Look, a Heron!

You know that whole thing I said about posting a tutorial every Tuesday (because T, tutorial and Tuesday both begin with T!) and a freebie pattern every Friday (because F! You know, F!)? Well, it's Friday, and ... Yep, it's Friday.

I actually had a pattern in mind to share, but we've had some out-of-town visitors and have been too busy playing and enjoying to get much else accomplished. Beside that, I am in the process of rethinking this whole blog thing, who I am as a crafter, what I want this to be. I think I'm starting to see a clearer picture of how this should all go, and it will still include tutorials and patterns, but I'm not sure it will be Tuesday! and Friday! every week. We'll see. (I should warn you that all this thinking is going to lead to some change, including a likely name change. I am very fickle, my friends.)

Anyway, in lieu of a freebie, here's something for you to look at. I drew it digitally five-ish years ago after a boat ride through the Everglades in South Florida, where we lived for a short while. It was put together quickly and didn't take any great skill, but there's something about the colors that I like, and I remember it being an image that my dad really enjoyed. (Then again, he was always proud of everything I did. <3)


Happy weekend!

A Lovely Little Break

I've only one major embroidery project left to complete for Christmas, but I have yet to really figure out the design, so I've taken some time off to work on a few quick things while I think/procrastinate. These are two ATCs (artist trading cards) that I made for my sister-in-law, who has recently started making them herself. I needed to keep them simple, in the interest of time, but I'm happy to say I love them anyway and have learned that simplicity can be good for me sometimes.

This one is embroidered on cheapo craft felt. I just designed on the fly, stitching as I went, and using a variety of stitches. It's called "New Path." I attached it to a second piece of felt after sandwiching a piece of cardboard in between to make it a little more sturdy.


This one is a digital image that I created in Photoshop. It's called "Fresh Start." It's printed on photo paper and attached to a piece of cardboard.


I don't imagine I'll take a lot of time to make these in the future, as my bookmark folder of project ideas is overflowing, but it was fun to do something on a smaller scale, so I might throw in a few here and there.

Next I am going to attempt to make some gift card holders using online tutorials. And continue thinking about the big embroidery project to be. Maybe.

And Now for Something Completely Different

I'm still working on embroidery projects. Since I've been doing so many for gifts and making them to suit the tastes of the recipients, they're not necessarily my style. They're nice, and I'm proud of them, but they're not really "me." Because I've done so many in a row, I think I'm getting a little burnt out on this particular style. After the current project is finished, I should get to switch things up some (think blackwork and architectural design!), and I'm looking forward to it.

In the meantime, did you know I like to draw too? I discovered a few years ago that, besides drawing with pencil and paints, I really enjoy using the computer to draw and illustrate. I could spend hours and hours lost in drawing and experimenting--part of why I don't do it much anymore. It soaked up so much time!

Anyway, since I'm tired of embroidery, and you might be too, I thought I'd dredge up some old files for a change of pace. These were done for Illustration Friday, way back when. Looking at these again makes me want to get out the Wacom tablet. *sigh* After Christmas, I suppose.