Lettergirl

Recycled Friday.

 
 
From Amy Butler's Barcelona Skirts pattern.

My summer newsletter will be sent the middle of this month, be sure to sign up for info about my upcoming Summer Sale!

Recycled Friday.

 
 
 
I'm a secret admirer of folk art -- the aesthetic and the utility.

Recycled Friday.

 
I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the start of summer.  Usually I spend a little time in May setting goals for the summer, planning what I need and want to accomplish between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but May passed in such a whirlwind of etsy orders and custom lettering projects and school activities that I never got around to it.  Even I am amazed at how unsettled that has made me feel the last few weeks!  Yesterday I took a luxurious 75 minutes with all my various notebooks and made my plan.  I don't usually cross everything off my list, but I do more and enjoy more when I have my priorities in order.

Yesterday Kate asked about family reading time and I'll try to write about that next week.  Hoping for a sunny weekend.  Enjoy!

Recycled Friday.

 

 

If you're in Minneapolis this weekend, here are a few exhibits I'd recommend:

Carolyn Halliday's installation at Susan Hensel Gallery

Four exhibits at Katherine Nash

New work at Vine Arts Center

Enjoy your weekend!

Recycled Friday.

 
The bandana I stitched at the Alabama Chanin Weekend Workshop last year -- and wore all summer.

Recycled Friday.

 

 

 

Recycled Friday.

 

 

These are my first two Alabama Chanin-inspired garments, stitched three summers ago.  Both pieces are based on the designs in Natalie's first book, Alabama Stitch Book -- though I wish I'd made the corset a size smaller as she suggests.  And I hadn't yet discovered Mokuba elastic ribbon, so don't look too closely at that waistband.

When I first started hand-stitching, I gravitated right away to freehand painting my own motifs instead of stencilling them -- both for the organic nature of painting (the occasional "whoops") and my comfort level with the materials.  I still prepare my projects that way, but have been looking at other options as I expand my skills in surface design:  painting with thickened dye and screen printing.  As always, more ideas than time.  Enjoy the long weekend!

Recycled Friday.

This week's recycled project is a purchased jacket embellished with little hand-stitched squares. Each square is a bit different -- with applique or beads. I made a stash of squares, laid them out on the jacket, took a photo for reference, and then stitched them on.  (I think of this one as my "Lord of the Rings jacket" because I made this while we watched the extended version one winter. I've seen it enough times that I knew when to stop stitching & look up, and when I could just listen!)

 
The style of the jacket is a bit boxy, so I don't wear it all that often.  But I think it could keep me cozy while I'm working, and I am still trying to wear something I've made everyday (though some days I just plain forget).

My first newsletter went out on Wednesday; if you didn't receive it, check your spam folder or email me & I'll get another sent your way.  It was so much fun to put together.  I'd love to hear how you used the free mailing label download!

This morning I'm off to learn about nuno-felting.  Thanks Marjorie!

Recycled Friday.

 
In honor of my little guy turning 10 this past week, Recycled Friday celebrates one of my favorite Halloween costumes -- a flying monkey from The Wizard of Oz.  (J was dressed as the witch.  I loved those years when their costumes coordinated -- the year after this, J was Dorothy and F was Toto.)

Recycled Friday.

 
One pair of boots on clearance + embroidery floss = style.  (I drew the design on with a silver gel pen, any spare bits washed right off.)