THE BUZZ FROM THE HIVE

Saturday, September 4, 2021

I am Strolling into Fall......(607-613)

 


  Greetings! August continued to be hot, humid and steamy and I continued to stay home in the A/C and stitch as much as possible. We did have a moment of 'crisis' when our A/C went down on a weekend, but were able to get it fixed quickly. Such a minor complaint compared to what people down south are dealing with.......holding them in my thoughts and prayers.

School has started up again and, even though we don't have school age children, we have to refer to the school schedules for start/end times. We live off a two lane road that has 5 schools within 3-4 miles. We have a huge bus driver shortage so the superintendent has asked parents to drive their kids to/from school.....major backups and you can be sitting for 30 minutes since the parents cars actually back up onto the main road. Very frustrating, but we are lucky we can be flexible and not have to get to work.

I'm sounding like Debbie Downer today, so I will move quickly on to some stitching updates. First up are my finishes and additions to my Stitch Stroll.

I've been participating in a Christmas ornament SAL on IG hosted by our friend, Carol of Stitching Dreams. I've been trying to get a little ahead of the game, knowing I'll have Christmas stitching to do......so here are my August and September ornaments.  




 Santa's Workshop by The Nebby Needle....stitched on 36 ct. mystery linen and finished per instructions.

   

  

 Merry Christmas Mr. Grinch by Brookes Books....stitched on 14 ct. cream perforated paper with DMC. He's reversible!!!   

 

 

 

 

 

 

I completed the Jade Band Sampler SAL from iStitch Designs.  This was stitched on 4'' 28 ct. antique white banding with a chevron edge. I used VMS Ocean Waves and Faded Sampler Blue with a splash of HDF Yellow Spice.


 I squeaked in this cutie at the end of the Olympics. I loved the spot on the Olympic pictograms where real people demonstrated 50 different sports in 3 minutes. If you didn't see it, you can probably find on youtube. Some clever person (Noriko Soh) designed a pictogram for embroidery. Stitched on 40 ct. Ivory linen, over one, with VMS Necessaire Blue and popped in a Tim Holtz pocket watch with red, white and blue beads.

 

I had to get to the stitching of  Tomayto, Tomahto by Hands on Design when I started seeing everyone's shares on FB and IG. What a cute set!!! Stitched and finished as called for thanks to the fabulous instructions by Cathy. My favorite part is how the tomato is magnetized to the tray...so clever!!!
 




 

  This next piece came to mind after finishing the 3D  tomato. It was stitched in 2011 and  FFO'd just in time for autumn display. It's Three Pumpkins by Prairie Grove Peddler. I don't recall the fabric and substituted GAST for the DMC. 

 



The final finish, finish was a quick and easy one.....Stitch by Shepherds Bush. I saw a video on FB with Terri, from Shepherds Bush, talking about this chart and the sweet mesh bags you can stitch it on. I need another project bag like a hole in the head, but was on the phone ordering the next day. There are three colors: rose, grey and green...guess you know which one I chose for me!!! Stitched with #5 perle cottons (I used colors I had on hand) directly on the mesh and ready to use immediately!


 I participated in the Common Threaded Stitcher event on IG where you were given a different prompt each day in August. One of the prompts was "what is your oldest WIP"? Well, that prompted me to find mine and this is what I determined it to be: an old series by Curtis Boehringer called 3 for 2.  It consisted of a monthly chart with 3 small designs for $2.00!!! This was back in the mid to late 90's and I decided to try my hand at over one stitching....thanks to inspiration from Ruth Sparrow at Twisted Threads. I picked the designs that included alphabets and managed to get August and September done at the time. I have added October, November and December this past month; they only take an evening to do! Aren't they the cutest??? I even have an old Hog River frame I must have bought at the time to pop them in. I'll try to keep squeezing them in when I can because I really do love them...even after all these years!!!



 I did the August Wordplay as called for...coming around to third base on these!

 

And I stitched The Stitching Bee by Little House Needleworks.

 

I'm finding that stitching small/quick projects is helping to keep my mind off the craziness out there!!! I think the excitement of putting that first stitch in keeps me stimulated and focused on a positive. How are you all coping? Tackling huge projects? Picking up new hobbies? 

  I  have started back on my Bee Contained piece by Betsy Morgan but met a little obstacle when my granddaughter unscrewed a piece on my Lowery and it fell to the floor and a piece broke off that makes it tough to clamp down on my scroll rod. We've been trying to figure out a solution; I know it's a tiny inexpensive fix, but hard to navigate the shallow area it needs to be slipped into. I know...clear as mud..but hoping to have a friend show me theirs next week, so I can actually see what was in there. I'll share photos of Bee Contained  next time as this is running on...and on....

As always, thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi




 

 

7 comments:

  1. Oh Stasi, you have been busy, and thank goodness we have the art of embroidery to soothe our souls in trying times. Hope you get your stand fixed soon.

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  2. Looks like you've been busy!
    Great projects, love the Band Sampler.
    Marilyn

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  3. What a wonderful assortment of finishes you shared, Stasi! Love seeing the Curtis Boehringer pieces and do hope you squeeze in the rest. The Olympic needleworker piece in the watch fob is darling. Thank goodness for the craft of cross stitch (and my love of reading); I don't know how those without hobbies manage these stressful times.

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  4. So much beautiful stitching today, Stasi! I truly love both your August and September ornaments and will have to remember them when I'm stitching for "Baby B" as he grows up. Will you give these away or are you keeping them for your tree? I love that blue in the Band Sampler, too (of course!) Nice progress on your Word Play series--I began these and finished January, February, and April, but then took a break and never got back to the others. They really are so cute.

    It was fun reading your answers to the Common Stitcher Thread--not even sure I can remember my oldest stitching project :) I do hope you get that stand fixed soon. That must be frustrating, but until then, perhaps you can stitch in hand on small projects.

    Hope September is kinder to all--it sure has been a stressful month around the world! ♥

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  5. Stasi: Wow so many beautiful designs finished and constructed.
    The Santa's Work Shop is an adorable finish with the key.
    Your Jade Band Sampler is stunning, I love the Olympic medallion is beautiful, what a wonderful tribute to the Olympic's, Hands On Designs are such sweet designs, I had the pleasure of taking a class with Cathy, Tomayto is adorable.
    Nice finish with Three Pumpkins, that is a great idea to stitch on the plastic bags gives me ideas.
    So many wonderful things to enjoy on the post.
    Thank-you for sharing.

    Catherine

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  6. Stasi, I don't even like looking at the news, it is all so depressing. Thank goodness we have our hobbies to keep us distracted.

    As always, you have completed so much!!! The Santa's workshop key fob/ornament is just darling.
    Grinch is such a fun stitch, I guess that was a car project for you.
    The band Sampler is beautiful, I'm surprised you didn't stitch it in green! :)
    That tomayto set is just adorable, one I wanted but had to pass up on. I have far too much to do but I love it with the strawberries.
    I'm glad you got all the little pumpkins completed for this year, it must feel so good finishing them after so long.
    The August word play is one of my favorites. Still curious as to your finish for them all!
    Love that BEE stitch, I am pretty sure I have that one waiting to be stitched too!
    All your posts are so chockfull with inspiration!!
    I hope your enjoying beautiful Autumnal weather.

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  7. Dear Stasi
    Your post is always refreshing 💖 You really have tackled many projects and kept focused and that is a good thing.
    I have been a little quiet and have not been stitching much at all. I have gone back to knitting again and seem to enjoy the comfort it provides just as you described your stitching does for you.
    I think it is just my way of getting on with my life right now…. I can’t wait for my first trip although I don’t know how soon that will be.
    I hope you find a solution for your stand and can understand how disturbing that is.
    Have a great weekend
    Love
    Paola

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