My 2007 Porter Co Fair Results - Part One

Country Gardenc.2004 Blackbird DesignsDesigned by Alma Allen
Stitched with WDW Camellia, Cocoa, Schneckley, Angel Hair -- GAST Dried Thyme on 32ct Sand Belfast Linen. 65wx71h.
Comments by Judge: Pretty. Delicate.

Betsy's Butterflyc.2000 Elizabeth's Designs (Little Leaf) KitDesigned by Elizabeth Foster
Stitched with pc#8-758; pc#12-3743; MH beads 02001; Substituted the 'Spanish Moss' Needle Necessities with Week's Dye Works Dried Sage (b/c of the linen color); cotton floss as suggested. Charm included with kit. 50x50. Used craft-seed 11/0 beads, crystal peach, from Hobby Lobby on the outside edge. Stitched on 28 ct champagne linen.
Comments by Judge: Cute & nicely stuffed. Nice stitches. Clever use of beads.


Herb Gardenc.2004 Little House NeedleworksDesigned and written by Diane Williams
Stitched with dmc floss on 28 ct lilac cashel linen per pattern.
Comments by Judge: Cute! Cute verse - good job on cross stitch - nice frame.

Stitched Together--Early American Samplers

Stitched Together—Early American Samplers. Fifty-four samplers are on view at the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 E. Washington Street, with a companion exhibition of 14 samplers at the city’s oldest house, the Clarke House Museum, 1827 S. Indiana Avenue. More information HERE.

I hopped the South Shore & was delighted by the samplers on exhibit at the Cultural Center. It was pouring rain & I didn't see the Part II of this exhibit at a nearby museum/home in Chicago. I was impressed by these delicate textiles!! Esp that the x's didn't all cross in the same direction. And the QUEEN STITCHES -- loads and loads of queen stitches were fantastic. I am so used to seeing the samplers reproduced & was thrilled to see the original REAL DEAL.

As I was leaving, I stopped in the gift shop. At the counter was one sampler pattern -- this sampler was on display [on exhibit].



It is the Laura Ann Ludington 1828 Sampler. Pattern by Scholehouse for the Needle. This sampler really caught my eye! I was delighted to see that the pattern was available. When I was on the commuter train heading home, I enjoyed reading the insert re. L.Ludington & her family PLUS appreciate the fine paper quality, excellent stitch diagrams & notes. What a nice pattern. Just need some supplies & some free time : )

Porter County Fair: I'll be a building supervisor on Sunday from 2-4. If you are in the neighborhood, I'll be in the Expo East building -- the Home Econ displays.

I finished a couple more fair entries -- am still working on my beaded necklace. The cord I had made was to thick & the beads too tight as I worked the peyote in the round. After Nick & I made made up a new cord [out of perle cotton] the beading went well. I've got about 5" completed. This necklace should be around 35-36"

Thank you for leaving comments & suggestions on my blog + my e-mail box. I've been really busy & have not spent much time on-line.

Where will you be on August 18TH????

At the Midwest Stash Exchange?

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Announcing the 1st annual
MIDWEST STASH EXCHANGE

In celebration of 20 years in business, House of Stitches, LaPorte Indiana, invites you to shop, swap, and sell your stash…all for charity! You’ve finished your Spring Cleaning and are now ready for some great new summer projects. Why not come to the event and sell, swap, or donate your unwanted items to fellow stitchers? Think of it as the world’s best yard sale….all dedicated to stitching!

Saturday, August 18, 200710-3

House of Stitches parking lot in LaPorte, Indiana

(More information on their web site)

House of Stitches
1700 Lincolnway Suite 4
LaPorte, IN 46350
Phone: 219-326-0544 or 1-800-455-8517

La-D-Da & Fair notes

La-D-Da's Tiny SamplerStitched with DMC floss 3052; 356; 932; 930; 420; 433 on 18 count ivory Shaker Linen. stitch count 53w x 56h. Special Thank You to Anita for her post re. this pattern!!! I did not have enough 433 & 420 for the lettering per pattern, so I randomly alternated the floss colors in the alphabet. I admire these designers having an 'eye for color' as it seems to be a challenge for me!

Porter County Fair July 19-28
--I am a volunteer for 'check-ins' on Sunday from 4-7. Hope to see some of my stitching friends & get a good look at all the Home Ec entries.

Lake County Fair August 3-12After finishing the stitching of La-D-Da's Tiny Sampler, I decided to clear off my desk & pull out my fair entries ... seems, I still have three things to finish-finish:
I'd like to get my beaded button complete AND my peyote necklace completed [I have most in a box, not in the photo]. The stocking is a freebie from Caron's web site -- pattern link HERE. I stitched it a few years ago, decided to make a cord & attempt the lining next ...

--On Fri., 3 Aug at 3pm, NANI will be demonstrating needlework on the Heritage Stage. I'm looking forward to this! I plan to demonstrate cross stitch & possibly the Queen Stitch. Lucked out as the Hot Wheels races are that morning/afternoon. One of Alex's favorite events.

--I have a couple things at House of Stitches for frames. I hear The Gilded Cage is ready to be picked up. That is one of my fair entries : )

I see Prairie Schooler has a new free pattern on their web site. Link HERE. I saw a couple of their new patterns -- wow, there are some nice ones!!!

If anybody has flown recently, one of my GFs was wondering about taking needlework supplies on board commercial flights. I have not flown for a few years. Yeah, I know, you hear things ... not sure what is fact & what is fiction ... If you can offer suggestions, her blog is Just One More Stitch.

Her actual question is this: (snip) going to Scottsdale Arizona (snip). I want to take my needlework with on the plane to work on it but I do not know what I will be able to get through security. I think that I have that clover thing to use for scissors but I am not sure if they will take my needle. Could you please post this question to your blog friends? We are leaving a week from Sunday. If I cannot take my needle I guess that I will go buy a book and read it on the flight.

Love Always, Tina
Link to Tina's Blog

just a few more stitches needed ...

I have to add the centers of some flowers,my initials, + year/date ... perhaps will finish this tonight : )

Lesson 14: Cross Stitch over one thread

Mystery Sampler c.1991 Jana P. KerrNeedle Arts Magazine Jun 2005 - Dec 2006

Stitched on Zweigart Cream Banding with Anchor floss (1035, 1034, 1033, 681, 897, 895, 893, 888, 887, 387-ecru); DMC floss (3053); DMC ecru perle coton 8 & 12; AVAS (1714, 1716, 1011, 4622); + Silk Mori (0434)

I have purchased bellpull hardware pieces. This will be my first bellpull finishing & I hear it isn't that difficult to do : )

Thanks to all of you for leaving comments re. my tabletopper. I hope to get it entered into the Lake County Fair. If I can finish my Soweth Sampler in the next couple of days - I'd really like to get that one entered -- probably not a ribbon winner; however, I have enjoyed stitching it : )

Have a safe holiday [for those who celebrate Independence Day]. We have no special plans & may cook out.

A Finish

Buzz My Grapes Tabletopper and BellpullDutch Treat Designsc.2000 Designed by Claudia Dutcher

Lavender, 9 square cut, 18ct Anne Cloth stitched with DMC #5 coton perle colors: 3052 (4 skeins); 729; 801; 840 (2 skeins), 327, 553. The finished Tabletopper is 22" x 22". Each square in the TT has a stitch count of 45x45. I fixed a couple 'leaf' stitching errors & used the Nun stitch at the ends [DMC #12 coton perle color 3042]

Jane, Chapel Hill, NC: You had asked me about the Tea Cup Pulled Thread Sampler. It was not purchased via needlework shop or designer. Members of the local EGA chaper I belong to designed the sampler & taught participants at an Indiana State Day. It isn't a pattern that can be purchased.


Judy asked me about Evening by Susan Minot. Right now, I"m around page 60 - and this book has about 260 pages. I am enjoying the book. I wanted to read this book for a long time & then heard it was going to be a movie this Summer. I picked up a paperback & have it in my handbag for those ... "waiting" moments in the car. btw, Judy, I love "the bookshelf" you are stitching. It looks great pictured on your blog ... as does the LHN peaches!!!

Well ... I'm going to flip a coin and that will determine my stitching on the Bellpull [linen banding] from NeedleArts magazine --OR-- The Soweth Sampler BOAF. I enjoy both of them & would like to finish them SOON.