tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37753215515472639232024-02-19T20:12:57.284-06:00my sweet cherry blossompam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-49642506945107589882011-05-16T12:03:00.009-05:002011-05-16T13:19:01.167-05:00In Loving Memory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE2Rm0ji3b7npNsUGDG0ZWPO-emnHHyQk5Zl482Kp2LtqpU5zG42zSrlip4E6G7gug7IavDz1kOyG06ZC5ohP_cRI1VO9W07npihLxRjxMyiUqR_k_asKUZdk2HhOD-OT-34KbTyq-CNU/s1600/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidE2Rm0ji3b7npNsUGDG0ZWPO-emnHHyQk5Zl482Kp2LtqpU5zG42zSrlip4E6G7gug7IavDz1kOyG06ZC5ohP_cRI1VO9W07npihLxRjxMyiUqR_k_asKUZdk2HhOD-OT-34KbTyq-CNU/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607373748685951714" border="0" /></a>My beloved cat Emma died at the beginning of March which has made for a rather sad spring around here. We affectionately called her Big Kitty and she brought so much joy to our daily lives. She was a gorgeous blue eyed sweetie of a kitty and both Adrian and I miss her terribly. I knew from the minute I got her that she was going to be one of those once in a lifetime pets. The kind of pet that is so perfect and wonderful that you know without a doubt that he or she is going to be the best pet that you will ever own in your entire life. Emma was that pet for me. She was the sweetest most loving kitty and I was extremely devoted to her. Her loss has really devastated me, as I knew that it would. She got sick last spring and it has been a year of worry and bittersweet sadness knowing that she wasn't going to be with us for much longer. I tried to prepare for the grief, but in the end there was nothing to do but endure her loss the best that I could. Our house is terribly empty without her and for a while I really lost my vigor and joy for life. But spring has finally arrived here in Minnesota and the migrating birds are flying through and my garden is waking up and it's time to look forward to all of the good things that the future may bring.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4Y4Xl2uBIXO_uSBzq2oXmJt_Xoo1x6D5kYhM2xLTm8elirdUBnjU-gD-3Fxz4Ki5-XXjNmnRrUHmGOqccY6exFEMtj55aOwB3cblV60TMeGMKr1QOQWRsfjP9uGZnenq7XwHx6it52bQ/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4Y4Xl2uBIXO_uSBzq2oXmJt_Xoo1x6D5kYhM2xLTm8elirdUBnjU-gD-3Fxz4Ki5-XXjNmnRrUHmGOqccY6exFEMtj55aOwB3cblV60TMeGMKr1QOQWRsfjP9uGZnenq7XwHx6it52bQ/s320/DSC_0020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607373736761685234" border="0" /></a>My sister Sandra sent me this lovely stone a couple a weeks ago. It weighed a ton! She had it made for my garden as something to remember Emma by. I put it by the pond, next to a lone viola plant that sprouted up this spring. I always plant violas in my yard, it's one of my favorite flowers. I am always amazed when one or two little plants pop up in the spring.<br /><br />I have been bouncing around from one project to the next for the past few months. The first thing that I knit after Big Kitty died was this cute little bunny:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPUGwd_pVZVBkLJrjEilOmRLV_rgdOfXWwTAmrOJ7DL7ougo5JimVeVLge5meJ649Se3NeDcRsndryYXtPpRmK9FES0o0oeAMlTpmUN8-qg9WYwFpd5oFM855TBFOFWVVy_x8DHoRd_Ea/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRPUGwd_pVZVBkLJrjEilOmRLV_rgdOfXWwTAmrOJ7DL7ougo5JimVeVLge5meJ649Se3NeDcRsndryYXtPpRmK9FES0o0oeAMlTpmUN8-qg9WYwFpd5oFM855TBFOFWVVy_x8DHoRd_Ea/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607373733293940914" border="0" /></a>My friend Carmelita came over the next week, took one look at Miss Bunny and fell in love. She was having a bad day so I sent the bunny home with her. I then knit a Mr. And Miss Bunny for myself. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1MCoXXf5Bw-giE5DJ4zsX5YZUjeas9zlZckNUbk0vk1o0rDT9IxKYhRkFrYIfzYOco2Oc63DQl-8sPuJkZW4G1v5_OUqMBe4hHsBeoz9DFqxYbmE1-Ii2z0DLxMchm5JNE6fhlNY_GQy/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1MCoXXf5Bw-giE5DJ4zsX5YZUjeas9zlZckNUbk0vk1o0rDT9IxKYhRkFrYIfzYOco2Oc63DQl-8sPuJkZW4G1v5_OUqMBe4hHsBeoz9DFqxYbmE1-Ii2z0DLxMchm5JNE6fhlNY_GQy/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607373727268591650" border="0" /></a>The pattern is from <a href="http://www.fuzzymitten.com/">fuzzy mitten</a>. I love her patterns. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw1MCoXXf5Bw-giE5DJ4zsX5YZUjeas9zlZckNUbk0vk1o0rDT9IxKYhRkFrYIfzYOco2Oc63DQl-8sPuJkZW4G1v5_OUqMBe4hHsBeoz9DFqxYbmE1-Ii2z0DLxMchm5JNE6fhlNY_GQy/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7M9CYZcIN8Bu0XiMWKKvGM1DRl6wZf43U75HNpbeufCdq5TMqveIhWbolS3sRMqnH8kCv_Pi52a4jZqOkGWL8ibFvjEFIMXYab_nc_WX6-dF8oMnZEo-8d3nDU6-HXMQcHkoJ8ON9hJE/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc7M9CYZcIN8Bu0XiMWKKvGM1DRl6wZf43U75HNpbeufCdq5TMqveIhWbolS3sRMqnH8kCv_Pi52a4jZqOkGWL8ibFvjEFIMXYab_nc_WX6-dF8oMnZEo-8d3nDU6-HXMQcHkoJ8ON9hJE/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607373747874471922" border="0" /></a>I also knit and felted a few nests this spring. The <a href="http://woollysomething.com/id93.html">pattern</a> is by <a href="http://woollysomething.com/">Marie <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mayhew</span></a>. I absolutely love her patterns and if you have been reading my blog for a while, you will recognize many of the things that I have made from her patterns.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHhGsPfugo3XrPgzOWUyH9ZJ2lQJURtE_Pts8i5OBkBRgq5uYlomBmFok1WtMpWGLjGZpjIkl5cO1Z-qg7My7WvB8K6P2NyHoddTknc5MnsK7rN5GgSohU7T-NBiu2ah8Wzf4Pyf4vFjI/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHhGsPfugo3XrPgzOWUyH9ZJ2lQJURtE_Pts8i5OBkBRgq5uYlomBmFok1WtMpWGLjGZpjIkl5cO1Z-qg7My7WvB8K6P2NyHoddTknc5MnsK7rN5GgSohU7T-NBiu2ah8Wzf4Pyf4vFjI/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607375775888457250" border="0" /></a>I also dusted off some New York Beauty quilt blocks that I had not worked on in years. I began this project several years ago and it was one of the projects that got set aside after I broke my neck. I wasn't able to sew for over a year and it's amazing how easy it is to forget about a project when it has been out of your mind for a year or two. My friend Robin was visiting in March and I pulled out the quilt blocks to show her. I decided that it was time to finish up the blocks and get them ready to make into a quilt. Once I got back into making the blocks, I remembered what a pain in the butt is is to make the New York Beauty blocks! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaWmLe3utgm4tLFNEyFDxodwpmXrouRRsNcAXQP-hhi440A52MhxXalz01zyzwu6YemFxyuDzNydlUH9sI-14sxEZ6g6zv6oN7Yut0GTXsyNO9jGo70-kZpk3z5DrHInY3OYO9XnHQpSG/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaWmLe3utgm4tLFNEyFDxodwpmXrouRRsNcAXQP-hhi440A52MhxXalz01zyzwu6YemFxyuDzNydlUH9sI-14sxEZ6g6zv6oN7Yut0GTXsyNO9jGo70-kZpk3z5DrHInY3OYO9XnHQpSG/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607375772173592434" border="0" /></a> They are all paper pieced and some of the arcs were really difficult to sew accurately. I got all of the blocks on my design wall, remade a couple of blocks that weren't working and fiddled around with the block placement for a week or so. Then I had to put it away because I had to get cracking on a graduation quilt that I am making for my high school pal Nicole.<br /><br />So that's what I've been up to this spring. I did cast on a new sweater last week, I'll share it with you once it looks like more than an orchid colored blob of yarn. I'll have the graduation quilt done soon as well. Nicole wanted the quilt to be the colors of sunshine. I've had fun buying lots of yellow and orange fabrics, two colors I really don't quilt with too often. It's impossible to be sad when you are sewing with such vibrant and happy colors. Have a great day!pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-50649724704724073982011-03-02T10:27:00.008-06:002011-03-02T11:46:16.539-06:00Birds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bh7SwdIODk7ugGqMrecogGF1z4wM5te0iDV3pS5oShnKTFl9PJh8EQVroJdWqpX2_gKv4hJ8obMU936O4tnN4KH8WUviT8VH6O8xVYlLDe-Cc-7Np2giMkoCa7Mkau-tfd_cD1zgkfa0/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Bh7SwdIODk7ugGqMrecogGF1z4wM5te0iDV3pS5oShnKTFl9PJh8EQVroJdWqpX2_gKv4hJ8obMU936O4tnN4KH8WUviT8VH6O8xVYlLDe-Cc-7Np2giMkoCa7Mkau-tfd_cD1zgkfa0/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532415292809714" border="0" /></a>Last winter I decided that I absolutely had to do something about my quilting fabric stash. It was in a terrible state of chaos that made it nearly impossible to start any new projects. So I hauled all of the wire drawers out to my living room, upended them on the carpet and began sorting and folding and organizing. It took three long days, but by the end of the process my fabric looked so pretty and organized that I dragged anyone who entered my house back to the sewing room to show it off. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XLafxqriwAH04YOESNjwk5zkZB2Uez3H_9U4omFcEkNfw3Lkb241UW5Uc6SmvkwfsQEW6FS-R1liylDUUK298eMwNF8eb_FvUZ7z7QmcpwIBT745gGhesNcIP1deEWhoCUmtAjHnYANg/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XLafxqriwAH04YOESNjwk5zkZB2Uez3H_9U4omFcEkNfw3Lkb241UW5Uc6SmvkwfsQEW6FS-R1liylDUUK298eMwNF8eb_FvUZ7z7QmcpwIBT745gGhesNcIP1deEWhoCUmtAjHnYANg/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532421534436162" border="0" /></a>One of the best parts of the organization was rediscovering some of my favorite fabrics. I decided that I wanted to make a quick little project out of some of my favorite batiks and after some thought, settled on sewing up some little birds. Well, as some of you may know, when I really get into a project, I never end up making just a few of anything. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu0XZSSo4UOySTTRmtKFnXBgMJBMDEaTxPKOgw5O2GtUU-Zgx-ojGBdCvCDfxxE6uIlavP8DxZUe_C8jshDPwiKPO5gA-qrMxoOK0XboS4_1XZ3twgNGBIfwfD23WIuNJMML1nyVQpWp4/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu0XZSSo4UOySTTRmtKFnXBgMJBMDEaTxPKOgw5O2GtUU-Zgx-ojGBdCvCDfxxE6uIlavP8DxZUe_C8jshDPwiKPO5gA-qrMxoOK0XboS4_1XZ3twgNGBIfwfD23WIuNJMML1nyVQpWp4/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579534500748161314" border="0" /></a>The baskets of felted hearts, the crocheted acorns and the flock of felted sheep are all evidence of my ability to become just a tad obsessive with my craftery. This typically happens just with the small projects. I can't help it, I am enchanted by tiny, palm sized things... little dolls with littler clothes, tiny pebbles and sea shells, wee hand bound books, petite mobiles hanging from the door jams, small woven baskets. If you were to come to my house, you would discover a lot of tiny things. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3o2EwChhKm6hbEDOuCHfJDyfHSO8Kxs4F4efuMIJllgFkVdCJGlyeOYTPni88SGGF83YupO5wodapIyjQzmyprLAfVsmVtNrn6qRHr4m8DozbsKd81TnnYoHhlQsZjw6BCyrbI_61uHw/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3o2EwChhKm6hbEDOuCHfJDyfHSO8Kxs4F4efuMIJllgFkVdCJGlyeOYTPni88SGGF83YupO5wodapIyjQzmyprLAfVsmVtNrn6qRHr4m8DozbsKd81TnnYoHhlQsZjw6BCyrbI_61uHw/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579536676741709346" border="0" /></a>Anyway, getting back to the birds...before I knew it I had made a flock of them. I am pretty sure that there were over 30 of them. I thought to string them together with beads at some point, but for the time being they sat in my living room clustered in a basket. This fall about half of the flock got turned into ornaments and went up for sale at a holiday art show that I participate in. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNSp3pJYh9fS380P4-2Dqv4WjdhJ3uBnyod8rRtWlX_jZHoP-qTDY8rnoxHfZ44eiJOPrdKYqUWlJQy-jf2TZAweFdA-bQNRtw1P7qZzKk31gOWhAiyKXSt9Mg22tzxsuv452LgLuEndF/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXNSp3pJYh9fS380P4-2Dqv4WjdhJ3uBnyod8rRtWlX_jZHoP-qTDY8rnoxHfZ44eiJOPrdKYqUWlJQy-jf2TZAweFdA-bQNRtw1P7qZzKk31gOWhAiyKXSt9Mg22tzxsuv452LgLuEndF/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532421782860034" border="0" /></a> I also gave away some as gifts for Christmas. My flock had dwindled down to ten so I decided it was time string them together with beads in between. So I gathered up some beads and thread and got to work. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaZlj2NW9hceJhlXwJey28nRNPTqdxdWC0Beiu9yxa8KH9eOUdU-xifBeoUJB8H-NtHET1OgCdzLHKzPMV5NCFTtJxIlZVG7aWzSZvFkNVe0sK2-AXqOMxKaoVIKqEurQX91_JTSNbQDU/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaZlj2NW9hceJhlXwJey28nRNPTqdxdWC0Beiu9yxa8KH9eOUdU-xifBeoUJB8H-NtHET1OgCdzLHKzPMV5NCFTtJxIlZVG7aWzSZvFkNVe0sK2-AXqOMxKaoVIKqEurQX91_JTSNbQDU/s320/DSC_0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532426566106498" border="0" /></a>I really love how it turned out. It hangs from the wooden archway between my living and dining room. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a_neNPGsBAmfjdcP20Usc5STPs7HOSMpeegB2fLs2WSCjPQ25zE2rC6JJPo3yPtQilprKycDYUipsBexf38zqMFbMbVS0tT9AwQs8JI9X13ELXlGhchHzhVA5CeJ9AOHg3Cm5boS1To3/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a_neNPGsBAmfjdcP20Usc5STPs7HOSMpeegB2fLs2WSCjPQ25zE2rC6JJPo3yPtQilprKycDYUipsBexf38zqMFbMbVS0tT9AwQs8JI9X13ELXlGhchHzhVA5CeJ9AOHg3Cm5boS1To3/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532739163594546" border="0" /></a>Every time the heat turns on or someone walks past it, the birds twirl in the breeze. I love being reminded of the projects that I made with some of the fabrics. A summer shirt, a quilted handbag, a hand bound journal, a turtle quilt...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ2XOSrXeTkknPO44PYg39VMzgIt6cDR_23CQsk49TagTjyU8qlRlVCvOwrxJs5pYHOX_9EAHJQ3IA1GuqKqVVKDkk2nyyFiBCJPjilJ_EaNQ_DOQgofDUGqJkWR6ph3NQHqUGsw0hK7O/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 197px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJ2XOSrXeTkknPO44PYg39VMzgIt6cDR_23CQsk49TagTjyU8qlRlVCvOwrxJs5pYHOX_9EAHJQ3IA1GuqKqVVKDkk2nyyFiBCJPjilJ_EaNQ_DOQgofDUGqJkWR6ph3NQHqUGsw0hK7O/s320/DSC_0035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579532746035442130" border="0" /></a>Some of the fabrics have yet to be used for anything other than the birds. It's fun to think about what I might make with them in the future.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gGQeGtSsZGnuhB2JDDe3t0zYXoftdoPIVitJI8CmFaT7qSkyNZK4DMIErNJfOnhZq8cmum_bn7S2BfZTwUIzMvbO06gnXWRjSmBKMT7ZtMwnQQ4sQIRlIYbR-YKhoNSXZ5hxNILmZMUc/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0gGQeGtSsZGnuhB2JDDe3t0zYXoftdoPIVitJI8CmFaT7qSkyNZK4DMIErNJfOnhZq8cmum_bn7S2BfZTwUIzMvbO06gnXWRjSmBKMT7ZtMwnQQ4sQIRlIYbR-YKhoNSXZ5hxNILmZMUc/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579538574266916466" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-69085792323631125812011-02-28T12:33:00.013-06:002011-02-28T13:54:45.028-06:00Igolochkoy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQqaVLbj01f47s_4vMlHO6tUihJMmUqTvDOmbEQ4LkqHow6HeO345EV-dtmCyNG9zElKS3BPkS_GR24xgUXSXCBCqybLtGvcpAy-NGIWPt3eP6-NjW6btazlk4O_JT9GBBshFRTRlT9X/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOQqaVLbj01f47s_4vMlHO6tUihJMmUqTvDOmbEQ4LkqHow6HeO345EV-dtmCyNG9zElKS3BPkS_GR24xgUXSXCBCqybLtGvcpAy-NGIWPt3eP6-NjW6btazlk4O_JT9GBBshFRTRlT9X/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578830953038322210" border="0" /></a>Every so often I get a hankering for igolochkoy. It's an amazing dish made from dried beetle shells, horseradish and fermented brussell sprouts. It's great with ketchup. Nah, just kidding...igolochkoy is just the fancy pants Russian way to say punch needle embroidery.<br />I usually have a punch needle project going at any given time because it takes me forever to complete them. They begin as travel projects and it's anybody's guess as to when I finally finish them. They get tossed aside and forgotten once the vacation is over and rediscovered months later in my sewing room under a pile of other abandoned projects.<br />Anyway, I completed my most recent forgotten punch needle project over the weekend and I thought I'd share it on my blog. Ha! Like people actually read my blog. I know for a fact that my dearest loveliest mama is my one and only reader. So I'll just go ahead and address this post to her directly.<br />Hi Mom! How's the house search going? Make sure you get a house with a huge sewing room so that we have plenty of space to play when I come visit. Adrian says he will build you another water feature if you have room in your new backyard. Here's the my latest punch needle project: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OOd9XqWus1_YG5y-P_M4meTYHRsTfWgl0_xJ6JwQ2R5lsX8TLR4QZxL82gggYqLgeMJwzny68eOEnVotwzvj_tmX2y0VUZqpPMGbB1pHPqsPEEZiZ8zruYRR87dw0TUpHLcb5qUIUNVN/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OOd9XqWus1_YG5y-P_M4meTYHRsTfWgl0_xJ6JwQ2R5lsX8TLR4QZxL82gggYqLgeMJwzny68eOEnVotwzvj_tmX2y0VUZqpPMGbB1pHPqsPEEZiZ8zruYRR87dw0TUpHLcb5qUIUNVN/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578811123840280754" border="0" /></a>I started it last summer on a camping trip. It was when Sandra (my sister) came to visit and we went to Crescent Lake. Sandra started a punch needle project too which I know for a fact that she hasn't finished. She ran off with my Cameo punch needle tool and now it's lost forever in the wilds of Alaska. Mom, will you tell her to give it back?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlLXVAMtZrP3IDwzk_yJ_eVLSn_8vFbvHAnb97CS-OtUHfhNtnxvAMRhzQR-WRXEaGhRNVD32T8Yij9TGS0jdPSWj1XV2OlcS3Qln23z4zgZTnTucfzrEbVr1_1vGLEx-TZxp0yuMzDgL/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnlLXVAMtZrP3IDwzk_yJ_eVLSn_8vFbvHAnb97CS-OtUHfhNtnxvAMRhzQR-WRXEaGhRNVD32T8Yij9TGS0jdPSWj1XV2OlcS3Qln23z4zgZTnTucfzrEbVr1_1vGLEx-TZxp0yuMzDgL/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578811127912809266" border="0" /></a>Here's a few other punch needle projects that I've done over the years...This one I started when Adrian and I were staying on Molokai one winter. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevD0aZybvbcADx0t0U3R2rjO5lhihRdkw9yRNlaS5ELsEFAJwAIVbFF2sjsrnTXBe9jxh8ION5q54bKSPft0fYcXmFSZRLn-i_4Md0_MtV8WIZ3PSCLJuxchvKsgGmp1Ba5h9S88S469h/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjevD0aZybvbcADx0t0U3R2rjO5lhihRdkw9yRNlaS5ELsEFAJwAIVbFF2sjsrnTXBe9jxh8ION5q54bKSPft0fYcXmFSZRLn-i_4Md0_MtV8WIZ3PSCLJuxchvKsgGmp1Ba5h9S88S469h/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578810759115774850" border="0" /></a>The hibiscus flowers were blooming and there was a lime tree right outside our door.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrIfwIowVPyyKlKAU0UaQGACchLSliA7SiwuK6_5qohyphenhyphenKn-iw7HITOAne1rD9Z4ZkWVsqhR6psK83CmriX9QUqNC6qzVd92y1JYhA-3DHpOyGDK6lcztYN9BhH2XCIbFH70Qmsh5gM4J2/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrIfwIowVPyyKlKAU0UaQGACchLSliA7SiwuK6_5qohyphenhyphenKn-iw7HITOAne1rD9Z4ZkWVsqhR6psK83CmriX9QUqNC6qzVd92y1JYhA-3DHpOyGDK6lcztYN9BhH2XCIbFH70Qmsh5gM4J2/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578811119001580210" border="0" /></a>I made this next one an a road trip one summer from Minnesota to Oregon. It was Adrian, Sandra and I on this journey. We camped along the way and got to experience a herd of bison take over our campsite in North Dakota.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpM-xgk-_A1BuNgp2z9mQ0pDF2JCIx_ABP4W1FLVtKxplp75iqXwz6KuCSpPuD4qTNlbt-jLesHTL-dTsOe3DzTD0Ia5DeZim_LPGrpYUFk253LGkHekCvpBqUh9ZzEo60ltLQtN_pgod/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 291px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpM-xgk-_A1BuNgp2z9mQ0pDF2JCIx_ABP4W1FLVtKxplp75iqXwz6KuCSpPuD4qTNlbt-jLesHTL-dTsOe3DzTD0Ia5DeZim_LPGrpYUFk253LGkHekCvpBqUh9ZzEo60ltLQtN_pgod/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578810765880094498" border="0" /></a>The heart reminds me to always love my sister even though she turns into Senorita Cranky Pants after a sweaty three day car ride. Being rudely denied a bathroom by an over zealous camp hostess at the John Day Recreation Area did not help the situation one bit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-SzBb-zrYedRP5K6WYDnbqIDCmEQlk-jqdVirt4M5mhjtja841XE2APG4PoOyEgMIfttZKDllEtqGVz_QCL3T_4M91sCb89zkbk-BG5gbymk8iU2NwXb8x1E5hUZHj01T29PyjJovQGE/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-SzBb-zrYedRP5K6WYDnbqIDCmEQlk-jqdVirt4M5mhjtja841XE2APG4PoOyEgMIfttZKDllEtqGVz_QCL3T_4M91sCb89zkbk-BG5gbymk8iU2NwXb8x1E5hUZHj01T29PyjJovQGE/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578810769763237122" border="0" /></a>I made this next project while I was in a neck brace and recuperating from a broken neck. Mom, when you came out to stay with us it was a life saver. Adrian always says what a relief it was to have someone help him change my diapers. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KCt56H6AEdCdWVq-ELAcsjtOa0jDOoLwaqNKBoxf48Ct3qp6Zma8bGI7Ddo4ZGcT2vpww6eQTr8jEUTGu9xwNSMGM7HDKVXS_pW3r6ppM02zu0k7dfssKA0wG7gK7FONI27uoISRbwXI/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KCt56H6AEdCdWVq-ELAcsjtOa0jDOoLwaqNKBoxf48Ct3qp6Zma8bGI7Ddo4ZGcT2vpww6eQTr8jEUTGu9xwNSMGM7HDKVXS_pW3r6ppM02zu0k7dfssKA0wG7gK7FONI27uoISRbwXI/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578810751595478274" border="0" /></a>HA! Just kidding, I didn't need diapers. But I certainly know how very lucky I am to not be in a wheelchair right now. DMC had just come out with their variegated embroidery floss. I love that stuff for punch needlework.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmWgfu3CEUY4pYjtGXqhYFTIRxcqQhMvJo86chBQMYkqagq_4FwmAQ-DQs0bozuDgnCXk4yWtR8ayij0fCBiAvVUXXTc3Dn-plZJ5lUkRMraO9ZkJFMgB25TkQnrfW06tEYYRG_QNpPbe/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmWgfu3CEUY4pYjtGXqhYFTIRxcqQhMvJo86chBQMYkqagq_4FwmAQ-DQs0bozuDgnCXk4yWtR8ayij0fCBiAvVUXXTc3Dn-plZJ5lUkRMraO9ZkJFMgB25TkQnrfW06tEYYRG_QNpPbe/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578810750314955282" border="0" /></a>I've already shared this one, but here it is again. I made this one on another trip to Molokai. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGER1PZR_BPx_SNeD51z1pTMNHKrMoi86Qxj1Yq7foCAN05sz99ERfaeUeDXzT2CIlH8oD6a3Ar7b9vp5uYsgUgX334oLNvWMJ1P4dU_7a2CDrs3LpeI1R6hcdAW88EHvEwyMXc8gtQspe/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGER1PZR_BPx_SNeD51z1pTMNHKrMoi86Qxj1Yq7foCAN05sz99ERfaeUeDXzT2CIlH8oD6a3Ar7b9vp5uYsgUgX334oLNvWMJ1P4dU_7a2CDrs3LpeI1R6hcdAW88EHvEwyMXc8gtQspe/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578811136315494018" border="0" /></a>My sister Sandra was with us and she wanted it badly (she loves turtles). I gave it to her to remember the trip by and to ease the horrors of the mutant tropical rodent that was living in the kitchen of our rental house. I really liked this one, it was my first all original punch needle design, so made myself a replica. The one I have is way better that the one Sandra has. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFyQOV1MamDgDnZdkY3veOHTrbmO587gvKJp-tW8-4MurqehW3S9X03QjFranqnIZXNrEP0lDJEbRtGX-2SBOk7cGrg8t1elFGkPAyZqOE7pzjQd_ZfVYXggfgXpM2HPkmv0DnMuyfOLu/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFyQOV1MamDgDnZdkY3veOHTrbmO587gvKJp-tW8-4MurqehW3S9X03QjFranqnIZXNrEP0lDJEbRtGX-2SBOk7cGrg8t1elFGkPAyZqOE7pzjQd_ZfVYXggfgXpM2HPkmv0DnMuyfOLu/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578811135274522738" border="0" /></a>Anyway Mom, call me when you get back from Boise.<br />Love,<br />Pammie<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGER1PZR_BPx_SNeD51z1pTMNHKrMoi86Qxj1Yq7foCAN05sz99ERfaeUeDXzT2CIlH8oD6a3Ar7b9vp5uYsgUgX334oLNvWMJ1P4dU_7a2CDrs3LpeI1R6hcdAW88EHvEwyMXc8gtQspe/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFyQOV1MamDgDnZdkY3veOHTrbmO587gvKJp-tW8-4MurqehW3S9X03QjFranqnIZXNrEP0lDJEbRtGX-2SBOk7cGrg8t1elFGkPAyZqOE7pzjQd_ZfVYXggfgXpM2HPkmv0DnMuyfOLu/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><br /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-75355599631606996042011-02-25T16:46:00.003-06:002011-02-25T17:17:46.957-06:00Specs<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJUBD3XSIUElPpHnec9WR2oWiSAKEgttXoQph5hKxYFSe9cQ0fKrykHb7QfLo7q4M0qjtfnwkhmflbjD4t1gukcY-HZF9q9E57N7p2iFyFVU4Ct5f7b3IMKjE1wuP57mAYzQ0-ADhrvnC/s1600/DSC_0056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJUBD3XSIUElPpHnec9WR2oWiSAKEgttXoQph5hKxYFSe9cQ0fKrykHb7QfLo7q4M0qjtfnwkhmflbjD4t1gukcY-HZF9q9E57N7p2iFyFVU4Ct5f7b3IMKjE1wuP57mAYzQ0-ADhrvnC/s320/DSC_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577762516874913698" border="0" /></a>It was just a matter of time. My eyes have finally aged to the point where I need reading glasses. Particularly at night when I am embroidering or beading. I was having a really hard time threading my needle and I was starting to get headaches. Last weekend I was working on an embroidery project and I asked Adrian if I could borrow his reading glasses. Holy Cow! I couldn't believe how great it was to see my stitches close up. So I decided to take the plunge and go buy a pair of my own. Adrian frugally suggested the dollar store. Come on!! My eyes may be getting older, but I haven't lost my mind. All of my girlfriends have really funky and fashionable reading glasses and I wasn't going to settle for some ugly cheapo dollar store glasses. <br /><br />Anyway, I was at The Three Kittens Needlework Store on Wednesday spending my grocery money on Caron Watercolors thread because it was on sale and what do you think I found in the front display case??? These fabulous turquoise reading glasses and they were BEDAZZLED!!!<br />Best of all they were marked down from 40 dollars to a mere seven bucks. Bazinga! I had found my reading glasses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 189px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577762535370609938" border="0" /></a>I decided that they needed a fancy case and I knew just the fabric to use. My beloved Micheal Miller koi and lilypad bark cloth. So I cut a square along with two layers of batting and some pretty pink polka dot lining fabric and free motion quilted them together. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC5jNag-5BnNIN6UGutpAq0OovWT_0VrYJeJjvT-vYlqy2tsb-3JgEWh2mY2bNvCF424iY4j9pjkOv4VOtLlloDxyN9R-zl4I-t4Sb7F7Bp-FAKL2D-m17-mAdu3AmFdvc0dyvt2ec8sA/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggC5jNag-5BnNIN6UGutpAq0OovWT_0VrYJeJjvT-vYlqy2tsb-3JgEWh2mY2bNvCF424iY4j9pjkOv4VOtLlloDxyN9R-zl4I-t4Sb7F7Bp-FAKL2D-m17-mAdu3AmFdvc0dyvt2ec8sA/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577762520131802658" border="0" /></a>Next I cut it into a pocket shape and added some pretty ric rac trim. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SjNG_15YhLb_tJjvZCG77t0y8rvywj7BUjCAxbxcNQSfz54uz7cZOTFVOlGzREfg4KSQW4brFh2ywQkxtRPRWlfAZ5t6o3LabjRriJ0uyjOgHniBcKwsoUdNDBv7-W5AxveeQEmqUwPJ/s1600/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SjNG_15YhLb_tJjvZCG77t0y8rvywj7BUjCAxbxcNQSfz54uz7cZOTFVOlGzREfg4KSQW4brFh2ywQkxtRPRWlfAZ5t6o3LabjRriJ0uyjOgHniBcKwsoUdNDBv7-W5AxveeQEmqUwPJ/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577762524561038114" border="0" /></a>I stitched it all together and added some green gros grain ribbon to bind the top and voila! I had a spiffy new glasses case. It is the perfect thing to hold my new fancy bedazzled eyeglasses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKAIaM9HtXnrgIWfJnW0jBcCJS-ZVRdiES_uwjJbGbIaLGi8dYActQXCNVBSqzQNBVKMRsvOhxbybYKjE1J4sDUPJbJObun9_0wZ72eaM_pKScvUIYVo8kCvPu8U6DVN8LwYGyrxjx3hM/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKAIaM9HtXnrgIWfJnW0jBcCJS-ZVRdiES_uwjJbGbIaLGi8dYActQXCNVBSqzQNBVKMRsvOhxbybYKjE1J4sDUPJbJObun9_0wZ72eaM_pKScvUIYVo8kCvPu8U6DVN8LwYGyrxjx3hM/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577762532773008914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKAIaM9HtXnrgIWfJnW0jBcCJS-ZVRdiES_uwjJbGbIaLGi8dYActQXCNVBSqzQNBVKMRsvOhxbybYKjE1J4sDUPJbJObun9_0wZ72eaM_pKScvUIYVo8kCvPu8U6DVN8LwYGyrxjx3hM/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfmuCTzDS0KxlQe2yiruEgWNEjVo2SYb1BjzY6GAHtizDp7HLoXZgZHDRWQi2It5Nxj3kBWs1fC0M1HOxlD6QAxJGWeXVAdpAcFMHZrIrTtOUOx8MaEz7hyphenhyphenW_T_niQv-BIFtnIjDNctjr/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG"><br /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-35193801323615676592011-02-18T14:41:00.004-06:002011-02-18T15:36:38.416-06:00Taste the Pretty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9cPRQKOXGDMBuV9vgYEpd-ROMf7pBQdQ6ZoNj1Ook3A3g1naxAsJbLZZk83JfphWyapdGAGjrqCn-FYyUXf4T6AqXlNxrseNTmC1iT5cyCvQ7jH-0S5qZpJ4ThS80lViZroK3z97P6S8/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9cPRQKOXGDMBuV9vgYEpd-ROMf7pBQdQ6ZoNj1Ook3A3g1naxAsJbLZZk83JfphWyapdGAGjrqCn-FYyUXf4T6AqXlNxrseNTmC1iT5cyCvQ7jH-0S5qZpJ4ThS80lViZroK3z97P6S8/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575132746328696722" border="0" /></a>I am just about finished up with all of my frivolous knitting projects and I am getting ready for something fun and new. We've had a bit of a thaw here in Minnesota this week which got me in the mood to work on something with spring colors. Also, decorating those little felted hearts totally made me hungry for an embroidery project. So I took a long look in my cigar box filled with my favorite size 8 perle cotton and all I saw was a bunch of dark saturated colors. Bummer. What to do...what to do...hmmm. I clearly had no choice but to take a little road trip to the nearest needlework store. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jzb4DxqRFJu8C7g0xg1gRTrzC3XWgYfB_tyvo5OGzdRO-JHHjDTtjxI_P7dptC86JAMAiER61Fz3hYSYcoA1Gp2c_61s0FFWbe8OsAlQm9JDURh6beOkvf5E8JIKTt9sN_XjQsOkDNM4/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jzb4DxqRFJu8C7g0xg1gRTrzC3XWgYfB_tyvo5OGzdRO-JHHjDTtjxI_P7dptC86JAMAiER61Fz3hYSYcoA1Gp2c_61s0FFWbe8OsAlQm9JDURh6beOkvf5E8JIKTt9sN_XjQsOkDNM4/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575132737427421698" border="0" /></a>So off I went today to<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> </span><a href="http://www.3kittensneedlearts.com/">Three Kittens Needle Arts</a>. In addition to being a great little yarn shop, it is also a fully stocked needlework shop. One of the best things about Three Kittens is their friendly and welcoming staff. There are a couple of other needlework shops in the area that are so snobby and high falutin' and I do not tolerate their snooty pretension very well.<br />Like most needlework shops, Three Kittens seems to cater to the needlepoint and cross stitch crowd. But there are oodles of wonderful threads for the non-canvas embroiderer like me. I went looking for DMC perle cotton and was delighted to find <a href="http://www.shopatron.com/home/index/427">Finca perle cotton </a>instead. I really love Finca thread. It's made in Valencia, Spain and it comes in so many lustrous colors. I was so happy to find a local source for it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglFvwKGSun4U1OGO_zHwkL5IGhdhmbgEPn-Zb-2vLHGJ_XPtnihDl6lLlqwKg1ehAi70DcQ6RY1oXf6k0tX4FlP15_UoBSoHswjAqMjUnwCOqJSOpBsrvqZZtQv2qrh-9F6S3HOkCP6wm/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglFvwKGSun4U1OGO_zHwkL5IGhdhmbgEPn-Zb-2vLHGJ_XPtnihDl6lLlqwKg1ehAi70DcQ6RY1oXf6k0tX4FlP15_UoBSoHswjAqMjUnwCOqJSOpBsrvqZZtQv2qrh-9F6S3HOkCP6wm/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575132745112297618" border="0" /></a>I also snagged a couple of skeins of <a href="http://www.caron-net.com/threads.html">Caron Watercolors hand dyed thread</a>. I am crazy about this stuff as well. I use it single ply and feels similar to size 5 perle cotton. Again, there are so many colors and I want one of each. Three Kittens was having a sale on the Watercolors for 2 bucks each which is a really great sale and it goes to the end of February. I'm heading back there next week with my grocery money to stock up. <br />Next week I'll share the embroidery projects that I am starting over the weekend. Here's a<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67764240/love-ly-sampler"> sneak peek</a> at one of them and here is <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/68215709/bunny-and-her-teacups-embroidery-pdf">another</a>. Have a happy weekend!pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-77769372774806868962011-02-16T15:58:00.007-06:002011-02-16T16:59:36.724-06:00Croc-a-doodle-doo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg164NjykQ8LI4NcE7v4gzyhiMSNq662jao0Npgh7Rz-3hcREMzMbZ9QMTsuBgTLjQE5fTwvA7xJXgalCVB66hTNfGKlOHE0imXc6phYDan-uomdTnRB3vYDBKACqFHTCCmxZeHPX_AbSlP/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg164NjykQ8LI4NcE7v4gzyhiMSNq662jao0Npgh7Rz-3hcREMzMbZ9QMTsuBgTLjQE5fTwvA7xJXgalCVB66hTNfGKlOHE0imXc6phYDan-uomdTnRB3vYDBKACqFHTCCmxZeHPX_AbSlP/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421726052693298" border="0" /></a>Almost every Friday I get together and knit with my pals Beth and Sue. We have the best time and sometimes even manage to knit while we are together. A couple of weeks ago Beth glanced down at my ginormous black Crocs and said: 'You know Pam, I think that there is a pattern for knitted Crocs liners out there somewhere'. Prior to this announcement, I'm pretty sure that I was whining that the fleece liners that the Crocs came with were all squished and linty and flat.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP_yzY7MNAh_Pd9bA3dYt22kHVRBXj9Q8bYafv0Eu5bmvl6KOg4HLW58eewdjlGnmRV55gCpNSH-de3n0M3sV9GygKZV19p04vY4UYQmgKZS5vCz-HbblrSiWQpoWT4Hsc3n9rbffyRzz/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><br /></a>Anyway, the rumor of this pattern immediately intrigued me as I am always looking for a completely frivolous project to squander my time on. So I did a bit of searching on the Wide Wide World of Web and found not only a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/krock-socks---womens-size-8---10-mens-6---8---liners-for-plastic-clogs-crocs-tm">knitting pattern</a>, but also a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/croctm-socks">crochet pattern</a> as well. I settled on the knit pattern even though it was for a pair of size 8 liners and my lined winter Crocs are a size 11. I figured that I could adapt the pattern to fit and what the hey, the pattern was only a buck anyway.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP_yzY7MNAh_Pd9bA3dYt22kHVRBXj9Q8bYafv0Eu5bmvl6KOg4HLW58eewdjlGnmRV55gCpNSH-de3n0M3sV9GygKZV19p04vY4UYQmgKZS5vCz-HbblrSiWQpoWT4Hsc3n9rbffyRzz/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 260px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidP_yzY7MNAh_Pd9bA3dYt22kHVRBXj9Q8bYafv0Eu5bmvl6KOg4HLW58eewdjlGnmRV55gCpNSH-de3n0M3sV9GygKZV19p04vY4UYQmgKZS5vCz-HbblrSiWQpoWT4Hsc3n9rbffyRzz/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421706051912914" border="0" /></a>The pattern was quite easy. You knit a garter stitch sole, pick up the stitches around the sole, knit a few rows, shape the top of the sock and finish with some rows of k2 p2 rib. It reminded me a lot of knitting those <a href="http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/patterns/cbbooties.shtml">stay-on baby booties</a> that I think everyone has knit before. I tweaked the pattern a bit to get a better fitting liner with more room in the instep and to avoid some pesky short rows in the ribbing that the pattern called for. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9ID4YdaTithCwUHbt2HH5frc5bBtGLSoBDeaZDkaN9H4FyVOSg4RV8ZGkEj6fOpgqNjiQkefzEobjfneZb8cpKEW8_kGaghadLWoH0VLs50OWHMfIBYQRURqgBXN3sGLwftAC7qJC-zc/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9ID4YdaTithCwUHbt2HH5frc5bBtGLSoBDeaZDkaN9H4FyVOSg4RV8ZGkEj6fOpgqNjiQkefzEobjfneZb8cpKEW8_kGaghadLWoH0VLs50OWHMfIBYQRURqgBXN3sGLwftAC7qJC-zc/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421716500047730" border="0" /></a>I also made my liners left and right foot specific, something that the pattern did not do. It was a great pattern to use as a jumping off point for customization. Or you could not be an obsessive compulsive wench like myself and just knit the damn things exactly like the pattern instructs. But where's the fun in that, right?<br />So I knit up a pair of robin's egg blue liners first. I knit them with Lion Brand Cotton Ease yarn. It's a cotton/acrylic blend that I thought would wash well (and it does!).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9ID4YdaTithCwUHbt2HH5frc5bBtGLSoBDeaZDkaN9H4FyVOSg4RV8ZGkEj6fOpgqNjiQkefzEobjfneZb8cpKEW8_kGaghadLWoH0VLs50OWHMfIBYQRURqgBXN3sGLwftAC7qJC-zc/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidanhmTQOw7QT_Sq072tTy5x-XTMiFoRfYHfVfJrNIXMxMA3kIZjw5kAmh2QhiyFzejH2Bd4jEdmVzoDEpHnO9JOLEsy3gEGbGqan2tDFjTgPA60ncaPl8g45wcrFD55D96dHhG-vyKyMD/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidanhmTQOw7QT_Sq072tTy5x-XTMiFoRfYHfVfJrNIXMxMA3kIZjw5kAmh2QhiyFzejH2Bd4jEdmVzoDEpHnO9JOLEsy3gEGbGqan2tDFjTgPA60ncaPl8g45wcrFD55D96dHhG-vyKyMD/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421690544569794" border="0" /></a>After completing the first pair and dancing about the house in them for a few days, I decided to test out my revamped pattern to make sure that everything was written down correctly. So I knit another pair in the same yarn, different color. This time in a lovely key lime green.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5_GyZM1tGy11efWuJZXG8PdX6527wl8b6VmZenoc5RS4XITJGGIqmUleSspvUrhNwb_H8t-Pwb13eGUUXO5I-ICOSxMyBqzdGfcSknTkviLlzpgaJxJJUFaxwSsoFnHnJLnv2WhyphenhyphenPtgZ/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5_GyZM1tGy11efWuJZXG8PdX6527wl8b6VmZenoc5RS4XITJGGIqmUleSspvUrhNwb_H8t-Pwb13eGUUXO5I-ICOSxMyBqzdGfcSknTkviLlzpgaJxJJUFaxwSsoFnHnJLnv2WhyphenhyphenPtgZ/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421698575866418" border="0" /></a>I have to say that these liners are the absolute bees knees. They are super thick and squishy because you knit with two strands of yarn held together. They keep my feet toasty warm whether I am wearing socks with them or not. This is a really wonderful thing because the wooden floors in my house are absolutely frigid in the winter. In fact, my ice rink floors were the reason for me buying Crocs in the first place.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh27xrzCielvjpi6PBgY6hRq4OyyqqB82z88vfZNh-8b2zjWDEnEKEOFixObGNo70Gcskxl6CM-CrmL2YF9T1OovVFPQ87SKq2Hmd2rdXeSpG4aK_tIOWTilQa-7RdPV1BhqNkZ-as1_M/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 310px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh27xrzCielvjpi6PBgY6hRq4OyyqqB82z88vfZNh-8b2zjWDEnEKEOFixObGNo70Gcskxl6CM-CrmL2YF9T1OovVFPQ87SKq2Hmd2rdXeSpG4aK_tIOWTilQa-7RdPV1BhqNkZ-as1_M/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574422485728272498" border="0" /></a>I am quite happy with this little knitting project. I am happy, my feet are toasty, and now its time to move on to the next completely frivolous project to squander my time on....pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-48903057387480574142011-02-14T13:00:00.005-06:002011-02-14T14:40:42.127-06:00Happy Valentine's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMypOnFvGL1bq-NYGJx2ojxeqii3Cr5_zh9pZRaERbzj02zvzSbODE1QkL_EasEDtmLwpEjDDp8C54fxZkeXZ_Eui-KAGmBtzbHWUMGZe1D5LyFsUvJhpt-vZYkzv3IACRfundvv5gMX7c/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbO7LVJMDGZqmbqa1nhta-YeCfOwbfMOW575dcLyPvyZHl6q9UbjdHc3yskduq2CgvfTc01304UdnDiVf5bXZDv2zNEYbx551W9OT9da0zyM9dCXAY9Vwg4_iOx93IxjexbDa32Y8rBN/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbO7LVJMDGZqmbqa1nhta-YeCfOwbfMOW575dcLyPvyZHl6q9UbjdHc3yskduq2CgvfTc01304UdnDiVf5bXZDv2zNEYbx551W9OT9da0zyM9dCXAY9Vwg4_iOx93IxjexbDa32Y8rBN/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573622497105472610" border="0" /></a>I have been doing a bit of frivolous knitting these past few weeks. This time it's tiny hearts that have captivated me. It began with the purchase of Mags <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kandis</span>' latest book called <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfbooks/book_display.cfm?ID=31335">Gifted</a>. On the cover is a bunch of the cutest little knit and felted hearts that you've ever seen. The hearts alone enticed me to buy the book and I am so glad that I did. There are some really great projects in it. I rarely purchase knitting books and prefer to check them out from the library, but this book is definitely a keeper.<br />Anyway, I got the book last fall and knit up a few of the hearts. They are the ones pictured above, in the bowl of crocheted acorns. They turned out okay, but in my opinion (which means absolutely nothing), the pattern was kind of fiddly. I really don't want to criticize the pattern because it is really quite clever and is a brilliant work of engineering. But I just didn't like knitting it and I wasn't perfectly happy with how they turned out after felting them in the sink. I still really wanted to make some little hearts so I did a search on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ravelry</span> for another pattern. Lo and behold, I found a pattern called <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-hearts">Little Hearts by Teresa Fox</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbP9QF70uC7gTCnZRgQ5_7jrzthPvqJdy0AKjYgN1ivjWzwprcMglmJKT32TLdVYlZuLi0nsSB1MoBcxFPtK1QWAQMVuG1syw30i3CoFvO9CpxDCb3ijJddcu31PBJYzVJGCRs0KPcdWJ/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbP9QF70uC7gTCnZRgQ5_7jrzthPvqJdy0AKjYgN1ivjWzwprcMglmJKT32TLdVYlZuLi0nsSB1MoBcxFPtK1QWAQMVuG1syw30i3CoFvO9CpxDCb3ijJddcu31PBJYzVJGCRs0KPcdWJ/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573622502274266610" border="0" /></a>The pattern was absolutely wonderful. Teresa included some really useful pictures as she knit the heart and best of all, the pattern is a free download. I found it an absolute breeze to knit and I easily memorized the pattern after knitting a few hearts. The pattern calls for worsted weight yarn. Because I wanted my hearts to be a bit smaller, I used 2 strands of fingering weight on size 7 needles . I also did not use Teresa's figure eight cast on. I did a long tail cast on of four stitches and divided them on two needles. I felted my hearts first before stuffing them. I did it by hand with hot soapy water. It took about a minute apiece. The yarn I used is called <a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/yarns/Palette_Yarn__D5420132.html">Palette by Knit Picks</a>. Knit Picks has super affordable yarn which is perfect for frivolous knitting projects like the little hearts. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMypOnFvGL1bq-NYGJx2ojxeqii3Cr5_zh9pZRaERbzj02zvzSbODE1QkL_EasEDtmLwpEjDDp8C54fxZkeXZ_Eui-KAGmBtzbHWUMGZe1D5LyFsUvJhpt-vZYkzv3IACRfundvv5gMX7c/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMypOnFvGL1bq-NYGJx2ojxeqii3Cr5_zh9pZRaERbzj02zvzSbODE1QkL_EasEDtmLwpEjDDp8C54fxZkeXZ_Eui-KAGmBtzbHWUMGZe1D5LyFsUvJhpt-vZYkzv3IACRfundvv5gMX7c/s320/DSC_0016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573622511365599442" border="0" /></a>As with many of my frivolous knitting projects, I got totally carried away and knit a zillion of them. I intended to embellish them all with stitching and beads and such, but that will have to wait for a bit as I am kind of burned out on hearts at this point. I did manage to embellish a few during the Superbowl last weekend.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdwrMSY1N_96yeOPRgCYWr5VNCZzmwHBY-QB2Ixim7jfHOSc2LPeOVW9jyNLI0OvN3YeWR8YOJiRrBTsCJT6cnE87NINqsjc_S4bG_WRnc7ZQKn9N8JUW0SweccfMAhUlOrfM99inDR-V/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdwrMSY1N_96yeOPRgCYWr5VNCZzmwHBY-QB2Ixim7jfHOSc2LPeOVW9jyNLI0OvN3YeWR8YOJiRrBTsCJT6cnE87NINqsjc_S4bG_WRnc7ZQKn9N8JUW0SweccfMAhUlOrfM99inDR-V/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573644797804797826" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_USXpcByg0y4kKZIbQDJFOcRfScZs_Y12J5LolKMIEkf57G2YYBgnedHeIV_R2PoISMWbUb3ZX74DdSWbvm1zr5uhsFtvuuq53Gez7zo5irSMr0LIjatwiYu8yWoszVPAc9aMUY4kae/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqK_USXpcByg0y4kKZIbQDJFOcRfScZs_Y12J5LolKMIEkf57G2YYBgnedHeIV_R2PoISMWbUb3ZX74DdSWbvm1zr5uhsFtvuuq53Gez7zo5irSMr0LIjatwiYu8yWoszVPAc9aMUY4kae/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573644791361676786" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLwlb7f9nJJ5XUgT2x1TciyptM0Raq9GqsZHbMBQ5sptJl7Jouz90i4te_vZUyyAydnzzxVHS9noTyuNTkLmX07m-FdbIqEFjOW6p8aaSHpKEL9enlgwQd_7YnkROFY4yNc3UERxT7yaD/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLwlb7f9nJJ5XUgT2x1TciyptM0Raq9GqsZHbMBQ5sptJl7Jouz90i4te_vZUyyAydnzzxVHS9noTyuNTkLmX07m-FdbIqEFjOW6p8aaSHpKEL9enlgwQd_7YnkROFY4yNc3UERxT7yaD/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573644799891426162" border="0" /></a>I have another frivolous knitting project that I completed last week. I'll share that next....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbO7LVJMDGZqmbqa1nhta-YeCfOwbfMOW575dcLyPvyZHl6q9UbjdHc3yskduq2CgvfTc01304UdnDiVf5bXZDv2zNEYbx551W9OT9da0zyM9dCXAY9Vwg4_iOx93IxjexbDa32Y8rBN/s1600/DSC_0014.JPG"><br /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-12172990721924029592011-02-01T13:01:00.006-06:002011-02-02T10:47:22.266-06:00Meet Claude<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAgIAuYbvxnzdBxK88BTwqfvQb9U8pdIm1AHDSIRtcaBuTpMUXHeI-LIz4Pkd90mU9AfBAf2m83rBwOsEEPb7pvEHi1ipXyHWDa4IkBXXC-qGhPfgOtGqsH_VFflsXVmv6aAxPvkBGZN/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDAgIAuYbvxnzdBxK88BTwqfvQb9U8pdIm1AHDSIRtcaBuTpMUXHeI-LIz4Pkd90mU9AfBAf2m83rBwOsEEPb7pvEHi1ipXyHWDa4IkBXXC-qGhPfgOtGqsH_VFflsXVmv6aAxPvkBGZN/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568801113581745874" border="0" /></a>This is Jean-Claude. He is french and he used to live in Paris....on the left bank, of course. He spent his days writing poetry in his flat above the boulangerie Poilane on Rue du Cherche-Midi. He had to flee the country after an altercation with a Bulgarian juggler. That's how he came to be living with me on Rue de Eustis in Saint Paul.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptGxlw5feCnhs3DV9pa_w4AWEaLXCVJPOp81rZbPM8bYxbauxJtg_29mR4B8vdGbQmnKdgylviRAeBTRi1tFj7_rLHgKiAAy1ChLjImO4W76D3QIsnBunwjJDqotyL7Y0H8aE7OCtnMUx/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptGxlw5feCnhs3DV9pa_w4AWEaLXCVJPOp81rZbPM8bYxbauxJtg_29mR4B8vdGbQmnKdgylviRAeBTRi1tFj7_rLHgKiAAy1ChLjImO4W76D3QIsnBunwjJDqotyL7Y0H8aE7OCtnMUx/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568801109667080242" border="0" /></a>This past Christmas Adrian and I decided to give each other toys. Just toys, and nothing else. He got an tiny flying indoor helicoper and a knex build-a-monster-bug-robot kit. I got shrinky dinks, hello kitty lip gloss, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OSOZMU/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000XJRYFW&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1G4QKG5BJYZ2CG9SJGWE">hypotrochoid art set</a> and a <a href="http://www.moolka.com/jzv/prod?o=froogle&prodId=29050">knit-a-monkey kit</a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubzosKjNxVABAYZOi4zqekJGxmf7jTWiYw-zEc-CIfTnmVfJqSfJrsPGbo_jiR4R78dzrIfuPzB5Lq9QHCnV0xi8eJsXuwSvFqcgJ0VmFe-xL8CTiGkQjyuTQ1wWZZvJwsOoUiIfWKeeL/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiubzosKjNxVABAYZOi4zqekJGxmf7jTWiYw-zEc-CIfTnmVfJqSfJrsPGbo_jiR4R78dzrIfuPzB5Lq9QHCnV0xi8eJsXuwSvFqcgJ0VmFe-xL8CTiGkQjyuTQ1wWZZvJwsOoUiIfWKeeL/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569132481607765890" border="0" /></a> Adrian was really unsure if I would like the monkey kit so he got me a robins egg blue Chantal tea pot just in case. He did not need to worry about me not liking the monkey, I absolutely adored it and I had a total blast knitting it from beginning to end. There was a great deal of giggling as I knit the long gangly arms, legs and tail. This was one of the best gifts ever. I used some self striping sock yarn to crochet the scarf. I made the scarf really, really long, just like <a href="http://www.doctorwhoscarf.com/">Dr. Who</a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_DKi6oJkUv_6jMl5hHeri6xKQCxN62CcQoc020No-tyTPE1gdT4GQcGk5d3hMDHaqbAytZq1VdthGT7wc536j7M2rB2-pWCc8i0QNftUz6XoPv4_XIrc4dBQ2inQMi19eUNXJGYDiSbP/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_DKi6oJkUv_6jMl5hHeri6xKQCxN62CcQoc020No-tyTPE1gdT4GQcGk5d3hMDHaqbAytZq1VdthGT7wc536j7M2rB2-pWCc8i0QNftUz6XoPv4_XIrc4dBQ2inQMi19eUNXJGYDiSbP/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568801094083555922" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-61544915232582683962011-01-30T17:50:00.010-06:002011-01-30T19:05:04.410-06:00Winter Vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJwV5k7zbMwndIh5RcH782ney4VhTqbJ7vtD056K6P4ddBhKPt6Y1AxQgvjcqqXnBmGHiDVoYa0HXzYBjr2ewGHahoAhT1qbZ9rZp4bDEaNDDgLzeQFanGuXWoq7NRiFAIOz4jSFYwXmO/s1600/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSJwV5k7zbMwndIh5RcH782ney4VhTqbJ7vtD056K6P4ddBhKPt6Y1AxQgvjcqqXnBmGHiDVoYa0HXzYBjr2ewGHahoAhT1qbZ9rZp4bDEaNDDgLzeQFanGuXWoq7NRiFAIOz4jSFYwXmO/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568148028670976546" border="0" /></a>For me, one of the best parts about living in Minnesota is the glorious winter. The skies are blue and the pale sun is always shining. The snow sparkles and the frigid air takes your breath away. I absolutely love it here in the winter. I wake up smiling and look forward to the day ahead.<br />Unfortunately, this past week the skies overhead have been gray and dreary. The temps warmed up and the snow was alternately slushy and icy. It totally threw me off my game and I had a really hard time getting motivated. So today I am going to take a break from the gray skies and re visit a quilt that I made last spring.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dNN3afKddOA3QvA4HPMIC3xRLZveqU47O28DJvIhWAE1kwj5FD3qyJQ_8ckmUyzEa85RMV0HGR6xu7OSU63o0km_VSN_zR9Ka9qmvoPSxhfYR43OUW-Av0dVEIHng5b_QKc69IDIrM4Q/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dNN3afKddOA3QvA4HPMIC3xRLZveqU47O28DJvIhWAE1kwj5FD3qyJQ_8ckmUyzEa85RMV0HGR6xu7OSU63o0km_VSN_zR9Ka9qmvoPSxhfYR43OUW-Av0dVEIHng5b_QKc69IDIrM4Q/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568148015546746450" border="0" /></a>I made this quilt for <a href="http://snippetsofsue.blogspot.com/2009/08/alexs-senior-photo-shoot.html">Alex</a>, one of my most favorite girls, who was graduating from high school last May. I wanted her to have something pretty that she could take to college with her this past fall. I've known Alex since she was a tiny baby and consider myself so lucky to have been able to watch her grow up into an amazing young woman. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OL99zfhYxrzozPdBqoA5RG4m4b3_kvk4TIma2ACaK9Q_VQRm_AyqVD7K1Hy6fb2aEI-0-e48qUL0j_cbL-O0dn6ZJRtTqHMgqEOtNqLQTJBRqAHHBDwrhBFQVIb2ihah1er5vlF_H1af/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><br /></a>Over countless sleepovers at my house Alex learned to sew and knit and be creative. She took her first canoe trip with Adrian and I when she was still in diapers and learned to paddle my kayak on a trip up to the Boundary Waters. We've has so much fun together over the years and it goes without saying that this quilt was stitched with a great deal of love for it's recipient.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvte046msUDs-6HOicBm9hV_-6ZXXaGHrB7RVNjLERv7lCupG9GL7ohBjeEX7XqpBaczXhefX_MaqasNJbZ68CYNCNtoWgXof1PZmJqUgmweLQpLgtWBMR5CYnNzxQnFmLOBoWrSimql1/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvte046msUDs-6HOicBm9hV_-6ZXXaGHrB7RVNjLERv7lCupG9GL7ohBjeEX7XqpBaczXhefX_MaqasNJbZ68CYNCNtoWgXof1PZmJqUgmweLQpLgtWBMR5CYnNzxQnFmLOBoWrSimql1/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568147998163431554" border="0" /></a>Because I wanted this quilt to be special, I decided to use my beloved stash of florals from <a href="http://www.gloriouscolor.com/">Westminster Fibers</a>. Most of the fabrics that I used are designed by Kaffe Fassett or Phillip Jacobs. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JA38NNG5jwCStgMQxd4cORfFMDCXIHuFEEzdXAnCBeRmzxZqM6HTvcVWm1m0JvGXZlHb4xmMfMVA3yl07xIvSlkOKg0A_gBJg04csucVZYRINvH7fr-ll4pdjc2GndKepJXvEsigi0Wu/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JA38NNG5jwCStgMQxd4cORfFMDCXIHuFEEzdXAnCBeRmzxZqM6HTvcVWm1m0JvGXZlHb4xmMfMVA3yl07xIvSlkOKg0A_gBJg04csucVZYRINvH7fr-ll4pdjc2GndKepJXvEsigi0Wu/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568149350094883026" border="0" /></a>The pale turquoise pansy fabric in the above picture in probably one of my all time favorite fabrics. It came in several different colorways and I confess that I bought every single one. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcbko-Evg-Hy2BEE1d5uw98DP-JNruzvjwNzCZ07_SoZnL9hEcrRlGKJuGkdSptVGm8cODbUk47ZYIfz3CvVZgWMPXQfTUFiTtFDkBoA5JzTaYMlomfzPo8sg3RC7yN4pRJHF1NdP-VdR/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFcbko-Evg-Hy2BEE1d5uw98DP-JNruzvjwNzCZ07_SoZnL9hEcrRlGKJuGkdSptVGm8cODbUk47ZYIfz3CvVZgWMPXQfTUFiTtFDkBoA5JzTaYMlomfzPo8sg3RC7yN4pRJHF1NdP-VdR/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568148001085943074" border="0" /></a>The nine patch block is one of my favorite quilt patterns, I love it for it's simplicity and versatility. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OL99zfhYxrzozPdBqoA5RG4m4b3_kvk4TIma2ACaK9Q_VQRm_AyqVD7K1Hy6fb2aEI-0-e48qUL0j_cbL-O0dn6ZJRtTqHMgqEOtNqLQTJBRqAHHBDwrhBFQVIb2ihah1er5vlF_H1af/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 88px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2OL99zfhYxrzozPdBqoA5RG4m4b3_kvk4TIma2ACaK9Q_VQRm_AyqVD7K1Hy6fb2aEI-0-e48qUL0j_cbL-O0dn6ZJRtTqHMgqEOtNqLQTJBRqAHHBDwrhBFQVIb2ihah1er5vlF_H1af/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568148005822326946" border="0" /></a>The blocks are six inches square and alternate with solid florals and nine patch blocks. I free motion quilted a loopy pattern with variegated thread. I finished off the quilt with a hand stitched tag on the back:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV-yODNZ9LZeqAJg7654V2QDs_SfucI3DL6EpJ2sfKpsBimagtz9Qf7x4UqSQvKe7Piz-BZuFix3pkzKPZSi8AYwfRwYLbyI8swe5HhwiIkjw0CgfCF4Etrb5Oc-T1ES0_ckES0lBn0nN/s1600/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV-yODNZ9LZeqAJg7654V2QDs_SfucI3DL6EpJ2sfKpsBimagtz9Qf7x4UqSQvKe7Piz-BZuFix3pkzKPZSi8AYwfRwYLbyI8swe5HhwiIkjw0CgfCF4Etrb5Oc-T1ES0_ckES0lBn0nN/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568149345297931346" border="0" /></a>In December, when Adrian and I went to visit Alex at college and I was happy to see the quilt scrunched up on her bunk bed in her dorm room. It made me happy to think of her sleepy and warm, curled up underneath the quilt that I made for her. Covering up with a handmade quilt is like a big fabric hug from the person who made it.pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-43409071074568924342011-01-27T09:23:00.009-06:002011-01-27T11:16:33.621-06:00A Fresh Start<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVltqg_3f47XWAJ9yL1RdsubYLeYb7Nu9QF-vdwY8ExUH8a9ep7Ov7W0Tl26Bq0_uuY9m7QJjmIA-qbLxV5R5JS3yviAzjkORKZTOZlpxWI8pth1AQiL380mI1w1p6h3Yw-SFPR9JdMA/s1600/quail1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwVltqg_3f47XWAJ9yL1RdsubYLeYb7Nu9QF-vdwY8ExUH8a9ep7Ov7W0Tl26Bq0_uuY9m7QJjmIA-qbLxV5R5JS3yviAzjkORKZTOZlpxWI8pth1AQiL380mI1w1p6h3Yw-SFPR9JdMA/s320/quail1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566900136244210322" border="0" /></a>It has been over a year since I put anything up on this blog. I guess I just got lazy or bored or maybe a little bit of both. It could also be because I felt really bad for using my blog for evil last year when I shamelessly begged for votes when I entered a contest at Marx Foods. The blog just didn't seem like much fun after that little debacle. But I think a year is enough time to slack off, so I guess I'll try my hand a blogging again. Plus, my mom said I should start blogging because she likes looking at the projects I've been working on. Well, I can hardly say no to my dearest loveliest mama.<br /><br />This little pillow is something that I made earlier this month while I was recovering from the black plague. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN2I2UO8bVBPd2h1Sw1_CsDKoeSNEDh0kDw9oUeuL_nCjOhPS5jgZsTqiK8Tv5a_Lv1q2wvmIO9FKU-Te5wEebHnnCdbOlPk2zvlea4tkl2Q3dY8wJEHZXpzLgdNdqA0CZaoHZM-gjT84/s1600/quail3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqN2I2UO8bVBPd2h1Sw1_CsDKoeSNEDh0kDw9oUeuL_nCjOhPS5jgZsTqiK8Tv5a_Lv1q2wvmIO9FKU-Te5wEebHnnCdbOlPk2zvlea4tkl2Q3dY8wJEHZXpzLgdNdqA0CZaoHZM-gjT84/s320/quail3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566889945736858594" border="0" /></a>I got the pattern from my friend Phyllis. Phyllis lives in Sisters, Oregon close to my parents house. She and my Mom are good friends who share a love of quilting. Whenever I am home for a visit, my mom and I get together with Phyllis for a day of fun and creative inspiration. She's one of the most talented and amazingly creative women that I know. Just hanging out in her sewing room is like a shot of creative adrenaline. When I was home in October, I noticed a darling little yellow wool pillow in Phyllis's sewing room. There were four little quail appliqued on it and the best part of all was that they had googly eyes! I was immediately smitten and asked about the pattern. Phyllis said that she saw a quilt on a tv show that had quail on it and that's where she got her inspiration. She very kindly shared the pattern that she made with me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbsqHP9XbJgGCaNGEkwA2he0l1fF5-OQQbY20hR2KJ5J_PHo171kxgJR5IqvxaP-Cx2hIvQ1nYzxJrI6kojBDWt1ytD_8oeMvuwAb1l-O0GTOMVx2pzMqZ90OHeXWBjGVd1Sy-aocGJ3/s1600/quail1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIbsqHP9XbJgGCaNGEkwA2he0l1fF5-OQQbY20hR2KJ5J_PHo171kxgJR5IqvxaP-Cx2hIvQ1nYzxJrI6kojBDWt1ytD_8oeMvuwAb1l-O0GTOMVx2pzMqZ90OHeXWBjGVd1Sy-aocGJ3/s320/quail1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566899430463875458" border="0" /></a>The pillow is about 16 inches wide by 11 inches tall. All of the felted wool is from my stash that I've collected over the years. I used DMC broder medicis wool floss for the applique and embroidery. Broder medicis has been discontinued and it breaks my heart every time I think about it. I love that thread and wish that I could find a good replacement for it. I didn't have googly eyes so I used some white flower beads for the eyes. I like Phyllis's googly eyes better. If you look closely at the bottom of the pillow, one of the stems of sagebrush is missing it's little french knot flowers. I didn't even notice that until I was editing the photos of the pillow. I must have just spaced that out in my nyquil and benadryl induced delirium. I really did make this while I was recovering from a nasty bug. I felt good one day and managed to get the pillow top assembled and my embroidery supplies organized. Then I had a relapse, was sick for a few days and then I embroidered this while wrapped in quilts on the couch. Once I was feeling better I sewed the whole thing together. It was a really quick, fun little project that kept me amused while I was stuck in the house. Thanks, Phyllis for the inspiration!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPlbyIGDNEA6Dd1P1qyW5gO4BoBzvtN6bZXv_3M-WsTuGZoJQ6zKlDiWy-5vQGZRO5EyY8Xk5wxovkLUzxjM5mMO7rfWTj4jtxdIBuWlgJwJG8_15iumVe0S_txgqW01vD4lAO3SHGMtJ/s1600/quail2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPlbyIGDNEA6Dd1P1qyW5gO4BoBzvtN6bZXv_3M-WsTuGZoJQ6zKlDiWy-5vQGZRO5EyY8Xk5wxovkLUzxjM5mMO7rfWTj4jtxdIBuWlgJwJG8_15iumVe0S_txgqW01vD4lAO3SHGMtJ/s320/quail2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566899308479089362" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-88880036194970707842010-01-10T11:03:00.006-06:002010-01-10T12:23:07.348-06:00Scones and a Sweater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97RkSiB-PcygC5J9uKQNVlXpbjd4gChRdcgvukoe8bJynoAVBLuvv68Fsme0qheGwrWOuJKEh8iZw6xB-ZJrDTcQT_lIJYMzoLagmZJ6tFJleHitDeKyuO4nXsp89UVaRRC0e5aEx_5vW/s1600-h/scones.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97RkSiB-PcygC5J9uKQNVlXpbjd4gChRdcgvukoe8bJynoAVBLuvv68Fsme0qheGwrWOuJKEh8iZw6xB-ZJrDTcQT_lIJYMzoLagmZJ6tFJleHitDeKyuO4nXsp89UVaRRC0e5aEx_5vW/s320/scones.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425171470510661938" border="0" /></a>There was a new episode of The Barefoot <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Contessa</span> on the food network yesterday. I think I must be Ina <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Garten's</span> number one fan. Well, maybe not number one because that title might be reserved for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">stalkerish</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nutball</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ala</span> Kathy Bates in the movie Misery. But I sure do love Ina's recipes and I wouldn't mind having a bite of lunch with her at a Paris cafe. Anyway, thanks to that new episode, Adrian and I enjoyed fresh maple oatmeal scones for breakfast. The recipe is a keeper for sure but I recommend halving it because it makes a butt load of scones. In the future, I think I might play around with the amount of whole wheat flour and baking powder in the recipe (I always like to try adding more <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ww</span> flour to my favorite recipes). I used a heart shaped cutter partly because I'm a romantic sap and also because it's a scientifically proven fact that everything tastes better when it's heart shaped.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVZmU9PPnM9t9aLe2gwflGGndc67z63v3UN_zK_aK1L8bqljoebsjDHomOiictLNlcgjFpyBLqBJlZXHttoZ3VI64VChlNbP2ZaqJzjZPIpu7uf6k_UQfdeDCr-aetSuppUu_CeY72SLr/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVZmU9PPnM9t9aLe2gwflGGndc67z63v3UN_zK_aK1L8bqljoebsjDHomOiictLNlcgjFpyBLqBJlZXHttoZ3VI64VChlNbP2ZaqJzjZPIpu7uf6k_UQfdeDCr-aetSuppUu_CeY72SLr/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425171478399988226" border="0" /></a>This past week my former sister Brenda rebroadcast an essay that I wrote for her podcast, <a href="http://www.cast-on.com/">Cast On</a>. It was an essay about the first sweater that I ever knit. I thought I'd post a few pictures of that sweater here. If memory serves, I think that I knit it five years ago or so. It took along time to work up the nerve to buy all the yarn for it because I was terrified that I wouldn't have the perseverance to finish it. Then I'd be stuck with this shaming pile of yarn that would heckle me and remind me of my failure. Thankfully I had my very own sweater coach who cheered me on and encouraged me as I went along. That role was filled by my former sister Brenda, by the way. She was great about keeping me motivated even though sometimes I had to remind her that the phone call was supposed to be of the '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Yay</span>, Pam!' variety and not a venue for Brenda to tell me all about what was going on in HER life. In fact, most of our conversations include the phrase "Enough about you, let's talk about ME". The pleasure of who gets to utter that phrase depends upon which of us is yakking the most at the time.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicANJsFrhIMgyXGmir_F647lIIASC5Y1KbtvpHEOY8F5pwrh7sIkwgeYgFVdijY6V7A23P_VfAVuoOOQU2BbO98by2sQgAjCVk6YfCXVM-DAtcOsegyePtdRTv0zfMfzCRuvQ-zpa7XlzB/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicANJsFrhIMgyXGmir_F647lIIASC5Y1KbtvpHEOY8F5pwrh7sIkwgeYgFVdijY6V7A23P_VfAVuoOOQU2BbO98by2sQgAjCVk6YfCXVM-DAtcOsegyePtdRTv0zfMfzCRuvQ-zpa7XlzB/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425171492088215970" border="0" /></a>Anyway, the facts about the sweater are these: It's adapted from a pattern in an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Aran</span> Knits book put out by Knitter's Magazine. I knit it in this wonderful dark blue/purple color. The yarn was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Lopi</span> light because I happened to have a half a skein of it in my knitting basket and that's what I knit my swatch out of. I had never knit cables before and I wanted to see if I could do it so I grabbed the yarn and knit a swatch. I liked the look of it so I went to my local yarn shop and ordered the 4000 skeins that it would take to knit this sweater. (Bonus points to whoever can name the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tv</span> show that always began with narration by Jim Dale and the phrase: 'the facts are these'.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHkk4yZoI_NGN4X8JSPC9xzrG_jW-V6yH_mLoSdU6vDw1vrR9bk-gZXhr7cQAfIa_rdxUA3pqDSy4aSCMBhQ6ZRPU_xx-Ip_auLwmF84AASfxd3jgSUAYFxYFXNpt7rvRUGnBWn27NrwQ/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHkk4yZoI_NGN4X8JSPC9xzrG_jW-V6yH_mLoSdU6vDw1vrR9bk-gZXhr7cQAfIa_rdxUA3pqDSy4aSCMBhQ6ZRPU_xx-Ip_auLwmF84AASfxd3jgSUAYFxYFXNpt7rvRUGnBWn27NrwQ/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425171482637972354" border="0" /></a>Naturally, like everyone else who has knit their first sweater, I was immensely pleased with myself and I spent a good amount of time thinking that I was the cleverest girl on the planet. I wore (and still swear) my sweater a lot that first winter, and it's still my sweater of choice for cross country skiing. But the problem with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Lopi</span> light is that it's itchy as hell. Also, I discovered that my delicate moon flower of a face does not like itchy wool rubbed against it so I have to make sure that I wear a heavy turtleneck with the sweater. Also, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Lopi</span> light is a single ply yarn. I don't know if this is true about all single ply yarns, but my sweater has been growing steadily ever since I knit it. Though it's not quite down to my knees, it could almost be considered a dress at this point. I know it's just a matter of time before I have to breakdown and shorten it, but I am putting that thankless chore off for as long as I possibly can.<br /><br />If you want to hear more about my sweater, pop over the <a href="http://www.cast-on.com/">Cast On</a> and listen to the episode. Also, in case you were wondering, my former sister Brenda gave me to her partner Tonia because Tonia wanted a sister of superior quality to call her own. So now I am officially Tonia's sister and Brenda is now known as my former sister, Brenda.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D7MnRB8rUxxOxeeCGUxKr16UGshV9O26vh9yeA_8MbxeiSZqReRd9iSuotXIze05bSenzWGLK28fNVSH87RgbZ4XuY2x2kBDMhUN_EGkZSi5d2AtKqvG8xbgkBx6425sKLNuhTe3Xv30/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8D7MnRB8rUxxOxeeCGUxKr16UGshV9O26vh9yeA_8MbxeiSZqReRd9iSuotXIze05bSenzWGLK28fNVSH87RgbZ4XuY2x2kBDMhUN_EGkZSi5d2AtKqvG8xbgkBx6425sKLNuhTe3Xv30/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425171499108143842" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-6817564296705738662009-11-23T15:54:00.005-06:002009-11-24T14:18:03.103-06:00Brown Sugar Shortbread<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9qpDJ7nnDBS2GvqRYY-DEATTPPRTZln-E_gNrsLIa7hcr24Px_Eqiw5sQ_ZoNoztDJHnfjpQoD2GDTNvIYR1g_4JE8BlUJOGn3PgrqfQuVC9im9ocoyBL8ab5cq3OnjIr-VB6VPToS9m/s1600/brownsugar+shortbread.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9qpDJ7nnDBS2GvqRYY-DEATTPPRTZln-E_gNrsLIa7hcr24Px_Eqiw5sQ_ZoNoztDJHnfjpQoD2GDTNvIYR1g_4JE8BlUJOGn3PgrqfQuVC9im9ocoyBL8ab5cq3OnjIr-VB6VPToS9m/s320/brownsugar+shortbread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407434544548756322" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:100%;" >Often it's the simple things in life that provide the greatest pleasure. For me, a plate of brown sugar shortbread is definitely one of those humble delights. There's nothing fancy about this cookie: just butter, sugar and eggs. But the addition of a Tahitian vanilla bean transforms these unassuming little cookies into the sublime. The vanilla infused raw sugar on top is a delicious crunchy contrast to the crumbly melt in your mouth cookie. For a real treat, pair these cookies with a glass of Port. Simple and delicious.<br /><br />Okay, I was totally channeling Barbara Stanwyck in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Connecticut-Barbara-Stanwyck/dp/B000B5XOZC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259014404&sr=8-1">Christmas In Connecticut</a> when I wrote that. That has to be one of my all time favorite movies. Barbara plays Elisabeth Lane 'America's Favorite Housewife' who writes a popular food column in a ladies magazine. She supposedly lives on a farm with her husband and baby where she makes delicious food all day long. The reality is that she's single, living in New York and can't cook to save her life. It's a wonderfully charming movie that I watch year 'round.<br /><br />But here's the real reason that I wrote that description of the cookies: <a href="http://marxfoods.com/">Marx Foods</a>, a super cool specialty foods shop had a contest where they'd send you vanilla beans so you could cook with them and photograph the finished product. Or you could just photograph the beans. I got the beans on Friday afternoon with a deadline of Saturday midnight to send in my photo. So I whipped up a batch of shortbread, created a still life and snapped a few shots. Now, I've never entered a photography contest in my life because my photo skills are moderate at best. But I can bake a pretty darn good cookie if I do say so myself.<br /><br />Anyway, the contest runs until Wednesday November 25th and I am BEGGING anyone who reads this blog to please, please, pretty please vote for my photo. I know that I will not win, but for goodness sakes, I don't want to look like a complete doofus with only one vote!!! The truly pitiful thing is that I totally voted for myself (excuse me while I go to the mirror to check my forehead for a giant L for loser). Another point of embarrassment is that all of the other photos are all foodie/artsy and mine looks...well.... sort of quaint. Kind of like paint-by-number in a room of Van Goghs. Or a chicken pot pie on a table of sushi. So help me out here folks....have mercy and vote for my silly little photo PLEASE!!!!! Let's show the world of fine foods that quaint is cool!!! That knitters don't mind a little fuzz in their cookies!!! (the fuzz thing was in reference to the felted pumpkins in my photo by the way...).<br /><br />Here's <a href="http://marxfood.com/">the link</a>. Vote for Pam!!!!!<a href="http://marxfood.com/"></a><br /><br />I thank you from the bottom of my heart....<br /><br />Oh, here's the recipe for all you cookie bakers out there:<br /><br />Brown Sugar Shortbread<br /><br />1/2 cup raw sugar<br />1/2 cup brown sugar<br />1 cup butter<br /></span><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:100%;" >1/2 tsp. salt (if you've used unsalted butter, otherwise omit)</span><span style=";font-family:'Verdana','sans-serif';font-size:100%;" ><br />1 tahitian vanilla bean (marx foods vanilla beans really are fabulous)<br />1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (I use Penzey's double strength vanilla)<br />2 cups flour<br /><br />Cream the butter, sugar and salt until smooth. Slice open vanilla bean and scrape out the flesh and seeds. Add to butter/sugar mixture. Add flour, mix until dough forms. Divide dough in half and roll each into a log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in waxed paper and refrigerate for several hours. Slice dough into rounds and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes. While still warm, dip the top in vanilla sugar.<br /><br />I make my vanilla sugar like this:<br /><br />1 cup of raw sugar plus the insides of one vanilla bean (again, <a href="http://www.marxfoods.com/products/Bulk-Whole-Spices">Marx Foods vanilla beans</a> are terrific). I blend it in a food processor and store it in a glass container along with the skins of the vanilla bean. It lasts forever and tastes fabulous in baked goods or stirred into tea.<br /><br />And don't forget to <a href="http://marxfood.com/">vote for Pam</a>!!!!!<br /><br /><br /></span>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-67374800176263035222009-11-02T12:24:00.007-06:002009-11-02T15:22:55.178-06:00Autumn Joy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Mc9oNmK4USp0-uq6nLw4g8Uidjfw1N-TRLEIJ7Q412Cror2EQVhzBhF6O6zZGh-4UD-oMidylgbxUX4JVhy9hJrU92hhZNu4wiIcJn3APHhRTUT1ZbWlQClROA-Uuw5NQYEoakzls7w/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh93Mc9oNmK4USp0-uq6nLw4g8Uidjfw1N-TRLEIJ7Q412Cror2EQVhzBhF6O6zZGh-4UD-oMidylgbxUX4JVhy9hJrU92hhZNu4wiIcJn3APHhRTUT1ZbWlQClROA-Uuw5NQYEoakzls7w/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399577213571533778" border="0" /></a>What started out as a lazy Sunday morning of coffee, music and newspapers turned into a day of outdoor fun. Our backyard was a sea of golden maple leaves in dire need of raking so we decided to end our lazy morning at second breakfast instead of cruising our way through elevenses in our pajamas. While Adrian hauled our first load of leaves to the composting site near our house, I took advantage of the nice weather and took some pictures. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxJVWkuGuNG77onNFoHR4QzrlDSUC88boNlwsURPBFyU-me651wQVvjlsaxLCrHC0JWkuH-pRlJOunBi3M8mANR3GTivT8PM3rCfOXtfrkGD_BDL4AD5uCIZjXV4ff8k45vCcn58U9UTS/s1600-h/DSC_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxJVWkuGuNG77onNFoHR4QzrlDSUC88boNlwsURPBFyU-me651wQVvjlsaxLCrHC0JWkuH-pRlJOunBi3M8mANR3GTivT8PM3rCfOXtfrkGD_BDL4AD5uCIZjXV4ff8k45vCcn58U9UTS/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399577220953715058" border="0" /></a>This past month I took a break from the sweater that I'm knitting to whip up a patch of knitted and felted pumpkins. They are from a pattern by <a href="http://www.woollysomething.com/">Marie Mayhew</a>, a local knitter who has some of the cutest knitting/felting patterns ever. The pumpkins range in size from about 7 to 3 inches. They're knit with worsted weight wool yarn and felted in the washing machine. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHtscSM15x1fGP_w1o_kwuCo7IrJwfhSIF4TwjqAtK6U_8z1TzFOcReeIRTPIhBuDfZe-G4XHwwBpRPQfa8N4kvzANVzTttqSrP6seFlToxEVfCDGBHhoHSPFlcq6H0Of7QmXjMKAGq-h/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHtscSM15x1fGP_w1o_kwuCo7IrJwfhSIF4TwjqAtK6U_8z1TzFOcReeIRTPIhBuDfZe-G4XHwwBpRPQfa8N4kvzANVzTttqSrP6seFlToxEVfCDGBHhoHSPFlcq6H0Of7QmXjMKAGq-h/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399583089953417554" border="0" /></a> I tweaked around with the pattern a bit to get the different sizes and shapes. I used several different brands of yarn and they all worked great. The brands of yarn all felt up a bit differently which also made for a wide variety of sizes.<br />My crocheted acorns are an ongoing project that I still work on when the mood strikes. They are as addicting as potato chips and I've made handfuls of them. This fall I've collected a pile of acorn caps for the future because it's kind of hard to scout for acorn caps in the dead of winter with a foot of snow on the ground. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyCT31Ye5fG3eNy_x0WFSuDKb20JiE0dWKF2bU8ZJqWvLMWR6eWPvPmhZuueojtb1CF0c8uBoe8aCrqcTWaQCX0cMfA9ni8wH1jWa8RGOV8oLzL7o2Ce5JWvt5jiTsZMilsA8JH-7brcw/s1600-h/DSC_0040.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 208px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyCT31Ye5fG3eNy_x0WFSuDKb20JiE0dWKF2bU8ZJqWvLMWR6eWPvPmhZuueojtb1CF0c8uBoe8aCrqcTWaQCX0cMfA9ni8wH1jWa8RGOV8oLzL7o2Ce5JWvt5jiTsZMilsA8JH-7brcw/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399577227168406642" border="0" /></a>The yarn is mostly odd bits of sock yarn lovingly donated to me by my favorite knitting sister Brenda, who has a really excellent knitting podcast called <a href="http://www.cast-on.com/">Cast On</a>. You should listen to it, it's terrific. It never ceases to amaze me that the delightful person on the podcast is the same bossy older sister who used to tickle me as a child until I peed my pants.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4soDmGeQ-9dDgZKVdObu1o36WOJmqKoPw4MYGWFhyHUKj_peIpe73w5hbrICNRqiAzk4EtLrceAHOp3pvwGZx6IA1SrUea-OlAbA0jNkUo71ad_G-aJLsuzmSFWCIikcCYOvhQzKIjHm9/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4soDmGeQ-9dDgZKVdObu1o36WOJmqKoPw4MYGWFhyHUKj_peIpe73w5hbrICNRqiAzk4EtLrceAHOp3pvwGZx6IA1SrUea-OlAbA0jNkUo71ad_G-aJLsuzmSFWCIikcCYOvhQzKIjHm9/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399577230383510354" border="0" /></a>After a long day of raking leaves, Adrian and I treated ourselves to a lovely little bonfire. We settled into our log swing, sipped on Apfelcorn and relaxed in the golden light of the late afternoon sun. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SA1YlvzJAx9xyH6xsoCCWoUQHNwel5MOhWQweI82zoggRfU8C160sUW_pugGKFXWOtrDcR_QEQcwyvyywDTlORTtGzXMVUtx-okJYa4vw250_Wk_gu5YzWJ0x_8lraFjQHsPwqYH5H7s/s1600-h/DSC_0048.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SA1YlvzJAx9xyH6xsoCCWoUQHNwel5MOhWQweI82zoggRfU8C160sUW_pugGKFXWOtrDcR_QEQcwyvyywDTlORTtGzXMVUtx-okJYa4vw250_Wk_gu5YzWJ0x_8lraFjQHsPwqYH5H7s/s320/DSC_0048.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399577237742645010" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-54425475008379030322009-09-30T12:04:00.019-05:002009-10-01T07:54:24.778-05:00Ribbons and ThingsHoley moley it has been ages since I've last posted anything on my blog! I should get a prize for blogging slacker of the year. And speaking of prizes.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirngOh2SwQIJZQhu7-awVnvGT179RSuP098ghbAK32ywg9gy1DuX9HYt-IojaUAJPFxJpMpupCEnedQlh4fFM3gH4XfMpzdQCgOZk-ePMb8ExLKXsDV7zFPkwUxuSXe88TN1Tl7bm-f1vW/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirngOh2SwQIJZQhu7-awVnvGT179RSuP098ghbAK32ywg9gy1DuX9HYt-IojaUAJPFxJpMpupCEnedQlh4fFM3gH4XfMpzdQCgOZk-ePMb8ExLKXsDV7zFPkwUxuSXe88TN1Tl7bm-f1vW/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387393461948162210" border="0" /></a>I entered a bunch of my handmade things in the Minnesota State Fair this year....seven handmade things to be exact. Lo and behold, I won some ribbons.....seven ribbons to be exact!<br />But the most rewarding thing for me was sharing the stuff that I had made with others. The Creative Activities building was packed full of gorgeously hand crafted things: jams, cakes, pickles, quilts, knitting, crochet, carved wooden things, stained glass, doll houses, beading, embroidery, sewing and all sorts of other wonderful hand crafted treasures. I loved being a part of the greater creative community in Minnesota. I loved that so many people were willing to take the time to enter something that they had made so that they could share their accomplishments with others. It was wonderful to be a part of the generations of women and men before me who stayed up late working on a quilt or perfecting a pickle recipe so that they could exhibit something at the Minnesota State Fair.<br /><br />I think it is a wonderful accomplishment for anyone who takes the time to make things with their own two hands. I truly feel that everyone who creates things should be proud of what they have made. Whether it's a simple loaf of bread, a knitted hat or a quilted masterpiece, anything that is made by hand has value and worth. I also think that sharing those things with others is important as well. It's not about getting your ego inflated or winning ribbons, it's a matter of making that connection with others who appreciate handmade things too. It's about sharing ideas, learning new things, teaching others what you know and exchanging feedback. It's about becoming a part of a creative collective, a group of people who are proud of what they have accomplished and who chose to share their creativity with others.<br /><br />But enough of the philosophical stuff, let's take a look at the handcrafted goodies that I entered in the fair....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0K8f_4cokTy255iLLmYqN-ghjjDIvrxf95tGiXzUg5eQXKZXUD54ryO89niiTS8VegtcQODpmcuCO91sUVvKoVvrsFsNsPWr2yLQOrgiLkojYZ9FQCidztaS3ibJ2ElPUf2Mgx7dsTzG/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 159px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO0K8f_4cokTy255iLLmYqN-ghjjDIvrxf95tGiXzUg5eQXKZXUD54ryO89niiTS8VegtcQODpmcuCO91sUVvKoVvrsFsNsPWr2yLQOrgiLkojYZ9FQCidztaS3ibJ2ElPUf2Mgx7dsTzG/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387363032827954018" border="0" /></a>This is actually four of my <a href="http://www.beadjournalproject.com/about.htm">Bead Journal Project</a> pieces that I grouped in a frame. It won a second prize ribbon. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dTRevidqeODaoRZYqISzYjDe0spodBHMeCvuD3FBWRvV-na7pwAvCSIxCygO8680IDOPFONJIAyy_zZM90No8bTvdIa9DOC4GYzb1dChjKVOgVqsfe7jkKezqWOz4VmnHeGQbIqjug65/s1600-h/DSC_0043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 82px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dTRevidqeODaoRZYqISzYjDe0spodBHMeCvuD3FBWRvV-na7pwAvCSIxCygO8680IDOPFONJIAyy_zZM90No8bTvdIa9DOC4GYzb1dChjKVOgVqsfe7jkKezqWOz4VmnHeGQbIqjug65/s320/DSC_0043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387393475152791714" border="0" /></a>If you want to see the pieces close up, I've got tons of pictures of them in previous blog posts.<br />I also entered three of my dolls which won two first place and one third place ribbon. The fairy doll from a few posts back won a ribbon as did these two dolls....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUgm7uEiS0Xho60g0JQYEvTWjkUoMkaWne17ls7deSwlgvPcNOtkdP3cHlxMEG0AlDYJbXEYq-U97AYDJQL8SFktmg-9EVxM8svK1tEkL9C2cV_9iQNLE5_HoEhHxL5mUutH7KNJNNpcZ/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 307px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicUgm7uEiS0Xho60g0JQYEvTWjkUoMkaWne17ls7deSwlgvPcNOtkdP3cHlxMEG0AlDYJbXEYq-U97AYDJQL8SFktmg-9EVxM8svK1tEkL9C2cV_9iQNLE5_HoEhHxL5mUutH7KNJNNpcZ/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387367271729040642" border="0" /></a>My dearest lovliest Mama and I made Santa dolls together a few years ago. My Mama made a beautiful patchwork jacket for her Santa and I made a penny rug wool jacket for mine. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHc6dtUupVWgcDuSkTnlVureo2TOM7gP06npMMZNahILPKPHwYSBxokEoXCIOYTYNVB6h4zQBf20z7hRkh0lONJdYb00hmMYQ9SpW3w1SFXslVR26Zh-yCF43YGrCBVu_FHUwmleO5qO8/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHc6dtUupVWgcDuSkTnlVureo2TOM7gP06npMMZNahILPKPHwYSBxokEoXCIOYTYNVB6h4zQBf20z7hRkh0lONJdYb00hmMYQ9SpW3w1SFXslVR26Zh-yCF43YGrCBVu_FHUwmleO5qO8/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387390456023436530" border="0" /></a>The plaid fabric is from pair of wool pants that I found at the Goodwill. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_EESk7WMu6ya_QLsYndkLj6WrXzvTbrtYpJiKrZ38Kr73HMnvBY4Mkhlv39jwlJJBSNlW_Svk78UHhSjHxJeBoNAlEjZKg9uQv-SoG2bLBoJvjvcrrtPsHK-eVqCsyBY-32_-m5-hfcP/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_EESk7WMu6ya_QLsYndkLj6WrXzvTbrtYpJiKrZ38Kr73HMnvBY4Mkhlv39jwlJJBSNlW_Svk78UHhSjHxJeBoNAlEjZKg9uQv-SoG2bLBoJvjvcrrtPsHK-eVqCsyBY-32_-m5-hfcP/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387389844114179026" border="0" /></a>I ripped out the seams and then washed the pants in hot water so that the fabric would felt up. Santa (or 'Santy' as he's fondly called in my house) also has a handknitted hat, mittens and sweater.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF1Zi3ycRwo4Vw78Rm8LlljZ-VcTFPnSfCHvmMDgEPBVmAqxhyphenhyphen0-U2e98_nv17yRk-6KkQHsRYRQjqxqOrsYf0wVjx8A4gsuxfB2mo-9PvvIFcYA9QV0T7sWDMdGeg3kwUPEbfnL2Bqc0/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF1Zi3ycRwo4Vw78Rm8LlljZ-VcTFPnSfCHvmMDgEPBVmAqxhyphenhyphen0-U2e98_nv17yRk-6KkQHsRYRQjqxqOrsYf0wVjx8A4gsuxfB2mo-9PvvIFcYA9QV0T7sWDMdGeg3kwUPEbfnL2Bqc0/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387363038154565314" border="0" /></a> In addition to winning a third place ribbon at the fair, Santy also won an American Swedish Institute award for, I suppose, looking like a Swedish Saint Nicholas. After I found out that I was a recipient of a Swedish award, I immediately renounced my Italian/Basque heritage and now consider myself 100% Swedish. I am guessing that I am the only black haired, olive skinned, garlic loving Swede in the state of Minnesota.<br /><br />This sweet little doll is an antique reproduction Greiner style doll.... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKAbe7N8Oc_CGqtgeRf4X-SlFLOBAxN5IDQUBHuWPahkAyBeD5HWsBIcSvQwnW0U5RO4kjKSmIbn8e6WN-AAUaUUNtA6I3WgyPYqj-O2vRYfh1Mo0MkOjffZOlkuPym8B0Lw4vPsp6u47/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKAbe7N8Oc_CGqtgeRf4X-SlFLOBAxN5IDQUBHuWPahkAyBeD5HWsBIcSvQwnW0U5RO4kjKSmIbn8e6WN-AAUaUUNtA6I3WgyPYqj-O2vRYfh1Mo0MkOjffZOlkuPym8B0Lw4vPsp6u47/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387362697173774962" border="0" /></a>She came as a kit that I purchased from <a href="http://www.gailwilsondesigns.com/index.html">Gail Wilson Designs</a>. I hand painted her molded papier mache head, arms and legs and sewed and assembled the cloth body. I also made her clothes which are edged with wee hand crocheted lace. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3-vRi8RCDC8XkfYsf_JjybzsLMm2s8tNrdQvasI8wpDU-puaT_ZdS7eoRpEOJx1ig-CtqKEojJWweQaywYHjSIlJiC1TKRZFTv0-KoQ1ZVe3Dry5AlZ9bi4Lu8VfW2BurzGwlMFP_uL/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3-vRi8RCDC8XkfYsf_JjybzsLMm2s8tNrdQvasI8wpDU-puaT_ZdS7eoRpEOJx1ig-CtqKEojJWweQaywYHjSIlJiC1TKRZFTv0-KoQ1ZVe3Dry5AlZ9bi4Lu8VfW2BurzGwlMFP_uL/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387362705154095778" border="0" /></a>She's a tiny little thing, less than six inches tall and she fits so nicely in the palm of my hand. I am very fond of this doll and was delighted that she won a blue ribbon. Gail Wilson's doll kits are absolutely charming and are a great way to get started with making antique reproduction dolls. The instructions are very detailed and everything included in the kit is very high quality. I've made several of her dolls and have so enjoyed the the process as well as the finished result. Another Gail Wilson doll that I made won a blue ribbon at the fair last year.... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLOd_eUdbR75w8S7QIhxCfC_9tTHAcxK5ac7QWrurvCvhIrL_bRDFGsWYHeFjXn218oIUuVxUQBoD5lYLpVt2qPgEEgs7OwgijpCoWS4__9bZXWvkEl2l6U3CJGC2b9bqx_OmQkmmWngU/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLOd_eUdbR75w8S7QIhxCfC_9tTHAcxK5ac7QWrurvCvhIrL_bRDFGsWYHeFjXn218oIUuVxUQBoD5lYLpVt2qPgEEgs7OwgijpCoWS4__9bZXWvkEl2l6U3CJGC2b9bqx_OmQkmmWngU/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387362687131870578" border="0" /></a> She's a reproduction of an early American doll and is named Charlotte after Laura Ingalls' rag doll that her Ma made her for Christmas (I love the Little House books.)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>Look who also won a ribbon....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaez15aTpW5CVsdidnrFe2FgIle7GuA45iQ4ZUsINiKUtzUE9ps6uMiRgkflyvuqi0xDJON67MmbrB8OzrMRkQsgfz67h70PyGbqlPmvlH_SjPMfySY5gJzQSYrxgIfR0qm78VNnO3tk2/s1600-h/DSC02253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaez15aTpW5CVsdidnrFe2FgIle7GuA45iQ4ZUsINiKUtzUE9ps6uMiRgkflyvuqi0xDJON67MmbrB8OzrMRkQsgfz67h70PyGbqlPmvlH_SjPMfySY5gJzQSYrxgIfR0qm78VNnO3tk2/s320/DSC02253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387373585946960722" border="0" /></a> My flock O' felted sheep! The judge wrote that they lacked personality without faces so I was bumped down to a second place ribbon. I happen to love them without eyes, I think that they feel more like folk art without their facial features. I love making these lambs, they're such compact, wooly little treasures. I'd love to add some embellished sheep to my flock. I think one of the little white ones would look very sweet with embroidered silk ribbon flowers, leaves and vines. That might be a fun winter project.<br />I also won a blue ribbon for this embroidered wool table runner....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKSNMmzNIgx0OMFzbbPYMHlFxJk9Ddm6nlKgmcU-QJ2yyf_o4CnyPOypBSA_gJLjqdKbx4jwQeZzyZ1JS4wTZ-szEu4caFTa3ZrwK9VlSCLovEkvPlBWkCX55PpfBRU9i5A6FXyXmE_Gb/s1600-h/DSC_0038.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTKSNMmzNIgx0OMFzbbPYMHlFxJk9Ddm6nlKgmcU-QJ2yyf_o4CnyPOypBSA_gJLjqdKbx4jwQeZzyZ1JS4wTZ-szEu4caFTa3ZrwK9VlSCLovEkvPlBWkCX55PpfBRU9i5A6FXyXmE_Gb/s320/DSC_0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387363012024674674" border="0" /></a>I hand dyed a lot of the wool myself. I use the 'lazy girl's microwave method' of dyeing wool. It's a piece o' cake and relatively mess free. I used Procion MX dyes with vinegar as the mordant. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocBrQn-GIPAbUSdC4Pa6UPfPsrnAYXN8MXeDHp43qm2ZNe2QhpLt1o0UW02RB4p3WDHw66zfVmGcqciyETE1FNSns0mI-g62TILogSkMTTI7Fx6TzVNYnZUQFB_QapVJpdo6ZmLuIb190/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocBrQn-GIPAbUSdC4Pa6UPfPsrnAYXN8MXeDHp43qm2ZNe2QhpLt1o0UW02RB4p3WDHw66zfVmGcqciyETE1FNSns0mI-g62TILogSkMTTI7Fx6TzVNYnZUQFB_QapVJpdo6ZmLuIb190/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387363025612895058" border="0" /></a> This punch needle turtle won a third place ribbon.... <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI8_-2PjfXLIFwNYiRC5dhDC_I1a4FW_qofJJ7WeSv-OjwTf2ykHSJa0LUxaRwB9Abd3CkaztMSsRoNnHKM50ZFgGvoxCkaYROCdIs2_c-EDdNx_gqSIFryQyCc6ieYoV2QRA1r98SbMk/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmI8_-2PjfXLIFwNYiRC5dhDC_I1a4FW_qofJJ7WeSv-OjwTf2ykHSJa0LUxaRwB9Abd3CkaztMSsRoNnHKM50ZFgGvoxCkaYROCdIs2_c-EDdNx_gqSIFryQyCc6ieYoV2QRA1r98SbMk/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387362684460721426" border="0" /></a>The judge didn't like the beaded border and said that she found it to be 'disturbing'. That comment kind of stung a bit but Adrian did a wonderful job of making me laugh over the fact that I had created something 'disturbing'. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNTY2jFzPCIeN7TlvJtcnAvp_-M6jzLj27DbJQeCNVF2yFvSzqv3QQXuN6qIjXSEnAb-Z2fmQA4wjxozjqSk4AlnfHpGqdpG3CN48aeg8vSy8XfPWpY9iJXxxCudqanFp72fygwMyPhaF/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNTY2jFzPCIeN7TlvJtcnAvp_-M6jzLj27DbJQeCNVF2yFvSzqv3QQXuN6qIjXSEnAb-Z2fmQA4wjxozjqSk4AlnfHpGqdpG3CN48aeg8vSy8XfPWpY9iJXxxCudqanFp72fygwMyPhaF/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387393471313462674" border="0" /></a>It is now a running joke in our house that many of my handmade things have a disturbing quality about them. I'm okay with that and as a matter of fact, I'm trying to think up something really and truly disturbing to make for next year's state fair. Anyone have any good ideas?pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-91809993941757756252009-07-15T15:34:00.013-05:002009-07-20T11:04:35.059-05:00Rainforest Dreams<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsuHtW_t1NuJdCHsjvdLg6i6a-b2pbqXSbzZE2O8Ntg9XXlr0El-WSXiFyf3sGEc_Vn6Gv5vtfG_5cRRfWlrNLMOcUQzIqBc_zdQayblHwFT6VXfJVSw24PgZTi1OEaMBqMLQn3kE26GT/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 316px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsuHtW_t1NuJdCHsjvdLg6i6a-b2pbqXSbzZE2O8Ntg9XXlr0El-WSXiFyf3sGEc_Vn6Gv5vtfG_5cRRfWlrNLMOcUQzIqBc_zdQayblHwFT6VXfJVSw24PgZTi1OEaMBqMLQn3kE26GT/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358789227265485106" border="0" /></a>This is one last piece inspired by my trip to Kauai last winter. This time I left the sandy shores and took a journey into the lush tropical rain forests. I began my beaded journey by creating a tapestry of twisting tangled vines...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Uq-wkoDk9ZDaiL81HpfyFuohm_LrxokgScp9sQjqC5zLejLoNUTe2TjSLGM9oa-j8fHHEKJBxF0HcXu2sf9sTXFgX1bee7t65KWGLwu8HG1eIHOfRjaXoDN5XJw3-eNJS1r46Dca6YJ/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9Uq-wkoDk9ZDaiL81HpfyFuohm_LrxokgScp9sQjqC5zLejLoNUTe2TjSLGM9oa-j8fHHEKJBxF0HcXu2sf9sTXFgX1bee7t65KWGLwu8HG1eIHOfRjaXoDN5XJw3-eNJS1r46Dca6YJ/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358788774092877378" border="0" /></a> Next I created the pink flowers to remind me of this plant...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJoAxTmHTp5J21unS0TO7jebdvZG2Ak6l7SBCuwONnEVIBqxkHHsR0rb_PBZbxdLabtn_urNyGPObxdFTpJcI9SxbNHhlWNyRaMwq3n6DRl4U8CWJqESM5yArjQkHfJ9fnRiIqGXBFI2I/s1600-h/DSC_0096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJoAxTmHTp5J21unS0TO7jebdvZG2Ak6l7SBCuwONnEVIBqxkHHsR0rb_PBZbxdLabtn_urNyGPObxdFTpJcI9SxbNHhlWNyRaMwq3n6DRl4U8CWJqESM5yArjQkHfJ9fnRiIqGXBFI2I/s320/DSC_0096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359973290789691074" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KlKb6BKrGH-HzZ3XxZKzoZ4DWWqMZGa_omwGmZloM21qKRz-ncyc051nw7DUtaDcFu6-snPJBYVJ0R7RZO3Sy8cJDE5xL5HMBXmYoFfVTklggQ-_yj7iHkHSBp7BISv-l5BuoFKFe2bV/s1600-h/DSC_0013.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2KlKb6BKrGH-HzZ3XxZKzoZ4DWWqMZGa_omwGmZloM21qKRz-ncyc051nw7DUtaDcFu6-snPJBYVJ0R7RZO3Sy8cJDE5xL5HMBXmYoFfVTklggQ-_yj7iHkHSBp7BISv-l5BuoFKFe2bV/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358788778937968642" border="0" /></a> The pink beaded blossoms also remind me of the rambutans that I ate for breakfast everyday ....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iyyOgR6VOcP2Z5YUiR3wt2grzoraB4kvwkiXQdmn5mKCVph-A5LxvhM1pGIBy8hhPxedINUbHLXn-e0yuvRyGaeXLWItbnKWF5iMh5O63D1J5-C6uRS5WwB8M4t_xrybWxa9m8ly6-0A/s1600-h/DSC_0142.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iyyOgR6VOcP2Z5YUiR3wt2grzoraB4kvwkiXQdmn5mKCVph-A5LxvhM1pGIBy8hhPxedINUbHLXn-e0yuvRyGaeXLWItbnKWF5iMh5O63D1J5-C6uRS5WwB8M4t_xrybWxa9m8ly6-0A/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359974579740612290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_3svA1GsIxsidEH2xVB5AAgXofw_YDtrzlYJ3_b15jQg5cJbFyODiHWaAaILhjPWYd7W3CrVxNtkVbjitUE5tMe7igcgc9huhs5hfYkNTlgIGhudEkfBTh1wMG8CQnj-_6SiKILlXzNu/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_3svA1GsIxsidEH2xVB5AAgXofw_YDtrzlYJ3_b15jQg5cJbFyODiHWaAaILhjPWYd7W3CrVxNtkVbjitUE5tMe7igcgc9huhs5hfYkNTlgIGhudEkfBTh1wMG8CQnj-_6SiKILlXzNu/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358788593922089010" border="0" /></a>There was an abundance of unfamiliar plants and flowers to discover on my tropical journey...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAxk-DgVQtFJvffyFFkaGrvfzCptj_Gvo3lLy8f1NTLAIPgb3iC9cjy59i5_Bxb_LsdMunnme1aCKxqJ0DTrfVpnpfwspNU3bHdm4PVp6VcCZ3oJjU7Qy0PcmyDYIF0E6gsf96IgVj4WY/s1600-h/DSC_0109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguAxk-DgVQtFJvffyFFkaGrvfzCptj_Gvo3lLy8f1NTLAIPgb3iC9cjy59i5_Bxb_LsdMunnme1aCKxqJ0DTrfVpnpfwspNU3bHdm4PVp6VcCZ3oJjU7Qy0PcmyDYIF0E6gsf96IgVj4WY/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359973293971403538" border="0" /></a>Each one of those beautiful flowers flourished in my beaded rain forest as well....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3-brd0bg0UoYCkC3iNpRVm3wSlnbYQRA5y3DL4cbozyJ2wzml_VKYBskPq-w3vHfievCBukFSGUnxWShuNQq_m4i3nI6SImqBMK7tzhn9OYzoOoK8BWWR0U6tn4bNmv5GK8yMqHDvx4r/s1600-h/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3-brd0bg0UoYCkC3iNpRVm3wSlnbYQRA5y3DL4cbozyJ2wzml_VKYBskPq-w3vHfievCBukFSGUnxWShuNQq_m4i3nI6SImqBMK7tzhn9OYzoOoK8BWWR0U6tn4bNmv5GK8yMqHDvx4r/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358788601298462242" border="0" /></a>Sometimes the vines and branches would part to reveal the unexpected. A cascading waterfall, a giant fern or a humble spider weaving it's web. It was all part of the magic in the rain forest.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA8e6s981k6l58cv2laxFtWHgoLDnBK5yeQfnfTpmE_7jKXcMvEBJtp6ZYB8_MlXrCkOKJAE9lX24j9511bEGGD4Bpko4swvXruKLIkdLTS1f-9G0CzUItm__Nswquk4Y8gZyWZGiWcVi/s1600-h/DSC_0159.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjA8e6s981k6l58cv2laxFtWHgoLDnBK5yeQfnfTpmE_7jKXcMvEBJtp6ZYB8_MlXrCkOKJAE9lX24j9511bEGGD4Bpko4swvXruKLIkdLTS1f-9G0CzUItm__Nswquk4Y8gZyWZGiWcVi/s320/DSC_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359973308207824738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPAc0k2EJOtgUyQ8Q4TykjGPevjMDf0mjNIB4RpEmZxIyqjD86iG_RSBOUMJg1VqBhCiEFftRmdJ2xOH3tnSgkto21-nmLap4jj71D5Qj3ttZYo_7B7K-04I3iKjRrq4_Oc3B4Mn1Q02D/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPAc0k2EJOtgUyQ8Q4TykjGPevjMDf0mjNIB4RpEmZxIyqjD86iG_RSBOUMJg1VqBhCiEFftRmdJ2xOH3tnSgkto21-nmLap4jj71D5Qj3ttZYo_7B7K-04I3iKjRrq4_Oc3B4Mn1Q02D/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358788569348054162" border="0" /></a>I will never forget the time that I spent in the rain forest, wandering and wondering about the beauty that surrounded me. I hope that I was able to convey in my bead work the awesome beauty, overwhelming excitement and pure wonder of the magical days that I spent in Kauai.pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-44854016563387584902009-07-15T11:29:00.011-05:002009-07-16T09:02:04.775-05:00Faerie in the Garden<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBJMlEvR6HhBuQvJULX7UG55y3KPaL8Jsq5QgXi0EIzN29n8Jpo_jyJF73osH52_dflyFc1ciBG8FNkRP-o-YbvsQdmRzwTMjnRbeOBtxcpfBXv0MPbzXIIMIEVM_BclEIzXHdr_HO9tS/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBJMlEvR6HhBuQvJULX7UG55y3KPaL8Jsq5QgXi0EIzN29n8Jpo_jyJF73osH52_dflyFc1ciBG8FNkRP-o-YbvsQdmRzwTMjnRbeOBtxcpfBXv0MPbzXIIMIEVM_BclEIzXHdr_HO9tS/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727260110552482" border="0" /></a>Look who visited my garden today! She stopped by to rest up after the early morning thunderstorms. She seemed to like the violas....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3egP-E4fhaR69qUn0OU6wC-S13hkv7Zw-89JRE4X125__ocaLXsF56bYlIu3aGR7X_yoCjipWL-VRWc6KwcDe7g3QTnskO2WI_Jt49SujKjYOxQnvcov0kZe8rgK-aLZdrvNtwfRCVhs/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3egP-E4fhaR69qUn0OU6wC-S13hkv7Zw-89JRE4X125__ocaLXsF56bYlIu3aGR7X_yoCjipWL-VRWc6KwcDe7g3QTnskO2WI_Jt49SujKjYOxQnvcov0kZe8rgK-aLZdrvNtwfRCVhs/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727251868889682" border="0" /></a>She splashed about in the stream a bit and then leaned against the sweet flag to let the sun dry her off....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmNWCOPkNZ0nSoO2ejzYrdFn0Xs9SzxfQ2HKio9ZcSzR7JXxcR764v1QEYmBLo48-wnbY1za73MtdcTHayF9Rz-TyKLCobXjig9QkKDwYRTo7Ziw3E7olvm_vjJqWFRaX4u7Apmqgw68m/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmNWCOPkNZ0nSoO2ejzYrdFn0Xs9SzxfQ2HKio9ZcSzR7JXxcR764v1QEYmBLo48-wnbY1za73MtdcTHayF9Rz-TyKLCobXjig9QkKDwYRTo7Ziw3E7olvm_vjJqWFRaX4u7Apmqgw68m/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727270196294610" border="0" /></a>She flew over to the moss rose.....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3FQsOOOz1Y4iI7lq1w-zI4OleUZflaHUfRZHKP7AZyUZYdUCc4pA-aQXM30u0de6zh8y4t5f28HffJpjnHGFx0SS1ZNxPdns72lXUlQiBPBO_eEcOhErGTci41Xrtgx1jd_ZCPg0md7Z/s1600-h/DSC_0011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3FQsOOOz1Y4iI7lq1w-zI4OleUZflaHUfRZHKP7AZyUZYdUCc4pA-aQXM30u0de6zh8y4t5f28HffJpjnHGFx0SS1ZNxPdns72lXUlQiBPBO_eEcOhErGTci41Xrtgx1jd_ZCPg0md7Z/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727279444722850" border="0" /></a>to watch the chipmunks eating seeds that had fallen from the bird feeder...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4ya1higCax8PUGKO7zGeR8Hk-WZpM7ByfZydfjfoENj624YFdK_W55T-_NNKjjcjHn5fMD4ij5OJUPbfA_qmPAV1anT-ds-LN2VE3Bw32DiOorj-NBylkApGUhSZqDUVpSmOMwOEpK4-/s1600-h/DSC_0050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV4ya1higCax8PUGKO7zGeR8Hk-WZpM7ByfZydfjfoENj624YFdK_W55T-_NNKjjcjHn5fMD4ij5OJUPbfA_qmPAV1anT-ds-LN2VE3Bw32DiOorj-NBylkApGUhSZqDUVpSmOMwOEpK4-/s320/DSC_0050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358730667638169010" border="0" /></a>I wish that I had an outfit like hers....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf_MfBxZI3ya5rY8sYf6C5M0-d_sQDQoUg79py7-_jVfTL4Ffi-6EThyphenhyphenhsY77YJLLilZkyuBkCe-COulfdRXZjPtEPxZQZLj_GV63biYNGqt3t9x141vU0E0C9QbUaz7-sj8VGGZFKLaV/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQf_MfBxZI3ya5rY8sYf6C5M0-d_sQDQoUg79py7-_jVfTL4Ffi-6EThyphenhyphenhsY77YJLLilZkyuBkCe-COulfdRXZjPtEPxZQZLj_GV63biYNGqt3t9x141vU0E0C9QbUaz7-sj8VGGZFKLaV/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358727281062610210" border="0" /></a>Curly magenta hair might be kinda fun too....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiue4N55HM-FSkqYCEo_sqkL3b18LFEg6d_GNlbxvdcV-QvlXCCpG4AV1okBGC8KIzD2SK6roQD_XN_T0jMMv2PUHlHl4qN-OTqX7BeaiMLSJkGkGkad7WLaFYfaefMWncaKJ_aAx-LoIO-/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiue4N55HM-FSkqYCEo_sqkL3b18LFEg6d_GNlbxvdcV-QvlXCCpG4AV1okBGC8KIzD2SK6roQD_XN_T0jMMv2PUHlHl4qN-OTqX7BeaiMLSJkGkGkad7WLaFYfaefMWncaKJ_aAx-LoIO-/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358731805341940754" border="0" /></a>Sigh...the truth is that even though I'd really like to believe that there are faeries in my garden, I haven't actually seen one yet. Well, I did see a big luna moth once that looked a lot like a faerie until I saw the ugly proboscis tube thingy sticking out of it's head.<br />I while back I took a faerie doll making class at my favorite quilting store called Colorful Quilts. It was taught by Rick Petersen, a very talented local doll artist. Unfortunately CQ closed down a few months ago which is a loss that I've yet to recover from. CQ was the perfect place to rev up my creative mojo and I learned so much from the wonderful people who worked and taught classes there.<br />Anyhoo, I took this class, then naturally became completely obsessed with making faerie dolls. The face and body were made from polymer clay and armature wire wrapped with yarn. The wings were made from wire and fused iridescent angelina film. The arms and legs were wrapped with lovely hannah silk and the corset was made from wool felt. The skirt was made from silk flowers and her shoes were painted on. Her curly hair is sheep fleece that's hand dyed by my Seester who is a spinner. So that's the real story of how the faerie came to life in my garden.pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-59456051881122418342009-07-14T10:28:00.012-05:002009-07-15T06:43:13.605-05:00Sweet Treats<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWRbKuwdYxMrTg2-hbBv71R7Wo90IJ-Drwxn6TIQXOd4ndRgRyF6wzcpQwO4yx0EMXGNDB-bigNv-waxQbvsbHcM8wZynvG5PhPsaWf4SvTmZhAHCCLGYGu7Ub8yUiwVbS_DTLJ4XjR96/s1600-h/DSC_0004_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWRbKuwdYxMrTg2-hbBv71R7Wo90IJ-Drwxn6TIQXOd4ndRgRyF6wzcpQwO4yx0EMXGNDB-bigNv-waxQbvsbHcM8wZynvG5PhPsaWf4SvTmZhAHCCLGYGu7Ub8yUiwVbS_DTLJ4XjR96/s320/DSC_0004_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358649273373182210" border="0" /></a>Here are a few more handmade wee pastries of the non-edible kind. A while back I wrote about my new favorite Japanese craft book called 'Cakes Made of Felt'. I have to say that making these felt treats is as addictive as eating the real ones. Please help yourself to a tiny tart-let.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyZzd56Vk1GYbQi-iscUTK5rgZkphMHtOgdmeNamXTkN7rRu7IaObebGitrBOUGSbd9bNDGSxwWEvgJkS3AWPvKYFRo4ut3iIYYl1s-9grS37Su70Mg94qA0yBKhZtgbftsPE5dUfOqZb/s1600-h/DSC_0017_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyZzd56Vk1GYbQi-iscUTK5rgZkphMHtOgdmeNamXTkN7rRu7IaObebGitrBOUGSbd9bNDGSxwWEvgJkS3AWPvKYFRo4ut3iIYYl1s-9grS37Su70Mg94qA0yBKhZtgbftsPE5dUfOqZb/s320/DSC_0017_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358650995418948498" border="0" /></a>I used little fluted metal tart pans to mold the felt for the tart shells. The creamy filling is a gathered circle of satin fabric topped with a puff of organza and a berry or glass leaf. Perhaps you'd like a raspberry cream tart....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPucBiSTQoWQNiHnIDjdzc6qjh8piquqaW9x-oTerRCgWYylwMTSW2u8dVt0SX3vVEY1blbvJ09puZy8fCSRIcNokwjQppOL7eTS_MTgT-H7TKlduE9MA8C16QMxpOy2RDr6GhiPdsS1R/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPucBiSTQoWQNiHnIDjdzc6qjh8piquqaW9x-oTerRCgWYylwMTSW2u8dVt0SX3vVEY1blbvJ09puZy8fCSRIcNokwjQppOL7eTS_MTgT-H7TKlduE9MA8C16QMxpOy2RDr6GhiPdsS1R/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358346127782703298" border="0" /></a>The berries were made from clusters of size 8 beads. The sugary crust on the tart shell is glitter. Maybe you would enjoy a key lime or lemon cream tart....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6lMFgwYsKs6oGQbsR83cZ3-qaVuLN-KorjTFWCfQ1EGURh9yAaQvuO4ye2NhDcopecVkAjnoGtsrgigxp6FnUjBQrF0JZE1K5BgUGrdKGYfFgXCYvXiwOflkboTLdSmIG08tyk19OsCR/s1600-h/DSC_0012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6lMFgwYsKs6oGQbsR83cZ3-qaVuLN-KorjTFWCfQ1EGURh9yAaQvuO4ye2NhDcopecVkAjnoGtsrgigxp6FnUjBQrF0JZE1K5BgUGrdKGYfFgXCYvXiwOflkboTLdSmIG08tyk19OsCR/s320/DSC_0012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358649282543108530" border="0" /></a><br />The felt cake-let is very similar to the one that I made for my dearest, loveliest Mama for Mother's Day. I used ribbon and rick rack on the side of the cake. Try the cream puff on top, it's delicious....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12mRWA9i_ms5GR3qw_IfYJaIfbE-hPwp2lz6QG2IK3I0cDVl8EFym4wB7kA8xvXs2Oy9W3ykQlVgFQyVS22I0wwpsVLgY9TO6P3RJ4bfbWmqn3mSOw0bJK0SbBXa3H-iVzdEECywIc6Pj/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12mRWA9i_ms5GR3qw_IfYJaIfbE-hPwp2lz6QG2IK3I0cDVl8EFym4wB7kA8xvXs2Oy9W3ykQlVgFQyVS22I0wwpsVLgY9TO6P3RJ4bfbWmqn3mSOw0bJK0SbBXa3H-iVzdEECywIc6Pj/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358350363642637138" border="0" /></a> I am thinking that the wavy edge around the darker pink piece of felt on top of the cake needs some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">embellishment</span>. Maybe some wee beads or embroidered french knots. Go ahead and pluck a strawberry slice off of the top, they're ripe and juicy...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakHUfz9b0LjyGg7ZawfUrqtVdsLTJ_bQ6uHOYLLqk1CM3LE5FfznhlX3gWjtc-kuW4CdeU8QwRY9z6PCUk81-z9MH22gHR2BHtRxYuiBsRMKK19450BLf2G9ngwUwaNaScXpAMEqEvu_O/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakHUfz9b0LjyGg7ZawfUrqtVdsLTJ_bQ6uHOYLLqk1CM3LE5FfznhlX3gWjtc-kuW4CdeU8QwRY9z6PCUk81-z9MH22gHR2BHtRxYuiBsRMKK19450BLf2G9ngwUwaNaScXpAMEqEvu_O/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358346139979384290" border="0" /></a>I love making the little fruits and berries that top the pastries. Currently I'm working on banana and kiwi slices for the next batch of treats. They're the perfect portable project to work on outside where I can enjoy the birds and flowers in my garden. My goodness, writing this post has made me hungry. I think it's time for tea and a snack. I believe I have some ripe cherries in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fridge</span>......<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ohh</span>! Felt cherries! I'm definitely making those next!pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-33637779577429958052009-06-30T19:13:00.008-05:002009-06-30T20:29:15.152-05:00New FriendsMy friend Carmelita brought her lovely young granddaughters over for a visit today so I had the splendid fortune to spend the afternoon crafting with them. I thought that making wee flower fairies would be a fun craft for the girls so I pulled out my stash of fairy making supplies. Out came the bins of flower petals, acorn caps, wooden heads, chenille stems, embroidery floss and felt. I had such a great time watching the girls select the colors of floss and flowers that they wanted to use. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiiPEze7rMxyYfjfLjuJi0ggZcnnzPc4Im7pkdfdovpP1l5MRBL7eprJuow2nYlQg5LROrprRPgCFLoghvr55KV122Y7V7VUrjBUPdh4R_ha_IFgR9poCmJtYQ2go1xpqhExV6AQWoS1Q/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiiPEze7rMxyYfjfLjuJi0ggZcnnzPc4Im7pkdfdovpP1l5MRBL7eprJuow2nYlQg5LROrprRPgCFLoghvr55KV122Y7V7VUrjBUPdh4R_ha_IFgR9poCmJtYQ2go1xpqhExV6AQWoS1Q/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353283785943754962" border="0" /></a> The fairies are modeled after the ones created by <a href="http://www.weefolkstudio.com/">Salley Mavor</a> in her fabulous book 'Wee Felt Folk'. I absolutely love this book. I bought it when it first came out in 2003 and since then I have lured almost everyone that I know into to the world of flower fairies. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPRLg5hGKfM5YyX0f27yA3B3It3ct8KKt4d7HiGQ9cfT1PpNLsxu89SvRuo985JKoX9v4S76ebarf8T1a1cMBZAyy6PXwS-CShhlIgSzkfcdv1YxfFbS964EB2WA6GHQJV02l8zhKm7sM/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVPRLg5hGKfM5YyX0f27yA3B3It3ct8KKt4d7HiGQ9cfT1PpNLsxu89SvRuo985JKoX9v4S76ebarf8T1a1cMBZAyy6PXwS-CShhlIgSzkfcdv1YxfFbS964EB2WA6GHQJV02l8zhKm7sM/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353283771376831554" border="0" /></a>This charming girl is Emma and she is holding the flower fairies that she made today. Emma loves pink. A lot. I love pink a lot too, so we became good friends right away. The purple fairy on the left crashes into things when she flies because she is temporarily blind. (I ran out of painted wooden heads so her face is blank until Carmelita can paint her). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq7635t4Kq0vM8vvEyqI5bUNt4EkpK4YKMrUWZj6PO3P9uVqBpDe9PowA9OBicev_tdJzAAhyXbAw3STyDG4hCPFuQqZCyndTWbYAaHDhcPmoXkewRhjlVjY5BjhxFa4O7aceQ6qi8a1w/s1600-h/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq7635t4Kq0vM8vvEyqI5bUNt4EkpK4YKMrUWZj6PO3P9uVqBpDe9PowA9OBicev_tdJzAAhyXbAw3STyDG4hCPFuQqZCyndTWbYAaHDhcPmoXkewRhjlVjY5BjhxFa4O7aceQ6qi8a1w/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353283775179775266" border="0" /></a>This is beautiful young woman is Kaitlyn but I'm not sure that I spelled that right so let's call her Kate 'cause she goes by that too. Kate is an amazing Manga artist. She brought her manga drawings to show me and I was absolutely blown away. I am seriously in awe of her talent and creativity. We became friends right away because we both love the color purple and think the Twilight books are dumb (vampires DON'T sparkle!). Kate's fairy is a lovely purpley plum color and her curly fairy hair is styled into a tiny ponytail.<br />I am sad to report that I did not finish my flower fairy (and neither did Carmelita!). But I had such a wonderful day crafting with my new friends Kate and Emma that it doesn't matter. I hope that they'll come visit again real soon for another day of conversation and crafting fun. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqgiveBac5UFYdqf8Pi4wUooO_CEOqKk13cawfh7Dl5RaD3ERX4p7Er0-uCzUvan6Oi0UvQCfBgJNMemLw7d5kg-bMyVt_SsObGK_3jJgZHPQ1Nw1ZmZBLF_5iM4R0E3YlPAXzjVDyFKj/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqgiveBac5UFYdqf8Pi4wUooO_CEOqKk13cawfh7Dl5RaD3ERX4p7Er0-uCzUvan6Oi0UvQCfBgJNMemLw7d5kg-bMyVt_SsObGK_3jJgZHPQ1Nw1ZmZBLF_5iM4R0E3YlPAXzjVDyFKj/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353293121945876098" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-352901293905986782009-06-28T14:23:00.012-05:002009-06-28T16:01:31.244-05:00Shoreline<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9y_QMFyGWK1hDorsngs4vi9JzlY64XpV_wviHy9aIqfTt0yqtRPH-cPsP60Va3zzVRV_DSbFwoc_IkNSNCh3W3EZoo456btYXBOpT9i_hwLLOtjxA6LfVBe8ovOwYXuUWu52hgo43I9v/s1600-h/DSC_0031.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9y_QMFyGWK1hDorsngs4vi9JzlY64XpV_wviHy9aIqfTt0yqtRPH-cPsP60Va3zzVRV_DSbFwoc_IkNSNCh3W3EZoo456btYXBOpT9i_hwLLOtjxA6LfVBe8ovOwYXuUWu52hgo43I9v/s320/DSC_0031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461824902228514" border="0" /></a>This is the second month's BJP that was inspired by my trip to Kauai this past winter. A few of of the shells and bits of coral in this piece were collected as I lay on the beach, idly sifting handfuls of sand through my fingers. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMVciNJ102O-Q20O0NMQ_Zf1FTspGuwXhkCbYwk3krBoOmNnw92Md7C21HhV1IH9OYJJBWYlowXuAwngQ49CRFrNknnjxOJ5_p24ep_2Vy12TM00CBC4WarReVtaHKlrPHLRgqqNhnK3j/s1600-h/DSC_0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMVciNJ102O-Q20O0NMQ_Zf1FTspGuwXhkCbYwk3krBoOmNnw92Md7C21HhV1IH9OYJJBWYlowXuAwngQ49CRFrNknnjxOJ5_p24ep_2Vy12TM00CBC4WarReVtaHKlrPHLRgqqNhnK3j/s320/DSC_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461572819008146" border="0" /></a>I spent hours looking at all of the teeny tiny bits of wonder that had washed up on the shore. There were impossibly small shells , fragments of coral and minuscule broken bits from the invertebrates that had once inhabited the coral reef. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lTnVRFn1b3a_vepXjXmpGcRuaKQ_6ys6O8Q_yDAPvUweElIYu_rcILulfW6iIlqEbtpW5XjaezI9gart6J9_ZlKisJVLVwDXKK6BU__M2iMyxpHJTxUDz4yWF0XORpy77kvGRkgzLwV/s1600-h/DSC_0032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33lTnVRFn1b3a_vepXjXmpGcRuaKQ_6ys6O8Q_yDAPvUweElIYu_rcILulfW6iIlqEbtpW5XjaezI9gart6J9_ZlKisJVLVwDXKK6BU__M2iMyxpHJTxUDz4yWF0XORpy77kvGRkgzLwV/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461560553935618" border="0" /></a> I loved the meandering patterns that the waves had made upon the sand. A lacy line of foam followed by a scattering of shells, coral and debris that transitioned to smaller and finer particles of sand. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasfJGUgubnKo8oSpyHKLJHIurqd6_nUHCsNGEgw0Xfg3oJ7YatoGonVJOeNw2C9bYRpC2kO1VBKkjtbXUb1OixiW4nyaaWUE92E10I81oNU4dA6HvRNSPg0ZAGIfRihj2jzYR-l6bw3oQ/s1600-h/DSC_0033.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 253px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjasfJGUgubnKo8oSpyHKLJHIurqd6_nUHCsNGEgw0Xfg3oJ7YatoGonVJOeNw2C9bYRpC2kO1VBKkjtbXUb1OixiW4nyaaWUE92E10I81oNU4dA6HvRNSPg0ZAGIfRihj2jzYR-l6bw3oQ/s320/DSC_0033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461564156867682" border="0" /></a>I had such a wonderful time beading this piece, which as a result did not take long to complete. I began by gathering up an assortment of shells and treasures that I've collected from a lifetime of beach combing. I glued down some of the shells to my base fabric which is a piece of batik sewn to light weight card stock. I added the twisty lines of white beads to represent the lacy ripples of foam that wash up on the shore with each wave. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeeTS828jITj6Rv_CQTjTOqyo4utR2I5Z_u1lJ8WoL2AGCgW7SLByWEHrLJ32nByVC3Xjt8VakF6TqOHJB4HhO5UkphLPE_lU2yC4_1wZRyjVap5M-OmjD3dHZdTm9ImgxKjD87kFPbxl/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIeeTS828jITj6Rv_CQTjTOqyo4utR2I5Z_u1lJ8WoL2AGCgW7SLByWEHrLJ32nByVC3Xjt8VakF6TqOHJB4HhO5UkphLPE_lU2yC4_1wZRyjVap5M-OmjD3dHZdTm9ImgxKjD87kFPbxl/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461825795993522" border="0" /></a>The rest was purely improvisation. The limited color palette certainly made things easier. I sewed on pearls and stones and baubles, followed by rows of my favorite size 14 seed beads. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwO5m7rV4lzVyM8XOtS096vyqb2wlp46zBjK7rCuChtFE_1dCxF7r1FsNFqJ8Z3OanJZi_Z2zvaouPZHlNP1dvf26fDaO4olSLfNotsAZ-31080qxILIU36QaBS7vVY4r6rWNuwNetC0S/s1600-h/DSC_0039.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwO5m7rV4lzVyM8XOtS096vyqb2wlp46zBjK7rCuChtFE_1dCxF7r1FsNFqJ8Z3OanJZi_Z2zvaouPZHlNP1dvf26fDaO4olSLfNotsAZ-31080qxILIU36QaBS7vVY4r6rWNuwNetC0S/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352483965013578194" border="0" /></a> I listened to Hawaiian slack key guitar music as I beaded and it kept me in a mellow beachy mood. There was no frustration or indecision about where to sew down the next bead. I just let the blissful beachy memories flow from my mind to my hands to the shells and the beads.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg1rUciHuAJdJREQJQijnSEfWQIXMXfY8aE1Hed4HLvtw1jvcGehyphenhypheniZK18D6mSrThhWixuS8QOkMgTlufefOALdD0E1PZlTop3mfyjU64Xk-ifIOSdkvIA1G3n2_p3mz0HIiWNU_v_nFj/s1600-h/DSC_0037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsg1rUciHuAJdJREQJQijnSEfWQIXMXfY8aE1Hed4HLvtw1jvcGehyphenhypheniZK18D6mSrThhWixuS8QOkMgTlufefOALdD0E1PZlTop3mfyjU64Xk-ifIOSdkvIA1G3n2_p3mz0HIiWNU_v_nFj/s320/DSC_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352461577733357746" border="0" /></a>Ahhhh, pure beachy beading bliss....pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-45347498861772882742009-06-20T12:02:00.020-05:002009-06-22T15:39:04.782-05:00Oceania Pacifica<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOGopzT8icIBBpaadxsAP6AynAL8HHl1s2CsW6miaxl6LlwJVYVwwrwPBmoo7wb6hEPBqtuTGDM_YP783V5c2wfMzpi7GTNpm8IFXt-LQR02CkM_h2UYwyLEgZXk8T6oGXIksS8I3-hOh/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOGopzT8icIBBpaadxsAP6AynAL8HHl1s2CsW6miaxl6LlwJVYVwwrwPBmoo7wb6hEPBqtuTGDM_YP783V5c2wfMzpi7GTNpm8IFXt-LQR02CkM_h2UYwyLEgZXk8T6oGXIksS8I3-hOh/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350234531943701314" border="0" /></a>I love the Pacific Ocean. From the warm turquoise waters of Hawaii to the turbulent seas of the Oregon coast. A perfect day for me is being in or on or near the Pacific Ocean. I love the unpredictability of the ocean. It can be calm and inviting or reckless and fierce. I am respectful of the ocean’s power and grateful for it’s gifts.<br /><br />This past winter, Adrian and I had the splendid fortune to spend time at a beach house on Kauai’s North Shore. While the ocean delighted us with its incredible beauty, it also never failed to remind us of its remarkable intensity. Here are some of the memories that provided the inspiration for my February BJP….<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexprxpzPuqz6Vzsze9fG7Ba1uJatbqPV91kV0kvE0YCTs1y1nix95Z4MiBp1Xtf3r8GuoZY9qpeDXeOHMk5eBoT9XusKWFB4M7BpTUX5Z6IyUL6YGX76eN1kebylBaAR9jywyaLdlez-b/s1600-h/DSC_0027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexprxpzPuqz6Vzsze9fG7Ba1uJatbqPV91kV0kvE0YCTs1y1nix95Z4MiBp1Xtf3r8GuoZY9qpeDXeOHMk5eBoT9XusKWFB4M7BpTUX5Z6IyUL6YGX76eN1kebylBaAR9jywyaLdlez-b/s320/DSC_0027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231815368723634" border="0" /></a>We spend our days swimming. We dive beneath the powerful waves and fling our bodies over the smaller swells. I am a confident, capable swimmer and my body feels light and free as I am tossed about in the warm turquoise water.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYTlm2tH8UFZQNPU9VjTA6KG_3Z18vNkLHiGkzu-2P8l1hTy_rylV2bAzUjwwm7xKrx05orRbNvrTl5mjtSzBTW6EKEw72mQCvINXagPZhgBN7n0NGnQBo0WJORqntQFfzJnd-QboHIXI/s1600-h/DSC_0030.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwYTlm2tH8UFZQNPU9VjTA6KG_3Z18vNkLHiGkzu-2P8l1hTy_rylV2bAzUjwwm7xKrx05orRbNvrTl5mjtSzBTW6EKEw72mQCvINXagPZhgBN7n0NGnQBo0WJORqntQFfzJnd-QboHIXI/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350247820637017362" border="0" /></a> Our good friend wants to go snorkeling with us for the first time. A few years ago, her mom died in a tragic diving accident in Costa Rica. We drive to the other side of the island to a sheltered bay where the fish are plentiful. We all have a wonderful time and I am so proud of my friend for facing her fears. Afterward, as we rest on the beach, lifeguards pull a man out of the water. He had drowned in a shallow bay filled with snorkeling tourists. We drive back to the North Shore in sorrow and silence.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutxW2zmdcZpPDrJzLbuVfxR5Iaj91sLNu1VdFUk1sYrJfNkAaFkmps8WRuZwcxASLTI3WWNBc1zkm_6a5sYv5Kf7W50pMwlz-VtzQogGFegq_fXiupCAoW_eQmHpeFFlG-1rykbgFyNr8/s1600-h/DSC_0029.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutxW2zmdcZpPDrJzLbuVfxR5Iaj91sLNu1VdFUk1sYrJfNkAaFkmps8WRuZwcxASLTI3WWNBc1zkm_6a5sYv5Kf7W50pMwlz-VtzQogGFegq_fXiupCAoW_eQmHpeFFlG-1rykbgFyNr8/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350235265244095666" border="0" /></a>I sit in the shallow water watching Adrian snorkel. Suddenly he veers toward the shore, his fins flapping as he swims madly toward me. An unfamiliar fish has swum too close, startling my darling, silly husband. I laugh and kiss him and ask him if he wants me to beat up the big bad fish for frightening him. I return to snorkeling, holding hands with my beloved as we float above the coral reef.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicP85PExelgzvfffTuqa291JpjUI1vQpfuV-Gs66fQ7ozaMre4QfvmLLbIY4t3NXl52dvbvRqJaxcopfb-iNR_xxCySLEbYsE6PRCzOl7kh2RiMvMif6gPhkWi0oS6s2TbkuVTq_RIa93/s1600-h/DSC_0025.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 155px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhicP85PExelgzvfffTuqa291JpjUI1vQpfuV-Gs66fQ7ozaMre4QfvmLLbIY4t3NXl52dvbvRqJaxcopfb-iNR_xxCySLEbYsE6PRCzOl7kh2RiMvMif6gPhkWi0oS6s2TbkuVTq_RIa93/s320/DSC_0025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231810199093154" border="0" /></a>There is a roadside memorial decorated with palm fronds, ginger, flowers and fruit. Last year a local boy drowned off of this beautiful beach. He was an expert surfer and the close knit community mourns his loss.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzgnwNu-bItTEDrT4Q14bWvkG6RKsE-t4LEtsHXl9Cql9nC2_l6DWgfJFWN4bbQ2evbnA6vzXyviVXCVh3FjNYv7EqzftMHqmHIL1FZpE0RXwfGLn0z24FpicZmwDNjmJeeeN2LhlmK9z/s1600-h/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzgnwNu-bItTEDrT4Q14bWvkG6RKsE-t4LEtsHXl9Cql9nC2_l6DWgfJFWN4bbQ2evbnA6vzXyviVXCVh3FjNYv7EqzftMHqmHIL1FZpE0RXwfGLn0z24FpicZmwDNjmJeeeN2LhlmK9z/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231820145040226" border="0" /></a>One day we snorkel with sea turtles. Graceful and patient, they allow us to observe their undersea dance. I am completely enchanted.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZn6067r5iq-Cr_rQNtlUCfzpoPJ1yP2cG8TTPV-emSyHdK6udGmdPTsTx8HSZiL2adOmU6Rdp9U47hMoBEqqw0w71P45eVfn8n8Kfynmil-dTuJlW7Et1AaSa6DwDg9QKC8MMEgOvec2/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZn6067r5iq-Cr_rQNtlUCfzpoPJ1yP2cG8TTPV-emSyHdK6udGmdPTsTx8HSZiL2adOmU6Rdp9U47hMoBEqqw0w71P45eVfn8n8Kfynmil-dTuJlW7Et1AaSa6DwDg9QKC8MMEgOvec2/s320/DSC_0023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231803235751298" border="0" /></a>The ocean is fierce and wild today. We acknowledge the ocean's power and postpone our beach plans. We go hiking instead, enjoying the endless blue from the cliffs high above. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6eVVtpj4-aiurmGwVlhS5fMdMdWopTmzV-Mo4d0YjcjJFJTBhl9knZTqNCbkDCcFMsR2Os0dLKUrUE8oNPeo1rGyRmsv4nW8M7BRyzjz7Nw54u6tmy3XQIYgcx5MupcZk4vUo_Zc7wBP/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6eVVtpj4-aiurmGwVlhS5fMdMdWopTmzV-Mo4d0YjcjJFJTBhl9knZTqNCbkDCcFMsR2Os0dLKUrUE8oNPeo1rGyRmsv4nW8M7BRyzjz7Nw54u6tmy3XQIYgcx5MupcZk4vUo_Zc7wBP/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350231798359810082" border="0" /></a>Today the ocean is calm and as smooth as glass. I float peacefully for hours, caressed by the gentle sway of the big blue sea.....pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-55264009986027423972009-06-12T09:20:00.008-05:002009-06-12T10:17:37.181-05:00Treasures from the North<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgyqiUgCERvSIS3SofPtrteTR52Tc7ASN4yvozUvXmADGB8aL9GnGfd6dmzm82OUUptuzJ9-UoCjYg64FdZjnosKJ34bikkoGD-FLGkUVmTTnnOOG5h26nNKTOqR0s4pv_M8viPFm9Jd6/s1600-h/DSC_0018_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgyqiUgCERvSIS3SofPtrteTR52Tc7ASN4yvozUvXmADGB8aL9GnGfd6dmzm82OUUptuzJ9-UoCjYg64FdZjnosKJ34bikkoGD-FLGkUVmTTnnOOG5h26nNKTOqR0s4pv_M8viPFm9Jd6/s320/DSC_0018_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346449607812193714" border="0" /></a>My friend Carmelita and I drove up to Duluth yesterday to attend the Minnesota Quilt Show. We had a fabulous day (as we always do when we spend the day together) and we hunted and gathered some fun new supplies and pretties to add to our stashes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwMMISmfTAc3qUJiXYfyZaKod6EvMAeras0tTZXoKdJk52FAZS0gejixxFnu1U_1tb6eTHSAQZUpbuu69o8HKh4AehGiZjHqy1ek9s8vR4bATzCJqTN16YHHYs-5HaCAQOtxLlMqedTbQ/s1600-h/DSC_0001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLwMMISmfTAc3qUJiXYfyZaKod6EvMAeras0tTZXoKdJk52FAZS0gejixxFnu1U_1tb6eTHSAQZUpbuu69o8HKh4AehGiZjHqy1ek9s8vR4bATzCJqTN16YHHYs-5HaCAQOtxLlMqedTbQ/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346458118234262338" border="0" /></a> I picked up some fabulous over dyed silk kimono fabric from <a href="http://www.lauramurraydesigns.com/">Laura Murray Designs</a> and a really fantastic rubber texture plate to use with my Shiva paint sticks and polymer clay. Look! The pale pink fabrics has cherry blossoms on it! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9BeJ4vrCQ_rqyOhT_CEqsekGyG1OSqhUSG9jcZsl8u6aHmjCKVQwclhGUXfvMkCAryAo1vkUCH3QiDL3OnZ-_JGQbkj_4SXhTnC0h_X4mBWW6zA19BGQ8Gx6FJdbkLZ2-q_ZvEfJZdn2/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9BeJ4vrCQ_rqyOhT_CEqsekGyG1OSqhUSG9jcZsl8u6aHmjCKVQwclhGUXfvMkCAryAo1vkUCH3QiDL3OnZ-_JGQbkj_4SXhTnC0h_X4mBWW6zA19BGQ8Gx6FJdbkLZ2-q_ZvEfJZdn2/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346459857624379090" border="0" /></a>I also picked up a couple of fun fabric fat quarters, a stencil (another Laura Murray original), some odd bits of fiber and a few packets of embroidery needles from France. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy0hqK6a7Xv3Qms4SCkRPMEcA3RWnelY41dAZsI7-mh3UZkz4vN5rZT4hflIAfvaDvEjdbWXRsiHWlgC4lKhwt3s4dK6NwaHIqGUYJTlMFCDLtXRagIrRpaUrw8AQzY4oTsudymBxsL61/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBy0hqK6a7Xv3Qms4SCkRPMEcA3RWnelY41dAZsI7-mh3UZkz4vN5rZT4hflIAfvaDvEjdbWXRsiHWlgC4lKhwt3s4dK6NwaHIqGUYJTlMFCDLtXRagIrRpaUrw8AQzY4oTsudymBxsL61/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346458122517864626" border="0" /></a>This gorgeous rayon ribbon was hand dyed by <a href="http://www.qtstudio.com/">Wendy Richardson</a> a local fiber artists of exceptional talent. Her booth is a tactile and visual feast as is Laura Murray's booth. Laura and Wendy are such generous and talented artists to chat with and the products that they sell are wonderful. We are lucky here in Minnesota to have such creative people in our community.<br />I love going to quilt shows. I am always so inspired by the wonderful quilts that people have made and it makes me want to rush home and start creating myself. I'll admit that the shopping is always nice too and it's great to have pretty new stuff to inspire my latest creative endeavor.pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-23525947718391081392009-06-10T12:34:00.014-05:002009-06-12T09:20:15.333-05:00Galadriel's Closet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMGp2QH7KMmfSja2kNAj7cdjLo4PJTVm9bcLPilR0FQxksEFlZFn4QoUw260b4TmE5bLBJO50jLLM3lv_xY0BIMJlZ39lnoNXDHMb1YQIadacP5WiysPmVAn4dqGbjfQsPxk8IlQJIg6f/s1600-h/DSC_0002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMGp2QH7KMmfSja2kNAj7cdjLo4PJTVm9bcLPilR0FQxksEFlZFn4QoUw260b4TmE5bLBJO50jLLM3lv_xY0BIMJlZ39lnoNXDHMb1YQIadacP5WiysPmVAn4dqGbjfQsPxk8IlQJIg6f/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346445168906309890" border="0" /></a><br />It all began with a conversation with my gal pal Carmelita <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fantastica</span>. She wondered if I had seen the latest issue of Stitch magazine. ( <a href="http://www.embroiderersguild.com/stitch/">'Stitch with the Embroiderer's Guild'</a> is an amazing British magazine that never fails to knock my socks off with each and every issue. I am more than willing to drive 25 miles to buy it at the nearest bookstore that carries it, in fact I'd drive further for my bi monthly fix of creative inspiration).<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRAZtL2-Xycz0V00a3j2KuaJMfFtKC_0mp8N6yaoVxFdLZiv7FH8IqAkOYtFXw38IxZP2rf1eMnAgkik2AAj2Gtsr7Lg6Ew9AHRS-dNdNjBciPP56ZBe7GfhN3LP7MTGS2jgbAxpiVGA/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRAZtL2-Xycz0V00a3j2KuaJMfFtKC_0mp8N6yaoVxFdLZiv7FH8IqAkOYtFXw38IxZP2rf1eMnAgkik2AAj2Gtsr7Lg6Ew9AHRS-dNdNjBciPP56ZBe7GfhN3LP7MTGS2jgbAxpiVGA/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779567216831698" border="0" /></a>Anyway, Carmelita noticed that there were little mini corsets on the front cover of the current issue and she knew immediately that my future would be filled with little mini corsets. She knows me well, that Carmelita. She's experienced first hand my obsession with tiny and impossibly intricate needlework projects. Carmelita told me to get busy creating and that she would be expecting a mini corset <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ATC</span> by the following week, thank you very much. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYPaarPRH-T4n5rnJR9be_69-DLQklSTetaLkQLZf2JQn-ln2L_JBiuwsgO3SZPfeW27GOoWdBCpcCkUS8wcmSCUyPo3SopSmhlnpy4iG2T1CU9DmX6tsTkuyKdjhUDTHNbEJojv7ZEB4/s1600-h/DSC_0009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYPaarPRH-T4n5rnJR9be_69-DLQklSTetaLkQLZf2JQn-ln2L_JBiuwsgO3SZPfeW27GOoWdBCpcCkUS8wcmSCUyPo3SopSmhlnpy4iG2T1CU9DmX6tsTkuyKdjhUDTHNbEJojv7ZEB4/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345780064366295906" border="0" /></a> I've always wanted to try my hand at Artist Trading Cards and this seemed like a good opportunity. I've made lots of fiber postcards and journal quilts, but have never worked with the 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" size of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ATC</span>. Considering my love of all things wee, it's strange that it took me so long to jump on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ATC</span> bandwagon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-tfQpGjnZGE7rZ_Fw6SAtgeuUWDoMD3plAIkcdLGlQxAUQ84PuLASf4KrBdoaV4fw0qpAz28XrSA091-cw4Dglvlp-At2y0KMNBq2yFPh9ojTY7pBfS0FCm3kxa-_zQXzbs-DemZ_a8/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U-tfQpGjnZGE7rZ_Fw6SAtgeuUWDoMD3plAIkcdLGlQxAUQ84PuLASf4KrBdoaV4fw0qpAz28XrSA091-cw4Dglvlp-At2y0KMNBq2yFPh9ojTY7pBfS0FCm3kxa-_zQXzbs-DemZ_a8/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779573609359634" border="0" /></a> Right away I thought about creating fanciful corsets that could be worn by diminutive fairies. I tried to imagine what kind of wardrobe I would want if I were a small fairy and the title <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Galadriel's</span> Closet popped into my head. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Hmm</span>, I could create corsets for a fairy named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Galadriel</span>....Excellent! But I still felt like I needed a little something else for inspiration.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6dnSkRMuj_TbjLIvfl4LivWXS0a_CfFQb4fqrd1fFcRo906CUWRXWR9YeAopvYvHA51Dy1e4rxeejsg188hnBhseS-03XkbT07ttlK70TGuNO-Zyk-efKiGyn5KxnbgeSEP9FCxCRAOv/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 246px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6dnSkRMuj_TbjLIvfl4LivWXS0a_CfFQb4fqrd1fFcRo906CUWRXWR9YeAopvYvHA51Dy1e4rxeejsg188hnBhseS-03XkbT07ttlK70TGuNO-Zyk-efKiGyn5KxnbgeSEP9FCxCRAOv/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779375880635314" border="0" /></a>I absolutely love going to textile exhibits that feature historical clothing. Exhibits with names like "A Parisian Ladies Boudoir" or "Lace from the Closet of Madame <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Bouvier</span>" make me swoon with delight. So I decided that I would create a series of corsets as if I were preparing to exhibit them in a whimsical fairy museum. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3vQe_z0FDaUxXZJF-z8p8-NWT830BkIIBleuLb78DlJup-juemdj5oX0j00WeVNxjDo1pPgDJOPQcJeEvh3ZR3U-VEPtS-RJ2DR0wXuOp2Xx3f-CzBFKFMqNnElgNd2zhXEeb7VJcEnI/s1600-h/DSC_0007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3vQe_z0FDaUxXZJF-z8p8-NWT830BkIIBleuLb78DlJup-juemdj5oX0j00WeVNxjDo1pPgDJOPQcJeEvh3ZR3U-VEPtS-RJ2DR0wXuOp2Xx3f-CzBFKFMqNnElgNd2zhXEeb7VJcEnI/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346445179901853586" border="0" /></a>I thought I could write up descriptions on the back of the card about where and when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Galadrial</span> wore each corset. Like this: "Lady <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Galadriel</span> first wore this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">embroidered</span> corset for the Autumnal Equinox Feast and Dancing Gala. It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">became</span> a favorite outfit of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hers</span> when hosting elvish dignitaries from distant lands....".<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cPW9y0dJDg0phqlAnx2nCkjGJkOSGg6naB3hkfbaIlzgP52P8MLK6Lr68VDtNT5pfQBdWpUh5RAWLYugGvC-c6Q2r29NGiuGCsF1sgo93zU2CJDCcScwTyOQBCeEiEHve1O0h5thHj1a/s1600-h/DSC_0005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cPW9y0dJDg0phqlAnx2nCkjGJkOSGg6naB3hkfbaIlzgP52P8MLK6Lr68VDtNT5pfQBdWpUh5RAWLYugGvC-c6Q2r29NGiuGCsF1sgo93zU2CJDCcScwTyOQBCeEiEHve1O0h5thHj1a/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779360455629138" border="0" /></a>The corset shape is cut from two pieces of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Peltex</span> fused together. I covered each of them with fine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">ultrasuede</span>. I gathered up small bits of lace from my stash and painted them with alcohol inks. I've found that alcohol inks work wonderfully on small bits of fabric and lace. The colors are rich and vibrant and they dry super fast. The pieces that I thought were too saturated with color, I washed in the sink with soap and water. This really helped to soften the colors up a bit. I glued on the lace with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">FabriTac</span> and added some ruffles with bits of organza fabric and ribbon. Next, I pulled out my favorite size 14 beads and gave the corsets a bit of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">bling</span>. The card itself is made from silk <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">dupioni</span> fused to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Peltex</span>. I zigzagged trim around the edges of the card to finish it off. I printed '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Galadriel's</span> Closet' on fabric and I colored them with watercolors. The corsets are glued to the card with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">FabriTac</span>.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58F3iRHA_eJrzRhKMDYaIMr7KZjt7u62mU03C4c69akLsuVYx8K9IArLm7arip8CPVhrLT9iYC7xQVULQTVStmAAJXujKq4xgnulp6Lc3iYbn6I8x-ivjAlyCSbm7tEFeJuUJScATAK12/s1600-h/DSC_0006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 243px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg58F3iRHA_eJrzRhKMDYaIMr7KZjt7u62mU03C4c69akLsuVYx8K9IArLm7arip8CPVhrLT9iYC7xQVULQTVStmAAJXujKq4xgnulp6Lc3iYbn6I8x-ivjAlyCSbm7tEFeJuUJScATAK12/s320/DSC_0006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779366111882994" border="0" /></a>I am in no way finished with my adventures in fairy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">corsetry</span>. I envision creating a series of corsets using some of my favorite needlework techniques. How about a set of embroidered silk ribbon corsets? Or a set of bead embroidered corsets? Or maybe a set of teeny tiny crazy quilt corsets? I suspect <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Galadriel's</span> Closet is going to to be expanding very soon.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaqI0mEcCHe8pGp4sZWBEGZOKVXO-zYgdUiC0CMztNnekCOTxL4TgC4Pl8FxkRnxatfbCd42NRh7Eby9LG_RGy_v37Bf7NMzDxBhaiIHUZ1t866FOHo1JNUjRVVVdq3HToPo0GFtyqHSr/s1600-h/DSC_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaqI0mEcCHe8pGp4sZWBEGZOKVXO-zYgdUiC0CMztNnekCOTxL4TgC4Pl8FxkRnxatfbCd42NRh7Eby9LG_RGy_v37Bf7NMzDxBhaiIHUZ1t866FOHo1JNUjRVVVdq3HToPo0GFtyqHSr/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345779355614070866" border="0" /></a>So....now that I've made some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">ATC's</span>.... does anyone wanna trade with me?pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-20235470591506136212009-05-05T15:20:00.009-05:002009-05-06T08:38:10.605-05:00Sweet Treat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Adym8_np406-V_bvSTOIUbgRiZYSp40_KgvzsEg6qP4gQmOy8IQm2lUeUGIVd3LUOGy7ouILTL5SE_ydvOvOC1SxYYKm_m9L8tDujvPg_WdvgTE5b-l3iHFkg6HTOpFstpkbbLbLyUdu/s1600-h/DSC_0022.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Adym8_np406-V_bvSTOIUbgRiZYSp40_KgvzsEg6qP4gQmOy8IQm2lUeUGIVd3LUOGy7ouILTL5SE_ydvOvOC1SxYYKm_m9L8tDujvPg_WdvgTE5b-l3iHFkg6HTOpFstpkbbLbLyUdu/s320/DSC_0022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332441056897632786" border="0" /></a>This silly little confection may look pretty, but all you'd taste is fuzzy wool felt if you bit into it. I just finished making this today and I swear I still have a sugar high from creating such a sweet little cake-let.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrcWh_WMljkdcIYotRE5I8Nkc5TIH5bS8CC-Wyw58jzf9dsTYLcsfHlcaz-gLe1CfvC3m-7XfZUIDITSfRwtyJdOz-PC2JnOntFBkr6IrlzlRogT5zkJbpOPYyX0u6NHOYbJJtKUffqim/s1600-h/DSC_0011_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrcWh_WMljkdcIYotRE5I8Nkc5TIH5bS8CC-Wyw58jzf9dsTYLcsfHlcaz-gLe1CfvC3m-7XfZUIDITSfRwtyJdOz-PC2JnOntFBkr6IrlzlRogT5zkJbpOPYyX0u6NHOYbJJtKUffqim/s320/DSC_0011_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332437521344559010" border="0" /></a>The inspiration for this came from this incredible little Japanese craft book that I bought at a quilt show a few weeks back. My Mom, Adrian and I road trip to Chicago every spring for the International Quilt Festival. Along with the many wonderful quilt exhibits there is a massive shopping area that can best be described as mecca, Valhalla and heaven for anyone obsessed with all things fiber artsy. The show always lands near my birthday so I usually have a pocket full of birthday cash to spend on wonderful treasures. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc672KsAo3X1inNBVlkPJ7x7ljb0JSGzt3eoPS1Bzf_eFtqBTQaRvi0C2ohiLe2JRNhFM0uZ7izLhJDTZacf8qmyvicyPLmIuFt3F0iQ82AaDX7E0cspuWSX6bcrwsiOueKXgwf-gqniz/s1600-h/DSC_0015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc672KsAo3X1inNBVlkPJ7x7ljb0JSGzt3eoPS1Bzf_eFtqBTQaRvi0C2ohiLe2JRNhFM0uZ7izLhJDTZacf8qmyvicyPLmIuFt3F0iQ82AaDX7E0cspuWSX6bcrwsiOueKXgwf-gqniz/s320/DSC_0015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332529490972396674" border="0" /></a> This year I came across a booth that nearly took my breath away. The company was called Sunfelt and the entire booth looked like a lilliputian patisserie. There were dainty plates of the most amazing felt confections every where you looked and the quirky young Japanese entrepreneurs who staffed the booth were delightful. I immediately purchased one of the books and a lofty stack of really fabulous wool felt. The book is written in Japanese, but it doesn't really matter because there's so many great pictures detailing each step. It's called 'Cakes Made of Felt' and is published by Ondori. The book is a great jumping off place for the ambitious craftster who doesn't like to follow directions that much anyway. I came up with my own pattern for the cake and sort of followed directions for the strawberries and cream puff. The berries I came up with on my own.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaSL-ogxvXAI8LdQkb_QH9FBR_IM-Ka4oyD-1vtdf2OYk_5TCXZuq2nQLRBmUNnZ8-v1aJSeInH0KJB5MnbpcqYkTBKNjYlrwU_HJ52QT1nhyphenhypheniHq0NhoNjEUjqOK4LibBGUxIFYaNYQIC/s1600-h/DSC_0009_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaSL-ogxvXAI8LdQkb_QH9FBR_IM-Ka4oyD-1vtdf2OYk_5TCXZuq2nQLRBmUNnZ8-v1aJSeInH0KJB5MnbpcqYkTBKNjYlrwU_HJ52QT1nhyphenhypheniHq0NhoNjEUjqOK4LibBGUxIFYaNYQIC/s320/DSC_0009_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332437513022756834" border="0" /></a>This little cake was so seriously flippin' fun to make that I wanted to do cartwheels, tap dance and sing the whole time I was stitching. It's a tiny little thing too, smaller than an average cupcake, maybe the size of a Hostess Hoho. I am going to have to make another one very soon because I didn't get to play with it nearly as much as I would have liked. As soon as I completed it, I packed it up and sent it off to my dearest, loveliest mama for Mother's Day. I hope she is as charmed by it as I am.pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-8977315254248888552009-03-23T10:34:00.007-05:002009-03-23T11:33:16.535-05:00Al Fresco Knitting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVODII-EnfIsAvVt0NJyoCVctOQUHgpIRuYEqmYCdohtFaAeKRyrg98rvrhhy9qlIP9rmQ1I32ToUZHkdGEj9m9PsNZPe15QGtAnWIoJjGZwWFUjDA4lW5ybPtArBCmJJEmsyTUQibFFB/s1600-h/DSC_0014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVODII-EnfIsAvVt0NJyoCVctOQUHgpIRuYEqmYCdohtFaAeKRyrg98rvrhhy9qlIP9rmQ1I32ToUZHkdGEj9m9PsNZPe15QGtAnWIoJjGZwWFUjDA4lW5ybPtArBCmJJEmsyTUQibFFB/s320/DSC_0014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316417032402754178" border="0" /></a>Yesterday I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather we've been enjoying here in Minnesota and carried my current knitting project outside for a bit of al fresco knittery. It was sunny and warm enough to sit outside without a jacket, but breezy enough that the sweater I am knitting felt cozy and warm draped across my lap.<br /> The sweater is a top down raglan cardigan knit from cascade 220 summer sky heather. The lace pattern is simple and was easy to memorize. I had done quite a bit of knitting on it last week so by yesterday I had just three more inches to knit until the sweater body was complete. Unfortunately, one row of a top down raglan takes a long time to knit. Since the sweater is knit in the round, the row consists of the entire circumference of the sweater. This would not take too long if you were shaped like a heroin-chic supermodel, but my body is shaped more like the iconic venus of willendorf and therefore requires substantially more knitting to complete a sweater.<br />So I spent yesterday afternoon in my lawn chair, enjoying the sun and knitting away on my sweater. I was determined to finish that afternoon and as it turned out, I needed less than two inches of knitting until the sweater was long enough. It was a lovely surprise, finishing early, and if all goes as planned I should be wearing my new sweater by the end of the week. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjEaurfUofp0VrKvpAqHf0dscfTWKOk_nswQIIKnQ2ZqtdZURiLmwiwcAeE8rEnJ5ryY2R7QFbZFxJMCwSzx30EV5soHCszQhap0oY4jEQpIwNfVKDR_8EKxz2Y6C7YRmM2Uy5Mflx4_q/s1600-h/DSC_0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjEaurfUofp0VrKvpAqHf0dscfTWKOk_nswQIIKnQ2ZqtdZURiLmwiwcAeE8rEnJ5ryY2R7QFbZFxJMCwSzx30EV5soHCszQhap0oY4jEQpIwNfVKDR_8EKxz2Y6C7YRmM2Uy5Mflx4_q/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316417011857385634" border="0" /></a>pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3775321551547263923.post-33106170502371715412009-03-13T14:04:00.007-05:002009-03-13T15:12:01.264-05:00I Heart Bryophytes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SVepSd6FeLerYsStuvWc8OyZ80sWGC57E05_JN8MAhsqS1nWcCQQ5cAXygz8wzGUqQTCv3hXgMlnrtNxMPxXCKHosdiTBSwEH_FIevBBMLaSIcTrRA4SdplHti5P8U53H2guWqw-I1_u/s1600-h/DSC01785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SVepSd6FeLerYsStuvWc8OyZ80sWGC57E05_JN8MAhsqS1nWcCQQ5cAXygz8wzGUqQTCv3hXgMlnrtNxMPxXCKHosdiTBSwEH_FIevBBMLaSIcTrRA4SdplHti5P8U53H2guWqw-I1_u/s320/DSC01785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312759236118667026" border="0" /></a>I was looking at some old photos today and I came across some shots that I took while I was up in Alaska a couple of years ago. I went for a hike in this amazing coastal rain forest. The cedar trees were enormous and the plant life was wonderfully diverse. The fecundity of this magical place was evident by the rich, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">spoungy</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bryophytes</span> that carpeted the rocks and trees and forest floor.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsk1JIhpNPCTE-qj7yIVvwmPYiO-7QpEpDFA3uqNuo55nLz2SvGAWkYe4MVmSRufXBpoheg3MSC4Ne3HdkbaEW0SfuBvNXsymZwxp7ir111USk5vBASVJn4mMOFJWtPqbOt0IGOrv0qCE/s1600-h/DSC01762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsk1JIhpNPCTE-qj7yIVvwmPYiO-7QpEpDFA3uqNuo55nLz2SvGAWkYe4MVmSRufXBpoheg3MSC4Ne3HdkbaEW0SfuBvNXsymZwxp7ir111USk5vBASVJn4mMOFJWtPqbOt0IGOrv0qCE/s320/DSC01762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312759230687914146" border="0" /></a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bryophyte</span> is a fancy high <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">falutin</span>' scientific name for mosses and liverworts. I think it's just about my favorite type of plant life, although I am rather fond of lichens as well. A lichen is a cross between a fungus and a green algae and it often grows on trees and rocks. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oj6705i3aXTBz1Dtu3g6sHX-t70Do5j-naJy7hQQ2wvrnr8icCcBh9xylsvuOgXTXUuPxE4Ys8WAyCeVLwNi1WfFPAyrfpKsfKtCsTv9_5GwrJTlCEH6VzIm_drjNfQeX8SFEK2y3W1i/s1600-h/DSC01786.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oj6705i3aXTBz1Dtu3g6sHX-t70Do5j-naJy7hQQ2wvrnr8icCcBh9xylsvuOgXTXUuPxE4Ys8WAyCeVLwNi1WfFPAyrfpKsfKtCsTv9_5GwrJTlCEH6VzIm_drjNfQeX8SFEK2y3W1i/s320/DSC01786.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312759239233184482" border="0" /></a> Mosses look much more plant-like than lichens and if you look up close you can see that mosses have tiny stems and leaves. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ZyJHBfrOxetVbB8lSdK7unNcmN6XGmmU56XL5UGaI0ol8LyYkP6nUuVsXnBVmRcQgAzdlUefvReFR5qs3Ub5fxb-PkhjCpAChACxwHkCKDJec3GTZTXQMhtY3lzGuh3AC5HLewQIgks/s1600-h/800px-RedMoss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ZyJHBfrOxetVbB8lSdK7unNcmN6XGmmU56XL5UGaI0ol8LyYkP6nUuVsXnBVmRcQgAzdlUefvReFR5qs3Ub5fxb-PkhjCpAChACxwHkCKDJec3GTZTXQMhtY3lzGuh3AC5HLewQIgks/s320/800px-RedMoss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312760313696016930" border="0" /></a>I didn't take this picture of the gorgeous red moss, but maybe this year I'll be able to take a similar one with my fancy new camera and the macro lens that the birthday lizard will hopefully be bringing me this year. Does the birthday lizard visit your house? In my family the birthday lizard always delivers wonderful gifts to all who are worthy. The birthday lizard is kind of like a cross between Santa and the Easter Bunny, but in reptilian form.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI4JAv5XLcd3duv7T10phz5LXZ1Tc5zwrWgmPaq_xQwPvkqGs0uUAcPw71sLOcdMfij7kUDomPiVoRPEc-U8rV33639UzP69QjAggEv1Ze7iAtFLAjHVkNcnQVxZSpgQlimz1_JmBYG-z/s1600-h/DSC01761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxI4JAv5XLcd3duv7T10phz5LXZ1Tc5zwrWgmPaq_xQwPvkqGs0uUAcPw71sLOcdMfij7kUDomPiVoRPEc-U8rV33639UzP69QjAggEv1Ze7iAtFLAjHVkNcnQVxZSpgQlimz1_JmBYG-z/s320/DSC01761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312759223604936306" border="0" /></a>There's something magical about mosses. I feel like if I look close enough I'll be able to see an entire world that lives within the the soft, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">spoungy</span> landscape. I'm sure there are tiny fairies living in the moss land. I haven't actually seen them, but I'll bet they are there. I mean, if you were a fairy, wouldn't you want to live in the moss, in a coastal rain forest with enormous cedar trees?pam ehlers stechttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13250704845112781815noreply@blogger.com1