Ground Control

Have been scrambling around to figure how to get all the projects I have planned into the works and still stay semi sane.  Well discovered the answer is a simple “do what you can and stop scrambling”.  Heck with all that scrambling I was beginning to feel like an egg.  Having finished the top of one Christmas Gift I feel much like I have accomplished something.  Don’t remember, did I tell you this can be the way it is sometimes?  I know  that I still have to add the batting and backing to finish the wall hanging that I have created.  Now mind you I ambroidered it and put it together, but did not create it.  All the designs were from Husqvarna Viking Folio #95 called Special Techniques Christmas.  I have not yet taken pictures, but will soon and try to ad them to this blog post.  I called it a wall hanging , but it is made like a small quilt and can be used as either. 

In order to continue working as much as I do on embroidery I have started a home based business to help me supplement my SS and offer me an ability to continue to be creative which is in case you haven’t guessed is a passion of mine. 

When I first started this blog I thought of putting in a picture of one of my daughters to attempt to get a larger number of viewers to my Blog, but honesty and reality won out and after all I am what I am.  This is the best I can do for today, but as always I wish for each and every person a day of joy and new commitment to whatever is closest to your hearts.  When we test our limits we learn more about ourselves.

Well  here are the two wall hangings different  emb. characters are the only difference.  As you can see my photography skills have not yet improved.

The day is nearly done, however my determination to be a better blogger I believe is taking hold, so here I go with a new post.  Since my first two pictures were pretty much devoid of color, I thought I would take a couple with some pizazz.  The first one is a linen kitchen towel I have made for my daughter to hang in an appropriate spot as decor in her kitchen.  It’s done with polyester thread so it should handle washings well and the colors should remain bright.  The towel size is 25″ x 19″ and folded in three the design is right in the middle of the lower half of the towell.   Positioning is something I will discuss in another post.

The next picture is a 16″ X 16″ pillow.  The design is a thread velvet creation.  It is a little unique as the stitch- out is in layers using different colors and when completed the top stitches are cut with a knife to expose the color underneath and the fluff of the cut stitches feels just like velvet.  I use a stiletto type seam ripper with a very sharp (new) blade and the trick is to find just the right amount of pressure so you don’t cut too deeply.  On the back side of the embroidered design I put some fabric glue just in case I cut a stitch or two.  Heaven forbid my design should unravel and come apart. 

As you can see my photography and croping skills need some improvement, but at least this a representation of what is done and how.  I could not make a set of pillows as shown above because I did not have enough of the pillow fabric which has a very pretty antique look.   I should have taken a picture of the back so you could get a better effect.  This was my first attempt with the THREAD VELVET DESIGNS so I was playing cautious and didn’t want to ruin a large piece of fabric.  Oh well one is good.

That is about it for today.  Don’t let the day end before you find a bit of  joy and tuck it into that place where you store treasured moments.

Golly once again I am amazed at how time flies.  12 days since my last post.  I am going to have to find a way to stay focused .  The words of an old folk song that  go sort of like this “nail your shoes to the kitchen floor, lace them up and bar the door and thank the Lord for the roof that’s over you” I am guessing that would be a good way to stay focused.  But then there are those of us who would leave the shoes all laced up so pretty, nailed to the floor, the door bared and climb out the window.  I am not saying that is a picture of me and I would probably have a good deal of difficulty getting out the window anyway,  so I expect a little training and self control would do just fine.

Since my last post was about thread and the pictures they paint I thought I would continue along those lines today.  I have found that I personally have several different brands of thread in my thread cabinet and the main reason for that is not that I can’t get threads of almost any color from one source, but that in my travels (not escapes from my window) I come upon certain colors that just say take me home-and I do.  For the most part I try to use all rayon or all poly in the same design, but am not above mixing them if I get the desired effect or don’t have just the right color in the type I am using at the time.  I can’t personally tell you that this is a no no, for it seems to work just fine for me. 

The very next problem is that when the designs come up on the embroidery screen, of course depending on what brands you have stored in the memory WOOPS those don’t look like the right colors and they more than likely are not so you have to be careful to put the color numbers in order next to you so you keep things in order of the stitch out.  Often the colors of your thread purchases do not have color names, only color numbers and heck that is no help so you analyse the color swatches that come with the designs.  NO SURPRISE I usually take a sheet of paper and number the colors and give each of the ones I’ve decided to use a name you know like brown, dark brown, red clay mud and so on in order on the sheet.  Makes life a lot easier as you sew.  Also now that you are comfortable with your machine it is really fun to stitch out the design in the colors of your choice so the above works just fine for that. 

I have a big question, ARE YOU HAVING FUN?  Secondly even though there are moments of  frustration are you finding joy and pleasure in what you are doing or have done?  Remember we all see things with different eyes, emotions, perspectives and all are individual ASSISTANT CREATORS.  Let individuality fly, grow and prosper.  I hope your days and nights are filled with happiness and peace.

Decided I would get a quick post out today before today is over.  I have been trying to add some photoes to include with this post.  I must say they are not my very best work but samples in a simple way to share the actual product.   You will note the samples a not very colorful, but show what can be done and anyway I have to take some better pictures to attempt to WOW  anyone. 

First of all I will get on with my thoughts about thread.  I love working with rayon thread, because of its gloss and super sheen.  I will repeat what was explained to me in MY BEGINNINGS.  When you are working on decorative projects that won’t be laundered on a daily basis and you are looking for a super shine to the colors you will get that with rayon thread.  However if you are doing things like everyday dish towels or tee shirts etc. looking for long lasting bright colors polyester threads are a good way to go.  Some years ago polyester thread did not have nearly the sheen of rayon, but I have to admit  things have changed and now I use a lot more polyester.   Because this is going to be my shortest post at least that is my intent, I am going to try to insert a couple of pictures at this point.  

Wahoo Guess what I did it.  I can’t wait until I take some better pictures.  The black and white pillow is one of a set of 2  20″ x 20″.  These pillows were done with rayon thread and though you can’t really see it has a great super white high sheen.  The other picture is a quilted tri-fold with a center zipper pocket and two check book size panels.  The thread used was a dark brown polyester, both for the monogram and the quilting.  This may not be a very exciting post as post go, but I am truly excited that I can add pictures in this way.  If you got this far thanks for sticking with me.

I hope that whatever your plans or struggles this weekend will be very pleasant and you will find joy even in the small things. 

With the dawn of a new day I said to myself “self you better get the chores done first, check your emails and write a new post.”  Well chores and email are done and now it is now time for the posting.  Since I spent the last post NEEDLEING you I figure I will carry on with the product that actually creates the beauty we see in the finished product.  There are so many wonderful THREAD manufacturers and suppliers that I will not attempt to give expertise on what and who, but will jump in with both feet to let you know the things that I have found helpful.  When I first began this GLOROIUS MACHINE EMBROIDERY endeavor my machine came with about eight small spools of Sulky Rayon 40 weight thread.  Wow was I excited.  Wasn’t long when I realized I needed (well really WANTED) at least a hundred more colors.  Maybe I exaggerate a tiny bit.  Anyway I started to pick up other colors each time I went into a fabric store or machine store YOU KNOW THE DRILL.  Very shortly after using up my original 8 colors I also realized that one must, if truly an avid machine embroiderer buy larger spools.  Total frustration, aggravation, etc. etc. when you run out of thread in the middle of a project, pile yourself into your car or the bus or whatever transportation needed at the time and get to your favorite store to find that they are out of the color or colors you need not sure when they will get more.  Well then you learn to adjust with similar colors and in most case it works, sometimes even is excitingly different. 

Having faced the thread dilemma with my usual calm thoughtfulness the times that this happened,  I decided to plan better for the future.  I picked up a color chart for the type of thread I had decided worked best for me and started purchasing colors in the 1100 yard spools and marking on my chart each color as I purchased it.  I rarely leave home without the chart and this has been a real help. 

I have more to say about thread, but with this post have tried to be less wordy, not sure I am making it.  Just know that it helps to plan a little in advance so that you don’t hit too many snags.  ALWAYS ALWAYS have EXTRA NEEDLES and SUFFICIENT THREAD.  When you are tired or frustrated, close it down and let that little small voice work its wonder in your mind and spirit so that when you return to your project you will have joy and new resolve.  My Dad told me when I was very young, “today is a new day don’t bring any negativity or baggage into it with you, make a fresh start and lean into your work or play with joy and thankfulness.”  He was smart man and lived what he recommended.

Wow can’t believe it has been 7 days since my last post.  I surly have to get a handle on being more consistent.  Traveling no connection-no excuses.  As I begin this post I realize that there is so much to learn when you first start machine embroidery and so far I have talked about just plain getting familiar with your machine and might I ad comfortable with using it.  The very next thing I would like to ad is a little knowledge about NEEDLES.  I am no expert, but have found in my way BIG TRIAL AND ERROR, that most of us put in the recommended needle or just start embroidering with the needle supplied with the machine and figure we are good to go until some devistating thread nest bogs us down or gets so bad it breaks the needle and we are forced to learn that most important step.  The embroidery machine is a wondrous dream when it runs clicity clack along, but there are several  things that will keep that sound, you know the one that says to you oh it’s running so smoothly how happy is my heart, we need to attend to on a regular basis.  It is most amazing that we and I include myself in this, will expend thousands of dollars to purchase this marvelous advancement in sewing technology, but refrain from changing the tiniest yet integral part of the process until we are desperate to find some problem that we just can’t fathom.  I would like to take a moment and say check your guide and READ the information on NEEDLES and find out the recommendations for your particular brand. 

Now hear this!!!  My recommendation is change your needle often it will help the melody of happy sewing humming along steadily.  There are many distinct needles for every type of project, thread and designs.  Keep in mind that everything we stitch out does not have to run a full throttle.  Use a metallic needle, and slow the speed when running metalic thread and there are even different types of metallic thread so be aware of  just what type you are using.  I have found that when you start hearing a change in  that happy humming sound it is time to check the needle or check the threading of the machine.  For me 9 times out of 10 if the happy humming  sound starts to have a pop pop rhythm it is time to change the needle.  You can take that needle out and look it over with a magnifying glass or set it down on a flat surface to see if it lies flat and truly you cannot visually see anything wrong with it and you probably never will IT LOOKS JUST FINE.  Don’t fall into that trap discard it and replace it with a new needle and trust me it will be a  better hummer.

Shame on Me I should have started this whole blog with THIS INFORMATION!!!  Please be aware of your body and take some time to stretch and get up and walk around.  It is so easy to get engrossed and spend the whole day without ever thinking that your body like the machine needs attention.  I have spent many hours just watching the stitch out and it still is fascinating to me.  I have finally been courageous enough to do some dusting or search for more thread or endeavor to get my house in order while continuing to listen for that happy humming sound.

With all my heart I hope that in embroidering you do what you love and love what you do.  May your days and nights be filled with joy. 

This actually being my 4th post I figured I had better settle a few things in my own mind about the direction this blog is taking me.  Please note I said the “direction this blog is taking me”, because so far that seems to be the way this is working.  I get up some mornings and say yahoo I am going to get right to my blog and talk about XXX, by the time I start the little small voice inside of me seems to overpower the all knowing fearless leader with determination and my fingers begin to spin very little of what I  had planned.

I am really curious about blogging and as you can more than likely tell new to it also.  If  indeed you are reading this and are a blogger may I be so bold as to ask DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU? 

To continue on I am really passionate about machine embroidery and the ability to be creative as I design or rather implement the designs I have purchased.  To all of you beginners with a new embroidery machine that excitement you feel as you see your thread pictures developing  is a real delight I know.  The very next thing that will grab hold of you is a great big WHAT IF.  All of the what ifs are important to nourishing that love affair with your machine, the designs, the thread and the desires of your heart.  Don’t be hesitant to think outside the box.  Once you get a little bit comfortable with the whole process, fear not the changing of thread colors, especially if you have a color wheel in you head and believe me some folks do.  Do some practice pieces, manipulate the designs, ad other designs to the one you have chosen let your mind become an imagination palette.  I find the creativity is an extension of the excitement and then of course sometimes before you even start to stitch your creation out you look at it and say OH GOD WHAT A DISASTER.  Never fear, you can always remove your additions, change the colors, decide the material you are putting it on is not right so that too can change and when all else fails just hit the right button and delete the whole thing and start over.  Your first few designs, yes follow the set colors and design until you are truly comfortable with the process then you become ASSISTANT CREATOR.  All the machines come with a guide book and it would help your creativity if you read it and even get it out when you are just not sure of something.  Every experiment will not be something you would proudly display to show off you abilities, but each one will add to your knowledge and you will grow more comfortable with just plain doing. 

Wow look at this, fearless leader held little small voice pretty much in check so I actually put down some embroidery information.  I am sure some of you are more experienced than I and/or expert machine embroiderers and if you have some tips or tricks to pass on please feel free to comment.  Have a great day, a great week and let a smile be your umbrella.

I woke this morning and that is a real PLUS.  Wonder how many people in this old world really wake from their slumber and realize what a PLUS it is?  That is just my mind pondering the complexities of life.  So with the name of this Blog being GROUND CONTROLL  and the category Crafts and More it seems that the More is a loaded front end as I endeavor to reach out talk about and share the space or spaces created by a web presence I guess I will be adding some slivers of  yesterday, emotion and even a bit of understanding.  When we think about physical age we sometimes feel either way behind or way ahead when in truth we are just where we aught to be.  A statement I am sure most of us have heard before, but bears repeating goes like this yesterday is gone, tomorrow my never come, so live in the present that is why it is called a gift.  The  verbage is not exactly as I heard it, but as my mind has accepted it.  Some years ago I became friends with a wonderful  very attractive, talanted, humerous lady about 10 year younger than I.  She could tell jokes even better than me and I was pretty darn good at turning a phrase.  Need-less-to-say we became very close friends and shared good times and bad times and so many learning experiences.  I grew up in a family that threw their arms around you to welcome you to their homes or say good by or comfort you when you were down  (Bundles of Aunts Uncles and Cousins) so as you can imagine I was arms open wide to friends as well.  My friend on the other hand had a very different difficult life and childhood.  Several year into our friendship she pushed away from one of my open arm wonderous hugs and astounded me with don’t you know that hugs are not warm precious things to everyone?  Dumbfoundedly, I guess thats a word, I looked at her in shock. She was angry with an anger I had not seen before and as I fought back tears in shock she said “I had to learn to hug and accept hugs to be like other folks.  In front of people my Mom would use hugs as warnings that I was gonna get it later and with her arm around me pinch me so hard that the next day I would have a big bruise and indeed I would get it later”.  From the age of six all she wanted to do was get away or die even tried at seven or eight to do exactly that DIE, by taking all the iron vitamin tablets that she could swollow, laid down with her hands crossed expecting she would not wake up, but morning came and so did the harsh repremands from her loving mother.  I share this story not to shock or stir guarded memories, but to say you can never really know the inner core or understand the manipulation or devistation that small or seemingly small things can have in the lives of those around us.  So as I woke today I thankfully accepted the GIFT and began to contemplate a craft project to share.  I had no idea I would get into this MORE stuff, but out it came.  Guess I’ll change this catagory and get to the embroidery/craft stuff tomorrow.

“In the beginning” I seem to remember those words being the start of many many book/stories.  Many years ago during a meeting with some very elite friends, at least I considered them elite, one of them asked me this question “what are the first words in the Bible?” I fluffed my hair fidgeted a bit and said “I can’t recall at the moment.”  You will note I didn’t say I don’t know.  As you probably guessed the first words in my Bible are “In the beginning”.  I learned a great lesson that day.  Honesty can be uncomfortable at times but false pride or ego or anything that you want to call it definitely lessens you in your own eyes and more than likely makes your honesty questionable in the eyes of others.  So here it is the BIG WISDOM for today.  Be honest and trust me I know this is not always easy and I find yep I blew it again with just a simple little evasion.  Enough of the crumbs of wisdom for today.

Very early I learned that I really liked working with crafts.  Loved sticks and paper, paint and oh my goodness GLUE and oh yes SCOTCH TAPE.  When everyone else is bored, moaning there is nothing to do crafts are a life saver.  Having mentioned in my first blog post that I learned how to crochet, in my teens then knit and for a time left the GLORIOUS GLUE behind.  Hand made afghans, sheets trimmed with crochet all went into my Hope Chest Zap years with children school, homework and bath times etc.  crafts were a way to unwind.  Can you tell yet I LOVE CRAFTS.  Well my Mom was a wonderful seamstress and I would here her humming while making clothes or curtains or mending which she did into her 90’s.  But oh GOD sewing was not for me!!!!  Leather Craft became my niche for quite a while.  A great medium for working with your heart and hands, to be creative and make things that had great longevity.  Now you must know that leather craft can be noisy and at times permeate the air—not condusive to Condo living so would you believe, I was back to GLORIOUS GLUE, TAPE, PAPER AND PAINT. 

Now I’m living in a condo and a co-worker said “have you seen the new embroidery machines?”  Oh God no not sewing!!!  Well we swished through our local Joann Store to pick up paper or possibly GLORIOUS GLUE and walked by the Viking (Husqvarna) department.  GLOUIOUS EMBROIDERY MACHINE!!!  Outrageously expensive, with built-in decorative stitches, unique designs built in or on disk.  Very pleasant demonstrator said oh here sit down and I’ll show you what it can do.  Oh my and it could do.  I was  smitten, bitten and fleased .   I equate the embroidery machine for us crafty ladies to that of boaters or golfers, it is a wonderful creative experience, but don’t put your credit card, check book or cash near it!  Ah never mind it seems to have a long reach and will find the financial necessities wherever they are.  Hang in there have a great day and think about crafts if you get bored

• ABOUT CLAIRE: born in a small town in north western Massachusetts a beautiful area in the Berkshire Hills. I was going to spout this great informative stuff about (WHO IS CLAIRE MILLIS) but in the reality of starting this endeavor I realize that if I try to tell you who I think I am I would begin an enterprise that would take the rest of my life and I don’t really have that kind of time. Anyway it is not all about who I think I am but who others see me to be. Are we not all two people or maybe three, four or more? Just as a bit of insight I called this Blog Ground Control, because I as with so many of the people I have known live in a lofty place somewhere in my mind and now embarking on an outer space–cyber space experience I figured at least the name might keep me planted in reality. So here goes the reality. I am, in several days going to be 71. I have 5 children, 2 boys and three girls, now the girls will say I gave the boys top billing which was not my intention, just stating the facts! I’ve never been rich, and never lived in abject poverty. My spirit, there goes that into space thing again, has always sought joy in simple pleasures. I was blessed with a lovely, pleasant voice which led me into glee club as a student, barber shop quarteting as a busy mom and ultimately into local community performances of Broadway shows, of course some years ago, and always church singing. At one time my love for folk music, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond etc. and so forth, I taught myself guitar at around 35 and joined with a friend who was a really great accompanist and did a few gigs locally. Now put an end to all this vocal stuff the beauty of the voice has now departed and even I don’t like what I sound like in the shower. So onward. There has always been a passion for crafts, knitting, crochet, back in the folk area, macramé, leather tooling dyeing and painting, belts wallets purses etc. OK now we have the craft era down although I cannot say DONE. With my children nearly grown and out the door crash divorce struck at my stability. Having worked mothers hours at several jobs on a part time basis I figured I was pretty valuable and joined the ranks to continue on. Over the years my children are grown and living there own lives, as it should be. There is certainly much more to this saga most of which is unnecessary to the discovery of Who is Claire. From this point forward I will be sharing what Claire is doing ’cause who is Claire really?—None of what I just told you clarifies this. May 21, 2009