Life is a Big Puddle continues on

My latest embroidered quote is coming along rather well if I do say so myself. I hadn't quite planned on getting as far as I have done this weekend but evidently my stitching fingers had other ideas. No sooner had I started the second word yesterday morning, was I whizzing along to start the sixth word this Sunday...and now nearly half way through that one. 

It has got me thinking in what capacity I could sell them. This particular piece is for me, as was the last one. But I could consider turning images into postcards or greeting cards, to turning a smaller quote into a kit. I have another two designs in the pipeline, and  I think there might be some scope with making them as a kit or a pattern design. Thoughts welcomed. Anyway, for me its something to ponder over on the way too and from work, in between reading Hannibal. I think the TV programme has gotten under my skin, no pun intended, and I've been making my way through the Thomas Harris books, currently reading Red Dragon. 

Note to self I must also start penning my next newsletter (this was the last one), and finally pick a replacement linen fabric, my stash has taken a battering over the last couple of months and I've not found a fabric I like to replace it. I've been to countless stores, ordered samples left and right, and yet still not found one that's anything like what I had. So heed this warning folks, if you like a fabric don't skimp on how much you get (if you can) because later down the line you'll kick yourself for not being an extra meter or two. Darn it. Lesson learned.

My quest will continue on, as will my quest to finish wrapping and tidying up my thread stash, only half way through the stranded cottons, still have all the specialist threads to go?! It will drive me even more loopy, than I am already. 

So what is everyone else up to? Are you working on one of my free tutorials, or like me attempting to finish projects for yourself or organising your thread stash?

Testing out New Ideas

Today has been a day of finishing off small projects and trying out a new one. Although it's not really new it's almost going back to what I used to make when I first started out on Etsy which was embroidered jewellery. Funny how things end up coming round full circle. 

Recently I restarted making brooches again, the little bee, and now I am trying my hand at making necklaces or in this case a pendant. I am trying out different ways of working out how to speed up the process of making up the actual pendant not the stitching.  Not that I like the whole adage of time equals money but it does really, that and its also coming up with a sturdier finish. This has worked but I need to work out a better way of attaching a loop.

Of course, it would be good to get some feedback on whether there is the interest there to buy them. I have a small design which would feature bees and of course, the Paradise bird design as shown below. I would certainly appreciate any comments.

And finally, I've just listed the second version of the ring of bee pouches. So as I think I mentioned before there will be five of each design. I am rather fond of this blue fabric, just got enough left over to perhaps use it for another project, I am sort of keen to do another mini quilt, or for when I finally get round to attempting at making a faux taxidermy bird. I really want for the new place...