Inspired . . .

I had a plan. I knew the only way I was going to get anything done this past Summer with the children home was to be very organized. I knew I wouldn't have much time to create; I also knew I couldn't spend any of that time looking for things to create with. So last Spring I spent two days sorting, folding, labeling, cataloging, putting like with like, and bundling projects together . . . and it stayed that way most all Summer long (yeah me!). Then came the start of the school year, dance lessons, the rush of the holidays . . . you know what it's like.

Just the other day my husband was running around the house looking for some paperwork. I had it tucked away in a folder for him. I know where my daughter's glasses are and my sons' homework. I can recite everyone's schedules and can rattle off an inventory of our entire kitchen pantry. I know the amounts and due dates of all of our bills and can tell you what we're having for dinner a week in advance. Of course I spent three hours this past weekend looking for my prairie cloth. I did find it (eventually) but had managed to make an even bigger mess in the process. Mina, my two year old, helped a good deal in that department. I find burlap rather itchy; she couldn't stop rubbing it on her feet :)

I'd long since given up the idea I was going to sew up the doll that afternoon and instead gathered everything I had found before I found my prairie cloth and organized it in this little tote. I think it's time for another sorting. Hopefully, I'll be much more productive afterwards and even if I'm not is there a downside to spending a few days admiring all my goodies? I find things I forgot I had and I get a fresh perspective on things I see every day. I will most certainly be inspired to create and with a little bit of luck be able to find the things I want to create with!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Sewing machines and cocktail dresses . . .

There's some sewing going on in my home today, which means I have completely taken over our dining room table. As I took out my sewing machine my husband hastily removed his coffee from the table and sought refuge in the living room.

There's osnaburg, some scraps of wool, a few rusted safety pins, bits of twine, even a twig or two (I love crafting supplies I can find in my own yard). At the risk of sounding arrogant, I have faith in my stitching ability. When I sit down to work on a piece I'm relatively sure I'll be happy with the end result. I have no such faith when it comes to sewing. I always have butterflies in my stomach as I run the fabric through the machine. There's always a moment of panic as I turn right side out and begin to stuff whatever I've sewn. I wonder if it will turn out at all as I had intended it to.

For me, stitching is a comfy pair of pajamas whereas sewing is more akin to the cocktail dress that while I do like wearing am always checking to see how big my backside looks in it.

I'm never quite sure what the finished product will be when I sew, but whatever it ends up being, I'll be sharing it with you soon.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Prim Alphabet Pincushion Free Pattern

I've seen patterns such as this at prim shows and antique marts and just had to make one of my own. It's the lowercase version of an alphabet I designed years ago to put into samplers or use as initials. The whole project was so blessedly simple; just what I needed while waiting for my wool to arrive in the mail. I even stitched it on 28ct linen which is unusual for me. I'm surprised I even had any in my stash. This one I aged with much better success than my last attempt (at least to my eyes) and it makes the perfect little prim pincushion. I finished it days ago but finally got it sewn together today. The pattern is oh so simple but I put it up as a free pattern anyway. The alphabet can be used for so many things; I'd love to see what you ladies come up with. I hope you enjoy!!!

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

A quiet morning . . .

As a matter of happenstance I found myself with free time this morning. Hubbie and I had planned to do some quick shopping and run a few errands but Mina woke early this morning and as a result took her morning nap as soon as we dropped the boys off at school. We decided to wait until she woke up before heading out. Having gotten cleaning and laundry done the day before in preparation for shopping there was nothing left for me to do but play with wool. I have to say it was quite a pleasant and relaxing couple of hours.

There is typically a TV on most hours of the day at our house; Hubbie likes listening to the news. I find that depressing so instead I put on Pandora and listened to some Jazz/Swing. I have no idea what station it was; I just typed "In the Mood" into the search box and picked the first station on the list. Dave sat on one end of our dining room table doing taxes. Maybe it wasn't as relaxing a morning for him as it was me? He is a statistical analysis by trade though and he does love mucking about with his numbers. I sat opposite him and hooked wool. This is a little of what I've come up with so far . . . it's very primitive. None of my loops are the same height, my wool is fraying a bit, the design is simple as I had none in mind . . . but I'm liking it so far. I read somewhere that you're supposed to keep your tails and cut them later. When later? They're beginning to get in the way. Perhaps I'll trim them up just a bit so they're not hanging over where I have to hook next. It looks a bit messy now, but I suppose it neatens up as I go.

So that was our morning. Occasionally Dave would look up from his laptop and ask me a question. Doing the day to day books for the household is my job so he would want to know about this bill or that expense. For the most part we sat in silence just enjoying the peace and quiet. These moments are few and far between in our house :) Before too long Mina woke up and the day truly began. Only an hour now before it's time to go pick up the kids. But this morning was a wonderful (if unexpected) respite that will hopefully carry me through the rest of the day. I'm hoping you ladies can find a quiet moment as well tucked somewhere into your day.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Giveaway Winner and Wooly Worms . . .

The winner of the giveaway is Teri from Dixie Sampler Designs. I have to say I am very luck to have met this woman (albeit through the internet only) and I would like to think I have come to be able to call her a friend. She recently finished my French Letters Bluebird and I love the way it came out. She stitched it on a larger count, 28 count I believe she said, which made it harder to finish into the little bluebird. I think he's precious and well worth a trip to her blog to see.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the giveaway, left me a comment or posted about it in their blog. I had a lot of fun with it and can't wait to do it again. I'm thinking Easter isn't too soon, is it?

Last week I ordered some wool strips. I saw them listed on Etsy and simply had to have them. Aren't the colors just perfect for Spring? I purchased several months ago some monk's cloth and an inexpensive hook; I just never got around to actually working on anything. I think these wooly worms are just what I need to finally get started. I have no design in mind but the colors look so lovely together I think any arrangement would look great. Any suggestions for someone who has never put wool to hook before?

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Spring Peacock Sneak Peak

I'm still working on my punchneedle. For something that sounds so easy I can't figure out why I have such difficulty with it. *sigh* At any rate I've decided to distract myself with something I find a little less challenging. I've begun work on my Spring Peacock. So many people enjoyed my Wynter Peacock I'm looking forward to releasing this pattern. I was originally looking for a 1950's reproduction fabric to coordinate. The design is in pink and blue-ish green which so much reminds me of that time period. Instead I found this Civil War era fabric and it's perfect. I've been wanting to work with GA Lexington Green for awhile now; I adore the color. I used GA Roasted Marshmallow in my butterfly and it's now my new favorite color. And who doesn't like pink? I think I'll really enjoy stitching with these shades. I've already decided to finish the patterns into a sewing book and pincushion. Hopefully stitching this will make me comfortable with saying goodbye to Winter and more welcoming of the arrival of Spring.

Don't forget about my giveaway; antique linens that are also a wonderful way to welcome Spring.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

Meg's Flower -- Wool Applique

Before cutting into my new wool I decided to finish stitching an applique I started months ago. It's been sitting in a tin in my dining room all that time. Every once and awhile I would look at it, occassionally I would take it out and lay it on the table, sometimes I would carefully place all the pieces, there were even times I threaded the needle. Then I hastily put it all back and hid the tin behind something so as to not have it mock me. Like I said I'm new to wool applique (this is only my second project) and my confidence is a little low. Though I have to say I'm very happy with how this came out and and now have renewed confidence to tackle my other projects.

I used Gentle Arts Simply Wool for the stitching; I like the fuzzy look. As you can see I'm still not confident enough to applique something as thin as a flower stem so I decided to embroider the stem instead. The little lazy daisy flowers in the circles were my husband's idea or at least they were how I interpreted the little doodle he did. I'm still not sure how to "finish" it. Do I back it with wool, felt, quilting cotton? Do I stitch on the little "tabs" I see on penny rugs? Do I get another larger piece of wool to back it and cut little scallops around the edge? More circles within the tabs or scallops, maybe a few more daisies? Any ideas? For now I think it will simply lay on my hanging rack for me to draw inspiration from if my confidence wanes while working on my other projects.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn

What did you get from Santa?

I hope everyone got what they wanted for Christmas. I did because I ordered it myself.

During the first year or so of marriage I became painfully aware that my husband did not excel in the area of gift giving. Now he isn't as inept as Fred Flintstone giving Wilma a bowling ball . . . but he's pretty close. So my husband and I soon decided that on special occassions he would simply present me with cash. I do the book-keeping in our household so to be presented with money that I didn't have to hunt and peck through our budget for myself is quite the treat. Also having money that I must spend on myself rather than the children (as I think most mothers are inclined to do) or stash into the savings account is rather exhilarating. So I bought wool. Now I'm a newcomer to the area of wool applique and rug hooking but I've found that I quite enjoy it. I have a few patterns tumbling around in my head right now and I can't wait to share them with you.

Also look in the next couple of days for the January Freebie Pattern. I posted the last one on November 30th so I'm thinking this one will go up on Decemeber 30th. It's sitting in my sewing box right now all stitched up just waiting to have a photo taken of it. I hope you stop by to see it and let me know what you think.

xoxo

Jennie Lynn