My house needs rescuing!

This week has flown by!  I can’t believe tomorrow is Friday already… Jim will be home and OMG the downstairs looks like a tornado went through!

When I made the new pillow covers I got a wild hair to completely redo the downstairs.  Our bedroom is already done in black and ivory, I started to do the rest that way, but changed it midway.  As a result, it’s been a rather ugly mixture.  Yesterday I began pulling everything off the walls, tables… you name it, if it could be moved it’s been moved!  Fresh slate!  Might as well do some heavy duty cleaning while I’m at it!

I’ve been spending more time creating and dreaming than cleaning though… hence the war zone.  Some new coasters in coordinating fabrics, along with a temporary table runner that I’d made out of embroidery samples a while back… it won’t be staying but for now it’s helping me think about my color palette.

I just love those criss cross coasters!  I have made so many of them and they are the best coasters ever!  They wash and dry beautifully, and since I put a layer of batting in mine, they always absorb any liquid without soaking through to the table.

I’m trying something totally new to me and it’s so fun!  I’m creating an embroidered wall hanging, that’s stitched in sections.  Each section is then trimmed and sewn to the next section with a zigzag stitch.  When the entire mural is done, satin trim will cover all the joins, and then batting and a backing will be applied, edges bound.

One section shown, then the next picture is two sections, and finally, the last one is what I have completed so far.  This is a new design set by OESD called “Picturesque Peacock”.  It took me most of a day to recolor it all, and I hope I’m going to like the end result.

I’m sewing it out on velveteen, and even with a layer of Solvy on top, the stitches are still sinking in a fair amount and they’re hard to see, because the design is fairly open.  But I think it will be okay when done.

For Christmas, my parents gave me a beautiful wall sconce/urn, and I ran to Hobby Lobby for some greenery and flowers, and put together an arrangement for it and hung it on the wall.  It’s going to be perfect with my new color scheme!  Flower arranging is not my forte, but I think it turned out alright.

I’m in the zone… and all I want to do is create right now.  But I think I better find some willpower and go downstairs and clean up the unholy mess I’ve made!

Comments

[Diane Obernesser]

CJ, Looks like you've got a good start on the peacock. Did you recolor like the Hatched peacock you did a while ago? I just downloaded the one from OESD yesterday. I'd like to try multi-hooping it, but there are travel on edge stitches. Probably too much work to rework it. I'm anxious to see how yours works out. Good luck with the hanging. Diane in CT

[Cindy C.]

LOL , I know that the coasters and such are sitting on our coffee table because we have the same coffee table. CJ, it's just too strange how much you and I gravitate towards the same......"things".

I want to zigzag the crochet lace pieces that my machines made the other day - for Katie's dolls.

Gee, do you think I'm overdoing just for dolls? NOPE - we're talking my Katie here....LOL

[Dee]

Wow -- I feel so 'unproductive'

I can't wait to be more productive -- my new sewing table top is awesome and am working on an apron, a baby quilt and the graduation quilt #2 so I can resquare it ....

[Sandy]

I love your new color scheme, CJ. :)

[Jamie W]

Dontcha just love those "wild hairs"? LOL

I love the colors and the wall hanging and the flower arrangement! When your done with your house, you can come do mine. ;)

[Jeanette]

I don't think your stitches look like they are sinking in...in fact, I think they look great! But if they are have you thought about increasing the density of the stitches? That helps a lot with towels...
jnet

[Hilary McDaniel]

I really like the wall arrangement. That's really pretty. I love the color of the regular peacock but I must say yours is looking rather handsome. I like your color scheme and I think you're doing it nicely. Can't wait to see what all you end up doing.

[Geri]

Your work is beautiful. Love the wall hanging. The colors look great. You have been busy and that is a good thing with Jim being gone.

Keep up the good work.
Geri

[Beckie]

I know the feeling about the need to clean. I have taken extra pain meds today, just so I can get a couple of bathrooms clean. I am so behind in cleaning, well, I'm glad that health inspectors don't make house calls.

The peacock is beautiful. I have not seen that one by OESD. I signed up for the machine giveaway. Would love to give one to my daughter for some creative therapy!

[Becky R]

The peacock is beautiful!

[Polly]

Wow! I love it. Your colors are- as always- RIGHT ON! Your skill amazes me every time!!

[Vivian]

I'm sure your house is fine after you pick up your pillow making stuff. Now, my house on the other hand . . .

[Carolyn]

You say flower arranging isn't your forte but the one you did in the sconce looks very professional.. I love it! Is the peacock from BFC?

[Diane]

While out with my family yesterday I saw this really pretty ivory bedspread with black embroidery on it and thought of you. If I can figure out how to get it off mt phone and into an email I will send you the pictures I took.
The peacock looks nice.