Thx : )

Thank you Sandra Ree for this honor! Ditto, you inspire me, too!

Happy Mother's Day

WillowTree Mother and Son from Nicholas
Flowers from Tori -- these Iris continue to open and are beautiful!!! Look at the colors : )

Gift from Tori

Happy Mother's Day from Tori.

I was asked about our Honey Bunny, and she continues to delight us with her unusual behaviour. Here is a picture of her napping on the stairway railing. Perhaps it reminds her of a tree branch???

Q & A

Thank you for your kind comments! And, to answer some questions:

On May 5, 1998, I joined the local chapter, Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana (NANI) of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. (EGA). TEN YEARS AGO!!! I've been stitching for 10 years : ) Happy Stitching Anniversary TO ME : )

- - o - o - o - -

The threadwinders seen in above photograph & pictured in this post are inexpensive, & purchased at Hobby Lobby. They were 50% off in the beading aisle. Called River Shell Pendant, Traditions, Natural Gallery. I bought a couple of them & use them as thread winders.

- - o - o - o - -
Yes, I finished a couple of blocks. I don't know which one to submit.More information on the Friendship Quilt, 2008 HERE .

- - o - o - o - -
Mary: Here is a picture of the needlebook (rabbit):

It is from:In The Woods, The Prairie Schooler, c.1994, Book No. 46. I also stitched the Chipmunk for another needlebook:

Thank You Anita : )

I have long admired Anita's stitching & finishing. I'm thrilled to be the proud owner of this beautiful Strawberry Emery, made by Anita. Thank you so much!
You may recognize the above picture from the Strawberry Emeries, Here We Come, 20January2008 post, on Anita's Stitching blog.
I'm excited she is now creating her own patterns and selling her own designs, Anita's Little Stitches! Have you seen them? See her sewing smalls pictured in her Slideshow link here.
I was interested to see Valdani Threads for sale, too. They are ColorFast! I'm looking forward to receiving a few skeins to try. The color blends look fantastic.
Best Wishes on your new business. I hope it is a great success!

Stitching w/Deadlines ...

I did finish one book mark for the Nordic Needle challengeI don't think I'll have enough time to stitch a second design
I was asked who designed this particular bookmark -- I checked the Leisure Arts booklet & several designers are listed for this collection. More about the pattern booklet HERE. And, if you are interested in the challenge, stitch quickly as they are supposed to be submitted by May 8th!

Next, I will hand piece a couple block for the Friendship Quilt. More about that HERE. I have the pieces cut out & have started to stitch the flower pot sections together. I try to make TWO blocks & submit the best one!
This might be a better picture of the bookmark:

Embroidery Floss CardsI found an interesting freebie HERE. There are instructions and patterns to make your own Embroidery Floss Cards. Looks like fun - so creative : )

Keiskamma Altarpiece in Chicago

Last Thursday, DH had a rare afternoon off. We took an afternoon train into Chicago for lunch at Shaw's Crab House .

It was a nice afternoon to walk around [before the rain showers began] so we visited Millennium Park to see Mark Di Suvero's large-scale sculptures and the Jelly Bean , aka Cloud Gate.

We also stopped by St. James Cathedral to view the Keiskamma Altarpiece. Not only were the stitched areas brilliant, detailed, stitched with love -- the beaded sections were exquisite! Some photos from the web site here:






You Tube Videos
The Keiskamma Altarpiece
March 27 - May 11, 2008
St. James Cathedral | 65 East Huron Street | Chicago, IL 60611
312-787-7360 | webmaster@saintjamescathedral.org

Before boarding the return train, DH bought some Carmel Crisp popcorn from Garrett. What a perfect afternoon!!!

Honey Bunny

Honey Bunny has taken over my bread basket!

hand dyed, silks, satin, ribbon, & wool ... in PINK!!

Thx to Laurel's Stitcheryfor donating PINK threads! Check out Stitch Pink for a chance to win some of these beautiful pink fibers.

Nun Edge [for Sharon & buddies]

EDITED Per request using darker thread, larger pics & I tried close-ups. Sometimes the close-ups get blurry. Hope this is better:
















Sewing Method:







Repeat:





Continue ...

Let me know if this is ok. I can always get another piece of linen & use a red floss. Click on Pictures to make them Larger ...

Bookmark ....

Thank You Melody (GF w/o a blog) for giving me this linen. See ... I'm using it for a good cause. And, there is enough linen for a second bookmark.
Barbara: I still didn't finish!!! (see previous post) I had planned to get this all stitched & use a nun edge or buttonhole stitch edge around the outside. DH had the afternoon off & we took a train into Chicago for lunch. I think finishing up two is awesome.

btw, Did you see Blooming Bookmarks and My Brother-My Sister by Diane Williams?? I luv both of them. She is such a talent : )

Bookmark Challenge

I'm trying to finish this Spring Bookmark for The Nordic Needle Bookmark Challenge . I am stitching a cute floral / bunny design from:
Bookmarks Galore, Leisure Arts Leaflet 2985, c.1997I'm using DMC floss on 28-count Zweigart Linen. Bookmarks are accepted thru May 8th.
The bookmarks will be used during Children's Book Week [public library & elementary schools], Christian School, or donated to an adult literacy program.
Questions? Comments? Contact Nordic Needle

The AH - 1808 - Sampler

The AH - 1808 - Samplerc.1990 Threads Through Time
Chart Available HERE.Per the information included with the graph: "AH used ten soft colors of silk thread in her sampler which was embroidered on 35-count linen .... measuring 7 1/2" wide by 6 3/4" high."

Stitched with DMC floss per Color Key on the Pattern. I used scraps of 32-count Antique Ivory.

I stitched a small portion of the floral border -- and added birds from the chart. (bird/flower squares.) These squares match my Lanell scissors!

Barbara : Clothespin dolls are charming & quite easy to make. I will have to put up a post [on my Other Blog] about the dolls made by my Mom & her friend, Jean. Stay tuned.

Wendy : Tabletoppers can be washed. AND, my boyz + pets have put this to the test already. I've washed them in my machine without any problems.

Tabletopper WIP, update

Thx for your comments & e-mails re. my sampler motifs. I've been stitching some motifs from Sarah Tobias & AH 1808 Sampler. It is just for fun - I don't know what to do with them. I took photographs with scissors to clarify the colors. The pics never seem to be acurate with colors. I suppose they could become fobs; however, I don't think I have that many pairs of scissors! Meanwhile, here is my tabletopper:

This is Spring Floral Tabletopper c.2000, designed by Claudia Dutcher, Dutch Treat Designs
After trying a couple different color combos, I asked DH to choose. I'm using The Caron Collection #057 Buttercup [yellow]. DMC perle #5: 800 [blue]; 208 [purple]; 210 [lilac]; 3348 [lt green]; 3347 [med green]; and 3346 [dk green].
This will be a wonderful addition to my tabletopper collection.
As for the questions received via e-mail, the information can be found HERE and freebie patterns to try are HERE. Also, it seems some e-mails are bouncing & ending up in spam boxes -- I don't know why, please e-mail again!!! I'm not trying to ignore : )

I hope you are enjoying the The April Needlework Show. I found several interesting projects, and esp enjoyed seeing clothespin dolls! at the The Needle's Notion page. My Mother made one for me [years ago] & she also gave me a clothespin doll made by her friend. They are charming.

Eliza Parry 1838

Eliza Parry 1838. A Reproduction Sampler from The Goode Huswife. c.2008
Stitch count for this project is 164w x 138h. Chart still available at some LNS & ONS. Color key - DMC Floss


DMC Floss on 32-count Lambswool Linen. One of my fav motifs!

The graph is all cross stitch; however, I used the suggested DMC floss colors (on 32-ct lambswool linen) & stitched part of the zig-zaggie square -- using the Rice stitch. (lower right section on sampler)

Used DMC per chart on 32-count sandstone linen.

DMC floss on Sandstone Linen, 32-ct.

Another fabulous chart - and I enjoyed stitching these squares. I noticed the two linen choices made quite a difference.

I have a marvelous collection of repro samplers. Usually, I browse a selection & something about them speaks to me.

I tend to select flower baskets, fruit baskets, birds, critters, and ALPHABETS! I am over-the-moon when I spot a gem, second-hand!!

The Ann L. Brown Sampler

Thx for the comments! I continue to root thru my repro-sampler-stash-in-the-closet, and pulled out this gem:

The Ann L. Brown Sampler. c.1983 The Scarlet Letter, Accurate & Faithful Reproduction Samplers.Per information with the graph: it was worked on unbleached 25-count linen, and the finished size apx 16" x 18".
I bought this used graph from GF AmandaG [w/o blog]. I love everything about this sampler, the alphabet, border, flower baskets, pineapples, lions, border -- love everything; however, don't think I have enough time in my life to stitch every repro chart/kit I own!!!
I stitched these motifs per DMC suggested on chart. I used scraps of 32-count waterlily linen, found in my closet!
These squares look good with Lanell scissors.
If I live long enough, I'll stitch it ... otherwise, I was delighted to stitch a few beautiful motifs!

~Mini Flower Basket Sampler~

While looking thru my stash, I pulled out a few gem repro sampler charts. I enjoy owning them. Most are 2nd hand charts. Samplers are dear to me. There is just something about them. Thinking about 'somebody' back in time, stitching these marvelous projects. Not only that ... but SOMEBODY else SAVED THEM. They were cherished, saved, and passed along. These patches from the past speak to me.

I wish I could live another 50 or 60 years and stitch everything in my stash - esp the repros in my closet. Since that isn't possible, I decided to pull out a few favorite samplers and stitch some of the basket motifs. I suppose I could finish them into 'somethings'.

Mainly, I stitched them for joy ... and am grateful for those who stitched the originals, those who saved them from the litter bins, those who scoured flea markets - second hand stores, and blessings to the angels who created graphs!! I cannot begin to express my gratitute : )

~Mini Flower Basket Sampler~ A reproduction from the Collection of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. Accession #00012.
Chart or Kit Available LINK HERE There are color suggested for Soie d'Alger Silk, DMC cotton & Anchor cotton floss.

Per chart, this sampler was stitched before the late 1800s. Aren't the colors cheerful? They are close to the floral handles in the 2008 Designer Series 4" Emma Embroidery Scissors
Interesting how different the DMC and Anchor cotton change the look of the motifs
Squares stitched on 32-count Antique Ivory linen (right side) and Antique White Linen (left side).

Meet "Love Squared" - The Pink Artist Project

ONE step closer to helping raise $$$ for Susan G. Komen for the CureLove Squared is being packaged up & will be sent to Art Doll QuarteryOver 175+ artists sent in 2" x 2" squares for this project.

Per Monica's blog: "the pink artist" is a community of artists joining together to create one joint art doll to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. When doll has been completed, it will be mailed in to Art Doll Quarterly™ before finally being auctioned off on eBay at a later date. ALL PROCEEDS WILL DIRECTLY BENEFIT CHARITY. Remaining squares have made our wall art piece a reality! BRAVO!

I thought the visitors to my stitching blog would enjoy close-up photos of the many squares submitted. LINK HERE.

Gifts from Myrna!

Imagine my surprise! Myrna sent me an envelope of goodies : ) I love the fob (w/special charm), knitted dishcloth (which I don't want to actually USE in the kitchen), and a beautiful marking pin made by Ann Marie, Myrna's sister.
I found this pair of scissors which is a perfect match!!

Not wanting to take the dishcloth into the kitchen, I placed it under the clothespin dolls on my desk.

As you can see, I've been enjoying my sampler patterns & cheating a bit. Instead of working on a large sampler, I've been selecting basket motifs from patterns in my stash and stitching them ... Funness. More about this in my next post.

News for Elm Creek Fans ...

Did anybody hear the latest? Re. Sylvia's Bridal Quilt patterns & the next book in the series?

More on my post, HERE