news ...

Facebook seems to be easier / quicker; however, the blog space is GREAT for photos and ingredients ... helps keep me organized.

Some progress on Mary Hannah Gipson [sampler researched and charted by Ruth Ann Russell]
SAN-Q Magazine, Winter 2010.  

Everytime I pull this out, I am irritated and frustrated.  Tho, some progress made.  I have silks from my stash pulled out.  I think the rest is over-one, so will do just a little at a time.     ~ Mini Flower Basket Sampler ~  .... A Reproduction from the EGA.   

 The Thimble Purse is ready for finishing - as is the Just Nan's Christmas Secret (insert for needle slide). 

Birds + Berries Thimble Purse, designed by Brenda Gervais:   Chart/design calls for 40-ct parchment linen.   I'm not sure what this linen is - must be from my stash.   I used GAST Pebble [flowers], Mulberry [berries], Apple Cider [Bird], and nutmeg [Bird beak, legs, floral centers].  Valdani #P2 Olive Green for the leaves/vine.   Week's Cinnabar for bird necklace.  

Stitched over one on 32 ct Opalesc Belfast W/Simply Shaker Geranium #7036.   Pattern and needle slide come with finishing instructions, red overdye wool + fusible interfacing.  

 So, how do you like my new bag???   Thx GF Kay, w/o blog!    It is a great tote with matching water bottle holder.   Please note the card - with buttons + stitching ; )     it is clipped to my calendar + cheers up the whole desk area.    Back to the bag - has outside fabric pockets - and is done over blue mesh.  

 let me tell you, the mesh is wonderful for hot/humid days.   All my travel gear went with me in style during recent trip.   The water bottle keeps the water COLD and is marvelous in the holder w/pocket and adjustable strap.   Thank you Kay.  I adore it!!!

Lastly, new stash from House of Stitches.   Which was ON SALE - and I was delighted to get my hands on it.   Strawberries by Hollis Sullivan.   I wanted the small motif for needlebook front - but may [ over-one ] stitch the larger pattern without border instead.   

borders

Sometimes when you travel, it is fun to visit 

stores - with all sorts of stuff you didn't know you

just HAD TO HAVE.

I purchased this clear, vinyl bag at

The Black Sheep in Florida - they have a whole room of yarn + patterns,

loads of canvas and fibers.

With the sudden downpours of rain in Florida, this is perfect for keeping

my book + 'stuff' dry.

See the cute kitty face?   When the ear is pulled, the tape measure comes out.    I thought it was too cute.   It was from Needle Craft World.      And, if you visit, don't forget to pet the sweet scottie dog,

Duncan.   (new magnet)

  

As for needlework .... 

I have added some of the border - it is a pretty sampler.

ott lights .... battery

This Ott Light ... takes THREE AAA batteries,

and I cannot help wonder if there is an adaptor --- to plug in

if necessary.   Or, would i need spare THREE AAA batteries?

( J+R $24.99)

This Ott light .... product deails say:  

 "The rechargeable battery provides up to 3 hours of battery use 

or use with the included AC adaptor. "

$49.99 @Joann.com (50% off)

Decisions, decisions -- or, just stitch with my flip light and clip onto something.  

As for the Mini Basket --

I've got the big flower pot done + started the

over-one border.

flower pot

I had the flower pot stitched + it didn't look like the photograph on the pattern.

I checked the diagram + compared to the

picture on the instructions ...

And, still - what I HAD, didn't look right.   Decisions - decisions.

Does it bother me enough to re-stitch, or just leave it.

For one thing, the compensating stitches in the photo look like

light blue outside + dark blue inside. 

Also, the basket had more queen stitches along each row in the photo -

which made the basket look even.  Mine looked wonky.   

And, in the end, it just didn't look like the picture, and it is supposed to be a reproduction, and

so I 

went on the EGA Web site - found a digital picture

and re-charted the flower pot portion of the chart.  

Which meant, ripping out - - adding more queen stitches on the right side of the flower pot. 

 More  queen stitches.

OK?  

Now I like it, and it looks like the photograph.

Next, the compensating stitches.... 

RPL

After a few starts - and snags - and sighs,

I managed a few RPL cords, that actually look like RPL cords.

The creme color are made with crochet cotton #3

using an unknown size crochet hook.

The pink ones are made with crochet cotton #10

size 5 crochet hook.

The pattern in Needle Arts Magazine calls for

Cebelia #20, using crochet hook size 12 or 13.

It is a beautiful heart pattern.   I know if I keep at it, 

I'll figure it out + get a cord long enough

(without too many errors).

Here we go .... again, with another ferel cat.

This one has blue eyes, brown paws, tail, face,

creme color body.   Himalayan mix.

With this awful heat, it is a wonder this kitty is 

out and about.   I'm looking forward to the cooler

temperatures tomorrow.   And, if any of my GFs

are looking for a new kitty, let me know.   

A Stitcher's Celebration

Sun Region, EGA, hosted A Stitcher's Celebration last week-end.    The event was a celebration of their hosting the 2011 Seminar in Naples, FL     Also, an event for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, participation thru opportunity drawings, silent auction, chapter fundraising, and generous donations.   Oh my, the Committee Members put on quite a party!   Job Well Done!   Thank you for your attention to detail and planning this fabulous gathering.


I brought ~Mini Flower Basket Sampler~ (A Reproduction from the Collection of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc.   Accession #00012.  

I pulled a 28-ct linen from the closet with silk fibers in my stash.   I had a few colors that were suggested on the pattern.   Most were substitutes; however, the effect should be similar.

I had previously stitched individual motifs for our local EGA Chapter, NANI.   They were used for Common Threads card line, Hospice Card Artisans.

I thought it was about time I created the reproduction of the whole sampler.   The center basket are queen stitches.   Will be colorful when completed.  

I enjoyed attending my first EGA Region event.   It was held at Marriott's Bohemian Hotel in Celebration, Florida.   Imagine 48 round-the-clock hours of stitching!   Well, something like that.   The ballroom was open for stitching from Friday noon - Sunday noon.   Plenty of time for stitching, strolling the charming town, resting, chatting with friends, and being gobsmacked by all the TALENT in the room!  wonderful to stroll around the tables and see what needleworkers were creating.   And, sometimes, seeing the actual completed project of patterns I have ... in the ... closet.   As I recall, there were nearly 80 participants.   I met delightful and charming stitchers including our current EGA President, Lorie Welker.      



This lovely tote was given to each participant.  Inside were beautiful fibers, a hand stitched logo of the event inserted into a luggage tag, and a kit to create your own scissors fob AND the scissors.

The 3-petal cloth, drawstring bag was a door prize from Sunday morning.  

During the day, there were informal gatherings around one of the tables.   Participants were able to sign up and take the class.

The classes were:  loop braiding, making your own twisted cord, making a beautiful edging (left), and learning the RPL cord - and creating RPL bracelets (right) with pony beads.

I took the RPL cord class.   Was looking forward to learning this technique; never mind I needed to learn basic crochet first.   The instructor was awesome.   And, the nice stitcher sitting next to me at the table helped with the crochet basics.   After a while, my brain began to work + I think I've got it.   There are endless possibilities with the RPL cord, many beautiful lace patterns.   For those in EGA who receive the Needle Arts  Magazine, there had been patterns in previous issues.  

Heather has a nice post on her blog, Its Geek to Me, with many beautiful photographs of the area, views from the hotel window.   Don't miss it!  

I had taken some stitched accessories with me.   I have since found the pattern.   When asked, I had remembered it was an Ewe + Eye -- couldn't recall the name:

Tiny Teacup Scissor Companion (kit)

c. Ewe + Eye + Friends

Kam Slagel Barbara Stark 2000

Anchor floss on 35ct Italian Linen

from L C Kramer Co.

If / when you have the opportunity, attend an event.   It is fun, you meet lovely people, and might even put in a few stitches into your project!!!