Ukulele

When we were in Hawaii in 2015, we got to visit the Kamaka ukulele factory. Had a tour with Fred, who was in his 90s. Charming and delightful. 

Bought this ornament at Needlepoint, Etc. Finally finished it five minutes ago. Happy to have a reminder of that wonderful trip. 

Why?

 Or why not? I haven't posted since mid-August. I don't why this happens. But once again, I'm back and will attempt to be better. 

Maybe a little catching up? Not tonight. Tonight we will start with current progress. 

One Transylvania ornament. I started it last October. All DMC floss except the black and white which are Silk Lame Braid. All tent stitch. 

Two Finishes

 Yesterday was a two finish day. One is a present, so I can't show it yet. 

But 9 years ago I was ordering a DMC color card directly from DMC and threw this kit into my cart. 

I discarded the thread and matched the colors to a rug we own. 

Stitching on wood is interesting. Not exactly pleasant. Hard to run under on the back. But anyway. It's finished. I just need to find a silk flower for my new vase. 

Took an Unintentional Break

 

Here are all the sides to my Presidents' Challenge.

Front, back, spine where I added the date. Interior. 

This little thing took over well over 100 hours.

Echoes of Elizabeth needle case by Gay Ann Rogers 

Challenge Done

 I finished my Challenge project last Friday. When I estimated that I had 30 hours to go, I was almost exactly right. No photos till after our meeting next Saturday.

I picked up another UFO. Janet Zickler Casey's Who Dat? Did two pieces of hers with NOVA ANG a long time ago. Moon Pie Kitty was finished long ago.

Almost There

Just a few more green stitches and then beads.

Construction here we come. 

A Little, ALot

A little bit of green. A little bit of gold. A lot of pearl and basketweave.

Pushing (and shopping)

Still pushing it on my Challenge project. 

Went to our local favorite cross stitch store this morning. 

Got the new Santas to add to my collection. 

And found a new to me designer, Dirty Annie. Love, love, love! 

Echoes

Still plugging away at my Gay Ann piece.

Sunday morning

Last day. Only have till lunch time. 

I'm going to miss this place. 

I need to stitch the bottom of the scissor pocket and this part will be finished except for attachment. 

I am happy with the progress I made. And I got to watch my friends stitch on counted canvas, goldwork, whitework, cross stitch, reproduction samplers, Opus Anglicanum, and painted canvas. So many talented people. 

Day three

 One day, one project.

Only my Challenge project on Saturday. And the inside of the case is finished except for adding the scissor and needle holders. 

I probably still have 30 hours to go. 

Day Two

 After an hour of trying to center the diamond and not being able to by counting to 26 or 32,i gave up. By stitching the blackwork, I'll have more reference points. Echoes of Elizabeth. 

And an project from DMC. 

Sewing Wild Oats

 Thirteen of my guild members have retreated to Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, Virginia.

I finalized the contents of my stitching bag at 6:30 a.m. after some 3 in the morning thoughts. Yup. That's how I roll.

I started with a bit of construction. 

 

This is Kaye Judt's An Elegant Brooch from the 2018 Seminar in Louisville. Been stitched since 2018. Just needed construction. Way, way shinier than the photo.

Then I moved onto cross stitch for the rest of the day. Tomorrow, Echoes of Elizabeth. 

Packing for retreat

 Two weeks ago my stitching bag was packed for my guild retreat. This past weekend I unpacked it except for my President's Challenge piece.

I put away a stumpwork GCC that I'm just not feeling. I put away a new cross stitch star

t. I put away a new beaded bracelet. And a few other things.

I heard my friend, Donna, say this past weekend she's hoping to have three finishes. Finishes? 

Tomorrow I will repack the bag. So much for packing early.

Will this make the bag? 

Still Here

 Another little Mill Hill. Backed it with a hanger yesterday. 

Can Stitching Be a Hot Mess

 

"Sweet Nothings" is the name of the project (if I am remembering correctly) by JBW designs from 2000.

I started 20+ years ago in the wrong place, too close to the bottom of the banding. But somehow this floated to the top of the pile last week. 

Finished the stitching. Then screwed up the finishing three times. Lots of ripping out. It's wonky. But it's done. I could probably whip out another version quickly if I have more banding. 

It's so old, it's meant to hold actual photos. 

Medieval Embroidery

Thanks to my friend, Heather, I've taken my first class with Tanya Bentham. It's a little dragon. I've renamed mine and she's Marjorie, for the first lead singer for the Raylettes. I'm further along than this photo shows. Only need to stitch the head and embellish the neck and tail. 

Next month, a little bit of Opus Anglicanum. 

Yes. I already own all three of Tanya's books. And if you've interested in more I highly recommend following Tanya on Instagram. Her version of the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone is brilliant. 
 

What's Happening

 

 

My growing collection of Charland Designs small band samplers continues to increase. I've had this Welsh one for a long time. Started at least five years ago. 

Finally am determined to make real progress on it. As in get it done and framed this year. 

Waterlilies, pearl #8, and linen thread. Found a piece of Glenshee linen in my stash that's big enough. This one is number three, but I've got like thirty more. LOL

Another Oldie

 Loudoun Sampler Guild is currently working on Mary Wigham. I decided that I didn't need another Quaker. What I need is to finish one that is in progress.

Started at the beginning of 2008 as the design was published in the fall of 2007 in Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly. I changed the called for colors from silks to a selection of overdyed cottons in Crescent Colors and Gentle Arts. The linen is 32 ct Magnolia.

I would love to finish before the end of this year. 

What's in the Bag

 Today let's play a round of what's in my stitching bag.

A flamingo eyeglass case. Nearly complete. This has been my carry around project for nearly a year. I work on it at the nail salon while getting pedicures. And any other place without ideal lighting for stitching. 

My Gayla Elliot stitching girl. Slowly renovating the kitchen. I undyed her hair. She used to be a blonde. Still contemplating the floors.

I've got three Danji candy canes to stitch for the grandgirls. Nothing too exciting.

Lastly a tease. Local EGA friends know what this original piece is.

That's what's in my stitching bag right now. 

Thread Keep

 From the September 2022 issue of Needle Arts. This was not difficult. I'm encouraged to continue stitching these projects.

I picked this one to teach for my chapter because I had difficulty doing the colonial knot. I've got them mastered now. 

I just eyeballed the initials. It works. 

Sugar, Honey, Iced Tea

 Good intentions blown. Here it is nearly the end of February. Which means I can play catch up. Or just move on. Let's see. I've got some photos from Camp Wannastitch. 

First, very happy to have attended and not suffered from the Covid plague. Remarkably a healthy start to the new year. And being with over 160 people for days didn't change that. 

My roommate and I like to arrive early. Got there on Wednesday afternoon. Stitched in the afternoon in the former pool. Light, bright and spacious. 

                     Waking up the first morning. Always love that ocean view. 

                                  Everyone posing for photos. 

Two visits to Salty Yarns. We stopped on our way out of town. That meant we did arrive in the snow in Virginia. And Virginia hadn't pretreated the roads. My Forester handled it like a champ. 

Plenty of my chapter members were working on their Challenge projects. Here's my Echoes of Elizabeth etui. 

                                   Dueling sazeracs - one on the rocks. 

We freely admit that the food is a big part of the weekend. Lots of fish and shellfish. Not a bad meal all weekend. 

I will say that I got a lot of stitching done. I just forget to take photos to document it. Also found a prize or two at the give away table. Whoever left Scott Lee there, thanks! 

First Finish of 2024

 I was hoping this would be my last finish of 2023, but I was busy working extra days. So it's my first of 2024.

MacSanta from Yarn Tree. I forgot which year. Late 90s.

One more down. Dozens to go.