Happy Dancing Time

TaaDaa .... It's finished!

No thanks to Meadow!  It took me all week to stitch EFGH.  Even her mum was getting tired of her antics. Shasta decided to make her be still for awhile by laying on that bad baby beagle.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!

Stitching and puppy update

I spent more time stitching on Symmetry but have officially put it down to work on my GGM sampler. Here's were I stopped:

If you look at the original you may notice that I inadvertantly reversed the center squares, ie, the right is on the left, etc.  I didn't notice it until the zig-zag section was complete (ahem ... too busy watching Hugh Jackman on the telly, oh well.)  I decided it didn't really make a difference and just let it go -- the piece is, after all, called "Symmetry"  ;)

I also finished the current part of the Solo Brode piece and am looking forward to the next one:

And if Meadow will let me (she's being such a pest right now), I am trying to finish my GGM -- no new picture yet, mainly because I can't seem to get much stitching done with a beagle puppy crawling all over me.  LOL -- you know how that is ....

And speaking of dogs

I have a house guest for a couple weeks.  Her name is Ginger.  She is my neighbor's papillon and cute as a bug.  She is adjusting to the rhythm of my pack quite nicely. 

Even Firefly is beginning to find her not as objectionable.  And Firefly doesn't trust anydog.

And of course, I can't forget about little Meadow.  She's 5.5 months now, about 10.5 inches tall and has all her adult teeth (hooray!)

Here she is in my back yard following that elusive little mole.

And here she is sucking up to mummie after being such a pest all week.  I think even Shasta is getting tired of her antics.  It's a good thing baby beagles are soooo cute.  It keeps them alive long enough to become adult beagles ;)


Mind you,  not that adult beagles can't make royal pests of themselves also.

LOL

Later .....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Symmetry update

The third block of Symmety is finished.  I think it's cool that the blue centers of block 1 & 3 (which have the exact same threads) look so different.  The little black areas really stick out in block 1 while in block 3 they aren't so noticable.  It's such fun playing with colors and patterns and seeing the results.  This piece has such a masculine look to it even though there is lots of pink in it.  I'm thinking it's the black and grey (colors I don't usually use) that are doing it.

Even though I'm having a really good time working on Symmetry, I need to put is down for awhile and get stitching on some other things.  I have a hard time doing this -- putting such a fun piece down, that is.  But then I get going on something else and I have a fun time stitching it also.  Go figure ....

I finished the third part of the Solo Brode SAL.  Aren't the little birds cute?  This is such a pretty pattern (and another fun stitch - vbg).

Just a quickie note

Not much stitching going on. I did manage to get some of Symmetry done during the week:

It's fun to stitch and I like the way it's turning out.

I remembered to get a current pic of Mary Wigham.  All the new stitching is in the lower right corner.

 

 

If you make it this far, please say a quick prayer for my stepmother.  She was in a bad car accident last Monday and needs some healing thoughts sent in her direction.  Thank you.

Stitching for dad

SBQ for the month of June:

Tell us about something that you have stitched or plan to stitch for any father in your life. Maybe it’s for your father, your father-in-law, your children’s father, your grandfather, your godfather, or someone who was or still is an important father-figure in your life. Why did you choose this particular piece of stitching? Tell us the story behind it.

Often times we identify our love of needlework and our skills with our mothers or grandmothers or other women. It’s understandable because often they were are first teachers or role models. Now let’s think about our stitching life as it relates to our dads. Is there anything about our approach to stitching that we can recognize as traits of our fathers? For instance, does your dad (or any other important man in your life) have an approach to one of his interests that you can observe and think, “Hey….if I substitute the word “needlework” for “fly fishing”, we’d be pretty darn similar!”

 

I believe this is the first thing I stitched exclusively for my dad.  The USPS had a series of  professional stamps and    someone made cross stitch patterns of them.  I don't remember who put this pattern out or even if I still have it but I stitched it for my dad  after he passed his CPA exam.
 
And, yes, it's a first class stamp that was issued in 1987.  I didn't stitch the piece until 1990 and I remember going to the post office in search of this stamp.  I wasn't sure they still had them but as you can see, they did :)
 
It's still proudly hanging in my dad's office.

Dad is one of those people with a mind for numbers -- birthdates, phone numbers, address, etc.  Me, not so much.  But before he was an accountant, he was an engineer.  I think stitching and engineering are alot alike -- just without all those pesky numbers and ciphering.


 

This is the most recent piece I stitched for dad.  It's one of Laura J Perin's patterns.  In his younger years dad was quite the hunter/fisherman/sportsman.  We had a Brittany when I was little that dad took out hunting.  I have no idea if they hunted duck or grouse or what but this reminded me of that time.  It's a beautiful pattern for a wonderful man.

I've been doing lots of stitching and here's what I have to show for it .....

The little Quaker sampler from the Marquoir Group is finished.  I added a bit to the top of the sampler to center it on the pillow (since I didn't get it centered originally).  Ooops, I added my dad and step mother's initials but apparently didn't get a pic of it -- sooo this isn't current.  Better do that another time.  Anyway, it was a fun little stitch and easy on my eyes.

The Mystery Sampler by Kelly Searles is almost finished -- only one more part to go.  How exciting!  I love to finish a project -- it's such a sense of accomplishment.  I added a little of the dark brown to the acorn caps.  It doesn't show up much in the picture -- hmmm, perhaps I should add a little more to make it more visible??

I started something new last week, Symmetry by Needle Delights  (I also love starting a new project).  So far it's a fun stitch.  Needless to say, I changed the colors a bit from the original and put it on grey congress cloth.  There's still lots to do but it's a good start.

Rats .... forgot to take a pic of Mary Wigham but I did get some stitching done on her also.

Anyone want a beagle puppy for a couple weeks???  Though I should warn you, Meadow is teething BIG BIG time.  Her new nickname is little Shark.  I will be sooo glad when she has all her big-girl teeth. 

Happy days are here again ......

WooHoo!  My wisteria has a baby!

It doesn't look like much but it'll grow.  The two rocks are where my old wisteria used to be before it fell over.  I've been checking this area once a week or so and the last time I saw this lovely little shoot growing.  So far it's the only one but that's all it takes.

I did cut small branches off the parent when I chopped it up and put them in water.  A couple actually bloomed on my windowsill.  They were sad little things but blooms none-the-less.  And they smelled heavenly!

One of the cuttings has a root and new growth -- it's going in a pot soon.  Others have growth and no roots -- they'll stay in the water for now -- you never know. 

I'm thrilled that one cutting actually is growing.  And doubly thrilled that the parental roots are still viable.  VBG ... it's the little things in life that make me smile.

Unfortunately, my boys aren't smiling right now.  They both got their summer cuts recently.  It's the first time for River but Stormy gets shaved down frequently.  And seeing how cute and cool River looks, this won't be his last hair cut.  As you can tell from their expressions, neither are very happy about getting their pictures taken.  LOL.

Between hair cuts, I have been stitching.  The first picture is the Marquoir Group Quakerchen.  It's almost finished.  I have one more part to stitch and it will be complete.

See the Star is coming along.  Unfortunately, I decided to do some major ripping Saturday evening.  By 3 am Sunday morning I had removed the offending area -- what a chore that was!

I finally decided that I didn't like the yellow overdyed thread .  There just was not enough contrast between the yellows and the tea stained fabric.  After finishing the similar area on the right in a nice brown thread, I made the painful decision to rip out the yellows.  Now I just need to replace that area with the same brown floss and the entire unpleasantness will be over.  Whew!

I stitched on the lovely Solo Brode SAL over the weekend also -- what can I say, Saturday was a dreary, rainy day, only good for stitching and doing laundry.  This is such a lovely piece.

And last but not least, I realized there were no recent puppy pics ..... shame on me!  Well here you go:

Isn't she getting big?  She's 4.5 months old now, teething and still cute as a button!  At this stage she looks to easily be a 13 incher.

Later ......

Jane Austen

These two small samplers are from The Sampler Girl .  They were to be Christmas presents for a college friend who is a big fan of Jane Austen.  Unfortunately, with the amount of snow we had over the winter and then with my job, we couldn't get together until this past weekend.

I'm really happy with them, even the frame job -- which I did, my very own self, if you can believe that.  The first one I chose for Sandy because she makes an excellent apple pie and the second one because I thought it funny.  The geometric motiffs are changes from the original patterns.  They came from a book by Gay Eaton entitled Wessex Stitchery.   Very pretty stuff.

A start and a continuation

While surfing the other day, I came across the blog Solo Brode with a lovely mystery SAL that I promptly joined.   I like the lacey look of the pattern so far.  My fabric is a 28 ct tea stained evenweave and the threads are DMC 390 and 3726.

Last night I picked up poor, neglected Mary Wigham and started stitching on her.  Unfortunately, it's been so long since the last time that I seem to have misplaced one of her threads.  Sigh .... I'm not sure why it isn't in the bag with the other flosses.  Unless, perhaps, I pilfered it for another project?  Who knows.  The important thing is that she's back under the needle.  The lower, right medallion is where I'm stitching now.

Have a nice weekend.

Not much today, just a Quaker Pillow update.

I stitched the bottom motiff on the Quaker pillow yesterday.  I haven't stitched on 10 count in ages.  Perhaps I should do it more often, I forgot how easy it is to see.

Every since I started the Mary Wigham SAL, I really enjoy stitching the quaker samplers.

And speaking of Mary Wigham, she has been sadly calling to me.  I plan to get back to her either this week or next.  I finally put her on rollers, which will make her easier to stitch.  I had been using a hoop but that was just a pain.

Have a good day! and thanks for stopping by my blog.

Finally ......

I finally remembered to unroll this piece and take a picture of the entire thing.  In doing so, I noticed that all the other non-letter bands have the dark brown in them except the top one.  I think it needs added here and  may alter the pattern a little to include the dark brown.  Maybe in the acorn caps or the veins of the leaves.  It doesn't need much.  I also planned to add beads to the non-letter bands and left some x's out for this reason.  The bottom 3 bands are easy but the top band .... hmmmm, I'm not sure where to put the beads.

This next piece is called Toccata Number Three by the Drawn Thread.  It is a SAL that my EGA chapter is stitching.

The fabric is a 32 count linen that's really rough -- not soft at all. I found the perfect Sulky thread color for the pulled thread areas but after having the thread rip or shread apart repeatedly, I decided it was too weak for the rough fabrics of the linen. So I grabbed some DMC floss out of my stash, put a thick coat of beeswax on it and tried again. This time the thread held up to the pulling and roughness of the fabric threads but I don't think I like the results. I really wanted to use the Sulky thread because it's thinner and nearly invisible -- making the pulled areas the highlight, not the thread. It doesn't look bad, just not what I had planned.

However, I really really don't like the bulk of the floss in 5th square from the left.  The stitch is a triangular one where the floss goes over fabric threads twice, making the floss much to visible.  Something I did not want.  At this point I want to tear it out and use a different stitch here, a less bulky one.  But for now I'm just going to live with it ... maybe it will grow on me .... or maybe not.  

Is that croaking I hear? 

Ripit .... ripit

Knowing what I know now, I would have chosen a different fabric, specifically one that is softer  for this project.   Stitch and Learn.  I won't make the same mistake again.  Have a good one!

The Boys are back in town ....

and boy are they keeping me busy!  Eure, Happy and Moose are visiting while The Girls are at the Papillion specialty.  Moose and the beagles, especially Meadow, are having a blast running around the yard.  Yesterday they ran so hard, they were both very tired -- and that's a good thing!

Between playing with the dogs and watching them play, I have been stitching. Just not taking many pics.  The only one I have is the little quaker sampler.  The stitching isn't too bad here.  I was afraid the finished pillow cover would be a bear to stitch on but things are going smoothly.  The pattern is just the perfect size and I've figured out how to keep the back out of my way.

I've also been working on the German myster sampler but have no photos to show :(  I'm hoping to get the next part finished today .....  I just love this sampler!

Just a quickie note

 and a pic of See the Star.  It's coming along nicely.  The next part will have the golden lacy motiff in it.  I am undecided about it.  Should I use the same overdyed yellow thread (which doesn't show off the lovely motiff) or use a darker color to highlight it?  Decisions, decisions.

Hmmmm .... any suggestions?

It's a good thing I have something else to stitch while I ponder this dilemma.  Have a good weekend!

A couple finishes and a new start

 Yippee! I finished Victorian Heart over the weekend.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.

I also finished Orna Willis' Midnight Garden by adding a few colorful bugs.  After all, every garden needs a bug or two or more.

This is such a cheerful garden!

I'm not sure what to do with it -- maybe a box top or one of those standups?  Neither of which I know how to do.  Though I did buy some little paper boxes when I finished the Graphic Sampler, thinking I would make it into a box top. 

Now that I have 2 finishes, perhaps I should just do it!

After all, I guess there's no time like the present to learn .....

And last but not least, I finished this sweet little heart.  It was a mystery sampler stitched through the Marquoir Group.

And now for the start ...

This is the beginning of a little quaker sampler.  I'm stitching it on a pre-made pillow cover in my stash.  No  idea where it came from but I figured it will  make a nice Christmas present for someone.

Stitching this will be a test of my patience.  Since this is a finished pillow cover, I have to stitch with my hands inside the thing. 

ACK!!  All that fabric is already getting in the way!

Relax ... slow and steady with this will be my montra.


Happy stitching everyone!

Oodles of french knots

This past week my eyes haven't been up to much stitching. So .... instead of  not stitching at all, I've been making french knots.

It's hard to see in the pic but I have the right lobe and part of the left one french knotted (hmmmm, is that a verb?).  In real life, the knots are making a big difference.  The lacy edges have become distinct from the canvas background.

I plan to finish this over the weekend.  The only things that need stitching are the middle horizontal ribbon and the rest of the french knots.  Of course, a few sparkles are required so I'll add some beads and/or charms -- just for fun.

Midnight Garden is finished! 

That is .... mostly finished.

I decided every garden needs a few bugs.  That's another thing planned for the weekend.  That and the  laundry and an agility seminar and napping.  Oh, and don't forget mowing the grass  before the rains come.   Hmmmm, not much time for napping.

Resting and napping are doggie specialties. 

YAWN!

Maybe I should follow their example.



Have a good one .... ZZzzzzzzzzz ....

Life is getting back to normal ....

Thank goodness!

I've been stitching in my free time instead of going online.  Mostly I've been cross stitching .... nothing that requires much concentration because my brain is usually fried by the time I get home from work. 

See the Star is coming along nicely.  Though I did do a miscount  in the area to the left -- off by one thread!  DRAT!  It's only noticable in the overdyed yellow area, soooo, I think I'm gonna just cover the offending goof with a nice charm when it's finished.  No one will ever know .

I really like the violet-magenta color combination of the 2 unfinished motiffs.  Perhaps I need to do something with this color combo in the future?




Midnight Garden by Orna Willis is growing nicely.  This one is fun just playing with the thread colors.  My bullion knots are a bit lumpy -- I never made them with perle coton before -- and I've added a few more french knots than required.  I may even add a few more.  What can I say?  I love french knots.

I also love  the way the green overdyed thread positively **POPS** against the purple background.  It isn't that obvious in this pic but in real life, it screams. 

Cool!

Another fun color combo to play with in the future.



The next Marquior mystery sampler is coming along also.  In fact, I am current with it now.  WooHoo!  How cool is that? 


I have this one on rollers and need to get a picture of the entire thing.  Maybe I'll do that tomorrow.  Don't you just love the beautiful letters on this sampler?  I used to typeset at a printing company and learned to love fonts. 

When this is finished, I'm thinking it should be a bell pull hanging on my front door.  Maybe hang some little bells on the bottom so when the door opens, it'll chime??   



This next piece is a sweet little heart for Mother's Day.  I decided to do it all in white because my mom used to say - white goes with everything.  Only one more part and it will be finished.  I'm thinking it should become a little ornament.

As an aside, I stitched this next piece in 2008 in memory of my mom who died 10 years ago.  I adapted a small hardanger pattern I got at a garage sale (sorry to say I cannot remember the name of the designer or pattern, but it originally came with ceramic angel buttons.  I think all were broken except one.)  Anyway, I chose the colors because they remind me of mom:

Red was her most favorite color

White her second favorite

and Chocolate .... now that was her favorite-est ... YUM!

PUPPY UPDATE

Meadow is getting cuter every day

And last but not least ......

In Memory of my lovely Wisteria tree

I have no idea what happened but one day I looked out and it had fallen over.  Perhaps the wind  blew it down? or the roots rotted? or ?   I have no idea what actually happened but I'm going to miss my lovely little tree.  Hopefully some of the roots will come back to life and another one will grow.

Happy Spring to you!

My first (and probably last) painted canvas

This week is Christmas Design SAL week. I worked on my project Monday evening and after much thinking, stitching and tearing out, I went to bed with the intention of doing something else for this SAL. After all, I have that old hardanger tree that needs to be finished. I like hardanger. This painted canvas stuff, not so much.

After a reasonably good night's sleep, I woke up determined to finish the thing. If I don't like it, that's ok. I can give it to someone as a Christmas present and never have to see it again.

Anyway, here it is:

I plan on stitching on it all this week, hoping that I can get lots done on it this month.  Sigh .... I have no idea what to do with the snowman.  Here's hoping something comes to me.  I don't think I'm a painted-canvas-type-of -stitcher.   It's probably because the painted areas are distracting.