I put a bird on it - Ode to Portlandia

Portlandia is on IFC. One of the funniest segments was "Put a Bird on it." At the same time, the latest issue of Martha Stewart came out and there were some quick and easy cross stitch patterns. One just happened to be the right type of bird. So, in the spirit of Portlandia, I put a bird on it!

She had another pattern that I thought was very cute, so I also "put a mouse on it."

Creative Color Challenge - Complementary

The theme was "Blooming." You had to create something using complementary (as opposed to complimentary - look them up, I had to) colors. My color choices were blue and orange. I was going to figure out something to cross stitch, but then I started thinking about making something practical, something that you could use everyday, not just hang on a wall. I hope my partner likes what I created. I was really pleased with the results.

After I came up with the idea, I started by creating this:

Once I had the basic concept, I started creating my blooms.

Then I created the "practical" blooms. Blooms that my partner could use everyday. Yes, magnets!

And then I wanted the sun to really shine, so I made part of it into a necklace!

Here it is attached to the card. I must confess at this point, I used the wrong craft punch when I rounded that corner (not paying attention). It became a clever mistake since I was able to do this with it:

So, here is the completed piece that I sent off to my swap partner today. I really hope she likes it.

And, as always, here's what the back looks like.

I used the paperclips to keep the magnets in place, however they still moved around quite a bit. What I didn't take a picture of was that I ended up using clear packing tape to anchor everything down so hopefully it will survive shipping.

What's in my purse

Since I'm trying to stitch more, I've decided to keep a small project in my purse that I can pull it out and work on it whenever I have to wait. It keeps me happy and the time passes much more quickly.

The pouch. I'm not sure where I got it, but I know I didn't make it!

A look at what's inside it.

The pattern, fabric, floss, needle book and fold-up scissors - the bare necessities.

I've got SO much red aida cloth, so I decided I would try and make my first biscornu. I love the looks of them and I've always wanted to make one. Using the black floss makes a very dramatic statement against the red cloth.

And, as always, the back.