Sampler Exhibit in Chicago, IL

Thx Marjorie H ... I didn't know about this. Link here

May 12 - July 28
Michigan Avenue Galleries
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington Street

and

Clarke House Museum
1827 S Indiana Avenue

FREE

Poster & Exhibit Catalog

I've been looking into the Early American Sampler exhibit & see there is a catalog for sale. link here
LOOK AT THE POSTER!! Those are for sale, too. How awesome. link here

I've got to print off the South Shore Train Schedule & try to figure out how I can trek into Chicago in-between the boys Summer Job schedule.

June 28, 2005 - blog anniversary

In honour of my blog-anniversary, I switched my old template into the new blogger page layout. Why? Just because.

I've been adding labels to my older posts & over-all think I've got the blog updated nicely. I may go over them one more time to edit mistakes; however, I like the simpler look & have gotten used to the page layout from my Stitches of Life II blog.

I would like to add the google reader feature or bloglines ... or something to keep track of all the wonderful stitching updates. My on-line time seems to be diminished this Summer. Perhaps when the boys are back in class [August] and our routine changes, I'll have more computer time.

Now, I'm back to stitching .... Those fair entries won't stitch themselves : )
I added a few more leaves into the lower right corner. Wasn't able to get many stitches in last night. The cloth is very close in color to DMC 3042 [I forget who asked me that question].

As for the question re. the box on my desk: I found this box at Hobby Lobby - priced at $1.99, on 66% off sale. I like the glass inserts -- it is nice for my thread winders & perle cotton balls. There is a glass top & sides -- bottom is wooden. They are in the aisle with the unfinished wooden pieces.

progress pics

I finished the alphabet & added more flowers+vines on the Soweth Sampler. I would like to finish this!
I completed another square of this tabletopper. I have two more squares to stitch + pulled eyelets in the intersections. Will have a nun edge.


You can see more of the pattern in this smaller photo; however, the camera flash distorted the colors [sigh]

I checked out an interesting DVD from the library called Paradise Found. It follows the story of Paul Gauguin. I saw a very large exhibit of Paul Gauguin's paintings several years ago. I still remember the vivid colors & unique painting style. Kiefer Sutherland played the role of the painter.

Lesson 13: Blackwork & Soweth Sampler

Added more to the Mystery Sampler bellpull. This motif was not the typical double running stitch [which can be reversible] -- First the horizontal lines were stitched, then the vertical, last the diagonal.

Added a bird & some flowers/vines to this project:

Itching for repro sampler stitching

Started this kit -- and when I pulled out the basting thread on the left -- it shows. Not sure if I want to continue this lovely project on this linen. Perhaps a new linen? argh!

Lesson 12: Four-sided, satin, + Faggot Stitches

Last night, I did the stitching under the strawberry motif. The 4-sided & faggot are pulled stitches & satin stitching in a lt. gold floss.

This is lesson 12 [of 15] of the Mystery Sampler by Jana P. Kerr. The lessons have been published in NeedleArts magazine. Lesson 13 is a blackwork motif. Lesson 14 concludes the linen banding with your name [or initials], year, and a brief over-one verse.

BOAF: Soweth Sampler

Many thanks for your kind comments & e-mails re. Gilded Cage. It is a cheerful project & should look great in my kitchen [once I get a frame & glass]

I pulled out the Soweth Sampler by Birds of a Feather last night. Added some of the alphabet & a bird. Maybe I'll get some vines or flowers added tonight. It is stitched on 29ct Nat Glenshee Linen w/WDW fibers. I'm being very careful with the Weeks over dye fibers! Keeping my teacup away from them : )

Thx for asking about my children. They are all doing well, all have Summer jobs, and Nick just got an increase in his job duties starting today. I'm really proud of all of them.

A finish

The Gilded CageKathy Barrick-Dieter c.2000 stitch count 74W x 93H, dmc floss, sandstone linen

one more flower needed ...

I may skip the initials. I'm not sure I want my initials on this one.

Happy Father's Day

progress pics

I forgot who asked, the lettering was suggested to be a WDW in an olive green color. I changed it to a blue-grey.

I often wonder what designers think when they work so hard on putting together a design with colors that 'work', and see where stitchers [like me] make changes ...


I enjoy stitching this one - with the bright & cheerful floss colors. So far, I've used: DMC 581, 580, 166, 3833, 3831, 501, 503. My initials [If I add them] will be in floss close to the linen color. If interested, I had an earlier post re the suggested fibers & substitutions. If you click on the gilded cage label, the older post should pop up.

Thx for all your kind comments & e-mails. I do enjoy pulled thread & it was one of the first needlework techniques I learned after joining EGA/NANI. I took an ICC [independent course] thru EGA & learned a lot of pulled stitches. I have several samples in a notebook. I think using crochet cotton is the answer to fibers breaking -- it is less expensive & a sturdier fiber. Plus, pulling with an even tension makes a difference. How you create the openings is up to you -- as long as the pulling is even, it looks great. More on pulled thread next week.

DH is taking a couple days off work & will be making some changes on our computer. I'll answer your questions & look forward to visiting your blogs early next week!

Birds of a Feather

Another gem I unearthed. Pattern & over-dye floss, sitting in the bag since ... well, since I bought it : ) I've seen this one stitched up & wondered how it would look with the lettering in a different color. I changed the dk green overdye suggested for the lettering & tried WDW Dolphin. It is a nice shade of grey/blue.

Soweth Sampler 81 x 81 c.Birds of a Feather. I'm using Week's Dye Works on 29-count natural glenshee linen.

This is more about counting & spacing ... than stitching! Should look nice once I get the lettering finished & start the vines, leaves & flowers.

Enjoy your week-end.

Tea Cup Pulled Thread Sampler

I attended my first Indiana State Day in Sept 1998. It was a NANI program. This was the project. While I went on a hunt for my LHN missing piece, I found it. I fixed the teacup at the top -- and think I did ok for my first pulled thread piece.
This sampler uses Trebizond silk [mauve colour] and #10 DMC Cebelia [white cotton] on 19-count cork linen.

Herb Garden - finish

Thx for all your kind comments!



All done : ) I'm happy with the way it turned out. Will have to get a frame selected on my next trip to House of Stitches.

Will flip thru my WIPs & think I'll go back to The Gilded Cage. [Barbara: you have a good memory re. The Gilded Cage. When I pull out the project, I'll post the DMC floss numbers I'm using w/link to my original post about the fiber toss.]

Have you visited the Hoffmandis site lately? Did you notice the S.O.S. freebies? Link HERE

I don't understand Mrs. Cat. Never mind she has fresh water in her own bowl. Why go for the DH's drink? Same water - same temperature - it is a mystery. Thx for the LOL comments. And yes, she still curls up in the clementine box on the counter + the skillet when I have it out on the table. This cat keeps us entertained : )

PLUS, I really should get out the premium booklets for the fairs & finalize my entries. I don't have a lot of stitching finished-finished, most are WIPs. If I am going to enter, I need to browse my 'stuff' and see what I can finish in time!

Enjoy the day.

Bees and a bunny ...

WIP photo. Enjoyed working on this one yesterday!

WIPs [progress pics]

Look what I found? At last. It went missing & I found it yesterday. Yippie Skippie. The boys wanted to use the internet at the public library [faster connection] and I sat in my car & stitched in the herbs. After a few cross stitches, I realized some frogging was necessary. Took some stitching out - restitched. This is a darling-cute sampler IMO. Herb Garden by Little House Needleworks. c.2004 Diane Williams. 63w x 96h. I am using the suggested DMC floss on 28-ct lilac linen. (my current traveling project)

Before I located Herb Garden, I finished stitching 'the bird' in Gilded Cage, and plan to keep stitching this project at home. The DMC floss is bright and cheerful. A delight to stitch this delightful piece.

progress pic - wip

Thanks for stopping by. This is a fun stitch!

WIP

Few more stitches added yesterday. Everybody enjoy your week-end : )

The Gilded Cage

I started this Kathy Barrick-Dieter design yesterday evening. c.2000
Link HERE.

I am using DMC floss colors that resemble the photograph on the pattern. Stitched on 28-count sandstone linen [Wichelt].

This is the photograph on the pattern:


I'd like to stitch up a couple Carraige House freebies, too. There are some lovely photographs on the Freebie Gallery Blog. Such talented stitchers & bloggers!

***** ***** ***** *****







Hello! It's time for this week's SBQ!

***** Today's SBQ was suggested Kathryn and is:

How many needles do you use during a project? Have you ever loaded up a needle for every color? Do you use a new needle for every project or recycle your favorite needle?

ANSWER: I'm a disorganized stitcher. I have a lot of needles that I have scattered on my desk. I just grab the needle closest to me. I never even thought to load needles with fiber colors. I thread the needles as I need them & put them into a pincushion threaded or unthreaded while they are 'resting' : )

I like using Piecemaker tapestry needles. I think those are my favorite ones.

The permalink to this post is HERE.

Renée's Blog has a new URL Stitched With Love & Cat Hair. >^..^< >^..^< >^..^<

In case you missed a question, the SBQ Archives are located HERE. **PLEASE NOTE THE NEW URL**