Colorado Stitcher

Rotation Project - Fancy Wrap

2012-03-12T12:00:00.000-06:00

I seem to be going along with my rotation system and WIP/UFO reduction quite well having finished quite a bit. This week I selected a Needlepoint project from around 2005. I am not 100 percent sure of the year, but I know it was from my Raleigh ANG Chapter so it would have to be sometime between early 2000 and May of 2007. I think it was a later project, so I am guessing 2005.

I may see about a second color besides the red to fill in the alternating spaces, but my "kit" is mainly red - canvas and threads with the gold metallic as the foundation rows. The thread is a red Soie Cristale.

Here are some details of the project.

Have a GREAT day!!!!

Romanian Point Lace Finished - YIPEE!!!

2012-03-11T19:34:00.003-06:00

On a previous post I showed you my Romanian Point Lace project called Victorian Fan in progress. I was in the process of couching down the cording with sewing thread in a color that would stand out from the cording. I finished this cute design and possible Christmas Ornament last night and here it is.

Now for some background information on this technique. The three-dimensional cord is very special - notice the picots on the edges, these are called side loops - but I think of them as picots. These are important because you stitch the cording that touches together using the picots, and create the stitches within the spaces using the picots. You never go through the cord the picots are the main players. You can start and stop you thread in the CENTER of the cording by dong a kind of zig zag - but always in the middle of the cord so it will not be seen. This is kind of tricky when it is attached to the muslin, because you can't see that side of the design.

When I took the class Sylvia taught us how to crochet the cording using a perle cotton. The cording used in this design was supplied by Sylvia and was crocheted using Cebelia #20 or 30 - so smaller than perle cotton, but the perle cotton was easier for beginners.

I did the bottom cord. You can see I had a bit of trouble in the beginning, but got the hang of it after a while.

Here is the project with all of the Knotted Russian Stitches completed and two of the fan stitches.

It looked kind of ugly when I was done, but once I took it off the muslin it really came to life and I am very proud of the finish and think it is very pretty. I would like to do more, but need to get the hang of making that darn cord!! Although I see in her instructions she gave two possible suppliers of hand made cord - Provo Enterprise and Forget-Me-Not Arts. I have no idea if these places are in business, but will check them out if I feel the need for cord.

I hope my little post has provided you some useful information.

Romanian Point Lace Update

2012-03-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

This week my I am working on a Romanian Point Lace project from a class I took at the Rocky Mountain Regional Seminar in the summer of 2010. When I pulled the project out of the bag, I see I finished the small class practice project, but had not done any work on the main project. The first step is to couch the cording on the design - as pictured here. The teacher, Sylvia Murariu was very good and you can check out her website if you want.

You used sewing thread to attach it in a color easily distinguished from the cording, so that when you have completed the lace you can remove it from the muslin. I hope to have more progress to show you later in the week.

Happy Day Everyone!!!!

Glitzy Accessories Finally Finished!!

2012-03-05T14:51:00.002-07:00

In the year 2000 I signed up for Carol Lake's Glitzy Accessories Cybercourse through ANG. I wanted to make something just for me and I liked her designs. I immediately finished the nametag, soon followed by the scissor fob. I then proceeded over time to stitch all the pieces and there they remained in a state of unfinishedness until this weekend. As part of my rotation system to reduce my WIPs/UFOs last week was "FINISHING" week. I was able to get the thread I needed and make all the twisted cord and tassels to complete the set.

Usually I work with a blunt tapestry needle for my cross stitch and needlepoint. This finishing stuff required a sharp sewing needle. I am seriously considering getting a tetanus shot!! No blood was spilled on the stitching.

Here is the nametag

Needlebook all tied shut

Scissor fob

Scissor case - laying tool case - frame weight.

Now on to the next rotation project with will be something from the specialty/beading category. I have selected a class from the Rocky Mountain Region 2010 Seminar called Victorian Fan -Romanian Point Lace and Beading. It has not been touched since class, so I hope I can remember what to do!

Have a nice day everyone!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Lois!!!

2012-03-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my mother-in-law's sister's birthday. Also know as Aunt Lois around our house. She is my MILs older sister by 15 years and today she is 98!!!!!! Don't tell my MIL I just spilled her age (she does not have a computer, so I am fairly safe). We were blessed with the opportunity to visit with Lois last October and she looked and sounded great. Gets tired more easily, but who wouldn't at 98!

I decided to make her a special birthday card this year. Inside I wrote: "A special card for a special lady on her special day. I made this card especially for you!" Happy Birthday. Signed my hubby and me.

Here are some pictures of the card.

The flower is two colors of pink felt, yellow ultrasuede and a button all from my stash. I found the cute butterfly button at JoAnns. As an afterthought I thought tiny rick-rack for the stem would be cute, but I did not have green. Maybe another time.

I wish everyone a happy day in honor of Aunt Lois, a very dear lady!

Rotation System Update and FINISHES (of a sort)

2012-02-29T09:02:00.002-07:00

While organizing and cataloging my WIPs?UFOs I came up with a weekly rotation system to try to reduce some of this stash. The Rotation I chose was:

Specialty/Beading
Needlepoint
XS/Embroidery
New/gifts/stitcher's choice

I have since added a 5th category which is FINISHING. Well last week was the week for finishing, but I had a head cold that really made me tired and my thinking capacity was not working so well. I barely picked up a needle all week. So I decided to extend the finishing week into this week. Besides the Heart Perforated Paper Needlebook I posted about already (on Feb. 27), I also worked on all the accessories left from the cyberclass I took in 2000 through ANG with Carole Lake called Glitzy Accessories. I had finished the nametag and scissor fob years ago, and all the stitching for the others, but not the final steps. Well, this week (so far) I have gotten everything lined and sewn together (if applicable) and filled the frame weight (I really wanted to use lead shot, but hard to find, so settled for pennies). I am at the point of making the twisted cord and tassels for everything. I discovered I need one more skein of watercolors, though for the twisted cord and/or one more perle cotton - so they may not get done this week unless I can get to the shop soon.

Now on to the pictures!

From left to right, needlebook, scissor case, laying tool case, scissor fob and frame weight.

A closer look (from left to right) of scissor fob, scissor case and frame weight. Note scissor fob has the cording and tassel. It is kind of big for a scissor fob (at least to me) so I have been hanging it from the knob of our china cabinet all this time. I used the two colors (a light blue and light green) of perle cotton for this cord. I made watercolor cord for the laying tool case last night and will soon have a twisted cord nail placed in my studio so I can make more cord. I am putting it in behind the door so it will not show - but I could hang a picture on it too - but it for security I wanted it on a stud, so of course it is not center. My hubby did not like the nail I chose and decided a hook would be better. He is going to get me one tonight and put it in the stud. I can still hang something over it to cover the hook if I want too, but it will be hidden by the door. I chose this wall for it since it is behind a door and I can get 10 - 12 feet away which would make some really long twisted cord!!

A closer look (from left to right) of laying tool case case and needlebook.

Happy Leap Day Everyone!!

Pretty Perforated Paper Needlebook

2012-02-27T14:51:00.001-07:00

The February project for Sampler Guild of the Rockies was this cute little (well maybe about 4 inches "square") needlebook using perforated paper, floss, perle cotton and wool felt. I finished it and thought I'd share with you all.

So here you have the front....

.....the back......

.....and the inside.

It was designed my our talented member Janice and was a lot of fun to make!!

Have a great week!!

A Little Finish - Quaker Strawberry

2012-02-24T10:21:00.001-07:00

I have had a cold since last Saturday and it has really hit me hard. Been very tired and did not even want to stitch or do anything that required thinking! So for my rotation schedule this week the topic was finishing. But finishing involves careful thinking, so I have not gotten far with that WIP reduction topic.

I slept VERY well last night and feel 95% better, so I may attempt some tougher finishing projects this weekend - we will see. In the meantime I did start to feel up to doing some stitching on Wednesday and chose a small project from the Sampler Guild of the Rockies June 2010 Retreat. Which my blog post on this great event was on my old blog that I lost, so sorry, no reference back to it. The theme was Strawberries and Creme. Here is one little project called Quaker Strawberry (designer unknown) which I did not finish the way they suggested, but did my own thing (required less thinking) and I like it bunches!!

Have a nice weekend!!!!

TUSAL Feb. 2012

2012-02-22T21:22:00.003-07:00

Not too many orts this time around, but I did work on couple of things. If you are wondering what all the fuss is about TUSAL and orts check out this blog post for more information:

http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/2011/11/totally-useless-stitch-long.html

Next time I will try an put a quarter or something in the photo to give you an idea of the size.

An yet another give-away and this one involves CHOCOLATE!

2012-02-22T19:12:00.002-07:00

Check out Autum's chocolate give away here. You should know that unfortunately due to the weight of the giveaway items she can only ship to someone in the United States. But check out her nice blog anyway, I love her rose painted fence and bunny. I think she is ready for spring!

Great Giveaway at a fellow Blogger's Site

2012-02-21T10:36:00.001-07:00

A great scissors give away is underway here at Feathers In The Nest. Ends midnight March 5. Details can be found on her blog. Good luck, but I hope I win!!

Too Busy to Post or Stitch This Week

2012-02-17T17:24:00.000-07:00

This week has been a very busy and long. I was in some training and the days got VERY long. I know I was in trouble when I woke up Wednesday and if felt like Friday!! Well that is now all done and I can relax just a bit, but still have a lot of catch up to take care of! Good thing I don't have to go back to work until Tuesday - I need the time off!

I hope to have a stitching related post here soon and be able to get back to reading all your blogs too.

I love the Blue Bear at the Denver Convention Center and almost purchased a little statue of him while I was there this week, but decided not to...this time anyway.

Valentine's Day Cards

2012-02-11T17:00:00.001-07:00

I made these cards for family and a couple of friends. The one that had to go the farthest arrived, so I think I can safely show you the collection. They were a lot of fun to make and so far everyone has enjoyed getting them!

I cut heart shapes from felt and attached buttons and/or beads etc. to them as the fancy struck me. That is how I attached the small heart to the bigger one. I then used glue dots to attach it to the card. I mailed them with a piece of comic book board over the heart to help protect it in the mailing. I think my favorite one is the pink on pink at the top left. It went to my mother in law since I know she likes pink. I sent the red and pink to my friend who likes red and the other purples went to folks who liked purple and some who I didn't know what color they would like, so they got purple.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Blog Post about the Lace Study Center to check out

2012-02-07T13:46:00.001-07:00

Over at Sharon b's blog she has posted a very nice bit of information about the Lace Study Center at the Powerhouse Museum. She just provided yet another reason to visit Australia (as if I needed one)!

Also I updated my post from yesterday to include the designer information on the bead project we did at guild meeting in case any of you are interested.

UPDATED: February 2012 Foothills Beading Project - UPDATE in bold red below

2012-02-06T19:34:00.001-07:00

Today at our Foothills EGA Chapter meeting we did a beading project which was fun and fast. Quite a few of us finished it before lunch. Kits included about 4 color choices and I chose purple. It is a beaded Sun Catcher and here is my work!

It is a freebie designed by Deborah Roberti of aroundthebeadingtable.com. She has a lot of very nice beading projects free and othewise. Her instructions were fantastic.

I really liked this project and may make a few more sometime. It can be used as a scissor fob, necklace or as a sun catcher. I am not sure I have the 8 mm bicones in my stash, but I know I have the other materials.

Happy Beading!!!

Rotation Sunday

2012-02-05T18:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday is the day I change rotation projects. Last Sunday I started a needlepoint project which happened to be my oldest UFO/WP and I stitched on it a few nights this past week and this is as far as I have gotten. So it remains my oldest WIP.

My rotation project for this next week is an embroidery project and the one I chose is called Victorian Journal by Catherine Jordan. It is from the class I took last August at the Rocky Mountain Region EGA Seminar. I believe it is my youngest WIP. I do not think I have added much to it since class and this is how it looks now.

For this project we started out my tracing a design on the fabric then painting it. Next we stitch designs to make the colored areas to look like fabric and stitch embroidery on the borders to end up with a piece of fabric that looks like a crazy quilt. When completed it will fit around a small journal - hence the class title. I can't wait to get working on it again!!!

Happy Stitching!!

What does 17 inches of snow look like??

2012-02-04T10:55:00.001-07:00

THIS =>

Yesterday at this time it was half as tall.

All good winter scenes have a snow nose picture. Miss Maddie is not a huge fan of the snow and with her bad knee we have not encouraged any rigorous play.

Maddie rescues (stuffed) duck!

Silly girl took her stuffed duck out. She does not like it, however when it is covered with snow. She will shake it all off if I can convince here to even pick it up. I sent her out to get it and got this shot as she was running back.

Soon the sun will be out and temps above freezing and it will all be gone - hopefully before the next round. We broke the Feb 3, 1932 record for most snow which was 9.5 inches. Yesterday's total at DIA was 12.5" In an average February we get 5.7 inches and this storm has given us 15 inches (again at DIA the official weather station for Denver). We live closer to the foothills and often get more snow than the airport which is basically out in the plains (no pun intended). Starting tomorrow we will be above freezing and mostly sunny for a number of days so it will not be around long - especially the main roads. But for now I will be inside by the fireplace stitching and drinking hot coffee!

Have a great day y'all!!!

Winter Wonderland Here

2012-02-03T07:48:00.001-07:00

We have snow!!! I think the pictures are worth a thousand words. We have from 8 - 11 inches depending on where you measure. Forecasted to keep snowing until this evening. Pictures taken around 7 am today.

Poor Miss Maddie was chest deep (around 10 inches) and tinkled in the snow - literally!

The Stitching Gods are Against Me!

2012-01-30T13:42:00.003-07:00

Just when I am making good progress on WIP/UFO reduction (ok I know I am just one week into it) I get my Spring 2012 issue of Sampler and Antique Needlework. On the front cover is part of a sampler that will be presented in three parts. Part one being in the Spring Issue. The bad news is I LOVE IT!! And want to start it NOW!!! Well, I need supplies first anyway so maybe it will be placed in the rotation under new. Since I am not sure it would be correct to copy the entire sampler here, I give you a section.

It is all DMC floss so I am good there, I just need to get the fabric which is 30 count cream Northern Cross Linen. To do the entire sampler I will need a piece that is 32" by 17" - so I probably also need to liberate my scroll bars. I suppose since it is in three installments I could get it done over time. The sampler is adapted from a sampler from 1659 and I will soon need to decide if I will put the original stitcher's name and date in or not, since it is in part one at the top (not shown here). What do you think??

Scissor Fob and Oldest UFO/WIP

2012-01-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

Last week was my first week of WIP reduction/rotation system and as I posted yesterday I finished the first project selected and went to another one. Well last night I finished it and here is the result. I used the Palestrina Stitch to sew the two halves together (as directed in the instructions).

Blackberry Scissor Fob a Stumpwork design

by Marsha Papay-Gomola

Marsha taught this to the Colorado Chapter EGA in 2008 or 2009.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So to continue on with my WIP reduction/rotation plan I chose a Needlepoint project and let the random number generator pick it so to speak. It turned out to be my oldest WIP/UFO. The kit was a gift from my mom in around 1977. I have worked on it bit by bit at least in each of the decades I have had it (although I may have missed working on it in the 80s). I still have the cover sheet and stitching instructions which say it is from the Columbia-Minerva Corporation and is "one of a series based on illustrations from THE ORIGINAL PETER RABBIT BOOKS(r) by Beatrix Potter as interpreted by Erica Wilson"

As you see I got it stitched up to and including a bit of the background. The background stitch is called the knotted stitch and in the finished project picture looks very nice. I am not sure if I will stick with this the entire week for two reasons. First, and mainly because I don't know what I would do with it; second because it is kind of boring and tedious at this point! Only time will tell.

That's it from here!

I Finished a WIP!

2012-01-28T19:00:00.001-07:00

The WIP I began last Monday as part of my WIP reduction process is finished!!! Plus I made a pair of earrings and a bracelet too!! Delica Pendant with Spiral Rope.

Because I finished this one I picked up another WIP and it is about finished too. I just need to sew the two parts together and then I can post about it. I plan on finishing it up tonight and then tomorrow I will pick up another WIP and see how that one goes!

Getting My WIPs in Order Part 2

2012-01-26T10:03:00.001-07:00

Just a quick follow up to my last post. I don't mind the regimented like plan and it won't spoil the fun of stitching (for me anyway) because:

I am an organized person and a planning fool (for the most part)
Without some sort of plan of action I seem to run willy nilly and collect more projects
There is flexibility in the plan (the new category)
It is not cast in stone and there are no WIP police so I can stop or alter the plan at anytime.

Having a goal with a plan should help get some of the WIPs off the list (gotta make room for more after all)!!

Enjoy your day!!

Getting My WIPs in Order

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

As you know from a previous post, I created a list of my WIPs to see just what I had (not) been keeping up with. Then I decided to figure out a system to start whittling them down. I created an excel spreadsheet and my columns included a number – source – date – project name and the last column was location (in my studio). I can say everything is in one room anyway! I then decided on some categories, one of which was guild project, but when I saw by my source column that at least 90% were from guild classes or seminars I got rid of that category pretty fast. It was way too broad. I also see from it that my main source of WIPs are my guilds!!! Oh well, too fun to stop now.

So I came up with three categories – cross stitch/embroidery; needlepoint; specialty/beading and then color coded them – not 100% sure why it just seemed like a good idea and easy enough in excel. In case you are wondering my specialty category included some stumpwork, canvas that had photo transfer or painting that you add stitching too and other things along those lines. Because I added beading my WIP list is now at 53 by the way!

I decided on a weekly rotation system stitching on one category for a week then moving to the next category. I decided to start with specialty/beading then move on to cross stitch/embroidery followed by needlepoint and then finally a category I call New/gifts after which I would start again with specialty/beading. I then decided to use the random number generator (www.random.org) to pick the first WIPs in the rotation. Not sure why just seemed like a novel way to do it. Ironically the needlepoint WIP came out to be my oldest one from around 1974 (more on that when it comes up in the rotation). I won't always choose the WIP to work on this way, but it gave me a place to start. I can see on my list I still want to finish them (expect perhaps one) so this helped me find a place to start.

Any way in this process I decided that the category New/gifts should be changed to New/gifts/stitcher’s choice. So if I don’t have a new project to start (is that possible given my stash*) or a gift to make, but there is a WIP I want to work on then I would do a “stitcher’s choice.” Looking at the list I saw a few projects that are almost done and they would make great stitcher’s choices. I like having a rotation category like New to give me a little wiggle room. Of course this could lead to a future WIP. And in retrospect maybe my list is a combination of WIPs and UFOs!! Just when does a WIP become a UFO anyway??

I have done these rotation things before and they have worked pretty well until something gets in the way – like in 2010 when work sent me to Boston for a month! So we will see how far I get this time. I would be happy if I stuck to it at least until the heavy gift stitching season starting in late October or early November.

I will add it was interesting and enlightening to create this list. I know there is at least one thing that may become and remain a UFO since it is a technique I discovered I do not like – time will tell. I also learned that spell check does not like WIPs.

Here is the WIP I picked up for this week, a beading project that I got online during the peak of my bead work (2001-2004). It is called Delica Pendant with Spiral Rope from www.thebeadlady.com.

You can see in the picture the pendant is done, I just need to finish the spiral rope. I did change the bead colors.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Stash?? Now that would be a list of epic proportions!

Shhh, don’t tell the hubby.

Jan 2012 TUSAL

2012-01-23T19:04:00.003-07:00

The full moon has arrived so here is my TUSAL for January! I am trying a new jar hoping you can see the orts better on this smooth sided one.

These are mostly from my stamped cross stitch table cloth that I posted about on my old blog before it was lost. I has peach flowers, some blue flowers and of course leaves and a green two tone bow. More on it next time I stitch on it.

I did a bad, bad thing!

2012-01-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

I created a list of all my WIPS in an attempt to whittle them down. I came up with 46!!! That seems like a LOT to me. How about you?

Next step is to figure out a rotation system or something to work on them. Past rotation attempts have worked to a degree, but not for long. Any ideas?

I think my 2012 goal will be to get a certain percentage done, but still working on what that should be too.

I look forward to your comments and suggestions and will get back to you all when I make a decision.

Mouse Pad for Greg

2012-01-20T18:08:00.002-07:00

I wanted to make something special for my big brother's birthday that he could actually use. He is on his computer quite a bit, so I decided to make him a stitched mouse pad. I got the one I used for this project at Hobby Lobby, but you can also get them here. Which is all I will say on that since this is my fun stitching blog.

I will now explain the motifs used starting from left to right and top row. Facebook, troop two patch (troop two was his boy scout troop), the emblem on the scout badge and Eagle Scout badge - he made Eagle Scout (with a palm cluster no less).

The next row is is initials which I created from my PC Stitch software. Between the initials and the facebook logo was my attempt at a batman bat (the 60s version not the new one).

The bottom row consists of the wolf head part of the cub scout emblem. I did not have enough room for the entire emblem. He drinks coffee and is an LA Dodger fan, so I created an LA coffee mug. He has a cross in his car and has always been a tad interested in religion and then the baseball mitt. My initials and date are in yellow at lower right.

I got the baseball font, and baseball mitt from my PC Stitch software, I made up the facebook f, troop badge number, coffee mug (with a bit of help from my software) and the cross. I got the Boy Scout emblems from a book called "The emblems of the Boy Scouts of America in counted Cross Stitch" by the Vanessa-Ann Collection and Published by Zim's Inc (1986).

I think that covers it for now!!

Snowflake Biscornu

2012-01-17T09:24:00.000-07:00

At our December Sampler Guild of the Rockies (SGR) meeting we could purchase the instructions and kit for a very pretty snowflake biscornu designed by one of our talented members. It consisted of 5 strips of three squares - the photo here shows the strips cut out of the fabric. Naturally since we had a month to complete it, I started the stitching the Monday before the Sunday January meeting!! It really was not hard to stitch.

Then at our January meeting we got the instructions and stitching time to turn the strips into the biscornu! I was able to stitch at the meeting to the point of needing to add the stuffing and was happy about that! Here it is all stuffed and sewn shut. I think I maybe could have added more stuffing, but I am happy with it!

I have it set out on the front entry table with some other snowmen for the January display. The tall fellow I made about 12 years ago and would do a few things differently now, oh well, I still think he is cute. The wooden one I got at a local craft fair this past fall and he is made of local aspen wood. The trio at the right were the SGR gift to chapter members at the December Christmas Tea.

We got a tad bit more snow (about an inch) last night, but with sunshine and warmer temps forecasted the new stuff should be gone in no time. But I think these snow folk are safe inside.

Happy Stitching!!

Miss Maddie Has Been Limping

2012-01-16T10:37:00.001-07:00

I will have fun stitching post later today or tomorrow, but I thought I would share the not so fun news that Miss Maddie tore the equivalent of her ACL and needs surgery! It has a 4 month recovery half of those spent in a crate it seems. Not to mention we need a first born child to sell in order to help pay for it! She is still young enough and otherwise healthy (she is only 7 years old) so she has some good years ahead, if we have the surgery done. Without the surgery she could get better, but would always have a limp and not enjoy running and playing, so we are saving up to get it done. Oh, boy!!

New Studio Furniture!

2012-01-10T14:14:00.000-07:00

I had been eyeing this 8 drawer flat file cabinet in the Home Decorators Collections catalog when low and behold it came on sale with free shipping AND they let me use a $50 off coupon so I ended up getting it for $185 less than normal price. So of course I had to get it!!!!!! The coupon came in Maddie’s name, so you could say it was a partial Christmas present from the dog!

The down side is it comes unassembled….in THREE, yes THREE boxes. One box weighed approximately 52 lbs, the second box was about 70 lbs and the third box was 104 lbs!!!! Did I tell you my studio is a converted upper floor bedroom?? Between my hubby and me we managed to get the 50 and 70 lb boxes up to the studio and the 104 monster into the living room. Miss Maddie, smarty pants dog that she is, hightailed it into another room!

The next day we assembled the cabinet. We opened the heavy box downstairs and carried the parts up to the studio. We opened the other boxes and took inventory. All there and then we proceeded to assemble. It took us most of the day, and my hands were sore from all the screws!!

Dividers came for the top two drawers and here is how I set up the very top drawer. My plan was to use this drawer to hold my rotary cutting rulers and tools with my big rotary mat on top of the cabinet. I think the top is 42” x 28” and it is 36 inches high (great height for cutting – I am 5’7”) and the top holds my big rotary mat just fine. I think the top will be nice for wrapping Christmas presents next year too. It is a very nice working height. I have it just about in the center of the room and it has worked out great. I even used the cutting mat this past weekend - I am in heaven.

Notice how the ENTIRE drawer comes out for easy access to the back? LOVE IT!! It was well worth the effort, but not sure I would want to do it again - we even had to put in all the drawer rail hardware. When they said unasembled they meant unassembled! I am extremely happy with it and believe it or not it has been up since Saturday and it is NOT filled yet!!

Mystery Sampler - Seasons

2012-01-04T13:11:00.001-07:00

I think I first posted about this in 2008 since that is the copyright date on the charts and it was made especially for the Foothills Chapter of EGA. So, I think most of my other posts got lost in 2009 when my first blog accidentally (by me) got deleted. At any rate it was one of those things I found in my studio a month or so ago that was 80 - 90% finished and I asked myself why??? And then told myself I should finish it!!

Well I did and here it is for you viewing pleasure. It was designed by Becky Autry and I changed the border and dividers to green since we have more green in our house than blue. Otherwise I think I stayed fairly true to the design. Except for Winter, I could not find the same charms she used and I may change the rooster that is in the Spring square (since it is the only metal colored charm and the rest are flat buttons). Then off to the framers we go!

One WIP down, too many to count to go!!

Stitched Christmas Gift

2012-01-03T09:16:00.002-07:00

Last February I was working on the Heart in Hand Monthly Mania for March and thought it would be a nice gift to make each of the 12 months and put them in a wooden box that was open at the top to show off the current month while the11 other months could be stored in the box. My sister in law in Iowa decorates for the seasons, and appreciates my handy work, so I thought it would make a nice Christmas present for her.

I could not find a box, but I found two deep frames at Michael's with a mat with a 4"x4" opening. So I cut 12 pieces of comic book board the size of the frame (5.5" square), marked the middle of each with a pin hole and then mounted them on the board. I used a sewing pin to go through the middle of the stitching and then through the pin hole I made in the middle of the comic book board. Carefully removing the pin and straightening out the stitching. It worked out great in centering the stitching.

I was then able to get 6 months in each deep frame (Jan - June and July - Dec). So I sent one with December showing in the frame and one with January showing. I forgot to put in a note of explanation so when we spoke on Christmas Day I let her know that all 12 months were there and that I had put a piece of ribbon in to help pull them up when time to change the month. Good thing we spoke, she did not realize and thought more might be coming for birthdays or future Christmases! They were a lot of fun to stitch, a little tricky finding the frames, but it all worked out great. I took a picture of all the months laid out and December in the frame.

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Christmas Stitching for My Nieces

2011-12-29T11:51:00.001-07:00

My twin (fraternal) nieces live in California and I live in Colorado, so sadly I do not see them much. But the internet helps. I like to make them something for Christmas and usually make an ornament. I was thinking their tree might be getting full, so I made each of them key chains. They are 23 so ideas for gifts to make can be tricky.

For one niece I used the chart from the November 2011 Issue of cross-stitch & Needlework Magazine. I stitched in on some green aida I had on hand and changed some of the colors to one's she likes - lime green and pink. It is folded on itself and therefore the same on both sides.

For my other niece I made a key chain showing her favorite sport - soccer. The chart is from the book by Sam Hawkins called 501 Cross Stitch Designs. Published in 1993 by Meredith Press for the American School of Needlework. For this one I did not fold it on itself, I sewed ultrasuede on the back (shown here under the stitched piece).

They were fun to make and I am told they liked their gifts.

Do as I Say, Not as I (don’t) do

2011-12-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Here in the states when we change from or to Day Light Savings time it is suggested we also change the batteries in our smoke detectors. I even reminded my blog readers on my blog. But did I do it???? NOOOO!

So last night at 3:50 am, I am sound asleep and hear this beep and a female voice that says “low battery.” Having been sound asleep, and hubby still sound asleep, I wonder if I dreamed it? So I lay awake for a bit, but finally fall back asleep. Then at 4:20 am I hear a beep and the female voice saying “low battery.” This time hubby wakes up too, and of course if we are up so is the dog.

I go downstairs for a 9 volt battery. No battery, so I go upstairs and take one out of the clock radio in the guest room, hoping it has enough oomph to make the alarm happy until I can get a new battery. We screw the alarm off the ceiling and peer into the battery slot and see three AA batteries. So, down the stairs I go for the correct batteries. Batteries replaced, alarm screwed back on the holder, step stool put away and the dog calmed. She was shaking and right at the bottom of the step stool! She HATES the low battery beep. At the other house she hid under the bed for the entire night once.

By this time it is approximately 4:30 am. Hubby can’t go back to sleep and decides to go to work early. I lay there for about half an hour and finally fall asleep only to be woken by the alarm a half our later at 5:30. I see lots of coffee in my future today!

Because all good blog posts should have a picture, here is Miss Maddie in her Christmas finery, sent by my friend Sandra who lives in NY State.

zzzzzzzzzzz - she does that so well!

TUSAL Dec 2011

2011-12-25T17:36:00.000-07:00

Almost forgot in all the preparation for Santa and the new moon being the 24th! Here are my orts since the
last new moon. Santa was nice here, for those of you who celebrate, I hope he was good to you too.

Happy Holidays to you all what ever holiday you celebrate!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

2011-12-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

"The closest thing to heaven on this planet anywhere Is a quiet Christmas morning in the Colorado snow" From the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band song Colorado Christmas.

Have a nice day everyone

Snow & Telework Day

2011-12-22T09:04:00.000-07:00

Well it snowed overnight and is still coming down. Lucky for me I can telework and stay safe and sound inside. I took this photo at 6:40 am today when I let Miss Maddie out.

It looks to be at least 12 inches on the table. Despite this being my 5th December here, I do not have any high snow boots, so I could not run out and get a real measure. So I used the unofficial measure of how far up the snow is on the dog! It was up to her elbows and that is about 10 inches. Must be more by now!

So it looks like this is a year when we will have a white Christmas. Believe it or not we do not always have a white Christmas. According to the weather folks and 110 years of data we have snow falling on Christmas about 15 % of the time and snow (1 inch or more) on the ground 3 out of 10 years. So if you want a white Christmas this is the year in Denver!!

I posted this photo with info on the local news network's facebook page and they aired it! With my name and what I said about snow up to the dogs elbow! Wow.

Well break time is over, gotta get back to work.

BUSTED!! Dec. 12, 2011

2011-12-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Just as I suspected!

Caught in the act when I was home sick earlier in the week!

Six Inch Snowman

2011-12-15T06:30:00.002-07:00

I like to make things for my family and friends, especially at Christmas. Usually I make ornaments, but my mother-in-law does not put up a tree anymore. So I came up with this cute little stand up snowman (photographed laying down because it was just easier that way). It is approximately 6 inches tall and 2 inches wide at the base. I put some crushed walnut shells in the base to help with the standing up and the rest is stuffed with fiberfill. It is the first one I have made and I can see some refinements already - if I decide to make any more that is!

I know I can safely post this before she gets it because she does not have a computer!

SGR gift and Christmas Decor

2011-12-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

In my post of yesterday, you may have noticed at my place setting a pretty box on my plate. Everyone got a gift and I thought I'd share a picture of it here. From what I could tell we all got them same gift, but the boxes were different.

See the little snowman family to the right of the silver tree and in front of the box they came in? They are the cutest little things!

I bought the silver tree a few years ago as a a newer version of one my mom always put out at Christmas. I have her tree and it sits on our mantle, but it is a little worn with age. I made the tiny reindeer near left bottom and not sure if you can see any of the tiny candy canes my brother made out of wires - both these were originally made for my mom's tree. It sits on my mom's sewing machine near the entry into our family room. I found the pretty vintage table cloth at a garage sale many, many years ago and it fits just fine.

I just love decorating for Christmas!!

SGR Christmas Tea & Ornament Exchange

2011-12-13T06:00:00.002-07:00

Sunday was the Sampler Guild of the Rockies (SGR) Christmas Tea and stitched ornament exchange. Each table was set up by a member who volunteered to bring 8 place settings. All tables were different and very pretty! My table consisted of pink and clear Depression glass for the setting, lovely silk poinsettias (pink) and various greens with little glass ornaments sprinkled all about. I took a picture of my place setting before we sat down to eat.

We also had an ornament exchange the only rule was that it had to be stitched. Yesterday I posted about the ornament I made and here is a picture of the one I received from Robin a guest who came well prepared and I hope she joins! In the picture below her ornament is on the left and the little white heart at the right was our make and take for the day. I finished it last night and if I want I can take it back in January to put some glitter paint over it. We were given felt with a heart outline and filled it in with buttons and pearls also provided. We had a second piece of white felt, sewed the two together with a running stitch, stuffed it, closed it and cut with pinking shears. Hanger and bow added to finish it off.

The make and take was a lot of fun, the food was great and being with fellow stitchers is always priceless!!

Another Gift Exchange

2011-12-12T06:00:00.018-07:00

Yesterday was the Sampler Guild of The Rockies Christmas Tea and ornament exchange. Here is the ornament I made for the exchange. It (and the needle minder design) are from the book 365 Tiny Cross Stitch Designs by the Kooler Design Studio published by the American School of Needlework in 2000. I used small finishing forms I had on had to make each of them. For the needle minder I used the Sept. 12 design and only did the spools of it. For this one I used a mini sampler listed as the Dec. 8 design and the 1 x 2 (approx.) finishing form. It is pictured on the fabric I used for the backing.

I will post a picture of what I received as soon as I get it taken!

Good Things Come to Those Who Stitch

2011-12-08T06:00:00.014-07:00

What else can I say?? Just completed.

Lizzie N Kate – Good Things – Snippet #572

Not sure the fabric I used, but I did use the suggested threads:

Weeks Dye Works and Sampler Threads.

“A Date Which Will Live in Infamy”

2011-12-07T00:01:00.015-07:00

Today marks the 70^th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Commemorative events are taking place in Hawaii. Just before 8 am (Hawaii time) Dec 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl, destroying 5 U.S. battleships, hundreds of war planes and killing over 2,400 people. The attack lasted 2 hours.

As you may know, this event catapulted the United States into World War II. Both my mother and father (they met and married after the war) would feel the pull to join the military and do their part. My father joined the Army, and became a paratrooper with the 82^nd Airborne and fought in Africa and Europe. He jumped from a glider on D-Day into the fields of France. My mother joined the Army Air Corps (before there was an Air Force) and worked stateside at the Santa Ana Army Airbase doing the paperwork necessary for mustering folks in and out, training etc. My brother has the blue star flag our maternal grandfather proudly hung in their front window.

Today is one of the few days here in the United States we are supposed to fly our flags at half-staff the ENTIRE day [the others are Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 17), Patriot day (Sept. 11), and Firefighters Memorial Day (early Oct date varies)]. Interestingly enough on Memorial Day it is only flown at half-staff until noon.

Here is what the History Channel says about the attack and of course you can always use your search engine for more information.

To all the WWII Veterans still living I thank you and may all who have gone before us rest in peace!

Stained Glass Ornament – sort of

2011-12-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

As you can see by the markings, I did this in 2005, but I never really like the finishing job. I put it in a wooden hoop that I wrapped in black ribbon. It just did not look quite right. So this year I took it out of the hoop and used the inner circle of the hoop as a template to cut out two pieces from comic book board. I did a running stich around the stitching and some fabric and gathered it up around the comic book circles. I then sewed the two pieces together (after I remembered to insert the hanger, which is not always the case) and added the red bead trim. I think it looks a lot more elegant this way!

Happy, Merry Stitching Everyone!!!

Foothills EGA Christmas Party

2011-12-05T20:12:00.000-07:00

Regular readers of my blog will recall I teased you all with a post about some finished projects and all I showed you were the boxes! I promised more details at the appropriate time and now’s the time to show you one of them. Here is what I made for our Foothills EGA gift exchange.

TA DA......

It is a magnetic needle keep using a 1.5 in square finishing form, shown here before I put the two halves together. I had the form on hand and I got the idea from Its' Daffy Cat. The recipient really loved it and that makes me very happy. Here is a very cute pin cushion I received, it was purchased at a craft fair and I am told the seller had them all laid out on a tray and it looked like lots of cupcakes. It is made of re-purposed wool from sweaters and jackets. Isn't it the sweetest thing??

That's all for now!

Noel Christmas Ornament

2011-12-04T06:00:00.000-07:00

Here is an ornament from last year that we did as a program with the Sampler Guild of the Rockies. I finally finish finished it this year. We had the option of putting whatever we wanted in the center, like initials, etc. I decided NOEL would be nice.

Have a nice day!!

Sunset & Snow

2011-12-03T06:00:00.004-07:00

I took the sunset photo on Nov. 30, 2011 while stopped in traffic. I have only lived in Colorado for a little over 4 years and this is the first time I thought the "Purple Mountain Majesty" really looked a shade of purple. Picture does not do the mountains such justice, but the sunset was fantastic. I hope you enjoy it.

I think the nice sunset was the calm before the storm. The next day we had 6 inches of snow (5 when this picture was taken early in the morning). You can see that Miss Maddie's paw prints from an hour or so earlier are already getting filled in with snow.

Columbine Chapter of ANG Gift Exchange

2011-12-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

At our November ANG meeting (there is no December meeting) we had our annual potluck and gift exchange. It did not have to be something made by us, so my gift to give was a pair of Fiskars foldable scissors. One can never have too many scissors! Here is what I got from Madonna (aka Front Range Stitcher).

Santa is painted on a gourd and is already hanging on our tree. The socks say Stitching Girl (so appropriate) and the luggage tag is a fund raiser for the 2012 EGA National Seminar. It says Stitch in many different languages.

Another Christmas Ornament

2011-12-02T06:00:00.004-07:00

But first a note to my readers and commenters - THANKS!! I am still trying to figure out how I can reply to comments with an email. It is not that I have not read and appreciated your comments, I just have not figured out all this techno cyber stuff yet!

Now on to the good stuff! Here is another ornament I finished this year. First on the fabric it is backed with and then on our tree. I have really been on a roll lately and trying to get these smaller projects finished. It is called Oh Christmas Tree and is designed by Carolyn Standing Webb of Carolina House Designs. I think it was a Foothills Chapter EGA project last year (or shamefully the year before).

Christmas will soon be here!!

Leeping Deer Ornament

2011-12-01T08:32:00.001-07:00

This is an ornament for our tree this year. It was from last year as a Sampler Guild of the Rockies fundraiser. It was designed by one of our very talented members.

December has started out here with some snow and chilly temps, but should recover soon!

WOO HOO or Another Type of Finish

2011-11-30T06:00:00.010-07:00

Well, I did it and I finish off the month of posting on my blog every day for the month of November!! I hope I was able to supply interesting posts and not just a lot of filler. I was not sure I would make it, but thanks to my friend, Sandra, who sent pictures of things I have made her and just keeping my eyes and ears open I was able to come up with stuff. And surprisingly most posts had pictures!

Thanks for hanging in there with me this past month!

CMission Accomplished!J

Last Round of Christmas Ornaments - for now anyway!

2011-11-29T06:00:00.001-07:00

Here are a couple of round ornaments I have made for Sandra. She made the mistake one year of telling me how she wanted to decorate her tree with handmade ornaments and was a little short. I have been helping to fill her tree ever since!

Again, not sure the years I did these, but I think I the top one was done a few years ago and the bottom one may be one of the first ornaments I made her, perhaps in the mid to late 1990s?

A Beaded Ornament

2011-11-28T06:00:00.001-07:00

I learned to make this beaded ornament when I lived in Iowa. I made this one for my friend Sandra.

More Christmas Ornaments

2011-11-27T06:00:00.002-07:00

Here are some ornaments I made for Sandra that are quilting related since I know she is a quilter.

Not sure what year I did these, but I do recall enjoying making them!

Getting in the mood for Christmas

2011-11-26T06:00:00.002-07:00

Christmas ornaments I have made for Sandra that are trees.

I think you can figure out what year I did the top one! The bottom is a mill hill kit I did last year.

A House Divided – Nebraska vs. Iowa & TUSAL

2011-11-25T06:00:00.016-07:00

Before we get to the main event, here is my TUSAL for the November new moon.

Today is a big college football day in the United States. Many rivalry and other important games are played today or this weekend. I went to graduate school at the University of Nebraska and my mom was a HUGE Nebraska fan, so my allegiance has always been for the Huskers. Well, 14 ½ years ago, I married a man from Iowa with strong University of Iowa roots and I started to root for Iowa too. As fate would have it this year Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference, which is the conference Iowa is in and so we now have A HOUSE DIVIDED!

I will still root for Iowa – just NOT today!!

GO BIG RED!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T06:00:00.001-07:00

Today here in the United States it is Thanksgiving Day. I have many things to be thankful for and hope you do too - where ever you live.

Turkey in a Bowl

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001-07:00

Here is a Thanksgiving display I had on a table at our house in North Carolina. All are gifts from my sister-in-laws. The pretty crystal bowl was from my brother's wife and the turkey and towel are from my husband's sister.

This is a Pine Mountain Designs pillow I did in 2007 and this year it is on the entry table which I showed yesterday.

Enjoy your day!!

Entry table display for November

2011-11-22T06:00:00.005-07:00

People who read my blog regularly know we moved in April and the new house had the perfect place in the entry way to put a table and create a seasonal display. Here is my November display.

These are my fall items with the turkey and pillow added for Thanksgiving. I posted a close up of the pillow here last year, if you are interested.

Cornucopias - oops now has pictures

2011-11-21T06:00:00.003-07:00

I have been carrying these cornucopia baskets for years and so far they have not been crushed! Last year I did update the little one with new and different fruits and vegies.

I see the big horn of plenty below is not very plentiful this year! I placed the small cornucopia on the kitchen table and may make the bigger one fuller and put it on the dining room table – just not sure about that yet.

Have a great stitching day!

A Little Help From My Friend

2011-11-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

Earlier in the month I told you about my friend Sandra who lives in New York State and how I have made her gifts and ornaments over the years (she has made me things too, which gives me an idea for something to post about)! Well she sent me some more pictures and I plan to share one with you today and some others later in the month.

Here is a picture she sent showing the entire collection of ornaments. Here is just a taste of what is to come.

Carbonated Beverage with Caffeine Day

2011-11-19T06:00:00.001-07:00

Who knew??

But according to the Foodie Holiday Calendar, today’s the day! Don’t drink it all at one time!!

More Fortune Cookie Wisdom

2011-11-18T06:00:00.003-07:00

You may be able to tell by now that we eat a lot of Chinese food. In fact, we have a restaurant we like about a mile and a half from our house that we visit at least once a week.

· Good fortune is always on your side.

· Your happiness is intertwined with your outlook on life.

· Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes.

· Faith is knowing there is an ocean when you can only see the stream

· A good way to keep healthy is to eat more Chinese food.

· People who are late are often happier than those who have to wait for them.

Also, just found at my desk - Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Have a yummy day!

Fortune Cookie Wisdom

2011-11-17T06:00:00.007-07:00

Some sayings I have liked:

· Your sweetheart may be too beautiful for words, but not for arguments.

· Learning is a treasure which accompanies us everywhere.

· You love Chinese food.

· You enjoy giving gifts of yourself to others, you will be rewarded.

· Pray for what you want, work for what you need.
· You are original and creative.

Miss Maddie and her menagerie!

2011-11-16T06:00:00.003-07:00

Miss Maddie was funny Sunday. She ran down the stairs from the kitchen into the family room and picked up beaver. She then dropped it and ran a few steps to pick up rabbit. She then went to the back door and dropped rabbit and turned back to pick up duck. Out she went with duck! Decisions, decisions!!

My Soul is Fed by Needle and Thread

2011-11-15T06:00:00.001-07:00

Here is another finish finish. I first posted about this stitching last February.

I decided to sew some fabric around it so it would fit into a box I bought from DMC (in 2006 or 7). It came with fabric, linen floss and a chart to stitch a flowery insert with initials (along with some other nice DMC products). I was not too crazy about the insert and had trouble sizing my initials to fit. So when going through my box of finishes in need of finishing I thought this would be perfect for my sewing box!

I put felt feet on the bottom of the box so it would not scratch the end table and it sits next to me by my stitching chair. It holds various stitching supplies and some parts of stitching in progress. I can close the lid and the whole “mess” is hidden from view! See the mess in the picture below.

The needlebook and cloth go inside too, but they covered up all the other stuff inside so I set them out.

Alphabet w/Hare Finish Finished

2011-11-14T06:00:00.002-07:00

As promised in my post yesterday here is the stitching all done and attached (using heat and bond) to the notebook cover. It is the next to the last thing to finish from the Sampler Guild of the Rockies June Retreat.

Happy Stitching!!

Samplers

2011-11-13T06:00:00.006-07:00

Today is the monthly meeting of the Sampler Guild of the Rockies (SGR) so I thought I would write a little bit about the Sampler Consortium which I learned about at one of the guild meetings last year. The consortium is based at the University of Oregon in Eugene and is a collection of experts, scholars and others who are interested in the study of historic samplers and girlhood embroideries.

The Consortium has three goals and I quote from the website:

"To advance the study of historic samplers and other girlhood embroideries;
To increase access to information and research relevant to the study of historic samplers and girlhood embroideries;
To design, develop, and support projects that advance the study of historic samplers and other girlhood embroideries."

Membership is open to anyone with an interest in samplers and girlhood embroideries and is currently free (an application form can be found on the website). Members also receive an email with information about samplers, books and exhibits.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will leave you with an alphabet sampler I am working on. It is a free-Bee from La D Da called Alphabet w/Hare and was one of the projects from the SGR June retreat. I stitched it on the supplied fabric which I only remember is NOT an evenweave. The stitch count of the design is square (89x89) but you can see here the outcome on the fabric is not square. I used some DMC variations floss (#4200) I had in my stash because the supplied floss was not overdyed and I liked the overdyed look on the sample shown at the retreat. It is to be put on a notebook cover (that has pinkish flowers like the floss) supplied by the retreat as well. When it is finish finished I will post it. All the notebook covers and the fabric and floss to stitch the alphabet were different, so it will be fun to see all the different finishes at show and tell.

Happy Stitching!!

Happiness Is Cross Stitching

2011-11-12T06:00:00.002-07:00

Earlier in the week I found this very cool blog by a lady in the UK called Happiness is Cross Stitching (and it is)! She had 1725 followers on the day I found it and I can see why. Her pictures are great, showing nice details on the finishing and at the time there was some very cool Halloween stitching on her header. I am glad I found this blog, but wish I found it sooner. I guess that is what the archive is for!

I plan on checking back since she has a shop section and tutorial section (among others) on her blog too. I think you might like her blog too, so check it out (unless you are already one of those 1, 725).

Veterans Day in the U.S. of A.

2011-11-11T06:00:00.005-07:00

Happy Veterans Day and THANKS to any of you (and your loved ones) out there who may be reading my blog.

We are FREE because of the BRAVE!!

Friends Part 3

2011-11-10T06:00:00.002-07:00

This is a bag I made to hold thread or small fabric scraps. It is show flat. It has drawstrings to pull and hold the scraps, but travels flat.

I know my friend likes red, so when I saw this polka dot bag at the Sampler Guild Sale I bought it for her and then made the red pin cushion and put it in the bag.

Doesn't Sandra take good pictures!

Friends Part 2

2011-11-09T06:00:00.002-07:00

This is a Pine Mountain Design Pillow I made for my friend Sandra not sure what year.

What Are Friends For?

2011-11-08T06:00:00.001-07:00

I told Sandra, my college roommate and friend, in NY State about my quest to post every day for the month of November. So she sent me some photos of gifts I have made her to help fill the days. Today I give you a door hanger I stitched and finished myself. Sandra is a quilter, so I thought she would like it.

Sorry I do not recall the designer or when I stitched it. I want to say it is by Sue Hillis???

Christmas Stitching Preview

2011-11-07T06:00:00.002-07:00

I thought I’d show you what I could of some Christmas Stitching recently completed. At top is my gift to my niece Emily and below that at left is my Foothills gift exchange item and to the right is my gift for niece Laura. The bottom is for Sampler Guild of the Rockies Ornament exchange.

Isn’t the stitching exquisite??

All to be revealed here on my blog at the proper time!

Snow is almost gone

2011-11-06T06:00:00.002-07:00

I thought I would show you that the snow really does go away. Here is the picture out my studio window taken on Thursday followed by a picture out the same window taken yesterday.

Nov. 2, 2011

Nov. 5, 2011

Happy Sunday!

Daylight Savings Time Ends in the U.S.

2011-11-05T06:00:00.004-06:00

For those of you that live in areas of the United States that have Daylight Savings Time it ends Sunday 11/6 at 2 am. We fall back and get an extra hour of sleep (which we lost last Spring - too bad we can't get sleep interest on that hour)!

Don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour before you go to bed tonight!!!!
Also everyone take this time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Christmas Stitching

2011-11-04T06:00:00.001-06:00

Well I have begun to start stitching for Christmas. I have finished stitching a couple of things, but can’t post pictures because they are presents! I must try and do some stitching for myself that I can post about because pictures are so much fun for everyone!

I have also started my gift and ornament exchange items for a couple of guilds and can post about them after the December meetings.

Have you started your Christmas Stitching yet?

SNOW....agian.

2011-11-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

November kicked off here in the Denver Metro with a snow storm yesterday. Here is the view out my studio window. We go about 6 inches and it was not as wet as last week. But the roads were cooler and it has been slicker and there have been LOTS of accidents and some school closures. I am lucky and can telework so I am safe at home. One 15 minute section of my commute was reported as being 1 hr and 15 minutes! November is our second snowiest month so here we go!

View out my studio window yesterday.

NaBloPoMo 2011

2011-11-02T06:00:00.001-06:00

Ok, I am going to give it a try and participate in this year's National Blog Post everyday for a Month! As long as I am successful you will see the logo at top left (above Miss Maddie). November is an awfully busy month, but I decided to try it this year anyway. Wish me luck, and I will do my best to provide interesting posts, so check back often!!

Halloween Dog

2011-11-01T08:27:00.000-06:00

I remembered I had this little black witch's hat and wondered if Miss Maddie would wear it. Well she did! She was such a little trooper and did not complain or try and get it off all night. Our first lab would have pawed if off right away. I gave here a couple of baby carrots as her treat for the evening.

You may notice she has her best friend duck with her!

Always safest to trick or treat in pairs you know ;)

Halloween Display

2011-10-31T08:09:00.000-06:00

Here is my Halloween display on our front table (with a little Fall still thrown in).

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Halloween Fun Thanks to WonderStrange Arts

2011-10-27T16:56:00.000-06:00

I saw this cute felt candy corn devil doll and decided I had to have one!!. I did not have the felt on hand as suggested, but I did have the correct colors of fabric. So....

I sewed some strips of fabric together to get the candy corn pattern. Using the pattern from the link above I cut the horns and tail out of stiff red felt and the eyes and mouth out of regular black felt. I sewed the eyes and mouth on and then using the pattern from the above link as a size guide I sewed my two candy corn fabrics together, putting the horns and tail in so they would stick out correctly. Although, I must admit I meant to have the tail go up, but it is kind of cute the way it is, so it is staying! Also included on the pattern are parts to make a candy corn angel.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

TUSAL October 2011

2011-10-26T15:18:00.001-06:00

Here is my ort jar for the October new moon and TUSAL.

After each photo I put the orts into a bigger jar. Here is the Ort load so far.

Happy Stitching Everyone!!

Our first snow!

2011-10-26T09:05:00.000-06:00

As of about 7:00 am we had 6 inches of wet snow (see tip of 6" ruler here). Still snowing quite well now at 9:00 am.

Now I give you a view out my Studio window (which is now on an upper floor).

That is about all for now!!

Frank-N-Stein For Us this time!

2011-10-24T14:51:00.002-06:00

I re-stitched the Frank-N-Stein that I did for my brother and his family for us and here it is. I had to guess on the fabric count (it was not listed in the instructions) and convert some colors since the kit was for one, but I did buy the stein button when I bought the kit so I was set there. I think it may be a tad larger than the one I sent my brother, so the fabric count is probably off, but we like it! I used the same fabric for backing and ribbon in the finishing of this one as the one for my brother.

In this picture you can see the spider web ribbon I used to keep the flat fold parts from separating. I really like this type of finish and I meant to do you a tutorial - but I got too excited about finish finishing!! Not to worry though because Vonna - The Twisted Stitcher has a great tutorial on her site. I will say I used another source for making these Frank-N-Stein Flat Folds, but I think Vonna's instructions are GREAT too and used a bit less fabric, so I may try her instructions next time.

Not sure why blogger will not post this correctly. The original is upright not sideways any ideas?

So, I am sorry you all must turn your head, but it really is not that much different than the one I sent my brother, so if you go to the link above you can see it upright! This picture just lets you see the spider web ribbon (and I remembered to initial and date this one, but not the one to my brother - oops).

Frank is leaning on one of the few things I have knit in my life - it is one of two fall colored placemats I made in 1982!

Meet my new sewing machine!

2011-10-17T12:27:00.001-06:00

This past Saturday I broke down and traded in my Singer Genie (note the correct model name than previously posted about) circa 1973 that needed a $250 repair .....

....for this brand new Pfaff Ambition 1.0.....

I ran a test drive and like it a lot. I especially like the duel feed dogs that move the top and bottom fabrics together and the space between the needle and the right is larger than most (8"). It is quite a step up, but a machine I can grow into and I hope will last me a long, long time.

With my new Pfaff, I finish finished a project from the Sampler Guild or the Rockies Retreat - and turned the blackwork project into a tiny (approximately 2"square) pillow. I used my newly purchased 1/4" piecing pressure foot - boy was that handy to keep me in position! The pillow is pictured here on top of the fabric I used as backing.

I think that about covers it for this lunch break! Have a great day everyone.

Flat Fold Frank-N-Stein

2011-10-15T11:59:00.000-06:00

I finish finished this ornament that I made for my brother. Our maternal grandmother was of German ancestry and I thought this was perfect for him (and I plan to make on for me too). I mailed it to him this week and once he told me he had received it I could now safely post about it.

It is pictured on the fabric I used for the backing and flat fold stuff and I had some cute spider web ribbon that I used for the bottom part that holds the two pieces together when opened which does not show in the photo.

Frank -n-Stein by
Raise the Roof
a limited edition kit - 2008
Stitched using fabric and floss in kit.

More Halloween Stitching

2011-10-14T16:40:00.006-06:00

This month have been busy stitching this cute The Sweetheart Tree project. I is about 6.5”x 7.5” finished and kind of big for a hanging ornament, but I plan to put it in the side window of our front door (unless I find out too much sun is hitting the window). It is shown on the fabric I used as backing.

The Sweetheart Tree's
"Trick or Treat"
Designed by Sandra Cox Vanosdall (c) 2005

Stitched using provided fabric and DMC floss

Next I am posting two photos that I think show how outlining really brings out the details. At top is partially outlined and then at the bottom is fully outlined.

Below fully outlined - everything pops!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

RIP- Singer Ginger Sewing Machine

2011-10-13T16:39:00.000-06:00

12/25-1973 to 10/01/2011 - Thanks mom.

The runner in pictured below in this display is what killed my machine. I was 3 inches from finishing it when it stopped working correctly. I had a little portable machine my sister-in-law gave me for Christmas one year and was able to finish the runner. A recent diagnosis from the repair shop says it would cost $250 to repair and I could get a new machine for that price that did as much and more. So….. the research/hunt is on. Something tells me it will cost MORE than $250, though.

HELP!! My Sewing Machine Died!!!

2011-10-11T13:34:00.000-06:00

I have had this machine since the 7th grade. It was a Christmas gift from my mom almost 38 years ago. I was a very good Singer model Ginger that did the basics and a little bit more. I would post a picture, but it is still at the shop where I took it and and found out a gear had broken. A very labor intensive job at $250 - believe it or not the part is still available. It has great sentimental value, but the repairman said for that price I could get a new machine that did the same and more. So, I guess I need to figure out what machine to buy!! YIKES.

I do not know where to begin and thought maybe some of my blog readers could help. I would like a good mid range machine for craft sewing, some quilting and maybe home decor.

TUSAL September

2011-09-27T11:01:00.000-06:00

Here is my TUSAL for the September new moon.

I thought I would take a picture of it tilted so you could see the colors better. It has been a mixed bag of summer and Hlloween this time.

Happy Fall Y'all!!

Birthday Surprises - Picture Heavy

2011-09-15T16:27:00.000-06:00

Recently one of my sister-in- laws (my husband’s sister) had her 60^th birthday. I sent her 60 items plus one to grow on. A made a few items and I thought I would share them with you.

First here is an overall picture of all 61 items.

I made her a money rose and a spa cloth.

I covered a mini composition book (4.5” by 3.25”) with stiches on white aida and a regular composition book with fabric and stitched her initials on evenweave and sewed it on the fabric.

I made a Swedish weaving bookmark, felt coasters and a pocket tissue holder. By now you may see a trend and purple is her favorite color.

Here is a microwave potato baker.

I thought something that said “It’s a Girl” would be cute (and chocolate never hurts).

I make her a project bag and put the materials and instructions for a crochet project inside (she recently took up crochet).

Here is a sewing kit I made open and closed.

She is a tea drinker so I made her a tea wallet (here it is closed and open).

Here is a close up of the mini notebook again showing the front and the back.

She was very surprised and happy and appreciative of the 61 things and called me right away! She got the one to grow on since I miscounted and ended up collecting 61 things instead of just 60 and I heard no complaints.

Needlework in the News

2011-09-14T10:04:00.001-06:00

"Nazis, needlework and my dad" is is a very interesting article that I think you may enjoy. Please check it out.

August 2011 TUSAL

2011-08-29T19:35:00.000-06:00

Here is my new moon ort report. There is a bit of The Sampler Lady, The Tulip Sampler and a special Christmas project I can't post about yet.

Happy New Moon Everyone!!

Some Sampler Guild Finishes

2011-08-29T09:43:00.000-06:00

Here are some finishes from the Sampler Guild of the Rockies June Retreat.

The Knot Garden now framed:

Tulip Samper laying on the backing fabric - This is a complimentary mini chart from Rosewood Manor:

And finally a Summer Display on the front table with many of the Retreat Projects:

Have a GREAT DAY!!

The Sampler Lady is finished???

2011-08-23T18:20:00.000-06:00

Well I have everything stitched on The Sampler Lady and even added eye glasses. Now the question is if I should do anything with the letters in her skirt???

I guess I will make the challenge to finish this by the Sampler Guild of The Rockies September 11 Meeting!

The Sampler Lady Update

2011-08-22T08:42:00.001-06:00

I have been working hard to meet the September 11 deadline and I think I will make it. I have been quite busy since last report (Aug. 11). I just have to fill in the leaves, add a few flowers and fill in the area below her feet (these are supposed to be thread spools and I need to add the thread). I decided to do French knots for my hair. I may use the suggestion by Christine to make wire eye glasses and I am not sure I like the letters. I am contemplating backstitching with dark green maybe to make the stick out more. I will wait until it is completed and decide then. As always suggestions are welcome!

I have been working on a fun surprise for my sister –in-laws 60^th birthday coming up (Aug.31), getting ready for my mother in law to visit (she comes today), so it has been hectic!! I will fill you in on the birthday surprise once she gets the package, which is still in the works. I have until Saturday Aug. 27 at the latest to mail it priority mail to get it there in time. It has been fun working on and that is about all I can say for now.

Happy Monday everyone!!

Little House Needleworks - The Sample Lady

2011-08-11T15:43:00.000-06:00

Last month I started a project for Sampler Guild that was one of the yearlong project challenges obtained last September. The challenge was to finish it by the September 2011 meeting. There were three challenge projects and I chose Little House Needleworks “The Sampler Lady” (Little House Chart No. Thirty-Nine).

It was suggested we could change it a bit to make it look like ourselves. So I made the blouse peach because that is my favorite color. I also changed the skirt color since I thought the peach and the tannish color of the original was not a good combination and would wash out. I also used a strand of brown and a strand of green for the eyes to try and simulate hazel eyes. Next I need to decide on a hair color and if (and how) to make it curly – current thoughts are French knots and/or bullions. I had also considered adding glasses, but not sure I will. I want to finish it (in time) and so I can get back to my Seminar class piece.

Happy Stitching Everyone!!!

Rocky Mountain Region Seminar 2011 Report

2011-08-07T18:37:00.002-06:00

The Rocky Mountain Region Seminar 2011 has come and gone. It was GREAT! For this post I will tell you a bit about the Seminar and the goodies we got. In a later post I will tell you about the class I took. I took lots of pictures so here we go!

I arrived on Wednesday for some Committee Meetings and this was on the hotel's sign out front.

I was also able to pick up my registration packet early and this is what was inside:

Inside was a couple skeins of floss, a measuring tape, a red, white and blue pen, red white and blue star tissue, a sample of neon rays plus, some beads from our two bead store advertisers, hand lotion, some beads, thread and needle threader from our Brazilian Embroidery advertiser; a foothills notepad and a discount coupon from a framer. All this was inside the plastic project bag that included a cool red white and blue beaded zipper pull with charm at the end.

Here is my name tag (with Seminar pin at upper left). I finished it Wednesday night! The ribbon rosette was worn by the Seminar Committee members to let everyone know they were on the planning committee (I was the publicity person).

We had a beautiful center piece at all our meals (two lunches and two banquets). I saved it in the correct orientation, but blogger will not pull it up that way, so for moment we must tilt our heads. Or you can tip your laptop to the side.

We also got some fun favors at our meals and at the start of our classes each day (Friday and Saturday).
Below are the goodies we got on the last day. At left is the inside of the flat ort holder. You put your orts on the white fabric and they stay when you close the book to dispose of later. We got the ort book at the start of class on Saturday. In the red bag is a little booklet of needlework tip compiled by our Seminar Chair which we received at lunch. The star is a beautiful porcelain star with our Seminar Logo that was given at the closing banquet.

Below is what the packets look like unopened.

Below are the fun things we received on the first day of classes. At top is a wool pincushion that was on our lunch setting. To the left of that is a red ort box we got the first day of class and at the bottom is a mending kit which we got at dinner and I will show in more detail next.

Outside of our "Mend & a Fix" kit

Below is the what the inside looks like at first unfold with a little sign telling us what is inside.

Below is the inside - (from left to right): a thread pickier; a fiber hider; counting pins and a tucking stick.

In a few days I will tell you about the fun class I took.

Count Down to Seminar!!

2011-08-02T13:21:00.001-06:00

In two days the fun begins with many things OPEN to the PUBLIC.

This is the annual seminar of the Embroiderers Guild of America's Rocky Mountain Region. Events open to the public include: bookstore, boutique, exhibits and on Friday August 5 from 7 pm to 9 pm merchandise night. All events will be at the Doubletree Hotel, 3203 Quebec Street, Denver, CO - parking is FREE.

Hours

Thursday 8/4 – 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm

Friday 8/5 – 8 am to 6:00pm with merchandise night from 7 pm to 9 pm

Saturday 8/6 – 8 am to 1:30 pm

If you will be in the area please stop in!!