Friday, October 22, 2010

General Release of Folk Santa Spinner Design

Just in time to stitch for Christmas!


Santa is flying his reindeer through the air in this whimsical Folk Santa Spinner. Learn to line draw a canvas, pounce background color and then stitch away. Learn realistic shading with basketweave, how to make antlers look like velvet, and easy metallic thread techniques that will really make your ornaments sparkle! A little bit of beading and some specialty stitches make this a fun design. Suggested materials includes 18 mono canvas, beads, silk, wool, cotton and metallic threads to stitch both ornaments, and complete instructions with color illustrations. 

 This design was premiered and taught at American Needlepoint Guild's National Seminar in Milwaukee.

Available for instant download:

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New Design - Charisma


"Charisma"

Strikingly elegant in its simplicity, Charisma is a lesson in goldwork – albeit stitched in silver. A variety of real and synthetic metal threads are used in this stunning piece. The design size can be adjusted to fit your desired finishing. The purse model design measures 6” x 2.75”. The mini design measures 2” square and may be completed as a test square prior to stitching the larger design.

Available in two formats:  
Instant download: 

Full color paper booklet:

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Friday, September 10, 2010

An "Old" Finish...

I stitched and finished this last year.  It's a Hand-Painted Canvas from A Collection of Designs.  Last night at guild we were talking about the birdhouse ornaments and when I went to e-mail the picture this morning I realized that I never put it on my album!   This was a fun piece to stitch and I was almost done with the stitching before I realized that it was a birdhouse.  ;)

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

New Book and New Design...

This design jumped the queue with Jane's query if I had finishing instructions for a tote bag in my book.  The short answer was "No.", but the longer answer was "I'm working on them."

With a bit of a push (I am moving in two weeks and am in the process of packing), I've finished them up and they are ready for download or mailing.


"Le Fleur Shoppe" is a charming design that shows a flower shop entry.  Stylized flowers detail this fun piece and a charming cat hides on the back.  Stitch in colors from your stash or use the recommended colors.

"Learn to Finish a Tote Bag" gives step-by-step instructions for finishing a tote bag.  Large photographs illustrate each step and it includes information on buying enough fabric, directions for sewing pockets, linings, and straps.

Enjoy these newest additions to my design collection!

"Le Fleur Shoppe" Paper Leaflet
http://www.lulu.com/product/brochure/le-fleur-shoppe---counted-needlework-design/12555200

"Le Fleur Shoppe" Digital Download
http://www.lulu.com/product/download/le-fleur-shoppe---counted-needlework-design/12555200

"Learn to Finish a Tote Bag" Digital Download
http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/learn-to-finish-a-tote-bag/12554915?

"Learn to Finish a Tote Bag" Paperback Book
http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/learn-to-finish-a-tote-bag/12554914

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Needlepoint Tote Bag Finishing...


This needlepoint design was finished as an open-top tote bag.  It is heavily interfaced so it stands up on its own.  The exterior fabric is a dark brick red velveteen and the straps are custom made and lined with webbing for strength.



The interior of the bag is lined in a woven fabric.  There is a hanging zippered pocket.

Friday, September 3, 2010

Mirabilia's "Bluebell"...


"Bluebells" by Mirabilia

I stitched this for my friend Jessie.  It is stitched in cotton floss and an overdyed Waterlilies silk.  The wings and a lot of the details are in Kreinik Metallic threads and there are quite a few beads.  Always fun to stitch these fairies!  

I kept thinking about my friend Laura and how she would have loved this piece: purples, Mirabilia, fairy with no antennae.  So I'm happy that it is for another friend.  

Kathy Schenkel "Washington" Stocking...


This hand-painted canvas is by Kathy Schenkel.  I stitched it in cotton threads and some specialty threads from Rainbow Gallery.  It is finished in light blue suede with a satin lining and trimmed with white cord.  The cute stuffed orca is hand-made and comes with the canvas.  So cute!

Some Christmas stitching...

I usually try to stitch 12 ornaments a year.  I'm behind!  Behind on finishing, too!

These are all from the 1998 Just Cross-Stitch Ornament Issue.  I'm clearing through my stash and getting stuff done.

"Joy!" by Bent Creek.


by Birds of a Feather.  Not sure if I will put this in a little frame or finish as an ornament.


"Christmas Star" by Emie Bishop of Cross 'N Patch.


by Darleen O'Steen of The Needle's Prayse.  Again, not sure if I will frame this one.


"Christmas Eve Ornament" by Graphs by Barbara and Cheryl.


"Woodland Noel" by Heart in Hand Needleart. 


"Star of Wonder" by Thirteenth Colony.  Solid stitching with beads!

Lastly is one of the Mill Hill bead and stitch kits.  It is called Victorian Tree and is stitched on perforated paper.  I finished it with a chenille thread trim and backed with passion suede.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Back from the Lake...

Just got back tonight from two gorgeous weeks in Kelowna.  The weather was really beautiful this year, albeit diverse.  Victoria went kayaking almost every day.  She's pretty safe on it so I would sit on the dock and stitch and let her go up the creek and around.  She really loved it.  We also took the kidlets water skiiing a few times.  There was mixed reactions on Victoria's part but she eventually got the hang of it and said she had fun.  Madeline was really balanced and Travis is all about the need for speed.  We spent hours at the beach every day.  We also went up to the KLO (Kelowna Land and Orchard Company) and did their hokey orchard tour that the kidlets really love.

I did get a lot of stitching done and pictures of that will come later.  I finished a few ornaments and a Mirabilia fairy for my friend.

Now to get on with house stuff - need to go through all the possessions, pack, and move!  It sounds easy but I have two pages of a to-do list.  Onwards!

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Milwaukee Visit

Aside from the Midtown Madness, we had a wonderful trip to Milwaukee.

Things we visited:

Milwaukee Art Museum - special exhibit was the "American Quilts", a collection of antique quilts.
http://www.mam.org/american_quilts/

Discovery World - I especially loved the little wood automations at adult eye level.  The kids liked playing on the ship model.
http://www.discoveryworld.org/

Kohler Design Studio - Admiring the kitchens and bathrooms.
http://www.us.kohler.com

Penzey's Spices - Got some great swag.
http://www.penzeys.com/

German Fest at the lakefront - Loved the needlework on all the ethnic costumes and the food was wonderful
http://www.germanfest.com/

Best of all was visiting with family and the kids swimming, swimming, swimming.  A great time!

Midtown Madness - Milwaukee

We just got back from a nice vacation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  This was my fourth trip to Milwaukee and I find the weather dramatically different every time!  I still haven't been there in the snow nor do I ever plan to do so.  This time we witnessed a full-on Milwaukee rainstorm.

Now, living in the Seattle area, I've grown used to rain.  It rains, or drizzles, much of the fall through spring.  We don't get a "real" winter here as we may only have 1-2 snowfalls.  The rain is so standard that locals don't even comment on it... I don't even own an umbrella.  So when locals here comment "Wow, it's really coming down." then you know it's really raining outside.  Heavily.  People would have definitely commented on the rainstorm in Milwaukee.

It started with an overcast morning.  Diane said there was a red sky when she picked up Brad at the airport.  We looked outside and saw that another day of swimming wasn't going to work and all agreed to drive up to Kohler to visit the Kohler Design Studio.  I drove the rental van (a Kia Sedona) there with no problems.  We spent about two hours there and headed out to grey skies and fairly heavy rain.

We got onto the freeway, I-43, and headed south.  The rain was pouring down, thunder was all around, and the lightning was hitting all around us.  I continued to drive, albeit slowly, in the right lane.  The underpasses dipped down so I didn't want to pull under a bridge and park for fear of a flash flood.  I was getting passed by diesels and other trucks who continued to speed along at 70 mph while I slowed down to 55.  (I think the speed limit is 60 there.)  I stayed in the right lane and continued south.

Traffic significantly slowed down at each underpass, as people realized that they had to drive through standing water.  We made it through by watching the vehicles in front of us and allowing plenty of room.  As we approached a particularly deep underpass I realized that it wasn't moving.  At that point I was about ten cars back.  I actually stopped on the freeway and just waited, as all the cars around us stopped as well.  You could see the water rising under the underpass and the cars that got stuck, as well as the trucks that had passed us.  We waited about 15 minutes to see what was happening while I discussed with Brad the merits of not pulling up to the next car (and allowing cars from the prior freeway entrance to come in and cut in front of me) and the potential merits of turning around.  Keep in mind that the rain is still pouring down and there was a significant chance of getting flooded out.  The truck behind me started turning around in what can only be described as a 12-point turn, so I made a smooth U turn onto the emergency lane and followed him out.



The cars that had been getting onto the freeway braked and backed up, and traffic slowed to a crawl as people abandoned the right lane to allow the now-dozens of cars that were getting off the freeway.  We learned when we watched the news at home that the underpass had a blocked storm drain, hence the flooding, and that the people in the left lanes that couldn't get off the freeway were stuck there for over two hours.  I don't know what happened with the people who got stuck in the water.

We were now 15 miles from the house and had our trusty GPS.  It is amazing anyway, as it updates with construction and real-time traffic, therefore it was able to almost steer us away from flooding based on the stopped cars that create traffic.  We did almost get stuck 3-4 times and I had to drive through standing water more times I liked.  I am so thankful that we didn't get sunk in a sinkhole.


Eventually, about two hours later, we finally made it home.  The other adults wanted to go out to dinner (!) but I wanted to stay home with the children and eat there and not risk getting stuck somewhere.  It was already after 8 p.m.  I fed the children and got them to bed and I stayed up and watched the lightning.

It was a little nerve-wracking, very worrisome.  The Kia drove well and I have to say, if it had been my own van I would have parked in someone's high driveway and we would have been there until the rain stopped.  :)

The end result is that they had seven inches of rain in an hour.  One man died being caught in a flash flood and his car was swept away.  Two women were hit by lightning.  Hundreds of cars have been totaled for flood damage.  I'm glad we were ok!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Back from Travels...

Every year I make a yearly trip down to Utah.  Primarily to visit family, I also sneak in trips up into the gorgeous mountain canyons or out to the West Desert.  Last summer I went with my parents and one brother (and his wife and children) and we traveled down to Saint George and went through Bryce Canyon and Zion's National Park.

Last fall my Dad and Mother went to the Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.  My Dad loved the park and I loved hearing about it and really wanted to go.  So this year I pushed the trip a little back from our normal time of late April into late May.  Also different this year was that I was driving to Utah with just the children; no Brad to take turns driving with me.

The book on CD that I listened to with the kidlets throughout the trip was "The Mysterious Benedict Society".  It was a great book and we really enjoyed it.  I alternated disks of that with Victoria's iPod for variety.

We left Seattle on a Saturday morning.  We drove throughout the day, stopping to look at the Zillah Teapot Service Station National Monument, as well as many numerous stops at rest stops for the children to stretch their legs and take restroom breaks.  That evening we got into Boise, Idaho where I checked into the hotel.  After dinner the children swam in the pool and I set my feet in the hot tub.  Travis then refused to get out of the pool and I threatened no swimming the next day.  He got out of the pool.

Sunday we stopped at the Hagerman National Park, in Hagerman, Idaho.  This national park focuses on the Hagermen Horses, a zebra-like animal that died many years ago and was fossilized.  We watched the 20 minute movie and the kidlets worked on their Junior Ranger Badge books.  Travis and Madeline threw the sand from the indoor sand box all over the carpet.  Travis tried to grab the fossils and Victoria walked around looking bored.

As we drove through the park and the Oregon Trail the children felt sympathy for the settlers who had to make the monstrous climb up the mountain (taking 2 days) and then realized that there was no water for miles.  Especially when I threatened them with having to walk home if they didn't get back in the car so we could move on.  They did enjoy the one-lane scary rickety bridge that we took the time to drive over.  Actually, they really did love seeing the trail hills.

We then drive on to Utah Valley, where my parents live.  As you pass Ogden the quality of the drivers denigrates and progressively worsens as you approach BYU.  They speed up, signal less, and tailgate.  It's like bumper cars with giant trucks.

Monday was my brothers birthday so we took him out to lunch and that afternoon I bought Madeline some new shoes.

Tuesday morning we got up early and the children and I loaded into my Dad's giant truck.  He does not drive like he is playing bumper cars.  We drove down and made it through Monticello and into Cortez, Colorado, that night.  We checked into a hotel and drove the short distance to the Mesa Verde National Park.  The park is huge and only two of the many mesas are open to the public.  One of those mesas, unfortunately, was not to be open for the season until three days later.  When I return in 15 years I will make sure that I'm there after Memorial Day!  We made it from the opening gate to the visitor center with approximately two minutes to spare, minutes in which I ran full speed to get to the door before they locked it and we couldn't buy tour tickets.  I just made it.

We spent several hours doing the cliff top mesa drive and seeing the Sun Palace, pit houses, etc.  It was really amazing.  That evening we went to a brewery for dinner.  I couldn't bring Brad home any beer because taking alcohol across state lines is considered bootlegging.  (I asked.)

The next morning we got up early and headed back into the park.  We visited the museum, a few more pit houses, and went on a tour of Cliff Palace.  This was easy to do with the children, although Madeline had a tantrum that she didn't get to lead the group and also couldn't talk the whole time and interrupt the ranger.  Travis had to have his hand held the whole time so he wouldn't throw rocks over the edge of the cliffs onto who-knows-what below.  The building was amazing and the kids settled down and enjoyed it.

We had an hour approximately until the tour of Balcony House.  By this time I realized I didn't have sunscreen for my lips which were becoming severely dry, even with the half case of water we had already drunk.  I had packed a loaf of bread with peanut butter and honey for sandwiches and the air was so dry that it pulled the moisture out of the bread once you took it out of the bag, making your sandwich stale before you had finished eating it.  My lips got progressively worse over the next day (even with buying lip balm with sunscreen that evening) and I ended up with cracked bloody lips that looked like I had taken accutane.  Ouch!  The little bit of sunscreen I got on my shoulders didn't bother me at all and I kept the kids in sunscreen and light layers and hats.

Balcony House, also amazing, was probably really inappropriate for children as young as Madeline and Travis.  I misread the tour description and didn't realize that 1) The 30 foot ladder is not flush against the wall.  This means a child could fall through the steps and has to be held around the waist during the climb to prevent this. 2) A tunnel is different than a standing tunnel.  It means hands-and-knees crawling, with a WTF rock in the middle that you have to climb over.  And people will take pictures of the butts of the people in front of them, and probably took a picture of mine.  Nice!  3) A series of 2 ladders and cliff-carved steps means an OMG we're all going to die diagonal crawl up dangerous ladders and carved out cliff steps with a piece of wire mesh that might hold you if you slip.

I was scared for me... more scared that something would happen to one of the kids and I would have to explain why I thought it was a good idea to bring them on this trip.  Plus the whole losing a child thing that one doesn't even want to think about.

Whew!  Glad we made it through that!

After Mesa Verde, we drove back up to Moab, Utah.  We picked a hokey little hotel on the side of the road purely because of the waterslide.  I will never go there again because of the dirtiness of the pool and I really can't discuss the awful parents that were sending the tiny, tiny toddlers down the waterslide head first.  Really, my heart was just pounding.

That early afternoon we drove into Arches National Park and drove all the way to the end.  The scenery is, of course, amazing.  We stopped at each point of interest and walked to the arches.  Dad did great with his knee and the kidlets really enjoyed it.  It was a very accessible park but lots to do as well that we didn't because the kidlets couldn't hike too much.  Just lovely.

The next morning we drove over to Canyonlands Island in the Sky National Park.  Canyonlands is so huge it is divided into three sections because of the rivers and it isn't feasible to see them all in the same day.  Next year, perhaps, I would like to get over into the Needles, or into the Maze.  Maybe the year after.  Dad says it looks very similar to the Grand Canyon.

We did a short hike at Canyonlands out to the salt crater and I had a tight grip on the kidlets because of the wind.  Again, was worried about losing one of them!

After Canyonlands (much less developed than Arches) we drove over to the Dead Horse State Park.  This little mesa tip was being used to film an alien movie with Willem Dafoe, although we saw no one famous.  I had internet service out there so I was able to see who was in it.  Had it been someone gorgeous I would have had my Dad drop me off so I could stay there all day.

The Dead Horse State Park view was incredible.  Incredible.  Really high.  Really windy.  Really dangerous.  My Dad told me that a "friend of his had his Dad blow off her a few years back."  We could see the fertilizer harvest fields in the distance, a bright blue that looks just like miracle grow.

We drove back up into Utah Valley and recuperated.  I think it was Friday evening when we got back?  The next few days were a blur.  I saw most of my brothers, the cousins played together, and I ate too much food. I took the kidlets on a hike up to Timpanogos Falls on the East side of the mountain and we enjoyed the view.  We went on a drive-around tour of my Dad's work so he could point out the new buildings.  Mom and Dad and I and another brother and kidlets went out to Saratoga Springs to practice target shooting.

On Tuesday I took kidlets to the Timpanogos Cave National Park up American Fork Canyon.  The hike was a tough one and Victoria bought a patch that says "I survived the hike!"  The cave was really beautiful inside and the kidlets really enjoyed it too.  All those years living there and I had never done it.  Going down was way easier than going up.

Wednesday we did some laundry and then piled in the car and drove back to Boise.  Same hotel, same restaurant, same pool that Travis refused to get out.  Thursday morning we drove into Kennewick, Washington, which is the Tri-Cities area.  We went to Richland and went to the Columbia River Museum.  It was a really interesting museum about the Hanford reactor and also a big room that was like a science fair, except everything worked and there wasn't a crowd.  The children loved it.

Brad drove over from Seattle that night and there was much happiness from the children who had missed their Daddy very much.

We drove back to the Kennewick hotel, swam, and went to bed.  The next three days were a blur of swimming, chatting with friends, headstands in the park, waiting for a long time at the restaurant, and more chatting with friends and swimming.

Sunday morning Brad took Madeline and Travis back to Seattle, arriving at 3 p.m. (I think).  I stayed with Victoria through the swim meet at 6:30 and drove back, arriving at around 10:30 p.m.  The worst weather of the entire trip was coming down Snoqualmie Pass in pouring rain, in the dark, with everyone going 70 but you couldn't slow down because you knew you would get rear-ended if you did because everyone usually goes 90.

Fun trip - looking forward to next year!

Victoria did awesome in the swim meet, too.  She got two Silver Times and is very excited about that!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Sam Sarah's "Love Summer"...


"Love Summer"

This is from the "Merry Little Summer" chart-pack.  Love Summer is stitched on blue evenweave fabric with hand-dyed cotton threads: Gentle Art Sampler Simply Shaker Threads in Green Apple, Brethren Blue, and Pomengranate, The Dye is Cast in Calendula, and Weeks Dye Works in Cypress.  The hand-made buttons are from Just Another Button Company.  It is hard to tell but the frame is a light pink that looks beautiful with the buttons and pink threads.

Stitched in May 2010.

Shepherd's Bush "Be True"...


"Be True"

This little kit from Shepherd's Bush is stitched on hand-dyed linen from Lakeside Linens using silk floss.  The rose button is hand made by Just Another Button Company and the mat is hand painted by Jill Rensel.

I stitched this in May 2010.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Spring Basket Quilt...



I made this double-sided quilt for my Grandmother to cheer her up.  She recently broke her hip and is still in nursing care at a facility.  


Bad, bad pictures, I know, but I wanted to get it in the mail to her and it was raining so I couldn't take it outside.  

Monday, May 3, 2010

Sheepish Design's "Frolicking Flowers"...



Stitched on 28-count linen from Zweigart over one linen thread.  Stitched using hand-dyed cotton floss in the following colors: Weeks Dye Works in Navy, Ivy, Sweetheart Rose, Squash, Angel Hair, Iris, and Americana.
Stitched in April - May 2010.  It took me about five days to stitch.  I would estimate 12 hours?  The design, when stitched over one, measures about 3.25" square.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Ruffled Tier Skirt for Madeline...


Madeline's Ruffled Tier Skirt

It is made from five coordinating fat quarters. the seams are French seams that are then topstitched so it should be pretty durable. Elastic waist. She loves it! It's very long.

Each tier is a bit longer than the one before. I have a ruffler foot for my sewing machine so that made the ruffles very easy. I did a 6 on the higher layers with 2.5 sewing stitch length and the bottom ruffle is a 6 with a 1.5 sewing stitch length.

Ellen Chester's Quaker Hornbook...


"Quaker Hornbook"

I stitched this piece in April 2010.  Our ANG chapter will be stitching it for the June project so I stitch the class piece first so I can teach it if needed.  This linen is 36 count Permin and most of the design is stitched over two threads.  The alphabet is stitched over one threads.  I used overdyed six-strand cotton threads - "Tree Bark" from The Dye is Cast and "Cappucino" from Crescent Colors.  I made the twisted cording from some brown Impressions thread.  A fun, quick piece to stitch!

http://www.summerlouise.com/albums/stitching/designers/ellenchester.html

http://www.withmyneedle.com/

Monday, April 26, 2010

Birds of a Feather "Kindness Sampler"


"Kindness Sampler"

This is stitched on Permin linen.  I think it was 32 but if may be 28 count.  It is a beautiful ginger color.  The threads are mostly Weeks Dye Works hand dyed cotton threads but the dark brown is DMC cotton floss.  The design is 8" square and I think the frame is about 12" square.  I stitched this in April 2010.

http://www.summerlouise.com/albums/stitching/designers/boaf.html

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Lime Kiln Trail

Hike: Lime Kiln Trail
Region: North Cascades -- Mountain Loop Highway
Agency: Snohomish County Parks


This low-elevation trail was a great first hike of the season for us. I took my three children, ages 9, 6 and 4, from the trailhead to the kiln and back. 

We got decent start at 10:30 a.m. and at our snail's pace we were back out at 2:30 p.m. The weather was cool and dry in the morning and heated up towards the afternoon. Definitely pants weather with multiple layers on top. 

The trail has some mud and a bit of standing water but it was fine. After the lake, past the log bridge, there was a single washout of the trail over a gully. There is a downed log that helps to grab as you cross it. I set each child on the mountain side and they crawled along it to get to the other side. They thought it was great fun and are good climbers. I saw a couple of older folks having trouble with it and I wouldn't want to cross it with a very young child that needed to be carried. It looks like someone tried to put a couple of boards in to walk on but those have washed out. 

The wildflowers were lovely and there were lots of beautiful peek-a-boo views along the way. We saw quite a few small white butterflies and heard lots of bees around the blooming blackberry bushes.


Wednesday, April 14, 2010

"Sail Away" by Tricia Wilson Nguyen


"Sail Away Needlebook"



This design is from the Summer 2005 Sampler and Antique Needlework magazine.  The threads are DMC floss and it is stitched on a perforated sewing card from Tokens and Trifles.  I mounted it on ultrasuede fabric and framed it in an antiqued white frame.

I stitched this in April 2010.

As I was looking around Tricia's website (so much new stuff in five years) I ran across this piece on her casket.  Beautiful but a little dear at $350 for the kit.  I think this ship was inspired from the one on the casket.


Five Birds by Barrick Sampler


"Five Birds"

designed by Barrick Samplers

I stitched this little sampler in April 2010 for my friend Sharon.  The linen is Permin linen, 28 count.  The cream thread it Weeks Dye Works in Angel (angelhair?) and the blacks are Weeks Dye Works Coal and Charcoal. 


Friday, April 9, 2010

Rose Needlepoint Pillow


This needlepoint design is finished as a pillow.  
  • Fabric-framed front
  • Self-welted cording
  • Chenille upholstery fabric
  • Zippered back
Finished in April 2010.


Monday, April 5, 2010

Victoria Sampler Needleroll - November


This is the November needleroll from Victoria Sampler.  I started this sometime in 2009, stitched on it for a couple of hours, then forgot about it.  (oops)  I found it again yesterday and went ahead and finished it.  Very sweet!  I gave it to Victoria to put in her dresser.   More of my finished Victoria Sampler pieces are here.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Joni Stevenson "Poinsettia"

This design is from the ANG Chapter Project Book 2009-2010.  Our chapter will be stitching it in April.  Designed by Joni Stevenson.  It is stitched in silk floss and cotton pearl cotton with Kreinik metallic threads.  The congress cloth was painted with gold craft paint.  

I finished it as a circle ornament with a padded front and flat hard back with a twisted cording trim.


David McCaskill "By the Sea"

All finished!  Stitched from February-March 2010.





Friday, April 2, 2010

March Stitching Review

March Stitching Review

Finished in March:
David McCaskill - By The Sea Line Drawn canvas +threads (Started Feb 2010)
KS Designs - Washington Miniature Stocking Ornament (with whale doll) (Started Feb. 2010 as car project)

Here are the ones I have in progress:
Amanda Lawford - Royal Santa (huge)
La-D-Da - Eve cross-stitch
Needlepoint of Back Bay - Fruit Rug (Square 2 of 12) painted canvas with wool threads
Painted Canvas - unknown designer -
Craftsman design (working on this as I buy the wool for the rug) (Started August 2009)
Summer Truswell own design - Sunshine & Shadow charted canvaswork
Summer Truswell own design - 1st house line-drawn canvas embroidery picture
Summer Truswell - purple gift box

I didn't buy any new projects this month so the "To be stitched" list is the same as last month.  
2010 Goals: Keep up with the MTP program. Finish Melissa Shirley egg works-in-progress. Make progress on all other works-in-progress. Finish Eve UFO.

February Goals:
Finish Royal Wind.
March Goals:
Finish both Melissa Shirley Easter egg work-in-progress canvases. Since I finished those in February, here are new goals:
March Goals: Progress on canvases: David McCaskill "By the Sea", Washington Whale Stocking. Catch up on finishing. Progress on Eve.

April Goals - I forgot about progressing on Eve, so I will do that this month.  Also, I have a small project that I need to stitch for my ANG chapter.  Other than that, we'll see.  I haven't been in the mood for stitching very much.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

"Needlework: From Stitch to Finish" once again available...






Just a quick note with some good news. 

*** My last finishing book, “Needlework: From Stitch to Finish” is once again available. ***

 “Needlework: From Stitch to Finish”, as a black-and-white printed, soft-bound book, at Lulu
This is the way the book was originally published.  I was able to lower the price as the publisher charges less for black-and-white.

 “Needlework: From Stitch to Finish”, as an instant, full color download, at Lulu.The download is the same file, just in full-color.  You can keep on your computer or print out the pages you need and put them in a binder. 

“Needlework: From Stitch to Finish”, as a full-color, soft-bound book, at Lulu.
Again, this is the same book, in full color.  The price is more because of the color printing. 

Thank you, dear needlework friends, for your support.

***Some of you may remember what happened – I had three computer crashes in a row, losing lots of information and many design files.  The back-up disk in the safe deposit box was corrupted.  I couldn’t find my third backup.  Well, over a year later, I found the third disk!  The book is complete and I was able to quickly upload it to the publisher as all the “pre-work” had already been done; it was just the actual file missing.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Pillows - Fish and Duck

These needlepoint pillows are finished with green linen fabric with zippered backs.  Both have a knife edge finish.  The fish pillow has self-welted cording.  The duck pillow uses a purchased brown twisted cording edge.  




Box Cushion - Jaguar

This Candace Bahouth design is finished as a large boxed cushion.  It has self-welted cording with a side gusset to create a box shape.  A custom down insert was made.  Zippered back.  The green linen was sent by the client.  



Geometric Messenger Bag

This geometric needlepoint design was finished into a large tote bag.  It is big enough for a library trip or even to hold a quilt.  The fabric is black twill with a red twill lining.  The edge is top-stitched and the black strap is adjustable and can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body messenger style.  





Finished March 2010.

Pillows - Silk Asian Set

This Asian-Inspired pillow pair features:
  • Fabric-framed fronts to enlarge the front
  • Silk dupioni fabric was requested for finishing as the pillows are stitched in silk threads
  • Self-welted cording with small gimp insert
  • Boxed shape with side gussets
  • Down inserts
  • Zippered backs





Finished March 2010.

Finishing Albums Moved Over...

I just finished a massive move of my finishing albums.  I moved my finished pictures from the website on which they used to be hosted into this blog.  This way it will be much easier for people to see examples of the various types of finishing and things I have made.

Please note that I am not accepting new finishing clients.  I just hope that people enjoy looking through the pictures and getting ideas for their own stitching.

Lots of the pictures don't have a named designer - if you recognize a design for sure please leave a comment on that item and I will add the designer name to it.

Use the tag cloud on the right to easily move through the items and get ideas.

Thanks for your patience!

Advent Ornament Tree


A selection of tiny needlepoint ornaments are finished for an advent calendar.  These are all the same size, 1.5" square. Various trims are used on the edges to add interest, and brass rings are used as hangers at the top so they can be attached to the tree with ribbon.  Canvases by Princess and Me.  These are the shop models and were available as a monthly club at The Needlepointer, a needlework store in Everett, Washington.

Amanda Lawford Birthday Ornament


This needlepoint design is finished into a square ornament with a padded front and hard back.  It is backed in purple silk dupioni and trimmed in custom pink and purple twisted cording that is looped at the corners.  The decorative tassel at the bottom matches the design.  Design by Amanda Lawford.

Christmas Cracker


This needlepoint design is finished into a Christmas Cracker using gathered red silk dupioni and custom curled ribbon.  The cracker is hard and has open ends just like a real cracker.  Design by Melissa Shirley.