An Epic Fail......

 A friend of mine had asked me a bit ago if I was interested in doing one of those temperature charts. I responded with a resounding "NO"! But then I saw one in the WRSG newsletter by Carolyn Manning that looked like  quilt. Then I saw my friends start where the daily temp posts are leaves on a tree. So..what did I do??? I got all caught up in it and spent the afternoon picking out fabric and fibers, deciding to do it over one, like my friend was, so it would be tiny. Then I spent about 3-4 hours placing some grid work and then finally adding the temp colors for the first 7 days of January. Why did I keep going when it obviously wasn't going to work??? 

“The definition of 'insanity' is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein.

I did keep thinking the colors would show up better as I added more, but NOT the case. So, I am doing something out of the ordinary for me....I am trashing it. I know I could start again on larger fabric, over two, but I just think I'm not 'loving' this enough to move forward. Maybe I'll revisit sometime in the future, but for now, I have other projects I like a whole lot better.

The really dark ones on the top row are all done in black, but the three in the middle and the first 4 on the left are with color...only that pink really shows up. 

Lesson learned...be realistic...don't jump on other peoples bandwagons..love what you stitch!!!

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

Stasi

A Little Bit of This....A Little Bit of That.....

 

I am singing the title of this post in my head....the beginning of the song, Anatevka, from Fiddler on the Roof....one of my favorite movies/plays. It's what I managed to get done yesterday...a little bit of a few different things. 

I'm starting with another one of my snowmen displays.

 I didn't stitch the one above; it was a shop model at Twisted Threads and I managed to buy it when we closed. 

Sorry the photos are on the dark side, but I do this in the morning and it's been pretty grey the last couple days.

I finished the first part of the Sailor's Valentine, now on to the next one.
 

Then, last night I did a few more rows on my stitch band.

 

 Last but not least, I treated myself to this little booklet. It has so many sweet projects and I hope to get to one soon.

 Today will consist of attending my grandson's basketball game and then settling in to watch the Raven's game. Psst...I won't really be watching...you know what I'll be doing!!! LOL

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

Stasi

 

A Week into January 2023........689

 Well, we managed to get all the Christmas down and put away...always makes the house look naked! But I put my winter/snowman out and that will help me deal with this unseasonably warm weather we've been having....it was in the upper 60's the other day!!! Here is my dough bowl of snowmen. Some were gifts, but I stitched the majority.

 

As you can see, I FFO'd the sweater design from Lila's Studio the same as the other two I have finished. 

 I am almost finished the first side of my Sailor's Valentine...just have to add a monogram in the center and some gold stars.

 

Today, I may try to put my craft room back in shape...it's gotten a little out of control!!! Or, I may sit and stitch the day away...time will tell......

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

Stasi
 

Six Days in......

 

.....and not a lot of stitching accomplished. We spent the last three days helping my parents with their transition planning and attending a memorial for my cousin who passed on Thanksgiving. It is always nice to see my extended family... it is a large one....I have well over 30 cousins plus spouses...alwys lots of catching up to do!

I did finish an ornament while driving in the car....another one from Noel en Bleu by Lila's Studio. I will finish it the same as the other two...on a wooden snowflake.

Now, back to the grind...laundry, grocery, de-Christmasing, etc.. I hope to put a needle to fabric sometime today!!!

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

Stasi

Stitching Gifts.......688

 

Now that the recipients have all received their Christmas gifts, I can share. These are from a freebie chart by Dutch Treat Designs called Bristol Ornaments 2020.  The motifs were found on samplers stitched by orphans and represent different meanings. They were stitched on 18 ct white perforated paper with the called for DMC colors. I attached them to what would be the back of some pre-made round, wooden ornaments I found at Hobby Lobby. Then I added red ric-rac around the edge and voila!!!
 

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

Stasi

On My Way.......687

......but not without a visit from the frog!!! I kept miscounting on one of the flowers and since they are mirror images, I had to correct it. The chart calls for two strands of silk, over two, on a 30 ct fabric. I stuck with the two strands on the 32 ct fabric I'm using. I have gotten so used to only using one strand, this seems very "plump"! But I am liking the coverage and decided to stick with it.

 I FFO'd my Embroidery Advent calendar...a simple matter of painting an hoop red and adding a bow and trinket. This was a SAL on IG with Pick and Stitch. It turned out pretty cute, don't ya think??

 

I found another cute embroidery advent calendar that I'm saving for next year (if I can remember). I'm sharing the link here in case anyone is interested. I found it fun to do a variety of stitches on the one I did this year. This one is a little more involved, but I do love trees!!!

AdvenTrees2022

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

Stasi
 

Welcome 2023.....

 Happy New Year one and all!!! We managed to stay up until midnight...actually 1:30...to finish watching the series 1883...we couldn't go to bed with just one episode left!!! That allowed me to complete my final finish for 2022, which I can't share since it's a gift. We were signed up to do the New Year's Eve hike at the state park, but it rained all day and into the evening and we figured it would be a muddy....and likely slippery.... mess.

I spent some time yesterday deciding on what to pick as my New Year start. I chose a project I have been hunting for for over 15 years, Sailor's Valentine by CA Wells. A group of us was scheduled to take this class at Salty Yarns back in 2007, but CA cancelled at the last minute saying the group wasn't BIG enough to warrant her time. Long and short of it, I've been trying to find it and finally posted on one of the ISO pages on FB. A friend saw my plea and gifted me her used chart. I'm admitting up front...this is going to be a challenge!!! It's a terrible chart to start with and instructions are extremely limited..... I know it's pre-computer programs..... but I feel I can fall back on the experience I've gleaned from all my classes with excellent teachers. So, here's issue #1.....the chart itself is like one I've never seen. When I counted out the stitch count I came up with a number, chose a higher count fabric because I wanted it smaller, and cut my fabric accordingly. However, upon further investigation, I noticed she leaves a row of blank graph paper squares between each row of stitches. This made the size of the finished piece much smaller than I thought. So, I had to change my fabric..... and I had already cut it into four pieces..... or the piece would have been too tiny. Is this clear as mud??? Bottom line...thank goodness another friend had sent me photos of her finished piece and I saw, in time, the error of my...or should I say CA's ways!!! LOL    So, I hope you'll come along for the wild ride and be safe from my future cursing!!! In the end, I chose 32 ct White Chocolate linen with a combo of silks.

 

I hope your new year is off to a good start with lots of wonderful stitching opportunities. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi