Saturday, April 30, 2011

Celebration of Needlework 2011

Yesterday I attended Celebration of Needlework 2011 in Nashua, NH. I always love this annual trek 30 minutes (or less) from my home, (how blessed am I??), to meet up with stitching friends, take fun classes and shop... and eat... :-) The economy surely seems to affected Celebration this year. It was a much smaller crowd. There were only 4 students in the class I took, and I was told there was only 1 student in a class the day before :-( None of the designers I usually take classes from were there this year - no Betsy Stinner, no Catherine Strickler, no Jeannette Douglas, no Cynthia Zittel (aka Covol)... sigh... but, I still had great fun. There were still plenty of vendors there, and great friends too!

I thoroughly enjoyed taking this small class with Theresa Venette of Shakepeare's Peddler. The project is a small, basic spring pattern with the emphasis on learning a fun, easy and inexpensive way to convert this to a pincushion on a square pedestal... you will have to wait until I finish mine to see what I mean ;-) Theresa is lovely - a very open, candid and humorous lady. Totally fun!



I hit the shopping area with some gusto.... with my health issues this year, stitching has not been in the forefront for me. I loved being re-exposed to my favorite hobby while I was there. I picked up some Blackbird Designs charts, a La D Da chart and Shakespeare's Peddler's Jennie Bean... however, my biggest splurge of the event was this full kit for Quaker Diamonds. Karen Kluba was there (as a vendor, not as a teacher, unfortunately), and her booth was amazing. I could have furnished all of my house, my mother's house and your house with her many stunning models! This was the last of the full kits she had, so I feel like I won the lottery. I am so addicted to this piece already - so unusual for me to stitch on 28 ct using three strands of floss. Those who know me, know I am very much a one strand on 40 ct please, thank you so much... This is a treat and no strain on my eyes, thus no triggering of migraines. Whew! The colors are stunning, and I already know this is going in my dining area. The colors complement by newly installed Brazilian Cherry wood floors just perfectly. I am in stitching heaven again!

Plus, as well as spending time with dear, beloved Margaret as I do every year, I got to meet up with any dear stitching friend, Marie, for the first time ever! She is in transition, moving from Texas to Connecticut/New York/Vermont - some crazy combination of all three, actually :-) She is living in a hotel in Connecticut at the moment - what a treat for her to come and visit at Celebration... we had a fun dinner along with Margaret, and I got to give her my HoE Quaker Christmas Ornament in person!! Here is what I stitched for her...

Quaker Christmas Smalls
Milady's Needle
40 ct Flax Linen, Crescent Colours Floss - English Ivy, Auntie Dee, Sassy Brass, Bandana


On the health front, I am thoroughly enjoying "needle naps" (aka acupuncture) now... along with the magnesium supplement advice from Joanne, and Theresa Venette's recommendation for me to try Progesterone Cream, I think I may actually start to feel better soon - imagine that! My tinnitus volume is much lower as long as I keep this up, and I have only had a glimmer of a migraine since I first started acupuncture on Wednesday afternoon! Thank you to all for your help and support!!

Currently Stitching: Joy Christmas Ornament (thank you Margaret for giving me your used chart - I love this one!), and Quaker Diamonds





Monday, April 25, 2011

I am so lucky....

I feel so lucky... I have received two absolutely gorgeous Quaker Christmas Ornaments for the HoE Quaker Christmas Exchange!

This stunning stocking is from Anne. She wrote me that she had a tough time parting with it... I think we can all see why! Wow! I sure am going to treasure this lovely from a dear friend!
And, I had two partners! Marie signed up for the exchange just a tiny bit late, right after I had drawn names for partners. But we agreed to swap with each other, as I surely wanted her to participate. And look at the gorgeous Quaker strawberry she made for me! Another amazing treasure from another dear friend. I do feel blessed! I have not mailed mine to Marie yet though... she is moving at the moment and just does not have a postal address. I might get lucky, though this weekend. She might be at Celebration of Needlework in Nashua, so I will have hers with me just in case!!

Thank you, dear friends, for these amazing treasures!

Also, thanks to those with the tinnitus advice. I start acupuncture for tinnitus and migraines on Wednesday afternoon... hoping for the best, and ever thankful for the advice and support from the stitching world... hugs to you all!

Currently stitching: Houses of Hawk Run Hollow

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Quaker Christmas Ornament for Janet

I just heard this morning that janet has received the ornament I sent to her for the HoE Quaker Christmas Ornament Exchange.


Quaker Holly Ornament
The Workbasket
36 ct Ivory Edinburgh Linen, GAST and Victorian Motto Floss


Currently Stitching: Earth Sampler

Monday, February 28, 2011

Christmas Hearts Ornament

Well, OK, I am still stitching Christmas ornaments on a pretty regular basis here. I figure it is because it still very much looks like Christmas here. While my pals and family down south are happily reporting to me (all the time) that spring has arrived for them, it is still ultra snowy, very cold and oh so icy here in NH. I am home today due to severe ice this morning. I heard there were 12 rollover accidents between here and the Massachusetts border this morning, at the height of the morning commute. Glad I did stay home! I would have rolled or been stuck behind a rollover for most of the morning anyhow... hurry up Spring, this is getting to be pretty cruel and unusual punishment for us New Englanders now...

So, here is what I stitched this weekend, and just now did the finishing... a gentle reminder to myself of just how much I hate working with Kreinik blending filament!

Christmas Hearts Ornament
Just Nan - chart available HERE
32 ct Flax Belfast Linen, DMC Floss, Kreinik Blending Filament, SJ Designs Beads


Several of you have asked for details on the 1999 JCS Ornament Issue I have available... it is not officially sold yet. I offered to the first stitcher who asked, and now she has not gotten back to me. I will offer to the next in line tonight if she does not reply to my email...thanks for the strong interest in the magazine, and I hope to get it off to its new owner soooo soon!


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Currently Stitching: a Christmas ornament, Houses of Hawk Run Hollow, and Winter at Beacon House

Sunday, February 27, 2011

JCS 1999 Christmas Ornament Issue for Sale

I find myself with two copies of the hard to find, out of print JCS 1999 Christmas Ornament Issue. I wish to sell my extra copy. Please email me (click to view my profile in sidebar... Email is there), and I will tell you what I paid for it... Will sell for that price. Thanks!

SOLD- thanks for the interest!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Red Exchange for Lucy

Lucy let me know today that she received the HoE Stitch Red for your Heart Exchange that I sent off to her... I had such a devil of a time finding a chart for this exchange. I thought it would be easy, but somehow got all mired up in things... finally I was cruising Oakhaven Designs blog and figured I would try this freebie as a needlebook.... Lucy wrote kind words, so I am glad she likes it!

Happy New Year 2011 Needlebook
Oakhaven Designs
32 ct Dirty Belfast Linen, DMC Floss


Currently Stitching: a Christmas ornament, Winter at Beacon House

Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Cookie for Santa

It's far too cold and windy here in New Hampshire to do much more than the essential errands, so yesterday I sat down and made this little whimsy for my Christmas tree...

A Cookie for Santa Ornament
Hillside Samplings
Just Cross Stitch 1999 Christmas Ornament Issue
36 ct Sand Edinburgh Linen, NN and DMC Floss



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Currently Stitching: Winter at Beacon House, a Christmas Ornament

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Stitch Red Exchange from Faye


I received this really pretty pincushion from Faye earlier this week for the HoE Stitch Red Exchange. I had a chance to finally take a photo this afternoon. She stitched La-D-Da's design from the latest Christmas Ornament Issue, and then added her own really pretty homemade pins, plus a skein of overdyed floss. What a treat, and it already looks great in my curio cabinet. Thank you so much Faye!

Currently Stitching: HoE Stitch Red Exchange (down to doing the finishing now), Winter at Beacon House, a Christmas ornament

Friday, February 11, 2011

Rudy Ornament for Ina

I received word this morning that Ina has received the ornament I made for her for the HoE Reindeer Round Exchange... I stole the finishing technique from Lynn's blog (she had a tutorial, so I doubt she minds - LOL)... and here it is:

Rudy Ornament
Glory Bee
Just Cross Stitch 2007 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Natural Light Linen, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Bead


Happy Friday to all!

Currently Stitching: HoE Stitch Red Exchange, Winter at Beacon House

Sunday, February 06, 2011

Poinsettia Ornament

Another tiny ornament finish... I love the tiny ones, there is always some place to fit them in on my tree. I stitched this little one up during one of the snow days we had last week, and then did the finishing while watching TV with Mike last night...

Poinsettia Ornament
Earth Threads
Just Cross Stitch 2003 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, RG Petite Treasure Braid, DMC Floss, Mill Hill Petite Seed Beads


Currently Stitching: Winter at Beacon House, a Christmas Ornament, HoE Stitch Red Exchange

Tuesday, February 01, 2011

Believe

I stitched up this little, tiny ornament on Sunday. It's an old freebie from The Sampler Girl, which I figure must be retired as I cannot find it anywhere in her blog any longer... I had stitched this a couple of years ago for a friend, and this time around I made it really, really small to tuck into my own tree... kind of a "note to self" ornament as I have struggles with family and holidays... I need the reminder at the holiday season to just "believe" and not stress out too much... so here it is!

Believe Ornament
The Sampler Girl
Retired Freebie
28 ct Taupe Cashel Linen, DMC 115
Stitched one over one


Currently Stitching: HoE Stitch Red Exchange, a Christmas ornament and Winter at Beacon House

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Winter Sampler Ornament

I've been keeping myself busy with my personal goal to stitch as many Christmas ornaments as I can this year. Last night I did the finishing on this ornament that I had actually stitched earlier this month... I backed it with Silkweaver 40 ct Morning Dew linen, but did not manage to get any of that in the photo... it turned out to be really delicate, I just love this one...

Winter Sampler Ornament
Little House Needleworks
Just Cross Stitch 2009 Christmas Ornament Issue
Lakeside Linens 40 ct Basketweave Linen, Crescent Colours Floss
Backed with Silkweaver 40 ct Morning Dew Linen


Currently Stitching: Winter at Beacon House, HoE Stitch Red Exchange, christmas ornament

Friday, January 28, 2011

Noel 2008 Ornament

After seeing the gorgeous ornament that Tracy D. stitched for Sonda over on HoE, I just knew I had to make this one for myself! I had fun choosing my colors, as the ornament is charted in pastels and I wanted holiday bold colors... here is my end result...



Noel 2008 Christmas Ornament
Macha Creations
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, November 2008
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, Crescent Colours Floss in Cupid, Balsam Fir, St. Bernard, Eve's Leaves, Bejeweled and Finley Gold


Currently stitching: Winter at Beacon House, HoE Stitch Red Exchange

Thursday, January 27, 2011

HoE Reindeer Ornament from Gabi

Yesterday, I received a little packet from Australia.... in it was this gorgeous Blue Ribbon Designs ornament from Gabi. I love it! I have stitched BRD ornaments as gifts, but now I finally have one for my own tree...


She even personalized the back reflecting the year and the exchange group.... how sweet is this?? Thank you so much Gabi. I sure will treasure this always...

Ack... another very snowy morning yet again... the 3rd snowiest January on record in Boston... OK, I am 45 minutes north of Boston, but it counts! Praying for a drier February so I can get back to working full time again!

Enjoy your day -

Currently Stitching: a Christmas ornament, Winter at Beacon House, and starting my HoE Stitch Red exchange today

Saturday, January 22, 2011

HoE Reindeer Round from Cindy


Today I received my Reindeer Round ornament from Cindy for the HoE Perpetual Christmas Ornament Exchange. It appears she used at least some portion of one of Daffycat's free reindeer charts... not sure which one, will have to look and compare. Very cute, thanks Cindy!

I somehow messed up while setting up the partners for this round. I either overlooked Cindy's request email or never got it.... she caught the oversight after partners were exchanged, and we decided to swap with each other... while I also have an original partner for the group... so I am doing two rounds... will keep you posted re: what I sent and what I receive to/from my other partner(s)... confused? You are not alone :-)

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Currently Stitching: Winter at Beacon House

Friday, January 21, 2011

Mistletoe Reindeer Ornament... and a new start!

I mentioned in my last post that I had stitched the companion ornament to the one that I sent off in the HoE Reindeer Round Exchange... and here it is... this one I am keeping for my tree. I love Daffycat's delicate reindeer freebies! One left to stitch (Jingle Bell Reindeer)...

Mistletoe Reindeer Ornament
Daffycat Designs - chart available here
36 ct Flax Linen, DMC Floss

I also started a new project late last night... Since we had yet another snow storm this morning, I was free to stay home and work on it for a bit. This Praiseworthy Stitches sampler in the new Just Cross Stitch Magazine (Jan/Feb 2011) called to me as soon as my issue arrived... as New England native who is suffering through a brutally snowy January, this fits, and so I had to start it...

I am stitching this on Silkweaver 32 ct Sudden Storm Belfast Linen. The fabric of the model is bluer, but since I live where it snows a lot, I know that when it snows, the sky is grey like this, not often is is very blue.... nor is the sun smiling or really even out at that time, but we have to give PS artistic license for that one ;-)

If you are planning to stitch this sampler, please note some chart errors that I found - first of all, your fabric needs to be at least 15" x 24" - I am using a FQ - the chart calls for much smaller fabric. Also.... the symbols for the algerian eyelets (for the trees) in Cucumber and Endive Sampler Threads are reversed.... the symbols for the flag on the lighthouse and the little red bands atop the chimneys on the house are all coded for Cinnamon Sampler Thread, while the model clearly shows they are all stitched in Cherry Wine Sampler Thread.... makes me wonder how many other errors there will be, so keep an eye out as you stitch!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Reindeer Ornament for Cindy

I heard today that Cindy has received the little ornament I made for her for the HoE Reindeer Round for the perpetual Christmas Ornament Exchange in HoE. I loved how this came out, and then made one using its companion chart for myself. Once I get a photo of that, I will share it... for now, here is the one I sent to Cindy...

Holly Reindeer
Daffycat Designs - design available HERE
36 ct Flax Linen, DMC Floss


Currently Stitching: Starting a new sampler tonight ;-)

Monday, January 17, 2011

Holly Berries Mini Biscornu Ornament

Another little finish over the weekend...

Holly Berries Mini Biscornu Ornament
Cherished Stitches
Just Cross Stitch 2008 Christmas Ornament Issue
Silkweaver 36 ct Heritage Linen, Thread Gatherer Silk, Mill Hill Beads

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Blackwork Star Ornament

I finished up a couple of ornaments yesterday. One is for an exchange, so I certainly cannot share a photo yet, but I can share this one now...

Blackwork Star Ornament
Serendipity Designs
Just Cross Stitch 1998 Christmas Ornament Issue
32 ct Antique Ivory Belfast Linen, DMC 115

Saturday, January 08, 2011

First Finish of the Year

I have my first finish of the year... now that the holiday break has passed, I am back to work and well, slower on the stitching again. I suppose I am not the only one in that boat :-) Anyhow... my first finish is another Christmas ornament...

Christmas Comes Ornament
Vivian Bales
The Gift of Stitching Magazine, December 2007
28 ct Antique Ivory Cashel Linen, DMC Floss


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Currently Stitching: Christmas Ornaments, Royalty ABC