Elizabeth's Hair

It is nice to see Elizabeth with hair.  I got tired of her being bald. Now I am working her cuffs and the background.  Her curls are a bit tight, but I like them.  I look forward to working on the dress.

Merrily, Merrily Finished

I finished Merrily, Merrily Christmas night.  I need to finish the ornament which I hope to do before the end of the year.  Great piece.  Now I wish I had ordered the other piece from Shining Needle Society when I had the chance.   Maybe next year...

Over One

My Christmas decorations are up and I am having a hard time working on Ghost Dancer.  So out came Merrily! Merrily!  I love this piece and wonder why I put it down.  I just need  to find better place to stitch as the over one is a little difficult without my Ott light.  Guess I will have to unplug something else....

Bad Hair Day

I think Elizabeth may need to see a stylist.  Those curls seem a little tight to me.  I guess I am used to making my French Knots neatly.  I will work on the other side and then decide if the right side needs to come out.

Bracelets

These are two bracelets that I have made recently.  The top one my dd gave me as a kit last Christmas and the bottom one I took as a class.  The top one is fairly simple using two sizes of Fire Polish Crystals( 6mm and 4 mm) plus size 8 &11seed beads. The bottom one is much more complicated as it uses pearls, Firepolished Crystals and seed beads.  The dragonfly button was picked up at the Madison Quilt show. 

Jingle Bell Santa Finished

I need to fluff up the moustache but I will do that after I finish him.  Hopefully I will get some time next week to put my ornaments together.

The Start of Elizabeth's Hair

I have been busy working on ornaments so did not spend much time on Elizabeth.  I tried to work on her last night, but this section requires some concentration.  My little straight stitches need to be fluffier and fill the area a little more.  I will post a note to Gay Ann to see what she thinks.

Pearlcicles Finished

I finished all five of my Pearlcicles by Michelle Skobel.  I have beads for one more, but I need to work on some other projects, like Elizabeth and Ghost Dancer and Jingle Bell Santa. But at least I have my kids Christmas ornaments ready!(Two are for a friend.)

Santa's Go His Beard

Santa looks better with his beard.  The beads are taking forever.  I think I will force myself to work on beads before he gets his moustache.

A Little Blue

A friend inspired me to try to organize my house/life by taking small steps on projects that I keep putting off.  This fabric was dyed in the early fall and although I had rinsed it, it needed ironing.  So every time I went into my craft room, that pile of fabric would nag at me.  Today, I took the time to iron it.  It makes me feel better to see it neatly folded.  Not a big step, but at least it is one thing done. 
Now, I had better do my 12 stitches with Elizabeth before supper.

Happy Dance!

Since my mom doesn't read this, I can post this picture of her quilt.  I have the top totally done.  Now I just need to find someone to quilt it for me.  It is too large for me to attempt.

The Start of a Beard

I have added a few beads and part of the beard.  The beads are time consuming so I am glad that I did not wait until the end on them. 

Hardly Any Progress

Sorry I haven't posted in a bit.  Life has been busy, as usual.  I did not get as much done on Elizabeth as I hoped, but I did stitch a little on her. For those who want to know: Elizabeth was a kit offered by Gay Ann Rogers through the Shining Needle Society.  I don't think she is offering the pattern or the kit anymore.  The problem is the pearl beads, I do believe.  Gay Ann said she had a difficult time finding ones to make her kits.  Also, she is in "Mail Jail" right now as she just had her big E-week sale.(Elizabeth was NOT offered.)She offers new patterns for sale at various times, but E-week is when she offers some of her older patterns.  Why does she only sell her patterns at that time and not all of them?  Because she also needs some time to stitch.Gay Ann's Home Page should take you to her home page.  There should also be a link to join the Shining Needle Society from there or you can email Kate Gaunt: KateGaunt@aol.com .  None of the patterns are still for sale on the web page, but it would give you an idea of what Gay Ann offers.  (She has hinted that she may do Catherine the Great....) I have no financial interest in Gay Ann's sales, but I do have a lot of her patterns and kits!  
My beaded ornaments are coming along, but I have added two more that I need to do.  A friend was having trouble with the instructions and I offered to make them for her.  I was at a stitching meeting and several other ladies offered regrets that they had not bought the kit so I could make theirs too.  Ha!  I am crazy, but not that crazy!!!   I will try to get a few done and post a photo.

Elizabeth has a Ruff

I have finally started Elizabeth's hair.  Except before I do her hair, I must do the headdress. Sigh Well. at least her ruff is done.  Just to let you know, that little grey section took me 8 minutes.  How do I know?  I timed myself.

Another Beaded Ornament

I am working on my second ornament.  It is so fun to do and goes quickly.  The measuring cup holds the ball in place while I add the tassles. 

Progress on my Ornaments

Sorry for the bad photos; it is a cloudy day here. The Pearlcicle did not take very long.  I have started my second one and am changing it up a bit. 
I need to take out the silver on my Santa.  The bargello pattern in the center will not fit if I leave it as it is.  That did not take long to stitch and I will be happier with Santa's chin if I redo it.

Because I Needed a New Project

A member of my local guild received permission to teach this.  It is called Pearlcicles by Michelle Skobel.  I bought three kits; one for each of my kids.  Since I started this Saturday, it really stitches up quickly.  The tassles have proved the most difficult.

12 Stitches a Day on Elizabeth Progress

I decided I need to get Elizabeth done, so I work on her for 12 stitches a day.  No less but sometimes more.  Although that is not a lot of stitching, it means I make progress on my pieces.  Hopefully by next week she will have some hair.  It is difficult to see, but I have been adding a shadow to the ruff. Boring but needed.

Santa's Hat

I was very good and resisted Gay Ann's E-Week sale.  It was tough, but I did.  She has a couple of things coming up next year that will definitely tempt me.
Santa's hat is coming along quickly which is good as Kate Gaunt over at the Shining Needle Society is having another class called Christmas Light Santa by Janet Zickler Casey.  If you are interested in joining the Shining Needle Society , you can email Kate at KateGaunt@aol.com . Lots of fun classes and great teachers.

One Sail done on Ghost Dancer.

I finished one sail!  It was harder than expected and I made some mistakes and had to undo some stitches. I like how the sail floats over one of the waffles.  This is fun and very challenging.

Santa has got Eyes

I like it that my Santa can really see me now.  It is amazing how much a little outline stitching can do.
Just to let you know, Gay Ann Roger's is having her E-Week sale RIGHT NOW!  If you neeed some stash enhancement or just want to look, I highly recommend heading to her website.                                                 Gay Ann Roger's Home Page
She is having her special sales this weekend which is always fun to watch.

Elizabeth's Ruff Continued

I am making some progress on Elizabeth's ruff.I just need to add some tent stitching between the buttonhole stitches to create the shadow.  It is a good project for today as my allergies are bad and I can't think too well.  I really want to get back to Ghost Dancer, but my brain is not making sense of the directions.  I am sure that once my allergies are better it will make sense.

Ghost Dancer by Ro Pace

I should be canning tomatoes, but I thought I would do a quick post.  I am taking Ghost Dancer with Cyberpointers as a Group Correspondence Class through ANG.  I did not need to start another project, but this has a due date!  Having those usually helps me finish a project, if you know what I mean....
Back to the tomatoes.

A New Santa

Yes, I started a new project!  It is a Janet Zickler Casey canvas called Jingle Bell Santa.  I realized if I wanted to get him up for Christmas, I needed to start stitching!

Elizabeth's Ruff, Continued

I haven't been working much on Elizabeth.  She needs more light and patience than I have in the evenings.  I hope to get back at her soon.
Gay Ann Rogers is having her annual sale October 16-October 23.  She is taking votes on samplers she will offer on her early morning sales.  Want to vote?  Want to see what Gay Ann has to entice us with this year?
Gay Ann Rogers Sale should take you to her home page.  See why I have so much of her stash in my basement!

Midnight Star Finished!

I finished this last week, I believe.  I have been too busy with tomatoes and pears to do much stitching.  Way too busy to post anything!  My dehydrator died so I have a little time...Although I just looked at the pile of tomatoes on my ping-pong table and I am sure there are more on the vines outside. Tomorrow I will do some canning.  Tonight I will work on Elizabeth! 

A little more stitching

I did a little more on this piece tonight.  I am getting close to being done!  I am wondering about framing this piece.

Filling the Border

I have made some progress on Midnight Star.  This has more steps than I thought, but all the layers add so much to the piece. 

Starting E's Ruff

47 quarts Pat!  I wish I had that much put up already!!  I am watching my tomatoes ripen.  It has finally gotten warm enough for them.  The weeds continue to grow warm or cool...
This is what I have done so far on Elizabeth.  I had started the detatched buttonhole and then reread the directions...Adding the whipped backstitch and the pulled stitched before the buttonhole makes them MUCH easier to place.  I am doing a little at a time and enjoying the process.
On to the next batch of blackberry jam!

Gardening Season

These are my Amish Tomatoes that are too small to can.  I dry them and use them all winter.   I am also canning green beans and tomatoes.  Not as much as some of you ladies, but my tomatoes are just starting to ripen.  I love this time of year although it cuts into my stitching.  By evening I am so tired that I don't dare do anything that requires much counting.

It's a Chicken!

I actually got this stitched up last week.  All the littles were fun to do.  Now to find the proper scissors for it.

Start of the Next Border



For some reason I cannot add a post except as a caption to my photo.  Strange.  Anyway, I added my 3rd border to Midnight Star.  I will need to do some ghost stitching to place where the rest of the border goes.  Then I think I will go back to working on the center.



Just a quick photo

Buzzy Day is Stitched

Picket Fence:Buzzy Day by Mill Hill

I have all the beads on this piece.  It isn't cut out as I am not putting it on the Picket Fence that it is designed for.  Why?  The March Picket Fence that I have stitched keeps falling off the fence. (It is attached with velcro dots.) I think I will make two of three more of these designs and stick them all on a box.  After all, I have quite a collection in the basement!

One Border Done

I just hope this picture is crooked because my points look off.  I did manage to make the border meet which is good.  (Just checked:optical illusion.)  I hope to get this done before my dd birthday in October.  Because of Gay Ann's encouragement, I plan on working on Elizabeth again too.  Maybe I will have something to post on her before the end of the week!

And I Can't Count

While working on this piece I discovered that one of my stitches is wrong.  Actually, two.  I think it will work out as I am not taking my center out again!  At least I hope it will and the piece won't look too crazy.

Bus Trip

I had plenty of time to stitch while on a bus trip with my kids.  This piece is great for that.  I removed  the yellow in the bottom flower as I didn't like how it looked.  I think I have figured out how to do the long and short stitch.  Now if I can just move my skills to silk...

Judy Jeroy Workshop

My local EGA was very lucky to have Judy come teach for several days.  If you have the opportunity to take a class with her, do it!  Great teacher and a wealth of knowledge.

 The first class was a one day workshop from a free pattern off EGA's website.Embroidererers' Guild of America It is called An Introductory Program to Surface Stitchery and is available for members.  This was what I needed to help me with my long and short stitches, buttonhole and satin. 

The two day class was Chip and Chick and I learned a lot.  My little chick is very surprised at the chipmunk who is eating a nut on a stump. 

The plan is to stitch the one day and practice my technique before I tackle my big piece.  That is if I don't get distracted.  Would I do that?

Ukrainian Nyzynka-Stitched!

Have you ever just decided that a piece is done?  That is what I think about this one.  I have enjoyed working on it, but I started it in July 2010.  It is time to be done.  I was thinking of making it into a small bag, but my son has offered to make a box for it.  He has so many other projects that I hate to ask, but he wants to make it for me.  I will wash it and put it away.
I did not get to the Coq Au Pins yet.  I need to do some work before I can put it together.  That is my goal for tomorrow.  I did manage to clean a little of my basement though.  Every little bit is progress.

Midnight Star Restart

I spent yesterday evening watching PBS and ripping the center of Midnight Star.  I restitched the very center using Kreinik 150V.  I thought that is what I used before, but it was 152V which was darker.  My daughter likes the orange thread I am using so I can keep moving forward. 
I do plan on finishing my Coq Au Pins set myself.  It looks fairly straight forward and I hope to take some time today or tomorrow.

The Stitching is Done

 

Happy 4th of July!

First, Happy 4th of July everyone!  It is a beautiful day where I live and I just got back from a 10K Firecracker Run!  Can you tell I am hyper?  Anyway, it was great fun and I recommend doing a race, even if you are slow like me.  It is good to get out and move! 

Here is the scissor's case that goes with the chicken.  Do you see my mistake?  I need to do a little reverse stitching before this is done.  Then it is on to the scissor's fob! When I get all the stitching done, I will put everything together.  Here is my question: does it count as one finish for my Crazy January Challenge or do I count each piece?  I am so behind, I think I will count each one.  What do you think?

The Stitching is Done

This is the chicken for the Coq Au Pins by Twisted Oak Design.  Doesn't look like a chicken, does it?  I have enjoyed stitching it so much that I decided to do the rest of the pattern which includes a scissor's case, scissor's fob and a pin keep.  I am using threads that I dyed.  Hopefully I won't run out.

Strawberries

This is what I have been doing lately...picking strawberries.  I made three batches of freezer jelly and froze quite a bit.  The kids are tired of picking them which is ok as they are about done.  But boy, they sure enjoyed them with cake and ice cream! I am working on Elizabeth, but no real progress to show.  I do have some work done on another piece that I will post soon.

Elizabeth's Mask

Well, it has been a while since I last posted.  I redid a section of Elizabeth and then added the outlines.  I think any remaining lines on her face will receed with all the other stuff going around her.  Her ruff is going in next.  Hopefully I will be able to post more frequently, but it all depends on the weather and the amount of time I get to stitch!