Getting Better

I'm still battling this bug, whether a virus or the flu it's one miserable illness, I'm struggling with daily task so mostly I just lie down and sleep, I haven't had the energy to read or stitch, I don't think I could hold a needle long enough to put in more then 2 or 3 stitches which really makes waiting out this bug seem so long.  My eyes can't focus well right now, and just when I start to feel better I am hit with another bout of fever, chills and coughing, I have had moments of black outs when I cough that leave me feeling confused like my brain is wrapped in fuzz.

Right before I got sick I was working on a few projects and I did managed to snap a few photos of my progress before this bug hit me so hard.

the blue snowflake is stitched and the green snowflake was started

I started another one of the Jacquelynne Steves house blocks but as you can see haven't made much

progress.  On a positive note over the past two days I have managed to sit up and page through a few magazines and even managed to read a few articles. Some time today I would like to at least try to get a letter written. 

I wish you all a great day and hope to be back in full creative mode soon. For those of you in Florida here is the flyer for the 2018 State Fair I would love to enter something  here is the link click on State Fair and go to the Family Living Section for rules etc.   http://www.floridastatefair.com/

Warm Wishes for a Happy Halloween and a Blessed Samhain

Butterfly Goddess and stitching

I have the blue Butterfly Goddess spirit doll completed I think she turned out well one day while strolling one of the local fall festivals and craft fair I came across a little bag of odds and end beads though what caught my eye was the face and I knew it would be the perfect piece for the butterfly doll.

Her painted faux butterfly wings were the inspiration for this doll and the fabric was in my stash bin I

thought would look great I added randomly hand stitched beads, a clear crystal point and shell barely visible. Tiny floral pick to complete her look

I was originally going to use the blue face I made but when I saw that face among the bags of loose bead leftover I knew it would be perfect.  I will use this one soon enough along with a few other face beads I have.

I have been gathering my wild fibers for a few other goddess doll projects these below I'm thinking a harvest doll or maybe bee related and something summery or springlike.

Last week I had to make a stop at Brick City Cross Stitch for some Weeks Dye Works  floss  and as usual came home with a few other goodies.

A few pieces of hand dyed fabric, Gentle Arts floss and the cute little counted bed stitch kit

On the hand embroidery project the cauldron with the labyrinth was  one of the last projects I completed.

This was made for a friend just growing into her Crone years.

Crafting Spirit Dolls

The weather here is finally feeling like Fall with this morning a beautiful 63 degrees which made my morning walk very pleasant.

I haven't done much hand embroidery this month I did start a project but put it aside because I just didn't like how it was turning out.  Instead I pulled out some crafty supplies to work on another project a new Nature Goddess/Spirit doll

here is a close up of her face made with air dry clay and paint.

here is a look at the back, I used a sea shell as a full moon

There are small sea shells attached along with some charms, dried and silk flowers some ribbon too.

Bits of cloth and ribbon are used to create the clothing and headdress and the staff is an actual twig from the yard.

I have a few more ideas for spirit dolls which I plan to craft over the next few weeks.  Here are some painted clay faces ready to be used on those upcoming projects.

This week I am reading a little magic

Welcome Autumn

Wishing you all a warm and wonderful Autumn Equinox

And a Happy and Blessed Mabon

Let the day flow softly into night

and may you be wrapped in the warmth of the season

It Started with a Sketch

Inspiration comes at the oddest times and so often from things I see every day.  My recent Goddess hand embroidery was inspired by a favorite Goddess figurine by Abby Willowroot.  You may have seen or perhaps even own one of these figurines yourself.

While lying down resting after a busy afternoon I was admiring the statue across from where I was lying when the thought came to sketch the statue so I pulled out my sketchbook and pencil and started to sketch.
When I was done I was happy with what I had put to paper and couldn't help but admire my addition of stars and the labyrinth like spiral head, after all the figurine does have a spiral on the other side.

Once the sketch was done I turned it here and there and decided it would look great done as an embroidery so I scanned the photo and then printed it onto my favorite stitch and wash away product.

Stitching was slow going at first my fingers were still sore from the work I did on the Summer of Love piece.

I made progress each time I picked up the piece to work on and before I knew it I was getting ready to stitch the moon.

I decided to use DMC satin floss for the moon I was a bit apprehensive at first using the stain floss but it stitched up nicely.

Here she is completely stitched using a variegated blue for the body and the spiral, I left off the stars and reversed the two moons on the sides of the tree trunk.

 I still have the corners of the cloth I want to embroider I'm just not sure what I want to do so for now I'll give it some thought and eventually I will have the corners done, or I may just cut her out and applique her to another piece of fabric.