This morning I have erased the entire post that I wrote.
My sympathy goes out to all who continue to suffer because of the events of that tragic day.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stitching Time
So yesterday I sat down with graph paper, pencil, white Belfast linen, a needle, pink Splendor, a few beads, scissors, and some fiberfill.
And two hours later I had stitched my first pendibule.
(Again with the no photo. Sorry.)
It's pink and white. Duh. And needs a ribbon to attach to my new Hardanger only scissors.
Links to other pendibules - not mine.
Pendibule
Pendibule
Pendibule After the stitch diagrams, she gives pretty good instructions.
And two hours later I had stitched my first pendibule.
(Again with the no photo. Sorry.)
It's pink and white. Duh. And needs a ribbon to attach to my new Hardanger only scissors.
Links to other pendibules - not mine.
Pendibule
Pendibule
Pendibule After the stitch diagrams, she gives pretty good instructions.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Stitch in Public Day - I'm Bedazzled
Here's a link to the Fox affiliate in Louisville and the video from the park the morning of stitch in public day. I hope this link stays current long enough for some of you to see it.
The poor woman who was demonstrating her technique for threading a needle misses the first two times - oh the pressure of live TV coverage.
But I leave my comments on the rest of this pathetic mess unpublished.
The poor woman who was demonstrating her technique for threading a needle misses the first two times - oh the pressure of live TV coverage.
But I leave my comments on the rest of this pathetic mess unpublished.
Monday, September 08, 2008
A New Week
That was a fairly uneventful weekend. We stayed in Saturday while TS Hanna dumped somewhere between 7 and 9 inches of rain on us. Fortunately our townhouse seems to be watertight. The only water problems we have are internal. In 3 years of ownership, we've had 3 emergency visits from plumbers.
Which leads to me a realization. That we live here. Now I am not just stating the obvious. You have to realize that I have moved so many times in the past 24 years, that the 3 years we've lived here is the longest I've ever been in one place. In my head, I am finally starting to refer to this place as home - as opposed to referring to NH as home. I guess that's a good thing.
Late yesterday we drove down to Fredericksburg to visit with DS. And to bring him some stuff. Of course I forgot to bring his last check from work. And the presents I bought him in NH. How typical.
Which leads me to getting my act back together week. I've been sitting here writing out my to-do list for the day. I'm pretty sure something's missing. Just remembered two things. I'm off to get the oil changed, the drycleaning dropped off, the packages wrapped and mailed, the bike checked out, the thing returned to Target, the check to the bank, and maybe for fun I'll stop by the library where I probably owe a huge fine (not to worry - should be less than $10, but still.)
Which leads to me a realization. That we live here. Now I am not just stating the obvious. You have to realize that I have moved so many times in the past 24 years, that the 3 years we've lived here is the longest I've ever been in one place. In my head, I am finally starting to refer to this place as home - as opposed to referring to NH as home. I guess that's a good thing.
Late yesterday we drove down to Fredericksburg to visit with DS. And to bring him some stuff. Of course I forgot to bring his last check from work. And the presents I bought him in NH. How typical.
Which leads me to getting my act back together week. I've been sitting here writing out my to-do list for the day. I'm pretty sure something's missing. Just remembered two things. I'm off to get the oil changed, the drycleaning dropped off, the packages wrapped and mailed, the bike checked out, the thing returned to Target, the check to the bank, and maybe for fun I'll stop by the library where I probably owe a huge fine (not to worry - should be less than $10, but still.)
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
A Finish!
Photo later...but I finished my Crazy Quilt Pyramid ornament. This is a design by a member of my EGA chapter that was a class shortly after I joined the group - maybe spring '06?
I've had the stitching finished since the beginning of the summer - it looks like a four-pointed star on Congress cloth. Yesterday I cut it out, sewed up sides, did the chain stitch over my sewing, stuffed it, made a hanger and sewed it shut.
With this design we were able to embellish it in colors and fibers of our own choosing. Right from the beginning I knew I wanted to commemorate a special place - the camp my grandparents bought the year I was born. (Just a side note for fun - the last name of the people they bought it from, is now my last name. My parents bought a house from these same people at the same time so I grew up in a house with green shutters with an "L" on them. And our last name started with a "B.")
Eventually after stitching the background which is meant to mimic different fabrics, I stitched lady slippers, a pine branch, waterlilies, forget-me-nots, cattails, and a blueberry bush.
This summer my sister put the place up for sale. Sad, but true. She's not any great rush and has turned down a developer.
I've had the stitching finished since the beginning of the summer - it looks like a four-pointed star on Congress cloth. Yesterday I cut it out, sewed up sides, did the chain stitch over my sewing, stuffed it, made a hanger and sewed it shut.
With this design we were able to embellish it in colors and fibers of our own choosing. Right from the beginning I knew I wanted to commemorate a special place - the camp my grandparents bought the year I was born. (Just a side note for fun - the last name of the people they bought it from, is now my last name. My parents bought a house from these same people at the same time so I grew up in a house with green shutters with an "L" on them. And our last name started with a "B.")
Eventually after stitching the background which is meant to mimic different fabrics, I stitched lady slippers, a pine branch, waterlilies, forget-me-nots, cattails, and a blueberry bush.
This summer my sister put the place up for sale. Sad, but true. She's not any great rush and has turned down a developer.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
One Way to Recover
One way to recover one's stitching mojo - get a call from your local shop owner asking if you can come in and cover the store for a bit so she can run some errands.
That kind of puts you in the middle of a lot of inspiration.
I brought my Hardanger learning piece with me and finished it last night. I can see that I need to do a lot of practicing with my picots and Dove's eyes.
While there I was visited by my favorite 80 year old stitcher who is getting ready to go on vacation to Cape Cod to visit her sister. This lady is a fabulous crewel work stitcher. She hung around waiting for the shop owner to return, but hadn't brought any stitching with her. So I gave her the Helen Stevens books we had in the shop to browse.
That kind of puts you in the middle of a lot of inspiration.
I brought my Hardanger learning piece with me and finished it last night. I can see that I need to do a lot of practicing with my picots and Dove's eyes.
While there I was visited by my favorite 80 year old stitcher who is getting ready to go on vacation to Cape Cod to visit her sister. This lady is a fabulous crewel work stitcher. She hung around waiting for the shop owner to return, but hadn't brought any stitching with her. So I gave her the Helen Stevens books we had in the shop to browse.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Absolutely No Stitching
I seem to have misplaced my stitching mojo again. But will search for it today. I think I had car lag. I did accomplish things, but picking up a needle just didn't seem like the thing to do.
I did laundry and changed the sheets. Straightened DD's room just a little. (Note to her: I had to create access to the window for Zoe.) Vacuumed. More laundry and now I'm all caught up. Picked up dry cleaning. Stopped at Michael's and remembered why I haven't yet framed those two photos of bluebirds in the hills of Tennessee - because they are an odd size. Watered the plants. Cleaned the bird bath. Made two new recipes for dinner. Did the dishes. All the usual stuff.
For dinner I made grilled salmon with cucumber salsa. And creamy grits with sweet corn. I have no problem admitting that this was the first time in my life that I have ever cooked grits. One bite and DH said this is what he wants next time he gets sick. What I think we have here is a comfort food.
And smooches to my honey. Today is the first day of his new job. He's back in the employ of the federal government. Now, go kick some ass.
I did laundry and changed the sheets. Straightened DD's room just a little. (Note to her: I had to create access to the window for Zoe.) Vacuumed. More laundry and now I'm all caught up. Picked up dry cleaning. Stopped at Michael's and remembered why I haven't yet framed those two photos of bluebirds in the hills of Tennessee - because they are an odd size. Watered the plants. Cleaned the bird bath. Made two new recipes for dinner. Did the dishes. All the usual stuff.
For dinner I made grilled salmon with cucumber salsa. And creamy grits with sweet corn. I have no problem admitting that this was the first time in my life that I have ever cooked grits. One bite and DH said this is what he wants next time he gets sick. What I think we have here is a comfort food.
And smooches to my honey. Today is the first day of his new job. He's back in the employ of the federal government. Now, go kick some ass.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Gentle Reminder
Public Service Message brought to by the letters EGA
Do you stitch in public?
Presenting a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your beautiful needlework:
September 3, 2008
is
National Stitch in Public Day
We are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Embroiders’ Guild of America
by inviting everyone to show off their skills and make new friends
On September 3rd, stitch on a plane, train, or bus
Stitch in a mall, bookstore, or park
Stitch in a coffee shop, a waiting room, at the DMV
Call friends and invite them to join you
Go anywhere and enjoy yourself while you
Stitch in Public!
Do you stitch in public?
Presenting a perfect opportunity to demonstrate your beautiful needlework:
September 3, 2008
is
National Stitch in Public Day
We are commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Embroiders’ Guild of America
by inviting everyone to show off their skills and make new friends
On September 3rd, stitch on a plane, train, or bus
Stitch in a mall, bookstore, or park
Stitch in a coffee shop, a waiting room, at the DMV
Call friends and invite them to join you
Go anywhere and enjoy yourself while you
Stitch in Public!
Back Home in Kidless House
The good news is that the gas prices were apparently high enough to keep a lot of folks home on Labor Day weekend. I arrived home last night right around 7:30 p.m.
DD and I moved her stuff in stages. The school set aside two days for arrivals, so we took her bike, fridge, bookcase, tv, tv stand, etc. to school on Sunday and checked in. She referred to last year's single room as a coffin. This year's is much better. It's bigger. Has sliders leading on to a balcony (which is locked.) Has room for her bike in the room. And we even went shopping and found her a comfy chair and another lamp. Then we went back to NH. And got up yesterday and did it all over again with her clothes and assorted boxes. This time we were met by her boyfriend that she hadn't seen since April/May? I let them move everything in, took her to the grocery store, and then left so they could enjoy some time together.
On the way north, DD and I did make a side trip to the Thistle Needleworks in Glastonbuy CT. So many fibers. So many books. So many crewel kits. What's a person to do? I left with a Hardanger book, the Mary Gostelow cross stitch book printed in 1982 that has everything in it that I eventually learned on my own, but here it is all in one place. Also a pair of scissors that are earmarked strictly for Hardanger, two Mill Hill Santas on perforated paper, a couple of black fibers, some Hardanger fabric, some perle cotton. I think that's it.
On Thursday, I tried using bicone crystals in the corners of the Color Tile III piece, but I hate the way they lay. I tried some other things with the stuff I had with me, but didn't like any of it. Between my stash and what I picked up at the Thistle, I am hoping to find an alternate solution to these corners.
It's pretty quiet here this morning except for Elvis' snoring.
DD and I moved her stuff in stages. The school set aside two days for arrivals, so we took her bike, fridge, bookcase, tv, tv stand, etc. to school on Sunday and checked in. She referred to last year's single room as a coffin. This year's is much better. It's bigger. Has sliders leading on to a balcony (which is locked.) Has room for her bike in the room. And we even went shopping and found her a comfy chair and another lamp. Then we went back to NH. And got up yesterday and did it all over again with her clothes and assorted boxes. This time we were met by her boyfriend that she hadn't seen since April/May? I let them move everything in, took her to the grocery store, and then left so they could enjoy some time together.
On the way north, DD and I did make a side trip to the Thistle Needleworks in Glastonbuy CT. So many fibers. So many books. So many crewel kits. What's a person to do? I left with a Hardanger book, the Mary Gostelow cross stitch book printed in 1982 that has everything in it that I eventually learned on my own, but here it is all in one place. Also a pair of scissors that are earmarked strictly for Hardanger, two Mill Hill Santas on perforated paper, a couple of black fibers, some Hardanger fabric, some perle cotton. I think that's it.
On Thursday, I tried using bicone crystals in the corners of the Color Tile III piece, but I hate the way they lay. I tried some other things with the stuff I had with me, but didn't like any of it. Between my stash and what I picked up at the Thistle, I am hoping to find an alternate solution to these corners.
It's pretty quiet here this morning except for Elvis' snoring.
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