Teaching Piece No. 2: CHRISTMAS PINES PAGODA

Here's another pagoda which will be a part of the 2010 Holiday and Seasons Series teaching pieces.

CHRISTMAS PINES PAGODA

Fabric: Hand-Dyed Line from Stitches and Spice

Threads: Dinky Dyes Silk Threads, DMC Threads

Accessories: Lody's Creations, Mill Hill Seed Beads

***************************************************

Details of the other teaching piece is at this BLOOMS link.

Modified Pagoda: Turkish

Here's a modified pagoda with specialty stitches, i.e. turkish, etc. I enjoyed stitching the turkish stitches on the roof and can't wait to incorporate it on my next projects. The bottom part of my 2-tier pagodas looks like the bottom of this one. Watch out for upcoming off-site teaching projects, they're great for your stitching guild's workshops.

TURKISH PAGODA

Fabric: Monaco Evenweave from Charles Craft

Threads: Dinky Dyes Silks, DMC

Accessories: Lody's Creations, Mill Hill Seed Beads

Teaching Piece No. 1: BLOOMS PAGODA

I want to formally introduce my first teaching piece for the year 2010. Yes, it's just a pagoda finish but I was thrilled when the Education Chair of Nocturnal Needlers-Embroiderers of Oklahoma, informed me months ago that they wanna include my "pagoda finishing" in their 2010 workshops - come springtime. Really, I was overwhelmed with excitement! Now you should see the smile on my face.

BLOOMS

Fabric: Stitches and Spice

Threads: Dinky Dyes Silks, Stitches & Spice Silk, DMC

Accessories: Lody's Creations, Mill Hill Seed Beads

Ok, as the title says, it's my first teaching piece for 2010 - as on-site and/or off-site project. I had thought about offering off-site teaching pieces when another Education Chair contacted me over a year ago if I can teach for their group... which is of course a hand-finishing course. Unfortunately, the stitching guild is out-of-state and the sad part is I had to say no. Moreso, I've wanted to experience an informal class (which I already did last year) first before going to guilds. To cut the story short, my upcoming off-site teaching pieces will be available to stitching guilds and groups with at least 10 members. A photo DVD of step-by-step hand-finishing will be included in the agreement. I'm still finalizing the details but should you intend to partake on this set-up, please have your Education or Program Head to email me.

On the family side, we're supposed to celebrate my birthday (brunch) today at Aunt R's house but her furnace had a lil' problem so we did the gathering at SIL's house. I was given another family heirloom - needlework piece - which I truly love. It's a tatted doily made by MIL's mom. I'm not sure about the year it was made but I think it's over 50 years old. The crafting and beading bug continues... recieved a sub of Bead Style magazine from MIL, Hobby Lobby GC from SIL, and a set of fabulous "Crafts in America" DVD's from DH - which I enjoyed tremendously. Pictures to follow.

Lots of postings coming up so stay tuned!

Filigree Charmed Drum - A Scissors Display Case

When I recieved this fabric (in the background) from Jodi last December, I knew I'll gonna use it in my smalls. Well, not only I used it but it's also the inspiratiion for this scissors drum. I love all the antique shades in the fabric that I matched them with DMC floss.

The Finishing Idea: As you already know, I love to experiment on hand finishings, and I try to come up with new ideas. I usually gather my materials first then start working from there. I've always wanted to make a case that could showcase fancy scissors, and I think this drum will do the trick.

With 20 blocks I had to stitch, I knew I have to keep the design super simple and quick to stitch to prevent the project on ending in my WIP basket. I had similar experience when working on the "Woven Ribbons" 15-sided biscornu. I got bored a lil bit in the stitching process yet so excited to see the finish product... and I have to admit I love it.

A funny story: Right after finishing the piece, I asked DH what he thinks it is... I always ask him the same whenever I'm working on a new idea. His answer was: "It's a crown Honey!" LOL I looked at the top view of the piece again and I realized, it does really look like a crown when it's empty. I guess when you're working on a specific piece and have the sole idea in mind, you miss the chance of considering other things.

Filigree Charmed Drum - A Scissors Display Case

by Timber Creek Needleworks

The drum with scissors

So how about you guys, what do you think it looks like? I would love to hear your interpretation. Happy stitching!

Update: April 21, 2009

Leslie, Lillie & Rachel - Thanks for your comments. I'm sure DH will be happy that he's not the only one thinking it's a crown. LOL On the other hand, the 5 pockets are big enough to hold other things such as thread, buttons or pack of needles... and the top part can be use as a pincushion.

2009 State Fair Teaching Pieces

I've been corresponding once again to Dorothy (State Fair's Fabrics and Threads Division In-charge) since early this month about my hand-finishing classes. I started making itty-bitty models few months back which include biscornus, matress-style pincushions, rings fobs, pinkeeps, needlecases, scissors cases, etc. with monogram and quaker motifs, and without fancy embellishments. I was trying to make projects that can be done in a couple of hours or less. Though I finished majority of the pieces in alloted time, I know that not everybody can stitch & finish as fast as me. So I suggested to Dorothy that I will ask the students to skip the stitching part and proceed right away at the finishing as it's the main focus of the class. But still, I will give each student a complete kit to finish one project. Quite frankly, I'm not really sure if there'll be students who will enroll in my class, nor interested in hand-finishing. LOL On the positive side, Dorothy said she's interested and will enroll on my classes so that's a good sign.

Models for Finishing 101

For a recap, here's my classes details:

Dates: August 13 and August 21, 2009 (AM & PM Classes)

Morning Classes: 10:30 AM
Class Title: 3D Finishing 101: How to finish a biscornu, a matress-style pincushion or a pinkeep

Afternoon Classes: 1:30 PM
Class Title: 3D Finishing 102: How to finish a needlebook, needle case/etui, or a scissors case

I thought it would be nice to let the students choose which finishing they wanna learn so I gave various options on each class... that's the reason why at least 20-30 minutes will be alloted on intro and discussion.

Moreso, students who will enroll on morning and aftrnoon classes will recieve a special gift. So if you're from Iowa and is interested on hand-finishing, do attend a class or 2.:)

Happy stitching all!

Small Finishes

This post has been long over due so I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves. I already lost track as to when did I finish them but I'm pretty sure I haven't shared a photo of the complete sets.

Sewing Set 1: Purse, Needlecase

and Scissors Case with Detachable Beaded FobSewing Set 1: Purse with Mother of Pearl Heart Thread Holders,

Needle Case with long pocket, thread holder, felt pages & magnetic strip

Sewing Case 2: Purse, Pagoda Pincushion & Scissors Fob Woven Ribbons Sewing Set: 15-sided Pincushion,

Biscornu & Triangular Fob

I have more finished pieces to share but not done taking photos yet. Just keep on coming back to check them out.

backdated post: 04-17-09

Blessed Are All The Needleworkers...

... is currently featured at TGOSM, as well as the last part of the Stitcher's Neck Purse.

Happy stitching to all!

backdated post: 2009-0322

Cabochons and a Small Finish

After finishing those encrusted pendants last month, I've had this idea of incorporating a face cabochon on my future projects. So I searched for these lovelies and was lucky to find a seller at ebay who doesn't need them. My second option is to buy molds and make them myself... but I cancelled the idea as my hands are already full with on-going projects.

FACE CABS FOR ENCRUSTED EMBROIDERY

And as a tribute for the upcoming "Heartland Region Seminar" on April 22-26, 2009, I made this triangular pincushion. The finished piece ressembles a toblerone (the chocolate... LOL). The 3 main sides has different motifs which can be finished as bookmarks, scissors sheath, etc.

FRIENDS IN STITCHES PINCUSHION

will be launched at Springtime in the Valley

Merchandise Night is April 23, 2009, 6PM to 9PM

Marriot Hotel, Cedar Rapids

We had our taxes done yesterday, now that's less thing to worry about.:) Healthwise, I've been having sore-throat since yesterday so I try not to talk too much. I feel like my toncils will start to swell... But that's no excuse for not stitching, right? LOL

My hands are already itching to stitch the above cabochons so I better sign off now! I hope everybody's having a great stitching day!

Embroidery & Cross Stitch Magazine

Embroidery & Cross Stitch Magazine Volume 15 No. 12

My Favourite Things Stitcher's Companion Set

Timber Creek Needleworks

Note: My design is at the lower left in the cover

When I was advised by Marilyn, editor of Australian magazine Embroidery & Cross Stitch, that one of my designs will be published in this month's issue and that they'll gonna send me a copy of the magazine, I was extremely excited. Actually, whatever magazine my design is being featured, I feel the same way. LOL Anyway, I can't wait to see the ECS magazine and finally, it arrived today... a close-up photo of "My Favourite Things" can be found here.

If you don't have a copy yet, get one now... you'll be glad you did! It has lots of wonderful projects for every needleworker, i.e. cross stitch, hardanger, CQ, beadworks, etc. Thank you so much for an amazing issue Marilyn! Here's a small part of the write-ups:

On the flip side, DH finally made it home this morning. His hunting buddies were here this morning and were so kind to do the butchering (is it the right words? LOL) of our deer. By mid-afternoon, they were back with the cut-up deer pieces. I managed to pick some good parts and made it into "tocino" (marinated with brown sugar, pineapple juice and some seasonings). The rest of the deer meat is now in the freezer and will delivered to the meat locker soon to process it into summer sausages & deer sticks. Yummy!

Weather got better and lots of snow was melted... it's muddy outside though... yay I better go back to my stitching now so I can share some stitching photos soon. Write later!

Great News

I got a big sigh of relief here... I emailed photos of my ornament(s) for 2009 JCS Ornament Issue to Ms. Christy yesterday and I recieved the notification today that it was accepted. Yipppeeeee! Finally HA! I didn't able to submit this year coz I was soooooo late inquiring about it... lol I will also work on a new design for JCS, plus the sewing set I mentioned in the previous post will be forwarded to them. Therefore, I won't be able to show much finished photos aside from exchanges.

Have a great weekend everybody!

A Bunch of Hardanger Biscornus

Hardanger Biscornus

in Satin Stitches, Woven Bars, Dove's Eye, Lazy Daisies

and Beaded Rosebuds

I was about to finish all the hardanger biscornus I stitched on Friday and Saturday yesterday but I ended up stitching some more. I got hooked in them that I had to stitch 2 pieces each design... lol I think I stitched and finished about 10 pieces - from Friday evening while watching the presidential debate up to last night. At any rate, I finished all the biscornus today, and just got them done now (almost midnight), considering I didn't do any stitching today. I won't show all the completed pieces as I'll submit some of them on magazines.:)

Oh, and one other thing, I used cotton fabric as backing materials... similar finishing to my first batches of biscornus last year. My loyal customers can attest to that... lol The only difference is that I know a lot of technique now how to finish them well using any cotton fabric... printed or plain. Not to mention they all have hand-sewn sheered ribbon edgings.

Till next time my dear friends!

A New Finish, Canning & RR... An Over-due Post...

I've been bad in bloggin lately again... I'm trying to finish a bunch of models as I plan to mail them before September 15th.

Moreso, I started recently a series of pagoda pincushions. This is another new finishing that I've been thinking on doing for quite a while. Watch out for the complete series next year. I only used at least 2 to maximum of 5 floss colors plus coordinating beads. I would love to hear your feedback or comments about this December Pagoda, so please drop me a line or two.

Title: December Pagoda Pincushion

First in the Twelve Pagoda Pincushion Series

Release Date: November 2008

We harvested another (bucketful) bunch of tomatoes last Tuesday so I decided to do some canning last Wednesday... a batch of "extremely hot" salsa for hubby and a mild/hot for me.

Extremely Hot and Mild Salsa

Canning Date: September 3, 2008

I've been busy baking as well again... lol I baked another batch of blueberry muffins and chocolate brownies last Thursday.

As for my committed exchanges, I finally managed to finish the quaker sewing purse for Jodi. Unfortunately, I can't share a photo yet so as not to ruin the surprise.:)

And lastly, I finally had the guts to join a Round Robin organized by Vonna, as if I need another load of stitching works. But I just couldn't resist the invitation... I love how Vonna constructed the rules for this RR, plus the fact that the piece won't leave my home... it's more of an independent RR. My theme will be a neghborhood of all the places I lived in... Motifs will be from the following places:

- from my hometown (birthplace) in the northern part of Luzon (Pampanga) Philippines where I lived for the first 16 years of my life...

- from various parts of Manila where I lived for more than 13 years...

- from the Heartland, USA, my now home since 2004.

My town neighborhood will be called/titled "JOURNEY" as each motif will represent places and things that I love and will always be a part of my life. I plan to design and construct all the works involve for this project. It will commence on December 31, 2008 and I can't wait to get started. I am very excited about this project as I haven't stitch a big piece for a long while... not to mention it will be a gift for myself. The last big piece I stitched for myself was "La Pieta" of MichelAngelo, which I entered at the 2007 State Fair.:)

Well everybody, thanks for dropping by... and don't forget to say hello as I love to hear from you!

Have a great stitching day!

Hardanger Biscornu & Blue Ribbons

My 2008 IA State Fair Entries

4 Blue Ribbons & a Sweepstakes for Counted Thread Division

We just got back from Des Moines, after picking-up my entries and I met another 2 wonderful EGA members but this time from Cedar Valley Chapter. I will take photos of my entries later and will update this post.

Update as of 8:30PM: Who would ever thought that my simple designs will take home ribbons? Categories are as follows:

a). 3-pc set Ornaments - I submitted a mounted ornament embellished with gold trims and fused pearls, a needles etui, and a sampler biscornu.

b). Mixed Fiber - a jewelry box bought at Walmart, topped with my embroidered piece. I used DMC cotton floss, DMC metallic threads, Caron Rachel thread, Caron Wildflowers thread, beads and pearls.

c). Mixed Technique - I originally design this piece as an "ort collector case" (and still wanna use it as such), but per my featured at TGOSM design this month, I used it as a sewing case. The techniques I used are: pulled thread, basic hardanger, cross stitch and specialty stitches. Media used are the same as Mixed Fiber entry.

d). Pillow - all the while I thought I submitted it at the Counted Thread Division... lol It was actually submitted at cross stitch, yet won the first prize still. As you can see, it is a giant biscornu... the size is about 8" worked with cross stitch and basic hardanger.

TO ALL THE WONDERFUL JURORS OF FABRICS AND THREADS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I was about to post this biscornu this morning but got destructed when I chat to a friend via MSN... that's another story and will blog about it tomorrow. Anyway, I finally finished stitching and finishing the blue on blue hardanger I was talking about yesterday and decided to finish it into a biscornu. Again, it is another one of my very simple design. I know it needs a lot of improvement.:) I don't have much supplies on hardanger embroidery so I gotta rely on what's available in my stash. I had to use a different color backing material as I don't have blue ones anymore.:( I need to visit a needlework shop soon to get the appropriate materials.:) I can't seem to stop myself from making itty-bitty hardangers, another addiction I gotta handle. The white on white is almost done, just need to add some embellishments, and I started a scissors case/sheath this morning. I will try to finish them tonight but will only post the photos on Wednesday.

Hardanger Biscornu: Top View

Hardanger Biscornu: Side View

I meant to post this completed work of Anne Marie last week (already posted at TCN Blog though) but slipped my mind. So here it is, the SUMMER FLOWERS SEWING SET. It is my design featured at The Gift of Stitching Magazine for August 2008 Issue. I enjoyed designing, stitching and finishing this set, and I'm sure you will as well. When Anne Marie sent me a photo of the complete set, I felt the same feeling when I finished the set myself. This set will become one of my teaching pieces. Again, thank so much Anne Marie for stitching and finishing the set.

Summer Flowers Sewing Set

Featured at TGOSM August 2008 Issue

Well fellow fabric stabbers, till next time and I hope everbody's having a great stitching time...

TCN Server Problem and Upcoming Designs

I finished designing TCN website a couple days back but didn't try to upload the files to the server till yesterday. The files were all successfully uploaded but for some reason, I couldn't make them available to the internet. I've been infront of the computer for almost 24 hours trying to figure out what's the problem... so I finally decided to ask for help from my webhost provided this morning. I hope they can respond the soonest so I know what are/were my mistakes.

Unfortunately, I'm not that familiar with HTML, and this is the first time that I used a software to design a site. With my old website in the past, I used their "drag-n-drop" site builder so it was a lot easier.

I really hoped that Timber Creek Needleworks will be available this month just in time for the August 2008 Designer Column at TGOSM. At any rate, I will keep on updating this blog and TCN Blog to keep you guys updated on what's going on. I will also post photos of new and upcoming designs at TCN Blog.

Moreso, I've been busy since this morning incorporating Timber Creek at Lody's Creations website. Once the server problem is resolved, I will separate the contents again.

Here's a peek of the upcoming TCN designs:

9-Patch Quilt Pincushion

Release Date: November 2008

A design with 9 blocks joined together to form this canoe-style pincushion. Each block measures 30w x 30h stitches with a floral theme. A must have to those who love and collect OOAK needlework smalls, and a great project to quilt lover as well. Assemply is very easy! Detailed instructions and finishing diagram is included in the pattern booklet/leaflet.

Learn to Stitch Tray

Release Date: September 2008

A Stitching Set housed on a hand-made tray with an approximate finished size of 6 1/2" square. The pincushion is detachable and underneath it is a couple pages of felt pages to hold needles. Lots of tiny compartment to hold our stitching treasures!

Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to drop me a line or 2. Happy stitching to all!

UPDATE as of August 1st: The server problem is finally resolved. Thanks so much to the outstanding support and assistance of Fast Domain's staffs, particularly Sarah, Matt & Ani.

Flower Garden Biscornu & Timber Creek Needleworks

Flower Garden Biscornu

from Timber Creek Needleworks

Featured at TGOSM June 2008 Issue

Finally, finally, finally... my first design being publish at TGOSM this month. It is part of a 4- piece (or 5 maybe) sewing set that I designed, stitched and finished a couple months back. Thanks to Kirsten for inviting me to participate in this month's "biscornu bonanza". I will share more juicy news later once everything's confirmed. I'm so excited about this news and will definitely share more of it some time.

I wanna announce as well that TIMBER CREEK NEEDLEWORKS is on the way. I registered my own design company early this year, though I planned to launch my website this coming summer. But since I already purchased last week a web hosting host with domain name http://www.timbercreekneedleworks.com/, I thought it would be great to launch the site July if not sooner. I am now busy working on it (slowly), in-between designing, stitching and finishing.

It's also confirmed that I will be featured at August 2008 issue of TGOSM for the Designer Profile column so please watch for it. I already submitted a couple designs and finishing ideas to choose from to the editor and got a response last night that both designs are acceptable. Therefore both designs will be publish on different issues. yayyyyy... I'm now doing the happy dance. I've also contacted a US magazine (I think April) before and the editor was also interested with my works & wants me to submit some.

I think this is the first time that I mentioned TIMBER CREEK NEEDLEWORKS here so expect to hear more of it in the near future. From now onwards, I will share status of my website and some designs am working on so don't forge to drop by often.:)

Have a great day everybody!