Documenting the Creative Journey.....

I'm fascinated by the colors here..

Hinkle Creek, fall time...

This Saturday we hiked around Hinkle Creek Nature Park.The creek flows into the American River. It was after a rain so the colors were a little more intense. Nothing like a walk out in nature to get the circulation and inspiration going.
I pieced some muslin scraps together a while ago to have a practice, experiment 'scrap book', to try out stitches and colors. I have added batting and a muslin backing and will get it quilted together. I got this idea from Karen Ruane who keeps such beautiful ledgers full of her ideas with stitch and color and texture. Documenting your creative journey is a good thing.

My muslin "scrap book" of experiments with color and stitch.

Elegant Stitches,great reference book, hand embroidery progress....

Strawberries n' Chocolate, crazy quilt style, sewing kit progress being made! I have add hand embroidery; stem, feather, cross, straight and french knot, etc.
 You can see my trusty copy of Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano, never far from my reach when I am embroidering.
For inspiration in embroidery and finishing projects visit Sharon B's Pintangle WIP .

Antique Sewing Machines, Saturday fun....

Historical pictures from the fruit packing plant archives.

 Fun Saturday!! We went to Loomis, Ca to visit the High Hand nursery and restaurant. They are located in and around an old historical fruit packing plant. There are also other fun shops in the warehouse selling antiques, pottery, art, vintage sewing supplies, wine, and more.
We had brunch and enjoyed the color, and relaxed atmosphere.
Very inspiring. I think I will start collecting old sewing machines.
Visit me and we'll do lunch there!

High Hand nursery, very picturesque.

Koi pond outside High Hand Restaurant.

The Rug Co., one of the many shops inside.

Pottery shop downstairs...

Interesting iron fencing.

The Tin Thimble, selling vintage fabric and sewing supplies.

Antique sewing machine outside the Tin Thimble.

Antique sewing machine in one of the antique shops.

Silks and taffetas,hand embroidery, Strawberry n' Chocolate sewing kit progress...

I had extra time with the long weekend to get a few things done.

Crushed velvet ties sewn on.

 Strawberries n' Chocolate sewing kits 1 & 2 both have felted wool needle keeps sewn down and crushed velvet ties sewn on. Next I will sew the pocket sides closed.
Then embroidery and embellishments will continue.

Visit Sharon B's Work in Progress Wednesday , for inspiration and encouragement finishing your projects.

Felted wool needle keeps sewn in.

Thanks Veterans for all you have done....

Thanks veterans for your sacrifice, for being there for us.

Give Thanks mini wall quilt....

I got out some of my fall decorations, a bit slow I know!

 My husband has been collecting fall leaves, so I took the cue and brought out some fall decor. The little wall quilt is hand embroidered, machine pieced, then the little mini blocks are sewn together in a row, layered with batting and backing and hand quilted. Sew on a ribbon for hanging and there you have it!

I made this from a really cute pattern I bought at Pacific International Quilt Show.

"Prairie" #3 Sewing Kit, finished...

I finished adding all the embellishing.

"Prairie" 3 is in my Etsy shop. I added just a few more beads around the button, bottom left, and called it done!
I have started work on my new sewing kits, Strawberries 'n Chocolate. I sewed on the crushed velvet ties last night, next onto making up the felted wool needle keeps. I found a fun shop in Loomis, CA that sells felted wool in all sorts of exciting colors. The shop is called The Tin Thimble .

Be sure and visit Pintange's WIP , for inspiration and encouragement finishing your projects and seeing other artists' work in progress.

Crazy Quilt style, silks and taffetas, Strawberries and Chocolate series, new sewing kits....

Strawberries n Chocolate sewing kit #1

Different view showing the silk turquoise inside.

I made progress on my Strawberries n' Chocolate sewing kits, Yey! I got the batting and silk lining sewn in. That turquoise silk is certainly lovely, I should have bought the whole bolt. I will next sew on the crushed velvet ties then make up the needle keeps, with felted wool, get them sewn in and finish the embellishments.
They have a nice feel to them. I'm excited to get these rolling.

Strawberries n Chocolate #2 , smaller than #1

Another view of smaller version, there is no embroidery on this one yet.