I'm on a Roll....................

..............third post this week!!! I am trying to document all my stitching this way, so I have a record. Now I just have to figure out how to save all the blog posts somewhere!!! Any suggestions would be appreciated.

So, here are the finished pieces for my upcoming class, A Fine and Fancy Tulip Tray, with Sherri Jones. Sounds like a perfect project for spring!!!The  colors are definitely very soft and pastel- pale pink, mauve, pale green and taupe with a bolder gold! Less than 3 weeks to go--I can't wait to get to the beach!!!

This is the darning piece for the bottom of the tray. I really enjoyed stitching this and it's so delicate!

Three of five of the stitched sides for the tray. The first two are in a previous blog post.

Pyn cushion front and back

Scissor Fob

Band for Pyn Tower

Now I'm off to start another project, but it is a gift, so you'll have to wait and see after it's been gifted!

We finally, after 9 years, moved our home office from what should have been a dining room to our lower level. My hubby spent over 5 years (in his spare time) totally finishing our lower level. He built all the framing, put up the drywall, ceiling, did the electrical work, hung lights, built closets, put in door frames/doors, painted walls, etc. The only thing he didn't do was lay the carpet. We have the office, an exercise room and a HUGE rec room. I'll post photos after we get it all organized. I kept suggesting we get someone else to do it, but he told me that was HIS hobby and he wanted to do it all himself no matter how long it took. I'm so proud of the work he did!!!

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

Roll out the barrels.......

.....buttons that is!!! They are the cutest things and used in my latest finish, Tall Year Square, a class I took last June with Betsy Morgan at Salty Yarns (more on that to come).

 I loved stitching this piece for a number of reasons. One, I am drawn to four season themed pieces because I so enjoy living where there are four seasons to the year. I always think that when you start to feel so fed up with the current season/weather, you always know another one is right around the corner. And I do love all four seasons, even this terrible winter we've had. I love the quiet beauty of the snow, spring flowers popping up, lazy days at the beach and crisp autumn days with the bluest skies ever. Two, it was fun to stitch on 4 different luscious colors of linen with beautiful silks and an array of seasonal motifs. Three, after the stitching was completed, it was a challenge to put it all together...and I like a challenge, especially ones I can overcome! And  challenges did present themselves: I accidentally ironed some interfacing on to the right side of one side piece (that was documented in an earlier blog entry). I lost, and still have yet to find, the original four buttons for the sides (luckily I had some that would work because the holes had to be big enough to thread some perle cotton cording through). Had a bit of a hard time with the perle cotton for the barrel buttons--it kept getting caught up on my dry hands and pulling out of position--then when I tried to fix it, it would get worse. Had to start over a couple times with the wrapping. BUT, I persevered and have a lovely finished project. So, with out further ado, here is Tall Year Square!!!

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

 This is the piece opened up--Cording goes through all four sides and you pull it up to close and slide the lid down to hold it all in place.

Top

Bottom

This is a barrel button--aren't they the cutest!!! And not as hard to make as you may think! This was my practice one in class and I got it on the first try. The center section looks like ribbon but is actually perle cotton wrapped very tightly and a buttonhole stitch done in each end. Pretty cool--huh!!!

I didn't change much of anything--why mess with a good thing! But I did add a bee charm to the box tassel and an acorn charm to the scissor fob tassel. And of course the buttons I had to replace on the sides. The one on the bottom is one of the originals so I know I had them at some point--it's a mystery waiting to be solved!!! I also added the blue glass beads to the tie-down cords for the scissors.

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

Stasi

Wearin' of the Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day one and all!!! I am sporting my Irish green today though I like to say I wear it every day since I have green eyes! Green is my favorite color and I wear a lot of it, accessorize with it--- I even use it as my font color!!! Don't know if it has anything to do with being of Irish descent, but I've always tended towards it.

 My Mom's grandparents , on her fathers side, both came form Ireland but sadly died in the big flu epidemic in the early 1900's. My grandfather and his three siblings were orphaned and split up. My grandfather was taken in by a neighbor, his two younger brothers by a wealthy local family and his baby sister adopted by a stranger; my grandfather never knew for years what happened to her (he was 10 at the time). Much later in life, she appeared at his home having tracked him down somehow and he was so thrilled.  A sad story, but one typical of the time. Unfortunately, my grandfather didn't know much of his family history, so Irish I may be, but I don't really know the how's, when's or why's! My Mom's maiden name was McNamara and I can remember being at my grandparents on St. Patrick's Day and them getting phone calls asking if McNamara's band was playing!!!

I thought I'd share a pair of Irish themed pieces today by Lori Birmingham. I stitched and finished them back in 2003.

Needleroll

Scissor Fob

This is an old pincushion I found in an antique store in Wheeling, WV and thought I'd share since its...GREEN!!!

 Well, I'm off with hubby to Cracker Barrel for his annual corned beef and cabbage meal. You know, I'm the one who's got the Irish blood in her but I can't stand the smell of this stuff, so it's off to CB we go!

Hope you all have a nice St. Paddy's Day, despite the snow. And if you're heading out to celebrate with a green beer or two---be safe!!!

I have a finish and some stitching to share in the next few days, so please check back.

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

Woodlawn and more..........

Yesterday I traveled to see the Woodlawn Needlework show with my EGA group. There were a number of  impressive pieces but, overall, I just wasn't as "wowed" as I've been in the past. Not sure if it's a matter of "been there..seen that" or that a lot of the pieces are needlepoint , more modern and just not my style. Whatever the reason, I do love to see so many stitched pieces in one place as  it does get you motivated to work longer, faster and more often to get all the things you want to get accomplished in this lifetime!!! We had lunch there at Woodlawn in the tea room and then a quick visit to In Stitches for some shopping. All in all, a day well spent!

I haven't just been shoveling snow these last few weeks (though this has become a looong snowy winter) and have managed to get some stitching done. I've completed the pre-stitching on The Mermaid Purse and begun the Tulip Tray. Time's starting to get way from me and it's just over  a month until my two classes with Sherri Jones. Here's what I've done:

scissor fob

Scrim pocket cover

two sides of tulip tray

I also managed to get some stitching, on those cold snowy nights, done on Hibernation Day. It was a perfect choice due to the verse/theme on the sampler. I changed the verse a bit from "if I can spend the day curled up next to you" to "if I could spend the day curled up with my needle, thread...and you". It involved adding an extra line, but that was no problem. I only have the bottom third to go!!!

On a personal note, I've lost almost 10 pounds with my FitBit since the New Year. I've also been watching what I eat, drinking lots of water and walking on the treadmill. I'm trying to get myself in shape for our trip to Alaska in August to celebrate hubby and my 40th wedding anniversary. And no....I CAN'T be that old!!!!

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

Stasi

PS Not sure why this big white block appearred but I don't have time to figure it out--sorry!!!