Elemental Stitches

Two Cool Sites

I recently came across two crafting sites that are stocked with tutorials.

Esprit Cabane- Crafty and green living ideas

Cut Out + Keep- Step by step crafting community where people write and share tutorials for everything. 

Enjoy these great sites!

Recent Embroideries

I stitched up the sampler for the Wedding Day pattern, which ended up with a few changes for the better.

This is another pattern I have been working on.  I am using this particular stitching in a swap so I don't want to show it all quite yet.  The pattern is available in my shop.
 

I have more photos that I haven't processed yet.  Those will be up soon! 

**EDIT**

There has been some show and tell, so here are the rest of the Mushroom House Photos.

Sunflower Harvest

We grew a couple sunflowers in the garden this year.  The seeds were too small to be edible but the birds loved them and it was fun for the family to do together.

Tea Towel Tour 4

I signed up for the Tea Towel Tour 4 swap on Craftster!  I am so excited to have a little sample of so many talented embroiderers!  Check out some of my Tea Towel Teammates.

 

Beetastic – Her etsy shop

 

Third Margaret

Sunday Afternoon Housewife

Therisa

 

Donna Leoner

 

Thanks for such great work and I cant wait for my towel!

 

The Beginning of a New Year

Ahh back from a relaxing two week break before school starts.  A couple weeks ago I attempted to erase most of my calendar and then enjoyed two blissful weeks with my family cuddled up at home, shopping the farmers market, and having wild experiences with California wildlife.  My hubbie started classes last week, but I won’t start until the last week of September.  The school year is the start of my year.  For me the new year has always began in the fall.  Summer is where you sit back and enjoy all that you have accomplished over the last year.  In the fall, new projects start, new friends are made, and everyone gets more serious, more productive.  Do you find this to be so?

           

I have been thinking about what I want to learn over the next year, craftywise.  This summer I have been teaching myself graphic design.  I have also been doodling all over everything paper that comes within reach while thinking of embroidery and fabric design.  Almost all of my embroidery lately has been from my own doodles.  So what’s next in my crafty life?

           

I would love to do more printing.  I bought Lotta Prints a week or so back and I made a quick swatch with a potato.   The leaf print turned out so well that I am gearing up for another version on a larger piece of fabric.  

 

Block printing sounds very cool and I got my hubbie to agree to carve some blocks for me.  He even sounded interested!  I might also try carving some rubber stamps before trying blocks. I haven’t tried freezer paper stencils yet but they are on the list for this year too.  I have a friend who loves screen-printing and thrown ceramics and he has promised to teach me these too!

 

I have thought about digitally coloring some of my ink drawings.  I am not a genius at Illustrator but I am doing well.  I might try some simple digital art prints, but it probably wont be high on my list.

 

My major in school is Anthropology but I am taking a minor in Art History so throughout the year I will be looking at a lot of art from other cultures.  I am curious to see how this influence changes what I am crafting on at home. 

 

I still do quite a bit of photography which I have for sale in my Etsy Photo shop.  I have recently added several new art prints for sale like this one.

I cant wait for what is coming this next year!  It is filled with more promise and opportunities then I could have hoped for.