For Mother's Day I treated myself to my first ever pedicure. I'm sure some of you are thinking what kind of idiot am I for waiting so long. Let's just say I have very touchy feet and have nearly knocked my hubby out for trespassing on the feet - he knows the deal, but every now and then likes to live dangerously.
But it wonderful and melty and all things good. And I even started my P. Darney sampler, "Live and Love Happy," while soaking my toes, and got about four threads worth stitched before retreating the quiet and calm of the dimly lit room.
No more pedicure anxiety for me. Thought it was funny that a woman who came in after me apparently has the same problem and she nearly kicked her pedicurist. I am officially hooked. And my toes are pink and happy. The color is Persephony - um, isn't Persephone the Queen of the Underworld? Whatever.
I was so thrilled with myself when I got home that I finally put the winter wardrobe away, leaving out just enough to cope with this strange spring weather we've been having. Even organized my nightstand drawers while catching up on watching Lost - we've got a mal-functioning DVR and the remote doesn't work on it. (It's not the remote, it's the DVR.) So I cannot skip commercials. That problem will be solved soon, but meanwhile I'm adaptable.
And I *heart* Hugo. But then again, Everyone Loves Hugo.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 09, 2010
Happy Mother's Day
This week I've picked up Little Green Acorns again and stitched my way past the halfway point. I've decided to make a change to the empty spot at the end of the alphabet. The original has the word "mine" and initials of the stitcher. I've decided instead to use the initials LSG for the Loudoun Sampler Guild set off by acorn motifs.
My friend, Anne, has finished Pam Darney sampler that was an EGA class in Fredericksburg in March. It's lovely and makes me want to put down my Acorns and start mine. I admit to not starting it yet. Because I need to finish something else first.
I have at least repainted my box from Catherine Jordan's class that I took that same weekend in March. I originally tried to decoupage paper to my box, but being paper mache that did not go well. I purchased a new box and sponge painted it. Thanks to Susan for such a great idea - I've seen two of these boxes sponge painted and it suits the project.
Happy Day to all the mothers past, present, and future.
Thursday, May 06, 2010
Last Dance
Today was our last stitching day with Schelley who will soon be driving south to Florida with her hubby. We'll miss you!
And it was also our last day stitching with our friend, E.B., who will soon be flying west to the coast and then on to Australia. We'll miss her as she's going to be gone for months, but expect many wonderful stories upon her return.
After twenty years as an Army wife, I am very used to people coming and going, and to frequently being the one that's going. Seems kind of strange to me that in July we will have been in this one place for five years! Every day we set a new record as a family for remaining in one house.
While at my Thursday morning group, I managed to complete another band in my "Little Green Acorns" sampler. I'll get a progress photo up soon as I am at the halfway point. And I believe the bottom half will move fairly quickly. But as per usual I have overloaded my plate with stitching. Always better to have too much than not enough.
My idea that maybe I'd have this sampler finished before Saturday's Sampler Guild meeting kind of vanished in the ether. And speaking of the LSG meeting - we're going to have a lovely time. I'll tell you all about it on Sunday or Monday.
And it was also our last day stitching with our friend, E.B., who will soon be flying west to the coast and then on to Australia. We'll miss her as she's going to be gone for months, but expect many wonderful stories upon her return.
After twenty years as an Army wife, I am very used to people coming and going, and to frequently being the one that's going. Seems kind of strange to me that in July we will have been in this one place for five years! Every day we set a new record as a family for remaining in one house.
While at my Thursday morning group, I managed to complete another band in my "Little Green Acorns" sampler. I'll get a progress photo up soon as I am at the halfway point. And I believe the bottom half will move fairly quickly. But as per usual I have overloaded my plate with stitching. Always better to have too much than not enough.
My idea that maybe I'd have this sampler finished before Saturday's Sampler Guild meeting kind of vanished in the ether. And speaking of the LSG meeting - we're going to have a lovely time. I'll tell you all about it on Sunday or Monday.
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Stitching Bloggers' Question
First a thanks to Lee, The Lake Stitcher, for bringing this back. I think these questions inspired me to write to plenty of posts when I might otherwise have foundered.
Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.
Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.
If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.
When this question first surfaced on Anna's blog, my initial thought was that I'm a process stitcher all the way. I love the process of starting a new project - "finding" the project and gathering the materials. Sometimes I will amble through my collection of kitted projects just to admire what is possible with no intention of adding anything to my current stitching queue. Needle and thread and fabric and the act of creation.
But then I read Lee's response to the question this morning, and I can see the project side of me, too. I frequently take breaks just to admire what I have created thus far. And when I finish something I will leave it out and walk past it and admire it for days on end. I will stand amazed while looking at what I have created.
But which part of this makes me happiest? I think it is the process. And this may be part of the explanation of the multiple UFOs. Finishing something makes me happy, but starting something makes me happier!
Suppose we say that there are two types of stitchers.
There are those who enjoy the “process” of stitching. They stitch for stitching’s sake and if something gets finished, so much the better, but it’s not necessarily the end goal. Primarily, it’s the application of needle and thread to cloth that makes them happiest.
Then there are those who are “project” stitchers. They move steadily through their projects, certainly enjoying their stitching time, but finding their greatest joy in the completed stitching.
If you had to pick one to describe yourself, which type of stitcher would you be? I imagine that we could all say that we fall somewhere in between, but really think hard about this and try to pick just one. And once you’ve decided whether you’re a Process or Project stitcher, tell us if your recognize that approach in other parts of your life.
When this question first surfaced on Anna's blog, my initial thought was that I'm a process stitcher all the way. I love the process of starting a new project - "finding" the project and gathering the materials. Sometimes I will amble through my collection of kitted projects just to admire what is possible with no intention of adding anything to my current stitching queue. Needle and thread and fabric and the act of creation.
But then I read Lee's response to the question this morning, and I can see the project side of me, too. I frequently take breaks just to admire what I have created thus far. And when I finish something I will leave it out and walk past it and admire it for days on end. I will stand amazed while looking at what I have created.
But which part of this makes me happiest? I think it is the process. And this may be part of the explanation of the multiple UFOs. Finishing something makes me happy, but starting something makes me happier!
In Which We Explain the Queen Stitch As We the Queen of This Particular Kingdom See It
Queen Stitch, or Rococo Stitch, or sometimes even Renaissance Stitch, is a counted thread stitch. It can be used to make solid motifs, bands, and borders.
I think I first encountered it on a band sampler that I stitched thirteen or fourteen years ago. And since then my main encounters with it have been on reproduction samplers stitched on linen.
I think I first encountered it on a band sampler that I stitched thirteen or fourteen years ago. And since then my main encounters with it have been on reproduction samplers stitched on linen.
Here is a fine example of how Queen stitch looks as a solid motif. This is a Sharon Cohen of the Nostalgic Needle piece called The Queen Stitch Ornament.
I just created a stitch diagram for the Queen Stitch and find I cannot upload that file type here as it is unsupported. I suggest if you're interested in seeing how it is stitched, you google search images for the Queen Stitch. There are plenty of examples out there.
I know I stated that this stitch is my nemesis and now I'll explain why, in the hopes that I can correct my behavior.
Part of my problem is just the fiddley nature of this stitch. You are taking four vertical stitches and anchoring them down with a single stitch over one vertical thread. It's just tiny stuff. I believe with proper lighting and most importantly good tension, I can conquer this. And maybe even come to love this stitch as some of my friends have.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Newest Project - Tudor Details
Yesterday morning when I checked my e-mail I was excited to see my I had my username and password for the Thistle Thread's Tudor and Stuart Gold Master Class.
I immediately began printing my pages, and fortunately was able to locate some photo printing paper, not a lot, but just enough.
We are beginning a spot sampler and I am here to tell that officially I will be facing my own personal demon - the Queen Stitch.
If this doesn't make me an expert on the Queen Stitch, nothing will.
I ran off later in the day to my local office supply store and purchased a notebook for these printouts, more photo paper, and page protectors. And then I stopped by my local bookstore and found the current issue of Victoria magazine which has the article about the Plimoth Jacket in it. Right away, I know one of these photos will be inserted on the cover of my class notebook that I am creating to provide me with inspiration!
I have my materials, my inspiration, and my marching orders. Now I just need to locate the courage to commence.
I immediately began printing my pages, and fortunately was able to locate some photo printing paper, not a lot, but just enough.
We are beginning a spot sampler and I am here to tell that officially I will be facing my own personal demon - the Queen Stitch.
If this doesn't make me an expert on the Queen Stitch, nothing will.
I ran off later in the day to my local office supply store and purchased a notebook for these printouts, more photo paper, and page protectors. And then I stopped by my local bookstore and found the current issue of Victoria magazine which has the article about the Plimoth Jacket in it. Right away, I know one of these photos will be inserted on the cover of my class notebook that I am creating to provide me with inspiration!
I have my materials, my inspiration, and my marching orders. Now I just need to locate the courage to commence.
Monday, May 03, 2010
Yesterday's Finish, Part II
Yesterday morning after playing exercising on my new Wii Fit Plus, I gathered all my supplies to make a beaded cabochon. Last November this was a class I took at one of my EGA chapters and I finished my cab in a total of four hours. Before the month was over, I had visited three different bead stores gathering supplies to make more of these. I even briefly had the thought that I could make several for Christmas presents. HA! Like that was going to happen.
I found my directions from the class, my book, "Beading with Cabochons ,"my beads, my beading supplies, my ultra-suede, and my skirtex. Few. Amazingly I was able to locate all of it within a short amount of time and by noon I was sitting at the table attaching my base row of beads.
Turns out that I had not necessarily picked my beads well back in November. And I just willy nilly worked things out with the sizes I had. By four hours, I was approaching the end of my beading. At least I know how long this takes me. I took a break and watched an episode of the Tudors to make my eyes focus on something far away. And then went back to the table to contemplate making a beaded necklace for this pendant I had created. I have these beautiful carnelian beads and after a bit of trial and error I had something long enough to hang where I wanted it. So holding it together at the back, I slipped it over my head and went to the mirror. Wow. First thing I notice is that this thing I have created is heavy. Maybe too heavy. And then when I look in the mirror, I realize that the pendant and the beads do not work well together. Oh. And I don't have enough of the delicas to string those to make a necklace. Out it all comes. Now I have a lovely pendant and a day to figure out what to do.
This is a crazy lace agate. And you'll have to trust me that the beads and the cabochon didn't look right together. The color is truer in the bottom photo.
I found my directions from the class, my book, "Beading with Cabochons ,"my beads, my beading supplies, my ultra-suede, and my skirtex. Few. Amazingly I was able to locate all of it within a short amount of time and by noon I was sitting at the table attaching my base row of beads.
Turns out that I had not necessarily picked my beads well back in November. And I just willy nilly worked things out with the sizes I had. By four hours, I was approaching the end of my beading. At least I know how long this takes me. I took a break and watched an episode of the Tudors to make my eyes focus on something far away. And then went back to the table to contemplate making a beaded necklace for this pendant I had created. I have these beautiful carnelian beads and after a bit of trial and error I had something long enough to hang where I wanted it. So holding it together at the back, I slipped it over my head and went to the mirror. Wow. First thing I notice is that this thing I have created is heavy. Maybe too heavy. And then when I look in the mirror, I realize that the pendant and the beads do not work well together. Oh. And I don't have enough of the delicas to string those to make a necklace. Out it all comes. Now I have a lovely pendant and a day to figure out what to do.
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Yesterday's Finish
Sweet!
This is a Laura Perin freebie from her website - Laura J. Perin Designs.
Was happy to finish this yesterday while toggling back and forth between Top Gear and the build-up to the Kentucky Derby. Oh, yeah. The name is Summer Flower Boxes. Materials - Watercolours Lilac, which is #39, I believe and I will edit in the rest later.
This is going into a Sudberry House box and will be in the mail to my Mother tomorrow. Who will open it as soon as she receives it. Because that's what she does.
Here it is with its companion. I've also got a blue and white version for me. I may rethink that. I believe I had it kitted to stitch on white canvas, but I think I might like something else better.
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, everyone!
This is a Laura Perin freebie from her website - Laura J. Perin Designs.
Was happy to finish this yesterday while toggling back and forth between Top Gear and the build-up to the Kentucky Derby. Oh, yeah. The name is Summer Flower Boxes. Materials - Watercolours Lilac, which is #39, I believe and I will edit in the rest later.
This is going into a Sudberry House box and will be in the mail to my Mother tomorrow. Who will open it as soon as she receives it. Because that's what she does.
Have a wonderful rest of the weekend, everyone!
Saturday, May 01, 2010
New: For Your Online Shopping Pleasure
Today the former bricks and mortar store, the Scarlet Thread, was resurrected as an online store.
Go here to see: The Scarlet Thread!
Go here to see: The Scarlet Thread!
It Was Late
Yesterday I took my LJP freebie, Summer Flower Boxes, with me to stitching and happily worked away on it. Apparently without paying much attention to details.
Last night I had to remove some of what I had stitched earlier in the day and by the time I finished stitching last night the Red Sox game that had gone into extra innings was over and we had lost.
But everything is stitched except the part that calls for 1/16 Kreinik ribbon. For some reason when I kitted this last year, I must have just used my stash. Because I had planned on substituting Neon Rays. Well, in looking at my finished version (see previous post), I now feel that this piece needs the bling of a metallic.
The funny thing is that just this week I had reorganized my Kreinik. And of course I have absolutely nothing that works. I really don't have a huge Kreinik stash except for blending filament. So I'm off to remedy my problem and then I can pop this in the mail on Monday.
Last night I had to remove some of what I had stitched earlier in the day and by the time I finished stitching last night the Red Sox game that had gone into extra innings was over and we had lost.
But everything is stitched except the part that calls for 1/16 Kreinik ribbon. For some reason when I kitted this last year, I must have just used my stash. Because I had planned on substituting Neon Rays. Well, in looking at my finished version (see previous post), I now feel that this piece needs the bling of a metallic.
The funny thing is that just this week I had reorganized my Kreinik. And of course I have absolutely nothing that works. I really don't have a huge Kreinik stash except for blending filament. So I'm off to remedy my problem and then I can pop this in the mail on Monday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)