Remember

As with every year, I found myself stuck when trying to come up with a holiday gift for my dad. He's 82, has everything he needs, and buys what he wants when he wants it. I finally after a bit of noodling, I came up with this.

My dad is a Korean veteran and proudly displays his Purple Heart. He is also a man of few words. When he speaks, he is direct and he doesn't "mince words" as he puts it. This is my way of saying to him that I will remember his sacrifice for my freedom.

I found this frame and found it to be perfect for his gift. I wish I had bought the next size up now so I would have had more room to work my design.

(Yes, I'm aware that I screwed up the stripes. I'm giving him this one and will redo another for him correctly. :) )

I found the pattern on Urban Threads and just added my wording at the bottom. I had originally found a very nice quote that I had intended to use, but then I realized that I should keep it simple to please him. :)

A tad behind...

Am I ever happy that I started working on holiday crafts and wrapping early!

I found myself literally laid out the week before Christmas due to a cracked tooth (temp crown in place already!) and then, the evil Vertigo. I wasn't able to get out of bed much at all for 2 1/2 days straight, The dizziness and nausea were intense. Needless to say, my mind was whirring with "I need to be doing this, and that. Oh, and..." whenever I was awake. Thankfully, my meds kept from worrying myself into even more sickness.

Through it all, I've recovered (BIG YAY!!!!) and we had a wonderful holiday Chez TroubleT. :)

I do have one more holiday gift that I will finish up today and share with you all later tonight.

And now for the Creative ME! blog hop-a-palooza!

On this night of Winter Solstice

I found myself in a craft swap on Craftster with a gal who wanted a very specific style of gift for her brother in law who loved all things Norse and was very much into the Society of Creative Anachronism aka SCA. Given that I was once very active in the SCA and I knew what she was looking for, I decided to embark on a bit of research and stitching to make this gift. She wanted something that would depict Norse mythology AND be true to form i.e. not some washed over bit of history that has been "Hollywoodized" to make it more acceptable to today's would-be historian. (...so T, how do you really feel about how medieval history has been mistreated by the unwashed masses? Don't hold back! *insert eye roll here!* If you are actually interested in this reply, see below.)

Here's my creation! It's two ply cotton thread worked on pure linen. I was afraid to use a larger amount of thread fearing that I would lose detail. All told, I think this is about 6-7 hours of stitching, meaning a good 2 movies worth. ;)

This is a depiction of Odin, the mightiest of all Norse gods, doing battle with the serpent of Evil as seen on one of the panels of the Vendel Helm (7th century AD) which was unearthed in Uppland which is in the eastern coast of modern day Sweden. The two birds are Odin's ravens, Huginn which is Old Norse for "thought", and Muninn meaning "mind" who would fly the World and bring back information to Odin himself.

And now for the explanation mentioned above...

This will sound like a bunch of silliness to some of you but I am what I am, take it or leave it. :)

I call myself an amateur anthropologist meaning I really get into studying different cultures. I am also a lover of World History, from the beginning of civilization in the Indus Valley through to the Renaissance. (After the invention/introduction of gun powder in the 1700's, I start to lose interest quickly.) While I was active in the SCA, I was recognized as being quite knowledgeable in the field of textile arts meaning embroidery, weaving and lace making. I have an extensive library of research that I've done over the years. Unfortunately, most everything that I made was gifted to someone so I have no remnants of my past needle work to share. (This was before the invention of the digital camera!...yeah, I know, we were still writing on the cave walls with sticks...) As a result, I am a bit of a haradin when it comes to the liberties that some take with history, especially with regards to things such as Ren Faires and most "in period" movies. I can shred them if I'm in the mood or I can relax allowing myself to enjoy the attempt, albeit a very poor one. My problem with those poor portrayals is that many take them as being "true" when they aren't. I've long been of a believer in "If you are going to do something, then do it right!". You never who or what is watching.

Come Join the Creative Monday Blog Hop!

This blog hop is a great way to see what is going on in other cool crafty sites! :)

Winter Wonderland Ornament

While working on the Stashbustin' Ornaments, I had a request for a small project to use up bright blue felt. Well, I don't own a bright blue but I did come with an ornament that could work well with that color. :)

A Winter Wonderland Snowflake ornament!

Living in the South as I do, it is very rare that we have a white Christmas so we have to make "snow" happen. I think a tree covered with these ornaments would definitely be a nice touch.

Materials Needed

•  blue felt
• embroidery thread in white and a coordinating blue
• white ribbon, 6-8" for a hanger
• vanishing 
• fabric marker
• polyfil or stuffing of choice!

There is no pattern! :D


Step 1
     Find a round template in your kitchen that is of a suitable size. I personally used a canning lid because I have those all over my kitchen. A plastic tumbler with a round bottom would work just as well.

Step 2
     Trace 2 circles onto your blue felt. You need to also draw a smaller circle inside just one of them which is why the canning lid was ideal. I just traced the outside and inside of the lid. You do want at least 3/8" between the inner and outer circle edge so that your needlework doesn't become bunched.

 Step 3
     Now using the fabric marker, draw 2 lines on the inner circle which will "cut" it into fourths. If you don't feel comfortable free handing this, you could draw your inner circle on a piece of paper, cut it out and fold it into fourths to use as a pattern. As for me, I don't mind that my sections aren't perfect. Every snowflake is different and unique this way. :)

Step 4
     Starting at the center of the crossed lines, work 5 chain stitches in white to the outer edge of the inner circle. Finish off that line of stitches, Knot it on back. Then, go back to the center and continue doing the same for the other 3 lines. Don't be overly concerned if the your lines do not meet in the center! It's ok as long as the gap is under 1/4".

I do this step this way mainly because I don't trust those vanishing markers much. You don't want the lines to disappear on you while you stitch details. :/

Step 5
    Now, return to the center. Work a set of 3 chain stitches at a diagonal in between 2 longer lines at a 45 degree angle.

 Step 6
    Work two lazy daisy stitches off of the top of this line at a 45 degree angle. Knot on the back at the end of this stitching.

Step 7
     Now, continue to the next long line of chain stitches. Stitch 2 more lazy daisies at the end, coming out of the very last chain stitch.

Step 8
     Go down to the second chain stitch on the long line and stitch 2 chain stitches on either side.

Step 9
     Go down to the third chain stitch and stitch 2 lazy daisies.

Step 10
      Continue working around your circle repeating Steps 5-9.

Step 11
     When you have finished Step 10, work a French knot in the very center (hiding all of the "uneven" start points!). I wrapped this knot 8 times.

**You could also add in a pretty white bead/pearl or a silver sequin here if you don't want to do the french knot.**


Step 11
     Place your stitched circle face up on the other circle. Trim excess felt if needed.

Step 12
     Fold the ribbon in half and knot the end. Place the knotted ribbon between the two layers of felt and pin it in place close to the knot.

Step 13
     Starting at the ribbon hanger. Place your needle with blue thread between the two layers of ribbon. Pull your thread through the back piece of felt. Begin a blanket stitch along the outside edge.

Step 14
     Continue the blanket stitch around the ornament. Stop about an 1 1/2" from the other side of the ribbon. Allow blue thread to dangle so you can use it to finish up the ornament.

Step 15
     Stuff the ornament. Don't overstuff which will cause your blanket stitches to pucker!

Step 16
     Finish stitching up the ornament through the ribbon hanger and around to where you originally started the blanket stitch. Pass your needle back through the pieces of felt from back to front to tack down your last blanket stitch.

 Step 17
     Make a knot in your thread about 1/4" from the felt. Place your needle between the layers of felt. Pull your thread and knot into the inside of the ornament. Cut excess thread.

As I was stitching up this ornament, I also thought it could be fun to add some little white or sparkly beads along the outside edge by picking up a bead in between blanket stitches. It would add a nice bit of bling. :D

Happy Stitching Everyone!

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Go to The Southern Institute to check out other awesome blogs! :)

Stashbustin' Ornaments Pt. 12: Mrs.Frosty!

One of the comments left on my Mr. Frosty ornament tutorial is that his eyebrows make him look like he's up to something....

Well, that person is right! He is! lol

I decided he needed someone to keep him in line, someone with a cool, level head. Frosty now has a wife, Mrs. Frosty!

Materials Needed:

• felt in white and green (or whatever color you want for her hat)
• whtie ribbon, 6-8" for the hanger
• craft glue
• scissors
• embroidery thread in white (not pictured), black and green
• powdered blush (not pictured)
• 4 sequins (or any other embellishments you wish to use)
• vanishing fabric marker (not pictured)
• polyfil or stuffing of choice (not pictured)

Mrs. Frosty Pattern (click to print!)

Step 1
     Cut out your pattern pieces

Step 2
     Lay one of the green hat pieces on top of the white face and pin it in place.

Step 3
     Lay the pinned pieces face down and then lay the remaining hat and face pieces so that they line up properly. Pin those as well.

 Step 4
     Pick up one of the pinned pieces and with green embroidery thread, work a line of button hole stitch along the edge to secure the green felt to the white. Remove your pin when finished.

 Do the same to the second pinned piece. Knot the thread on the back when you finish each line of stitching.

Step 5
     With a vanishing fabric marker, place dots where you would like to place the sequins on the hat. Secure each sequin with a french knot (wrapped 4 times). When you are finished securing the sequins, knot the thread on the backside.

Step 6
     Glue the eyes and nose into position.

I've learned the hard way that stitching tiny pieces of felt can cause them to shred which is beyond frustrating.

Step 7
     Draw out the smile and cheeks with the fabric marker. With the black embroidery thread, stitch the cheeks and smile using a basting stitch.

Step 8
     Using the powdered blush, put a tiny amount on one edge of the brush. Dab it in the center of each cheed. Using the tip of your finger, make a small circular motion inside of the cheek "circle" to spread the blush and to work it into the felt.

Step 9
     With a tiny amount of red embroidery thread, stitch an M centered on the top of the mouth line. Below the M, stitch a V using back stitch to give her a cute little pout.

Step 10
     Fold your ribbon in half and tie a knot in end.
Step 11
     Pin the ribbon into place between the two stitched felt pieces. Also pin the sides of the face to help keep everything lined up while you stitch.

Step 12
     Beginning on one side of her head where the green meets the white, secure your knotted green thread and whip stitch across the top of the hat through the ribbon hanger to the other side. Knot and finish your whip stitch as mentioned in that stitch tutorial.

Step 11
     Begin whip stitching the white only do no not stitch up the last 1 1/2". Leave your with thread dangling.
Step 12
     Stuff your ornament lightly. Overstuffing will cause your stitching to pucker.

Step 13
     Complet your stitching in white and finish off your thread as you did in Step 12.

Don't they make a handsome couple! I've always believed that Frosty would get up to all sort of mischief with that magical hat. He needs someone to keep a watchful eye on him. ;)

Wow! I've made it through to my goal of 12 ornament tutorials! WoooHoooo!

The Stashbustin' Ornament GIVEAWAY will run through Friday, 12/16. That night, I will pick my winners and mail out some of my own holiday cheer to those of you who have shared your ornaments here on my blog.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Another Bit of Sneaky Wife!

My husband is a Texan who loves all things BBQ and meat in general. Last year, I put a new chef's knife in his stocking (in a sheath! ;) ) and he fell in love with that knife. It cuts smoothly, isn't overly heavy and fits his manly hands well.

He loves to BBQ for other people especially in their own home. When we travel, he can often be found at the grill or working in the kitchen. Making people happy through food is what makes him happy. He could easily be one of those BBQ guys that you see on the Food Network at those national championship cook offs.  I decided that he need a sharp arsenal that could be portable for when he was away from home and cooking.

This is what I created for him. It's a variation off of a crochet roll only with larger slots for the knives and made of canvas for greater durability. There is also a fold down flap designed to keep the knives from sliding out the other end when it's carried. When it comes to knives, I'm all about safety!

Please pardon my icky craft table! ;)

The last pocket on the right is large enough for index cards which is how he likes to carry his recipes.

I gave him this gift early. He is currently in TX at the family ranch hunting with his dad and brother. I knew that he would put this gift to very good use processing the deer that they had brought down.

Well, maybe it was a bit selfish on my part because all of the meat will now come home in nice, neat, wrapped packages of venison ready for my freezer. I don't have to worry about processing meat when he comes home. ;)

When pigs fly...

A friend of mine on Craftster asked me to do a personal swap with her. She had joined a Christmas Stocking swap and her partner wanted either an embroidered pig or a heart with her and her boyfriend's initials. I agreed so this is what happens when you give me free license with a concept.

A Flying pig pulling an initialed heart!  Both hoops are crayon tinted. The clouds are appliqued bits of felt and the cord is a length of embroider thread that I secured on the underside if the pig, braided to a good length and then secured on the heart hoop.

In return for my embroidery, I received the softest crocheted afghan that is going to be part of my mom's holiday gift. I think we did each other proud. :D