Merry Christmas

 In 20 years of married life in the Army, my husband and I were never apart on Christmas Day. Welcome to 2023 when for the first time ever, we are apart. He’s with our daughter at our son’s house. And I stayed home to keep the peace with the cats. So far, it’s working. No disasters, no fights. And when I finish up here, I’ll go cook myself a little prime rib roast. 

Yesterday’s activity involved my Lindy Stitches Bird Crush Club. I’ve stitched two out of twelve. And last week I finally pulled all the threads for the ten remaining. That meant it was time to match fibers to fabrics. I will admit that my fabric stash may have doubled during the pandemic. It took me two hours and I didn’t even go into my second or third drawer. What I did think was funny is that I kitted five of these with bits of Crossed Wing linen that I had purchased when the Scarlet Thread closed. I have a couple of ornament sized pieces left. But she did make beautiful fabric to stitch birds on!

No photos of that process. I was juggling in too small a space. But here’s today’s project.

Last year I started this at Camp Wannastitch. Another, erm, older project courtesy of Sara Leigh. 

Documenting the Santas

 

Papa Navidad

Greens keeper Santa

Equine Santa

Wilderness Santa completed 2023

Artic Santa

Terrestrial Santa

Pioneer Santa 

Prairie Santa

Second Santa I stitched - the Black Forest Santa. 

Old World Heirloom Santas - the first one I stitched in the late 1980s - Pere Noel. 

Square Head

 Color could be better. It's a really bright orange.

I designed this after stitching Marilyn Owen's Halloween collage piece. She had an obviously white ghost on a purple background. 

It's byzantine stitch that carries thru the black stitching. Harder than it should be to figure out how to do it. 

Time to go pack for retreat. Hmm. What should I take? 

All the Beads

I still do want a large canvas all in beads. To see if it's practical I stitched this ornament a few years ago. I think I have at least three types of beading on here. A word of advice to anyone who wants to do this, always finish the edge with two rows of thread.

The Classic

 Corn, pumpkin, spiders, green, orange, black. 

The Bright

 Is there anything better than electric blue?

I can't wear it. I don't decorate with it. But just a touch here and there. 

Warning

 Splat. Don't drink and drive. 

Colors of Fall

 I have always loved October. And I really love an October color palette. All of them. The bright, the neon, the subdued, the plaid, the non-traditional. I can't pick a favorite.

So last year when I went on an October retreat, I had many projects to choose from but I basically stitched only on a Mill Hill kit and a Lindy Stitches vulture. And I stitched them from start to finish. 

I've been contemplating what to pack this year and may lean hard on those autumn colors. 

Last year's finish. 

Frustrated

 Pretty much lost the entire month of September to covid. Came home from Seminar a day early with it. Not the only one.

But enough about that. 

I took Gail Stafford's one day class, Sunrise.

This is Gail's. Interesting journey from photo to marquetry to stitched piece. I have worked on mine, but the studio is a wreck and I can't figure where it is to take a photo. 

Also took Chris Barry's 4 day gold class. We, unfortunately, we unable to get to the MFA, but the class was wonderful.

I need to practice my braid stitch. Mine looks like a drunken sailor stitched it. 

Boston was great right up until it wasn't. 

An Entire Month

Well I will be back. Currently under the covid curse.

A fabulous color study by painter Thomas Cole. One of the fun things we did in August. 

This Is It

 

Here we are. The night before our 40th Anniversary Luncheon and once again July literally takes the cake. Could it be any hotter tomorrow? Yes. It could be by a couple of degrees. But it's going to be pretty miserable and I've got a ton of stuff to carry in. 

Whatever. Let's party! 

Mid-month Madness

Here it is. The middle of July. Certain things still need doing and remain undone.

But I did finish two projects yesterday. 

First, Ruffled Feathers from Lindy Stitches. Next weekend, time for finishing. 

And in needlepoint, I finished creating a wall behind the Monster. This is a Liz canvas I found to pair with the Bride by Labors of Love. Happy to finally clear this from the unfinished pile. 

Zoom Day

Today was my first class thru CyberStitchers, the online chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America. It was Lettering for Surface Embroidery with Canby Robertson. A lovely way to spend the day. Though the cats couldn't quite wrap their kitty brains around me sitting at the dining room table all day. They kept checking to see if I wouldn't give them some treats. Which I did at lunch.

First off this class has me wondering if I still have a fountain pen? It's been years since I practiced calligraphy. But having had some experience made this class easier to understand.

So theory, background, cut and paste (literally) and we were stitching by lunch time.

Where I ended. I thought about being snarky here, but in the end have chosen the name tag option. Good class! 

Remy gave up and went to sleep on the stairs. 

Rico chose the couch over my shoulder. 

Value your Joys

 

I think I started this sampler back 2020 after I had finished Catherine Agnes. This is the Wee Bit Sampler #3 by Scholehouse for the Needle. Copyright 2008. Anyway I put it down because I couldn't handle the over one stitching. At least not without a magnifier.

I'm resigned to using magnification. And I love this little piece. Changed the overdyed cottons to Gloriana. Made the fabric a touch darker. 

And I will continue my long weekend of stitching for my pleasure only. 

Patriotic Samplers

 From 2003. I believe this is a Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin chart. I added an extra letter "L" to tranquility, but didn't notice until after it was framed. Makes me laugh. 

From 2005. And I've completely forgotten the designer.

And a Little House piece. I changed the date to when my hometown was incorporated. 

Love Me Some Lindy Stitches

We did our first foray back into stitching in public on Tuesday. We're meeting at our Wegmans. But we have a new Barnes & Noble that may also work. 

So I started my rework for Ruffled Feathers from Lindy Stitches. Pretty colors. 

I've got till mid-July to stitch this. 

 

Letters From Europe

 I am doing some virtual traveling this summer (and beyond because I have some obligation stitching) courtesy of Nicole Parkman and Hands Across the Sea.

Yes, I bought one of the 600 boxes. Love the thought, planning, and execution of this whole enterprise.

I started the first sample, Aglaia Shina, the Greek sampler on Tuesday, June 6th. I'm using one of precious pieces of Glenshee linen and AVAS silk. I'll try to remember to post which silk when I post more progress.

Wool Felt Fun

Look! we made grape hyacinths. I also have carrots that I'm making into a wreath. 

These were two classes through the Loudoun Sampler Guild at Primitive Homespuns Wool and Needlework in Frederick, MD.

What a charming shop! I even bought myself a piece of Jamestown glass to add to my collection of blue and teal glass. 

 

Spring Meeting and a Finish

 Last week was the Friends of the Library book sale and because I am a Friend I went to the preview sale which is nuts. So many idiots scanning books looking for the special ones that are worth more money in the resale market.

But I still found my special bargain. 

I never even knew about this book. Don't know I missed it. Published in 1998. And it just so happened that this weekend I was taking a class with Judy that is a piece in this book! So now I have my book signed. Thanks, Judy!

Judy teaches a great class. She doesn't care how you or someone else does a stitch. She wants to show you her way. Then you can do what you want. 

The class was about shading without long and short. I chose the alternative colorway with purples, yellows, and greens. 

Then later, we had our Mid-Atlantic Region EGA meeting and I finished my Lindy Stitches piece. Horrible photo, but Yay, it's done! 

The Rule of Three

 If you do something for one granddaughter, you must do two more. 

Christmas ornaments for 2023 are stitched. 

These are Susan Roberts designs. 

Silk Lame and Kreinik worked for the t-stitch to fill in the snow globe. 

From the Finisher

 

Here's the Count of Needlemania. He was published in Needlepointers magazine and we stitched him in my ANG chapter. Took me almost ten years to come back and finish him. What a handsome fellow. Designed by Janet Zickler Casey. 

Currently he's visiting the Woodlawn Needlework Show. No ribbon, which is right. He's not my best stitching technically. But I love him. 

Whatever Happened to Winter

Unlike some parts of the country, we have not had winter here in the Mid-Atlantic area. I've even worn my sandals here in February. And now it's March and the cherry blossoms are rushing headlong into bloom. I'm not complaining, but it is a bit abnormal.

So in the spirit of spring, here's some Debbie Mumm canvases available thru Melissa Shirley Designs. 

The bunny was stitched a few years ago. And I finished the background on the painting chick finally. 

 

Moving Fast

 Seems like I have little time to stop and reflect these days. Camp Wannastitch has come and gone. Over 150 attended this year. Found some new restaurants. Did my last shopping at the old Salty Yarns location on the boardwalk. Shared lots of stitching time.

Looking forward to next year already!