Are you wondering what you are going to do with all of those embroidery pieces you have been making / plan to make / want to make / might not ever make?!?!?!
Well I was wondering too!! So as I was trying to make up my mind I decided to go BEAD shopping this past Friday night! WAHOOO!!! See what I bought!?! I had to share! Sooo pretty. So many oranges and teals and oranges and ummm teals....and hmmm... greens and more teals and oranges. Strange. I guess I need to branch out?
Anyway... I also got the cutest little fish button on-the-planet too! You see... The Artful Bead had a little preview night this past Friday. The owner of the store and her very most favorite people went shopping at this gigantic bead show in Tucson, AZ a couple of weeks ago... and when they got back they had a little open house to share all their goodies! I went last year and knew I had to make it to the one this year. So I gathered up my very most favorite people and hauled them off to dinner and bead shopping. It was soooo fun! I wish you guys could have been there! We would have taken down the house! hehe (Mary (the owner) is prolly thanking her lucky stars that did not happen)!
When I got back from bead shopping I still had the dilemma of what to do with my little tiny embroidery pieces... so I decided to go shopping AGAIN...! When life stresses you out... shop for craft supplies. That always helps me cope!
So where was I going with this anyway?
Since I am using almost nothing but wool for my embroidery/crewel projects... creating stuff that you can wash (like cute little hankies and towels and apron pockets and onesies and.. and.. and.. you get the idea)...it's just not possible with my current thread situation. If I want to make washable stuff this means that I need even more thread... sigh. Now is just not a good time for more thread. Seriously. I am busting at the seams in the craft supplies department. Even more so than I was 6 months ago. I might have a fire sale to get rid of it all so I can start all over (cause shopping for craft supplies is almost as much fun as making stuff right!?!?!). How did I get back to the topic of shopping? hmmmm
Anyhoo... I decided to use simple picture frames (meaning - cheap) for my tiny embroidery pieces - a Hank here and Hamie there.. you know who I mean right?
I went to the ever-so-fabulous Tuesday Morning (it's like the decoration section of Ross, Marshalls and TJMax all combined into one giant fabulous store)... and I picked up several picture frames for less than $3.00 each! I had hit the thrift store earlier than morning but they were picked clean (booooo for people discovering how completely fabulous thrift stores are).
I got a flowery frame and this plain circle opening frame with a little nick on it. I figured I could spray paint over them (besides they were kinda white and plain and needed some snazzling up anyway). So I hauled RonChops over to the Home Depot (like that was tough) after our Valentine's dinner (so we could get some spray paint)! Pretty spray paint...teal and bright green spray paint! Soooo pretty!
I had to knock the glass out of one of them but that was pretty easy to do. I just took it outside and smacked the center with a hammer inside of some newspaper (that helps to get your pent up craft aggravations all worked out).
I did the whole spray paint thing very carefully cause I did not want any paint pools (I actually ended up doing two light coats to make one nice even coating). Worked like a champ!
I made a little tweet bird and a small flower stem and leaf for the centers of the two frames. I ended up using one of the bead discs I had purchased at the bead store the night before as a flower top (that's pretty much why I bought them... for flower tops and buttons... they are just perfect for that)!
I embroidered each piece on some quilt batting I got on sale about a year ago. I think I ended up getting something like 5 yards of the stuff for DIRT CHEAP (which just so happens to be my middle name)! Lolly D.C. Chops (that was a toughie to explain in grade school).
I messed up on the blanket stitch on the bird and basically made a little swarm of french knots under the wing to cover up my little boo-boo.
When RonChops was doing his nightly craft project inspection rounds he noticed said it looked like the poor thing had a growth or defect or something. Poor pathetic baby. I decided to keep her anyway... she's just special! I loved using the quilt batting cause it made them look a little fuzzy and cute! I just love it!
I have more pics to share and sadly no more stories...
so here are my pics all stacked up like a little pack of crackers...
Here is a close up of the stitches.. I did a chain stitch with some little french knots in the holes of each one. I just love this look to pieces!
This is completely random. My sister sent my mom and I some of her button stash and this was in there. I fell in love. Wait till I show you some of the other ones. You guys are going to freak out at the mother of pearl buttons. Seriously.
Here is the sticker from the back of the button pack!!!
Look at that... this whole pack of buttons was only 18 cents!?
I wonder how old these little puppies are?!?! Anyone have a guess?
I know.. another random one. 3 people emailed me asking about the picture frame I used in The Butterfly Post from yesterday. Here is a close up so you can see how the frame is put together.
I hope this helps girls!
So I think I am all done for today! I had so much fun writing this post. I'll be back on Friday with more shares!
I hope you are all having a terrific week!
More hugs than you can stand,
P.S. Have I told you guys about my second craft room project yet AND the new craft room shelves RonChops installed for Valentine's Day??? I do not think I have!!!
I now have a second craft room. I have named her "The Craft Room Annex"... I will share pics next week... I am soo excited it's not even funny. I am having just a few problems decorating it though... it's an entirely round room - which means you cannot hang any pictures in there (and if you know me, you know that I like to hang pictures from floor to ceiling)... I am thinking quilts and tapestries and such might work! I just do not know yet. I might need some help from you guys! Keep your eyeballs peeled! xoxoxoxoxo (a P.S. with two paragraphs... that's a new record for me!!!)
I am incredibly jealous... 2 craft rooms?!? How are you going to decide which one to craft in?!? and I LOVE the frames and the chain stitch with the french knots in side each one! I would've never thought of that - but the effect is gorgeous!
Posted by: Leigh | February 18, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Gorgeous buttons, and a round craft room sounds amazing! Can't wait for the pictures.
Posted by: Alli | February 18, 2009 at 08:36 AM
These beads are gorgeous!
I am looking forward to see pictures of your scraproom!
Posted by: Hester | February 18, 2009 at 09:28 AM
You have the best ideas ever! I'm loving your frames and the flower and bird look great in them. I bought a white frame yesterday from Tuesday Morning for my butterfly project. I'm still trying to figure out the color scheme for the project but, now I will be spray painting the frame!
I can't believe you get two craft rooms! My house is so tiny that I had to turn my living room into my craft room. You should see the looks I get sometimes when people first come to my house and immediately walk into my craft room. It's a test I use. If I have to explain why my house is set up that way I don't want them to come back!
Posted by: Toi | February 18, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Can I move into your annex? I need some space! Except, last time I checked I don't think Virginia and Texas were all that close together on the map. Darn it.
You crack me up and I wish we were neighbors, I have a feeling we would have a GREAT time!! I worked at a bead shop a couple of years ago - it was fun and addicting. And I love all things lt. blue/turq/teal. In fact I just redid my iron bistro set with that exact same blue spray paint. AND i recovered the seats with some Heather Bailey pop garden fabric. I need a warm sunny day to take a picture and blog about it.
Posted by: amylouwho | February 18, 2009 at 09:47 AM
OK,we are going too fast, I can't keep UP! You know, I have some cute little round wooden frames I've had for YEARS. Maybe I'll find them and embroider some pics for them - that tree pattern from last week would look darling in one! :)
Posted by: MomChops | February 18, 2009 at 09:49 AM
Wow those buttons are fab! Where did your sister find those?
Posted by: Stacey | February 18, 2009 at 10:06 AM
Your crafts inspire me! I just can't keep up them! I want to make everything you make. I just love it. :)
Posted by: Sarah | February 18, 2009 at 10:09 AM
TWO craft rooms!!! That's more fun than I can handle! I love your frames! I posted a bit of wonderfulness about you on my blog today!
Posted by: Jingle | February 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
I'm down with a fire sale. I'd gobble lots of your stuff up!
Posted by: Toni | February 18, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Sounds like your bead shopping was a lot of fun! Your color palette is so different from mine! It's fun to see the colors you pick. I've been wanting to do some embroidery lately (on fabric... as you know, I'm working on a leather embroidery project - which I really need to get back to!), so it's been great fun to watch your progress.
Posted by: Christina J. | February 18, 2009 at 11:17 AM
I am lovin' the beads, sounds like a great shop! We have a bead shop in Columbus called 'Byzantium' and they have a world class selection. You could spend paychecks in there, honest!
I dig the pieces embroidered on the batting, clever idea! I'll be trying that, I have some nice cotton leftover from my quilting attempts. :)
Have a super-happy day! xo
Posted by: merivelmoon | February 18, 2009 at 11:31 AM
The frames came out great! Isn't it fab how much better things look with a simple change like spray paint!
Posted by: Katie | February 18, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I love all of your fun stuff!! I made one of your embroidery patterns, picture found here http://marriottrealm.blogspot.com/2009/02/bird.html
Posted by: Megan | February 18, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Wow! A round room? Knock me down!! I too have buttons galore left over from a little visit by the Renaissance button rep. Yikes! Also overflow of antique silk flowers, silk ribbon for embroidery and books and beads and and and we should have a swap meet! That or we should have our shopping licences revoked! HA!
I went on an ebay t shirt bender and sent one person like 20 notes because I was so excited and got the wrong things. I think I am nutsy this week.
Posted by: Pandemic | February 18, 2009 at 01:58 PM
I love how you did the embroidery on quilt batting--genius! I love both of those pieces, but I must say that I am coveting the flower because it is absolutely gorgeous!!!!
Posted by: Fuji Mama | February 18, 2009 at 02:06 PM
You are a craft genius. I love the fact that you have two rooms now (I've been trying to get Timbionics to let me have two as well)(just so I don't have to go all the way outside to the back yard and my little studio). I have craft room envy. And I love that you called it the annex. How perfect. I'm also with you on the whole shopping thing. I wish I could be a craft supply shopper for someone rich and lazy. LOL.
Great ideas you had and your framed pieces turned out amazing. :D
Posted by: kimberlee | February 18, 2009 at 02:23 PM
Love the frames - the embroidery looks a-dor-a-ble in them. And I can't wait to see more about the craft room annex. Tours, please! That RonChops is sure a sweety!
Okay, how 'bout hanging things from the ceiling for decor. Like a mobile with your birdies, or an origami piece like http://community.theknot.com/cs/ks/blogs/wedding_style_file/archive/2009/01/13/reception-decor-asian-inspired-origami-birds.aspx
Posted by: Annie Pazoo | February 18, 2009 at 04:30 PM
So my good friend Jingle said I should check out your blog and she was so right!! I am totally inspired! In fact, I'm going to try that butterfly project tonight! So awesome!
Posted by: kaydrenth | February 18, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Girl these butterflies are fun and just awesome!!!!
Posted by: blanch | February 18, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Both embroidery projects are so cute, but I especially heart that green frame . . . a lot!!
Hanging pictures in a round room -- you could run some wire from point A to point B, and hang pictures from the wire (the wire would serve as your "straight wall") . . . you could screw or nail coat hooks into the wall and hang pictures from those . . . your pictures wouldn't hang flush against the wall, but there's no reason they have to =)
Posted by: Glenda | February 18, 2009 at 09:39 PM
How cute and adoorabble your work is here! Ronchops must be proud to have created two craft rooms! I have to hide in my music room to get my crafts done (hahaha). Anyhew, I too visited our favorite little bead store and I too went a wee bit crazy with my buyings after my receiving of my prize (aka the "mother load"). I will have fun beading once I find some time to sit down. Yeah... I think my knees still bend... me thinks! :)
Posted by: Beth aka flute diva | February 18, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I almost forgot to say that your cute little fish looks like it could be the cousin to the cute little Frog that I got! I think I may have to send you a pic when I get a chance :)
Posted by: Beth aka flute diva | February 18, 2009 at 10:51 PM
that's it.
i'm adding both of those framed art pieces to my wedding registry.
just sayin.
heart u
Posted by: MissAnne | February 18, 2009 at 11:36 PM
I say stick with the bead color scheme - so fresh.
Love the frames and to think that Tuesday Morning is right down the street from me. T*R*O*U*B*L*E*
And for the record, I am green with envy that you have two craft rooms. I can't wait to see the pics so I can find something wrong with them. Kidding - well... atleast about the finding something wrong with them part. :)
Posted by: Sara Moriarty | February 19, 2009 at 12:09 AM
Ok, Ms. Lollychops,,you now have me hankering for some of those beads and for some of those picture frames. They are so perfect for the embroidered pieces. I am still working on my birdie. I have alot of little frames like those and never thought about spray painting them. I just love your Lolly ideas!!!!
xoxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Beth | February 19, 2009 at 10:22 AM
LOVE the green frame Lolly! It reminds me of the linen fabric on the pillow I sent! I love Tuesday Morning too! It's a fun little store!
Posted by: Penny@sewtakeahike | February 19, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Ok- I just discovered your blog this morning ( via Ali) and you have me going crazy here-every post is inspiring me,its only 7AM and I am chomping at the bit to get to my craft room! Those buttons need to be framed as is-everything about them is fabulous! Thanks to you my TO DO list now includes #1 drink a lot of wine so I can make a cork wreath #2 learn how to do crewel embroidery #3 go thrifting to find some cool frames #4 buy quilt batting to embroider on (love how that looks!)#5 dig out all of my butterfly punches(or open the new Big Shot die I got from Stampin Up-3 different sizes of butterflies-I could make a larger version of your piece!!) #6 finish working on my craft room-it will never look like yours-mine is in the basement with no natural light-boo hoo but I will do what I can!
I am not even past mid Feb. in your posts yet! You rock!
Posted by: mary walmer | March 02, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Ok Mary... here is my list.
1) You totally cracked me up!!! 2) Did you say that StampinUp has a
butterfly die for my Sizzix bigKick????? Gulp.. 3) Need to go order that
die and NOW (wondering if 7am is too early to call my SU rep???) 4) Have
left her a message. I think it might have been too early to call her. 5)
Do NOT even look at December's posts (no matter what). 6) Sending hugs your
way for making my day!
Posted by: LollyChops | March 02, 2009 at 08:34 AM
I somehow arrived at your blog from somewhere and just had to comment on how fun your writing style is -- your personality totally shines through (or maybe barged through ^^) and I just love it!
Really beautiful pieces, by the way. That spray paint looks yummy.
Posted by: Aneesah | April 20, 2009 at 04:54 AM