Illinois Canvas

I am not getting tons of stitching done, but I am slowly making progress on my canvas. It is fun choosing the stitches and trying to find the right color for a county. I wonder if it would look better if I was more systematic on my color choices. I like how it is turning out and it is fun seeing how my dyed threads look stitched up.

Jerusalem 2000-undone

I decided that there was a section in this piece that I did not like and it bugged me. So instead of taking it to the framer, I ripped. Here is a close-up of the mosque undone:

I know I will be happier in the long run, but it was a tough decision.

Below is a photo of my latest "big" project. My local EGA is doing these canvases of the various Midwest states.

I am using those threads that I dyed. I love how it looks! Now if I just could spend less time on my garden and more on my stitching! Fat chance!

Hope everyone is have a good summer and getting lots of stitching done!

Jerusalem 2000

Well, I am almost finished with this piece. It needs about 30 more beads on the olive tree to the right and then it is done. I started this piece before my dd was born in 1999 and I despaired of ever finishing. But it will be finished this week and then off to the framer! This is one piece that I wish I had kept track of the hours I put in it. Oh well, live and learn.

I also discovered that although I love laying silk and the look of metal work in a piece, I do not like to couch. This was my first big piece using so much silk. Lots of fun. Thanks Orna!

Finished for March

Well, I haven't posted in forever, but I have been stitching. I finished this Mill Hill bead kit-Shamrock Bunny- a while ago. I still need to add it to the Pixie Picket Fence, but I figure I can wait until February.

I am doing Gay Ann Rogers 12 stitches a day challenge. I am trying to finish Orna Willis's Jerusalem 2000. Yes, I have been working on it since 1999. It is a beautiful piece, but I have gotten bogged down several times. But I can do 12 stitches a day! I want to finish this piece so I can start on a new one with a clear conscience. I also want to sign up for the new ANG Cyberworkshop, Heart of the Cabin. So many temptations, so little time.

Cat Ornament

Here is a picture of the cat I have been working on. At one point she had some of the background stitched, but I made a mistake and had to rip. I now must wait and order more thread from my LNS to do her ruffled cuff and her background. Sigh. I was so hoping to get her done and work on something else.

Yep. I am anxious to start playing with my new dyed threads. It is raining so I can't even take a picture of the threads. I don't dare start a new project for fear of not finishing this one! Sigh. I bet I have a Mill Hill bead kit that needs beads somewhere in this house...Or I could work on my crazy quilt square....I 'm not even sure what month I'm supposed to be working on!

Hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day and getting a little stitching done.

Bad Pictures of Dyed Threads

Here are some photos of my threads as they dried in my basement. They look so lovely in person! The colors are vibrant and have so
many hues.









I hope to start on my project soon. But I must

finish my cat ornament. Why is it taking me so long? Maybe it is that I want to be dyeing threads and working on a different project...

Dyeing Questions

I don't have any pictures of my threads yet, but hopefully will be ready next time I post.

For those of you who haven't dyed before, the salt acts as a reactant with the dye to force the dye into the fabric or fiber. There are other more expensive products out there, but my friend who does this a lot uses salt.

Soda ash is commonly used to set the dye, but my friend said I could use baking soda. I always have that around and it is very cheap! I used it on my threads yesterday and I will find out if it worked. If not, I will add vinegar to the bags and set my dyes that way. It should work.

My local library has a big meeting room that several of us gather in and do art. We are making floor cloths with canvas this month along with dyeing fabrics and threads. Th local quilters also meet there monthly.

I had lots of extra dye from my experiment even with a friend using some to dye background for a wall hanging she is making. So I ran out and bought some t-shirts for the kids and we are dying those. I spent $11 at the quilt show for the dyes and instructions. Well worth the money!