Fall Season Pillows

Happy first week of fall! I wanted to share with you a couple of projects I've been working on, in honor of the slowly cooling weather.

This first pillow was created for a friend. I wanted to capture the different hues of fall with wool felt leaves hand-stitched onto a burnt orange background. I bought this lovely paisley fabric on a whim about a month ago…good thing I did! I think it adds a little oomph to the design. As you can see, I've been practicing my embroidering skills with the stem and lettering :)

  

Cute fluffy clouds have also been on my mind lately. I guess it’s wishful thinking for rain! The fabric is a vintage find I scored at the local thrift store. I love the pale bluish-gray raindrops. My excitement for the rainy season is increasing! Can't you just picture yourself bundled up in your favorite sweater with a mug of hot spiced apple cider and the fresh smell of rain outside...Ahhh. You can find this pillow cover on my Etsy shop From Endor With Love. 

Art Appreciation Fridays!

It’s Friday! Finally the end of a busy week…but still so much to do! I wanted to dedicate Fridays to blogging about Art Pieces that inspire me. Art Appreciation Fridays! In regards to art, I am a jack of all trades, but master of none. I know, so cliché! It’s breathtaking seeing an artist so dedicated to a particular craft. If anyone out there has artwork they’d like to share, I would gladly love to feature it :) 

At the moment, I am very interested in watercolor. I love how everything blends together, but still has distinction in their shapes.  This certain piece by Don Lavelle is gorgeous. 

Lavelle, Don. Notre Dame. 2011. Watercolor. 

http://www.donlavelle.net/gallery/architecture.htm

I am a self-professed Francophile, and this painting of Notre Dame embodies why. The subtle use of color. It has such a romantic feel. It definitely portrays architecture of a different time. Isn’t it beautiful how the color and definition build up as your eyes wander to the top of the cathedral? C'est vraiment magnifique!!

Viva La Chinchilla!

So I’ve been practicing my embroidery skills. There are so many different techniques and methods, I know it will take years to perfect! But embroidering is so therapeutic. Every time I watch a show (I just finished Breaking Bad season 4 on Netflix), I keep my hands busy and mind awake by stitching. My favorite embroidery stitch, so far, is the basic back stitch. I love the crisp, clean lines it makes…it’s like drawing with thread!

For this particular project, I had my adorable chinchilla, Tiki, model for me. Here he is eating a banana chip! He turned 4 years old a little over a month ago. You'll be seeing more of him later.

I sketched out a design that would fit in my 8” embroidery hoop.

After tracing my drawing onto a piece of fabric, I got to stitching! I used a back stitch for his body, feet, and ears; and a stem stitch to get his fluffy tail.

When all that was said and done, I painted the wooden hoop with Martha Stewart satin acrylic paint in “chestnut brown”, added a backing in dark brown fabric, and tied a light green ribbon on top for displaying!

Viva La Chinchilla!

Hello!

Here goes nothing. This is the first post on my blog From Endor With Love...yay! I've never been one to blog, but I have so many ideas and fantastical thoughts bouncing around in my head - I need to jot them down. My posts will document my attempt at baking, creating items for my Etsy shop "From Endor With Love", and any other misadventure I stumble upon. So if this by any means interests you, please follow :)

fromendorwithlove.etsy.com