More on Etsy

I've added some new sachets along with a pillow that is not a standard design- it's a Glasgow style floral applique motif in blues.

I don't know about where you live, but winter has absolutely arrived=snow + below freezing temps! Stay warm!

Squares of fragrance

Ok, I'm nuts. At least, some of the people closest to me think so.

For the past ten years, I've saved all the fabric scraps from my projects. No, I mean ALL THE FABRIC SCRAPS. Really. I just knew that one of these days I'd think of something practical yet fun to make with them. I did offer some to paper makers, but there's not a big demand around here. In my spare time, when my hands don't hurt too much, I knit. And spin. And I have quite a stash of fiber that needs protection. That's how I arrived at the decision to make sachets.

I wanted to make re-usable sachets, being the thrifty person that I am. Plus, if someone is going to spend money for a hand embroidered sachet, it should be reusable. I found a local source of lavender, and it's amazing stuff. Her family grows it in Washington state, in the Sequim area of the Olympic Peninsula. If you haven't been there, do it. Lots of lavender farms, and gorgeous scenery.

Anyway, I'm having a great time making little squares. Fragrant squares. They're just starting to get posted in the Etsy shop.

more on Etsy

I'm a slug, what can I say?

More of the new in the Etsy shop......

Etsy update

I'm starting to add some new items to my Etsy shop; take a minute and visit. There are, and will be, some designs not offered on my website- or variations that I might not repeat again. Let me know if there is something you'd like to see....

Staying awake for Seattle

It's been quiet on the blog in part due to readying for the upcoming Seattle show, just a bit more than a week away.

I've had a chance to make a few one-offs, which I really enjoy. Different colors, different take on an older design.... I'm looking forward to the drive westward; the mountain colors are always SO fantastic, and I get to see my friends in Missoula and Seattle!

Last year I brought a small amount of silk floss for people to purchase, and it was scooped up right away. I'm putting together another batch to bring- the colors are just too glorious for words. Too bad I'm so inept with the camera....

Portieres- BIG!

Last year I completed a large project but it wasn't until this spring that I actually got to see it in-situ. One of the negatives about many of my custom projects is that I never get to see them in their final resting place, so to speak. Once in a while, someone will email me a photo, which makes me VERY HAPPY. Some very nice people confessed to me that absolutely would not happen, and a number of states separate us- so I hired Durango CO photographer Chris Marona to take a few photos.

They arrived this spring, and, in my usual manner of procrastination, I am just now posting two here. This is one BIG doorway, and it required some equally BIG panels. Each one measures 6 feet wide by 7 feet high. They are two sided, with the appliqued design on both sides. These very nice people wanted a bold design to echo a mural nearby, with apple branches, and they wanted ravens similar to some life size sculptures on their deck. The panels are usually open, not closed, like in the photo. The fabric is Belgian linen, the embroidery floss is, yup, you guessed it, naturally dyed silk. Lots of it.

I thought I could resize the tiff file, but my photo program won't let me. Here's a closeup.

More Etsy- and PayPal Payments

It's happening slowly, but I've added a few more items in the Thistle Handwerks Etsy shop(see previous post). Hopefully over the next few weeks, I'll be able to list some more- but I'm beginning to prepare for the September Historic Seattle Bungalow Fair.

For the past 10 years, I have accepted direct credit card payments. The processing fees have continued to rise in cost, and I reluctantly decided to make a change. I will continue to accept payments via credit cards, but only through PayPal. If you've not used PayPal, and want more information, let me know, or, visit their website at http://paypal.com . One advantage is that you can email me an order, and I can then email you an invoice, which you pay via the PayPal site.

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Etsy Shop is Open, Finally!

www.thistlehandwerks.etsy.com

I can't imagine anyone taking any longer than I did, but the Thistle Handwerks shop on Etsy is now open for business! Today I listed some kits, and as I have time over the next week or so, I plan to list some finished textiles as well. Perhaps some embroidery silk too- I have an over abundance of some colors, and perhaps someone will want some to play with.

Summer is flying by: in addition to stitching, I'm trying to catch up on year's worth of gardening, and doing some house painting. A summer holiday included a trip to the Oregon coast with a stop at the Black Sheep Gathering in Eugene, where I purchased/shared the purchase of some gorgeous fleeces. I hope to make some time soon to wash them and start spinning.

2009 Show Schedule

This is on the website also, but again, this year for slightly different reasoning, I'll just be doing the Seattle show. My energy level is returning, but, one show and my studio work is enough for me this year.
Sorry the etsy shop is taking so long, but well, it just is. Getting close....

This and that

I'm not sure where March went, but it seems it passed the blog right on by...

The etsy store is nearly ready, and when I return from a bit of a vacation, I should be able to start listing some items for sale. I'll write here when it's open.

Until then, a few photos of what I've been up to:

Below right, is a dresser scarf I made for a customer who wanted oak leaves. I had fun with the little acorns.

I learned how to spin a few years ago, and lately have been experimenting with silk. I have a few ideas of how I might incorporate my handspun silk into some embroidered pieces. There are some gorgeous hand dyed spinning fibers available now in naturally dyed hues. See below for a couple of skeins I spun from tussah silk, dyed by Kristine from A Verb for Keeping Warmhttp://averbforkeepingwarm.com/

where Inspiration comes from

It's been a long winter, and I'm not sure it's quite over yet. One week my view out the window is this,

and yesterday these dainty little colors popped open! I went to the cupboard where all the silk is stored, and began to take out yellows and purples, along with vibrant greens. I'm tired of browns and golds. I'm ready for Spring!

Singing a Song of Glasgow Embroidery

If you subscribe to the magazine, www.style1900.com, you may have seen Laura Euler's article. If not, stop by your local bookstore and pick up the Spring issue- She offers a nice summary of Arts and Crafts embroidery in the UK, with not the usual images of period pieces. She also has a new book out, The Glasgow Style, which I have not seen yet(published by Schiffer).

Happy 10th Birthday Thistle Handwerks!

I was digging through some files, pulling receipts for my tax prep, and WHAMMO! it hit me; just a few days ago TH had it's 10 birthday. Obviously, a very quiet one, since I didn't even remember it. Now I need to decide whether or not to have a belated celebration....

Back up, and Running (sort of)

If you've come here from my old blog/news page, welcome, and thanks!

I know its been forever since I've posted here. If you saw me at the 2008 Seattle Bungalow show, or have been in touch, you know why. For the rest of you, I'll make it brief.

Right after the last post here, in March, I was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer. I had surgery, months of chemotherapy, well, I'm sure you know someone who's been through this. Perhaps you have. I'm told there is a 25% chance the cancer can return, but I passed my first 3 month check, and will continue to have them for the next few years. I'm learning to be positive, and trying to get on with my life. It's a challenge, but I have a wonderfully supportive husband, family and bunch of friends.

Anyway, I've had loads of time to think, ponder new design ideas for products, web site revisions, etc. As I have time, I'll be doing something about them. I'm also at work on an Etsy Store, so you can buy pieces online. I've been experimenting a bit, and like the idea of making some "one offs" that can be available elsewhere other than shows. More on that when its ready.

To those of you who have provided kind words, cards, and encouragement, I send more thanks than I could ever verbally say. And for those who saw me with a shiny bald head, the hair is back- with more gray, and curly, for now!