Easter portraits

When I posted my portrait of Winnie I mentioned that I hoped to do some additional portraits soon. The opportunity came this month, and I was able to finish two portraits as an Easter thank you for my sister-in-law and her daughter-in-law.

February was a tough month for our extended family, so I wanted to do something life-affirming with my embroidery. Since we were unexpectedly in Michigan, I was reminded again of how darling my sister-in-law's first great grand daughter is. She is a spunky little Disney princess and once we left, I was really looking forward to embroidering her.

This time, I played a lot with the photos and for the first time wasn't afraid to rip out stitches and re-stitch lines. I still have a long way to go to become a portrait artist, but I think that there is a noticeable improvement over my last attempt.

 

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Tea time

I made one final Christmas gift--a tea cozy for my neighbor who is starting a tea catering business out of her home. She's moving slowly with it, researching all the state food service regulations and practicing her menus. In the meantime, my husband and I are recipients of her experiments. It is great to have a neighbor who bakes!

The original name of her proposed business was Come Have Tea With Me, hence the saying on the cozy. She has already sent me some Pinterest ideas for more cosies. I am looking forward to working on them later this year!

 

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JOY

The hand-made Christmas presents weren't numerous this year, but I did make Christmas banners for over the fireplace--four in all. I made one for each step son, one for my parents, and one for my husband and me. I sent my husband a photo of the two I made for his sons and when he said he wanted one as well, I told him that there was no possible way I could make any more before I came home. Then I proceeded to do just that!

I had seen similar banners in a craft book that I borrowed from the library, but when I went back to look for the book, I couldn't find it, so I had the fun job of designing them myself. I printed the letters out on my computer along with a triangle template and was soon off and running.

Since the letters are machine appliquéd and really have to look nice, I was terrified, but I didn't have to redo any of them. They aren't perfect, but I am satisfied with how they turned out.

 

Four sets turned out to be the perfect number for the fabric I had bought too. I had no waste!

A banner hanging over my parent's hearth.

 

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