WIP Weds: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Posted on January 11, 2017 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

I haven’t shown any progress on my “12 Days of Christmas” cross-stitch project since the end of November! But, to be honest, I did not do a lot of stitching over the holidays. We were just too busy. But, I’m trying to plug away at it again, so it’s about time for an update!

WIP Wednesday logo

I had not gotten very far with the first block, depicting the partridge in a pear tree, in my last update, but here is how it has shaped up over the past month.

First, the partridge starts to appear:

partridge cross-stitch

Next, I mostly finished the bird, except for its eye:

partridge-2

Then I started filling in the leaves and working on the pears in the tree.

partridge-3

And, now I finally have finished this first block:

partridge in a pear tree cross-stitch

So, the partridge in a pear tree is completed. One down and eleven more to go. I have started stitching the red frame for the next block, and I might even do days two and three together, so I might stitch the frames for both blocks.

I think it might go faster if I work on more than one block at a time because there are so many little color changes within each block, and it would help if I wasn’t having to change my thread color every 30 minutes.

 

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2016 Finishes — Year in Review, Part 2

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Last week I shared 10 cross-stitch and needlework projects I completed in 2016, which for me is a huge number of finishes. But, that wasn’t all I finished last year! Here are the remaining cross-stitch finishes from 2016.

2016 Cross-Stitch Finishes Rabbit Girl Crafts

The 10 finishes I shared last week were all by other designers. I stitched patterns by big names like Lizzie Kate and The Prairie Schooler and also projects by lesser known designers. But, these next four projects are close to my heart because they were all my own designs, so I thought they deserved a post of their own.

Rabbit Girl Crafts cross-stitch patterns from 2016

Clockwise, from top left:

  • I had wanted to create some cross-stitch patterns inspired by Alice in Wonderland for ages, and last year I finally decided to work on my goals. “The Raven and the Writing Desk” was the first result, and I am still really happy about how it turned out. Although I’ve designed little things for myself for years, I learned a ton while creating this pattern.
  • “I’m Late” was my second pattern inspired by Alice in Wonderland featuring those famous words from the White Rabbit.
  • This little Celtic knot tin topper was a pattern I put together, too. It’s hard to find patterns that are the right size and shape for tin toppers, so I just made my own.
  • Finally, I designed and stitched this “Let Go and Let God” pattern because I tend to stress out and I need frequent reminders to relax.

The Alice in Wonderland patterns, and “Let Go and Let God” are all available in my Rabbit Girl Crafts Etsy shop. The Celtic knot tin topper is available as a free download on my blog. You can find it in the archives here.

So, that’s it for 2016. I do have several new original patterns planned for 2017, so stay tuned!

As always, thanks so much for reading!

 

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Friday Finds–01/06/17

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Friday Finds is my weekly round-up of needlework, textile, books and art links from my wanderings around the web.

friday-finds-2017-template

Here are this week’s links:

Video of the Week

Calling this a music video doesn’t seem adequate, but this mysterious animated short was created for Los Angeles-based musician Charles X. Worth repeated viewings.

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2016 Finishes — Year in Review, Part 1

Posted on January 4, 2017 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Lots of stitchers I follow on Instagram have been sharing collages of all of the cross-stitch and other crafty projects they finished in 2016. I have never looked back at completed projects as part of a year-end review before, mostly because I have never been great about finishing things. I am a champion at starting projects that never get completed. But, I knew I had completed some stitching this past year, so these other stitchers inspired me to take a look. I was astonished at how many pieces I completed in 2016.

I am breaking this up into two posts. This post only looks at the cross-stitch, embroidery, and needlework projects that I completed by other designers. Part 2 will look at the designs I created and stitched in 2016 for Rabbit Girl Crafts on Etsy and a free pattern that I posted here on the blog.

2016 cross-stitch finishes

  • I could count this either as one piece or 8 separate stitches, but early in 2016 I stitched all eight of the “Vintage Eggs” motifs by Prairie Schooler.

finished cross-stitch pieces, embroidery and bracelet

Clockwise, from top left:

  • I finished stitching “Anhinga Blues” by R.K. Portfolio, which was a minor accomplishment as this piece had been a UFO for several years. I’m so happy it’s in the “completed” pile now.
  • This was the one non-stitching project I completed, even though it did involve threading the beads with needles, but I love how this wrap bracelet turned out.
  • In 2016 I also led a little workshop for my embroidery guild on chicken scratch embroidery. I stitched this heart for the sample and finished it as a little pillow.
  • I took this workshop with my guild where we got to experiment with DMC’s wire-wrapped Memory Thread. I completed my project and finished it as this decorative pillow.

2016 cross-stitch, embroidery and needlework finishes

Clockwise, from top left:

  • I stitched this “Liberty Stars” counted canvas piece by From Nancy’s Needle over the summer. It was a challenge project for my embroidery guild, and I ended up winning a little prize for it.
  • The stumpwork embroidery project was my toughest challenge this year. I nearly gave up on it numerous times, but I’m glad I stuck with it because the final piece is lovely.
  • I stitched this “Grateful, Thankful, Blessed” cross-stitch piece by Lizzie Kate just in time for Thanksgiving.
  • And, last, but not least, I stitched this ornament with a little church. It was a fun, quick stitch with a surprising amount of detail packed into a small space.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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What I’m Reading — January 2017

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Rabbit Girl Crafts
I read books. A lot of books. I’m a librarian, what else can I say? Every month I share what books I finished last month and what I’m reading now. I also love to hear what others are reading. Please share your own reading lists in the comments.
What I'm Reading January 2017
I completed 57 books in 2016, easily beating my challenge to read 45 books. Goodreads created a cool infographic that shows an overview of what I read last year.  My average rating across all of the books I read was 3.7, which isn’t too bad.
Finished in December 2016
  • The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis. I read this for my church book club. Although published in book format, this is a published interview of the pope by Vatican reporter Andrea Tornielli, followed by the full text of Pope Francis’s bull of indiction declaring the year of mercy that ended in November 2016.
  • Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter. I picked this up in the library on a whim, and I loved it. It is a fun and creepy reimagining of an old Russian folktale featuring the infamous witch Baba Yaga, but taking place in an alternate version of modern Brooklyn, NY.
  • Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida. I loved this novel about identity and trying to figure out who you are when your past was a lie. The protagonist, Clarissa, isn’t particularly likeable or sympathetic, but that doesn’t detract from this haunting and challenging story.
  • Textbook by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Rosenthal is a prolific children’s book author, but this is her first book for grown-ups since she published Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life 10 years ago. I loved Encyclopedia, so I snapped this up the second I saw it during a recent excursion to an indie bookstore. I’m so glad I bought it in print. I don’t think this book would work well in ebook format because a good deal of the meaning is in the layout of the book, which is often lost in ebooks.
  • The Wander Society by Keri Smith. I think I have every book Smith has written. I love her approach to creativity and opening oneself up to the possibilities that exist around us in every moment — if only we could put down our cell phones long enough to notice. This is a book to re-read often and put into practice.
What I’m Reading Now
  • Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn. This is the current book for my church’s book club. I have read (and loved) other books by Nhat Hahn, but this is my first time reading this book, which is probably his most well-known.
  • 99 Stories of God by Joy Williams. Oh my goodness, how do I describe this book? I had never heard of Joy Williams until I came across a glowing and intriguing review of this collection of stories. Each story is only a page or two — some only a paragraph, but each one is like a punch to the gut.
What are you reading? Tell me in the comments or friend me on Goodreads!
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Happy Holidays!

Posted on December 18, 2016 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for me, and the next couple of weeks are going to be busy, too, with work, personal commitments, and the holidays. So, I’m going to stop stressing myself out about not having any stitching or writing time to be able to post updates here and just wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I’m going to keep working on the “12 Days of Christmas” piece by Satsuma Street over the break, plus some other things I have in the works, and hopefully after the holidays I’ll have lots of progress to show.

But, for now, stay warm, and I’ll be back in the new year!

Merry Christmas

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What I’m Reading–December 2016

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

I read books. A lot of books. I’m a librarian, what else can I say? Every month I share what books I finished last month and what I’m reading now. I also love to hear what others are reading. Feel free to share your own reading lists in the comments.

What I'm Reading Monthly Book Roundup

Finished in November

  • The Heretic’s Apprentice by Ellis Peters. Book #16 in the Brother Cadfael series. This one was okay, but not the most memorable story in the series.
  • The Potter’s Field by Ellis Peters. Cadfael solves the mystery of the death of a woman whose body is found in field.
  • Two Dogs and a Parrot: What Animals Can Teach Us About the Meaning of Life
    by Joan Chittister. I read this for my church book club. I enjoyed the stories about her animal companions, but the “moral lessons” for each story were a little strained.
  • The Summer of the Danes by Ellis Peters. I had to force myself to finish this one. I think I got burnt out on Cadfael. This entry in the series was light on mystery and heavy on obscure Welsh history.
  • The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. This book has been sitting on my to-read pile for years. I’m so glad I finally read it. It was wonderful.

What I’m Reading Now

  • The Name of God is Mercy by Pope Francis. This is the December book for my church book club. Our meeting is Thursday, so I should hurry up and finish it! Fortunately, it is very short.

I’m taking a break from the Cadfael series. I probably will not finish it this year even though I only have 3 books left in the series. I just need a break.

I’m also thinking about what I might want to read next year. I’m sure Goodreads will start allowing people to set 2017 reading challenges any day now.

What books are you recommending these days?

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Findings–12/10/16

Posted on December 10, 2016 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Findings Blog Graphic

It’s been a long week, and it’s not over yet. I’m trying to take care of myself and do as little as possible this weekend.

Findings is my weekly round-up of needlework, textile, books and art links from my wanderings around the web. Here are this week’s links:

Video of the Week

I’m still loving these “mannequin challenges.” This one from the New York Public Library is really charming. I love how they finished it, too.

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9+ Gift Ideas for Stitchers

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Do you have a stitcher in your life? I put together this little guide for gift ideas for cross-stitchers, embroiderers, and other needlework enthusiasts.

Whether you are looking for a gifts for a friend who loves needlearts or you are a needleworker who needs to give a loved one a nudge, I hope you find some ideas in this guide.

Gift Guide for Stitchers

Stitching Accessories

Looking for a quick, inexpensive gift or two for a secret Santa exchange or a stocking stuffer? These stitching accessories will always be appreciated:

Scissors

Stitchers can never have enough pairs of good embroidery scissors. These 4″ embroidery scissors by Gingher with a limited edition print are especially coveted.

Needle ID Cards

When you’re a stitcher, you have a LOT of needles in various shapes and sizes. How do you keep track of which needle is which? This clever set of ID cards allows you to match your needles with the pictures to figure out what size and type it is. I need these!

Armchair Needlework Organizer

Make it even easier for the stitcher in your life to get comfy in his/her favorite chair and have all the supplies they need at hand with this armchair needlework organizer from DMC. It even includes a removable pin cushion.

Craft Storage 

You can never have too many project bags or storage for your stitchy supplies. This Craft Project Folder by Yazzii is simple enough to work for a wide variety of embroidery and needlework projects so you can take your latest WIP with you anywhere. I also love simple mesh zipper bags like these for storing my needlework projects.

CrossStitch Calendar

Calendars are a perennial favorite gift for someone who is hard to buy for. But, why not make it a cross-stitch calendar? Annie’s cross-stitch calendar features a new pattern for each month.

Stitchy Box Subscription

If you want to give a gift that keeps on giving, maybe consider a subscription to Stitchy Box. Stitchy Box delivers a themed assortment of fabric and stitching supplies to your door six times a year. Good for the adventurous stitcher who loves surprises.

Stitchers, what other gifts would you love to receive? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!

 

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Findings–12/2/16

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Rabbit Girl Crafts

Findings Blog Graphic

This weekend I will be signing and addressing Christmas cards. I’ve also got to make a gift list and start some shopping. Since I do most of my shopping online these days, I’ve got to order soon if I want to receive things in time!

Findings is my weekly round-up of needlework, textile, books and art links from my wanderings around the web. Here are this week’s links:

Video of the Week

I should preface by saying that I have not seen “Hamilton” the musical, nor have I ever even listened to the soundtrack, but I have a bit of a crush on composer/actor/creator Lin-Manuel Miranda regardless, and this video of his family reenacting “Do Re Mi” from the “Sound of Music” is too adorable for words.

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