The Newest Project

Always something new.  This new project will be taking Swedish weaving to places it's never been before.  But, I guess that's nothing new for Ivy Stitching patterns.
What is absolutely new with this new project is that I will be blogging about it throughout the process.   I will keep you posted on the progress, joy, and work (and many headaches and redo's) of creating Swedish weave designs and patterns.

The new project already has a name even though it is still very much -- in the works.  It is "Home is Where the Heart Is".  The pattern is dedicated to an amazing Swedish weaving friend of mine who lives in Maine.

I'm really excited about this project.  Even though it doesn't look like much yet, it will be loads of fun to do.
So, here is your first glimpse:

The green piece of monks cloth is my designing scrap.  It gets stitched and then the stitches get pulled out over and over and over again.  This process of figuring out a design is not pretty and it is repeated countless numbers or times.  Then, of course, there are many little sketches on paper of ideas and such before the scrap stitching.  So the white monks cloth is what I will be working the final draft on.

Here is the beginning border of the afghan or blanket.  I'll tell you right now, it took 10 lengths of yarn (yes 10!!!) for the row that you can see that I'm working on.  That will be fixed for the pattern, because just pulling and pulling yarn through the floats is not my idea of a good time!

I love the look of checker board.  My love for it came from the artist Mary Engelbreit (ME).  I love her stuff.  I usually receive a Mary Engelbreit calendar each year for Christmas and they are my favorite ones!

Okay, check back and see the progress on this exciting "Home" project.

'Til then, happy weaving!

Needs Some Love and Attention

It's time for some change. I have a website called Ivy Stitching that I have put an occasional blog type entry on. I also have a blog with a variety of fun stuff on it called Mom of 5 Daughters and then last of all I have this blog that has been totally neglected and is in need of my attention. So, here goes, a new look, a new post, and a new link from my website. This will take the place of the occasional website entry that I have done in the past.

Hopefully, my technology skills are up to snuff enough to have this all work correctly ;-)

I may be just having some good intentions at the moment, but I hope to include pictures and links and all kinds of good stuff in this blog, which will be quite a change for this blog and the one on my website.

Okay, I'm going to go check this out and see if it works!!!

Time to do resolutions

I need to re-learn how to use this "blogspot." I'm old enough to need the help of my children when it comes to computer technology. So I will have to wait and get some help to make this blog page what I'd like it to be. Hopefully, it will be a page with all the passion of needlework and crafts and Swedish weaving that is possible. I love home arts!!!
We will see how far I get with my New Year's resolution to work on this page!

A blank page

You know how sometimes a blank white piece of paper can seem so full of possibilities and how sometimes it can also loomingly stare back at you?

"What do I put on that blank page?" is the question. Now, instead of a blank page it is an empty box on the computer screen.

I'm very new to this whole blogging concept and very intrigued by it at the same time.

Just as an intro, my name is Alyssa Ruplinger and I am passionate about Swedish weaving. It has consumed my life for the last 20 years. My mom got me started on it and I soon found out there were no new Swedish weave designs anywhere. All I found were geometric shapes and "tree" and "heart" designs.

So, what is a gal to do? I had to come up with my own designs. My projects became popular with others and so the designs evolved into patterns. Let me tell you, putting a design into a pattern is EXTREMELY time consuming and harrowing. But with the help of complicated software it is possible.

I love knitting, crocheting, and quilting, so you will see some similarities in my Swedish weaving patterns and designs to these three needlecrafts. My favorite "Star" pattern came from a much used quilting star design.

Here is a picture of it!

This fun little pattern took 3 years to develop and turn into a completed pattern. Yes, it is time consuming, but when it is a passion . . . what can I say?

Actually, maybe I've said enough for this post. Because it is like what Mr. Wonka said from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory:

"So much time, and so little to do. Strike that and reverse it!"

Ivy Stitching begins REAL blogging

Welcome Swedish Weavers and Needlecrafters!
In the future this blog will display fun and beautiful patterns to Swedish weave and embroider. Please feel free to post any comments and suggestions! Check out my web page at www.ivystitching.com
Have a wonderful day!