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

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!

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!

Road Trip!

Yippee yippee ya ya!  Bright and early tomorrow morning my BSFF and I will pile her trunk full of everything we 'need' for a four day stitching convention and hit the road for Kingsport TN.  I'm very excited to have several straight days to work on the Monet piece but I'm also super excited to see all the girls from EGA again.  I didn't attend the National seminar in Naples FL last fall so I feel like it's been a long time since I've had a chance to catch up with all the ladies and see what wonderful things they've been creating since the last time we all got together.  Many of the member of my local chapters are going to Kingsport this week, so it will also be a great time to catch up with them.  I'm really excited!  Can you tell?  Honestly, except for the gray hair, we could be confused for a bunch of teenagers at summer camp when we get together at these conventions.  We talk our fool heads off until our throats are sore about stuff nobody cares about but us.  We stay up way past our bedtimes, visiting up and down the hallways just to see what everybody else is doing.  We let someone else cook and clean for us.  We form lasting friendships and renew those we made the year before.  Throw in a bonfire and we are one "Kumbaya" short of summer camp.  And, it all does my soul a world of good.  I think every die-hard needlewoman should be able to experience one of these conventions at least once.  You just might become addicted!

Lee needlepoint luggage tag

18 ct mono canvas

threads: perle cotton #5 in 310, 321, 738 and blanc

And, how about my new needlepoint luggage tag?  These little guys are so fun and fast to stitch up, I really would like to make a whole batch of different ones.  This one is the well-known Burberry plaid that is so popular today.  I have a book of plaids and just followed the photo. The colors I chose are 310, 321, 738, and blanc.  It would be pretty in pink and grey, too.  If you are interested in making one for yourself or as a gift, check with your LNS first but if you can't get them there, google "Lee needlepoint luggage tags".  They are currently available on eBay and few other stitching websites.  Prices vary.  I paid $20 for mine but I've seen them as high as $30 (canvas not included).

So, until next time friends, keep your needles threaded and have a great week!