Lady Bug, Lady Bug......Fly Away Home..........

Lady Scarlet's Scissor Roll by Just Nan has lots of lady bugs and a few bumbling bees!!! I just completed finishing this little gem and think it turned out quite nicely. The stitching actually went rather quickly, though I must say, I get so tired of changing colors with Nan's designs. It gets difficult when you have just one or two stitches and no good place to anchor your threads. But, the outcome is always worth it, so I muddle through and do my best ( I hate threads showing through the linen)!!!

The pictures aren't the best but hopefully you'll get the idea:

outside of roll

inside of roll

I didn't splurge on the Dovos lady bug scissors, but found a cute red pair at Hobby Lobby. I figure, they're just going to sit there! :) It's a good thing this is a small piece as I am rapidly running out of room in my display cabinet. I think it's time to start the hunt for a second one!

Now to decide what to start on next....my pre-stitching for a Sheri Jones class next April or the cute little thimble purse from With Thy Needle and Thread. Hmmmmm!!!
I do have to finish up the stitching on a pinball piece that I'm taking a class on next Saturday at the Loudoun Sampler Guild, but there is not much left to do. I also have a biscornu finishing class this Thursday with my EGA group.It's looking to be a busy week!

That's it for now--thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!
Stasi

Road Trip.....and New Finish

I have put off driving up to see the needlework exhibit at the Chester County Historical Society all summer. It seemed September 7th (when the show ends) was a looooong way off! But, it was a "now or never" moment realized on Friday--that I had to go soon or miss it. Soooo, Rich and I took a road trip yesterday of about 3 hours to West Chester, PA. WOW--was it worth the trip!!! The exhibit was fabulous with many examples of different styles of samplers, huswifes, pinballs and globes. A veritable feast for the stitchers eyes! When we first got there, we were the only visitors--in fact our movement into the rooms turned the lights on. The whole time were we there , there were only 4 other people, so we could take our time, study the pieces, read the info cards in a very leisurely fashion. I was especially taken with some beautiful examples of needle lace; it was so fine and delicate. I was also happy we took some time to walk around the rest of the museum as we came across some fabulous pinballs that were in wonderful condition with very good color.

Sadly, there is no plan for a catalogue as a reference tool. I did take some pictures before my camera battery died on me, but am not allowed to post on my blog without permission. I'm figuring others have gotten that permission and posted them, so hopefully they are just a google search away.

Then, a walk up the street to find a plethora of restaurants- a veritable feast for the stitchers tummies!!!! We chose an Irish pub since they had available seating outside. Oh...and did I mention it was an absolutely beautiful day--temps in the low 80's and NO humidity!!!

Rich at lunch

A quick visit to The Strawberry Sampler where I bought a shop model that was perfectly fitting for the day...don't ya think? Heck, I couldn't buy the frame for the price of the whole stitched piece, so I'm extremely happy!!!

Now on to the finishing front!!! I completed one of my Merry cox classes  from June, Le Nouveau Palais Royale. I stitched this for my granddaughter, Cora. It has her initials, her name, as well as mine and the name she calls me...Mimi. The only change I made was to sew beading around the pin keep instead of using silk ribbon.  The pieces all fit inside the box stacked on top of each other and then the box slides into the silk bag. I'll have to start my hunt for treasures to put inside. I'd really like to come up with something special as a  scissor fob instead of the ribbon.
 I just love the colors...they are as sweet and lovely as my little Cora! I've been whispering in Cora's ear since she was born( she's almost 21 months old)  that I was going to teach her to stitch...that she'll be my little stitching buddy one day. I am starting to refer to myself as the "stitch whisperer" where she is concerned. My hope is she'll become interested in some type of needlework so we can keep the art going.

The whole shebang

Pinkeep and pincushions (bottom layer)

middle layer with scrims

top layer

presentation bag

That's all for now--thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Back in the Saddle Again.............

I survived my week with the grandkiddies and am back to my usual routine of work, trying to squeeze in a walk and stitching in the evenings. We had a blast with Asher and Cora, some fun times at the pool, Chuck E Cheese, Monkey Joe's, etc.. Hubby and I were definitely worn out at the end of the week, but so thrilled they are comfortable enough to spend a week with us. It definitely showed me I need to work HARDER to get in shape. It's pretty tough trying to sing an adorable,sweet thing to sleep every night with a  20+ pound weight on your chest. Cora loves to lay her head on your shoulder and have you rock and sing her to sleep..... and I wanted to savor every minute because by next time she may not want to cuddle. So, out came Puff the Magic Dragon, Hush Little baby, My Favorite Things, All Most Heaven West Virginia and her favorite Row, Row, Row Your Boat. Asher is in perpetual motion, but likes to unwind watching some videos on our bed and then goes quietly into his good night. All in all, a memory filled week for us and hopefully for them too!

Now on to the stitching front.  I finished stitching Just Nan's Lady Scarlet's Scissor Roll --will show finished photos after I've put it all together. The fabric is a beautiful soft green 32 count Limestone Belfast, which isn't showing well in the photo. I stitched it with the called for DMC colors but changer the Gentle Art Tea Rose to Victorian Pink (since i had that in my stash) for the border. I'll be on the hunt for a cute pair of red scissors to stick in the roll when I'm done. I'm thinking I've seen some "ladybug" scissors somewhere along the way that may be perfect!

All kinds of cute little critters--bunny, squirrel, turtle, grasshopper and birds--even a lurker under the pumpkin patch



I'm also currently working on a biscornu for a class I'm taking at my local EGA chapter in September. I chose a piece from the EGA publication Needlearts called Pining to Stitch: The Biscornu. This was part of a seminar held by the Southern Maine chapter for the New England Region that included many more pieces, but luckily--for me, they published the biscornu one. I stitched mine with Valdani  overdyed threads and enjoyed all the different stitches. My favorite is the buttonhole bar that was used for the pine cones--makes them very 3-dimensional!! Again, I am on the hunt for some smallish pine cone button for the center. I have a pair of lovely pine cone buttons but they are too big for that purpose. I still have to stitch the back but that is mainly the pine branches and my initials.

Pining to Stitch: The Biscornu

Hers's a close up of a pine cone with the buttonhole bar stitch: 

I've also managed a little stash enhancement from The Attic. I love reading their newsletter and recently succumbed to placing a mail order for the following:

If only there were more hours in the day!!!! I know we all wish that!!!

That's it until next time. Thanks for visiting and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

The Mugwumps are coming....The Mugwumps are coming....

I am so excited...my grandkids are coming tomorrow to stay with us for a week while their parents go on a cruise. I have been busy getting everything ready for them--childproofing, setting up sleeping arrangements, buying their favorite foods etc.. I think I'm ready...I just hope I can keep up with them!!! 


I hopefully have some fun things planned...Monkey Joes, the Hagerstown Childrens Museum, Chuck E Cheese ( a request from Asher) and a local pool. We're going to celebrate Christmas in July on Wednesday: I'm going to sneak a small tree up Tuesday after they've gone to bed and have a couple presents under it. We'll make Christmas cookies, sing Christmas carols and have a jolly old time. :)

 I was so tickled the other day when Rich and I were scouting some antique/collectible store. Kris has been teaching Cora the song "I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee" and lo and behold, there sat an Anne Geddes baby doll dressed like a bumblebee. I swooped it up and it's going under the tree for Cora.


I also completed a quick project that I've wanted to do for some time. I had a pile of Golden books from when my girls were little that I wanted to make available to Asher and Cora. I had found some adorable "Golden Book" fabric awhile back and thought it would make a wonderful bag to hold the books in. Voila...here is the finished bag complete with Pokey the Puppy!!!

Well, Rich and are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate our 38th anniversary (can that really be?) which is tomorrow. We're heading to a great little restaurant in Hagerstown called The Blackeyed Susan. They're having a seafood fest that we thought sounded  yummy! So, I'm off to get my walking in, then shower, then get all gussied up!!! Yea--right!!!


Thanks for visiting!
Stasi

HOT...HOT....HOT

No...not Toyota..but our perfectly miserable weather. It has been hot and steamy for weeks now with no real break. The house is closed up tighter than an oyster shell and the A/C is running non- stop.We had been doing so well with being able to leave the windows open and enjoy the fresh air...then June 18th hit...and the electric meter has been spinning like a top ever since. The positive in all this is it's been a perfect time for stitching (funny though, I still need an afghan on my legs no matter what the weather) and I have managed to get a bit accomplished.


I've completed the stitching on the This One's for Betty  piece. I've already posted pics of some of the stitched pieces in my 6/19/blog but here are the rest: 

Etui Side Panel

I think this is my favorite section--I just love the colors, especially the little berries

Etui side panel

The whitework in this section almost did me in. The little "squiggles" are twisted buttonhole stitches. I thought "that'll be easy, my hedebos always twist whether I want them to or not". But, not the case here! I couldn't get these little buggers to twist no matter what! So, I pulled out a bunch of my stitch guides and finally found a diagram with explanation that I "got"!!!  In the end, it was such an easy thing, I think I just had a case of "tunnel vision". They have such interest and texture--I love them! (By the way, motif on left is all queen stitches!)

Etui bottom panel

Final piece I stitched, kind of sad to see it end.But, now it's on to the finishing. I just have to get myself in the mood as I'm in "stitching" mode right now. And why is that you might ask.......because I've discovered Brothers and Sisters on Netflix and I'm hooked. Only 109 episodes to watch and I'm on #15. I am absolutely in love with this family!!!

Last Sunday our power went out for about 3 hours and I was trying to keep busy. Lucky for me, my sewing room has a huge window in the front and I could see in there. So, I pulled out this adorable little kit from JABCO and the result was Betty Bee.  Isn't she cute??? And so easy. She sits on a large black button as her base and has a tiny "stinger" on the back. 

Not sure how much stitching will be getting done after this week. The grandkids are coming for a week on Friday while their Mommy and Daddy get a much deserved break. However, I do have stitching cards ready for them....in case!!! Have lots planned--Monkey Joes, swimming, and Christmas in July!!! Should be loads of fun!!!


Thanks for visiting and your "twisted threads' of friendship!
Stasi

Out of the Mouths of Babes.............

Okay, here is one of my Grandblessing anecdotes:


Today Asher was at the library with his Mama and she said that since he was "4" he could get 4 DVD's. He responded....does that mean that when I'm as old as Grandad (my father) we'll have to find a bigger library???? What a hoot!!!

And yes I am stitching--just have one more piece to stitch for the This Ones's for Betty Etui, then I'm not sure what's next--possibly some finishing. However, I do have to be "in the mood" for finishing, so I'll work on that. :)


Keep cool!!!

Sorry...couldn't resist..........

Is this a beautiful girl or what????? Even after just waking from a nap with bed head!!!