Reset

I need help. An intervention. I can't resist a new project.

It's bad, you know.

In the past two weeks I started two new projects, both from guild classes. Bought another one. And am ordering two more.

But. I. Can't. Stop.

Here's one of my new projects. We've been discussing this one for a while in our program committee meetings. Finally got it off the ground. It's a gentlemen's pocketbook. Our program chairs each stitched one. One on linen and one on congress cloth. We used the article from Piecework magazine (what issue and year, I don't remember) as our starting point.

I picked a light blue congress cloth from my stash and bought some Impressions which is a wool/silk blend. My bargello pattern is from Erica Wilson's bargello book and she called it Aurora Borealis. I've got four color families in four shades each. Easy to do after I set my first row.

This will take a while as it's 21 inches long. And each shade covers 1/6th of an inch. Glad it's only 6 1/2 inches wide.

That's the scoop on one new project. But I still need an intervention.

Thursday-Friday Round Up

I just finished a two day class with Laura Smith called Blue Ridge Harmony. This is a mixed media class involving lutradour, paint, heat tools, respirators, fabric, threads for both machine and hand stitching.

Let's just say way off the grid and out of my comfort zone.

But I thoroughly enjoyed learning new things. And thanks to Merchandise Night, I know own two books on machine embroidery.

Plus I scored some of my favorite older magazines.

And I made a beeline for Allison Cole like many people did. Bought three kits and two books. And will remember this seminar for the fabulous visit we had with Allison while waiting on line for lunch on Thursday. I didn't realize whose hair I was complimenting, then she turned around and we noticed her beautiful pin that she made before we ever saw her name tag. What a lovely person she is.

So one Moxie from a friend to get me through the day and I'm ready to face tomorrow.

Wednesday - Holly Days

A day in which I learn how to do real or nue.

Kay Stanis is a fabulous teacher. Spent the morning doing the prep work - lacing our frame, transferring our pattern, and winding our Koma.

After lunch, it was a slow slog. I managed four rows. Will do better at home with proper lighting and magnification. My turns are terrible, but I will have lots of practice.

Tuesday

More shopping, including a trip to Weaverville to visit Sassy Jacks, a new needlework shop that opened this summer.

Easy to get to, filled with charts, threads, fabrics, and fun stuff! Very charming owner and helpful staff. And they share a wall with a quilt store.

Tuesday night was a mini-class, Summertime Swan. This will grow up to be a card case. Nice use of Rhodes and crescents to make a swan.

Sunday and Monday

Lunch at Woolworth's restored soda fountain shop! And shopping on Sunday. Then off to tour Biltmore on Monday where every inch is spotless and shiny. 

EGA Seminar Blue Ridge Rendezvous

Trip down to Asheville included a stop in Raleigh @ Needlepoint.com

A little retail therapy never hurts. Just threads for me.

Plus a lovely lunch at the Mediterranean cafe across the way.

August FUN

Tomorrow is all about deadlines and packing.

I just finished two ornaments for the granddaughters. Off to the finisher they go. One deadline met.

Tomorrow I've got magazine deadlines to meet. Should be doable.

But also laundry and packing.

Because bestie and I leave for North Carolina early Saturday morning. We're heading to Asheville for the EGA Seminar.

We're excited! Time to challenge ourselves in classes and hang out with new friends and old friends who all love stitching!

Bunny Finish

Completely adorable Melissa Shirley bunny canvas. Driving a carrot car - ha!

Floor Sighting

Slowly getting things sorted out in my studio. Found all kinds of interesting things including an uncashed paycheck (don't ask.)

I'm trying to make decisions about where things go. And I'd like to decide once and not have to revisit my decisions. Thus I'm taking my time.

First photo is old kitchen cabinets in my studio. Place for TV and DVD player. Blank wall space, too.

My desk which I love, love, love. I can sit here and just stare at the trees. It's big enough to spread out all the parts of a large project and reference materials. And have room leftover for other things.

My new short bookcases need organizing, but that's not a high priority. I've already identified multiple copies of two books.

My closet needs sorting. I really should write a list of all my WIPs. Kind of scary contemplating that.

Transformation

I didn't mean to be away for so long from my blog.

Apologies. Those who don't see me on Facebook, I'm fine. Everything is going smoothly.

The days I thought about writing and didn't, started to add up and then weeks and weeks passed.

I'll try to update everything.

First, here's what I'm trying to accomplish this month. A studio makeover.

I'm starting with removing the wall unit I rescued from the Scarlet Thread when the store closed. It started off living in our basement bar. Then my son and I moved it upstairs when I claimed my daughter's room for my own purposes. It'll take me about 20 trips to get this downstairs. Right now it's in pieces at the top of the stairs. Then on to the curb for pick up tomorrow.

So where did everything go that was in my  room? Into the guest room. Looks like a huge mess, but it really isn't. Next week I should have the new furniture arranged. And I can see how my new setup works.

It's all planned out on graph paper. Lol