I have another Facebook Group to share with you all…Mixed Media Hand Embroidery.
It is so much fun. Here is one of the designs I just completed. It is a mixture of color crayons, acrylic paints, glitter, gens, ribbons and such and of course hand embroidery. The sassy girl’s name is Sandra. I named her after my sister as she so reminded me of her. She is such a Sassy Girl. Anyway, hope you enjoy the picture.
And if you want to see some great stitching from some wonderful stitchers you can check out both my Facebook Groups. Just search Facebook for the following groups:
Just A Thought Needlework Designs and/or Mixed Media Hand Embroidery.
Both are fun groups.
And here is Sandra, the Sassy Girl! I finished her on a canvas board. What fun I had.
"JUST SAYING"
August give away. I am so very excited about this months give away. yep… I found this at Nordic Needle and it was not available at wholesale so I had to spend full price. And it is pricy! But it was so worth it and I discovered it was even better than I expected. It is metal and I wanted a chart holder to use my magnets on. I normally set my holder on a table next to me when I stitch. This looked really cute….love the yellow color…and did not take up as much room as the one I was using. Are stitchers ever satisfied?
Anyway, I ordered one for me and one for you. Once it came I made an amazing discovery!!!!! LOOK!!! The back base fits just under the knobs on my JAT needlework stand. WAIT….WHAT???? Yep…perfect. Well I love it. And if you are interested in trying to win this chart holder (you can use it without the JAT stand of course) then add a post letting me know. Remember that a “like” alone will not get your name entered into the drawing.
Oh, one more thing…I should give those that do not want to wait a month to have one of these gems some information about getting one.
I got mine at: www.Nordic Needle.com but you can also read about it and even purchase it here www.saycheesedesigns.com/products/organizers.html But do support a needlework shop and try to get one at Nordic Needle if you like it. Or, maybe win it by going to my Facebook group: Just A Thought Needlework Design click to join if you are not a member yet. And tell everyone you got the hot tip from Just A Thought Needlework Design. Hugs everyone!
"JUST SAYING"
What does everything you see in this picture have in common? PIN CUSHIONS! I am going nuts for pin cushions. Why? I don’t know for sure. I have been surfing the internet and keep seeing the cutest pin cushions. I guess it is like the flu…I caught it! I have seen pin cushions made out of just about everything one could think of. So I went to the second hand store and started looking around. The ideas came flying at me so fast I had to get control of myself quickly or I would have gone under the pin cushion spell. The picture shows just a few of the pieces I picked up. And I had already gotten wool felt so I am ready to go.
My husband says I can’t ever just do things in a small way. I always have to dive in at the deep end, head first, and hope I don’t hit bottom. I must confess I have hit bottom a few times. Hitting bottom for me is when I am over my temporary obsession of whatever has gotten hold of me and, as usual, having tons of “stuff” left over. And I mean TONS!
So at the moment it is pin cushions. Love them! And I want to stitch some and finish some and share some and…and…and…. SOMEBODY STOP ME!
I am going to start making a few of these and give them away on my Facebook Group. If you are in my group Just A Thought Needlework Design you know I love to have drawings. I love to give away “stuff”. And Lord knows I have a lot of “stuff” to give away. So keep checking back to see what’s happening at the pin cushion pool.
AND, I want to set up a Pin Cushion Exchange with all my friends. Is anyone interested? If so you can post below or go to my Facebook Group and message me to join. Just A Thought Needlework Design
I will get hold of you and we shall get something going. What fun! Hugs
"JUST SAYING"
I am currently working on a lap stand as a companion to the floor model. It will be perfect for those low couches and chairs that have less than an inch to slide the floor model under. Or for those that want to put your feet up when you stitch. And it will be portable so you can take it with you when you travel.
Anyway, as soon as it is ready I will post information and pictures about it.
I have a Facebook Group for those of you that like to use Facebook. It is nice to use as it is so easy to post and add pictures. I don’t like the fact that posts drop down further and further and get lost quite easily. However, I do like the ease of posting and adding pictures on Facebook. And, I will keep this blog going for those that enjoy the web-blogs. I love checking out individual blogs. They are really more personal and the posts do not get lost in the mix, so-to-speak. Anyway, for those of you that are interested, my Facebook group is Just A Thought Needlework Design
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I just got a look at my new designs that were framed by Jill Rensel. These are worked in my new style that I am calling “Mixed Media Hand Embroidery” designs. It is a cross between surface embroidery, needlepoint and crewel. They are fast and, most importantly, fun to do.
Here are my Summer Fields and Winter Fields designs. They are from Dover Coloring Books with a few changes. I think they turned out just wonderful. Spring Fields and Autumn Fields will show up one of these days.
I shall check back in soon. Hugs Judy Odell
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Capricious Arts??? Ever heard of it? This gal has an Etsy shop and I came across it in the usual way I generally find sites I am not looking for. How did I get here…who knows? But you just must check this out. Capricious Arts
I purchased one of her works of art immediately and if I were only rich in money and not only fame (just my little joke) I would have purchased every one of her pieces…well almost. Being needle workers we know the time she has spent on her pieces. She definitely does not get what she deserves for them. Wow…what a talent this girl has. LOVE HER WORK!
Here is the piece I purchased. But go check out her other embroideries…fabulous!
"JUST SAYING"
Oh my heck. I am so excited. It doesn’t take much to excite me you see. Anyway, I found this on Ebay and had to have it as I have been looking for one of these for a very long time. Well, off and on that is. Every time I saw one I just could not decide. It was not special enough, it was not tall enough to hold my scissors without them hitting the bottom, etc. There was always something. Then I saw this. Wow, I was in love. I had to have it. I could not wait to share it with you all. These were originally used to hold flowers. I don’t even know if they are still available on the market. I have never seen one being used. Years ago I saw a stitcher with one and have been keeping my eyes peeled for one ever since. So now meet my “Scissor Frog”. Love it!
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It is so quiet here. I am working on a new design and thought I would share a “very small” sneak peek with you all. It is the first in a collection of collectable cushions. What is that exactly? You will have to wait until I get it finished and released to find out. I am thinking that it will be released for the online Needle Work show. Keep an eye out. As is usual for me the finishing design is my focus so the stitching design is an addition to the finish. And, as usual, it is my goal to give you some quality projects that you don’t have to go to a class for and pay a fortune to get. Not that I have a problem with expensive classes except that I generally can’t seem to justify the expense to get there and take the class. Maybe that is because I am a designer and finisher myself. ??? This design will be available in paper format from your favorite needlework shop. I am not sure if I will have it available as a PDF or not. Since my “un-retirement” I am thinking I will cater to the shops and online classes via my message board. Well, hmmmm….it is Just A Thought right now. And here is your small peek.
"JUST SAYING"
Hi everyone. I know it has been awhile since I have posted. I guess you are all going nuts wondering what I have been up to. And I know it has been keeping you awake at night. I am so sorry. So now I will post and let you know my secret so you can get the rest you need. 🙂 Surface Embroidery…yep. I have found it and I love it. If you have ever wondered about surface embroidery you need to check out this site. www.needlenthread.com This is Mary Corbet’s site. And wow…I can’t believe the time she gives of herself. I should be so selfless. But nay…I am not! 🙂 I am ordering books, reading and learning as fast as I can as I want to try to incorporate some of the surface embroidery techniques into the cross stitch design and give it all a Jacobean flavor. I know I can, I know I can, I know I can! We shall see. Then I want to incorporate it into a 3D design (not sure what until I actually do it, but, you will be the first to know). I have completed one piece using one of Mary’s free designs on her site and I really like the way it has turned out. Now I have pretty much the tools I need to do it and I am ready to design. Book in hand and all….
Here is a picture of my first master piece. I think it is going to be a pin cushion. Then on to bigger and better, whatever. If you have ever wondered about surface embroidery go and check out her site. She has just started on a design and it is a group stitch along. And best of all, IT IS FREE! I have started it and I will add a picture of it below with a picture of my first completed Jacobean piece. Love it! 🙂 Hugs Oh, don’t forget to go and check out Mary’s site and I will be back…soon I hope. 🙂
Mary Corbet’s Needle N Thread
Hugs again!
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There are paper charts available for those that want them. But, they are only available via needle work shops. My designs are available directly from the Just A Thought store but ONLY IN PDF FORMAT and instant download. Ok, so “instant download” is not working so well but once you place an order I will send the PDF to you personally. But, if you see something you like and want it in paper format please let your favorite shop know.
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Ok, I finally made a decision about my retirement. I enjoyed my retirement for a few years but now I am getting bored. I know, I know…I am crazy. But, I have gotten the designing bug again. That little rascal has been chewing on me for some time now and I figured it was time to s**t or get off the pot (as my mother would say). So here I am, designing again.
I am working on a sampler right now. It is really turning out beautiful. I will be in the online Needlework show in April so must get it done along with one other if possible. Something new is always nice. I am having a lot of fun and the thought of talking with all of you again is wonderful. See you soon!
Now, on another note. I have turned into a Pinterest baby. I love the site and get so many ideas from it. The last one was a new stitching area. You know my little corner where I do my stitching. Well it has changed. I saw where someone turned a console into a craft area and loved it. I had given a large console that I no longer wanted to my daughter and she never used it. It has been in her garage for some time. So….needless to say, I took it back and now have a new craft corner. Want to see a picture? Ok. Here it is, my new stitching corner. Love it!
And with that I will close this post. I will be back soon with a sneak peek at my new design. Hugs
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Hello everyone! Merry Christmas, happy holidays, happy new year, be my valentine and happy Easter (just in case I don’t get back real soon). I have been so busy. I am so enjoying stitching and remodeling and golfing (new). I decided I needed to exercise to lose some weight and thought it would be nice to join curves. Well, I did just that…joined. I went a total of seven times and decided I hated it. No more curves for me. Hey…round is a shape you know! Anyway, I still need to lose some weight and really need to get off my big butt and get a little more active. Sooooo….golfing. Richard and I joined the local golf club and we are so loving going golfing. I am more like “golf rolling” as annoying as it is. I am still loving it. But, now on to stitching related things.
Look what I found. This is an old army chest that is from WWII. LOVE IT! I thought I got a great deal on it as it was only $65. Does that seem like a lot? I love it so it was worth it to me. Can you see I have all my DMC floss in it. And I have lots of empty drawers for whatever I decide I need close at hand when I am stitching. Richard thought I was nuts to want it until I filled it and now he likes it too. 🙂
I have been stitching quite a bit lately. I am so enjoying stitching other designers designs. I seem to always have to change something though. I guess it is the designer in me that thinks I know when a change is needed. Just adds to the fun of stitching. That’s why I always gave the option of the stitcher deciding what linen and fibers to use on their project. I never minded any changes you all made. Hopefully most designers feel like I do about personal changes on designs. Otherwise, I am going to have a few designers upset with me. So what’s new? 🙂 I almost completed the Mill Hill Santa I have been stitching. I want to do some type of 3D framing that incorporates the stitched picture but not sure what I will end up with so it is on a back burner right now. I moved on to a sampler I have had for years. I found this design featured in a 1998 issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine and just had to have it. So I sent for the kit and then proceeded to pack it away for another time. 16 years later, the time has come. 🙂 Designer: Kooler Design Studio. And again…silk fibers. You all know I prefer DMC…but…had the kit so silk it is. I will be adding some drawn and pulled thread sections to replace some of the design that is further down but for now it is pretty much the same as originally designed. I am loving it. The colors are just beautiful and a far cry from the colors I design with. Here is a progress picture so far.
I received a picture awhile back. I am so lack in my posting. Sorry Bev. Anyway, this beautiful Mermaid Box was stitched and finished by Bev from across the pond. She actually stitched it in the colors that are suggested in the chart but when she sent the picture one of them looked brown. I loved the color change so thought I would share it with you all. Beautiful work. Thanks so much for the picture Bev. This is “The Mermaid Box”. It was designed by Martina Weber in Germany and I designed and wrote the finish instruction for it. The box and smalls are just amazing.
"JUST SAYING"
Check this out. Melanie decided to design her own Shelley’s Jewelry Box. She talks about her design and shares tons of pictures on her blog at http://melaniethewipslayer.blogspot.com/
You should go check out her blog and see some wonderful stitching. She gets so much done so quickly that I am sure she never sleeps. 🙂 Anyway…look at her darling box. It is so cute in person you just would not believe all the bling on this box. I absolutely love it. I did the finishing as a thank you for all her help with mine. But I must say I remember why it was time for me to retire. My carpal tunnel is getting so bad I just can’t do much finishing any longer. At-any-rate…Great job Melanie. Love it, and thanks for your help with mine.
"JUST SAYING"
Oh my heck. Anke just sent me a picture of her finished Mary Wigham Wardrobe. She has done an amazing finishing job. Her work is perfection. I went and took a look at her pictures and spent so much time there I was ashamed of myself. But what beautiful work she has done and what a great motivator to see all her beautiful pieces. You just must go take a look. You can find her pictures here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/23200639@N05/sets/
And here is a look at her Mary Wigham Wardrobe. There are lots more pictures of her wardrobe at the link above. Beautiful work Anke. Thanks so much for the picture. Hugs
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So here is the picture of my Three Things Sampler by Moira Blackburn. I changed a few things but it is pretty much the same. The wording is very different since it is my family names. I love it and will share a picture of it here once I frame it. I plan to return much sooner than usual…I am getting into stitching again and a few other things I will share with you all. Can you see some of the changes I made? 🙂
Hugs, Judy Odell, Just A Thought
"JUST SAYING"
Oh my heck…look at the picture I just received from Marcia. She completed my design “Array of Style Sampler”. This is the first one I have seen completed and I love it. Love the colors too.
Beautiful job Marcia.
I have been stitching again. I did finish my “Three Things Sampler”. It turned out fabulous…I love it. I added the line of females in my family. I started with my Grandmother and ended with my Granddaughter. I will take a picture later and add it for you to see. It is quite a large sampler. Now I am into Christmas and Mill Hill. I want to figure out a unique way to frame the Mill Hill designs, if I can. You know me….I need a little 3D. 🙂 I really love stitching Mill Hill designs. They come out so beautiful, what with the beads added. I plan to use some Modge Podge. NOOOOOOOO….you say. Hmmmmm…we shall see what happens. I actually never know until I am working on a piece how it will end up. I will share with you all though. Success or failure…you shall see it. 🙂
So now, I shall return with a picture of the Three Things Sampler. Later Gater! Hugs Judy Odell
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Hi everyone: Thanksgiving Day came and went way too fast. I did not even get onto this blog before it was gone so I figure since I am here and thinking about you all I will send my best wishes to you now during this holiday season. This way if I don’t get back I will not feel like I left you all out. 🙂
Hmmmmm….let me see. What have I been up to. Very little in the world of cross stitch. I have been busy though. Let me see…I have used Pinterest as a huge motivator and redecorated my guest bathroom. Boy is it bright. Want to see some pictures? Oh, you do? OK…. 🙂
Well heck. I can’t seem to get the colors right. But you get the idea. I plan on painting a silhouette and name on the wall above each one of those towels you see hanging there. Can’t you see Pinterest all over this bathroom? 🙂
Then I made curtains for my dining room in my on-going attempt to give it a 50’s look. I must admit the curtains helped to finish it off. Now I only have to add the white paneling (wainscoting) on the back and side walls.
Next…I am crocheting some shawls for the old folks. Now when I told my dear friend Moosie I was doing this she said, “you are old Judy”. Ha-Ha…. I now say, “I am crocheting some shawls for the dear ones in the senior home.” Sounds much better don’t you think? 🙂
And I wanted you to see my little tiny-tiny stitching area. My little corner that I do not spend nearly enough time in these days.
I am still stitching on my “Three Things Sampler”. It is right there under the red pillow case. I am much further along then last you saw and I will post a progress picture again soon. I decided that it is so big that I want to make it a wall hanging. I managed to get a beautiful used arrow at a gun shop and I am going to mount it onto the arrow for hanging. I will post another picture of it actually hanging on the wall once I get it hung.
I have not forgotten “Shelley’s Jewelry Box”. It is stitched and waiting to be finished.
That will be my next project. I will also post the travel roll stitching chart shortly. Maybe if I work really hard I will get it finished and pictures posted before Christmas; or maybe after News Year; or hmmmmm….Valentine’s Day????? Oh my heck…I am so busy these days…this retirement is just killing me. 🙂
So now back to the original reason for posting today.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE…. MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE…. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS…
MAY WE ALL FIND PEACE IN 2013… BIG HUGS AND LOVE from me…. Judy Odell
"JUST SAYING"
Let me think…I have started stitching and designing again. Not designing like I used to before I, “so-call”, retired. But, I am talking about Shelley’s Jewelry Box. I have actually sent it to my model stitcher to have it stitched. I have even posted three parts now on the JAT message board. There are some beautiful pictures of the different colors that some of the stitchers have chosen to use posted on the message board also.
I am working on Moira Blackburn’s “Three Things Sampler”. I have it about half finished right now. I seem to be getting into stitching again and I am so happy. This means I am coming out of my funk, as-I-call-it, after losing my mom and dad. Wow, it has taken some time for me. But I am hoping this is my come-back. 🙂
I am going to post a few pictures of Shelley’s Jewelry Box parts but remember that it is not finished and I will be adding ribbon during the finishing. I did add the ribbon to the end panel so you could see a bit of what it will look like. It is quite the “girly girl” box. Also, I will post a picture of what I have stitched so far on the Three Things Sampler. I am so enjoying stitching this right now. I have changed a few things but mostly stayed with the original design. I truly love Moira’s designs and now know what a joy they are to stitch.
So the pictures are below and I shall be back with an update soon. Hugs everyone! Judy Odell
And here are pictures of the first sections of Shelley’s Jewelry Box
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I thought you might like to try this. I saw something like this on Penterest and decided that I needed to make one “my way”. I am never formal and everything has to be easy or I don’t take the time to do it. I love the idea because with my grand kids and hubby there is always a slimy, gummy bar of soap and ugly wash rags in the showers. And now, no more soap going down the drain because the shower washes it away or it floats to its death in the water. I hate it. I saw this and figured it was a solution to my problem. Use one for a bit…put the soap in a clean soap bag and throw the dirty soap bag in the laundry. I made enough to give everyone their own color soap bag. (Well actually I have a few more to make.) We shall see!
Easy Directions: Fold the wash cloth with right sides together and cut into three even pieces.
Stitch along the long sides and any time you stitch a side that is raw cut you need to zig-zag stitch and then straight stitch it. (I do this so it does not lose little wash rag threads). Turn the little bag you made inside out. Stitch a piece of ribbon about one inch below the top. Insert a bar of soap and tie closed. Easy-Peasy !!!! Soap bags!!!
"JUST SAYING"
