THE BUZZ FROM THE HIVE

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Oh Happy Days

I am quite thrilled that my Merry Cox pre-stitch kit has arrived as I am very anxious to get started on it. I am taking two classes from Merry in June, only one that requires pre-stitching---thank goodness (as I'm also taking a Betsy Morgan class in June)!!!


Anyhow, I am ready to begin the Le Nouveau Palias Royal piece and it is just lovely. Merry asks we don't post any part of the kit on line but here is a link to the piece on her web site  http://www.frommerrysheart.com/index.php/teaching-projects/63-le-nouveau-palais-royal .I am stitching this one for my granddaughter, Cora, as it is mainly pinks and soft greens--very sweet and petite....just like her!  I am having a little issue in that the overdyed silk for the flowers that I received has a lot of dark blue in it and not much pink. The original flowers are all shades of pink which is what I would prefer. So, it was off to Stasi's shop (my personal stash) and lo and behold, I had  part of a skein of the color called for with much more pink in it. Problem solved!!! Yippee--I am ready to rock n roll!!!!


I've also got a bit more completed on The Regal Bee --the pincushion. Here are a couple photos showing the front and back:






Front of Pincushion














               Back of Pincushion










Sometimes, things just fall into place and find their way to the destined place. My friend, Debbie, had given me this beautiful antique bee button last year for Christmas. I've been squirreling it away for just the right project. Well, this is it!!! Don't you think this button will be absolutely perfect in the center of the pincushion front??? I am so loving it! Thanks Debbie!!!


I have been hungrily devouring the new items from the Nashville Market and need to make a final list of what I want. I do so miss going and seeing all the wonderful designers, projects and people up close and personal. But the internet sure makes it a little easier to bear. All reports say it was a very enthusiastic gathering and I'm so glad to hear that. Now, we must enthusiastically support our shop owners...and the needlework business in general...by purchasing some of these products. I know I'll do my part! :)

Thanks for visiting...until next time.

Stasi

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Out of the Mouths of Babes

So, I haven't been doing much stitching. I have been sucked into my Kindle Fire and have been blazin' through books like crazy, now that I've figured out how to get them from my local library. I've finished that latest Janet Evanavich, two David Baldacci (I love the Camel Club), a Rizzoli and Isles (can't remember the author and it was my first in that series), The Hunger Games... and am now on to book two in that series. I am a true fiend when I am reading..it's all I want to do!!! If I had my way we'd starve while the dirty clothes piled up all around us and dust bunnies reproduced as... well....bunnies do. Alas, I do have to answer the business phone, cook dinners for the hubby and keep some semblance of order here in the house.


I have started to try to limit myself to just a few chapters before bed and stitch early in the evening. I've got a bit more stitched on the Regal Bee--finished one side of the pincushion and am working on the other side. I'll show a pic next time around.


We did have a fun time this past weekend babysitting our two grand kids. We even managed a trip over to Williamsburg (the kids live in the Richmond area) to visit my friend, Paola, who was at the stitching seminar there. Unfortunately, we didn't have a whole lot of time..bed time schedules and all...but still managed to walk the whole of Duke of Gloucester Street and share a meal with Paola. Paola also was able to share with me her stitched Berlin Work Sampler that she did over 1 on 45 count linen. It is stupendous and was stitched in honor of her 25th anniversary. It will be absolutely stunning once it is framed.


On the way home in the car, Rich was explaining the historical significance of Williamsburg to Asher. All about the taxation, fight for independence, etc. Asher was asking a million questions then shouted out " King George isn't getting my money, my toys or MY candy"!!! Needless to say, we cracked up thinking we certainly have a revolutionary in the family!


Til next time!




Wednesday, February 8, 2012

This Ones For the Girls............

that is my two girls, Kris and Jess. I stitched Miss Trenners Needlework Academy with them in mind because there are two girls featured in the design.
inside small box 
 I am happy to say I taught both my girls to stitch. However, try as I may, they have both chosen different creative paths. Kris loves to paint, do pottery and lots of crafty things for her home and two children. She has just started to sew and is finding all kinds of cute projects on line. Jess enjoys quilting and making wearable art  out of found/recycled items. She's always looking for ideas for projects for her students. I guess all those years of having them make Xmas ornaments for family paid off!!!


On to the piece! This was a limited edition kit from With My Needle and came with the papier mache boxes, wooden ruler/thread holder, sheep waxer and lining fabric. (I do think it is available as a chart though w/o the extras). I changed the fabric to 36 count Light Espresso linen from R&R (had it in my stash) and used Vicki Clayton silks. Now while I liked the feel of the silks and the fact they were wound 1 strand on tiny bobbins, I wasn't happy with the conversion from DMC to her silks--they were much lighter than the DMC colors. Granted I was converting from NPI to DMC to Vicki Clayton so something may have been "lost in the translation". Since I can never seem to get the mat board bases cut perfectly round/oval, cording seemed to be the ticket to finish off the insides. It hides a multitude of sins and gives a more polished look.


Here are the photos of the finished product:


boxes







inside large box


Inside lid of small box

Outside Needle Page
Inside Needle Page and Scissor Fob






Needle page folded up front
Needle page folded up back








It is snowing here...has been since around 10:00 this morning. It's not really laying but is sticking to the trees. Here's a photo of out tree spirit with heavy snow lidded eyes. :)



Until next time...I'm thinking it's a sea salt caramel hot chocolate kind of night!!!
Thanks Debbie! If I could drink it in a red solo cup......I would!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Under the Boardwalk

Well, maybe not under the boardwalk, but I definitely put in quite a few miles on the boardwalk---thanks Sherry and Jayne!


I had a wonderful weekend down at the beach with my stitching buddies.It's become a tradition to head to Ocean City, Md for the Salty Yarns Super Bowl sale. We spend the weekend stitching, shopping and eating. We even managed to get in a ladies tea, visit to Serendipity quilt shop and lunch at the Cottage Cafe in Bethany Beach. Who could ask for anything more??? It is so motivating to see what everyone is working on, share thoughts and ideas and, of course, add to our stash! Thank you Sally and Sara for your kind hospitality...it is much appreciated!


Here is a photo of a mornings sunrise:



 














I made quite a bit of progress on the band for The Regal Bee and am loving it. The two colors, black and gold, are  just so dramatic! I did have some heart palpitations when I noticed a black sooty spot on the fabric as I unrolled the piece on my scroll frame. Thankfully, they were on the area I had not stitched and washed out. The actual fabric is not so gray..more creamy so the colors really POP!


One day I'll post a photo of the beautiful shaker box this piece will go in..it is divine!!!