Hope Accent, PS Freebie, Buddy Update

Thx so much for the e-mails and comments over the past couple of days. I appreciate them : )

Nordic Needle announced they are repeating their Bookmark Challenge (March 20 through May 8). "After the challenge ends, we will hold a drawing and the winner of the drawing will receive a $100 gift certificate to Nordic Needle! The more bookmarks you send to us, the more times your name is entered into the drawing and the better chance you have to win!" Check out the 3/10/08 Newsletter for details.

I was asked for more information on my accent (photo in previous post). It isHope Sampler Accent A Breast Cancer Fund Raising Needle Work Project. c.1999 by Barbara L. Rakosnik, Periwinkle Promises. This was a kit w/29-ct white Glenshee Linen, Mill Hill beads, and Kreinik's Soie d'Alger silks. I changed it a little bit by adding the button. As far as I know, it is still available for purchase.

Finished the abc 123 freebie from Prairie Schooler. I used 32-ct Lambswool linen & suggested DMC Floss. Freebie can be found HERE

Our BuddyTook him to the vet's office this a.m. They removed the bandage & the stitches remain until the next visit. I'm keeping a close watch on him. His ear looks ok, he is on pain medications & antibiotics. He seems happier with the bandage off -- tho, the halo thing is bothersome to him.

more finishes ...

Thank you so much for your comments re. my pulled thread pillow & other recent finishes.

I cannot help wonder how designers make a living b/c when I think of the time involved in creating my own piece ... you know, I spent a lot of time learning pulled thread techniques, figuring out the stitches I wanted in my pillow, overall design, and couldn't imagine trying to price 'the pattern'. I didn't keep track on graph paper -- just made some rough notes. I basted the 'design' in place & added the stitches I liked. So, I have no plans to release this design!



I managed the nun edge around a bookmark -- added felt to two perforated paper projects (pin & ornament) -- and managed to get the tin pin heart inserted into the square. WOOT!

My 'to do' list:: Finish small stocking ornament & Shep Bush needleroll. Finish stitching the EGA mystery sampler (lessons 10-14).

I visited House of Stitches on July 3rd. With a lot of help ... I have two awesome bellpull hardware pieces for the Mystery Sampler (stitched on linen banding). Now that the hardware issue isn't looming, I'm pretty excited about it. Nice to have helpful friends at the LNS!! They are so patient, kind and knowledgeable.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Pictured: Drawn Thread Heart Throb freebie, Folk Heart Needleroll by Shep Bush, a gift from Bernie W --The Nutmeg Needle, A-Mazing Hearts (Christmas Ornaments 2002 magazine), Needlebook & fob Heart's Desire Needlecase & Scissors Fob Of Female Worth.
Yes, forgot to list this in the other picture. These are Homespun Elegance Button Heart (stitched by my Mom), needlebook is a Prairie Schooler (I think - I lost this pattern), Hope Sampler Accent by Periwinkle Promises, Drawn Thread Mat Gentle Spirit by Emie Bishop. The small box with kissing cherubs is a sewing kit & the silver pin was a gift from DH a couple years ago.
Aren't these neat? Sampler Ornaments by Handwork (I have #7 & #8)... Maybe would use some sort of dk red instead of the black fibers. I think I must have a couple freebie Workbasket designs around here someplace.

I finished stitching Tin Pin Heart. Not sure how to mount it into the tin!! It is stitched over one thread & didn't take very long. (picture tomorrow?)

Thought of the Day: It takes about 45 min to drive to the nearest LNS .... it takes a few steps to enter my CLOSET ... and, I like everything I've already bought : )

Getting Ready for Valentine's Day!!

I'm really enjoying going thru my "stuff" for Valentine's Day. This is SOME of my stitched items. I have more ... stay tuned.

WTF: I really should figure out how to FINISH this Pin Pillow. (front+back) It has a buttonhole edge w/fancy chain stitching in each corner. It is the Judah Hayle Pin Pillow from Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly. Spring 2001 SANQ
With so little spare $$$ (daughter in college) I opted to find some STASH with heart themes. I was thinking of doing the BOF over one -- The Shep Bush kit was a door prize (won this a couple years ago!). Heart Blooms

Happy Birthday Melody

Hi Mel ; ) You need a blog!!

Progress photos of my bookmark:
close-up of the front

front (WIP)

the back looks pretty good, too!

These are bands of blackwork, two-color rice stitch and long-armed cross stitch. I'm using splendor + silk mori. And .... eggs for Alex ...

Not much stitching to share ...

The boys are on Fall break from Middle School & High School. We didn't do much because they have head colds. I don't want their germs! Been wanting to do something traditional, quick, simple -- & pulled these out:

Started a bookmark. It is an EGA Petite Project - Sampler Bookmark by Periwinkle Promises / Barbara L. Rakosnik. (c.May 1998) The center has blackwork motifs (I think 5 repeats of the leaves). There are bands of rice stitches + double back stitches (I might do long arm cross instead). I'm using silk mori on 32-count twilight blue linen.

Also started N.Hinde 1778; A miniature Sampler (c.1991 The Scarlet Letter.) I am using red silk (AVAS 945) - cross stitch over one - on 32 count antique ivory linen. This should be 1 3/4" x 2 3/4". In the directions it says to "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date, using letter forms from the alphabets + numerals above." I am thrilled about the heart motifs. And who can resist a spiffy alphabet?

Here is a photograph from the pattern leaflet (of the finished sampler). Says on the pattern: "Genuine miniature samplers like this are relatively hard to find. They usually feature a simple monochromatic alphabet, or a short sentimental verse. The former type, called "plain work," usually originated in working class schools. This "plain sewing" sampler is English, probably from Lancashire (or perhaps, more specifically, Lancaster)....The original piece is in a private collection"