Once I finished my daughters sampler (minus the framing) I was ready to start something new. So I started looking through my stash. You know I have tons….what stitcher doesn’t? Anyway, I decided to finish a UFO instead of starting something new. I actually don’t have many UFO’s as I started professionally finishing early in my needle work experience. I did not start stitching by working on really small projects…not me! I always jump into things way over my head and just figure I can do it. So here is the UFO I choose to work on again. I started it in 1997. I can’t believe it has been 14 years…scary! I stitched my very first piece in 1996 (not even a year before) so you can see what I mean when I say I had no fear. Now 14 years later I am wondering what the heck!!! Was I nuts. I am trying to figure this out and it is taking me hours to actually get going on it again. I can’t figure out how I did it. This is full of satin stitches, button hole and detached button hole stitches, double running stitch, queen stitches…and where’s the cross stitch????? The chart is a challenge itself. What the heck???? It is for “advanced” and now I know what that means. Mind you 14 years ago I had no idea I had to be “advanced” to stitch this. Dah…what happened?
Anyway, here it is. This is a design I purchased from The Scarlet Letter. It is Joanna Warren 1655. For those that know me, you know I love DMC and hate working with silks. Well guess what…yep…I started using silk. Who knew? I had completed about 1/3 of this before putting it away. So, wish me luck. Hopefully, as I get into it again it will get easier. I shall keep you all updated.
Personal update
I finished the stitching. Isn’t it just too cute? I just love the way it turned out. Now I need to frame it. I shall share with you how I frame it once I have actually done it. I think I know exactly what I want to do but sometimes that changes on me before I have finished. 
As you can see from the date on the sampler, I am late with her birthday. But, since she lives out-of-town and I will not see her for a few weeks I have time to finish it and she will never know the difference. I shall return with framing instructions for those interested.
Personal update
Hello everyone. I hope you had a most wonderful new year. I have been quiet for a bit because I have been very stressed. A CT scan showed a spot on my sons lungs and he had to have a biopsy. Needless to say I have not been handling it too well. We are a very tight knit family and although he is 40 he is still my baby. What a wonderful new years gift we got when everything came back showing no cancer and a stamp of approval from the doctors.
I have also decided to take a little sabbatical for a bit. I am going to relax and do some relaxing stitching. I shall share with you when I do decided to do something small and hopefully post a few free designs on my blog for everyone to (hopefully) enjoy. Well, let’s say, “I will actually post the free design on my message board and give you all a picture here on my blog.” Then if you are interested you can pick it up on my message board.
This is the chart I am presently working on. I decided to stitch my daughter a sampler so she will always remember who she is. She is presently in the middle of a divorce right now and I think it might be fun to get her birth name in print. It is a chart from The Cross-Eyed Cricket and designed by Vicki Hastings. I am really enjoying stitching it. I am changing the girl around a bit to suit my tastes and I just have to give her red hair like my daughter. I will post another picture once it is finished.
Personal update
Happy Holidays everyone. Wow…it’s here and I am so behind on my stitching I need a few more months to catch up. I think I am out-of-luck on this though. I have decided to do something a little different this year. I am still hoping to add a Christmas ornament for the members of my message board but I have so much to do I am getting a little concerned that I may not get it done. So….I have decided to have a Christmas drawing for all the members. What is it they say…many will enter, only one will win. This is true but hey, all it takes is a quick posting to enter and it may be you that wins. So if you are not a member of the message board as yet you might like to join us as this beautiful box may be yours. Who knows….someone will win and it may as well be you.
A little about the box you may win: This was the first year the Designing Ladies got together, 2005. Wow, it seems impossible it has been so long. This particular box is the Unicorn Box and the stitch design was by the amazing designer from Germany, Martina Weber of Chatelaine Designs. I designed the actual box and I finished this particular box. As a group the complete design was entitled “A Stitcher’s Treasure Box” and this is just one of many designers from all over the world that designed one of these boxes. This Unicorn box is covered with beads, metallic threads and specialty stitches. It truly is breathtaking to see in person.
So if you are not a member of the JAT message board yet, now is the time. Just click on “Register” in the top menu bar to register and don’t forget to send me a private message with your USERNAME so I can activate you. i activate no member requests unless I get a personal email along with the submitted registration. This is my way of keeping spammers out of our message board.
Oh heck…I forgot…would you all like to see the beautiful box that could be yours? HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE. TIS THE SEASON
Personal update
I am currently busy moving my office from the garage to the back bedroom. It is empty now and, as the picture shows, the view is just beautiful. So why not…I cannot believe the accumulation of stuff…this seems to be the only word that fits as it is not junk nor is it necessary…it is stuff. Anyway, for some reason I am a little sentimental and emotional. Maybe it is just the fact that the room is empty and used to be full of kids and messes…the kids that occupied this room have grown but are not far away as yet…18 and 21…and I am not ready to kick them out of the nest. So…they have taken my spot in the garage. I think all of us are happy for the move. I know that one day I shall look at that garage and, like this room, it will be empty of kids and their mess and I will wish they were still here. I tend to not let go…and I know I hold on too tight…but hey, who’s perfect.
My daughter sent me this beautiful poem the other day. She left the nest quite some time ago and is going through some trials herself currently. Anyway…it seems to fit each person that reads it differently…so I thought I would share it with you all…..
After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning and company doesn’t mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts and presents aren’t promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes open,
with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today, because tomorrow’s ground is too
uncertain for plans, and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if you get to much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul instead of waiting for
someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure…that you really are strong,
And you do have worth.
And you learn and learn…with every goodbye you learn.
……..Comes The Dawn…….Author: Veronica A. Shoffstall……………
Personal update
I was talking with a friend yesterday and of course we turned to stitching chat. Actually we started talking about the Lady Evelyn book I had last blogged about. I had ordered her one as a gift and in doing so I somehow ordered two. I have no idea how I could have done this as I had to submit my card a second time…very strange… Anyway, we were discussing the fact that one cannot get really large count linen and very small thin fibers any longer. Lady Evelyne stitched some of her beautiful laces on 180 count linen…if you can imagine. Anyway, as happens, the conversation turned and we were chatting about some of the stitching we had done some time back. I mentioned a piece I had stitched about 15 years ago when I first started stitching. Yep, one of the first things I ever stitched. It was a butterfly I stitched in gold threads. But the unusual thing is I did not realize I could not stitch it like I did…I actually stitched it on 40 count linen, over one thread. The entire background is cross stitched also. The original linen color is a natural linen color. Mind you, they are full cross stitches over one linen thread on 40 count linen. Well, no one told me yet that I just could not do that. My friend wanted a picture so I thought maybe some of you would like to see a picture also. Here it is…my Butterfly !
As I was getting it out of the cabinet I started looking at some of the stitched pieces and noticed this Santa ornament. This was the very first thing I ever designed. I actually learned to chart from this little Santa. Hmmmmmm….this might just make a good Christmas ornie this year for the members of my message board. Hmmmmm…yep, it is already designed and all I would have to do is write the finishing. …… Oh, sorry, just talking to myself again. Anyway, I thought I would show it to you here also since we are talking about old things we stitched. That is what we were talking about right? I was just turning from needlepoint to cross stitch and was still new to needle work. I used a lot of needlepoint stitches and had a great time stitching him. Here he is…my old Santa USA. Is there anyone out there that actually remembers this old design? Santa USA
Personal update
I’m back. Finally!! I have been away for a long time now but I have been so busy. Spring has arrived in Valley Springs. Everything is looking so beautiful and green. I love the spring. But who doesn’t?
The class for the Mary Wigham Wardrobe is in full swing. There are a few seats left but we are out of almost all the supply kits. Everyone has such great ideas for what color to stitch their wardrobe. I can’t wait to see all the pictures. When the class is over I shall post pictures of the finishes in the Rewards forum on the message board. Yep, this wardrobe is worth $50.00 if it is completed by the time class is over. I figure that is a pretty good incentive to help the class members get their stitching done.
Now on to other things. Let’s see…..
1. I am working on a very special cabinet for the Northwest Sampler Guild in Washington. No it is not like the cabinets I have released so far. Would I do that to you…make something you don’t want. Be nice now… mahahahaaaa. Anyway, it is going to be a stitch along held privately on the JAT message board. I will be going to Washington to give a finishing class so if you are interested it will be just a short while before every thing is finalized, and we will let you all know so you can sign up and/or join the guild if you are interested. Actually, you can go here Northwest Sampler Guild and check out some of their past classes. They do have some great classes and their newsletter is wonderful.
2. Now, speaking of newsletter. I will have one shortly. Moosie has the skeleton ready actually but I have no time to put it together to send out. It is next in line though so keep checking back so you can subscribe. I will try to keep it interesting. I plan to publish quarterly.
Hmmmm…I know I had a #3 to mention but I forgot. Geeeeesssss…I do a lot of forgetting lately. And misplacing. My new motto is, “Touch it – Lose it”. Really, I swear someone is playing tricks on me because sometimes I don’t even get up out of my seat and I can’t find something I had one minute ago. Darn kids…. Can’t hurt to blame them.
Ok, I’m done for now. I shall try to get back very soon with something interesting to say. Don’t forget to check out the new shop if you have not done so yet. And I am going to go onto the message board and ask for ideas to add into the newsletter so if you have something you would like be sure to go visit the message board and let me know.
Thanks everyone. Take care. Hugs
Personal update
