Finding Solace in Stitching.....Again!!!! (637-643)

 Yes, I'm sure many of you are turning to your needlework as we navigate these worrisome times. We must pray for the poor people of Ukraine who are fighting bravely to retain their democracy and freedom and for someone to rein in Putin before he starts WWIII. I've said it before..and I'll say it again...why can't we accept others beliefs and differences and live in peace? I try in my own way to do this...and it isn't always easy.... but middle ground can often be found and we can move on.

On that note, I'd like to share, before I start showing other projects, two pieces I've worked on from a Ukranian designer, Living on the Rainbow. The first is a recent finish, Home for Christmas. I stitched it on 18 ct perforated paper and sewed both sides together. I had to adjust a bit on the truck because some was over one and wouldn't work on the paper. Isn't it adorable?

The second is a WIP, The Sweet Shop, worked on 32 ct. Antique white belfast. I originally wanted to do these on Aida since they are totally stitched and I thought that would give better support for the finish. But there were a lot of 1/4 stitches and I hate doing them on Aida...so linen it is!!! I'm showing my WIP and a photo of the finished piece....how cute is that!!!!

If you like these, please visit and support Elena's etsy shop: Living on the Rainbow
There is much more to drool over!!!

So, a couple of finishes..... First Frost by Hands on Design has a pair of precious snowmen...stitched on 28 ct. white linen with DMC. I fell in love with these guys the first time I saw them. I finished as Cathy suggested....no face, but they sure do still show personality!

 

 Holly Jolly Ornament is a collaboration of Heart in Hand and Bent Creek under the umbrella of Friendstitch. It was stitched on 32 ct Summer Khaki with Sulky #12 threads. This was the first time I've used these fibers and I really liked them...you only use one strand and get great coverage. I found the cute "frame" at Hobby Lobby around Christmas. I mounted my stitching to what was originally the back and left the original "front" as my new back. 

 

 These two finishes were from a virtual retreat I took from Jennifer Richardson at Violets and Verses, Martha Worboys Red Bristol Band Sampler and Pocket Sampler.

This was a class with the Orange County Sampler Guild last fall, OCSG Sampler Tree by Liz Matthews. I stitched it on 36 count PTP Heritage with DMC. I finished it on an antique door knob.

My final finish was for Colorado Stitchers Winter Stitch Camp. We were asked to stitch a project that only used one color of floss. I chose Cottage Charm Scissor's Pocket by Milady's Needle. This was a kit and included the Blackbird sampler fabric....stitched on 40 ct. Pear from Lakeside linens with Belle Soie Tortoise Shell.

I completed the stitching On Diligent and it is in the capable hands of my framer, Patti Nicolosi. I changed the letters from navy to black.

I have a few WIPS going on.....Harriett Salt  by Hands Across the Sea

 My Stitching Box  by Jeanette Douglas

and Winter Comes by Heartstring Samplery. Oh I LOVE this on the black...that border!!! Sorry about the wrinkles...running out of time!!!
 

So, that will be it for today. I am off to Nashville! Sally and Sara are picking me up tomorrow and we're heading to Market!!! I have been helping Sara walk the floors the last couple years they held Market. Sally stays in the room and prices things as I run bags and bags of goodies up to her. The last one we attended was the week before the s**t hit the fan in 2020 and I know designers and shop owners are so looking forward to this. I'm all packed and have my stitching for the car and the hotel room all figured out. I hope I can sleep tonight...melatonin here I come!!!

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

Stasi

PS  This is for you Sandra!!!

 

A somewhat snowy, chilly January....great for you know what!!! (632-636)

 

 

Greetings.....it has finally been feeling like winter here...a couple minor snow storms and one larger ice "event". Snow I don't mind, ice, that's another story. Sadly,we had to postpone a party to celebrate my parents 70th anniversary and my Mom's 90th birthday. Weather and Covid both played a part and the "better to be safe than sorry" adage definitely came into play. 

So, as a result, I have gotten a bit of finishing accomplished. I'll start with a piece I stitched back in 2017, ABC de la Brodeuse by Jardin Prive. I was on the hunt for the perfect bell pull and finally found it last year at Salty Yarns. It's an old Just Nan header and I'm not sure is available anymore...I got very lucky!!! This was stitched on a 27 count banding, over one with the called for colors. I backed it with the same banding for a perfect finish.

 Next up is the Sew Advent 2021 SAL piece by iStitch Designs. This was done on a 28 ct linen banding over one with Gloriana and AVAS silks. I attached it to an old wooden sewing thread spool, painted green, and added the holly button on the top.

 

 A little past the season is Autumn on the Delaware by The Purple Thread. This was a kit and Was stitched on 30 ct. Irish Cream linen with a combo of WDW and GAST threads...all which came in the kit.These are my colors!!!! It came with the finishing fabric...don't you love that plaid.....I added bow and acorn charm at the bottom.

This is a freebie from Lila's Studio called Tomato. I stitched this on gingham fabric, over two,  with a combo of VMS, GAST and WDW fibers. I made it into a pincushion stuffed with sawdust. I really love the weight/feel of the sawdust..will have to hit my SIL up for some more.

 

Last, but definitely not least is my finish of Bee Contained by Betsy Morgan of Willing Hands Designs.  This piece is very special to me as Betsy said my love of bees was the inspiration for it! I was humbled...and tickled to be so honored!!! Betsy is the best teacher and I am lucky to have a  number of her projects...some finished...some patiently waiting to be brought to life. Sadly Betsy has retired, but she has been a huge influence in my stitching journey....from the time I first saw her Toy Chest in 2008 to this piece, which was my last class with her in 2019. This was stitched on 32 count Sunshower linen with 2 colors of Gloriana silk.

 I have managed to get stitching in the evenings and this is what I'm working on:

Diligent by Needlework Press

First Frost by Hands on Design

Denim Band Sampler SAL from iStitch Designs

Sampler in a Jar

 

Okay, so this Sampler in a Jar idea came from a floss tube by Lori Holt. You stitch tiny sampler motifs on scrap pieces of fabric then use them on a button cover, then pop in a jar. My friend, Lisa, got me this jar for my birthday and I have started to "fill" it.....I have 4 buttons done so far (the bee was the first).  The jar is about 8 inches tall , so a tough order to fill! But, it is fun to just pop one of these out periodically..they're quick to stitch and even quicker to "finish" We will see where this goes...not guaranteeing anything! :)

That's it for the stitching update. I've been making some soups, French Onion and Shrimp corn chowder.....Beef and Guiness stew is on the menu for today...nice warm, comfort food!!! I've been trying to but some Cincinnati Chili mix but everywhere seems to be out of stock. That is a go to"winter" food for us. A dear friend in Cincinnati is on the prowl for me, but their grocery stores are out too!!! I've been drinking a lot of hot chocolate in the mug my daughter made years ago. I started adding a tiny bit of ground salt and love the sweet/salty combo! 

I'll be attending a virtual stitch in this Saturday morning with the DVHSG and hope to attend a local group, RVA Stitchers in the afternoon...weather permitting. I hope you have a warm, safe and comfy weekend with some time for relaxing stitching.

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

Stasi