Lotsa stitching updates here

I have a finish I can show now that it has reached it's destination.  And she likes it :)  I stitched this for my partner in the current  Fair and Square exchange:

It's by Blackbird Designs.  I'm really happy with the way it turned out and, of course, now I need to stitch one for myself.  I used DMC threads on linen that I tea stained.  It was my first attempt at staining linen.

More gift stitching is these Halloween ornaments for my nephews:

I may add more to the spider before assembling it into it's final ornamental state.  If I can find my glow-in-the-dark thread, a web behind the spider would look really cool.  Even if I can't find it, a web would still look kinda cool in black.  The pattern for the spider can be found here.  I love the expression of the 'fraidy moon on the Prairie Schooler ornie -- that's one nasty owl!  Stitching Halloween ornaments is so much fun -- I love all the creepy things and fun colors.  Normally, I would never stitch on this green fabric but for All Hallow's Eve -- it's a must do.

Speaking of fun colors, I worked on my Tree of Stitches and am getting near completion.  I love this thread on the black fabric AND I love being able to stitch it on the black fabric.  When I started this on black, I didn't know if I would be able to finish it and now I'm almost there -- woohoo!

Unfortunately, the gold thread doesn't show up well in the picture.  Maybe if I didn't use a flash it would look better.  Hmmmm, something to try next time.  I picked out some beads last night to go with my tree and maybe tonight I'll be able to get some attached.  (Though I really need to get those Halloween ornies done for my nephews so I can mail them.)


I started a new Sticklounge project over the weekend.  It's called Adriana and is designed by Nolda van Hezewijk.  It doesn't look like much right now but if you check out her website, you can see what it will look like when finished.  It's a gorgeous pattern.  I'm stitching it on 40 ct linen over 2 using DMC threads.  The linen color is sand and since I'm using one thread, it appears to make the thread colors look soft.  If I had used 2 threads, I'm sure the threads would come out stronger.  Usually, I prefer the heavier coverage of 2 threads but when the fabric has a nice warm feel to it, I like the lighter effect of only 1 thread.  However, I do need to adjust one thread color so far -- a pale yellow that doesn't show up well on the sand colored fabric.  Anyway, here's the pic:

The last project is the Berlin Work Sampler -- the first one I tried with a lighter thread coverage.  I love the way the tassles look like a faded painting -- very cool.

I've fallen behind on these last two Sticklounge projects because I've been busy stitching gifts.  Now that most of the gifts are done, I should be able to get caught up with them .... and get started on my Santa for 2011.  He is one of my Crazy 2011 Challenge pieces and he will get done before the year is over.  I'm thinking it will be the last one of my crazy challenges to get done.  

Hmmm.   Note to self -- I need to do a recap on my 2011 crazies to see where I am with it.

I think I have a little over half of them done (mostly all the smaller ones).  I do not plan on doing the 2012 crazy challenge.  Instead, I will finish the unfinished 2011 crazies in 2012.  I love the other patterns I started in January and don't want them languishing for years as UFO's.

I actually learned something about myself  by doing this challenge.  I enjoyed starting all those new projects but after about a week, I found it frustrating to keep starting something without finishing something.  Apparently I am goal oriented -- I like the journey, but also like to reach the journey's end. 

And if you could see all the finished projects on my walls, you would say to yourself  "Well, Duh!"

Enjoy!

A little stitching in petit point

One of my current projects in a Berlin Work Sampler.  I researched Berlin Work and discovered it was traditionally stitched in petit point with wool threads.   Soooo, I decided to give it a try -- the petit point, not the wool (sadly, I'm allergic to it).  Here's the result so far:

Basically, it's okay.  However, I have a problem with areas where there is supposed to be a diagonal line and the petit points don't touch because they are going in the wrong direction.  In the above pic, these troubling areas are easily seen in the large pink flowery thing.  The dark pink and dark brown lines aren't really lines on the left sides, unlike the right sides where the line is an actual line.  I suppose when the piece is far enough away that individual stitches can't be seen, the whole thing flows better but right now, under my magnifying glass, it's driving me (a little) nuts!

For a few weeks now, I've had a quiet, industrious guest on my back porch.  Unfortunately, against my white house it doesn't show up well.  This picture was taken early one foggy morning and was beautiful in person:

The spider moves into one of the tubes of my wind chime in the mornings, spends the day there, and comes out in the evenings to rebuild its web.  Fascinating!

And speaking of Spider.  Here's the little dude with his Auntie Willow that same morning:

Thanks for stopping by ......and may your day be filled with puppy kisses!

Stitching, stitching and more stitching -- woohoo!

To begin, I belong to the Fair and Square exchange group and have been working on my partner's squares.  She's a big fan of snowmen, hardanger and the color blue:

And if this little guy looks familiar to you, it's because I've stitched him before.  Isn't he the cutie?  He's also a fun stitch.

I received these square from my partner -- gorgeous!  This is by iStitch Designs and is so perfectly delicate.  I love it!  Thank you Linda.

 

For my next piece, I actually broke out my little sewing machine and used it to make my first little quilt -- taa daa!

Okay now -- no giggling or snickering from the back rows!  Yes, my sewing machine is about the size of a dictionary, only does straight stitches (that's 2 lenghts, thank you very much!) and is mostly plastic but it's "NOT A TOY"  and "Requires Adult Supervision" -- as is clearly labeled on both the machine and it's box. 

This was a first for me and I think it turned out okay.  I had a couple minor  problems while assembling my little quilt but I was determined to finish it without getting cranky and tossing the whole thing (that is, the cute little machine) across the room in frustration.  (Sewing machines and I have a somewhat rocky history that I would rather not go into here.)   I should also mention that I actually did hand quilting (another first and not viewable on this picture) along the seams.  Needless to say, the hand quilting needs some practice.

I painted the dowel rod black (so it looks much better) and still want to add a big button to this but that's basically it. 

I am very proud.


And now onto my Sticklounge projects:

This lovely piece, called Heart Note Alley, is becoming one of my favorites.  It is so graceful looking and the colors I chose are so soothing.  I love it!

This second piece is called Purple Garden (though mine isn't purple).  Everytime I stitch on it, I can't help but feel cheerful:

And this last project is called Berlin Work Sampler by Pelin Tezer.  I just started it yesterday so there isn't much to see yet:

And now for three beagles resting comfortably:

May your weekend be as restful!