Pink Skull Embroidery

Noah from Skull-A-Day is having a 'Laughing Skull Stencil' contest for a signed copy of his SKULLS book, which is now out of print. I saw the post yesterday. I've been mostly off the computer prior to Christmas so I had to do some quick thinking of what I wanted to do. I wanted something different than cutting the stencil and spraying or dabbing some paint into it. So, finally I made a decision, pulled some fabric and some floss out and started stitching away tonight. The deadline is at midnight. I didn't know if I'd make it in time, but I did. The drawing of the winner is random, using the stencil was just the way to get into the contest. 5 hours of stitching and this is the result. It measures 3-3/4" high.

I found Noah's book a few years ago at the bookstore, which lead me to his blog, and I've been a follower ever since. It would be cool to win his signed copy, sort of a full circle kinda thing.

Now I'm going to go enjoy some tea and sweet potato pie.

Yum.

Lots and Lots of DMC Embroidery Floss!

My friend Angela bought a DMC box of floss at the thrift store that she volunteers at, she wanted the box, not the floss...so she sent the floss to me knowing I'd go ga-ga over it!! and I did! 419 skeins. Newer, not vintage! They came neatly jumbled in the Priority Mail box, I separated the colors and took a count. 419! woooo hoooo yippy yi yayyyy!

I just told R. that if I die before it's gone, it goes to his daughter M. She'll lovvvvve it!

I just ordered 500 bobbins off ebay.

Wind Wind Wind Wind Wind...I'll be doing it for hours and then they can join my other 100 bobbins I've been winding lately of my mom's (vintage) floss and collected thrifted floss.

Oh happy day!

I'm so easy to please. :-)

A Trade, A Swap, A Cat , A Dog

A long while back, I saw this little guy on my blogger friend Cindi's Flickr page and had to have him.

I asked if she'd be interested in a trade. She said, 'yes' without even knowing or asking what she was getting in return. I told her she didn't have to send it out right away because what I wanted to send her I hadn't made, yet. As you may know if you've been hanging around here awhile....I procrastinate. I knew the subject matter I wanted to use, just wasn't sure of the medium, so, of course, I had to wait until the stars aligned just right before I started. Those stars took a damn long time.

She sent her little paper mache kitty out right away.

Then, she patiently waited -- so long that I've lost count of the months. Bad me. Bad. Bad. Bad.

But, alas, I finally decided on the medium and I finally finished the project and I finally sent it.

An embroidered portrait of her dog, Blue.

Made out of already used or old materials. The frame was a thrift store find that I painted, the background fabric was from a shirt, the white fabric from a shirt, the embroidery floss - vintage - from my mom's stash from the 70s. 

and for a little size perspective....

She received it. She loved it. I love that she loved it.

End of story.

Hope you've had a great day!!!