THE BUZZ FROM THE HIVE

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Stitch Stroll (31)

Well, it is hard to believe that January is over. It hasn't felt very "January-y" here in Virginia except for the snowstorm earlier in the month. We've had more days in the 50's and 60's than not!!! I love my four seasons and definitely feel like I'm being short changed here with winter. I'll try not to complain to much about the heat and humidity when it gets warmer here but, I do NOT like hot weather----never have--never will!.

With that said, a little autumn themed piece for today. It is a beaded ornament called An Acorn for Andrew. I can't recall who the designer is but she did a few of these. I have the key for my display cabinet attached to it and hanging in the keyhole. Sorry, I forgot to photograph he other side but it is my initial--S.   Updated- Designer is Tomorrow's Antiques.



I also wanted to share a cool gift I got for a birthday present (thanks Sally). It's a ceramic scissor holder, pincushion and ort container...all in one. And it looks like a spool of thread!!! Pretty nifty, huh?

Overall View

 
Ort Container

Pincushion top/scissor holder
Stitchy friends are the greatest--we get each other and all our quirks/addictions!!!


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

Stasi

Monday, January 30, 2017

Stitch Stroll (30)

 Stroll piece of the day is Her Sampler 1796 by Blackbird Designs. This was a free pattern offered for a SAL by Blackbird in 2014. I chose this to be my first piece stitched on 52 count linen. 




Well, the weekend didn't turn out quite as planned, but unexpected stitching time resulted. My hubby has been helping my SIL build a house for his Dad. Hubby has really been enjoying this experience and opted to pitch in yesterday to help put up the 3rd and 4th walls instead of attending the Home Show.

 


 That was okay with me and a new project was started and finished instead. I had seen this recently on a blog (sorry I can't remember where I saw it, so I apologize for not giving proper credit--I even looked around this morning and can't find original post) and filed it for future reference. I happened to stumble across it on my recent visit to Salty Yarns---kismet!!! It is Love Tea by Hinzeit. I changed the colors up a bit and stitched with fibers and mystery linen from my stash. I had also found a sweet little frame, but it was a little too long so I added the line "cream and sugar in my"... Perfect!!! I'll try to get this framed quickly and post---it's going to look nice in my kitchen. P.S. After reading Robin's comment below, I remembered she had sent me photos of some of her finishes and that was where I saw the Love Tea piece originally. Sorry Robin!





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

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Stitch Stroll (29) .....and Plump Pillows

Today's piece is a favorite of mine. It was one of my first classes with Betsy Morgan and I took it at The Loudoun Sampler Guild in January 2009 (how can 8 years have passed so quickly???) . Betsy comes up with the cleverest ideas for projects and this is definitely one! It's called Mermaid's Stitching Bag and is actually two sections. The top is a small ditty bag that nestles into a bottom section which is an ort container. A cute little scissor fob was also a part of the class. 








Front 
Back
Bottom of Bag
Inside Ort Container

I also completed a little sewing project that has been on the back burner a couple months. Our new sofa did not come with pillows and I thought it needed some to add some color/interest. I had my granddaughter helping with these yesterday though she quickly devolved into filling my pincushion with the pretty colored pins!




 

I'm sure it will never look like this again as the pillows scatter about and my stitching takes reign over moi "section".

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

Stasi












Saturday, January 28, 2017

A Little Bee.... (28)

A fun piece for the weekend stroll; today's "share" isn't stitched but definitely relates to it. It's a complete kit from JABCO and is called Betty Bee Pincushion. You know my love of bees and this cute little bugger had my name on it.



Have a busy weekend with basket ball games, a sleepover and possibly a trip to the Richmond Home Show tomorrow.

Oooohhh--on my way home from the basket ball game I stopped in a little quilt shop I had noticed---look at the adorable fabric I found---score!!!

 

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

Stasi

Friday, January 27, 2017

Stitch Stroll--needlepoint (27)

A little departure from my usual stitching. This was a little kit I bought in Hendersonville, NC while visiting my younger daughter. You know how we stitchers must hunt down any needlecraft store in the area and, on one of our first visits, I found this shop. Sadly, they have since closed. This was a "car" project for me since needlepoint is a little easier on the eyes. Definitely my color palette---very "autumny".....

front


Back
and useful......my glasses sleep here every night!





On the stitching front, I finished the bottom of the beekeeper's cottage and have started on the roof pieces. There will be six of those!


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

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Stitch Stroll (26)

Today we have Pining to Stitch. This was in a 2012 EGA Needlearts magazine. The raised pine cones are what drew me to this. I think it has since been released in chart pack form (along with a few other smalls) by Amaryllis Artworks.

Top

Bottom

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

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Stitch Stroll (25)

Today's post is a class I took at the Salty Yarns Jamboree back in 2009. It is Pretty in Pink by Cherished Stitches.
Front


Back  

Inside

 I wanted to share an adorable birthday gift I received; it is a set of needle holders. The designs were stitched and attached to the top of, if I remember correctly, bead tubes.  Sorry the picture quality isn't better but trust me, these are stinkin" cute. It was suggested I put a tiny paper punched circle in the bottoms with the needle size...and I did. Thanks Sara!




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

Stasi 

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Stitch Stroll (24) and a little finishing

Todays stroll is one of the breast cancer pieces from Elegant Stitch....not sure what year. It is by Blackbird Designs and was made into a pincushion. I'm pretty sure the bag came with it. Updated: Piece is called Buttons and Blooms for the Cure.


As for some finishing, I completed the stitching on Let it Bee by The Drawn Thread. Such a sweet piece and, of course, means a lot since my favorite band was the Beatles. I think it can also be a reminder to let things "go" and not dwell on things that are disturbing and/or upsetting. Many comments, from both sides on FB, recently tend to get my Irish "ire" up....me thinks this is not good for my blood pressure. This doesn't mean I don't care or aren't interested, it just means I don't want to allow myself to travel to the "dark" side. On to a brighter note............



I completed the finishing for the January challenge for the All About Smalls page on FB. The name is Sew Scissors by iStitch. I decided to go with a "less is more" finish and didn't put cording around the piece. I plan to use this as a fob for my dressmaker shears. It is stitched over one on 58 count linen with threads I had in my stash. I had some scraps of the backing fabric and, since I didn't need much, it worked perfectly.







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

Monday, January 23, 2017

Vicorian Needle Fan (23)


Today's little ditty, from 2006,  is the Victorian Needle Fan. This was designed by Wendy White for the Kreinik Remember the Ladies series and is stitched on perforated paper shapes from Tokens and Trifles. Needles are kept on the reverse sides and can accommodate size 22, 24, 26, and 28. If I remember correctly, the mini kit came with the chart and Kreinik silk fibers, but you had to buy the Tokens and Trifles.







It is a dreary, rainy Monday and I have no where I have to be. So, I can happily stay home and, hopefully, get some finishing done. Now that hubby has installed a ceiling light/fan in my craft room, I can actually see to work play on a day like today.

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

Sunday, January 22, 2017

Swirly Winter (22)

No snow here at the moment...but I'm ever hopeful!!! Here's a little wintry piece by Heart in Hand called Winter Swirl. It was a class in 1999 and we got all four "swirly" seasons. (I'll post the others as their appropriate time frame is upon us.) I had this made into a cube by our  "twisted" finisher, Joann; I can turn the cube to highlight the current season. 


No stitching getting done this weekend.  Been watching the grandkiddies since Thursday. They'll get picked up today and, hopefully, this week I'll be able to finish my teeny scissor fob to meet the deadline.

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

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Stitch Stroll (21)

Today I share Williamsburg Sewing Case by Merry Cox. This was a class I took in 2008.

front 
Back
Inside
 I got a little more stitched on Let it Bee at my guild meeting on Thursday.


Not too much more to do...just the bees wings at the top and the lattice work. Now, do I frame or make into a pillow? 

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

Friday, January 20, 2017

Home Town (20)

 Today we have a cute little project from Whiskey Creek Designs, Home Town Box. This was done on 14 count perforated paper and formed into a box. I had bought this, along with a few others, years ago but didn't stitch until 2013. I'm not sure they are still around or not. I love the colors, very true to the Amish color palette.


Top of Box
Bottom of Box



Side of Box
 I wish you all the best in your home town today and everyday.

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

 

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Stitch Stroll (19)

 Today we have Shepherds Purse by Shepherds Bush. This is one of the first smalls I ever stitched back in 1996. I'm showing my original piece and one I did as a gift last year. The original was a kit with fabric (I think), silks and embellishments included.  The newer version I used mystery fabric and silks to complete. Luckily I had enough beads from the original to use on the newer version.
Original front


Original Back  


Newer Version- front


Newer Version- back
I'm also sharing the joining technique...I've come a long way baby!!!!

Original whipped stitch join

Newer version  using Betsy Morgan's joining technique
 Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi