I'm back

It's been awhile but I've now caught up with my ANG stitch of the month. Totally loving how this is coming together. Not much else going on as I've started back at college to finish my business degree. Anyhow here is the pictures of my project so far.

Loving Needle Felting

Well I have a new addiction. Today I finished my youngest daughter Amanda and her sister asked for a baby penguin (being her favorite animal). The ladybug was to show a friend how it was done.

Class with Barb Soet

Finally managed to take a class on needle felting from Barb Soet who makes the most amazing dolls and animals. I decided to make a doll of Olivia (louise's daughter) as Louise was kindly having Amanda for me today. I also started making one of my Amanda but that will get finished later (maybe even tonight).

Catch up

Well it didn't take long to catch up with the ANG Stitch of the month as both April and May were very quick.

Finished after twn years

I can finally report that I have finished my Lanarte Millenium cross stitch. A picture will be posted when it gets back from framing. My intent is to give to my husband as an anniversary present.

Now to catch up on the ANG stitch of the month project.

March ANG SOM

Well here is the lastest. First I must admit that I made a mistake in February by putting in extra eyelets in each square. My MIL spotted this so now the back of my work looks like a rats nest.

This month I chose to make the triple cross a bit more delicate by only using one of Kreinik in the step.

Now back onto Twister for a while.

Sue Spargo Class

Okay here a few photos of the work I did the last weekend in Feb with Sue Spargo at a quilting weekend getaway. It was wonderful to just let the creative juices flow. My only wish is that I'd had my whole studio with me to pick embellishments from.

Loved working with silk velvet but followed Sue's suggested of using Presto stabalizer before appliqueing it.

There is still a lot of work to be done on this, but a think one of the biggest challenges will be when to stop. I intend to add a lot more beads next and finish up some of the areas that I started whilst there.

I suggest looking at Sue Spargo's blog as she has posted more photos from this event. http://suespargo.blogspot.com

Easter projects

Hi there I know it's been a while. I have been to my weekend getaway but not yet unpacked as I had a bad infection after a cold.

That said I did buy a kit for a cute Easter mat while I was there that I have now made up as a gift for Louise. I'm also making another version for my own family.

Feels like I'm behind on everything this month as I also haven't done my ANG stitch of the month. I did purchase some batting yesterday so I will try playing with my Bailey longarm somemore

as soon as I find the tub with the quilt tops in.

ANG SOM - Feb

Progressing nicely with the ANG stitch of the Month (SOM). This was my first time using Silk Lame Braid, have to say it is very enjoyable to use a metallic that is easy to use and gives just a touch of glitter.

So now it is back to my Millenium x-stitch (it must be love as this is for my husband).

Also now waiting for the arrival of a Bailey 15 quilting machine. I have assembled my original Grace quilting frame with an upgrade for mid arms and also today made up the new carriage for my Bess 15 (yes I named her, this is normally for members of the Bailey Yahoo group). I thought a regal name (after Good Queen Bess/Elizabeth I) as she will have a throne and carriage.

By now you may have gathered that I enjoy many different art forms.

Progress Report

I am so ready to be done with my Millenium x stitch so having a bit of a break by working on Twister. You will hear me say this a lot but there is something so relaxing about laying threads and with a house full of colds including the cat and the dust bunnies (not me thank the Lord) I need relaxing.

ANG SOM - January

Well I've finished the first month and here you go. Not much to see yet. Trying to resist the urge to do this is another color way at the same time. I love the loft that Vineyard silk has, it gives the impression that one has run a line of padding stitches underneath. Back to my cross stitch for a short while while I decide what to pull from my To Do Drawers next! There again I could wait for the next stitch on this project decision decisions.

ANG SOM - January

Okay folks I followed the instructions and marked my canvas using #4 pencil. Never again, the pencil transfered itself onto my Vineyard silk. I have now used a water soluable marker (for quilting) and started again. If the markings show I will take a fine paint brush to remove the marker after I've finished stitching.

Valentines

Well I promised further details on my Valentine projects. I am using the heart outline from The Royal Millennium Collection- February by Coleman Cottage Designs for Kreinik but doing my own things with the background and fillings. This picture is the first completed ball using threads from my stash. I will admit to using a newly purchased Watercolor for the second one as it was just too perfect with the Kreinik and DMC Pearl I've used in the background.

Hope to finish stitching the second one today, kids allowing. The first one will be raffled by 3C's an international group I belong to and the second will go to a wonderful friend.

Choosing threads

Went this morning to Peacock Alley for a bit of quiet stitching and to purchase threads of the ANG SOM (Stitch of the month). Here is what I came up with:

Family A : Pink

Vineyard Silk - 131 - Peppermint

Splendor Silk - 1041

#12 Kreinik braid - 092

Family B: Cream

Vineyard Silk - 044 - Biscotti

Splendor Silk - 1068

Silk Lame 18ct - 60

#8 Kreinik braid - 210

#4 Kreinik - 210

Family C: Chocolate

Vineyard Silk - 041 - Monk's Robe

Splendor Silk - 955

#12 Kreinik braid - 2122

#16 Kreinik braid - 2122

In the mean time I am also still working on my Millenium piece Einstein is finished and now its onto the telephone.

Also just to make my life interesting I have started my Valentines ornanments for myself and friend Louise. More on that later when I have the details in front of me.

Lanarte Millennium

Well if anyone knows where I put my Twister threads would they kindly let me know! In the circumstances I've decided to restart a Lanarte piece my husband brought in 2000 that I should just get done once and for all. As is usual with the piece he buys me it is huge in this case 22 1/2 by 16 1/4.

So I am now working on Einstein, I think one of the reasons this is taking so long is the amount of brown usedis its various different shades.

Noella's Christmas Berry - Just Nan

Totally love this piece as it combines both my love of stitching and collecting enamel objects. I show it finished as it was a wonderfully quick project. Now wondering whether to do a couple of Valentine projects, or think about the ANG stitch of the month mystery for this year. There again I could pick my Twister, too many projects and not enough time.

Altered Texture Class

At the end of February I'm going to a Weekend Getaway in Ohio that I try to attend every year. This year I will be taking a class from one of my favorite Wool applique teachers Sue Spargo. I have taken classes from this wonderful teacher in the past. Just before Christmas I started picking out fabrics from my stash and cutting out the pieces. Now I've started sewing them down in preparation for the class on embellishment. Sue'

s web site is www.suespargo.com I don't think you will see this again until the class.