Thanks for the photos!

I got two very special emails recently. 

Elaine Sweet sent photos of cards she had made from Wyrdbyrd Designs. I love the bead work!

Michelene Gublin used one of the same patterns to fashion an ornament. The bell is charming!

Thank you, Ladies, for your incredible ideas and for sharing the finished products! 

Quirky Twee from France

One of my favorite things about designing patterns is seeing what people do with them. Earlier this week, I got a message from Michele in France. She had completed her version of the Quirky Quistmas Twee and wanted to share the photos:

I especially like her use of metallic thread on red and green fabric. It really sparkles!

My directions advise that you fill the bottom biscornu with rice, but Michele used decorative gravel; she pointed out that rice could get wet and moldy.

Find out more of her stitching secrets at her blogs:

http://freebiegallery.blogspot.com/2011/11/quirky-quistmas-twee.html

https://bagladyinstitches.wordpress.com/

First frame job

Well, I did it. I framed the Celtic Sampler in a shadowbox. This is my first attempt at framing and no, it's not perfect. But it does give me the incentive to try again soon. Any advice or tips for making the job easier would be greatly appreciated.

Happy stitching!

What's in a name?

"Rule Zombie"

I like to sit in front of the TV at night and play with my PCStitch software.  Sooner or later the battery will run low and I'll need to save my work and turn off the laptop.  The 'puter asks, "Save As"?

I gotta give it a name, a title, a way of identifying the pattern in the folder.  Most of the time, I use the name of a loved one or a character from the show I'm watching.

For some reason, the other night, I chose "Rule Zombie".  I can't remember why; I think it was a line of dialogue in a show.  Nevertheless, I've grown rather fond of the name; I like the pattern, too.  What can I say?  I'm Wyrdbyrd.

Rule Zombie

Another snowy day

It hit the rest of the country first, but the west coast has finally gotten its share of winter.  And a weird one it is.  Three and four feet of snow followed by spring-like weather wherein the snow melts away and swells the creeks and rivers with cold, green water.  Then - bam - another four feet of snow.  Don't get me wrong; I'm grateful for the water.  That's one thing California always needs: water.

I'm content to watch the weather from my cozy corner, but my cats, Thomas and Delilah, are having a devil of a time.  Both cats are just this side of feral, and the outdoors is their world.  The snow, the rain, the incessant wet has had them camping indoors the past few weeks.  Poor darlings have cabin fever, I'm afraid.  Constantly at each other's throats, they play a noisy game of "King of the Mountain" using various chairs, counters and our bed for the battle ground.

For now, there is an uneasy peace in the house; a moment of truce.  Delilah has stationed herself in front of the slider door where she mopes as she watches the snow fall.

Delilah

Thomas has commandeered a chair in the bedroom and defends it with a nasty glare.

Thomas

But not all is lost in the Dansby home.  Granny Smith apples and tangy, green limes brighten the room and give color to this rather gray day.

A spot of green in our snowy day

May your day be filled with love, laughter, and maybe even a cranky cat or two.  :-)

Post Pattern Depression

It's my own fault.  I don't need to get so involved, but sometimes I just can't help myself.  Sometimes a design becomes so intriguing, so mesmerizing that when I finish it, even under the joy and thrill of accomplishment, I feel a sense of emptiness, a little bit of loss.  Such is my relationship with "Blessings."

I think I'll set the stitching aside and go read a book.

Through the eye of the lens

My good friend, Liz Fairchild, is a genius with the camera.  Her photos have an intimacy and vulnerability that few can capture.  Visit her site and see for yourself:  http://lizfairchildphotography.smugmug.com/

Last month, Liz and I met at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum http://www.wplives.org/.  This place is a treasure trove of images, textures, and colors.

Liz handed me a camera, reminded me of the basics, then set me loose.  Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Ed is a volunteer at the museum.

All images copyright 2010 Jeanne Dansby.  All rights reserved.

Thanks, Liz.  I had a great day!