Found on the Kreinik blog - a restaurant that has an entirely stitched wall.
See it here.
That's some crazy stuff. But I would so love to do something like this someday.
Wednesday, January 09, 2013
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Playing Catch Up
It's a new year and many of you are talking goals and such. I'm not much of a goal oriented person. I have them, but they exist in my head and are rarely stated in writing or out loud.
I have a few stitching deadlines coming up and then I'll be free to focus on whatever I want for the remainder of the year. I like this idea of freedom. And I will try hard to resist new deadlines for the next two years. Mostly because I've taken on the presidency for my EGA guild. So from here on till January 2015, all classes and challenges will be met on a casual basis, i.e., they will get done, when they get done. No pressure.
On the health front - can I say after more than decade without having to use any antibiotics, I've been on them twice since the end of October. They served their purpose both times. But the side effects are brutal. Even with kefir and probiotic pills and raspberry leaf tea. I may strenuously resist taking any more.
Continuing on health - I have been walking. A lot. It makes me happy. I feel better. I like being outside. Here's a quote from a large person who started walking nearly one year ago:
But the truth is, exercise does not work, diets do not work, feeling crummy does not work. Nothing works. My advice: Quit trying to be something you're not, be happy with the life you've been given, and just go for a pleasant walk outside.
This is from something Michael Moore posted on facebook. And he's right. No magic solutions. Get up and move.
That's it for me starting a talk about goals this year.
On our way north, we had a great drive right until I hit Connecticut. Then the spector of snow that evening made everyone start their travels early. Such a pain through CT and then the Turnpike in Massachusetts. I thought we'd never arrive. Here's Francisco who is now our traveling companion taking a rest in MA after some serious dancing. He's very fond of Macklemore's Thrift Shop song.
Here's our favorite stop both north- and southbound. It's in Vernon, CT, just north of Hartford. On the trip home, I had the matzoh ball soup and I swear that was the cure for my antibiotic problems.
December 27th, we woke up to the promised snow. Francisco only had his Santa hat so I didn't let him play outside too long. But a few days later, he received another hat and a scarf. He's prepared for winter now.
Favorite outdoor activity while home? Sitting around the fire at my sister's neighbor's house.
Enough reading and writing. Time to put away the laundry and make dinner and stitch a bit.
I have a few stitching deadlines coming up and then I'll be free to focus on whatever I want for the remainder of the year. I like this idea of freedom. And I will try hard to resist new deadlines for the next two years. Mostly because I've taken on the presidency for my EGA guild. So from here on till January 2015, all classes and challenges will be met on a casual basis, i.e., they will get done, when they get done. No pressure.
On the health front - can I say after more than decade without having to use any antibiotics, I've been on them twice since the end of October. They served their purpose both times. But the side effects are brutal. Even with kefir and probiotic pills and raspberry leaf tea. I may strenuously resist taking any more.
Continuing on health - I have been walking. A lot. It makes me happy. I feel better. I like being outside. Here's a quote from a large person who started walking nearly one year ago:
But the truth is, exercise does not work, diets do not work, feeling crummy does not work. Nothing works. My advice: Quit trying to be something you're not, be happy with the life you've been given, and just go for a pleasant walk outside.
This is from something Michael Moore posted on facebook. And he's right. No magic solutions. Get up and move.
That's it for me starting a talk about goals this year.
On our way north, we had a great drive right until I hit Connecticut. Then the spector of snow that evening made everyone start their travels early. Such a pain through CT and then the Turnpike in Massachusetts. I thought we'd never arrive. Here's Francisco who is now our traveling companion taking a rest in MA after some serious dancing. He's very fond of Macklemore's Thrift Shop song.
Here's our favorite stop both north- and southbound. It's in Vernon, CT, just north of Hartford. On the trip home, I had the matzoh ball soup and I swear that was the cure for my antibiotic problems.
December 27th, we woke up to the promised snow. Francisco only had his Santa hat so I didn't let him play outside too long. But a few days later, he received another hat and a scarf. He's prepared for winter now.
Monday, January 07, 2013
Rated ML for Mature Language
(I'm serious about the language warning. Just saying.)
(Of course, some people write like this way more often than I do. But if you ever meet me on my hometown turf, I can swear like a sailor. I try to leave that behind when I head south.)
Last spring my niece had posted a photo of a subversive cross stitch piece on facebook. Her husband chimed in with a like. I squirrelled away that little nugget of information and one Saturday in December I graphed this piece, went upstairs to the studio pulled a nice piece of Mello Cashel out of the stash and picked colors from the DMC 3800 range.
Here's what I finished after a few hours.
I like the first one so much, I made a second one for my father-in-law. These were my last two finishes for 2012. I did warn you in the title, so please, no complaining about my using four letter words. It's my blog and I'll do what I want to.
Try as I will, I can't seem to locate any photos of Dame Judi Densch doing the same type of work in needlepoint. Though I can find references to her doing it.
I've made bare bones progress on my Scarlet Letter sampler. But a little bit is better than no progress at all.
And here's another little project that I couldn't show because it's for my daughter. But now she has seen it and the bunny can come out into the light of day. I bought this two years ago in New Orleans at the Garden District Needleworks. It's a Lee canvas and I have the black hipster bag that it fits into.
I like this so much, I debated keeping it for myself. But I'm going to be good and send it on to its recipient as soon as it's done.
Here's a little bargain I picked up in an antique shop in New Hamsphire.
It needed rescuing. My original thought was to ditch the needlepoint, refinish the wood and stitch my own piece. I may just see how clean I get the needlepoint. It's much dirtier than this photo makes it look. If I can salvage it, I may.
Look. Another current project jumped in here. Not saying any more...
Up early as some people left New Hampshire at o dark thirty. Making sure the rest of us saw the sunrise.
It was a wonderful visit. Could have managed without the two snowstorms. Or that zero degree morning. But hey, it's New Hampshire.
(Of course, some people write like this way more often than I do. But if you ever meet me on my hometown turf, I can swear like a sailor. I try to leave that behind when I head south.)
Last spring my niece had posted a photo of a subversive cross stitch piece on facebook. Her husband chimed in with a like. I squirrelled away that little nugget of information and one Saturday in December I graphed this piece, went upstairs to the studio pulled a nice piece of Mello Cashel out of the stash and picked colors from the DMC 3800 range.
Here's what I finished after a few hours.
Try as I will, I can't seem to locate any photos of Dame Judi Densch doing the same type of work in needlepoint. Though I can find references to her doing it.
And here's another little project that I couldn't show because it's for my daughter. But now she has seen it and the bunny can come out into the light of day. I bought this two years ago in New Orleans at the Garden District Needleworks. It's a Lee canvas and I have the black hipster bag that it fits into.
Here's a little bargain I picked up in an antique shop in New Hamsphire.
It was a wonderful visit. Could have managed without the two snowstorms. Or that zero degree morning. But hey, it's New Hampshire.
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Home Again
We had a lovely visit to our home state of New Hampshire where we got to spend time with our son and daughter, their significant others, and lots of extended family. More Christmas celebrations and my Left Brain got to celebrate turning 50.
When I get back on the computer I'll share my last finish of 2012. And I'll have some new finishes soon.
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Alert
Saturday, December 22, 2012
In the Vault I Go
Normally at this time of year we've been to the US Botanical Gardens to view the amazing displays. Due to scheduling this year, we're taking a pass. That and I've got an infected toe that's making walking less than pleasant. (Don't worry. Been to doctors - have antibiotics - and they have some serious warnings on the side that scare me. Am taking my probiotics hoping to ward off the dire predictions.) But the Botanical Gardens recreate D.C. landmarks with all natural materials. And they add to their display every years with trains and plants galore.
So much of my stitching right now, I can't show here. Thus I went diving back into photos from years gone by. I cherry picked a few that I like a lot.
I stitched this little beauty for my sister the year she turned fifty. She started a Red Hat chapter. Which unfortunately fell apart after a year or two. But I loved stitching with red and purple. It was a Just Nan. I think I gave this pattern away. And I had no desire to stitch one for myself two years ago.
Here's another piece in my sister's possession. It's the Pine Tree Cottage by Elizabeth's Needlework Designs. I stitched this for my sister's 25th anniversary. This year they are at year 38. Sometimes I'm still amazed she hasn't done him in. LOL (Just to be clear here - this is a joke.)
Speaking of diving into the past - this is a Goode Huswife, if my memory is correct. I think this had four different shades of white or near white. It is sitting in my unframed, but finished drawer. Maybe this year I'll delve into that drawer. Because I am still in love with this one.
And this time of year, nothing is more fun than watching our cat, Elvis.
Any day involving paper strewn across the floor is a bonanza for him!
These photos are from 2005 as his parents don't put bows on his head, but his human siblings do!
I'll be traveling soon and am unsure how much posting will be accomplished. Merry Christmas to all!
So much of my stitching right now, I can't show here. Thus I went diving back into photos from years gone by. I cherry picked a few that I like a lot.
I stitched this little beauty for my sister the year she turned fifty. She started a Red Hat chapter. Which unfortunately fell apart after a year or two. But I loved stitching with red and purple. It was a Just Nan. I think I gave this pattern away. And I had no desire to stitch one for myself two years ago.
Here's another piece in my sister's possession. It's the Pine Tree Cottage by Elizabeth's Needlework Designs. I stitched this for my sister's 25th anniversary. This year they are at year 38. Sometimes I'm still amazed she hasn't done him in. LOL (Just to be clear here - this is a joke.)
Speaking of diving into the past - this is a Goode Huswife, if my memory is correct. I think this had four different shades of white or near white. It is sitting in my unframed, but finished drawer. Maybe this year I'll delve into that drawer. Because I am still in love with this one.
And this time of year, nothing is more fun than watching our cat, Elvis.
I'll be traveling soon and am unsure how much posting will be accomplished. Merry Christmas to all!
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday Update
Busy, busy, busy. So many things to do and not enough time to do them all.
But I keep trying. And mostly I try not to take on the stress. What gets done, is what gets done. Feeling badly the entire month of November meant that nothing got done in November. So if any members of my beloved family don't get their presents until January, that's just the way it has to be.
As for stitching, I graphed and stitched this weekend. How could I have forgotten what I meant to do for a certain someone? Fortunately, it's not big and things came together quickly. Now if I can replicate this process one more time...I can't show what I am doing here now.
Started my Scarlet Letter progress. In fact, I washed and ironed 3 pieces of linen last week all from Scarlet Letter. Let's talk about this process one more time.
All 3 pieces of linen were from SL kits. So I soaked them individually in room temperature water. There wasn't any bleeding of the dye, not even on the dark green piece. Then I hold up the linen and let it drip. Then I roll it in a clean white towel and pop it in the freezer. If I knew I wasn't going to iron it the next day, I would put it in a plastic bag before freezing.
The next day I remove this from the freezer and very carefully unroll and separate the linen from the towel. And iron it frozen. The wrinkles, even the fold lines from linen that has been folded for 26 years, iron right out.
I believe I once read something trying to scientifically break down this process. Something about going from ice to steam. But I've never been able to find what I think I once read. If anyone else knows more about this, please share with us.
But I keep trying. And mostly I try not to take on the stress. What gets done, is what gets done. Feeling badly the entire month of November meant that nothing got done in November. So if any members of my beloved family don't get their presents until January, that's just the way it has to be.
As for stitching, I graphed and stitched this weekend. How could I have forgotten what I meant to do for a certain someone? Fortunately, it's not big and things came together quickly. Now if I can replicate this process one more time...I can't show what I am doing here now.
Started my Scarlet Letter progress. In fact, I washed and ironed 3 pieces of linen last week all from Scarlet Letter. Let's talk about this process one more time.
All 3 pieces of linen were from SL kits. So I soaked them individually in room temperature water. There wasn't any bleeding of the dye, not even on the dark green piece. Then I hold up the linen and let it drip. Then I roll it in a clean white towel and pop it in the freezer. If I knew I wasn't going to iron it the next day, I would put it in a plastic bag before freezing.
The next day I remove this from the freezer and very carefully unroll and separate the linen from the towel. And iron it frozen. The wrinkles, even the fold lines from linen that has been folded for 26 years, iron right out.
I believe I once read something trying to scientifically break down this process. Something about going from ice to steam. But I've never been able to find what I think I once read. If anyone else knows more about this, please share with us.
Friday, December 14, 2012
Sunday, December 09, 2012
Phew Still Catching Up
I have this amazing stitching friend. Her name is E.B. and she turned 85 at the end of October. She only does crewel. She's tried to do cross stitch, but we no longer let her. It only ends in tears and frustration. LOL - things are so much better when she doesn't have to count. This is one of her recent finishes. She's been accomplishing so much as she has goals like wedding samplers for grandchildren and other gifts for family members.
She's a definite role model for me. I had another role model like her in my life. My husband's great Aunt whom we called Auntie. Before she had cataract surgery she had been reduced to stitching on plastic canvas, but once she got her bionic eyes, she stitched fine work including making dresden wedding plate quilted pillows for her "grandchildren" well into her 90s. I think of her often with fondness especially at Christmas time when I bring out some of the decorations she made for us.
In other stitching news:
Yes. I did sign up for Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year - link here.
I'll be writing about my plans as soon as I receive a certain shipment in the mail...
And I finished this Grab N Go kit. Started it Tuesday evening. Finished early Thursday. Maybe 5 hours tops? It's wool felt blanket stitched applique, otherwise known as penny rugs.
My peppermints are not lined up too well. If I had given this any thought I'd have made a pentagon template to mark my placement. But as I plan on having a candle sit on them, I'm not too concerned. To see more Grab N Go kits, look here. This truly is grab and go. My kit had a glue stick instead of pins and even a small pair of scissors for cutting my floss. I might have some more of these in my stash...
She's a definite role model for me. I had another role model like her in my life. My husband's great Aunt whom we called Auntie. Before she had cataract surgery she had been reduced to stitching on plastic canvas, but once she got her bionic eyes, she stitched fine work including making dresden wedding plate quilted pillows for her "grandchildren" well into her 90s. I think of her often with fondness especially at Christmas time when I bring out some of the decorations she made for us.
In other stitching news:
Yes. I did sign up for Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year - link here.
I'll be writing about my plans as soon as I receive a certain shipment in the mail...
And I finished this Grab N Go kit. Started it Tuesday evening. Finished early Thursday. Maybe 5 hours tops? It's wool felt blanket stitched applique, otherwise known as penny rugs.
Saturday, December 08, 2012
Catching Up
I have been bad about blogging. I've even been bad about reading blogs. I'm sorry.
Lots of things happening and I'll catch up here on a few things.
Went with a group of ladies from the Washington D.C. EGA Chapter to the National Cathedral for the Angel Tour and Tea. I did the Needlework Tour here a few years ago. And have also done the Stained Glass Tour with my family. I can recommend all their tours, though right now the Stained Glass Tour might not be at it's best. Keep reading and you'll see why.
The August 2011 earthquake in Virginia caused some damage to the Cathedral. Chunks of stone fell off. Like these pieces displayed in front of the Cathedral.
Inside there are protective nets placed below the clerestory windows to catch anything that may fall while the Cathedral is being repaired. The netting seriously detracts from viewing the windows.
And while our tour guide was talking about angels, I was busy snapping more photos of needlepoint. These are kneelers from the Children's Chapel.
Don't think I haven't been stitching. I have. But not a lot. I've been having some arthritis issues with my right hand.
But I do the finishing on this Little House Needleworks piece (which I finished stitching last year.) Look closely. It's crooked. I didn't realize until I was taking to demonstrate finishing for some friends. This piece should have been blocked. This is as straight as I could make it. Lucky me, though. The finishing is reversible. So after the New Year, I will take this off the tree. Take it all apart and see what I can do about making it straight.
Here's another one I finished. This was stitched a few (how many???) years ago, but I never finished it. I'm no longer in possession of this one as it was given in an ornament exchange last week. I think I still have the pattern somewhere in my stash - I believe it was a Caron publication. Stitched with Waterlilies Passion and gold beads.
I've got more. But will save it for later.
Lots of things happening and I'll catch up here on a few things.
Went with a group of ladies from the Washington D.C. EGA Chapter to the National Cathedral for the Angel Tour and Tea. I did the Needlework Tour here a few years ago. And have also done the Stained Glass Tour with my family. I can recommend all their tours, though right now the Stained Glass Tour might not be at it's best. Keep reading and you'll see why.
The August 2011 earthquake in Virginia caused some damage to the Cathedral. Chunks of stone fell off. Like these pieces displayed in front of the Cathedral.
But I do the finishing on this Little House Needleworks piece (which I finished stitching last year.) Look closely. It's crooked. I didn't realize until I was taking to demonstrate finishing for some friends. This piece should have been blocked. This is as straight as I could make it. Lucky me, though. The finishing is reversible. So after the New Year, I will take this off the tree. Take it all apart and see what I can do about making it straight.
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