Stitching Saturday

A fabulous couple of hours listening to Katie Strachan lecture about caskets and her personal casket journey.

Thanks to the EGA for making this available. 

What I'm working on. 

It's a Maggie canvas that will go in Tilli Thomas canvas bag. Mostly Radiance thread and Vineyard Silk. 

Finish

 

February 18th.

Finished the Baker Santa. His compatriot, the Toymaker is up next.

Honestly, I should be working on my Gail Stafford class. But I am just trying to maintain some stitchy mojo. So if it makes me happy, I'm going for it. 

Tippy Toeing Back In

I am still here. And still stitching.

Sticking my toes in the blog water. 

Here's a photo of one of my German candy tins. This one is set up for beading. 

There's a piece of vellux blanket glued to the bottom. A magnet attached to the lid. And my smallest scissors. 

It's the perfect size for working these Santas on perforated paper. I've got dozens of these Sandra Cozzolino Santas still to stitch. 

Every Moment

Thirtieth of June arrived and I had a realization. If I didn't start making major progress on this project, I wouldn't be ready for the finishing class in the early fall.

So for the first week of July, I put in at least one thread a day. I started making more progress when I put it on scroll rods. 

This is Bonfires and Illuminations by Beth Twist. My guild asked for a custom piece that would reflect on the upcoming 250th of the United States.

It's pretty spectacular at 7 1/2 feet long and it wraps around a wooden spool.

Last night I decided to start the floral band. Beth suggested doing the words first which I have been doing. 

Literally all I've been stitching in July. 

End of June Wrap Up

 What this really is about is the Mid-Atlantic Region Seminar, Stitching and Sowing Friendships at Gettysburg, PA.

Goals:  to have fun. To learn. To observe because I'm on the committee for seminar 2027.

Starting with our save the date for the Stitchers' Great Escape. We will be in our own backyard in Fairfax, Virginia in June 2027. I hope to see many friends there. 

This year in Gettysburg I took three classes. First up, a two day class with Denise Harrington Pratt called Geometric Fascination. 

The first day was making boxes. We played with paper and glue and loved it. So relaxing. No stitching. 

Here's my red practice box and my yellow based class piece. 

This is wallpaper. Second day was the stitching that goes on top. 

And the teacher's piece

Denise is a delight. No pressure. Just learn while having fun. Would 100% sign up for another class with her. 

My one day class was six goldwork techniques by Kris Andrews called A Goldwork Medallion. Now unfortunately for me, my magnifier clamp didn't work with the hotel's tables. So I will be doing my guilloche stitch again. 

The teacher's 

Just a bit of six different things. Kid leather, chipping, reverse chain, guilloche, etc. Kris was relaxed and informative. Her four day class looked amazing. 

Last two day class was the absolute most fun. Kurdy Biggs Sullivan the seahorse. Jessicas, crescent, beads, and wire lace. With a lovely Waterlilies called Rapunzel. 

And here's my progress

It's going to be a stunner. Already has a companion jellyfish. And Kurdy was working on a turtle that is to die for. Class size was small so we had plenty of time to reminisce and attempt to get into Kurdy's design processes. 

The boutique was run by Stitchery Row so I was able to score a huge piece of Glenshee linen. And two boxes of Grand Tacks. Not sure what year she closed her storefront, but she had plenty of great stuff to to buy. 

Merchandise night, I scored a Stitch Its angel that I don't have. And two of Michelle Inks silver needle miners. I even won an opportunity drawing - a tool holder for beading tools. 

Again, things ended too soon. One last stop at Garryowen Irish Pub and we were on our way back to Virginia. 

Kimonos

 Yes. I have many kimonos to stitch. The Kubota Kimono is my current class with Toni Gerdes. Which made me pull out Starry Night which was a class in Norfolk in 2023.

I'll post an updated photo soon. I've made some progress since I began in April as this was a WIPGO piece. 

At Woodlawn 2025

 I entered two pieces this year. One is a Scholehouse Sampler wee bit. I am a band sampler addict.

Framing by Total Framing. Got a third place ribbon. I substituted Gloriana silks.

Also did an original design and got a blue ribbon.

I'll explain later... 

Bobbin

 Oh so cute!

Finished my first Stacy Nash Animal Cracker.

 Won't be my last

Gaps in Time

I came home from Camp with a three week cold. Cough, congestion, and lack of sleep did a number on me.

But I'm slowly catching up. 

Here's my latest start in honor of Black History month. It's Silver Creek Samplers "Day of Jubilee" honoring Harriet Tubman.

Way back in time I was supposed to portray Harriet Tubman in a special project headed by two seniors in the drama department at the University of New Hampshire. Unfortunately, it was during that time of unrest on college campuses that was the Vietnam War. My mother worked at the University and was sent home that day when someone called in a bomb threat. So she wouldn't let me go that afternoon. All my friends went without me. Someone read my lines. And there went my big stage opportunity.

This is Seraphim's Finnian linen on 28ct.

The Forbidden Fibers overdyed cottons. First time working with them. Two thumbs up. 

Camp 2025

Amanda and I got to ring the bell. My Nutcracker from Coco Frank is a WIPGO finish. Stitched everything but the yellow in essentially one day. 

This is an Anne Cram painted canvas that I got at Camp last year from the silent auction. Photo of the back to document progress. Colors match so well on the front, progress is difficult to discern. My other January WIPGO. Goal was 10 hours stitching which I accomplished. 

 Sunset at the beach. Was cold and windy. Threatened to snow. But in the end it all went fine. Loved seeing old friends. Made some new friends. Looking forward to next year! 

Hanging Out at Camp

So yes. It is Camp Wannastitch time and almost 200 awesome stitchers have spent a long weekend in Ocean City.

Been great as always. 

I'm here tonight to illustrate the use of a boo-boo stick.

Here is where I miscounted on stitching the fancy letter G over one and ripped out. 

I have great friends and knew someone would have a boo-boo stick I could borrow. How I missed bringing one I don't know. 

Restitched 

The tool of the hour. 

I was in the middle of this post Sunday night at Camp. Came home, developed a horrible cold so I'm finishing this a week later. So tired of coughing. 

First Finish and More

 Put this one in the done pile on January 3rd.

The Magical Santa from the 90s. He's carrying a wand, a book, and a cute little bunny. It's stitched on gold paper which sometimes reflected too much light making it difficult to find the correct hole. Way shinier in person.

Oh, and I finally organized and documented the Santas. I have 103 to go!!! 

This meant I could get back to my January blessings sampler. I've altered the threads a bit. And with some time tomorrow I may get thru the fifth band. 

I'm further than this photo shows. 

Happy New Years 2025

I was hoping to finish my Magical Santa in 2024, but I didn’t quite make it. It will be done Friday or Saturday. Got to work tomorrow.

Here’s my first start of 2025. My choice for my blessing sampler. I’ve got 30 days to finish it. It’s a Charland Designs band sampler from the 90s. I love these little samplers. A couple of inches wide, but always some interesting stitches. I already made a mistake and I’ve ripped it out. Sigh.

 

Merry Stitching

Normally today is a work day. I'm happy to have it off. Now I can enjoy my presents and continue my organization of stitchy things. My daughter made me feel better earlier this week, when she told me that she could find exactly what she was looking for in my studio when I was gone in November. Now if only I could do that myself.

One of my presents was from Cohana. 

On Sunday, I went into my closet with the hanging clothes, purses, sweaters and sweatshirts. Also my beading. I did a lot of bead sorting in 2023 when I was recovering from Covid-19. But this time I created labels and swapped things around. I will no longer be throwing sweaters up high and everything should stay more organized.

Also bought all three Whitney books. What a treasure! There will be hours lost perusing these. Well, not lost. But you know what I mean. 

Double Dagnabbit

 I finished my Dr. John ornament and forgot to take a photo. Silly, me.

That could be the last finish of 2024.

Am working on the Magical Santa now while Aunt Martha's bread is rising. Too bad I have to stop and make dinner. Salmon for Christmas Eve. 

Dag Nabbit

 

Can't believe I've forgotten to post here. The usual flurry of activity and I've lost track of time. 

Here's my Dr. John ornament from Jude.

We've had an EGA holiday party, a sampler guild holiday party, some shopping, some stitching, some framing, some presents both to give and to receive.

Meanwhile I need to create my WIPGO board for 2025. I thought I had plenty of time... 

Seaside Needlepoint

 In which I take the oldest granddaughter to the needlepoint store.

She picked a 13 Ct canvas, Am I The Drama?

The answer is yes. 

Also picked up a sugar cookie ornament and a golden retriever, too. 

Delay

Train trip to Florida was uneventful. Two hour drive to the kids' house was fine. 

Had a great week. Will add stitching update. 

Train ride home delayed. Just sitting here in the car in Sanford. Guess I should be stitching. 

 

It Doesn't Pay

 Apparently we made good time in the night because we arrived in Florida over an hour early. And here we sit waiting for an hour for people to arrive at work. Got some sleep, but not good sleep. I kept dreaming about floating on a cobblestone lined river.

My colors match pretty closely on this canvas. By viewing the back, you can see the progress.

This is an older canvas by Ann Brinkley, I believe that I picked at an EGA function. 

Sitting in a Railway Station

 Taking the auto train! 

Time to stitch

And we are moving!