I Made it........

I managed to get the pre-stitching for class completed. Yippee!!! I do like to be prepared and am usually not this close "to the wire". But life is imposing and other commitments have taken priority. I'm really in need of my trip this weekend; the beach is always relaxing and rejuvenating!!! And the classes are inspiring and motivating!

Here is the pincushion for An Afternoon Leisure Basket. I also got the scissor sheath stitched but forgot to get a picture.

 
If I get the pieces finished this weekend, I'll post pics. If I don't get them done, it may be a bit until I get a "finishing" day scheduled. We're getting ready to put our house on the market and there is a ton to do to get it photo ready. Luckily, there aren't any major projects to be done, just spiffing up, decluttering and staging. We started the task over the last few days with the recommendation, from the realtor, that we de-personalize everything. So, lots of my stitching came off the walls and was packed away until the move, along with family photos and decorative items. It's looking kind of naked, but I guess that's the point--more open and neutral so potential buyers can "imagine" their self in the house. Fingers crossed it's appealing and sells for a good price. Our housing market has still not recovered from the bubble bursting, but luckily we have a little time on our side!

So I'm off to Salty Yarns Thursday for a long weekend with friends, old and new, with whom I share a passion. There will be lots to see, lots to share and lots to learn..... and Thursday can't get here soon enough!!! Get ready Sally, Sara and ladies....here I come!!!!

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

 
 

I Think I can....I think I can.....

A week from yesterday I'll be in OC for my Sherri Jones classes. I have been working feverishly to get the pre-stitch done for the second class, An Afternoon Leisure Basket.  I am close......just have the pin pillow and scissor fob to do. I think I'll make it if all goes well; I just have to remain awake in the evenings. I've been trying to get some de-cluttering and cleaning out done during the day and have been "too pooped to pop" by evening down time. I've got my essential oil diffuser running all day with "energize" and" motivate" oils scenting the house; even threw in a few drops of "de-stress". I hate to admit I don't have the same energy level I've had in the past...but reality is smacking me in the face!!! 

None the less, I did get some more stitching accomplished. The two books are stitched over one except for the letter/numbers with a stem stitched border.

Two books

 The butterflies are done with  darning stitch using #12 perle cotton.

Bottoms of wooden basket

I'll try to get  another post in before I leave, but if not, will check in upon my return.

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

Stasi
 

The Most Delicous Easter Egg in the World........

......is one made from my Gram's secret family recipe. I'm a little late making them this year and held myself to only one batch (approx. 24 eggs). I haven't made them for a few years as I have NO self control where they are concerned (in fact I am already down to 22 eggs.....oops..make that 21...I just ate my prop from the photo!!!), but have been known to make 4-6 batches to give as gifts to friends and family.   I have loved these so much that I used to trade all the other candy in my Easter basket for my siblings home made eggs!!!

I have started the pre-stitch for An Afternoon Leisure Basket and got one of the "books" stitched. It is over one except for the initials that are over two. Sweet isn't it?

I've also been busy going through things around the house and deciding what goes and what doesn't. I dropped off a huge bag of old towels to the local Humane Society. I've got boxes of books to donate and am gearing up for a yard sale at the end of the month.  Little by little................

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

Stasi

Tis a Gift to Be Simple.......

Greetings all--hope you enjoyed a nice Easter/Spring weekend!!! We had a quiet weekend at home, just the two of us, but ventured out to the Olive Garden for an early dinner Sunday.

We had made a day trip to Richmond on Good Friday ( more about that later) and were able to sneak in a quick visit with our daughter. This afforded me the opportunity to gift her birthday present to her in person. She was the recipient of the Year in Chalk project and I think it was a "hit". I chose the display idea with her decor in mind and it worked very well.

 I covered some mat board with a chevron patterned fabric to "stick" the pieces to and inserted that in the frame. I found some great fabric for the backing; it's what they use to make recyclable grocery bags and such out of. You can cut it and it doesn't fray; it's also very lightweight and inexpensive. I used industrial strength Velcro on the back of each monthly design and attached it to a "sandwich board" style display frame.  So, here's the finished "labor of love".

back of each monthly piece

Velcro on mounting board

Ta-da!!!

 Now , on to the reason for the trip to Richmond. I may have disclosed this before but we are going to be moving to the Richmond, VA area to be closer to our daughter and her family. This has been a bit of a  tough decision for us as we love our current home. But we have found one, as my SIL says, that is 'eerily similar". So a number of trips have been going on the past few weeks to find a house and decide  how we wanted to move forward. We are going to be getting a new house (to be built) in a neighborhood only a few miles from our daughter's family. So I am going to be a very busy BEE (thank goodness for my stitching that will help alleviate some stress) but the final result will be wonderful! 

The downside is there is NO needlework store in the Richmond area (if someone can contradict that, please let me know). There is no needlework store close to where I live now, and I always said I wouldn't move anywhere there wasn't one near by, but....... here I go again!!! On the upside, I've heard there are a couple of active guilds and I'll only be about 75 minutes from Williamsburg. Wish me luck!!!

Now for stitching news! I did get the edging stitch on the Long Garden Variety Pocket. It was a little tedious, but I managed to get 'er done and it does add a nice finish!

Then I moved on to the other Sherri Jones class piece, Afternoon Leisure Basket. Didn't get much accomplished, but it's a start.

So, that's it for today! Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

One New stitch down......one to go......

Moving along on the Sherri Jones class piece. A new to me stitch was called for to fill in the cornucopia....the Peruvian Loop stitch (variation). I'm not convinced I've done it right but, after numerous practice sessions, decided to go with it. It does add some "texture" to the cornucopia; it's the filling for the narrow bands. It's staying put now, but I'm hoping Sherri may give us a "mini" lesson so I can be sure how it's done correctly.

 The next new stitch goes along the top and bottom edges and is the Three-Sided Pulled Stitch (variation). I've been practicing that too, but it's time to bite the bullet and put it in place. I'll post when it's done. After that, it's on to the pre-stitch for another Sherri class. 

If I'm not back before Sunday, Happy Easter to all! Hope you have a beautiful day!!!

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

Stasi

A Year in Chalk is done.........

I finished stitching the last two months this past week. I spent yesterday mounting all 12 on mat board by lacing them. Tomorrow, it's off to JoAnn's or Hobby Lobby to find some backing fabric--hopefully a wool felt. Then, I've got to put the ole brain to work ( I smell smoke already) and figure out what will work best to attach the pieces to the display so they can be changed monthly. I've read suggestions of Velcro and magnets so that's what I'll be researching at the store. These have turned out so cute, I'm going to hate to give them away!!! Maybe I'll stitch again for me at some point, though I figure I've put in about 72 hours of stitching time! So here are the final two, November and December. I'll post the finishing after I've gifted them. 

 Here is where I stand on the long Pocket class piece.

That's it for today. Hubby has a fire going and I'm getting ready to settle in to my stitching nest. We'll probably binge a few more House of Cards!

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

Stasi

Happy St. Patricks Day

From the I Love Being Irish page on Face Book