How to do 4th of July

 

Some of us spent a few hours on a warm day walking in the town 4th of July parade while others of us lounged around in air-conditioning after a short sunbathe.  Who do you think was the smarter one?  We were blessed with lots of sunbathing weather for the long weekend and I for one was very grateful for it.  It seems that summer has finally arrived in Maine.

On another note, I need some crochet help.  I am trying to make some crocheted dishcloths and have questions about my gauge/tension.  This was done with single crochet and I used the recommended hook size.  I seem to have gotten the 12 stitches to 4 inches stated but not the row gauge.  Does it look like my crochet is too loose?  Should I go down a hook size and try again?  I am thinking that there shouldn't be so many gaps if I've done it correctly. Here's what I was trying to achieve.  Any help is appreciated! 

Framed....

My Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler piece that is.  On Monday I finished up the last of the stitching on the frame.  The photo is awful and I apologize for that but the light was gone so I had to use my Ott Lite.  Anyway, I'm glad to get this done as the next part should be arriving shortly.

In the meantime, I've picked up Ann Sandles again and will work on that until Part 2 of the mystery sampler shows up.

Not exactly as planned...

I got a phone call from the framing department at AC Moore on Thursday that they'd gotten my framed piece back but there was a bit of a problem.   I had originally picked out a blue edge that should have inside of the main frame that really brought out the blue in the stitched piece.  Unfortunately they weren't able to add the inner frame because it was too small for their production machine.  They did send the pieces so I told the AC Moore clerk that I wanted to come in and look at the piece before deciding what to do.  If the liner was added, it would have been really close to the edge of the stitching and there would have been no fabric edge for a contrast between the stitching and the framing.  And while they did send the inner frame, it ended up that the pieces they sent weren't the right size so I decided to just leave it as is.  I think it looks good but I'm a bit disappointed as the original framing I picked out was perfect.

I've had a really busy week so there wasn't as much stitching as I'd hoped.  I have been working really hard on my Birds of a Feather Mystery Sampler piece and am pretty pleased with my progress.  I think I just might have the framing completed stitched by the time the next piece of the project comes out.  I should have a photo to share soon.

Saturday Antiquing

Saturday I felt the pull to visit one of my favorite antique places over on Route 1 so I headed over that way.  I was looking for something I could use to put votive candles in on a cute two-tiered rack I found at Marshall's last week.  I found the perfect thing - a set of 8 clear glass expresso cups that are the perfect size for votives.   I forgot to take a picture but I will because I love how the rack turned out.  It sits on my dining room table and makes a really unique centerpiece/lighting arrangement.  I also found this great frame which made me instantly think of Beth Twist's Thankful series.  I think the frame will be perfect for the designs and I'm hoping it's the right size.  Now I just need to get the charts! 

On my way back, I stopped at a few more places and found some great stitching related items.  I found this great collection of old hoops that I'm thinking of using as wall art in my living room where the rest of my stitching collection is displayed.  I also found this cute sewing set which I bought mainly for the scissors.  The cost was $22 which I didn't think was that bad. It's in a rather boring hard case but I like how the scissors are displayed so for now I will keep everything as is.

I have been working diligently on my With Thy Needle mystery sampler and I'm close to finishing the top band.  I was hesitant about the fabric but I'm really happy with the way it's looking so far.  I hope to put some more time into it this evening and have a photo to show tomorrow.

I couldn't wait!

It seems there are a lot of us enabling each other with projects lately.  Thanks to everyone who commented on the last post.  I am really loving all of the projects being stitched out there and it's so hard to stop stashing.  I didn't show you a photo of the other chart I bought - Scarlett Letter's Elizabeth Sheffield was delivered recently.  I am waiting to get silk threads from Carrie's Threads and some AVAS from ABC Stitch Therapy before deciding on a fabric for another BAP!

Last night I dug through my 30ct WDW stash and found two possible pieces for the Brenda Gervais Mystery Sampler.  I had a 30ct piece of Confederate Grey which is the top piece and another that I lost the label which might be platinum or beige.  After some serious contemplation, I decided to go with the Confederate Grey.  The chart called for 35ct but I think I will be just as happy with 30ct - especially since I already had it and could start much sooner than if I had to order fabric.

So as it was another rainy, rainy day, I rushed home from work and put needle to thread and got a start in on the frame.  Please forgive the horrible photos but it's really hard to get a decent picture without sunlight/daylight.  Here's where I ended up:

I also took a close up to show the flower.  It is much prettier that shown and I'm really happy with the fabric choice.

The piece uses all WDW threads.  I can't wait to continue working on this piece and seeing everyone else's projects.  I sent an email to join the SAL being hosted here.  It is so wonderful not to have to worry about having homework to do instead of stitching.  My house is a bit less than pristine but right now I don't care!  I'm going with the stitching mojo.

Rainy Day Progress

In my last post, I showed the supplies for Ann Sandles and here is the progress I have made so far.  This is a really fun piece to work on and it was a very rainy Sunday so I had some time to devote to the piece.  It's another rainy day so the picture is lousy but at least you get the idea.  I also put some time into C@HRH but I didn't get a photo.

I also had this waiting for me when I got home tonight.  It's the first installment in the new With Thy Needle and Thread's mystery sampler project.  I just couldn't resist ordering it from Anita's Little Stitches.  The project calls for 35 ct WDW Confederate Gray but I have a piece of 30ct I'm thinking of using.  I'm also contemplating doing it over one.  The first installment is the border around the piece. 

With everything I've got going right now as far as stitched pieces go, I'd better get busy!

A Cure for Startitis

There was a package from Country Stitches waiting for me when I got home tonight that offered the perfect cure for my case of startitis.  It's Ann Sandles 1864 from With Thy Needle and Thread.  I ordered the chart and the threads and pulled a piece of 30ct WDW Angel Hair fabric from my stash and I'm ready for a new start.  I also bought Feather Thy Nest which I can't wait to start.  I do like Brenda Gervais' patterns.  So much so in fact that I signed up for her mystery sampler from Anita's Little Stitches.  I really must stop with the stashing.....

A Winner!

Thank you to the three bloggers who expressed an interest in my giveaway of a needle book and scissor fob kit.  It was a very global trio, Ellen from Singapore, Pike from Finland and Riona from the US.  I so love the global nature of our craft and how it connects us from so far across this world.  Using the random generator, the winner was Ellen from Singapore.  Ellen, I will be in touch for a mailing address and get your package out to you this week.

I have pulled quite a few other things from my stash so stop back for another one soon.
As for stitching progress,  I did a little bit of stitching on Sunday.  I put a few more stitches into my CHS piece, working on the peacock.

I also picked up my BBD Winter Wonderland and worked on that a bit.  I'm itching to start something new but feel a bit guilty doing that when I see all the projects in my project bag.  Maybe I will start one of the ornie kits I've received so far in my Christmas and Halloween exchanges. That way I won't feel quite as bad!

On Sunday I took my coupon and finished Just Nan piece to A.C. Moore and picked out a frame.  This is usually the hardest part for me and I've never had anything framed at A.C. Moore before.  However the process went pretty quickly and I think I'm really going to like what I chose but I sure hope they do a good job with the framing.  I did not mount the piece myself and I'm wondering how many of you just take the stitched piece in and how many block and lace their piece before they take it to be framed? 

I'm off to walk the dog and then settle in to dig through the project bag and see what calls my name.

A Finish and A Reminder

Ta da!  This afternoon I finished Just Nan's Bird Alphabet which I started last Saturday evening - I think the fast finish ever for me.  Tomorrow I hope to take it to AC Moore and get it framed as I got a 57% off coupon in my email yesterday.  I love how it turned out and it was a really fun and quick stitch. 

Just Nan's Bird Alphabet

Started 4 30 11

Completed 5 7 11

32 ct Antique White Linen

Recommended Threads

I am excited to start something new but for now I'm going to go back to working on BBD's Winter Wonderland and CHS Christmas at HRH.

Just a reminder to put your name in for my give away.  I will draw a winner on the 10th

Progress and a Give Away

I haven't had as much time to stitch this week as I'd hoped however I have made some progress on Just Nan's Bird Alphabet.  Here it is after working on it a bit yesterday.  I'm loving the colors and look forward to getting this one completed.  I have itchy fingers to start something new.

JN Bird Alphabet at 5.5.11

 And I've gathered some things from a recent stash inventory that I will never get to and would like to gift to a new home.  Below is one of those items - appropriately spring-y in color and design.  This is a needlecase and matching fob - both complete kits.

If you are interested in this give away, please leave a comment and I will choose a winner on the 10th.  Feel free to share the info (unless you want to win it for yourself!).

A new start and some UFO stitching

Saturday night I started Just Nan's Bird Alphabet which I picked up at Celebrations.  Once I started, I had a hard time putting it down.  I'd forgotten how fast stitching letters can go.  I love the color combination in this piece and can't wait to get it finished.  I'm not sure if I will get it framed or turn it into a flat fold but I will not let it languish in the drawer whatever I decide.

JN Bird Alphabet

Sunday was the first Sunday UFO stitching date so I forced myself to put down the JN piece and pick up my C@HRH piece which has been languishing in the stitching bag since February.  I added the word "repeat" and the second crown on the left and then started in on the peacock.  My goal is to get this block completed by the end of the month. 

CHS Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow

 

I had hoped to pick up the Bird Alphabet piece but I'm tired so its off to bed for me.  Hope you had a good weekend and Monday - only four more work days to go!

Celebrations Report - Part Two

Since there were so many photos in my first post, I decided to do a second one showing what I came home with.  It was a lot more than I'd planned to come home with!

Hinzeit Charts

 I picked up two charts in the Hinzeit booth along with a frame for the Maine chart.  This one has cute little charms that include a pine cone, lobster and moose.  I've admired the Shoreline chart for a while and finally broke down and bought it.  It has a cute sailboat and seagull charm.  The chart calls for a teal colored linen but I think I'm going to stitch mine on Antique White.

Chessie & Me and Maggi Co

 The charts above were purchased in the Embellished Needle booth shown below.  The Chessie and Me designs were displayed as stitched models in the booth and I was totally sucked in by how great they were.  I'm telling you, stitched models are the devil's work - irresistible!!!  It's amazing how different you can feel about a chart once you see the stitched piece.  The two charts by Maggi Co were new to me and just so interesting.  For the one at the bottom right, there are directions to make fabric circles to be appliqued onto the linen for the trees.  Not sure if I will do that as there is also a chart for stitching the trees.

Assorted charts

 I also bought the Anniversaries of the Heart Chart 11, my first ever Just Nan which I immediately kitted up after taking the photos and plan to start tonight, and the other two charts shown.

Fabrics and Fibers

I was pretty subdued on fabric purchases this year.  I bought a fat quarter of 32 Antique White for the Nan chart and a fat quarter of cream which is called for in the By the Bay Halloween chart shown above.  The silks on the left were marked down to $4.00, the greens in the center are for the Just Nan Bird Alphabet above and the Crescent Colors will be used to kit up my Halloween ornament shown in yesterday's post.  The little square in the middle was a neat gadget that I couldn't resist.  A square to help you measure where to start your stitching.

That's all for now - I'm off to start a new chart!

Celebrations Report

Today I drove down to NH to meet up with Nancy and do a little stash enhancement and stitching as well as catch up on everything that has been going on in both our lives over the last year.  It was a lot!!  I took my camera and actually remembered to take some photos.  First up are some photos of the show.

The Gate to Stitch Heaven!

Here are two photos of the Scandinavian Stitches booth - Nancy and I drooled over all the great linen banding, German and Scandinavian designs and books and the great models on display.  I managed to leave this booth without doing too much damage!

Scandinavian Stitches Booth

Scandinavian Stitches too

This was part of the amazing display of antique samplers and sewing related items that were available for purchase.  Oh what I wouldn't have given for a few extra thousands of dollars.  Would you believe they do layaway?  20% down and a monthly payment of some of these beauties could be had.  Unfortunately, not in my budget!

Antique Sampler Vendor

And another booth in which I spent a fair amount of time - and cash!  This was the Embellished Needle from Illinois.

All in all I thought it was a great vendor section this year.  I had not been to Celebrations in about three years and really liked how they had changed to booth set up compared to the last time I was there.  The available stitching area however left a lot to be desired.  It seemed that there was bands of stitchers that staked out sitting space in the lobby and would not let any others sit in the space even if it one of their group members was off taking a class or shopping.  Very uncharitable behavior and there was quite a bit of grumbling about it among other stitchers. 

Back to regularly scheduled crafting

I know it's been quite a while since I've posted.  I gave my final presentation for my Masters degree on March 9th and then stayed away from the computer for almost a month.  I've done tons of reading whatever I want with no guilt whatsoever which is such a welcome change from the past two years.

I also picked up my needle again and started and finished two ornaments for exchanges I am in this year.  The first finish was my Christmas ornament which is the Stained Glass Tree from last years JCS ornie issue.  A lot of stitching but really nice when it's finished. 

 The second finish was for a Halloween ornament for a Halloween ornie exchange I'm in with the same group.
 

Every month I receive a fully kitted Christmas and Halloween ornie for my own stitching and I am responsible for kitting up both of these, including the backing fabric, to send to the rest of those in the group.

Tomorrow I'm going to NH for the Celebration of Needlework event in Nashua.  I have not been in three years and I'm really looking forward to going to the shopping mart and meeting up with the talented Nancy B who I have not seen in over a year.  Stop back for a full report!

Welcome to February

This is what my February looks like with more of the same in store for the next 26 days.  This is crunch time for completing my masters project paper.  I've turned my dining room into command central as it's the only surface large enough for all of my paper piles. 

 Here is what I'd rather be working on instead of my paper but by March 9th the view above will be come this one below as much as I like.  So the granny square blanket will grow and be completed, the little metal tackle box containing my ornament in progress will be open instead of closed and the two project bags next to the coffee table will be emptied and filled continuously with knitting, stitching and crochet projects.  I might even be able to finish my niece's quilt before she starts college in the fall. 

 I was planning to take this Friday off to work on my paper, however "the storm of the century" provided a better opportunity to take today off instead.  We were blessed by the fact that we got only snow - about 8 or 9 inches I think.  The blessings of the weather being so cold is that the snow was fluffy rather than wet and heavy.  This is to view across the street to the neighbors - the banks are getting pretty high.

 This is the view down the front steps - can you barely make out the difference between the snowbank and the street?  It's kind of hard.....

 And the view up the street (complete with icicles hanging from the eaves that will grow rapidly.  The snowbank in the drive is almost to the middle slat of the fence.  If we get much more, I'm not sure where it will go around town.  You take your life in your hands edging out of streets to be able to see past the snowbanks as it is. 

The one great thing is that the visible daylight continues to grow - more than an hour now - and I really, really appreciate that.  Now for a few more days of sun to melt some of this stuff down before the next batch arrives.  Which I'm sure it will!

Hopefully I will be back with some stitchy, knitty or crochet goodness soon.  Until then, keep up the incentive I am seeing around the blog-o-sphere.  You guys are working on some really lovely projects and I am very jealous!

A little on this, a little on that

It all adds up I guess!  I haven't had a lot of stitching time the past few days but I have managed to put a little bit into three different pieces. First up above is Winter Wonderland by BBD. Especially appropriate since we got 16 inches of snow last week which hasn't melted much.  I ended up stuck in the parking lot at work because my car is so low and I was essentially snowed in!  About 4 different people were trying to help plus a front end loader and a plow truck!  LOL  Ah, the fun of winter in Maine. 

Adding lots of color is CHS Jump.  I worked on this yesterday and it continues to be such a fun stitch. Even though it's quite small and there were a fair number of color changes in this particular block, it is coming a long nicely.  I still have to give the people mouths but I may just try eyes only.  I'm going to experiment.

And finally, this is the progress I've made so far on my ornament kit piece.  The colors are kind of boring and it's a bit tedious to measure and track all the thread but overall, it's not a bad project.  I chose a piece of 32 count from my stash but I don't think I will use it to kit up the rest of the ornaments as it is too close in color to the threads.  You won't really see much of it if it's finished as designed but in case someone wants to let more of the fabric show - maybe frame theirs - I will look for a fabric color that lets the design stand out more.

Hope you are enjoying a relaxing evening after the first workday of the week.  I'm off to walk the dog and then maybe get some more stitching in tonight. 

I just don't get it

I've lived in Maine almost 6 years and in New England for 12 and you would think each new snow storm is the first one that's ever happened in the history of the state.  I swear the minute forecasters start spewing their speculation on how much snow is coming, people go crazy.  Maybe it's a reverse form of snow blindness - pre-storm blindness.  People, we've had snow before - and LOTS of it.  We know how to handle it, we have the equipment to handle it and it's freaking January in Maine.  CALM DOWN!!!

Okay, I'm off my soapbox for the moment but really, it's so strange to me how people who've lived here all their lives start panicking at the mention of a potential snowfall of a pretty good size.  We're forecasted to get 8-12 which really isn't that much - and I was born in Florida people!!!  I heard a funny saying today from my boss who had someone say it to her - how the mention of snow seems to make people crave french toast because they all run to the grocery stores to buy bread, milk and eggs.  I found that quite funny and scarily true.  That is one place I avoid like the plague when people get their snow storm crazy on.

Okay, I'm really off my soapbox and onto a tiny bit of stitching.  This year I'm in an ornament kit exchange with a small email group I belong to.  This is the third year they've done it but the first time I've participated.  Each of us picks a Christmas ornament, stitches it up and then creates a kit for everyone else in the group.  We send along the pattern, the fabric and the necessary floss to complete the ornament.  This year there are 11 of us total so I will get 10 little kits, one per month, that if I'm really diligent, I can stitch up as they come and have lots of wonderful ornies ready for next Christmas.  We are also doing one for the Halloween ornies for the first time too.

For my ornie, I chose the Stained Glass Pine from the 2010 JCS ornie issue.  This is how far I've gotten at this point - I just started it last night.  I don't have to mail until the fall but I am such a procrastinator that I wanted to get started early so I can get my kits put together in advanced.

Not much stitchy stuff happening

I wish I had more progress to show for the past week but unfortunately, it was pretty busy and not with anything stitching related.  Or at least not as much as I would have liked!  I did manage to start another mitten on Thursday while getting my hair colored but there's not enough progress to warrant a photo at this point.  I treated yesterday as another UFO Sunday and I managed to work a bit more on my CHS Alphabet piece.  I also picked up my granny square afghan which has been languishing for quite a while.  It was very cold here yesterday so having the afghan over my legs was quite nice.  I really need to finish it up so it can provide warmth this winter.

Hope your week got off to a great start! 

UFO Sunday

The first Sunday of the month means UFO stitching day and I started out the year on the right foot by actually stitching on a UFO today.  I have quite a few to choose from but I felt the urge to pick up CHS Alphabets today.  When I unfolded the fabric, I fell in love with the piece all over again.  I just love the colors and how it looks over one.  My current good intentions are to continue to work on this piece and try and have it completed this year.  Today I completed Inn and started J is for Jump.   Sorry for the neck-crain but Blogger is being crancky and I could not get this photo to load correctly no matter how many times I tried. 

Some of us were bored and worked on looking pitiful so that mom would take us outdoors for a walk.  This is the sight that greeted me when I turned to my right on the couch.  He sits in the strangest ways....but he's cute isn't he? No modesty, but cute!

New Year, New Start

I hope you had a wonderful New Year's celebration.  I won't be starting the 15 days, 15 new starts madness along with many of you but I did have a new start today.  I have had this BBD Winter Wonderland kitted up for months and it was perfect for a new start today.  It's a great pattern to stitch and I love the progress I've made so far.

Last year I made a fair number of resolutions for stitching that didn't get realized.  I did manage to finish CHS's Gilded Cage but I didn't get Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow anywhere near to being finished.  This year, I'm not going to set a lot of goals for myself but I would like to complete C@HRH and of course the BBD piece I started today.

I'd also like to finish my granny square afghan and a quilt I started way to long ago for my niece for graduation.  Other than that, whatever gets done will be a bonus. 

I wish all of you doing that 15 project madness good luck!