The Wedding Sampler

Silly me - I forgot to post a finished pic of the non-traditional wedding sampler I did for my stepson and his wife.  Instead of full names, dates, etc., it only shows their married monogram.  The border design is from My Big Toe "Wedding Sampler".  I omitted the charted verse to make room for their monogram.  Working such a fussy border with two shades of variegated purples was not my favorite thing in the world but their wedding colors were white, grey and shades of lavender so the grey linen and purple threads do remind me, and hopefully them, of their special day.

The central G is my first attempt at freehand embroidery letters.  It is far from perfect but at arms length I'll rate it a B+.  Fingers crossed, I will be taking Canby Robertson's class on embroidered lettering next fall in Alexandria VA.  Hope to learn the right way to do it then...

Until next time, Stitch Happy!

Little things

Nothing beats a little instant gratification so like most of you, I need to keep a small thing going while I'm working on bigger projects.  The side of my brain that craves efficiency hates it but the creative side of my brain revels in it, so here are a few small finishes from recent months...

Order of the Eastern Star bag tag

Vineyard Silks and metallics on 18ct. canvas

charted by me from a Google image

gift for my sister

Victoria Sampler "Ohio" state ornament

gift for my Aunt D in Ohio

Left:  Huck Weaving coaster

assorted #5 Perle Cotton on huck fabric

EGA monthly education project

Right:  Swedish Weaving bell ornament

#5 Perle Cotton, DMC embroidery floss, metallics and beads on Aida cloth

EGA Petite Project by Frieda Carnell

Fish Lips (extra happy dance)

Heeeeey, Fish Lips!

Yeah... I'm talkin' to you....

You're lookin' snappy today... Going anyplace special?  Or just hangin' out?

We're headed down south to a little speck on the map called Oak Island, to help greet the newest guppie to the Graley clan.

It won't be long now.. 30 days and counting!!!

Felt fish trivia:
How many felt pieces does it take to make a five-fish mobile?
10 body pieces + 20 eye pieces + 5 pair of lips + 5 upper fins + 5 lower fins + various gill and scale pieces =  A BOATLOAD (pun intended)

Fish mobile was inspired from Pinterest.  All pieces were hand cut individually (no template), hand sewn with contrasting floche cotton thread, and stuffed with 100% cotton cotton balls.


Happy happy joy joy...

Time for an Update

Two months in between posts is probably too long, but honestly, I didn't plan it that way.  You see at Thanksgiving, the hubby and I found out we are going to be grandparents for the first time and I think our brains exploded.  We are thrilled beyond words and have been busy getting our lives ready for the new edition.  The parents-to-be live a full days drive away from us, so you know, we've had to kill our cats, sell our house and find new jobs in NC.  DON'T PANIC.. We haven't really killed the cats, sold our house nor moved to NC, but trust me, we thought about it.

At the parents request, hubby made a crib from gorgeous maple wood he selected from Ohio Amish country.  It is packed up and ready for us to deliver, so no pics for now.  Rest assured there will be plenty of pics later, when it has something beautiful inside it.

I've been pinning (Pinterest) baby things like a crazed grandmom-to-be, and have occasionally taken a break from pinning to actually make a few baby things like talc-free powder and adorable onesies.  We soon find out the gender of the baby and I expect to go into total Freak Out mode at that point.

Since December, my Embroiderers' Guild chapter has also been participating in a group correspondence class on bead fringes.  It's been quite the challenge so I'm pleased to be finished with mine ahead of schedule:

"Frenzy of Fringes"

Group Correspondence Course for members of

The Embroiderers' Guild of America

Here is a peek at the other stitching finishes I've managed these past few months:

Oak Island needlepoint oval ornament (gift)

EGA chapter monthly education programs (above and below)

(Bargello bulb   &   Cutwork nametag)

Another luggage tag gift for my real-life Sis (and Eastern Star sister)

I could not find any Eastern Star painted canvases on the internets, so I used a Google image and transferred the image from paper to canvas.  It wasn't as hard as I expected it to be, but it wasn't a piece of cake either.  I give Janet Perry of Napa Needlepoint and Nuts About Needlepoint credit for giving me the confidence to try my hand at this.  I participated in her Create Your Own Stitch Guide cyber-class last year and learned a ton about needlepoint.  Her e-classes are very affordable and she gives you a boatload of information.  It was a great way for me to try to understand more about needlepoint.  

The WIP of the Month is the Wedding square I hope to have finished and framed before May:

.......and I'll get right on that after I finish the Small of the Month (a freebie from Rainbow Gallery and Erica Michaels) "V is for Valentine".

So, until next time friends, I certainly hope you all are warm and safe, wherever you are!

Baby Sampler finished!

Good Sunday friends.  In my neck of the woods, today is one of the finest weather days we've seen for awhile.  I adore the months of September and October!  Hope everyone is enjoying the same and kind get outside to enjoy it (while it lasts!).

I know it is small but that did not damper my excitement to finish this baby sampler from JBW Designs:

JBW Designs Birth Sampler

28 ct. lavender sparkle fabric from stash

DMC floche (2 strands) in color 552

I hope she sees something different every time she looks at it... Hugs, sweet girl!  Now... back to that wedding sampler I keep misplacing...

most heart warming project, ever...

***

I have stitched many a thing.  Many, many a thing.  For many a people.  But not until I saw these pictures today of a little pieced baby blanket I made and donated to the local Children's Hospital, have I ever had such a warm, fuzzy feeling in my heart:

incubator cover / baby blanket for local Children's Hospital

overall size:  30" x 30" (6" blocks, 5 wide 5 tall)

My thanks go out to guild sister, Jill Hatfield, for pitching the idea to the guild as an outreach project.  (that Jill is full of ideas! and beans, monkeys and bubbles)  As I'm about dangerous on the electrified sewing machine, I was pretty sure my blanket would be a disaster, but it turned out! (no holes or anything!)

While the babies are in the incubators, the blankets help keep the light low inside.  Of course, when the babies graduate out of the incubators, the blankies go home with them.  This project is extra special to me since hubby has been working to make the Children's Hospital a reality for the last five years.  I'm so proud of the job he's done and the work the doctors, nurses, specialists and adminstrators of the Hoop's Family Children's Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Would you like to make a family's day?  Got any spare fabric and an afternoon?  Email me if you'd like to participate in this outreach.  I'll gladly send you the details. 

Best. feeling. ever....

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

***

Happy June, friends!

I have terrific news to share.  The TARTAN TEACUP COASTER IS FINISHED!  And yes, I'm happier than a hounddog with a hambone, so that last sentence should be shouted, from the rooftops. 

ground fabric:  18 count canvas

threads:  all DMC perle cotton (blue 334, green 991, red 321, black 310, and yellow)

This little do-dad measures 7.5" at the widest and was worked in the true tartan plaid method so it is 100% reversible.  I have worked and ripped and re-worked on it for about 10 months but did not clock my hours.  It has been to Las Vegas, Colorado, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and back to wild wonderful WV.  Now I just have to find the right silk ribbon to finish the edges (simple fold-over + whipstitch) and it will be done and dusted. 

This is the 6th custom 'doily' I have stitched for certain teacups I have brought home as souvenirs over the years.  Just 'for fun', I began this tradition of designing and creating doilies or coasters for special-to-me teacups many many years ago. 

If it weren't for some of the encouragement I received from several of you, I may have never finished this one.  After about the 5th major mistake, I honestly was on the verge of giving up on it.  You just never know when your kind words will make the difference to someone, so keep that up!  :-))

Here are a couple of other quickies I have finished lately:

Lee leather luggage tag

handpainted canvas

DMC perle cotton

for TVR Birthday Party at EGA National Seminar 2013

Lee leather luggage tag

DMC metallic and perle cotton

Boy are these little guys addictive!  I think I've done five of them now and can't wait to start the next one!  They are small, quick and so much fun.  If your LNS doesn't carry the tags and can't get them for you, you can find them at Madonna Needleworks or Fireside Stitchery.  One thing I like so much about them is that the needlework is not permanently afixed to the tag, so you can change inserts as often as you like. 

Well, that's all the news that's fit to report for today folks.  Hope you are enjoying whatever you are working on this weekend and have a wonderful upcoming week!

Wedding season finish

888

I'm going to say it again, "Can you believe it's JUNE!!!"  Holy Moley I can barely believe it.  While June is indeed prime bride time, my cousin Ken and his new bride traveled to NYC and tied the knot last month in the Little Church Around the Corner.  Their pictures look heavenly.  I wish I could have made the trip.  

design:  Modern Wedding Sampler, Cross Stitch and Needlework magazine

threads: Waterlilies silk, Thread Gatherer silk, and white Bamboo

fabric:  22ct. navy evenweave

Later this month, hubby and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.  Even after all this time, he's still the love of my life and the best friend anyone could ever hope for.

Have a great week, friends!

Miss America was FRAMED!

please click on photo below for better viewing

"The Lady"

fabric: 28ct. Wichelt Watercress jobelyn

threads: Thread Gatherer and Spendlor silks

Oh how happy I am to have my Lady back from the framer just in time for 9-11. I do hope my friends will like her. I think they will.

Didn't I tell you that you'd love the frame? My framer, Miss Patti Jo of the Village Sampler, did me a solid when she doctored up the frame to look more like her corner sample. The frame came in with just a hint of the green verdigris that made it so perfect for the piece. So, she touched it up with a little extra green until it was "just right". Thanks again PJ!!! I owe you one. In my opinion, it's just perfect!

Checkerboard Happy Dance

The looooooonnnnnnggggg wait is O.V.E.R. for my XSDNs* in TX.

My "Favorite Aunt" status has been hanging in the balance there for a little bit!!!!

Their Sekas dragonfly checkerboard is off to the framers tomorrow! For some reason, it has taken me longer than even I estimated, but done it is, and happy am I.

*XSDNs = extra special darling nieces

Happy Mother's Day Weekend!

That's one pretty decagon!

Free Willy Saturday

The call came just before 7 this morning.

Carrot answered, "Thank you for calling 'Lady and Carrot Rescue Service'. Lady can't come to the phone right now but if you're calling from the PHF, please begin speaking after the beep. BEEEEeeeeep."

(sniff, sniff) "Yes, hello, my name is Eliza Pinkerton Carnation, but my friends call me Pinky for short. I'm calling from the PHF and (sniff), I need your help. I used to be bright and beautiful, but my days have been dark and grey since the love of my life, Chocolate, escaped last month. (sniff sniff) I must be freed and find him."

Oh for Pete's sake Carrot, where's my cape?

Eliza's Pyn Pillow

With My Needle freebie

BE FREE little Pinky!!! Safe travels. May your days in Nashville be profitable!

I WON!

I'm in shock! Someone get the smelling salts! HURRY! When I logged in this morning, I discovered that Tracy over at the Dancing Needle blog had selected ME as her Lizzie Kate stash give-away winner!!! That's ALL twelve months AND the charms to go with!!! I'm in heaven.

Couldn't you just die? Many many thanks to Tracy and her contribution to my ongoing love affair with L*K.

and the headline read..."Jail Break"

I could tell from the urgency in Carrot's voice that whatever he was on the phone about was going to require human help. And, I was right. As soon as he was off the phone, he launched into this big story about how when he was being held hostage in the PIG Place, a group of "surly" threads made friends with him and now they really needed my help. He went on and on about how when they were all locked up together, Chocolate (seems to the be ring leader) could talk about nothing but getting back to Nashville and how much it would mean to his whole gang to get back there before June.


Hum, Nashville? June? Strange. Could these felonious fibers be talking about Share-A-Stitch? Now my curiosity was duly peaked. "Okay, Carrot. I guess what you are telling me is that you want me to spring your friends from the maximum security PHF (Project Holding Facility, a.k.a. Martha Stewart under bed storage box)"? He nodded excitedly. Fine. You drive, I'll spring.


All I had to do was crack the lid of the PIG Place and ZOOOMMMMM! Holy Toledo! I only caught a glimpse of the gang as they hopped into the back of what I'm guessing was a "get away car", but here's what I spied:

Casey Buonaugurio freebie

DMC threads on 28 ct. pink hand-dyed fabric

thread board by "hubby"

As they roared out of sight, I heard the ring leader exclaim ,"You the man, Carrot! Do something nice for the lady. Teacup Auction, here we come!!!" Carrot and I just looked at each other in silent astonishment. Strange I tell ya, strange.

All this rescuing and jail springing is really quiet exhilirating! Me thinks Saturdays will be known hence forth as "Free Willy" day; the day I'll help free one more PIG from the PHF. Wonder how I'd look in a mask and cape?

My 1st cube pinkeep

You must be thinking, No, it can't be true, she just finished like three things This MONTH!

I know!!! I'm wondering just exactly what is in that Jamaican coffee???

I got the one-nighter fever last night and dug this The Trilogy cutie called "Cardiology" out of my PIG* pile. All the stitching was completed, that's right, COMPLETED, in one evening. I'm pretty sure my new nickname should be Robo-stitcher. The finish work did not require any sewing (yeah!), just syrofoam, quilt batting, ribbons and straight pins. Many thanks to Hannah's wonderful online tuturial! I love the technique. I'm sure I'll be using it again!

This little cube is for a neice who's first language was sign language. Although she was born hearing, both parents are deaf. I'll be stitching another one just like it for her little sister. They are my XSDNs, extra special darling nieces (stolen from my husband's side of the family). I actually have 5 XSDNs, two in NC and three in TX. Next up on the stitching gift schedule is a Sekas dragonfly checkerboard for my favorite little cowgirls in Texas. Who knows, maybe I'll just stitch that up tonight! (how's that for optimism?)

*PIG=project in a grocery sack

Christmas Exchange finish

I should know better by now than to rush myself. I thought this little sweet bag would be just the thing for my stitching Winter Wonderland Christmas party exchange, but having to rush to finish it (again with the electrified sewing machine), didn't do it any favors. Hopefully, the receiver won't notice the crooked seams and strange construction techniques. Me thinks filling it with a ton of white chocolate truffles will be just the right distraction from the less than perfect finish work! The fabric in the background is also the lining and backside of bag.

Much better

LOVE how these tasseled cords turned out. Glad I made myself make the switch. Now it's really Really REALLY ready to go to it's new home. Bye bye black bag, have you any wine? I'll never tell.

A finish!

What vacation can be deemed a success without a finish to show for it? I admit to adding the bells and whistles after returning home, but I'm happy to have this little darling in the bag, Christmas gift bag that is, for my best motorcycle riding tattoo sporting Aunt* (BMRTSA). Yeah, she's the fun Aunt (think Weekend Road Warrior, not Hell's Angels) and this little design was just perfect for her because the design actual matches her tattoo!

I know, what are the odds???!!!!

As sentimental stories and tattoos seem to go together like motorcyles and well, tattoos, hers is in my opinion very special. She was born with three brothers, one of which died when he was only 20, on her birthday. She and her brothers are the four leaves of the shamrock. Her first grandson, in the summer between high school and college was killed in a auto accident, at age 18, and buried on her birthday. The five spots on her ladybug represent her five grandchildren and her ladybug sits atop a shamrock, combining two of the "luckiest" symbols we recognize. I added the red tassel to heap one more measure of luck (Chinese) on our little ornament. I know she'll love it and give it a prize place amoung her other good luck charms.

All Barbara Ana Designs are just too cute for their shoes. Be sure to check her out for the cutest biscornu patterns you've ever seen.

Chapter gifts

Urgent - send up a prayer for this sorry stitcher, I'm using the "electrified" sewing machine and we all know what that means; someone's going to lose an eye or finger. Because of the physical deformity that prevents me from making the noise "no", I am sewing these little beauties up for chapter gifts. Credit goes to our VP of Membership for the hand stitching. I think everyone will really love these little needlebooks! Visit Sharon over at http://www.xstitchhappy.com/ for more terrific and totally free charts. Thanks Sharon!

My random act of kindness

It's one of the great pleasures in life to surprise a friend with an especially thoughtful, handmade, unique gift. I'm sad to say I don't make the time to do it more often, but this month (make that last month), I made this tiny pendant for my mentor, teacher and friend, Marion Scoular. I hope those little bullion picots on top hang in there. Just learned those in Vima's class in Louisville. Added my freshly designed signature on the rear of the pendant. What fun!