Some Cool Stitching..........

Well, this one has been a long time coming.........it's been my "car" project for the last few years, worked on only when we were traveling hither and yon...and, of course, when I was not the one driving!!!

We used to sell these limited kits at Twisted Threads every year and had a number of avid collectors. I could never bring myself to pay the asking price and, though I loved them, would pass every year. (I did have two girls to put through college at the time) A few years ago I noticed some one selling it  on the internet and was able to purchase (I also got the 2000 LE Santa) at a very reasonable price--YIPPEE!!! The fact that it was stitched on 19 count Cork Linen, over two,  is what allowed me to be able to work on this in the car. Sadly, I can't seem to work on smaller counts while moving. :(  

He ( I guess I should name him at some point...may have the grand kids help with that) stands frostily at 16 inches high and 8 inches wide. He was stitched with Anchor floss and Gumnut wool for the scarf. It was quite puzzling, however, that only 2 skeins of floss was included for the  light colored part of the body. I wound up having to buy 12 more skeins and used all but one! I think I wound up needing extra of the star color too, but can't remember for sure. Luckily I had plenty of the wool as that would have been difficult to come by. I added the 5 ceramic stars that I found in my stash to add a little dimension. The heart that's sitting in the wire came with the kit and is made of paper. I am already having issues with it as it keeps falling off and I know is going to get bent, torn and/or mutilated . I think I'm going to come up with something else....maybe some Mill Hill snowflakes

So, without further ado...here's my guy!!!

2000 LE Snowman from Ewe and Eye and Friends

A happy smiling face

Here is a photo of the backing fabric. I bought it years ago when I was living in Cincinnati from a shop up in the Dayton area called Kindred Spirits. They did a line of fabrics at some point and this was one of them. It appears a little more "blue" than it actually is....more of an olive green..... but you can probably understand why I picked it.

I'm moving along on my Barbara Jackson class piece and will post photo of that soon. 
On the home front, it has been absolutely gorgeous here, weather-wise, the last couple of weeks. The sky is always its most brilliant blue at this time of year and never fails to make me smile!

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

Stasi

Ode to a Friend.............

Today I am saying goodbye to an old friend, a very comforting, always there for me OLD friend. They've become quite frayed around the edges, accumulated  a few irreparable boo-boos and put in over 25 years of service. 

I have never been quite so attached to a piece of clothing as I have been to this one. I think I paid $1.99 for it over 25 years ago at an outlet in Reading, PA. It is just a plain cotton knit jacket from LL Bean , but was perfect for throwing on first thing on a cool morning, layering over my jammies as I settled in to stitch in the evening or warming me when I was sick. In the beginning I actually wore it as a jacket, but as the years passed it became my "go-to" comfy, surround myself with love accouterment! But, sadly, it is time to let it go as it is literally "coming apart at the seams"!!! I had my hubby put it in the trash can this morning ( I just couldn't bring myself to do it). I'm sure my daughters will say "hallelujah" and won't have to roll their eyes every time they see me wear it. Good bye blue jacket--you have served me well!!

Now, on to a serious note. I have started stitching my Barbara Jackson class piece and have gotten the middle section of one of the bands completed. It's been tough with the silk floss but I've been lathering up my hands every night to soften them up and it's gotten better as the week went on. Here's my progress so far:

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

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.........

It's an absolutely gorgeous day--vivid blue skies with a few floating clouds, brilliant sunshine and very agreeable temps (low 70's). So what, you may ask, am I doing here on the computer instead of being outside! I am trying to bring the outside in with open doors and windows while I get some work done in the house. I have a cake in the oven and thought I'd squeak a quick post in while it finishes baking. It's an old family recipe from a friend of mines Mom--a hot milk cake. Is it any wonder it's so 'delish' when the recipe calls for 1 stick of butter, 4 eggs and 2 cups sugar? I do have to say, it is smelling heavenly right now!!! As for smelling heavenly, I found a bottle of  sauce at TJ Maxx yesterday called Harvest Apple and Maple Sauce from Rothschilds. I poured it over a some pork chops last night for dinner and boy was it yummy!!! The added benefit was it made the house smell yummy all last evening and even into this morning. But I digress...............

I did manage to get the biscornu I had stitched finished this week. It's caled Pining to Stitch  and was in the EGA publication, Needlearts, March 2012 issue. I did change colors/fibers to make use of my stash but followed all the stitches and layout. I added my initials on the front and my hubby's and year we were married on the back. I happened to have a small JABCO pine cone button that I also used on the back. This is only my second biscornu but I can see many more in my future--they are really fun to make and would make great gifts!

I also finished the pinball from my class last Saturday at the Loudoun Sampler Guild, but am holding off posting a photo as it is a gift. Again, a fun class and finish!

I've worked a bit this week on the I Am a Stitcher  piece, but had to pick up my reading as a book I was into was ready to expire on my Kindle. It was not something I would normally read but I found myself captivated. It was a true story, called Unbroken  by Laura Hillenbrand, about the 1936 Olympic runner, Louis Zamperini who was captured by the Japanese during WWII. Reading about his time as a POW was quite disturbing to me, but also uplifting that someone could survive the torture and cruelty he did and somehow manage to fight through it all, forgive his aggressors and find peace in his life. A truly amazing story!!!

I was happy to arrive home yesterday and notice a box sitting on our front porch---- even happier that it was for me and not my hubby's new motorcycle jacket. It was my supplies for an on line class, The Tea Time Basket by Barbara Jackson through The Shining Needle Society. I've never had a class with Barbara before but everything looks very well organized and planned out. I know I'm going to love it as it involves two of my favorite things--tea and stitching--how could I go wrong!!!

Well, cakes out of the oven...now on to the fudge icing!

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

Stasi

I am on a Roll..............

Greetings! I have been in a "finishing" mood and have another completed piece to share. This one drew me in with the simplicity of the design, the lovely colors and the gingham fabric. I did substitute fibers from my stash, since you really don't use much of any one color except the WDW cadet for the border and cording. Funny story about the cadet blue floss---I had been working on this with some friends and "lost" a hunk of the cadet blue fiber. We looked everywhere, couldn't find it (you know how floss sometimes just gets up and walks away) and I wound up buying another skein. A few weeks later I get together with my friend again and she tells me the floss had wound up in one of her projects bags. I guess it was more attracted to her project than mine!!! :)  Anywho....., I did add a few JABCO buttons and reconfigured where the cording came through the pocket to wrap around the button. It just wasn't working for me the way Linda explained it, so I tacked it down on the back of the linen piece before I added the lining and brought it through to the front with a large eyed needle. Then I moved the button to the edge instead of in the middle. I think what it boils down to is I wanted the ABC part to be on top instead of the XYZ. So, I present to you  Botanical Sewing Pocket and Fob by Chessie & Me. Ta-da!!!

Outside

Inside

Folded Up

Notice the JABCO bee pins and bee design on the fob! Guess I'll need to put some thread on the thread rings!























Here is a little giftie I picked up at my recent visit to The Strawberry Sampler. I can't recall what I did to get it (spend a certain amount or what) but am so glad I did. Isn't it the cutest idea??? A reusable shopping bag that folds up into an adorable little strawberry!!! And so perfect for their shop--very clever!

I'm looking forward to my EGA meeting tomorrow where I am taking a biscornu finishing class. Will post photos of the finished piece afterwards. I'm also taking a class on Saturday at the Loudoun Sampler Guild on finishing a pinball----busy couple of "stitchy"days!!!

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

Stasi

I'm Baack!!!

I forgot to share a little ditty that I stitched up for a friend. It's the pocket watch from Merry Cox's Treasures of Thy Life So Dear. I stitched the names of her grandchildren on it as they are one of life's most wonderful "treasures"!

Lady Bug, Lady Bug......Fly Away Home..........

Lady Scarlet's Scissor Roll by Just Nan has lots of lady bugs and a few bumbling bees!!! I just completed finishing this little gem and think it turned out quite nicely. The stitching actually went rather quickly, though I must say, I get so tired of changing colors with Nan's designs. It gets difficult when you have just one or two stitches and no good place to anchor your threads. But, the outcome is always worth it, so I muddle through and do my best ( I hate threads showing through the linen)!!!

The pictures aren't the best but hopefully you'll get the idea:

outside of roll

inside of roll

I didn't splurge on the Dovos lady bug scissors, but found a cute red pair at Hobby Lobby. I figure, they're just going to sit there! :) It's a good thing this is a small piece as I am rapidly running out of room in my display cabinet. I think it's time to start the hunt for a second one!

Now to decide what to start on next....my pre-stitching for a Sheri Jones class next April or the cute little thimble purse from With Thy Needle and Thread. Hmmmmm!!!
I do have to finish up the stitching on a pinball piece that I'm taking a class on next Saturday at the Loudoun Sampler Guild, but there is not much left to do. I also have a biscornu finishing class this Thursday with my EGA group.It's looking to be a busy week!

That's it for now--thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi