London, Dec. 2022
Pattern is from XstitchByTA from Etsy.
I love these City Patterns! I had this Burlap-esque Aida fabric that I thought would go really nice with these simple outline designs and there was a learning curve with the fabric but I was right, I love the look of it.
Hand cut mat and hand framed. I made a little mistake with the mat but it is what it is. It happens. It’s not that noticable in real life.
Made as a Gift for Christmas!
Jurassic Park, Nov. 2022
Pattern is from PatchyAtBestCo from Etsy.
This I had to really make my mark on. Mr. DNA was removed from the pattern (They were probably hit with some sort of copyright, so no hate to the pattern maker) so I redesigned Mr. DNA to be in the cross stitch again.
The pattern was also only in black and white, so all the colors were chosen and added by me. This was inspired by someone else who had also made this pattern and the added color to theirs but I chose a lot more colors and different ones.
On the egg block, I left one cracked open to show that the dinosaurs had “Um, found a way” and I also moved some of the blocks around to make the design more balanced with the colors that I chose.
Lucked out with the frame, perfect size and the perfect wood grain I feel like. I love it so much.
Sailor Pluto Galaxy Gameboy on Yellow Aida
I thought I would start writing on the blog when I update the artwork in the various galleries! I can talk a little more about each piece and it’ll be nice to look back and read some of the thoughts I had!
Cross Stitch Pattern is from NeedleMinderLair on etsy. Done on some yellow Aida that I had leftover from another cross stitch project.
I love the colors of this cross stitch but I have one critique, which is Pluto’s Garnet Rod, I added some gray back stitching to add some extra pop to it, but I feel in the original pattern that the rod blends in too much to the design. Other than that, A+.
The Wood frame was premade. I found a local frame store that you can buy these really nice premade frames from the leftovers of other framing jobs on the cheap. I’ve purchased several items to let me frame my own items, so I have framers points and the gun used to shoot them in the frame. The cross stitch is pinned to some foam core, and I have craft paper on the back and screwed in my own hangers and wire.
I’m very excited to be learning new skills to really create my own pieces of art.
Zoo Lights, 2022
As I straighten up my office I am confronted with SO MANY PROJECTS.
There is a pile of clothing that needs alterations, a box of yarn put aside for a branch weaving, a half painted wood pumpkin for a handmade fall decoration, a half finished weaving on a loom, and a drawer of tiny things I want to try….
Not to mention the plastic aida canvas for the 3D projects I want to try out.
So, I need to make a plan to actually finish these projects and get them out of my closet and my life, haha. The sewing is probably the biggest pain. I have several days off for the holiday so I think that is when I’ll tackle those items.
The loom is large and unwieldly. I would put that up in the attic once I finish the weaving on it, so that and then the branch weaving.
I believe that’s a good start, and that would free up a bunch of space in my closet. Fingers crossed I actually stick to my own plan!
Wind at the Windmill Island in June 2022
When I was in high school and college Michigan winters broke my spirit. Then I moved to Arizona for 11 years. It was beautiful….but it was HOT.
Part of being back in the midwest is just me trying to appreciate the absolutely stunning days we do have.
It is really pretty here sometimes.
This has nothing to do with anything, I just like how it looks. I took this back in July.
I am done with four cross stitch projects all together and am furiously working on a fifth because apparently I like to wait until the last minute to make Christmas present decisions. I have to finish the fifth in order to complete the present that is the fourth because I’m doing them on the same fabric and it holds better in the Q-snap with extra fabric. Those fourth and fifth projects will have to be matted and framed first before I can even touch the personal ones because I might not make it to Christmas in time. Aggghh.
I did buy some beautiful frames for two of the earlier projects, no matting neccessary but I will need to mount them on the foamcore. I could do that at the same time I’m doing the mounting and matting on the other two. The last one is getting framed in an embroidery hoop and that is all different materials so that will be last one done.
I really have found joy in cross stitching. I love not looking at a screen all the time and having an object to hold and to touch when I’m finished. Even though I give most of my work to my loved ones. It’s a two for one hobby, I spend hours doing something I enjoy and then I don’t have to go shopping for presents. It’s perfect.
I went for a little bike adventure over the summer and found this building. I’m not sure what it is but I find the gradient it has absolutely beautiful.
Patio Snow
My 2020 Thanksgiving Decor…it’s only gotten worse. Damn you, Target Birds.
The only thing I need to make for my Thanksgiving this year is the mashed potatoes, cause I ordered EVERYTHING already made and the only option for mashed potatoes had milk in it, which I can’t have. I’m gonna pre-make those potatoes and then I’m gonna do absolutely nothing for Thanksgiving. It will be glorious.
I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving is boring and uneventful and full of delicious food that you didn’t have to slave over for hours on end. It’s a holiday. Go relax.
We had a truly beautiful fall this year. This is from late October from a walk before all my neighbors started raking.
Birthday Sushi
I miss having a halfway decent place to share little tidbits of my life. My life is boring, which I prefer, but I would still like a place to share tiny joys, updates of art, and other random bits and bobs. So, I’ve decided to focus on the website that I actually pay for.
I was half keeping a private blog on this thing, but I always needed it perfect when I posted and I’ve decided I’m done with that. I’ve put the app for this website onto my phone and I would like to use this more frequently, more imperfectly, and just more in general.
Cheers to the imperfection and to the random. I’ll be seeing you again soon.