Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Just Call Me Laura Ingalls Wilder

I was wandering around a bookstore and came across this book by Aimee Ray. Its called "Doodle Stitching." The cover says it makes embroidery "fresh and fun" and, I don't know about you, but I'm all for fun that is fresh. So, I picked it up.

Now that's not the only reason I picked it up. I know this is going to sound lame, but the Little House books were a favorite of mine growing up. And I always wanted to try making beautiful embroidered things like the Ingalls girls did in the books. At least, I think they did... I know they made lace but I KNOW that will just end in frustration and thread tangles around my fingers while yelling at my boyfriend "WHY DID YOU LET ME TRY THIS!?"

My poor boyfriend :P

Below is my first attempt at embroidering. I wanted to practice the stitches before I tried doodling. Now, with three years of art school under my belt and hours and hours and hours of sketching, painting, and beading, you'd think I'd be able to sew along a line... well, I don't know if you can tell by blowing up the picture but I clearly have trouble :P


And my stem stitching (the wavy line of stitches on the right) isn't as close together as I'd like it to be. But, you know what? It's fun. I already have TONS of ideas on what to do with this new skill... well, once it becomes a skill. Ha. I'm far from calling it a "skill." Teehee.

ANYHOO! Before I leave you, here is a new necklace. And yes, that's a ceramic button. The clasp closes in front.

I'm hoping to get off my butt and post on etsy, but I'm also a bit distracted by the idea of embroidering. My boyfriend has joked that I'll one day ask him if we can move to a farm and such... well... my dad DID raise pigs in the Philippines while my mother DID have her own rice farm. I don't see why *I* couldn't make it work :P

Happy Wednesday, all! *hugs*

6 comments:

  1. I use to love the little house books too. I've read every single one of them lol. I love that necklace very fun and fresh lol. Oh and for the farm, farmville is as close as I've gotten lol. It's weird how many crafts I've tried, but I've never tried embroidering. Maybe that should be my next craft lol. Like a need another :-P

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  2. You know Rose, as with anything practice makes perfect and I'm sure as quick as you can say "stem stitch' you'll be embroidering all sorts of lovely things. Love the necklace, beautiful colour and design.

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  3. You'll get the hang of it! I love, love, love that necklace!

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  4. gorgeous, necklace:-) regards Stefanie

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  5. I love to embroidery. That was my first 'craft'. I use to make Christmas ornaments with felt and embroidery all over them. I moved to doing the collars and cuffs of my jean jackets and then anything else I can get a needle into :) you will pick it up quick. the best thing about it is the repetition of the stitch. all that repetition is practice!!

    love the necklace :)

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  6. I love those books too! Gorgeous necklace and your 1st attempt at embroidery is a lot neater than mine!

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