, so close....

 Well this is a project that I have been so close to getting completed.  So finally I must succumb and get it done.  This lovely little wool pin cushion was a kit I purchased, and as soon as I find the info I will let you know who from.  Easy to do and beautifully hand dyed wools and buttons etc..for embellishing.  When I stuff pin cushions I always love to add dried lavender for a special touch and it makes the whole sewing experience that much more pleasant.  How can you go wrong with that!  My final thing which always does me in is just closing the small opening and voila a completed project once again.  Okay, so now I am close to approaching number two and three complete projects.  How great is that,remember my first knitted sweater. Almost done now, just completing the other front piece and can go from there. I know still not back with my quilt,but that will come.  Patience my friends, patience.  Just a matter of time now.  Remember just keep moving forward from here.

A Week In Pictures

Elegance  amongst the pine boughs

Devil's Lake, a jewel of a state park

Velvet white blankets, as morning awakens

A scarlet bird adds a little color to a palette of  snowy white



A river lies silent



Loved this, such a picture of country life as it used to be

Today I found out that this factory was built by Frank Lloyd Wright, just one of the few

What a wonderful piece of architecture left to grow old and neglected

A window glows giving this building life again ,for but a moment

Dreaming of a place for this fine lady in my garden

I have not been writing as I should, so today I thought I would share my past few weeks with you in photographs.  I love to take pictures as I travel and always find something that catches my fancy.  Spring decided to play tricks with us this week and snow appeared once again.  The morning was white and spectacular.  I have a bit of everything for everyone including some great architecture. Have a great trip....