And the Beat Goes On.....as well as a Little Strolling (561-564)

 

 And the heat goes on.....we had 25 straight days in the 90's with high humidity...I'm meeeeelting....and are catching a bit of a break now...only in the mid 80's!!! Whew!!!

I'm sure you get tired of me complaining about the heat, and I'm not a big complainer, so I will move on to what you probably come here for...stitching!

I'll start with the finishes for my Stitch Stroll...it's amazing what you can get done when there aren't too many options to do/go anywhere. Oops...am I complaining again??? Sorry!

First up is the Burgandy Sampler Band SAL from iStitch designs. I did mine on 27 count natural banding using Glorianna silks....Bellagio (overdyed) and Elizabethan Green, Rosewood (solids) as well as NPI 324 and a mystery gold. I attached it to a vintage spool, the same as my other four.

 

Then I started getting in a holiday mood ..that explains the next three.

Dressed for Dinner is by Erica Michaels...a stand up turkey to go with my Lizzie Kate pilgrims. This didn't turn out as I hoped...I wanted to use some Rainbow Gallery Tweedie fibers to add some texture, but they only worked on a larger count fabric. So this bird is a 25 pounder....stitched on 7 ct. Klostern with Tweedie and #5 perle cottons. 

 

Then I moved on to Christmas with Christmas Markings by Heart in Hand. I too attached this to a vintage spool...stitched on the same 27 count banding as my SAL with an assortment of overdyed fibers. I can just roll it up to store year to year.

 

My final finish is a sweet little piece from Threadwork Primitives, Let it Snow...and boy do I wish it would! Oops again!!! I did this over one on a 28 ct. mystery linen with GAST Country Redwood, then added a tiny bow and snowflake charm. 

A few non stitching finishes were the Coming to America project bag by Brenda Gervais. This is a pre-printed panel and you cut and sew. I'll be using it to house her Mayflower project when it comes out. I used an "s" charm as the zipper pull in honor of my friend's ancestor who was on the Mayflower....Susan (nice it's my initial too). I also added the wording that was on the printed panel to the back of the bag....and no one will ever notice I sewed it on upside down...right???

 

I was happy to spend a day sewing with my grand daughters and we made them each an outfit. Same pattern...different versions.

 

 

What do you think of these buffs/gators with Woodstock on them? I thought we could use in place of masks sometimes, though I just heard they aren't as effective.

 

 

 I also made a few with the Marauders map from Harry Potter.

 

Now to some stitching that hasn't yet been finished or is in progress.

 

Busy Bee Tuffet by Chessie "n Me...worked on a 32 ct. mystery blue linen with Anchor, WDW and GAST flosses. I was going to start this on the 15th as a SAL with Donna Rae of Flannel Jammies for National Honey Bee Day, but I couldn't wait!!! (I will have to pick another bee project for that---darn!!! This will be a biscournu and scissor fob. 

I have Token of Love by With Thy Needle and Thread stitched and am waiting on the box to come in to finish. I did this on a 28 ct mystery linen ( I really have been trying to use what I have in my stash) with WDW's and one Classic Colorworks fiber. I have not added the initials because I am debating whether to give this as a wedding gift..or not. I'm not totally sure it would be appreciated so I am waffling. If I don't, it will be Rich and my initials added. I just loved the colors in this!!!

 

I've been so missing my trips to OCMD that I set up a beach themed display.

 

It helped... but not as much as the real thing!!! Soooo, we did manage a few days to visit my younger daughter (who we hadn't seen since Thanksgiving) on Oak Island, NC. That .....and making it to the beach one day did wonders for my soul!!!

 

 

 Thanks for hanging with me during this lengthy post. I keep thinking I should post more often, so it isn't as long, but time seems to get away. I really miss being with other stitchers and have zoomed a couple times with groups. I'm going to try that more often as it was so very, very nice! I signed up for Sassy Jacks virtual Soiree in September and a Guild I belong to, long distance, may try virtual meetings for a bit. My stitching/sewing is what's keeping me sane and I am thankful for it, and you my friends, every day!!!

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

Stasi

 

 

 

I'm Going Off the Rails of the Crazy Train....... (558-560)

I can't seem to get that verse out of my head after listening to it play on my car radio. I didn't even know who sang it so I googled it....Ozzy Osbourne. I thought I'd read some of the lyrics and here is the first verse:

"Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love and forget how to hate. "
 Yikes, I so wasn't expecting that, but it rang true for today's issues. If only........
It has so saddened me lately how fellow stitchers are attacking each other on social media to push their agendas and not showing respect for others whose opinions/beliefs may differ. Yes, we are ALL brutally aware of what is happening in the world today and want to see things change. But there is a place and a respectful way for expressing said views without trying to ram them down peoples throats. I tend to find I get my ire up when I see others being bullied and jump to defend them even if I don't agree with their views. Sometimes being "mean/nasty" can be counter productive...just my humble opinion...enough said!

I have continued to be a crazy woman stitching and it's time to share. First up are my FFO's. I showed this last post, but not FFO'd. Here is Fourth of July Sampler  by The Humble Stitcher.  stitched it on 40 ct. Iced Cappucinno, over two, with VMSS fibers.   I wanted it plain and simple..no frills! This was my first time using sawdust as a filler and I love it. You can get it very firm and it holds shape well. I have a big tub of it from my SIL, and will definitely use again.

Next up is Project Quarantine  by With Thy Needle and Thread. I stitched this on a 40 ct mystery linen, over two, with a combo of DMC, WDW, GAST and VMSS (trying hard to stitch from stash). I had a frame I'd bought a couple years ago from Wal-Mart that was the perfect red. Now it had a wooden cow, mounted on chicken wire, in the middle, but I removed the cow and glued fabric covered mat board over the wire. Added some pretty red rick-rack (thanks again, Robin) and voila!

This last FFO was a major save!!! I had stitched this in 2013, as a box, and  finally started to FFO it last week. I accidentally tore the perforated paper and that would have meant for a very messy joined corner. So, I had gotten a cute little hornbook at Hobby Lobby the week before and inspiration hit! I Mod Podged the stitching....yea I know, but  otherwise I couldn't cut without all the stitching unraveling....and glued it to the painted hornbook. I think I like this much better than the box! WIN!!!!

Now my SAL status:

FB Peppermint Purple Blackwork SAL

iStitch Designs Burgandy Sampler Band SAL (only 1 week and bonus chart left)

Learning Stitches by Jeanette Douglas via Sassy Jacks

 A couple new starts: 


Token of Love by WTNT.....stitching, over one, on a 28 ct. mystery linen with WDW and CC. I chose a darker blue, Teal Frost, since I had in my stash and subbed Putty for Sandcastle for the same reason. It seems Oscar is a tad hard to come by so I sent out a plea on FB and a stitchy friend came to the rescue...thanks Nancy!I love these colors!!!

Then I finally decided on a piece to do in honor of my second granddaughter, Esther. She likes ballet, flowers and the color red...and this really seemed to fit the bill. This is French Schoolgirl Sewing Bag and Smalls by Needlemade Designs. The original design for the bag front said "Amities" and you would put initials of friends and/or family there. But Esther asked if I could put the wod "love", so I obliged her. I found four different large alphabets and stitched each letter in a different style. I may go back and add some initials but am going to wait until the end. It's stitched over one on 27 ct. Natural/red ticking banding with GAST Soot and CC Cupid. This ones going to take awhile!!!

Then, in the midst of it all, I stitched up this dapper turkey......Dressed for Dinner by Erica Michaels. I did him on 7 ct. Klostern with #5 perle cottons and Rainbow Gallery Tweedie. I wanted him  to look like the turkey we all made in school with the brightly colored feathers. He's a bit out of proportion to go with my LK pilgrims, but that's okay, he'll hold his own.

A couple things to end with...look at this cute little fan you hook into your phone!!! Hopefully it will help me when I'm hot outside!!!

And, Rich and I had a hankering for some steamed crabs over the weekend so, yesterday, we took a little drive (about 2 hours) to Billy's Crab House just over the line into Maryland.  The crabs, shrimp and hush puppies were delish and you can see we ate it all!!! A nice respite from the "crazy train"!!!

I hope you are enjoying your summer so far and continue to do so. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi

A Whole Lotta Stitchin'/Strollin' Going on....550-557

I have been a very busy bee since last time we met. I am trying to be industrious and work off nervous energy through needlework. Some days it works....some days it doesn't. I am still mainly staying home with weekly grocery shopping and a couple visits to Hobby Lobby. I did get my haircut the other day, which was interesting, but doable, with a mask! We are going to venture up to Baltimore tomorrow to see my parents; we haven't seen them since the beginning of February.  It'll be a day trip, so a lot of driving for a short visit. Do we hug...wear masks the whole time??? I don't know, I just feel we need to see them in person and they see us. 

I have a lot to share this post and it will be photo heavy. I'll try to be brief about each project, but if you have questions just leave in a comment. But be sure you have an e-mail listed  and aren't "no-reply blogger" as I can't respond personally to you if that's the case. I've been hopping around a lot--this is what it looks like next to me on the sofa:

First up, I've been cutting more rectangles for masks for a local Richmond group. I figure I've cut up about 75 yards of fabric into 6 X 9 rectangles so far. This is my latest batch:

 
Next is my progress on my SAL's:

iStitch Designs  Burgandy Sampler Band SAL

Peppermint Purple FB Blackwork SAL

Learning Stitches (Jeanette Douglas) SAL with Sassy Jacks

I had a couple birthdays I stitched gifts for:

Stand By Your Peeps by JABCO

Sampler Stitching Tote by Noteworthy Needle   This is on a tote bag that was available last year at Target. Stitched with #5 Perle cotton.

These are cute little holders for your perle cotton. The bottoms open up and you can store the little balls inside and "pull" up through the top.
 

Pearl (that's how it was spelled on the chart) Cotton Nestler by Patricks Woods

 This was a non stitched gift but I fell in love with it when I saw it..and yes, I had to get one for myself!!! Bay Dreams by Spartina wallet...in case anyone is interested! :)

 Then I had some finishes for me...first up is A Fish Tale, a shop exclusive for Salty Yarns designed by Hands on Design. I decided to stitch this in honor of my grandson, James (he likes to fish and crab), so I put his initials on the top of the pincushion.

A little out of season but here is Autumn Blessings  by Noteworthy Needle, stitched on a foam pumpkin.

This came about with a little help from my friends...one lent me her chart and one sold me an extra silver ring..... Bee Pin Ball by Carriage House Samplings. I think I'm going to replace the ribbon with a silver chain.

And, I had to do a set of nestlers for myself!!!!

These two were finished by others:

Silk Sampler by Birds of a Feather framed by Patti Nicolosi of By My Hand Needl'werk's

PSS Retreat 2020 Bag finished by Faye Riggsbee (Carolina Stitcher) design by The Spinning Monkey

WIPS: 

The Berry Thief by It's Fine-ally Finished

And last, but not least...a finish not yet FFO'd:

Fourth of July Sampler by The Humble Stitcher

Whew!!!! I think that's it for today. Thanks for strolling along with me..hope you enjoyed the ride! I'm off to see what's on the agenda today.....STITCHING...what else???

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