Embroidered Pillowcases

Have you seen the stamped pillowcases at the craft store? My grandmother taught me to embroider using a pair of pillowcases. You might think of stamped embroidery patterns as too basic, but they can actually turn out quite pretty.

My only complaint is that I wish they were available on a higher thread count fabric since they are sometimes a bit stiff.

Embroidered pillowcases definitely add a touch of beauty to a bedroom and there is a sense of joy every time you put them on a pillow.

Starting New Projects

I generally have at least a dozen projects in a variety of crafts in progress at any given time. Sometimes I work on a single project for an extended period, but, more often, I work on multiple projects each day.

Starting 6 new projects the same day is a bit unusual, but I couldn't decide which knitting project to start first. So, I started a dishcloth, 2 scarves, 2 pairs of socks, and a mug cozy. I did finish several sewing projects before starting new knitting projects. However, I already had several knitting projects, a crochet afghan, and multiple embroidery projects in the works.

Having multiple projects going at the same time seems to be a common affliction among crafters. Perhaps it's because our creative minds have so many ideas floating around inside that we find it difficult to focus on a single one for too long. Or maybe that's just me?

One advantage to having multiple projects going is that I sometimes finish several at once which is intensely satisfying.

Mixing small projects that are quick to complete with projects that are huge or that take forever like a large cross-stitch project or a quilt or afghan helps to balance the satisfaction of completion with projects that I get bored with.

Working on projects in a variety of crafts helps me to continue to make things when I have to limit how long I can work on a single project, too. Cross-stitching over 2 threads is something I can only do for short periods before my eyes get tired. Crochet, needlepoint, or plastic canvas also have to be limited because of hand pain. Knitting, however, is the one thing I can do for a long stretch of time and that actually seems to ease hand pain.

I also do painting and sketching. Painting and working in an art journal have really helped with my color sense. Sketching has helped me see things differently and to look for details that I might normally miss.

Recently, I've also noticed more projects incorporating embroidery on knitting. Occasionally knitting projects may use a crocheted edging. Quilt patterns are sometimes used in knitted, crocheted, cross-stitched or plastic canvas projects. Cross-stitch patterns are sometimes translated into filet crochet patterns or even into intarsia knitting projects.

So, while some crafters may do only one craft, many of them have multiple pursuits. Working in multiple crafts creates more ideas, helps you see projects in different ways, and helps with inspiration by offering variety.

Learning a specific craft is similar to learning a language or learning a musical instrument. Each language you learn makes adding a new one less difficult. Learning one musical instrument makes picking up a new one easier. And, for each needlecraft skill you add to your arsenal, it becomes easier to learn others.

Even if you only do one craft, you might enjoy reading about others. I've tried a large number of crafts and still do quite a few, but the list of crafts I want to try is even longer. So, what about you? How many different crafts do you enjoy and what would you like to learn to do?

Russian Needlepoint Pillow

 I bought this as a DMC kit on clearance a few years ago. I didn't care for the yarn included with it and switched it out for my own yarn. I am so happy with how it turned out and how colorful it is. It really brightens up the couch.

When I finished the stitching, I washed and blocked it so the yarn fibers would be closer together before sewing the back on and putting a pillow inside.

Crochet Correction

 I'm making the Granny Stripe Afghan from Attic 24. I originally started it as a stash buster and quickly realized I actually didn't have enough stash yarn to make it. That's why there are some single stripes in the beginning. Also, I realized later that the red was wool not acrylic like the others. And the more rows I added, the tighter the foundation red wool seemed to become. Unfortunately, I had done way too many stripes to want to rip it out and start over. And, while you aren't supposed to be able to rip the foundation out of crochet, I decided it was worth the risk.

 First, I cut off the foundation chain and the top half of the Granny Stripe.

 Then, working on 6-10 stitches at a time, I cut between the stitches.

 Next, I slip stitched a ball of blue yarn to match the second granny stripe row to the edge. Then, for each stitch, I slipped the crochet hook through the loops at the bottom/top, pulled out the loose red threads, and pulled the blue yarn through the loops to hold them together. After that, I chained three before moving on to the next stitch.

As you can see here, it actually worked fairly well. Since I plan to make multiple border rows, I'll be able to cover over these stitches in the end and hide any twists. If I was making something I didn't plan to add a border to, this would not work nearly as well. Also, since this is going to be a couch afghan for my husband and I plus the cat and the dog to snuggle under, having a less than perfect beginning row doesn't bother me and no one else will mind either. Plus, it did loosen up the bottom row without my having to rip out a bunch of other rows.

My Ravelry page for this project is here.

Messy Desk=Happy Desk?

You know the saying that a messy desk is a happy desk? Well, this picture pretty much sums up how my desk looks the majority of the time. Actually, it's a little less messy than usual in this picture. And, what is on it varies depending on what I'm working on at the time. Here, I'm playing in my art journal with acrylic paints.

I almost always have a hot drink nearby. My current favorite is Earl Grey tea. Although, yesterday I bought a basket from a street vendor that must have been smoked because it smells exactly like Lapsang Souchong tea. The cat has been rubbing all over it and I'm craving Lapsang Souchong tea. My mother always says it smells like bacon. It has a very robust flavor that is just perfect for drinking all alone. No sweetener and no milk. I have yet to be able to find it in the Land of Tea even though it originates here, but I'm enjoying smelling my basket.

My original plan was to fill it with yarn scraps on my desk, but I'm debating on whether having my yarn smell like tea/smoke is a good idea. 

What's your desk look like? Is it messy most of the time? Piled with an array of paints, crochet, knitting, embroidery, colored pencils and more? Or do you prefer to work from a clean and tidy desk?