My 2007 Porter County Fair Results, Part Two

Ground Hog DayBent Creek online freebieComments by Judge: Very sweet pillow - love the beadwork. Cute, muted country colors, nice-

Stitched with Week's Dye Works Cocoa, Charcoal, Putty; DMC floss 501, 814, 930, 822; Mill Hill beads (42014) for the eyes on 16-count Old Rose Aida.

Mystery Samplerc.1991 Jana P. KerrComments by Judge: Pretty, delicate. Beautiful back. Excellent workmanship-
NeedleArts June 2005, Lesson I: Cross Stitches & Marking Stitches
NeedleArts Sep 2005, Lesson II: Double Running Stitch
NeedleArts Dec 2005:
Lesson III: Pulled Four-Sided Stitch & Satin Stitch
Lesson IV: Irish Stitch (& a little Blackwork, too!)
Lesson V: Four-sided stitch, Herringbone Stitch, Reversible Cross Stitch, & Satin Stitch
NeedleArts Mar 2006:
Lesson VI: Interlacing, ladder & Italian Hemstitching
Lesson VII: Floral Borders, Smyrna Crosses, Rice Stitch & Eyelets
NeedleArts June 2006:
Lesson VIII: Pattern & Damask Darning
Lesson IX: Hardanger Embroidery
NeedleArts Sep 2006:
Lesson X: Small Eyelets, Standish Stitch, Montenegrin, & Long-armed Cross Stitch
Lesson XI: Blackwork Border & Queen Stitch
NeedleArts Dec 2006:
Lesson XII: Four-sided, satin, & Faggot Stitches
Lesson XIII: Blackwork Motif (single running stitch)
Lesson XIV: Cross Stitch over one linen thread
Lesson XV: Finishing

Stitched on Zweigart Banding (cream) #7009-003 with: DMC floss 3053; DMC perle cotton 12 ecru & DMC perle cotton 8 ecru; Anchor floss 1035, 1034, 1033, 897, 895, 893, 681, 888, 887, 1387; AVAS 1714, 1716, 1011, & 4622; Silk Mori 0434. Bellpull hardware - 10cm #512410 x 2.

Bargello Pine Trees StockingLois Caron - online free patternComments by Judge:Very nicely done inside & out. Nice precise stitches. Like untraditional color choice - Rope trim add the finishing touch -

Stitched on white 25-count lugana with navy watercolour; evergreen watercolour; metallic (scrap on hand); perle cotton #5 blanc; perle cotton #5 pale green; Snow.

Until tomorrow ... for the final pictures : )

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.

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:

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.

queen stitch

Sue, stitcherw said she was "looking forward to seeing your queen stitches. Those are so lovely looking, however, they are the one stitch (in addition to french knots) that I can never seem to get to look right."

Sue, I've got a photo to share with you of some stitch samples I made up a couple years ago. I was practicing the queen stitches & was using strawberry motifs I found in sampler books. IMO - using ONE strand of silk or perle cotton creates a more even stitch than cotton floss. I like using silk. The coverage is very good!



There may be other bloggers with more tips. I practice them before adding them to a sampler.

BEFORE I FORGET TO ASK .... Does anybody have a good recipe for corn bread??? I am a terrible baker & would like to give up using mixes all the time. I tried a recipe this morning & ended up with a brick. See link here. My son, Nick & daughter, Tori seem to get the knack of baking. Why can't I??

WIP: Jana P. Kerr's Mystery Sampler

A couple weeks ago, GF - Sue D [without blog] showed me her mystery sampler, from NeedleArts Magazine [EGA publication]. She is stitching parts of this in the evenings. Her banding looks GREAT : )

I couldn't even remember where I had left off!!! Pulled it out of the closet yesterday & added a few more stitches.



I finished up lesson 10 of 15: small eyelets [alpha letters S-Z], Standish stitch, Montenegrin, & Long-armed cross stitch bands.

Started lesson 11 of 15: blackwork border [strapwork in blue fiber]. Perhaps I'll get the queen stitch [strawberry motif] stitched later today

EGA Mystery Sampler

The September 2006 issue of NeedleArts arrived. Included are Lessons X & XI of the Mystery Sampler designed by Jana P. Kerr. I have some small eyelets, Standish Stitch & Montenegrin completed. Lesson XI has blackwork & queen stitch strawberry motif.

There is a min-star sampler [Part I of VII] by Eileen Gilliland. It is interesting. It has 13 blocks w/motifs utilizing a variety of stitches (blackwork, pattern darning, satin stitches, filling stitches -- plus pulled thread!). Uses Caron Wildflowers & floss. I just might have to start this once I finish the Mystery Sampler!

I was interested to read [Synopsis of Minutes] "EGA has been losing money since 2002"... and they are considering publishing the Education Catalog q 2 years w/updates in NeedleArts Magazine. Also I noted "Reproductions of items from the EGA Collection are being prepared for sale as patterns or kits" hmmmm, sounds interesting. AND they are 'increasing fees for GCC and increasing salaries for ICC teachers and ICC fees'. Sounds like the Youth Membership will be a reality soon. Interesting stuff from EGA Headquarters

I forgot about this

Jana P. Kerr: Mystery Sampler - from NeedleArts, June 2006, Lesson 8 & 9 of 15

Thanx for asking ... I don't know if I'll have this stitched for the fair(s). I know I need bellpull hardware. So, stay tuned.

My bellpull

This is the bellpull (so far). I really do need to think about some hardware. I can't remember ever buying bellpull hardware.

have I ever made a bellpull? I think not. Guess I'll have to ask the experts at House of Stitches & see what they have.

If anybody has any advice, I'm listening!

Mystery Sampler (update)

Pictured are Row 23 (Rice Stitch & Eyelets) & Row 24 (Italian Hemstitching) of the Mystery Sampler featured in NeedleArts Magazine. There is an online group for the mystery sampler SAL. The next part will be available in June.

The Star De-Tailor is one of my favorite needlework gadgets. I use it all the time (I own a few of them!). If you have never heard of them, check out their web site. I bought mine at the LNS for $5.00. It is esp helpful to tuck in those threads on the back of projects when the fiber is too short!!
For the mystery sampler, was helpful to weave the threads into the edges of the drawn thread rows.
I've given in to my cold. Spent a lot of time napping the past few days. Not much reading or stitching.


I did find an EASY pattern I want to work on -- it is for huck towels. I've had the pattern & towels & floss kitted up too long. It would be a nice (brainless) cross stitch piece to do until this throat thing passes.

Mysteries? Over One? Organized?

Today's SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

Q. Have you ever participated in a needlework mystery (i.e., a design that you started before knowing how it will look in the end and by which you receive parts of the design via the internet, magazines, or leaflets at spaced intervals)? If so, why did you decide to do the mystery? What appealed to you about it? Did you enjoy it? If you have not done a mystery, would you ever do one?

A. Yes! I participated in two Mystery Samplers designed by Gay Ann Rogers. I completed this (on congress cloth) in 2000:



Close-up:

The "Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz" was also by Gay Ann Rogers & is a WIP:
Since this picture was taken, I've worked on it here-n-there .... Canvas & metallics aren't my favorites.

Found the picture

Currently, I'm stitching a mystery sampler by Jana P. Kerr. Our EGA chapter members did this in 1993 (before I was a member). I had seen it completed years ago & was thrilled to have the NeedleArts magazine put the lessons in their quarterly publication. It is stitched on linen banding w/floss (I'm using dmc & anchor floss colors). This is a picture of 1-5 of 15 parts:



The permalink to this post is Renée >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

Today's SBQ is:

Q. Do you stitch "over one?" If so, describe your experiences. If not, have you considered it?

A. Yes, I stitch "over one". I sit for about an hour with over one & then quit for the day. I like using a 28-count or 32-count linen with one strand of silk (or Anchor floss). I think these were last projects I stitched over-one:
Pattern is from Scarlet Letter, called N. Hinde Sampler I have a couple "over-one" WIPs, too. I enjoy the detail in over-one designs. With an exceptional color -- they are fabulous.

This is 40-count linen & IMO the stitching gets bunched up looking. I think using a 1/2 cross would have been more suitable. This is A Sampler Pinkeep by The Heart's Content. I started the reverse side & really should find it in my WIP pile & finish it up!!

This is Tin Pin Heart by Twisted Threads -- this one seemed to stitch up quickly!! What fun.

The permalink to this post is: Renée's Blog >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

Today's SBQ is:

Q. Do you have an organizational system for your patterns? If so, how do you organize them? If not, have you considered organizing them?

A. I'm more organized NOW than I have ever been. I have patterns/charts in two notebooks with a zipper (high shelf in the closet) -- alphabetized by company name (i.e. Blackbird, Brightneedle, etc.) My kits are in a rubbermaid container in the closet. My "kits to go" and WIPs are in totebags and boxes on top of the container (in my closet). I also have a basket near my stitching corner which houses patterns kitted up to do in the near future. AND -- every time I move things around ... I lose stuff!! I'm not planning to change a thing.



The permalink to this post is: Renée's Blog >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

Mystery Sampler continues

Received the March issue of NeedleArts with Lesson Six (Row 18 + Row 24) & Lesson Seven (Row 19 + Row 23).
I finished the last two rows (Lesson 6/Row 18 + Lesson7/Row 19) last night. This Mystery Sampler is really wonderful to stitch.

Thank you for your comments regarding Nicholas and his L&L project. In the past Nicholas has worked on Mill Hill perforated paper projects and aida cloth -- he did a nice cross eyed cricket on aida. Now that he is on evenweave -- I may have to watch my stash ; ) He will be 16 on April 25th (next month). Nicholas is an avid reader AND enjoys playing trombone in the Jazz Band, Pep Band, & Marching Band. He recently learned how to knit scarves -- several students got together after school & were taught by their French Teacher.

Our other son, Alexander is 13 and enjoys Drama Club, Radio Club, Show Choir & Robotics Club. He is rehearsing for "Schoolhouse Rock" -- I forget what part he has. Alexander stitches on aida once in awhile and has made several Mill Hill perforated paper projects. Currently, he is working on a canvas piece - it is a zipper pouch. If I could walk into his room, I'd take a picture of HIS progress, too. Over his Spring Break, he wants me to do the finishing on his last HIH project -- it is hidden in his bedroom someplace.

In order to keep peace in our household, I make sure the common areas of the house are tidy & just keep their bedroom doors shut. Teenagers have messy rooms. It goes with the territory.

Mystery Sampler - SAL in progress

This must be SAL week : )

Mystery Sampler by Jana P. Kerr. For December, we did 3,4,&5 of the 15 lessons. The four-sided stitches & satin stitches were delightful. Not too sure of the irish stitch -- they were a bit difficult for me; however, the end result is interesting.

Took Tori & David back to I.U. Alex rode along. We unloaded everything at Tori's dorm and went to the bookstore. Such high prices : ( Anyhow, didn't stay long as there was the 200 mile drive back. My Mom came by the house & had lunch with Nick + took him to the school for his pep band gig. I need to master bi-location, soon.

WIPs

Received more of the Mystery Sampler: lessons 3,4,5 of 15. I finished Lesson 3&4 + still working on Lesson V (four-sided stitch, letters J-R.) They are really fun to stitch. The dividing bands are in herringbone, reversible cross stitch & satin stitches


Mystery Sampler .... so far .... Designer is Jana P. Kerr. Pattern is being published in NeedleArts magazine.

c.1998 C.A.Zittel, The Drawn Thread. Linen & Lace 110x110. Stitched on 32count linen with needlepoint silks. (holiday gift!!!) If the weather cooperates, I'm going to House of Stitches for a Sudberry Box -- ooooh this will be soooo pretty.

Creative Corner

I read Vero's blog this a.m.   AND Let the tagging begin.  

This is where I stitch ... & if you read this, you are tagged too -- show off your stitching / sewing area(s)!   

Check out Vero's Blog to read the original post.

Update: This basket houses my current project & small kitted things -- The small drawers are full of scissors, needles, magnets, needlebooks, thread winders, floss bobbins, floss-away-bags, tape measures, omnigrid rulers, laying tools -- more stitchy-stuff than I need. And, Ok, I confess to having a few things in my closet. My top shelf houses quilting hoops & wool roving & quilt batting. Under that are stitching books, Two zipper notebooks of pattern leaflets, EGA newsletters, EGA course manuals/books AND general school supply notebooks / graph paper notebooks Under my clothing bar I put a lot of crafty stuff ... The large container in my closet -- (kits & linen scraps--more stitching oddments). Blue nylon bag is my EGA bag - currently housing beaded stuff. My WIPs in boxes & bags are on top of the container. Behind you can see my sketch books (manequins for sketching). To the side are magazines: NeedleArts, Ornament, SAN-Q, Fine arts (2 rows). There are 2 shoe boxes of dmc floss & one box with Anchor & Danish Flower threads. In my wardrobe, I use a couple shelves for table toppers (left), rolled WIPs under tabletoppers -- boxes of flower thread & silk. Next shelf with afghan, perle cotton underneath. White boxes: one with clip-on magnifier and one box of buttons & charms. (behind the afghan are small boxes of beads.) q-snaps are tucked in with my handbags on the bottom shelf.

Guess most of my stuff is 'hidden' from view. I wish I had a room though. I would go in & never come out!

My 1st sewing small + EGA (Part II of 15)

This was my FIRST Prairie Schooler project. I visited a needlework shop & was given a complimentary pattern. Went home & didn't stop until it was DONE. (Summer of 1998)

This is a Mystery Sampler by Jana P. Kerr.

Permission is granted for EGA, ANG, & other stitching groups to publish the Mystery Sampler in their newsletters or make copies for their members. Thank you Jana P. Kerr : ) There are 15 parts. So far, TWO parts have been published in NeedleArts Magazine (The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc.). The various parts will showcase different types of needlework -- part I marking stitches / cross stitches + part II double running stitch. I am using Anchor floss on linen banding. I enjoy working on this & look forward to viewing other EGA, ANG, & other stitching groups take on this project.

I received my quarterly magazine & read the whole thing (cover to cover). The current EGA President, Arminda Taylor is ending her term. In her message to members, she quoted Sandra Day O'Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice: "We don't accomplish anything in this world alone ... and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something." Another quote from Flavia: "Lives are tapestries woven from our experiences by the weavers of time in a pattern we cannot see."

Stitch well today.

Cord Making + Mystery Sampler

Hi, happy fourth .... sort of.

Oh what fun .... went to EGA chapter meeting last night. yeah, and let me tell you about the dome light that wouldn't turn off -- and the 3 of us (carpoolers) trying to get the interior light off with the doors open .... eee gads. Mosquitos ate their dinner courtesy of us .... but, back to the chapter meeting.

We were in a series of lessons for scissor fob making ... there were three lessons -- cross stitching (May), tassel making (June), and last night cord making. Now, I've had a drill for making cords in my drawer a good year or so (never out of the package) and enjoyed using it last night. I even had a handy-dandy weight .... sold separately. HA ; )

chapter web site www.surfnetinc.com/NANI

My friend Sue is an excellent teacher. She said for small pillows + ornaments: use 4-6 lengths of floss (don't separate) for cord making. For stockings & larger pillows - use perle coton.* She suggested taking measured strands of perle coton + making small samples to figure out the diameter cord you like. Her formulae was measure around the project and multiply x 4. So, if you have a final length of 8" (2" per side) multiply by four, or 32" lengths of floss -- to give you a starting length for your cord. BEFORE TWIST

*Sue confesses to watch for sales on cording at Hobby Lobby. What a hoot.

So, she cuts off lengths of DMC 734 (like split pea soup color) ties them in a knot -- hooks to the drill, and knots the other end around a pencil. Hands it to a new guild member & makes the cord. She shows us how to make bi-color floss cords and metallic floss cords. Of course twisting it and letting it fold back on itself is quite cool! An awesome demonstrations.

I .... idiot (I for Idiot) have my handy drill ready ..... lengths cut -- knot in one end over the drill hook .... and the other end around my finger; when my buddy, Sue, reminds me not to twist around my finger and cut off my circulation ..... what would I do without her. yeah, I get handed a pencil .... I put it around a pencil and made a couple cords. Fun-ness.

Sue continued her lesson ... she showed us how to stitch the fob sides together and how to stuff and how to add the tassel (which I didn't make yet) and how to add the cord .... and HERS WAS BEAUTIFUL. Then sew the thing shut. It is all so easy when shown.

Ok, here is the bonus. She has another way to finish a fob .... she had another tip ... demonstration. She used a 6" square of linen/evenweave, had her motif stitched in the center. She turns it over and folds the points into the middle. So, the square becomes a diamond --- then, folds it again ... the diamond shape is back to a square shape. Like oragami. And the edges are beautiful. Sue says "now sew on a button" in the back where the corners meet.

Remember the I for Idiot .... I'm like, yippie -- thought we didn't stitch anything -- drop a puff of stuffing on the square -- just fold - fold again - add a button .... done!. Yeah -- good thing Sue was there! No, Sue says, you gotta sew the edges before adding the button. With the sewn edges -- I bet it will be beautiful.

Mystery Sampler -- in Needle Arts magazine -- suggests a METER of linen banding. I swear, I think I have 36" or one yard. Not 40" or one meter. It is my pet peeve about mystery samplers -- tough to get the right sized ground without knowing a final stitch count. So, I posted a note on the yahoo group and keep my fingers crossed somebody in cyberland knows the stitching count length.

Now, let me tell you about Man Day in Valparaiso .... on Father's Day, my husband (wonderful man) decides to paint my bathroom. He dumps everything into the sink and starts painting. Oh, honey .... what dropcloth? Argh.