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.

My Lake Co Fair Results, Part One

Stay Tuned ... more tomorrow:

Red Desert Scissor Pocket2006 Limited Edition designed to house Gingher's Lanell 4" scissorsc. The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio 2006
Stitch Count: 130H x 31W. Stitched with #74 Red Dust Silk Thread and #29 Nullabor Cotton Thread by Dinky Dyes on 28-count Cashel Vintage Linen. Stitched per kit. 3/8" copper button. Beautiful cotton lining : )

Soweth Samplerc.Birds of a Feather, SAM202
Stitch Count: 81w x 81H. Stitched with Weeks Dye Works Rum Raisin, Schneckley, Terra Cotta, Cinnabar, Cocoa, Conch, Celadon, Dried Sage, & Dolphin on 29 count Natural Glenshee Linen. IMO - the frame & Dolphin fiber are a perfect match ... more blue than the picture reflects.

Close-up
Peyote Stitch in-the-round NecklaceGCC Course: Fun w/Beads and Peyote Stitch by Margaret Fleming
A couple years ago, I learned how to do the peyote in-the-round from an EGA course. {see yesterday's post} At that time, I made a scissors fob using this beading technique. I tried multiple times to make the necklace without any success. This Summer, I made new cording (DMC #822 pc #5) in the perfect size for the beads I chose. I used Green Iris 8/0 #2028 + natural 11/0 #431 seed beads and Sil Lined Turquoise + Iris Blue Delicas. "S" silver clasp. This is over 30" & IMO - looks better on, than laying on the table : )

Bumble Bee Innc.2001 Mill Hill - Spring Bouquet Pins VIII MHSB63
Stitch Count: 26W x 28H. Used DMC floss, Mill Hill Beads & Mill Hill Treasures on perforated paper per kit. Felt on back.

just a few more stitches needed ...

I have to add the centers of some flowers,my initials, + year/date ... perhaps will finish this tonight : )

progress pics

I finished the alphabet & added more flowers+vines on the Soweth Sampler. I would like to finish this!
I completed another square of this tabletopper. I have two more squares to stitch + pulled eyelets in the intersections. Will have a nun edge.


You can see more of the pattern in this smaller photo; however, the camera flash distorted the colors [sigh]

I checked out an interesting DVD from the library called Paradise Found. It follows the story of Paul Gauguin. I saw a very large exhibit of Paul Gauguin's paintings several years ago. I still remember the vivid colors & unique painting style. Kiefer Sutherland played the role of the painter.

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:

BOAF: Soweth Sampler

Many thanks for your kind comments & e-mails re. Gilded Cage. It is a cheerful project & should look great in my kitchen [once I get a frame & glass]

I pulled out the Soweth Sampler by Birds of a Feather last night. Added some of the alphabet & a bird. Maybe I'll get some vines or flowers added tonight. It is stitched on 29ct Nat Glenshee Linen w/WDW fibers. I'm being very careful with the Weeks over dye fibers! Keeping my teacup away from them : )

Thx for asking about my children. They are all doing well, all have Summer jobs, and Nick just got an increase in his job duties starting today. I'm really proud of all of them.

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!

Birds of a Feather

Another gem I unearthed. Pattern & over-dye floss, sitting in the bag since ... well, since I bought it : ) I've seen this one stitched up & wondered how it would look with the lettering in a different color. I changed the dk green overdye suggested for the lettering & tried WDW Dolphin. It is a nice shade of grey/blue.

Soweth Sampler 81 x 81 c.Birds of a Feather. I'm using Week's Dye Works on 29-count natural glenshee linen.

This is more about counting & spacing ... than stitching! Should look nice once I get the lettering finished & start the vines, leaves & flowers.

Enjoy your week-end.