Purple Heart

Not only have I changed the original color but now with the help of Fiona we have gone with turquoise memory thread by DMC.  We think it funks it up a bit.

Then I think around the edge I will use silver instead of gold.

Unsure at the moment if this will be a hanging ornament or a stand up on a painted dowel.

The memory thread is couched down with a matching DMC floss.

First tooth

This young lady just lost her first tooth

Simple Heart

 A bit more work on my heart.  I can only do this in the day as it is done on congress cloth and the original paint is a bit thick.

I have also done the prework for the March Cyberstitchers workshop.  It is called Halloween Treat and is a sampler.  Yes I forgot to take a photograph.

Just when I feel that I've got too many pieces on the go what do I do but start to quilt on Fiona's Asian quilt on my longarm.  Didn't do much as my feet are recovering from a small procedure.

Today was a snow day here in the Grand Rapids area so my girls had a pj day and set up a playmobile zoo and petting zoo from Fiona's younger days.  It is refreshing to see how much fun they get from none noise makers (yes they have those too).

Wordless Wednesday

Not Seen Before

 This is the start of Block 2 in the Earth and Twigs BOM by Sue Spargo.   The colours are just singing to be in this.  There are 6 blocks that are similar to this and the previous block so hopefully Sue will keep things interesting for us.  So far so good as I think you will agree that the spotted background adds a certain something to the feel of this piece.  Fresh, and modern is my thought.

This particular canvas is one of many that has been lerking in my stash for many years.  I have decided this is the year that I will try to attack some of those canvases.

My local ANG group has set a competition this year that involves making 5 resolutions.  One of mine (I stole this idea from a fellow member) is to go though my stash and either decide to attempt or sell in our destashing moments at meetings.

Having seen several pieces out in the real world that involve strips of different stitches I thought I'd like to try the same thing on this heart.

Yes I changed the colour, this is sangria in Trio.  Before I started I copied the canvas so that when I've finished the stripes I can couch the spirals in something like DMC's memory thread.  When I got this canvas down in Tucson I also purchased two buttons that may get on as well.

Another one of my resolutions is to encourage Fiona to work on her UFO which is a cat canvas.  To that end this morning I brought her stand upstairs, pleased to say this had the desired effect and she put down the DS Lite game system in favor of stitching.  Happy Mum.

Just When you Think.....

Just when you think you have finished a block Sue Spargo sends the next and with it instructions for a stitch addition to the previous month's block.

This time I am couching chenille down around the edge with wool.  Have to say it is very effective. 

I have pieced the background for this months block and traced my bits and bobs onto freezer paper so later when I finish my ironing I will get the bits ready.

Pretty Petal Pin

Stitching all done.  Almost ran out of the Crystal Braid I used for the center and one set of petals.

For anyone out there who is doing this piece please don't trace petal sets as close together as I did!  As I finish my own work it is not a major problem.

I need to find some ultra suede to back the petals with and then I will photograph the method I intend to use. 

First the piece needs to be left for at least 48 hours on the stretcher bars.  This helps avoid the need for blocking.

Layer One done, two started

 I have started to think about the finishing for this and also how I will use it.

It is supposed to be a pin but for me it is too large.  Could end up on one of my work boxes or baskets.

Totally love how this stitch is working out, however it is slow going compared to the previous layer.

Andrew at it again

After a week or so break super do it your selfer is at it again. While je is waiting for more hardwood flooring to be delivered he decides to give Fiona her Asian bedroom.

So its bye bye little girl pink and hello taupe (yes this was the choice of our 10 year old)

Now I have to get her quilt top I made a while ago onto the longarm.

Today as luck would have it I have also managed to pickup a Lee kimono in red with a crane from http://stitchingdestashing.blogspot.com

Pretty Petal Pin - Started

This usually piece is by Toni Gerdes and was presented to us at Cyberstitchers Chapter of ANG. 

I choose not to use the listed threads as I've been looking for an excuse to try Hyla's High Cotton.

This is a stranded thread that is thicker than DMC/Anchor.  Has 5 strands for some reason.  It is a bit like using multiply strands of a fine perle.  I  think this is a thread I will start to collect.

I am also using a canvas that I purchased in a bundle and really don't care for.  In the future it may get used for a project with my girls.

Going to Fiona's self defense class now and the little one (Amanda) has asked if she can bring her needlepoint with us to do.  Needlework is catching in this household.

Pomegranete Runner Finished

Binding done and now this is ready to take pride of place on my dining table.  Loved working on this both in the class last fall and then here and there whilst my girls do their various activities. 

It has produced many ohs and ars leaving me in danger of getting a very large head.  The other effect is that I have two new wool stitchers and a possible other who has never even seen my work.  I have decided to have a small group meeting at my house once a month.  My wish is to have both new and experienced stitchers so that more people learn the pleasure and relaxation that this type of project allows.

Student and teacher

Of her own bat my Fiona decided it was time to teacher Amanda how to do needlepoint.  She found an old Dora plastic canvas she hadn't done and they were off.

Amanda is of to a wonderful start and in her second session managed to thread her own needle and undo a mistake she'd made.
I always think that first recognising a mistake and then undo it is the start to understanding any new task.

As I speak Fiona is helping Amanda with her piano practise, it does have to be said that is trying her patience some what.

Last night we took them to see our local ice hockey team and Fiona was lucky enough to get a rise on the Zamboni.  She said she felt like a celebrity.

Iris and Butterfly Complete

 Framed this as a gift for a friend who as yet has not received one of my pieces so it is about time.

Very pleased with the end result and think the frame is perfect.  It is off the shelf from JoAnn Fabrics. 

After I took these photos I discovered I'd left a piece of thread on the back ground near the butterfly but that is now removed.

The butterfly is not done per the instructions because of making a mistake when doing the background and allowing it to passover the butterfly.


The class was though the ANG Cyber Chapter and is the first I've done with them. 

I will hopefully get going on last months project in the next week or two.  It is a beautiful 3D flower pin.