Hand: Vintage AYH Newsletter Embroidery

First, the bad news. Although it came in a solid third in views, Everything I Needed to Know About Zombies I Learned from the Movies was not the winner of the NYC Horror Film Fest competition. A big congratulations goes out to the cast and crew of The Lake Passage, whose beautifully shot film is well deserving of the win. Thanks to everyone who watched and cast their votes!

I also wanted to share a project that's been finished for some time, but I just haven't had the chance to post about. My organization, the Golden Gate Council of Hostelling International, is celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year. Late last month, we had a fundraising luncheon with a silent auction.

When I was working on putting together a commemorative publication, I came across a copy of the cover for one of the organization's first newsletters, dating back to 1959. It was a simple line drawing, and of course, I thought "embroidery pattern!"

I couldn't help it. Even with the billion things I had going on, I volunteered to stitch it up, and offer it for the event's silent auction. I kinda underestimated how much time it would take, and I ended up staying up until 4 a.m. the night before the luncheon to finish it! But I think it was worth it! It pulled in $55 for the organization.

Everything framed nicely, with the original image for reference:


The embroidery before framing:


Detail of the sun and trees (my favorite part!):


Detail of the hiker and biker (I'm not sure about her...I think she looks a little like Mr. Bill!):


I'm sorry the pictures are so blurry and crappy...I took them at 4:30 am and wasn't as careful as I usually am (especially since I had to be up at 6:30 am to help with the event)! I hope you get an idea of how detailed this was. It was honestly a lot of fun.

Except for the bicycle. That sucked.

Mind: Hoping against hope & Halloween wrap-up

The polls are closing around the U.S., and I'm way, way too nervous to focus on anything productive. I know everyone and your mother has told you, but I'm gonna add to it...if you haven't voted yet and your state's polls are still open...GET OUT THERE AND FRIGGIN' VOTE!!! It's not too late!

I just have to share, I'm so proud: my little brother is voting in his first presidential election ever today. I so wish I could be there with a camera to record this moment. Hell of an election for him to cut his teeth on (especially in San Francisco, where there's a million initiatives on the ballot).

Okay. With that being said, now I distract myself from hitting "refresh" every thirty seconds on CCN.com by sharing my Halloween wrap-up, before it becomes completely obsolete.

First, I want to share the little plushie Halloween ornaments I made using Annie Oakleaves' adorable free Halloween pattern.



I forgot to take a picture of the back, which is a cute candy corn pattern. This is my first attempt at embroidered plushie-things, and I think they came out well!

Here's a close-up of one of the bats, chillin' on my calavera garland and taking in the stormy day outside:



One of my annual Halloween traditions is the mass baking of sugar cookies, which this year were little sugar pumpkins and chocolate autumn leaves. I love my cookie gun!



And, of course, our jack-o-lantern. My husband really isn't into the ritual sacrifice of gourds, so I was on my own this year.



He lasted a full two days before giving into the creeping rot. He was cute before that!

Okay. Enough distraction. I think I broke CNN.com, besides. I think I'm going to need to find a local pub in Berkeley to watch the votes roll in. No way I'll be able to sit with no TV at home.

Fingers crossed. Here's hoping there's good news tomorrow.