Gay Ann Rogers - Mystery Sampler continues

Worked on this non-stop yesterday. I got out some beads and quickly added some -- to figure out what I want use on all the ends.

With this head cold, it is about all I can do. Whine, whine, whine. This cold is just terrible. I keep thinking "tomorrow I'll feel better" (sigh)
My final color-dilemma is in beads. I don't know whether to use the yellow beads (I added a few on the left side) or the taupe beads (added some to the right side). I figure I'll work on the other three sides -- I have a Smyrna cross in pc#5 610 (in the point on the sides). After all the stitches are complete -- I should have a bead favourite. Beads are the last step. I'm so close.

Poor Nicholas came to me & said he is nearly out of 032 #8 braid -- and he had to take out everything he put in today. He was working on another wing. I try to explain these things just happen & thought a break would be a good thing. We are heading to the public library real soon. (Labryinth is IN -- I can check it out)

Progress Picture

Stitching by Nicholas. He is running out of some floss colors : ) I keep encouraging him to continue. I gave him a skein of 315 & 316.

Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz

This canvas piece was offered to our EGA chapter. I received a list of supplies in December of 1979 (ouch). Part I was handed out, everybody stitched the same thing. Part II (April 2000) offered 3 different choices for the corners & 3 choices for the area inbetween the corners. I was over my head. I knew zero about selecting watercolours & perle cotons & Kreinik spools. As I stitched parts, I'd change my mind about the color I selected & go out for something else. Eventually, I learned the stitches & got all but one color to work out. I had a nice peach color -- but it just didn't work out -- changed everything to green 727 & finally was satisfied with the overall color scheme.

Now, I'm determined to finish this thing for once & for all. The 60 pulled eyelets just about did me in. With the help of some pink tape & patience, I find there are TWO more pages of stitching diagrams -- then a big happy dance. Talk about keeping it in the closet too long ....

Finished ...

This was the last square ... & I added herringbone stitches (927-blue)in the borders.

I'm really pleased with this tabletopper : ) I will work on the nun edge a little at a time over the next couple days. Just wish I could get over this 'cold' bug. It is a drag.

UPDATE: Yes, I do have a place for this tabletopper! Probably put it out after the local Fairs & NANI exhibit. And, I'm keeping it & enjoying it. I like to stitch sampler motifs like these ... now on to my canvas piece. Using metallics is a challenge for me. Thank goodness for pink hair tape -- It does help those sore areas on my fingers!!

M-R Block

Finished another square on Sampler Tabletopper designed by Claudia Dutcher of Dutch Treat Designs.





I've got the border done on the fourth square -- need to add the basket & then finish the final square. Should be so much fun to add the herringbone & eyelet stitches (in blue) inbetween the squares.

I received the Premium Booklet for the Porter County Fair (July 29-29). I've got to go thru my stuff and see what I can enter. I have some WTF items & some WIPs close to being finished. Deadlines can be helpful to get my needles in gear : ) The categories seem similar to previous years. I'd like to get the Tabletopper entered -- maybe DT Sanctuary. I try to enter exhibits into both Porter County and Lake County fairs. Lake County has a thick premium booklet & better categories!! This Fall, our EGA chapter will sponsor an exhibit (no prizes) & I'd like to put some items on display. Always a good time to share needlework among friends.

Nicholas said "thanks" for all his encouraging comments. He is on Spring Break this week & plans to get the wings done. Alex is improved ... this cold is dragging him down. He should be working on the set (for the Spring Play) once he is over this dratted cold.

TGIF

Thanks for asking. This is a progress picture -- Stitching by Nicholas: I need to find the 007 Kreinik he needs. I have not been to the LNS. Did manage a trip to Hobby Lobby -- Alex was home from school with a cold. He fell asleep, so I went shopping!! Got some floss & stuff. Not a budget buster.

While browsing blogs this a.m., I came across a couple wonderful mail art exchange pieces. Check out Bea's envelope -- stitched by Chiara. Plus, Chiara has an envelope (on her blog) stitched by Blinne. These are so creative. I enjoy seeing all the exchanges : )

Our NANI EGA chapter is sponsoring a Mail Art Workshop on May 6th. I signed up : ) I'm looking forward to getting together with stitchers & creating an envelope. I found a nice on-line article about NANI's Camp Quality outreach program (& pictures). I think there might be an article in the next issue of NeedleArts magazine, too.

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"

"Cool Beans!" ... I've been RAK'd

I received a wonderful surprise in the mail from Myrna : ) The pattern, linen, material (for lining), button & fibers to make a scissor pocket!! I was thrilled & went straight to JoAnn Fabrics for the matching scissors. Found them ON SALE ... Yippie : ) Thank you Myrna for making my day special! (Myrna has Xanga & Blogger accounts)

Aren't the colors unique? One is called Red Dust & the other is Nullabor. Awesome combination.

This is The Cat's Whiskers Design Studio: 2006 Limited Edition Red Desert Scissor Pocket. This was designed to house Jo-Ann's exclusive Ginghers "Lanell" 4" Embroidery Scissors. I cannot wait to stitch up these beautiful motifs & finishing into a scissor pocket.

Myrna, you know me so well : ) I cannot thank you enough!