Changing Direction

Even though I haven’t written a blog post since late October, yesterday My Doll’s Trousseau got 72 views. Some days it’s 2 or 5, and some days it’s 40 to 60. Earlier this month I had to decide whether or not to renew my website address. I even confirmed with my web host that all my content would go away if I didn’t renew. I decided that I’m not ready … Continue reading

Stitching Kits

In January, I resolved to try to stitch every day. I didn’t take into account that my cataracts would progress so quickly, making stitching nearly impossible until I got them fixed. I had cataract surgery in April, first one eye and then the other eye two weeks later. Then it took several more weeks to resolve the eyeglass/being able to see clearly situation. Now I have happily gotten back to stitching … Continue reading

Book Review: Stitching Up Paris

Back in July, 2014, I wrote a post lamenting, I Miss Shopping. But soon, I’ll be getting a major shopping fix when DH and I take Supergirl (SG) to Paris. She’s 9 1/2. There are many, many things that I love about Paris, but shopping is pretty high up there on the list.  I usually don’t buy too many things, but the ones I have bought always bring back fond … Continue reading

Exuberance at the Burrell

I’m going to use my blog to document my casket design process so I’ll have a record. It’ll help me keep track of all the ideas storming around my brain. You are welcome to follow along. To recap, I’m going to embroider my flat casket In 17th century stump work With images inspired by 19th century fairy paintings. Last October, on the UK casket tour we saw caskets of every … Continue reading

I Bought a Casket

DH is an enabler. Here’s the story: When we went on the UK Embroidered Casket Tour in October, we got bookmarks for Supergirl (SG) at every museum and historical site bookstore. We got lots of them because she likes to read several different books at one time (and yes, she finishes them). Since I’ve gotten stuck on designing the embroidery for my doll-sized casket, and I’ve got lots of ideas … Continue reading

Please Pardon the Delay

This has been the year of bumps in the road and another one has reared its ugly head.  I’m under the weather, but will be okay after surgery later this month. Until then, I’m taking brain-fogging drugs, so writing coherent posts might be a challenge. In the meantime, if you would like to read about the UK Casket Tour that DH and I just returned from, check out The Embroiderer’s Story … Continue reading

I’m a Jet Lag Wimp

DH and I returned Monday from 2 weeks in the UK.  Yesterday, I thought I was dying. Jet lag. Hopefully soon we will stop waking up every morning at 2:30 or 3:30 am.  Hopefully. We went on the Thistle Threads UK Casket Tour 2015 with 40 or so other people for 10 days, then spent an additional 2 days in London by ourselves. This was our first experience touring and traveling with a … Continue reading

What’s Happening

Today, I am going to share with you updates on several projects and some of my summer adventures with Super Girl. First, I got goodies today. The second kit in my Cabinet of Curiosities course arrived. It had been delayed because of manufacturing and shipping issues, but it’s finally here and I can’t wait to start playing with all the goodies. Along with the other goodies, I got silk gimp … Continue reading

Hinge Hassles

The hinges on my doll-sized 17th-century embroidered casket are giving me troubles. I considered using the post title “unhinged”, but that’s too cutesy for what I’ve been experiencing, so I opted for my old stand by, alliteration. I spent all afternoon on Sunday, most of Sunday evening and all afternoon yesterday fussing with the $#*& hinges. And they still aren’t right. If I added all the time I’ve spend figuring … Continue reading

Inside Doll-Sized Casket

I have mostly finished decorating the inside of my doll-sized, soon-to-be embroidered, 17th-Century casket. I just need to decorate the insides of the lids. Unfortunately, the outside is still naked. I haven’t installed the hinges yet, but here’s what you see when you remove the top lid and the doors. They are covered with silk tissue taffeta. It was a challenge to work with such thin silk and not have … Continue reading