Sunday, June 1, 2014

Trial, Error, and Distractions

 With the beginning of each new month I like to plan out some goals I want to accomplish in the weeks ahead. The first step in this process is to take a few minutes to review where I stand at the end of the previous month's work. Today what I found to my credit was a lot of trial, error, and distraction! 
 
During May I made my first attempt at binding together a larger, more people
friendly version of Attic Days.
 
 In the process I discovered the order in which I had the pages arranged and printed was all mixed up. I fudged it a bit but ultimately that little shiny disk dear hubby created for me to take to the printers will have to be altered. Whoops!
 
 I also found striped fabric was too hard to work with. It shows every little pull out of alignment and drives me crazy! Next time I'll try a calico print and hope it's much more forgiving.
 
 Strange but true, my biggest obstacle turned out to be this....possibly the best Doll News ever! Every article was amazing. Most were directly related to Tasha Tudor in some way but those that weren't still made me think of her because of their focus on doll play.
 
Until every word was devoured it was a huge distraction to creative work of any sort. At first I said to myself I would read one article with every teatime break I took. Trouble was I found myself taking tea far too often. Eventually my stomach ached something terrible and so I had to put down both the cuppas and the companion cookies I was gobbling up.
 
 And then there was this old friend and bane of my existence....
Lucy's velvet pincushion!
 
 I do believe I've spent more time taking out stitches than putting them in.
I just can't seem to get it to look the way I want.
But then again, sometimes I don't even know what I want!
 
 What I do know is that I love this book upon which the cushion sits. It's called Cape Random and is the most amazing story set in nineteenth century Newfoundland. Reading about the hardscrabble life those early settlers had makes the trials and tribulations of a velvet cushion seem positively trifling!
 
 Anyone remember the little "Spool" quilt block I put in the book?
 
 Well I had a go at making one up last week and goodness were my patchwork skills lacking.
I loved working with the floral fabrics however...
 
...so much so in fact I couldn't help but head outside.
Talk about distractions, there were about a million things needing attention out there and most of them were weeds!
 
But June is here now and with it a whole new round of days to try things out and hopefully find some success to share along the way....
 
 


15 comments:

  1. Well your velvet pincushion is a lot prettier and flasher than ours...but then Hitty Ethel ran it up ever so quickly! Lucy seems happy with it fortunately.

    That is just what I have found trying to cover books with striped fabric - getting those lines straight is indeed a trial!

    Oh that magazine looks wonderful, wish we could get it here! Mind you I don't need any more distractions at the moment.

    Loving the little patchwork quilt block.

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    1. You tell Hitty Ethel anything made with love has an inner beauty that far exceeds flashy decoration! It's good to know all is well over at Rose Cottage. Give my best to everyone, natalie jo

      PS - I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with striped fabric issues!

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  2. . . . it sounds as if you are "flitting" . . . LOL as am I . . . must be "spring fever" . . . and now that the girlies are coming I am even worse !! . . .

    hope to see you soon . . .

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    1. Flitting it certainly is dear friend. So glad to have a name for it!

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  3. lovely...
    eliane
    http://elianeapkroker.blogspot.com.br/

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  4. Everything you do is perfection! I just finished CAPE RANDOM. Couldn't put it down until I finished it! Waiting for the sequel. I should have paid for faster shipping! In the meantime, I re-watched the mini series......just as fascinating as I remembered! I had to start another book while waiting, so I'm reading THE HOUSEGIRL.

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    1. I just finished it last night too! I was the same way, couldn't put it down! And now I've already got the sequel on my nightstand just waiting for me to get through dinner and evening chores! Be sure to let me know how THE HPOUSE GIRL is...

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  5. I may have to look for a copy of that issue of Doll News. I've never read any of the collector magazines for dolls (aside from the Stampington & Co. publications) but you've piqued my interest.

    Speaking of distractions, right now there's a pair of house sparrows outside my studio window, fluttering in the arborvitae looking for bugs to eat...!

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    1. Honestly, it's my favorite issue ever! You might find a copy on Ebay if your interested.

      Wishing we had some house sparrows...what fun they must be to watch! I'll trade you for the oh so lovely woodpecker that has a fondness for waking us up each morning!

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  6. Hello Natalie jo,
    I completely understand taking too many tea times with the Dolls News. I agree, too, the best one yet. Why? Filled with some of my favorite dollmakers-espeically Tasha Tudor and Christine Crocker! Oh how lovely the dolls are jumping off the pages:- ) That pin cushion of yours is a delight-I hope to see it finished soon. The red velvet is rich and your present stitching looking quite pretty.
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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  7. ps. Natlie jo, if your on Facebook you really should join our page Take Peace for all discussion Tasha Tudor-you would enjoy it:-)
    Blessings,
    Suzanne

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    1. Oh Suzanne I am so delighted to hear from you!

      Many thanks to you for popping in and for sharing the information about the Take Peace page. I've already been over Facebook way and put in my request...hope to join the fun real soon!

      Happy Wishes,
      natalie jo

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  8. Hi Natalie! :D Oh what a sweet little book you've made! What a fun project!
    And I need to find that magazine! How amazing that it was all tasha themed! And yes-- come join us at the Take Peace group. Its so much fun!~

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    1. Heather, I have my fingers crossed that you will find a copy of this newest Doll Reader as I'm certain you will love it! I did join Take Peace and oh my yes it does look like a fun group of kindred spirits!

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