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.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I was chatting with a friend about how inspiring and motivating it is to view the stitching of others. My friend has been fortunate enough to have visited several national needlework exhibits over the years, and I, about every 6 months or so, go into my collection of back issue's of NeedlepointNow and Needlepointer's for lots of rousing stitching stimulation.

I pull out the annual Exhibit issues and just ogle. Revel. Riveted for hours and then run to my stitching. I derive great joy from doing this. My issues go all the way back to the early days when the publications first started. It is great fun seeing how our craft has evolved in such a relatively short period of time to the fabulous industry it is today. For centuries needlepoint meant tent stitch and brown penelope. And then in the past 30 years, WOW! look at us now! Charmed, blessed, golden, whatever the expression it's marvelous to be a stitcher in the 21st century.

I knew when I first moved to Colorado that I was going to be a very lucky stitcher indeed as our local ANG and EGA Chapter's are filled not only with talented stitchers, but with nationally renowned instructor's and designers; to whom many accolades have been attributed for years. Individuals who's work I have always admired, and those that I have recently met through and only through the mutual love of stitching, right here in my own back yard. Talk about striking it rich, there's gold in them thar hills! Golden nuggets like Tyler, Ritter, Goodman, Kerschner, to name but a few. All generous and giving of their talents and skills to those of us that struggle with what stitch goes where. There's also numerous talented stitchers not standing in the limelight, sitting right next to me (you know who you are), inspiring and giving me hope that I too one day may reach their level of execution. These are my friends, they support me, encourage me and never peer at the back of my work!

Perhaps the most prolific inspirational resource of all, the Internet. If you're reading this, you are familiar with what I'm talking about here. Talk about a domino effect. One site leading to another and another. It's endless, apparently. Below are links to inspiring blogs that were all found from visiting just one new blog in one afternoon. Enjoy!

http://yuks-behappy.blogspot.com/2009/01/my-mums-works-2.html

http://thetwistedstitcher.blogspot.com/

http://carolsxsblog.blogspot.com/

http://judiromi.blogspot.com/

http://asamplerofstitches.blogspot.com/

http://caroliensstitches.blogspot.com/2009/01/skeelers-and-skates.html

http://spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com/2009/01/ok-were-rotating.html

So I haven't picked up a needle in a week.....

that's right, had visitors here in cool Colorado from the ovens of Arizona. We usually get a lot of visitors during the Summer which is wonderful. So not only was my stitching interrupted but also I didn't have any "Stress Tabs" aka M&M's, on hand to get me through. Since I went on the sugar wagon about 3 years ago there's nothing in this house to rely upon anymore, sniff, sniff. But I did survive the stitching drought and am very anxious to get back to my Lite Stitches project and finish up Gay Ann Roger's Red Kitty Sampler (you didn't know about this, first mention) which is about half way done. Will try to get a picture up in the next day or so and then I need to get to stitching a few obligatory canvases.

It seems I never stitch anything for myself. Is this the same for you? I have a few things I want to do, but gifts, requests and classes seem to keep me busy all the time. Not to mention the fabulous enabling publication, "needlepointNOW" that has 3 projects calling to me in just one issue. It's ridiculous really, there oughta be a law, or rule or etiquette guidelines in place about putting so many fabulous projects in one place. No affiliation, just a great fan. Those wonderful Kimono ornaments on the front cover nearly stopped all progress on anything else. Thankfully I didn't have everything I needed to start the first one. Whew, that was a close call to deepening my UFO pile.

I guess I should get to gettin' if I'm going to stitch this afternoon. Hope you're working on something that brings you joy. Take care til next time.