Grass and Tree Trunk

  • The Artist’s Studio in The Dolls’ House Magazine

    My mood was brightened today when I received my copy of The Dolls’ House Magazine all the way from the UK! In the November 2013 issue, there’s a full write-up on The Artist’s Studio.

    Christiane wrote to me a few months back about featuring the Studio, and we had a nice chat. It’s so wonderful to be featured along with so many other talented artisans!

    It was my first time reading the magazine, and there were not only a lot of great builds featured but a number of projects, patterns and tutorials. A very fine magazine!

    I want to send out a huge thank you to Christiane and the staff at The Dolls’ House Magazine for a wonderful feature! :D

    Categories: Books and media, The Artist's Studio
    October 18, 2013 | 0 comments

  • Happy Halloween 2013

    I’m a huge fan of Halloween, the kitsch and candy and costumes. But, I’m also a fan of haunted places…places that look normal, but then you smell perfume no longer made, or feel a chill right next to the fire, or hear someone’s voice when there’s no one around. =shudder=

    My Halloween scene this year is dedicated to those haunted places that make you wonder what comes after life. I’ve borrowed the bookcase, Bagnall clock, Miss Kitty (by PamelaJunksMinis), end table and coffee table from the Heritage. The sofa is part of a Bespaq set, and the rug is from Dale’s Dreams. The wallpaper is a delightfully vintage scrapbook paper by Recollections called Remember.

    The same photo in sepia tone is even more haunting.

    Jane of MiniFanaticus made me some delightful autumn minis, and I’ve used a few in the scene: a gourd and pumpkin…

    …some fall leaves, a beautiful centerpiece…

    …and candy corn. If you want a laugh, check out Lewis Black’s skit on candy corn. One of the best I’ve ever heard. :D

    Ophelia rests on the afghan by Mary of Roslyn Treasures. I made the book of Edgar Allan Poe stories.

    The reproduction painting is by Giovanni Boldini of Elizabeth Wharton Drexel, 1905 — borrowed from the Heritage. The burrowing owl is borrowed from Baslow Ranch.

    There’s a wee mouse from Sussex Crafts, too! eeeek! He’s hoping you’ll drop a piece of candy corn. :D

    Wishing you all a very Happy Halloween!  :D

    Does it feel chilly in here? :\

    Categories: Roomboxes and Mini Scenes
    October 13, 2013 | 0 comments

  • Topiary with birds – 12.75 hours

    I had hoped to have this finished for the monthly needlework update, but then that pesky lightning strike happened and threw everything off. This pattern is a motif from a Dutch sampler dated 1776 provided by Berthi Smith-Sanders. I found the file for free download at The Workbasket (defunct site as of 2024).

    I changed the colors completely from the listing on her pattern and made the tree topiary shaped. I’ve stitched the main design and am now filling in the background with DMC 3865 Winter White. This will be a wall hanging measuring approximately 1.75″ x 2.5″ when finished. This is currently 12.75 hours of work on 32ct Jobelan.

    Categories: Needlework - French knot rugs
    September 10, 2013 | 0 comments

  • Vintage sewing patterns

    This is a paper kit from Ann Vanture’s Paper Minis.

    The kit makes six patterns, and it was easy peasy!  Cut, fold and glue.

    Since these will go in the Heritage attic, I took one and added a yellow paint wash after crinkling the paper. It’s just the right amount of age and wear. (The pattern envelope is colorfast, but the pattern tissue is not.)

    For one of the patterns, I removed the upper tab, made a tear in the front and repaired it with tiny strips of tape. :D

    They are wonderful, no?

    I kept two of the pattern sheets separate so I can use them with fabric for a future sewing room. It felt great to be creative again! 

    Categories: Miniatures
    September 9, 2013 | 0 comments

  • Rose rug – introduction

    There were a few unfinished projects for the Haunted Heritage, one of which being the replacement rug for either the parlor or the bedroom. I looked online for a suitable replacement and found this design from overstock.com and printed out a paper mockup to see how I liked it in the bedroom. The subtle rose design suits the rest of the décor well.

    I will use a simple color palette similar to the punchneedle rug by Katie Arthur. Here’s that rug in the bedroom. Very similar in overall style.

    But, that rug will stay in the parlor, since I bought the rug for that room and like it there best.  :]

    After looking at the pattern more closely, I decided to make the Rose rug in French knots instead of punchneedle. It’s roughly three times the area of the Bees and Trees rug, so it shouldn’t be too much of a time investment relatively and I think the texture will be wonderful. Here are my floss colors.

    I used the same technique for making the pattern as I had done for the Prairie rug: Aunt Martha’s Tracing Paper and a Sulky Iron-On transfer pen in black.  For detailed info on how I transferred that pattern, click here. (Note: I’ve since found fine tip transfer pens at Sublime Stitching which offer a better pattern for fine needlework. See this post for more info.)

    I measured a piece of cotton muslin to fit my 8″ hoop and centered the pattern in the middle. Something I didn’t think about this time is that I didn’t flip the photo before making my transfer pattern. Since there are no words in the design, it won’t make a difference.

    I had some operator error last time, so I taped the pattern to the fabric. I was careful not to iron over the tape so the sticky residue wouldn’t transfer to the fabric.

    I fit the fabric in the hoop, and we’re ready to go! :D

    Categories: Needlework - French knot rugs
    September 3, 2013 | 0 comments