tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36141442011-12-12T09:30:54.144-05:00Random musings and various things that I'm working on.beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-74665840155926164752011-12-12T09:30:00.001-05:002011-12-12T09:30:54.170-05:00

Hello folks! I've started a new brooch, that'll be part of a series. I like working in series, as it lets me explore a number of ideas within a set of constraints. In this one, I'm playing with the color blue, texture, and layers. Happy stitching to everyone!

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-27112834380333589822011-12-07T17:28:00.001-05:002011-12-07T23:44:46.392-05:00

I'm having fun stitching up christmas ornaments. This one is on wool and worked, mostly, with silk sewing thread (Gütermann). The outlining is rayon (Sulky) wrapped string (ball I've had laying around for 20 years). And the pattern is by Sharon B. at PinTangle Happy stitching, everyone!

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-18381024030269745282011-11-13T17:53:00.001-05:002011-11-13T17:53:57.979-05:00

Pardon the cell phone quality, but here is the current project. I'd been having troubles with earlier projects. They were pretty enough, but they didn't feel like my work. They were unfocussed. So, I went back to basics. I limited this to 2 stitches: split stitch, and satin stitch (and its variations). I also limited the pallette to 2 colors, 1 accent, 1 neutral, and 1 metal (blue & green, orange

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-53288584470908829312011-03-06T18:04:00.001-05:002011-03-06T18:04:42.775-05:00

Here's an update on the current project. The outer petals, and leaves are done. Tonight I'll be setting up for the inner petals. I'll be working those over wire, using detached buttonhole, and gold thread. Have fun, and I'll post again tomorrow.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-31675163109885829762011-02-28T14:08:00.001-05:002011-02-28T14:08:01.615-05:00

Hi folks! I know it's been a long time since I last posted. I'm hoping to be better at it starting, this month. The picture is of the latest, finished, embroidery.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-36479608187855862832010-02-24T10:17:00.000-05:002010-02-24T10:17:34.611-05:00

I'm having a ball with these little things. here's another one.   Here's the front.My tribute to the Matrix.... Dot Matrix.  And the back...  And the whole happy set!

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-26077276143816489882010-02-20T00:24:00.000-05:002010-02-20T00:24:06.020-05:00

I've been enjoying myself with some basic notebook making.  I know it doesn't look like a notebook. In fact, it *is* an old cigarette pack that I sanded, gessoed, painted and varnished. I'm happy with how it turned out.  Except...the case looked a little full... *Blargleblelble!* See, there they go, all better now.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-90814838649215387622010-02-02T20:47:00.001-05:002010-02-02T20:49:41.661-05:00

 This is the current art project, it's about 18 inches by 30 inches. I'm working on paper that I've treated heavily with gesso. The first layer of text is done with graphite (a no-wood pencil) then I hit it up with matte medium to give it a look similar to ivory and the white layer of text is gesso because I love the effect it has in the light.  Here's a closeup, if you're curious. Oh the text is

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-7162131019815273832010-01-31T19:33:00.000-05:002010-01-31T19:33:59.551-05:00

Time to restart the blog. expect more updates.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-47400568545522720172009-04-05T23:24:00.003-04:002009-04-05T23:27:15.335-04:00

Here's the latest finished project, it only took 60 hours, which is a lot faster than usual.The white material is glow in the dark embroidery floss, and sewing thread. I'm still trying to photograph that well, so it's visible. (I think it has something to do with exposure settings, but I'm not that good at this stuff)

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-80993354307248214572009-03-25T21:57:00.003-04:002009-03-25T22:07:43.662-04:00

Okay, here's more of my trying to blog more regularly.This is the most recent finished project. I'll have pictures of the next one in a few days.This one is worked over wire, like the last one. The stitches are buttonhole, chain, french knots and woven picots around the center.The back is worked in detached buttonhole with stem stitch worked on top. Also the base is edged in detached buttonhole.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-77429261281410335312009-03-20T23:41:00.010-04:002009-03-21T00:27:33.795-04:00

Long time no post...."Let me 'splain... No, there's too much. Let me sum up."The reason for the break in posts, from last year, is that we moved. I no longer have the craft area that I had at the old apartment. But I'm still crafting. It's been an interesting year, and I'm now able to get out, and have been going to the local library (it's a 5 minute walk) to work on my embroidery. This is some

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-20641942891305324962008-05-12T12:19:00.003-04:002009-03-20T23:30:30.967-04:00

Moving the desk to the front was a good idea. I'm able to fit a rug (just picked it up Saturday at IKEA) and the round worktable back there. It's starting to look a lot better. The unfinished state of the walls and floor is an annoyance, but I can live with it. I like the flow of the space better now too. I think it'll be much more functional once it's finished. This is the jewelry storage, it

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-35160734331735860442008-05-04T10:54:00.003-04:002008-05-04T11:20:57.645-04:00

I've moved the desk to the front of the room. I think that'll work better, and maybe improve the wireless internet connection out there. (not so many walls, pipes, and stuff)And moving the desk has given me a dance floor in the rest of the room. It's a good space for a table and chairs, and laying out sewing. I've still got to work on the above-shelf storage. I'm not entirely sure how to set it

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-49568307608848116372008-05-02T09:35:00.005-04:002008-05-02T09:49:40.372-04:00

Organization, part two....and an experiment.First, the experiment. I don't know why my pictures format the way they do, and that I can't get them in line with the text. Hopefully I'll figure it out in this post edited to add: It's figured out! Woot! (and I figured out, more or less, how to fix the previous postOn to the organizationThis is the "Clean Sweep" staging area for sorting stuff, it's

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-19861248924449724802008-05-01T23:29:00.006-04:002008-05-02T09:48:07.462-04:00

Here are the before pictures of the craft space. The first picture is of the main bookcases and storage in there. I've let it get entirely too cluttered and hard to find things, this winter. The craft space is relatively unheated so it's hard to work in there.The second picture is towards the desk area. I didn't take a picture of the table in front of it, since there wasn't room to stand. (Yes,

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-83702171563983371052008-04-29T09:05:00.002-04:002008-04-29T09:09:26.650-04:00

Organization.....or the woes of a long winter.It has finally happened, I couldn't stand my craft space any longer. I couldn't find my tailors' awl, my large format bristol paper...or the floor.Coming up will be pictures of the mostly before state (I took the pictures after already clearing it out a bit, so I'd have somewhere to stand. I'll also post pictures of the reorganization.I'm already

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-25939943104521457242008-04-15T21:54:00.007-04:002008-04-15T22:23:01.480-04:00

An update on the new rug...and it's an experiment with using my camera and trying to figure out GIMP to modify images. (so far, trying to fiddle with 'level's' and 'histogram' have been an utter bust)If the sun is out tomorrow, I've got some jewelry to photograph.For those that are interested, punch hooking is a marvelous way to make one of a kind rugs, and use up those yarn scraps that seem to

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-82776378490265630782008-04-14T22:25:00.002-04:002008-04-14T22:31:16.471-04:00

I've finally got the banner and front page of my shop at Etsy set up! Woot!In other news, I'm getting the camera figured out. Still nothing worth posting, but that'll change once I figure out the timer option thingie (I don't do well taking pictures when I have to press the button, my hand still tremors too much) Also, the kitchen is clean, the living room is tidier, and the rug is coming along.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-64887826920693750132008-03-30T00:57:00.004-04:002008-03-30T01:05:22.910-04:00

Here's that scroll that I was mentioning.And I got the computer working...YAY!And (again) I did get the rug started, I'm calling this one stained glass flowers. I should have pictures next week or so, and I'll have it posted on Etsy as well.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-69231860926581284092008-03-24T10:34:00.002-04:002008-03-24T10:41:36.458-04:00

Here are some useful documents for any craftsman or artist, from the Society of North American Goldsmiths (wonderful folks!)http://www.snagmetalsmith.org/Publications/Professional_Guidelines/it's a collection of pdf's and well worth browsing.Notes for today:finish the scroll for the East Kingdom (a Terpsichore, picture to be posted after Saturday)laundrytry to fix desktop computer so I can get

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-28235765021590852072008-03-21T18:14:00.000-04:002008-03-21T18:16:01.076-04:00

YAY!! I finally got this damned thing to work again! WooHOOO!

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1091195403666604212004-07-30T09:45:00.000-04:002004-07-30T09:50:03.666-04:00

It's been a while since I've updated. So here we go..... Projects that I'm currently working on: A luxurious velvet pieced throw with embroidered vines and flowers over it. The current colors are Red, Purple, Moss Green and a buttery brown color. It's more than a little decadent, and I love it :) I'm thinking instead of standard tufting, I'll over stuff it, and use buttons for the tie downs, of

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1089819176836205482004-07-14T11:32:00.000-04:002004-07-14T11:32:56.836-04:00

Just a quick update...I'll be teaching a beginner's embroidery class this coming weekend and I've almost finished the kits for it. Most people, don't fill a canvas tote with needles, pincushions, scissors, embroidery hoops, floss and fabric for their students. That's what I'm doing. These folks will be well supplied.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1089818985467788322004-07-14T11:29:00.000-04:002004-07-14T11:29:45.466-04:00

Blogger Help Topic Advanced Use

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1082104002850477222004-04-16T04:26:00.000-04:002004-04-16T04:30:35.450-04:00

Which Big O character are you?

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1082094919808252572004-04-16T01:55:00.000-04:002008-04-15T01:06:04.066-04:00

My life is rated NC-17.What is your life rated?

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1080050894571719972004-03-23T09:08:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.073-04:00

I am 70% British, just likeMichael CaineThough you know your way around London you are most likely to retire to the West Coast of the USA.Take the Brit Quiz atdarrenlondon.tripod.com/britquiz1.htmQuiz written by Daz

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1079741247107528412004-03-19T19:07:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.079-04:00

Hey! This is the second time in one month that I've blogged! Hi EK!. Well, I'm diving into the waters of E-bay again. I just won an auction for a book that I've been needing for a while, and it's so hard to find it's almost mythical. And it's inspiring me to consider selling on e-bay. I've been weeding and purging through the house and have been inspired by the show "Clean Sweep" on TLC. So I'm

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1078282724115470042004-03-02T21:58:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.084-04:00

Hmm, it's been a while since the last post, so... I went to a Nova Scola, and Baronial Birthday in Bergental (Western Mass) and had a wonderful time. I picked up some tips for blackwork, cardweaving, naalbinding and fingerloop braiding. There was a class on how to meet people and get involved in the SCA and it was wonderful, there was a wide range of folks, with different levels of experience

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1076908484030240672004-02-16T00:14:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.092-04:00

The pretty red and cream check, with ecru embroidery turned out really pretty. The design is chunkier than I like, but it doesn't look bad. The white fabric pen worked magnificently. The lines are fine enough, and they show up beautifully on the ash gray linen smock. The hardanger is done! New projects. I finished a viking tunic in time for Birka, and it didn't suck. I'm going to add a bit

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1074826686731253422004-01-22T21:58:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.099-04:00

Last night I had a mad-scientist moment (tm) and realized that with fabric paint and a stencil, I might be able to transfer an embroidery pattern to black wool. I tried it out, first, on some inexpensive cotton, a pretty red and cream check. I washed the fabric, pressed the fabric, and then got out the white fabric paint, a stencil, and a small stamping brush. After heat setting it, my worst

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1074316847964469402004-01-17T00:20:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.104-04:00

Well, the cording worked great, and the dance belt, with pearls, gold beads and silver coins, looks wonderful. That weight is also wonderful for buttonhole edging on linen handkerchiefs. Not too much excitement here at the moment, finishing up a pillow, beaded and trimmed, for my sister-in-law. Doing some embroidery on a shirt for my brother. Oh, some excitement. Janet Arnold's "Patterns of

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1070767019414307142003-12-06T22:16:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.114-04:00

I love this! http://userpic.livejournal.com/8446730/527968

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1070763744610434972003-12-06T21:22:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.121-04:00

Well, I've been having fun with Rhapsody :) Lovely music program, it works. And, I've been working on a good-sized embroidery project using silk cording, the same stuff that's used for making pearl necklaces. The size of the cording is a bit coarse FFF, if I wanted finer work, I could use F or D, but I need this one to move fast. By the way, this cording is great for making buttons and

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1070723883074581472003-12-06T10:18:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.127-04:00

RHAPSODY Link

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1070509520019147972003-12-03T22:45:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.133-04:00

RHAPSODY Link

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1068385932233078332003-11-09T08:52:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.139-04:00

Hey Mr. VJ: " "

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1068184315529761832003-11-07T00:51:00.000-05:002008-04-15T01:06:04.146-04:00

I Found the pearl cotton, in the colors and weights that I want! Yay DMC! Grabbed up a couple spools of the black and some lovely rose colors. I'm not yet sure what I'll do with the rose colored ones, but I'm sure I'll get inspired. Assembly of the garments is going as well as can be expected. Thank the gods for the flat-lining method of garment construction. So much simpler and quicker. More

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1067127522604184862003-10-25T20:18:00.000-04:002008-04-15T01:06:04.155-04:00

The cloak turned out wonderfully. The embroidered collar looks great and it's just like a great big scarf in feel. I'm looking forward to doing it up in the orange melton. I'm still debating between black trim or moss green. Current projects, finished a couple quilt blocks in shades of red to black. Quite nice really. Finished the embroidery project. It's easily the best thing I've ever done.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1066429642931134182003-10-17T18:27:00.000-04:002008-04-15T01:06:04.160-04:00

Just a quick note, I'm working on a new cloak. The wool is a little thinner than I rememembered it, but it will drape well and eventually will make a great lining for my much nicer cloak.

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1066356172508198422003-10-16T22:02:00.000-04:002008-04-15T01:06:04.167-04:00

Oh this is just too beautiful to keep to myself. Enjoy :)

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1066356023737186182003-10-16T22:00:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.806-04:00

Okay, the shirt went horribly awry. I ended up having to cut it off, after trying it on. So I finished a hat instead, and converted the fabric and embroidery into napkins. At least those are pretty and I don't have to worry if they fit. On a positive note...I tried out the "Elizabethan Men's Wardrobe" pattern from Margot Anderson. The shirt turned out beautifully. I just need to cut down the

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1065292521267990262003-10-04T14:35:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.810-04:00

The shirt has not been going well, although the embroidery has been. I had planned to wear it to an SCA even this morning. It's now four and a half hours later and I'm realizing that it needs underarm gussets, else I can't even put it on. Thankfully I have enough of the fabric left to do it. I can't get more of the fabric, I figured out that I bought this about 18 years ago, and am only now

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-1065157523539985192003-10-03T01:05:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.813-04:00

Well, it's been a long time since I've posted to this. I'm starting a new shirt in a heavy taupe colored linen. Apparently this, as well as orange, is a color I like. I also found some wool, some wierd tapestry material, and some garment weight wool, all in the same color. Once again, I've forgotten to cut the interfacing for the collar at the same time as the pattern pieces, no big hardship,

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-816602152002-09-16T01:56:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.817-04:00

Just a greatly delayed update to the thing here. I've been going to Rennaisance Faires and sewing garb for it. I'm doing a lot of online research also. There's a lot more out there than I thought there would be. I'm currently sewing up a shirt with embroidered cuffs and collar. See you later

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-786176882002-07-06T10:56:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.820-04:00

Well, yesterday I got the yard all tidied up. Very productive day if I do say so myself. I'll be upgrading my blog so I can insert pictures of the garden, particularly the ten foot hollyhocks. This is the link for Holly Lisle's community on the web. Go check it out! http://hollylisle.com/ Yesterday I did another thousand words on the article I'll be submitting to Vision. Check out the magazine

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-785964242002-07-05T17:21:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.824-04:00

I folks more quick notes, I'll be posting pictures of my garden here

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3614144.post-785177712002-07-03T14:38:00.000-04:002009-03-20T23:37:36.828-04:00

Welcome to my Web Log. I'll be posting comments on my world as the mood strikes me. Thus far not much to tell. I've discovered Holly Lisle. Her books are wonderfully well written. Go Buy Them. I'll post more about that later. I've also discovered her website. Forward Motion. Once the site reconstruction is complete I'll post a link. Thank you for Reading this. Beard5--Bob Dorr

beard5http://www.blogger.com/profile/04005181542051113220noreply@blogger.com0