Down By the Sea..............

I'm off to Ocean City, MD tomorrow morning for my much anticipated classes with Sherri Jones. Of course, I'm heading down a little early for some  R&R and shopping therapy. Boardwalk, Sunset Grille, Wockenfuss, Anthony's etc....here I come!!!  I'll need the boardwalk to help walk off the extra calories from the other places!

But first, I'm stopping at a book sale in Hagerstown. I went there for the first time 4 years ago and found the first 12 issues of Sampler and Antique Needlework magazine. I had literally been looking for them for 15 years, in hopes of not having to pay the astronomical prices they can go for on E-bay. So when I stumbled across them for 50 cents an issue, I could hardly contain myself. I wanted to scream, jump up and down and do a "happy dance". Instead, I quietly hugged them to my chest with a "cat who caught the canary" look on my face. I haven't found quite the treasure since, but am always hopeful. The funniest part of this story is a friend of mine found 10 of the 12 the very same day at a book sale in PA for 10 CENTS an issue!!!!!  An amazing coincidence!!!

So, I will try to post some photos when I get back..or possibly there...if I have time.

Now, on to my last minute preparations!!!

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

Stasi

Quick Update

I wanted to share the photos of my finished stitching on the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box.
I had it all stitched except for the bottom of the cushion. I decided to dedicate it to my Mom and was looking for a quote to put on it. Couldn't find one I liked so I put "Mom ....a blue ribbon winner" ---thought that tied in with the name of the box. I've also put her full name on it. Now that has been taken care, I can post the photos.

These are the pieces that go on the sides of the box to hold the smalls and wonderful scrimshaw pieces in place

Needle case (left) and Pyn case(right)

Pyn cushion

So, I'll be heading to the beach in a week for my finishing classes. Can't wait to get there and smell that salt air. Classes are Saturday and Sunday, but I'm going a bit early to relax, visit with friends, shop and .....stitch on some new projects! 

I also wanted to share my finished Barbara Jackson piece, The Tea Time Basket. This was an on line class through The Shining Needle Society. The pictures don't really do it justice as it was hard to shoot the basket properly, but here goes!

Basket and scisor holder

Basket and pincushion

View of inside

Pin cushion and scissor fob

Don't you love this little tin I found in an antique store? It will reside in the basket.

Thanks for visiting and your twisted threads of friendship!
See you on the flip side!

Stasi

Where does the time go???

I can't believe it's going on 3 months since I posted last. Sadly, that means my goal of posting this year  more has fallen by the wayside. This "blogging" takes much more time than originally anticipated. By the time I get my projects ironed, take photos, download, write copy, upload photos, work the "quirks" out of blogger and post...hours have passed!!! I always say to myself..."I could have been stitching" but I do so enjoy sharing this passion of mine with like minded people. So I will try harder to keep up, but please forgive me if I fall short.

Before I go further, I do have to share some wonderful news .I entered two pieces for the first time at Woodlawn and won a first place ribbon for Blackwork in the Counted Thread division. I am so tickled with this honor and, thrilled as I am, I am also humbled to be in the company of such accomplished needlewomen. The caliber of work was amazing and a true sight to behold...so inspiring to have so much talent in one place.
The piece I won for (I've showed it in previous posts from early 2012) is The Regal Bee by Theresa Baird of Heart's Ease Examplar Workes. Here is a photo with my blue ribbon!

Now that I've come down off my cloud, on to my recent work. I have been busy stitching for my two classes with Sherri Jones in two weeks. I have completed the pre-stitching for Hare Pyns and have a small amount left to do on the Blue Ribbon Sewing Box.  The classes are in two weeks, so I'm in pretty good shape.

Here are the pieces for Hare Pyns:

Stitchers pocket

Pin Keep and Scissor Fob
The Pin Keep will go where there is an open space on the pocket

Needle Cover and Scissor Sheath

I got this piece back in 2007 when I was an "away" member of the Kindred Spirits Guild and it has been languishing in my stash since. When I heard Sherri was teaching it at Salty Yarns, along with The Blue Ribbon box, I was determined to get it done and audit the finishing class. I've put 81 hours in to the stitching alone, a lot going towards doing the background stitching. I wasn't sure, at first, if that would be worth the extra effort, but it definitely was. The Florentine section made up for that as it went fairly quickly. Now I can't wait to learn Sherri's finishing techniques and get it all put together.

Since I still have a small amount left on the Blue Ribbon box, I'll post pics of that next time. I have also managed to squeeze in some work on a couple other "fun" stitches. Will share them too soon....I hope.

But for now, that's it! 

Thanks for visiting and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi