Guess it is time....

to begin trying this blog thing again.

The last two years have been a blur of lots of interesting things , but nothing extremely earth shattering....my interests have been in MAKING!!!!

Quilting, sewing clothing, knitting of course, poly form clay and now a little jewelry design.

I have gone to few conferences as a client....Puyallup, SEW QUILT KNIT in Portland, and sewing vacation in Sioux City. Also a few quilt shows...a few fun and few disappointing classes.

Work has changed a lot in the last few months....new offices, staff changes, and sharing a space rather than having my own office.....not having my own office has really made my work more difficult. "Getting into my zone", becomes more difficult as there are constant interruptions.  I just need to get used to it.

On the home front....new red convertible, new vintage featherweight machine in red, and a new resurgence in wanting to create for myself.

I have made 4 shirts in the last 6 weeks....each takes about 4-6 hours. And last night I just finished a pair of jeans , drafted from a pair I bought in Ireland 8years ago....they still fit, BUT are a little thread bare in spots.....I am going to wear them to work tomorrow.

another week...AARRGGHH

The weekend  passed uneventfully, except that is was my baby brother's birthday and the anniversary of my meeting Luke (33 years)...a little bittersweet not having him around to share the special day.

and another week has begun here at work... the garments for next photo shoot are coming in.
there are little tweaks i need to make in the fitting but nothing too major..thank heaven!
The models are chosen and on will be here the first weekend in October. Hoping that the fall weather decides to stay warm and sunny enough for the on-location shoot.

I have finished a Qiviut raglan pullover and hope to sew a skirt to match...have a great knit plaid chosen for the skirt.  A friend is finishing another pullover design for me while i am making scarf/ cowl/ mobius  to match, now I need to decide how to finish it...to be one of the 3 pieces...finished writing the pattern, and am working on schematics, illustrations and graphics.

We are 5 weeks from our next Stitches, and that too will be a ton of work...fortunately the Modeling Agency has already contacted me agreeing to furnish the talent, i have worked with them for many years...and glad to have them in my corner.

I need to get sewing, if not for work than just for my own well being...not sure why, but when i get home all i want to do is relax and cuddle with Pucci.

Turning 13

Tomorrow is the anniversary of Luke's death, which means I have been single for 13 years.  I won't say alone, because I have some pretty spectacular friends and family.   That also means i have been here at work and in Sioux Falls about 13 years. My oh my,  how time flies!

What happened to august

On August 20  I drove out to Colorado to visit family and attend my niece's wedding. Along the way I shopped for fabrics...if you ever get to Material Girl in Grand Island,  NE, tell them Rick and Elaine sent you!?!? You'll get star treatment!!! LOL

It was a blast at the wedding, Wendi was as beautiful as ever with her 3 sisters as attendants. I did their make-up and assisted with the hair...pays to have a gay uncle!!! Her Dad, Ron, walked her down the aisle, and Wendi asked me to  escort her Mom to her seat as the ceremony was about  to begin...I was so honored!  

All 7 of  us ( siblings) were together, that hadn't. Happened since my Grandmother's funeral, the only hitch was one brother decided not to attend the wedding because his girlfriend had a meltdown the night before over her  grown kids...and I cooked for the masses like I had learned to do, many years ago thanks to my mentor, Clara DePriest.  as I cooked dinner the first evening, my father said, "every time you come home, I gain 5 pounds.". To which I responded, " now you know my problem, I have to eat my own cooking."

Had a wonderful 12 days at home (with a few work related problems I had to solve through emails) where I  met 2 of my grand nieces, and 2 grand nephews for the first time. Saw most of my nieces and nephews and a few of my cousins. Gawd, are they getting old!?!?! 

On Monday, We went t to Chimayo, bought red and green chili for the winter, then went on to Albuquerque to fly home....airports in Denver and Albuquerque being pretty empty... Pays to travel on a holiday (as long as it isn't a car).

Back to work just to realize I really need a vacation!!!!

Home again

With a photo shoot under my belt— 2 book projects, one complete the other a partial shoot—completed in a day and a half. downtown chicago is a great place for shooting knitwear. The activity, the art, the buildings, and Buckingham Fountain...(the Married with Children" fountain in the opening  credits).

We hired 4 women from Factor Chicago, and had a great time working up and down michigan Avenue.  If you ever wanted to model you should rethink, these women need to stand in the heat and look pretty no mattern what they are required to wear...we had sweaters coats and jackets...and a few accessories and thay needed to look great in every shot and did...BTW it was 4500 frames shot!

so in review of the trip,
Bought  "From the Cauldron"  yarn to make a sweater for myself...in reds and blacks. This yarn was my favorite thing from the Stitches show...and no wonder...
 i just fell in love with everyone in the booth. Pretty edgy women—intelligent, witty, and totally fun...plus their work is stellar.

the yarn itself is a looooooonnng repeat which flows from red to black in only one repeat, and the other colorway has red and white that flows to black........i see a few more purchases from them in the future.

Friday is over...bring on Saturday

fashion show done....no major glitches....

Had 8 beautiful women from Elite Chicago on the runway with 102 different ensembles....it was a blast....happy audience so I cannot complain...
Going down to market to demo knitting back and forth.....and then to give a Tour through the Pages of Issue 112.

Stitches

STITCHES Midwest

Her I am middle of night, ready for bed.... Great day!!!

Yesterday, WEDNESDAY, I started at Vogue Fabrics....bought silks and cottons for garments...but my best find was some great Sewing workshop patters that are no longer in the current catalog....along with a couple of Lois Ericson patterns. Had the clerk not been so annoying and listened i would have bought more. My time was limited and I decided to give up and use mail order instead!


Got back to Schaumburg Convention Center to judge the 3rd round of The Fiber Factor.....so many things to say during the taping, I don't envy the editing process of this round....Laura Bryant, Cirila Rose, Elaine Rowley, Karin Skacel and I had so many ideas and opinions. And not always agreeing made it even more fun and rewarding.

Thursday:
Opening day talk with Laura, and it was really informative...if you like hand-dyed yarn this was definitely a must see. Went to the luncheon, and was flattered when Laura commented that she wished we could live closer so we could collaborate and design together.

Spent the afternoon working on the fashion show. We have 102 garments....with full commentary for Friday night's show....some great knits and a few that make me wonder what the hell is someone thinking.  Building 102 ensembles can be a challenge, but we have some really great ones.

The market opened with the unveiling of Knitter's issue 112, my sweater is on the cover... And the photo is stellar.

I wore the Pan Pacific shirt with my pink chinos...to great  kudos when they learned my shirt was from my hands. Not sure what to wear later today, but I think I'll wear another handmade shirt....will let you know tonight...

murky but cool

last night's results... the yellow, orange and lime are now more earthy....remind me of moss and algae....thinking of making a Jean Cacicedo style vest.

Dyeing to sew

I machine washed and dried the wool/rayon boucle fabrics i bought at the Fabric Workshop hoping to felt them. I think they fulled enough to be totally stable. i then  sampled small pieces  in a dye bath of black Wilton food color...the black broke leaving  cool colors ( magentas and teals) in the wool with the rayon keeping much of its intrinsic colors.

So, last night they took the plunge. They started out as yellow, orange, and green....I put all three half yard pieces into an enamel pot and left them to dye till i get home and wash them tonight.  Interestingly, as i played with the pot of dye to check things this morning, my hands turned magenta and the plate i used as a weight was covered in teal ...heaven knows how the fabrics will look tonight.

I am feeling a kind of deconstructed/ artsy vibe with this  fabric ( so i also dropped in a few pieces of black and white houndstooth and glen plaid for accent patches, maybe). Shooting to create something akin to  these cool looks. if not the fabric be repurposed to something else i am sure.

on another front....
 if you follow knitting,  Skacel is hosting a design contest, much like their own project runway with 12 contestants.  I am one of the judges for the current challenge with the judging  in 2 weeks at our Stitches Midwest show. take a look i am a little perplexed at how this all will shake down...the other two judges are my boss Elaine, and our latest Author Laura Bryant of Prism Yarns.

Rejuvenated....

Got home at midnight from Kansas, went to a workshop at the Sewing workshop with Linda Lee...I had met her in Puyallap Wa at the Sewing Expo back in February.  My pal, Elaine , insisted that I join her for this event....I call it an event because it was!!!!! 3 days of sewing which expanded to 4... We went through fitting, design and sewing instruction...we were enveloped by hundreds of finished samples and gloriously beautiful fabrics. 

I used to sew the majority of my wardrobe. Somehow, after Luke's death and my move I lost interest...but kept knitting. But since knitting is a work responsibility it no longer is a diversion from work stress...the quilting, and now garment sewing is soothing that need.


More about Kansas.....
I made 3 garments that I will use for work and special events.

Made a reversible Peony silk vest, a Pan Pacific shirt (with double color and hidden placket and double cuffs), and a color blocked t-shirt. The Pan Pacific is made in a fine-weight cotton with a motif that graduates from nothing to full blown pattern across its width. I still need to make the buttonholes and redo the collar as I made it a tad too tight for my neck.  And the t-shirt is linen knit combined with a stretch sequin in copper.   Can't wait to wear this under a blazer.

I brought home an Indian silk, wool gauze, python black on black wool print, wool/rayon blend in 3 colors for color blocking, and a Pucci print silk!!!!   We stopped in Kansas City,  shopped at Kaplans and got two stunning peices of fabric for  a couple more fun shirts.  I was a little conservative in the amount of  fabrics I bought, mainly because our Mini Coper was pretty packed when we arrived...now I am alread living with regrets of purchases missed. Thanks heaven for mail order!!!!

I cannot say enough about Linda, Kathy and Erin....what a staff !!! I  felt so at home, being the only guy, and I think the first in one of these classes.....Linda warned the ladies I was coming and promised them I would move away into a corner when they wanted to try on clothing and while fitting....it worked for the first morning, after that first morning there was  little problem for them to be changing as if I weren't there— bras and undies were seen by all.
I mentioned to Linda, " I think I am one of the girls, now."

Kathy sews the most impeccable garments and has a style and color sense rivaled by no one I have ever known, and Erin is a sweetheart with the GenX vibe, modern look, and  so much polish.

Anyway I will dress my mannequin tonight and post pictures....because I am thrilled with all the amazing things I now own.
I was fortunate to purchase 2 shirts from her, they will be well loved and used in the next month....Stitches and Wendi's Wedding arre coming up soon.....

Still sewing...

Just finished a raglan t-shirt to wear with these. Shoes to dye for!!!????


It is grey cotton tricot with embossed silver stars...felt I needed a little blue accent and dip dyed the finished  piece in teal, advancing the fabric every half hour to create a gradient of color. Like what I have seen on pinterest, although I went for pale colors.   Looks great with my white linen slacks....dark jeans....or my grey wool slacks and a blazer.

Shades

Today I am cutting out my velvet leopard print...it is a jade and black combo,--pretty unexpected--but should be a fun piece for a jacket for  one of the evening events I host at Stitches.  I decided to keep it pretty casual and make it a raglan bomber with elasticized waist and cuffs. I found a great NEW LOOK pattern a few years back (is 15 years a few?) and finally have time to do something with it....did I tell you I am going to SEW KANSAS this week, and hope to get a vest and jacket made...

Still high from the fumes....

I am shocked at how fast i can finish a sewn garment...i am so accustomed to knitting a garment that takes 20+ hours, that i forgot how gratifying sewing something in a few hours can be...and hand-finishing is a breeze. i think i might just be wrapped in sewn threads until the weather changes.

Made a raglan pattern for a T-shirt night before last, it was taken from a Tommy Hilfiger T-shirt I bought about 10 years ago. It took all of 20 minutes to get it to work as i knew I just wanted a sliver more room in the body.

I cut it out and had it done in a couple hours and wore it to work yesterday. It is black with beige tiny  polka dots in front, solid black short sleeves, and a striped back. The back is  Ponte so i used the wrong side for the back so a triplet of smaller lines make up each stripe...stripes also in the collar.

Not only does it look cool, it is really cool to wear— which works well when i get overheated. and that happens more than i like these days. Gotta balance the blood pressure...keep calm and bite your tongue!

I am now up to 5 fun shirts from this class, tonight i am  cutting out a new shirt...in fabric i bought at SR HARRIS in the Twin Cities. it is grey with silver embossed stars.  it willl be dip dyed to match my new Donald Pliner Ponts....hoping it turns out cool enough to wear at STITCHES, otherwise it will be  back to old standbys...or a trip to Nordstrom when i hit Chicago.

Also ordered a pair of Donald Pliner Sandals, yesterday....with their sale and my 30% off coupon they were really reasonable, and the black with red soles...will be perfect for my trip next week to Kansas....going to The Sewing Workshop for a sewing class with Linda Lee.  I think it will be a challenge for her in that she wasn't expecting a man, and i will have to bring my own pattern and ideas....i am thinking either a red dupioni silk jacket (like a jean jacket) or a raglan jacket in a green animal print. Either way these babies are destined for the Fashion Show at Stitches Midwest.

made in the class with Katherine Tilton.... high-lighted with gold foil, shiva stick and jaquard paint......next...I just played with tucks, added the long sleeves as side panels and wore it over a dress shirt in black and white blocks

Week End of Stitching!

OK now!


i have received a real kick in the pants, and am deciding to share here more regularly.

Just returned from a sewing workshop with Katherine Tilton in Minneapolis, The "Arty T" was a real blast. I went with my boss, Elaine, and her cousin Sarah from Brooklyn, and besides eating like there is no tomorrow, and shopping, we accomplished our goals.

A little history, Elaine and I went to the Sew Expo in Puyallup, WA last February after our weekend at Stitches. The whirlwind of 3 days in Seattle/Tacoma included fabric, pattern and surface design shopping along with a series of mini workshops. We made time also for  the glass workshop, the Murano hotel.( i wanted to visit the space needles but maybe next year, my parents went to the worlds fair when i was a kid)

The  Sew Expo highlights were meeting a few "sewing" stars. Amongst them were Marci and Katherine Tilton and shopping their booth was  just what i needed to get back to sewing my clithing. Katherine told us about the Arty T  workshop and we decided right then to go for it!

So this past weekend was a room full of sewing machines, knit tricot, stencils, paints, 15 women and me. we all worked on our own individual projects and had a blast. i made 2 pieces in 2 days. helped draft a pattern for the husband of one of my classmates. And refined a pattern with Elaine.  i also pushed Sarah, into purchasing stuff to keep sewing at home.

i will post pictures of my two pieces later....one is in the wash as it is full of dog hair from Mr.B and my visit to pick up Pucci last night. the other is hanging ready for an occassion!

Rick

Back in sync??... here is hoping!!

After being out of sync for so long...i am hoping to get it together and share more on here.

The last 4 months have been a whirlwind...what with a new book, and 2 issues of the magazine published in that time plus 4 trips out of town since the first of the year...NYC, Phoenix, South Beach, and Santa Clara...and all for work!

Went to Stitches West. Although it was a great show, I was missing Sue. I love performing for a room full of people,  but during my down time gimme a group of 4-6 people and i am content...entourages are no longer my thing.

Now, back at home 

My sewing suffered as I did a ton of knitting for the issues...but my sewing is now in focus for a bit ...i have joined a couple of bees, and a couple of swaps, and found a group of ladies who understand my wit, and creative mojo.  (you know who you are!)

Scrappy Mug Rug Swap

Dandelions have a special place in my heart...and seem to think they can homestead all over my lawn.
When i was a kid, my maternal grandmother had us digging them out of her lawn daily if need be, it was a "chore" we all did when we stayed with her. She was amazing in so many ways so when i see a dandelion i think of her...her tenacity..and love.   I know the recipient will love this... just needs a binding...a little more hand stitching and maybe a bit of Shiva Stick Action.

Next week, i will send out another piece to someone in the
 Fab Little Quilt Swap group.
 I tell you, these ladies are amazing sewists and do remarkable work. I was invited to join this group and couldn't pass up a chance to learn more. I need more practice and advice and they are generous at sharing their talents and knowledge.  Here is the piece i made in honor of the Year of the Dragon. i hope my partner likes it, as Puff is going to be hard to part with.

There is a lot of sewing happening.  and  am feeling good about it!

For my closest friend

My Closest friend died November 20th, her funeral was Wednesday November 23. 

this picture was taken after her losing her hair to chemo (we thought she was in remission), her hair grew back and Elaine had her stylist pamper Sue for the day... we made an evening of it with dinner and drinks. Alexi took this picture, and while I was supposed to hold the card to reflect the light to the left side of her face, I forgot to get out of the way....my story , I am sticking to it!


Her birthday is this coming Saturday, and I am going to make sure it is an important day for Marv  (her husband).


I was asked by Sue to speak at the service. When I tried to share what I was going to say about her, she said , "I trust you."  
HThis is what i said:


Today we bid farewell to our dear Sue. She wanted me to share a few things that you may or may not know about Her.

Sue was a lefty.
      Her favorite color was green, 
            She loved leaves, chickens, and flamingos.
                     Autumn was her favorite season.

Sue was a talented knitter, quilter, fisherwoman and hunter. 
       She could gut a deer, bait a hook, thread a needle, and coach someone through a difficult knitting pattern equally well.  

    She had motion sickness,  she always rode shotgun, but would prefer to be behind the steering wheel, if at all possible.
    I often kidded her that her slow, cautious driving was like walking...but without wasting shoe leather. 
     She could back into a parking space better than anyone I have ever seen. Same with parking a boat or trailer. 

        She could not sleep with the light on... even the smoke detector light would keep her awake.   
             "Hi GUYS"  was NOT an acceptable greeting if Sue Nelson was in your group. Especially at a restaurant.
          When she went out for breakfast, her eggs better be cooked hard with no runny yolk or white, whatsoever. And absolutely no egg shells, thank you!
She made the best deviled eggs, but made chili with no spices whatsoever.

   Sue was a heroine, while out camping at Lake Poinsett, a  motorbike accident ripped the foot off a young man... she was first on the scene, bound his leg to keep him from bleeding to death, and kept him from going into shock.   She was commended by the parks department for her life-saving act and brave effort.

Sue's life is being celebrated half-way around the world....her virtual family in Australia, "Margaret's mob" and Katharine Gunn  will never forget her generous gifts of knitting supplies, love and support. They had planted a Tasmanian OAK tree months ago in her honor, and visited it on Sunday...just hours before she died. 

Sue was skilled in dog obedience training, as is evident in the behavior of my pug, Pucci...and our beloved Mr B.
      She  was a matchmaker...Right Chad?  Jennifer?
                             Tanner and Alex, you are on your own. 

          Sue's biggest fear was being forgotten by her Daimy, Corbin, Sydney, Ronin, and Hunter....
                   NOT a chance...
              She was a doting grandma... She loved them "to the moon and back."

          She wanted to to name Ronin "Razzor" so we could use up all the excess "z" letters in her scrap-booking alphabet sets. She lost that one.

                  She was a self-less mother, and loving wife.
                       Her mother, brothers and sister adore her. 
                    The XRX family is handicapped
                                       and heart-broken by her illness and death.  

She has many names......
Marv calls her "Honey", she is "Mom" to Marshall and Kelly Sue,
    Her family calls her "Susie", and "Auntie Susie." 
          "Sue Bee" was her nickname at Hutchinson Technologies.
XRX Editorial call her "our Sue."
         The grandkids call her  "Grandma Sue". 
                 Guess which name was her favorite? 

Sue and Marv treated me like family,  I always had a place to go on the weekend, a holiday, or anytime I was feeling lonely. 
         She was my closest friend, I could tell her anything.
We would share a wink, or a smile...and words weren't necessary.
     I would spend time with her, and  minutes after most every visit, one of of us would call the other with a reminder, or something we forgot to say, and I would start our conversation with "I miss you already." I stopped that when she decided to cease her experimental treatments.

Sue struggled through 3 bouts of cancer—and although she was frustrated by feelings of helplessness—she faced it with strength, dignity, and her infectious smile.   
          She fought through to see her and Marv's 40th wedding anniversary, and escaped cancer's grasp only days before her 60th birthday. 

She asked us to address her death "as death."

Sue taught me patience, kindness, and generosity...and showed me what Trust, Courage, and Faith are all about.   

My life will never be the same...not because she is gone, but because she was here. 

Sue, I miss you already!

Good-bye Sue!

I have been away from this for a while....my best friend, Sue, was living out her final days before escaping the grasp of cancer. Yesterday she made her final move. It wasn't without a lot of pain, and effort. She was amazing in dealing with this insidious disease... so strong, brave and positive. She slipped into unconsciousness about 5:00 on Saturday and took her final breath Sunday at 12:20... I take comfort in the realization that she is no longer suffering...and that she loved me because she wanted to and didn't have to. I fed her for the last time on Friday night. My voice was the last one she heard as we allowed her to let go. I know that her husband, Marv, will be OK because I promised her that I will make sure he is. I will be speaking at her service, and have written a few notes....that I will share only after they are spoken. I mourn her passing but celebrate her being. Sadly and fondly!!!

Bricks and blocks

Here  are the directions for creating a staggered brickwork with fabric strips.  I created a table runner in batiks... and wall piece in homespun fabrics.

Cut at least 18 strips of fabric (these are 2 inch wide, but jelly roll strips are perfect)
I prefer to use at least 2 or 3 of the same fabric strip within the mix for a little cohesion between the two strip panels I will create and use. (this sample used 5 different fabrics so repeats are more often than usual)

You will slash, sew and press continually as you create the runner.

1) Seam two sets together, one has 8 strips and the other has 7. My goal is to make a long 8" wide panel of staggered "bricks"...the two panels are about 101/2 and 12 inches wide, but the shify will narrow that. Add more strips for a wider finished runner.
(**you will add extra strips if required.)

2) Begin by squaring one side of each panel.
3) Cut a 1 1/2" strip across panel A and sew it to panel B, Stagger seams between strips to look like bricks. it is not necessary to center them.
4) Cut across panel B 1 1/4 " from the new seam.
5) sew new pieced section to panel A, Again staggering the seam, remembering that you want every other block to stack above the other (with a little shift).
6) Cut across panel A 1 1/4" from new seam.
7) Sew new pieced section to Panel B.
8) repeat 4-7 creating a column of blocks...** NOTE, that when one panel shifts over too far to one side you will need to add a strip to the opposite side. **

After 7-9 stacks of bricks, feel free to square up the side edges. Also understand that a little wonkiness in the seams makes for a more artsy look.

Yours for the picking

Here are the templates, ready to go.        

Because the finished pieces are stuffed and then shaped with the center "core" perle cotton stitching, the pieces need not be cut exactly perfect... as long as the seams match between adjacent crescents. 

Think about enlarging or shrinking the templates for pin cushions in different sizes. This could be quite a harvest.

 Also not stated in the previous post—but hopefully understood—is to make sure and press each seam after it is sewn. Once the piece is finished you can massage the apples or pumpkins into "shape", for a little more character.

These make great paperweights or centerpiece accents as well.    

ENJOY,

 each square is 1 square inch.

Rick

Making an Apple (Pumpkin) pincushion

I made apple pincushions for a swap, and was asked how to make them,
Here is my process.
I decided to make a pumpkin for the tutorial; as it is that season, and I need something for my Autumn/Halloween swap.  
If you have questions please let me know.

[NOTE: the photographs show the pumpkin pincushion in process.]

MATERIALS 

 6 (8) pieces of  6X6" fabric in your color choice, I used batiks for my apples, and both batiks and metallic-dusted darks for the pumpkin.

 1 piece of  green fabric 2 ½ x 10”  for leaves and stem

Thread for piecing and also contrast thread for veins in leaves.

Long doll needle & perle cotton.

Sewing needle.

Filling, I prefer crushed walnut shells form the reptile department at the pet store

small shank button for floret end of apple.

Pattern template 8X3 inch piece of card stock or plastic cut to cat's eye shape.

Tape

1 Make your pattern template by enlarging the schematic, the template is 8" long and 3" at widest point.

    2    Cut  6 (8) wedges, I prefer to stack and whack with my rotary cutter.

    3   Adjust the machine stitching to 12-15 stitches per inch.   With right sides facing, layer the wedges into pairs and seam along 1 arc.

 4    Take 2 of the paired sets and seam them together along one arc into a quad. (for the pumpkin repeat for the other 2 sets for 2 quads.) Make sure that your seams cross at the points for stability.

 5   For the apple, seam the pair to the quad along one arc. (for the pumpkin seam the 2 quads together along 1 arc.)

6  For the final seam,
Sew from one point past center and beyond for about 2 inches ending with a back-stitch.
 7  Skip approximately 1-1½” back-stitch and seam to opposite point.
8   Turn piece inside out.  You will have what looks like a deflated football (basketball), that is a good thing.

9  With a funnel begin filling your apple (pumpkin) it takes a little patience and some adjusting, keep in mind that you will want to pack this tightly.

10 When the piece is about 75-80 % full, temporarily tape the opening closed. 11 With doll needle and perle cotton sew from the point , through the center, to the other point, to shape the apple (pumpkin) indentations. I try to get at least 4 passes sewn through the center, and place a shank button on the end opposite the stem.

 12 Remove tape and continue to fill apple (pumpkin) until it is solid. Use a dowel or pencil, if necessary, to pack the filling.

13 With needle and thread,  sew the seam closed— stitching should be very small and  neat as possible. If necessary tighten the  indentations with more  perle cotton stitching through the center of your appe (pumpkin) core. ( this will tighten and firm up a somewhat squishy fabric.  for the record the pumpkin weighs 2 pounds 5 ounces...)

14  Take leaf fabric, and place wrong sides together, draw, then machine stitch 2 leaves along diagonal of fabric following sketch.  Using contrast thread adds interest when sewing veins. 

and center stem.  Cut out each leaf, as closely as possible to the stitching, then pinch the edges with your fingernails and run then along the cut edges for a bit of curl and frayed edge.

 13) Fold remaining leaf fabric in half with right side together, and sew stem according to sketch.  Turn right side out, stuff with fiber, yarn or cottonballs,  sew to top of apple (pumpkin), tucking in raw edges

       Apply leaves, covering the opening if necessary. 

Enjoy...note that the templates will follow  in next post...having issues with adding them. see sidebar for more pictures. 

Rick

Everyone can be a dick fan at one time or another....

I am back from Stitches Midwest, what a great time, I was never so busy. Would you believe that I didn't even walk the full market? But with small foibles and oversights that I had to remedy at the last minute, I didn't have the free time I wanted. This show was one of the most tiring ones so far; but also really rewarding, as we implemented in-booth demos that were ever so $u€€e$$ful....

I discovered a new fabric ink, and purchased 30 different colors. I even stenciled my tux shirt for the student fashion show just minutes before the show itself....I can't wait to try shaving creme printing, daubing, airbrush, stencils, marbling, and all the other things that my new friend, Joyce Tang, showed me.

We then went to Chicago proper for a photo shoot, had an audition and found amazing models for the next issue, the shoot went without a hitch. And even provided a little time for retail expeditions...I will rethink my purchases only after my CC bill arrives....NOT! No buyers remorse in this body. I love my new books, jewelry, and art piece for Casa Rico.

We were treated to 3 amazing sunrises over Lake Michigan, and a Wed night fireworks show at Navy Pier, perfect from my Hotel window!!!!

We also had great opportunities to dine...went to Burgoff's (not as exciting as it was in then olden days), Giordono's pizza (amazing...but no artichokes?.?), and Frontera Grill(food was a little too salty, and RB turned out to be a €#*%)....he lost four fans in the matter of 5 seconds. His cook books are now in the recycling bin to be hauled off on Tuesday.

My research desires for the week were to visit the Chanel shop...I did and they never disappoint....I am so ready to interpret the Chanel jumper for our next show! I also shopped Cop Copaine...and got an amazing pin for my blazers...I couldn't resist, the stylist was sooooooo cute and adorable...((Randall, I think I love you!))

And last but not least, I got to finish my trip with a little Dick.....

Blick...... More surface designs coming down the pike.