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.

A Few More Finishes

Cozy Toe #7 finished! These small projects have served me well as take-alongs, they're easy to keep contained and can be worked in hand without a frame. Having said that I will be happy when the dozen are hanging on the tree! The another ornament was designed by Pat Mazu for NeedlepointNow,the greatest needlepoint magazine going, IMHO, and the most recent issue includes articles from fellow blogmeisters, Liz Morrow of Lizart and Coni Rich of Spinster Stitcher fame. Enjoy! But don't forget about me, I love when you visit too. Again, finishing by Marie in Montrose, CO.

Meet Cozy Toe #7

I'm slightly behind on my Cozy Toe commitment for this year. You may recall that I did six of these in 2008 and I was hoping to get started sooner on this year's allotment of 6. Number 7 is going quickly as there aren't many threads to strip. The purple is Soie d'Alger and is such a dreamy silk to use. PFOS distributed the kits for this series and has used all very nice threads. I've enjoyed using most of them with one slight exception, Sprinkles. I love the effect it has but it's not as easy to use as the other options. To me it's almost like stitching with shiny raffia. I began stitching on this last night during our raging snowstorm we had in Colorado. Hope to finish this today or tomorrow. Number 7 Toes uses Kreinik Braid, Soie Silk, Rainbow Gallery's Flair and beads. These have been fun in between projects that are part of my '09 stitching queue. Thanks for visiting today.

The Return of the Cozy Toes 6

CUTE!
My Cozy Toes found their way back from the finisher today. I am very pleased with how they turned out. I especially like that the cording wasn't glitzy because the stockings themselves are full of sparkle. Though you cannot tell it from the photograph. These were so much fun to stitch and the finisher enjoyed adding her touch as well. Do I hear sleigh bells? I hope not. The next 6 will not be even thought about until 2009! CUTER!

Now don't forget the kits came from PFOS in good ol' Lubbock, TX.

Say Hi to Lucy, Desi, Laverne, Shirley, Sonny and Cher

This year's Cozy Toe intentions are coming to a close. Close of the toes. I am not sure how their names were chosen, but they are all identified by first name. Five are complete and off the bars, one last sock to whip up! I loved these tiny projects, they work up in a couple of days, a mere weekend and that is for a slow stitcher like yours truly.

I know I thought I'd get all 12 done this year, but I have a clear conscience and can only afford to have 6 finished anyway. Perfect. Excuse me a moment while I add the next 6 to my 2009 queue. Hmmm, getting crowded in there.

These have been a joy to stitch for a number of reasons, first of which is that they were expertly hand painted, the stitches were all tested in advance and appropriate for the space, likewise, the fibers were also well chosen to accommodate the space and design. They all came taped up, individually packaged with threads, instructions, photo of finished piece and stitch diagrams. No wonder they work up in just days. All that arriving monthly from PFOS in Lubbock, TX. They sure know how to do things in Texas and in a big way too. Since the yearly series has closed you can buy them individually.

Now marching off to the finisher, well as soon as I get the last one off the stretchers.

CATCHING UP!

Hi all! I have missed my blog. Thank you for not giving up on me. I've been stitching and making progress on my WIP's for the past few weeks and have other things going on preventing me from making a contribution here. I've been reading and enjoying yours, however. Currently I am not in Colorado but have traveled to NM to visit family. I drove so I have Teddy with me plus 6 stitching projects. I'll be here for a few weeks but didn't bring anything new to work on. That took will power. I had nearly self-talked myself into the "you're on vacation, take a new project" mentality, but I overcame that idea. Well actually my daughter reminded me that I would be making a side trip to PFOS. Dilemma resolved. :)

Before beginning this blog entry, I took photos of everything discussed; however, I have been unsuccessful in downloading and, therefore, editing my photos on the laptop I'm using. I will add them later once I figure out the picture software. It may also be an incompatable memory card.

Stitching priorities include my MAGIC projects; I've stitched 2 sides of the border and am working on the third of the Rooster; also finished the chicken wire fencing. I only have until November to complete the stitching; I think I'll do it. I'm using Silk and Ivory for much of the piece which is so nice to stitch with and no separation of plies.

As pointed out previously, I am nearly done with the Halloween fairy piece....if I don't do the background. I'm seriously considering mounting the design into a round box top. It's 7" in diameter so that may not be as easy as it sounds. I also need to think of how I want to address the fairy wings that extend outside the circle. Think I have that covered. This leaves me with 3 fairy canvas's incomplete for my MAGIC commitment. Lastly, I don't like to bead, but think a few additions to my Japanese Kimono would be a nice improvement.

Here is another project I finished but haven't framed; it's a prototype for a program I will lead early in 2009. I pulled the threads from my stash to do a test run of the stitches, etc. The point of this project is to feature a piece of jewelry attached to the geometric design. Instead of jewelry, I decided to attach beach glass in the shape of an angel, collected from the beach off Long Island Sound in the 70's. The glass has great sentimental significance since my close friend that collected it has since passed on.

I have completed 99% of the actual program model in exactly the fibers and colors suggested by the designer. This colorway is much more subdued than my bright stash piece. This will be presented for sign-ups at our meeting in September

I have also been involved with the SNS (Shining Needle Society) Stitch project given by Beth Robertson and Suzanne Howren; It's the first in a series of three notebook classes of stitches. I have enjoyed this type of "cyber" class and highly recommend this method of learning as there is no travel involved, you have benefit of fabulous national teachers and you can proceed at your own pace and in your own time. I don't think I should include a photo.

Lastly, but not least I have brought the remainder of my Cozy Toes to work on if I finish all the other projects. So I have my work cut out for me while I'm on vacation and better get busy.

Thanks again for bearing with me over the past two weeks during my period of dormancy.

Yours always in stitching!
Madonna

Finished!

Cozy Toes #7 is complete and ready for finishing. I am happy to report that I did not stab myself during the beading process; encouraging. Going on to #4 next.

Last night I attended my ANG Chapter meeting. The program was a witchy Halloween canvas by Mile High Princess, complete with custom stitch guide created for ANG by Mary Lou Kidder of Diversions. Julie Storick taught the 16+ patterned stitches for this piece intended to be finished as a box. It is a darling project and I regret not participating. Suffice to say we cannot do everything we desire to in this life and that includes stitching projects.

The Chapter has a Show & Tell segment each month which is one of my favorite aspects of any meeting as I am always inspired by the work of others. Some Chapters have one meeting annually devoted to Show and Tell, I like monthly better.

I showed a piece designed by Leigh. Didn't come with a stitch guide but since the piece was small it wasn't too bad deciding which stitch to put where. The eyelashes were created by looping Kreinik cord in and out of the upper half of the eyelid, then snipping the loops and unraveling the plys. It was fun, stitching was completed earlier this year. As it was lying around waiting to be sent off to the finisher when I decided to take matters into my own hand and actually made it into a pillow.

It was fun putting it together although I do not recommend using the fringe used around the perimeter, it tangles, gets caught on everything and slowed the whole process down.

About finishing. I have done my share and most of the time I am disappointed. I certainly appreciate the labor involved and actually do believe the expense can be worth it. I have had my finishing disappointments even at reputable places, so I am never sure which route to take when it comes to finishing. Framing, I have no expertise or knowledge so I always farm that out. I am still contemplating finishing a kimono myself. The fabric is purchased but I haven't found any instructions on finishing these. Mine is the 10x12" version and is to be hung on a stand instead of framing. I am looking for suggestions, advice or recommendations. Thanks for stopping by today, hope you're stitching something new!

Made progress

on Cozy Toes #7 yesterday. The Saturday morning stitch group arrived and since they hadn't been to my home before I had a great time taking them on a brief tour. But the best kind of tour in my opinion is self guided. Now you can do that with trusted friends, non-judgemental friends that is. We also had a show and tell where finished items were given a well deserved ogle with ensuing ooooooohs and ahhhhhhhhhhs! Truthfully, talent abounds in this group, awe inspiring talent. I wish I could show you some of their exquisite projects; whether complete or in progress it is not possible as some are going to be taught at NAN, ANG or EGA and these gems are not mine to share. But be on the lookout in future posts where I will alert when they become available.

You may recall in an earlier post I referred to the turbo stitcher? Well G, we'll call her, was also at breakfast, creating a breeze with her needle motion. I will ask her if she'll let me post a photo of the piece she was working on, breathtaking! In fact, I will seek to showcase her talent on this blog; if she agrees you will be in for a fabu treat! Stay tuned. I mentioned I did make some progress on my stocking. Quick stitching with tent or diagonal mosaic. I changed from using Flair to Perle #5, call me lazy, it's okay. I get easily annoyed with all the twisting that seems to occur when I use the flat ribbons as they persist in defying my laying tool. Moistening may help, I'm not all that familiar with which threads can or cannot be moistened. Next, completing the lower half which includes sewing on a few beads. Hmmm, where are my band-aids?

STITCHIN' WITH MY PEEPS

No, not those marshmallow things. My peeps, as in people, are in this case, my stitching friends. This Saturday is my turn to host our local ANG stitch group for breakfast and stitching. There are 11 of us that get together once a month at a member's home. I love this little group, I learn so much and it's a good time to just be together stitching. We are all very diverse and stitch at different levels. These are the times that I will visit in my happy memory bank years from now.

One of the best things is getting a tour of the hostess' stitched pieces, stash collection, stitching stations, etc. Fun. I'll only have 7 this time as it's Summer and people are gone or otherwise engaged. I will be working on one of my Cozy Toes from PFOS canvas of the month club. They're small and work up quickly with all the threads and stitch guide provided. This club subscription was a gift from my daughter Julie, who really knows how to treat her mom.

This is stocking #7 out of 12. The canvases are small and to keep the cost of the kits down, PFOS consolidates the various threads used throughout all 12 canvases. I like that. They also used a wonderful variety of threads and patterns to keep it interesting.

So after my volunteer obligations this week I needed to get some hou... hou... housework done. And while a clean house is not mandatory, or even expected, I felt I should do at least a little dusting and fluff the pillows for my "peeps". So that is what I'll be doing for the remainder of the week. How about you, what are you doing?