Yeah, I feel better
After that horrendously bitchy post, I really wanted to share some good things to offset it. (I still think my aunt was being a twat, but there's awesome stuff in my life too.)
I went to the Stitcher's Guild meeting, and learned how to do canvass work with Bargello stitch. It was fan-freekin-tastic! We did our Secret Santa Stitcher paperwork and now have our people. I got a really nice lady whom I was sitting next to and we really hit it off. I have some cool ideas on things to make/get her for the swap. She said she got some cool technical ideas from watching me stitch up the Bargello piece, and I was excited I helped her with technique without even realizing it.
We also have our Christmas party planned- I'm going to make a MASSIVE vat of Mac & Cheese!!!! I'm thinking Betty will let me abscond with her Nesco for this. In addition to the food and Secret Santa, there is also a Yankee Orniment swap of things hand made. I think I'll whip up a bead netted snowflake and have a spare just in case too. :) It's always cool to have a spare thingie in case something happens.
A bit later on in January there is a weekend retreat that I'm super-looking forward to as well. It sounds like a blast. The group seems like so much fun, and I love getting to know people better! What a bargain- dues aren't that high, and they don't collect until January. Then we all make little things that can be sold at the silent auction for the fair and stuff. YAY!
I finished a commission for one of the Labor Crew guys at work. He saw my coyote tooth necklace and wanted to know if I drilled teeth. I'm terrified of screwing teeth up, so I don't. Then he asked me about how to make a bear tooth into a necklace- I told him I could certainly give a wire wrap job a go. I have a few claw and teeth I've done before with nice results, he was thrilled and that's how I ended up with a bear tooth to wrap.
I admit, I kind of out did myself. It turned out really well, I managed to get a super tight wrap on, then I doubled the loop hole and wound wire around it to keep it together for the leather thong. I had a nice chocolate color that looks fairly traditional- not too dark, but not the usual creamy-yellow that sets off both the gold wire and the tooth with natural patina. I can't wait to give it to Ted in the morning.
Projects for other people (or me) on the block:
Pillow for Kitty's nephew, Andrew. About 75-80% complete. The tribal wolf paw beaded back decoration is nearly done. As long as it stitches nicely onto the back material it will be awesome. Then I just have to back the pillow and stuff it. All depending on weather I do the velvet back or recycled suede for time and stitching.
I might make a fluffy scarf in some pretty blue fancy yarn I picked up for my secret Santa giftee. I think I'll do up some fancy earrings of some sort, maybe a matching pendant? Something fun and funky. Possibly a blue and red snowflake ornament for her too. Maybe a beaded scissor case with a small pair of scissors... (I might pick that up at Raw Fur... My bead embroidery sucks, I hope Kitty's adopted Mom, Miss Sophie will teach me some technique sometime.)
I have some dragonflies made up. I think I'll do 4 or 5 more for gifts. I might be sort of ok for gifts. They go super fast now that I know what I'm doing.
I want to do another green one for Kitty in particular, maybe a sun-catcher tribal wolf from the same pattern I'm using the paw print for Andrew's pillow.
I *might* make Scott a raven beaded lighter sleeve if I have a chance. Otherwise, break out the Raven with Shiny pattern and make a cross stitched ornament. Those sleeves do take a little time.
Maybe an iris lighter sleeve for Cheryl (Chris's mom).
I have the Bargello Christmas pattern to finish up for myself. That will be a mind clearing relaxing thing.
Pillow-ize the bunny needlepoint piece. I found the fabric again, and it will be super easy since I have a sewing machine that rocks now.
Pillow-ize the big black wolf face, maybe on green velvet. They have some on sale at JoAnne's this week. Add beadwork eyes, maybe fangs/teeth?
Make beaded beads for a necklace for the lamp work fishtank bead I have. I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS SOON.
I want to get my quilt going again to move along and finish it.
That Freekin' Dragon TW piece I have had going forever. I really want to do that one up.
Find a couple of little somethings I can enter for the fair, work them up really well so I might win something? The guild kind of depends on people to do that. Or take back the Black Lab I made for Chris. That one came out really well. I haven't made anything for myself in years- so my better worthy of judging work is all out and about in many other hands.
Frick, all of that is ambitious. This whole work thing keeps getting in the way.
ETA: I finished the beaded paw, just need to attach it to the pillow back now.
Colors are actually a lot better in person- the light is way more shimmery and less yellow toned with more of a spring leaf green. The pawprint itself is actually a very dark green with iridescence. More of a dark peacock green. I like it.
I went to the Stitcher's Guild meeting, and learned how to do canvass work with Bargello stitch. It was fan-freekin-tastic! We did our Secret Santa Stitcher paperwork and now have our people. I got a really nice lady whom I was sitting next to and we really hit it off. I have some cool ideas on things to make/get her for the swap. She said she got some cool technical ideas from watching me stitch up the Bargello piece, and I was excited I helped her with technique without even realizing it.
We also have our Christmas party planned- I'm going to make a MASSIVE vat of Mac & Cheese!!!! I'm thinking Betty will let me abscond with her Nesco for this. In addition to the food and Secret Santa, there is also a Yankee Orniment swap of things hand made. I think I'll whip up a bead netted snowflake and have a spare just in case too. :) It's always cool to have a spare thingie in case something happens.
A bit later on in January there is a weekend retreat that I'm super-looking forward to as well. It sounds like a blast. The group seems like so much fun, and I love getting to know people better! What a bargain- dues aren't that high, and they don't collect until January. Then we all make little things that can be sold at the silent auction for the fair and stuff. YAY!
I finished a commission for one of the Labor Crew guys at work. He saw my coyote tooth necklace and wanted to know if I drilled teeth. I'm terrified of screwing teeth up, so I don't. Then he asked me about how to make a bear tooth into a necklace- I told him I could certainly give a wire wrap job a go. I have a few claw and teeth I've done before with nice results, he was thrilled and that's how I ended up with a bear tooth to wrap.
I admit, I kind of out did myself. It turned out really well, I managed to get a super tight wrap on, then I doubled the loop hole and wound wire around it to keep it together for the leather thong. I had a nice chocolate color that looks fairly traditional- not too dark, but not the usual creamy-yellow that sets off both the gold wire and the tooth with natural patina. I can't wait to give it to Ted in the morning.
Projects for other people (or me) on the block:
Pillow for Kitty's nephew, Andrew. About 75-80% complete. The tribal wolf paw beaded back decoration is nearly done. As long as it stitches nicely onto the back material it will be awesome. Then I just have to back the pillow and stuff it. All depending on weather I do the velvet back or recycled suede for time and stitching.
I might make a fluffy scarf in some pretty blue fancy yarn I picked up for my secret Santa giftee. I think I'll do up some fancy earrings of some sort, maybe a matching pendant? Something fun and funky. Possibly a blue and red snowflake ornament for her too. Maybe a beaded scissor case with a small pair of scissors... (I might pick that up at Raw Fur... My bead embroidery sucks, I hope Kitty's adopted Mom, Miss Sophie will teach me some technique sometime.)
I have some dragonflies made up. I think I'll do 4 or 5 more for gifts. I might be sort of ok for gifts. They go super fast now that I know what I'm doing.
I want to do another green one for Kitty in particular, maybe a sun-catcher tribal wolf from the same pattern I'm using the paw print for Andrew's pillow.
I *might* make Scott a raven beaded lighter sleeve if I have a chance. Otherwise, break out the Raven with Shiny pattern and make a cross stitched ornament. Those sleeves do take a little time.
Maybe an iris lighter sleeve for Cheryl (Chris's mom).
I have the Bargello Christmas pattern to finish up for myself. That will be a mind clearing relaxing thing.
Pillow-ize the bunny needlepoint piece. I found the fabric again, and it will be super easy since I have a sewing machine that rocks now.
Pillow-ize the big black wolf face, maybe on green velvet. They have some on sale at JoAnne's this week. Add beadwork eyes, maybe fangs/teeth?
Make beaded beads for a necklace for the lamp work fishtank bead I have. I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS SOON.
I want to get my quilt going again to move along and finish it.
That Freekin' Dragon TW piece I have had going forever. I really want to do that one up.
Find a couple of little somethings I can enter for the fair, work them up really well so I might win something? The guild kind of depends on people to do that. Or take back the Black Lab I made for Chris. That one came out really well. I haven't made anything for myself in years- so my better worthy of judging work is all out and about in many other hands.
Frick, all of that is ambitious. This whole work thing keeps getting in the way.
ETA: I finished the beaded paw, just need to attach it to the pillow back now.
Colors are actually a lot better in person- the light is way more shimmery and less yellow toned with more of a spring leaf green. The pawprint itself is actually a very dark green with iridescence. More of a dark peacock green. I like it.