Showing posts with label WIP Wednesday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WIP Wednesday. Show all posts

Sunday, August 27, 2023

2023.08.27 Since it's not WIP Wednesday I think I'll call it Squirrel Sunday today!!

Squirrel Charm

Why is it Squirrel Sunday you might ask?  Well here's the thing, I love taking custom orders from my customers.  Sometimes they have a vague idea of what they want and sometimes they have a picture to provide inspiration.  But either way it's problem solving.  I try and figure out what I need to create the thing they want.  

Close up of the beads with the charm

The idea is for scissor fobs that have a squirrel charm as their focal point.  Then we determined that blacks, grays, and silver were the colors the customer preferred.  The inspiration photo used silver beads that had texture and designs etched into them, so I sourced some varying shapes and sizes and created a pattern with the assorted pieces until we hit on a style that appealed to my customer.   

What the design model looks like with some scissors

Now just one scissor fob with a squirrel on it might not have been enough to make it "Squirrel Sunday", but when an order is placed for 12 fobs exactly alike...it's now a Sunday for squirrels!

My beading tray showing finished fobs, a fob in progress, and the individual parts.

 As of this writing, seven fobs are complete.  The order will be completed and ready for shipping out Thursday morning (if everything goes to plan!).  All scissor fobs come with a split ring key ring and can be used as keychains, zipper pulls, purse charms, or mirror charms.

If you're interested in seeing more of my scissor fobs, please check out my Etsy shop and click on the section for "Fobs/Keyring/Bag Charms".  You can always message me through the blog or the shop if you'd like to place a custom order.

That's about all I've got for this week.  Feel free to drop any questions or comments.

Slainte Mhuth!



Wednesday, March 29, 2023

2023.03.29 WIP Wednesday--A finish!!!

Well it's WIP Wednesday, but I've got a finish to share!!  I completed the Mackintosh Rose Blackwork SAL last night and started a new kit I just purchased...(because it is SMALL)!

Mackintosh Rose Blackwork SAL from Lakeside Needlecraft

I started this pattern on September 20, 2020 and since I picked it back up I've really been enjoying the stitching process again.  The big blocks of color are soothing while the blackwork is challenging to make sure you don't miss a stitch or add in an extra stitch.  


It was also very enjoyable to change up the pattern of the blackwork sections and not have it be the same throughout the whole piece.  Now I need to decide if I'm going to frame it or make it into a little pillow.  The circle of stitching is approximately six inches across, so it's between a medium and a small size.




In case you were wondering what that extra bit is on the lower left side, that's my logo/signature of three letters combined--T, L, & K  (The Lady Kay) with the numbers 23 for the year of completion.

Lion Rampant coaster kit from Celtic Crafts

Lion Rampant is the flag of Scotland with the royal lion over the top of it. It's to honor Scotland and have a similar appearance to a Coat of Arms without actually being a specific design for any one clan or family.  

I thought this might be a fun and quick stitch as it's only three colors and will be less than 4 inches by 4 inches.  If it turns out to be nice and smooth to assemble into the coaster, I may think about making a full set to sell in my Etsy shop...we'll see!

That's about all I've got for this week.  Feel free to drop any questions or comments.

Slainte Mhuth!


Wednesday, March 22, 2023

2023.03.22--WIP Wednesday

What a wicked Wednesday!  No, not really!  It just sounded so pleasingly alliterative unlike "Happy Wednesday".  I'm attempting to remember to write a post more often these days as the first quarter is usually the slowest time in retail.  Which means both of my Etsy shops are a bit slower as is my day job at the custom picture frame shop.  Not working so hard that all I want to do is sleep!  

With that said, it's allowing me a little self care time by pursuing my favorite activity...cross stitching!!  I've been working on the Mackintosh Rose Blackwork SAL from Lakeside Needlecraft (2019).  

2023.03.19

I thought this would be a good one to get back into the swing of things as it has large sections using the same thread color.  If I'm too tired, I tend to stop when I have to rethread my needle.  This entire pattern only utilizes five colors which keeps the rethreads to a minimum.

2023.03.21
 
Additionally, this past weekend was the IHSW or International Hermit and Stitch Weekend which begins on the third Friday of the month.  It's a chance to lock yourself away and focus on your stitching for the weekend.  You can take part on your blog or via the Facebook page - IHSW on Facebook.




Looking back through my blog posts, I haven't shared about this since June 2021!!  That's because right after that I got serious about my Etsy shop and have been designing, creating and selling like a mad woman ever since.  I'm happy to report I passed 1000 individual sales earlier this month!!  

2023.03.22

But back to the cross stitching, here is the latest photo of this work in progress.  It shows the beginnings of the blackwork stitching that is to fill in the circle all around the roses.


2023.03.22

Oh, and that needle minder?  That is Vlad Tepes, the 14th Century Transylvanian count also known as Vlad the Impaler.  You knew he was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula didn't you?  Yep, the classic tale of the Transylvanian vampire who moves to England for better hunting, LOL!!  I'm a huge Dracula fan, but that's a story for another time.  But you can purchase the acrylic needle minder in my Etsy shop by clicking here.

As always, feel free to check out all the craft supplies and cross stitch accessories in my shop:  The Lady Kay Designs 

Thank you for reading and feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

Slainte Mhuth, 




Wednesday, August 25, 2021

2021.08.25 WIPs Wednesday

It's been a busy couple of weeks, I realized today I forgot to do a WIPs Wednesday post last week!  I work 4 days a week outside the home as a custom picture framer/bookkeeper, but I spend many hours creating and crafting for my #Etsy shop.  Lots of research this week for "Print on demand" services so I can add more merch with my own images!!  


New in the shop this week are the "Summer Scarf", "Square Doily", Sticker Plates for framed stitcheries, and the Queen's Jubilee 2022 commemorative souvenir tin with gold crown paperclips.

Coming soon...snoods and a new lacey collar!  Visit the shop and see if you find any new favorites!!


Oh!  And a social media update...I started an Instagram page!!  @TheLadyKayDesigns 

I try to post once a day to all my social media (read: EXHAUSTING) but I am enjoying the hashtag
#BlackCatsOfInstagram!!  

Slainte Mhuth (Much Health)




Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2021.07.21 WIPs Wednesday

 The first time in a long time with no cross stitching done this week.  Trying to build my inventory in my Etsy shop.  To visit and browse, click here --> TheLadyKayDesigns.Etsy.com



Also worked on some graphic designing of ads to promote the shop.






I'm thinking about finally starting an Instagram page.  I just worry about losing more time each day to another social media channel.  But, it would probably help my shop get more sales! 

I'm already on
FaceBook @TheLadyKayDesigns

I'll keep you posted.

Slainte Mhuth (Much health)

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

2021.06.23 WIPs Wednesdays


This month's International Hermit and Stitch Weekend (IHSW) had the theme of butterflies.  My daughter, Avalon, loves butterflies and we had previously picked out this pattern from Heaven and Earth Designs (HAED) a mini size of Butterfly Effect from the artwork by Kate Powell.  I chose a pale sky blue hand dyed Aida from Mystic Fabrics from my stash and started at the bottom center.  The needleminder is from the cover art of the book "The Mists of Avalon" by Marian Zimmer Bradley. 

This story is what prompted my mom to suggest naming my daughter Avalon Rose.  As I was looking for the right name to accompany my son's name, Tristan William.  Their names are a reflection of my history background with a focus on English monarchs.  Which also explains the Henry VIII pattern I'm working on, LOL!!  

Tristan is named after the character in the movie, "Legends of the Fall" portrayed by Brad Pitt.  His middle name is honor of my stepdad William "Bill" Vanderheid and my stepbrother William "Little Bill" Vanderheid.  

After mom suggested Avalon, I knew her middle name would be Rose not only for my city, Portland, called the "City of Roses", but also for a very dear friend, Cecil aka Tonya Rose.  This would solidify our family as part of the "Rose" drag family forevermore.  


Slainte Mhuth (Much health)


2021.06.16 WIPs Wednesday