Sympathetic Threads

17th Annual Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival

2012-02-07T12:06:00.000-05:00

This guy wanted a photo of his girlfriend
and a cow. I daren't ask why.

This past Saturday I wandered around the Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival being held at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. I'm not Scottish (I think I am perhaps one-fourth Irish, through a grandmother who died 40 years before I was born) and I'd never been to this particular event before, but I thought it might make a fun afternoon out. Indeed it was! I met lots of nice folks, many of whom were researching their heritage, took plenty of pictures, and heard some very lively music by Albannach, a Scottish tribal drumming band. I even bought myself a present of a little silver Kells knot design pendant and a ring. I also came home with some delicious blueberry scones which I have been having for breakfast ever since, and some Empire Biscuits, which barely lasted out the weekend! So it was a very good day out all in all.

Albannach onstage.

HERE is a link to my best pics of the day.

The first stitching I've done in almost two years

2012-01-15T23:19:00.000-05:00

Just had to post this as proof that I've actually begun a new project. Amazing how time gets away from one! Let's hope that this very brief beginning is followed by lots and lots more stitches. :)

Endings and Beginnings

2012-01-14T16:36:00.007-05:00

Amazingly, it's been almost two years since my last post here, so I intend to remedy that right now. :) I simply haven't been doing ANY stitching in the intervening time, which is why I've had nothing to blog about.

Frankly, after my mother's death in February of 2010 I lost the motivation to continue with any of my hobbies. You could say that I took a sort of sabbatical from crafting of any kind. I did run across my charts every once in a while, but didn't have the heart to work on any existing projects, or start any new ones. Since there was no point in pushing myself, I decided to just wait until I felt ready again.

It was just last week that I finally felt an urge to get back to my stitching. My big sister, who is also a crafter, is planning to visit at the end of the month. In preparation for her visit I started straightening the guest room, and found one of my many boxes of cloth neatly tucked away up on a shelf. This started me thinking about how I had shelved my current project basket those many months ago, and when I dragged it out I saw several envelopes full of charts that I had ordered back in 2010. Charts that I had so longed to work on once upon a time, but had abandoned. Loose charts that I had never even filed away for later. This made me sad.

So I took my big binder of charts from the shelf, dusted it off and started flipping through its pages. I suddenly realized that it needed a good deal of organization now, and that was something I felt I could probably handle. Adding the new charts to my log, slipping them into their plastic sleeves and sorting them into the book had me reminiscing a bit about all of the work I'd stitched in the past, and all of the wonderful designs I had yet to do. Something inside of me flickered a little, and right then I decided to begin something.

In my entrance hallway on one side of the large oval mirror hangs my Prairie Schooler "Welcome" blackbird. It used to reside in a glass topped tray, but didn't look quite right there to my eye, and so migrated to a frame I'd picked up on the cheap from Tuesday Morning. There exists a matching and still empty frame for its companion piece, which I'd always planned to hang on the other side of the mirror, but never quite got around to choosing or starting. Family issues and all that getting in the way. But now I've selected "Home Sweet Home" from the Prairie Schooler "Welcome Home" booklet #92 as my very next project. By stitching up this old design I can complete the hallway display that I planned so long ago, and in a way bring that chapter to a close. Perhaps then I will be ready to start something completely new. :)

But before I could begin I had to locate some matching cloth, and found to my disappointment that I had no more Fiddler's Cloth left in the correct shade. Not to worry, though, as I did have some left in a lighter ivory tone which I proceeded to tea-dye to the right color.

This experience was my first time ever tea-dying something, and I must say it was an easy exercise which took only a short time and gave me an excellent result. Now that I have my matching cloth ready, I must merely choose floss from my large supply and I can begin. :) Off to pick colors now.

It's been a few months since I last posted

2010-04-24T18:11:00.005-04:00

Due to my mom's death in February I haven't felt much of an urge to stitch recently. However, lately I find I have been thinking about cross-stitching now and again, and I even ordered some long-desired patterns from 123stitch.com last week to try to tempt myself into picking up a needle. I don't know when I will start something, but you can be sure I'll post about it when I do.

And I have some good news to share, this month I became a great-auntie for the first time. :) Meet my nephew and niece-in-law's baby Natalie.

Dear friends

2010-02-24T18:59:00.002-05:00

My elderly mother became ill and passed away earlier this month. I just haven't had the heart to do any stitching for ages. I hope to take it up again later, but for right now a break is probably the best thing for me. My best to you all.

The never-ending story

2010-01-13T16:43:00.005-05:00

My progress on the Mary Wigham sampler has been very slow, I just haven't had much time to stitch, or when I did my hands would not cooperate. Ah, the joys of getting older! lol I knew that this would be a lengthy on-going project when I started it, but I had no idea that I would still be working it after all these many months. Long ago I had to abandon my original (and what I thought quite achievable) goal of stitching just one motif of the chart each weekend, and merely fit in stitching on it when I can. But I decided to no longer obsess over getting this sampler finished by any self-imposed arbitrary deadline. I am still quite appreciative that Needleprint.com offered this chart online for free, I only wish that the time I spend working it could equal their generosity.

Tiny treasures

2010-01-03T23:01:00.004-05:00

Bought myself a teensy present at the crafts store this weekend: four gold-plated DMC embroidery needles. I've always wanted to try this kind of needle and since they were on sale for $1.99 it seemed a cheap treat. :) They are supposed to "slide easily through fabric and be more resistant to rust", so I shall see if this is, in fact, true. :)

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T19:57:00.004-05:00

Welcome, 2010! May this new year be the start of many lovely things for all of my friends!

Christmas thoughts

2009-12-23T09:43:00.006-05:00

These past few weeks before the holidays I've entertained myself by perusing other folk's stitching blogs. While I was looking for ornament ideas and admiring all of the fabulous trees and decorations that people created in their own homes, I realized something very surprising – I haven't a single ornament that I stitched myself on my own tree! All of the ones I have made over the years I have gifted out to others. So I decided that next year I would choose a design and do one just for me! :)

My own Christmas tree is decorated with a variety of things that I have collected over time, and changes very little from year to year. I could never seem to stick to just one "theme" for a tree, and so have amassed inexpensive old-fashioned glass ornaments, wind-up musical boxes shaped like instruments, simple wooden toys that evoke childhood memories, a heap of santas and snowmen of every variety and manufacture, and even some tiny sparkly jeweled shoes! Not to mention all the lovely package and floral decorations that were just too pretty to throw away that now nestle happily within the branches, adding glamour and glitz to the greenery.

But I think my favorite decoration is still the "walnut". This little item, inexpertly painted red to look like a strawberry and adorned with a green felt "leaf" and a simple twine hanging loop, was made long ago in an elementary school art class by one of my sister's kids. I had always thought that my nephew made it, but during her visit last month my niece claimed all of the artistic credit. :) Regardless of its origin it has always represented family to me more than any other bauble. It is the first thing I place on my tree each year – right at the top next to where the star will go, and the last thing I take off the tree when it's time to take everything down. Once all of the other ornaments are safely wrapped in tissue and packed into their compartments I make sure to place the walnut on the very top before the decorations box is sealed. That way each year when I open the box I once more remember what Christmas is all about for me. :)

"Be Merry" Ornament

2009-12-22T11:25:00.004-05:00

I just finished this tiny hanging ornament for my dear niece. For gift-giving I popped it into a small premade paper-covered box from the crafts store, which I enhanced with an added scrapbook sticker that says "forever joyful" – which is how I think of her. :)

Val's Stuff "Be Merry"
from Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2007 magazine
25-ct. Dublin Linen Light Blue, DMC floss (substituted for Weeks Dye Works)
Stitch count: 40W x 35H
Start 12/18/09 - finish 12/21/09

"Merry Kitty Klaus" completed

2009-12-20T13:31:00.008-05:00

Finished the kitty ornament last evening as a stuffed pillow hanging, backed with a piece of dark red printed cotton and using some silky green cording for the hanging loop. And made a tiny white pom pom out of floss for the hat.

Val's Stuff "A Merry Kitty Klaus"
from Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2007 magazine
18-ct. Oatmeal Fiddlers Cloth, DMC floss as charted (mostly)
Stitch count: 48W x 49H
Start 12/10/09 - finish 12/19/09

Inching along

2009-12-14T18:45:00.006-05:00

<-- I'm only a little bit farther along on the Merry Kitty Klaus ornament. Real life job has kept me busier this week, and earning dollars outweighs stitching for pleasure every time! One good thing, since this ornament is being given in person I don't have to worry about finishing and mailing it early.

The pattern calls for Wisper floss (a fuzzy blend of mohair and nylon thread) for the "fur" on the Santa hat – which is actually something I'd never heard of before this chart! – but I am skipping that bit. It is possible that I have a tiny jingle bell somewhere in my sewing basket for the tip of the hat, and, if not, I will use a homemade pom pom instead – if I have time to make one!

Found my stork scissors!

2009-12-12T16:52:00.005-05:00

I am a happy camper once again – I found my favorite embroidery scissors hidden away in the deepest recesses of my couch yesterday! I had to turn the furniture over and rip some of the dust cover off to get at them, but it was all worthwhile. And now see how pretty they look wearing their new handmade beaded scissors fob? :) I am going to give these babies a good sharpen and then take very good care of them from now on, I promise!

Fa la la

2009-12-11T13:28:00.001-05:00

Sympathetic Threads blog has gone all Christmasy for the holidays. :)

Merry Kitty Klaus

2009-12-10T15:34:00.006-05:00

Last evening I started working on a new ornament for gifting. I had a little scrap of 18-count fabric that I wanted to use up, so I dug out my teensiest embroidery hoop which, as Goldilocks would say, was "just right"!

I got this "Merry Kitty Klaus" chart by Valerie Danish of Val's Stuff from the Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornaments 2007 magazine that big sis lent to me recently. It should be a quick and easy stitch over just a few nights.

New beaded scissors fob

2009-12-07T13:06:00.005-05:00

Made a little present for my big sis for Christmas. While she was here I asked her to select the beads and colors she liked so I could make her an item and she suggested that I make a scissors fob once she saw the one I'd made for myself. I was happy to oblige. There will also be a little something else in her package, but I haven't finished that yet. ;) I hope to get things done and mailed in time for the holiday! At this rate it may be a race to the finish.

Still working on my Mary Wigham reproduction sampler, as my hands permit me. Even though I love working on it because of all the different motifs my progress has been very slow. Too few hours in the day for these things! I've been sticking mostly to the color palette provided, but have occasionally made changes here and there. I've also collected many of the images that other stitchers have provided to Needleprint so that I can compare their revisions and see what I should like to incorporate into my own version. For example, I have already decided to use my own family's initials on the piece, but as I intend to stitch those last it may be many months before I get to that point. :)

Side note: I STILL haven't found that favorite pair of embroidery scissors that I lost a month ago! I may yet break down and get myself a pair of 4-inch Gingher scissors if they never reappear.

Punch needle goodies

2009-12-03T21:16:00.006-05:00

Big sis came to visit this week and brought me some needlework goodies that I can't wait to use! Not only did she hand me her spare punch needle tool, but she also gave me the cute all-in-one kit shown here containing cotton thread, printed fabric and easy beginner instructions. Now I can finally try some punch needle embroidery, which I've long wanted to learn how to do.

Sis also presented me with a mini basket full of a marvelous selection of colorful cross stitch fabrics in various counts, and shared her stack of cross stitch magazines focusing on Christmas ornaments with me. So I now have lots of inspiration for holiday needlework. :)

Lizzie Kate "Welcome Friends"

2009-11-24T12:21:00.006-05:00

Now that my friend finally has her birthday gift I can post a full photo of it here! I am really proud of this little Lizzie Kate project because it was an experiment in my ability to recreate something from a photo instead of using a real chart. ;)

Lizzie Kate "Welcome Friends"
18-ct. Oatmeal Fiddlers Cloth, my choice of DMC floss
Stitch count: 81W x 40H
Start 10/1/09 - finish 10/14/09

Back to work

2009-11-03T18:25:00.004-05:00

I've gone back to stitching on the Mary Wigham sampler when I can. My hands have been bothering me a bit again this week – too much time using the mouse and trackpad aggravate my CTS just as much as needlework does – so I have to juggle the time I spend with each. But it is fun to see the different Quaker motifs emerging.

A wish fulfilled

2009-10-24T10:25:00.005-04:00

"Strawberry Garden" by Blackbird Designs is mine as of 10/22/09 :) With the help of a very kind online acquaintance I was recently able to purchase this beautiful OOP Loose Feathers chart. That my search to secure this design is finally over makes me very happy. :)

Itsy bitsy project

2009-10-14T17:31:00.006-04:00

I just completed and framed this small project, but as it is a gift for a friend who sometimes stops by here I could only post a tiny photo hint of the finished snippet. ;) It was a quick and enjoyable stitch, and I hope she will like it.

You'll notice that it has my favorite thing (BEES) in it. :D

A lovely afternoon

2009-10-03T18:45:00.009-04:00

Another trip to the Village of the Arts in Bradenton today to see my friend Vicki Rollo's beautiful shop Heart's Desire and to visit some of the stores that have re-opened now that autumn is upon us.

Small newzzz

2009-10-01T10:40:00.002-04:00

Started a new small project as a gift for a friend recently. Can't show pictures here because she reads this blog sometimes! :) But it has a beehive in the design, so that makes me very happy.

Life's a Stitch

2009-09-17T18:15:00.004-04:00

Finished my tiny pincushion today and it's all wrapped up and ready to go out in the mail tomorrow. :) Hope it gets where it's going in time.

Baby steps

2009-09-16T18:34:00.002-04:00

Well, I'm sure that all six of you who read my blog :D will be delighted to know that I am back working on something again. I'm actually only finishing a previously-stitched project as a small pincushion, so nothing major, but hey, that counts, right? It needs to go out in the mail for someone's birthday soon, so I better get crackin'!

Truth be told

2009-09-08T11:28:00.003-04:00

I haven't stitched a single stitch for over a month, and thus have barely updated here. Mostly I'd been preparing for my recent Chicago trip and have had other concerns on my mind unconducive to pondering linen and floss. And on the occasions when my thoughts did turn to stitching my hands were not cooperating.

I hope I do better now that it is September.

Art Institute of Chicago

2009-09-02T12:00:00.000-04:00

While I was on vacation in Chicago last week I paid a brief visit to the Art Institute. Although I didn't have much time to wander I did snap a few pics of some of the highlights and other things I found interesting. I hope to go back some day and spend far more time exploring the Windy City. :)

A few earrings for fun

2009-08-17T12:07:00.003-04:00

Made these simple earrings this weekend. The ones on the right are for my niece, and are a copy of one of my own favorite pairs.

Did a little beading this weekend

2009-08-16T13:45:00.007-04:00

I now have a new scissors fob ready for when my stork embroidery scissors magically show up again. If indeed they ever do! Sort of a case of shutting the barn door after the horse has escaped, but I live in hope. :)

I've lost my stork scissors

2009-08-14T11:12:00.003-04:00

They've been missing for about three weeks now. This is not the end of the world, I know. I have plenty of other regular scissors lying around the house (some might say too many, there's a pair in practically every room), which all usable and perfectly capable of snipping strands of cotton floss. And I'm sure my scissors will show up eventually, hiding between the couch cushions or tucked away in a craft box where I probably placed them momentarily and then just forgot about them. I just miss them. Stitching is not the same without them.

And of course I keep thinking that if I'd attached a simple scissors fob to them I wouldn't be suffering this loss in the first place. *smacks self upside the head*

Perhaps I should go and make a beaded fob right now in the hopes that the scissors will magically return to see what all the fuss is about.

Decisions, decisions

2009-08-05T19:15:00.003-04:00

Can't decide whether or not to break down and purchase this lovely little cross-stitch chart called "My Hearth & Home" from With Thy Needle and Thread. The sweet design really appeals to me, but I have so many other charts waiting to be done...and I swore I wasn't going to spend any money on new charts for a bit.

Oh, the agony...

I love postcards!

2009-08-03T16:15:00.007-04:00

I got a lovely postcard from Hastings, East Sussex today where sis is currently vacationing, and I thought I would share a photo of how I display my favorite vintage Florida postcards. These hang in my front hallway.

I am not an avid collector, I just pick up the occasional card here and there when I see one I like. I guess it's the graphic designer in me! I do enjoy finding vintage cards from places I have actually visited or lived.

Happiness is Cross Stitching Anniversary Giveaway

2009-07-31T21:51:00.005-04:00

It's always a delightful surprise to me when someone announces a giveaway on their blog! Lynn at Happiness is Cross-Stitching is giving away some very pretty things to celebrate the first anniversary of her blog. When I read about such generous people I wonder if I will manage to make it to a year of blogging myself. :)

Here is a picture of Lynn's first place prize which includes: a Box decorated with her own cross stitch design (the free pattern will be available to download when she return from her holidays); Coffee pot and cup; Rose pins; Heart shaped ornament with Swarovski crystal trim; Scissor fob with Swarovski crystals stitched 1 over 1. What an amazing assortment of goodies!

Unearthed

2009-07-31T14:44:00.004-04:00

Stumbled across the fascinating Unearthed website today, a unique mix of one-of-a-kind finds of all sorts: architectural, vintage and industrial objects for home, office and garden. It's an excellent place for a browse and a peep into the past, both near and far.

I had no clue what this item was until I read its description: apparently it's a late-1800s Convent Door Brass Peep Hole! See if any of Unearthed's currently available nicely refurbished items can surprise you!

I have had no time for stitching this week

2009-07-30T19:08:00.003-04:00

...and that feels kind of sad. The few times I've sat down and picked up a project it was so rainy or gloomy out that there was insufficient light to work, and I just had to put it back down. Also been spending a lot of time on the computer for my day job and by evening I don't often feel like continuing to work with my hands for long periods of time.

I guess we all go through stages where even our hobbies become chores temporarily. I always think it's better to stop for a while rather than work on a project when I don't really feel in the mood.

Real life is getting in the way again

2009-07-25T23:28:00.005-04:00

I've not had much time for stitching this week and my hands have been acting up, so I am hoping next week will be better. Anyway, here's a pic of me and my mom from this weekend.

Unlike a lot of other stitchers' family histories, my mother's never been very interested in the crafty side of life. In fact, she loves to joke about my affinity for "arts and crap". *rolls eyes* Ho, ho, mom's such a card. As a matter of fact, she did a lot of tatting back in the 1940s, making collars and cuffs to embellish her dresses. I think she had quite enough of "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" in her day, and doesn't really understand the point of stitching for pleasure.

Mary Wigham progress

2009-07-20T11:01:00.003-04:00

Not a lot of progress this weekend, but I offer an amusing aside. We are supposed to be recreating this heirloom sampler exactly as it was stitched 220 years ago, flaws and all, yet I find myself fighting an uncontrollable desire to correct the pattern, and losing! Forgive me, Mary Wigham, but I want your medallions to be as perfect as possible and I can't control my inner neat freak. :) Besides, it's fun seeing if I can get all the various arrangements to fit correctly in the end. I can imagine that adjustments were made by the original stitchers as they went along, so in a sense I feel I am doing the same thing, thus making this sampler a little bit my own as well.

"It's the challenge that's the fun"

2009-07-16T12:33:00.005-04:00

I didn't have time to tour the Lunder Conservation Center at the Smithsonian American Art Museum during my last Washington, DC visit, but I will definitely make it a top priority next time. There are some really cool treatment videos from their various labs on the website, here is just one from the Paintings Lab.

Mary Wigham begins

2009-07-14T13:52:00.006-04:00

It's true I've just started stitching on the Mary Wigham sampler – you can see I've only completed about an inch square! LOL But I think it will be a fun project for me, I know I will enjoy working the individual medallions in solitary colors. I've chosen 40-count Lambswool Linen to stitch on and am using the DMC colors as charted.

Art is everywhere you go!

2009-07-13T10:33:00.000-04:00

While enjoying the Village of the Arts Artwalk on July 3rd I commented to my companion that some of the artwork at Divine Excess looked similar to folk art pieces I had seen at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in DC (one of my favorite places in the world, btw). And, sure enough, I found several pieces by one of the featured artists at Divine Excess (Mr. Imagination) on the SAAM site!

I was also highly impressed by several of the other artists displayed at at Divine Excess, including the amusing assemblage figures of Melissa Menzer. You can see some of her delightful artwork here. :-)

Starting Mary Wigham

2009-07-12T18:49:00.011-04:00

I am very pleased to have started stitching on the Ackworth School "Mary Wigham" sampler today. Situated near Pontefract in Yorkshire in the North of England, Ackworth School was built to be a foundling hospital, but in 1779 a school was founded there by Sir John Fothergill. Mary Wigham was a girl from the region who attended Ackworth between 1788-1791. Her piece is important for the history of the samplers as it is the first known with medallions.

Mary Wigham worked her sampler in 1790 – almost 220 years ago! Her sampler is under the care and conservation of the School, and Needleprint is releasing a section of the chart every week via download so that needleworkers everywhere will be able to complete Mary's breath-taking sampler for themselves. Six of the nine sections have been released thus far, but I am only just starting it today, so I look forward to happy stitching for many weeks to come!

Home of a Needleworker finish

2009-07-12T15:26:00.011-04:00

Finally completed my own "Home of a Needleworker" this weekend. The birdie is a plump little chap now, as I frogged and restitched him so that he would fit and balance better, and I added a couple of bumblebees "just because". I'll have to set this aside until I can make a frame for it, but I'm pleased to have finished at last. :-)

Little House Needleworks "Home of a Needleworker"

22-ct. Off-white Aida, DMC floss as charted
Stitch count: 193W x 97H
Start 6/21/09 - finish 07/11/o09

July Stitch-A-Long (SAL)

2009-07-10T19:05:00.003-04:00

Joined the July SAL on Facebook just for the heck of it, and in hopes that participating will motivate me to finish my sampler which is almost, but not quite done. I only have a little bit more to do and then I can start on my next project! So, barring any additional CTS problems I hope to get some serious stitching done this weekend.

Taking a little break

2009-07-07T10:34:00.004-04:00

Still haven't finished Home of a Needleworker yet. Promised myself to finish this past weekend, but despite my best efforts (or perhaps because of them!) my carpal tunnel problems kicked in a somewhat and I had to give my hands a rest yesterday. As soon as I get back to normal I hope to finish up this little project. It has taken me rather longer than I thought it would to stitch, but I have enjoyed every minute.

Village of the Arts Friday ArtWalk

2009-07-04T16:51:00.005-04:00

Some photos from yesterday's ArtWalk in Bradenton, FL. The first shows my friend Vicki Rollo in her beautiful Heart's Desire shop with encaustic mixed media artist Carolyn Campeau. Vicki is a fabulous jewelry designer whose work incorporates semi-precious stones, freshwater pearls, Bali silver and beads from around the world. Her shop also carries a marvlous assortment of women's fashions and accessories, ceramics, paintings, fused glass, and metalwork from local and national artists.

My friend Sandy and I visited several shops in the Village and I took snaps of some of the various eclectic shops in the Village, including Clay in the Garden's artist Jo-Ellen Gorris, who sculpts whimsical three-dimensional clay characters (those are her ceramic chess pieces and her very friendly kitties!), and Bits & Pieces quilt shop owner/artist Linda Bronkema. And the colorful animal-adorned bricks were lining the the walkways of the very funky and fun Divine Excess shop.

Slow but steady progress

2009-07-02T15:34:00.008-04:00

I stitch a little bit on "Home of a Needleworker" each night, but what with all those tiny stitches building a house on 22-count is slow going. I am determined to finish it this weekend, though!

I do not have a multitude of WIPs going at once, because I hate having unfinished needlework laying around. I find that too overwhelming. I know other stitchers like working on several things at once, but I prefer the sense of accomplishment that I feel when finishing one project completely and moving on to the next one to starting a dozen things which I may never finish or lose interest in along the way. I may be wasteful in plenty of other areas, but never if I can help it with fabric and thread. Each project is like a puzzle to me, waiting to be solved. And I have always preferred forging ahead to a solution, and not meandering along the way.

Words are completed

2009-06-30T12:36:00.005-04:00

Lots more progress this weekend, and I've been thinking that I'd also like to add a few other small touches here and there, such as repeating some hearts or flowers just before and after the little bird. And I always like to stitch in a tiny bee or two somewhere, as that is my "trademark" on personal projects.

WIP report

2009-06-26T12:34:00.009-04:00

Have made a little progress on "Home of a Needleworker" these past few nights. Stitching on the 22-count Aida has been more difficult than I had remembered and I am missing the ease of linen already, but I will admit that the finished look is very pleasing. I switched to a smaller needle pretty quickly and that has helped somewhat.

Still a ways to go – I sort of dread the boredom of the house section so I am leaving that for last. (You can see that I started it and then almost immediately moved on to a more fun section.) And I am constantly reminded that my eyes are not what they used to be!

What I spent most of last evening doing

2009-06-22T11:23:00.013-04:00

My progress thus far on "Home of a Needleworker". Something about stitching alphabets is very soothing to me. Especially compared to stitching the border which was making me go blind! You can see I have started to use Q-snaps, which are great – thanks for the tip, Diane!

And, my very first crape myrtle blossoms of the year!

Also my changed my blog background to a new look today, courtesy of Izzie Grace Blog Backgrounds (with some small tweaking, of course).

Another WIP

2009-06-21T12:05:00.000-04:00

Decided yesterday afternoon to start stitching the original smaller-sized version of the Little House Needleworks chart "Home of a Needleworker". I am working on 22-count Antique White Aida instead of the 16-count Natural Aida called for in the leaflet. 16-count would have worked up as a finished size of 12-1/8" x 6-1/8", and that seemed somehow far too large for the informality of the design. It's a piece meant just for myself that includes personalization, so I thought that 22-count and an 8-3/4" x 4-3/4" finished size (before framing) would be more appropriate. That way I can hang it anywhere in my small house without it seeming too overwhelming.

Lately I have been thinking about creating a "sampler wall" in my dining room. At the moment a quartet of woodcut-style prints hang in the small space I am considering using. An eclectic arrangement of samplers could fill the wall there nicely, and the old art prints would look just as well in the guest bedroom. Of course, this dream is a bit premature, as I am still working on several of the pieces that I want to eventually frame and hang! But it does give me a goal to aim for, and I like goals.

The only hindrance I see is where to get the kind of frames I want. Most of my samplers lean towards the "primitive" look, and I would like to find a source for rustic-looking frames. Cost is a big issue for me these days. I know how to use a miter box so think that I could make my own frames if I could find a place for architectural salvage or somesuch. I just need a good source for distressed moldings.

Selby Gallery

2009-06-20T14:00:00.006-04:00

More stitching on my WIP today. Slow but steady! My camera doesn't seem to capture the beautiful color of the fabric, although this pic is a little bit better than the last one was. In person it's sort of a creamy light caramel with a slightly silky hand, which will look lovely in the distressed red/brown serving tray.

I received my invite in the mail for this upcoming Nat Krate exhibit at Ringling College of Art and Design's Selby Gallery. I may just have to head on down to my old alma mater on the 26th and check it out.

I think this may turn into my holy grail of cross stitch

2009-06-18T12:56:00.007-04:00

Oh, I really, REALLY want to get my hands on this "Strawberry Garden" chart by Blackbird Designs, but it's OOP! *cries* It's so beautiful, too.

I've been trying to track it down on eBay.com, but the only leaflet being offered for sale is for the whole project kitted out with floss and fabric included, and at $135! That's waaay out of my ballpark, and I simply don't need a kit. I offered to buy just the chart if the kit didn't sell, but the (very nice) seller said no.

Going to keep on hunting, though. Fingers crossed!

My new cross stitch organizing binder

2009-06-17T14:14:00.007-04:00

I recycled an old clear-cover office binder and some top-loading sheet protectors, and cobbled together some custom cover inserts from odds and ends of scrapbook pages and doodads from my crafts boxes to make this organizer. I've only had time to insert my current projects thus far, but there's plenty of room to add more pages. I'm very pleased with the result and the idea of keeping all my lovely charts in one safe place from now on.

Well begun is half done (or so I hope)

2009-06-16T10:44:00.009-04:00

Finally made a start on my new WIP Birds of a Feather "Kindness Begets Kindness" chart. I know I'm not very far along yet, but I wanted to post a photo as proof that I had actually begun!

Our Florida summer sunshine extending into the early evening means there are more hours in which to stitch after work, but somehow these days I find myself at the laptop more than at the needle. I've also been trying to organize my charts a little better by finally placing them in a project binder, and that leads to sorting floss for upcoming projects, and before you know it it's late again and I am far too tired to stitch. But I do like this new chart and the 28 Ct. Examplar Linen I chose, so when I do find the time for stitching it is a pleasure.

I just added a link in my Favorites list to the Smithsonian American Sampler Collection. Lots of lovely examples and inspiration there!

Cà d'Zan

2009-06-14T16:17:00.008-04:00

I haven't been down to John Ringling's Cà d'Zan Mansion on Sarasota Bay in ages, but I have always wanted to return ever since the six-year long restoration was completed and take photos of the beautiful mosaics and the Venetian Gothic architecture. I've always thought that the zodiac compass mosiac in the garden was particularly lovely. There is a fee to view the inside of the mansion and visit the Circus Museum, but the Art Museum portion of the Ringling complex is free on Mondays, and you can always walk the grounds of the estate at no charge.

Mini shopping spree

2009-06-13T23:44:00.010-04:00

Cheap thrill: Picked up some more floss today at Michael's Crafts. They had everything I wanted but DMC 725, how odd is it that only that one bin in the whole display aisle should be empty? The nice cashier promised me they'd have some more in real soon, which is not exactly important as I doubt I'll drive all the way back there just for one 34-cent packet of thread. *laughs* But it was nice of her anyway.

It had to be the shoes

2009-06-10T14:00:00.005-04:00

This artwork by Stephanie Harland is so beautiful! You can go her webpage to see her wonderful gallery of images.

A new WIP

2009-06-09T10:59:00.012-04:00

I've finally decided on my next project at long last: "Kindness" Sampler by Birds of a Feather. I've been looking for something for years that would suit my fancy and also be just the right size for my 9" x 9" wooden serving tray that has an insert area for stitching, and I'm thinking that this will just fit the bill. I've never done a chart by Birds of a Feather before, although I have long wanted to, and am looking forward to working on it.

New 44-cent USA stamps

2009-06-08T15:40:00.007-04:00

Oooohhh: I am so tickled by the design of these new USPS first-class postage stamps!

Drizzly

2009-06-07T17:20:00.008-04:00

It's been rainy and overcast all day, which is great for the oleander in the backyard but bad for selecting conversion floss colors for the chart I wanted to start today.

Another beginning

2009-06-06T00:16:00.007-04:00

Have been migrating my needlework blog to Blogger.com, simply because I liked the looks and flexibility of this place and several of the other blogs posted here.

Pondering

2009-06-05T23:22:00.000-04:00

I've spent a chunk of time these last few evenings trying to decide what to stitch next. I've perused other people's blogs looking for interesting finishes – which I probably won't attempt, but which are fun to see and admire. I'm not big on doing several projects at once, as that's too much like my RL job! I prefer to concentrate on one chart at a time. Also don't have a lot of spare cash at the moment, so I am trying to select carefully.

Bzzzz...Beehive

2009-06-03T11:29:00.007-04:00

Adding a simple green border to this quick and easy Prairie Schooler beehive was a good idea. Little projects like this are always fun to stitch.

The Prairie Schooler Book No. 23

"A Prairie Year II"
August Beehive

Sulk

2009-05-31T15:00:00.001-04:00

For some reason I've become quite dissatisfied with my latest WIP and will have to put it aside for a while. I think perhaps it's the fabric I chose...I've decided that I don't like it after all. Hmmm…well, instead of sulking any further about it I've switched to doing a quick stitch project to lift my spirits. :-) With my favorite design of a little beehive, of course. ;-)

A Prairie Year

2009-05-29T12:23:00.001-04:00

When I moved I found this very old project of mine in the closet rolled up in a tube and long forgotten! Judging by the date I'd stitched on it, I completed this 13 years ago (!), and just never got around to framing it. Time does fly, doesn't it? Maybe someday I'll figure out exactly what I want to do with it. Decisions, decisions. I just hope it doesn't take another 13 years for me to decide.

Prairie Schooler "A Prairie Year I" 1986 OOP

Love

2009-05-26T11:32:00.000-04:00

Stitched this sampler for my nephew's wedding in March. I changed the pattern slightly by adding seed beads for the heart instead of using french knots, eliminating the border, and personalizing it, of course, for the happy couple.

Bent Creek "Love Sampler"

Found my missing cross-stitch stand!

2009-05-22T19:44:00.002-04:00

Yay! This makes my life so much easier. :-) It was tucked away in the very BACK corner of my walk-in closet behind a large hanging canvas dress bag. This was the perfect hiding place for it as I haven't touched that bag since I moved in eight years ago! LOL

Two more ornaments

2009-05-22T10:39:00.003-04:00

I didn't include these two in my last ornament post as I forgot to take photos before I mailed them out. The pieces I sent were finished as pillows, not as flat ornaments as shown, but you get the idea. Next time I make some I think I might try finishing them this way, it looks a heck of a lot easier than all that sewing and stuffing! LOL

The Prairie Schooler 2008 Freebie "Noel"
The Prairie Schooler Designer Series "Forget Me Nots" From My Garden

Earth laughs in flowers

2009-05-21T17:36:00.001-04:00

I did this little chart at the same time as last year's Christmas ornaments, but haven't decided just what to do with it yet. That's the trouble with cross stitch, there are so many pretty patterns that I want to do, but not enough time to find uses for them all.

Prairie Schooler Designer Series "Forget Me Nots" Earth Laughs in Flowers
DMC on 14-count Potato Aida cloth

Quartet of Santas

2009-05-20T13:14:00.000-04:00

Back when I used to collect Santa figures (which I don't anymore, as I have around 200 of them and that's more than enough!) I also used to collect the annual Prairie Schooler Santa charts. These four fellows made a nice grouping, I thought. :-) Click on the image for a larger view.

My sister and I both love craft shops and when I visited her we used to frequent The Primitive Sampler, a needlework store in Frederick, MD now long since closed. Sis still sends me patterns she picks up from time to time on her travels, the sweetie. I lost the pattern for the Sunflower Santa in my last move eight years ago though, which is sad as he's out of print now and I've always wanted to stitch another one of him.

Left to right:
1989 Prairie Schooler Santa - Lantern & Wreath Santa
1988 Prairie Schooler Santa - Toys & Gifts Santa
1994 Prairie Schooler Santa - Sunflower & Birdhouse Santa
1993 Prairie Schooler Santa - Poinsettia Gardener Santa

The kiss of the sun

2009-05-19T10:53:00.004-04:00

This cheery sun and sunflower piece on 14-count white Aida cloth hangs in my kitchen. I did another one for my sister on 18-count, which I think turned out even more nicely on the smaller weave. I revised the saying slightly more to my liking around the border and removed the french knots (I hate french knots!) from the chart, so it differs from the chart. :-) This was stitched back in the early 1990s as well. (Sunflowers are another favorite motif of mine.)

American School of Needlework "Sun, Moon, Stars" by Linda Gillum
7.5" x 10" stitching / 11.5" x 14" frame

New project

2009-05-18T11:42:00.000-04:00

Spent a good part of last evening perusing my charts box for ideas and finally prepared to start a new project – on linen this time. I am a lazy stitcher and usually prefer simple Aida and quick-to-stitch charts, but every once in a while I go old school and work a linen piece. A web grab of the pattern I've started is below: Little House Needleworks "Home of a Needleworker Too". I don't have the Crescent Colours floss shown, so I color-matched the colors by eye for conversion to my DMC floss collection. I have a stockpile of DMC and usually enough of most types of fabric to do any project if I am willing to substitute here and there. And I usually am!

Garden-themed samplers

2009-05-17T16:07:00.005-04:00

These two samplers hang one above the other on a wall in my dining room. I stitched them in the early 1990's and they are my favorite of all the projects I have ever done! Clicking on the image gives a closer view.

Prairie Schooler Book No. 45 "Garden Samplers"
Birdhouse Sampler & Garden Gate Sampler

Box Tops

2009-05-16T18:31:00.002-04:00

Years ago I stitched the quilt-style design on the right as an insert for the lid of the natural finish wooden box shown. I found the finished product charming so I've kept it in my living room ever since. But I goofed when I was preparing the one on the left! I had been planning to use the design for an ornament but for some reason I started it on 18-count Aida instead of 14-count, meaning it would be much too small when done. I finished it anyway and used it in the lid of another smaller box which I had received as a present. Bee motifs are a favorite of mine. :-)

Jeremiah Junction Classics "Patchwork Seasonal Squares"
Prairie Schooler Book No. 137 "Summer Breeze" Beehive

Ornaments 2008

2009-05-15T21:00:00.006-04:00

For Christmas 2008 I stitched a variety of small Prairie Schooler patterns on pieces of 14-, 18-, and 22-count scrap Aida cloth and finished them as tree ornaments. All of pillow backs were cut from medium-weight dark green cotton cloth, and I used silky green cording for the hanging loops. I secured the reverse of the stitching and attached cotton batting cut to fit to stabilize the backs. After stitching the little pillows together on the sewing machine I turned and stuffed them with polyfill, ladder-stitching closed the small gap I used for stuffing.

Top, left to right:

Prairie Schooler Book No. 24 "Prairie Birds" Wren
Prairie Schooler Book No. 134 "Christmas Day" Snowman
Prairie Schooler Book No. 124 "Folk Art Christmas" Angel

Center, left to right:
Prairie Schooler Book No. 134 "Christmas Day" Farm Snowman
Prairie Schooler Promotional Minicard "A friend is a gift you give yourself"
Prairie Schooler Book No. 134 "Christmas Day" Santa & Tree

Bottom:
Prairie Schooler Book No. 24 "Prairie Birds" Junco

Welcome

2009-05-13T18:45:00.001-04:00

This Prairie Schooler pattern started out as a gift for a friend, but I got delayed by carpal tunnel problems and missed completing it in time. So instead I inserted the finished work into a glass-topped serving tray until I can get or make a suitable frame in just the right size.

This was stitched on 18-count Aida cloth and the finished size was only 4.25" x 4.25", so I'm planning on making a 6" x 6" (insert size) frame. Prairie Schooler is my all-time favorite cross stitch designer.

The Prairie Schooler Book No. 92
"Welcome Home"
Bird's Nest