Stocking #6 ......(212)

Well, I'll be closing out my Christmas Stroll in July with the last of the Shepherd's Bush stockings. This one is Anna's Stocking  stitched for my granddaughter, Esther, who we are still patiently waiting for (see yesterday's post). It's stitched on 18 count linen, over two, with #5 perle cotton and JABCO buttons.

I was able to muddle through with the finishing project and just have the closure to add. Sadly, I seem to have lost/misplaced the adorable shoe button that was included with the kit. I was able to find one on etsy and as soon as it arrives, I will sew it on and share the finished product. 

I did manage to get week 15 (bottom 4 bands) of the Blue Sampler SAL done last night. This is the start of part 2 and will double the length of the sampler. 

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

Stasi
 

Stocking #5.......(211)

Today started off with an early morning walk...the first one in about a month. The heat broke, we slept with the windows open and woke to temp in the 60's! I know it's short lived but I'm going to enjoy every minute!

My Stroll stockings today and tomorrow are reminders of two BIG holes in our hearts. My oldest daughter and her husband started the adoption process of two children, a boy and a girl from western Africa, over 3 1/2 years ago. We thought we would have them by Christmas in 2015, so I made stockings for them that year. But, we still don't have them after 2 1/2 years dealing with the local country's government/regulations and now almost a year of red tape from our own government. I can't tell you how frustrating this is for us but especially my daughter's family. It has been such a roller coaster of emotions, good news/bad news, prayers ,etc.... but still they sit in an orphanage wondering where their Mama and Papa are. They are legally my daughter and son-in-laws children as their adoption is final, but the US is dragging their feet on issuing their visas so they can enter the US and no one will say WHY!!! My daughter gets a standard response of "it's in review" ...when they even get a response as no one seems to want to help, care or do their job. They've had one Congressman's aide try to help but she gets the same response. How long does it take to review paperwork and approve???  Okay, I'll get off my soapbox and try to bring the blood pressure back down.....whew!!!!

So, here is the stocking I did for James. It is Oliver's Stocking by Shepherd's Bush. I used DMC# 5 perle cottons and provided my own embellishments, mainly JABCO buttons.

I've done enough whining for the day, so I won't bore you with my finishing woes. But let's suffice it to say that I improvised and it worked, just needs a little tweaking.

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

Stasi

Stocking # 4 ... (210)

Today's Stroll stocking comes with a special tiny gift inside. It is Jillian's Stocking by ...yes another one...Shepherd's Bush, stitched for my granddaughter Cora in 2010. She was born the end of November and was the perfect Christmas gift for us all! Weighing in at just under 5 pounds, she fit perfectly! She is a lovable, expressive girl with a caring, kind heart!

 I worked some more on my finishing piece before I got frustrated again and put it down. I've come to the conclusion I'll have to figure this one out myself; I'm having a real mental block where the instructions are concerned. Hoping today to do some problem solving!!!

I did some more on Schoolhouse #1 and am loving it! I only have a band under the house to do and I'm done! Yea!!!

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

Stasi 
P.S.  Got me some  Motivation essential oil going!!!

Stocking #3 ......(209)

Happy Friday! It's clouding up here this morning and looking to be a quiet, rainy weekend ....and that sounds just fine! It's only supposed to be a high of 73 tomorrow and that sounds just wonderful!!!

Today's Stroll stocking was made for my first grandchild, Asher, a sweet and kind hearted boy with boundless energy! It's another Shepherd's Bush stocking, Reed. This was stitched on 18 count linen with #5 Perle cottons and used the called for SB embellishment pack.

A few more leaves and berries have grown on the vines of the Schoolhouse piece. I'm liking the brighter red color as more of it comes into play.

Friday has become a day of much anticipation as the bands for the Blue Band SAL "magically" appear in my e-mail box every Friday morning. Today was no exception so I'll hopefully get working on that this weekend! I'm thinking I could use Hermione's time turner watch about now; it allowed her to take numerous classes at the same time. Maybe, I could stitch numerous projects at the same time. :)

Yesterday afternoon I spent some finishing time on a project from a class I took in 2013. Lesson #1--don't wait 3 1/2 years to try to finish a difficult piece--the memory is not what it once was! Lesson #2 Put the piece down and take a break instead of trying to force it through! I had such tunnel vision yesterday I couldn't figure out the directions. I'm hoping I didn't screw things up too much and have enough material to re-do correctly. I had a little epiphany last night in bed as to what the issue is---we'll see!

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

Stasi

 

 

Stocking #2 ......(208)

The last couple days have been rather pleasant and it appears it will continue into next week..... now if we could just get some rain.

Today's Stroll piece is Christian's Stocking from Shepherd's Bush. This too was stitched on 18 count linen with wools, Impressions and DMC Medici, using the SB embellishment pack. I made it for my son-in-law Chad back in 2004.

I pulled out the Schoolhouse #1 piece and got some leaves and a strawberry stitched. 

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

Stasi

And the Stockings Were Hung.....(207)

Greetings! To close out my Stitch Stroll this month, I'll be posting the Christmas stockings I've made for my older daughter and her family, one each day. They are all Shepherd's Bush stockings stitched on 18 count linen over two. First up is my daughter Kristin's. The pattern is Sophie and hers was done with Caron Collection Impressions fibers and Medici wool. I used the SB embellishment pack for this one. 

Yesterday I picked up My Stitcher's Heart by Hands on Design and worked on the scissor fob. I'm doing a mini SAL with two friends and we've set up a schedule. The box lid is supposed to be stitched by the end of July...got that done. The fob is scheduled for completion by August 15th....check that off my list!  I decided to stitch this over one since I prefer a smaller scissor fob. It's approximately 1 3/8 inches square rather than almost 2 3/4 inches. I won't be able to use the included pom-pom trim but I can do cording or seed beads. I do love these colors!!!

It was very pleasant yesterday and I think will be today, only...can't believe I'm saying that..... low 80"s...YES!!!



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

And the Winner is........... (206)

.....Debbie Brotzman!!! Yea Debbie!!! Merry Christmas in July!!! Please e-mail me your mailing address. Thanks to all who entered; I'm sure I'll be having some future drawings so please try again.

Today's Stroll piece is Christmas Cracker by Ewe and Eye and Friends and stitched in 1999. I gifted this to my parents as they have a fondness for nutcrackers, especially my Dad who loves the Nutcracker Suite.

 I got a good start on my son-in-laws stocking, Cranberry Row by Rosewood Manor. It will entail lots of trees but I like trees!

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

Stasi

Blue Santa......(205)

Today's Stroll piece is the Santa from Cinnamon Stick Christmas XI by Homespun Elegance. I did this for my parents in 1997. I've always loved this whole series and hoped to get more of the Santa's stitched, but this is the only one that came to fruition. He stands about 18" high and was stitched on 10 count Tula fabric.

 I did get the stocking completed over the weekend and  got my daughter's seal of approval. It is the Victorian Christmas Stocking by Rosewood Manor. I stitched in Anchor floss on 32 count White Chocolate linen; I really like this color fabric.

Now I hope you enjoy this little tale I have for you. The guy my hubby works for had given us a very generous gift certificate to Ruth's Chris for my hubby covering for him while he went on vacation with his family. We decided to use it for our anniversary celebration and had a fabulous experience....excellent food and service in a lovely historical home!

 But it was the story concerning the history of their setting that made me chuckle. I was expecting a lovely saga fraught with local history and lore......instead, we got the story line for a movie of the week! I'll try to give  a short version!

The original house was built in 1732 and at some point was bought by a Frenchman. When he came he was looking for a bride and asked for the hand of 14 year old girl. They were married and he came home one day and found her in an indelicate position with her old boyfriend. Outraged he asked for a divorce. The girl's father, angered at the divorce request went and killed the Frenchman and was later hanged. The girl, sine the divorce had not happened, inherited the house and property. She married her boyfriend and they went to abide there. Two weeks after her father's hanging she fell down the steps and died. There are two accounts of the cause of her death..one is that she broke her neck and the other.....okay here it comes....is that she tripped over her sewing basket and her scissors punctured her heart!!! Certainly a sad tale, but I do have to admit to a chuckle!!! They say she and the Frenchman haunt the gardens behind the house to this day!

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

Stasi

  P.S. Don't forget to enter the drawing for the framed piece posted on July 18. Just enter the word NOEL in a comment between July 19th and 24th. Winner will be announced on July 25th. You can enter once each day..and please do!

 

Christmas Cheer....(204)

I'm back to some cooler thoughts of Christmas for my Stroll. The heat wave continues here the coming week with no chance of rain until next weekend. We did have a storm last night around midnight, but it thundered much longer than it rained...and we really need some rain!

Today's Stroll piece is Christmas Cheer by the Drawn Thread, one of my favorite designers. It was stitched in 1997 as called for. I have this hanging all year as a reminder of the message from the song Keep Christmas with You all Through the Year from Sesame Street. My framer, at the time, did a great job with the mats.

I am so close to finishing the stocking for my daughter; hoping to get it done today. Then I have to start the one for my new son-in-law; I'd love to have these both stitched and finished by the time we drive down to see them mid September....hope springs eternal !!!

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! I wish you a restful Sunday and keep cool!

Stasi

A Birth Commemoration....(203)

Today is my baby girls' birthday...yes my youngest..and in her honor, I am posting her birth sampler as my Stroll piece. Now, my girls both got their birth samplers on their 18th birthdays. I never had time to stitch them when they were first born and then you know how time gets away from you when you're raising a family. The sampler I did for her is Forget Me Not by Shepherd's Bush and stitched in 1999. I changed the original design up and added her pertinent info. Funny story..... I gave it to her all framed and pretty and she immediately pointed out an error!!! I had stitched the wrong year for her birth; I had put the year I stitched it. So, we all had a good laugh and then I took the piece apart and redid the correct year. Happy Birthday Jess!!!!
 

 On the current stitching front, I completed week 14 of the Blue Sampler SAL and that ended Part 1. Next Friday the second part will begin and I am continuing on. This has been a very enjoyable stitch and not too hard to keep up with!

 And, with finally getting the Anchor floss I needed, I went back to work on my daughter's Christmas stocking. I'm getting into the toe section now!

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

Stasi
P.S. Don't forget to enter the drawing for the framed piece posted on July 18. Just enter the word NOEL in a comment between July 19th and 24th. Winner will be announced on July 25th. You can enter once each day..and please do!

 

Jolly Santa...(202)

 Thanks for the anniversary wishes..much appreciated! Rich had to work yesterday morning, but we wanted to spend the afternoon together and had volunteered with a local food bank to distribute food for kids, like a back pack program. Well, it was set up outside a library and it was 100 degrees!!! I made it about 30 minutes into a 2 hour shift, then had to retreat into the library where I stitched and "dripped". Luckily there were more than enough volunteers, not affected by the extreme temps, who could handle everything. I really don't know what I was thinking....I've never been good in the heat!!! As a result, we stopped for Subway on the way home and are planning a nice, cool dinner out on Sunday!!!

Today's Stroll piece is Jolly Santa, a Bent Creek Zipper kit stitched in 2002 and never finished into something....one of these days!!! It's on 18 count linen, not too big and would make a cute pillow!

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

Stasi

P.S. Don't forget to enter the drawing for the framed piece posted on July 18. Just enter the word NOEL in a comment between July 19th and 24th. Winner will be announced on July 25th. You can enter once each day..and please do!

43 years and going strong...... (201)

Today I'm straying from Christmas in July and posting a Stroll piece I did back in 1981 because.....drum roll please...... it's a wedding sampler and today is Rich and my 43rd anniversary!!! I think it was in a magazine, but can't recall for sure. I had posted about this piece awhile ago because I had never framed it due to the pink thread running (first and last time I ever washed my needlework). So I overdyed the whole piece, was okay with the result and it was framed 35 years after it was stitched!

Sticking with the anniversary theme are two wedding samplers I've been gifted over the years. Ruth Sparrow, my old boss and dear friend, stitched this for our 25th anniversary.

Another special and dear friend, Paola, stitched this for our 40th anniversary!

I am so blessed to have such  wonderful friends who have shared their talents with me; these are treasured keepsakes which I admire every day! Thanks Ruth and Paola from the bottom of my heart!

So, yesterday went extremely well with my granddaughter and I was indoctrinated into the world of Build a Bear Workshop. We picked up a piece of Aida for her and she started a little project. I asked if she wanted to earn x's or just free hand with her stitching. She opted for the second, so she drew a heart on the fabric and proceeded to fill it in with long stitches. She chose the colors and repetition pattern; I only threaded the needle for her. Here's what she got done this morning before her Mom picked her up. She wants to make it into a small pillow for her new bear we got yesterday.

To close out...and maybe provide a little chuckle, here is a photo of Rich, my parents and I on our wedding day. And I made my wedding dress out of white eyelet! You can't tell but it had a little "apron" that went over it at the waist that had tiny yellow flowers on it---very 70"s!!!!

 

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


Stasi
P.S. Don't forget to enter the drawing for the framed piece posted on July 18. Just enter the word NOEL in a comment between July 19th and 24th. Winner will be announced on July 25th. You can enter once each day..and please do!




 

200 Days in and still Strolling Strong......(200)

Today marks the 200th day of my Stitch Stroll and to celebrate I'm going to have a Christmas in July giveaway. To enter the drawing, leave a comment on my blog with the word "Noel" in it to have a chance to win the framed Bent Creek piece I posted yesterday (July 18). I'll pick a name on July 25th and announce the winner. One entry a day starting today through July 24th--good luck all! Feel free to spread the word. 

Today's Stroll piece is a UFO from the JCS Ornament issue from 1998. It is called Home for the Holly days by Ruth Sparrow at Twisted Threads. One of these days I'll finish it into an ornament!

I got a little more stitched on my Schoolhouse piece..mainly the bird and top of a strawberry! Okay, that red door is bothering me... but I don't want to take out the over one. I changed the colors and am using a red from the Prim collection of VMSS threads. I think I'll wait until I get the rest stitched and see how I feel then.

Today I am off to the Williamsburg outlets with my granddaughter. Her brother is at camp this week and she asked for a sleepover at our house. I'm squeaking in a stop at Haus Tirol to pick up Anchor floss for the Christmas stocking.

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

Stasi

Noel.......(199)

Greetings fellow stitchers.....have you noticed when I can't come up with a clever post title I fall back on the piece title? Well today is one of those days...I'm feeling brain dead. Hubby and I have spent the last three nights staying up late watching TV. The good thing is I'm stitching while watching; the bad thing is daylight still comes around at it's usual time. Maybe a nap will be in order today!

The Stroll piece today is Noel from Bent Creek and stitched in 2002. 

  
My accomplishment last night was the next section of my SAL, the bottom three rows of letters. I think we may have only one more week of part 1, then we move on to part 2. I can't show the whole piece any more without taking it off the scroll bars, so can only share a small section at a time for now.

I have been "de-stashing" recently and selling some items on the FB Stash Unload page. However, I have just as quickly been "re-stashing" because I keep seeing things I "need"!!! I feel like I'm defeating the whole purpose of down-sizing the 'collection' but can't seem to help myself. And then I remember something Betsy Stinner once said....and I paraphrase...people collect stamps they never mail, people collect coins they never spend...why can't we collect charts we never stitch???? Words to live by???

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

Stasi

Christmas in July...(198)

Today I'm going to try to cool things down a bit and start a little Christmas Strolling....after all, there's only 161 days until Christmas! First up is Baa..Humbug by Ewe and Eye and Friends, stitched in 2000. E&E&F often did whimsical designs and this is definitely one of them! Sorry for the poor quality of the photo, but 99% of my framed pieces are glassed and that presents a problem with glare, no matter where I try to take the shot.

I didn't get any stitching done yesterday as I was on a quest. I had promised my grandson we'd go searching for a Jackson Storm Matchbox car, never realizing that after 2 Wal-Marts, Target, Five Below, Kohls and Toys R Us, we'd come out empty handed. We succumbed to ordering from E-bay and paying twice what it sells for in the stores, but he was paying for it himself and wanted it THAT bad. Funny thing is I told him I could totally understand his fixation.......how many times have I obsessed over a certain chart/kit and spent hours trying to hunt it down!!! Hopefully we both learned a bit of a lesson!!!

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

Stasi

The house that Stasi built.....(197)

I'm starting off today with a shot of the progress on my WTNT Schoolhouse piece. The house is built and I can move on to other sections. Yea!!!

The Stroll piece today is an older Bent Creek called All in a Row, stitched in 1996. I love alphabets; I've stitched so many my family used to ask me if I'd learned it yet? I incorporated a freebie, also by Bent Creek, with numbers below the letters. Sorry about the flash glare; I had trouble with this shot.

I'm so happy about the following "share". My 6 year old granddaughter went to a camp this past week on fiber arts,  held at Hobby Lobby. She learned some sewing, stitching, weaving and needle felting. She gifted me her needle felted project, so sweet! I am tickled to death she has an interest in this art and am going to do my best to keep promoting it. Maybe I will have someone to leave my stash and legacy to after all !!!

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

Stasi

I am a Stitcher.....(196)

Today's Stroll piece pretty much sums up my love for stitching and I will let it speak for itself. 

This is called I am a Stitcher by Cherrywood Designs, stitched in 2012. I did change the colors up ....again, I'm trying to stitch from stash as much as I can, and added a couple related charms--scissors and a sewing basket. It's difficult to see from the photo but I stitched this on overdyed 28 count gingham check fabric---to be honest it's hard to tell in person! 

I spent some time this week organizing/thinning my sewing room. I came across this cute little "person" who is also is a stitcher. Her name is Juliet Valentine and she's a Lizzie Hi doll. I used to collect these dolls when I lived in PA, even "dressed" them for awhile to earn some extra spending money. When we moved last September I donated all the dolls to Goodwill...except this one...for obvious reasons.

 Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by with your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A Summer Pixie.....(195)

Today's stroll piece is from Bent Creek, stitched in 1998. There were a series of four seasonal charts called A Pixie for all Seasons....this is the summer one. There was an actual "pixie' design and a "saying"; I did the sayings only and change them out every season.

I got a little more done on the Schoolhouse piece, but not much. I am substituting fibers and started to do the roof in a dark brown, similar to DMC 3371, but it was too dark. So, I had to take out about 4 rows of the over one...yea I know...not easy....and switched to a grey. I like it much better!

I'm hoping to get some errands run this morning and then sit all afternoon with my foot propped up and ice on it. I had a little mishap a week ago but didn't think much of it. It didn't really hurt, just a little tender to the touch.  But as the week progressed (and I didn't stay off it) the top of my foot has become totally bruised! So, me thinks it's time for a little "babying"......any excuse to sit and stitch you know!!! :)

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

 
 

Up for a Bar-B-Q? ......(194)

 

Strolling through summer with A Year in Chalk-July by Hands on Design. I don't have a photo of the finished piece and it resides at my daughter's house. I did this series for her birthday last year and she changes them out every month. This was a fun set to do and I'm glad she is enjoying it.




We're just starting up our grilling this summer; we had to get a new grill after our move. Bring on the burgers, steaks and salmon! Our son-in-law cooked us some corn on the cob on the grill Memorial Day and we're anxious to try that out too! 





Okay, so I had to break down and start the Summer Schoolhouse-Lessons in Abecedarian #1.  I'm doing it, over one (as called for), on 28 count lambswool (I had a big enough piece on hand) and substituting fibers from The Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. I had bought a set of her primitive colors and have been saving them for the perfect project.....I think I found it!!! Not much excitement too far as I started on the tan house!

I promised a finish today and here it is! I stitched this for the challenge at All About Smalls on FB. Deadline was the end of July, so I wanted to push it through. It is a freebie chart from Hands on Design called To the Beach. I finished it as a tin topper after seeing Lisa's version at The Inspired Stitcher. If you want to check out hers, here's a link: http://theinspiredstitcher.blogspot.com/2016/11/to-beach-freebie-finish.html    It is stitched on a 40 count mystery linen over two. I changed the threads to use ones from my stash and added "whitecaps" to the waves. I also added the whale charm and seashell counting pin. The stitched piece is glued onto the lid and some tiny cording, also glued, around the perimeter.

 
I had the perfect fabric to line the bottom and cushion my scissors, and put a piece of magnetic sheeting in the top to hold needles.

I used the decorative tape you find in the scrapbooking aisles to cover the edge of the Altoid box. 

And there you have it!!! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! Keep cool.....upper 90's here today with heat index of 105!!!!!!!

Stasi

1776....(193)

Today will be the last day for a patriotic piece. It's something I stitched for my Dad many, many moons ago; it's a crewel piece so definitely from the 70's. I fear I probably mounted it on sticky board.....I know....I know....but that's before I was "educated"!!! LOL

I worked a little on a small finishing piece yesterday and will share as soon as it's complete.

I succumbed and signed up for the Summer Schoolhouse Lessons  from Brenda Gervais, after all, they are smalls!!! I love the first one in the series and can't wait to see what follows. 

 I also did a little stash enhancing on FB.

Feathered Nest Pin Book by Stacy Nash (club piece) and A Bee C by Lizzie Kate

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

Stasi

A cute Pair....(192)

Strolling today is a cute pair of hand towel I stitched back in 1992. I'm pretty sure they were in a magazine but didn't keep track back then. 

I remember being concerned that the towels wouldn't hold up well through many washings and wondering if it was worth the effort to make them. I'm posting a photo of the back today...looks as good as the day it came off the needle! I guess I did a good job burying all those threads! LOL 

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

Stasi