American Heart Assoc - 18 Aug 2007

Is this kewl or what??? The scissors were a gift [thanks!] and the heart was a 'kit' designed by Linda, owner of House of Stitches, LaPorte IN.

I was a volunteer for the Midwest Stash Exchange & was assigned to the "make-it, take-it" table. Guests of the event donated $1.00 for the kit & quickly made up this sweet fob for their scissors or for a zipper pull on their sweatshirts/jackets.

If anybody wants a kit -- there were some left over. they should be available from House of Stitches, with proceeds going to the American Heart Assoc

Per e-mail from House of Stitches: ".... snip .... On August 18 we held the first annual Midwest Stash Exchange. It was a great day with stitchers buying, selling and trading their old stash! The weather was surprisingly cool and pleasant. And best of all we raised nearly $700.00 for the American Heart Association. (We chose the charity before I had a “cardiac event”!) We plan to do it again next year; hope you can join us! Stayed tuned for the date. ... snip"

Oh my stitching friends, you would not believe the nifty stuff I bought!! I found a couple used paperback books on samplers -- some sampler motif kits, sampler [repro]patterns -- some Blackbird Loose Feather patterns/linens, Homespun Elegance small patterns, Hillside Sampling pattern, etc, etc, etc. I enjoyed chatting with Ruth Ann, Sue D, Deb L, Amanda G, Gen C & met her daughter, Nancy was there -- Donna was selling -- and most promised to bring MORE next year. some I have not seen in a couple years : ) Nice to catch up with friends and meet NEW ONES. Like Pat and Conie ... yes, you know who you are ... and I owe you an e-mail : )

I am rusty blogging tonight. Nice to have the house to myself as DH & the boys are at the Railcats baseball game. Tomorrow is the Popcorn Festival in Valop -- Nicholas will be marching ... not sure what the weather will be like

Stitching by Nicholas

Nicholas had four wisdom teeth removed on 8/30. My GF, Mel, obtained this pattern & linen ... dropped it off that afternoon. So, Nicholas has a new project. This time, he is trying linen. It is Angel of Winter by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum (Lavender & Lace) c.1995 Told in a Garden.

I had to laugh this afternoon. I dropped him off at his job & he was complaining that he doesn't have any time to stitch! I told him to join the club & said we'd have to find some free time for our needlework : ) Eventually, it will look like this: I'll have to remember to take pictures of his progress ....

brutal storms passed thru ...

Thank you to everybody for all your kind remarks & e-mails re. my fair entries. And, I wish you could have seel all the marvelous projects on display. Mine are ok, but many were exceptional needlework efforts. I have not spent much time on-line b/c of the storm activity we are having.
Yesterday afternoon, I was out running errand -- on my way home ... at the horizon, I noticed some cruel, charcoal greyish clouds. As I continued to make my way home, they continued to rise in the sky -- like a shelf of green-grey clouds.Yes, I made it home without incident. Was grateful to be indoors. The two cats were curled up. It is hard to be anxious while watching those peaceful pets nap : ) Alex was told to leave his job & go home. (He finished whatever he was doing before classes today) we didn't have the next batch of storms until after dinner -- and lots of thunderstorm activity during the night thru dawn. We are doing ok. We have power. There are many without. I hear the rain should continue off/on most of the day & the week-end will be clear of activity.
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Since the boys have been back in high school, I've been tearing into housework & all that fun stuff. It is easier to accomplish with nobody around. The three curious kitties are always in the way while I unearth the clutter in Alexander's bedroom. Esp. Mrs. Mom Cat b/c I have found several of her kittie toys around the room!!! I made a lot of progress yesterday & hope to finish organizing his "stuff" today. Saturday, Alex & I will move the furniture around & get his carpet in shape. Once I get things back in order, I'll try to get some stitching accomplished.

Enjoy the day : )

My Lake Co Fair Results, Part Three

Ok, since I've been asked ... yes, the fairs can be a fun thing to participate in. Each fair does things a bit differently. I am not sure how to locate the fairs in different geographical areas. I am certain some fairs have limitations, like "have to be a resident of the county", "have to be 18 or older", etc. Those guidelines are clearly stated in the premium booklets. I enjoy putting entries into the variety of categories. I do this for fun, to meet new stitchers, chat with stitching buddies, and try to inspire others to pick up their needles & fibers. By my nature, I'm not a competitive person. It doesn't matter about who wins what, what the judge does (or does not do!), crabbing about the judging is all part of the fair experience. My goal is to get some extra $$ to cover my annual EGA national, regional & chapter dues -- and, SAN-Q magazine subscription. Each ribbon has cash awards: $5.00 for 1st, $4.00 for 2nd, $3.00 for 3rd. If I ever am awarded a sweepstakes rosette or grand champion ribbon for my stitching, I'd probably faint! My stitching projects are usually items I enjoy doing and there are tons more stitchers out there creating more challenging projects than mine.

Buzz My Grapes Tabletopper and BellpullDesigned by Claudia Dutcher, Dutch Treat Designs, c.2000
I used DMC perle Coton #5 553, 327, 840 (2 skeins), 801, 729, 2052 (4 skeins); DMC perle Coton #12 3042 nun edge. I added bee buttons ... which is not recommended by C.Dutcher b/c they may get in the way of whatever you are placing on top of the tabletopper. I added them anyhow b/c I don't usually place items where I sewed on the buttons. Now, does that make sense? The buttons are Item #JAB-1101W from Just Another Button Company, Distributed by Norden Crafts, Ltd.

The Sanctuaryc.C.A. Zittel, The Drawn Thread, 2001
I joined a Stitch-Along Group for this project, sponsored by House of Stitches. We were taught the variety of stitches (I think 26-27 stitches) by Sharon Henderson. The group met monthly from 2004/Nov thru 2005/August. Between you & me, I would not have been able to do this without Sharon's assistance. She was able to show us the stitches, provide tips, and continue to encourage us along the way!
Design 170 W x 222 L. I used Weeks Dye Works Bordeaux, Cadet & Thyme. 21 colors of Anchor Floss [which I won't list here!]. I stitched this on 32-count lambswool linen. The photo angle is odd b/c of the glass.

Tiny Stuff: Flying Hare Pin/Ornamentc.1997 Sandra Sullivan of Homespun Elegance Ltd.
This pin is stitched with Anchor Floss #374, 1001, 359, 905, 862, 852 - on Zweigart 28-coung Cashel Raw Linen. The three small charms are available from Homespun Elegance. I confess to be a Homespun Elegance junkie. And it all started with the Tiny Stuff patterns. I probably own them all -- the small cards, Tiny Stuff I-II-III. I tend to stitch the Tiny Stuff ones [no telling why] more than the larger Homespun Elegance pattern leaflets. I keep all the small cards together in a cosmetic case, with linen, floss, charms ... in my car!! [sigh] nuf said.

Bargello Candles StockingA design by Lois Caron published in McCalls Needlework December 1977Freebie on the Caron Web Site
I used Watercolour Far Horizons + Rose Quartz, Caron Snow, gold Kreinik metallic & DMC #5 Perle Cottons (bright pink & white) on 25-count white Lugana.

Congrats to Deb L for the Best-of-Show rosette on her L&L Angel. I saw the pattern she is using for next Summer -- another gorgeous design : ) In addition to Deb, congrats to the other NANI ladies who entered in Lake & Porter Co Fairs -- Carol C, Mary C, Sue D, & Elaine H. Looking forward to having Melody M add some entries next year.

The Stitcher's Garage Sale, held on Saturday, was wonderful. I'm not sure how much money was raised for the American Heart Association. Wish more people would have stopped by. More on that in another post.

Thx for all the kind words re. our power issue & the storms, etc. We had more storms last night & still have our power on. We are fortunate as others are without power again ... or without power still. I heard 3200 without power in Lake Co & 500 without power in Porter Co.

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.