My Lake Co Fair Results, Part 2

Stay tuned ... more tomorrowThe Black CatDesigned by Marsha Worley & Elizabeth NewlinThe Bent Creek c. 1999
Design Size: 41x57. Stitched with DMC cotton floss #3853/3854; 3726; 310/3371; 926; 839; 3790 on 32-ct Twilight Blue Linen. Finished with SJdesigns - #1802 size 14 beads.

Scissor Fob - stitched on both sides:Little TreeLa-D-Da freebie
Design Size: 31H x 35W. Stitched with Week's Dye Works Pecan & Pea Coat on 40-ct linen. Stitched over one thread. Dovo Scissors .

Bunny Scissor Weightc.2001 Twisted Threads & Ruth A. Sparrow
Design size: 58W x 50H. Stitched with Week's Dye Works Onyx & Pecan on 40-count linen. Cord made with Pea Coat & Onyx.

Beaded Buttonby Judy Hendrix c.2001
I participated in a workshop, sponsored by NANI, and have been creating these charming button pins for a couple years. I used mill hill beads to embellish this plastic button. btw-Judy Hendrix is an excellent teacher!! There are on-line instructions for beaded buttonsHERE on the Do it Yourself web site.

If you are interested in Beading, you may enjoy checking out Beading Daily a wonderful on-line magazine. Topics, patterns, tips, etc.

Tea Cup Pulled Thread SamplerDesigned by Michelle Perry & Mylinda Canefor the Needle Artisans of Northwest Indiana State Day 1998
This was my first State Day & first Pulled Thread project. I used #10 DMC Cebelia -white & Trebizond Silk -Rose pink, on 19-count white cork linen. I was sorting thru my stash & unearthed the sampler -- decided to fix the teacup outline [top of sampler] and take it in for a frame.

2007 Porter Co Fair -- end of report : )

Sampler TabletopperDesigned by Claudia Dutcher, Dutch Treat Designs c.1998Comments by Judge: Back is as pretty as front! Stitches even. Nice color choice. Beautiful.

Stitched on 18ct. Anne Cloth [9-square tabletopper] - apx 22x22". Watercolour Mocha Rose; Perle Coton #5 as suggested. Nun Edge with Anchor pc #12 colour 926.

My Original DesignPulled Thread PillowComments by Judge: Beautiful workmanship. Nice use of variety of stitches. Just beautiful.

Stitch size 7.5" x 7.5". I used DMC ecru cordonnet (30)AND Anchor perle coton #8 colour 926 on 19-count Antique White, cork linen. Stitches used: Reeded Stitch; Open Trellis; Rosette Stitch; Finnish Stitch; Three-sided Stitch; Honeycomb Stitch; Mixed Faggot Variation Stitch.

N.Hinde 1778; A Miniature Samplerc.1991 The Scarlet Letter; Historic Needlework ReproductionComments by Judge: Really cute. Excellent job - Where is the "J"?

I used Red Silk, AVAS colour 945 - on 32 count Antique Ivory Linen. Stitched over one thread. 88w x 56h Per instructions "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date..." I continue to ponder using my name or the sampler-makers names when stitching a repro piece.

Tin Pin Heartc.2001, Ruth Sparrow, Twisted ThreadsComments by Judge: Beautiful & unbelievable tiny stitches. Do you have x-ray vision? Love it.

Stitched over one linen thread with DMC 221 - red & Anchor 152 - navy blue on 32-ct Platinum Belfast. 46w x 46h. Mounted into TF04 Tin Pin Square.

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OK, my stitching pals ... now it is your turn. How did you do at the fairs this Summer? Congrats to Deb L [w/o blog] for being awarded the Champion Rosette at the Porter Co Fair. Well Deserved. Beautiful L&L piece. Congrats to Sue D and Elaine H, too, for all their ribbon-wearing entries!!! Great job : )

Tonight ... Open House for the Lake County Fair. I have different projects entered. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! In the past, I've been awarded a couple sweepstakes rosettes on my beaded pins; however, I'd flip for a sweepstakes rosette on any STITCHED piece. That prize continues to pass over my entries year after year : )

They land on Sue D & Deb L's entries!!! They are tops at what they do best : )

Heart (Tin) Pin

Improved photo of Tin Pin heart. I used dmc 221 (red) & anchor 152 (navy blue) on 32ct platinum belfast. The pattern is by Ruth Sparrow of Twisted Threads.



The eight kittens are 24 hours old & all seem to be well. Mom cat is doing a great job!

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"

RAK'd : )

Look what came in the mail? Cathy sent this exquisite hardanger piece! The perfect smyrna cross, excellent kloster blocks, delicate dove's eye, detail on the edge, beautiful color (lilac/pink) are spectacular & surpass anything I could ever accomplish! Thank You so much!

A close-up to showcase Cathy's skills. The edge is beautiful as all the 'corners' are rounded. Totally Awesome.

And, look what else was in my P.O.Box ... Chelle sent some Homespun Elegance,
Cross-Eyed Cricket, DMC & freebie designs. I'm gobsmacked. I'm grateful! NINE new patterns. As Chelle says, "I'm so spoiled, I stink!!" Thank you - Thank You - Thanks a heap : )

A delivery truck came to the door ... very rare event ... DH sent me tulips from Organic Bouquet. Not only are the flowers wonderful on the table, the mauve box is going to house my scroll rods!

I used Anchor 152 (navy) + DMC 221 (dk red) for my Tin Pin Heart. The temperature soared to 53 degrees -- bright & sunny day. It was just too nice to be indoors. Didn't get it mounted into the tin (yet).

Launched the BOAF's Love. Did change the fibers from Sampler Threads to Floss. Looking forward to putting in more stitches today as it is back to usual Winter weather -- overcast, temperatures falling, forecast of rain-sleet-snow.

Pulling out Fibers : )

I am planning ahead for a couple SAL's & decided to pull some fibers out of my stash for Tin Pin Heart. Tin Pin Carrot is a kit.

Tin Pin Heart

Tin Pin Carrot

Undecided on the linen for Cherished Workes .... I have a 32 count lambswool and a 32 count antique ivory that would be nice.

Twisted Threads - Scissor Fob

I managed to get the cord sewn on yesterday afternoon. I used Pea Coat & Onyx (Weeks Dye Works), + Black Crow (GAST) in the cording. Looks nice on my black Dovo scissors. I was itching for a happy dance / finish!
The tabletopper in the background is called Buzz My Grapes c.2000, designed by Claudia Dutcher of Dutch Treat Designs. I enjoy working on tabletoppers, especially when getting together with stitching gal pals. I am using DMC perle coton #5 fibers. This one is beautiful on a grey-lavender cloth -- close in color to DMC 3041. There will be BEE HIVES, too. Will get to the hive soon. So stay tuned.

I do not know anything about mail art. Our EGA chapter is going to have a workshop in May 2006. I'm looking forward to learn about this. When I looked on-line, I have found beautiful envelopes ; )

Margaret: About Mary Garry, I have my Milkpaint Sampler stitched & have the hemstitching completed. It is supposed to be a "fold" for skeins of silk. I have two scraps of linen (left over) which I want to stitch -- then will put it all together. At that time, I'll post some pictures. Mary Garry is a favorite of mine. I enjoy reading the stories & stitching the designs. After I get some of these WIPs out of the way, I want to devote more time to some of her charts.

Isabelle: The John Irving book is: Until I find You. It is really long (well, aren't most J.Irving novels lengthy) but I enjoy his books. This is a time line novel & begins when the main character is around 4 years old. Quite a book.

Grammy K (my Mom) will be here around 10:30 .... I am going to bake a cake & make a casserole. I think she will be 78 on her birthday (tomorrow). Wow. Means I will be 48 on my birthday in January. How scary is that?

WIPs & Lake Co Fair

It is Friday .... time to recap the WIPs. First, thanks to Linda R from House of Stitches & DJ for suggestions on my rabbit/tree fob cord issue. Linda suggests making cording with the Sampler threads, using small cords on each side & making knots at the corners (little tassels sort-of). She also said there is a Week's Dye color similar to Black Crow. DJ suggests taking the sampler thread & knotting two strands together b/c when you make a cord, you twist + fold in half -- so, the knot in theory, will be at the END of the cord. Guess I'll decide after I shop .... still need to add the year and initials under the tree.
On the left .... I have two WIPs. The canvas project will be a scissor keeper. #14 canvas. Called Project Encore by Carmen Rupert (guild lesson). I made one using Watercolours - cantaloupe. The new one is stitched w/Far Horizons -- pinks & greens (gift). Delighted how the lining matched the fiber. See the small batch of stitching? It is what I accomplished during Thread Heads (4hrs) .... gathering of girlfriends. I had so much fun catching up on the needle chat and other good gab. The ccs project is the Caron Keeper from the Caron Web site. I'm going to make 2 -- one on 32ct Light Mocha (pictured) and the other will be on 36ct rue green -- using floss not silk.

Had a delightful time at Lake Co Fair last night. Deb L won Best-of-Best well deserved ; ) Grammy K & Sue D had loads of ribbons. WOOT! I did ok. Was beyond happy with the Acorn Sampler win. We all did the happy dance together. My Entries:

Handicrafts I / Holiday Decoration
(2nd)711. Counted Cross Stitch (CCS): Ornament - Chessie's Tree
718. Paper: Mill Hill kit - Stocking
Handicrafts II
(3rd)YARN 844. Plastic Canvas: CQ box + lid
(2nd)MISC 852. Beadword (glass): Mill Hill magnetic pin pillow
JEWELRY 857. Paper: Mill Hill Garden Bunny pin
JEWELRY 859. Bead-Glass: Amulet w/dark colors
(3rd)JEWELRY 862. Pin (lapel & brooch): Homespun Elegance - Rabbit & Bird
Needlecraft II
(1st)CCS Picture 1109. Acorn Sampler - Dawn Lewis adaptation
CCS MISC 1112. Blackwork - original stuff
(3rd)CCS Miniature Item 1114. 3 Kittens - Meg Shinell design
CCS Perforated Paper 1115. Mill Hill Bee skep
(1st)CCS Pillow 1116. Shep Bush freebie from 1990's
(1st)CCS Pulled Thread 1117. Drawn Thread freebie - heart throb fob
(1st)CCS Table cloth/runner 1118. Acorn table topper - dutch treat designs
(3rd)CCS Not Specified Above 1119. Shep Bush Folk Heart Needleroll
EMBROIDERY 1133. Asissi Heart - Victoria Sampler Kit
(3rd)NEEDLEPOINT 1148. G.Morrow First Steps - whitewash box (lid insert)

Website: http://www.lake-county-fair.com

MIOM - Monday Madness

Here is the creativity corner. My favorite place in our home. I cleaned up my stitching desk. It just had to happen. Probably will be looking for my "put away stuff" all week long! Cannot believe I can see the desk top. Usually it is quite an impressive mess. For MIOM aka Monday Madness ..... came up with these:
WIP ... Ruth Sparrow pattern - Stitched over one thread (probably 40 count) w/Onyx (week's dye works). I'm thinking of a cord only -- no tassel, as the pattern photo shows. The rabbit is cool enough. Unfortunately, I don't have enough fiber for the cord, which is why I probably tossed it aside a year ago .... hmmm... will pause until I get in another shopping spree. What should I do with the back? Leave it plain? I'm thinking to put my name or initals on the back or date Or find another motif. Not sure. Did get the 'finishing' started by back stitching the outer edges of linen front/back sides -- would like to have the fob ready for those special scissors (Dovo brand) -- Monday Madness spreading thru Friday .... Guess that is why this is still a WIP. Cannot decide what to do with the back & need more fiber. Any ideas?

P.S. (update 8/4) I found a freebie pattern called Little Tree by La-D-Da. Stitched over one with week's Pecan and GAST Black Crow. Only problem now .... cannot make cord with Gentle Arts Sampler Thread. What was I thinking? Now I remember why I stopped buying GAST and Needle Nec. Those irksome pre-cut strands. Make crappy tassles and forget cording. Need a shopping spree for more Week's Onyx. See what happens when I use up stash? Still need more stuff .....
Per request, pic of Freebie -- from www.withmyneedle.com -- by Ellen Chester. Stitched Over 1 thread. Probably 32 count sandstone linen. I had this in the Porter County Fair ; ) Back stitched the sides & used bright ribbon to close the sides -- bows in the corners. Can see another photo at www.twistedthreads.com Sorry, my pic is kinda blurry. I'm new with digital snaps. Yeah, I know, where are the pins?
This is my Happy Dance Today -- MIOM. Scissor Fob finished. Forget-Me-Not, complimentary pattern from Cynthia Zittel's site, The Drawn Thread.

GOALS for August:

MIOM -- will try to get an old WIP out & finish it. So much stashed here-n-there. Need to move it out or get it to the white elephant sale next month (EGA chapter meeting)

Friendship Sampler -- Round Robin: Have a pattern selected. My friend Bernie W. asked for garden theme. She enjoys ladybugs, flowers, strawberries. I found a pattern with a basket of strawberries, a couple rabbits & hope it fills the space nicely. Should have passed this along on 8/2. Next sampler has a theme of "games" & I'm using crossword puzzle design.

Camp Quality -- model: On 8/12 will go to Frankfort, IL - to teach children dx w/cancer how to stitch. This year the project is a journal cover made out of felt. The pieces are felt -- Halloween Theme. Buttonhole edge. The children will have lots of felt pieces to choose from & some Kreinik glow-in-the-dark threads for embellishing. Need to have a model ready before then.

The Sanctuary -- SAL: I'm so far behind the entire group. If spare time is my friend, I'll try to catch up .... pass the group .... and start Random Thoughts ; ) Lofty goals for August ....