Friday, October 14, 2016

My New Best Friend


Apologies for the omission of an introduction!
Please do meet my now "not so new" helper,
the Lap App.

It was a "whim" purchase last spring. One of those "I'VE GOT TO HAVE IT" acquisitions that are made without really rationalizing whether or not the item is really suited for you.
Most often I come to regret such impulses and yet continually fail 
to learn from such impulses....
to which I say,
"THANK GOODNESS!!!!"

It is sold here at The Lap App Store under the premise of being a lap table, which it is to be sure.
But....using it atop my work space has proved to be my favorite means 
of hanging out with my new friend.


The added height and the ability to adjust the angle of my work surface 
are benefits I would not have anticipated. The thimble printed cover is removable and underneath is a non slip surface for tracing. An alternate heat resistant cover for ironing is also included.
Handy extras can be found in the three spindles for thread storage, a magnet for keeping needles safe, and my very favorite... a petite pocket for holding scissors.

I do think we will be friends for life!


Sunday, September 25, 2016

The Castaway Returns


Long time no "sea" dear friends!

So long in fact that my secret project is no longer undisclosed.
As such, how about we start back at the beginning.....
.....the very beginning, which just so happens 
to involve an introduction to this young at heart lady here,

Having once lived a good number of years on Cape Cod it was a given 
that I would be familiar with the whimsical work of Ralph Cahoon
Reproductions of his seaside paintings were in abundance as framed prints, 
his museum was passed many a day as I made my way to Dick and Ellie's Flea Market, 
and I do believe I received more than one birthday card featuring his lovely mermaids. 

It wasn't until many moons later, when I actually took the time to step foot into the museum,
that I discovered the remarkable Martha. She was an artist in her own right both before 
and after her almost 50 year stint of marriage to Ralph and, in my mind at least, 
a huge inspiration behind the direction his work took.

She is also a tremendous inspiration to me.
Wife, mother, housekeeper, cook and still quite prolific in her work...
...what is there not to admire about such a woman?


I was lucky enough to pick up a copy of  
Simple Pleasures: The Art of Martha Cahoon while visiting the museum that day. 
It's a little gem of a book that led me to explore seacoast themes in art of all sorts....paintings, hooked rugs, and especially Sailor's Valentines. 

The thought of creating something in that vein tickled my fancy 
but the outlet in which to do it had long evaded me until dear hubby gifted me the solution in the form of a book that celebrates the art of "painting" with fabric...

This book is almost as amazing as Takahara herself.
Being another one of those "young at hearters," I cannot help but imagine
she and Martha would have gotten along fabulously!


Now, somewhere along the way in this story a wedding invitation was received. 
Had I thought it through I would have taken a picture of it 
but since I didn't I'll substitute this one of 
the courting Martha and Ralph instead.
Kinda cute isn't it?

My own courting couple is pretty cute too, but better yet, they are very much
kindred with the Cape and Islands. Their wedding was to be on the the Cape, they often visit  Nantucket, and nautical themed art frequents their walls.

In them I found the kick in the pants I needed to try my hand
at some whimsy and should all go as planned
I'd have a wedding gift to boot! 
  

Some serious perusing of the ins and outs of  
Sailor's Valentines.....


,,,along with an exploration of the more romantic mermaid depictions, 


led to a shopping trip for fabrics inspired by my discoveries.


The day I actually sat down to set sail with my first stitches was very exciting to say the least.
It also looks a bit crowded but I don't seemed to remember feeling that way at the time,
probably because I was so hyper focused on that 8x8 inch  
"canvas" sitting in front of me.


At first it was truly smooth sailing,


and the only waves were friendly ones!


As the project progressed however, and the applique pieces became smaller and smaller, 
the devil in the details reared his ugly head. There was definitely a learning 
curve involved in this process.


Round about the "hankie"clouds on the horizon is where I left off with my earlier blogging posts.
Not only was the stitching time consuming but I often spent just about as
much time ripping things out as I did putting them in.


The islands were my turning point. 
While the pieces might have been on the smaller side 
the fabric itself was sturdier  
and my needle skills a bit more practiced.


I found I could telescope my vision and see the ultimate destination within reach.


Bit by bit pieces fell into place...


...until a cute little couple of my own making came to be!


Another vintage hankie was put to use. 
I loved the trim on this one and thought it would be 
lovely along the border edge...


...but I will admit it was very hard to make the first cut into it!


English paper piecing lent a hand,
and what better function for some miniature hexie pieces...


...than to use them in the construction of some corner units that help create an octagonal frame
reminiscent of those that house a Sailor's Valentines? 


Since every sea needs some shells I considered myself very fortunate to get access
to a handful of  teeny tiny specimens to scatter about.

This lead me to become severely tempted to nestle a single pearl
in the half shell on the bottom but, since pearls at a wedding are considered 
bad luck, I played the superstitious sailor 
and refrained.


A desolate horizon was remedied with a lighthouse,


a ship, and of course some seagulls.


And then, all at once, it was done.


My first story block...
but fingers crossed, not the last.
Next time I'd like to see more english paper piecing,
more 3-D elements,
more varied materials,
and of course a pearl or two!!!

Until then, however, this one still had a journey to complete...


thus it was signed,


sealed,


and delivered.

May they sail away 
into the land 
of
Happily Ever After!


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Back to Work


There is a lot I can't show yet without spoiling the "giftie surprise" of the project but.....
I did want to let you in on the double duty my hankie washing 
the other day provided.

Not only did it alleviate my frustration, 
it also supplied perfect fabric needed for a more "wispy" area.



Tuesday, August 2, 2016

It Was a Wash....Literally


No I did not know what I was doing the last time I popped in around these parts. 
Several times over I appliqued pieces on and then promptly removed them. Let me just say my frustration level was near to having me jump ship. Luckily, I decided it was myself 
I needed to remove.....

......and so I did!
 I put my hands to work on a bit of housekeeping that involved
a recently acquired stash of vintage hankies.


This little dapper duck was especially charming, even if he was of the applique variety!


Several good soaks were required to remove years of mustiness.


Finally, a quiet spell hanging them up to dry.....


.....and my mood was officially lifted!
I was back to the drawing board this morning and am delighted to say 
things are smooth sailing now.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Lost at Sea


Ok, I officially have no idea what I am doing!


Sunday, July 24, 2016

Scallops Anyone?



Back,


and front,


and back, 


and front again.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Smooth Sailing


Applique work is proving quite pleasant.


It seemed barely a blink of an eye before I was done with my first piece and working 
to remove the basting stitches.


Piece #2 I decided to try out with a slight contrast.
A bit of fussy cutting within the vertical  band....


...did just the trick!


Friday, July 22, 2016

Uncharted Waters


The best thing so far about this new sewing adventure I'm on is that it gave me the perfect excuse to finally treat myself to some of these needles. They come highly recommended but honestly I think it was the cute little box that so attracted me to them.


And look what I found inside...an even cuter little storage tube.


Putting them to use for the first time was pure bliss!
I do believe with their assistance, applique work and I will become very good friends!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

This, That, and the Other


This...,,


that...


and the other!