Kitten Update

Briar is getting so big! He is thoroughly integrated into the house – and he’s getting along beautifully with the other cats. Here, his chinny chin chin is being scratched by DH. He is extremely lovable – and enjoys being held and cuddled.

Chains…My Baby’s Got Me Locked up in Chains...

I’ve made a start on my chain stitches. Searching the web for inspiration, I found this article on Victorian stitches and wanted to try the double chain stitch right away. I’m not sure if I laced it correctly. Or maybe I should have made the chains bigger? The next is one of my favorites, the open chain. Last, is another version of the double chain, a new stitch to me that I really enjoyed.


Speaking of Victorian things, I found this interesting post on scrapbooking. Scroll down to see pictures from an actual surviving 1880s children’s scrapbook with pages covered in cloth and bound with buttonhole stitches – everything old is new, again…

Back to My Stitch-Along Sampler…

It’s been awhile since I did any stitching on this. Here is a detailed image of a row of alternating half-buttonhole wheels (with fly stitches) and a knotted buttonhole band. Oh boy, am I out of practice… I’m sure there are plenty more buttonhole varieties to explore, but I think I’m going to move on to chain stitches which are similar in execution.

Pin Tangle

I’m sure everyone knows by now, but SharonB has a new blog with a wonderful new look and a very clever name, Pin Tangle. To me, it sounds like a play on the name Pentangle – one of my all-time favorite musical groups.

A Lovely ATC from France...

I received this beauty from Vero of Au Fil du Jardin. I am truly delighted with it. Thanks again, Vero!

Another Santa Finished...

Merrick’s name is English and means “sea ruler.” I had lots of fun with this one. I don’t know why I keep making sea-themed Santas. It’s not like there’s a big demand or anything. I just like making ‘em…

Vintage Fabric for Santa

Some time ago, I mentioned that my friend (and neighbor) jewelry designer Linda Bertino (visit her wonderful Etsy shop, here) gave me some vintage fabrics for my Santa dolls. Here is a detail of a Santa jacket I’m currently making using a remnant of old upholstery material that she gave me. I love the needlepoint look of this fabric. I used the contrasting selvedge edge for the “placket” and finished all the other edges by turning up the hems and adding blanket stitches. I had just enough of the fabric to make a jacket and cap. And I have some vintage fringe that matches – I love when that happens!