I’m just back from France where we made stitched vessels and scrolls. Both would make excellent summer travel projects. We took our vessels a step further with embroidery and I love the line over the variegated background or as an edging detail.
We also created scrolls as mini travel journals. The scroll is perfect as a slow stitch project for summer. And it’s a great way to test drive daily practice – just do a few minutes each day. We are about to embark on the second annual summer scroll in stitch club.
If you’d like to make one it’s super simple to start – just cut (or tear) a strip of fabric (linen is great ) and stitch a little every day. I used a strip about 2 and 1/2 inches wide and a yard long. I like to tear linen for the soft raw edge. You can add more length as you go if you like. The size is perfect for summer, it fits in your pocket. You can add a stick for rolling it on or just hem the edge. Stitch every day – june 1st – august 31st – to fill your scroll. Checkout my finished scroll from last summer here.
What should you stitch? Let it be improvisational. Look for inspiration in your day – what did you see? Was it sunny or rainy? What bloomed in your garden etc. etc.
France delivered lots of inspiration and ideas including goats. They seemed to be around every corner. I love their expressive faces and mysterious quality. They are turning up in my sketchbook and paintings and have me thinking about a goat doll pattern I abandoned ages ago.
Speaking of paintings- I have not had a daily painting sale in a very long time! I’m getting them ready for the shop now and planning on Thursday 6/4 – noonish eastern time. Stay tuned.
Happy Juvenile Raven season!
It’s a thing I love about late spring in Guilford. And it’s a robust year – there must be a nest very near by. The young ravens are pretty full sized but still being cared for and fed by their mother. They have not figured out their call (or anything else) yet and let out extremely loud humany sounding screams all the time. Beginning at about 6AM… If you’re curious you can learn more about it here.
the first summer special- 25% off the crow (or raven) pattern sale ends 6/30
well that’s depressing
You may have seen some weird and obviously AI generated videos advertising the crow and owl patterns on facebook and instagram. It’s not me. They are made by a Chinese company that steals patterns. There’s not much I can do about it. I sell my patterns on Etsy and here at ann wood handmade. That’s it. The theft has been going on for a long time and it’s always been difficult to fight. The AI part makes it nearly impossible. I’m trying anyway though.
It’s super disappointing and frustrating and I may go on and on about it in a future post.
surprise bouquet
On a cheerier note – I guess things self seeded last year and I came home to a patch of blue flax and other flowers I was not expecting. The first bouquet of the year is such a nice surprise.
PS – What I’m reading – I missed Larry McMurtry! I’ve just stared Streets of Laredo
PPS – I’m significantly behind on correspondence! And apologies if you’re waiting to hear back from me. My computer died suddenly right after I arrived in France ( logic board – I should have seen it coming). Anyway I’m finally back up and running with a new one. Major disruption though…
I have never heard a juvenile Raven scream! I am so ready for garden season – everything is planted and thriving! I am reading The Calamity Club by Katherine Stockett.
The scream is pretty impressive! Congrats on a great start in the garden.
I am making patchwork play dresses for a friend’s younger daughters ( a good way to use up fabric odds and ends) and will add some embroidery to them- you’ve inspired me!
That sounds great! I love the patchwork and embroidery combo.
Goats are very appealing. I have met a few and they are very interesting. I have only encountered them at our local zoo and they seem very determined and curious.
A human sounding screaming raven youth sounds immensely alarming yet I am very keen to hear this sound.
A spring garden is my greatest pleasure!
Mine as well – the garden is the first thing I look at every day.
The scrolls would be a great project for camp (a week), coming up in June. Like you mentioned, you can easily put them in a pocket!
Yes! Perfect camp project.
My crow presides over my quilt room. He is one of my favorite makes of all time. I am so sad to hear that your patterns are being stolen. My daughter and I are very slowly working on your owls, slow because she’s too busy to come and sew, so we take it bit by bit! I need to try those bowls and a scroll, too.
Thanks Wendy! Crows preside over my sewing room too. Good luck with your owls!
Baby crow – Yes! We are fortunate to be visited by crows on a fairly regular basis. They stop by our bird feeder and are also very fond of our bird bath. We watched a mother crow feeding a very impatient juvenile crow. I hope to hear the youthful sounds you described.
Hi Rhonda – Fledgeling season really is fascinating to watch!
I’m excited to see some sketches for embroidery on scrolls. I love my scroll from last year and look forward to doing another one. I have yet to put my book together but it will happen.
My favorite author, Tana French, just came out with her latest which happens to be the third in a trilogy. If you look her up it is important to read them in order. I recommend her highly.
So disappointing that your beautiful patterns are being stolen, Ann. I’m so sorry.
Thanks so much Katy. It is super frustrating – what a world… My book is not quite together yet either. Hopefully sewing the last seems this weekend. I will check out Tana French for sure. Good luck with your scroll!
So sorry you are having to deal with this legal issue. It is a sad state of affairs. I love your fabric vessels! Beautiful!
Hi Mary Ginny! Thank so much. It really is a sad state of affairs. I hope you and Ginny Mary are having a glorious spring!
I keep seeing a rustic rat on Pinterest with your name…. but can’t find a pattern for him. Is he an AI imposter? Would love to make him.
Currently reading The Librarian Spy.
Will try to make a vessel too soon, love your makes
Hello Lynda,
I’m not sure if this is legit, but I think I found Ann’s rat on this page:
https://www.annwoodhandmade.com/category/other-creatures/page/2/
Thanks so much Lynda! I do make a rat but I don’t have a pattern for him. I haven’t really come up with a linear and reliable process for creating him yet.
Am reading Yesteryear. Verrrry interesting and quite amusing. My four new chickens have released me from mowing anything since reducing anything vaguely grass like into mud expanses. Currently enjoying the carolina wrens who sound like they could be saying either “seizure” or “who needs you” Every day I fully intend to get back to fiber art , but then get side tracked by political podcasts and painting pictures that are jam-packed with animals and flowers . You are truly an inspiration!!!!
Thank you Laura! Only so many hours in the day… I so feel it. “seizure” and “who needs you” cracked me up.
Maybe that’s what I heard the other morning! Couldn’t get the Merlin app out fast enough. I know we have crows but I’ll have to be on the lookout for ravens now!
Definitely want to make a scroll. Want being the operative word. Lots of other things I ought to be doing today, but I think I’m going stash diving instead!
I totally respect your decision to stash dive instead!
Hi! Sadly I dropped out of Stitch Club because I took up watercolors and quilting. There’s only so much time! But I do miss slow stitching. I’ve been making Japanese Zōkins out of cut up old dish towels, and using the zōkins as coasters, larger ones under my potted plants. But the summer scroll has me fascinated. It looks very doable. Just might have to jump back into Stitch Club! I’m reading The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett. It’s a comically dark story along the lines of Little Miss Sunshine.
Hi Marvi,
Road to Tender Harts sounds interesting – I’m gonna check it out. The scroll is super doable! And a great way to incorporate a little slow stitching into your summer projects.
Hi Ann, Thank you for your inspiring blog. You do beautiful creative art work.
I am going to make a summer scroll. The hardest part for me is to get organized. At least have fabric and sewing supplies handy and portable. Any suggestions?
Thanks Wendy! One of the nice things about the scroll is it’s easy to start and organize – you just need the strip, some scraps and a willingness to stitch a little each day – I hope you give it a try!
I made a stitched scroll last year and worked on it. The theme was “my favorite things” – so sweet and it’s hanging up by my closet door, just for me. Thank you for the creative inspirations!
Hi Mona- I love your theme! That’s a perfect prompt for beginning.
Hi! I so sorry about the chinese company and your patterns. I have a blog and is absolutely sad when I see lots of spams in my articles comments, even with a plugin to prevent this.
I LOVE your vessels and scrolls, but I don´t make anything like this (yet).
God bless you allways, I love your blogand your amazing work!
Big hugs from Brazil – South America
Thank so much Helen! And greetings back from Guilford CT!
Well, cuss word for the thievery of your original creations. My SIL has had her content stolen and it’s very degrading and difficult yo live through – go on and on as you need to, ann!
Meanwhile you’ve inspired me to dust off my crow/raven project (begun at least 4+ yrs ago) and I intend to complete my corvid this summer! Stay tuned! she said aloud in a blog comment.
⬛xo,
leslie
There it is! Said allowed- the corvid must be completed. I look forward to seeing it. I’m sorry to hear that you SIL has experienced this. It really stinks.
The projects created in France are truly beautiful. I’m amazed by the creativity, craftsmanship, and poetic beauty in every piece.
What I especially love about the scroll idea is that it feels free and unstructured — not a rigid project to follow, but a way of observing life as it happens and translating it into embroidery.
I absolutely want to try making one. It feels like such a beautiful way to experiment and tell little poetic stories through stitching. I already have a few ideas in mind.
And thank you so much for featuring one of my Elegant Rag Dolls in your customer feature — it was such a lovely surprise, and I truly appreciate it.
Hi Marlina,
Thank you! And thanks for your beautiful work – so inspiring. That’s exactly how I feel about the scrolls- they lend themselves to ease and poetry.
I’ve been working on several of the Zen classes but haven’t finished any yet! Must be better disciplined!
I hear you! I’ve always got too many things started.
Hello! Wow, France looks like a dream, how do you come back down to Earth? I can’t wait to start a new scroll. Last year I did it horizontally this time I will try vertical. I still have to put together my stitchbook, and finish a couple of vessels I started…. I am the worst procrastinator these days. New project is a stitched pocket shrine, in the prototype stage, I find them very interesting. I have a small garden plot that is winning the battle of the weeds, amazing how fast they grow! But, I am Determined to get some zinnias, cosmos, basil & tomatoes etc. planted. Reading Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver….I love her books. This one is a little sad, but interesting. No ravens in my area. I think they are further up in Northern Wisconsin. Will use the weekend to gather scroll scraps, can’t wait!!
Hi Roberta! I’m with you on tomatoes, basil, zinnias and cosmos! Just put in some white cosmo seeds. Demon Copperhead is on. my list!
Oh Ann, I am so sorry that your patterns are being targeted by these criminals. What a stressful situation for you. You did brighten my day with your scroll project.. I have not spent much time this winter on “making” (other issues filling my life!). Starting a scroll may get me out of this funk. Not to mention your upcoming art sale… YAY!!!
I’m not one to make commitments to daily rituals but….I think I am going to try the daily scroll project. I will soon be starting radiation and chemo therapy. I going to think of it as a journey scroll.
We smart Ann Wood customers know where you and your website are and would never order from AI or anyone else pretending to be you. Be vigilant and only purchase Ann’s work!
All that said, I really love all my Ann Wood patterns and will look into the scroll as well as checking on Stitch Club.