Porter Co Fair: Part Three

Category V - Needlecraft

Section 506 - Counted Thread Work

f.  Counted Cross Stitch - Other (not suitable for framing)

The Drawn Thread

Pumpkin Keeper

Pincushion + fob set

used JABC pins + Gingher Lendell scissors

to make them pretty!

Comment Card:  "beautifully

executed

excellent assembly

lovely tension"

506 i.  Other:

A Sampler Pinkeep

The Heart's Content

Comment Card: "Beautifully done

cute finishing

Section 507 - Miscellaneous Needlecraft

a. Combination of Techniques:

Satin Heart

The Victoria Sampler

Comment Card:  "beautiful piece

lovely finishing

nice accented w/

beads + charm

lovely tension"

b. Needlepunch:

Halloween Hang Ups 2

Lizzie Kate

Comment Card:

"cute design

try rearranging

finish stitches so

edges are straight"

(good point by judge)

c. Other

Mom's Butterfly

tatted edge on material paper

(I gave this to my MIL on Sunday afternoon)

comment card

Best of luck to the NANI members who are entering

the Lake Co Fair!!!   

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 ; )

some progress

A Sampler Pinkeep
A few more stitches into this project
I can only manage over-one stitching for an hour
at a time. Then I have to quit.
It is a challenge.



I found the DMC Stitch Pink Needlework Accessory Kit today.
It was at the large JoAnn Fabrics store.


There are pink
floss bobbins
scissors
needle threader
and charts inside a pink case (zips shut).
With a coupon, not too bad of a deal.

As for the locker hooking,
I had a few e-mails and questions.
This is the book I have.
It is by Theresa Pulido .
Supplies can be found at local
craft stores and on-line.
You need latch hook/rug canvas, fabric cut in strips,
locker hook, and yarn needle.
There are videos on line to
explain the process.

Such an interesting project

Some progress on
A Sampler Pinkeep
The Heart's Content, Inc.
Kit

Since the county fairs, I've been picking it up from time-to-time
and adding a few more stitches.

Would like to actually
finish the stitchingand make it into a pinkeep this year.

Lake Co Fair (continued)

Needlecraft II
Counted Cross Misc - Miniature Item

A Sampler Pinkeep
c.2002 The Heart's Content, Inc.
Maureen Appleton

This is stitched over one thread (miniature stitching).
I used dyed ribbon from Pat Winter to edge this itty bitty pinkeep.


Needlecraft II
Counted Cross Misc - Pillow

Forest Song
Designed by Elizabeth Foster
c.2000 Elizabeth's Designs

I used suggested fibers on 25-count raw linen by Zweigart
(the green leaves are stitched with Sheep's Silk,
Dark Moss, The Thread Gatherer
The fiber & charm were with the pattern.


Needlecraft II
Counted Cross Misc - Not Specified Above

Herbal Sachet
Lavender; Loyalty & Devotion
The Victoria Sampler
c.2002 Thea Dueck

Front: 62H x 40W. 28ct Antique White Cashel Linen. Kreinik #4 Braid #002; DMC #12 White Perle Cotton; AVAS #1343 (purple); DMC Floss 210, 501, 502, 3813, blanc, 208; Mill Hill beads; Needle Necessities #178 Coventry Gardens.

some finishing going on ...

The Victoria Sampler
Level Three - Satin Stitch
The Learning Collection
c.2000 Thea Dueck

I used some beautiful dyed ribbon from Pat Winter. The color perfect & I thought it turned out well.

These heart shapes are such a challenge for me. After I put the front & back together - the ribbon was gathered & stitched into place.

If you are interested in Pat's ribbons, check out her
Etsy or
Artfire on-line shops.

Her products are top notch & the ribbons are fantastic.
The best ribbons I've ever used.


A Sampler Pinkeep
c.2002 The Heart's Content, Inc.
Maureen Appleton

This is stitched over one thread (miniature stitching). Again, I used dyed ribbon from Pat Winter to edge this itty bitty pinkeep.

A special thx to Cathy B blogging at
With Needle & Thread
for sending me an e-mail (back in 2009) explaining
how she makes pinkeeps! Came in handy today.

The ribbon that was with this kit didn't really match the fiber color. I was delighted at how easy this ribbon was to work with.

The biggest challenge was ending the ribbon - trying to make it look good. Oh well, did the best I could.

Finishing Blues

I've got a couple things on the table
for finishing. I think finishing is my least
favourite thing to do! And, I wait until
the very last minute.

The project on the left is
"A Sampler Pinkeep"
I finished one side & decided to back with fabric
and finish. Maybe I'll get the other side
stitched some day!

The project on the right is a
Lizzie Kate for punchneedle from
Halloween Hang-Ups 2


I'm looking forward to getting out my punchneedle
and making the other two ornaments -- the cat & the pumpkin.

Pinkeep WIP

Thank you for all the kind comments re. my holiday ornament. It might be my favorite holiday ornament design. I have been on the SAL blog & see many many nice ornaments : )

I have ANOTHER round with this head cold, I cannot seem to shake it, & it is wearing me out. Today, I'm going to rest & read. And just look at all the housework needing to be tended to. The laundry is done ... the ironing will have to wait.

I have some progress to share on A Sampler Pinkeep The Heart's Content, Inc., 2002, designed by Maureen P. Appleton.

The top is stitched over 2 threads [40-ct] with GAST Cornflower ... the bottom is the over 1 stitching & fibers from the kit.
Here is my start on the reverse side. I'm using the fibers from the kit, 40-ct, over one thread. The pattern calls for all the background linen to be stitched, too...

IMO-My stitching isn't good. I don't care for the crowded look of the cross stitches. It will be good practice to get this finished into the 'keep'. All the supplies are in the kit.

Antique Patterns & SBQ

Interested in Antique patterns? Check out Antique Pattern Library website. I enjoyed looking at the DMC patterns!

***** ***** *****

Today's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

Q. What is the smallest count fabric you have ever used? Did you stitch over one? Conversely, what is the largest count fabric you have ever used?

My Answer: The afghan I'm currently stitching is 7 cs/inch ... which would be a 14-count ground. Some day, I'd like to try a Watercolour Design by Sekas & Co. They are stitched on 10-count Tula fabric.


I stitched one side of A Sampler Pinkeep on 40-count hand-dyed Iced Cappuccino linen. It is over-one ... I really should get the other side stitched & put this pinkeep together!

IMO, 40-count is too small for over-one stitching. IMO-this would be very nice over two threads on 40-count linen.

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

Finished Christmas Tree Orn

Thanx for asking ... This is from the 1998 JCS/orn magazine -- The Heart's Content, Inc. c.1998, Maureen Appleton. As you can see from the magazine cover, it was designed to be a scissors fob. I used a cream-color linen scrap & dmc floss. I didn't add the eyelets or the date -- did change the border to red. The stitch count is 44h x 35W.

And yes, I do make working copies, in this case from the magazine... I like to have a copy to jot down notes - maybe floss colors, and b/c I can take the copy with me [in the car, room-to-room, etc].

When I stitch, I like to cut out [from working copy] the section I am stitching. I use a magnet to hold the pattern in place, right on my stitching linen. [I use a scroll frame or q-snaps most of the time]. This way, I don't have to keep looking from the desk-top to the linen.

My Supervisor

Sleeping on the job ...

My husband, David, came home from work & saw her laying near my stitching. We got to talking about how she has been outdoors over a year, came into our home recently, and hasn't torn up anything. We thought she would be a menace.

As for my stitching, she just paws it aside & lays down. No taking floss skeins, no swiping the perle cotton balls -- so far, she leaves everything alone.

ALSO ... Who asked me for the link to Pumpkin Keeper by Drawn Thread? Look here

Pumpkin Keeper freebie

Christmas Tree

c.1998 Maureen Appleton of The Heart's Content, Inc. [pattern in Just Cross Stitch Ornament Magazine]. I'm using DMC floss -- on a lower count linen. I wanted this to be a tad bigger. The designer made this on a 35-count grey clay linen - w/stitching over one thread. I totally like the Christmas Tree & think it is classy as an ornament , stitched over 2 threads.

The boys have early dismissal today. We are running errands [dry cleaner, pet store, water store, post office, bank, public library] Boring, right? Nick has Marching Band tonight, football game. Plus, he will be participating in Band Day, held in West Lafayette IN, Purdue University -- tomorrow -- something about football & marching bands. I'm so not into sports.

I'm totally bummed about the spinach pkgs. Once I read about how good spinach was for our eyes, I've been eating it regularly. I know how important 'brain food' is ... but as a stitcher ... I want "eye" food. Guess I'll have to eat carrots or something. There is a farmer's market near our home & I just might stop in & see about some fresh spinach. The grocery shelves are EMPTY.

TGIF - enjoy the week-end

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"

Sampler Pinkeep WIP

Finished one side


Started the other side

A Sampler Pinkeep

First Project for 2006

c. The Heart's Content, Inc., 2002, designed by Maureen P. Appleton. A Sampler Pinkeep 40-count Iced Cappuccino Linen using Old Willow fibers & DMC fibers. Finished Stitched Size: 1.7" x 1.25"