Wedding Gift

I went to a wedding today.  Victoria is the 1st grade teacher at German School, and she married Brian today.  It was a lovely wedding, and I hope they like the gift I made for them.

WIP Wednesday - 2 for the price of 1!

Sigh..... I started this piece on May 25th, but after two solid days of stitching, I discovered that I was using the wrong amount of strands!  (the patches outside of the arched bricks should be done in one strand of floss over 2 fabric threads and I had done them with two strands, which wouldn't give the proper shading to the finished piece so I had to frog two full days of stitching!  I restarted the piece on May 27th, about 1 1/2 weeks ago.  After just a few days here is the WIP as of May 30th.

 

 

 

Here is the same piece on June 6, after 1 1/2 weeks of stitching.  It is coming along nicely! 

 

 

I will be concentrating on this piece instead of doing my usual screaming rotation because this is an intended 50th anniversary gift for some friends and the big party is in the middle of August.  I will need lots of encouragement to stick to the piece and get it finished!  

May Progress and June Goals

Well, by now you might have figured out that my 'finishing mania' didn't go so well.  It actually never happened.   I did get everything organized for it but that's as far as I got.  Why?  Well, a designer friend needed some model stitching in a big hurry and I just couldn't say no, so I stitched three pieces for her and will be doing one more as soon as more fabric arrives.   I also had a wedding sampler to stitch so that it could be taken to be framed in time for a June 10th wedding.  Rocky Mountain Christmas isn't finished either.  Just a little more backstitching, but the frame is ordered, and I hope to have it finished by the time the frame molding is in.  I also have a piece to stitch in time for a 50th Anniversay in August.  It needs to be finished to get it framed before the party, so that will become my focus piece for now.......finished all the things I have ready to be finished will come later.....

May 2018

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  worked on it
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Merry Bells #1 

Maynia starts

1.       #5 (perpetual calendar)
2.       #6 (perpetual calendar)
3.       #7 (perpetual calendar)
4.       #8 (perpetual calendar)
5.       #9 (perpetual calendar)
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Ambrosia Honey
8.       Scissors case
9.       May flower of the month
10.   June flower of the month
11.   July flower of the month
12.   French alphabet page
13.   Hardanger runner
14.   Hardanger ornament
15.   Snowman Heart
16.   Marnee Ritter Heart
17.   Gingerbread heart
18.   ANG Blue Tree
19.   journey bag
20.   Snow Sampler
21.   Fox Embelishment square

Future New starts

Alphabet band for Sue  finished
Box top Model for Sue  finished
Pin Cushion Model for Sue  finished
Wedding sampler  finished
Linen & Threads 2017 Part 5 worked on it
Dreaming of Tuscany  worked on it
Hardanger Heart  worked on it
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

June 2018

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Merry Bells #1 
Hardanger Heart
Linen and Things Sampler part 5
Dreaming of Tuscany

Maynia starts

1.       #5 (perpetual calendar)
2.       #6 (perpetual calendar)
3.       #7 (perpetual calendar)
4.       #8 (perpetual calendar)
5.       #9 (perpetual calendar)
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Ambrosia Honey
8.       Scissors case
9.       May flower of the month
10.   June flower of the month
11.   July flower of the month
12.   French alphabet page
13.   Hardanger runner
14.   Hardanger ornament
15.   Snowman Heart
16.   Marnee Ritter Heart
17.   Gingerbread heart
18.   ANG Blue Tree
19.   journey bag
20.   Snow Sampler
21.   Fox Embelishment square

Future New starts

 
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

 

 

Stitching Some Models

 I spent quite a bit of time stitching some Models for Sue Hillis.    This will be a pin cushion.

 This piece will be a box top.

 This piece will be a band that goes around a box.

Here are all three pieces together with the antique buttons attached.  Sue will be teaching this project in a number of places.  Check out her facebook page for a list of dates and places.

Framing Maynia, Day 1

This year, instead of Stitch Maynia in May, I will be doing it in August or September due to some gifts that need to be completed right away.  Instread, I will be doing a "finishing" Maynia....I will finish one thing every day for at least the first 15 days of May, maybe even more.....Yes, I have a lot on my finishing pile. 

Here is the first piece.  It is Grand Hotel that I stitched for some friends.  I finished it in an oval oak frame, and am very happy with the way it turned out.  If I can find another frame just like it, I will stitch it again for me!

Not enough stitching was done in April in my opinion.  I did make great progress on Rocky Mountain Christmas.  I would have finished it but needed to start on a model stitching project right away, so it will be finished in May for sure.  I do want to get the Work in Slow Progress list finished by the end of 2019. 

A word about Stitch Maynia.  This is where you start a new piece every day for the first 15 or 18 days of May and then commit to finish them during the year.  I love this!  I have had great success doing this and the Crazy January Challenge for a number of years.  This year, I have my Maynia starts all planned out and ready to go.  I then got some obligation stitching to do that are gifts that need to be finished as soon as possible.  So....I will be starting my Maynia pieces in August or September instead, and I will be doing a "finishing Maynia"  I will 'finish' one piece each day in May for at least the first 15 days, if not more....I have a lot that needs finishing.

April 2018

WISPS:

 Rocky Mountain Christmas  worked on it  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Merry Bells #1 

Maynia starts

1.       #5 (perpetual calendar)
2.       #6 (perpetual calendar)
3.       #7 (perpetual calendar)
4.       #8 (perpetual calendar)
5.       #9 (perpetual calendar)
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Ambrosia Honey
8.       Scissors case
9.       May flower of the month
10.   June flower of the month
11.   July flower of the month
12.   French alphabet page
13.   Hardanger runner
14.   Hardanger ornament
15.   Snowman Heart
16.   Marnee Ritter Heart
17.   Gingerbread heart
18.   ANG Blue Tree
19.   dreaming of Tuscany
20.   wedding sampler
21.   journey bag
22.   Linen & Threads 2017 Part 5
23.   Snow Sampler
24.   Fox Embelishment square
25.   Linens Threads SAL part 5

Future New starts
Alphabet band for Sue  worked on it
Hardanger Heart  worked on it
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

May 2018
WISPS:
 Rocky Mountain Christmas 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Merry Bells #1 

Maynia starts

1.       #5 (perpetual calendar)
2.       #6 (perpetual calendar)
3.       #7 (perpetual calendar)
4.       #8 (perpetual calendar)
5.       #9 (perpetual calendar)
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Ambrosia Honey
8.       Scissors case
9.       May flower of the month
10.   June flower of the month
11.   July flower of the month
12.   French alphabet page
13.   Hardanger runner
14.   Hardanger ornament
15.   Snowman Heart
16.   Marnee Ritter Heart
17.   Gingerbread heart
18.   ANG Blue Tree
19.   dreaming of Tuscany
20.   wedding sampler
21.   journey bag
22.   Linen & Threads 2017 Part 5
23.   Snow Sampler
24.   Fox Embelishment square
25.   Linens Threads SAL part 5

Future New starts
Alphabet band for Sue 
Hardanger Heart 
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

 

WIP Wednesday 4-25-2018

This week I am doing some Model Stitching for Sue Hillis.  I do have her permission to show this piece.  It will be a band that goes around a box, and will have other components, a box top, and pin cushion, and perhaps some other things.  She will be teaching this piece at various shops across the country this year.  I am looking forward to stitching it a second time for myself.

Weekend Baking

This past weekend I made a Lemon Meringue Cheesecake.  It turned out quite yummy!  It could even stand alone as a lemon cheesecake without the lemon curd and meringue on top! 

I always have trouble with meringue on top of a pie or cake, it always ends of shrinking no matter how well I 'seal' it.  Will have to practice some more.

Even so, it was well received.  My taste testers finished every last crumb!

WIP Wednesday 4-4-2018

Rocky Mountain Christmas is almost done!  Not much left......I must get it done!

Easter Sunday Eats

 For the first time ever, I attempted to make Salz Kipfel.  I got the recipe from a friend, it was her husband's grandmother's recipe that she wrote down after watching it being made, and it is a bit sketchy.   But they turned out pretty good!  I have made note of a few tweeks for the next time I make it. 

Here is the rest of the Easter Buffet.  There were only 9 of us, and I am used to cooking for 20 or 30.....we had ham, cheesy potatoes, German Apple pancake, deviled eggs, kale salad, veggies, fruit, and Kipfel.  I made a fruit torte for dessert.

March Progress and April Goals

March was a good stitching month!  Lots of stitching time!  8 finishes, including the Santa Train Stocking that seemed to be taking forever.  I also worked on two of my Works in slow progress!  I mapped out my "May"nia stitching also, although I may start one or two of those pieces early.

March 2018
WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas  worked on it  
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II  worked on it

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
SAL part 1  finished
Pacific Heart  finished
Merry Bells #1 

Future New starts

SAL part 2  finished
SAL part 3  finished
SAL part 4  finished
Blue Fox Emerald Patch finished
Flamingo bookmark  finished
book mark #2 finished
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

April 2018

WISPS:
10 hours on Rocky Mountain Christmas 
Antique Map and Needlebook
Heirloom Christmas Sampler
Oveture II 

In Progress

4 person RR Marguerite’s
Merry Bells #1 

Maynia starts

1.       #5 (perpetual calendar)
2.       #6 (perpetual calendar)
3.       #7 (perpetual calendar)
4.       #8 (perpetual calendar)
5.       #9 (perpetual calendar)
6.       Candy Corn #2
7.       Ambrosia Honey
8.       Scissors case
9.       May flower of the month
10.   June flower of the month
11.   July flower of the month
12.   French alphabet page
13.   Hardanger runner
14.   Hardanger ornament
15.   Snowman Heart
16.   Marnee Ritter Heart
17.   Gingerbread heart
18.   ANG Blue Tree
19.   dreaming of Tuscany
20.   wedding sampler
21.   journey bag
22.   Linen & Threads 2017 Part 5

Future New starts
Large Bargello Ball #2
Small Bargello Ball #2
Winds of Grace (6 of them)
Towmater x 2
Lightning McQueen x2
Cupcake ornaments:
                Logan
                Natalie
                Owen
                Peter
                Justin
                Nathan
Spring
Summer
Winter
Crystal Violets
Peter’s stocking
Mark & Karen’s wedding sampler
Tony & Melissa’s wedding sampler
Carnival
Walking on Water’s Edge

 

 

Bookmarks

I finished these two bookmarks yesterday and the day before.  One of the challenges at the Embroidery Guild this year is to stitch two bookmarks for the guild.  Once we have collected them all they will be donated to the library’s literacy program and to the church we meet at’s shut-ins. Glad to have them done

No Wednesday WIP this Week....

Instead we have a Wednesday finish!  This is Nancy Cucci's Pacific Heart.  I started this at a class just about a year ago, and it hadn't seen the light of day since then, that us until a little while ago.  I finished it up in the wee hours this morning.  So another WIP bites the dust.  Down to 6 WIP's at the moment, and hope to get at least two more finished soon.

De Ja Vu......

I finished this little box up this morning.  I am teaching this project at our Guild this evening, and since I had stitched it in Green over a year ago, I decided to make another one to practice the stitches......love it in blue, too! 














Here is the green one I did last year.  Love them both.  This is a design by Eileen Gurak of Handblessings Designs.  It is done on canvas with perle cotton, and then mounted to this little tin. 

Part 4 Finished!

And here it is.....Part 4!  It actually stitched up quite quickly once I kicked that darned frog to the curb! 

The Valdani floss is behaving rather well, also.  The floss for part 3 and 4 did not have the knotting problem I had with Part 1 or the shredding problem with Part 2.  Hope the rest of the floss works well also. 

I included the rest of the colors that I will be using for the rest of the bands.....not 100% sure of the order I will use them in, but there they are!

As much as I would like to continue working on this piece, I have a few other things that need to be stitched, some WIPs that I set a goal to have finished by April 22, and a wedding gift and a 50th anniversary piece that need to be finished by June and August respectively. 

WIP Wednesday 3-21-2018

After the visit from the frog, I have finally kicked him to the curb and made some good progress on part 4 of the Stitch-a-long. 

IHSW Report - a Finish and the Frog



I did manage to finish Part 3 of this stitch-a long this past weekend, but there was no progress at all on Part 4!  None, nada, zilch!  I stitched on part 4 all day Sunday, and on Monday, I unstitched all of it!  All. Of. It.  I love stitching over 1, but frogging over 1 is the pits!

IHSW

It is International Hermit and Stitch Weekend again (third weekend of the month).  I have some appointments and errands on Friday, and German School on Saturday, but I plan to stitch for most of the weekend after that.  Check back on Monday to see what I have accomplished.

WIP Wednesday 3-14-2018

This is Pacific Heart by Nanci Cucci.  I took the class last March, and it hasn't seen the light of ay since.  Pulled it out today and got two more sections done!  I love working on Nanci's designs, so I need to get this one finished soon.  I am taking another of her heart classes in June.

Part 2 is Done!

Part 2 didn't take as long as part one.  Love how this is turning out, love the floss colors, but not really happy with the quality of the floss.  I am using Valdani floss that I purchased as a set of 12 colors, originally intended for a fall quaker.  It came as little balls of 3 stranded cotton floss, and since I am stitching 1 strand over 1 fabric thread on 25 count, it made sense. 

Well, on the first section, the burgundy colored floss knotted a lot, and I do mean a lot!  On the second band, it just kept shredding!  I changed needles in case the eye of the needle wasn't smooth enough, I then changed the size of the needle to open up the fabric a little more so the floss didn't rub against the fibres in the fabric, but nothing seemed to help.  I did use shorter lengths of floss than normal, but it still kept shredding.  We will see what happens with the third color.....