Señorita Stitches.

New Designer on the Stitching Scene

2011-02-17T01:18:00.000-08:00

Hi There!
I do plan on getting back into blogging this year. Really, I do! For now, I'd just like to invite you to check out a new designer, Heart's Ease Examplar Workes. Theresa is a dear friend and she is looking for some feedback on her designs. She is so talented, but you'll see that for yourself. If you like samplers and needlework smalls, you're going to love what you see. Do check it out!

Berries Anyone?

2009-11-17T00:27:00.000-08:00

Anyone want to buy this kit from me? It's adorable but I am not going to stitch it. The design is Never Enough Berries by designer Lauren Sauer. It was featured in the last issue of Fine Lines magazine but the magazine was discontinued leaving the project unfinished. This kit contains the chart, linen, silk threads and silk ribbon. $45 paypal preferred.

Elizabeth Roberts progress

2009-11-01T19:02:00.001-08:00

Hey there! I thought you might like to see an update of my progress on Elizabeth Roberts II. I've only done bits at a time but have made fair progress. Did I mention I am working this one from the bottom up? I almost always stitch from the upper left so between that and the band you see one could get confused and think this is the top and that that band is part of the border but it's just a band and there will be more motifs above it.

Quaker Sampler start

2009-10-04T23:45:00.000-07:00

I've been doing a fair job of stitching from my stash lately. A group I am in has begun a SAL where you choose a design that has to meet a minimum size requirement and stitch it within a specified time frame. I dug and dug and had a difficult time finding something that was close to the size requirement but not too far past it. I want to finish in the required time and thought I better stick as close as I can to the minimum requirement. Anyhow, this is what I finally decided upon. Elizabeth Roberts II is a Threads of Gold Sampler Reproduction with a quaker influence. Elizabeth I was dated 1775 but we don't know the date of this second sampler. The colors on this one are a little different. Not what I would normally choose. I am still contemplating changing out one very bright gold/yellow color. I might even start over. What you see so far is 40ct Light Examplar and DMC. I wanted to stitch with a single thread but I am not happy with the coverage even on 40ct. Perhaps it's the floss. Not sure. Maybe just a carryover from doing so much over one lately.

Annette's Knit Stash Giveaway

2009-10-04T14:05:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I taught myself to knit. I don't know why but I just HAD to knit a pair of socks. Had to. I did conquer very basic pair using self striping yarn and a couple of dishcloths. I happened upon Annette's giveaway and would be so excited if it showed up in my mail. You can enter too!
ncluded in the Knitter’s Giveaway:

2 skeins Knitpicks Gloss in Concord Grape
1 skein Knitpicks Bare Laceweight
2 skeins Berocco Twist – pink/green
1 skein Lime & Violet sock in Katerine Hepburn
1 skein Dragonfly Fibers Eidos in Dragonfly
1 skein Socks that Rock Lightweight in Fairgrounds
1 set Knitpicks Options DPN – #3
1 40″ Knitpicks Harmony circular – #2
Socks, Socks, Socks by Elaine Rowley (not pictured)

Sounds like a pretty good haul to me!

A sleepless night and a UFO

2009-08-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Over the past year or so I seem to have developed insomnia. So far it hasn't gotten too out of hand. One night this week I gave up on the toss and turn and decided I would stitch. I've been wanting to finish some things I began and never finished and and this Plimoth Scissors Case is one of those I started a few years ago. I abandoned it when I was very dissatisfied with my cross stitch over one. I know I'll never be too thrilled with this one when it's done because now I can totally tell the difference between the methods I used. So here's an old progress photo and the latest. There was a bit of stitching time in between but not much.

A Celebration Give Away

2009-07-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

I am glad to point you the way to a wonderful giveaway that is being done in honor of Jan's new grandbaby.
What a wonderful combination. Love the Heartstrings chart, love the Relic fabric, and love the Bella Soie silks... and that Kelmscott Designs Mother of Pearl Threadkeep! I want them. Don't you? Enter here Belfonte Notes: Special Celebration Give-Away!! and celebrate the welcome of the little lovebug Allie.

Testing more

2009-05-09T11:27:00.000-07:00

This is Heaven is My Hope from The Scarlett Letter. I got this for a screaming deal on the Legacy Board a few years back. It's been a WIP for quite some time. Lately it's been my focus piece.

testing

2009-05-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

I may start blogging again. This is a test of a new template.

Another Quaker Round Robin Update

2007-03-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

I forgot! I had every intention of posting last weekend and here we are at this weekend. Here's the motifs I added to Cari's quaker sampler.
Cari chose coordinating Vikki Clayton's Hand Dyed silks in Embers, Cranberry, and Dark Mauve. You get a nice full coverage using the premium weight on 34ct Legacy linen. I'll have to remember this for the future. I love the Legacy linen and have used it several times in the past. This one is the Cafe au Lait, but of course the color is off in my photo. I don't know why I have such a hard time getting a color true photo. It would have helped to lay something underneath it. Cari mentioned she especially wanted floral motifs so I obliged with two I chose from the Ackworth Pattern Book.

My First Sock. I Did It!

2007-03-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

hehehe.. I really should have at least swept first and moved that broken pot out of the photo. What can I say? I was just in too big of a hurry to get a snapshot of my very first completed knit sock! Hurrah!! We have some of the same terms but I'm learning a lot of new acronyms. I think they, I mean we, call it a FO. (Finish Off, I think). Yes, that's my pajama laden leg even though it was early afternoon. What about it? Anyway, it fits perfectly and nary a hole to be found. It's not very soft though, but the yarn was the right price for a beginner sock. I will cast on it's partner after I take a shower. LOL... I want to keep the momentum going.

I'm working on a quaker round robin. I should have another post before the weekend is over.

Quaker Pinball Flies Across the Sea

2007-03-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

It turns out some of my work needs to be in the UK. I guess that sounds fair. LOL.
Have you seen this? Being a new knitter, I am very interested in this lovely book, Tokens of Love, Quaker Pinballs, by Erica Uten. It's very fine work, as they are knit with very tiny needles of the sort used for miniature work. It'll stay on my wish list for now, but that's what steered my choice for the item I stitched for the Redwork Exchange on SBEBB. It combines both my love of redwork and quakers, and as usual, trying a new technique of some kind. The quaker pinball was an easy stitch, but it's rarely the stitching that commands my time, it's the finishing. It looks easy enough, and it is, nonetheless I fussed with it for many an hour until I pronounced it good enough. I modified the back, using only the border and then adding personalization and the year. The receiver called it exquisite, thus I'll call it a success. Karoline has photographed it with her Merry Cox' Swan Lake Mending Bag. Isn't it a sight?! It does coordinate quite well, I think. Gosh, how I would love to stitch that piece.

Designer -Historic Stitches
Chart - AY's Necessities
Fabric - 40ct Sand
Fiber - Vikki Clayton Hand Dyed Fibers - Heartwood
Silk Ribbon - Vikki Clayton Hand Dyed Fibers - Heartwood 7mm
Interior - Wool yarn wound into a tight ball, roving would be better

Circular Needles and Socks

2007-03-05T14:00:00.000-08:00

Here is my first sock in progress. Actually, this is round two. I started it months ago but ran into a problem when I was only using 4 dpn's instead of 5 dpn's. (The cheap set of needles I bought only came with 4 dpns. Now I think it's a crime they even sell them like that.) I kept making errors in counting and wasn't quite sure where the rounds began. I think I got it going ok again but I didn't like the very top of the leg and knowing how many errors it had in it I knew I would not feel any satisfaction if I ever finished it. So... I finally pronounced it dead and ripped it all out. I think I will do fine the next time I use 5 dpn's but this time I decided to try another method. I checked out Cat Bordhi's Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles, from the local library. Sounds good, I thought, and I've set out to see if that is true for me. It's working out quite well! I've gotten past turning the heel and the gusset and now I'm just travelling down the foot. I am just using the first pattern in the book which is just a basic sock. It's ribbed in k2 p2. It's a bit snug around the gusset for me. If I had more confidence I would have adjusted the numbers, because a womens medium I think is a little small for me, but a men's medium is too big so I couldn't use those numbers provided in the book. I think I need a women's medium and a half. LOL.. The first attempt was with size 3's but I went down to size 2's with the circulars. I'm still learning and trying to remember everything I've been reading. I'm a little foggy on it but I think changing needle size would work, and if I just knit the same pattern with size 3's that I might get a better fit. But then the fabric would be looser too. I think that the tighter fabric is more comfortable. Right? Maybe I want a 2.5 needle. Hmmm. I guess I can ditch the stitch markers since I'm passed the gusset but they are just there for the ride. One is a big needle with a string of yarn on it and the other is a big safety pin with a loop of floss on it. Fancy, aren't they? The yarn is Lion Brand Magic Stripes I bought at the Tall Mouse here in Irvine.

Royal Mail from the Land of Paisley

2007-03-03T16:44:00.000-08:00

I love it! I got another exchange via "Royal Mail". Paula, Celtic Stitcher, stitched me this adorable set for the SBEB Redwork Exchange. The needlebook is already employed with the Quaker round robin I am working on. The other piece is a fob with a magnet attached to the back- a very handy touch, good for needles or for sticking to my Lowery frame. Fabbo! I love the natural style of linen she chose, as I think it adds a sort of rustic/ethnic touch. Oh, and I think she used one of those finishing forms for the fob. I've been wanting to try them, now I know I need to buy some. I also got a cute cut of fabric with butterflies and some assorted Mill Hill beads.

Check this out. Paula also enclosed a postcard of the town she lives in. The caption on the back reads

Paisley, Home of the Paisley Pattern. Paisley has a wealth of the Victorian and Edwardian architecture, much of it gifted by the owners of the town's great thread mills, the Coats and Clark families. Its Medieval masterpiece is Paisley Abbey.

Now, how cool is that! I think it an apropos place for a needleworker to live, wouldn't you say? Now when I see paisley prints I'll think of Paula from Scotland. Thanks for everything, Paula! I'd love to visit your land someday.

Quaker Motifs and Symbolism

2007-02-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

Here's my latest quaker round robin finish. I stitched this floral motif on Carrie's sampler. I love the pomegranate Gloriana silk she chose. It's such a pretty rose color so I thought I'd add something rose-like. I thought this flower looked a bit like an opened rose. As I was writing in her journal and documenting what I stitched I noticed that this motif is actually a Passion Flower. Upon further investigation, I found that the passion flower is symbollic of the Passion of Christ (His crucifixion). The flower has three stamens that symbolize His wounds and the petals symbolize the apostles. Also the ring of corona represent the Crown of Thorns. The Spanish call this flower Espina de Cristo or "Christ's Thorn". Interesting. I'm very intrigued by the symbolism in samplers and it's interesting to learn the quaker ones have their meaning as well. You'll see this motif on Sarah Tatum 1800 and on Beatrix Potter's sampler, and I'm sure on many others. I actually stitched it from the Ackworth School Pattern Book. I am so glad I purchased this wonderful booklet as it's now out of print. This motif is one of the largest, I think there's only one larger and that one is the swan one I used for the blue/white quaker pinkeep I did. I also added the small rosebud taken from a larger motif. :)

Happy Birthday, Kajsa!

2007-02-18T22:01:00.000-08:00

Poor Kajsa had to wait a bit longer for this gift. I didn't want her empty handed on her birthday so I did send a phase-one gift on ahead to tide her over. The first package included my second knitted dishcloth, some overdyed threads, a small candy tin with a victorian scene on it, and a card. She seemed to enjoy it and I'm hoping this phase-two, the actual stitched gift, will be a little more of a "wow" for her.

I thought I'd show you the Scissor and Needle Keep I constructed. The stitched design is a freebie from Sharon of Crescent Colors. I used R&R Dye Pot linen and all the Crescent Colors with one unintentional substitution. When I stitched it, way back in July, I added a couple of personal touches, the sheep got french knots in some Whisper to make him wooly, and the grass is done in long arm cross stitch. I called it into action for a birthday gift for Kajsa. I just had to figure out what type of finish to use. The fabric it was stitched on was not that large and my placing of the design on it didn't leave me many options. I really wanted to make some sort of pocket and include scissors with the gift. I also wanted to use the same fabric for the inner lining. The way it ended up, I literally had about 1/2 inch between the pieces and less than that on one side. I really learned my lesson and will stop being so stingy about fabric allowances from now on. Due to the size of the design/fabric etc I had to improvise a way to house the scissors. I came up with this diagonal slip and it seems to work just fine. If I had enough fabric I would have made a little fob too, but I seriously did not have even more than an inch wide of fabric left over. I just tied a bit of ribbon on the handles and added a needle threader too.

My stitching deadlines are colliding on me lately. Now I am quickly trying to finish up a round robin, and then on to another exchange which I'm fearing will also be a bit tardy. UGH... I hate being late with these things. Then, I have another birthday gift to do next month. I predict some late nights ahead. Good thing I'm a night owl.

Oh.. the sheepie in the pic is just hanging out there checking it out. He's not part of the gift. He was a gift to me actually. I included a couple of small charts though but they didn't jump in the pictures. The gift will go out Tuesday since the post office is closed for President's Day tomorrow. I told Kajsa not to look here if she wants to be surprised. LOL... If it were me, I'd totally look!

Eliza Jane has landed.

2007-02-14T20:02:00.000-08:00

Finally. Oversees mailing can be so disconcerting. I was a bit late in mailing but I really thought it would have arrived in Finland before now. All is well though and Leena has received the item I stitched for her for the SBEBB Needlework Smalls Exchange. It's always feels nice to know someone appreciates your work. I really enjoy exchanges and the international ones add another dimension of fun for me.

I've had this Eliza Jane's Needlekeep and Scissors Flat "kit" from Brightneedle for quite a while and I was happy to finally put it to use. This "kit" simply included that chart and two colors of wool felt for the needlepages. I enjoy stitching over one and I seem to be collecting a good number of Brightneedle designs because of that. This was a fun stitch even with the hundreds of smyrna crosses for the borders. I found that the design was lacking when it came to the finishing though. The instructions simply call for a long piece of ribbon to be stitched to the inside center. That simply will not do the job if you expect the scissors to stay in place. I came up with a modification that I think worked out pretty well. I just used that same piece of ribbon to form a loop for the scissors tip to sort of harness them in place. Tacked it down some more and wallah.. a much sturdier attachment after you weave through and around the thumbs and tie a bow. I'll put a plug in here for Vikki Clayton's silk ribbon at Hand Dyed Fibers. I have a few colors on hand as I love to use ribbon in my finishes. Her prices can't be beat. I can't remember if this is turkey red or garnet.

For those who wondered at my bit of consternation with Eliza, it wasn't really the scissor attachment problem. I think I got the better of that part. My goof was forgetting what I had learned from previous finishes when I've used skirtex. I have quite a bit of skirtex a dear friend gifted me, and I try to use it whenever I can. I like the body it gives to a project. What did I forget? Was it to cut the piece just a smidgen smaller than the size of the piece? No, I remembered that. What I forgot is that it is better to use two pieces rather than one and try to score it and fold it for a book. This time I should have used three pieces and butted them up next to each other. That way it would have laid flat when tied shut instead of trying to spring open. I learned that. I remembered that I learned that right about the time I was fighting irritation over this little beauty not staying shut as I would have preferred. Just you wait, I'll get it right next time.

More Royal Mail

2007-02-07T01:30:00.000-08:00

Joy of joys! Heheehee I've been blessed to receive another exchange item from Helen. More "Royal Mail", I can't believe it! For the Needlework Smalls Exchange, Helen chose to add more pieces to match with the Quaker Exchange Needleworker's Pocket she did for me. Now I have a beautiful scissor pocket and a matching fob too! She sent me some linen, floss, and finishing materials so I can stitch the remaining pieces myself. I'll set out to do those in the coming months for sure. I dug out the Julia Gingher's I acquired some time ago. I still had them tucked away in the box. I just take them out and look at them once in a while. LOL... I think they look lovely with this set, don't you? Many thanks to Helen for such beauties. What treasures they are to me. Please visit her blog and you will see what a talented photographer she is as well! This photo was the last one my battery allowed and the white linen doesn't look like this.

Eliza, let's call it a draw.

2007-02-01T03:09:00.000-08:00

This is what I've been concentrating my attention on. That's all I have to say about it for now.

Orange Coast Sampler Guild Scrimshaw Fold

2007-01-22T23:28:00.000-08:00

Say you have four rows of large stitch diagrams on a page. Each one is labeled. Everything has the same amount of space above and below it. Would you expect the title/name of the stitch and short comment to be above the diagram, or under it?

Why?

I went to my Orange Coast Sampler Guild meeting tonight. I wasn't going to do the project. We didn't get to see a picture ahead of time and I didn't think I would want to do it. I thought that it might be a canvas piece as the designer does do a lot of canvas work, nothing wrong with that, but I thought I'd pass on this one. Once I saw it, I wished I had signed up. Lucky me, they had extras on hand, so I went for it. $45 bucks is pretty "cheap" when it comes to any project for this guild.

A local designer, Margaret Bendig, designed Scrimshaw Fold, A Stitching Accessory, especially for our guild. It's the 15th anniversary of the guild, so she included the guild logo, a basket of oranges, and it has a significant 15 oranges in it. The colors of silks and dupioni are really pretty. She commented on how she is not an "orange person". Neither am I, but I do like the pallet she came up with, and the orange part is really a soft clove almost salmon color which is quite tolerable. Anyway, that's just for the logo part. The project was designed to hold all the various pieces of the logoed scrimshaw made available to guild members. A new piece is added each year. I only have one piece of the collection and I really don't intend on purchasing the whole set. Scrimshaw is quite expensive and I don't think ours is especially pretty, just cool if you're a guild member. Anyway, it's nicely constructed beautiful fold with silk pockets and such and I thought I should have it. Margaret likes to encourage stitcher's to make modifications and gives other options to the design and finishing, and I intend on doing just that. On with the lecture, or rather, instruction of the piece. This guild has done some fairly formidable projects a la CA Wells, Merry Cox, etc. Since Margaret is also a member of the guild, perhaps the fact that she knows what they've tackled before had something to do with the speed. I'll tell you what, you gotta have it going on when it comes to these "classes". I find most classes are like that. Fortunately, it does look like her instructions are pretty good. I'll let you know if/when I ever get to the finishing part. I'd love to start it right away but my plate is too full right now. I think when I complete this project I should treat myself to another piece of the scrimshaw set. It's by Marcy Pumphret and she actually uses old piano keys.

Oh, about that diagram stuff. LOL.. I was embarrassed at myself when I finally figured out at home tonight that the diagram I was looking at for the Two-Sided Italian Cross Stitch was actually the diagram for Reversible Cross Stitch. In my defense, I was not the only person confused by the placing of the title of the stitch. Besides that, I've never seen the Reversible Cross Stitch diagramed this way, so it was new to me, too. LOL. It's cool. Now, I know a new way to do reversible cross stitch.
And... to me,
the logical place for a title/description to go is above it, not below it, since we read from left to right, top to bottom.

Quaker Exchange Stitching

2007-01-17T20:50:00.000-08:00

You know, there's mail, mostly junk mail, and then there's "Royal Mail". Any day you get a package from the UK is going to be a good day. That's a given. Look at this fabulous piece I received from Helen! You may recognize it. It's the Needleworker's Pocket from the ornament series by With My Needle featured in the yearly JCS Ornament issues, only it's blue instead of the deep red. Ellen Chester is one of my favorite designers. She's getting to be so prolific too. I have quite a few of them in my collection and I am looking forward to adding the newest releases that will be out after Nashville. Helen did an excellent finishing job- totally professional looking. I loved that she wrapped the tassels in their own little protective sleeve to keep them nice in transit. Now, that is attention to detail, wouldn't you say? She spoiled me with a lot of extra goodies too - fabrics, ribbons, lace, and pins- and I'm all set up to do a finish of my own now. Love it. Plus, I got a darling little beeswax bear for my needlework basket.

My partner in this Blue/White Winter Quaker Exchange on the Stitching Bloggers Exchange Board was Myrna. This is the pinkeep I stitched for her. It's stitched one over one on 30ct Cadet Blue Murano which I dug out of my stash. (High five!) Don't look too close. I'm afraid stitching in white on dark isn't very forgiving. The swan is one of my favorite quaker motifs, and this one in particular is from the Sarah Tatum sampler. For me, swans evoke grace and serenity. Don't I wish I had more of that!

She's Flying (again)

2007-01-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

The hard part about having the dear-sweet-darling-wonderful daughter home from college is the part when you have to say "good-bye". I am a big fat cry baby. The whole airport thing is the worst. The drive coming home from the airport is the worst. It's just all the worst, and tomorrow will still be "the worst". I missed her before she even boarded the plane. She is such a joy to me, to us all, I can't imagine how I'm going to get along without her. Yet, I know I will. Just right now, my heart is torn apart. :...( But this is how it's supposed to be. You grow them up and then they fly, and you're happy that they're flying. I'd just like to go flying with her! boo-hoo-hoo... Aghhh!!! Really, I am the biggest crybaby anytime there's this separation thing. It happened every single time our other daughter left from a weekend at home (which wasn't nearly often enough). Now the other one is on the other side of the country, so no weekend visits with this one, not even once in a while. I am so thankful for the last four glorious weeks with her. Most students only have a two week break, but at least this semester, it worked out for her to leave a couple of weeks before most.

Here she is, Boston Girl. Might I add.. she is modelling the scarf I made her. I hurriedly added the fringe to it today and I did a lousy job of it, but it's my first completed knitting project. (Insert loud cheers) A dear friend gave me a knitting lesson a couple of years ago during my recovery time. For some reason, I am bound and determined to knit socks. Of all things.. I must knit socks. I have no idea why it's such a strong desire, but there it is. This scarf was my first real, albeit super easy, project so that I may proclaim to the world, "I knit". I am quite amused with myself. I had to relearn what I'd been taught but I was happy it came back to me with a little practice. Anyway, that was one of her Christmas gifts. I've also begun my first pair of socks. I got as far as the heel and had to set it aside, but I'll get back to it this month. Guess what I did yesterday though? I knit a dishcloth. I finished it today. Here it is! My second completed knitting project. I don't use dishcloths but I thought it would be a good practice project. It's got a couple of goofs but I still like it. It was a KAL. That's knit talk.

American Sampler

2007-01-03T19:04:00.000-08:00

My New Year's Day start turned out to be American Sampler by Sandy Orton. I have been wanting to stitch this sampler since the first time I saw it. I almost can't believe I've finally begun! I struggle so much with decisions about what linen to use, what count, what color, cottons or silks, etc. This is why I nearly always simply follow exactly what was used for the model. Way back when, the one decision I did come to was that I really wanted to stitch it with silk. I could see that this was going to be an intensive project, and I felt it warranted the extra cost of silk. That decision made, it was easiest to just stick with the AVS conversion that was supplied. I have been collecting the silk for it for literally years. See, I knew I wasn't going to be starting it for a long while and I didn't want to sink money into it all at once just to shelve it. (How sensible of me LOL...) Now that I've begun, I discovered I left one color off of my check list. I also discovered that I need more of some of the colors than I have now. I remember now that I had found a place, that you could buy silk by the yard/meter. I had taken advantage of a sale and sent them my list. Anything they had full skeins of they sent; if all they had was lengths, then they sent lengths, and anything not in stock I just kept on my list to buy elsewhere. I figured I at least had what I needed to get started, so it was much to my chagrin when I found I was completely missing one of the colors needed for the flower I'm working on. One of the reasons I like this sampler is that it employs other stitches besides cross stitch. The border is done in rice stitch which is done with two colors. It's a cool layered stitch. The bottom layer is done in one color and then the top layer is in another color. There's quite a bit of queen stitches too. I never did decide on what fabric to use. I know someone who stitched it on 40ct and I had toyed with that idea but decided against it because of the large amount of queen stitches. The final fabric choice is one I pulled from my stash, a European linen, natural 35ct Weddigen. It has a very nice hand and is what I would call a dense linen. I got it for a great price and now I wish I had bought more of it. I'm patting myself on the back for using something from my stash. (pat pat pat)

By the way, I have a duplicate of the magazine this was published in. If anyone would like to buy it just send me an email.

Happy New Year!

2007-01-01T18:56:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it is 2007?!

I'm looking forward to it! How about you?

Some thoughts for today

2006-12-29T22:57:00.000-08:00

I don't exactly know what this entry is going to be about. I'll just start in and see where it goes.

I skipped that whole 10/25/50 deal. Now, New Year's Resolutions are the talk. I am an anti-resolution sort of gal. Yet, I do feel a need for some focus. I'm not any good at making resolutions. My first thought is just to make a few very general proclamations and leave it at that. But what good is that? Then I go the other direction and start listing everything I can think of that I might want to do. Again, what good is that?
Here's a couple that may make the cut, that is if I decide to venture forth into the resolution making madness -
1. Start a Spanish sampler
2. Finish a Merry Cox piece

The other thing I wanted to talk about was my holiday project starts. It didn't happen. I did start Heaven Is My Hope (The Scarlet Letter) on Thanksgiving. I really thought I'd be starting two more projects, Sarah Moon December 1, and another one on Christmas Day. Didn't happen. I needed some supplies and I was struggling with purchasing anything when I have plenty of other things I can start that I don't need to buy anything for. Unfortunately, those other things just aren't as interesting now. I do have a couple of large gift certificates I can use, but I waited too long to place the orders and I won't have them in time for New Years start either. :( All of this is actually good! It means I've been far too busy with other things. Those other things would be my family. (Oh yeah, people. Interaction and the such. Good. LOL... ) In the meantime, I've been working on HIMH while I wait for the next round of the quaker round robin. When I started this piece I really had no thought of actually finishing it. Isn't that silly?! It's just that I've had it for a while and I got such a screaming deal on it and it was ready to go since it was a kit. I had already decided I would use the kit as is and not substitute the fabric or the cotton floss. It is such a large sampler that I thought if I were to swap the supplies out I would be investing more in it than I want to and I'd rather spend it on other new charts or fibers and fabrics I need for other cool projects. I'm not too keen on this linen but I can deal with it. Here's a progress shot after stitching on her by candlelight the other night. I was desperate! It's not on 32ct though. It's on 30ct and, as you see, there's a lot of repetitive stitching and that doesn't require consulting the chart so much, that's why I was able to work on it in such little light. The queen stitches will require full light.

Power Out!

2006-12-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

13+ hour power outage = me no happy

I stitched by candlelight last night. Really!

Oh, and I just switched to the new Blogger, so if I'm popping up on your Bloglines with a crazy amount of posts, this is why.

Are you ready?

2006-12-23T02:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas. Just two days away. Are you ready?!
I am! It was decided this would be a "no gifts" Christmas. (In truth, there are a couple of secret little gifts hidden away.) I am so relaxed I can't even believe it. The house is decorated. We play Christmas music throughout the day. I've baked some of my annual Magic Bars. This is the easiest recipe in the world for some decadent bar cookies. You must try them! Today, we made up some batches of pretzels dipped in white chocolate, another ridiculously easy thing to do and everybody loves them. Of course, tamales were made a few weeks ago. Miraculously, we still have some left, because I froze several dozen. I've been out shopping with daughter a couple of times and I am sort of marveling over my free and easy attitude. I don't feel the least bit of stress and I am loving it. There's been a twinge or two wishing we had the money to do the Christmas's we've done in the past, but it passes quickly. This Christmas, my biggest gift has been having our younger daughter home from college on break. Oh, how I've missed her! Our other daughter has been ill with a terrible cold. Hopefully, next week she'll be up for some "hanging out" but this week she's been down for the count. She seems a little better today. The next few days we'll be on the go, going to church, visiting family near and far, and eating a lot.

Best of all, our hearts are prepared, as we approach the day set aside to honor the Christ child, Savior, Redeemer, King. Gloria in excélsis Deo!

Quaker Round Robin Update

2006-12-14T15:25:00.000-08:00

Time for an update on the Quaker Round Robin I'm in on the Legacy Board. I was the fourth stitcher to add to Linda's piece. I'm sorry the color just isn't showing up correctly no matter how many photos I take. It's stitched on a very pretty shade of blue with mostly DMC 824 and a little 3842. I really like her center alphabet idea and I get a kick out of her initials being "LMN". I added the large floral urn and the little crown, plus my initials of course. Bring on the next round!

The Fourth Ornament

2006-12-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

Have you been counting?
Remember, I said I signed up for four Christmas Ornament Exchanges?
Believe it or not, I would do it again. I think Christmas ornaments are my favorite thing to stitch. I definitely enjoy receiving them too!

Here's the third ornament I received. Sorry, I didn't post that pic sooner. I received it on a day I had to rush over to my mom's and I never got around to posting it here. Isn't it darling?!
Julianne stitched this design from "All Our Yesterdays" by Faye Whittaker. She generously included a lot of extra goodies including two fabric cuts and some darling snowman fabric I know I will definitely use. I've already worn the Christmas socks twice. The chocolate bar was enjoyed by the family. What a sweet package. Thanks Julianne! :)

AND THE FOURTH ORNAMENT...
I signed up for the ornament exchange and contest with Judy Odell's board, Just A Thought. I did her exchange last year and she sweetened the pot by offering a free finishing class to show us how to do a box finish. This year the extra incentive was a free set of chimes to add to our ornament and the winners got bucks at her sight. I was very motivated! However, I stretched my finishing time too thin and when it came down to it I just didn't have the creativity to figure out a clever way to hang the chimes. Anyway, I did not win the contest but I am a winner anyway because I got one of the best ornaments in the bunch. Su's entry was this gorgeous quaker and it suits me perfectly. Another of my favorites belonged to a stitching friend, Nancy, and it was another quaker, very cleverly constructed.

I can't tell you who got mine yet but I can show it to you.
This is the other ornament I refered to stitching from last years JCS issue. I'm afraid the pulled work doesn't show up that well in the photo. There is gold lining underneath the stitching that doesn't show through. The design is by Patricia Ann Designs. I botched up on changing the 2005 to 2006. The six is strange looking. I've been wanting to do some whitework after seeing some beautiful work others have done lately. This was just the right size for me right now. Small. LOL...

Fancy Work Sampler Noel

2006-12-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

Juanita received the Christmas ornament I made for her. This one is (also) from Fancy Work. This one is Sampler Noel from this years JCS Ornament issue. I am so happy she likes it because I did not want to let it go. I plan to stitch this one again. I am not sure what fabric I used but the fiber is Vikki Clayton's Garnet and the silk ribbon is also from Hand Dyed Fibers.

photo is clickable

And Heaven & Nature Sing

2006-12-11T00:44:00.000-08:00

Chris received the Nature Sings ornament I stitched for her. It seems I made the right choice for her for. That always feels nice. This one is by Fancy Work and it is in the 2005 JCS ornament issue. Funny, that was an issue I was quite disappointed in last year, yet I've stitched two of the four ornaments I just finished from that magazine. I'm not sure what that proves, but surely it must count for an exemption of this, or an allowance of that, somewhere in the stitching world, right?

Thanks for the comments on Tamale Day. We have survived two back-to-back days of tamale madness this weekend :) More to come about that later.

Tamale Day is Coming

2006-12-04T14:34:00.000-08:00

Yes, Senorita stitches and she makes tamales too!
My family enjoys making tamales every year at Christmastime.
I've been doing it since I was a kid and my girls have done the same.
Last year we initiated a 2nd tamale day and started what I think will be a new tradition of the younger set (the cousins) all joining together to continue on the family tradition. So this week I will be busy shopping for ingredients and preparing the meat and chile. We save a lot of time by doing as much of the prep work as we can in advance so Tamale Day itself really just involves wrapping the tamales and cooking them. It's a festive day will lots of laughter, great music, and THE BEST tamales you'll ever taste.

Why don't you make some for our tree?

2006-12-02T21:42:00.000-08:00

You can't blame 'em. Four perfectly nice ornaments out the door...where's ours? LOL... Since I was in the finishing mode I decided it wouldn't be a bad idea to finish off one for the home team. The stitching on this one was actually completed in 2003 - says so right on the edge there. This little guy was originally intended for my first ornament exchange sometime back in say 2000 or 2001. I abandonded it when it was taking way too long to complete this solidly stitched ornament with many color changes. He's from a Better Homes & Gardens Special Issue they used to put out every Christmas. Are they still doing that?
You know, I've got a good little stack of stitched ornaments, and every year I say I'm going to do a finishing day and get them done. Maybe I'll do it this year...

Prairie Schooler Christmas Exchange

2006-11-25T19:19:00.000-08:00

I just love it! It turns out Nancy got my name and I got hers. I came really close to stitching her initials too, but decided on a mitten instead.

Check out the message board dedicated to Prairie Schooler designs.

Mr. Christmas arrives!

2006-11-24T23:02:00.000-08:00

LOL.. I didn't intend for this to be it's own post but I forgot to add it on to the previous one. I am married to Mr. Christmas. My husband is really into Christmas and he loves to decorate. Christmas has started at our house the day after Thanksgiving for most of our married lives. When we owned our house we had one of the most decorated houses on the street and my husband was in unspoken competition with the fireman neighbor across the street. One year, he swore the neighbor kid sabatoged a string of our lights on purpose. LOL... When we moved away we seriously had neighbors telling us they would miss our Christmas house. Well, where we are at now, he just doesn't feel like decorating the outside because it's sort of hidden back from what passers by would see and we don't have a lawn or anything. He even gave away our lawn decorations because the garage is overfull. We seriously have Christmas wall in our garage. That is how much stuff we have. But, there's always inside! LOL..
I was out today with my mom and family, and when I got home and walked toward the condo and saw our lit up wreath on the door, I knew it. Mr. Christmas had arrived. When I opened the door, I found the living room all decked out and ready. The tree is up. The nativity is set up. The mantle is decorated and stockings hung. The stairail is decorated. The table linens have been changed to the everyday Christmas cover and the snowman placemats are out as well as the centerpiece that will grace our table everyday. We'll leave the tree undecorated until our younger daughter comes home from college for Christmas break. We are on countdown.. just 15 more days. He even changed the bathroom towels to red/green and put a Christmas candle in there and a couple of snowmen on the counter. This is one of the many things that I love about my husband, the one and only, Mr. Christmas.

REDWORK ornament arrives. Mine. All mine.

2006-11-24T22:37:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled with my new ornament from Heather. This brilliant lady did a splendid job at figuring out what I would like. Is this not gorgeous?! I recognized it as being one I had wanted to stitch myself, it's by the Workbasket from JCS 2005 issue. And just look at this cache of goodies she sent with it! Two candles (I am a big candle lover), Needle Necessities, two charts, a Christmas list pad, Mary Engelbreit stickers and THE most adorable mini note cards. I'm blown away by such generosity. I will definitely stitch both these charts and everything will be used.
<

Family. Food. Stitching. What more could you want?

2006-11-24T21:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was wonderful. When you have a large family, holiday's can get rather, shall we say, "eventful", even before the day arrives. This year, the location of our gathering changed back and forth three times, who was cooking, where/who was cooking the turkey, who was driving who, oh all sort of details being commented on by some who weren't even going to be there but had to enter their 2c. Ah, the joys of a large family full of strong personalities desperately trying to stay in check :) LOL.. The food was amazing. The new baby in the family put smiles on everyone's face. Tough guy brother-in-law sobbed while retelling his grandmother's story of being a genocide survivor. There was a huge family photo taken, less one stubborn nephew who refused to join in. He is 31... not 3! LOL...

My Thanksgiving Day New Project Start ended up being the Scarlet Letter's Heaven is My Hope. I barely made even a start! LOL.. I tried to stitch while visiting and chatting and I just didn't get very far.
Here it is, such as it is....
I dislike the greek key border, but I love the rest of it and I am wondering if I will ever complete this enormous sampler. Alas, away she goes for now. I won't be working on this for at least another two weeks. I have two ornaments that need finishing and a quaker round robin to work on. Besides that, I am going to start Sarah Moon December 1. hahaha. I discovered an SAL on one of my groups that is getting ready to start. Since I was already considering her for Christmas, I will just move her up a couple weeks. Then I can start something different on Christmas. LOL... If I do it, I will have four starts within 2 months time, not including some more ornaments I am going to do. hehehe. I just had the silly idea of trying to see how many new projects I can start between now and New Years. Crazy. Maybe I'll just see how many projects I can kit up between now and New Years. Maybe I'll kit up a bunch of ornaments! Ooohh I like that idea. Generally, I don't make up kits until I'm ready to stitch the project, so this actually sounds like something that might help me get more things worked into my rotation.

Oh, yes! I received my first ornament exchange of the four I'm signed up for. It's awesome! I'll do a post later to show you that. Gotta take a photo of it first. Plus, I have to show off what my dear husband busied himself with today while I was out.

Holiday Starts

2006-11-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

I'm not quite ready to take the plunge into the 10/25/50 world. I am, however, trying to decide which projects I want to start next. Yeah, yeah, nevermind how many I already have going, that's not the point. I am going to start a new project on each of the upcoming holidays- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Now, that sounds fun!

1. Catherine Agnes (Indigo Rose) - I'd love to start her on Thanksgiving. I have the chart but I am lacking in the Waterlilies department. A very kind soul is sending me the remainder of her fibers but I will still need to come up with the rest. Anyone interested in splitting fibers with me on the rest? It's all done in Waterlilies.

2. Sarah Moon (Needleprints) - Also a possible Thanksgiving or maybe Christmas start. I have the chart and probably a fabric I can use. I'm planning on using Vicki Clayton for this one and I have a large gift credit I can use for it. :)

3. Heaven is My Hope - I got a screaming deal on this Scarlet Letter kit. If I stitch it I will just use the DMC and linen that came with it.

4. Any With My Needle design. I have so many I want to do but I'll have to see which can be kitted from stash on hand. Ellen is one of my favorite designers. (I put a bunch of them here but I have several others too.)

5. A Spanish sampler - Again, I have several collected but I've yet to even begin one! I've started working on a special blog I will be dedicating to it when I do start. I'm thinking New Years for this one. Anyone want to SAL with me? (Many pictured here...I do have more!)

6. American Sampler - featured in Treasures Magazine. Doesn't this sound like a good Thanksgiving start? I've been collecting the AVS for it for a long time. I may go with this one if I don't get a fiber pal for Catherine Agnes.

So, here I am testing out AOL's version of picture hosting. Eh. Might as well. I've tried at least half a dozen other photo hosting places. It's fun how they're all coming up with fun little slide show tricks.

Two down, two to go

2006-11-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

The hard part about stitching for exchanges is when you like the item so much you don't want to send it! Then there's this part when you want to show a picture but want to keep it a secret still.
One I stitched based on the persons love for animals. Not being much of an animal lover myself I wouldn't usually chose this design. I really like it though! The other one had to be a Prairie Schooler design. I have a lot of PS books so the hard part was choosing the design. Someone is going to get a really darling m _ _ _ _ n. I goofed on the finishing but it's hidden on the back.
The next one I need to get some supplies for. I'm really looking forward to this one and I have a real bad feeling I'm not going to want to let it go either. LOL... I haven't made up my mind what to stitch for the fourth one yet.

Fruity

2006-11-12T23:57:00.000-08:00

Oh... no big deal. Just further evidence of my fruit obsession, I guess. I finished stitching this last month I think. It just had a little bit left to do. I seem to leave a lot of things like that. I guess I get bored at the end? Who knows! LOL...
I don't know what I'll do with it. I'm considering making it into a pot holder and gifting it.

So. I am diabetic. Even if I do everything to control my blood glucose (diet, excercise) I could still develop complications anyway. That's fun to think about. Not. So, do I eat fruit or not? Today, I eat it.

I have some finishing to do

2006-11-09T17:15:00.000-08:00

I completed the stitching earlier this year and I really would like to do the finishing this year as well. I'd like to have at least one item completely finished that I actually keep for myself.

From Needlework Sm...

Seven Songs!

2006-11-03T16:45:00.000-08:00

Laura tagged me on this one. Laura, dear, while you can't come up with seven songs, I am having a tough time keeping it to seven.

Here are the rules: List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre. Whether or not they have words or even if they are any good but they must be songs you’re really enjoying right now! Post these instructions in your blog along with with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

ONLY seven songs I'm into now. Only seven, you say? I am really into music. My whole family is. Consequently I get introduced to a lot of different stuff.

1. Speed of Sound - Coldplay. replay, replay, replay
2. Come on Feel the Illinoise - Sufjan Stevens. OK, the WHOLE CD.
3. Walk in Paris - Estas Tonne'/Michael Shulman. Incredible stuff.
4. Yellow Taxi - Matt Costa. Nice stuff
5. Photobooth/ Your Heart is an Empty Room, etc etc - Death Cab for Cutie. I'm totally into this indie emo stuff. Credit two daughters.
6. Django - Benny Goodman :)
7. Martirio - Flamenco, jazz, latin. This is music of my soul...

Other fun cultural picks... Gloria Estefan's Mi Tiera. Classic. Gipsy Kings!

Ok. Well there's my seven (plus). I'll have to figure out who to tag.

OK now for the tagees:
Anita
Danielle
Joanie
Juanita
Darla
Anne
Susan

Ornament-a-thon

2006-11-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

This month I will finish FOUR ornaments for exchanges.
One is for a contest no less.
C
r
a
z
y

Quaker Update x2

2006-11-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm ready to post a pic of the current round I realize I never posted a pic for that last round. So here's both :)

This is the part I stitched on Nancy's piece. She chose hers to be a monochromatic of Vicky Clayton's Wenge on sand linen. What a beautiful color combination! Sorry the color is not right on this photo. Nancy had us add our own initials and the initials of someone who inspired us in our needlework. I added my mothers initials. I stitched the crown and the wheat motifs. (Eternal life and the bread of life.)

This is the part I added to Terri's piece. Terri has provided a beautiful pallet of Vicky Clayton silks for us to choose from and we are stitching on Vintage Lakeside Linen, Examplar, I think. She asked us to add something that signified something about ourselves if we could. The best I could come up with was a tree. Yes, I am a tree. LOL.. no, no. We do have swans in the lake nearby and I wanted to stitch a swan, but I wanted to use white or ecru which weren't in the pallet. Since my city is something like the "Tree City of America", or something like that, a tree was called to the occasion. I also added the smaller half medallion of roses in the marvelous color Rufous. I think this is turning out nicely. (What is "rufous" anyway? )

Two Years Ago...

2006-11-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

I am so happy to have finally completed the stitching for This Too Shall Pass Scissors Keep. Every year Lois Mouriski Bear (Elegant Stitch) makes another part of this series available. I decided I would not let myself purchase the other pieces until I completed this one. This piece was released two years ago so I am a little behind the times. I know I got one of the last kits available for the scissors keep so I am glad to see the next piece, a pinkeep, is still available. The sales of this series goes to benefit breast cancer organizations. The chart calls for personalizing with your monogram and two significate dates. I chose the year 2004 which was the year I had surgery for cancer, and 2006 because I've made it to the two year marker this year without any recurrence. How thankful I am every time I think about it (very often). Mine was not breast cancer but it was a cancer particular to women. Ladies, I implore you, if you have not had a gynecological visit in the past year, please make an appointment today. It's a mistake to avoid it.
So anyway... on with the finishing so I can celebrate and treat myself to the next kit!

OCSG Sampler Treating Time

2006-10-09T23:43:00.000-07:00

Orange Coast Sampler Guild closed out another year with the annual year end party. This year we had a rousing game of bingo. I lost. And lost again and again and again. Not my game. Give me some strategy at least! I forgot to take a picture of the prize table. There's always cool tote bags, nested boxes etc. The big ticket again this year was a scholarship for the Merry Cox class in July. I crossed my fingers. And lost again. Dang. Oh well. Since it's October, every member is given a bag and goes through the treat line where the cabinet members get to pass out the goodies. This year we received a set of various papercraft needlework items all with "2006" and our OCSG logo on them - pinkeep, ruler, threadwinder, thread palette, and a booklet of finest english needles. We also each received this years' Whitman Sampler tin which can house all the items once we empty it of the chocolates. This years' is oblong and can fit a pen in it. So that's nice. At least a loser doesn't leave empty handed. lol... I did indulge in some dessert which was a lovely ginger cake with homemade caramel sauce and ice cream. I also ate three mini dark Milky Way squares and ferreted away a handful more for dh. tsk tsk tsk.

Part of the guild activities each year is an ornament drive. The ornaments are all donated to The Attic for their annual silent auction fundraiser for breast cancer research. The goal is to have at least 50 donated from our guild. Last year we surpassed that. This year only 18 ornaments were turned in. I'm sure some members will still mail theirs in. I stitched the BOAF Christmas Angel a few years ago and never finished it. I finished it off hurriedly today and though I'm glad I got it done it certainly won't be fetching any high bids that's for sure!

Oh yeah! That envelope with the girl on it is the finishing kit for Good Little Girls Sewing Companion project from earlier this year. I missed the finishing class and I forgot all about the finish kit, so that was an unexpected treat to bring home. I suppose I better work on it, especially since we've got some great classes coming next year. Listen to this line-up! Trisha Nguyen of Thistle Threads, Amy Mitten of Fibers to Dye For, Judy Odell, and as mentioned before, Merry Cox. Depending on how it looks, I may also take the class with Gay Ann Rogers who is designing a special case to house our OCSG scrimshaw set. Since I only have 1 of the 5 pieces I'll wait and see what the piece looks like before I decide yea or nay. They said we'll have a course from Hillside Samplings too but it will just be a group project, not led by the designer. We have to wait until January before we will see any pictures of anything. This does try my patience.

Stash Clearance Time!

2006-09-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hey there! This loop shows a fraction of the items I am parting company with. Email me at senoritastitches @gmail.

This will provide links to several photobucket folders
Senorita's Stash Reduction
And, here's a jump off place to my wish list.
Senorita's Wish List

WTC Quilt

2006-09-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

WTC Quilt,
originally uploaded by SenoritaStitches.

I can't believe it's been five years.

Remember the quilt panel I did? Here's a photo of the completed WTC Quilt. This quilt contains the names of all those who worked in the buildings. They are trying to find somewhere to display the quilt.
For more information: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wtcquilt/

My Quaker Round Robin

2006-09-13T21:27:00.000-07:00

Veronica's Quaker ,
originally uploaded by SenoritaStitches.

Here is the start of my Quaker Round Robin piece. I am using Amy Mitten's Fibers to Dye For. These silks are so nice to stitch with and the names are fun too. I wanted an alphabet on my sampler so I started it with that. The Crown motif in the center is from the Ackworth Pattern Book. I am looking forward to watching my sampler grow along the way.

On my way down the bunny trail

2006-04-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

I got this finishing idea from a friend. It's a small photo album.

SB Exchange

2006-04-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

Even though I have over-committed myself yet once again, I am glad did it. How could I regret it? You saw the awesome sampler and stash I got below.
Now here's another. This one is from the Shepherd's Bush Ezboard. We had our choice to stitch either a tape measure cover or a fob. I am still working on mine.
Here is the beautiful one I received from Rani. She also included some lovely stationary items with pink floral hearts and a mouth-watering recipe book called Chocolate Treats... simple, sumptuous recipes for every chocolate lover. YUM

My Spring Samplar from Rachel

2006-04-07T19:19:00.000-07:00

Look what I received for my Easter exchange! It's been here a couple of days but I have been running ragged and forgot to open it last night. I could hardly wait to get home from work today so I could tear it open. I never expected such a generous gift. My goodness. Rachel stitched me the most wonderful sampler and even framed it. It's personalized with my initials on the top and she dated and initialed it also. I love every bit of it, I love the cute birds on the top, the strawberry border and the fuzzy squirrel and fluffy bunny. It is stitched on a fine count linen, perhaps 40ct. That's not all though! I also received a lovely Easter scarf. (Did you knit it Rachel?) And look! Something for a recent obsession of mine - a Lamb retractable tape measure. When you pull it's tale the tape measure is exposed. It is so cute. AND I got the chart for Attic Collection and the Finishing Instruction Pack signed by the designer Judy Odell, with a personal message to moi! She hopes I get a chance to stitch it :) I am really into trying to learn more about finishing techniques so this is just perfect for me. Rachel was the coordinator for the JAT Ornament exchange I was in. We have met again on another group and she is so smart, she knew what I would like. She accompanied it with a clever handstamped card. I am one spoiled bunny lover. My DH and I already shared the chocolate bunny.
I plan to wear the scarf to work on Monday.
Rachel, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you!!
(Please click on the sampler pic to display it more clearly.)

Stitching Friends Bonanza

2006-02-20T00:06:00.000-08:00

I had the best time yesterday. Terri, hosted a get together in her home. I think this was the largest home gathering I have been to. Terri, me, Melissa, Jill, Laura, Debi, Nancy, Darla, Karen, Kathi, Laurel, Sandy and Sue. (I’ll add some hyperlinks in here later. I already did it but it got hung up and I had to start over.)
Anytime I’ve got to any sort of stitching gathering I get all revved up. It’s so inspiring seeing everyone’s stitched work. There were so many amazing pieces. Jill is a Chatelaine machine (gorgeous work!) but the christening gown she is working on really got my attention. As is happens, four of us are in a quaker round robin that is just starting. Terri had her silk palette and lots of fabrics to toss them on and she’s got a beautiful combination. It will be wonderful to stitch. Darla brought her framed The Sanctuary – it’s marvelous, of course. Well… on and on… went the show fest. It was so much fun! As a matter of fact, it was such a success that Terri has started a new yahoo group for us to organize our future meetings. I am so thrilled!
I’ve also had a little reuniting with quite a few of the old BB’s and that brought me a lot of smiles. I even got some chat time in. I love to chat. I wish more people liked it to.
So, anyway, I’ve been in a great mood today!

Since I don't have any current stitching to show right now, how about this..
This is the darling pinkeep I received from Jan for last year's Valentine's Exchange.

Back to stitching on my model project . . .

Let's see....

2006-02-05T20:28:00.000-08:00

I am happily stitching on a model project. No pictures.

I just bought an old DT chart.
I missed the deadlines on a couple of exchanges that were tempting me, but there are one or two that may still reel me in.

Today, I joined a Quaker RR! Do you know how many Quaker RR's I have sat out? I lost count! I had sworn off RR's for a while. I did pretty good; I haven't joined one in years. In it's place I did a lot of exchanges which I find a lot of fun and more inviting because the commitment is short-lived. Now that I have actually accumulated a few quaker sources I figure I might as well join in. Most of the stitchers are familiar to me, and quite a few are right here in California. So that's cool.
I miss my old Birthday Buddies group. It was a small group and it's easier to get to know one another. We shared much the same taste in designs and you always knew anything you received from a fellow Buddy would be really great. I've joined several other groups and I'm spreading my "influence" lol.. wherever I can, but still, it's the friendship connection I want. All this rambling to say, I hope to establish some good friends among my fellow quaker stitchers. We start in a few months. Anyone have any old used quaker charts they'd like to trade?

Comment Away!

2006-01-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Anne, for letting me know I didn't have the commenting feature turned on. My, my, my. What trouble one can make for oneself. I've been gradually trying to add features and changing the look bit by bit. Who knows when I turned off comments, but that was definitely an oversight!

Yesterday, I started my model stitching project. If I'm making good time I may sneak a small finish in there somewhere. There are a couple of exchanges I am dying to sign up for. Best to wait for now.

World Trade Center Memorial Quilt Project

2006-01-28T01:47:00.000-08:00

My 9-11 World Trade Center panel is finally complete. I had big plans to compile a stat sheet of some facts describing the 18 lives on my list. I thought the sight I had would give me more information than it did. My desire was to bring more of a personal dimension. I have studied their faces and prayed for their families and loved ones. I will always remember 9-11. This stitching experience has helped me memorialize people who left their homes and went to work that day. I am privileged to honor their memory in this small way.

Here's all I can tell you about these dear souls at this time:
• I had 13 men and 5 women on my list.
• Their ages range from 26 to 56
• The average age of my 18 names is 40.7
• I know from the comments I read that one woman had 4 children
• Two of the men have 1 child each
• Employers: 1- American Exp, 2- Aon Corp, 1- Cantor Fitzgerald, 1- Euro Brokers, 1- IQ Fin, 1- LJ Gonzer, 6- Marsh, 1- NY State Dept Tax, 3- NY Fire Dept, 1- Vestek

Interested in stitching a panel? There are a few people who have not followed through and they are looking for people to fill in those spots now.
World Trade Center Cross Stitch Quilt

Making slow progress

2006-01-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

I participated in a Stitch-a-thon weekend with one of my new ezboard groups. I didn't take full advantage of the Fri-Sat-Sun but I think I did ok. This project will be completed this week. Period. Someone who was behind me (Jenna ) passed me right up this weekend.
My dad is now 81 years old. I made him some enchiladas and he ate them; this is amazing news, believe it or not!

Black and White

2006-01-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

I am so glad it is Friday. I congratulate myself every time I complete another week at work. Sad, isn't it? I'm bored to death there and I don't know how much longer I can take it. This week had some especially hard days for me emotionally, but at least I had a bit of work to do by the end of the week.

On the stitching front -
I have been concentrating on the WTC quilt panel I am stitching. I hope I can finish it this weekend. I expect to be starting a model soon, so I really want to get this completed. Stitching with white floss on black fabric is very intense. This is going much slower than I thought it would.

SBQ January 4th

2006-01-04T14:30:00.000-08:00

Now that I'm ready to blog a little more regularly, I thought I'd tackle the Stitching Bloggers Question of the Day. This is my first time.

Do you do your stash shopping at your LNS, ONS, or both? Which do you like better? Why?

I do my stash shopping both at my LNS and several ONS also. Why shop a ONS when I have enormous LNS just about 25 minutes from where I live? (I used to live 15 minutes away.)
1. They don’t carry some of my very favorite designers.
2. They never, ever, have a sale! (Clearancing unsold junk doesn't count.)
3. They aren’t very friendly. This greatly diminishes the personal touch.
4. Except for some pre-cuts, the fabric is behind the counter. Everybody knows the #1 reason to go the LNS is to see, and touch. Yes, they'll put it out on the counter for you, but remember #3. On the other hand, they have nearly every fiber I use most, except for NPS and Gloriana, and they keep them nice and clean in tiny labeled bags.

My top 3 reasons for shopping on-line:
1. Sales!
2. Selection
3. Convenience
These top 3 reasons are also my downfall. LOL... I venture to say the bulk of my overwhelming stash was purchased on-line. That is not counting auctions and trading boards, etc. which have also greatly contributed to my addiction.

What is the world coming to?

2006-01-02T11:20:00.000-08:00

IT'S RAINING! In sunny southern California, it is raining. It's raining on the Rose Parade. Outside my kitchen window it is very windy and rainy at the moment. There's small tree branches all over the place. The parade goes on though :) I guess I'll get over it.

Today, I will continue working on a quilt square for the WTC memorial quilt project. It is simply the names of victims in white thread on black aida fabric. I've got 18 names. There's a website where you can look up the names to know more about each person. wow. I'm glad I decided to do this. I am not sure if they need any more stitchers, but you can check out WTC Quilt if you are interested.

From the Netherlands

2005-12-31T15:59:00.000-08:00

Oh my! I have just received the most wonderful ornament and extra goodies too. It is so much fun to receive stitched gifts from around the world. This one is from Annemiek. Isn't it wonderful?! I love it! I've learned the desiger is Little House Needleworks and this design is in the 2005 JCS Ornament issue. I love this americana style designer.
This is the second item I have received from Annemiek and her stitching is excellent, of course. This proves good things come to those who wait.
Thank you so much, Annemiek! My husband loves it too. The girls haven't seen it yet.
Thank you also for the beautiful sparkly fabric, the gorgeous Gloriana silk, and the cute Christmas sticky notes. Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season and Happy New Year too!

Rose Parade - Trader Joe's float

2005-12-30T18:51:00.000-08:00

My plan was to keep this blog to stitching related posts. However, I must digress. It's not the best picture in the world, but what you are looking at is a picture of my daughter and her friend working on Trader Joe's entry for the 117th Annual Pasadena Rose Parade. It was the feature article in the Local section of the Orange County Register. She is a Key Club member at her high school and this was a service project they were honored to participate in. That's my girl! She the one in the jacket and hat.

I am officially a Model Stitcher

2005-12-30T11:47:00.000-08:00

I don't exactly know why, but I've wanted to be a model stitcher for some time now. The first item I completed is now on the designers new website. I have to admit it is kind of fun to see it (even though the pic is super blurry).
Curious? Visit The World of S for a look at it. I stitched the letter "V" of the Ruritania style. I was glad when it was done and shipped off to Australia.

Soon, I will be working on another piece for a different designer. I am really looking forward to this next one.

Edited to add:

Subject: References - oodles of them

The following stitchers did a great job stitching for me:

Veronica (Senorita Stitcher) did an absolutely beautiful job of the
Ruritania V. And I have to say I have never seen anything packed so
beautifully!
Thanks so much to all of you for your wonderful sticthing and for
helping me to get started.

Sharon Carlton
www.theworldofs.com

Marvelous Malaysian REDWORK

2005-12-22T16:52:00.000-08:00

I am just beside myself with utter elation over the Redwork Exchange piece I have received. It came to me from the other side of the world - Malaysia. It is the most wonderful bourse. Thank you Leena! It was worth the wait. I will treasure it forever.
I am posting these scans but I am hoping Leena has digital pics I can substitute.

I've been busy!

2005-12-01T12:39:00.000-08:00

Here they are! All three of the ornaments I stitched AND finished for exchanges this year. I consider this an enormous accomplishment! LOL...
The mini stocking is from an older leaflet by NeedleLove (I think).
The Santa is this years' Prairie Schooler 2005. He is a quilter. :) I learned the box finish technique from Judy O'dell's on-line class. It's easy. Give it a try!
The last one is from a back ornament issue of JCS. It's by Darlene O'Steen. The design is a continuum of the breast cancer ribbon. I modified it. Basically, I sized it down to 1/4 of the design and added a tassel. It's my first attempt at a fancy tassel with beads.

Christmas Ornament Exchange

2005-11-23T16:58:00.000-08:00

I joined three Christmas ornament exchanges this year. I love Christmas. While I am still waiting to receive my redwork exchange, it was a special treat to receive this one a bit early. Thanks to Stacie! She did a great job of picking something I would enjoy- both sampler motifs and sajou letters. Cute tassels too, don't you think?

Antique Redwork

2005-11-12T10:52:00.000-08:00

Thankfully, my redwork project has been received by Murielle. These are my scans of the project. I dream of owning a digital camera someday. If you want to see the wonders of a digital photo compared to the scan you must visit Murielle's blog.

Murielle’s blog
Be prepared. The blog and gallery of a PCB member is a sight to behold.

A little detail about my project- The motifs are from a french book, Repertoire des Frises, by Valerie Lejeune. If I owned only this book alone, I could stitch for the rest of my life. My goal was to try to achieve an antique look. I love antique needlework and tools. Someday I plan to own some. For now, I must mimick it. The cushion is stuffed with wool. The thread is Vicky Clayton's silk floss in garnet, one of my favorites. The ribbon edging did not come out quite like I had hoped - it was hard! I know how I'll do it next time, so I have learned something and that makes me happy. Besides that, Murielle loves it, and that makes my heart glad.

Senorita Stitcher Stitches by the Seaside

2005-11-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

This is the blog I used for a short while. I did not like the photo part of it. Everything about it takes too long. I'm using blogger now but I need to learn some more html tricks when I have some time.

Red

2005-10-30T19:51:00.000-08:00

Here is my project for the Redwork Exchange on the Stitching Bloggers Board.

The contents are secret for now :)

Sampler Guild Party

2005-10-15T16:45:00.000-07:00

I had a fun day today. I belong to a sampler guild and today was our end of the year party. Our special speaker today was Jean Lea, of The Attic needlework shop in Mesa AZ. Our guild stitches ornaments for her shop's breast cancer fundraiser auction every year. As part of our year end gift we each received Jean's first published design and it's just wonderful. It's called the Chocolate Sampler and obviously, it's all about chocolate. She tucked in a couple of the chocolate Dove Promises in each kit and cautioned us not to leave it in the car with the hot sun on it. :) No problemo! Every member received a black bag with orange stitching that said "Sampler Treating at Orange Coast Sampler Guild." Then we when "treating" through the line where each one of the board members deposted a goodie in our bag - truffles, tea, commemorative needles, a special pin "Queen for a Day", and a teacup and saucer with our guild logo on it. We used our new tea cups for a tea party. We had opportunity tickets for door prizes. As usual, I didn't win anything. Not even the Merry Cox scholarship for our project next year. Sob sob. Just so we wouldn't feel left out, even those of us who were unlucky in the draw still got to pick a small gift. I chose the goodie bag from last years party that I missed. I love my sampler guild. Now for the next two months I better get to work on the pre-stitching for January's project.

So here's the ornament I donated. It's a freebie from the Chocolate Cat. It's called Christmas Rose. Visit http://choccat.com/index.html for the freebie. This was supposed to just be a practice one but I ran out of time and this had to do for the real thing. Jean said the highest bid they have ever received on an ornament was $200! A funny lady at our guild asked, "was that for mine?" You know, it could have been!

A New Finish Technique

2005-09-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Here it is! We had a "freebie" exchange in the Birthday Buddies group. We could finish the design in any manner we chose but it had to be a free design. I chose this Merry Cox fob. I always like to try to stretch my skills and try something new. I've had this idea floating in my head. Instead of just whip stitching it closed as called for I wanted to try something a little different with ribbon. How do you like it?

A recent project

2005-06-11T13:36:00.000-07:00

I forgot I even started this blog. I didn't like how it was going, that I remember!
Just to get going again I am posting this pic of a friendship exchange piece I did. It was the first time I've ever used beads to finish off an edge and I added the handle just for fun.
The back side is personalized with an inscription in spanish.

Stitching beginings and what the internet did for me LOL

2004-12-28T02:40:00.000-08:00

I learned embroidery as a young girl. I stitched many pillow cases with x's and lazy daisies. My mom taught me that much. I never really had any more instruction... just being around mom was it. She sewed, so I sewed. I taught myself to use the sewing machine when I was about 10. I think I made a book bag. I made a lot of my own school clothes. I taught myself macrame when that was the craze. I did a little rug hooking. I've done a couple of needlepoint ornaments but just tent stitch. I have a quilt top that never got quilted but I really would love to be a quilter. A dear friend taught me to knit this year but I am just a beginner. Cross stitch is my passion. It wasn't until I finally succomed to the internet at home, about 7 years ago, that I discovered how much I didn't know about my hobby. I had no idea how popular it was or how much variety there was. I'll never forget my shock and surprise at the pages and pages of links that fated day I typed in "cross stitch" on a search engine. I was behind the times and I've been trying to catch up ever since. It didn't take long to amass more stash than any one person needs but it was fun becoming SABLE. Unfortunately, I was so far behind the times that even much of what I sought after in the beginning of my quest is likely never to be stitched. So, though it can be a source of guilt due to the cash I sunk in to it... much of it is useless to me now. Don't worry, I now have plenty of fanciful newer things but I still find I can not keep up with the newest things. Well..... there's plenty more to come... this should be fun!Here's some of the things I've stitched in the past year.

Getting organized

2004-12-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

Many cross stitchers have two hobbies in one -- stitching and collecting stitching materials. We call the later "stash". Sometimes my stash is pure enjoyment and other times I feel very guilty about it. I have much more than I need. Yet, when new and fanciful things make their debut I want them too. Lately, I've been hearing about being "on the wagon" and stitching from our stash. I have decided I would really like to try to do this. The problem is there are a few items I want that are holding me back from making this jump. It should be much easier than it seems though because I am broke right now, so why should I worry about buying more? What I am doing to get started is making a list of the things I have started and the things I want to start this coming year. I thought my list was ridiculously long until I saw some other stitcher's lists. Another thing holding me back was the aversion to being a bit too organized about it. I stitch for enjoyment, I don't want it to become a taskmaster. I've felt that feeling when I was overcommited to too many round robins - three to be exact. I hated that. I felt like I was always stitching on someone else's work and I didn't get any of my own stitching done that year. I've avoided round robins since then but then I replaced it with smaller commitments of ornaments or mail art or other small pieces. I like that social part of it. The connection with another person who loves stitching as I do. I've seen some incredible round robin pieces the past year though and I couldn't help but feel regret. All I have to do though is look in the boxes and drawers around my stitching area and I remember why I had such resolve. I haven't begun to put a dent in all I want to stitch.
With all this rambling all I wished to say is that I want to have a good starting place for the coming year and a little organizing will help me get there.

Let's get this started

2004-11-03T01:10:00.000-08:00

Hello.
I tried this blogging this once before. I thought I'd give it another go.

Today I voted. It's past midnight and they still can't declare a winner.
I love America.