welcome to . . . reets' ramblin's - the newsletter that just doesn't make much sense, 'cept for here n there. Here it is...that warm and wonderful season of crackling fireplaces, hot chocolate, baking, hot soup, cookies, long johns, wool mittens, cookies, festive punch, gatherings, cookies, and stitching stitching stitching. Myself...I love cookies. My children call me the original cookie monster but mind you...i AM NOT BLUE. Well occasionally i suppose but.....
So what was your greatest stitching discovery this year? Did you learn to quilt, learn new dollmaking techniques, learn ribbon embroidery? I had two. I learned what great life Acrylic Matt Medium gave to the skin of my dolls. On some, the addition of JoSonya's Matte Varnish gave them an incredible antiqued look. Both techniques are most evident i suppose on pattern RR61, Amarina. (do you LOVE her or what? hope all of yours came out wonderful!). The other technique i experimented with extensively was simmering and overdying WoolFelt. I had previously overdyed it but never simmered the stuff. When i got into it...there wasn't a pot available for weeks! My poor husband, who now does most of the cooking, was so perplexed with his GREEN spaghetti noodles and PURPLE squash. I have since purchased a pot designated for just that purpose but oh how exciting the new colors were. You can read about this and other WoolFelt information soon in my WoolFelt News & Techiniques section. (will most likely appear as a link in the woolfelt section on our accessories page.)
Here's some real news. The other morning my teenage daughter says to me, "Mom, look at the quilt i'm making." (that was a head turner since she never has wanted to bother much with sewing much to my dismay) So she whips out this partial quilt which is little squares made into nine patches and all of different star fabrics. I tried not to cry so she wouldn't get disgusted with me but...anyway, so far it is just simply beautiful and without a doubt she is going to have made a quilt before I.
Here here! I have to pass on to you the name of a book that is the greatest for quilt block designing....one of those " i can't believe they make this so simple" gems. It is "AROUND THE BLOCK" by Judy Hopkins - A Patchwork Place Book. Includes 200 rotary-cut blocks, each in 6 sizes. Perfect for those of you like me that ain't exactly what ya call a proficient quilter.
DOLLY FOLKS - this one's for you: "CLOTH DOLLS - from Ancient to Modern", by Linda Edward. A Schiffer Book for Collecters is what is says on the cover. Many pages in full color of dolls dolls dolls. My favorite. I purchased it in a booth from the editor of Cloth Doll Magazine, Judy Beswick. You will find Cloth Doll Magazine info in our Cool Links.
Greetings girlfriends...and boyfriends,
Today i saw some teeny tiny marbles at the craft store. I've got some wild ideas....not sure which to do first but inevitably you will see them in a future design.
Upcoming stuff:
Well....so that you can get back to your stitchin....and so i will return to mine...i will sign off now with a couple of pics from a doll class some time ago at Ocean Wave Quilts in Trinidad, CA. (a classroom to die for...overlooking the ocean)....it was such fun and i do believe i learned more than my students. What fun we had. I came home exhilerated and truly amazed at how uniquely different each doll came out. Please stay healthy wise and wonderful and keep in touch. By the way...you may contribute to this newsletter any time you wish. Love to hear from you. Ok...take care.....have a look...
