How 2010 began

I finished Missing You.  I meant to stitch this for the husband, seeing as how we’re not together, but he thinks it’s ugly.   Apparently the endearing sentiment doesn’t overcome its offensiveness.  Toad.  No matter, I love the bird and the sentiment, so I stitched it, and that means he’ll be seeing a lot of it when I’m not missing him, so there!

When I first saw this pattern, I thought the black floss was actually an eggplant color.  I was disappointed it wasn’t, but determined to stitch it as I envisioned it.  I thought it would be cool to stitch it on a lavender sort of fabric, but I couldn’t satisfy myself.  I decided to use a more neutral color, which ended up satisfying me most.  I toyed with abandoning the project altogether, but it called to me.  There’s still something “off” about it, I’m not sure what.  It may, ironically, be the purple floss, or my sensitivity to the husband’s opinion, or maybe its being stitched one over two.  I can’t put my finger on it.  Maybe when I’ve gotten it framed, I’ll feel more right about the whole thing.  I still love it, in spite of the nagging doubt.

Anyway, here she is:

Vitals: Missing You by Prairie Moon
Stitched one over two on 40-ct Vintage Light Exemplar linen
Fibers used: Crescent Colours Colonial Copper, GAST simply shaker Gingersnap, WDW Mulberry, Pecan, Rum Raisin and Whiskey.

How 2009 ended

I didn’t manage to share the last bits of stitchy accomplishments at the end of last year, so I decided to do it today. Just a couple of quick pics~~

I finally finished my Pineapple Scissor Fob by It’s Fine-ally Finished. heh.  I trimmed the silk ribbon “leaves” a bit short, alas, but I still adore it.  I’m glad I’ve finished it.
Vitals: Stitched on 32-ct. Sandstone linen using recommended fibers and ribbon.

Sometimes I’ve liked a pattern so much I’ve bought duplicates.  *blush*  The following picture is one of those patterns.  It was all good, though, as I stitched it twice, once for my step-daughter and once for myself.  I’m planning to eventually finish them as a flat fold and a pinkeep/ornament thingy.

Vitals: Give Thanks by Elizabeth’s Designs.
Stitched on 28-ct. Wheaten linen using included fibers and charm.

I suppose I could have scanned each piece to show the slight variations in results that happen when using overdyed floss, but I didn’t feel like it.  I don’t think you feel like you’ve missed out. 

Mom at 15

My sister is an amazing quilter. She’s a genius. She recently completed this quilt, which she designed from a photo of my mother at 15yo.

Amazing, yes?

Where have I been?

That’s what I wanted to know.  Alas, the answer is a simple, “Right here.”  I’ve felt awkward about posting.  I know it’s odd, but that’s me.  I’ve been stitching, a little.  I’ve realized I have many photos that I’ve updated on my finishes page and my Webshots album, but I haven’t gotten around to posting.  I wish I’d taken the time to post as I finished.  It’s disappointing to me that I didn’t.  I’ll have to be sure to do better this year.

I’ve updated my Goals page for this year.  The primary goals are ambitious, to be sure.  I’m disappointed that my Monthly Samplers didn’t get finished last year.  I’ve finished the stitching on all of them, but I haven’t taken the time to finish them into flat folds.  I’m sick of seeing them on my Goals list, let me tell you!

Happy New Year to you.  May this be a productive, blissful stitching year, and may your fortunes be many.

P.S. Hey, look!  I framed my pumpkin.

Exchange complete

I recently participated in an ornament exchange on one of my Yahoo groups. One of my “likes” was Quaker motifs. I didn’t say anything about how I’ve been cooing and sighing at reindeer ornaments lately. Irene had her mindreading cap on, though, b/c this is what she sent me:

Quaker Reindeer by The Workbasket.  Feel free to coo and sigh at will.

Here is the snowman I stitched for Julie:

I love how the colors in the backing fabric are in his stocking cap. I always feel happy-go-and-lucky when I find a match like that.

Vitals:
Snow Wishes ornament by Cathy Coombes of The Victoria Sampler Designs by Cathy Jean as appeared in JCS Ornament issue, 2009.
Stitched on 28-ct Cafe Mocha linen with recommended fibers. Initials on back stitched over one and attached with buttonhole stitch. Embellished with lace at bottom. Backing fabric from Moda’s Figgy Pudding by Basic Grey.

Hero’s Welcome

On November 21, we brought home a new family member: Hero. He’s a rescue kitten, so named because he survived a precarious situation. He was one of four littermates, all of whom were supposed to be rescued. By the time he was rescued, his siblings had been given away to families in similar circumstances as their mother. Hero had almost no coat, he had fleas and worms. He was quarantined in a bathroom for six weeks, enduring multiple treatments for worms. Poor dear. He is very sweet. He does like to fight, a little too roughly, but we’re working on that. When the boy is in school, I don’t get any two-handed computer time, as he begs to sit in my lap. He cleans me, he purrs, and watches the computer screen with rapt attention. He’s already spoiled–condo taller than me, water fountain, toys galore. I wonder if he’s forgotten his original circumstances yet?

He yells at me! When he loses a toy, he lets me know, asks for help. He’s a dear.

I have been stitching, I swear. I hope I manage to share with everyone soon.

I has a helper

Yes, I’m a LOLCat minion.  I frequently “has” things, and only know the standard greeting to be spelled, “hai.”

Here is what basement cat helped me finish this week:

I had tension issues with this design, and I have a ridge of orange near the yellow.  Oh, well.  The kit comes with the round frame, so maybe I’ll even frame it this weekend or before Thanksgiving, at least.

Vitals:
Harvest Pumpkin, exclusive kit by The Rocking Horse.  Stitched with supplied materials.

Happy stitching!

Pumpkin Harvest

I didn’t get any stitching done on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow this weekend; the husband and the step-daughter were visiting.  I got to stitch a bit, but chose Pumpkin Harvest.  Here’s my current wip:

Oh, boy.  I thought I’d posted this, but I’d saved it as a draft.  What a goof.  See what spending time with the husband does to me? ;o)  Managed some backstitching this evening before bedtime.  Almost time for the beading, whee!

Until next time, stitchers.

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 3

I wanted to finish all the words this weekend.  I didn’t manage it, was too busy having fun elsewhere.  Alas.

Fabric looks sort of pink on my screen.  Veddy interesting.

Stashing, not stitching

I haven’t had much stitching mojo.  I’ve mentioned it before, but now something else is aggravating the blahs.  I got a new toy, and it’s sort of an obsession.  I have missed stitching despite not getting anything done. I recently went to my LNS to browse and get inspiration.  It worked a little bit.  I started stitching, but I keep going back to my  apps.  I have been stashing a lot more than I should lately.  Here’s a picture of a little bit of what I’ve accumulated.  I have embarrassed myself by the total of what I’ve acquired.  I shall remain on the Nile by refusing to show you everything.  Besides, I can’t show you everything, b/c it hasn’t all arrived yet.  Yeah, that’s it.

 

I’ll stitch all of these tomorrow, because I’m that amazing.  Um.  Yeah.

I have managed to make a bit of progress on Shores of Hawk Run Hollow:

That pink lovely in the corner is my Dell Mini.  Pink, pink, pink, pink, pink! it makes me squeal (silently, fortunately for the masses).  This block is a design that seems intimidating and overwhelming, and is simultaneously fun to work on.  The intimidating part makes it easy to forgo for iPhone fun, alas.

I started a new project on Tuesday, because having too much to do never prevented any stitcher worth their salt from starting something new.  I was itching to stitch something autumnal.  This is what I chose from my existing stash, not my new stash:

Pumpkin Harvest kit, a store exclusive from my LNS, The Rocking Horse.  They have quite a few adorable designs.  Go check them out.  It’s OK.  I’m not going anywhere.  I’ll wait.

I don’t have a progress picture.  I haven’t made much progress as yet.

Before we went to San Diego for the summer, the boy made an Etsy purchase of an amigurumi werewolf doll from a seller in the Phillippines.  It never got forwarded to us, but returned to her instead.  She sent it back, and it arrived yesterday.  His name is Huey, the boy adores him, and already the wolfeh has stolen something from me! 

Huey is so cute!

When I told the boy that Huey may sit in my chair, but the wolfeh does not have license to move it, he reminded me that I “need” to make him a chair yet.  Nag, nag, nag.  Yeah, that’s going to happen next week. Not.

Time to get back to stitching.  Or bed, considering the time.  Maybe I’ll watch Project Runway again.

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 2

Last weekend was the monthly SAL on facebook.  I spent a fair amount of my time stitching on Shores.  This weekend the husband is visiting and we went shopping at IKEA for the boy’s bedroom.  Not a lot of stitching will be taking place.  I’ll do my best, you can be sure. 

Update from last weekend:

As you can see, I successfully worked to finish the first block.  I love stitched words.  I don’t know what it is about them, but they charm me. 

Happy stitching.

Gifted

I recently sent Berit my used copy of WindowGarden’s Watermelon Sampler.  As a thank you, she stitched me Cross Stitch Happy’s Quaker Style Scissors Fob, a freebie available on her blog.  Isn’t it beautiful?  Berit told me she stitched it on a scrap of 32-ct. linen, and she believes she used Crescent Colors Bedazzled floss.  A fitting name for the floss, as I’m bedazzled by Berit’s amazing gift.  I am so lucky. 

Thank you, Berit!

Look at that pretty beadwork! I adore this.

Weekends at the Shores, pt. 1

During the summer, I finally received the piece of Vintage Autumn Gold that is recommended for Shores of Hawk Run Hollow.  It was the third piece of fabric I bought for Shores.  I was trying to be cheap thrifty, but things didn’t go according to plan.  Now I’ve got a suitable color fabric.  It’s quite beautiful, actually.  Sometimes it’s cheaper to go the “expensive” route straight away, especially when you’re me, and you worry, fret and second-guess yourself to distraction.   The white contrasts beautifully with this piece of linen, unlike the last piece (Silkweaver Golden Promise), which was too light.  It’s perfect, I love it.

I’ve decided to focus on this piece on the weekends. . . and maybe the weekdays if I can’t resist–like this morning, when I began adding the first red stripe on the lighthouse.  I’d indulged my need for stitching “labor” this weekend and stitched the rest over the long, 4-day weekend.

How much do I love that sun? The lighthouse? The rocks, even? How much do I love stitching with Needlepoint Silk?  How very much do I love stithching on 40-ct fabric? Wowzers.  So very much.

Until next time, dear ones.  Happy stitching!

Back to school

I lost my blogging mojo this summer.  It was a wonderful summer, visiting the husband for two solid months.  Long-distance relationships are hard and lonely.  Thank goodness for Skype.   Today is the boy’s first day in a new school.  We’re very excited about this school and hope it’s a positive change.   Back to a routine that hopefully includes stitching and blogging.

I didn’t get much stitching done while we were gone.  The light was bad in the husband’s apartment, and I didn’t want to buy a stronger lamp for the place.  Then what excuse would I have?

Here’s what I managed to stitch:

Jingle! Biscornu by Just Nan.

Pineapple Fob by It’s Fine-ally Finished

And of course,

Glory Fob by Shepherd’s Bush

 

Elizabethan Stitching Accessories by Talledo Designs.

I screwed up with my counting for the pincushion. I want to make it a mattress cushion, and thought it would be lovely to have the bargello side border. However, I counted terribly, and it’s too short. The worst part is that I don’t have enough of the silk left to stitch another border. I’ll have to stew about what to do for a while. *sob*

After I got home, I stitched this (very slowly):

Live, Laugh, Love by La-D-Da

I’ve abandoned this. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, I just don’t love it. Surprising, when you consider how much trouble I went through to get this. I visited three stores before I found it. First store hadn’t received it yet, second store had no idea what I was talking about (!), and finally in Las Vegas (thank you, Stitcher’s Paradise!) I got the last copy. And now, I don’t love it. I’m not loving the green at all. OK, I’m not even liking it. It’s the third shade I’ve tried. I love the brown (CC Belle Soie Espresso). Love it. I like the pink (Watercolors Cherry). I thought I would love it, but I only like it. The green, not so much. I tried. I really did. It’s just not working.

I’m going back to other projects. I received my new fabric for CHS’ Shores of Hawk Run Hollow, and put about twenty stitches in. And I have other wips, not to mention smalls that need finishing. Enough to keep me busy without driving myself crazy.

Happy Stitching!  It’s good to “see” y’all again.

ZOMG, squirrels!!!!1!!1!1

Or, I’m home from my summer vacation.

Strawberry Garden framed

We’ve been busy busy, busy doing nothing.   I haven’t gotten to do any stitching since we’ve gotten here.  I almost did last night.  Sad, ain’t it, when you get happy about almost getting to stitch?

I did get to pick up my framed Strawberry Garden before we left.  I love the top mat.  Accidental BONUS: it matches the entry rug in the hall where I’ve  hung it.

Here’s hoping you (and I) get to really stitch. 

ADDENDUM, 10/31/2009: I have sold this chart.  If you’re hoping to find it, I wish you good luck.

Peacock Stitching Chair complete!

OK, I made time to restitch the scissors keep.  I shouldn’t have, but I did, and I think I’m glad I did.  I expect the third time would have been the charm, but I’m so not going there.  It is beyond me, plain and simple.

I think you’ll have to embiggen the left picture to see the bumpies peeking out through the top.  The backside is a little easier to tell–it’s not supposed to have the dip.  My friend thinks I’m too much of a perfectionist.  Guilty as charged.    For instance, if Time weren’t a premium just now, I’d've cropped the pictures so you don’t have to look at plain and/or boring background.  Oh, well.  I have a plane to catch.  ETA: Arriving at destination, I cropped them in webshots while waiting for the husband to come home.  I’m compulsive like that.  *rolls eyes at self*

OK, let’s spin this baby around counter-clockwise.  All are clickable for bigger.

Full view w/no scissor keep pillow, left side, back, right side.

Full view with open drawer, drawer close-up (‘08, heh), signature.  I love that I signed my name in my “handwriting.”

<

Full view, pillow and all.

So, OK: I am bummed that the seat isn’t cushier.  I didn’t use polyester quilt batting, and for that I get a flat seat.  I used 3 layers of cotton batting and a bit of polyester fiberfill, but it didn’t give a fluffy result.

It took me a LONG time to figure out how to get the arm roll dimple “just so.”  No, seriously.  It’s embarrassing how long it took me to “get” the instructions.  This is why only one arm roll makes me happy.  The other is adequate.  The first arm roll also took me two days to finish.  When Janie Hubble says the arm rolls are fiddly, she ain’t just a-kidding!

The button/drawer pull matches the floss much better IRL.  I am very glad I used the button with beads instead of a tassel.  I think it’s adorable! The drawer’s fit is very tight.  I’m pretty sure that has something to do with the way I glued it together.  I am hopeless with glue, and got some pink floss-bleed residue on one side of the chair.  Still, I think the glue is a plus, as it strengthens the cardboard.  It took me three tries to get the front of the drawer just right.  It was worth it.  I was very anxious about having a wonky drawer.

In spite of the glue, I stitched everything together.  There will be no coins going missing in this chair’s cushions, I guarantee!  The instructions  mention tiny overstitches where the seat meets the sides, front and back.  I went a few extra miles.  I’m glad I did.

I split three wooden beads by hammering the included canoe clips too hard.  They’re easily replaced.  I think the newer designs come with really long brads instead.  Heh.

I LOVE the colors I chose.  I’m very happy when I look at my chair.  When I first saw the design, I thought the original colors were beautiful.  I didn’t stitch it until after the second chair was published, and I new I wanted to be able to coordinate the chairs.  I don’t think it would work in the original combos.  I don’t really know when/if that’s going to happen.  The boy is trying to steal my chair!  He thinks it would be nothing for him to design a chair he likes and have me make him one!  So far he’s vacillating between wolf motifs and anime emoticons.  *sigh*  He’s a character.  You take your time deciding, dear, there’s no rush.

Vitals:
Peacock Stitching Chair by Cat’s Whiskers
Stitched on 32-ct. antique white linen using Caron Waterlilies Flame and Blue Lavender silk.  Stitched in 06.08, constructed 06.09

Happy Stitching!

That’s when I started drinking…

I mentioned previously about goofing up when I cut the linen for Peacock Stitching Chair’s scissor keep. The only way to really salvage it was to either re-stitch it or add ‘wings’ in the lining fabric. I should have re-stitched it. It would have saved me time and aggravation. I wish I’d realized it sooner. So, OK, I added the ‘wings’ where the shape of the pattern bent. Had a corner. You know what I mean. I made a triangle out of the linen that should show and added the ‘wings’ where the back of the scissor keep would be:

I scanned this piece instead of photographing it.  The fabric isn’t purple.  It’s a blue and red dupioni silk.  Being the geek I am, I zoomed in and out of the image, watching it change from blue/red to purple over and over again.

Theoretically, it should have been fine. If I’d made the piece big enough, it would have been. I stitched the lining onto the new keep top. When I turned it right-side-out, I thought it might be a little small:

I tried to convince myself it would be OK if the scissor keep was a bit narrow, that it would be OK if the back of the scissor keep was white and blue. I started to figure out how to stitch it together. I used a ruler to hold down the stitching to give a clear idea what the piece would look like if I did stitch it together as is:

I tried to convince myself that it would be cute with a ’scalloped’ backside. A scissor keep with a big old butt? What to do, what to do? Fold and stitch the scallops down? Re-stitch it? I don’t have time to re-stitch it if I’m going to be properly prepared for our summer trip on Tuesday.

That’s when I started to drink.

I’m not sure if I’m going to put the scissor keep on my summer stitching line-up. I don’t think it’s a big deal or failure if I don’t stitch the scissor keep at all. The point of the project is the beautiful chair. Except, I want the scissor keep.*whines, frets* We’ll see.

It’s always something.

Visiting the LNS

For framing!

She said it will be done within a week!  While I was stitching, my brain kept telling me a bee needed to be on the lower left flower, so I cooperated.  The bee didn’t want to be there.  I was surprised, since nectar is found in flowers, but who am I to argue with a bee?  Into the fluffy leaves she went.  I’m quite pleased to have her make her home in my Strawberry Garden.

Close-up of the bee.  The picture quality is poor; I snapped them at night.  It’s been cloudy here for many days.

Vitals:
Strawberry Garden by Blackbird Designs, Loose Feathers #18
Stitched on 32-ct. Magnolia linen by Lakeside Linens using recommended fibers, except for letters “T” and “M.”  I used GAST Grecian Gold instead of Crescent Colors Fool’s Gold.  The chart has two “I’s.”  I stitched the second as an “L” to make a complete alphabet.  I changed the bottom border to make it symmetrical.  I also added a bee charm.  Specialty stitches used: eyelet, smyrna cross, buttonhole, lazy daisy.

Progress, peacocks and pillow mints

I was almost done with Strawberry Garden when I decided that *now* was the time to attempt construction of  my Peacock Chair.  I’m not done with that, either.  Nervous Nellie here.  My next update of Strawberry Garden will be a finish photo, guaranteed.  In the meantime, some leaves finished, some not yet:

As for the peacocks and pillow mints…

I’ve been jumping around the chair’s instructions a bit, tackling this bit that I feel brave enough to do, then that bit.  One easy bit was the teeny scissor fob.  When it was completed it reminded me of those favor candies, butter cream pillow mints.  I stuffed it right full.  And peacocks, well, they explain themselves.

In spite of my attempt to accurately cut the linen for the scissor keep, I failed.  I need to fashion a fix of sorts.  More anxiety.  *sigh*  I can do this, I think.  I have an idea.  I hope it works.  I think it will, it just depends upon me.  I’ll keep you posted.