Happy Dance Time

It's been so long since I posted I couldn't even remember where I left off with Virtue.  It's been another month of houseguests and general busy-ness, not to be confused with business, which has also been hectic. 

Plus, I had a klutzy moment in the kitchen one night and ended up going to the ER for stitches.  Thankfully, I did not cut a tendon, but they put my thumb in a splint to keep me from opening up the lovely smiley face wound.  That eliminated stitching for a week.  The stitches came out almost a week ago and my thumb is still really stiff, but I can stitch.  I was a little worried because right before the accident, I had stitched "August 2013" into my sampler as the finish date.  I did not want to rip it out!

Thankfully, I got all those queen stitches finished and did the Happy Dance Tuesday evening!

 

There are several interesting areas, such as this base on which the flower pots rest.  It consists of alternating Smyrna crosses and Algerian eyes in two very soft colors.  I wasn't real sure about it, but it's quite effective, I think.  (That's why Darlene designs and I merely stitch!)

 An this little flower pot is just adorable with the four color Queen stitch flower and strawberries.

So while I was doing the Happy Dance, my husband asked me if I had something else to stitch!  WHAT?  I may have to take him for a mental health exam.  Has he not seen the thousands of charts in the bookcase right next to the computer where he spends eight hours a day?  Needless to say, I pulled another project right out of my bag, threaded the needle and off I went.  What project, you ask... "Buttons and Berries" by Homespun Elegance.  Another piece I've had in my stash for years, but not nearly as ambitious.  In fact, it probably won't take a whole week to finish.  

 

That's probably a good thing, since I'm up to my eyeballs making stitch pickers and counting pins for my Etsy shop.  I'm selling the stitch pickers as a set with a color coordinate needle threader.  

You can see more of them here.

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I'll Be Your Honey Bee

Well, the visitors come and go and I'm back in my nest.  I took a short break from Virtue last week to stitch this little piece for my husband for our 31st anniversary! Happy Annivesary!

 "June's Honeysuckle" by Cottage Garden Samplings

And now I'm back on Virtue.  For those of you waiting on the color conversion that I'm using, be glad I postponed giving it to you.  I've had to make a couple of adjustments for the symbols that were originally blended needles.  Since I'm working this on 36 count, I'm only using one strand of Splendor, so no blended needles for me!  But, never fear, I will post the list as soon as I'm sure about it.

I'm currently working on a big wholesale order of stitch markers for a knitting 'event' in Oregon.  Every single one has at least one purple bead included!

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How many stitching projects do you take when you go on vacation?  Even when I'm only going for a long weekend at my Mom's, I usually pack three or four.  It seems silly since I generally only work on one piece until it's done.  But you never know when you might be stuck somewhere for weeks with massive amounts of free time.  It's never actually happened to me, but I want to be prepared, just in case.

I keep thinking I should interrupt Virtue Outshines the Stars and start on some Christmas ornies or a birthday gift, but I'm having such a good time that I just can't do it. Things have been really busy at TJBdesigns, so, despite my good intentions, I'm still not finding much time to stitch during the day.  Most of my stitching is done while watching TV in the evenings.

When I get tired of Queen stitches, I abandon the border for  a while and work on the 'innards'. 

Maybe I'll have something new to show soon, but don't count on it.  The big stuff on Virtue is coming up next.

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Get Thee Behind Me, Satin Stitch!

I can see a light at the end of this tunnel of satin stitch over three threads!!  Four whole days of not stitching on it slowed me down, but I'm back on a roll now.  This one requires a lot of concentration, so when I only work on it at home. Besides, the lighting is just not conducive to stitching over three on 40 count at my mom's house!  Not many places are. LOL

The plan is to finish this band and move on to the knot garden by the weekend.  Cross your fingers.

I've seen some baby frogs, but not enough to make me put it away and never look at it again. Besides, I'm still waiting on some linen for "Virtue Outshines the Stars". So, as long as I'm still sane, I'll keep working on MG.  Because as soon as that linen shows up, MG goes on the back burner.  Just sayin'...

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First Start of 2013

Did you start the new year off right with a brand new stitching project?  I enjoyed the Dick Clark New Year's Eve retrospective with needle in hand.  The "Starlight Sampler" by Little House Needlework will be my going away gift to my friend, Nancy.  And I don't have to worry that she'll see this post because she doesn't have a computer! 

I was going to incorporate an overdyed floss or two, but decided to stick with the colors as charted.  I'm not really in the mood for a mental challenge on this one since I'm converting the cotton floss to silks on my next project.  Yes, I'm already thinking ahead.

And now that my Christmas decorations are put away, I can spend the rest of today stitching!  Good thing too, because when I visited the Little House web site earlier I found the new Little Sheep Virtues series! Holy Moly, 12 new projects for this year!

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Thistle Too

Now that Thistle Too is done, I'm taking a Periwinkle Promises break and working on some hardanger Christmas ornaments.  They're easy and they require no finishing beyond attaching a hanger and washing/ironing.  Maybe I'll have enough done by Christmas to avoid being disowned.

 

Over the last few months, I started making beaded eyeglass leashes.  Most of us, as we get a little older, need a little magnification to stitch. So we buy those adorable little reading glasses to make us feel a little less frumpy about needing them.  And you don't want to lose them, so you need a pretty eyeglass chain to keep them handy.  

In the meantime, I continue to add new fobs and counting pins to my shop. 

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PP Binge

Do you have a designer that you just can't ignore?  Barbara Rakosnik of Periwinkle Promises is one of my all time favs. I just love the way she combines stitches and colors in her samplers.  The little Accent Samplers are such fun pieces to do when you just need a sampler stitch fix.  And you cannot go wrong with her instructions. Her stitch diagrams and written instructions are so clear that you can try a brand new stitch and get it right the first time!

The Thistle Celebration pulled me out of my stitching slump recently and then I just couldn't help myself. I pulled out one of the few Sampler Accents that I haven't stitched yet. "Cornflower Sampler Accent" is a little 4" by 5" sampler to be made into a pin pillow with tassels on the corners.  I cannot begin to tell you how many of these I've stitched.  Two nights of stitching bliss! 

 So I started the Cranberry Delight Accent last night. I'll probably stitch several more before I move on.

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THIS is What I Love to Do!

The Thistle Celebration by Periwinkle Promises is sooooo much fun to stitch. I just love Barbara Rakosnik's use of stitches and color in her designs.  Even though I've frogged a bit already, I'm really enjoying this piece.  The only problem I'm having is that the colors are so close that I have to be extremely careful not to mix them up.

Thistle Celebration 09-18-12

I only had one miscount on the Holbein band, which I thought was pretty impressive. I usually get lost and have to do a lot of frogging, but no this time. And I didn't even use Barbara's very explicit diagram.  I've decided that figuring out Holbein motifs without a chart is my way of staving off dementia.  It's definitely a puzzle.

As you can see, I've just started the large satin stitch band. The satin stitch motifs are divided by bands of diagonal cross stitch. What a relief! At first I thought it was Diagonal Montenegrin which taxes my brain considerably. 

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Finally...a New Finish!

I'm not going to bother apologizing or make excuses for not posting in almost three months...eeek! But I hope to be a little more consistent, at least for a while. I will say that the Etsy shop has been keeping me pretty busy and I haven't had as much time to stitch. However, I finally finished "Bagatelle" by Whispered by the Wind on Sunday. I can't believe how long it took me considering it is only about 6.5 inches square...of course, that's on 40 count linen. For those who want the gory details, it is stitched on Lakeside Linen 40 count Strawflower, with Caron Collection Waterlilies (silk) Olive and Geranium. (1 strand) It's a beautiful piece and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it. It just called to me.

Now I'm moving on to the Thistle Celebration by Periwinkle Promises. I can always count on some fun stitches in Barbara Rakosnik's designs.

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A New Start

Yes, I finished The Cranberry Sampler! Woohoo! It should be framed within the week. And yes, of course, I'll post pictures.

So rather than cruise through my stash, I chose Prairie Moon's "Red and Black II". It's a very striking piece, but I hope I don't go nuts stitching with black for the next several weeks! I did change the red. The original was a little too orange for my tastes.

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Birthdays ROCK!

I don't care how old I get, I love my birthday. Look what I got in the mail on Monday!!! Not one, but two stitched pieces for my birthday. My friend, Laura, stitched "Bands of Pearle" by The Sampler House. She knows how much I love this piece. I can't wait to get it framed. Because it's done all in shades of ecru and taupe, it's a little hard to see, but take my word for it...it FABULOUS!

And this precious piece is from my friend, Karen. It's called "Friendship is a Sheltering Tree" by All Through the Night. It's already pinned and ready to frame. I've got the perfect place for it too. Don't you love the little bunnies?

 

Stitching friends are the BEST!

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Another Fun Finish!

 I can't figure out what I've been doing, but it's not stitching. At least, not as much as I usually do. Anyway, I finished this lovely sampler, as well as a Habitat for Humanity sampler. A group of ladies from our now defunct EGA chapter stitch them for new H for H homeowners in our area.  Emily Gorgeina Dixon is a reproduction from Ewe and Eye and Friends. The colors are unusal, but stitched as charted.

 
Now I'm officially starting the Christmas panic. I usually start my Christmas ornaments in June. Today, I final got around to kitting up some today. It's going to be quite a push to get 25-30 completed this year. Guess I'll have to give up sleep for a while.

Of course, I'm also gearing up for the gift giving rush in my Etsy shop. Don't forget your favorite stitcher, knitter or crocheter. Scissor fobs, counting pins, laying tools, stitch markers...Bling for the needleworker who loves pretty things.

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Done!

I love it when I get things done ahead of schedule! Mother's Day is still over two weeks away and the traditional miniature sampler is done...well, stitched. And with a minimum of frogging, which is good because ripping out stitches on 40 count silk gauze is not particularly fun. Hopefully, I won't procrastinate for too long getting a frame.

The "Yellow Rose Sampler" by Threads Through Time is stitched on 40 count silk gauze with one strand of cotton floss. The finished size is 1 5/8" x 2 1/8".

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Stitching Time is Sooooo Wonderful

I've been making an effort to stitch every night this week. Having houseguests, as fun as it is, really puts a crimp in my stitching time. Since I finished Abigail's Wisdom, I'm back on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow. Block 10, the ship in a bottle, is done and I started on Block 11 last night. Letters are soooo easy and they go so quickly.

During the day I am spending all my time getting ready for the Oak Island craft show. I started spreading the finished things out on the dining room table so I could get a feel for any gaps in the inventory. I like to have color coordinated sets of fobs, counting pins and laying tools. Plus when, possible I coordinate some stitch markers for knitting and crochet with some fobs too. 

I have a few bookmarks ready, but not nearly enough! I haven't even started on extra laying tools yet! So I may not come up for air for the next week or so!

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Abigail's Wisdom

This is the kit that I took with me on our trip and barely got started before we got home. LOL But since we've been home I've been stitching every night and really enjoying it. I've decided to give this "Abigail's Wisdom" sampler to my mom for her birthday. She expects one now! I used some Chestnut 32 cnt linen that I had in my stash and I was a little worried that it was too dark, but the silks in the kit are brighter than I expected and I think it's working out nicely. Even though the alphabet and verse are tent stitch over one, it goes quite quickly. I should have it done by the weekend, if not sooner. Then I plan to go back to Shores of Hawk Run Hollow ... we'll see.

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Just Chillin' and Stitchin'

Oh, I do so love to be at home in my stitching nest just enjoying whatever project I'm working on. And that happens to be Quaker Diamonds ... STILL. But I am getting closer. It's amazing how much progress one can make when you actually have time to stitch. Unfortunately, my shoulder is acting up a little so I haven't been able to stitch for hours on end like I used to. But it's still so wonderful to see the piece take shape.

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It's Thankful Thursday, Hug a Stitcher!

I've seen this idea on other blogs and I've decided to try to incorporate it in mine too. And this is a great Thursday to start.

I'm thankful today for my stitching friends...all of them! We enjoy each other's company, we understand this crazy addiction, we support and encourage each other. And yesterday I got this wonderful package in the mail. Laura stitched this beautiful sampler for my birthday and she added a chart I've admired too. I stitched this piece for another stitching friend and Laura knew I loved it so she stitched it for me. Isn't it gorgeous?

People have asked me if I sell my needlework and I always answer, I'd rather give it away to someone who will love it as much as I do.  Now I have sold a few pieces, but that's the exception, not the rule. This is what we do. We share our passion for needlework with each other in the best way possible. We enjoy stitching it and we know the recipient will enjoy it just as much. What better gift can there be?

On the personal stitching front, I'm working on block 8 of Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, and I have to admit it's more of a chore than fun right now. It's a little on the bland side compared to all the other blocks. So I haven't even put my next project in my stitching bag.  I know if I do, I'll start it before I finish this block and that would be bad. And before you ask..."Quaker Diamonds" is next in line. I can't wait to start it.

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Ta-Da!

"Pigalle" is done!  Woohoo! 

Now all I have to do is frame it.  I have two mouldings in stock that I like. What do you think?  I'm leaning towards the narrow one.  I'll have to cut down the frame, but that's not a problem.  I haven't done any framing in a quite a while.  I'd like to get this one done quickly so that I can loan it to Donna at Angelwing Needlearts for a shop model.  My version is so different from the cover model that hopefully it will encourage others to be brave and not worry about the cross-stitch police.

Speaking of my version...I stitched it on 40 count Tundra from Lakeside Linens, using 1 strand of floss over 2 fabric threads.  One skein of each was sufficient, except for the navy DMC.  I used two+ skeins!  So make sure you have enough of whatever you decide to use.  And remember that if you choose to stitch it on a larger count that you will probably want to use 2 strands and your stitches will be larger so you will need significantly more floss. These are the color changes that I made.

GAST Antique Rose --> GAST Hyacinth

GAST Briar Rose -->  GAST Red Plum

GAST Gold Leaf  --> GAST Avacado

GAST Wood Rose -->  WDW Dutch Iris

GAST Fragrant Cloves --> GAST Briar Rose

GAST Woodsmoke -->  GAST Walnut

GAST Raven --> DMC 939 Dark Navy **

Remember that most of these hand-dyed fibers can have significant dye lot differences, so play around with them and make changes if you aren't satisfied with the way they blend. That's what I had to do.

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Thank Goodness for the Super Bowl Pre-Game

I got some REAL stitching done yesterday because by 2:00 p.m. I was sitting on my duff and the needle was flying!  I know the game didn't start until 6:30, but I felt I really needed to hear all the blow-hards, I mean commentators, tell me everything I never needed to know and had already heard, about New Orleans, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.  In fact, the only thing they didn't tell me was the color of Peyton's jockey shorts, which I'm guessing are tidy whities.

Fortunately, I use the TV like a radio most of the time so it's just background noise.  Okay, so I really just needed to justify all those extra hours of stitching.  It worked.


I made lots of progress on Pigalle and it's going to be real hard to stop and go on to block four of SoHRH.  I am loving this so much that I have a real bad case of "just one more stitch". I might even start stitching during daylight hours!

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Habitat for Humanity sampler

Several years ago our local EGA chapter starting stitching a "Home Sweet Habitat" sampler for new Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Unfortunately, due to attrition and other factors, our chapter decided to disband. We just didn't have enough members to support the bureaucracy and required paperwork. But we still stitch together as often as we can and we decided to try to continue this outreach effort for Habitat.

So this weekend I've been stitching one of these samplers for a homeowner whose name slipped through the cracks. Now I just have to frame it and deliver it. It's a simple design , but I've seen how much they are appreciated. The Habitat staff tell us they are always hung in a place of prominence. It humbles me to realize how something so simple can mean so much.

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