Spring Project - Finished!

My spring project is a western shirt. I don't have one, and thought this would be a good opportunity to get one. Sometimes what happens is I get these visions in my head of what something could look like. Then I have to try to create it in real life. This one came out fairly close to what I had envisioned. I enjoyed creating it, and that's all that matters. I will certainly stand out when I wear it.

I was trying to combine traditional western embroidery and tattoo patterns. I used a combination of beading & embroidery, and threw in a bit of ribbon as well.

Spring Project

Having done so many crafty things while I was recovering, I decided to do a major project. I left it a bit late, but I should be done if not before I go back to work on Monday, then shortly after. It's a combination of beading & embroidery. I'm not saying what it is yet, in case it doesn't work out the way I have it pictured on my head!

Gathering materials:

Here's what I have done so far:

Keeping Busy

Well, I am starting my last week at home post-surgery. I have to admit I will miss being at home, doing things I enjoy. I don't mind returning to work as I do like my job, but I like being at home more! Spending time with Mom has been great, and I love being able to spend so much time with Paisley. I definitely will have no trouble keeping busy if/when we actually get to retire.

When I'm not asleep I keep busy by doing various things. I'm lucky because it's the Spring Classics cycling season. There are races on regularly. I love being able to watch them live. Every Sunday & Wednesday there's a race to watch. It's great.

Lisa (Zack's Mom) has loaned me a bunch of British dog magazines to read. Those are fun! I am learning lots of techniques to try on Paisley ; ) Other than that, I haven't done much reading. I've been focussing more on crafty things.

I have done some knitting, and some jewelry making. I have been trying to do some photography (see post on video), although not too much of that yet.

Here are some of the things I've made so far.

Jennifer gave me a ball of wool for Christmas called CanCan. It's one of those wools (or fabrics, really), that creates it's own effect. You only need 7 stitches! It turned out beautifully. I showed it to Jennifer today and she thinks it is very fancy. I agree!

I also made this neat shawl, called the "Sett Road Stole". I like variegated yarns.

I finished a felted bag that I started about a year ago. It isn't perfect, but it's OK for a first attempt. I have some more wool to try another felted project with, but that'll have to wait. 

I've made a couple of necklaces, one with matching earrings. I need to pick up a few more supplies to finish a few more. Mom bought me the beautiful bracelet in the one picture, so I made a necklace & earrings to match. She bought herself a purple bracelet (same design), and I made her a necklace too, although a different style. 

I started a special spring project, which I will post about next.


Mom also bought me this extremely cool camera necklace from some local artisans. She went to the fashion show at the SAAG and found it there. 

A late addition - Mom bought a bracelet like mine, except hers is in purples. I made her a sort of lariat type necklace to match. Then she found this adorable little ring that matches - and it's a watch! How cute is that?

Runnin' runnin' runnin'

Paisley loves to run. Paisley lives to run. It is the best part of any day for her. Fortunately she is good in the dog park. She is friendly will the dogs she meets, and generally listens well. She would stay in the park until she drops, I think. Soon we'll have to leave Popson because of the rattlesnakes and move to another park, maybe Scenic or Peenaquim. Hopefully she'll be OK at those parks too.

I got a chuckle from the tandem pooing that occurred.

A Walk

I went for a walk around Nicholas Sheran quite a while ago, and took my camera just in case. Turns out it was a good thing. Deers crossed the road right in front of me.