Pincushion Parade!!!

Beth blogging at Love Laugh Quilt

is hosting a Pincushion Parade + asks

bloggers to share their collection.

Details on her post:  Pincushion Parade!!!

Here are some of mine:

I stitched and finished these needlerolls.   

They are Shep Bush kits and Sekas designs.

Two of these beautiful pinkeeps were gifts. The Souvenir de France was

stitched + finished by GF Anna.   The Christmas Heart was

stitched + finished by GF Cathy B.   I stitched and finished the small

Sampler Pinkeep - and still have a small one half stitched!

I stitched and finished this Pin Cube.

This is a kit - wool I made a cupcake.  I made a few of the kits - fun to assemble.

A beautiful wool (in muffin tin) pincushion

given to me (and made by) GF Beth --- Tho, I confess

no pin has ever landed on the wool basket!

These, I use ALL THE TIME.   GF Sue made the Stick it Here.  It is the perfect

size for 'on the go' pincushion!!!   The other two were made by my Mom.

She had a yard of fabric + the designs were cut and sewn into pincushions.   She embellished

with quilting, beads, etc.   I use them ALL THE TIME.

Ok, time for YOU to share yours ; )

Porter Co Fair (continued)

Thx for all your kind e-mails & comments. I entered items into two county fairs this Summer --- I did ok. Better last Summer, but all good. If you are in the Chicagoland area, and enjoy needlework exhibits, make sure to stop by & say 'hi' at the Threads that Bind exhibit by the members of Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana October 2-3, 2010 (10am-4pm) More awards: Section 507 - Miscellaneous Needlecraft a. Combination of Techniques Violet Square c 1986 Needle Maid Designs, Inc. It made with DMC floss, one yellow bead (from my stash) on 30-count creme linen I used Garnet Iris seed beads around the outer edge Section 506 - Counted Thread Work I. Other Mimi's Pin Cube Olde Colonial Designs C.2003 by Pamela D. Reed This kit included 32-ct Fratelli Graziano Italian Cream Siena Linen, Gentle Art Old Red Paint and Grecian Gold, DMC 3052, 611 & 642. The pins, cardboard, and padding also included in the kit. Section 506 - Counted Thread Work F. Counted Cross Stitch - Other (not suitable for framing) ex. pillows, afghans Tiny Sampler La-D-Da Freebie I used perle coton #5: 932 lt blue, 801 brown, 3045 gold, 3687 pink, 3052 green, 930 blue on 18-ct Shaker Linen. 8" x 8" Section 113 - Miscellaneous Crafts Mixed Media Needlebook Made it at the International Quilt Festival April 2010

Lake Co Fair (1 of 2 posts)

HANDICRAFTS I
Class 708: Holiday Decoration - Not Spec
Second Place Ribbon

Spring Fling
c.2004 Homespun Elegance Ltd.
Designed by Sandra Sullivan

I made some changes to the design: For this project, I flipped the motifs & changed the over-dye fiber colors.
The flowers & bunny tail are french knots.
I used Buttercrunch GAST, Cadet WDW, Kudzu WDW, Camellia WDW, Bordeaux WDW & a small amount of Straw WDW + Molasses WDW on 32-ct Lambswool Linen.

To finish into a small pillow I used Mill Hill glass seed beads #02019 around the edge.

NEEDLECRAFT II
Class 1117: Counted Cross Misc - Miniature Item
First Place Ribbon

Mimi's Pin Cube
Olde Colonial Designs
C.2003 by Pamela D. Reed

This kit included 32-ct Fratelli Graziano Italian Cream Siena Linen,
Gentle Art Old Red Paint and Grecian Gold,
DMC 3052, 611 & 642.
The pins, cardboard, and padding also included in the kit.
I managed to lace the linen to
the cardboard & padding.
Whip stitched them together & pushed in the pins.



SEWING
Class 1378: Home Decor - Decorating Pillow
First Place Ribbon

My Original Design - hand sewn, hand applique

This is a patriotic theme I designed.
It was a challenge to select the red,white,blue fabrics from my slim stash.
Just fun to create something unique.
The applique and stitching is not perfect; however, I'm pleased with the way it turned out.

Mimi's Pin Cube

Mimi's Pin CubeOlde Colonial DesignsC.2003 by Pamela D. Reed
This kit included 32-ct Fratelli Graziano Italian Cream Siena Linen, Gentle Art Old Red Paint and Grecian Gold, DMC 3052, 611 & 642. The pins, cardboard, and padding also included in the kit.I managed to lace the linen to the cardboard & padding. Whip stitched them together & pushed in the pins. Very cute pin cube.

Pin Cube WIP, Alexander's crabbies

Q&A's - I realize I tend to put photos on my blog without much wording. So, here are a couple photos to answer questions. I finished the stitching for 2 sides. The other four sides will have applique pins inserted.I doubt I'll get to the finishing until this week-end. As always, you can click on the photos for enlarged view.

Q&A's: This is a photograph from Just Cross Stitch Magazine, December 2004. This is what the pin cubes look like. Pins inserted on 4 sides & stitched designs on 2 sides. I don't know if these kits are still available. It is one of the items from my Basket of NAY*. The finishing instructions say to lace the linen around cardboard squares & whip them together. They are not stuffed. Perhaps other stitchers have already made them??

Alex has two pet hermit crabs. (another longish story) Yesterday, Alex & I went to the pet store (where Alex works) and bought new habitat gizmos for his crabbies. We have a new tank, new lid, humidity thermometer, temperature thermometer, overhead lighting, day & night bulbs, new sand, new climbing material (not yet in the tank).

We almost forgot to buy the 'lid' - could you imagine the cats in the habitat? Perhaps they'd think it was a litter box?

Aren't they exciting creatures?? NOT!!Thank goodness he didn't want those little snakes that they sell (at the pet store -- yikes). They are in similar habitats and just give me the creeps.

*NAY = Not another year

Pin Cube WIP

I was trying to finish up last night; however, the over-one got to my eyes! This is stitched over one thread on 32-count Fratelli Graziano Italian Cream Sienna Linen -- per the kit! I plan to finish up the stitching this afternoon -- have not decided on when I plan to tackle the finishing!

As for the thread drops, I really like them! You can see the floss which was pulled off a bobbin - with lots of bends. With the thread drops, the fibers are smooth.More about thread drops in previous posts - link here. I put a penny on my stitching to answer the question about 'size'.

As for my book stack, here it is:My list of books read this year, and previous years can be found HERE.

Yesterdays read was from the public library, called Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. I'm about 1/2 way ... Book Reviews HERE and HERE. Some of my friends didn't care for it at all -- and one woman at the library said it was very interesting.

Basket of NAY: Mimi's Pin Cube Kit

I had a ball last night at the Cooking School. Here is a picture of the goodie bag handed out & some of the contents:There was an article & pictures in the newspaper. LINK HERE. Was great fun to chat with Mel(ody), Debbie L, Sandy & her Mom, Pat. The prizes were out of this world, dining room set - refrigerator - 2 ovens - microwave - cookbooks - grocery store certificates - sacks of food - oven mits - wine gift bag - ziplock gift bag -- and more that I cannot even remember : ) If you get the chance, go. Whatever you pay for the ticket, you will for sure get enough coupons to cover it!!!

This a.m., I had planned on stitching a sampler; however, pulled out some mindless 4-sided stitching. It will eventually be a Pin Cube. Think it is about time I got around to stitching this one?
Mimi's Pin Cube Kitc.2003 by Pamela D. Reed, Olde Colonial Designs
I managed to get the linen cut into 6 pieces and about 1/2 of the 4-sided stitches done. Of course, had to run errands -- blek. And, need groceries. I didn't have the energy to create the list!

About as far as I can go ...

Measuring Stick & Fob Gift for Theec.2002 by Olde Colonial Designs
This is about as far as I can go with this. I need to check my fabrics to locate something for the back on the ruler cover. The pattern/design has 4-sided stitches to add around the edges; however, I'm not sure I want to put them in - need to see what it will look like with the fabric, first.

Now, on to some ironing & other household chores : (

3 Little Kittens

I was just visiting Coni's Blog and enjoyed her post about customer service.

Now, I have to share my story, too. A few weeks ago, I was sorting thru older kits & patterns and put them all together in the basket of NAY*. I was pulling out the next sampler by Waxing Moon Designs, settled down to stitch & opened up the folder to find the pattern missing. How odd, I thought. What a mystery. What could I have done with the pattern? I looked everyplace without any luck. I had the three buttons, over-dye fibers (priced at $1.50/each -- must have bought them some time ago -- and have no clue which LNS they came from), the cover -- hmm. I called my LNS and explained how I wanted to contact the designer and request a replacement. They shared the information, I sent an e-mail, and within days ... received my replacement pattern fom Jacque Fox. Isn't that kind of her? Thank you Jacque! I just noticed she has another web site called Waxing Moon Studio with awesome stuff, including punchneedle & greeting cards!

So, here is the picture & goodies for starting my next project from the basket of NAY*:

I have avoided punchneedle so far. But I may have to give it a try!!!

I was so angry with this cat!! On Saturday, she snuck out during the day. I was busy with the sweeper, laundry, etc., and didn't realize she wasn't in the house until late afternoon. DH & I called her and called her. We were outside about every 20 min to 30 min -- & the mosquito bites! The neighbor had their cows in the pasture & the cows were calling back -- quite comical. About sunset, three racoons showed up at the back door. I went out to shoo them off & heard our Honey Bunny meowing. I was so relieved - still irritated - but relieved. After about an hour, she just curled up in her basket.
Sorry about the late-last-night photo ... I managed to work on two of the motifs yesterday. As for the questions, it is a 6" brass ruler ... this was a kit I've had for a few years. I'm not exactly sure how to finish it. I think I can find some fabric for the ruler cover, back ... and hopefully get it to look nice.
*NAY=Not another year

WIP: Measuring Gift for Thee

The next one out of the NAY* Basket:Measuring Gift for Theec.2002 by Olde Colonial DesignsThis kit came with the ruler, linen, fibers, & cording.This piece of linen is for the back side of the fob
This set (ruler cover & fob) has some stitching over-one-thread -- so, I probably will have a small sampler project going, too (fabric needs to be ironed). I usually stitch over-one for only an hour at a time.
Will reveal photograph of Sarah's Marking Sampler (The Goode Huswife) on or after October 1st
*NAY: Not Another Year