Sushi Candy

Swehaet wine

I don’t really believe in resolutions. I just prefer to list my creative goals for 2012.

• More illustrations/paintings (I have a massive art order coming in and this is totally doable)
• At least 6 pieces of elaborate beading embroidery projects done for 2012
• My novel finished (It is sitting at 40% at 38K)
• Have a custom Blythe done for myself

This is it. 2011 was great for me creatively! What do you want out of 2012?

— Rosey

Lalaloopsy Suzette La Sweet

We bought this for Natalie this Christmas and she really doesn’t care for it. Lucky for me, I get to keep it. It’s the prettiest Lalaloopsy doll I’ve ever seen. I now have visions of court dresses and Rococo style gowns I want to sew for her in the future.

If you haven’t gotten a chance yet, please comment here with a suggestion of a fairytale subject for my first giveaway!

I am four trophies away from platinuming Skyrim. Embroidery and art will explode after this happens.

Did you have any unexpected gifts over the holidays?

— Rosey

DMC #8 Perles

Okay. Brace yourselves! I am about to host a giveaway but I need your help. I need a theme for a mini hoop I’ll be giving away. Please comment and let me know what fairy tale you would like to see! You can request anything even something I’ve already done. The giveaway’s level of amazing depends on you! Feel free to tell your friends who may be interested and link them to this post. This is a giveaway you won’t want to miss!

— Rosey

Chocolate Truffles

Christmas is just two sleeps away. If I had a stocking and Santa could miraculously read my mind, this is what I’d want:

1. 15 balls of DMC #8 Perle Cotton Embroidery Thread
2. Various Miyuki beads
3. Long Stretcher Bars to make more canvas (12″- 24″)
4. More 10/0 Czech Glass beads
5. A plastic container from Swiss Chalet (I use this to store my stock of DMC #8 Perle Cotton balls)

What do you want in your crafty Christmas stocking? Yes, I know. Chocolates aren’t crafty but they are crafty fuel. 🙂

— Rosey

Prepped Hoop and Canvas

The 12″  hoop with the white patterned fabric is for Snow White. The colourful covered canvas (18″ x 10″)  is for Hansel and Gretel. They are ready to go!

I will be double-fisting these projects. Snow White will have a lot of white work and the colour palette will be red, black, peach, and white. I’m thinking of adding another colour to the mix but overall it will be a simple palette.

Hansel & Gretel will be an explosion of colours and beads. I just know it.

Are you planning anything special projects after Christmas?

— Rosey

These are the two inspiring pieces that is leading me down the path of learning stumpwork.

Emily of Flossbox’s newest piece:

Emily of Flossbox's Stumpwork Project

Jemimah’s piece:

Jemimah's It Came from the Deep

Click on the two photos. They will take you to Flossbox and to Crafter.org, respectively. These two artists are so amazing. I can’t help but be inspired! I am now planning out stumpwork for Snow White. Wish me luck. This project will take a loooong time. XD

— Rosey

Custom Bead Mix for Dorothy

After Dorothy has finished, I now have a bit of a downtime. I always get antsy during this time. I like having projects already started. It takes me a while to start a project but once in it, I’m booking it. I haven’t prepped the canvas or the hoop yet for my next projects. I should. I’m thinking of doing it tonight. The canvas always takes longer than just prepping a hoop. What is involved in prepping? I bust out the iron and ironing board and iron the fabric of choice. If it’s a canvas then I’ll have to manually stretch the fabric and tack it in place.

I’m mentally ready to start the next projects but this time something is stopping me. I’m not really sure what it is. I have such a long wishlist of projects I want done in addition to the embroidery that I find myself at a loss on what to choose.

How do you react to downtime between projects?

— Rosey

Dorothy Detail #1

Dorothy Detail #2

Dorothy Detail #3

Dorothy Detail #4

Dorothy in Full

Bead Mix for Oz Door Detail

It is finally done!!! I think it’s my best work yet! I’m really pleased and proud of how it turned out.

Now I can rest for a bit before I start prepping future projects tonight. 😀

— Rosey

What's on Tap

I am slowly joining the Zombie sick masses. This is a long range forecast for projects. Dorothy is almost done. I could have finished the piece tonight but I’m feeling sick. Husband said go to bed the same time as the baby. I can’t blame him because apparently, I look as sick as I feel. We’re heading to Toronto this weekend so I need to be in good shape for that trip.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do. I’m slowly realizing that I’ve come such a long way in my embroidery work. I started this year and it has been more successful than anything I’ve done before. I was a successful eBay artist for a while and it was financial success as opposed to what I’ve accomplished with my beading embroidery.

I am coming to a point where I need to get over my fear. My main fear is having a stack of unsold and unwanted artwork. I don’t want to be that crazy lady with hundreds of paintings that no one wants. It’s an irrational fear but it’s mine. My husband said it doesn’t matter- just keep producing the work because I love what I do. I’m starting to think that maybe he’s right.

I’ve decided to be more serious about my work. This means I will need to devote more of my time to it. This means something must be pushed off my current plate in order to make time. I’m also planning out a custom storage solution to keep my beads and stack of felt in order. I’m committed to finishing at least 10 pieces in a year. Wish me luck.

What I’m Finishing:  Dorothy

What I’ll Be Working on Soon: Hansel and Gretel, Snow White

What is Next on the List: Alice’s Tea Party, 12 Dancing Princesses, Sleeping Beauty… the list goes on.

Any creative revelations lately dear readers?

— Rosey

Le Petit Prince

This is a gift I made for my friend Kelly. She is an amazing illustrator. Her favourite book is Le Petit Prince. This quote means: Only children know what they are looking for.

I’m glad it turned out the way I envisioned it.

I am now off to finish Dorothy, get some doll stuff started, maybe start an illustration, or make preparations to start Snow White’s round hoop and Hansel and Gretel’s frame.

— Rosey