new projects

I took longer than I thought to decide on fabric and floss for my new projects.
But eventually...

I knew I was doing the Stuck Collection, Museum of Columbus's "Peace Eagle" next. But the fabric I originally bought for this project back in 2001, had a piece missing. When did I do that? Oh well. A search for new fabric led me to choose a 28ct natural linen. But because the color of the linen is grayer than my original fabric which was warmer, that led me to change floss, too. I was never that fond of the teal that goes with the red and gold anyway. So I found a blue that's not quite navy, not quite true blue. Eh. Started and have already worked in my first mistakes.

I put my fabric on scroll rods and started stitching in the upper right hand corner. But then decided it would be better to stitch this piece sideways - well... this means I have 6 threads stitched w/the top cross laying one way and the rest going the other way. Duh. How could I have been so stupid??? For the moment, I've decided to leave it as it is. I've got the entire rest of the piece to decide how much this bugs me. I also made an extra stitch that for the moment I've left in. Once I found it, it was literally too late to just back it out. Again, I can always correct it later.

And my stitching in front of DH piece/travel piece is JBW Designs "Photo Pocket." I've had the linen banding for this piece for nearly 2 years along with the thread. Which is just red anchor. Of course, I decided to change the fiber. I mean, the red is what drew me to this in the beginning. But now it's GAST Black Raspberry Jam. Mmm, yummy.

two finishes in one week!

Wow. Maybe I rediscovered my motivation.

Last week I finished my Sheepish Designs 106th exemplary

And yesterday I finished my Shepherd's Bush Bee Scissor Fob.

It only 2 days to do the whole thing. And to think I've been carrying this little thing around with me in my stitching bag for 4 years! I've tried taking a pic w/digital camera, but they aren't coming out very clear. I may have to use film camera on this one.

ah somedays

well for whatever reason - blogspot won't let me access the comments right now

But

I need to thank Lynn of With Needle Plied for the heads up on the Catherine Agnes by Indigo Rose. That's where I saw it first!

quiet weekend

We didn't do much this weekend. Went to the mall to eat at Cheeburger, Cheeburger where I am most likely the only person who asks for no cheese on her burger. It's not that I don't like cheese. Just not so much on my burgers and sandwiches.

My DD and did manage to find her a prom dress. Of course, everyone else was on the same mission. Tons of girls and mothers all looking for that perfect dress. The store where DD loves all the clothes had some beautiful to look at dresses, but upon closer examination some of the workmanship was lacking. We found a gorgeous yellow dress, but on all of them, the front middle part of the bodice was ripping apart. We found dresses with tons of missing beads, straps that have already parted company with the body of the dress - it was so disappointing. (PS Yellow is appently going to be a big color this year - and all the sherbet colors.)

Amazingly we found her a gorgeous dress in Filenes. Of course there was this other dress she fell in love with, but being as it was strapless, it really wasn't for her. And her shoes and purse from last year work quite well so that's all taken care of.

The only purchase I made that day was a package of 99 cent colored staples at this new Japanese store called Dori.

A side note to this would be noting that Barnes and Noble are carrying fewer and fewer stitching mags. It's depressing.

On Sunday I watched an old Gene Tierney movie, Dragonwyck, with Vincent Price. I moved right along my Shepherd's Bush scissor fob - the 2001 Bees one. It's more than halfway finished.

Okay

I know I said no new projects, but oh my!

I have fallen hard for the release of Indigo Rose's Catherine Agnes. This was originally a teaching piece. Stitched with what 7? different colors of Waterlilies. With many speciality stitches. I see an order in my future...https://w105.securedweb.net/silversites/www/indigorose-catherineagnes350.jpg

stitchy thoughts

Due to cold weather, there was not a large turnout last night at my EGA meeting. We had a short informal meeting, then just started talking while stitching.

Unfortunately we were talking about the state the stitching and membership in guilds. How do you get new people interested in this craft of needlework? DMC is trying. They have started a mentor program which you can check out here - Cross Stitch Classes with DMC Cross Stitch Mentor Program

I've signed up for this program. Over the years, I have started more than my share of stitchers
on their way. I've given away my own supplies (we all know that means you could just buy more!) I've shared knowledge, techniques, tips, etc. I stitch in public and willing answer all questions.

I've set a goal of starting at least one person on the stitching path before I move away from our current location this summer.

It was easier in the past for me to find stitching buddies. It seems that scrapbooking has taken precedence among my Army wife friends and that there are fewer stitchers out there. I scrapbook, too, but haven't allowed that to take over totally. There is something meditative about stitching. Good for relaxation and meditation.

happy dance for me

I finished my Sheepish Designs 106th exemplay last night at my EGA meeting!
Yippee!

Now I need to figure out how to plug camera dock into back of 'puter so's I can take a pic!

Gack!!!!

Felled by an another awful terrible cold. Feels like someone is blowing up a balloon inside my head - not good. My ability to stay upright is compromised, my ability to concentrate is non-existent. Good thing kids are capable of making dinner.

So with that in mind, I did not get a single thread stitched today. And I'm getting so close to the end of my exemplary. Shoot.

legal

DD got the chance to use her new age right away and signed off on a liability form for herself! Good for her. And I bought her a couple of scratch tickets and told her from now on she can legally buy her own! (only won $2.)

I felt badly for feeling so sick on her birthday. And today I still feel sick but need to make her cake and birthday dinner. Fortunately she's asked for easy stuff. Nothing gourmet or strange. Though for a moment she did ask if I could make a purple cake...but we settled on chocolate everything.

Phawww

Now here I was congratulating myself and all on not getting that cold that passed through my house 3 weeks and wham! Now I've got it or another horrible version of it. Feel like I have a fever when I don't. Congested, headache, sore throat. Ah misery.

Enough whining.

I had to go out in my sickened state yesterday and shovel out the mess the plows left in order to free the car from the garage. I would have stayed in and stayed in bed, but today my DD turns 18! And I still have shopping to do!

Fortunately for me, she's doing dinner with the Academic League to celebrate their wonderful season, so at least I don't have the pressure of preparing her birthday dinner.

And what does an 18 year old without a drivers license want for her birthday? a plane ticket to visit friends of course. Hey. That's easy.

I have been plugging away and plugging away at my exemplary. This is definitely a snail's pace. But I am making progress and will finish with a flourish soon.

Need to plug camera dock back into 'puter so I can document progress. Technologically impaired here. I can do it, but I don't like it...