Insights & Outsights

No, this is not the Caribbean...its even better...because it is salt free and an easy scenic 6 hour drive from Chicago.

There are no shells on this beach, just a beautiful assortment of rocks, like unakite, feldspar and
....agates...these were found at a rock shop in Leland, Michigan, already polished, drilled and waiting to be strung.

There was not much time spent stitching, I was too busy swimming in the Great Lake and lolly gagging on the beach picking through stones.

These activities are also conducive to contemplation.

My thoughts on blogging go something like this...

*Is anyone listening? ...what is the sound of one hand clapping?
*What does recognition have to do with creativity?
*If a blog is an online journal why is it important to have comments?
*Blogs are work.
*My blog is a way for me to keep a record of my projects.
*I have never been a journal keeper.
*I like to keep track of the projects I have accomplished.
...so this is gratifying to me.
*Do I care that no one seems interested in commenting on what I do?
...I guess so, otherwise I wouldn't be contemplating whether I should continue the process.
*Has it helped create interest in my shops?
....questionable.
*I like the idea of having my shops, I really like the creating of shops...that is always fun.
*And I like collecting and designing items to sell in my shops.

All of this thinking is giving me a headache,
I think I need a dose ofQueen of Meadow
(found in antique store in Empire, Michigan)
Along with some other interesting remedies.
...all with the instructions..."Dose, a wineglassful 3-4 times a day"

I wonder if that means with or without WINE?...next I think I will try some Wahoo Bark.

Enid Collins Rooster Needlepoint

It has been a long time between posts. I have been working my "on call" job at Neiman Marcus but I have not been with out my projects.
I am still obsessing over needlepoint and this is my latest Enid Collins inspiration along with a tiny sampler I have been experimenting with.
...as I stitch I contemplate....lately there has been much contemplation about blogging and internet shopkeeping.
I am leaving tomorrow to go back to one of my favorite places for some R&R.Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Glen Arbor, MI


There will be lots more stitching and probably much more contemplation and maybe when I return, with a little help from Jupiter which turned retrograde yesterday, I will have found some new insight, inspiration and project ideas.

Enid Collins Inspired Needlepoint

My first needlepoint project is COMPLETED!

This was a great learning experience...and like all learning, came from mistakes.
This is what I learned....

10ct needlepoint canvas should be worked with 3 strands of tapestry wool (I used 2)
selvage should always be on the right or left not top and bottom
basket weave stitch will keep the canvas from distorting

With that being said...

Creativity is WELCOME!

I am off on a 2 two week hiatus visiting family and friends, reading good books and putting more stitches to canvas...
see you soon with more projects!

One Stitch Leads to Another

...and before you know it an addiction begins.

It started with a simple cross stitch. I was completely entranced when I picked up a piece of unfinished embroidery a year ago. I love how all those tiny little stitches accumulate to make a picture. I love it for the same reason I love cross word puzzles...it keeps you guessing until the end.

My biggest issue with those tiny little stitches is just that...they are so tiny and my eyes are so bad and I need perfect lighting and all of these things conspire to make it a bit stressful....

Enter the needlework canvas!

I decided to teach myself to needlepoint and purchased a piece of canvas with 10 holes to the inch...10 big holes, easy to see, and after realizing that the continental stitch is actually just half of a cross stitch, I was off and running.

My design was inspired by my Enid Collins handbag.

Vintage Fabric Pincushion Kit

I have raided my vintage stash and put together one of a kind vintage fabrics, buttons and trims along with complete instructions to make this patchwork pincushion. I currently have 4 different packets that can be purchased at
Whimrose Projects

Please come and take a look and get inspired!

*SPECIAL OFFER*

The first 5 people to make a purchase at Whimrose Projects will receive a 20% discount!

My Biggest Creative Project

Will.....Thanks for making me your Mom.

Mothers Day 2010

Today marks the official opening of my Whimrose Projects shop.

After weeks of working on my IWeb application to design a website I read about bigcartel, an online service that provides an instant customizable store to sell your goods. It is extremely easy to set up and navigate and with in a couple of hours everything was in place and I was ready to start listing my stock...so yeah...I took the easy way out, and I am very pleased with the results...byebye IWeb hello bigcartel!

Now that I have the store in place I can begin to concentrate on my "inspirational creative endeavors".
In need of some inspiration?
Whimrose Projects

Liberty of London Craft Quilt Project Packet #2 - Eyeglass Case

I just posted a new kit in my etsy shop featuring Liberty of London fabrics. The kit includes everything you will need to finish this fun patchwork project. The patchwork is done on a fusible template that allows you to press the squares unto the template and then fold and stitch, no messing around with tiny squares getting eaten by the feed dogs...in case you are wondering what that sinister feed dog is...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feed_dogs

The kit!

Cross Stitch Cat...RIP Sasha

My friend Jeanne recently lost a 21 year companion...her name was Sasha and she was a very lucky kitty having been rescued by two young boys from a dumpster in the city of Chicago.
Jeanne was on her way to the dry cleaners when tiny mews were heard, she turned and looked to see a little heart shaped face peeping up from the boys arms. They were on their way to the Anti Cruelty Society but instead she went home in the arms of her new Mommy, Jeanne.

The two have been together through many highs and lows including the addition of two more strays. Sasha has lived a long life and hung in there like a trouper being hand fed by Mom for the last year. I believe she survived so long because of Jeanne's dedication to caring for her...she was old and tired but it was hard for either of them to say good bye.

Sasha passed away while I was working on this little cross stitch project...still trying to hone my skills...I was inspired by a 19th century needlepoint. What started out to be a black and white tiger stripe kitty transformed in to a tortoise stripe Sasha. I am surprising Jeanne with it tonight.

Hunting and Gathering

I thought I would give you a sneak preview of some of goodies that I have been collecting for my new website. This is just a small sampling of the types of things that I will be offering.
Last week I brought moved an antique dresser up from our storage space to accomodate my "stock" and was able to move the boxes that have been lurking behind the living room sofa.
Yesterday I took a bag full of antique embroidery scissors to the hardware to be sharpened. I have been laundering boxes of vintage fabric and antique lace and searching for all types of special tools and accoutrement's.

I would love to know whats on your wish list and what might inspire you to be creative.

26 Small Knitting Projects One Skein at a Time

In the process of making room for new projects I am letting go of 28 skeins of novelty yarn and a wonderful book, One Skein by Leigh Radford.

Just like many of my passions, collecting being the biggest, knitting took over my life for the last 10 years. I am not saying that I don't knit any more, because I manage at least one or 2 projects a year.... but there was a time when I was turning out 1 or 2 projects in a month! During this time my other passion, collecting, kicked in and I was unable to pass an interesting skein of yarn with out snatching it up.

For at least 5 years this basket full of yarn has been a fixture under my worktable, quite honestly, I really liked looking at all those wonderful colors and textures. A couple of years ago I purchased this book to encourage me to work my way through the stash.
...alas no needles were put to yarn.
In case you have not been following my blog, a new passion has taken hold...embroidery and needlework...and I am off...collecting and filling baskets and there is no room for my feet under my work table!

You can find this wonderful array of projects just waiting to happen in my Whimrose Projects Ebay store

Check out this cute little drawstring pouch
How about a cute pair of fingerless gloves...its still cool enough to wear them in Chicago!
Love this pom-pom scarf!Darling little throw pillow
Frosting for a cupcake?Just add needles and knit!

J Crew Inspired Bib Necklace

When I received my Spring JCrew catalog a couple of weeks ago I fell in love with this necklace designed and modeled by the very talented Molly Carey. I immediately remembered a bag of vintage enameled flower brooches that I bought a few years ago and I was off on the search...trying to locate those brooches probably took me longer than it took me to make the necklace...When I finally uncovered the brooches tucked deep in the recesses of my stash, I literally dropped everything and began creating my own version.
I started by fusing a piece of felted wool with a piece of hand dyed silk to give sturdy service on which to place my jumble of goodies. I layered an antique linen collar on top of the wool and attached 2 ties made from 2X15" pieces of antique kimono silk that I had ripped, leaving the edges frayed. Next I gathered assorted pins, and buttons, attached the pins and hot glued the buttons in place. Then I, very carefully, cut around the edge of the bonded fabric and VOILA!...a JCrew Inspired Bib Necklace.

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace Kit

When I began blogging two years ago, my third post was a "how to" entitled Louis Vuitton "Knock Off" Fabric Bead Necklace. Two years later I still get comments on this post. In fact that post has brought more comments than any post to date (I really would like to change that...I am envious of those bloggers that get tons of comments..I guess I am still trying to find my people and I am not giving up on that quest!)

A couple of days ago I received a convo from my Etsy shop asking "When are you going to put together those kits?"...you see I have been talking about "kits" for a couple of years. It has been one of many ideas brewing on the back burner of my mind for quite some time. I think the universe is calling my name on this one because in the last couple of weeks I have had more than one person talk to me about "kits".

If you have been following my blog recently you know that I have been hinting about my new website and "kits" are certainly going to be part of this creative project but in the mean time while I continue to build the site I would like to introduce my first DIY Whimrose Project!

Liberty of London Fabric Bead Necklace

The kit will include everything that you need to put together your own necklace.
11 wood beads
2 yards of Midori double face satin ribbon
13 pre-cut Liberty of London print fabric
blunt end stainless steel needle
glue stick
complete instructions

I don't think you will find these at Target when they premiere their line of Liberty of London print merchandise next week!

ps....I will personally select fabric and ribbon colors of your choice.
You can find the kits here

Coming Soon!

Whimrose Project's
A Design Source for Artisans of Stitchery

Reflection of a Rainbow

doppio arcobaleno
double rainbow

I am headed back to the Land of Enchantment, home of big sky's, howling coyotes, green chili's and double rainbows.
If you are in need of sunshine there is a nearly 80% chance that you will have it every day of the year in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Don't quote me on that but I would say, having lived in Santa Fe for 5 years, it is fairly close to being true.

When I lived in Santa Fe I craved rainy days (crazy right?) but rarely got them. The sun would shine even when it rained producing some of the most spectacular rainbows I have ever seen.
Double rainbows are a common occurrence. A double rainbow is formed when the light is reflected twice. The colors are inverted in the reflected rainbow and because it is a reflection, the second rainbow is not as bright.


Having "big sky" certainly enhances the rainbow experience....and also enhances the ability to reflect...and that is what I am hoping to do on this trip back.

I am taking the slow climb to the high dessert on the Amtrak tomorrow. I doubt that I will see any rainbows this time of year but it is assured that I will see some beautiful sunsets!

Where do you reflect?

Slogan Bracelet "How To"

One of my readers requested that I show how the Slogan Bracelet was finished. Here is a brief "how to" guide.

Come guida

1. Measure a piece of embroidery linen to fit around your wrist and the desired width to incorporate your slogan. Add 1/2" to the lengthwise measurement. Center your slogan as desired and cross stitch.
2. Cut a piece of fabric the same size as the linen. I used an antique piece of wool that I had in my fabric stash. Any type of fabric that has some body would work.
3. With right sides together machine stitch one long edge and each end.
4. Turn and press, pressing under 1/4" on the unsewn edges.
5. Slip stitch lining to embroidered linen.
6. Make a chain stitch loop on one end and sew button in place.

The button I used is an antique stamped china button also from my stash.

....and speaking of "stash" if you don't have your own personal "stash", and don't have the time or inclination to try and unearth and collect these little treasures, don't despair Whimrose Projects is coming to your rescue with a new Internet shop featuring just these types of interesting and hard to find items that will personalize your creations.

I have lots of new ideas that I am working on and plan to bring together under the

Whimrose Projects banner....

a design source for artisans of stitchery!

Mysteries

braccialetto trasversale di slogan del punto
Cross Stitch Slogan Bracelet

Last year while perusing an ancient Ladies Home Journal in search of images for a collage I was working on I came across an article on Negative Capability.

A theory expressed by poet John Keats in a letter to his brother, Negative Capability is

"when man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact & reason."

That concept struck a cord for me.... getting comfortable with the unknown. One of my favorite songs by folk singer, Iris Dement is "Let the Mystery Be"....we don't have all the answers and we can't always make sense of things. Instead of getting hung up on those questions I would like to embrace this idea, make it my motto.

I like the idea of having a slogan or a motto and wearing it on my sleeve so to speak. This is my personal version of "What would Jesus do?", or Lance Armstrong's "Live Strong", or that famous little red string (what does that mean anyway?). My motto will help remind me to stay in a place of equipoise and ward off the "whys and what ifs".

...so for the moment this is my motto, my slogan...and I love the idea that I can make a whole slew of these bracelets with different words, different slogans...and when my thoughts, ideas and aspirations change all I have to do is change my bracelet...it is easier than removing a tattoo!

What would your slogan say?

Healthy Addictions

filo di seta del ricamo
embroidery floss

Embroidery floss is my new drug of choice and the good news is...it only cost $.39 a fix! Imagine being able to purchase everything you need for a project and not spending more than $10...you may even be able to get away with spending under $5.

Standing in front of the DMC Embroidery Floss display is like standing at the bottom of a pantone rainbow....your creative juices take flight and before you know it you have dropped 25 tiny bundles of color in to your basket and you have not even spent $10!

When I got home dizzy from my fix I realized in my floss infused high that I had left out the basics...black and white!
...and guess what my next project is?
I had to go back to my dealer for some crack I mean BLACK!

Keeping up the Practice

un uccello testa rossa

a red head bird

It has been a challenge to find time every day to devote to my New Years goals. I keep my embroidery in a basket close to my desk for impromptu stitches. The other day I stitched this little bird during a fifteen minute phone conversation....
....and speaking of phone conversations.
I had a most rewarding phone conversation/consultation with
Stacey Cornellus of thestudiosource.com.
Stacey writes a creative marketing blog that will help you "manage the business side of your creativity." She is warm and approachable and offered me great advice on how to market my talents and take the steps that will help me establish myself and my brand in a very competitive market.

Stacey's blog is full of helpful suggestions and interesting ideas. For the self employed creative business person The Studio Source offers a place for sharing information and improving your business sense....Thank you Stacey for providing that service...CHECK IT OUT!
...and with that being said...there are winds of change in the air and exciting new ideas ahead!

Cross Stitch Fruit Basket

Cesto di frutta punto croce

cross stitch fruit basket

Resolution #1, Project #1....Antique Embroidery Inspiration....tiny 2X4 inch fruit basket motif cross stitch..Mission Accomplished!

After many hours of frustration stitching tiny crosses through tiny holes, trips to Joann's for bigger needles and linen with bigger holes, Internet research on making the perfect cross stitch, I have finally found my embroidery groove...YIPPEE!
Through the power of perseverance, confusion turns to understanding and the rows begin to roll out one by one, designing as I go...25 red stitches become an apple, 58 yellow and you have a pear, the orange and grapes unfold before my eyes!
Looking back over my canvas I see mistakes I made, on the pear I decided to switch direction and in so doing the stitches picked up a different texture. This mistake taught me that you could create texture and that may give me the ability to mold my next image. I will always look back as this piece of cross stitch as my FIRST piece of cross stitch and in so doing will be able to see how far I have come. It all about the process.

How Much is that Doggie in the Window?

dolce cagnolino

sweet little dog

I have been trying my hardest to part with this little velveteen dog but it seems that she has worked her way into my heart...and there she sits as if she has just jumped out of this folk art painting that also worked its way into my heart....parting with "things" can be such sweet sorrow...and that is a problem when your purpose is to buy and re-sell "things". The sweet part of the sorrow is the possibility of doubling your money....sometimes "the thing" wins!
I am not a hoarder by any means. It is very easy for me to rid myself of the unused and greatly used household items and clothes I have grown tired of. I love to clean my closet every season..it is so refreshing.
....but I am a sucker for anything quirky, well loved, the right shade of blue, pink and gold, Staffordshire, pin cushion, antique litho anything, small wood handled tools (more about that in another post), ancient patchwork and embroidery, ephemera...have I covered it all?...OH!! I almost forgot ...buttons, trim, fabric (vintage and antique of course). My collections inspire me and feed my passion for "the treasure hunt"...you never know what you may find around the next corner or on the next page of Ebay listings...somehow that always keeps me going.

What is on your treasure hunt map?

Green Lentils

verde lenticchie

green lentils

I have been searching for green lentils, affordable green lentils, forever. I have only found them twice in the last couple of years and both times resisted buying them because they were $5 a pound and when you are staring at the plain old ordinary brown lentils for around $1 a pound...I am afraid the less exotic variety wins out.

Recently we went on our annual pre-Christmas specialty grocery store shop and when I spotted those expensive green lentils on the shelf I threw them into the basket so fast your head would spin, you see I was feeling rather flush with my Neiman Marcus holiday pay in hand.

I knew that once I tasted the difference that there would be no turning back...and I was right!

My first taste of French green lentils was of course in France. They provided a luscious base for a mixed grill of baby goat..another thing I am not likely to find anytime soon.

The other night while trying to come up with a good alternative to potatoes, rice or pasta (husband is on the no carbs kick again) I decided that green lentils were the perfect match for a lamb stew.

I consulted my new kitchen bible:

French Provincial Cooking
by
Elizabeth David

Her basic recipe is very simple...soaking the lentils for an hour helps but is not necessary.

For 1/2 pound of lentils
Cover with water and soak for one hour
Drain and put into a saucepan
Add 2 1/2 cups water
Bring to boil
Simmer for 1 hour 15 min or until tender

At this point you can use your imagination. She suggests adding a cup of stock and continue to simmer until it is absorbed. I added a bit of pan drippings left from sauteing the lamb along with some beef stock. She also suggests serving with the French classic, Maitre D'Hotel Butter, which is basically 2 oz of butter that has been worked together with 1 T of finely chopped parsley and a few drops of lemon juice. This can be made a head and kept chilled.

assolutamente delizioso!
absolutely delicious!

The next night I used the left over lentils as a side for roasted Italian sausage and sauteed rapini with garlic, once again adding the pan juices from the sausage to liven the lentils.

paradiso
heaven!

The taste of green lentils is not quite as earthy as brown lentils, a bit fresher tasting and worth every penny spent!

Lentils are my new food passion...do you have any recipes to share?

The Stool

lo sgabello
the stool

This is the needlepoint stool that I bought on Ebay. I am in love with the bright cheerful pattern. Around the edge is embroidered:

Ruth Emery
Feb 1973
Mulberry Drive

The seller listed this stool as an antique dated 1873. The actual stool I am sure is an antique, the needlepoint obviously on closer inspection is not but the two pieces make a perfect match. I believe the stool is quite old judging from the nails and type of construction...and if I had that Appraisal Certificate I could have my own personal Antiques Roadshow moment.

You can see how inspiring this little work of art is and I think the antique silk shoes purchased from Big Fish Lil Pond, the Etsy shop of my niece extraordinaire, Natalie, complete the picture.

Gray Grey Grigio

fredda e grigia
cold and grey

Not a good day for picture taking....or as it turned out... anything else that was not a CHORE!
You can start the day with such good intentions and then as my Mom (by way of John Lennon) always says...Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.....so besides:

1. packing and shipping 22 Ebay items including a 17 pound accordion (don't ask)
2. cleaning up after a sick dog...room to room including bottom of shoe
3. attempting to "easily" pay a bill online with a forgotten password...20 minutes later no bill was paid
4. rearranging the storage space to fit the Christmas decorations back in...I thought there was an empty shelf there?
5. meet husband down front with the cart to bring up the groceries...well at least I did not have to go to the grocery...whew...
6. trying to explain to my Mom why I have not finished her friend Helen's quilt

ahhhh...what was I talking about?????

Goals tomorrow:

make some cross stitches
finish Helen's quilt
learn how to say "This is fun!"...in Italian

What kept you from your one hour of creativity today?

Antique Embroidery Inspiration Project #1

I adore cucito.
I adore needlework

I love this little fragment of antique embroidery and have decide to make this my first counted cross stitch project...well...I guess I should say I will "attempt" this project. I have been practicing all week on a scrap to try and develop my rhythm.

Over the holidays I made my first attempt on a fine piece of Zweigart Swiss linen that I bought on Etsy with no idea how to even do counted cross stitch and nearly gave up. I made a trip to Joann Fabrics and found a sturdy piece of linen with holes that were much easier to see and also...the key...a magnifier..and now I am on a roll.

The needlework underneath is actually a tiny little antique footstool that I found on ebay the week that I was on vacation (am I the only person that peruses Ebay while on vacation?). My mind was full of needlework ideas once the bug hit. I will post more pictures of the stool tomorrow...it has a bit of a mystery behind it.

Resolution #2 Underway

Fa molto freddo a Chicago!

Its very cold in Chicago

With the help of my new friend virtual friend Marcello, (you can find him here):

http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/tts_tran_example.php

I am going to start learning Italian! My plan is to introduce a few words and phrases a week. Last week I learned Vorrei una tazza di caffè...."I would like a cup of coffee". Forget Rosetta Stone...I have Marcello and he is FREE....Sono così eccitato!

(Sorry... I tried to create a link to Marcello but it wasn't working so you will have to copy and paste the link to find my man)

Nuovi anni di risoluzioni 1.1.2010

Ahhhhh.... the sound of crunching pine needles under my feet on the living room floor can only mean one thing... the tree is dead and 2009 has bit the dust...and for those two things I am very happy.

I have maintained, for a number of years, that my favorite day of the year is December 26th and my next favorite day is January 1. I love fresh starts. I love clean slates. I love setting goals and dedicating space for those goals in my everyday life.

Last year my goal was to devote an hour everyday to collage a 6X6 square as part of a daily visual journal. It was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done mostly because it became a meditation and helped me stay centered and think inward. There was no outward goal just an inner satisfaction. I stayed with the practice until September when I made the decision that I wanted to take that hour that I had set aside everyday and turn it more outward and open my Etsy shop, something I had talked about doing for a couple of years.

I think setting aside time and disciplining yourself to stick with it will help grow what ever passion pulls your heart strings, whether it is personal or business inspired...making time is key. So with that being said I am setting aside my one hour a day this year to explore 3 things:

Embroidery
Learning to speak Italian
Getting a Certificate in Appraisal Studies in Fine and Decorative Arts

...and I will let you know how that goes...what are you going to do with your hour?