Life's A Stitch

OK, second photo. I just realized there was a way to "add another image" sorry. Newbie here. This is stitched over-one thread; size apx 1 3/4" x 1 7/8". Lizzie Kate design - modified colors from overdye to Anchor Floss choices. (Summer 2003) The toughie part was the sawtooth border. I used graph paper to modify & get the corners the way I liked them.

Worked the Home Ec blg yesterday 4 hrs & today 2 hrs. I loved meeting other women interested in sewing and crafts. The big hit of the building was a youth skirt. It was recycled blue jean top -- cut -- with neckties sewn on -- to create a mini-skirt effect. Totally awesome. Fun to chat about.

Love is kind

Ok, my first photograph. (thanks DH) Stitched over one thread (Summer 2004) finished into a pin. I adapted a pattern from Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin - Seasonal Momentos. Per theme, made some color changes, too. apx size 1.5" x 1.5"

SBQ -

27-07-2005: #22 What is your most unique/interesting stitching quirk? (This could be something concerning the way you stitch, how you organize your stash, etc.)

Everything I do is quirkie. I have shoe boxes for floss which my friends say is crazy. But, I figure why spend my stitching time organizing floss? I don't think any system works!

1) I have a ziplock back full of odd threads -- you know how you cut lengths of floss, use 2 strands, have 4 clean strands? Well, I put them in a zip lock bag (I have a lot of them). Never mind the 50 or so empty floss bobbins in the drawer, unused stickers with DMC floss numbers, and 200 empty floss-a-way bags -- I put orts in a zip lock bag. And, yes, I use them for stitch samples.

2) I have a basket (think nut/candy cup - favor from a bridal shower) made of metal on my desk. When I use up a skein of floss, I save the color number bands. I toss the bands into the basket, until I go shopping. When I go shopping, I take them with me -- already know what colors I've used up! The bonus is the metal basket -- Magnets stick to it.

3) I have a metal mesh file basket on my desk. (from Staples) The front looks like a bulletin board for all my magnets & EGA pins. It is a collection of stuff I enjoy looking at while I stitch!

4) I found a small set of drawers at Hobby Lobby (on sale) and loaded up every drawer. There is no special order ... but, nobody is allowed to touch it ... I should dust for finger prints.

5) I have a basket on top of my drawers (see#4) for magnifier & odd supplies (beads, fibers, buttons, charms). I throw everything in there for the current project I'm working on .... that way, my daughter's cat cannot get into anything while I step away.

I'm sure I have more quirks. I love to stitch, don't like to waste time keeping things tidy!

20-07-2005: #21 Have u ever done a color conversion? If so, did u think about your results & would u do it again? If not, would u like to try someday?

I have used color conversions most frequently when a project calls for overdye fibers. IMO projects are great with some overdye fibers, but, I like solid color fibers added for balance. + there are things I want to be washable when finished & I have heard some overdye bleed on the ground fabric. If I don't like how things look, I rip it out and try something else until I'm satisfied. Usually, I get going on a project and make changes as I go along ... makes it unique! I like to try different things all the time.

Deep Fried Oreos + Needle Chat

Porter County Fair (Valparaiso Indiana) has to be the best in Indiana. I get excited thinking about all the tents, lights, people, exhibits, entertainment (I'm not a ride person - but, most say the midway is great) and animals. Walking thru the food vendors we HAD to get deep fried oreos. So rich, it was sickening, one bite was enough for me. Walked further down & they had deep fried twinkies, snickers, etc. My stomach lurches thinking about it. Never mind the heat index of 115 degrees, fair people unite and perspire together. (Dare I mention the Porter Co Fair Queen is enrolled in welding school -- doesn't that just rock?)

I love the fair. I am a fair junkie -- have the 10 day program memorized in a few hours. My family yields & goes along. This year, my husband took some days off work to accompany me to the dog show (agility and showmanship). Never mind the Llama stuff. And Sheep stuff. You think Shep Bush has cute sheep? I may even go on the ferris wheel one night. The view from the top -- looking down at the lights is poetry.

Heard we should have a high of 77 degrees on Wednesday which is great -- military personnel, veterans, seniors, and library kids get in free .... Summer Reading participants ride for free x 2 hours. Valpo Univ band plays a patriotic concert at 5:45 (and our Tori will be on piccolo for Stars N Stripes). Vetran's recognition program at 6:30. I cannot wait. Other free stuff include the hyptnoChick, acrobats, pig races, magic show, and Pie Day. Try to top that!!!

Have finished a Mill Hill magnetic pin cushion. I found this lonesome kit in a sale bin & the fringe intrigued me. Stitched it up (beads on linen) and worked this looped fringe -- which loops thru the previous loop. I put in FOUR ceramic disc magnets - wrapped in saran wrap (sometimes those magnets change fabric colors) -- added a strip of cheap felt and stitched the thing shut. Took some doing (first time for this kind of thing) and it is really cute. The flower head pins jump right to it.

Now am concentrating on perforated paper entries for Lake County Fair (due 7/31). Lake County fair has a larger Family Arts exhibit -- Porter County has a better overall fair -- IMO. I enter stuff into both -- love the ribbons and love seeing my stitching friends. Together, we celebrate the wins / losses and crab about the judging. It is great. I wouldn't have it any other way!

Sometimes .....

Sometimes your convictions blind you of the truth.

Spent a lot of time on an ornament. It is Chessie's Tree from the Ornament Magazine 1999. The cat looks cute - tree ok -- then I stumbled. Ended up with red beads on the ends of the tree branches. I just thought it needed more color. Stitched the year - per pattern; took it out; stitched the year again closer to the edge (this is over-one). Still didn't seem to have much charm. Got out some 902 DMC floss and stitched the long arm cross all the way around. Ta Da - what am improvement.

Started the finishing of a Shep Bush freebie pattern - I put it on Hickory Heatherfield & it is a joke to use. Think old man's winter trousers -- and somehow I thought it would be great. Looks like dirt for the garden theme poem. Everything I stitched, I changed to lighter colors. Eventually, I've got it ready for finishing. Not sure if it does the pattern justice ... I should have used a natural linen or something. This may be a learning piece nobody sees ; )

Did struggle with the cord. Used 6 skeins of floss (multiple colors) and it was too darn ugly. Went to 2 stores for more DMC & found 6 skeins of one color -- made a new cord & struggled mightily with tacking it on & burying the ends -- what a project. Now I know why my cord drill stays in the drawer...

I won a $25.00 gift card for Barnes & Noble. The librarian phoned & said my name was chosen from the Summer Reading program. I am thrilled.