creativebebe

StitchMap and Color Theory

Over the holidays, I went on a creative frenzy searching for Brazilian Embroidery tutorials, which led to not so popular embroidery stitches and crazy quilting, which then led to midievel embroidery techniques, finally getting me to a one stop group called StitchMAP. This is a group of Mentors, Angels and Apprentices who teach, learn and pay forward the arts of all things stitching, fibers, floss and creativity. After anxiously waiting for a month, the pre-requisite class to all classes, Color Theory Course has begun! As a fine arts major in college, I had taken this class and was less than enthused about taking this class...again. But as I went through and did the first exercise, my perspective in how I saw my stash of embroidery and tatting/crochet threads in a whole new light. I realized how much color I had and the treasure of supplies that sat, collecting dust until such a time as this. This time in my life to rekindle the creative hunger of color, creativity, and joy in making something out of what others consider nothing! If you are looking for a very active, lively group that is all about teaching, learning, sharing and paying forward the blessings of creativity and life in general, then come on and join us! I have posted a purple Yahoo Groups button to the left. We have members from all over the world and every class, challenge and topic posts are all teaching and learning tools, from each other. This is not a place where egos and self promotion are priority, but of honest and real sharing and encouragment. The foundation and meat of true friendships with a common passion for the arts in fiber, thread and unlimited possibilities! I will end this post with a picture collage of my first exercise as a teaser. I will not post anymore on the classes, as these are proprietary, even though EVERY class and aspect is free of charge. Enjoy and if you have the passion, then join us!

 

 
Blessings!

~creativebebe

DE-CLUTTERING....ORGANIZING....IDEAS

I have been in a balanced state of decluttering my life this past week and does it feel GOOD! Purged purses (how many arms do I have to carry so many...!?), christmas decor (half the box was full of tissue used to wrap the glass ornies...), tea and snack cabinet, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. As I was going through my emails this morning, I came across one of those google ads on some website with the headline, "Clever Storage Ideas to De-clutter Your Home". It is one of a plethora of articles I have read over the years in the hopes of finding the magic solution to my clutter problem. Then it hit me as I was about to click the link....maybe it's not about storage solutions, as much as it is about just getting rid of the crap you don't use or need! Cue the lightbulb and sweeping orchestra music in a soft, but motivational crescendo! Could de-cluttering really be as simple as that!? Why did I never think of that before? What was going on in the complex, grey-matter electrical grid of my brain that this option was not at the forefront with all my other great ideas? Was it the B-Complex and Emergen-C I've been taking? Did that kick start the organization genius part of my brain somehow to finally have the real answer? However it came to be, the fact is....we are an obese nation....in body and material possessions. Why else would pseudo-reality tv shows like, Clean House, Hoarders, Storage Wars, etc be so popular? Because our nation can relate to the poor, unwise saps who allowed themselves to be filmed for the entire nation to see their drama being played out. Granted, in the end of some of the shows, the clutter has been conquered...but has the mind-set been conquered? It has to start from a new perspective. I remember the days when all I needed for furniture was a bed, dresser, side table, couch, coffee table, end tables, tv stand and dining room set. Some plants and a few decorator pieces such as a painting or two and some beautiful vases or sculptures. That was it. Simplicity. Practicality. I used to have more time for people, now I am giving my time to my things....to clean, organize, rotate and sometimes actually use. No more! This year, I have had a mind-set changing, perspective altering epiphany....get rid of the crap and don't buy storage solutions...because those are now part of the clutter mess as well! HAHA How freeing it is to be free mentally....which in turn has made me a speedy gonzales of de-cluttering now! I'm addicted! Get rid of it! I need more boxes for give-aways! Freecycle....you are my new best friend! Let's do it together! Letting go of the material things and striving for more relational things. Happy New Year!

Crazy Quilt Block Swap

Hello all! This is my latest project that I am so darn proud of. It didn't take me as long as it could have since it was for a swap. If I had had more time, I would have planned it a little better, but with little time and carpel tunnel flares, it turned out pretty well. In the process of making this one, I learned a couple of Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery techniques that I was able to add to the block. Just a sampler of my creative abilities all in one space for one very sweet and kind swap friend!

   
It is in autumnal colors, my swap partner's favorite...mine as well. Sorry for the poor picture quality. I was using a 50mm lens and was too lazy to dig my photo bag out and switch out the lenses. I promise better pics in the future. Here are some close-ups of the work I did.

 
This is my spider web and spider. Almost every CQ block I've seen has one of these on them.

 
This is my beaded herringbone stitch with some swag.

 
This is my first attempt at gold work with some gold cording instead of the appropriate gold wire thread. 
Brazialian Embroidery, casting stitch flower with alternating satin stitch leaves.

 
Hollyhocks in Brazilian Embroidery casting and bullion stitches with bead and ribbon french knot centers.

 
Velevet poinsettia with beaded accents for water droplets.

 
And these are some simple beaded flower cuties I just had to put in there somewhere.

 
This is a pin cushion I made for her along with a leather thimble and a tatting starter kit.

 
Here is the pin cushion open. I love this pin cushion so much, I think I may make some to post in my etsy shop!

Well, that is all for now. I do have some other things to share, but will space those out so as not to overwhelm you all! Enjoy and have a blessed day!

Go! Cutter Giveaway...

Well, it has been awhile since I have posted. I have been busy, as well as redrafting what this blog is all about. I will get back to this blog soon enough with some tasty creative eye candy and a tutorial or two. Keep an eye out...but in the meantime, go to Lavender Ridge's blog! She is giving away an Accuquilt Go! Cutter. How fabulous is that! I wanted one as soon as these came out, but have been a good girl and have been waiting and saving for it. I signed up for the giveaway....if I win, I can use my money saved so far for more fabric!

Check it out and keep checking back here. This blog will be up and running soon!

Thanks for stopping by and blessings!

~creativebebe 

Virtual Hugs

There are times when I am overcome with blissful glee of happiness, love, joy, mischievousness and just need to HUG something or someone. Well, when you're chatting with a friend or loved one online, it's a little hard to do. So yesterday, in the middle of chatting with my BFF or BGP (bestie friend forever or best gal pal), I came up with a virtual hug system that fit the bill very nicely!

VIRTUAL HUG LEGEND:

• ((( ))) = regular loving hug
• {{{ }}}= shaking noogie type hug
• [[[ ]]] = hard, squeezing the love out of you hug

In the middle of the hug, type the emotion your are conveying, i.e., {{{big sister noogie}}}

You can combine them for hug variations...like a recipe! {{{[[[big sister noogie]]]}}}

It's a lot of fun when you're talking with someone....go ahead....try it!

Lotions and Potions, Ivy League, ATC's, Animation and Scrapbooking....Oh My!

This past week I joined a swap for fellow budding and existing entrepeneurs who's businesses are home based. We had to share our "stats" and answer some really good questions about why, when and 5 year forecasts. We then had to go to each other's websites, blogs, stores, etc and subscribe, read, and enjoy. While my progress has been painstakingly slower than molasses, this swap and these ladies were just the kick in the pants to get me that much more motivated to press on. Take a moment to check their sites out:

Marni for you east coast people and Nancy for you west coast people. they both have Avon sites for all your beauty needs. From cleansers, to moisturizers, to perfumes and jewelry and everything in between. I know of a few ladies, including my mother, who sold Avon and were pretty successful. For my mother, who is Korean, Avon was a lifeline to meeting new friends in a foreign country with beauty as the common theme. Check out their sites and if you need anything and don't already have a regular Avon lady, give them a shout out!

Next we have Megan. She is currently working on her Ph.D and is a self proclaimed student-for-life. Her blog is Ph.Dead and is all about her life as a post graduate student, teacher, artist, and more. I would say she is a mash of Goth meets Ivy League meets Indie type of read. Check out her blog, you just may be inspired!

Now Annette is a soon to be budding fabric artist. Watch out for her as she is finishing up her thesis in animation and illustration, and will be focusing on the fabric art afterwards! Her website is KristenCollins and it is an online portfolio of her work. Very creative gal who is also a mash of Goth meets Anime meets Indie. Be on the lookout for Annette's work in the fabric and art arenas in the near future!

Just as equally talented, we have Ashley. She is all things scrapbooking and sewing and has a online store for all your scrapbooking needs. She specializes in the different cutting machines and even sells handmade covers in her etsy store, CE8TIVE INSTINCTS. Her blog is fun and motivational, plus she posts sales for all her blog followers and lurkey loos! Go check her out and see if you find a deal from her!

These are some of the people I get to meet on Swap-bot. Fun...motivational...inspirational...!

So take some time to check them out and as always, have a blessed day!

Sakura, Sakura...Sashiko!

I joined a swap for Sashiko embroidery and have fallen in love with this technique. It is an old Japanese uitilitarian technique used to repair garments. The lines are a simple, close running stitch with a couple of very basic rules for corners and perpendicular lines sewn with white cotton thread on indigo fabric. In getting ready for this swap I googled "sashiko" and found a plethora of information, resources, images and ideas. I chose to design my own pattern to correspond to the item I made, a zippered wristlet. I really like the harlequin design of diamonds and cherry blossoms, so that is what I did.

 
Here is a close up of my cherry blossom....so cute!

 
  Here is the finished Sashiko and the final finished product.

 
  Try it! It is so much fun....if you have any questions, just comment or email me, and share pictures of your own sashiko, I'd like to see!

Blessings!

Chai and mentor moments...

 
 

I love spicy chai tea and have been on the lookout for a robust version in the various tea aisles I come across. The only chai that is remotely close to what I enjoy is the one served at the chain coffee shop with the green mermaid logo. Not a mental breakdown situation, but an ongoing obsession until the Angry Chicken blogger posted this recipe! Simple, and almost there. I might not put as much cinnamon in or maybe heat up the condensed milk with cinnamon sticks so the grit is not there. But such a comfort when added to a strong brew of black tea! p.s DO NOT add to coffee....blech :P

So with my tea drinking comes mentoring moments with my BGPs (x2). These are usually just our typical chatty times in the evening to recap our day and discuss any frustrations and challenges we may have come across. In certain circumstances, I have so much relevant experience, I share my perspective wrapped, soaked and dripping with Biblical support and reference. The source of my sanity, and any good attitude and actions comes from the relationship with a Saviour who loves deeper than I can dare Him to, and the Promises that He gives in His Word, the Bible. Often times some profound wisdom will pour forth from my mouth and as the words are pouring out, my mind is in awe at what is being said. The mentoring moment is for both of us and adjustments start happening in the depths of my very being to apply the  wisdom to my life. One night last week was one such moment. There was frustration and anger about how my dear friend was deceived. The revelation of how this dear friend is truly perceived was so hurtful and damaging, a lot of anger came bubbling up. This dear friend was having difficulty grieving the loss of the perceived relationship and as we were talking about it, the Holy Spirit of Wisdom poured out...."Anger is an emotion that is Holy. We were created in the image of Yahweh and He holds all the same emotions we do....only to a degree that we cannot fathom. Our emotions are a clue to what is going on in our lives. Anger is the clue to some kind of imbalance and is the catalyst for change...change with the circumstances or with ourselves". Ephesians 4:26 says to "Be angry and sin not". What does that mean? We can be angry, but how we choose to view and handle our anger determines if we have sinned or not. How profound and freeing to know that it is OKAY to feel angry, we just have to keep the mind of Christ and seek His counsel for the change that needs to happen with this feeling. Lord, change the circumstance and remove it or me. Lord, show me where my anger is misplaced and give me the ability to forgive, and walk in Your agape love for this circumstance. Show me what to do. This is just one of an infinite amount of revelations for anger, but this one fit just right for my dear friend's circumstances; and it blessed me in the process of being a shoulder to cry on.

Blessings!  

Have you had a UFO encounter?

Okay, so I went to my very first DVQ Guild meeting and I joined! What a fun group of women (I didn't see any men)! So friendly, welcoming, and fun. Lots of Janiacs there as well. I'm so looking forward to this year in so many ways, one of them being the crafting/sewing front! Soooo.....in the spirit of crafting goodness, I have been cleaning out my piles of excess and keep encountering UFOs! Not a whole colony, but enough to warrant a plan of action to deal with these little and some big boogers! They are from the planet of "Good Intentions Left Undone". 

This one is called "Doll Quilt"

This was started back in 2000 sometime, but the panel I bought when I was around 13 or 14 years old. I think. Not very pretty, I used the decorative stitches on a sewing machine I bought from Costco on the sash areas. I just need to hand quilt the panels and pillow, bind it all up and call it a day.

This next UFO is called "Mystery Grape Throw"

This was from a Mystery Quilt Overnighter with Lynda Rydjord of Northern California at least 8-10 years back. I had such a time with this quilt, my heart wasn't really into it. It was around the time I started with the fibrolmyalgia symptoms. Now, I need to take it apart, re-read the pattern directions and do it right! Will probably use this quilt as my first machine quilting experience! 

This UFO is called "Joann's QBOM 1993"

 

This was my second QBOM. During this time I had transitioned from teller at a bank to my start on Wall Street. It was a very exciting year and so much had happened. I had finished the blocks, but never sewed the block, sashing and border together. This one will be pretty easy peasy to finish piecing, then it's on to quilting. Not sure how if I will hand or machine quilt, but I can cross that bridge when I get to it. :)

This UFO is called "Joann's QBOM 2000"

This quilt was started the year I moved from Executive Admin to Client Liason aka Client Relations and with that, so much traveling, and the full on-set of the fibromyalgia symptoms. It was a difficult year. A lot of introspection toward the end of that year. Needless to say, I have a couple more blocks to finish up, then I can put it all together. 

This UFO is called "Mystery Quilt Overnighter 1997"

This quilt was during my first year as an Executive Admin on Wall Street. I had the best boss. I really enjoyed this job and miss it sometimes. This is another Lynda Ryjord quilt. In my natural character of being a non-conformist, I switched the light, medium, dark and focal fabrics around. I figured if it's a mystery quilt, why not really make it a mystery! Well, it frustrated Lynda to no end, but when I put it all together, the result was so indicative of me....it was an american pattern that turned out looking asian. YAY! So instead of fabric sashing, I used piping between the blocks and attempted to make a border of the dark and focal fabrics in triangles. Well, I didn't measure and the border is all wonky, so I need to revisit the border, fix it and then quilt it. Probably in a traditional Korean geometric pattern in a gold thread. 

This UFO is called "Sock Monkey 2001"

This little monkey was during the lean years after being laid off and healing from the fibromyalgia symptoms. My attention was fleeting and my hands were tender, so the monkey sat. Now I will finish him and call him my monkey. :)

This UFO is called "Crochet Afghan 2002"

This afghan was my first official patterned crochet project. My other crochet projects were basically off the cuff. Figuring out what stitches to use and how to configure them to make a hat, spiral, doll clothes, etc. This one has been a nice reprieve from thinking while crafting....but alas, my hands would get numb, so I set this one down as well. Now, I will crochet 1 full set of pattern at a time, maybe 2 or 3 times a week and will be done with this in no time. My dog and cat have already claimed what is done so far, as their own. I guess this should be for them when they hang out with mama on her bed. :)

These UFO's come as a grouping called "Handmade Christmas 2008"

 

My roommates and I decided that this particular Christmas we would make 1 handmade item for each other. I chose to make those quick tie quilts. Unfortunately I made them half the size they should have been due to fibro-fog on the brain.....I just need to string them except the pieced one. That one I want to hand quilt. It was a mystery quilt I had made and finished for my Dad. 

This UFO is called "Starry Path Quilt 1997"

 

This is also another Lynda Ryjord pattern. I chose the French Country theme because it is my favorite color combination. When it is finished, it will be a beautiful quilt that I am excited to see and finish! 

And finally, this pile of stuff is called "Fix Me".

These are clothes, bags and a book cover that need to be repaired and made good as new so they can go back into the daily usage rotation. 

10 UFO encounters in all. There may be more that I have yet to come across, but at the rate of 1 UFO a month, it becomes a very attainable goal to help these UFO's in completing their journey and move on or stay with me... :) Do you have any UFO's? Maybe this is the year to gather them together and create an "Action Plan" to completing them. Join me and let me know....we can go on this UFO journey together! :)

Happy New Year!

Okay, so I'm a little behind on the salutations, but I'm here! 2010 is starting off as a year of bright possibilities, energy, and blessings to come. UFO's (unfinished objects) have come to the surface to claim their right to be completed and displayed, given away, and used. UFG's (unfinished goals are finally getting the attention they deserve to be completed as well. This year will be a busy, challenging, but very fulfilling one. So looking forward to sharing my journey with you.

Next post will be about my HUMONGOUS quilting project that I am so so very excited about.....but until then, take a look around and see if there are any UFO's or UFG's vying for your attention this year....will you take up the challenge to finish yours with me?

Blessings! ~creativebebe