Two down............

Summer is definitely here with temps in the 90's,  high humidity and an occasional thunderstorm thrown in. I can remember when thunderstorms helped to cool things off; now they only seem to add moisture to the all ready "moist" air! I am very  happy to just stay home, indoors,  in my AC during these hot spells . I'm pulling whatever I can out of the freezer for meals, so I don't have to go out to the grocery store! :) I've never dealt with the heat well. I can remember many days, as a child,  spent on our huge wrap-around porch reading, playing paper dolls or jacks. It was coolest there and most pleasant!

Well, on to some stitching! I've finished the second side of my box, summer, for the Tall Year Square. It was stitched on a beautiful green (my favorite color)  linen and features a tiny frog. I'm kicking myself that I didn't think to make it a blue frog as my hubby always sang the old Peter, Paul and Mary song "I'm in love with a big blue frog". It would have made the piece even more special, but I will not be taking it out as it is over one and would be a real bugger! ( We'll see if this eats at me enough that I do actually "rip-it" out and do it in blue--stay tuned)!
Anyway, here is a pic:

I finished  this piece from Cherrywood Designs awhile ago and forgot to post. I absolutely loved the saying and stitched it on a gingham fabric with my own color palette. I added a few charms and found a frame to fit at Hobby Lobby. You can't see it too well but there is a gold needle through the "S' in stitcher at the bottom.

 Now on to a lovely gift I received from a dear friend. I recently met up Paola at the Betsy Morgan classes at Salty Yarns. We have become friends after first meeting at a Betsy Morgan class over 2 years ago. We quickly realized we were kindred spirits and shared the same passion for stitching. We have been communicating via e-mail ( I always wanted a pen pal) and meeting up when she manages to visit the states. On this visit she gifted me with this beautiful stitched piece which I wanted to share with all of you. It is so lovely and I am touched by her generosity. She is a fabulous stitcher and finisher!!! I will let the photos speak for themselves! Thank you Paola for the lovely gift!

The front--note the beads on the dragonfly and leaves

I love the beaded mattress pincushion  and the beautiful pin at the top

This is a close up of the beautiful ribbon used as the edging. I know Paola told me its name but I can't recall--sorry!

Off to my stitching chair to work on "autumn"!

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

Stasi

One Down.................

...and three to go! I have the "spring" panel of the Tall Year Square stitched. Now on to summer--quite appropriate since it officially just began. I do hope, however, I have autumn and winter completed before they actually get here!  

And here is the pincushion for the Tall Year Square--that was our pre-stitch piece and I managed to get it together during the class. It has four sides, one for each season and will rest nicely in the bottom of the box when completed.

 

Here is the pre-stitch for my other class with Betsy Morgan, Gathering for Winter

Isn't this an adorable pincushion....and it's made out of an empty perle cotton spool!!! I just love the autumn colors!

Finally, I wanted to share two recent gifts I made for some special people in my life. This first was a CA Wells kit I managed to snag on E-bay. It says "Stitching by the Sea" and I thought it quite appropriate (tongue in cheek) for Sally down at Salty Yarns for her birthday. 

Next up is a gift for my friend from Luxembourg, Paola. I was able to see Paola at the Betsy Morgan classes and spend a lovely weekend with her.  It's the American Hornbook by Dames of the Needle. I thought it would remind her of her "friends" across the pond.

Well that's all she wrote folks! Thanks for stopping by and your" twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

Time Keeps on Slipping, Slipping...............

Well I am finally getting back to posting on the blog, after having to get a new computer, familiarize myself with Windows 7 and find the time to do so. Time truly does "slip" away and before you know it...two months has flown by. I finally got around to finishing one of my Sherri Jones classes and will be sharing it now. It's the Hare Pyns piece and I am so happy to have this "under my belt"! It was a LOT of stitching; backgrounds are completely filled in. I estimate approximately 81 hours just for the stitching, not including time spent putting it all together. I do love the colors--what do you think?

The class with Sherri was fabulous--my first ever! She was very patient, especially when I realized I had a major problem!!! I had decided, in my infinite wisdom, to add a few columns of the bargello stitch on the back so it was symetrical. Of course never thinking it would affect the finished project, was I surprised...more gobsmacked as Tabitha would say.... to find I was about 3/8 short fitting in the inside panels. Sherri graciously gave me some new lining fabric and ribbon and I went home and  re measured, cut and put together the inside panels. All's well that ends well as I managed to get it all worked out and put together  without anyone the wiser.....except anyone who reads this. So without further ado:

Hare Pyns front, pincushion and wooden accoutrements

Hare Pyns back

Hare Pyns inside, needle book at top, pincushion at bottom (guess I need to add pins) Note- vintage glass button for closure

detail of inside with teeny, tiny button from my friend, Paola

Inside view

scissor sheath and fob with hare scissors

Up next is finishing the Blue Ribbon Box class piece form Sherri and stitching two new Betsy Morgan classes that I took recently. More on that to follow soon.............hopefully!

Thanks for stopping by and your twisted threads of friendship!

Stasi