Slow Down, You Move Too Fast.......710

 

 

 I hope you're "feeling groovvy"!!!  I know, I'm dating myself!!!

  Wow---the last day of June...six months of 2023 already in the books!  These first six months have been a bit of a challenge; I'm hoping for smooth sailing from here on in.

I've spent the last couple days on the sofa with my stitching. I did something to my knee while walking the other morning. I went to the doctor and xrays showed arthritis in my left knee as well as a possible small tear n the meniscus. On anti-inflamatory meds and icing knee and it's feeling much better. I start PT for six weeks on the 5th and then a follow up with the doctor. 

So, the result is I have built a small hotel. 

 

The Lankford Hotel is standing proudly....now on to the boardwalk.

I also FFO'd a car project, Spirit of Stitching Santa by Brooke's Books. Stitched on 14 ct perforated paper with the called for DMC floss. I did substitute the called for Kreinik metallics with ones I had on hand. I also had to change how I did the mustache as I didn't want to use...and possibly couldn't find... the DMC Memory floss. These are a LOT of work, but so worth it in the end. For reference, he is almost 8" tall!!!

 I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and safe travels if you are on the move for the holiday. 

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

Stasi

 

End of June.....

 June is usually the month I decorate with my bee finishes, so I thought I'd share my displays before they get replaced with patriotic pieces. I'll let the photos do the talking but want to note that quite a few were gifted to me. 

If you want  info on any of the pieces, just leave a comment. But, be sure I have a way to respond (e-mail) if you post as anonymous or no reply blogger. 

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

Stasi

A Grand getaway......709

 We had a little weekend getaway to NC to see the grandbaby...though he's really not a baby anymore....and his parents, of course. We had a lovely time just hanging out and relaxing. We did hit two crafty pop-ups on Saturday and babysat Sunday evening. These new play pens are crazy big!!! LOL

 

 I was able to get some stitching done on the way down and back. Some more of the motifs from Beach Please  by Hands on Design and  a few of the "words" that Vickie from Needlework Press is posting weekly on FB.

 

I worked a bit last night on Boardwalk Revue by Erica Michaels. I'm almost finished with all the white work.

Finally, now that my recipient has received her gift, I can share the finish. Here is Red Peacock Hornbook by The Stitching Parlor. This was a mini kit that came with the wool pieces and papercraft. I can't recall if the hornbook was included, but think it was due to the price. I stitched it on 32 ct White Chocolate linen with DMC 221. I liked it so much I'm going to do it again for me...and I rarely stitch anything twice!

 That's it for today folks! Hope you have a great week and thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

 

An Unintended New Start.....

 I was listening to my friend Lisa's floss tube yesterday and she mentioned a new start for the solstice. I didn't know that was a thing, but liked the idea of starting and working on  a summery piece. This has been on my radar for almost three years and holds a special place in my heart. It was a class the year of the 2020 Jamboree at Salty Yarns. We were able to attend by zoom and have the kits mailed to us. The project is called Boardwalk Revue by Erica Michaels and features the Lankford Hotel on a needlework pocket to store your tools. This then fits in a wooden box and there is also a strawberry. I got the roof and part of the upper porch down last evening.

 

 I did change out the fabric. The included fabric with the kit was the old base WDW Parchment and was very flimsy. I had some Country Mocha Belfast in my stash and I'm liking it much better. I have some plans for the backside of the hotel design as the original is a large "open" space. I'll be sharing that as I progress and work things out.   Boardwalk Revue   is available now as a chart.

I also did some work on the baby's birth sampler. He's caught some more fish and a crab now!

I had mentioned my friend Lisa's floss tube above. She just started doing them and only has two out so far. If you get  a chance, check her out.....she does beautiful work and offers some great hints. Her channel is Lady Huzzah Presents.

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

Stasi

Gone Fishing.....

 Our little guy caught his first fish!!!

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

Stasi

Happy Fathers Day!

 

A happy Fathers Day to all our earthly fathers! I am very blessed to still have my father at the ripe old age of 95 ......and my hubby, who is a wonderful father to our two girls.

Here is a photo of my Dad...and Mom...from about 3-4 years ago.

 

I got a good start on the birth sampler for Jax. The little fisherman has a face!

 I wanted to share this 'score' I got on a FB sales page......three pairs of Gingher scissors for $40!!! Definitely a right time/right place situation. 

They will find their way into some of my smalls.

A short post today....thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

The Generosity of Stitchers.....

 Greetings fellow stitchers! Have you ever experienced an act of generosity from a fellow needler? I have on numerous occasions and I will share a recent kindness further down.

First I wanted to show the finish of the front of One Nation.    I mentioned in my last post that I couldn't wait to move on to the middle section. But, "this program has been interrupted to bring you" ..... Good Things!

A friend of mine has been looking for a certain OOP chart by Birds of a Feather, Good Things, for years. I have been on the lookout for her and I saw one come up for sale recently on FB. But, it had already sold! In the meantime, I realized that chart would be the perfect birth sampler for Jax. His Dad is a big fisherman and I could add Jax's info in place of the mermaid. The clincher was the saying at the bottom......."good things come to those who wait". Again, perfect for my daughter and SIL who waited so long for this sweet boy to come into their, and our, lives.  

So, I posted on a few of the ISO boards on FB with fingers crossed. I got  a response from a woman who said she had stitched it and thought she still had it. She did!!! I offered to buy it; I know it is very hard to find and could sell for big bucks. But she insisted on gifting it to me. What a lovely person!!! So long and short, I have started the piece so I can quickly stitch it and pass it on to my friend, who is tickled I found it and not in any hurry. The kindness of stitchers fills me with joy, especially with all the unkindness in the world today. Wouldn't it be nice to live in a bubble of fellow minded stitchers and their families?

Here is my tiny start:

 

It uses 21 different GAST colors and I had every one!!!  GAST are my favorite overdyes!!!  I'm doing it on a  40 ct fabric from Victorian Motto Shop called Antique Sampler. 

Hoping you have a wonderful weekend and perhaps find your unicorn! Don't give up hope! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi
 

I "Urned" this.....

 

Sorry, couldn't resist the pun....but my stitching yesterday involved a large urn. 

 I am almost finished this section, which will be the front of the piece. I couldn't remember if I had shown a photo of the project, but here it is.

I can't wait to get to the next section (the one on the right)...that's what really drew me to the design.

 

Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship! Have a good one!

Stasi
 

 

Happy Flag Day....

 Today we celebrate flag day here in the US. Growing up in Baltimore, the flag was always special, due to its significance to the Star Spangled Banner that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, and inspired Francis Scott Key to write what became our national anthem. Here are two flag related pieces I thought I'd share today.

First is a piece by Shepherds Bush called Old Glory. I love the hand painted mat by Jill Rensel.

 

Second is an original by Dan PiPaola (Freid Green Tomatoes). While I worked at Twisted Threads, Ruth collaborated with Dan on a number of cross stitch designs of his art work. He came to the shop once for a Meet and Greet and I was able to score one of his pieces.......this was about the only one I could afford!!! It's color washes on muslin with tiny stars printed on the red stripes.

 

Now, on to stitching.....I pulled out One Nation by Samplers Not Forgotten and worked on the flowers. Isn't the needle minder cute? It's the theme from the Golden Girls; a friend gave it to me.

 

Last, but not least, is a pair of tables I saw at Hobby Lobby...perfect for a cross stitcher! And no, I did not buy them! LOL

 That's it for me today...have a great one and thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

Beach Please.......708

 We are back from VA Beach after a full weekend of soccer, some beach time and a lot of walking. James definitely loves his soccer. He was supposed to play in three games with his team. He kept finding friends with teams that needed an extra player and wound up playing in 8 games. His original team didn't make the play offs, but one of his pick up teams won their age group. 

 My daughter rented an apartment in an Airbnb, that was very convenient to the beach and games, but was situated right in the middle of a huge parking lot! Just picture a sea of cars parked all around this lovely building.

  I did get some stitching done on  Beach Please on the ride to and fro.

 I can now share one of my gifts stitched for a friend.....Summer Stitcher Needlebook. This was a kit; the linen was 32 ct. WDW Straw and the fibers were NPS. I added the charms on the needle book section and the bee on the front..

Front

Back

 It's the start of a new week...hope you have a great one. My week is wide open, except for a dentist appointment....now to decide ...do I stitch, do I finish, do I organize, do I clean??? Time will tell!!!

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

Stasi