May the new year bring you peace, love and joy that never ends!

Ringing in the next new year and reflecting upon the old automatically brings thoughts of you. How blessed I feel knowing you are here now joining me in this new fangled way to reach out and touch someone. When beginning my stitching odyssey or this blog for that matter, I didn't know how much joy and contentment would come to be mine. I am looking forward to starting new again and am hoping you'll visit often. Wishing you the best in all that you hold dear! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Madonna

Le Coq est fini!

Merci le Dieu. I mentioned in an earlier posting that the Rooster was finally stitched. I waited to post a photo until it had been displayed at a recent local stitchy meeting. Thank the Lord and pass the band-aids. Honestly, this was one heavily painted canvas and all the basketweave made it very difficult and painful to stitch having to force the needle through. But it's done and I am happy with it.

The borders were all fun albeit time comsuming but I kept ticking off one side then the other and little by little the final stitched was laid. Using a combination of braid, beads, silk, wool, perle, ribbon, linen and fabulous fiber feathers it was a challenge. The debate at my house now is whether to frame or pillow it. I'm leaning toward pillow. I'm thinking down filled and heavily laden with tassels, cord and ball fringe. Something fairly substantial because of it's size. I want to send this one off for finishing instead of doing it myself. While at the finisher I think I should protect the tail feathers in some way as they are 3-dimensional, delicate and easily disturbed. The canvas by CanvasWorks was excellently painted, it's just that I had chosen to do so much of it in basketweave to show off the intricity of the pattern and I kept losing interest in stitching this; therefore maintaining UFO status for approximately 5 years! Have I no shame? No.  I even took it to Studio Time with Caela Tyler who made some of the stitch suggestions on the rooster. And David McCaskill also showed me how to do the coppery outside border.

Well thank you for staying with me through this one, now on to my year's end final WIP's. See you soon!

Catching up!

During a recent visit to Arizona I managed to make it over to Needler's Nest located in Surprise. What a delightful shop with helpful yet not hovering staff. I'm standing with Bettelou who specializes in cross stitch. I hope you'll visit this wonderful store if in the area. The day I was there they were having a 25% off everything sale.  I could have really gone crazy with that type of discount, but I stuck to only a few vital items. Apparently like beauty, I believe that vital is also in the eye of the beholder. :) I found these two little charmers below which are going right into my queue for the coming year. Unfortunately they didn't come with stitch guides, but given the patterns on their clothing, looks like I'll be doing basketweave. Yikes did I say basketweave? Well just for their outfits; the background and hair will NOT be basketweave, not after that rooster episode.

These are relatively small so they'll work up fast. I already have vintage bamboo frames for them. Next year I think I'm going to focus on projects that tend to be smaller in size. I just had too many biggies in my queue this year and I'm looking forward to not having to deal with a cumbersome canvas on my floor or table stand. Yes, I think something I can mount on my "straddle paddle" will be the perfect size! LOL! Remember that? I like using it, it's just so.....different.

I sure tend to do a lot of painted canvaswork, don't I? I love to needlepoint, but I also enjoy and admire stitching done on evenweaves, linens and other types of fabric. But painted canvas seems to be where I land most of the time. It makes everything more costly, but it can't be helped. These are works of art in many cases. With that I'm going to go play in my stash closet, getting my new projects kitted up. Love that term, kitted up. Thank you for visiting today, I hope you have a wonderful day filled with stitching.

P.S. Still can't find spell checker in this blog mode.

It's been a

busy week. Beginning with an ANG Chapter pot luck and gift exchange. As always it was great fun and I am thrilled with my gift from fellow blogger Colorado Stitcher. I received an exquisite mini laying tool/embroidery punch. It's hand turned out of Bocote wood, feels great in my hand and is made in Mansfield, OH by Turn-of-the-Century. I also received a tin box that Mary decorated with a bargello top and contained a stitched needle minder. So generous Mary, thank you!

Here's a photo of the Christmas Cuff Bracelet by Melissa Shirley I finished this week. Petite Very Velvet was used for the stripes, the green is Kreinik braid interspersed with green beads. Face is silks and beard is stranded wool. It won't be made into the bracelet for this year as all the finishing deadlines have long since passed.  It was a fun and easy take-along project.

Today was my monthly stitcher's breakfast and stitch-in. It is always such a great pleasure to be with my friends that enjoy stitching as much as I do. Everyone was working on something different, passing around new found stitchy magazines and stash organization ideas.  Oh, someone spilled their coffee on the table where we were stitching. We all gasped in horror, but no harm was done. No it wasn't me....I was drinking sparkling pomegranate juice!

Hope you're having a great weekend and immersed in stitching contentment. Be back soon!

Here I Am!

Hello out there in stitcher's blog land! It's been a while and even now I only have progress to report today, no photos. I have been feverishly working to complete the stitching on my Rooster project, Marnie Ritter's beautiful Renaissance piece, and a second cuff bracelet. My goal is to have the stitching done on these pieces completed before Thanksgiving. I have a commitment to do so to myself of course, but formally to one of the Chapter's I belong to that has their finished projects challenge coming up.

I began writing this post a few weeks ago and have since finished the bracelet and the rooster. WOOO HOOO! Happy dance now in progress. Both of these projects were stitched primarily in basketweave with specialty threads and, because of the size and heavy painting on the rooster canvas, my fingers feel totally abused.  Progress on Renaissance continues to be my main focus, I have all the full diamonds completed leaving only the half diamonds. I have not obtained permission from Marnie to post a progress photo at this time, but hope in the future it will be okay. You can view her photo here; keep in mind that if you're interested she will be teaching this piece at ANG's 2010 Seminar in Columbus, OH next Fall. Once Renaissance is finished I will return to stitching Caela Tyler's Red Kerchief piece, which is also in line for completion by the end of the year. I wish you could find an opportunity to stitch Caela's most unique design at Calloway in January.

That will conclude my WIP's for 2009 therefore freeing up some space on the queue for 2010. But what about my 2009 list of projects?  Ahh yes, that telltale list looming over there on the right side of this blog. I can only say that I did not begin most of the projects slated for 2009 but I did manage to finish several things that were not in queue. I will soon have my 2010 goals set which may or may not include things from '09. This is always a fun ritual for me; deciding upon which fabulous projects I plan to stitch in the coming year.

It's good to visit with you a little today.....and also give my stitching fingers a rest.  Oh by the way, where did they hide the spellcheck feature on blogspot?  See you soon.

Stitching with My Peeps II

Thank you for your comments on the photo of October fruit, The colors of Fall are vibrant; now if I could only learn how to center the photo in my header on Blogger. In fact, since they've upgraded things I've had a difficult time getting my photographs to cooperate all together.

The fruit was actually the centerpiece for the breakfast table last weekend. It was my turn to host the monthly stitch group; there were 9 of us in attendance. We all belong to the same local ANG chapter and meet once a month to share breakfast, open stitching and conversation. I always look forward to this gathering.

Also this week one of our local ANG chapters held their annual yard sale of stitchy items. I was very impressed with the quality of things being sold. It was a blast.  I sold stuff too! I was very disciplined only bringing home a few treasures to add to my stash and ended up spending just $27 for all of this. Treasures include a Joan Thomasson kit, Katya; Jean Hilton's "Mother of Perle" chart; an Ilse Altherr design chart, Katarina; a new Trail Creek Farm pillow; and Japanese Fan on Black with Forest Fire Watercolours by Jinice.

The fan is a piece that I've only seen online and always wanted to stitch, but didn't think it available any longer. I am very excited about it and am tempted to put it right at the top of next year's queue. Truth be known, I'd like to squeeze it in this year now that I've finished Lily Pad. But I am still hoping I can finish Rooster (worked on the head last night and still contemplating the cockscomb), Red Kerchief and Renaissance before year's end. I haven't mentioned the latter two in a while, but they're on my mind, just not on my floor stand! I am anxious to get back to them as they are beginning to call to me.

As always I am very grateful you've visited and hope your day includes relaxed stitching and/or stash enhancement!

Finish #18

for 2009. Not that anyone's counting....except maybe me. :) Though that seems like quite a lot, it's amazing how few have come out of my 2009 queue list. All that means is that I don't have to think too much about what I'll be stitching in 2010. More on this in another post.

Lily Pad is now stitched and awaiting final finishing. I haven't decided exactly what I want to do with it yet, boxtop, tote insert, not sure. In any case it was a very fun project and perfect for learning designer Susan Goodman's canvas transfer embellishment techniques. Think about doing this with a portrait of a child, your home or maybe a beloved pet. I can think of all types of applications. The background was randomly stitched using 1 strand of Accentuate; a nice effect for water without all the work!

Susan, local to Colorado, has taught needlework at national EGA and ANG seminars as well as at region seminars and local chapters. Her original embroidery pieces have been exhibited in five national EGA Biennial Exhibits. Susan’s current specialty is creative embroidery design with an emphasis on transfer methods and use of computer photographs. Lily Pad is a current teaching piece and though she doesn't sell individual kits directly, she teaches classes all over the country.

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Updated.

Thankfully this blog is not a democracy. That is to say I get to decide things. Like to share things not stitch related.

It's no wonder I don't get much done living out here on the Colorado high prairie, there's so much to enjoy and distract. It's snowing today and I can't help but go out and take pictures. It's not like it's an infrequent event, but it's just so beautiful to me (a girl from Phoenix) that I need to capture it on camera.

It's not even that much snow...yet. Predicting 8" in my area. The first thing I need to do is make sure the birds aren't going hungry...yeah right. Look at this fellow determining which peanut is the heaviest.

And then there's is this "cautious canary" waiting until that weirdo taking pictures in her slippers goes back inside. The beauty is just endless. Okay, okay, enough already with the bird watching, it's the perfect day to cozy up and stitch! Almost done with the Lily Pads. See you soon.

Well here it is the morning after, we did get what looks like a good 8" as predicted. It's sunny and beautiful, so naturally while I was outside brushing off the satellite dish I just happened to have the camera handy.

Rooster WIP

 I've been working on the grass with a combination of Silk & Ivory and Burmilana in two colors for the tent stitch background and then over stitching long and short with a Burmilana in a tweed and yellow. I like the way it turned out. I'll do more combo colored tent along the bottom of the grass to finish up that space.

The rooster's tail was understitched in tent with purple and green metallic and also a light and medium lavender/purple Burmilana, planning they will peek through the overestitched feathers. Black and navy blue Peluche from Fabulous Fibers were used for the over hanging feathers, and then tacked down here and there into place. This thread seems to curl naturally and I think it is a good look for feathers. The photo doesn't show the individual feathers very clearly.

I've got the head and parts of three sides of the border to do next. Tent, phew, takes a long time. But the closer I get the more inspired I am to finish with thoughts of moving on to new things. YAY! The next picture shows the outside border using one strand of Silk & Ivory in a shade of rust then using staggered stitches of #16 Krenik braid in a rust blend to couch it down. There will be 2 more rows in this color and then one row of blue. This is a fun way to quickly make an outstanding border.

The Lily Pad

by Colorado designer Susan Goodman, is my next take along project. I am looking forward to stitching this piece as it will be my first attempt at a new to me technique. One of Susan's specialties is creative embroidery design with an emphasis on transfer methods and use of computer photographs. Working on Congress Cloth I’ll be using sampler stitches plus embroidery to change a photograph.

First up is basting around the edge of the entire photograph with a strand of floss. The purpose of the basting is to ensure a straight edge around the photograph.Then scotch stitch covering the basting with 2 ply of Threadworx Overdyed floss around the entire border of the photo. Finish with two rows of tent around the whole thing.

Next using DMC and Threadworx outline several (but not all) of the lily pads with the outline stitch. Then using long and short gobelin stitches fill in the veins of the lily pad.

The second installment of this project will be the lilies and background. See you soon.

   

AMAZING Rocky Mountain High Birthday

I cannot believe I'm here, a most magical place. In honor of a "milestone" birthday DD arranged for family and friends to join us in Copper Mountain, CO for a week long celebration of reunion, friendship and birthday fun. The private home was phenomenal located within a ski in/ski out property, it was wonderful with family and close friends it was beyond anything I could have imagined.

How do you like this imaginative birthday throne? Isn't it wild! The brain child of a close friend who knew the birthday queen would love to hold court in style. The scenery from this home's many balconies was amazing and ever changing. We enjoyed Indian Summer, Fall and Winter all in the same week. It was glorious.

We played Mahjongg, cards and I stitched.The bird population alone was captivating providing hours of relaxation.

At over 9700 ft, this Gray Jay and Steller's Jay are very much at home in the high altitude and they are huge! We put out sunflower seed to attract them though they were happy to eat bread too. About 3 days into the week we had snowfall and the slopes were littered with snow making equipment to go along with the colder temps. I had never seen these in operation before--very interesting. I think the top summit in Copper is over 12,000 ft. We were definitely affected by the thinner air even though we live at around 6300 ft, it really made a difference.

We went into nearby Frisco for the birthday dinner and naturally we had to make a stop at Sarah's of Breckenridge Needlepoint store. It's a lovely shop and Sarah is always stitching something superb. Be sure to save time to visit this fun shop. DD picked out these two lovely Sharon G's canvases as Sarah was unpacking from a recent show. As a gift, I also received a new K's creations metal floor stand. Love it!

 

I'm closing in on the Rooster

MY MY I've been plugging away on this rooster canvas from CanvasWorks for many a moon now. The canvas is handsomely stitched painted, so I can't blame the years of slow progress on a poorly painted canvas. It's just darned big. And primarily stitched in basketweave. Not to mention I've had a few other stitching interruptions along the way. But I am determined to get this done THIS YEAR. I'd like to say this month, but we're already 3/4 the way through September.

The canvas is 16x16" on 14 count canvas. I've used a lot of Silk 'n Ivory (the cream background, the dark navy border, the light navy border) and the copper border is a done by laying long lengths of Silk'n Ivory all across the canvas border, taking care to mitre the corners and then couching with #16 copper Kreinik Braid. The chicken wire is also done in the Braid. The tail feathers have really been calling my name, stitch me stitch me next, and I've been trying to maintain control whilst stitching the tedious borders. Maybe I'll indulge in the tail once I've completed 2 of the 4 borders. I have a 3-D technique in mind for the tail. I love this beautiful canvas, but I will be glad when I've finished it so I can move on to something new.

For some reason, Blogger, isn't allowing readers to enlarge the photo. I am not sure why, I wanted you to see things a little more clearly (not too close, just a little closer). I'll figure out what I've done wrong uploading the photo and try to get a few close-up shots too. Thanks for visiting today, wish me luck that I don't run out of steam on this labor intensive project. See you soon.

Comments

Hi ladies, it's always exciting to get mail from you. I'm already back to my normal schedule (that would be doing what I want when I want...mostly...within reason....certainly when no one is looking ), thanks for asking. I forgot to mention when telling my tales of woe that when I arrived home my own computer was not functioning. It didn't take long to figure out that my keyboard and mouse died while I was gone. Replaced both immediately and not a minute too soon as I was ready to chuck the whole thing across the room and start over. But....I didn't. Now I've got a wireless mouse which apparantly to has a mind of it's own. Seems it jags when I jig.

Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement with the redoing of the older canvases. It's just something different to do and I have fun with it. Not a priority. One of my biggest surprises was that I didn't have any bleeding of either the fibers used or the paint on the canvas when I cleaned and blocked them. I went very gingerly and everything was clean and brighter and didn't fade. They were filthy with household dust, etc. No evidence of smoking either.

I haven't done anything with the two stained glass (the two that go together) canvas' because they seem to be stiffened with something. They were mounted onto what I would call particle board. Anyway I think I will take them to the dry cleaners? Thinking that the dry cleaning would dissolve whatever is making them stiff and then I can re-block them if necessary. I'm just not sure what would happen if I put them into water, but they need cleaning before I can/will handle them.

I have yet to catch up with all of your blogs, that may take a whole day to myself; Pat I quickly went through your blog and cannot believe all the work you've done. You really are a turbo stitcher and living proof that rotation stitching works! Beautiful work. And Jane, I read the latest entry on your blog and instinctively knew that I needed to set aside the afternoon to do justice to all your fabulous links of enabling, I don't want to miss one! And Lesley, can't wait to see what you've been up to lately, love all the photos you provide of your work, totally inspiring and I love the look of your blog and your biscornus are always so unique and wonderful.

I am so happy to be back and looking forward to catching up. Thanks again for taking time to comment. See you online!

Gilding the Lily?

 Since finding this stitched canvas in an antique mall during my summer travels, many brainstorms developed as to what I could do to bring it up to date a little. The hard part (all basketweave) was completed by the hand of an anonymous kindred spirit, leaving me to think of a way to spiff it up a bit by adding a little sparkle and personality. To what level one takes the embellishment is, of course, a matter of personal taste. Trying my hand once again with beads I thought that would be a good place to start. To say I am not a skilled beader would be an understatement as I have no idea all the options, tools and procedures associated in today's beading world. The most I could figure out for the small flowers was to put several beads on the thread, lay it on the the flower shape and tack it down. This saved time and allowed an easy way to cover up some of the uneven edges of the petals. Camouflage is my friend! Along with the seed beads I used a little Crystal Braid in pink to brighten the flowers, yellow Floche was also used (mostly because I love the sheen it exhibits on the skein) and then #16 Kreinik braid couched with extra fine braid for the curly stems. I left the leaves alone even though IMHO they could have used something, I didn't want to change the integrity of the entire canvas.

Also left the Spaniel alone for the most part only adding dog bone earbows. I did brush the pup's body with one of those funky looking tools made for the purpose of fluffing up fur. I was sooooo tempted to do something to her face, but decided not to get involved.

I have the materials for finishing this piece into the pillow myself; figured I'd gone this far futzing around with it I may as well go all the way. This has been a fun process and I encourage you to try your hand at this type of canvas embellishment. It's fun and a great way to celebrate your creativity.

Thank you for visiting today, as always the pleasure is totally mine!

COZY TOE #8

Yippee, PFOS' Cozy Toe #8 is finished. Well it's stitched anyway. Only four left! "Jill" as in Jack and Jill has bright and vibrant reds, pinks and turquoise in combination to make this lifesaver stocking a joy to stitch. Using one of my favorite threads, Petite Very Velvet in three colors of brick stitch on the cuff and toe made for very fast and easy stitching. Frye Werks, Sprinkles, Spun Silk, Floss and Kreinik #12 Braid are all included in the kit from PFOS of Lubbock, TX. I'm on the downhill to finishing these cozytozies and hope to have them all in time for the tree this year. Will keep you posted. Hope you're all well into getting your Holiday stitching ready for the finisher, it's nearly September, where has the year gone? Don't ask!

Gosh I've been away long enough to have undergone and recovered from a face lift, full body liposuction (is there such a thing?) and hair growth rivaling Rapunzel. I wish. Unfortunately nothing quite so exciting as those life altering events have kept me from my blog and friends and stitching and life as I know/like it.

No, it took a stay in Sedona where, due to the heat, I had the life zapped right out of me for half of August and without a computer and sporadic cell coverage no less! Or was it that hideous eye infection complete with ointment that kept me from stitching, driving, or going out anywhere. Cyclops is what came to my mind each time I peered into a mirror. Yes, I did see the doctor for an antibiotic and realized first hand that this type of treatment isn't really effective for what ailed me. It's gone, mostly, I'm now presentable.

There were a number of other unexpected "situations" that cropped up all taking their sweet time to resolve. Like the hail storm of catastrophic magnitude (dubbed by the insurance company) that surely centered itself over my home causing all kinds of damage and mayhem. And the aftermath/onslaught of roofers, painters, adjusters, etc. to help us through the calamity. LOL! It all sounds insignificant now, but at the time everything seemed to be happening at once, or at least needed immediate attention. August will never be the same for me, for one thing it's my last time to go to Sedona (in August). It was hotter than the center of the sun or turkey pot pie right out of the oven! No kidding. Sedona is beautiful but if you can't go in the winter...get a postcard! Yes, it's cooler than Phoenix, but not enough to say so, except at night, it does cool down I have to give them that. It's just an annual trek I take with an elderly relative who would not go otherwise.
Stitch-wise I did very little. I managed to finish this ornament for a Christmas in July exchange (pre August events). I finished it myself which allowed the inclusion of these other goodies shown here in my mailing. I also worked on the next Cozy Toe ornament and embellished the Spaniel pillow mentioned in a previous post. These things will be posted later today. So I have stitched a little, but not nearly as much as I wanted or needed to. I am waaaay behind on my queue.
While in Arizona I did make it to Needler's Nest in Surprise. They were having a storewide 25% off everything sale which I was not about to miss, Cyclops or not. I'll soon have photos ready for posting and of some of the fun things I found in that great shop.

Well that's about the gist of why my blog and stitching haven't been the priority lately. I know you all know how much I missed it. Thanks so much for bearing with me over these last weeks and thanks to those that have written to inquire. Take care.

Blog Parade!

Confetti all around! Oh my gosh, this is very exciting for me. My neo-counter just rolled over to 10,000! I know you are probably chuckling now, so in an effort to try not to sound like a Sally Field Oscar acceptance speech, here's what I'm thinking. Ahem...1-2-3 testing...

Blog readers rock! Whether you stumbled into here or came willingly, thank you! Thank you readers and bloggers alike. Kudos and loads of credit go to my blogmeister friends whom have huge followings of their own and to the curious nature of many fellow stitchers; well whatever it is I am proud you're here visiting and will do my best to earn the time you give to me. Who knew I was this closet writer? My first opportunity to be "read" and BAM! You can't silence me. Well not for very long anyhow. I thought I'd peter out on this endeavor long ago, NOT! Instead I have been inspired to stitch more than ever, finish more than ever, learn more than ever and all thanks to you guys! Thanks for coming back! Madonna

Dangerous Business!

This is the first of several finished needlepoint canvas' I recently found. I love to scour antique malls for nicely stitched pieces that I think have potential, with a little TLC and imagination, to be transformed into a personal treasure. Let the metamorphosis begin!

Once I find a piece I like, the first thing I check for is any sign of damage, fading, and/or odors; stitch quality is also a determining factor. Oh, and did I mention it has to be inexpensive, say up to $20 depending upon size. I also have to like the design or at least see it's potential to add color to a room. Pillows are what I usually have in mind, but some designs just don't lend themselves to pillows. The jury is still out on what I will do with the Chagall Window above (I think it is anyway); it's one of four stained glass window type canvas' I now have. Two were found in different States and the other is a pair found together.

Obviously all of these have been framed making the recycling process a very dangerous business indeed. Using various techniques, I find what they all have in common is adhesive and staples. Good grief, disassembling the framing is perilous....tetanus waiting to happen so to speak. So you have to be really careful.

Take it from me, do not attempt this process late at night when light and energy sources are low. Lest one might end up with a nasty gouge on one's leg from a protruding nail or staple. Ouch!

This final piece is actually my favorite, for one thing it is pictured just as I found it except it was tacked to stretchers. Total cost $8.00, clean and charming, my kind of treasure! This is the Eva Brent canvas I mentioned in a previous post. I have cleaned and reblocked it and am now debating if I want to embellish the flowers with beads. I may be a little too anxious to get this made into a pillow to delay the process with beading..or bleeding as I call it. All the stitching was done in basketweave and is even and uniform. This will definitely be a pillow and will probably be the first piece I finish. In my next post I will show you the progress I've made on this and all the other wonderful treasures that made their way into my car recently! Thanks for stopping by, see you soon.

Herringbone

eyeglass case #2. The new header photo is my next colorway for the quick stitching eyeglass case. I'm still at about 12 hours stitching time on these, just under 1.5 hours per row. I've changed it up a bit this time by combining non-mirrored and mirrored patterns. Using a total of 9 rows, the top five are stitched in the non-mirrored herringbone pattern. The next three are in the mirrored, then the last row back to non-mirrored. This is such a great project for using your stash. The perle coton I used on the original case has worn very well; I use it everyday and it rests in an outer pocket of my handbag. No pilling or fraying or signs of wear at all. Will keep you posted on how long this lasts.

Threads used include 1 skein each of #5 Perle Cotton (bright rust and medium aqua); 1 skein of Watercolors (row 4 is Watercolors only); and just over 1 reel of Kreinik Braid in copper. This makes a rather large eyeglass case which is especially great for larger sun glasses, though you can reduce the number of rows making a more narrow case for readers. This is a fun and simple project that is easily adjusted to accommodate the size and colorway you desire. There's information on finishing the case archived under eyeglass case. Thanks for visiting today, it's been a busy summer as evidenced by my lack of entries lately. See you soon and thanks again for staying with me.

Hi All!

I am so happy to be home from our wonderful 1800 mile road trip. I'm not adjusting back into my routines very easily it would seem; but just to return to my blog is food for the soul and I'm sure before long everything else will fall into place. I've not only missed my own blog but all of those that I follow and read religiously, I've missed you. I can't believe how much I have to catch up on, but I won't omit one post of inspiration.

I've been working on a few things, one is a Christmas in July ornament exchange. I've had fun doing this Liz Morrow design and will post a photo once it is received by it's recipient. I think these national/international exchanges are a lot of fun. You never know what you're going to get or whom it will be from, and the potential for making a new friend is the best part. If you haven't tried this yet, take a chance.

In my last post I mentioned I purchased a stitched canvas from an antique mall. It's a piece I believe is from the '70's and designed by Eva Brent, author of several books about needlepoint. Maybe some of you are familiar with her work? This canvas has been nicely stitched in basketweave, so I am trying my hand at cleaning and blocking it and then turning it into a pillow. I will be taking you through the steps of this adventure which will be a first for me (the cleaning and blocking part). Most likely this was a kit and it looks like Persian wool was used.

I shared some of my stash enhancements gathered on the trip, but I failed to mention that my DD went behind my back and surprised me with all the colors of the Mandarin Bamboo Floss. The colors are all so soft and beautiful. Mischievous but generous oh daughter-of-mine!

So for now I guess I'll leave you with a few shots of some of the friends we made on the trip. Nothing like sharing gifts of food to make and keep friends. I noticed a family resemblance right away. :)

FROM THE ROAD

I am writing to you without having a finished piece to share or even a work in progress to discuss. I have totally taken time off to travel with my family through the Midwest of our country. I am always up for a road trip and with GPS technology leading the way we are well on our way to visit Wyoming, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska. Basically we drove North and turned right. I am having a great time, but truly miss reading my favorite blogs. Currently I am borrowing DD's laptop or I'd not even be doing this. DD comes prepared.

Naturally, the first unscheduled stop was at Ewe Count in Cheyenne, WY. A quaint shop located in a charming house situated near our charted route through Wyoming. They were selling signed copies of Suzy Murphy's latest book Small Stitches and I had to have one, after all it's signed. Ewe Count is a shop that gives you the feeling that the stitchers of Cheyenne thank their lucky stars they have; a real variety of knitting, cross stitch, painted canvas and kits, lots of threads and beads. I bought this handy little needle magnet thingy that I'd not seen previously and am looking forward to using it.
I admit that even though I did bring my stitching, I haven't taken a stitch but that won't deter me from stopping at a shop and making a "vacation purchase" just as a remembrance of our travels, mind you. Here I am with Mary in front of her lovely shop, Village Needleworks in Omaha, NE. A very charming shop with lovely staff and customers. Yes, we met Bonnie who was in the shop picking up her finished needlepoint and leaving others for finishing. We had such a nice chat with everyone there and came away very pleased we went off course to stop by. While there we managed a mini spree just picking up a few essentials, and I can't wait to get home and check it all out!

We've viewed the not to be missed sights of South Dakota including the begging burros of Custer Park, located in, you guessed it, Custer, SD. A friend told us to go prepared with carrots and apples. I wasn't thinking my friend meant a commercial restaurant size bag of fresh carrots but and 25lb-er was in the back of the car nonetheless. These precious burros are so gentle, even though they have large teeth they're not aggressive....unless you don't get your carrot out fast enough. Look how cute, you practically have to lock the doors lest you find an extra traveler in the back seat.

Next stop, the Badlands. You cannot help but be affected by the beauty and strangeness of this intriguing place. It goes on for miles and you come away understanding why it is considered sacred ground to some Native American tribes. Even though very dry, it conjured up visions of what the bottom of an ocean might look like. The colors so glorious and remarkable against the Dakota blue skies. This peaceful and amazing place will be forever in my memory.

Next time I write I will probably be home. Meanwhile, thank you for visiting, am ever very anxious to get back on track with my stitching life. See you soon.