A New Project Bag

I have turned my stitched piece (shown last blog entry) into a project bag. The instructions for the finishing were from Karen of Sew Much 2 Luv and were part of the chart. This piece was a collaboration between Karen and Cathy of Hands on Design. The finishing went fairly smoothly although I did french seams rather than serge. Not sure I'd do that again as it added too much bulk to the seams. And....... after almost 50 years of sewing, I was humbled by a major faux pas......I sewed the piece for the inside pocket to the wrong end and wound up with it upside down and not useable. Sadly, I found this out too late to fix!!! But, I am very happy with how it turned out and can't wait to put a new project in it! Oops--I forgot to add a zipper pull but I'll get right on that!

Here is my progress on And They Sinned:

I feel like I'm stalling out--have to keep motivated!!! I started another small piece to give myself a break...maybe that will re-energize me!!! I've only got one section after this one left!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Moving on Up...........

Greetings fellow stitchers!!! How are you in the north handling all this snow and extremely cold weather? I got a little taste of it last week when we drove to Rockford, IL to visit hubby's brother for a few days...and let's just say I was happy to get home to my couple of inches.

Per my last blog post, I was able to make it down to Ocean City for my stitching weekend. Had a wonderful time visiting, sharing, eating and shopping the Super Bowl Sale. I even had belated birthday and Christmas gifts waiting for me--thanks Debbie and Sara! Here's the weekend in a nutshell: I got there Thursday and it was dinner at Sunset Grille for Italian night. What a deal--salad, lasagna and cannolis(sp)  for $10.99!!! Friday, spent the day carousing Salty Yarns and adding items to my "bag", stitching, then a reception at Sara's with delicious appetizers. Saturday was spent with more stitching, visiting others apartments to see what they were working on and cooking Cincinnati chili for dinner. Sunday, more stitching, visiting and buying my "bag". Then it was Super Bowl time..not much watching the game....more gabbing! Monday, I got an early start home since we were leaving for Rockford the next morning. So, Here's what I got at the the sale:

I needed a new light with magnification since my Ott just wasn't cutting it anymore. I used birthday money from my parents to get this--thanks Mom and Dad! It's a Craft Light Dorsett model. I worked on the piece I had started at the shore last October and managed to get it finished. My only change was the beehive motif and adding the teeny bee button. Now to make it into a project bag.

On our drive to Rockford (12 hours each way) I managed to get another Calendar piece done during the day light hours and between snow storms. Turnpike driving is soooo boring but seeing Paneras's at the rest stops in Ohio brightened my day.

I continue working on And They Sinned and have moved up to above the alphabet section. That was a nice respite because soon there will be more heavily stitched areas. But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! (Sorry about the "bump'--too lazy to take it off the Q-snap). Hope to get quite a bit more stitched this weekend as we're binge watching the first seasons of Game of Thrones in anticipation of season 4's release next week! 

Last but not least, I couldn't show these until now since they were gifts. I had seen this idea on FB last October on the Prim Stitchers site, posted by Patty N Dave. I managed to find the lockets at Michael's and stitched the small saying on 52/60 count linen in order to fit. I had to use petite needles to fit....and they just barely made it!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

And They Sinned Update

It's a SNOW DAY!!!! At least as much as I can make it one! I still have to answer our business phone and pay some taxes (yuck) and make some phone calls, but in my mind and heart....it's a SNOW DAY!!!

I wanted to update on my progress  And They Sinned. I have been working most nights on this wonderful project and am enjoying it immensely. My fabric is not quite showing  true, it'a a darker golden brown..I wanted an "antique-y" look. I think I am at about the halfway point..maybe a little less. This piece will be about 40 inches tall when I'm finished.

I also started a new project ---haven't gotten very far but wanted to get those beginning stitches in. It is Common Thread Stitchers Mat by Threadwork Primitives. This was a Ladies Prim Society kit from Dyeing to Stitch. I had asked to see my friend  Sally's last fall, so I could decide if I wanted to hunt it down on E-Bay at some point. She graciously gifted the kit to me for Christmas--thanks Sal!!!

My Start

I've been remiss in posting this project which I began last fall at a stitching weekend. It's been in my "away" bag since then and will go with me this weekend (more on that later). This is Love My Stitching by Hands On Design. It will eventually become a project bag. I was lucky enough to find the actual finishing fabric used in the photo. This is on 28 count fabric so a good travel project, when I'm not sure of lighting.

 

I've also begun my February pieces for the Samsarah calendar.These are reserved for the car since it's about the only thing I can do while riding and I can't stand just sitting there on long trips. Can't read and can't stitch on small count. Just finished this one on a trip to see the grand kiddies!!!

........ and speaking of the grand kiddies--here's a photo of them playing in their 1/2 inch of snow! Don't get much snow , so they are very excited!

And speaking of snow.....I am scheduled to travel to Ocean City,MD for the weekend. A group of friends meet there very year to stitch and attend the Salty Yarns Super Bowl Sale. I'm planning to leave on Thursday but snow is forecast here for Thursday and Friday, so things are a little "iffy" now. If it's not much I can handle it, if it's BIG, then I have to rethink. So, fingers, toes, eyes and any other body parts I can, are crossed in hopes I can make a go of it! I'm moving forward with packing and thinking positive thoughts!!!! 

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

First Stitch and Finish of 2015

Eight days in and I've already got my first stitch and finish for the year--yippee!!! You all must know I love "bee"s and so do all my stitching pals. This kit was passed on to me by my friend, Syd. She had gotten it from the Prim Ladies Club from Country Sampler, and knowing how much I loved bees, asked me if I'd like it. Well YEA!!!! So, Needlewoman Bust as a Busy Bee  by The Primitive HAre came to be in my possession. Thanks again, Syd!

This was such fun to stitch-- the colors are so "ME"!  I pretty much followed the chart and did add the buttons as in the original. I also found a really cute crown charm at Hobby Lobby and added that at the bottom in the row of buttons. Now the finishing instructions.....well,  let's just say it's a good thing I've been sewing since I was 10! :) 

I also wanted to show what I've accomplished on my Samsarah calendar pieces. I've just been working on these in the car, doctor's offices, etc..  I can "see" the holes fairly easy and the size is so small, it's quite portable. I keep it all in a little project bag that I can stuff into my purse if needed.

Here is January:

And, yes, I have been working on And They Sinned.  I have almost completed another band. woo-hoo!!!

This is usually the slow time of year with our business, so I'm able to get a bit more stitching done. I love curling up in my stitching nest with a cuppa, turning on Netflix and stitching up a storm! 

I also wanted to share one of my Christmas gifts from my friend, Sally. Like I said, my buds all know I love bees! Isn't it the perfect accoutrement? Thanks, Sal!!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! Keep warm!!!

Stasi

Parking Your Needle...........

The other day I was reading Mary Corbet's blog and she was discussing various methods to store/park your needles. It reminded me that I have the "ultimate" needle storage system that I stitched years ago--2007 to be exact--by Judy O'dell of Just a Thought Designs. It is called The Ultimate Needle book..Simply Green.  Now I stitched this and promptly stored it in my display case.

 I don't usually have trouble distinguishing sizes of needles, but I do have trouble, once they're all mixed up, telling brands apart. My favorite needle is definitely a Bohin 28, even though I tend to "bend" them when I do the sewing method. But, they go through fabric so smoothly, I don't mind that I am constantly replacing them. But I digress---I really just want to share what I should be aspiring to use for needle storage and the method I actually use.

First up--the Cadillac of needle storage:

Front

Back

Inside

Inside with flap closed

Next up, my actual method used:

 This is My Stitching Chair Necessaire by Hillside Samplings. I also stitched this many years ago, early 2000's. I have used this every day since I completed it. It sits on the arm of my stitching chair and holds my needles, scissors and other helpful tools. You can see my "menagerie" of needles (I just threw away the pile of orts), so not much organization here! But a major downside to using this beautiful piece is this:

Sadly, my bottom edge has totally frayed, actually up to the hem stitching. Also, in the bottom photo, you can see my needle magnet (I park my scissors there) has worked it's way through the linen. So, here's the dilemma....do you use your finished pieces and chance this type of "wear" or do they remain in the display case to be admired from afar? I love the necessaire and so enjoy keeping it near me while I'm stitching. I often wonder if I should stitch it again..not to be "used". What is your opinion?

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A New Start to 2015....and the project that just keeps on giving!!!

Of course I had to start a new project today for the new year. After much consideration I decided on Needlewoman..busy as a bee! by The Primitive Hare (thanks Syd). Here is what I have done so far:

This is moving along quickly and I'll hope to have it finished soon and move on to another new project.

I also set up a  goal for this year (actually by June) to finish stitching And They Sinned by Examplar Dames. I started this mammoth piece in 2002 thinking that if I started at the bottom (where the densest stitching is) and worked my way up, I'd just sail along. Well.......that didn't happen and the piece has been pulled out and put away numerous times over the years. In fact my goal a few years ago was to get it done and again, it didn't happen. I'm not sure what my issue is as I really love this piece. I can remember the year it came out at the Charlotte needlework market and was displayed in the Gentle Arts booth. I kept walking by and walking by, staring at it, loving all the colors and motifs. At the time it cost $36 and that was astronomical for a chart then but I had to have it. So why does it languish in my to do pile??? Well I saw someone post about it on FB and that renewed my conviction!!! So here is what I have done so far---let's see if I can reach my goal of getting it done by June!!! My main motivator for this time frame is that I'm going to Cincinnati in June and would have our trusted framer from Twisted Threads, Bowmans Backdoor Framing, do the framing for me. Fingers crossed...or should I say stitching!!!! :)

The unstitched area at the bottom is where I'll put in the year I finished it!

Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Final Finishes for 2014

I've managed to have a few quiet days to get some finishing done before the year rolls over. It is always amazing to look back and see how much I've accomplished. Somehow, it doesn't seem like that much during the actual year....and that's because there is always so much more I want to get to. There are so many wonderful designers and teachers and classes and retreats and clubs.....if only!!!

But here are my final finishes to share...first up is A Stitchers Name Tag by La-D-Da. Igot this limited edition kit at The Attic last November and am thrilled to have it finished to wear to classes/seminars. I opted for only my first name so I could fit a beehive. I added some Twisted Threads Bees to buzz around the hive and flower and a bee pin my Mom gave me. I also added a little fairy pin, from my friend Paola, at the bottom right. Otherwise, done as it came in the kit. 

Up close bee pin

Up close fairy pin

Next is the Coverlet Candle Mat by The Scarlett House. This was one of the Colonial Gatherings kits from Dyeing to Stitch. This was stitched and finished as called for. Not sure I want to sit a candle on it, but once the Xmas decorations are down, I'll find a spot and see what works.

This is another Colonial Gatherings kit called Strawberry House, again from The Scarlett House. I only had to stuff this, so it was a quickie!!!

Next up is a make it, take it from Jackie du Plessis called Stitcher's Pouch. Stitched as called for though I haven't been able to figure out how a piece of wool goes on the front. Hoping to see it finished in person one day so I can figure it out! :) (Although I'm happy with how it looks as is!)

Finally, is Pin Skep by Kathy Schmitz. Now I'm not real happy with how this turned out. It was supposed to be a "drum" shape but mine is short and squatty. It didn't say on the pattern if a seam allowance was included ...or not.. and so I assumed (and you know what they say when you do that) that the seam allowance was included in the pattern top/bottom. I think I should have added it....because my top  and bottom pieces did not fit the cylinder section and I have major puckers/pleats that I didn't want. Now I know I could have taken it apart and fixed all this, but was afraid the linen would unravel too much....and I'd have to restitch the top and didn't have enough fabric. The original called for some chenille trim around the top but I don't think that will work on my finished shape.  So...............it will remain as is, as a reminder to me to think things through better before I act! And the JABCO bee buttons kind of spruce it up!!! 

So now I have to ponder what I want to work on in 2015..always a lot of fun to start new projects. Have some ideas and will share soon!

Last but not least, I wanted to share a couple photos of the grand kids at Christmas. So here they are with some of their favorite gifts!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! Be safe tonight if you're heading out!

Stasi