Michael's Myth

Okay, I haven't "mused"  here yet, but I'm feeling  the need today!!!


I went out to get a piece of glass for the birth sampler and thought I'd start at Michaels since I had a 40% off coupon. First off, no coupons allowed for just a piece of glass. Then I got the price for an 11X15 piece...granted it was conservation glass to protect against UV rays. Bottom line, their price was $33.83!!! I decided to shop around before biting that bullet. I went to a framing shop in downtown Martinsburg, Queen Street Gallery, and inquired about the glass. Their price ...and it was for the exact type of glass... they even had the same display as Michaels... was $8.51!!! Go figure! I would have had to leave my frame at Michaels and go back to pick up the glass. At the local shop, she cut it for me right away--great customer service!


So, this has lead me to believe that Michaels jacks its prices up to accommodate the 50% coupons and the professional framers are just as competitive....if not better....and..... I'd rather give them my business. So now, I'll have to work on my "trust" issues and try the local framer.


Hope you're having the gorgeous weather we are!

Birth Sampler for Cora

I don't stitch many pieces any more that have to be framed....for various reasons. One, I am so into  smalls that they are all I really want to work on. Second, I have trust issues with new framers. I was so spoiled having such a fabulous framer in Cincinnati, Bowmans Framing, that I am apprehensive about trying someone local, even after 7 years. I have sent pieces to Ken (Bowman) to have framed but have also embarked on the adventure of framing myself. I do not enjoy the "pinning" part, as I like them to come out straight, but I try to follow the method Ken uses and that Ruth showed me in a self framing class she taught at Twisted Threads.

Here is a picture of the fruits of my labor:

This is the birth sampler I stitched for Cora and it's been sitting around for quite some time while I worked up the gumption to stretch it. I woke up this morning with a "bee in my bonnet" and decided today was THE day!!! I used an Eastside Mouldings frame in eggplant and added the purple flower buttons on the corners. Of course after I posted this I noticed a little "ziggle" on the  upper right side. Luckily, I haven't put it all together yet and can re-pin that section. I'm really happy with how it turned out and have boosted my confidence a bit more as to framing pieces on my own.


Now to get out, take a walk and enjoy this glorious day!!!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neigborhood..........

The weather is just beautiful here today--sunny, clear and not too hot or cold--a Goldilocks kind of day! I went outside for awhile to do some pruning only to find our pruning shears are broken. That will have to wait for another day.... boo-hoo. I do believe I will head out for a walk around the neighborhood however--feeling the need for some fresh air and Vitamin D. 


I have completed the stitching required for my Merry Cox class in June. It was way less than is normally needed, but I am glad to have it off my plate, so to speak. So here is my Le Nouveau Palais Royale: 

Not sure what this is going to be....maybe lays on top inside of wooden box....we'll see

 pinkeep

pincushions

I did include Cora's name and what she calls me, Mimi, on the piece. I also put her initials and year of birth on the mirror image pincushions. Here is a picture of our sweet little Cora in an outfit I had made for her Mommy over 30 years ago.

Well, this post is a little short as I want to get outside and take advantage of the beautiful day. So happy we'll have an extra hour of daylight this evening!!! 

Oh Happy Days

I am quite thrilled that my Merry Cox pre-stitch kit has arrived as I am very anxious to get started on it. I am taking two classes from Merry in June, only one that requires pre-stitching---thank goodness (as I'm also taking a Betsy Morgan class in June)!!!


Anyhow, I am ready to begin the Le Nouveau Palias Royal piece and it is just lovely. Merry asks we don't post any part of the kit on line but here is a link to the piece on her web site  http://www.frommerrysheart.com/index.php/teaching-projects/63-le-nouveau-palais-royal .I am stitching this one for my granddaughter, Cora, as it is mainly pinks and soft greens--very sweet and petite....just like her!  I am having a little issue in that the overdyed silk for the flowers that I received has a lot of dark blue in it and not much pink. The original flowers are all shades of pink which is what I would prefer. So, it was off to Stasi's shop (my personal stash) and lo and behold, I had  part of a skein of the color called for with much more pink in it. Problem solved!!! Yippee--I am ready to rock n roll!!!!


I've also got a bit more completed on The Regal Bee --the pincushion. Here are a couple photos showing the front and back:

Front of Pincushion














               Back of Pincushion










Sometimes, things just fall into place and find their way to the destined place. My friend, Debbie, had given me this beautiful antique bee button last year for Christmas. I've been squirreling it away for just the right project. Well, this is it!!! Don't you think this button will be absolutely perfect in the center of the pincushion front??? I am so loving it! Thanks Debbie!!!

I have been hungrily devouring the new items from the Nashville Market and need to make a final list of what I want. I do so miss going and seeing all the wonderful designers, projects and people up close and personal. But the internet sure makes it a little easier to bear. All reports say it was a very enthusiastic gathering and I'm so glad to hear that. Now, we must enthusiastically support our shop owners...and the needlework business in general...by purchasing some of these products. I know I'll do my part! :)

Thanks for visiting...until next time.

Stasi

Out of the Mouths of Babes

So, I haven't been doing much stitching. I have been sucked into my Kindle Fire and have been blazin' through books like crazy, now that I've figured out how to get them from my local library. I've finished that latest Janet Evanavich, two David Baldacci (I love the Camel Club), a Rizzoli and Isles (can't remember the author and it was my first in that series), The Hunger Games... and am now on to book two in that series. I am a true fiend when I am reading..it's all I want to do!!! If I had my way we'd starve while the dirty clothes piled up all around us and dust bunnies reproduced as... well....bunnies do. Alas, I do have to answer the business phone, cook dinners for the hubby and keep some semblance of order here in the house.


I have started to try to limit myself to just a few chapters before bed and stitch early in the evening. I've got a bit more stitched on the Regal Bee--finished one side of the pincushion and am working on the other side. I'll show a pic next time around.


We did have a fun time this past weekend babysitting our two grand kids. We even managed a trip over to Williamsburg (the kids live in the Richmond area) to visit my friend, Paola, who was at the stitching seminar there. Unfortunately, we didn't have a whole lot of time..bed time schedules and all...but still managed to walk the whole of Duke of Gloucester Street and share a meal with Paola. Paola also was able to share with me her stitched Berlin Work Sampler that she did over 1 on 45 count linen. It is stupendous and was stitched in honor of her 25th anniversary. It will be absolutely stunning once it is framed.


On the way home in the car, Rich was explaining the historical significance of Williamsburg to Asher. All about the taxation, fight for independence, etc. Asher was asking a million questions then shouted out " King George isn't getting my money, my toys or MY candy"!!! Needless to say, we cracked up thinking we certainly have a revolutionary in the family!


Til next time!

This Ones For the Girls............

that is my two girls, Kris and Jess. I stitched Miss Trenners Needlework Academy with them in mind because there are two girls featured in the design.

inside small box 

 I am happy to say I taught both my girls to stitch. However, try as I may, they have both chosen different creative paths. Kris loves to paint, do pottery and lots of crafty things for her home and two children. She has just started to sew and is finding all kinds of cute projects on line. Jess enjoys quilting and making wearable art  out of found/recycled items. She's always looking for ideas for projects for her students. I guess all those years of having them make Xmas ornaments for family paid off!!!


On to the piece! This was a limited edition kit from With My Needle and came with the papier mache boxes, wooden ruler/thread holder, sheep waxer and lining fabric. (I do think it is available as a chart though w/o the extras). I changed the fabric to 36 count Light Espresso linen from R&R (had it in my stash) and used Vicki Clayton silks. Now while I liked the feel of the silks and the fact they were wound 1 strand on tiny bobbins, I wasn't happy with the conversion from DMC to her silks--they were much lighter than the DMC colors. Granted I was converting from NPI to DMC to Vicki Clayton so something may have been "lost in the translation". Since I can never seem to get the mat board bases cut perfectly round/oval, cording seemed to be the ticket to finish off the insides. It hides a multitude of sins and gives a more polished look.


Here are the photos of the finished product:

boxes

inside large box

Inside lid of small box

Outside Needle Page

Inside Needle Page and Scissor Fob

Needle page folded up front

Needle page folded up back

It is snowing here...has been since around 10:00 this morning. It's not really laying but is sticking to the trees. Here's a photo of out tree spirit with heavy snow lidded eyes. :)

Until next time...I'm thinking it's a sea salt caramel hot chocolate kind of night!!!

Thanks Debbie! If I could drink it in a red solo cup......I would!

Under the Boardwalk

Well, maybe not under the boardwalk, but I definitely put in quite a few miles on the boardwalk---thanks Sherry and Jayne!


I had a wonderful weekend down at the beach with my stitching buddies.It's become a tradition to head to Ocean City, Md for the Salty Yarns Super Bowl sale. We spend the weekend stitching, shopping and eating. We even managed to get in a ladies tea, visit to Serendipity quilt shop and lunch at the Cottage Cafe in Bethany Beach. Who could ask for anything more??? It is so motivating to see what everyone is working on, share thoughts and ideas and, of course, add to our stash! Thank you Sally and Sara for your kind hospitality...it is much appreciated!


Here is a photo of a mornings sunrise:

 

I made quite a bit of progress on the band for The Regal Bee and am loving it. The two colors, black and gold, are  just so dramatic! I did have some heart palpitations when I noticed a black sooty spot on the fabric as I unrolled the piece on my scroll frame. Thankfully, they were on the area I had not stitched and washed out. The actual fabric is not so gray..more creamy so the colors really POP!


One day I'll post a photo of the beautiful shaker box this piece will go in..it is divine!!!