One block done

I finished my first quilt block, hand pieced. I love how it came out. There is definitly room for improvement but already my running stitches/back stitches are more uniform and tiny. There is a lot of learnin being done in this block. Already I have cut the pieces for the next block and I have the half square triangles sewn together. If anyone is interested where I am getting these from and why some of my blocks are split when normally they would be a single large piece of fabric, I am using a book called Jelly Roll Samplers. All of the blocks in this quilt can be made using one jelly roll and then additional fabric for sashing, border and binding. I just this because I figured all of these little pieces will give me plenty of practice before I attempt the quilt of my dreams. I am still embroidering the blocks for Elora's quilt but I wanted to try my hand at patchwork and quilting now, and because I am impatient I chose to do this one now. Here is the completed block and also a picture of the layout to the next block. All ready to start sewing the blocks into rows then the rows together.

(Please ignore the paint spattered table peeking out from beneath)

Progress!

Just a quick picture to show my progress for today.

I can see areas for improvement but I really like how it is coming along. Not too shabby for my first time.

Quilting, take one

I took a leap yesterday and bought the fabric and supplies for my first quilt and today I started piecing my first block. Since I don't feel as comfortable using a sewing machine as much I do using a sewing needle I have decided to hand make this quilt. I am loving how this is working up and so far have only had to redo two seams. I haven't completely given up on the sewing machine but for now I am happy doing it this way.

Three hours in today I have all the pieces cut for my first block and six half square triangle sets sewn together.

Another stocking front done

Another stocking front completed. I was going to do the liners and backing a to all the completed fronts but I misplaced the font I wanted to use for the names so I am stuck untill I can reprint it. In the meantime I cut liners and backs for two of the stockings. I need to buy some more red felt to do this one. I completed 55of the pieces over the past two days. 

Here are some detail photos:

Tonight I organized my box for another kit. This one is for myself and I love the color palette. Here are the threads. 

PC dollhouse

It has been awhile since I posted here. I have been working on miniatures a lot lately so my other blog has had frequent updates, while this one has fallen silent. I am posting this on both though because I have gotten the hallway to the plastic canvas dollhouse sewn together, all except attachin the front door. I was going to do it last night but i couldn't find my grey yarn or understand the instructions. I glanced at them this morning and I must really have been tired because they were no longer gibberish.

The view through the front door, of course the door isn't attached yet.

And that is Elora's favorite part, the stairs. It is amazing how sturdy this feels once it is all sewn together. You can see the  pattern book under this with it's pages all a mess. I haven't been rough with the book but all the pages I have finished have fallen out. The rest of the book is still held together. I did buy it used and the glue felt a bit brittle so I think that has more to do with it than me being destructive.

In a way I feel guilty about this project. My son watches me working on this, knowing it is for his sister. He oohs and ahs along with her over each new part and is excited to see it come together. The guilt part comes in that I have nothing to make him. When this is finished and I give it to her I would like to have something I can give to him that I made just for him. Any suggestions out there? I thought maybe a plastic canvas car carry case but I can't seem to find a pattern for one that I like and think he'd like. The one I did find hangs on the wall but I want one he can carry around with him. Or maybe something not plastic canvas, I'm not sure..

Doll day 2

I would have gotten much further if I hadn't of had to redo te right arm twice. I miss counted the same spot twice, it made me so mad. I have made a few minor changes to the doll but I think they work. The mouth, cheek color, hair color and part, as well as the waist are just slightly different. I also changed the underclothes and just realized the bow is off center. I'm leaving it and pretending I did it on purpose to give it character. 

Paperless Paper Dolls

Yesterday, I had my follow-up appointment on my wrist. The tear was more extensive than they originally thought and he also removed a cyst that was hiding. Everything looks good so far. Still very sore and stiff, but it is getting better slowly.

Of course the appointment was in Tucson which now has a wonderful Hobby Lobby. I try to make a point of going to the large craft stores any time I am in Tucson because, besides appointments lately, I seldom am there. This trip was especially fruitful as I came across a book of plastic canvas paper dolls, thus the paperless paper doll title. These dolls are absolutely adorable and I just had to grab the book and supplies, the best part was all the supplies I wanted were between 20-30% off and I had a 40% off coupon for the book. I have always liked paper dolls but have been reluctant to buy any for my daughter yet as at her age I knew tearing would be a problem, but this solves that. The dolls are stitched and then lined with felt and strategically placed velcro that will line up with the stitched clothing that have bendable tabs with the corresponding Velcro. 

When I got home I found they had another e-book with additional clothing, toys and 1 more doll pattern. I started work earlier this night on the first doll. I showed my daughter her choices and she chose the one from the e-book because she had long hair. She requested the hair be changed from black to brown and she wanted one blue eye and one green. I convinced her to have matching eyes and she chose blue. So here is my progress. I am hoping to have the doll and at least an outfit or two done by her birthday party. I hope she likes them once they are made.

And here is the e-book I am using in case anyone is interested.

Sooo sleepy

Yesterday, I had surgery on my right wrist. The surgeon removed a cyst and cleaned up the tear of my TFCC. I requested to not be awake during it because I know I would not be a very good patient if I was awake when they were making my arm numb. I did wake up halfway through the surgery so I was able to watch part of it on the monitor they were using for the scope. It was definitely an interesting experience. I don't have issues with the actual surgery it is the needles I don't handle at all. The pain medicine they gave me has made me super tired though. All I have done since then is sleep. Work has tried to convince me that it is no big deal and I should be able to return in a few days. I don't think that will happen. My job consists of constant typing and untill I can work at 95-100% capacity I will be taking the time to recuperate properly. I know I will not have help if I go back early  and I am right handed so doing everything with my left just isn't an option. Just writing this has taken much longer than normal. 

I am really looking forward to getting back to putting together my Bucilla felt kits again. I had stopped in the middle of one because it was hurting too much, but I really do enjoy them. So I started a list of all the projects I want to finish, and even more I want to start, so I better heal fast  so I can get cracking. : ) For now, I am going back to sleep....

Now where was I?

Well, I have found a flaw in the erasable highlighters I bought. First let me tell you how great they have been if I accidentally mark the wrong symbol off, or have to frog a bit, the erasing has been great. It leaves the symbol clean and unmarked. The flaw was found when I had my stitching bag in my car while I was at work and my pattern was sticking out about halfway from my bag. I was in a hurry and just left it. Big mistake! When I got home I picked up my pattern with a feeling something wasn't right. That's when it hit me that all of the pattern that I had carefully highlighted as completed was clear again! The portion that had sat in the sun erased itself. *facepalm* it did leave a slight film where I highlighted but it is so light and hard to see it is unuseable. So I am re-highlighting what disappeared. It did give me a good laugh.  So now I know, no direct sunlight for extended periods of time. I still love these friction highlighters and will continue to use them but hopefully my mistake will warn someone else.

Page 2 begins

I started page two this weekend. The fabric that I had ordered to re-do Boteas came in and I hate it. The color was gorgeous but the weave is thick. So I have set it aside for other projects and ordered a few other fabrics instead. While I wait for those I decided to go aheadwith  page two of Moon Lit Waters. I made a few mistakes with the first page which are not noticeable unless you do a stitch by stitch comparison with the chart. The second page is going much more smoothly though. That first page was a definite learning experience.

 Of course as I work on this I can't help but pop over to HAED website and peruse their patterns. My wish list is slowly expanding. I have found some patterns that look like my cats that I definitely want to try. These designs are so addicting!

So close to a page finish!

Before the weekend:

After the weekend:

Three rows to finish and page one will be complete. I almost started another HAED this weekend. Had it all kitted up, even gridded the fabric but after putting about ten stitches in Moon Lit Waters called me back. 

My fabric for Boreas was mailed Friday and I am excited to receive it.  Maybe I will be able to do a rotation between  the two projects, switch between page finishes or something like that. I haven't touched any of my lower count projects because I am saving them for when I have wrist surgery on the 17th. I think I have the basics covered left handed and have collected anything that will help me one handed.

Page 1 halfway point

I did it, I  finished half of page one two nights ago. There are only two stitches in there that need to be done but I don't have that color yet, I am still counting it as complete though. I was super tired last night so no stitching was done at all. Felt weird as every night since I have started I have put in at least a few stitches. I ordered the fabric for Boreas so I will be restarting that one soon. Here's Moon Lit Waters, by Julie Fain on 32ct 2 over 1 tent.

Lots of black ...

Lots of black and other colors that look like black with indoor lighting. For the amount of time I had to stitch without interruptions (or at all) I accomplished quite a bit yesterday. This is working up much faster than I ever expected and now that I can see the width of one page in reality the 36 page count isn't so scary anymore. In this photo there are five colors used, black, 2 shades of blue and 2 shades of plum. In daylight I can see the difference in colors, but at night, indoors, it all looks the same. 

This is about 1/3 of page 1 completed.

A new start and decision to make..

Yesterday I started Moon Lit Waters a HAED pattern based on Julie Fain's art work. I  am using 32 count lambs wool Jobelan with 2 over 1 in tent stitch. This fabric is so much easier to work with than the 28count even weave I started Boreas on. I am having a hard time seeing the holes on Boreas, the fabric sort of blurs the threads together. It's a beautiful fabric but I think it would be better suited for 2 over 2 cross stitching. The tent stitching is much faster and with two strands of floss the coverage is perfect. This really has me considering starting Boreas over on another piece of 32 count Jobelan I have. In less than 2 hours of stitching time I was able to complete just over 800 stitches. Granted I was only using 2 colors so that rate would go down with multiple color changes but it was still a good start. Here it is, although it does look like one solid amount of black thread there is a mix of 310 DMC black and 939 DMC Midnight blue. 

An addiction called HAED

Last night I got a handful of stitches put into Boreas, I am still finding my way to the best way to stitch for me. I tend to stitch cross country with projects, at least going until that strand of floss runs out, then returning to he original starting place and choosing another color to go with. At first I was starting and stopping as I have seen others do but the back was getting super bulky. So I went back to my  regular ways. I have also decided that for confetti stitches as long as there is that color in the adjacent block I will continue. I think this will also help everything lay smoothly on the back. It's working up and the stitches are so tiny! I promised myself the next project I do would be on a larger count fabric. Of course immediately after I started thinking about Moon Lit Waters again and thought "what the heck, I already have 3 what harm can one more do". So I went through my stash in search of a fabric that might work and I came across a 32 count Jobelan in a milked coffee color (not sure what the real color name is bit coffee works for me) and it is just the right size. I did a test block in the far corner of two over one in tent stitch and the coverage was perfect. Sooooo the fabric is currently in my travel bag to be gridded. This afternoon I will be on the hunt for some metallic thread or super light weight fishing line to grid with. Once it is gridded it will become my next (or concurrent) travel project. I prefer working on my scroll frame but I have really been wanting to work on HAED outside the house. This will answer that wish. Plus this one is for me so if I totally screw up doing it this way only one hurt will be myself. I already have all the threads kitted up from last time, pattern is printed and I am ok right now with all the black. It will also be a nice to rotate between Boreas which is confetti heavy and Moon Lit Waters which (for now) is much lighter on the confetti. I would post a pic from last night but there really isn't enough to show yet. Maybe later tonight I will have something to show for the day.

SODA Pattern 2

I don't believe I have shown any progress on the second SODA pattern I am stitching. This will hang next to Aidan and  Elora's. The pattern is called Full of Love and Sunshine. I love SODA patterns for their bright colors and when you work on them the cross stitches look almost blurry until you add the back stitching. That is when it all comes into focus and you can see the detail of the pattern. This is also my travel project, I work on it on my breaks and if I am at my parents because it fits nicely into the DMC stitchbow travel bag. That bag is amazing! I still get a thrill opening it and seeing how neatly everything is stored and how easy it is to put away. Enough chit chat, here's the picture:

The fabric is a bit wrinkly because I tried softening  it before stitching. It was super stiff and hard to manage. As soon as water touched the fabric it wrinkled up wicked. I ironed it to get rid of the big wrinkles but it can wait till the end to be done right.

Progress!

Not much but I almost have the top row of the first page completed. A handful of stitches in the right box it is complete. To avoid page lines I carried one color 

over to the next page for two stitches. Not sure what will work best for me so we will see how this goes. I can not figure out the parking yet so until I am more comfortable with how this works up I will continue a combination of cross country and block by block. I pretty much just try and go till I run out of thread then start back at the beginning square with another color. I made a counting error in one of the blocks but since it is dark and a blurry background tree I don't think it will be a problem. The rest of it is back on track.

The Risk of Electronic Media

This month we were due an upgrade on our cell phones so my husband got the newest iPhone and I got his old one. My phone had such a small memory it didn't have enough to update to the new software. Last night he started setting his phone up for me, moving over my photos , music, etc. However, he wasn't listening when I asked to have my phone before he did anything else and he deleted my iBook app which had all my HAED charts and other cross stitch patterns. I knew I had a couple of them backed up on my laptop but I the ones I recently purchased I wasn't so sure of. At this point it hit me how insecure digital media really is. I have always been wary of having all of my movies as digital copies from companies like Vudu or Amazon and with my Kindle, if I really like a book I buy a physical copy, also. Digital is convenient but I haven't yet lost a paperback because I touched the wrong button. My husband has always been frustrated with what he views as my resistance to modern media but after last night I think he may see my side of things. After a few tears on my side and hard work on my DH's he was able to retrieve my files. I fortunately had it set to auto back up on the cloud. I will be making sure I have back ups of all my charts, especially the HAED charts because they are so large. As to the size I only have 5mg of space used on this phone and 22 more available, plus I have more on this one than I did my old one. Woohoo! More room for charts!

While he worked on that I was able to get  a small portion organized in the office and a tiny amount stitched on Boreas. I say tiny only because it doesn't look much different than when I started but at least one chart block is fuller. I am getting used to the tiny stitches and I am also trying to get used to using my left hand more dominantly now, so after surgery I will still be stitching at a good pace. Just to show you the difference here is the before picture 

And here is the after:

The after is more true to color. The before is super yellow. I also started removing the grids from the stitches areas and I have not had any issues with distortion. All the stitches are still flat and smooth. The easy count grid filament pulled easily out from beneath the stitches that had been stitched over it. I will still be trying the Sulky metallic thread because you get double the amount for half the cost. I hope I have as good a result with that as I did this one.

First SAL!

I have joined my very first Mystery SAL that has been put together by Passione Ricamo and I am super excited.

http://www.passionericamo.eu/page2ingl.htm

Sign-ups are open until March 25th. I was hemming and hahing over this one thinking I already have enough on my project list but it seems like too much fun to turn away from. I received my Welcome letter and supply list. I am having a problem finding the fabric needed but I am persistent so I should have a solution soon.

Yesterday I really wanted to work on Boreas but I ended the day with literally 1.5 stitches done on my travel project. I did get a storage unit put into my craft closet (aka my clothing closet lol) that will open up room in there. I really need to finish organizing and cleaning out that closet as well as our office space that has turned into a storage room. I recently got a tread mill and would like to get it out of the dining area and into that room but won't be able to do that until that room is cleared out. I really wish I had a few weeks off from work that I could focus on that room. Maybe during my recovery period I can organize one handed? With my clumsiness that is probably a bad idea. Fingers crossed I get some stitching done tonight.

So little accomplished 3/1/14

Over the past couple of days I have been either sick or have a headache, so not much has been accomplished on Pansies. The small amount of progress made was done this morning. Last night season 1&2 of Designing Women arrived in the mail as well as my pack of 1,000 plastic floss bobbins. I have decided to finish organizing my floss from the multiple drawers,bags and other cases into six 11" Plano hardware organizers. These cases have lids with two latches and the inside is sectioned into rows the perfect size to hold my floss. I bought 6 of them and hope that will be enough. They set on top of one another very nicely and take up a small amount of room. Unlike the drawers I was looking at, if bumped into I don't have to worry about a drawer easily falling to the floor and having to pick up hundreds of bobbins. I also received the covers for my frame,that will protect the rolled fabric body oils and other staining or stitch pulling that could occur, as well as my new Boo needle minder. I really like theses and needed a second one to keep in my travel pack. Of course as I am not traveling at the moment I just had to use the new one. : )

 

So this morning I attached my new needle minder, put on the first disc of Designing Women and got to stitching. Here was my progress so far today.

HAED take two

A few months ago I had started a Heaven and Earth Design chart titled Moon lit Waters by Julie Fain. I love this picture, however, after starting it I wasn't happy with the thread coverage. Too much white was peaking through the black stitches and it looked messy that way to me. So off the frame it went and I hadn't touched it or another HAED since. Lately though, with working on Pansies, they started calling to me again. I started browsing their website (dangerous I know) and ended up purchasing multiple charts. Madame Fae by Annie Stagg (looks like an older version of my daughter so I HAD to buy it ; )), Pysche Opening the Golden Box by John Waterhouse, Cupid's Garden also by John Waterhouse, Magic Witch by Sarah Butcher and (my favorite one) 12 Dancing Princesses by Kinuko Y. Craft Arts. This last one is absolutely breathtaking and I can barely wait to start it. I bought the dancing princess's in a hard copy so I have to wait for it to arrive. In my defence they were all on sale. I calculated how many years it will take me to actually finish these and I should be set for the rest of my life. LOL 

After making my purchases I decided to stitch Boreas by John Waterhouse, which I already had in my stash. This is the one that my husband loves. I bought new fabric in mushroom, 28 count and am working 1 over 1. Next one I do I will not be going quite this small. My goodness it is tiny! Either that or I got way too used to 14 & 18 count fabrics. The color is perfect though. Even if it tries to peak through it isn't so stark that it attracts the eyes to it. I also decided to grid my fabric and that is really helpful. I used easy count gridline for the top portion but I think I will be changing to sulky metallic threads for the rest as I have read that they are cheaper and finer than the easy count. At least one person had trouble of the stitches being distorted after the easy count was removed because it seems too big for such small count fabric. I haven't gotten very far, comparatively, so I think I will remove as I go to avoid that and then when I need to grid the next section use the sulky. I gridded Saturday and got a little stitching done:

And I stitched more on Sunday: 

The top photo is more true to color than the bottom. We had family over Sunday, including my Dad so Pansies was hidden away giving me the perfect excuse to work on Boreas. My husband wants me to finish the cross stitch that matches the one I did of the kids, so we can hang them together. This will mean I have 3 cross stitch projects going at once. I also have a stocking in progress but that type of sewing really hurts my wrist now. Hopefully he surgery will cure that. I am trying not I feel guilty about all the projects going on at once. I don't know why I have that reaction to something that isn't harmful and makes me happy. I am just hoping that when 12 Dancing Princesses arrives I have the strength to resist. So my WIP count To date is 3 cross stitch, 1 felt stocking, a plastic canvas Barbie house, a 12thscale dollhouse and the interior of a quarter scale hat shop. Compared to how this list use to look I am getting better.

"You take the good, you take the bad

And there you have, the Facts of Life!" The Fact of Life was a show I grew up watching re-runs of. I loved it! I was psyched to find the very short season 1 for $5.00 at Walmart and of course snatched it up in a fit of nostalgia. I miss shows like this. Clean television I won't be afraid of my children watching. The headmistress, played by Charlotte Rae, was one of my favorites. I love her voice. I even own the worst witch in which she plays Mrs Cackle. LOL This DVD  got me thinking about all the different shows I used to watch that always left me smiling. Designing Women and the Golden Girls are among them. I know I am a bit young for the Golden Girls but I always loved watching them with my mom and they are hilarious women. I am seriously considering buying these series so I can have them when I want a bit of my childhood to remember. While tormenting my husband by making him watch a few episodes if The Facts of Llife  (he did find it funny and was surprised by the issues addresses) I did get a bit more completed on Pansies. MAde my way all the way to the top and now I will fill it in as I work my way back down to the bottom. This seems to be working up very quickly. At least for me.

A sad day in Arizona

Yesterday I learned that a bill is in place, waiting for approval or veto by governor Jan Brewer, that if approved would make it legal for the people of Arizona to refuse service to anyone who is gay or lesbian because of their " religious beliefs". This is one of the most ridiculous bills I have ever heard of. It is pure discrimination being dressed up as religion. Whether or not homosexuality is something you, or I, condone or condemn, is beside the point and I will not get into that. I do not think a state, or government of any level, should make it legal to discriminate against anyone for their sexual orientation, their color, age, or religion. What will be next? Separate water fountains? Seats on a bus? Come on people! Wake the hell up! We've been here before! Why is it, every day I see something on the news that greatly resembles a horrible chapter from our history. The actions that lead up to the act are just as important to remember as the horrible conflicts, riots, and wars that they in turn lead to. If we forget the actions,  the preludes, we will be doomed to repeat past horrors. Normally I do not vent my opinions or views of current events but this was the last straw. 

I may sound like a conspiracy theorist when I say this but everyone should read 1984 by George Orwell. The book that started the phrase, "Big Brother is watching you," (no not the ridiculous "reality" tv show) Maybe if the general population had we wouldn't be sitting here watching quietly as the events of the book come to life around us. Constant monitoring by the government. Anger and hatred, condoned by he government and expected by it's citizens.Or maybe the problem is that only those in power, those in the government, have read it and found it to be a great idea, one that they are trying hard to replicate.

Wake up people, look around you, do you really like what you see? 

Vent over. I will get off my soap box now...normal programming will return next time.

Catch-up

Well, it has been awhile since I last posted. Being sick has had a lot to do with it. The week of my birthday I came down with strep which led to two ear infections in one ear. Once I was finally over the strep, which took the full 10 days of antibiotics, I rolled into a 24 hour stomach bug. My ear is still messed up, full of fluid on the eardrum. The pain has gone but it is hard to hear as it sounds like I have cotton in it. I'm giving it till Thursday and if it isn't cleared I'll make another appointment for Friday afternoon. That way I won't miss any more time from work. I have my wrist surgery scheduled for mid April, now. It'll be nice to have it fixed.

Valentine's Day was a quiet day but it was nice. Hubby was still getting over the strep I gave him so we stayed in and watched a movie together. He did give me an awesome bouquet of orange roses. 

On a less sick note I have gotten some stuff done craft wise. I bought myself two new toys, a mini Stitchbow bag and a regular Stitchbow bag. Here is the larger one all set with my travel project. 

I also framed my cross stitch I made that looks like the anime version of my kids. The paytern is a sodapattern design.My travel project is one similar that represents my DH and myself.

 One of the kits I ordered for my birthday came in .... 

I also received my handi clamp frame set and so far I love them. They are holding my fabric much tighter than the split rail frames I was using. Besides my travel project I have a home project I am working on as a gift, and since I am pretty certain the recipient doesn't read this I wil post what I have accomplished in the last week. 

Last night I finished that flower so quite a bit more is filled in, I just haven't gotten around to taking an updated photo. And that is pretty much it. Besides work and being with my family you're all caught up.

Yoga for weight loss?

Well I have decided it is about time I picked up a form of exercise. I bought myself a mat and DVD called Yoga for Weight Loss. I assumed yoga would be a non intense way to get started but I really didn't see how it could work to help weight loss or get in shape....boy was I wrong. This work out is perfect for me. My family and friends can attest that I am not the most coordinated, balanced or flexible person around so I thought the slow pace would be helpfully. There aren't any fast movements or lots of choreographed steps that can cause more injury then not, but I can definitely feel a difference. Right now there are two positions I can't do because of my wrist. The day after my first attempt I could feel my muscles sore as though I had done hardcore gym exercises and I could feel it in muscles I wasn't even aware were getting a work out. A bonus i think his will help me become more balanced and coordinated. Overall I am very happy with it, had my heart going, broke a sweat and muscles quivering. Who would have thought simply getting into a position and then holding it could be so effective? I hope that this isn't something that I say I'm going to do, make two tries and then never do again. If I have surgery it will be on hold but I am hoping that the treadmill my hubby may be able to get from a friend at work comes through. I don't like walking outside. I have a light sensitivity that sometimes can trigger migraines, doesn't help I live in sunny Arizona. Plus being Arizona, once summer hits I really don't want to walk in 115 degree weather so a treadmill seems like a great way to go. I had bought an easy glider but I was getting motion sick from the swaying that I gave it to my mom, who loves it. This post is definitely not my usual topic but there you go, just had to share.

Happy Early Birthday to me!

I got the notification today that my Charleston kit was shipped. When I got home tonight it was waiting for me, amazing! I was expecting a 4-6 week delivery time frame in case they were at a show  or something else. I have already opened the box and am amazed at the number of pieces in it. Even doing the Pickett Hill hadn't prepared me for this but I am truly looking forward to the challenge. This house will be extremely detailed and gorgeous. It doesn't come with lights, as that would cause the cost to increase. So I am going to sit down and plan out the light placements and order some LEDs from Evans designs. I have used them before and love them. Rather than attempting ceiling light fixtures I think I will do indirect lighting instead. Placing bulbs discreetly in the corners should do the trick. I also will be slowly buying the furniture for each room in advance of building. Until I do a dry fit I won't know for sure, but I have a feeling this house will be much easier to decorate as I go. 

Fortunately, I do have more than one kit waiting to be built. I am more determined now than ever before to build the Avalon.  It will give me practice before I attempt the Charleston.

I did start the Snowdrop Cottage by Petite-Properties over the weekend. I have the basic structure built, interior walls and ceiling painted. I am contemplating adding lights to this one too. I just have to figure out how to hide the wires and switch. 

For the hat shop so far I only have one hat decorated. This will be an ongoing project, lol. I am also trying to decide on the cross stitch project for while my right hand is healing. I have some huge HAED designs but I need something small for my lap stand. I'll keep looking through my stash.

Birthday splurge

I did it, I bought the Charleston quarter scale dollhouse kit. This kit is gorgeous and I have been drooling over it since I saw it first advertised for a workshop over a year ago. The money I spent on it was for me to do as I wanted for my birthday, yet I still have a slight case of sticker shock. I don't buy single items that cost that much generally ( my Pickett hill was done with monthly payments so it was easy to overlook the total cost) but it never fails to upset my stomach, everything else is all excitement. I have an old magazine that has the plans from Debbie Young to build a cute quarter scale house, or you could buy the kit straight from her.  I added up the cost of materials vs the kit cost and the kit was a better deal, so I know that this kit will be well worth it, hers usually are, even I that initial amount seems crazy now.  I love the colors of the wallpapers and the overall layout. It is shown lit but there is no description of it coming with the wiring for lights, I really hope it does though, as that was a major draw for me. That and the interior stairs!  I love the tiny railing. It is hard I tell from the pictures posted just exactly how the layout works because the description describes hallways and closets. The closets are such an interesting touch that I am anxious to see how thy are done. 

Debbie Young also has a house called the Avalon. I purchased this house a few years ago. The exterior is to die for. So adorable! The interior is what has hindered me from building it. There are no stairs and no bathroom. I am one of those weird miniaturists who like realism in miniature, so without those two important features I have a hard time starting. Now that I have the Charleston coming with all if it's bells and whistles I think I can focus on the Avalon as it is. This one has been done so many times as a fall house, I feel I should change it just to be different, however it lends itself to that season so beautifully I will most likely follow suit. 

Petite-properties also has some wonderful quarter scale kits. I pulled out two, the Snowdrop cottage and the Flower Pot cottage. Unfortunatly I can't locate locally the supplies I need for the exteriors so those are on hold again, too. Maybe this weekend I'll make a decision as to the next kit to do and actually start it. Wish me luck!

Lots of stands, so many hats to make...

Here are the hatstands all lined up and ready to display their hats...

The hats are going to take a lot longer than anything else so far. After one episode of Desperate Housewives season 2 (yes, it takes me forever to start watching hit shows) I have the start of only four hats. 

The instructions for these are extremely simple. If I don't move my wrist I can work in little pain. 

My follow up appointment was today, confirming what I already knew and resulting in me getting a referral to a specialist out of town who can perform the surgery. He said a brace won't fix it but it might stabilize it enough so it doesn't hurt as much. It's worth a shot so I will dig up he one I bought a few months ago. Today was one of the worst, hard time bending it down at all. And if an attempt to force it was made it hurt like mad. So, for now it is brace and wait.

Another year

My birthday is fast approaching and I am contemplating what I would like to do for it. I am debating between ordering the quarter scale Charleston Single by Debbie Young, or taking a trip to Tucson to the miniature shop there and buying supplies I need and having a general mini day. On one hand the Charleston is so detailed, including lights, hallways, closets, etc. but on the other hand a trip to Tucson could be fun and have more to show for it. I have a follow up appointment Tuesday for my wrist, at which point I think I will be getting a referral to a wrist specialist in Tucson. My birthday isn't until the 24th so I have some time. Who knows, maybe it'll work out that I get to do both! The unique style of the Charleston is drawing me and I love it when she adapts true house plans to miniature and this house seems to have that real house feel to it that I love so much.

On the hat shoppe I finished the chair, made all the hat boxes and started on the hat stands. Let me tell you, the hat stands have proved to be the hardest part so far but they are very cute. I'm letting them set over night, so hopefully I can make a few hats tomorrow. I am so close to finishing I can see the end! 

All ready for accessories

The shop fixtures are finished. The back shelf is the only piece glued in place right now, although I am questioning myself in doing that before I added the accessories to the shelves. The vanity chair is drying and once dry I will finish painting it and adding the cushion. I used left over fabric from the Pickett hill for the cushion. The part I am looking forward to most is making all the spools of ribbon for the hutch on the right. I am somewhat dreading the hats though. I do not have a great imagination when it comes to color combinations of fabrics. Fortunately she included examples of how she made hers and I can use those as a jumping off point.

My sweet little cat, Gigi, found my stash of paper covered wire. She proceeded to roll around in it till she was covered and then fall asleep. She always makes me smile.

Hat Shoppe Part 2

I finished the hat shoppe structure. All I have left are the shop fixtures and hats. As I thought this project is coming along quickly. I added color tithe door and upper design but I did go with a neutral color. It's not white or ivory, I used wild rice and red iron oxide for accent. For the flagstone walk around the shop I want to add a bit of greenery between the stones. This kit went together beautifully, I am looking forward to seeing any other quarter scale online classes Cynthia Howe comes up with.