tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73278676474736135452024-03-13T18:54:21.761-04:00Stitching in SuburbiaLinda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-22587419937040928942013-11-28T09:41:00.000-05:002013-11-28T09:41:25.209-05:00Happy ThanksgivingFrom Our Family to Yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegSjwoG7t89dqaN05PUUPpL03A4lEgIFy5rbuLPUusqWg6O-pZRxl2kfCZAS3i5wbsEZh7QgyLi5e3ShN3GH_HfUUs8oOChMGzUIbE2w2O5S8yJlskaZlPrEW0wQyj46q1nqpqwPEzhE/s1600/Happy+Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegSjwoG7t89dqaN05PUUPpL03A4lEgIFy5rbuLPUusqWg6O-pZRxl2kfCZAS3i5wbsEZh7QgyLi5e3ShN3GH_HfUUs8oOChMGzUIbE2w2O5S8yJlskaZlPrEW0wQyj46q1nqpqwPEzhE/s1600/Happy+Thanksgiving.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com1Morris Township, NJ, USA40.794166700000012 -74.49222220000001540.698004700000013 -74.653583700000013 40.890328700000012 -74.330860700000017tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-31310142217780458522013-09-22T16:40:00.000-04:002013-09-22T16:40:38.597-04:00Back to SchoolAlthough we celebrate the new year on January 1, somehow September always seems to be the real beginning of the year. Part of it, of course, is that my life still is scheduled around the school year. DD is a high school junior this year and we are starting the college tour circuit. But, I think, part of it is that the cool weather seems to re-energize me. I am, by no means, a cold weather person. In fact, I have a very limited temperature range in which I am comfortable. And even that is off-kilter these days - I am hot when everyone else is cool and vice versa. But it seems that many activities take a hiatus during the summer and then resume in the fall.<br />
<br />
My needlework classes are no exception. I have managed to sign myself up for four different classes of varying length/complexity starting in September/October. On Saturday I blogged about my Ukrainian Embroidery class at the Ukrainian Museum in New York City. That class will meet for eight weeks. I learned that there are three eight-week sessions with the second one beginning after the New Year.<br />
<br />
So today I will bring you up-to-date on the other classes. Of course, I still have in-progress projects that I started months and even years ago!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Slava Russki</span><br />
I started the <i>Slava Russki</i> class at The Edwardian Needle's new location. This is one of Tony Minieri's designs which are always fun but a bit of a challenge. This class will meet once a month for a year, which means I have a chance to actually finish the piece since I will have some time in between classes to work on it. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHrcfmSVY6F382HAPmRWAFKlwrhEMFdMGO_NqR6IzP_in8lVB1IqavLLGPGF-pIA5_SaATiqAp2luYsmMTNxG-Ft3jRHlD6uRQ_EjvzVdh4xjB7fIc_SGCIqrXgqasYfeU93FfVHrysI/s1600/Slava+Russki.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHrcfmSVY6F382HAPmRWAFKlwrhEMFdMGO_NqR6IzP_in8lVB1IqavLLGPGF-pIA5_SaATiqAp2luYsmMTNxG-Ft3jRHlD6uRQ_EjvzVdh4xjB7fIc_SGCIqrXgqasYfeU93FfVHrysI/s200/Slava+Russki.bmp" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Slava Russki<br />Designed by Tony Minieri<br />Design Size 8" by 11"<br />(on Light Blue Congress Cloth)</i></span></td></tr>
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We worked on one area last week: the triangle in the upper left corner. This is a five-step composite stitch; I completed three of the steps in a small area; you can see the stitches as they are built up. I am determined to finish this area before the next class in early October, and to keep up with the stitching from each class. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXBtVAoYv2sTxGEmiRwLAnuow3_LpfYf9EBpzX1uCyyIdkd6WKePPUVNaEFs8atGHz2jot3ggTKjb2UaPHsNvklCIKG08KjjZ0naxlCV8fH0EA_x5td-BDYAgo1XO51yAs9_pdtFfouA/s1600/Class+1+Progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXBtVAoYv2sTxGEmiRwLAnuow3_LpfYf9EBpzX1uCyyIdkd6WKePPUVNaEFs8atGHz2jot3ggTKjb2UaPHsNvklCIKG08KjjZ0naxlCV8fH0EA_x5td-BDYAgo1XO51yAs9_pdtFfouA/s200/Class+1+Progress.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Progress after Class 1</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood</span><br />
I am also ghosting Carole Lake's<i> Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood</i>. Carole is teaching the class in October at the ANG Georgia Chapter. It will make a nice companion piece to Carole's <i>St. Basil's Cathedral</i> which I stitched a few years ago.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgLPVS7C3ft9czStK7tbDPtTgrBHG93BAgxcU6HV-6bYgs0mn8uqUjPiFSv1nXLEu28JDM-g5c2bTnmtx-EwnlIbKRNTgIYWmsfU5hTFUqw1XBc-sdUUbzdd4NxBjY37ms3gCB-xiD9U/s1600/Model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAgLPVS7C3ft9czStK7tbDPtTgrBHG93BAgxcU6HV-6bYgs0mn8uqUjPiFSv1nXLEu28JDM-g5c2bTnmtx-EwnlIbKRNTgIYWmsfU5hTFUqw1XBc-sdUUbzdd4NxBjY37ms3gCB-xiD9U/s200/Model.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Church of Our Savior on the Spilled Blood<br />Designed by Carole Lake<br />Design Size 12" x 14"<br />(on 18-count Blue Mono Canvas)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stitcher's Hideaway Retreat</span></span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;">And, finally, I will be attending the <a href="http://stitchershideaway.com/">Stitcher's Hideaway</a> Retreat in Mystic, CT again this year. The incredible Thea Dueck of <a href="http://victoriasampler.com/">The Victoria Sampler</a> has designed a very special piece for this Retreat and I have been busy with my pre-work. We will be concentrating on the Hardanger embroidery at the bottom of the piece and the hemstitching in the middle, as well as some of the specialty stitches. I am hoping to have all of the cross-stitching completed before the Retreat. Some of that cross-stitching (such as the lettering) is over one!</span><br />
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lTaz8TzuRCvztgYAfrAQWzJ61GopwxLI1qkblHyjOHXLtfvuXv-t7DIv5NOki53eaTwLYpdF0Yx_Rt5VZ8BNtvyfNN5B98enlw94rjRQNF7K_MT_nZbXfvJm96ZHmNMBi1lXkk8y9IE/s1600/Mystic+Christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lTaz8TzuRCvztgYAfrAQWzJ61GopwxLI1qkblHyjOHXLtfvuXv-t7DIv5NOki53eaTwLYpdF0Yx_Rt5VZ8BNtvyfNN5B98enlw94rjRQNF7K_MT_nZbXfvJm96ZHmNMBi1lXkk8y9IE/s320/Mystic+Christmas.jpg" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Mystic Christmas Sampler<br />Designed by Thea Dueck<br />of The Victoria Sampler<br />Design Size 14" x 5" <br />(on 28-count Misty Blue Cashel)</i></span></td></tr>
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I just love this Retreat - what could be better than spending a few days away from work/home with other stitchers doing what we enjoy so much? This is my fourth retreat and I look forward to it every year. There will be an ornament exchange during the Retreat so I have to add that as part of my stitching obligations. <br />
<br />
That brings me up-to-date on my classes. I hope to be a little more conscientious about blogging on my progress with these projects.<br />
<br />
Until next time, happy stitching.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-47038410132411695202013-09-21T20:12:00.000-04:002013-09-21T20:13:01.444-04:00Ukrainian Embroidery<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every Monday morning I
get an email from </span><a href="http://nordicneedle.com/" title="Nordic Needle"><span style="color: #3c2bb6; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nordic Needle</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and there is usually a story about one
of their customers. In May of this year the featured stitcher hailed from
Astoria, Queens, and talked about the classes she takes at the </span><a href="http://ukrainianmuseum.org/"><span style="color: #3c2bb6; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ukrainian
Museum</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> in NYC. I
was very intrigued - my father grew up right down the block from the museum.
Although he attended the Polish Church with his father, his mother and
sisters attended the Ukrainian Church. But they all spoke Ukrainian at
home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I actually got started
in counted cross stitch while in college because I had found a piece of cross
stitch that my grandmother had done and I tried to replicate the pattern.
So I signed up for the embroidery class that started last Saturday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is an interesting
class, running from 1:00 to 3:30. There are about 15 women in the class
but it is more of a gathering than a formal class. There were about eight
beginners at the class and the teacher sat with us one-on-one. We are
working on a band sampler. The more advanced students are working on a
number of different projects using other techniques, including cutwork.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We beginners are using
DMC floss (four strands) on 25-count Lugana. I have to admit I am having
a very hard time with it. Not because it's difficult to learn - the first
class was all running stitches (essentially darning patterns). But we are
working "in hand" without a hoop or frame, the threads are not separated
and then recombined, and we are not using a laying tool. This is not how
I'm used to stitching!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I will have to look
closely at the teacher's sample to see what the threads look like because I
can't decide whether I should just shrug and accept that the stitching is not
going to look like I'm used to seeing; determine that the final product when
done expertly looks like something that I should strive to achieve; or secretly
work a second piece at home on a frame with a laying tool (or maybe just #8
pearl cotton). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.25pt;">In the meantime, here
is my progress from the first class. We are using DMC 310 (black) and 321
(red) which are traditional colors in Ukrainian embroidery.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76ZiuMCVDx2mTbzC5wunhvt8HD-pwlHowTnbLqxKW0b3cWMGO62ZzOwG18A0AGlAZJq9fjhI_zgmOkU2zZE5rRZCV0hSr1hsqGdvaKmDoXoqATfTq2xYtoT7t-1lCYMaoc3UStAp8-4o/s1600/Class+1+Progress+Correct+Orientation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76ZiuMCVDx2mTbzC5wunhvt8HD-pwlHowTnbLqxKW0b3cWMGO62ZzOwG18A0AGlAZJq9fjhI_zgmOkU2zZE5rRZCV0hSr1hsqGdvaKmDoXoqATfTq2xYtoT7t-1lCYMaoc3UStAp8-4o/s200/Class+1+Progress+Correct+Orientation.jpg" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Progress after Class #1</i></span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first band (at the
top) is a simple over/under three threads and the second band is over/under two
threads. The third band is a "vee" with the red thread woven
through it on the surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfEpYLAW9w2P8SXHLu4UnLYwbNWiCXDrWJi_IhD91a_v3TuCA9t1ze9nezuZMZShrm9LRPMUNO3IiP0Gh9AVPxVez9ptCRK01dCEJ27EzsA45oEX9o-SFXoR1aGjXhYDQ6sCKl1IdPuo/s1600/Lubow's+Sampler+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUfEpYLAW9w2P8SXHLu4UnLYwbNWiCXDrWJi_IhD91a_v3TuCA9t1ze9nezuZMZShrm9LRPMUNO3IiP0Gh9AVPxVez9ptCRK01dCEJ27EzsA45oEX9o-SFXoR1aGjXhYDQ6sCKl1IdPuo/s200/Lubow's+Sampler+1.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Teacher's Sampler</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm not really sure
how many bands we complete during this eight-week session. I think it
depends on how fast one stitches. Many of my fellow beginners are not
needleworkers so we all had a different number of bands completed by the end of
the class. My homework was to complete the fifth band although we didn't
start it in class. The teacher told me to go ahead and take a picture of
the band so that I could figure it out at home. While I had the camera
out I took pictures of the rest of the teacher's sampler. This is obviously the area we started working.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14.25pt; text-align: left;">And here are some of the other areas. While the traditional red and black are my favorite colors, I am itching to work some of those colorful areas!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Today was our second class so I stitched some more bands. These were, I think, a little easier to maintain tension as they are satin stitch.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">I am working on ecru fabric although it looks more white in these two photos. I have to figure out the best place to photograph my stitching.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Until next time, happy stitching!</span><br />
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Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-90066553800969955552013-05-25T18:08:00.001-04:002013-05-25T18:08:18.352-04:00Arabella Reborn I have become addicted to <a href="http://stitchplaydesigns.com/"><i>StitchPlay Designs </i></a>classes through <a href="http://shiningneedlesociety.com/"><i>Shining Needle Society</i></a>. Michael Boren and Carole Lake have great designs - lots of geometrics, which just call to me. And they always include lots of colorways so there is something for every mood.<br />
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Their current class is <i>Arabella Reborn</i>. It was so much fun to stitch that I finished it ahead of time! The piece uses lots of <a href="http://caron-net.com/">Caron Collection</a> threads and I stitched it in the Kelp colorway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUMiShwRjZipPfYbkVxo2g7Rl7a1HeQmklon9Xw3Qnae8JlRZNYnmQJl6V2t-fjdlDES6B07AoYh46-MSkS1Y-NUcV0gvmqNnFd2NIERGE1TMUZ8Utr718UEwrogYlVYRFPKpV-qN2k4/s1600/Arabella+Reborn+Kelp+050513-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUMiShwRjZipPfYbkVxo2g7Rl7a1HeQmklon9Xw3Qnae8JlRZNYnmQJl6V2t-fjdlDES6B07AoYh46-MSkS1Y-NUcV0gvmqNnFd2NIERGE1TMUZ8Utr718UEwrogYlVYRFPKpV-qN2k4/s320/Arabella+Reborn+Kelp+050513-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Arabella Reborn - Kelp Colorway<br />Designed by StitchPlay Designs<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>5½” x 5 ½” on 18-count canvas</i></span></td></tr>
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Today is such a gloomy day here in New Jersey. It's in the mid-50s and raining. I don't know exactly what happened to Spring; it feels more like October than the end of May. I think I'll go stitch something.<br />
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Until next time, happy stitching!</div>
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<br />Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-29644986658682445082013-05-20T19:37:00.000-04:002013-05-20T19:37:42.568-04:00Or Nue Star Lily FinishedPosting three times in as many days - that's certainly a record for me. <br />
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I finished <i>Or Nué
Star Lily</i> last night. I really like the way it turned out. We used the "economy" style of laying the thread - coming up in the hole directly below the one that the thread went into. My tension is not that even and the #16 braid was a little stiff to work with for this method, at least for me. So, I think I may try to either lay the metallic using a satin stitch so that it wraps around the back or lay it all on the top and couch at the end. Sounds like a trip to the needlework store for some canvas! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Or Nué Star Lily<br />Designed by Brenda E. Kocher Designs<br />2" x 2" on 18-count black canvas</span></i></td></tr>
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Until next time, happy stitching!<br />
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Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-64694603739568172532013-05-19T11:30:00.000-04:002013-05-19T11:30:23.986-04:00Or Nué ClassYesterday I took an <i>Or Nué</i> class by Brenda Kocher. The ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter hosted the event. The day was somewhat gloomy - a perfect day for stitching. We were all so excited to start on Brenda's <i><a href="http://www.brendakocherdesigns.net/">Or Nué Star Lily</a></i> design.<br />
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<i>Or Nué </i>means "nuance of gold" or "shaded gold". In this technique, gold or silver threads are laid across the canvas and then held down with silk threads couched over the metallic. The silk threads are couched in a pattern that forms a design. At the ends, the metallic threads can either be "sunk" into the canvas, which is what we did in class, or turned on the surface. There are some excellent references on the Internet, including Jane Zimmerman's <a href="http://www.janezimmerman.com/Temp/Techniques/Or%20Nue.pdf"><b>Traditional Technique of </b><b style="font-style: italic;">Or Nué</b></a>. There is a magnificent collection of <i>Or Nué </i>embroideries in the Altar Room (Sala dell'Altare) in the Cathedral Museum (<a href="http://www.operaduomo.firenze.it/">Museo dell'Opera del Duomo</a>) in Florence. They were designed by Pollaiolo in the 15th Century and took 23 years to complete. We were able to visit there two years ago and the embroideries are breathtaking! Unfortunately, my attempts to photograph the embroideries were not successful.<br />
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Our efforts yesterday were very basic and gave us a first taste of the technique. Brenda is a terrific teacher and the class was very enjoyable. It was so much fun watching the design emerge as we couched the Kreinik #16 braid that we were using as the metallic. Of course, we were all so absorbed in stitching that we had to be reminded to take a break every so often.<br />
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By the end of the class, I finished about half of the design of <i>Or Nué Star Lily</i>. You can see that I have a number of needles going at once to avoid dragging threads across the back of the work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkB7P0xhpyASoN1EtDl-h6p3RHMRw3FaRNirku4gTiMx-2w9lr1G8ToG9jux2a7zjJA3X_obCoEWrmdOfoPC5xJJy6SkPQ3vzFO-eudoi8E3mXuhVfpzC9PTzZlM55c_VHjpkZCLtz7DY/s1600/Or+Nue+Star+Lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkB7P0xhpyASoN1EtDl-h6p3RHMRw3FaRNirku4gTiMx-2w9lr1G8ToG9jux2a7zjJA3X_obCoEWrmdOfoPC5xJJy6SkPQ3vzFO-eudoi8E3mXuhVfpzC9PTzZlM55c_VHjpkZCLtz7DY/s320/Or+Nue+Star+Lily.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Or Nué Star Lily<br />Progress as of May 18, 2013</span></i></td></tr>
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And here is the what the design will look like when finished.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8gmwfEISWFpi3dHNCkkaimD90wrmPlm7pYPfUZOzaf-lXNZvyx1gdQhRq7vUyaomOYlDZ5Da4kOexqBTRMOmytfxTRgaUt3eEPHaT-zKphyphenhyphenbFs-Wz5W0aaf6hVb0OleNwkeUZ7vbDVk/s1600/or+nue+star+lily+online.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8gmwfEISWFpi3dHNCkkaimD90wrmPlm7pYPfUZOzaf-lXNZvyx1gdQhRq7vUyaomOYlDZ5Da4kOexqBTRMOmytfxTRgaUt3eEPHaT-zKphyphenhyphenbFs-Wz5W0aaf6hVb0OleNwkeUZ7vbDVk/s1600/or+nue+star+lily+online.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Or Nué Star Lily<br />Brenda E. Kocher Designs<br />Completed Piece</span></i></td></tr>
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Since it's raining here today, I think I'll work on finishing this piece. <br />
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Until next time, happy stitching!<br />
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Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-33956094718839717132013-05-17T21:19:00.000-04:002013-05-17T21:19:10.499-04:00Stash BuildingI should just change the name of my blog to <i>I Don't Know Where the Time Goes</i>. I was thoroughly aghast at how long it has been since I've posted. Oh, well, much like my diets, tomorrow is another day (channeling Scarlett O'Hara).<br />
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I have been quite busy with some stitching - and I hope to get the finishes posted soon. Right now I'm in a hotel room in King of Prussia, PA, trying to blog on my iPad; a new experience for me. I already miss my laptop because I don't type as fast on the virtual keyboard. And I tend to edit a lot when I write.<br />
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So what has all that to do with stash building? The reason I am here is that tomorrow I will be taking a class on <i>Or Nue</i>, which uses silk couching threads over laid gold thread to create the design. <a href="http://www.brendakocherdesigns.net/">Brenda Kocher</a> is teaching at the ANG Main Line Stitchers Chapter. I decided to come down a day early so that I wouldn't have to get up ridiculously early tomorrow to drive the 2 hours or so before class. I want to be really awake since, in my usual contrary fashion, I chose the black canvas on which to stitch rather than the white.<br />
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Still wondering about the stash building? There is a needlepoint shop nearby- <a href="http://www.firesidestitchery.com/">Fireside Stitchery</a> - that I was able to visit this afternoon. I almost didn't make it before they closed because of traffic, the two-hour ride turned into three, but I got there with about 30 minutes to spare. They have a fabulous selection of threads and beads and canvases. I restrained myself (something to do with recently looking at all of the canvases, charts and projects already waiting to be stitched) and only purchased a few things. But they are goodies!<br />
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With any luck I'll blog about the class tomorrow, but it may wait until I get home so that I can use the laptop and be able to format everything.<br />
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<span id="goog_1712893870"></span><span id="goog_1712893871"></span><span id="goog_84328479"></span><span id="goog_84328480"></span><br />Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-11283473767931093942012-12-31T17:51:00.001-05:002012-12-31T17:51:34.468-05:00Happy New YearSo 2012 is quickly coming to an end, and we will soon be celebrating the start of 2013. I am once again ignoring the urge to make a long list of resolutions and trying to concentrate on smaller goals. <br />
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One of my stitching goals is to progress on a few class projects that have been languishing, most of them from 2011. I decided that the first project I will work on is <em>Lord of Fire</em> from <a href="http://leighdesigns.com/">Leigh Designs</a>. <br />
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I bought this canvas in 2010 at <a href="http://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/">Bedecked and Beadazzled</a> while in Baltimore for a long weekend. Ruth Schmuff, the fabulous owner of the shop, told me that Brenda Hart was working on a stitch guide for the canvas. I called regularly to find out when the stitch guide would be available and was absolutely thrilled when Ruth told me that Brenda would be at the shop to teach the canvas. I immediately booked a space in the class. <br />
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Brenda's class was just wonderful, and her stitch guide is amazing. We worked on small areas of the canvas in the one-day class, including the dragon. I started stitching on this piece again this past Christmas Eve and finished the large red circle as well as some more of the dragon. Brenda uses lots of beads, which is not my best skill, so the stitching is somewhat slower than usual. But the beads add lots of glitz! Here is my progress to date.<br />
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You can see that not much has been completed. But I think once I start working on it in earnest, progress will be made. The red is Soie d'Alger silk in long stitches and the blue in the middle of the top circle is Sundance beads with Kreinik #8 braid surrounding it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIehmTVlGVQBjUzL9qAQQ6pHRP04QfQv8QFaUTPreQpfgIhFSCYw37IaxRWas0qKWfGBRKCg_qnb7CQb71zWBitysNAJbJJQfqEqIsufL9YV2ql1cFF4c5z599UIOI1dH4AXHAuXit8Cw/s1600/Red+Circle+123112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIehmTVlGVQBjUzL9qAQQ6pHRP04QfQv8QFaUTPreQpfgIhFSCYw37IaxRWas0qKWfGBRKCg_qnb7CQb71zWBitysNAJbJJQfqEqIsufL9YV2ql1cFF4c5z599UIOI1dH4AXHAuXit8Cw/s320/Red+Circle+123112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The dragon's head is Soie d'Alger with Bijoux stitched over it. The body is Four-Way Continental in Kreinik #4 braid; a Sundance triangular bead is attached inside the diamond shape. The toes and strands coming out of the dragon's head will be French knots in the same silk. We had done some of the French knots in class but I took them out this week as I wasn't too pleased with how I had stitched them. Hopefully I can do a better job here at home.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPpEKuisG-cLqlFVNbPltVEviOJE5ommcB-7GIvuSERmpXNBLl1r9e1voVR2R-dNKl3YU9mgnN5uhds5bOZ8heyrtHdu0cYiYdM7Dd48BEW5R2A3ZNoPo_tQSEMxzjX53tWq-RZ_I2Lw/s1600/Dragon+123112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPpEKuisG-cLqlFVNbPltVEviOJE5ommcB-7GIvuSERmpXNBLl1r9e1voVR2R-dNKl3YU9mgnN5uhds5bOZ8heyrtHdu0cYiYdM7Dd48BEW5R2A3ZNoPo_tQSEMxzjX53tWq-RZ_I2Lw/s320/Dragon+123112.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am looking forward to stitching on this piece. I really love Asian-inspired designs, and have several in my stash. </div>
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I wish everyone a Happy New Year - may 2013 be filled with joy and happiness for each of you.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Graphic from gograph.com</em></td></tr>
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Until next time, happy stitching!</div>
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Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-32319709191634438542012-12-25T20:11:00.000-05:002012-12-25T20:11:56.914-05:00Happy Holidays and a Big RevealI hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season. I can't believe that 2012 is quickly coming to an end! <br />
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We had a wonderful Christmas Day with our small family. We are now down to just five of us - the DH, the DD, my sister and my father. Although we are few in number, we still enjoyed the day as a family.<br />
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Since the house renovation is continuing (we have entered our third year of construction), I still can't decorate as extensively as I'd like. But the DH and DD did a fabulous job with the artifical tree and the DD went crazy with entwining ribbon over everything! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri_Pv4hXEYLPlB0YxIuiS6bwFMaCjxt7SDWCB_FfVjFtgCBW3vPJ4488feDIuwHXTpNswvvk46pc3og9KCpKnpOd39sxYCz4aZzKAysv5r-F5lKg3YueicvwCtw0R7TOqtvyq95bpke0/s1600/Christmas+2012+-+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhri_Pv4hXEYLPlB0YxIuiS6bwFMaCjxt7SDWCB_FfVjFtgCBW3vPJ4488feDIuwHXTpNswvvk46pc3og9KCpKnpOd39sxYCz4aZzKAysv5r-F5lKg3YueicvwCtw0R7TOqtvyq95bpke0/s320/Christmas+2012+-+Tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Christmas Tree - 2012</em></td></tr>
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I am hoping that next year I will finally be able to find all my decorations and really dress the house up in style.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Big Reveal</span><br />
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I have been working on <em>Achoo</em> by Dimensions for my sister for her Christmas gift. I am happy to say that she loved it. <br />
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The kit came with 14-ct white Aida<em>.</em> I don't particularly like working on Aida if I can help it, and I really didn't care for the white. I thought it was too stark. I kept looking for the perfect linen for this kit. I was able to purchase some <a href="http://picturethisplus.com/">Picture This Plus</a> 36-ct Edinburgh linen in Fresco while I was at <a href="http://the-stitching-post.com/">The Stitching Post</a> outside Baltimore. I am very pleased with how it turned out. I think the shades in the fabric really enhance the picture. My framer (<a href="http://theframedimage.com/">The Framed Image</a>) did a great job with the piece and even photographed it beautifully so that I could post it on this blog.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wXiKqj5RVSeBZExLugXwd1IhybuCBsSJrJm2-FyuvhEPVCYwwn4y28DRkr-g7YKiehiDiY5vsFQoN7cr0_nA1uPO7cVJsR0brBhSJnCb8ChMrXolhk7Mf-P-VV_eL-RVAf0ve2iq3kA/s1600/Mosch+Dalmation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wXiKqj5RVSeBZExLugXwd1IhybuCBsSJrJm2-FyuvhEPVCYwwn4y28DRkr-g7YKiehiDiY5vsFQoN7cr0_nA1uPO7cVJsR0brBhSJnCb8ChMrXolhk7Mf-P-VV_eL-RVAf0ve2iq3kA/s320/Mosch+Dalmation.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Achoo</em><br />
<em>Design by Dimensions</em><br />
<em>Stitched on 36-ct Fresco Edinburgh Linen</em></td></tr>
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For the coming year, rather than start a new project, I am going to revisit some spectacular canvas projects that were class pieces I have not completed. I haven't decided just yet which one I will be working on first, so stay tuned ... I have the next week off so that I can mull over the canvases that are sitting around.<br />
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Until next time, happy stitching!Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-72916890248560635112012-11-25T13:25:00.000-05:002012-11-25T13:25:26.345-05:00Thanksgiving StitchingIt's hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone, and we are another step closer to the end of yet another year. I know I've said it before, but --- where exactly does the time go?<br />
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I finished one of my larger pieces and sent it off to the framer on Friday. It is a Christmas gift for a special person, who may find her way to this blog. So, I will have to wait until after she receives it to show it here.<br />
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I decided that I need to take a bit of a break from all of my "big" projects. I am going to start back up on some of those class pieces that are still sitting in my stitching area - but probably not until the holidays are behind me. Of course, I can't not stitch (that would just be wrong!) so I am going to work on some "quick" projects through the end of the year. <br />
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While I was at my <em><a href="http://www.stitchershideaway.com/">Stitcher's Hideaway</a></em> retreat in October I purchased a number of <a href="http://www.pinemtndesigns.com/">Pine Mountain Designs'</a> Tie One On kits. These are great pre-finished pillow shams that work up into very cute decorative pillows. I finished the one called <em>Winter Nights</em> over the weekend. I purchased one for each season and then one each for the months of March (DD's birthday), June (our wedding anniversary), and November (DH's and my birthdays). Eventually I'll display them in my stitching room when the house renovation is finally done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcdGKL-uWquxHJKBnu7IUHjxDPI2MYRsxhV6KYlb0Lv2_GxuRjWu9aV4iw3b2wxJNVyZ1rvVAByLIN0xjtz8R8sfvvnfcvPXs_fHVrgL1NiAA1jPVKqM3hX60TbPxmLSbWHG1u7QSOeo/s1600/Pine+Mountain+Winter+Nights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcdGKL-uWquxHJKBnu7IUHjxDPI2MYRsxhV6KYlb0Lv2_GxuRjWu9aV4iw3b2wxJNVyZ1rvVAByLIN0xjtz8R8sfvvnfcvPXs_fHVrgL1NiAA1jPVKqM3hX60TbPxmLSbWHG1u7QSOeo/s320/Pine+Mountain+Winter+Nights.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Winter Nights</em><br />
<em>Pine Mountain Designs</em></td></tr>
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I am also hoping that, over the next few months, I can corral all my stitching projects and supplies in anticipation of finally having a space of my own. I really need to figure out what I have (and how much) before I can decide on what storage space I need. <br />
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Until next time, happy stitching.<br />
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<strike></strike>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-88057502329276972172012-09-01T14:41:00.000-04:002012-09-01T14:41:49.410-04:00The End of SummerI 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.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Framed Pieces</span><br />
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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 <a href="http://theframedimage.com/">The Framed Image</a> was a tremendous help in deciding on frames and mats, as well as photographing the pieces for me.<br />
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<em>Florentine Fantasy</em> was a class I completed at one of my LNS - <a href="http://mrsstitches.com/">Mrs. Stitches</a> - designed and taught by the shop owner. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiEWhrJN7S1LUJigSucVf-QEiLWAnx2IvduE3kluNH1zRBUESFGMCAR1iwZf57J_2B7x_DLvLDtAuegdJOgsD6x1d3By-uAI1Ar9PRnao0IR24h2YMb7zSmM2BY65ry09hVg-K0CxqVc/s1600/Florentine+Fantasy+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoiEWhrJN7S1LUJigSucVf-QEiLWAnx2IvduE3kluNH1zRBUESFGMCAR1iwZf57J_2B7x_DLvLDtAuegdJOgsD6x1d3By-uAI1Ar9PRnao0IR24h2YMb7zSmM2BY65ry09hVg-K0CxqVc/s320/Florentine+Fantasy+Framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Florentine Fantasy</em><br />
<em>Design by Anne Marek</em><br />
<em>Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas</em><br />
<em>Design Size 14" x 14"</em></td></tr>
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Another class taken at Mrs. Stitches was a <a href="http://janezimmerman.com/">Jane Zimmerman</a> design <em>Florentine and Lace Sampler</em>. This piece was my first attempt at pulled canvas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO6YUH0zL_3pDHbEwARx9AQZljnq0NC7KPbhgbLYbBUAbmQOQBGP3Nz1Enf734JJJJRjMQ9xs_jKEojkCpoS1naP2kUJX6-5zdY7V8vPfHD2GVfcTFyC6pvqqw3AchCk_AX8HpTVDWXo/s1600/Florentine+and+Lace+Sampler+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhO6YUH0zL_3pDHbEwARx9AQZljnq0NC7KPbhgbLYbBUAbmQOQBGP3Nz1Enf734JJJJRjMQ9xs_jKEojkCpoS1naP2kUJX6-5zdY7V8vPfHD2GVfcTFyC6pvqqw3AchCk_AX8HpTVDWXo/s320/Florentine+and+Lace+Sampler+Framed.jpg" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Florentine and Lace Sampler</em><br />
<em>Design by Jane Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas</em><br />
<em>Design Size 7" x 19"</em></td></tr>
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I completed another Zimmerman piece taught by Ms. Zimmerman through a <a href="http://shiningneedlesociety.com/">Shining Needle Society</a> cyberclass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1jwIzx5m1XMDtoblg2IkUAUdDUwQepQFfRud-uTRYdIDy3JUo_eRZ6kusqGaX8EdVE51VU4SDYg6sXkiSZsc0bs8jTdJRqBY87Am-tiC8hOXd8k1D5D4nwqHPe9W2OPROPsrDyROsj8/s1600/Moorish+Splendour+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP1jwIzx5m1XMDtoblg2IkUAUdDUwQepQFfRud-uTRYdIDy3JUo_eRZ6kusqGaX8EdVE51VU4SDYg6sXkiSZsc0bs8jTdJRqBY87Am-tiC8hOXd8k1D5D4nwqHPe9W2OPROPsrDyROsj8/s320/Moorish+Splendour+Framed.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Moorish Splendour</em><br />
<em>Design by Jane Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas</em><br />
<em>Design Size 11" x 11"</em></td></tr>
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Shining Needle Society hosted two cyberclasses by Carole Lake and Michael Boren of <a href="http://stitchplay.com/">StichPlay Designs.</a> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Dy7R9cY9DxPa_oCyfnkD6SQtT3o2nqdP01owrIFLPjRHP0DKixtSkitqZqYdCpj3IwO1yYFHZGPtIL1hARZ3V7DS4GiSEIZsoraDNW6KIo96AtXVZ5hmMsuBItSuhpFnlzqZeGo8K1M/s1600/St.+Margaret's+Star+Red+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Dy7R9cY9DxPa_oCyfnkD6SQtT3o2nqdP01owrIFLPjRHP0DKixtSkitqZqYdCpj3IwO1yYFHZGPtIL1hARZ3V7DS4GiSEIZsoraDNW6KIo96AtXVZ5hmMsuBItSuhpFnlzqZeGo8K1M/s320/St.+Margaret's+Star+Red+Framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>St. Margaret's Star - Red Colorway</em><br />
<em>Design by Carole Lake and Michael Boren</em><br />
<em>Silks, Polyesters, Cottons and Metallics on 18-count Canvas</em><br />
<em>Design Size 4" x 4"</em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhl9w9VY0Q8zcPbpVNu-HLpXdvkU89wnF5Lvv-72NUEKatTQJfM040TNICUttueUszHnSeBL7Mv_LkD6C3PURIRrx6PK9Z48MF3GKBKPJbSnmvx8MNvROhoD8xh0UdzcbSysfck-x0qg/s1600/Daphne+Reborn+Flagstone+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhl9w9VY0Q8zcPbpVNu-HLpXdvkU89wnF5Lvv-72NUEKatTQJfM040TNICUttueUszHnSeBL7Mv_LkD6C3PURIRrx6PK9Z48MF3GKBKPJbSnmvx8MNvROhoD8xh0UdzcbSysfck-x0qg/s320/Daphne+Reborn+Flagstone+Framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Daphne Reborn - Flagstone Colorway</em><br />
<em>Design by Michael Boren</em><br />
<em>Silks and Metallics on 18-count Canvas</em><br />
<em>Design Size 6" x 6"</em></td></tr>
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I also completed two pieces on linen. <em>The Four Seasons of Mystic</em> is a <a href="http://jeannettedouglas.com/">Jeannette Douglas</a> design that was taught by Ms. Douglas at the <a href="http://stitchershideaway.com/">Stitcher's Hideaway</a> retreat in Mystic, CT in 2011.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmOcE5bTW7HTRMSHqRTx5XM6pleJPBSh-xcHgB9bXT6GUgZfZEL26eJrpuHI_96S10LLbVz6N4iJ6FwEgGUnrc8pwZVFLZE5HSd_R2aY2mppBsiX1KQIJrdRuyaX9fHgGgmYJcAAbLFU/s1600/Four+Seasons+of+Mystic+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmOcE5bTW7HTRMSHqRTx5XM6pleJPBSh-xcHgB9bXT6GUgZfZEL26eJrpuHI_96S10LLbVz6N4iJ6FwEgGUnrc8pwZVFLZE5HSd_R2aY2mppBsiX1KQIJrdRuyaX9fHgGgmYJcAAbLFU/s320/Four+Seasons+of+Mystic+Framed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Four Seasons of Mystic</em><br />
<em>Design by Jeannette Douglas Designs</em><br />
<em>Silks, Cottons, Metallics and Wools on 32-count Linen</em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Design Size 11½” x 6¾"</span></span></em><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And <em>Sleepy Hollow</em> which I started in August 2011 and completed on December 31, 2011.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1lcAmnxifoSbdjfD_ZOATSwUtuQwYHjA0oUG40JANTRlef6zzJ8wK-RSJHZ311Zgivbb0fv5UDB9SWzlrjSIXU0XeJ6io-0Eg7FJMDLFxzxx2pUbau5WPpdBI0y_tD5FWIt55kh03Bk/s1600/Sleepy+Hollow+Framed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1lcAmnxifoSbdjfD_ZOATSwUtuQwYHjA0oUG40JANTRlef6zzJ8wK-RSJHZ311Zgivbb0fv5UDB9SWzlrjSIXU0XeJ6io-0Eg7FJMDLFxzxx2pUbau5WPpdBI0y_tD5FWIt55kh03Bk/s320/Sleepy+Hollow+Framed.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Sleepy Hollow</em><br />
<em>Design by Glendon Place</em><br />
<em>Cotton, Silks, and Metallics on 28-count Cashel Linen</em><br />
<em>Design Size <span style="font-size: x-small;">12” x 17½"</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
I hope to post again this weekend on my current projects as well as show the needlework projects I purchased as my vacation souvenirs!<br />
<br />
Until next time, happy stitching.Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-60329025609505333282012-07-29T18:30:00.000-04:002012-07-29T18:30:24.903-04:00Stitching During the OlympicsI usually have some DVD playing while I am stitching. It provides some background noise for me and I generally choose something that doesn't require my full attention. Since Friday night (EDT), I have had the Olympics on while stitching. I am not a big sports follower, so I haven't really had to give my entire attention to the television. Of course, Friday night I didn't really stitch much since the Opening Ceremonies were just so fabulous that I didn't want to miss anything. IMHO, the British Olympic Committee did a fantastic job and the ceremonies were worth the wait. <br />
<br />
While watching on Saturday and Sunday, I managed to finish two pieces. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Knotted Heart</span><br />
<br />
This first piece is one I did for a quilt to be sewn for the World of Charity Stitching Yahoo group. Stitchers are able to use their own colors - I chose DMC tangerines (740 and 742) for this combination. The pattern is a free cross stitch chart from Loretta Oliver at <a href="http://stitchingthenightaway.com/">Stitching The Night Away</a>. The stitch count is 45 x 45, and I used 28-count white evenweave. I am not much of a sewer so I send coordinating fabric to the wonderful women who make up the quilts.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK8urGRFLT5rJCoA5bkP1Fog5i39ab9qd7tJlEWf7Lv33LC0iNmoziuK_QZByJuGJoLO-kdTj8od8_ZRbv7ZwUxmIVzg7_K9GkUq44xvpBIVSBB-B3UtLFq_lxv-EnaBGGbhxL3kjbjQ/s1600/WOCS+Knotted+Heart+-+DMC+742-740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAK8urGRFLT5rJCoA5bkP1Fog5i39ab9qd7tJlEWf7Lv33LC0iNmoziuK_QZByJuGJoLO-kdTj8od8_ZRbv7ZwUxmIVzg7_K9GkUq44xvpBIVSBB-B3UtLFq_lxv-EnaBGGbhxL3kjbjQ/s200/WOCS+Knotted+Heart+-+DMC+742-740.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Knotted Heart</em><br />
<em>Designed by Loretta Oliver</em><br />
<em>Stitching The Night Away</em><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Stella Polaris</span><br />
<br />
My second finish was <em>Stella Polaris</em> which I did in the Mulberry colorway for the DD who is a huge purple fan. This is a cyberclass through <a href="http://shiningneedlesociety.com/">Shining Needle Society</a>. The designers are Carole Lake and Michael Boren of <a href="http://stitchplaydesigns.com/">StitchPlay Designs</a>. The Mulberry colorway uses Watercolors and Waterlillies in Mulberry, along with Soie Crystal, Grandeur, Elegance, Vineyard Silks, Kreinik Metallics and Bijou in complementary pinks and purples. I have the canvas and threads to stitch this in the Savannah colorway as well.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblWVLmzhQMr-SB0VzjcxP-lzeDRHce8aLzC_CE21AbOve-kTacTh5EdAdz7ywWzM_x4l-4yPEgkdyvIMD65i2i0nsuoxtL84w121JBP_wnSs12OymuJbb1125V76VS_vAdOZqR2hV8sY/s1600/Stella+Polaris+-+Mulberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblWVLmzhQMr-SB0VzjcxP-lzeDRHce8aLzC_CE21AbOve-kTacTh5EdAdz7ywWzM_x4l-4yPEgkdyvIMD65i2i0nsuoxtL84w121JBP_wnSs12OymuJbb1125V76VS_vAdOZqR2hV8sY/s200/Stella+Polaris+-+Mulberry.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Stella Polaris - Mulberry</em><br />
<em>Designed by Carole Lake and Michael Boren</em><br />
<em>StitchPlay Designs</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I just love their geometric designs and have already signed up for the latest <em>Vineyard Quilt Patch.</em><br />
<br />
I am now stitching on <em>Achoo!</em> for my sister, the veterinarian. I will post pictures once it starts looking like something!<br />
<br />
Until next time, happy stitching.Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-58011423294045640542012-07-07T09:44:00.000-04:002012-07-07T09:44:26.803-04:00Moorish Splendour is FinishedLast night I put the final stitches into Moorish Splendour. This was a fun design to stitch - and I will be stitching another one in the purple colorway sometime later this year. The colorway that is shown reminds me of paprika and is a great autumn piece.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T7ikVQa2VutaYONvoCwJZCB9vgOeXYrEbq2g0sMI_20pnZwTTJfcdpRtGxX8Y01hhctTwi7wU5s9iGRHMpJ8fHXhIeLeiYs9O2o2fB-8O8heyV-TvQZpQ-NKZz8EqZHUV1ChBuKcAok/s1600/Moorish+Spendour+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T7ikVQa2VutaYONvoCwJZCB9vgOeXYrEbq2g0sMI_20pnZwTTJfcdpRtGxX8Y01hhctTwi7wU5s9iGRHMpJ8fHXhIeLeiYs9O2o2fB-8O8heyV-TvQZpQ-NKZz8EqZHUV1ChBuKcAok/s400/Moorish+Spendour+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Moorish Spledour</em><br />
<em>Design by Jane Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>11" x 11"</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hope everyone enjoys the weekend. Here in New Jersey we are expecting record-breaking temperatures!Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-90584329758465115932012-07-01T14:36:00.000-04:002012-07-01T14:36:05.349-04:00Summer Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"></div>Somehow I missed posting during the month of June. Where does the time go?<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Family Update</span><br />
<br />
At the beginning of the month we had DD's dance show which, as expected, was fabulous. Everyone did a wonderful job and had a great deal of fun. We no sooner finished with the show than school was winding down for the year. DD finished her freshman year in high school. We got her report card at the end of the month and she did a great job in all her classes.<br />
<br />
DD got about a week off from school and then started her first summer job as an assistant in the day camp she had attended for the past nine years. She will be working for eight weeks. And if that isn't enough to keep her busy, she will be participating in dance workshops on Tuesday evenings for four weeks. She wants to go up "en pointe" in ballet, so she is taking a workshop in ballet and a second in "en pointe", as well as a third workshop in jazz. One of the days at the end of school we had to visit the dance store so that she could be fitted for the pointe shoes. It's critical that the shoes fit well, and the teacher has to approve the shoes/fit. I don't think in my entire life I have ever spent so much time getting shoes fitted!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moorish Splendour</span><br />
<br />
The Moorishp Spelndour class from Shining Needle Society ended but I still have to complete my piece. I am nearing the end and had hoped to have it finished by the end of June. Alas, it was not meant to be, but progress is certainly being made. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg859qFfByZSk1X1jC_VbfJBpgAIXaKtNjglQIBNFdxfc-CFHDgr0DKfbSVLdT3UjiBaxFZ_o-z5-0TNZLcxXAOKwch75JMBb6lv4AHrHZlrRsF-Ed8So9wU5zf26eGHeVgl8rKbldtlFw/s1600/Progress+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg859qFfByZSk1X1jC_VbfJBpgAIXaKtNjglQIBNFdxfc-CFHDgr0DKfbSVLdT3UjiBaxFZ_o-z5-0TNZLcxXAOKwch75JMBb6lv4AHrHZlrRsF-Ed8So9wU5zf26eGHeVgl8rKbldtlFw/s320/Progress+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Moorish Splendour</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Progress 07/01/12</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTKhSlSLeX_epjaQG83B2VLpSdrMW9aB6aoZBXLjcsiv6BgIOHK9IyOAfMF7v0RXpDWPm46abNusq9v7_nNJ66dj10UG1J39ETj9l_6danQA4z4moQvMNFSF0zcTwltvdjefRGH4LFDE/s1600/Detail+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTKhSlSLeX_epjaQG83B2VLpSdrMW9aB6aoZBXLjcsiv6BgIOHK9IyOAfMF7v0RXpDWPm46abNusq9v7_nNJ66dj10UG1J39ETj9l_6danQA4z4moQvMNFSF0zcTwltvdjefRGH4LFDE/s320/Detail+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Moorish Splendour Detail</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02V53Lo0RQquCSjOmtikyUR0bqx72cSQ2GupbCxidwJhhZGtHi46zdg_ugQnC8t2d-uTjNIoq5RAw0LmKb74HLKgKaE4c3i4jp8UnwnMCqK23abCsyIwAtS8gcrPB5emuxCIZ4y3TQww/s1600/Detail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi02V53Lo0RQquCSjOmtikyUR0bqx72cSQ2GupbCxidwJhhZGtHi46zdg_ugQnC8t2d-uTjNIoq5RAw0LmKb74HLKgKaE4c3i4jp8UnwnMCqK23abCsyIwAtS8gcrPB5emuxCIZ4y3TQww/s320/Detail+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Moorish Splendour</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Detail</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Hopefully, the photos are legible. I really need to take a photography class!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Summer Stitching</strong></span><br />
<br />
In addition to finishing <em>Moorish Splendour</em> and <em>Birds on a Cherry Blossom Branch</em> (finally), I hope to start the cross-stitch <em>Achoo!</em>, mentioned in my last blog. I will also be cross-stitching a square (maybe two) for <strong>World of Charity Stitching</strong>. And today I'm supposed to start stitching <em>Stellar Polaris</em>, another Carole Lake/Michael Boren piece from <strong>Shining Needle Society</strong>. I think that should keep me busy!<br />
<br />
Until next time, happy stitching to everyone. And a very happy Independence Day for those who are celebrating.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy5zYPwIEJw4hiDXixxgwmrOXuzAUiYJH7Womi5VaX6GZUCFLHtl8BcDo6-9Gbudq3fXnzNGt-BX9z6GDJ93DLLtUInXL8MN_EccV4i6Dul1aglUHP9ESfPoHhyfN7iM0-e5wlfjYTYk/s1600/Fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy5zYPwIEJw4hiDXixxgwmrOXuzAUiYJH7Womi5VaX6GZUCFLHtl8BcDo6-9Gbudq3fXnzNGt-BX9z6GDJ93DLLtUInXL8MN_EccV4i6Dul1aglUHP9ESfPoHhyfN7iM0-e5wlfjYTYk/s320/Fireworks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photo from AllFacebook.com</span></em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-86481299736076696642012-05-22T18:45:00.000-04:002012-05-22T18:45:20.756-04:00A Busy MayAnother month is speeding along its way. I cannot believe we are already approaching Memorial Day and the "unofficial" start of summer. <br />
<br />
This is a very busy time of year for us; the DD takes dance lessons and her big show is in early June - this year on June 2 (also the DH's and my 33rd anniversary). The DD dances four nights a week since she takes classes in tap, jazz, ballet and modern. The last few weeks we have had to contend with extra dance classes in preparation for the show and next week we'll spend each night at dress rehearsals. Of course, it is all worth it - the show is always spectacular. It is quite the production with over 20 different dance numbers. After10 years of dance classes/shows, she has her first wing change since two of her dances are back-to-back. Even the wing change is rehearsed several times! <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Daphne Reborn is Finished</span><br />
<br />
This past weekend I finished <em>Daphne Reborn</em>, the cyberclass from Shining Needle Society. I just love geometric pieces and this one was a thrill to stitch. Michael Boren and Carole Lake of StitchPlay Designs are fabulous teachers. I stitched this is in the Flagstone colorway. <br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2x73GgcDQe10dbBei8mnWFGh3D_CQfRVHDc91QamvGm0AgznKJ2I7I7z9yX6hPVmyAZu7i9JRoRtr5IkuODGNqmKD-A2IGZ8uYps4XPutwkt7pSiwuNJfdOvxxwJA2NUEzW4hJ7e_sE/s1600/Daphne+Reborn+Flagstone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2x73GgcDQe10dbBei8mnWFGh3D_CQfRVHDc91QamvGm0AgznKJ2I7I7z9yX6hPVmyAZu7i9JRoRtr5IkuODGNqmKD-A2IGZ8uYps4XPutwkt7pSiwuNJfdOvxxwJA2NUEzW4hJ7e_sE/s320/Daphne+Reborn+Flagstone.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Daphne Reborn</em><br />
<em>Completed 05/20/12</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have already signed up for StitchPlay Design's next offering through Shining Needle Society - <em>Stellar Polaris</em>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moorish Splendor Progress</span><br />
<br />
I must admit that I am behind in stitching <em>Moorish Splendor</em>. I was so focused on finishing <em>Daphne Reborn</em> that I neglected this piece. I am still working through Lesson Two although Lesson Three has been issued. I hope to catch up this weekend since I have three days to stitch. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately all the pictures I took of my progress so far are pretty bad. I hope to have something better to show after the weekend.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What's Up Next</span><br />
<br />
Aside from finishing up all those projects already started, and starting on <em>Stellar Polaris</em> in mid-June, I am going to start a cross-stitch piece for my sister, who will be 55 this year. She is a veterinarian and keeps Dalmatians, so I have chosen <em>Achoo!</em> to stich for her. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.salt-and-pepper.com/store/crossstitch.cgi?page=enlarge.html&image=Pattern/Dimensions/dm35179.jpg" rel="nofollow" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Achoo!"><img alt="Achoo! - Dimensions::Brett_Longley Pattern" class="detail" height="320" src="http://www.salt-and-pepper.com/store/html/images/Pattern/Dimensions/dm35179.jpg" style="width: auto;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Achoo!</em><br />
<em>Design by Brett Longley</em><br />
<em>Dimensions</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<br />
Until next time, happy stitching. And please remember our troops this Memorial Day.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-473" height="200" src="http://ext.homedepot.com/community/blog/wp-content/wpuploads/happy_july_fourth_from_home_depot_blog.jpg" title="happy_july_fourth_from_home_depot_blog" width="200" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo from The Apron Blog by Home Depot</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-59959174846528505632012-04-09T21:27:00.000-04:002012-04-09T21:27:56.506-04:00A Suprise, A Finish and An Award<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week was Spring Break for our school district.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The DH, DD and I traveled to Boston for a few days’ R&R.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While there, we also visited several college campuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the DD is still a high school freshman, the preparation for college is getting so complicated that we have decided to start the process now.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Surprise</span></h3><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I previously wrote about the Winter Smalls Exchange that I took part in through the I Love Cross Stitch Yahoo group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since my package took so long to arrive we thought it had gotten lost in the mail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So Denise sent me a second package, which I opened when I returned home this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again the “small” is spectacular – a wonderful needlebook – as well as very cute magnets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will think of Denise every time<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use it.</span></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjN_TmpQFjP3uhq-4IonoLlfIJKKFt91YcIoWLHQZjLliHaIJgGV3dAtR66iElSTdrsPIzwcFB_DNVdhXQAKJFCuOvcySqu_3AizHbv_HldOXhy7AqGND9WYkLzvDhZCYlZaTV-9GUwU/s1600/Winter+Needlebook+Package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjN_TmpQFjP3uhq-4IonoLlfIJKKFt91YcIoWLHQZjLliHaIJgGV3dAtR66iElSTdrsPIzwcFB_DNVdhXQAKJFCuOvcySqu_3AizHbv_HldOXhy7AqGND9WYkLzvDhZCYlZaTV-9GUwU/s400/Winter+Needlebook+Package.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Winter Smalls Exchange</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKHXa_F0nTA-UaCU9A6yPuQkcLcmrwgAdVH1gBbjynzAh3oxNq_ScBbhxj1JYq6EvK9Cfnc2DIrI1WopJ3FYuuBcZFSV5KH2dRAe1TI_xAMW9PygTNxEYR2BvF0g1uqvK6KRDscQP2WA/s1600/Winter+Needlebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKHXa_F0nTA-UaCU9A6yPuQkcLcmrwgAdVH1gBbjynzAh3oxNq_ScBbhxj1JYq6EvK9Cfnc2DIrI1WopJ3FYuuBcZFSV5KH2dRAe1TI_xAMW9PygTNxEYR2BvF0g1uqvK6KRDscQP2WA/s400/Winter+Needlebook.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Needlebook</span></em></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc3xmLDF0FZjNmY2kQO9xx_kXvIsQKDgoJQ36tUyawseJzTndzW6Mp92Ii0sffcmOefdDkvf6zILqlRIajqetrnvYmaW4vJuJNXf6l37E3ZH5ksSp5bdW9XqDHhPdCcQKiDLJgZeh7n4/s1600/Winter+Needlebook+Inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc3xmLDF0FZjNmY2kQO9xx_kXvIsQKDgoJQ36tUyawseJzTndzW6Mp92Ii0sffcmOefdDkvf6zILqlRIajqetrnvYmaW4vJuJNXf6l37E3ZH5ksSp5bdW9XqDHhPdCcQKiDLJgZeh7n4/s400/Winter+Needlebook+Inside.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Needlebook Inside</span></em></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></tbody></table><h3><br />
The Finish<o:p></o:p></h3><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yesterday I completed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anasazi Spirit</i>, a cyberclass through Shining Needle Society taught by Carole Lake and Michael Boren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was a fun class and a great design to stitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I already finished <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anasazi Dream</i> and will now have to work on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anasazi Song</i> to complete the trilogy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL67ExLHcLeqRoSAoOcU9zL5q6aEDeXtu7Fk9a_ZXbg-MyBFiWlu4lfENBQFK9TqFlhJm3s1_Klh24Vnvess4okkk8IPqP8unE-bj5oDA5dt0g24kP4Oz2oJBItrZN6P1dZT5VlUapiyI/s1600/Anasazi+Spirit+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL67ExLHcLeqRoSAoOcU9zL5q6aEDeXtu7Fk9a_ZXbg-MyBFiWlu4lfENBQFK9TqFlhJm3s1_Klh24Vnvess4okkk8IPqP8unE-bj5oDA5dt0g24kP4Oz2oJBItrZN6P1dZT5VlUapiyI/s400/Anasazi+Spirit+1.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Anasazi Spirit</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Finished 04/08/12</span></em></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> </span></tbody></table><h3>The Award<o:p></o:p></h3><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ND20RZjVQJgWobiWvmzKFDJ0QLRlwDN7QjbDIvbiFO8COt12ny1Us6g5IqPAzuN7ZEAtK5htPVpCI81kGDljPOQlwaCrIMQJH85VdwSlPhucjWCqzD1TjHMsWlbJy8Zi-Vm-HR3upg/s1600/Liebster+Blog+Award+Button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5ND20RZjVQJgWobiWvmzKFDJ0QLRlwDN7QjbDIvbiFO8COt12ny1Us6g5IqPAzuN7ZEAtK5htPVpCI81kGDljPOQlwaCrIMQJH85VdwSlPhucjWCqzD1TjHMsWlbJy8Zi-Vm-HR3upg/s1600/Liebster+Blog+Award+Button.jpg" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span class="googqs-tidbit1"><span style="color: #555544; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last week I received emails from two blog readers who advised me that they were each passing along the Liebster Blog Award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you to Jane of Stitching in My Garden and Nancy of A Lil Bit of Stitching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really appreciate you both reading my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="googqs-tidbit1"><span style="color: #555544; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The origins of the Liebster Blog award are somewhat unclear but the general consensus is that it originated in Germany, "Liebster" meaning</span></span><span style="color: #555544; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> favorite or dearest, to showcase bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon accepting the award the recipient must then pass it on to five more blogs of note.</span></span></div><div style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div><div style="mso-special-character: line-break;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are the guidelines:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Thank the person who gave me the award and link back to her blog.</strong></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Once again, thank you to Jane of <a href="http://stitchinginmygarden.blogspot.com/">Stitching in My Garden</a> and Nancy of <a href="http://alilbitofstitching.blogspot.com/">A Lil Bit ofStitching</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Post the award on my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Proudly posted above.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pass the blog award to five other bloggers.<o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have sent emails to five other bloggers advising that I am passing along the Liebster Award to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">List the bloggers to whom I have passed the Liebster award and let them know by commenting on their blogs.</span></strong><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tammy at </span><a href="http://mycrossedstitches.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My Crossed Stitches<o:p></o:p></span></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Denise at <a href="http://stitchingatgrandmashouse.blogspot.com/">Stitching at Grandma’s House<o:p></o:p></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shaunterria at <a href="http://ca11i0pe.blogspot.com/">Ca110pe’s Reviews and Stitching News<o:p></o:p></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Lisa at <a href="http://thesocialcrossstitcher.blogspot.com/">The Social Cross Stitcher<o:p></o:p></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mab at <a href="http://mabscraft.blogspot.com/">Mab’s Stitches and Crafts<o:p></o:p></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All of these bloggers are, like myself, new bloggers and have great stories to share.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Share five random facts about myself that people do not know about me.</strong></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Okay here goes:</span></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am a Civil Engineer by degree.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My husband, Steve, and I will be celebrating our 33<span style="font-size: small;"><sup>rd</sup> anniversary this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a 15-year-old daughter, Nora.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My mother and paternal aunts taught me embroidery, crocheting and knitting when I was about 10 years old in the days before 24/7 television, computer games, and iPods.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I love reading mysteries, historical fiction, and biographies.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My goal for retirement is to be able to attend needlework classes and seminars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></ol><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Thank you all for reading my blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate your interest and comments.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until next time, happy stitching!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-61921595609272599362012-03-30T08:47:00.000-04:002012-03-30T08:47:08.008-04:00Is It Really Spring Already?I swear I don't know where the time goes! There are days and weeks that seem to drag, and then all of a sudden - wham - it's the end of March. The house renovation has resulted in a few days of no computer as the floor finishers managed to cut off the room with the computer. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spring Is Here</span><br />
<br />
We in New Jersey experienced a very mild winter this year. We had no snow to speak of since the Halloween snowstorm that took everyone by surprise. And summer made an unusually early appearance this year - we had temperatures in the 70s for much of early March. You do have to understand that although we have four seasons in the Northeast, spring is generally about two weeks long. We usually go from freezing cold to our two-week spring (somewhere around late April/early May), followed by really hot weather that lasts into September. <br />
<br />
Our mild weather this year caused all the trees and flowers to bloom early - and I have the watery eyes and runny nose to prove it! Because of the house renovation (still a sore subject around here), we have no landscaping to experience the wonders of spring. Perhaps next year ...<br />
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However, I have been stitching quite a bit so I do have some progress to share. But first, a tribute to another stitcher.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winter Smalls Exchange</span><br />
<br />
The I-Love-Cross-Stitch group held a Winter Smalls Exchange. Everyone stitched a "small" project - ornament, pin cushion, needlecase, etc. and sent it, along with two skeins of "wintery" threads, to her/his partner, who was not the same person who would send a similar package. The person who sent to me was Denise in Saudi Arabia! My package apparently took a little vacation along the way and everyone was getting a bit anxious that it had gotten lost. However, it finally arrived and was well worth the wait. Denise stitched a pin cushion that is exquisite. The pin cushion was accompanied by two skeins of silk - one from Dinky Dyes and one from Madeira as well as some buttons and a very pretty card. I have never stitched with silks from either of these companies, so I am just thrilled to have the opportunity to do so. Because of the delay in receiving the package, Denise sent me two more skeins of Dinky Dyes silk direct from <a href="http://123stitch.com/"><strong><em>1-2-3 Stitch</em></strong></a>. Thank you so much, Denise!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGJk-O_sUsYQqKnYP9vwjAsDJKGMyIPNR3UkTOtsp1M93K9XENxPgTpzk6LOG08hsYlkyWO_QF62mSVbASL9TdovFAiOEN-HQ_DTSJuJGAMGNtlGk4OX32JMNZKTVJXjtDouJw0U7rYM/s1600/Exchange+Package.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGJk-O_sUsYQqKnYP9vwjAsDJKGMyIPNR3UkTOtsp1M93K9XENxPgTpzk6LOG08hsYlkyWO_QF62mSVbASL9TdovFAiOEN-HQ_DTSJuJGAMGNtlGk4OX32JMNZKTVJXjtDouJw0U7rYM/s320/Exchange+Package.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Winter Smalls Exchanged</em><br />
<em>Received from Denise in Saudi Arabia</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I sent a package to Shaunteria in California. The pattern is from <strong>The Gift of Stiching</strong> December 2006 issue and is called <em>Snowed In</em> by Something in Common. But, of course, I forgot to take a picture.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Florentine and Lace Sampler (a finish!)</span><br />
<br />
This is a Jane Zimmerman design that I took as a class at one of my LNS, <a href="http://www.mrsstitches.com/"><strong>Mrs. Stitches</strong></a> in Mendham. We started in April 2011 and met four times before the summer. Over the summer we were able to finish off the stitching we had started. Then we picked up again in October. I couldn't make the last class, which was the last band in the sampler. For some reason it sat around the house over the holidays. I finally finished it in early March.<br />
<br />
Each student chose her own colors and I really went out of my comfort zone on this one. I was concerned when I first started stitching that it was just way too bright - but I really like the color combination now that it's finished. It is stitched on 18-count mono canvas with Kreinik metallics and Au Ver a Soie's Soie d'Alger and Soie Perlee. The Soie Perlee is used on the cut and drawn canvaswork. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsk1-ndvPaAOAbnRTorj9yfI99VOpKDjhZ0iBo2NAOaCw5Fe-ogYpvTb_PUaNujxjFyndP5-D3tnZd-dtj7IHv9jKHiD7PE7O0xGlBeyqzMu92OcSh1Z2J7_alePlwyx6K8Dti16sj0g/s1600/Full+sampler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBsk1-ndvPaAOAbnRTorj9yfI99VOpKDjhZ0iBo2NAOaCw5Fe-ogYpvTb_PUaNujxjFyndP5-D3tnZd-dtj7IHv9jKHiD7PE7O0xGlBeyqzMu92OcSh1Z2J7_alePlwyx6K8Dti16sj0g/s320/Full+sampler.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Florentine and Lace Sampler</em><br />
<em>Designer: Jane D. Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>Design Size - 7" x 19" (approximate)</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypyqSChXt2IsezdUXthqVSFg1E9fo1wJvIiQWjwiX_lNIVyNiomWxslWo4aLPosSKC87Ug8RIm4R-ULcu16N997Waz42gBIYDZvfdEFJuK5R47Rckqrku0WIgIWY09kXTFm7PYH1OCDA/s1600/Florentine+and+Lace+Sampler+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypyqSChXt2IsezdUXthqVSFg1E9fo1wJvIiQWjwiX_lNIVyNiomWxslWo4aLPosSKC87Ug8RIm4R-ULcu16N997Waz42gBIYDZvfdEFJuK5R47Rckqrku0WIgIWY09kXTFm7PYH1OCDA/s400/Florentine+and+Lace+Sampler+Collage.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Close-ups of Bands</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Patterns of the Orient</span><br />
<br />
I am trying to finish this wonderful design from Tony Minieri this year. I have been concentrating on Area 9, which is Kreinik metallic couched with Au Ver a Soie silks. This past weekend I finally managed to finish the area - hurray for me! Area 9 is the diagonal band of turquoise and red (with some green and purple accents).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8aS7xBYYE-RXC4aTmk9T4xthOD2V3YOFc4rxd9PB_UFaY88yhyyR9_cODF4b-Ltl3-hysetxLB_vAegZzNu1d0zLBSQ7Pnigu6NvHKzaZp_0Qf-qYoBqCGG_mdvw0YhRXrg6rRo7w-0/s1600/Area+9+Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8aS7xBYYE-RXC4aTmk9T4xthOD2V3YOFc4rxd9PB_UFaY88yhyyR9_cODF4b-Ltl3-hysetxLB_vAegZzNu1d0zLBSQ7Pnigu6NvHKzaZp_0Qf-qYoBqCGG_mdvw0YhRXrg6rRo7w-0/s400/Area+9+Finished.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Patterns of the Orient Area 9 Finished</em><br />
<em>Designer: Tony Minieri</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Anasazi Spirit</span><br />
<br />
Here is my progress on <em>Anasazi Spirit </em>through Lesson Three. The outlines are cross stiches with Kreinik metallic. The outside of the stars are oblong cross stitches and straight stitches with Watercolours in Arabian Nights. The inside is a Walneto stitch in Impressions and Tied Plaited Rays in Elegance and Kreinik metallic around the Walneto.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HIzP5X337082Ah683K8FCsFz8dOTsAxB96XPqQKdF94wVzHDh2T8EbC9O9msbj5hS-iCTeCJM5iF7ksLIWPjR6QgNbqBrHhwBeLyU3CSNBUxIpvIVI5wa4B7eagsaI6qxHHGwGoHoWk/s1600/Lesson+Three+cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HIzP5X337082Ah683K8FCsFz8dOTsAxB96XPqQKdF94wVzHDh2T8EbC9O9msbj5hS-iCTeCJM5iF7ksLIWPjR6QgNbqBrHhwBeLyU3CSNBUxIpvIVI5wa4B7eagsaI6qxHHGwGoHoWk/s400/Lesson+Three+cropped.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Progress as of 03/25/12</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6O9nla8H2mc1HuhAGgWu6iIVMQYCtEWqhHAoFH_arRkQqW9dzMX5KBHYfCI6iamYgH3VfmfkT6p2QeP5YpuWSGji0RGHcwE-EervWS89MUGE1iUrQea0La9hMiI6ZDM9AJz8x0BkmpbA/s1600/Lesson+Three+Walnetto+Close-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6O9nla8H2mc1HuhAGgWu6iIVMQYCtEWqhHAoFH_arRkQqW9dzMX5KBHYfCI6iamYgH3VfmfkT6p2QeP5YpuWSGji0RGHcwE-EervWS89MUGE1iUrQea0La9hMiI6ZDM9AJz8x0BkmpbA/s200/Lesson+Three+Walnetto+Close-up.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Close-up of Walneto Stitch</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lesson Four, which I have started but not yet completed, is a Double-Fan-Double in the center diamond.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moorish Splendour</span><br />
<br />
For those who haven't already nodded off, here is the first lesson in Jane Zimmerman's <em>Moorish Splendour</em>. The center area is a trellis pattern over alternating satin stitch diamonds. The diamonds are stitched in silk while the trellis is in Kreinik metallic. The silk is actually a pumpkin color - it looks a bit pink in this photo.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdGcS9lRZQgu6kJmJ1aekfZk7oa1nT8RD0I4dp6ip0DwhSufa5XZCXLesFVE1RN5JjdghHCehSRfgh6jSUhKwUDPf8fbheWx6ShM347nb2J-of-3G43zEnm4WxUB56a-UnRXTMG4l9eA/s1600/Lesson+One.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdGcS9lRZQgu6kJmJ1aekfZk7oa1nT8RD0I4dp6ip0DwhSufa5XZCXLesFVE1RN5JjdghHCehSRfgh6jSUhKwUDPf8fbheWx6ShM347nb2J-of-3G43zEnm4WxUB56a-UnRXTMG4l9eA/s320/Lesson+One.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Progress through 03/30/12</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Lesson Two, which I'll start this weekend, is a variation of a Japanese filling pattern using silks and metallics.<br />
<br />
Until next time, enjoy the spring and happy stitching!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-384718741854912672012-02-20T19:02:00.000-05:002012-02-20T19:02:36.784-05:00What Happened to February<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div>I was sitting here minding my own business when all of a sudden I realized that there are only nine days left in February - NINE DAYS! What happened to the month??? It seems to be true that the older I get the faster time passes. This was the year that I was going to get my needlework organized, lose weight, yada yada yada. As I sit here on February 20 I realize that I have barely made a dent in all those laudable goals. Perhaps with the coming of Spring and the promise of additional daylight (during the Winter I leave for work in the dark and get home in the dark), I will be motivated to try a little harder.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">World of Charity Stitching</span><br />
<br />
This year I joined the World of Charity Stitching Yahoo group. This group stitches quilts, tote bags, therapy pillows, and bookmarks, as well as other items, to give to children in need and the elderly in nursing homes. Since I spend a lot of time stitching, I decided that I could use that time to help make something for others. I just finished my first contribution - two squares for a quilt that one of the other members will put together. The design is a bird that is stitched in DMC thread on 14-count white Aida. Each stitcher picks her/his color choice resulting in a veritable rainbow of birds. Since I am not a sewer by any stretch of the imagination, I sent coordinating fabric along with the squares to the talented lady who will put the whole quilt together. The design was downloaded from the blog<span style="color: #45818e;"> </span><a href="http://gazette94.blogspot.com/"><em><strong><span style="color: #45818e;">Gazette94</span></strong></em></a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqX8nbmBgCvLVpORO-MpH_7X3XLeifVU6O4rxZ-mAFvaO67xHwcVN8OY78NXFo97Jps_KwCgh4J7QUetkcq4ROCUqE7cqbyDhJ-t7L9asQnz7a7Q5ou6acvMhSwKK9idNyTuskrEW4DA/s1600/WOCS+Monochrome+Bird+Quilt+-+DMC+600+&+DMC+3810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqX8nbmBgCvLVpORO-MpH_7X3XLeifVU6O4rxZ-mAFvaO67xHwcVN8OY78NXFo97Jps_KwCgh4J7QUetkcq4ROCUqE7cqbyDhJ-t7L9asQnz7a7Q5ou6acvMhSwKK9idNyTuskrEW4DA/s320/WOCS+Monochrome+Bird+Quilt+-+DMC+600+&+DMC+3810.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Bird</em><br />
<em>Gazette94</em><br />
<em>Design Size 4" x 3" (approximate)</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;">Other Stitching</span><br />
<br />
I don't have too much else to show on the stitching front. I am working on a few unfinished class pieces. I thought I would finish <em>Birds on a Cherry Blossom Tree</em> by now but I ran out of the thread for the background. I only have a few stitches to complete the darn piece so I'm waiting for my LNS to put in an order. In the meantime I have picked up my <em>Patterns of the Orient</em>, which was a class last year with Tony Minieri. I love this design but it does require some concentration. It is stitched on 24-count Congress Cloth. As you can see there is a lot of "spaghetti" with this piece.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8k2YCooiq2DdthPQNv9CTxe7Vyl_fBGhyFE2gyYIn5bu4AMS67ggtJ59Ixb-vXswmBBALn3a2JXjJOp-ZpHNjpX92yGzKnKxOYLHmmUDtcHvfCWZjM9AwixV2vJq2IwnH47jPA2g3y4/s1600/Overall+Progress+022012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig8k2YCooiq2DdthPQNv9CTxe7Vyl_fBGhyFE2gyYIn5bu4AMS67ggtJ59Ixb-vXswmBBALn3a2JXjJOp-ZpHNjpX92yGzKnKxOYLHmmUDtcHvfCWZjM9AwixV2vJq2IwnH47jPA2g3y4/s320/Overall+Progress+022012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Patterns of the Orient</em><br />
<em>Tony Minieri</em><br />
<em>Design Size 11.5" x 8.5" (approximate)</em><br />
<em>Overall Progress 02/20/12</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;">I am currently working on Area 9, which is an adaptation of a Japanese obi design. The pattern is developed by couching two strands of Au Ver <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">à</span> Soie silk over Kreinik #8 braid. It is really testing my eyesight!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N9br32GBXq2yM5MlOZ0GLE133GZqRMLBJPukg4F26VN95ocHaXJyDmw_gxrYQiH89uuAkN7iVEPGNBPgH1d1JBi0mnJlUuPJnVpa0Y1YCrChx1h9iild6hnGVHUWj0XzZsTs-UfUo1o/s1600/Close-up+Area+9+022012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6N9br32GBXq2yM5MlOZ0GLE133GZqRMLBJPukg4F26VN95ocHaXJyDmw_gxrYQiH89uuAkN7iVEPGNBPgH1d1JBi0mnJlUuPJnVpa0Y1YCrChx1h9iild6hnGVHUWj0XzZsTs-UfUo1o/s320/Close-up+Area+9+022012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Patterns of the Orient</em><br />
<em>Tony Minieri</em><br />
<em>Close-up of Area 9 02/20/12</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Despite my best intentions, I did sign up for two cyberclasses through Shining Needle Society. On March 1, I will be starting <em>Anasazi Spirit</em> by StitchPlay Designs, LLC (Carole Lake and Michael Boren), which is stitched on 18-count French Blue canvas. I've already finished Carole's <em>Anasazi Dream</em> and have <em>Anasazi Song</em> waiting to be stitched.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7KeoQ_pZzs4aDnxcwUfOfVM1v1ovTa4rDdAb9pbHwVAvyvFtUbE_AMWGF92L-umqwfpklYxvYVKvfzrCfE2LVZoxZ0s432Y9XBzB6oPaRap0KqgmkCteBa4-_blDZ358z7M3YahpEbw/s1600/Anasazi_Spirit+Model.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7KeoQ_pZzs4aDnxcwUfOfVM1v1ovTa4rDdAb9pbHwVAvyvFtUbE_AMWGF92L-umqwfpklYxvYVKvfzrCfE2LVZoxZ0s432Y9XBzB6oPaRap0KqgmkCteBa4-_blDZ358z7M3YahpEbw/s320/Anasazi_Spirit+Model.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Anasazi Spirit</em><br />
<em>StitchPlay Designs, LLC</em><br />
<em>Design Size 6.2" x 11.3" (approximate)</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And then on March 8 I will start Jane Zimmerman's <em>Moorish Splendor</em>. (What was I thinking?) I am going to do it in both the Paprika (my favorite) and in Wine (my DD's choice). <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoaadbLnI7L5FB-9W0PkkmwosZ11S4ImcigqmQ2r4l8kIYsHJ10a1gvnzE0ZDjeBwZEFm5iL9EYvzzFAkB7E24IfhguVpBa_pV42fces_8CmNtSyVKle8LdIylQ93ijAeEpXhZDFh46g/s1600/Moorish+Splendor+Model+-+Paprika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoaadbLnI7L5FB-9W0PkkmwosZ11S4ImcigqmQ2r4l8kIYsHJ10a1gvnzE0ZDjeBwZEFm5iL9EYvzzFAkB7E24IfhguVpBa_pV42fces_8CmNtSyVKle8LdIylQ93ijAeEpXhZDFh46g/s200/Moorish+Splendor+Model+-+Paprika.jpg" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Moorish Splendor - Paprika</em><br />
<em>Jane Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>Design Size 10" x 10"</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxxcleDSz5oYWfP1FNPzjkZJaeQVdwCTfTpGI9CV6OVA8_3wDjpY3W_oY6yeJcPf7b_ACskTlpuOHAjDxa-TA4u8J6PyuZVyV-zmPCOJhURsHQSKCM5p9r5BRG4Vtm0EuaaxKX_4eO_s/s1600/Moorish+Splendor+Model+-+Wine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxxcleDSz5oYWfP1FNPzjkZJaeQVdwCTfTpGI9CV6OVA8_3wDjpY3W_oY6yeJcPf7b_ACskTlpuOHAjDxa-TA4u8J6PyuZVyV-zmPCOJhURsHQSKCM5p9r5BRG4Vtm0EuaaxKX_4eO_s/s200/Moorish+Splendor+Model+-+Wine.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Moorish Splendor - Wine</em><br />
<em>Jane Zimmerman</em><br />
<em>Design Size 10" x 10"</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">House Renovation</span><br />
<br />
I know that I have not mentioned that we are living through a major house renovation. And I mean major - new siding, roof, windows, kitchen, bathrooms, and HVAC system. There is not a room in the house that is untouched. We are coming up on two years with this construction and I can't wait for it to be over. Aside from the fact that we will basically have a brand new house (this one was built in 1960), the really good news is that I will finally have a needlework room! The room is the original family room (complete with fireplace). At some point in the past, a screened porch was incorporated into the house and it has become our family room. So the adjacent family room will now become my space. I have been poring through magazines and websites for ideas for this room. Stay tuned for what I finally decide.<br />
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Until next time, happy stitching!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-78626854884353626292012-01-20T19:05:00.000-05:002012-01-20T19:05:53.846-05:00Betty Ring Samplers<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">To someone who aspires to the title "needleworker" the name <strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Betty Ring</span></strong> is synonomous with "samplers". She is, after all, the foremost authority on girlhood embroidered samplers. Her landmark work <em><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Girlhood Embroidery: American Samplers and Pictorial Needlework 1650-1850</span></em> is a magnificent reference on the genre. When I first obtained my copy almost 20 years ago, I spent countless hours leafing through the pages just looking at the pictures of samplers worked hundreds of years ago. I marveled at the designs, some intricate and some quite simple, and the beauty of the stitching, all accomplished without electric light. Many of the samplers were completed by girls younger than I was when I first put needle to fabric. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Betty Ring's own collection of samplers is now on display at <a href="http://sothebys.com/">Sotheby's New York</a> in advance of its sale by auction this Sunday, January 22. The exhibit/auction is entitled <span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><strong><em>Important American Schoolgirl Embroideries: The Landmark Collection of Betty Ring</em></strong>. </span>I was extremely fortunate in being able to visit the exhibit yesterday and all I can say is - WOW! There are more than 200 pieces in this exhibit and each one is a gem of its own. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Many of the needlework on display are "mourning pictures" which generally are embroidered on painted silk. It is amazing to see the beauty of the stitches while realizing that girls and women undertook these as memorials for family members who had passed away, many of them babies and children.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Traditional</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> samplers also abound and, since these are more to my taste than the mourning pictures, I was truly in heaven as I wandered the gallery soaking in the beauty. These pieces range from simple Quaker designs to complex band samplers, from small pieces (about 6 inches by 4 inches) to large (34 inches by 28 inches).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was awestruck by the accomplishments of all these women who had come before me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This picture is one of the samplers on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to thank Emily Bergland in Sotheby’s Press Office for providing this image to me for use on this blog.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO-z7YVUmowe__5a7fFjstxTZqpIu_xxJVxL7JUan_nRUYDTHi2AYUvceCYgpUK738goNuFzCkvIx4dJl4JcMEh8K6ZYfvnEmAo3K8mUAa0fEb2Wm7KB8WBkGyBRc7PjmNd04khzjAa0/s1600/8832+-+lot+516+Abigail+Prince.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEO-z7YVUmowe__5a7fFjstxTZqpIu_xxJVxL7JUan_nRUYDTHi2AYUvceCYgpUK738goNuFzCkvIx4dJl4JcMEh8K6ZYfvnEmAo3K8mUAa0fEb2Wm7KB8WBkGyBRc7PjmNd04khzjAa0/s400/8832+-+lot+516+Abigail+Prince.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Lot 516</em></span></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fine and Rare Silk Embroidered Sampler, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abigail Prince, </span></em></div><div class="ecxMsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Newburyport, Massachusetts, dated 1801, Abigail Prince</em></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">This piece is worked on a linen ground in silk and <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">measures</span> 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5¼ inches by 21¾ inches.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are in the New York area and are as fascinated by samplers as I am, I highly recommend dropping everything and getting over there tomorrow. The auction is scheduled for Noon on Sunday. Perhaps this is your chance to own a piece of history.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">By the way, there is an exhibition catalogue available. I purchased mine in advance of the exhibit and so had it available while viewing the pieces. The catalogue itself is a wonderful addition to my needlework reference library. I am planning on pulling out my copy of <em>Girlhood Embroidery</em> along with the catalogue so that I can reacquaint myself with the stories of these wonderful pieces.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The catalogue is available through <a href="http://sothebys.com/">Sotheby's website</a>. Links are also provided to Betty Ring's <em>Girlhood Embroidery Volumes I and II</em> and <em>American NeedleworkTreasures</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I'm going to close this post with two quotes from Colin Eisler's review of <em>Girlhood Embroidery</em> published in Magazine Antiques in September 1994. "Only recently have art historians begun to appreciate the key role of the pictorial embroiderer - whether that of the individuals who stitched the Bayeux tapestry in the eleventh century or of Mary, Queen of Scots, in the sixteenth century." He continues "After a century of snobbery, the decorative arts are seen, once agin, for what they are - the staff of life." </span><br />
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How satisfying that our hobby, what we love to do, continues that history.</span>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7327867647473613545.post-82903610510726351982012-01-16T18:20:00.000-05:002012-01-16T18:20:43.796-05:002012 First Finish<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hooray - I have my first finish for 2012! I put the last stitch (actually the last charm) on <em>The Four Seasons of Mystic</em> on Friday night. I just love this design; it's so nice to have a piece that is seasonal yet can be displayed year-round. The specialty stitches added some "pizazz" as did all the fabulous threads that were used. The border is done in <a href="http://www.glorianathreads.com/">Gloriana Threads Lorikeet</a>, which is an overdyed 9-strand 100% Australian wool. I've never used this thread before, but will be considering it in future pieces. It was a joy to stitch and provided a very nice offset to the silks.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34RXyXZs2bHDmNqq6hyphenhyphenoXqpXA5w6Q-6UZUtmsdA3noJlI6xBKRz1bSbKf2wEnbq2ytnrv5fC0F4zUxsITC5axnnMnXaJ4DEaGmWDEKvHxoVVX1vcd9yCIcX-YQcqGZ8wUPnL3rq2Xh5g/s1600/The+Four+Seasons+of+Mystic+011512-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34RXyXZs2bHDmNqq6hyphenhyphenoXqpXA5w6Q-6UZUtmsdA3noJlI6xBKRz1bSbKf2wEnbq2ytnrv5fC0F4zUxsITC5axnnMnXaJ4DEaGmWDEKvHxoVVX1vcd9yCIcX-YQcqGZ8wUPnL3rq2Xh5g/s320/The+Four+Seasons+of+Mystic+011512-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>The Four Seasons of Mystic</em><br />
<em>Jeannette Douglas Designs</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">So, what next to stitch? Well, my New Year's stitching resolution is to finish some of those class projects that have been languishing. My next project is going to be a painted canvas that I started two years ago - <em>Birds on a Cherry Blossom Branch</em> - which was a class at Ridgewood Needlepoint with Gretchen Viggiano, who created the stitch guide. The canvas is from <a href="http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/">HP Needlepoint Designs</a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-aIWktMry_AQBTnP1U2SG1tN_kgDHXFtM64got9AQKoOhXom-iXPZOA6WrLJhoEfSN6sBmvJGoT89D_T-xQc_UKUjw_HgDvOm7IkfehmXCjzCbGtf7SkiMC4PAApWDY_KhDDTpOof0I/s1600/Birds+on+a+Cherry+Blossom+Tree+011512-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-aIWktMry_AQBTnP1U2SG1tN_kgDHXFtM64got9AQKoOhXom-iXPZOA6WrLJhoEfSN6sBmvJGoT89D_T-xQc_UKUjw_HgDvOm7IkfehmXCjzCbGtf7SkiMC4PAApWDY_KhDDTpOof0I/s320/Birds+on+a+Cherry+Blossom+Tree+011512-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Birds on a Cherry Blossom Tree</em><br />
<em>HP Designs</em><br />
<em>Design Size 6" x 9"</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial;">I don't really have much more to stitch on this piece, primarily French knots. I can hear some of you asking why I didn't finish them at the time. Unfortunately, as I was finishing this piece, I managed to fracture my left humerus in two places just below the shoulder. I did this during the extremely dangerous activity of crossing the street while out on a walk during a long weekend getaway. (Who says exercise is good for your health?) This severely restricted my ability to stitch with two hands. Considering the amount of trouble I have with French knots on a good day, there was no way I could attempt them with one hand! So this canvas went into the "to be finished" pile. I've decided it is finally about time that I just finish the canvas and be done with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I will also be working on a small cross stitch project for the Winter Exchange through the <strong>I Love Cross Stitch </strong>Yahoo Group. I won't be able to post that piece until after it has been received. </span>Linda Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01026066795601418935noreply@blogger.com30