tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72194943535617711392024-02-07T20:29:48.926-08:00X Marks My SpotI'm learning to cross stitch...one x at a timeMichele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-38110256729252426552016-05-23T18:38:00.000-07:002016-05-23T18:38:14.746-07:00Celebration once againAt the end of April I made my fifth annual trek to Nashua, NH, to attend <a href="http://celebrationofnw.com/index.php" target="_blank">Celebration of Needlework</a>. I took two classes, though in truth my main purpose in attending was due to the wonderful vendor area; no longer having an LNS near me, I do so miss fondling linen and picking out the variegation in threads! I'd gone through my charts and picked out quite a few to kit up - it's always so frustrating when I want to stitch something new and have to place an online order and then wait for it to arrive, so I decided to get a lot of ducks in a row for the future. One of my favorite vendors at Celebration is <a href="http://celebrationofnw.com/index.php" target="_blank">Inspired Needle</a>, which sets up a small full-service needlework shop. I dropped a fair amount of money there but it was well worth it - to my surprise and delight they gave out gift bags full of charts and even kits with each purchase (I received two Sweetheart Tree kits!). Depending on how much you spent, you received the same dollar amount in free merchandise.<br />
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The hardest thing about not having an LNS is getting linen of the right color and texture for various projects. Ordering online doesn't always get you what you thought it would. I brought a list of linen to look for at Celebration, but even when I found the right fabric, the color didn't always look as I'd expected. For example, I wanted a piece of PTP Dill to stitch something from a Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher magazine chart. I found one, but the color was nothing like the one in the magazine, and I didn't like it at all. But I certainly did find plenty of linen to have on hand for future projects (on the far left is a large cloth bag that came free with my purchase from Gypsy Stitching):<br />
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I didn't buy too many new charts, but did get a few I'd been coveting:</div>
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I enjoyed both my classes, but can't help but worry about the future of Celebration, if attendance is any indicator. My first class had only two students (I'm surprised, but glad, that it ran). It was called Trio of Projects and was taught by Candy Scott of The Workbasket, who was absolutely delightful to spend a few hours with. The projects are a bookmark, a needle book and a scissor fob. Candy showed us some unique but simple ways of finishing things that are really going to come in handy. I'm so happy I took this class.</div>
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The following day, I took a class taught by Lauren Sauer of Forget Me Nots in Stitches. There were five students this time, which was a nice size for a group. The project was called Designing Woman's Miniature Drawing Portfolio, which incorporated a palette of crayons and a sketch book. There were a number of specialty stitches in the project, so this will be a real challenge for me. Lauren was a patient and inspiring teacher. The first picture, of the finished design, is from the Celebration website,</div>
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Here's everything that came in the packet: </div>
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So that's my haul, now I better get stitching!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-27132401398615951662016-03-27T14:14:00.002-07:002016-03-27T14:14:28.984-07:00A Revival (I hope)It seems my last few posts, which span over a year's time, usually start off with how long it's been since I posted. And this one, alas, is more of the same. This is the first time in ages that my intentions to reboot my blog have turned into action. I admire those of you so much who can keep up with busy lives, families, work and stitching, and still manage to blog on a regular basis. My membership in the club certainly has lapsed, but as the saying goes "a journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step" and I hope I'll keep up with the walking after I bring things up to date.<br />
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So without further ado, here's what I've been doing over the past year:<br />
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<i>Christmas Journey<br />Joyce Reed Folk Art</i></div>
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<i>Forbeare Not Sewing<br />Hands to Work</i></div>
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<i><br />Key to My Heart</i></div>
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<i>Primitive Stichin</i></div>
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This was my 20th anniversary gift to my husband.</div>
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<i>3 Little Words<br />Lizzie*Kate</i></div>
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High school graduation gift for my niece.</div>
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<i>O Christmas Tree<br />Emma Congdon</i></div>
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This was a chart from The Cross Stitcher magazine. It took forever to find something to stand the tree up in!</div>
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<i>Mickey and Minnie Towels<br />Disney Cross Stitch</i></div>
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Wedding gift for my goddaughter and her husband.</div>
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<i>A Little Wedding<br />Lizzie*Kate</i></div>
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Wedding gift for my brother and his wife - names deleted for privacy.</div>
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<i>Growing Love Stitcher's Wallet</i></div>
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<i>Threadwork Primitives</i></div>
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This is my first project from the Ladies Prim Society (Dyeing to Stitch)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswbwINkyGh8pFYZa_ijKyMn4fN-XIgbQrmRY8NbC3Shc2CfoY0WwdtTUJtWV42mSrtCZqnUBezK68Oo1s8J_76j0aTDXF7ApcTnIZJ7eqvrs5W3GOdjR2smTVX5C5o3-LEWcrghR86YU/s1600/merry_and_bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswbwINkyGh8pFYZa_ijKyMn4fN-XIgbQrmRY8NbC3Shc2CfoY0WwdtTUJtWV42mSrtCZqnUBezK68Oo1s8J_76j0aTDXF7ApcTnIZJ7eqvrs5W3GOdjR2smTVX5C5o3-LEWcrghR86YU/s320/merry_and_bright.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Vdh0oioRUb3eqtQNpGSkD8J503BIzvN9y0P2E3ibHESaA-zSsEpJlTl4nEkiY9mV1r7nclPYGof56zOLh9kGsfG7YmTT6lzf4nHPEIvNlg6hq3am02wGOZeoFl1c1YblxBxTnKg8MI/s1600/merry_and_bright_sideview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq7Vdh0oioRUb3eqtQNpGSkD8J503BIzvN9y0P2E3ibHESaA-zSsEpJlTl4nEkiY9mV1r7nclPYGof56zOLh9kGsfG7YmTT6lzf4nHPEIvNlg6hq3am02wGOZeoFl1c1YblxBxTnKg8MI/s320/merry_and_bright_sideview.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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<br /><i>Merry and Bright<br />Lizzie*Kate</i></div>
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This chart was in a British Cross Stitch magazine. I just did the finishing today! I am a very slow and timid finisher, so it's nice to be reminded by looking at these projects all together on one page that I do manage to finish things now and then!</div>
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I have several other things that are done but neither finished nor photographed, and a bunch of designs in various states of completion. I'm generally a one-project-at-a-time stitcher but have had a severe case of start-itis this past year.</div>
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Most important of all - I have a stitching group now! Someone in town started a group at our library; I was so excited when I saw the notice about it. There are six of us who meet regularly and we're hoping to attract more as word gets out. What a pleasure to share this great hobby with others.</div>
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Hopefully I'll get myself in gear and post again before another year goes by. I'm signed up for Celebration of Needlework in April, so I'll have to chat about that when I come back.<br />
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Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Speaking of which, I better get Easter dinner going!Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-64666845045630996272015-04-15T17:01:00.001-07:002015-04-15T17:32:23.072-07:00When Last I Spoke...Has it really been since September when I was quoting Abraham Lincoln (not) and vowing that I had more to post? Time flies when one is stitching but not blogging. Today is a sad anniversary for poor Honest Abe, and I am raising a virtual glass to his memory while trying to catch up on what's been happening in my stitching world. Without further ado:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01RRgVet58_KuvHJppW0pKuQx_jiUBc4nrHiAmDS9azJVelcS0Yxo6DlEq85ligjA4JVE_Mi3GoHJb2DJuSl_CDmL7g7MDW2ULxNLUKZBWq0futnlC6UC5bvJ0LdEYrKracy5gD4FVw/s1600/Pear+IX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj01RRgVet58_KuvHJppW0pKuQx_jiUBc4nrHiAmDS9azJVelcS0Yxo6DlEq85ligjA4JVE_Mi3GoHJb2DJuSl_CDmL7g7MDW2ULxNLUKZBWq0futnlC6UC5bvJ0LdEYrKracy5gD4FVw/s1600/Pear+IX.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com/p/pears.html" target="_blank">Pear XI Freebie</a><br />
Samplers and Santas<br />
28 count Mello PTP/DMC</div>
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Check out the link and you'll find an abundance of free pear-shaped designs. I'm about to start my second - loved stitching this!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80mcVfwElrxMJqi-8BJvEBUJnhdrWvt6NnKGmmT4V41NWsvEFzVXZIpMd_2BlYeunUSSCPcPy-tVVC8RQrShFUwOpQTtnT6paHXEoeQ6mfWTY3Go3GCjuCnAvblpxCBt4Y02LTOAm63A/s1600/my_kitty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80mcVfwElrxMJqi-8BJvEBUJnhdrWvt6NnKGmmT4V41NWsvEFzVXZIpMd_2BlYeunUSSCPcPy-tVVC8RQrShFUwOpQTtnT6paHXEoeQ6mfWTY3Go3GCjuCnAvblpxCBt4Y02LTOAm63A/s1600/my_kitty.jpg" height="195" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbvmmD26OK7tApQRWbWleEkDoE8nYn7n-KBKr1VKQcfeC6AjT-aNlTytyV75b5q7ITbHLmQJjZ1Q-csscgZnlUFAGtme3LdambGxggUNOH2fu0hcSxEU4o6V2E-7jVEpxgaDlR9_oxt4/s1600/my_kitty_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbvmmD26OK7tApQRWbWleEkDoE8nYn7n-KBKr1VKQcfeC6AjT-aNlTytyV75b5q7ITbHLmQJjZ1Q-csscgZnlUFAGtme3LdambGxggUNOH2fu0hcSxEU4o6V2E-7jVEpxgaDlR9_oxt4/s1600/my_kitty_2.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'll Get You My Kitty</div>
Country Rustic Primitives<br />
32 count Doubloon PTP/Sullivan's black floss<br />
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It's always so nice when I find the perfect backing fabric! Filled with crushed walnut shells - I bought a big bag from Amazon since the lizard section of the pet stores no longer seems to have them, at least in my area. It was a lot cheaper too!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYHmlObB0zI0gu7-7NmrvR2v7qObmNKSFN7GGKeSzKuwOEHsZ4vSSlS3uBSuI6T-Qaxbe-N4KPLwg2ci6_k8tlGIB9iQtuc76k_2nmwbWwtTnbLP3dIXKXPIDVA6pVdHRclx7eMS-NfE/s1600/Miss+Witchy+Mouse+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLYHmlObB0zI0gu7-7NmrvR2v7qObmNKSFN7GGKeSzKuwOEHsZ4vSSlS3uBSuI6T-Qaxbe-N4KPLwg2ci6_k8tlGIB9iQtuc76k_2nmwbWwtTnbLP3dIXKXPIDVA6pVdHRclx7eMS-NfE/s1600/Miss+Witchy+Mouse+1.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY_83Lm-Vbynxa2yNXPMhrLybCA3sDGjmO5ku0xHoDLKARZlrXlwh7B3W-p_ippmp6HRhhvjeJadLhpDkIORlB7SLZ0iTwu1sOxMbZ7XRVuLis_26Yf6khvR8GRekYAifQSyJFh-g6JA/s1600/Miss+Witchy+Mouse+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhY_83Lm-Vbynxa2yNXPMhrLybCA3sDGjmO5ku0xHoDLKARZlrXlwh7B3W-p_ippmp6HRhhvjeJadLhpDkIORlB7SLZ0iTwu1sOxMbZ7XRVuLis_26Yf6khvR8GRekYAifQSyJFh-g6JA/s1600/Miss+Witchy+Mouse+2.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Miss Witchy Mouse</div>
Just Nan<br />
32 count Clay linen/DMC and beads<br />
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This was such fun to stitch and to finish - the directions were great. I know she's supposed to be a Halloween decoration, but she's one that's staying out all year round!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4CIVybgdEXyoi91PLRBDkg35kwpRSfC7zg_tPs-BGXntAs9oSWsVB_QlzWIop5hZNlo_NTCTKNzMsngXg_ENVVzrdJutjaqZpHHmnKVWpznL0I8p4ZOlgx8qrBFvga2xposfgxGyvDA/s1600/Turtles+All+the+Way+Down.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH4CIVybgdEXyoi91PLRBDkg35kwpRSfC7zg_tPs-BGXntAs9oSWsVB_QlzWIop5hZNlo_NTCTKNzMsngXg_ENVVzrdJutjaqZpHHmnKVWpznL0I8p4ZOlgx8qrBFvga2xposfgxGyvDA/s1600/Turtles+All+the+Way+Down.jpg" height="320" width="105" /></a></div>
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Turtles All the Way Down</div>
Ink Circles<br />
27 count Celery Banding/DMC Color Variations<br />
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I bought all the charted floss for this (mostly greens and blues), then saw someone's version done with Color Variations, and had to follow suit. I hadn't been sure how to finish it, and then found the bell pull hardware at the Online Needlework Show. It's backed with variegated green felt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRefOY5t_m6lCkuPCLTGmJG4R2nH60sjzYNg6ybi_J90Je7GQ1yff4QBnWr5QKbvLlop6ommykBlqD83j-pCdpp_IqvQDFqmMsk0mLTsTp3DLhUURPLzrcddPKRRzYappKDKaeGWY2Yg/s1600/moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRefOY5t_m6lCkuPCLTGmJG4R2nH60sjzYNg6ybi_J90Je7GQ1yff4QBnWr5QKbvLlop6ommykBlqD83j-pCdpp_IqvQDFqmMsk0mLTsTp3DLhUURPLzrcddPKRRzYappKDKaeGWY2Yg/s1600/moon.jpg" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
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Love You to the Moon and Back</div>
Bucilla Kit<br />
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Babbling Brook Jobelan/Kit threads</div>
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I made this for my son for Christmas - at 15 his days of fascination with spaceships are behind him, I'm afraid, but hopefully he still appreciates the sentiment.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrax8ihtgXGSHev9zlYTwXFKcOGOObPB_PxPEbSnw9pGMK4uRXEommttfyl1s29FtyALdP3AoAR4_ZrmQWWIDdEk_WqrtBwsp2jZTUgsvmliJp6K534sVE3EzZSP6J4L077TxWrYBE8g/s1600/usa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrax8ihtgXGSHev9zlYTwXFKcOGOObPB_PxPEbSnw9pGMK4uRXEommttfyl1s29FtyALdP3AoAR4_ZrmQWWIDdEk_WqrtBwsp2jZTUgsvmliJp6K534sVE3EzZSP6J4L077TxWrYBE8g/s1600/usa.jpg" height="301" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZbWDWdR1cgmwEdUCey8IUVqGm_iRAve3SUWeomBNmjOC4rEDZIW9A_jH5vWcaCgzDoiQWxHSbp1-WvYA551sspqGJLz6d2XNt2OCXt2HOdpztabDU1jchxw775NdBvI8B_HiuomZULo/s1600/usa2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjZbWDWdR1cgmwEdUCey8IUVqGm_iRAve3SUWeomBNmjOC4rEDZIW9A_jH5vWcaCgzDoiQWxHSbp1-WvYA551sspqGJLz6d2XNt2OCXt2HOdpztabDU1jchxw775NdBvI8B_HiuomZULo/s1600/usa2.jpg" height="302" width="320" /></a></div>
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USA</div>
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Prairie Grove Peddler Freebie<br />
Light Mocha Belfast/GAST, CC and WKS (my conversion)</div>
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I stitched this while I was at Celebration of Needlework last year; it still needs something around the edges. I'm signed up for a Beginning Hardanger class at this year's Celebration, which I'm very excited about. I always wanted to try it but could never make heads nor tails of the diagrams in magazines, so I'm hoping to learn by watching someone do it. If anyone will be at Celebration I'll be there Friday to Saturday, and I'd love to meet you!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-5561048404625727342014-09-24T17:54:00.002-07:002014-09-24T17:54:15.790-07:00My Fifteen Minutes of Fame<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS4lZnGiuJQIo8K5p7KDm8HCkAtVjVs8VGd66P8jQtF5lNJF0uU5qBJfr98RbPNczzhw9hROeXGJcBs4RURVwqZb224qKOWHJhNtAXjzCoHNtQ8vdn2-8e8ZIj954uE4mULqWkBdhk_o/s1600/CSC241.cover_rgb_150dpi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIS4lZnGiuJQIo8K5p7KDm8HCkAtVjVs8VGd66P8jQtF5lNJF0uU5qBJfr98RbPNczzhw9hROeXGJcBs4RURVwqZb224qKOWHJhNtAXjzCoHNtQ8vdn2-8e8ZIj954uE4mULqWkBdhk_o/s1600/CSC241.cover_rgb_150dpi.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
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A few months ago Rachael, a lovely editor from the British stitching magazine <i><a href="http://www.crossstitchcollection.com/" target="_blank">Cross Stitch Collection</a> </i>contacted me to ask whether I would be willing to have my blog featured in an upcoming issue. I was, to put it mildly, quite surprised; I'm neither a prolific stitcher nor blogger though I'm certainly an enthusiastic one. But CSC is my favorite of all the British cross stitching magazines, and I decided to accept the honor, Rachael sent me a questionnaire to fill out and asked for photos of my cross stitch pieces; it was fun deciding which ones to submit. The October issue has just been published in the UK. It usually arrives in the US a few weeks later, so I haven't actually seen it yet, but Rachael sent me a PDF of the article, and I did pinch myself a bit to see it in print; here is an image of it (you can click on it to make it larger):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdkI1MHDlwU-S-myVM1FsbqaYU-A50sW-xODt8b9EA9AlDS2pVUKUVykrDXk6aKIP5UtBEqG014yOenv-s32ZDwzM0yJ7fd2jdnQdszyUQOohFLVUvwhHG42Nzw59nXHCtuRziYEdh3o/s1600/Michele.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdkI1MHDlwU-S-myVM1FsbqaYU-A50sW-xODt8b9EA9AlDS2pVUKUVykrDXk6aKIP5UtBEqG014yOenv-s32ZDwzM0yJ7fd2jdnQdszyUQOohFLVUvwhHG42Nzw59nXHCtuRziYEdh3o/s1600/Michele.png" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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To anyone who finds my blog through reading my profile - welcome! I really do mean what I said in answering the last question - if you are hesitating on starting your own blog, don't - you'll never regret it! And do check out <i><a href="http://www.crossstitchcollection.com/" target="_blank">Cross Stitch Collection</a> </i>- in the US it can usually be found at Barnes & Noble.<br />
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I have a few more things to show since my last post, starting with this one:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHOKCcTlzLjMsjaeiFfHRESkcrNQ57Ap_1TUV7edjkSQn9wObIE3TQIwCM2zvNejTl0Dj5gD4wAdN_itcMEkbIh_TZx8OXgqPDHI2JapMMYGu3T44WiGitKRwWmjTjn9hjhyLIyklUcQ/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHOKCcTlzLjMsjaeiFfHRESkcrNQ57Ap_1TUV7edjkSQn9wObIE3TQIwCM2zvNejTl0Dj5gD4wAdN_itcMEkbIh_TZx8OXgqPDHI2JapMMYGu3T44WiGitKRwWmjTjn9hjhyLIyklUcQ/s1600/IMG_3403.JPG" height="175" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Hinzeit Charmed Sampler</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>28 Count Mushroom Evenweave</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC 310</i></span></div>
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My son plays trumpet in the high school marching band. Initially I was making this for his music teacher, but it has ended up on a wall in my son's room (a bit of a contrast to the Pink Floyd poster!) I bought the musical charms on eBay, and used museum glass for the framing so that they can be seen clearly (it's also almost a shadow box frame). Sorry that the picture shows some glare from the glass as I took it outside in the sun. Again, clicking on the photo enlarges it so you can see the charms.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R6HUjDx3GMKz0dNpEMVrYQQlB70KzcdRElW3j8KMiVH2UCAG5v-cG0-w-UBlm7RFXT182rAlRo8hTIsizYOJEzrOiXf_WWB5sqHLTuQE2GuEfHU_oWhWxMOy8wr5Ke12rnYOtGpAYWo/s1600/IMG_3309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5R6HUjDx3GMKz0dNpEMVrYQQlB70KzcdRElW3j8KMiVH2UCAG5v-cG0-w-UBlm7RFXT182rAlRo8hTIsizYOJEzrOiXf_WWB5sqHLTuQE2GuEfHU_oWhWxMOy8wr5Ke12rnYOtGpAYWo/s1600/IMG_3309.JPG" height="348" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>You Are So Loved</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The Snowflower Diaries</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Freebie found <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/137099720/The-Snowflower-Diaries-You-Are-So-Loved-2013" target="_blank">here</a></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Peach Edinborough linen</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>CC, GAST, WDW (my own conversion)</i></span></div>
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Here's something else I made for my son. On the back I stitched the same border and his initials, adding a little filigree heart charm. He's become a teenager with a vengeance, so I hope he'll remember to look at this after we've had the inevitable spats.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoc1OjqsknLdF7eJcnwvzuRZOE2A-RP_1Z-7NbGCha8a7WUqlrOX33DpN4qDBQGMl_1nw3gPUWXj_I9OxaHp3QZV2osVBOU0c8l8fPWtwMNf6zmAtEpQE3shCmvgqmSVI8VvocExpoOY/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoc1OjqsknLdF7eJcnwvzuRZOE2A-RP_1Z-7NbGCha8a7WUqlrOX33DpN4qDBQGMl_1nw3gPUWXj_I9OxaHp3QZV2osVBOU0c8l8fPWtwMNf6zmAtEpQE3shCmvgqmSVI8VvocExpoOY/s1600/IMG_3397.JPG" height="400" width="247" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Thankful</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heart in Hand</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">R&R Flax Fields Belfast</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">DMC and CC</span></i></div>
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I made this for someone who had gone the extra mile for me, but I need to finish it before I give it to her. I already have the fabric to use. My son has an all-day band competition on Saturday, so that might be a good day to get it done.</div>
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That's all for now - I'll try to post the rest of my finishes very soon. </div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-54273639410113414082014-07-30T02:21:00.001-07:002014-07-30T02:21:18.875-07:00And more projects from the couch...No, it didn't take me six weeks to make dinner, but life has a way of intervening in one's good intentions. Anyway, to pick up where I left off (at the end of September): October brought two designs from the JCS 2013 Special Halloween Issue. First I fell in love with this enchanting creature:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34Fae689v__8JaVXTydGA-DWgjW4IpCgYZ8rrRQOvzs0Lb4HXrES5Ephkp7jGHAB4hZEY4GJg82y2oeO4779-asN84KtH_e8XzYTXowCuzRbi1p2VTWR-pRVnGsT23pzuH6pEe2GMi8A/s1600/matilda_hornbuckle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34Fae689v__8JaVXTydGA-DWgjW4IpCgYZ8rrRQOvzs0Lb4HXrES5Ephkp7jGHAB4hZEY4GJg82y2oeO4779-asN84KtH_e8XzYTXowCuzRbi1p2VTWR-pRVnGsT23pzuH6pEe2GMi8A/s1600/matilda_hornbuckle.jpg" height="287" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-size: small;">Matilda Hornbuckle</i></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Notforgotten Farm</i></div>
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<i>Light Mocha Cashel/DMC</i></div>
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And then came this one:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlymb9ZSLInnJPu7a7l8qUY_hyIQDvybw84I4QHMr3oH2mR9jMfYeMseZk1OwwxOqgYiHwQ6HYXNYlLNAQv7-nR5g8bhSkr1Yy8yAVYOPEDDfk495UzNiSJJRZ-voDGRe1Gv_YoE9eXA/s1600/happy_halloween.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlymb9ZSLInnJPu7a7l8qUY_hyIQDvybw84I4QHMr3oH2mR9jMfYeMseZk1OwwxOqgYiHwQ6HYXNYlLNAQv7-nR5g8bhSkr1Yy8yAVYOPEDDfk495UzNiSJJRZ-voDGRe1Gv_YoE9eXA/s1600/happy_halloween.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy Halloween</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Silver Creek Samplers</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Light Mocha Belfast/DMC</span></i></div>
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I was disappointed to find that neither of these designers are included in the 2014 issue; though there are a few nice designs in it, none of them are nearly as compelling as these two were. Oh well, considering what I brought home from Celebration (and what I did with some birthday money I got from my parents) I am in no need of further distractions from my huge stack of potential stitching projects!</div>
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So once Halloween was dispensed with, I moved on to a bit of Christmas stitching:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajG3brjSkx8vgWDa6juYCoRX3UPQHljlas1UsaGjYPdlPlsXDogzvivsCJmCJQ-bqOQ-acfRH8duVGn2XYW2MYuEt0khF3L8vgczG93_8RcUMaz1me7P7kRvQXlgLcrUktZ89FV4N8o/s1600/tree_reindeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidajG3brjSkx8vgWDa6juYCoRX3UPQHljlas1UsaGjYPdlPlsXDogzvivsCJmCJQ-bqOQ-acfRH8duVGn2XYW2MYuEt0khF3L8vgczG93_8RcUMaz1me7P7kRvQXlgLcrUktZ89FV4N8o/s1600/tree_reindeer.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tree Reindeer (Freebie)<br />Daffycat (Sharon Bennett)</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Linen scrap/CC, WKS, GAST</span></i></div>
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I love these annual reindeer designs <a href="http://itsdaffycat.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sharon</a> so generously shares. Can't wait to see what this year's will be!</div>
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By the time I started this next project, I no longer needed to be stitching from a prone position, not that I don't ever do so now by choice. I think Charles Dickens' <i>A Christmas Carol </i>is one of the most perfect stories ever written. So when this next design came out, it went to the top of my stitching list. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aNvUwUbESCOURYZv5YILR6suKzByE0rCAHacGIQtjswSlFi31-VibBhxRTP2KFWzwHIJbTj-N4lTOx3UBDZysZzqZ-IwKm5ZfVWz0LsC1XDW1c2kLuVSsRoiu8oH2OawpASECBsF4Gk/s1600/christmas_spirit_sampler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5aNvUwUbESCOURYZv5YILR6suKzByE0rCAHacGIQtjswSlFi31-VibBhxRTP2KFWzwHIJbTj-N4lTOx3UBDZysZzqZ-IwKm5ZfVWz0LsC1XDW1c2kLuVSsRoiu8oH2OawpASECBsF4Gk/s1600/christmas_spirit_sampler.jpg" height="400" width="273" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christmas Spirit Sampler</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Elizabeth's Designs</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vintage Country Mocha Belfast/GAST</span></i></div>
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I overlooked the instructions which said it should be stitched using one strand of floss, and it was only when I was close to running out of the Midnight blue for the wording that I realized my mistake; however, since I did it on 32 instead of 35 count fabric two strands looked better anyway, and 123 Stitch came to the rescue with a pretty close match. A few notes for anyone who might want to stitch this - the flowers on either side of the heart at the top are not charted, though they are present in the picture on the front of the chart, so I added them; also, while the trees and birds reverse direction when the pattern reaches the middle of the design, the boughs of holly all faced the same way. This seemed odd to me, so I reversed the graph and put two facing each direction on either side of the crown. I don't always need things to be symmetrical but in this case it seemed better to me this way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwXjQTHLOxdegiZ8-eOcaHguDuNw5s13e2REmoyTk19wSeemHlezEdWiu-UXB_wjCaBN0MsLa89gkcZ7oy423idM8tnEDUsdUHgERneU4BaMv557_ROmQxQwSomvShD_dfcPIO8P9ZFs/s1600/Hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwXjQTHLOxdegiZ8-eOcaHguDuNw5s13e2REmoyTk19wSeemHlezEdWiu-UXB_wjCaBN0MsLa89gkcZ7oy423idM8tnEDUsdUHgERneU4BaMv557_ROmQxQwSomvShD_dfcPIO8P9ZFs/s1600/Hope.jpg" height="400" width="301" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hope</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chartmakers</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scrap of Newcastle/GAST & WDW</span></i></div>
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I found this diminutive lady in a half-price bin at my late, lamented LNS before it closed last year. The rusty metal frame was included with the chart. I keep meaning to see if there are others like it. The designer wasn't familiar to me. Well, I just decided to Google it, and according to the Internet, Chartmakers was an earlier incarnation of Kathy Barrick Samplers/CHS. Sounds like it could be true given the style, but one never knows what can be believed on the Internet - in fact, here's one of my favorite admonitions:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrAIOZ11WQAbYEPvJxnEoXjds0HyE4FKDXmL7hKXXLAhw6A4-k3CATHFnDY4Jw6ClDN3rGKMnNNegyIVH5Lk-LmJ9pdF1eS14UGH9abwKfGkYnBcxBNDSldTmnrP3oEtUa5xPoOHDbFI/s1600/lincoln_internet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqrAIOZ11WQAbYEPvJxnEoXjds0HyE4FKDXmL7hKXXLAhw6A4-k3CATHFnDY4Jw6ClDN3rGKMnNNegyIVH5Lk-LmJ9pdF1eS14UGH9abwKfGkYnBcxBNDSldTmnrP3oEtUa5xPoOHDbFI/s1600/lincoln_internet.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
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And with that, I'll end for now. I have more projects to show, but I'll leave them for another day.</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-57405068298544399352014-06-16T14:44:00.003-07:002014-06-16T14:46:15.277-07:00A Year of Projects<br />
So much for my good intentions to post my couch lounging projects soon. But better late than never, right? Here, in order of stitching, are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOowh67VYBrO_jh_PMr-R3sgz5gFochHqoU47vcK8aggOMLdQVhvwti7-UHpManX9XAprBl8sm8NzGEcY-ZMXSsDM6Y94bj7ATY-pLK_-AKZuebO5bjJNwnxofjTBQcPLnFdJfumJASg/s1600/dream_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOowh67VYBrO_jh_PMr-R3sgz5gFochHqoU47vcK8aggOMLdQVhvwti7-UHpManX9XAprBl8sm8NzGEcY-ZMXSsDM6Y94bj7ATY-pLK_-AKZuebO5bjJNwnxofjTBQcPLnFdJfumJASg/s1600/dream_front.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPHC2imKxy9HfYtkEe7tzd9XF5F0WlMxsjZ1wtq-KtYrkogfwOYVab8w5V6lHjJNZFBk2ldpb2YJ21ZFSDsHyRfh8QVfzTKbKKr1WwrtQ-8xgNBOmA7O_hbAmayVCpN6iybivx8O0xvQ/s1600/dream_back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPHC2imKxy9HfYtkEe7tzd9XF5F0WlMxsjZ1wtq-KtYrkogfwOYVab8w5V6lHjJNZFBk2ldpb2YJ21ZFSDsHyRfh8QVfzTKbKKr1WwrtQ-8xgNBOmA7O_hbAmayVCpN6iybivx8O0xvQ/s1600/dream_back.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>Dream Big</i></div>
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<i>Country Cottage Needleworks</i></div>
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<i>Mystery linen / CC, GAST, & DMC</i></div>
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I made this for my son's friend's birthday in 2013, and it took me until this past Easter get it finished. In fact, it's the only thing I do have in final form. It's a little lopsided, but the friend seemed pleased with it anyway (he owns a rabbit and really wanted a stitched one - at least he doesn't have to change the litter for it!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUpA6I1wHNf7SadBzHKfEEQ7jtlVM92YLHHgFARQn5p6ET6gQ9TplcRu6nfEQYqu-_WJ4t7wtL7btPV0aiikIyrXCU49tuLPmim8goTBOkkG9-x8fVxwJ2HNbbLYn_xwI7FVCky6Ewx4/s1600/needleworker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUpA6I1wHNf7SadBzHKfEEQ7jtlVM92YLHHgFARQn5p6ET6gQ9TplcRu6nfEQYqu-_WJ4t7wtL7btPV0aiikIyrXCU49tuLPmim8goTBOkkG9-x8fVxwJ2HNbbLYn_xwI7FVCky6Ewx4/s1600/needleworker.jpg" height="127" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The Needleworker</i></div>
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<i>Little House Needleworks</i></div>
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<i>30 count R&R Bed Creek Brown / CC</i></div>
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This is the project I took to Celebration in 2013. It was such a pleasure to stitch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo807-qYiHo5Im1TOv_XEBQ2TnQH6MHd_PnEryoEMfbOiP7vWKUd7UfnNhgNyzxpzyT02nQ2LB75q9rUcg6hQ5049tuh-Hd37IOGyZ6xp_CI7JGvehDM6bPRhcjzOA5WyEi8sYv6ZbUU/s1600/troubador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBo807-qYiHo5Im1TOv_XEBQ2TnQH6MHd_PnEryoEMfbOiP7vWKUd7UfnNhgNyzxpzyT02nQ2LB75q9rUcg6hQ5049tuh-Hd37IOGyZ6xp_CI7JGvehDM6bPRhcjzOA5WyEi8sYv6ZbUU/s1600/troubador.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The Troubador</i></div>
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<i>Papillon Creations</i></div>
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<i>Antique White Belfast / Old Willow Stitchery & HDF</i></div>
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This was one of the first charts I bought upon discovering that there were more designs available than could be found at Joann's and A.C. Moore. I fell in love with its colors, but didn't realize that OWS linen threads were no longer being made. After much googling I found an online shop which still had them in stock; the HDF threads had been renamed since the chart was published, but Vikki told me what to order. It came out just right, and is in my to-be-framed pile. I've always had a thing for unicorns, and when I was much younger my car sported a bumper sticker that said "I brake for hobbits and unicorns." Neither the car nor the bumper stitcher are still around, but I'd still brake for a unicorn if I saw one.</div>
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<i>Sous Mon Arbre</i></div>
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<i>Marjorie Massey</i></div>
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<i>Country Cream Belfast / Creme de Menthe Belle Soie</i></div>
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This design is from a set of three which I bought via Jardin Prive's website. It's always such a pleasure to stitch on silk!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qjDlezUH9NDqZ-HNehXrGidqyA-I5f6rBsIkXvMHLsebdTeL9Ojw9Oq3AoV-bZ3sdaqt-qjqGp0w8x413SWK2hfAcT949i5ohsdzOiUTjGcIfywgMBeHwcFmxwFE_ttcFWJ31iq8U2E/s1600/andyourlittledogtoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qjDlezUH9NDqZ-HNehXrGidqyA-I5f6rBsIkXvMHLsebdTeL9Ojw9Oq3AoV-bZ3sdaqt-qjqGp0w8x413SWK2hfAcT949i5ohsdzOiUTjGcIfywgMBeHwcFmxwFE_ttcFWJ31iq8U2E/s1600/andyourlittledogtoo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>And Your Little Dog Too</i></div>
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<i>The Sampler Girl</i></div>
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<i>White Jobelan / CC & DMC</i></div>
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I'm from the era when The Wizard of Oz was televised once a year. What a thrill to watch it each time. I always wondered whether Miss Gulch would try to take Toto again once Dorothy came home, but I suppose she must have been blown away by the tornado (I sure hope so!) Or maybe she melted too.</div>
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<i>Antique Evergreen Sampler</i></div>
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<i>Iced Cappuccino Edinborough / WDW</i></div>
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This is the project I worked on during the toughest days of my convalescence - the little motifs were perfect for short stints of stitching. I was sorry when this one ended.</div>
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This only takes me up through September, but I should be making dinner if we are to survive the evening, so I'll stop for now. But I'll hopefully be back sooner than the last time!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-75932547914252203302014-05-09T05:53:00.003-07:002014-05-09T05:53:44.220-07:00Another Return to Celebration of Needlework (and to blogging)Long time no blog! It's been just over a year since my last post. I never intended to stay away for such an extended period of time, but I got sick early last summer, and didn't fully recover until around Christmas. It wasn't anything dire, but I spent months pretty much lying on my couch. While I did manage to do some stitching throughout those difficult days, I had to conserve my energy for absolute essentials, and blogging fell off my radar screen. Now spring is in full swing, I'm feeling good, and am finally ready to rejoin this wonderful stitching community.<br />
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When last I wrote, I had just come back from Celebration of Needlework 2013, so it seems fitting that I start off with a recap of Celebration 2014. In past years, my husband and son have accompanied me, but this time I went by myself, which, although it was lovely to have a hotel room to myself, was rather lonely, as I didn't know anyone and tend to be shy. Still, wearing my "Free Bates" t-shirt became a great conversation-starter (there certainly are lots of Downton Abbey fans who are stitchers) and I enjoyed meeting some of the designers in the vendor area, especially Beth Seal (and her sister) of Summer House Stitche Workes, and Tracy Horner of Ink Circles. And in the class I took (Bird Box, taught by Jeannette Douglas) I sat next to another attendee who had also come alone, and we've already made plans to meet up at Celebration 2015. All in all, I had a wonderful time!<br />
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The Bird Box class was great - Jeannette is an enthusiastic and effective teacher, and the project is beautiful. It is made up of four designs and uses a combination of traditional cross stitch and specialty stitches, which will be a challenge for me but one that is well worth tackling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl8EWSWyh4Ww8ChI21sHkoFZY6UCKxqSi2dCRipuaCHm7DQT30yXVISog6awDwJmp_0dFWWRMSYWl0Cw1IYpda69hCAlq0M2pkZkoq8iyQSS11sgaSJX5JLzWqjVQxEUbnWIN1hvRZsg/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl8EWSWyh4Ww8ChI21sHkoFZY6UCKxqSi2dCRipuaCHm7DQT30yXVISog6awDwJmp_0dFWWRMSYWl0Cw1IYpda69hCAlq0M2pkZkoq8iyQSS11sgaSJX5JLzWqjVQxEUbnWIN1hvRZsg/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
I wanted to take a few other classes: Colorplay and Beginning Hardanger, but they were both offered on Thursday and I couldn't attend on that day. But whatever I saved in class expenses was fully made up for in the vendor area, where I certainly stocked up! I justify my profligacy because my LNS closed last summer when the owner retired, so now I am completely dependent on online stores and the little I can use from the big craft stores. What a treat to get to see and touch linen rather than trying to figure out how closely the color of a digital image will compare to reality. Here's what I came home with:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PTP linens Valor and Doubloon, 27 count green banding for Ink Circles'<br />Turtles All the Way Down, and some finishing fabrics</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ink Circles charts: Square Dance, Croakworth, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Alto Gether Now and First Bass (I already have Here Comes Treble)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Summer House Stitche Workes charts and supplies:<br />A Bee in Your Bonnet and Fragments in Time</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank You by Jeannette Douglass Designs</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">White Rabbit Necklace by The Primitive Jewel</span></div>
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I also came home with a nice selection of free charts from the giveaway box in the hotel lobby, and a kit that contained quite a bit of floss by Dinky Dyes and Needle Necessities. I think I am all set until next year, and then some!</div>
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Well, that's enough from me for now; next time I'll post pictures of what I managed to stitch during my couch lounging sojourn. It's nice to be back!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-9195628107376229942013-05-07T15:29:00.000-07:002013-05-07T15:29:18.417-07:00Return to Celebration of NeedleworkThis past weekend was my second time at <a href="http://celebrationofnw.com/index.php" target="_blank">Celebration of Needlework</a> in Nashua, New Hampshire. This time I took two classes, both with <a href="http://damesoftheneedle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Elizabeth Talledo of Dames of the Needle</a>, who was a wonderful instructor. The first project was called Dauphin House Sewing Box (the picture of the finished project is from the Celebration website):<br />
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We coffee-dyed the linen and worked on the roof - it was nice to get a refresher course is blanket stitching.</div>
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The second class showed us how to make this lovely Zen Rabbit Sewing Purse (project photo again from the Celebration website):</div>
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We worked on putting together the orange suede scissor case (the kit included darling rabbit scissors!) and Elizabeth showed us how to make twisted cording on her awesome cording maker (I ordered one - I've always been afraid to try to do this, and her system makes it very easy).</div>
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I spent far too much money in the vendor area, but came away with some wonderful stash: several pieces of beautiful linen from a company called <a href="http://dovestitch.com/" target="_blank">DoveStitch</a>, two kits for over-one stitching (one is on silk gauze, which I've never tried), a chart called Antique Evergreen Sampler by Elizabeth's Designs which I fell in love with, and all the supplies for Lizzie Kate's Mystery Sampler, which I always regretted not buying when it came out. Sorry for the glare on the photos!</div>
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I also came home with a lot of free charts which were left in the lobby for stitchers to take. So I have enough projects to keep busy until Celebration 2014 and then some!</div>
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Meanwhile, though I haven't posted since the February blizzard (I was surprised to see how long it had been), I've been stitching away and have a couple of finishes to show for it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Saltbox Village<br />Little House Needleworks</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqkseoqHcVGqFpOCHiYvWssMjmxSPgKTB0AIjfQhDcSoeuWSP2ugydpbrhWDNvi0TbypXlZn9r9sn-UCyBzmD5rVuTp0S2H4fnEXaJIclPzBJ88JnJvG93XApCkjTxcoYv9_JpOkGbbk/s1600/april_finishes+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqkseoqHcVGqFpOCHiYvWssMjmxSPgKTB0AIjfQhDcSoeuWSP2ugydpbrhWDNvi0TbypXlZn9r9sn-UCyBzmD5rVuTp0S2H4fnEXaJIclPzBJ88JnJvG93XApCkjTxcoYv9_JpOkGbbk/s320/april_finishes+007.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Dream Big</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Country Cottage Needleworks</i></span></div>
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Dream Big is a birthday present for a friend of my son's, who has a pet rabbit, and once asked me if I would stitch him a bunny. I need to figure out how to finish it before I give it to him.</div>
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I'm almost finished with LHN's The Needleworker, which has been very enjoyable to work on. Once I finish the border I'll post a picture. And now, back to that blanket stitch...</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-31492474542306548402013-02-19T05:29:00.001-08:002013-02-19T05:31:07.790-08:00Blizzard FinishesThe aforementioned blizzard dropped about two feet of snow, necessitating a driving ban for nearly two days. Then our snowblower broker, so my weekend was spent indoors, and I had no excuse not to finish a few things. Here are the results of my enforced vacation:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumIa6R-QmD30x8jnLbVmuBioeT4716mMMQ2H66Ia5ixyF3UMt0v0FHogsq2T9A6IUSMDHHuLQCEV-mHCfk_bdGHALNzMubyW8vTx85xjkScVdBo_uavrse0YUE1IKzOem3vW8SFQVAUg/s1600/blizzard_finishes+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiumIa6R-QmD30x8jnLbVmuBioeT4716mMMQ2H66Ia5ixyF3UMt0v0FHogsq2T9A6IUSMDHHuLQCEV-mHCfk_bdGHALNzMubyW8vTx85xjkScVdBo_uavrse0YUE1IKzOem3vW8SFQVAUg/s320/blizzard_finishes+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I should have cut the linen for the cat a bit smaller and had the right side of the pillow be visually shorter than the left, but by the time I realized this I had already sewn the two sides together. Thanks to <a href="http://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carol</a> for telling me how to attach the trim (use glue and a toothpick!) </div>
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I took these pictures horizontally, but you know Blogger and its mind of its own! I started to rusch the ribbon below for it using <a href="http://tts-learntofinish.blogspot.com/2012/02/rusched-ribbon.html" target="_blank">Vonna's tutorial</a> (it's metallic and lacy and I love its look), but holding it up to the pillow it just didn't look good. Now if I could have done a ribbon like<a href="http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/02/fit-for-princess.html" target="_blank"> this lovely one</a> of Vonna's, that would have been a different story. But rusty orange ribbon is awfully hard to come by.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yPfMdv_mgnVH32MSKiSLhQ48phmqEJ7woNDEyoR-nXQFk43P0bx6Uo0vQCJxmUyKCEzYFa4BGMW4tO-GUEA_7EZIswjBCG_wo7SAjLmEy5BYpU6YSXF7amFjuBF89QRnneOPBH34ejw/s1600/blizzard_finishes+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yPfMdv_mgnVH32MSKiSLhQ48phmqEJ7woNDEyoR-nXQFk43P0bx6Uo0vQCJxmUyKCEzYFa4BGMW4tO-GUEA_7EZIswjBCG_wo7SAjLmEy5BYpU6YSXF7amFjuBF89QRnneOPBH34ejw/s320/blizzard_finishes+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I also followed Vonna's advice (thank you Vonna!) to iron interfacing to the back of my linen, and the pillows are definitely less lumpy than they would have been if I'd done them without it. So all in all I am a happy camper. Now all I need is another blizzard to get the rest of the finishing done!</div>
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I was reading some messages from a cross stitch list I am subscribed to, and there were several reports of craft stores no longer carrying DMC and using Sullivan's instead. There was even a mention of Michael's stocking another type of floss instead of DMC. Has anyone been finding this? While I prefer to stitch with overdyes when I can, I can't imagine having to order DMC floss online instead of running out to Michael's or A.C. Moore to pick up what I need!</div>
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My Just CrossStitch magazine came in the mail the other day. They have a new editor and I was pleasantly surprised to find that there were a number of designs I actually wanted to stitch! Usually I am lucky to find just one (not that I've done many of them other than ornaments -<a href="http://xmarksmyspot.blogspot.com/2012/03/summer-song-finished.html" target="_blank"> Summer Song</a> was my first major piece) but maybe I'll find more that I like in JCS now. For anyone interested they had profiles of and charts from the designers of both Prairier Schooler and By the Bay Needleart.</div>
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It's school vacation week so my son is still sleeping - it's so nice not to have to rush around and get ready for school. I think I'll use the quiet time to get a little more stitching done...<br />
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Oy - I just looked at this in draft and accidentally closed the editor rather than the preview tab. Thank goodness for autosave!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-76685600977052980432013-02-07T18:49:00.001-08:002013-02-07T18:49:08.293-08:00Settling in for a blizzard (with stitching)Here in the Northeast, we're being bombarded by dire predictions of a major Nor'Easter. We could be getting 16-24 inches of snow in my area, along with howling winds. School is already canceled for tomorrow. I've done the obligatory grocery store run, and only hope that we don't lose power so all the food I bought isn't for naught. What I really wanted to do was run out to <a href="http://www.hoopsandneedles.com/" target="_blank">my LNS</a> and stock up on charts and floss, but I couldn't make the timing work. Not that I don't have plenty of stash, so I think I can make it through a few days of being housebound.<br />
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Since I blogged last (where does the time go?), I've been fairly prolific, at least for me, a slow stitcher at best. Nothing fancy, but I've enjoyed the pieces I've worked on a lot. So here's the rundown...<br />
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First up is the second in the series of Less/More by Lizzie Kate. I only liked two out of the four designs, so this will be the last one. At the very end, I lost my skein of WKS Purple Haze to finish the last motif in the design at the bottom. But Plum came to the rescue! The shade is so close, I can't even tell where I used it anymore. Can you?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_GtaVugabETE-1aVPhMWrTrXSSEoLTx8k-4PpXcvfdJ8Fy3radw_eQFk-Loe03Fz74KwIANduRob9TEpLZweCcKK1n0od6DgFsGf0_ac9qpr2WE-UxISICS-tZ-rmpR-RQULRNHqPYs/s1600/tlsm_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_GtaVugabETE-1aVPhMWrTrXSSEoLTx8k-4PpXcvfdJ8Fy3radw_eQFk-Loe03Fz74KwIANduRob9TEpLZweCcKK1n0od6DgFsGf0_ac9qpr2WE-UxISICS-tZ-rmpR-RQULRNHqPYs/s320/tlsm_0001.jpg" width="273" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Talk Less, Say More<br />Lizzie Kate<br />Mocha Cashel</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>WKS and GAST</i></span></div>
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Next I stitched this lovely little design by Helga Mandl from The Gift of Stitching Magazine (I can look up the issue if anyone is interested). I used Hand Dyed Fibers Bewitched, and love the variations in the color it gave the piece. I have the perfect fabric to make it into a little pillow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh95M_DBUQ1l65JdYAq_3crfM5E123X2aEMz-a930SF666xPKANiSS7THm9aH64mNq5qZyC2I5v8KwvcMnRy1EcXem2N9zBsgqxXIbo3oDuF0K1MFPoz-W5jXiO375ljLXlHqY6q4sjR8/s1600/autumnpinkeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh95M_DBUQ1l65JdYAq_3crfM5E123X2aEMz-a930SF666xPKANiSS7THm9aH64mNq5qZyC2I5v8KwvcMnRy1EcXem2N9zBsgqxXIbo3oDuF0K1MFPoz-W5jXiO375ljLXlHqY6q4sjR8/s320/autumnpinkeep.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Autumn Pinkeep </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Helga Mandl (TGOSM)<br />Peach Cashel</i></span></div>
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After that I found a <a href="http://echevette.over-blog.com/article-4061886.html" target="_blank">very old freebie</a> I'd printed out years ago by a French blogger named Dominique. I've meant to stitch it for years and finally got around to it. I changed the color scheme a bit and used GAST Rose Garden, WKS Blue Spruce and CC Bean Sprout and Whatley Woodlands, along with a pink floss from the Lizzie Kate design for the flower, but I can't recall its name. I believe the translation is something like "nothing comes of running" but of course we know it as "slow and steady wins the race."<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu5wTggH8PF0Ut4he2CjCjMBXwNlYsw_necH_iGmwGRWhmCSlwZzJ_N5KCVxKBx7MxoSy64OYAsslSPxIz_LG66wV3wTW0RizgI0Ud21FrK_sFShJz8acboE672G2UdtYERjn-JtTQjc/s1600/frenchrabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZu5wTggH8PF0Ut4he2CjCjMBXwNlYsw_necH_iGmwGRWhmCSlwZzJ_N5KCVxKBx7MxoSy64OYAsslSPxIz_LG66wV3wTW0RizgI0Ud21FrK_sFShJz8acboE672G2UdtYERjn-JtTQjc/s320/frenchrabbit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Rien ne sert de courir<br />Dominique A.<br />Cashel scrap<br />GAST, WKS and CC</i></span></div>
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While looking through my freebie files I found one with a message I really want my son to take to heart, so I stitched it for him. As the Cowardly Lion would say, "ain't it the truth?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJH6xmxIu2yxEhTi1wOB5uVDKson6mydW80MalroEo6390Z_z1kZFJwgIzq5htvIj8XEby0rdc_hLCe0FWJAUEFtHtqdga23-RQgJb2bnCDxuXdSo3T8iOHdRbYgZvbbGG57D7FNrFyw/s1600/doing-right-quaker-sampler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJH6xmxIu2yxEhTi1wOB5uVDKson6mydW80MalroEo6390Z_z1kZFJwgIzq5htvIj8XEby0rdc_hLCe0FWJAUEFtHtqdga23-RQgJb2bnCDxuXdSo3T8iOHdRbYgZvbbGG57D7FNrFyw/s320/doing-right-quaker-sampler.jpg" width="301" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Doing Right Quaker Sampler<br />Nancy Woodson - Liberty Primitives</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Lambswool Cashel</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC 3768</i></span></div>
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After this one I wanted something really quick, so I stitched up this cute little chart from The Sampler Girl from Kitty Kringle's Pattern Book for Christmas (Tanya might have offered this as a freebie on her blog at one point).It's done on a small piece of linen that I won from a giveaway by Carol of <a href="http://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stitching Dreams</a> - I'm still thrilled that I won it more than a year later. I use the little red scissors she included all the time. The threads were WDW Schneckly (what the heck is a schneckly?) and Collards, GAST Old Red Paint, and CC Queen Bee.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ok9zH46zov0tZLeCrLvPu9P4oJ9k_zVXA_05lC0opQW10VX3qYBQn10g6xRJ-iwMRxodC_S4oPf5rgaoE4az1XcTI_HqFKSufUOEQ9xa95DZmGGJ0Pd4tP2wa-uv5n-018gnYhYm_s8/s1600/littlefirtree_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ok9zH46zov0tZLeCrLvPu9P4oJ9k_zVXA_05lC0opQW10VX3qYBQn10g6xRJ-iwMRxodC_S4oPf5rgaoE4az1XcTI_HqFKSufUOEQ9xa95DZmGGJ0Pd4tP2wa-uv5n-018gnYhYm_s8/s320/littlefirtree_0001.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Little Fir Tree Ornament<br />The Sampler Girl<br />Unknown linen</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">WDW, GAST and CC</span></i></div>
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Finally, here's another ornament pattern I just finished - I couldn't help but think of <a href="http://michele11wa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Michele W</a>., reindeer lover extraordinaire! Threads were WKS Havana, GAST Grecian Gold, and CC Spinach and Bandana.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Star Reindeer</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sharon Bennett (Daffycat)</span></i></div>
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<br />So what do all these stitched pieces have in common? Yes, you're right - none of them are finish finished. But since I'm going to be snowed in, I will have no excuse but to do that. So stay tuned...</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-19868913705344026192012-12-07T12:59:00.000-08:002012-12-07T12:59:35.614-08:00Better late than never?Long time no write! It's been ages since I've posted, so I do have some work to show for all my time away. I actually have some of it finished! First up is House Blessing by Barbara Bangser, which I got from Keepsake Needlearts. This is the third design of hers that I've done (the Thomas Jefferson quote and Storytime are the others); unfortunately there are no more that I am enamoured of so this will be it for awhile.<br /><br />
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I made a few changes to the design - there was nothing in the lower right corner next to the Amen, so I took a motif from the top and added it there. There was a cross in the middle of the P in Peace, which I changed to kind of a star shape. And for some reason every H was charted differently, so I made them all the same. This piece reminds me of an illuminated manuscript and I loved stitching it. I'm going to hang it in my entryway, and hope that its sentiment holds true.</div>
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This is French Country Owl by JBW Designs, stitched on 36 count linen with WDW Sweet Potato. Isn't he adorable? I had an old hoop that fit it perfectly.This was my first real foray into over one stitching (<a href="http://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carol</a>, you amaze me with how easy you make it look!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fHwqBZ69AlgkAf77hcwznDtjs0tK9US3wkEoVc935hCB-pDh3cPZeaLIPFatkLn8HogHINhFgo8eezWJ1a0FoRsK2aPRGnmW2CBgHMj29zctK1BSV9uSehBxyZkIdnaY1t8sOISOXA0/s1600/finishedstitchingnov12+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4fHwqBZ69AlgkAf77hcwznDtjs0tK9US3wkEoVc935hCB-pDh3cPZeaLIPFatkLn8HogHINhFgo8eezWJ1a0FoRsK2aPRGnmW2CBgHMj29zctK1BSV9uSehBxyZkIdnaY1t8sOISOXA0/s320/finishedstitchingnov12+004.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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This is Promise of Spring by Silver Creek Samplers. This one took forever to complete - I kept putting it down to do other things, even though I really liked it. The lettering was supposed to be black but I changed it to WDW Havana, as I wanted a softer look. The linen is from Picture This Plus. If anyone wants to stitch this, be aware that the color given in the chart (Sterling) will not look like the picture of the design. The color needed is actually Tarnish (I found this out when I had to send Sterling back to PTP). The linen is somewhat grayer than my picture shows. I love its mottled look.</div>
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Finally, as of tomorrow I will be the mother of a teenager! My son turns 13 as of 4:13 am on Saturday. Gulp - I'm not sure I'm ready for this! His favorite subjects are Math and Science, so this was a natural (I hope he heeds the advice!) </div>
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Even though I haven't been around much I am out there enjoying all the beautiful work displayed on your blogs. I wish you many blessings, whatever you celebrate, and a wonderful New Year!</div>
Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-50145135798199615402012-09-23T14:29:00.004-07:002012-09-23T14:29:40.062-07:00Remember Me?I could title this post the same as my last one - long time no post! The summer was busy with travel and keeping DS amused and not always on the computer, so I haven't gotten that much stitching done. But I did manage to finish a few pieces.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1V5h1BnQJqFEIZTi1VKZCNb517-2shexVPma1Mdn_gWkLEPmjj-bn-TAlx9Q5au5cmqGA-kXYTv1aQnH4wyUHX2BQLCAez5OfcU054fZ7mRP2R2rPf-hKs1iIYhr6Qxb_ZWGWsxYRow/s1600/moosebox+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1V5h1BnQJqFEIZTi1VKZCNb517-2shexVPma1Mdn_gWkLEPmjj-bn-TAlx9Q5au5cmqGA-kXYTv1aQnH4wyUHX2BQLCAez5OfcU054fZ7mRP2R2rPf-hKs1iIYhr6Qxb_ZWGWsxYRow/s320/moosebox+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Moose Box<br />Lynda D. Baldauf (Scandinavian Stitches)<br />Scrap of taupe linen<br />DMC</i></span></div>
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I made this box for a friend who is a moose afficionado. It's the first time I've made a covered box, and I can't say it's perfect by any stretch of the imagination. I cut the cardboard insert a bit too small, so you can see the inside edges of the box. Still, for a first effort, it will have to do.<br />
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My other finish is from the kit that I got from <a href="http://www.keepsakeneedlearts.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Keepsake Needlearts</a>. The only thing I used was the chart; I switched out the Aida for linen and changed the floss from DMC 310 to CC Black Coffee. At first I wasn't sure whether that was the right decision and thought maybe I should have kept the stitching black, but I really like the finished product. As I've said before, I generally don't buy kits from catalogs, but I really like the Barbara Bangser's designs. Here is the latest one I bought, called House Blessing:<br />
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<br />By the way, Keepsake Needlearts has a $5 off code in each issue of Just CrossStitch, in case you are interested in checking them out.<br />
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I'm still plugging away at the Silver Creek Samplers design I've been working on - all that's left is a lot of snow. Hopefully I won't let 2 1/2 months go by again before I finish it and have something to show.Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-48445031569284272452012-07-10T04:16:00.000-07:002012-07-10T04:16:56.492-07:00Long Time No Post!Time has gotten away from me. Between DS's school ending and going on vacation to Florida (where Tropical Storm Debby definitely rained on our parade), I haven't been doing too much stitching and certainly no posting. I have a few small things to rectify this a bit. Here is a pinkeep I made for a friend who I will see when I visit her in Minnesota next week. This is Imagine by Bent Creek. I think it's Taupe Belfast, but it was a scrap so I'm not sure. Threads were DMC.<br />
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I can't say too much for the finishing - my ribbon and pins are a little wonky, but I hope she'll like it anyway!<br />
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Then I framed Wisdom and Compassion by Brightneedle for my therapist friend. The gold of the frame is a little lighter than it shows in the picture. Sorry I couldn't get rid of all the glare on the picture. The glass plate really enhanced the richness of the overdyed threads - they look more vivid than it did when I was stitching it.<br />
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It took me nearly 15 minutes to get the pictures to display the correct way - Blogger kept turning them sideways. It's so annoying when that happens!<br />
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I have been pleasantly surprised by some of the offerings in The Stitchery and Keepsake Needlearts catalogs lately. Usually I don't find designs I like, but recently I've bought these:<br />
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I had some birthday money so I splurged on the candle screen as well as the kit. Storytime is by the same designer as the Thomas Jefferson quote I stitched and framed a little while back .I'll do it in linen instead of the Aida contained in the kit. <span style="background-color: white;">I enjoy getting the catalogs even though I don't often buy things, so it was nice to be able to place orders.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
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I hope everyone is having a lovely summer. Be well!Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-15992929571040065312012-05-25T12:25:00.000-07:002012-05-25T12:25:42.878-07:00Stitching UpdateIt's been awhile since I've posted but I haven't been totally idle. At Celebration of Needlework a vendor had a whole bin of old Brightneedle charts, and I picked up this one. I've stitched it for a therapist friend of mine; I thought the sentiment was perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAdHPJ5dT2ELZF0AR7ckigDA1wHgkWbezA1a7zCDDsJRUrsUksGmqv4dM1hdgV9pZa4fm_sog1Ljh7VhG74we5lP8Ym6aS1HDpT4IoNCVOa9T6KW0mAeHjg9_BwGKOm190sZu0wNWE4/s1600/stitchingfinishes+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWeAdHPJ5dT2ELZF0AR7ckigDA1wHgkWbezA1a7zCDDsJRUrsUksGmqv4dM1hdgV9pZa4fm_sog1Ljh7VhG74we5lP8Ym6aS1HDpT4IoNCVOa9T6KW0mAeHjg9_BwGKOm190sZu0wNWE4/s320/stitchingfinishes+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Let Wisdom Flower<br />Brightneedle</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Belfast Country Cream / WDW</i></span></div>
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I also stitched my first Lizzie Kate design, and enjoyed it so much I bought another one (Talk Less, Say More). Unfortunately I don't like the other two designs in the series - I don't particularly want to stitch the words Whine and Hate. So I'll just do two out of the four.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktDoYjEmkOEIiwWoLGQmmfEt2MXRa44pXIUlLRBPu5yAvTFhTGvSYMoh4EsrQLyeKev5iMz-s2cCnkpSjEmviLX0MRdcTC1hTuotGzzCny2-3MRMng0gsk2sBnu_yzja8bZBxTDb1T4/s1600/stitchingfinishes2+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ktDoYjEmkOEIiwWoLGQmmfEt2MXRa44pXIUlLRBPu5yAvTFhTGvSYMoh4EsrQLyeKev5iMz-s2cCnkpSjEmviLX0MRdcTC1hTuotGzzCny2-3MRMng0gsk2sBnu_yzja8bZBxTDb1T4/s320/stitchingfinishes2+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Fear Less, Hope More<br />Lizzie Kate<br />Cashel Mocha</i></span></div>
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Finally, I framed the Thomas Jefferson quote that I made for another friend. It always feels so good to finish a finish!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR1adjLVUoISylExFHIw8PLMcuQbrnXnRP9FfCAucwkCeeWkF2-rmBjTX2_MXns2x18qPO-WyEPyniacw-FI1pEDf2mHtRLB7toIvLL2VgG9gXYMvlzEG51OYNZUe2JvSfUNGmkWf80A/s1600/stitchingfinishes+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZR1adjLVUoISylExFHIw8PLMcuQbrnXnRP9FfCAucwkCeeWkF2-rmBjTX2_MXns2x18qPO-WyEPyniacw-FI1pEDf2mHtRLB7toIvLL2VgG9gXYMvlzEG51OYNZUe2JvSfUNGmkWf80A/s320/stitchingfinishes+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jefferson's Book Quote</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Barbara Bangser</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>18 count Charles Craft Aida</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC</i></span></div>
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Now I'm working on a fairly new Silver Creek Samplers design. DS and I are going to Lake George for the holiday weekend and I'm looking forward to stitching by the water. Have a great weekend!Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-74171109458323302632012-05-02T05:10:00.000-07:002012-05-02T05:10:14.558-07:00A Trip to Celebration of NeedleworkLast Saturday I went to my first-ever cross stitch workshop at <a href="http://celebrationofnw.com/index.php" target="_blank">Celebration of Needlework</a> in Nashua, NH. DH and DS accompanied me to the hotel where it was being held, and we stayed overnight. DH went in to register us and came back out to the car and said "you're going to be in heaven - there's needlepoint everywhere!" I had to gently correct his understanding of my craft, but otherwise he was right. The lobby was filled with stitchers and more stitching accessories than I have ever seen in my life. It was wonderful! While my guys went off to the pool, I attended a workshop by Linda Duree of <a href="http://www.stitchingtreasures.net/" target="_blank">Stitching Treasures</a>, who showed us how to make a Rose Garden Pinkeep:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR7V0pswjQ14uz8sHxE4ga3P7-mDDS4yhmJf1iut43EpPrxl6cWFkvR5GcFi5Th72B3dzBgC6L0bElzdHbVjsypZd77nREVC7kAOjir5ubOgGhMgAKRyOfKQSIoNLyEUC72-oMcoDO0k/s1600/rosegardenpinkeep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvR7V0pswjQ14uz8sHxE4ga3P7-mDDS4yhmJf1iut43EpPrxl6cWFkvR5GcFi5Th72B3dzBgC6L0bElzdHbVjsypZd77nREVC7kAOjir5ubOgGhMgAKRyOfKQSIoNLyEUC72-oMcoDO0k/s320/rosegardenpinkeep.jpg" width="153" /></a></div>
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It looks really complicated but as Linda kept telling us, it is surprisingly easy to put it together. She showed us how to do the finishing from the outside, rather than having to turn everything inside out. Here is the kit she supplied:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic90a6ObgtaWZkZRO_hhAun4m-IGzEifcBXdckSlToSi_9uevWN0QXstiTzQwG6F9kvtcio31ITYm3nUg88LbC0LUr6g3fXd2nKUMtEIS_V59yNvEdV8zOV-VI6lPcp6QausDsUVzlsTU/s1600/clebofnw+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic90a6ObgtaWZkZRO_hhAun4m-IGzEifcBXdckSlToSi_9uevWN0QXstiTzQwG6F9kvtcio31ITYm3nUg88LbC0LUr6g3fXd2nKUMtEIS_V59yNvEdV8zOV-VI6lPcp6QausDsUVzlsTU/s320/clebofnw+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The linen is by Picture This Plus in gorgeous shades of greens, and the CC floss is green and purple. Linda also showed us how to make ribbon rosettes to sew on the points of the pinkeep. It was so much fun and I'm really looking forward to making it.</div>
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Of course I hit the merchandise mall and while I didn't make a lot of purchases, I found among other things an old Brightneedle chart with a design that is perfect for a therapist friend of mine. It says "let wisdom and compassion guide thee." And Linda had cording drills for sale so of course I had to buy one - I've never made my own cording and if I can ever figure out how to use the thing I'm sure it will be my favorite gadget.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPY5DVrfTLElRpmGpmSvqb-eblNIC1NI2alKrAX6J1txqMyq_kmKpLlIL37FDT8cWEMDq1KKxS43hxehWGnOWRt_q2vXOYYSWZipVo0MsaG2hNF724ZmwBGJ7nqOKURJt-bwf3KIqhkY/s1600/clebofnw+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjPY5DVrfTLElRpmGpmSvqb-eblNIC1NI2alKrAX6J1txqMyq_kmKpLlIL37FDT8cWEMDq1KKxS43hxehWGnOWRt_q2vXOYYSWZipVo0MsaG2hNF724ZmwBGJ7nqOKURJt-bwf3KIqhkY/s320/clebofnw+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next year I'm hoping to attend Celebration for more than just one day. It's a little intimidating since everyone seems to know each other, but the lure of being around other stitchers will hopefully overcome my shyness. If anyone plans to go next year, let me know!</div>
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In other stitching news I made a few small things for friends who don't read my blog. I haven't finished them yet, but I have until July when I see them both at a children's book convention this summer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0ZwtgJgdP0ZzYSL7nN6ZK89t83Me2JuUoGWR7reu1UQBpKiyj4WC4tQx2Kyqo9DySkvDrWjN8Z2t_MeLZoWNvwGi3R-7o4zKi_nAgFz_Yhw1o0pCDFqa6wc0wBUtK3C5Q0rSxTXzafY/s1600/clebofnw+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0ZwtgJgdP0ZzYSL7nN6ZK89t83Me2JuUoGWR7reu1UQBpKiyj4WC4tQx2Kyqo9DySkvDrWjN8Z2t_MeLZoWNvwGi3R-7o4zKi_nAgFz_Yhw1o0pCDFqa6wc0wBUtK3C5Q0rSxTXzafY/s320/clebofnw+002.jpg" width="258" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Imagine<br />Bent Creek<br />Taupe Belfast/DMC</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCghQ2VNWFpGaQZavViUNdDzOQ_kZMbSLf72SQ-zHtScOBM7_hQqGP2VgjlVvS-axFhJjKpAyFazkaVufeG0VXIzCrb6mfD7n6CNkkfemtzHCvEmNqFfejFHcvWVhu7x7C9Kn2dJ2Eys8/s1600/clebofnw+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCghQ2VNWFpGaQZavViUNdDzOQ_kZMbSLf72SQ-zHtScOBM7_hQqGP2VgjlVvS-axFhJjKpAyFazkaVufeG0VXIzCrb6mfD7n6CNkkfemtzHCvEmNqFfejFHcvWVhu7x7C9Kn2dJ2Eys8/s320/clebofnw+004.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Jefferson's Book Quote (Kit)<br />Barbara Bangser<br />18 ct Charles Craft Aida<br />DMC</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Finally, I will leave you with a cartoon I found online that I know we can all relate to!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b-QYkolY1PM0FA4dUoAaIEyDGu-FKMufbIvwcYAtq4RCfWW7ytPcoZT3PtS5bPK1fuE9Y3e5uLPLM610LokLQzOQ3Qvxbxe6-YdWuekMVRbpelsFekhMcvUeEjkdVehM_QOZjbsZ8Ic/s1600/dusting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2b-QYkolY1PM0FA4dUoAaIEyDGu-FKMufbIvwcYAtq4RCfWW7ytPcoZT3PtS5bPK1fuE9Y3e5uLPLM610LokLQzOQ3Qvxbxe6-YdWuekMVRbpelsFekhMcvUeEjkdVehM_QOZjbsZ8Ic/s320/dusting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-79953195015594624532012-03-21T14:01:00.001-07:002012-03-21T14:02:29.265-07:00Continuing my Owl ObsessionWhen I saw this in one of <a href="http://www.abcstitch.com/" target="_blank">ABCStitch's</a> emails I fell in love with it, and ordered it straightaway. It was great fun to stitch, though attaching the owls with invisible thread was harder than I thought it would be. I can't seem to get the crease out of the linen no matter how much I steam and iron it. Any suggestions?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictr0W0OA0ZcQ_HAClCOWKaiBl6bBwqZZaPXqaDohneLfQu7ZtClhlQrZmwCgrYqTBfHhUGzzAzlauzR1amOu_T9tAHDBwQ5RVYOLaFX51TR7Rr3BTVqPsi9_R37VG5pw4Rx8Gx_zuO0Y/s1600/midnightowls+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictr0W0OA0ZcQ_HAClCOWKaiBl6bBwqZZaPXqaDohneLfQu7ZtClhlQrZmwCgrYqTBfHhUGzzAzlauzR1amOu_T9tAHDBwQ5RVYOLaFX51TR7Rr3BTVqPsi9_R37VG5pw4Rx8Gx_zuO0Y/s320/midnightowls+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Moonlight Owls</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Puntini Puntini</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Taupe Cashel</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>DMC Color Variations 4150</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was sorry to learn the news that <a href="http://www.thegiftofstitching.com/" target="_blank">The Gift of Stitching Magazine</a> is going to cease publication with the May issue. I was a subscriber for awhile and enjoyed getting it each month. All back issues are 50% off now. I did a Google search for the table of contents for one of their issues because I was looking for a certain chart. One of the searches led me to a website that I found absolutely appalling. It appeared to be a forum where people were requesting and posting scans of charts which could then be downloaded if you had some kind of membership. It was obvious that the site activity was illegal, and it really made me sad to see how many users were using it to cheat designers out of their work. I know designers know about this site and they have to vigilantly police it to have their charts removed when they see them posted. How upsetting and discouraging for them. I'm glad there are so many good people in the cross stitching community who would never dream of doing this.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">For my next project I bought <a href="http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemdetail.pl?item=LK-F116" target="_blank">this</a> from <a href="http://www.hoopsandneedles.com/" target="_blank">my LNS</a>; truly words to live by. I'm stitching it on Light Mocha cashel with the called for GAST and WDW threads. My LNS visit was not cheap, but it was worth it!</div><br />
<span id="goog_109052366"></span><span id="goog_109052367"></span>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-74653455813933546322012-03-10T09:25:00.000-08:002012-03-10T09:25:34.994-08:00Summer Song FinishedI finished up Summer Song yesterday morning and headed to Joann's hoping to find some backing fabric to use for my pillow. I wanted something with sunflowers on a black background. The only thing I could find had a green background, and it really didn't look right. So I picked out the fabric the stitching is lying on top of - the color of the design is actually more orange than it appears in the photo - it's as orange as the color in the lettering. I'm still not completely satisfied so I may wait until fall, when sunflower material may be more available.<br />
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</div>I find myself without a project now that this is done. I'm just not sure what I want to stitch - has that ever happened to you? I'm trying to use my stash rather than buy new charts (famous last words) but nothing is really appealing to me. I guess I better get back to stash diving and pick something out before I go into stitching withdrawal!Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-3511898417010963992012-03-03T14:50:00.000-08:002012-03-03T14:50:05.353-08:00All Over But the LetteringI don't usually have something to post so soon after a previous entry, but I've actually made real headway on Summer Song by Midsummer Night Designs. I was so happy to finish the brown in the center of the flower - what a tedious job that was! But I really enjoyed stitching the flower petals - they are much brighter and more variegated than they appear in my photo - darn flash! There are a few places where I had to fudge a bit, including an over three stitch that I discovered when I was so far along I didn't have the heart to frog it, but overall it turned out pretty well. I even got used to stitching on the black fabric. Now all I have to do is the lettering, and it's done. My plan is to make a pillow. Have a happy rest of the weekend!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa0FnVLqhXwPmFch1u5Po_flr6d2O7NeqWEs0KJbGzDuoycJdK8o1343N5KhH-oOneIpaFLoONN91gT_FH9FB4pTjHK53S0mkg-JQxyZ7-eZ2COMQu0sdjd2AojFLqIQtOAArr5oTyp8/s1600/summer_song+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpa0FnVLqhXwPmFch1u5Po_flr6d2O7NeqWEs0KJbGzDuoycJdK8o1343N5KhH-oOneIpaFLoONN91gT_FH9FB4pTjHK53S0mkg-JQxyZ7-eZ2COMQu0sdjd2AojFLqIQtOAArr5oTyp8/s320/summer_song+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-64693221159069496592012-02-27T13:15:00.000-08:002012-02-27T13:15:51.462-08:00A Little Behind on the Holidays and a Frog (the good kind)Yes, I know it's February, and Halloween is long gone. But I fell in love with this design by <a href="http://veeandco.com/" target="_blank">Vee and Co</a>, and decided that I could think of it as getting a jump on next Halloween's stitching. Doesn't she look deliciously crafty as she stirs her cauldron? The fabric is a much truer orange than my camera shows.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNgM6qZABMnz1Y2jaOMXvKzpSMNgO0QmGSepzDFGDhRZ4SrIQsHjsdIU16ovXGjeSYBNPMpRqKq2jacJ2kGI-c9l0WQYQVe3u_SGZb0u2tWSh8qx7zfVd5f6xcz-vv1XxfUaggyNlBUI/s1600/witchsbrew+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBNgM6qZABMnz1Y2jaOMXvKzpSMNgO0QmGSepzDFGDhRZ4SrIQsHjsdIU16ovXGjeSYBNPMpRqKq2jacJ2kGI-c9l0WQYQVe3u_SGZb0u2tWSh8qx7zfVd5f6xcz-vv1XxfUaggyNlBUI/s320/witchsbrew+001.jpg" width="290" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Vee and Co<br />
Witch's Brew<br />
WDW 30 count linen<br />
DMC 310</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was wrong about the Oakhaven Designs 2012 SAL - I thought it would be all cats, but February's chart was of a dog. I have no idea what's coming next!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMBKD0NpDSPfMOSimKkNOiNj0l0wRWvkE7s3PnyWsqHdPCb3qNxULlay7eDSPGuZ8Oj2YgSnW2ZZx0yqMX7h-6nV-dNK1KtQp1MikEBsG5qzyac553gXdTX-AqnCdq3X25WBYMCz0ziU/s1600/dogsal+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMBKD0NpDSPfMOSimKkNOiNj0l0wRWvkE7s3PnyWsqHdPCb3qNxULlay7eDSPGuZ8Oj2YgSnW2ZZx0yqMX7h-6nV-dNK1KtQp1MikEBsG5qzyac553gXdTX-AqnCdq3X25WBYMCz0ziU/s320/dogsal+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">And finally - a find! I went to a flea market last week and saw this odd-looking candlestick - the candle holder seemed rather small for a taper to sit in.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffkSumYKkQy9m3Itr6f9jPk7TKPaHBvKCAEU-TlT8_7PrTD7Ar8CR7VmoWA8H8t_qSvdqogx2rgiI5eGlbUVllGb8nw31QFeuF2CbK1QP-fNKBcRpJTP76K2xItN5SrO7TPHXpd-v0_U/s1600/flowerfroggreen+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjffkSumYKkQy9m3Itr6f9jPk7TKPaHBvKCAEU-TlT8_7PrTD7Ar8CR7VmoWA8H8t_qSvdqogx2rgiI5eGlbUVllGb8nw31QFeuF2CbK1QP-fNKBcRpJTP76K2xItN5SrO7TPHXpd-v0_U/s320/flowerfroggreen+005.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I turned it over, and voila - it became a flower frog!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnUDmdVWeXTTZT7Ouv7NSeWyQ5COD-U_23O4OzUfeK2u5xQXyMLQrY3OZEP71tdfMK7P6JlApI_N2EYdbSWlifLX7U4pE2HN04ON4fq9ZVLJaxqA1ENu0kCUKfSiPyNTpGWbZxWICvZM/s1600/flowerfroggreen+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnUDmdVWeXTTZT7Ouv7NSeWyQ5COD-U_23O4OzUfeK2u5xQXyMLQrY3OZEP71tdfMK7P6JlApI_N2EYdbSWlifLX7U4pE2HN04ON4fq9ZVLJaxqA1ENu0kCUKfSiPyNTpGWbZxWICvZM/s320/flowerfroggreen+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ojceh0q5EPgyUL2fBfTSsin41ztPXTKTwsMJBfdPftz2VYpvixpzor8IdDRG2TJ4qCI72uX8AcOVQ9HiCfJ9Z9dpJYlvYyqYW9WKTzOP1_cn1CI7ZSIbJw9TNqwcJXaENfGoJLpTOp0/s1600/flowerfrog+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ojceh0q5EPgyUL2fBfTSsin41ztPXTKTwsMJBfdPftz2VYpvixpzor8IdDRG2TJ4qCI72uX8AcOVQ9HiCfJ9Z9dpJYlvYyqYW9WKTzOP1_cn1CI7ZSIbJw9TNqwcJXaENfGoJLpTOp0/s320/flowerfrog+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I'm going to stitch a little pin pillow for the inside hollow. I'm still not sure whether it's really a candlestick or a flower frog. What do you think?Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-64474206393368558702012-02-15T14:18:00.000-08:002012-02-15T14:18:36.840-08:00My First Beaded Edging<span style="font-family: inherit;">For about halfway around this ornament, I was thinking the title of this post was going to be "My First and Last Beaded Edging." It was hard to pick up the beads, it was tedious to get through the stitches, and I couldn't remember whether I'd just stitched a bead on or had skipped a stitch between beads. But I finally got into a rhythm. I started being able to keep track of the bead/stitch/bead pattern by saying "bead" then "no bead" over and over. It actually started feeling kind of fun to watch the edging grow. Now, the beads aren't always turned the same way (I think I wasn't always pulling the thread through the stitches in the same direction), but for a first effort I think it's passable. Next time I will follow <a href="http://snippetsandstash.blogspot.com/2009/11/about-those-edgings.html" target="_blank">Staci's tutorial</a> and do the backstitching over two threads instead of one - I think it will be easier to keep the front and back lined up. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The front of the ornament is from the JCS 2004 ornament issue. The back is an amalgam of two Country Cottage Needleworks trees. The 2010 date tells you how long it took me to screw up my courage to try the beaded edging!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJjAPMjzO_F4OtB76zTMt01VvIuzFEbMLdYjA6Tl4XE9Qr0g5L0JcF992CDjv-IzgI3GpHIYndVm0MjCi6WolkbCq2pfas7Ol_7Hk5gqPm25cNMzFxXjtRug5pfZDp4H_dNjYiyyBHss/s1600/toj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJjAPMjzO_F4OtB76zTMt01VvIuzFEbMLdYjA6Tl4XE9Qr0g5L0JcF992CDjv-IzgI3GpHIYndVm0MjCi6WolkbCq2pfas7Ol_7Hk5gqPm25cNMzFxXjtRug5pfZDp4H_dNjYiyyBHss/s320/toj.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tidings of Joy<br />
Heart in Hand Needleart<br />
WDW and CC</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmUnUVoMpj_ZwFop2cAp-wuPfrsJsXgC4UQDROmrETbIMepHkAyiBStNrWRH4g3Tqm1jjS81fqTY3F277vK8pr72YJKMkvCsjMnd2kCiml9BLfMiBiGz4c6sLCauTLtPn8Ft_7qdqLzQ/s1600/toj+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrmUnUVoMpj_ZwFop2cAp-wuPfrsJsXgC4UQDROmrETbIMepHkAyiBStNrWRH4g3Tqm1jjS81fqTY3F277vK8pr72YJKMkvCsjMnd2kCiml9BLfMiBiGz4c6sLCauTLtPn8Ft_7qdqLzQ/s320/toj+004.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Country Cottage Needleworks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-508392388808985542012-02-02T09:59:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:59:45.926-08:00Latest Stitching and 2011 in ReviewThough I feel like I'm stitching all the time, I've had little to show for it lately. Over the holidays I managed to complete one small piece of work.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9r4AsA1YbISv2DsRWKqB-6UwBqfG0VUxEzzvgo6ChKvIxdRMwoFpR9szSgl7owJrMc4gDj15vqmmZcb7s2MxhqRv46nKKf_UhC14L-DXcLxKNFCDQf8zsgbxmQ7p6eoRulIxsEmFLpo/s1600/joyandpeace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH9r4AsA1YbISv2DsRWKqB-6UwBqfG0VUxEzzvgo6ChKvIxdRMwoFpR9szSgl7owJrMc4gDj15vqmmZcb7s2MxhqRv46nKKf_UhC14L-DXcLxKNFCDQf8zsgbxmQ7p6eoRulIxsEmFLpo/s320/joyandpeace.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Joy and Peace<br />Little House Needleworks<br />GAST, CC, and DMC</span></i></div>
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<br />I changed it slightly to make the garland around the tree red instead of white - I'm pretending it's a garland of cranberries. Hmmm, maybe I should have made it red and white - then it would have been cranberries and popcorn.</div>
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And <a href="http://oakhavendesigns.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Oakhaven Designs</a> has started a new SAL for 2012. This time it's cats. Here's January's cat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuu-tGg9SklE5MXImFGbZFV1u5vQtSiyCqgiLwRgYDGBHQ5i2dwE_gzThQttDKRvvYdPNJbw4jzJcjg8riR8Rf_NJTwvIy3qs5p7MYigF971U09MN90B9L_VvW5ersqF7ZkA1KwA3rHo/s1600/catsaljan_ernie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDuu-tGg9SklE5MXImFGbZFV1u5vQtSiyCqgiLwRgYDGBHQ5i2dwE_gzThQttDKRvvYdPNJbw4jzJcjg8riR8Rf_NJTwvIy3qs5p7MYigF971U09MN90B9L_VvW5ersqF7ZkA1KwA3rHo/s320/catsaljan_ernie.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div>
Oops - Ernie, get out of the way so people can see it! Yes, I know real cats are more important than stitched ones, but...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLriOVH0PqZVI3191yh1EPUmtk-sunl8HhLz1WpImm0AMvqyPIyIE8BHzsxI2tZoHiOZCAY6jqDAJPHt5PAZBhkAYl5K26Ws9mi2-s29SzTHLAxAj00LuvY6slsfW5K5ESdAiY9PSnFHs/s1600/catsaljan+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLriOVH0PqZVI3191yh1EPUmtk-sunl8HhLz1WpImm0AMvqyPIyIE8BHzsxI2tZoHiOZCAY6jqDAJPHt5PAZBhkAYl5K26Ws9mi2-s29SzTHLAxAj00LuvY6slsfW5K5ESdAiY9PSnFHs/s320/catsaljan+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm still working on Summer Song - I've hit a big block of brown stitches and it's tedious, especially on the black fabric, so I've slowed down on it. I'm also stitching a monochromatic design, and it's seen me through episodes of Downton Abbey (it's good to have something else to focus on when the war scenes come on).</div>
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For 2010 I had something like 19 finishes. In 2011 I had quite a few less, in part because of the two SALs I participated in. We'll see what this year brings. I finished:</div>
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Owl SAL by Oakhaven Designs </div>
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Mystery SAL by iStitch Designs</div>
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Jenny Bean's Christmas Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler</div>
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The North Wind by Little House Needleworks</div>
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Sew a Brown Bunny by iStitch Designs</div>
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Dandy Dreams by Silver Creek Samplers</div>
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Blue Moon by Brightneedle</div>
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Snow White by Little House Needleworks</div>
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Souvenir de France by Blackbird Designs</div>
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This year I'd like to work on my finishing skills, which are rudimentary at best. I'm tired of having piles of stitched linen piled up in a container, instead of out where I can see them. There's lots of inspiration out there, so hopefully I can bring this New Year's Resolution to fruition!</div>
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<br /></div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-19652504355000403432011-12-17T04:31:00.000-08:002011-12-17T04:31:37.450-08:00A Souvenir for the HolidaysMy sister (who doesn't read my blog, so I can post this) and her daughter went to Paris last summer, so I thought I would stitch her a memento of her trip for Christmas. I was so happy to find this <a href="http://www.dashdist.com/blackbird/souveniroffrance.pdf" target="_blank">free chart by Blackbird Designs</a>. This was only my second time putting cording around the edges - I always dread joining the ends, and I knew this design didn't lend itself to a bow to hide the inexpert join. Thanks to <a href="http://stitchingdream.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Carol from Stitching Dreams</a> (finisher par excellence), who gave me some tips, it at least is presentable (it actually looks less pronounced for real than it does in the pictures). I hope it brings back some happy memories for my sister.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmwg5OaG1x-qBdiuaMBT97gX4h9-L_jENPWs8gzgUAGbXm0u5tWBhitIVYONPlzVVAib3JYvc5LTp_bNdzuJzgXLqbnttdPy6O7hlApWuKDGKuDWXMJXu23mAGf3dqPLGWi4-tQZA35U/s1600/souvenirdefrance+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmwg5OaG1x-qBdiuaMBT97gX4h9-L_jENPWs8gzgUAGbXm0u5tWBhitIVYONPlzVVAib3JYvc5LTp_bNdzuJzgXLqbnttdPy6O7hlApWuKDGKuDWXMJXu23mAGf3dqPLGWi4-tQZA35U/s320/souvenirdefrance+004.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Souvenir de France</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Blackbird Designs<br />
28 count cashel linen<br />
Belle Soie Ocean Tide</em></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMFAZ3BjGL_GlTg1d2O0O0FiDB979ZhLKDz_MY87-jjLE6rHrUyOud7nlRoh63GbO2c5mGI1ZRn0w6-ErvID1-wGIjbSJbjIEJ1lZdZPRqp0bX9FpGjFeqaKJh7KjTORBfIhNyhyh8sc/s1600/souvenirdefrance+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMFAZ3BjGL_GlTg1d2O0O0FiDB979ZhLKDz_MY87-jjLE6rHrUyOud7nlRoh63GbO2c5mGI1ZRn0w6-ErvID1-wGIjbSJbjIEJ1lZdZPRqp0bX9FpGjFeqaKJh7KjTORBfIhNyhyh8sc/s320/souvenirdefrance+006.jpg" width="227" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-4726792665793651012011-12-14T14:32:00.000-08:002011-12-14T14:33:50.532-08:00End of the Owl SAL (sob)It's all over - the owl SAL is finished. This was my first stitch-a-long and it was such fun. I will really miss stitching these little owls. I'm looking forward to what Tonia has in store for next year.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_LSglSsKEhDBPSFhpzuRd55zmXc9NbZumvkXkpERgejXtag7mIoymhsxJRsRlvCTbwOG5ooZ4AGZV7Sv5HK1gzq1YA2j6a74aDxNxLa5KsalljJFmLlkxDVbS_vXko9VcTScYFpjaF4/s1600/decemberowl+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_LSglSsKEhDBPSFhpzuRd55zmXc9NbZumvkXkpERgejXtag7mIoymhsxJRsRlvCTbwOG5ooZ4AGZV7Sv5HK1gzq1YA2j6a74aDxNxLa5KsalljJFmLlkxDVbS_vXko9VcTScYFpjaF4/s320/decemberowl+002.jpg" width="231" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>December Owl</em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_T14H_rgf1lozRFwn5mf50N7_ya1ogm2brmRy3GiYVD8zVVbl8qpuYFZ0D1FpgFFRAzBs3jBZ_5hHcw9GcNbBWPJLNyzYOrwYVVIeJp9Cvj0r1_JbrlMWzNpPUbhtdbqHQG0tZfEy-c/s1600/decemberowl+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_T14H_rgf1lozRFwn5mf50N7_ya1ogm2brmRy3GiYVD8zVVbl8qpuYFZ0D1FpgFFRAzBs3jBZ_5hHcw9GcNbBWPJLNyzYOrwYVVIeJp9Cvj0r1_JbrlMWzNpPUbhtdbqHQG0tZfEy-c/s320/decemberowl+003.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><div align="center"><em>Completed Owl SAL<br />
Oakhaven Designs</em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">I had the misfortune to come down with pneumonia at Thanksgiving, so I've spent a fair amount of time lolling on the couch and stitching. My latest project is from a fairly recent Just CrossStitch magazine (I can't remember which one offhand). It's called Summer Song by Midsummer Night Design. Other than ornaments, it's the first thing from the magazine I've ever stitched, despite having been a subscriber since 2006. I enjoy getting it but don't often find the projects calling to me. So I was pleased to find this one. It's nice to be working on something summery as the winter winds start to roll in.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqaUHloBCAcnCLy-ePKcAY-DDljSyl9Lx0T2G5jKgxpv-5jKrKaqUtjwLMOs5_vbvIju9fSwEeXrCJlAsBsZbM41yWyji2_b_PB0EsFYqoG4HXMKggVVvAU9wxl6xqgWYKpyGppRAV5o/s1600/summersong1+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqaUHloBCAcnCLy-ePKcAY-DDljSyl9Lx0T2G5jKgxpv-5jKrKaqUtjwLMOs5_vbvIju9fSwEeXrCJlAsBsZbM41yWyji2_b_PB0EsFYqoG4HXMKggVVvAU9wxl6xqgWYKpyGppRAV5o/s320/summersong1+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left">I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas/Chanukah/New Year!</div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-80111826766106119382011-11-11T11:05:00.000-08:002011-11-11T11:05:25.312-08:00A Finished SAL and a Nearly Finished One<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCDafw2GSr1kHfLHnC2C4UdmkEJoPxoDkKjMXubwyGRvibgC8nHbkKlZqiSuql8Za92OHrjnBlXTfKXoEUeOqsU1DgpQBV0Wpjv4XxkCankIIGppHccsPdHa4OhV5kyOGuJGR66nf-m8/s1600/ms8forweb.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCDafw2GSr1kHfLHnC2C4UdmkEJoPxoDkKjMXubwyGRvibgC8nHbkKlZqiSuql8Za92OHrjnBlXTfKXoEUeOqsU1DgpQBV0Wpjv4XxkCankIIGppHccsPdHa4OhV5kyOGuJGR66nf-m8/s1600/ms8forweb.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">I'm so sorry that the iStitch Mystery SAL is over - it was such fun to get each successive design and to rush to get it completed. I was always so thrilled when my picture got into the first slide show (not very often!) I'm so happy with the way it turned out. Now I just need to figure out how to finish it. We don't have Hobby Lobby here in the east so I can't use the box it's designed for, but hopefully I will find something else. Thank you to Carol for making this SAL possible!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6fJ0_yoYEG72kQ8maY2A6m-gzNoU4fo7Apya6hntOnFlTT23DTMMkHm2ALn3l7r26AElRIs_ZEMk7ILEv-7xhBnw-t8wiSY3_u0sGEhcrsPW9L9KcfUDynMeyd1jDh4DIxdCOINv_kA/s1600/novemberowl+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6fJ0_yoYEG72kQ8maY2A6m-gzNoU4fo7Apya6hntOnFlTT23DTMMkHm2ALn3l7r26AElRIs_ZEMk7ILEv-7xhBnw-t8wiSY3_u0sGEhcrsPW9L9KcfUDynMeyd1jDh4DIxdCOINv_kA/s1600/novemberowl+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6fJ0_yoYEG72kQ8maY2A6m-gzNoU4fo7Apya6hntOnFlTT23DTMMkHm2ALn3l7r26AElRIs_ZEMk7ILEv-7xhBnw-t8wiSY3_u0sGEhcrsPW9L9KcfUDynMeyd1jDh4DIxdCOINv_kA/s320/novemberowl+006.jpg" width="248" /></a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's November's owl - only one more to go. I do wonder what December's will look like. I don't know what I'll do when all my SALs are finished. Of course, maybe I'll get something else accomplished! I bought a Halloween design that I never got to, and except for the bag of candy in our kitchen, that feels like it was ages ago. Yesterday at the hairdresser they were playing Christmas music so that's probably where I should be putting my stitching energy. Hmmm, maybe if I finish my <a href="http://xmarksmyspot.blogspot.com/2011/08/jenny-bean-no-more.html">(not)</a> Jenny Bean Christmas Sampler, it would count...</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219494353561771139.post-31770689321435054682011-10-22T16:41:00.000-07:002011-10-22T16:41:59.250-07:00October SAL PicturesThis will be short and sweet - I'm just posting my latest SAL pictures:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL494h9HsBXntJYW8jJr7sMNekVo7AK2yXKn9LJjxnB0O37TTS8W4YAHr8wQmjz19gwCAGTCXspOKBKO_ThO5Flg9MFDa-GoUQuBrnAqe69iRXG_SoTc_Z8CjEoeZdWx3-FiWIIUMkFY/s1600/octoberowl+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFL494h9HsBXntJYW8jJr7sMNekVo7AK2yXKn9LJjxnB0O37TTS8W4YAHr8wQmjz19gwCAGTCXspOKBKO_ThO5Flg9MFDa-GoUQuBrnAqe69iRXG_SoTc_Z8CjEoeZdWx3-FiWIIUMkFY/s320/octoberowl+005.jpg" width="269" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is the October owl from Oakhaven Designs. I didn't realize it when I took the picture, but you can barely see the little white ghost to the right of the owl - those two black things are his eyes. You can only faintly see the white stitching for his body. He certainly is ghostlike in this picture!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi99JEcQQnehMEoQCAekjTLWJ_bH8Ix_V4OuIGyINg9Sg6cNsLquSD8E0vIe9oNIOcOlrpc_GJfTc681u0-BdKRT9OgRNJ13JzLgKhLZK-2awEydqI4j_FHVfsx__uCyctCDdTYYEgIqM/s1600/ms6forweb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi99JEcQQnehMEoQCAekjTLWJ_bH8Ix_V4OuIGyINg9Sg6cNsLquSD8E0vIe9oNIOcOlrpc_GJfTc681u0-BdKRT9OgRNJ13JzLgKhLZK-2awEydqI4j_FHVfsx__uCyctCDdTYYEgIqM/s1600/ms6forweb.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here's Part 6 of the iStitch Mystery SAL. Part 7 arrived in my inbox yesterday and I've made a small start on it. Then there's only one more part to go!</div>Michele B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/00248870554961359256noreply@blogger.com5