Fitted top

"Alabama Studio and Style" is my favorite Alabama Chanin book. I page through it all the time trying to decide on an appliqué pattern or embroidery pattern. I have made a few basic pieces without embellishment, each time I have altered the pattern a little.  I am thinking of making a poncho or wrap next, maybe with the fern embroidery. I am blogging from my ipad and do not know how to paste in links using blogger!

Evelyn Ackerman's Launch Pad

The Midcentury works of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman include wall hangings, wood carvings, mosaics and more. I am knitting Evelyn's wall hanging entitled Launch Pad from fabric strips. There are 10 inches to go, but lifting and turning it is difficult and I am pretty certain I do not have enough black fabric to finish it. I need to order a very nice rug pad to place underneath, something with skid control and a lot of cushion. I am already planning my next rug. Next time I will knit more manageable pieces! Next time I will try to lure young children to help me. The Ackerman's web site is here: http://www.ackermanmodern.com/studio.html

More embroidery

I've been trying out some beads on my tote bag. I feel as though I can have large designs and beads on my tote bags, but not on my clothes. I've been sewing some Alabama Chanin pieces without embellishment to get the fit right. Now I need to come up with a subtle design. 

Paper lanterns

Lanterns filled with votives or LEDs are so beautiful at night. The dark paper mâché figure to the left is a castoff I found at the thrift store. This folded paper lantern is a beginning to my lantern hunt. I want to make a large sample with foam board. I'm using Helen Hiebert's "Paper Illuminated" to work my way through lantern ideas. I would like to make some of these out of more durable material to hang outside, candle boats in the trees. 

Summer embroidery bowls

This warm weather has recommitted me to some Alabama Chanin projects. I am trying out different designs on squares of canvas which will be sewn into totes.  I would like them to grow into very luxurious totes with linings and key fobs, interior pockets, and maybe one of those exterior wallets for change. I like to keep my tools in little bowls. Last winter I lined this one with wool felt. I can stick my needles into the felt and the scissors don't clang around inside. It's a sweet little bowl and I think that suddenly becoming useful has really perked him up.