The End of Summer

I realize that summer officially doesn't end until the Autumnal Equinox on September 22.  However, for me Labor Day has always signalled the end of summer - school will be starting next week and we will be returning to routines happily discarded last June.  The DD is now a high school sophomore and has selected courses that are sure to keep her busy.  The "en pointe" workshop earlier this summer was a success so she will be adding that dance class this year.  It looks like we will be very busy this school year!  It is a good thing that I have my stitching to keep me grounded.

Framed Pieces

We were on vacation the last two weeks in August (more on that in a later blog).  Just before we left I was able to retrieve a few stitched pieces that I had framed.  Some of these pieces were completed more than a year ago, but for one reason or another I put off getting them framed.  Rob at The Framed Image was a tremendous help in deciding on frames and mats, as well as photographing the pieces for me.

Florentine Fantasy was a class I completed at one of my LNS - Mrs. Stitches - designed and taught by the shop owner. 

Florentine Fantasy
Design by Anne Marek
Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas
Design Size 14" x 14"

Another class taken at Mrs. Stitches was a Jane Zimmerman design Florentine and Lace Sampler.  This piece was my first attempt at pulled canvas.

Florentine and Lace Sampler
Design by Jane Zimmerman
Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas
Design Size 7" x 19"

I completed another Zimmerman piece taught by Ms. Zimmerman through a Shining Needle Society cyberclass.

Moorish Splendour
Design by Jane Zimmerman
Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas
Design Size 11" x 11"

Shining Needle Society hosted two cyberclasses by Carole Lake and Michael Boren of StichPlay Designs. 

St. Margaret's Star - Red Colorway
Design by Carole Lake and Michael Boren
Silks, Polyesters, Cottons and Metallics on 18-count Canvas
Design Size 4" x 4"

Daphne Reborn - Flagstone Colorway
Design by Michael Boren
Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas
Design Size 6" x 6"

I also completed two pieces on linen.  The Four Seasons of Mystic is a Jeannette Douglas design that was taught by Ms. Douglas at the Stitcher's Hideaway retreat in Mystic, CT in 2011.

Four Seasons of Mystic
Design by Jeannette Douglas Designs
Silks, Cottons, Metallics and Wools on 32-count Linen
Design Size 11½” x 6¾"

And Sleepy Hollow which I started in August 2011 and completed on December 31, 2011.

Sleepy Hollow
Design by Glendon Place
Cotton, Silks, and Metallics on 28-count Cashel Linen
Design Size 12” x 17½"

I hope to post again this weekend on my current projects as well as show the needlework projects I purchased as my vacation souvenirs!

Until next time, happy stitching.