It was fun to spend yesterday actually sewing. I have been spending too much time at the computer, working on the pattern, editing photos, all the rest of that biz stuff. I am hoping all the editing will be done by tomorrow. I want to get on to some new things!
Owls that is.
Blue-gray owl-
And an Orange and brown owl-
And this is the other star of the pattern- the snowy owl-
I have one more that I am finishing up right now. When I was cleaning up my table in anticipation of having company, I found another owl body, already sewn up. I figured I might as well finish it!
I am hoping to have to edits done and the pattern ready for sale by mid-week. I will list all of these birdies on Etsy on the same day.
On the cleaning up of the workspace-
Hello Floor! I haven’t seen you in a LONG time! I needed to get the clean-up done to make room for other people in the studio.
Kerry came over to help me with the pattern and she took some amazing photos.
The pattern is now basically done. I printed out the second draft before dinner tonight and then spent an hour or so after dinner trying to figure out how to make a small enough pdf to email to my proofreader/testers. I DID IT! Honestly, I was so amazed at my success, I felt like running outside and yelling! I will spend the next few days posting all the owls, starting now. Here is the star of my pattern-
Tomorrow I am starting with a new intern. It was suppose to be today, but another Nor’easter came through and gifted us with another 12+ inches of snow, so we declared a snowday. Ah well, I needed to finish the pattern anyway.
does anyone know what the official names are of these stitches?
This one is sort of a back stitch but looks like a running stitch. Unlike a running stitch, it doesn’t pull out. I think of it as a locking back stitch.
And what about this one? I think of it as an overcast stitch but not sure if that is right. I couldn’t find anything in all the embroidery books I have. And I have a lot.
It is for my pattern. I want to use the correct terms if I can figure out what they are!
the owls are piling up as I work on the pattern.
And, we got another 8 inches of snow this morning. I’m glad I don’t need to commute anywhere.
btw- I am trying to figure out a good name for my owl pattern- all suggestions will be considered! And, if I use your idea in any way, I will send you a free pattern when it is done.
I told you I’d be back to these!
I have several that I’d started back in November and I had to put them aside. Slowly I am hoping to finish them.
Mostly though, I am working on the owl pattern. Have I mentioned how hard it is for me? Whine, whine, whine!! When the pattern is finished I will have a big pile (family?) of finished owls. That’s a good thing anyway.
Now I need to go back to my book about how to use Photoshop and my other book about how to use InDesign. Maybe I’d remember how to do this stuff if I did it more often, ya think?
All the brown skin dolls are 20% off. I’ve changed all the prices in my shop to reflect the savings. There are other dolls for sale too- ones that I have had just too long and it is time for them to go live with someone else. The sale will run through Monday 1/17.
the owl pattern and getting the studio picked up. Both are going slowly.
There are blizzard warnings in the neighborhood so this months’ Crafty Biz meet-up is postponed until next Wednesday (1/19). Email me if you want details.
*blog heads-up* I am going to have a Martin Luther King Day sale- I will be marking down some of the things in my Etsy shop that have been there too long. I have some older pieces that I’d like to sell also and will either put them here in the blog or list them on Etsy. The sale will start on Thursday morning and run through the long week-end.
And, I’m heading back up to Portland (ME) next weekend to deliver P back to school and eat some excellent food. I’m always open to suggestions!
It is really hard to start back up again. There are the unfinished projects that feel like they need to be finished before I start in on the new. But those projects don’t have any energy now. Or maybe it is me that has no energy. I know that the only important thing is to actually spend time in the studio and do something. Anything.
I was inspired to get out the ink and brushes by this podcast interview with Lynda Barry on Sound of Young America (thanks again for the recommendation Abby!)
I started filling up pages last night.
I am trying out different brushes on each page, trying to find one that works well with the ink.
More today.
And, I’m working on the owl pattern.
I come over to the desk and do some more scribbling when I feel frustrated.
And, Hey- It works! I’m having fun!
