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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Or, I’m home from my summer vacation.

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.

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.”

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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!

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.

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.

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.

I’ve closed the border on Strawberry Garden.  I didn’t like the way the border was charted, so I modified it to suit me.  The border gets wonky at the bottom right.  You know, right where there’s foliage in the model photo.    I looked closely at the model photo, and it appears to be stitched as charted.  In the chart, the bottom right corner doesn’t meet up properly.  Part of it is due to a shortened motif (one stitch in the middle instead of two vertical stitches).  My sister once told me that quilt designers will sometimes incorporate an intentional “mistake” in their designs, and I wondered if the border wonkiness is in that vein.  After deciding that may well be the case, I also decided I couldn’t stand it.

There’s always a bit of anxiety when stitching a border, isn’t there?  Will it meet?  Have I counted accurately?  Please, oh, please, oh, please!  This was a successful closing. *phew*

Only laizy daizies left!

Side view for fun.

The outside of Strawberry Garden’s border reminds me of postage stamp perforations.  Speaking of postage stamps, I love the Post Office’s new Love stamp:

Cute, yes?  I like the artwork, I like the theme, I like the flowers.  Delightful.

Wouldn’t this make a great stamp?  It’s already sort of perforated…;)

Crazy, uneven buttonhole flower.  Normally the uneven oval would annoy me.  Not this time.  Breakthrough for me?  Doubtful, considering how much time I wasted unsuccessfully getting this post to look the way I wanted.

I don’t know about you, but when I stitch, I spend quite a bit of time staring at the piece.  When a project is on a scroll frame, I turn it from side to side, admiring the way the light plays with the colors.  It seems impossible to accurately capture in a photo.  I’m not sure if it’s the nature of photography or just my poor photography skills.  One fun thing about rotating a piece on the scroll frame is getting to see the dimensionality of the stitches.

The laizy daizy stitches in this design especially make my heart flutter.  I love this photo. See how the laizy daizies sit lightly on the fabric, happily floating?  That’s the sort of thing you can’t easily admire once it’s framed.

I can’t get this post to publish the way it looks on the screen.  I give up, and will rely upon your abilities to decipher my meaning.  (I’m also hoping that this disclaimer works in my favor.  I am not above a little voodoo now and then. ETA: OK, so that didn’t work. ETA 2: I forced it to approximate my intent.  Stoopid computers. )

I belong to the facebook group Cross Stitch SAL.   I’m a newbie to the group, but I believe they have a weekend SAL once a month.  For my first SAL, I stitched on Strawberry Garden, naturally.   Friday evening, she looked like this:

I love working on this project.  It’s so pretty.  I also love the different stitches incorporated in the design–Smyrna, eyelet, lazy daisy (which my fingers wanted to spell, “laizy daizy”).

I made sure I found a lot of stitching time this weekend.  Now she looks like this:

So pretty.  So much fun to stitch.  Lucky me.

I managed to finish the basket/vase on Strawberry Garden this week.  I’m loving this project.

Here’s a close-up of the basket.  It was such fun to stitch.

I’ve escaped from the funny farm that is Missing You.  I wasn’t loving it, I was making myself crazy about it.  I don’t need help with the being crazy.  I stitch to escape that delightful feature of my personality, thank you.

I began BBD’s Loose Feathers #18, Strawberry Garden.

The whole time I was in my straitjacket, I was thinking about how very much I couldn’t wait to stitch this.  I’ve enjoyed stitching this completely so far.  I adore it.  Progress:

I thought this photo was a better representation of the fabric color.  I was wrong.  I’m using 32-ct Lakeside Linens Magnolia, which has a yellow hue.  Here’s a close-up of the basket, just because it’s been fun to stitch so far:

In other stitching news, webshots featured the photo I posted of my framed Pots of Love.  I think it was yesterday, unless webshots features more than one picture on each of its channels daily.  I didn’t know they had multiple channels until I received an email telling me about a comment from another user congratulating me for being featured.  SURPRISE!  I don’t much care for surprises, unless they’re unexpected happy surprises like that.

Home & Garden >> Crafts channel:
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/tag/crafts

My featured picture:

I started Missing You on Lavender Bliss linen.  In my imagination it was wonderful.  Not so much in real life.  I can’t put my finger on exactly why I don’t like it.  I started thinking I should ditch the whole lavender fabric notion and use a yellow/tan neutral instead.  However–when I saw Picture This Plus’ new Sprite fabric, I was inspired anew.  I completely forgot about thinking the tan neutral would be much better.  I like the new fabric much better than Lavender Bliss.  The difference is very subtle.  Maybe it’s the cloudy-day quality to the Sprite fabric.  I’m not sure.  I know the picture isn’t the best.  It was hard to get a picture with accurate color.  I opted for one that shows the barely-there differences.

I think I need to find another choice for the CC Sassy Brass that I was using.  That color feels really harsh to me with the WDW Eggplant.  It may be that it was the true problem all along.  *snickers at the thought*  I don’t mind. Much.  I’m going to be happier with the new fabric.