trees, vacation and happy things
My little tree wall hanging is all done. I thoroughly enjoyed the process, having been my very first applique-by-hand project. Do you see those few french knots up at the top? Well, I'm here to tell ya that that is the very first time I have succeeded in doing those!! Still, I need lots of practice refining my technique. You should have seen me, I was all thumbs and totally awkward--but hey, those are french knots, thank you very much. It only took me like, 5 thousand years to get the hang of it. Speaking of french knots, have you seen the swoon worthy pillows at the connect the dots pillow project over at Purl ? Wow-wee. Love those. here are a couple more close up pictures of my hanging. The photo quality is lame, but man, I'm just too busy sometimes to try and be Ansel Adams every time I take a photo.
Simple Sparrow is going to fly the coup in a couple of days and head up to Oregon and Washington for vacation. Family, friends, shopping, swimming, sitting and doing nothing...you know the routine. I'll be gone for nearly 3 weeks (!!!) It's possible I may feel like squeezing in a post or two while I'm there. When I get back I have a new project I'm excited to share with you and I'll be doing another shop update and a give-away! woohoo.
I feel the need to also just say thank you, again, to all of you who stop by here to visit me. I appreciate each and every one of you! Really. Reading your kind comments is always a bright spot in my day and I thank you so much for that. xo.
I'll leave you with some things that are making me happy this week.....
This small arrangement--hydrangeas from the yard and a vintage bowl with beach stones sitting on an old picnic basket.
My new flats.
And my very cool new bag made by my dear friend, Blue Corduroy. Em, can I tell you again how much I love this? It's a match made in heaven :)
I love the hanging, what a great piece! Have a wonderful vacation!!
Posted by: amy | July 30, 2007 at 03:55 AM
lovely,lovely trees!
Posted by: emma | July 30, 2007 at 05:29 AM
Your wall hanging is very nice! And I laughed about your Ansel Adams comment. :)
Posted by: Beth | July 30, 2007 at 05:52 AM
ah...tree bliss. vacation bliss to you and yours as well.
lauren
Posted by: Lauren | July 30, 2007 at 05:53 AM
This wall hanging is so beautiful! I just bought an old book about embroidery (I was inspired by the book you were using for this project) and can't wait to start some stitching of a new (to me) kind. have a wonderful vacation!
Posted by: Julia | July 30, 2007 at 05:54 AM
The wall hanging is really pretty - it's a great idea.
Can you give me more information on your new flats? They are adorable and I am in the market for sassy new flats.
Posted by: Sandy | July 30, 2007 at 06:28 AM
i just posted a picture of my very first embroidery project with french knots too!!
I love your wall hanging and the "flats" that word always makes me laugh, almost as much as "pumps".
joy
Posted by: joy | July 30, 2007 at 07:03 AM
Your trees are dreamy--love the hanging! Celebrate those frenc knots! Sweet seeing your favorite things. Have a wonderful vacation break! ((HUGS))
Posted by: Tracy | July 30, 2007 at 07:31 AM
What a lovely wall hanging! Have a good and restful time on your vacation!
Posted by: June | July 30, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Your trees are beautiful. So pretty. Nice work. The colors are so beautiful. Good fabric choices!
Posted by: Marisa | July 30, 2007 at 08:47 AM
my name is hazel, i teach textiles and i can't do french knots (hangs head in shame) never managed it. sometimes i get the kids at school to teach me how to do it but it doesn't stay in.
Posted by: hazeljoy | July 30, 2007 at 10:19 AM
Nice shoes! And wall hanging.
Posted by: Ali | July 30, 2007 at 10:39 AM
love that tree wall hanging... I wish I could be so creatively simple like that.... I would never have thought of just trees on linen, soooo cute!
Posted by: kate | July 30, 2007 at 10:56 AM
This is just lovely... what beautiful trees, and I love the colors you chose. Enjoy your new bag...
Beverly
Posted by: tea time and roses | July 30, 2007 at 11:32 AM
Beautiful wall hanging!!!
Let me know if you have time to meet up while you're up here. I'd love to see you again!!
Posted by: sally | July 30, 2007 at 12:00 PM
great pics...love the wall hanging!
Posted by: Jessica | July 30, 2007 at 12:16 PM
ooooh...it's all so beautiful! But where oh where did you find your flats? I am quite the sucker for a good pretty pair of flats. Enable me please? And have a wonderful vacation!
Posted by: Joy | July 30, 2007 at 12:47 PM
The trees are just lovely! Very inspiring to me!
Posted by: Amy | July 30, 2007 at 12:54 PM
That tree wall hanging is delightful :)
Posted by: Felicia | July 30, 2007 at 01:54 PM
I ADORE your shoes!!!
Posted by: Lisa | July 30, 2007 at 02:57 PM
That is a great bag!
Posted by: Mama Urchin | July 30, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Your trees are simply lovely. It's wonderful!!
Posted by: Norma | July 30, 2007 at 09:31 PM
enjoy your vacation.
I hear you on the french knot thing...I gotta figure it out soon.
Posted by: amandajean | July 30, 2007 at 09:50 PM
The wall hanging is beautiful!
Posted by: Hope | July 31, 2007 at 04:27 AM
Lovely trees!
I am pretty good at french knots. My secret is to work them with a cushion on my lap. Therefore I can pin the needle trough the embroidery, in the cushion, she stays here and it frees my right hand, them I can go under the embroidery and pull the needle with my right hand. the left one controls the place of the loops and the tension all the time.
Be carefull to use a needle with a thin holeside, thus being able to pass easely through the knots.
Hope this is understandable. :) I am a french speaking swiss crafter!
the shoes and bag are nice too!
Posted by: filambulle | July 31, 2007 at 05:10 AM