THE BUZZ FROM THE HIVE

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

And the Winners are.....

A Stitch in Time by With Thy Needle and Thread:





A Tisket, A Tasket by JBW Designs:



 
 Congratulations to the winners...please e-mail me at Stchnbee@aol.com with your mailing address and I'll get your chart off to you.

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

Stasi


Sunday, March 29, 2020

Checking in...and a Drawing Reminder (548)



 

Greetings all...I hope this finds you healthy in the confines of your favorite sheltering place.....home sweet home!!! 

It's been a fairly busy week ...I started out by making 30+ face masks for my niece, who is the administrator of an assisted living facility in the Baltimore area. She had put out a request on FB and I felt the need to respond. There were quite a few tutorials on YouTube, and they were not hard to make...not ideal for the situation but better than nothing. I hope the supply chain picks up and turns this around soon!!!


I have had a finish-finish this week....Little Dumpling Travel Bag by  Thistles. Mine was a lit (leftover from a class at Market) but there are charts available. It was much easier to put together than I anticipated and turned out so darn cute!





My new start is an exclusive kit from Salty Yarns, A Fish Tale by Hands on Design. I love the colors in this.... so beachy!!! The design features a box lid, three fobs and a pincushion that all fit in/on a drawer style box. The kit is all inclusive..fabric, full skeins of WDW, the drawer to finish it on, shell pins, a waxer, an ort jar, a coordinating thread holder, a fish ruler, fabric, trims  and cardboard for finishing and all the instructions. Cathy's finishing instructions are superb!!!


This is the band for the pincushion.

 Trying to adjust to our new normal...my oldest had a birthday Friday and even though we only live a few miles apart, we did not participate except for me making her favorite cake and dropping it off. I'm not going out except for necessities and to walk/hike. I've been calling a friend a day to keep in touch and hanging out on social media. I try not to listen to the news and depend on Rich to let me know what I must. I am enjoying small things people are doing to stay positive. Some of our neighbors are having themed days like zoo days where they put stuffed animals out on their front lawn. Today is flowers day and a number of them have chalk drawn flowers in their driveways. We are seeing more neighbors out and about than ever before..though safely practicing social distancing. We've had parades of teachers from our local schools drive through the neighborhood honking and waving to their students. These small gestures are so uplifting and I choose to focus on them!

A reminder that I have a drawing going on for a With Thy Needle and Thread or JBW Designs chart. Please see my previous post and enter there by commenting and stating which one, or both, that you'd like to be entered in for. I will draw two names, one for each chart on the 31st! If you have previously commented and are not an official follower of my blog (found on the sidebar), please become one  so you are eligible. Also, if you are a no-reply blogger, I can't contact you by e-mail so be sure to check back to see if you win and, if you do, get me your contact info so charts can be mailed.

So please everyone, be safe, stay home, wash your hands, stitch the day away...... and we'll get through this! Sending virtual hugs!!! 

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



Friday, March 20, 2020

Happy Spring and a Little Strolling....(544-547)



Greetings all and happy spring ...I wish you could be here to small my hyacinths..they are heavenly!!! We could never have them in WV as the deer made a meal out of them every year. So far, so good here in RVA. The daffodils are popping and the phlox is creeping..spring flowers are definitely my favorite!



I know all of us are reeling from this coronaviris situation but I am trying to remain calm, go about my business as much as I can and be safe. That means pretty much staying home except for the grocery store. I've only seen the grands once in over a week and that is tough! Good things are happening though, small but meaningful....I see people smiling at each other more at the grocery, clerks being told to stay safe and thanks for being here, people letting my 89 year old Mom go to the front of the line when picking up a prescription. My granddaughters teacher actually had her students get on line and she read them a bedtime story!!! We need to look for the good in all this while being safe and hoping for positive outcomes for all.

Speaking of my grands...I have to do a little grandmotherly bragging here....my grandson, Asher, was named Student of the Year at his middle school. I was told he was chosen out of 1500 students!!! We are so proud of him!!!


Asher visited by Principal to present award
And, please forgive me, but I have to mention that my younger daughter, Jess, also got Teacher of the Year at her school in NC. She works at an 'at risk' high school and faces  many challenges with a level head and caring heart. We have so much to be thankful for! (No picture, she'd never forgive me!)

Some disappointments like the PSS retreat being postponed to 2021,shops closing to the public,  Guild meetings and stitch groups being cancelled as well as baseball/soccer games. Thanks goodness for the internet where we can stay in touch virtually. Have you seen all the freebie charts that designers are starting to come out with to help with our confinement??? How generous is that!!! They just ask we call our LNS for supplies, if needed, to help them through these troubling times. 

I forgot to mention in my last post about the floss tubers I met at Market. It was so exciting to meet Vonna (Twisted Stitcher), Stephanie (Just Keep Stitching) , Michelle (Bendy Stitches), Suzy Reno and Kim from Sassy Jacks/Yonder Ways.

As for stitching...I have been a very busy bee...lots of finishing and stitching. I've been concentrating on finishing in the mornings and early afternoons, then switching to stitching for the remainder of the day. I am liking this staying at home and getting things accomplished...not sure how long it will last before I get cabin fever..... but for now, I am enjoying it immensely!!! I'll start with some finishes; I'll put info in the caption under the photos.

Jolly Santa by Bent Creek--stitched in 2002 (Zipper kit)


Cabin in the Globe by Bent Creek stitched in 2002 (Zipper kit)

A Stitch in Time by With Thy Needle and Thread.... Stitched with called for fabric and fibers



Stitching by the Sea by CA Wells....called for fibers but substituted a light blue fabric


A Tisket, A Tasket by JBW...kit, stitched as called for
Now for what I'm currently working on...and yes, I have a banding thing going on!!! First up is the Burgandy Sampler Band SAL from iStitch Designs...up to week 11.



Next is the Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL on FB.. through week 12.



Third is an on line class with Sassy Jacks, Learning Stitches by Jeanette Douglas...first two lessons, Hungarian and Ray stitches.



 I've been trying hard to keep up with these SAL's but that means other projects are falling by the way side. I did start a new project that I got at Market, Little Dumpling Travel Bag by Thistles. This was one of the classes taught at Market but the designer had some extras in her room. You're seeing the back side of the piece in the photo.



That's about it......oh wait..... I thought I would have a little drawing now.... something to work on perhaps as we are stuck at home!!! So, you must be a follower (you can check the Followers widget at the bottom left of this page to be sure you're legit) of my blog and leave a comment stating which, or both,  of the two charts you'd like to be entered for. I will draw two names on the morning of March 31st, so check back then to see if you've won and get me your mailing info. Here are the charts (see above for finished designs):

A Stitch in Time by WTNT

A Tisket, A Tasket by JBW Designs

Good luck everyone and thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi






Friday, March 13, 2020

A Trip to Crazy Town...... 543



Now you might think I mean Nashville, but actually it's Food Lion and Target. There is an underlying frenzy going on at the stores....I feel it....and am trying not to go off the deep end. I understand the worry and have enough supplies on hand to last the two week quarantine period...if needed. That's all I can do and hope for the best! A nice thing happened this morning, though, in the midst of all the craziness. I had let a men, who only had two items go ahead of me in line at Food Lion. Then a lady came running in saying the cashier was holding three things for her because she had to run out to the car to get more money. Turns out it was a bit more than 3 items and then she started adding/subtracting items to match the amount of money she had. It quickly became obvious she didn't have enough money so the gentleman in front of me told the cashier to add her things to his two items and he paid for it all. Made my heart sing!!!

As for Nashville, I really don't have too much to say; I'm sure by now you've all seen the previews and after Market posts. I was very restrained and only bought a few items. 


I did buy some gifts for friends but that will have to wait until after they are gifted.

Sara gave Sally and I a gift the first night...a lovely project bag with a piece of green dupioni silk in it. Sara also gave me a sweet little kit that had been taught at Market.



 So, in general Market was wonderful yet overwhelming...so many new designs. Sometimes when there is SO much to choose from, I feel the need to pull back and mull things over before I buy. I will say one of my favorite things at Market was the completed Jenny Bean Parlor series by Shakespeare's Peddlar--it was my WOW!!! (Sorry didn't take a photo). I also loved the charts by Marjorie Massey that Theresa was selling. It was great to see old friends and reconnect with others. I told myself before I left that I wouldn't hug too many people, but couldn't help myself. All in all, it was a great experience and if you have any questions about a certain designer, let me know. Also, let me know what you were moved to buy from Market. 

Sadly, we did see a lot tornado damage on our way into Nashville along Route 40. .....houses totally demolished, trees and road signs snapped and LOTS of blue tarps. Luckily, we were on the other side of town and not affected firsthand. 

 I can stitch in the car, on certain things like perforated paper, so I got one piece completely stitched and the other 3/4 done on the way out and back. Both are from Samsarah Designs and found in the Halloween issues of JCS....Jack and Frank. I have two more from the series and am on the hunt for the remaining ones. These will be jointed when finished....so fun!



While in my hotel room, I got the piece stitched for an upcoming class at my Guild. Sadly, the class has been postponed due to the corona virus, but it will be made up at a later date. The piece is from  Just Hatched by the Prairie Schooler.



Since I've been home, I got caught up on two of my SAL's, Burgandy Sampler Band SAL  by iStitch Designs and the FB Blackwork SAL by Peppermint Purple.



I also have a finish-finish.....just in time for St. Patrick's Day.... Shamrock Row by Bent Creek. I did this like I did my Easter Bunny Row last year, where I had seen the idea on FB. I stitched the piece on banding and attached it to an antique wooden spool. I used the called for threads and added some sweet shamrock charms and an antique MOP flour leaf clover at the end. I just kind of unfurl it and it stands up on its own. When the holiday is over, I can just roll it up to store until next year.




Last, but not least, I had seen this mug posted on Beth Twist's IG page and, since I happened to be in Target today, I scoped it out. How sweet is this???




Well, I think that's all I've got today. Please stay safe, my friends!!! I keep telling myself I'd rather be a fool for taking precautions than find myself in an unprepared/worrisome situation.  Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi



Tuesday, March 3, 2020

A Quick Post Before I'm Off to Nashville.....542



I'm all packed and ready to leave for Nashville..just waiting for my ride. So I am all ramped up and atwitter waiting!!!! I still have a couple hours and a LOT of nervous energy, so I thought I'd do a quick post. I was asked last year to help Sara, from Salty Yarns, out because Sally fractured her ankle a week before Market. Luckily I was free and could go at the last minute!!! So, they asked me back again this year and how could a girl refuse!!! 😊

I've kind of been all over the place lately with my stitching...jumping from project to project and working on whatever calls my name.  I'm working on a number of SAL's and here is where I stand:

1. Blackwork SAL on FB  with Peppermint Purple; Stitched over two on 28 count banding with black.


2. Burgandy Sampler Band SAL with iStitch Designs  I'm using Glorianna Bellagio and four solids...stitched over one on 28 count banding. This is through week 8.



3. This is an online class through Sassy Jacks using Jeanette Douglas's Learning Stitches. I'm doing this on a 21 count banding. Kim at SJ's designed a header for us which I did add at the top. I made my squirrel white since my daughter lives in Brevard, NC where they are famous for white squirrels. This shows the first lesson, Hungarian stitch.



Then a very generous friend gave me her copy of Shamrock Row by Bent Creek and I juts finished the stitching up last evening. I used the called for colors and did it on banding. I will finish it on a spool like my Easter Row  last year. ( Vickie, I'll get it off to you when I get home from Nashville)  You can see my finish here--just scroll down a bit  Easter Bunny Row



I also got the piece stitched for the PSS retreat. I will give it to Faye of Carolina Stitcher and she will turn it into  lovely project bag. Stitched on a mystery linen with Needle Necessities #128.

I worked a tiny bit on the Sassenach Sampler by Lauren Sauer, but it..... and a huge number of projects...what am I thinking..... are going with me to Nashville. Don't you love all those luscious colors???


 Finally, I did have one finish..and it's a bit of a cheat...because the bag was pre-made and I only had to add the stitching. Something I stumbled across on the second hand market (FB).



So I just got a text that Sally and Sara are about 30-40 minutes out, so I will end here. I may try to post at Market but I hate doing this on my phone/tablet so we'll see. 

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

Stasi

PS And  more important than any of this, today......