Porter County Fair: Counted Thread Work

Section 506 (a.) Up to 8" x 10" Cross Stitched - FramedThe Gilded CageKathy Barrick-Dieter c.2000Second PlaceComments: Very nice. Wonderful colors. Well stitched.

Section 506 (e.) Sampler (Note: A sampler is needlework which contains a letter(s), number(s) and/or statement or saying)Soweth Samplerc.Birds of a Feather, SAM202Fourth Place
Comments: Cute. Perfect frame for the work. Very well done.

Section 506 (f.) Counted Cross Stitch - Other (not suitable for framing)Needlebook pattern is based on Two Pinkeeps by Anne Brown, The Goode HuswifeThird PlaceComments: Cute. Nice stitching. Finished well.

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!

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!

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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**

DT Gameboard SAL & MIOM

I heard from Cathy that she was setting the gameboard aside until after the holidays.

Also from Kay (without blog): "Well, so much for the Drawn Thread game board. I ALMOST finished half way--got 16 houses finished, the border around the top- except for the side where the year and initials are suppose to be sewn, and the little squares between the houses--then last night--I started on the second half--goofed up the pattern--had to cut out half a house--and decided to put it away for a while. Want to work on some little-quick-no brainer things."

OK, so, I put it aside to work on a holiday ornament for my Mom. I think working on some holiday stitching is in order :D I'll pick up the DT sampler in January!!

- - - - -

As for Move It Out Monday ... I still have Country Garden to finish.

I read on Karen's Blog that she was going to start A Stitch in Pine this week. Wanting to launch this ... I spent most of my Monday -- moving my stash around! I did find everything & was happy to start this sampler. Didn't get much accomplished ... just the outside border. If you go to Karen's Blog, you will see the trees just GREW right on her linen!! She is so far along. She may finish it by Friday ... yikes.

One problem I HAD, was the button. I couldn't find it (never mind I bought this pattern, floss, button back in 1998). Lucky me, Tina had charts for button substitutes. Tina has a picture on her blog of "A Stitch in Pine".

As I was working my way thru 'stash', I came across this chart. I pulled out the floss the chart called for (301, 400, 610, 829, 832, 3031) There were Needlepoint Silks listed, too. I thought the floss colors I had in my hand didn't really look like the colors in the photograph -- I was thinking the floss colors looked brighter in the picture. I tried to match floss to the photograph. This will be my next 'Monday' project. And, if the colors I pulled out don't look right -- I can always do it again in the suggested colors. It is 74W x 93H

Now, after working on WIP after WIP, it is really fun to get out THREE new projects to stitch.

Photo added:
See the difference? These are the floss colors the pattern calls for.