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.