a honey bee
(Honey bee redwork on gray linen.)
I think my fascination with honey bees goes back as far as I can remember. My grandfather raised bees for a living nearly all his adult life and I can remember poking around his honey house as a kid and just being so enthralled with the whole sweetly scented world of frames and supers and bits of wax. I can remember always having a certain respect for the fuzzy little creatures, but never fear.
Even though we kept a hive for a while when Chip and I were first married, I have been spending a good deal of time reading and learning all I can for the bees we are planning to get next spring. A long way off, I know, but there are so many choices in equipment etc that I thought might as well start figuring it all out now.
One place there is no shortage of bees lately is my sketchbook, and that is where this little gal was born. I have never tried to make an embroidery pattern before, so this one is likely a bit primitive. Feel free to keep the honeycomb or not, fill in areas or not. Just have fun with it! (My younger kids are using it as a coloring sheet. :))
***Click here to download the free Honey Bee Embroidery Pattern.***
PS ~ This page has some helpful tips for transferring the pattern to your fabric.
a quilt
A fun new quilt is in the works.
Bright colors and prints in a super simple pattern. Just right for the start of summer.
a new thing
I must confess, I have never attempted to upholster anything at all before now. In truth, I was actually
quite intimidated by the whole idea. But alas, the holes in the seat of this chair were not getting any
smaller and the budget is not getting any bigger, so I thought I would give it a go.
Surprisingly, I found there was something quite soothing about the methodical popping out of one old
staple at a time. Then removing the old fabrics to use as patterns for the new. I never before thought
of upholstery work as art, but the deliberate and careful placement of one small cut nail after another
has convinced me otherwise. (I started out trying to do the edges with a staple gun, but it was so
unwieldy that I soon resorted to the slow method.) I still have the double welt trim to make and attach
to cover up all of my first timer mess-ups, but I must say I am happy with the progress so far. :)
finally
The shop is finally open once again! I kinda like the idea of it only containing a few limited edition
things at a time, so that is how it will be for now (at least until summertime gives me a bit more
time to doodle). I have plans for a more eclectic mix of offerings such as a few printables and perhaps
even a mini zine or two. :)
scaling back
I am in a definite 'less is more' kinda mode, so I am scaling back the things
available in the shop. Maybe it is just this spring time of year, with all its
gardening and other outdoor work, but I have found little time for art these
days. Hopefully that will change when the lazy days of summer roll in.
So many ideas... so little time. :)
note cards
Turning some of the prints into note cards. I like them this way so much better.
