Finally Framed the Fan!

Today I picked up Japanese Fan on Black from the framer and think it turned out good. I was apprehensive about not using any matting but now that it’s finished I like the simplicity and size of the finished piece. Stitching time was approximately 82 hours which didn’t seem possible, but when I totaled it up that’s what I documented. Time flies when you’re having fun. I will admit that I may have forgotten to enter the stitching time on one or two occasions so this is approximate. Counting the all the materials used, $30ish plus the framing $72 this whole project cost just over $100. Cannot complain about that. My final word about this Jinice Beacon project is that I think she is a brilliant designer, not because I tend to favor her designs, but primarily because I believe she has beautifully mastered bringing together stitch application, color and design into a cohesive and enjoyable project to stitch.

Thanks much for visiting today, I haven't been online much recently; I haven't been doing much stitching either (Camille Monet will find herself turning into a grandmother if I don't get her to the framers). But I did get the CanvasWorks rooster to the framer and should have it in the next week. I love getting things finished. Talk later.

Ahhh, the 1960's

Overdosing on nostalgia again and it's isn't funny; I came across the PBS Ed Sullivan Show re-runs from the 1960's. It's so funny about hearing music, it takes you back in time to your life when you most listened to those particular songs and artists. So while playing cards with DH (like a couple of fogies), this program came on and it was Mama's and the Papa's(California Dreamin') and Gerry and the Pacemaker's (Ferry Cross the Mersey) and Lovin Spoonful (Did You Ever Have to Make up Your Mind); I would have broken out into tears except I broke out into song instead! It's been decades and I still know the lyrics. A happy happy time in life. So just for today I hope you don't mind listening too.

Tonight at my local needlepoint guild chapter meeting we will be creating fiber art cards. I have gathered my thoughts, ideas and supplies and am looking forward to getting started. I haven't made these before and they seem to be well suited for small bursts of creativity.

I expect to retrieve Japanese Fan on Black from the framer this week.  Also, I have made a decision about the Rooster canvas; after contemplating for several weeks now I am going to have it framed (instead of making it into a pillow) IF I can find exactly the right frame. Since it's a chicken I want to do something country French. Or at least what seems to me to be country French. If I don't find the right framing, it will be a pillow which was my first choice.

I ran out of one of the threads for Red Kerchief. Totally my fault, I frogged this particular place one too many times and used up the thread. So once I get to the LNS I'll finish it up for framing.

Thank you for visiting my blog today. I hope your day goes just exactly as you want it and that you're feeling well and enthused about how you're spending your time this week.

OH Happy Day!

So I've been sulking a little lately in anticipation of Pocket Full of Stitches (PFOS) closing this Spring. My favorite travel odyssey every July was to fill the car with snacks and drinks and trek on down to Lubbock, TX with my daughter and/or husband for the annual Christmas in July sale. So when Nancy and Rhea announced their much deserved retirement, I was happy for them but.sad for their customers and designers alike.  All good things come to an end right? WRONG!!!!! I just became aware that two POFS' employee's are purchasing the business. Oh happy day indeed! This info is on their website so I'm not spilling any beans here. In fact, as usual, I was probably the last to find out.

In their usual generous fashion, when they announced the closing they offered 25% off painted canvases. Ears perked I hit the website with my Christmas gift certificate in hand and treated myself to a canvas I would not otherwise invest in but that I very much wanted to stitch something by this particular designer. Well it arrived yesterday and when I opened the box there it was, wrapped with care and tulle. It looked as nice as a diploma! See. They do everything with such thought and style, it's part of the joy of going to the shop; your treated like royalty at Harrods!! Once opened I saw how beautifully painted this Brenda Stofft piece was and I noticed a card in the box. You can see it here.

I don't know, it's just the idea that the staff at PFOS put so much heart in everything they do. Maybe they should change their name to Pocket Full of Special Touches. Customer service goes a long way with me and when you pair that with well informed helpful staff and a well stocked shop, I'm happy to drive the 6 + hours.  Indeed, there are many fine shops around our country, I just wanted to publicly say how pleased I am that this wonderful west Texas business will continue to thrive and satisfy customers. Woo Hoo! P.S. I'm not planning on putting this in my stitching queue until 2011. : (