Saturday 31 March 2018

Rosey from Ishkabibble

This week's Blogger of the Week is one of the nicest, funniest people with the strangest blog title that I know!  Even harder to spell than Serendipitous!  A keen participant in all my Blog Hops and our SALs where she wields the shoehorn like an expert martial artist in an obscure martial art using only everyday household objects to defend yourself.  She stitches an eclectic variety of designs from gaming to nature with a fair mixture of feline fun in there too.  You are going to enjoy this interview I am sure.

But before I link to the blog, I do have the small matter of the Winner of the Recent Competition to announce.  There were 12 entrants who all matched the stitchers with their pieces.  Random Number Generator chose Kaye as the winner!  Congratulations to Kaye, please let me know which store you would like your voucher to be from.

And now it's over to Rosey from

(yes I did spell that correctly!)


1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

Hi there, I'm Rosey, born, raised, and currently residing in Missouri, USA, and possibly from the planet Earth.  I'm forever a country gal housewifey type but darned if I don't like high fidelity technological comforts and all sorts of nerdery.  I have three silly cats (Klondike [B&W], Peanut [snowshoe-ish], and Oreo [B&W #2]) but only one silly husband who is the Best Souvenir Ever from my time in Hawaii.  Unlike the cats, my husband is not named after food.  And yes, we do sing "What would you do-OO-oo for a Klondike -cat-?"

a miracle


2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

Well, my first time was back when I was but a Little Rosey, possibly 8-9 years old, in what I am sure was an attempt to make me sit still and shut up.  It didn't go so well as I could neither sit still nor shut up for any reasonable amount of time.  Later, when I became more sedate (cough), I picked it up again from a tiny kit found in a thrift store.  This would've been in 2009 when the Real Stitching started and that little finish hangs as a magnet on my mother's fridge.

don't even think about the back


3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start?  Is there a story behind your blog title?

My first blog was on Xanga, followed closely by LiveJournal -- not quite an early adopter, but still from the time when you had to have an invite code to join.  This was very early 2002/2003.  I still have that journal but it's mainly about life and all the complaints available to it.
I started on blogger in 2011 out of curiosity and a growing disillusionment with the direction LJ was heading.  I had no idea then it would become such a crafty place. As for the title of my blog, who knows what it means; ishkabibble is debatable!  What does it mean to you��
beads.


4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organized, random and eclectic, etc.?

"Frugal."
I'm glad I'm not totally alone here but I hate having many projects going at once; three is about my limit for cross-stitching. I will have a few crochet and/or knitting things to break up the wrist movements.  An unfinished project is a nightmare for me; it's always, always, always in the back of my mind and sends me into a downward spiral of not working on anything at all.  Sometimes I will get overwhelmed with my few current projects taking too long so I keep a stash of tiny "emergency" kits handy.  If I need a morale boost, I will open and finish one
pusheen loves you


5. Do you have a favorite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

SODA Stitch.  I guess I might like cutesy stuff.  Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery.  Definitely bright colors.  Stoney Creek.  I love having sets of things!  A towel for every month, and possibly every holiday?  Oh, yes, please.  Nerdy stuff also attracts me like a moth to a flame.  Daffodils, just surround me in daffodils.  I've very found of Mucha artwork/style and have been slowly saving up to buy one of the delightful Disney Princess Mucha sets available on Etsy.  I greatly adore vintage/antique designs, whether it's needlework, sewing, or furniture!  However, this weirdly doesn't apply to primitive designs.  I wonder why?
coming soon to a photo near you: nine


6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

Probably any of the Final Fantasy pieces.  I make the patterns myself and ignore most of them, stitching basically by whim and growing experience.  A wall of FF pieces is my goal, abetted by my enthusiastic husband.  Luckily, there are (as of this post) 15 "main" games so a wall is highly possible.  I could even build the wall when they're all framed!  I have FFVII and VIII completed, and III on the stand, haunting me.  It's very close to completion.  Very.  You're gonna hear some high-pitched squeaking soon.  The exclamation points, they are coming.

remote for scale?




7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

That stupid fabric pen that wasn't a fabric pen.  You source out your fabric for a piece (which is hard enough living in the middle of nowhere), mark the center with what is supposed to be a fabric pen but is really the permanent marker sitting next to it, and of course there is to be no stitching is in the center so well that whole piece of fabric is now TOTALLY USELESS.  It's not even that bad!  Just a tiny blue dot!  I can use the fabric for something else!
But I'm still mad about it.
no markers allowed


8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

Oh, you know, only everything.  I'll get around to tatting one of these days.  And that sewing machine isn't going to fix itself (although it's old, it might).  Bobbin lace looks fascinating.  This is where the random and eclectic comes in.  I will pick up a hobby on a whim.  I think I'd really like to make a biscornu someday.  And try hardanger.  I've had my first experience with making a flatfold; that was fun!  I like stained glass, too.  Ooo, and maybe woodworking!  The sky's the limit!

boo


9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favorite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

Yes, I have a few finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces, most of which are waiting for the Perfect Frame or the Money for the Perfect Framing.  One of the weird things I have with crafting in general is that I can't just do it for fun, no matter how much I enjoy the process.  The finished piece must have a purpose or a goal or place to go.  So smaller stuff tends to get finished off quickly unless it's waiting for the rest of the the smaller things to be finished all in one go. My favorite way to finish something is to have it nicely framed, possibly with a fancypants mat.


eventually a cube


10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

Is there a project out there with a person flailing about while being surrounded by cats, daffodils, computers, books, and video games?  Oh, and brownie sundaes.  That might represent me.

this is my life


11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything!

I was probably a whirligig in an alternate life.  And possibly this life.


12. Anything you would like to add?

All these weird spellings, what.  Sticking U's where they don't belong and omitting the neglected Z's.  Scandalous.  I fixed them.  'Merica.

peace out


Haha, it's called The Queen's English!  Got to love your little rebellious ways, with your independence, writing the date backwards and randomly dropping letters.  America is SUCH a teenager at times LOL.  But just to show there are no hard feelings I have worked hard and sourced the ideal chart for you.  I've run it through Pic2Pat so I can email you a copy too!


The Ishkabibble Flail with Added Cats.





Friday 23 March 2018

Mia from Craftartista

This week's Blogger of the Week is another new-to-me blogger and another Greek multi-crafter.  Like Ariadne she does a wide variety of beautiful crafts as well as stitching.  There must be something in the Mediterranean air!  She is also very organised and there is a row of tabs across the top of her blog so you can find more of your favourite craft very easily.  She has linked to lots of posts in her interview so you can click through and find out more about each piece.  She loves to link up with other blogs so her blog is a great way to find related blogs for any craft you care to try.  Please welcome Mia from




1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

Hi, Jo. Thank you for being invited for this interview. My name is Mia and I am from Greece.  I live in Athens.  I am married and my pet is a beautiful canary.  Oh, I love birds!


2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

I stitch since I was 5 years old.  Stitching is a great activity, as the time goes by quickly and in the meanwhile I make beautiful handmade creations.  My first embroidery was a little girl watering a daisy and my mother put it in a frame for my room decoration.


3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start?  Is there a story behind your blog title?

I am a new blogger.  I started in May of 2017.  I decided to start blogging to show my creations and get new friends throughout the globe.


4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?

I am an advanced stitcher, but not an expert.  I love the magic of taking a needle and a piece of fabric and create a beautiful handmade image.  I stitch a lot but not all the time, as I like various crafts.  For example I love sewing and crochet, but I also love painting, decoupage, making jewelry, cosmetics and cards.  I am very organised with my stuff but I am very eclectic about the stitchery I choose, as I do with all my crafts.

Sewing: Clasp purse


Crochet: Crochet bird


Painting: Sea landscape


Decoupage: Almond blossoms






Cards: Be mine



5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

I love designing my own embroideries. That’s why I often design using a pencil on a piece of fabric and then I start stitching. You may see what I mean here.





My favourite stitches are the cross-stitch, the satin stich, the back stitch and, of course the blanket stitch which I use often to many crafts, as I did in this mini notebook.




6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

I am proud of a big tablecloth I stitched when I was 15.  It is so pretty.  I stitched many flowers of different colours and it decorates my dining room almost all the time!


7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

I remember the first time that I tried to stitch a card with blanket stitch.  It was so hard to make a beautiful blanket stitch as there are no holes in the paper and I could not understand the right distance between my stitches.


8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

I would love to try embossing.  It is a technique of giving a card a 3D effect. I haven’t tried it yet, but definitely I will.  Also, I would love to be better in patchwork and quilting, as still I am in an intermediate level.


9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

Of course I have a box of finished-but-not-fully finished pieces.  Most of them are cross-stitched table runners or tableclothes that I want to add a crochet lace.  Others are crochet pendants that I want to add a string and make necklaces.  Some are cross-stitched pillows that I need to add a zipper.  I fully finish my pieces during the weekend or on holiday, as many times it is difficult to do it on the working days.  When my projects are ready, I use them to decorate my home, or I give them as presents to my mother, sister or friends.  Sometimes I give my embroideries to charities, as well.


10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

My stitched or crochet bags and wallets, my crochet earrings, my button rings and the stitched pockets on my jeans!


11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything!

I always think positive and I believe that we deserve to live in a better world. Let’s hope that this “joke”, or maybe “dream” will come true.


12. Anything you would like to add?

Just a huge thank you Jo, for giving me the chance to be the Blogger of the Week.




Friday 16 March 2018

Carol from Stitching Dreams

I met this week's Blogger of the Week when we were both nominated for Immediate Media's Blog of the Year Award.  I was unfamiliar with her blog so popped over and realised there was some stiff competition there!  She did indeed win the coveted trophy and I got a nice badge for my blog as well as a new friend.  As addition as some lovely stitching, she always takes beautiful "staged" photos of her finished pieces so there is always some great inspiration there too.  Please welcome Carol from



1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.


Hi everybody!  My name is Carol and I live in the United States in the state of Pennsylvania (think cold and snowy!).  My husband and I just celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary last year and are the proud parents of three sons ages 35, 32, and 29.  Our oldest son was married in October so I now have a lovely daughter-in-law who I'm teaching to cross-stitch... Only one of our sons lives nearby, unfortunately.  The oldest and his wife live all the way across the country in San Diego, California and my youngest lives about 4 hours away in Washington, D.C.   I was a reference librarian for nearly 30 years in a very busy public library and just retired last year.  I'm missing my job, but am enjoying the extra time I suddenly have for stitching.  When my husband retires in a couple of years, we hope to spend much more of our time traveling and seeing the wonders of the world. 

"January Sampler" by Waxed Moon 


2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?



I've been stitching since the early 1980s.  A fellow librarian stitched on her lunch breaks and I was just fascinated to watch a design appear on empty fabric.  I was hooked, although I did take a ten year break from stitching during the years that I was busiest raising my sons.  I got back into it in 2003 when I was making a scrapbook for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary.   I needed something to put on the front cover of it.  I found this pretty heart design and personalized it for them and ever since, I've stitched almost daily!

Anniversary Album For My Parents 50th Wedding Anniversary


3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start?  Is there a story behind your blog title?


I began my blog, "Stitching Dreams" nine years ago in January 2009.  I honestly have to credit my sons for it!  When they suggested I start a stitching blog, I had little idea of what a blog even was. But, I began looking at a few of them and figured it would be a good way to keep track of my finishes.  Little did I know that my blog would open up a whole new world for me--friendships with stitchers from around the world, gift exchanges, and beautiful inspiration on a daily basis!  It has been a wonderful thing... I named my blog "Stitching Dreams" because that very first year, 2009, it was my dream to stitch an ornament sized piece a week for the entire year.  And you know what--I did it! My other hobbies include baking, photography, exercise (to work off all of those calories from the baking!), and reading.

Ornament a Week Challenge From 2009


4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?



I stitch whatever calls my name, although I do tend to stitch seasonally.  The only thing I've done is make it a goal to stitch a Christmas ornament each month since I began my blog.  My Christmas tree is pretty full after all these years, but I love it.  Many stitchers have told me how I've inspired them to stitch an ornament a month, too, which make me so happy.  For the most part, I am a one-at-a-time stitcher.  I do have a couple of unfinished projects waiting in the wings, but my problem is that if I leave them, I don't want to go back to them!

My Stitchy Christmas Tree


5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?


Definitely Prairie Schooler!  Especially their Santas--they are such classics... I call Prairie Schooler my "comfort stitching"--the charts use good old DMC and what you see is what you get.  There is no wrangling with overdyeds that look nothing like the front of the chart and it is easy, uncomplicated, meditative stitching.

Prairie Schooler Santas


6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?


I'm most proud of not just one piece, but of the 2012 "Year of the Bowl Challenge" that I did.  Each month I would stitch five or six little pillows to represent that month (Snowmen in January, Love in February, Thanksgiving in November, etc.).  It was a lot of work, but so much fun and I think that is the year that many of my blog readers first discovered "Stitching Dreams."

Thanksgiving Bowl


 The Year Of the Bowl Stitched Pieces





7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?


I can't think of a true disaster--my iron has had a run in with ric-rac a couple of times leaving a melted mess on my stitching, but I've been able to cover it up with a bow or button.


8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?


Actually, I'm becoming very interested in English paper piecing.  I've been reading more and more about it and I love the look of hexies!  We'll see if I get up my nerve to try it.  I tend to stay within my comfort zone most of the time :) 


9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?


I am great about finishing my smalls as I stitch them--larger pieces, not so much!  I have a large portfolio filled with unfinished larger things that really should be framed.  I haven't found a good framer near me, which is part of the problem.  I will frame smaller things myself, but I should really push myself to get those finished things out, framed, and hanging on my walls!

Cricket Collection's "Eggs...etera"


 A Bowl Full of Smiling Snowmen;


10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?


I would say "Simple Life" most represents me... I am very content with the simple things in life--a newly built nest filled with Robin's-egg blue eggs, a fresh snowfall, the laughter of my sons, a kind word given or received.

"Simple Life" by Little House Needlework

11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything! 


I can never remember jokes so it will have to be a secret--sort of (some of you know this!).  In 1996 we spent a year remodeling our home and in 1997 the magazine Better Homes and Gardens honored us with the Grand Prize in their annual home remodeling contest.  It was featured in the February 1998 issue of the magazine--exciting, but a bit hard for me as I'm naturally shy and quiet.  It was most interesting to see the photographers and room designers at work, though!!


12. Anything you would like to add?


Thank you all for reading my little interview--and a special thanks to Jo for the "Blogger Of the Week" feature!  It is so much fun finding new stitching blogs.  Happy Stitching, everyone!





Friday 9 March 2018

Helen from Stitchy Dragon Creates

This week's Blogger of the Week is a relatively new friend for me but who can resist following someone with such a cute dragon in her blog header?  She is another multi-crafter, and living in Scotland she has plenty of reason to hand knit warm socks and gloves as well as her gorgeous crochet blankets.  Please welcome Helen from



1. Please introduce yourself – name, where you are from, family, pets etc.

Hi I’m Helen from StitchyDragon Creates.  My mom is English, my dad American, and I married a Scot!  We moved to the Highlands of Scotland 25 years ago and raised three children here.  My oldest son is married with two young boys and they live in the same small town we live in, my younger son is studying computer software engineering in Edinburgh, and his twin sister is studying music in Aberdeen.  Hubbie and I share our house with two cats, Pippa and Felix.  Pippa in particular has a Need to test drive every blanket I crochet (whaddaya mean you need the bit I’m laying on?!)

Pippa and Hydrangea blanket


2. How long have you been stitching and how did you start?

I remember learning to stitch various embroidery stitches on gingham fabric when I was four and sewing lots of embroidered felt projects from a little Ladybird book in the years after that.  My mom used to do a lot of dressmaking and I remember going to sleep to the sound of her machine so sewing in one form or another has always been part of my life.  My first counted cross stitch project was a Pierrot kit I was given one Christmas, I think I was nine or ten?  In my teens and early twenties I sewed clothes, toys, and home furnishings, and gradually started cross stitching more as my children started school.  Although cross stitch will always be my first crafty love I gave in to the call of the fabric and started learning to quilt in 2010.  The following year I started crocheting, first amigurumis and then exploring the wider world of crochet.  In 2013 I picked up knitting needles for the first time in almost thirty years and have found much truth in that saying “In the rhythm of the needles there is music for the soul”.

chick and duck amis made for my grandsons


3. How long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start? Is there a story behind your blog title?

I started blogging in February 2012 mainly due to the encouragement of a bloggy friend. I had been following a few crafty blogs (including hers) for a little while and thought that, even if no one else was interested, it would be an easier way to keep my far flung family updated with what I was up to (90% of my family are spread across North America).  Dragons have been my favorite animal since early childhood and StitchyDragon was my original user name on the first online forum I joined so StitchyDragon Creates seemed a natural blog title for me.


4. How would you describe your stitching style? Are you a serial starter, a rotator, a OAAT (one at a time), highly organised, random and eclectic, etc.?

I used to be a strictly OOAT cross stitcher but once I started taking on bigger projects and then added in different crafts that went out the window!  Now I try to keep it to two cross stitch projects on the go (usually a big and a little), and no more than two knitting projects, one quilty project, and a crochet blanket on the go at a time.  With the emphasis on “try” ��…I also have some UFO’s and the last two years I have been focussing on finishing these off (and not adding new ones!).


5. Do you have a favourite designer or style of design you are drawn to?

I like a wide range of styles but my favorite cross stitch designer would have to be Joan Elliott.  Apart from designs she has had in various magazines over the years I have five of her books to work my way through!  I’m definitely more of a traditional quilter, I love civil war fabrics, applique, and anything with a star block will grab my attention!  Knitting wise I love stranded colorwork and socks (don’t ask how much sock yarn is upstairs waiting to become actual socks!), and crochet wise my biggest inspiration is Lucy of Attic24.

crochet wreath inspired by Lucy


6. Which piece are you most proud of in your collection?

That would have to be the Geek quilt I made for my younger son when he left for uni. Each block represents something from his favorite books, video games, films, or tv programs.  It took me a year and a half to finish it but I had to learn a completely new-to-me technique (foundation paper piecing) and then design almost half the blocks myself.  Some of them are available free on my blog, I still haven’t finished writing the other ones up…You can read the full story behind it and see some close ups of the blocks here http://twchighland.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/quilts-to-inspire-big-finish.html

Geek Quilt


7. What has been your worst stitching disaster?

I have been lucky with my stitching so far but my knitting adventure started out with a disaster.  My Nan was an avid knitter, she taught me to knit as a little girl and was always on hand to help me. Three years after she passed away I decided to knit myself a fair isle cardigan as my first knitting project in almost 30 years (I mean how hard could that be?!) so after 7 months (and a steep learning curve!) it was finished.  I wore it a couple times then washed it and it stretched to where the arms would’ve fit a gorilla!  I tried washing it in slightly warmer water and - yup you guessed it! – it ended up a felted shrunken mess!  It is the only project (to date) that has ended up in the bin as unsalvageable.

doomed fair isle cardigan


8. Which new technique would you like to try, either stitching, finishing or another craft?

I would like to stitch more 3D cross stitch pieces, I have done a couple so far as gifts and really enjoyed making them.  There are quite a few other crafts which appeal to me but I am trying very hard not to add anything new in now.  If I succumb to temptation I think it will be hardanger… or cake decorating… 

cross stitched angel


9. Do you have a box of finished-but-not-fully-finished pieces? Or is everything FFO'd? What's your favourite way to fully finish a project and what do you do with them?

I taught my kids to stitch when they were little and I have the first project each of my sons’ finished along with two of my own first cross stitch projects in a drawer upstairs, likely they won’t be fully finished into anything now.  My daughter still stitches sometimes and I have two of her more recent finishes waiting to be FFO’d at some point when she is home and we will do that together. Everything else I FFO as I go along now.  I have learnt so many different techniques thanks to the generosity of lovely folks on the internet but my current favorite way to finish a small cross stitch piece is as a flat finish.  I have a seasonal shelf to display different smalls every month and the rest of the year I find they store better as a flat finish than as a wee pillow.

January snowman small


10. Which of your projects most represents "you"?

Oh gosh that’s a hard one!  Cross stitch wise it would have to be either Crescent Moon Dragon by Joan Elliott or Spirit of the Wolf by Dyan Allaire (wolves are my other favorite animal).  But Moda brought out a line of fabric in 2013 that I felt was totally me as soon as I saw it and you can read about the quilt I made from it here http://twchighland.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/17-ufos-in-2017-february-update.html

Crescent Moon Dragon

 Spirit of the Wolf

Moda fabric


11. Tell us a secret about yourself. Or a joke. About anything!

OK... I choked on a carrot this afternoon and all I could think was "I bet a donut wouldn’t have done this to me!"



12. Anything you would like to add?

I’d like to thank Jo for asking me to participate in this, I was really honoured she thought of my little blog!  I don’t always get a lot of time in front of my computer due to health reasons but I do enjoy being part of the online crafty community and getting to know folks.  Apart from all the temptation and enabling for new projects I find online an inspiring place to explore - there are so many amazing, creative, and talented, people out there!  Wishing you all a happy and creative week.








Friday 2 March 2018

Blogaversary Competition Time!

It is our first Blogaversary this weekend!   This blog has been such a great success and it's thanks to all the people who have taken the time to answer my questions, send in photos and to those who read and comment on the posts too.

I thought it would be fun to have another competition as we did for the Six Month celebration.  I used the random number generator to choose 9 photos from the last six months.

All you have to do is identify the 9 bloggers and leave a comment.  The closing date is in 2 weeks time, Friday 16th March and I will choose one person to win a £10 (or equivalent in your currency) voucher to the stitching store of your choice.  Any store which will allow me to buy a voucher online using PayPal that is.

Comments will be moderated until then.





Remember, the photos are all from the last six months, so don't go back beyond the beginning of September 2017!