Solar Flare

First, thanks for all the nice comments on my mail art. I have my guild meeting today, if it is not cancelled because of the snow, and I will let you know if they want to do a workshop. I only mail things that I can whip up pretty quickly. I am too afraid of them getting lost in the mail or not being appreciated. My goal with the postcards I do send is to bring a smile. If it does that, I am happy.

I started on Solar Flares by Ro Pace.
This is a cyberworkshop offered by the ANG Cyberpointers chapter. Doing all the prework took some time, but I think I will be glad in the long run that I did it. Ro says we can leave the basting in, but I plan on removing it as I go. (I used the wrong thread when I did the basting and don't want to leave it.) This little bit of stitching took me two hours and that is not including the prework! I love the piece though and am trying to just enjoy the process.

Be careful out there everyone. They say we are getting a total of 8 inches here, but it is much worse out east. Hope you all are ready for this one!

Mail Art

Mail Art. What is that? It is art that you mail. Duh. But truly, what constitutes mail art? I think it is defined as any piece of art that you place a stamp on and mail away from you. So if you do beautiful calligraphy and place that on your envelope, that is mail art. I know some cross stitchers are making envelopes out of fabric, stitching on it and mailing it. That is much too time consuming for me. (If you want to see an example, go to Dragon My Needle- http://dragonmyneedle.blogspot.com ) I want to introduce my local EGA to mail art, so I made these Valentine postcards: I had to make 18 so I used my sewing machine. I made paper cloth and used it for the hearts. The background is fabric scraps that I ironed onto interfacing and then sewed down. I can see tons of possibilities with these. I wish I had pulled some lace and used it. I am not much of a seamstress, so using the sewing machine was a challenge. Luckily my son was available for advice! Now to get them addressed and into the mail.

January ANG Stitch of the Month

Well, I finished the stitching for last month. It wasn't too hard. I cannot continue until I get the rest of my threads from the shop. Do you think I might be able to find another project to do?

Stitching Afternoon

My DH and children went skiing yesterday. I do not ski so I took along my Christmas SAL piece. Look! Progress! Well, it may not look like much to anyone but me, but I feel better about sticking it away for a few weeks.

Not As Much As I Wanted

Isn't that how life generally works out? I did make some progress with my Illinois canvas, but not nearly 20 counties. I am at around ten today, and hope to get a few more done before I switch to something else. After all, Gay Ann is starting her Townhouse piece on Monday and I believe the Ro Pace ANG Cyberworkshop starts then too. Hmm. Must get permission to blog those pieces.

ANG Stitch of the Month

My camera doesn't take great pictures, but here are the threads I am thinking about using.
Family A: Cinnabar Watercolours
080HL Kreinik
72 Anchor floss

Family B:320 DMC in #5 perle cotton and floss (Can't remember what Krenik I ordered)

Family C:3753 DMC in #5 perle cotton and floss
3214 Krenik

But it is hard to start stitching as it is a mystery and I am not sure I will like the color choices. Cynthia-I don't blame you for waiting!

I also was asked by some of my guild members about teaching a workshop on dyeing threads and fabrics. Wouldn't it be fun to dye the threads for this piece? I am thinking about it. Wonder if my friend is done with my dyes yet? I better go stitch and stop thinking about it!

New Year's Resolutions Down the Drain

I did not even make it to the end of January before I ditched my New Year's stitching rotation. But I guess it is not a total loss as I have finished all my pre-work of the GAR Townhouse and I made some progress on the Heirloom Stitching Sampler. I think I need to get something DONE before I start on something new. And there are so many projects calling my name!

So I decided to make some serious progress on my Illinois Canvas. I still have around 50 counties to go, but I figure if I can get 20 done before the end of the month, I will be very happy.

Working on it makes me want to dye threads. Thank God my collection of dyes is with a friend who wants to dye some fabric. That removes a little temptation.

I am going to start on the ANG SOTM. Went and bought threads today. (Head hanging low.) Will try to take a picture and post tomorrow. I avoided silks as I am hoping to entice some of my guild members to join me in this mystery. We have a meeting tomorrow and I want to show them.