November Recap:
Read:
1. The Monk by Matthew Gregory Lewis
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
3. The New Legend of Snow White: Pretear Volume 1 by Kaori Naruse
4. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
5. Undead and Unwelcome by Maryjanice Davidson
6. Alice in the Country of Hearts Volume 5 by Soumei Hoshino
7. Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley
8. Undead and Unfinished by Maryjanice Davidson
9. With the Light Volume 1 by Keiko Tobe
10. Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by L.J. Smith
11. With the Light Volume 2 by Keiko Tobe
Stitched:
1. Luck and Happiness by Passion Fil, Francine Van Der Haegen
2. Woodland Snowfall (JCS 2004) by Little House Needleworks
3. Christmas Bells (JCS 1989) by Heritage Series (stitched twice)
4. Wreath (JCS 1989) by Needle and I
5. Christmas Tree (JCS 1989) by Heritage Series
6. Holly Berries Mini Biscornu (JCS 2008) by Cherished Stitches
7. French Country Star (JCS 2010) by JBW Designs
Finished:
1. Halloween is a Hoot by Heart in Hand - pillow
2. Halloween by Carmela - pillow
3. Gather a Harvest by Lizzie Kate - pillow
4. Fall Squared Snippet by Lizzie Kate - pillow
5. Jack O'Lantern by Casey Buonaugurio - pillow
6. Be Mine by Sampler Girl - pillow
7. Love by Plum Pudding Needleart - pillow
8. Merriest Holidays by Sue Hillis - pillow
9. Noel bunnies by Stitch Ideas - pillow
10. Winter Sampler by Country Cottage Needleworks - pillow
11. Luck and Happiness by Passion Fil/Francine Van Der Haegen - pillow
12. Wreath by Needle and I - framed ornament
13. Christmas Bells by Heritage Series - framed ornament
14. Christmas Tree by Heritage Series - framed ornament
15. Woodland Snowfall by Little House Needleworks - pinkeep
16. Holly Berry Mini Biscornu by Cherished Stitches
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Little star
Design: French Country Star by JBW Designs, JCS 2010
Thread: DMC B5200
Fabric: 28ct Misty Blue
Start/Finish: 11/28/2010
Good afternoon! I hope you're enjoying your Sunday before the start of another work week!
I just finished stitching this little star from JBW Designs. The pattern actually calls for it to be stitched on cashel linen with one thread over one using WDW thread, but I had this piece of Misty blue linen in my stash and decided to use it. I really didn't feel like going cross-eyed from attempting to stitch this design over one thread so I opted for two over two.
I wish I had a better picture of this design as the linen is a beautiful blue, which goes well with the DMC B5200 thread.
Have a great week!
Until next time ^____^
Friday, November 26, 2010
A fun day and weekend plans!
Hi, everyone! I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving holiday! My family and I spent the afternoon at the movie theater watching the newest Harry Potter film, which was brilliant.
Afterwards, we stopped by the MRGS' rock and gem show at the fairgrounds. I have never been to the show despite the fact that it is hosted every year on Thanksgiving weekend. The show had many different booths with specimens on display and for sale. It is a beader's paradise with string of beads for sale and for those with money to burn, a beautiful selection of cut semi-precious gemstones for jewelry making. There were also educational displays on the various types of rocks and gems and activities for children such as panning for minerals and a miniature dig for fossils.
Amongst the beads and gems were booths with gorgeous handmade jewelry and antique dealers of jewelry, real and costume. One of my favorite antique dealers was there with her amazing array of jewelry, which was great. She used to sell at the Abba Temple during their antique weekends, but sadly they discontinued those weekends from lack of interest.
You know I couldn't resist indulging in some 'new' brooches, right?!
One of my favorite brooches that I picked up today. It was love at first sight as it reminds of the Victorian romance manga series by Kaoru Mori. Isn't it lovely? I love the way the lily of the valley flower buds dangle from the stem. There are no maker's marks on the back of this brooch, but it has an older C clasp.
My sister helped me browse through the multitude of brooches at the booth and she insisted that I buy this little cutie when it caught her eye. It's a fun looking brooch and perfect for a bookworm like myself. No marker's marks and it has a modern clasp on the back.
We both agreed that this pin was unique with its winged deity soaring across the sky. It reminds me of the FTD symbol of the Hermes just a little, but it's still a neat brooch. It has a modern clasp and is dated 1988.
Another unique brooch. I love the three dimensional detail on the sails. It has no marker's marks, but has an older C clasp on the back.
Close up of detail.
What do you think? I can't wait to wear them to work! The bad part is deciding on which one to wear first!
In other news, I plan on going to storage tomorrow morning to retrieve our Christmas tree after its year in exile and rescue the Christmas ornaments from their current state of loneliness and neglect with no one to admire them!
I also hope to swing by my LNS to look for some linen for some more Christmas stitching, which I hope to start tomorrow afternoon.
Until next time ^____^
Afterwards, we stopped by the MRGS' rock and gem show at the fairgrounds. I have never been to the show despite the fact that it is hosted every year on Thanksgiving weekend. The show had many different booths with specimens on display and for sale. It is a beader's paradise with string of beads for sale and for those with money to burn, a beautiful selection of cut semi-precious gemstones for jewelry making. There were also educational displays on the various types of rocks and gems and activities for children such as panning for minerals and a miniature dig for fossils.
Amongst the beads and gems were booths with gorgeous handmade jewelry and antique dealers of jewelry, real and costume. One of my favorite antique dealers was there with her amazing array of jewelry, which was great. She used to sell at the Abba Temple during their antique weekends, but sadly they discontinued those weekends from lack of interest.
You know I couldn't resist indulging in some 'new' brooches, right?!
One of my favorite brooches that I picked up today. It was love at first sight as it reminds of the Victorian romance manga series by Kaoru Mori. Isn't it lovely? I love the way the lily of the valley flower buds dangle from the stem. There are no maker's marks on the back of this brooch, but it has an older C clasp.
My sister helped me browse through the multitude of brooches at the booth and she insisted that I buy this little cutie when it caught her eye. It's a fun looking brooch and perfect for a bookworm like myself. No marker's marks and it has a modern clasp on the back.
We both agreed that this pin was unique with its winged deity soaring across the sky. It reminds me of the FTD symbol of the Hermes just a little, but it's still a neat brooch. It has a modern clasp and is dated 1988.
Another unique brooch. I love the three dimensional detail on the sails. It has no marker's marks, but has an older C clasp on the back.
Close up of detail.
What do you think? I can't wait to wear them to work! The bad part is deciding on which one to wear first!
In other news, I plan on going to storage tomorrow morning to retrieve our Christmas tree after its year in exile and rescue the Christmas ornaments from their current state of loneliness and neglect with no one to admire them!
I also hope to swing by my LNS to look for some linen for some more Christmas stitching, which I hope to start tomorrow afternoon.
Until next time ^____^
Black Friday
The only store I go to on Black Friday is Target. This year there seemed to be more people than usual waiting for the store to open. I attribute this to the fact that Walmart was open at midnight for general items so many people shopped there first before coming to stand in line at Target.
The line stretched all around the building somewhere behind the garden center. Believe me, if you've ever seen a Super Target and know the length of the building you'll know how many people were in line.
The quote of the day, "I don't know if she'll like it, but it was the last one on the shelf." - A lady talking to her mother while holding up a Disney doll.
Why buy it if you're not sure if your child will even play with it? Why not spend your money on something you know they'll enjoy? Our customer culture has gotten to the point where people will buy things they really don't want just to get something for a discounted price.
What did I get out my Black Friday experience? Two DVDs that I know I'll watch, Christmas candy for friends, and a nice frappuccino for the unseasonably warm November morning! The rest of my shopping will be online.
Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! Until next time ^____^
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Holly Berry Biscornu
Design: Holly Berries Mini Biscornu by Cherished Stitches (JCS 2008)
Threads: DMC 498, 700, and B5200
Beads: Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads - Red
Fabric: 32ct. cream Belfast
Finished as biscornu: 11/21/2010
Lucky pillow
Design: Luck and happiness in Passion Fil by Francine Van Der Haegen
Threads: DMC 150, 310, 988 and white
Fabric: 28ct cream Zweigart
Finished as pillow: 11/21/2010
Ornaments
Designs: Wreath by The Needle and I (JCS 1989)
Christmas tree by Heritage Series (JCS 1989)
Christmas bells by Heritage Series (JCS 1989)
Fabric: 28ct cream Zweigart
Finished as ornaments: 11/21/2010
Finished using photo ornaments purchased at Hobby Lobby.
Woodland pinkeep
Design: Woodland Snowfall by Little House Needleworks (JCS 2004)
Threads: Recommended DMC and Ecru
Fabric: 28ct. Quaker rue green
Finished as pinkeep: 11/21/2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Holly Berries
Design: Holly Berries Mini Biscornu by Cherished Stitches (JCS 2008)
Threads: DMC 498, 700, and B5200
Beads: Mill Hill Antique Glass Beads - Red
Fabric: 32ct. cream Belfast
Start/Finish: 11/20/2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Woodland Snowfall
Design: Woodland Snowfall by Little House Needleworks (JCS 2004)
Threads: Recommended DMC and Ecru
Fabric: 28ct. Quaker rue green
Start/Finish: 11/18-19/2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Wreath
Design: Wreath by The Needle and I (JCS 1989)
Threads: DMC 221, 367, and 500
Fabric: 28ct cream Zweigart
Start/Finish: 11-17-2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Christmas Bells
Design: Christmas bells by Heritage Series (JCS 1989)
Threads: DMC 436 and 666
Fabric: 28ct cream Zweigart
Start/Finish: 11-16-2010
Christmas tree
Design: Christmas tree by Heritage Series (JCS 1989)
Threads: DMC 666, 700, and 973
Fabric: 28ct cream Zweigart
Start/Finish: 11-16-2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Luck and happiness
Design: Luck and happiness in Passion Fil by Francine Van Der Haegen
Threads: DMC 150, 310, 988 and white
Fabric: 28ct cream
Start/Finish: 11-14-2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
The holidays
I hope you are enjoying your weekend. This morning I went by the mall in town to look for some slacks for work and realized that everyone seemed to out and about earlier than usual. It's official, the holiday season is upon us in full swing. Stores are no longer satisfied with Black Friday sales and have decided to make the entire month of November a sales extravaganza.
While I love the holidays, this time of year always reminds me of my time in Egham, Surrey. A nice, quiet town during the holiday season. No lines or people rushing about frantically searching for items on their Christmas lists. That's not to say that the nearby town of Staines or the metropolis of London weren't swamped with shoppers because they certainly were. It just seemed different from the American culture where holiday shopping starts promptly after Halloween ends and sometimes even earlier with TV shopping channels advertising 'Christmas in July' sales.
Here in America, our fast paced society glosses over the Fall/Thanksgiving holidays in favor of Christmas. Even my beloved craft stores start the holiday season early in September by putting out displays of Christmas decorations right next to those for the Fall and Halloween.
Perhaps it has always been this way with the hustle and bustle during the holiday season, but just once I would love it if we could slow down. Have we forgotten that Thanksgiving Day even exists? It seems that way to me.
I'm not saying that I don't start my Christmas stitching early or pick up small gifts throughout the year because I do, but at least I can appreciate the Fall while it is still here. The cooler weather, falling leaves, and the excitement of approaching Thanksgiving where I can have a good meal with my family.
Take a little time and remember that it is still November.
Until next time ^____^
While I love the holidays, this time of year always reminds me of my time in Egham, Surrey. A nice, quiet town during the holiday season. No lines or people rushing about frantically searching for items on their Christmas lists. That's not to say that the nearby town of Staines or the metropolis of London weren't swamped with shoppers because they certainly were. It just seemed different from the American culture where holiday shopping starts promptly after Halloween ends and sometimes even earlier with TV shopping channels advertising 'Christmas in July' sales.
Here in America, our fast paced society glosses over the Fall/Thanksgiving holidays in favor of Christmas. Even my beloved craft stores start the holiday season early in September by putting out displays of Christmas decorations right next to those for the Fall and Halloween.
Perhaps it has always been this way with the hustle and bustle during the holiday season, but just once I would love it if we could slow down. Have we forgotten that Thanksgiving Day even exists? It seems that way to me.
I'm not saying that I don't start my Christmas stitching early or pick up small gifts throughout the year because I do, but at least I can appreciate the Fall while it is still here. The cooler weather, falling leaves, and the excitement of approaching Thanksgiving where I can have a good meal with my family.
Take a little time and remember that it is still November.
Until next time ^____^
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sewing Update ♥
Valentine pillows - front
Valentine pillows - back
Christmas pillows - front
Christmas pillows - back
Fall/Halloween pillows - front
Fall/Halloween pillows - back
Pillow finishes:
1. Be Mine by The Sampler Girl
2. Love by Plum Pudding Needleart
3. Noel Bunnies by Stitch Ideas (Japanese craft magazine)
4. Happiest Holidays by Sue Hillis
5. Winter Sampler by Little House Needleworks
6. Halloween is a Hoot by Bits N Pieces
7. Fall Squared Snippet by Lizzie Kate
8. Gather a Harvest by Lizzie Kate
9. Jack O'Lantern by Casey Buonaugurio
I decided to go ahead and finish my pillows while watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. I know, geek to the core! At least with these pillows finished I'll be able to start on some Christmas stitching ^__^
What do you think?
Until next time ^____^
Sewing ♥
Hi, everyone! With the day off, I decided to get some laundry done and stitch up some pillows between loads.
As you can see I haven't attempted to stuff and blind stitch them up yet. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to do that. But I must say, that I'm quite proud of myself....I almost gave up after the first pillow when I lost the bobbin thread. After ten minutes of looking for our manual to the sewing machine (an old Montgomery Ward), I decided to go online and look at some videos. It took me about five minutes of fiddling with the bobbin, but I finally got it sorted out! O_o"
In other news, I haven't started my Christmas stitching yet. I plan on folding clothes and reading more of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I can't wait for the movie next week! As a professed bookworm, I love book movies :) I love seeing how a director interprets the text and what angle they decide to go with.
Hope you have a great day!
Until next time ^____^
As you can see I haven't attempted to stuff and blind stitch them up yet. I think I'll wait until tomorrow to do that. But I must say, that I'm quite proud of myself....I almost gave up after the first pillow when I lost the bobbin thread. After ten minutes of looking for our manual to the sewing machine (an old Montgomery Ward), I decided to go online and look at some videos. It took me about five minutes of fiddling with the bobbin, but I finally got it sorted out! O_o"
In other news, I haven't started my Christmas stitching yet. I plan on folding clothes and reading more of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I can't wait for the movie next week! As a professed bookworm, I love book movies :) I love seeing how a director interprets the text and what angle they decide to go with.
Hope you have a great day!
Until next time ^____^
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Chococat says:
It's time for Christmas stitching!
I've been going through my issues of JCS this week to see which patterns catch my eye and making a list on my Chococat paper! Don't worry, I don't plan on stitching every single thing listed (thirty patterns listed!), but at least I have a good selection to choose from.
In other news, thank you so much for your comments on my pillows. I hope to get a few more done before I start on my Christmas stitching.
Have a great Veterans Day tomorrow!
Until next time ^____^
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Pillows
Design: Halloween is a Hoot by Heart in Hand and Halloween by Carmela
Finished as pillows: 11/7/2010
Well, after a couple of battles with measurements and a crazy bobbin, I managed to finish two pillows. Does anyone have any suggestions on blind stitching? Any good tutorials out there? I'm wondering if blind stitching on the top and covering it with a bow would be better...especially since my blind stitching isn't the best. I think I will definitely fray check the edges before stitching the pillow closed next time!
I hope you had a great weekend!
Until next time ^____^
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Egads.....wish me lots of luck!
I went through my stitched project drawer and was amazed by all the finished designs that I stored away to 'finish' in the future! Egads!!!
I spent the afternoon cutting fabric for a number of pillow finishes. Please wish me lots of luck, I get really nervous when it comes to sewing!! I plan on sewing tomorrow....if I don't run away screaming in terror.
Until next time O_o"
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Halloween pumpkins!
Our house decorated at night with two medieval lanterns, a lighted cat in the window, and three carved pumpkins.
Spooky ghost
Stylized cat
Owl
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween finish
Hi, everyone! I hope you had a great Halloween weekend with your family and friends. We were swamped with neighborhood kids last night, more than we originally thought showed up. We ran out of candy by 7:30! We will definitely have to get more next year.
On the bright side, I was able to finish my Halloween design that I had stitched earlier in the day while waiting for the second episode of Sherlock on PBS. I chose DMC colors that were in a previous Autumn design that I had stitched last year.
Design: Halloween freebie by Carmela
Threads: DMC 310, 469, 829, 920, and 922
Fabric: 28ct unknown color
Start/Finish: 10-31-2010
I found the design on the lovely Carmela's website. She is a very talented lady and I love seeing what she's stitching and finishing.
By the way, thank you for commenting on my Gather A Harvest design. Hopefully, I can 'finish' it this weekend.
Until next time ^____^
On the bright side, I was able to finish my Halloween design that I had stitched earlier in the day while waiting for the second episode of Sherlock on PBS. I chose DMC colors that were in a previous Autumn design that I had stitched last year.
Design: Halloween freebie by Carmela
Threads: DMC 310, 469, 829, 920, and 922
Fabric: 28ct unknown color
Start/Finish: 10-31-2010
I found the design on the lovely Carmela's website. She is a very talented lady and I love seeing what she's stitching and finishing.
By the way, thank you for commenting on my Gather A Harvest design. Hopefully, I can 'finish' it this weekend.
Until next time ^____^
October Recap
October Recap
Read:
1. English Folk and Fairytales by Joseph Jacobs
2. Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
3. The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier
4. Gothic Classics Volume 14 by Graphic Classics.
5. Little Red Riding Hood (Pop Wonderland Series) by Michiyo Hayano
6. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Pop Wonderland Series) by Michiyo Hayano
7. Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Craft
8. Sleeping Beauty by Mahlon F. Craft and Kinuko Craft
9. Cinderella by Kinuko Craft
10. The Adventures of Tom Thumb by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Craft
11. The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
12. Child of Faerie: Child of Earth by Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer
13. Cinderella's Dress by Nancy Willard and Jane Dyer
14. Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft
15. King Midas and the Golden Touch by M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft
16. Snow Princess by Susan Paradis
17. The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Marianne Mayer and Kinuko Craft
18. The Firebird by DEMI
19. The Emperor's New Clothes by DEMI
20. Sleeping Beauty by Trina Schart Hyman
21. The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche
22. Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
23. Rapunzel by Trina Schart Hyman
24. The Victorian Home by Kathryn Ferry
25. Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential: How Teenage Girls Made a Nation Cool by Brian Ashcraft and Shoko Ueda
26. Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms by Fumiyo Kouno
27. My Girlfriend's a Geek v.1.0 (novel) by Pentabu
28. Swan Lake by Trina Schart Hyman
29. Saint George and the Dragon by Trina Schart Hyman
30. Library Wars: Love and War Volume 2 by Kiiro Yumi
31. Alice in the Country of Hearts Volume 4 by Quinrose and Hoshino Soumei
Stitched:
1. Gather a Harvest by Lizzie Kate
2. Started Rose in the Morning by Little House Needleworks
3. Halloween freebie by Carmela
Finished:
1. Eek pillow by Pine Mountain Designs
Hi, everyone! I hope you had a great month of October and that the weather was perfect for your Fall and Halloween celebrations.
As you can see, I've read more than I've stitched, but let me assure you that a great many of those books are children's literature as my local museum is having a Fairy Tale Art exhibition on children's illustrators and I couldn't resist checking out more of the illustrators' books at the library to look at the range of their work.
Can you believe that it is already November? Not that I'm complaining, I love the fall season, but I didn't think it would go fast. It might due to the fact that we didn't get a feel of Fall weather in the air until October and of course we had a week or two of warmer temps creeping back before returning to the 40s.
I hope to do some holiday stitching this month and maybe finish some older patterns that I stitched up over the last two years.
Until next time ^____^
Read:
1. English Folk and Fairytales by Joseph Jacobs
2. Ghostgirl by Tonya Hurley
3. The Secret Lives of Princesses by Philippe Lechermeier
4. Gothic Classics Volume 14 by Graphic Classics.
5. Little Red Riding Hood (Pop Wonderland Series) by Michiyo Hayano
6. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Pop Wonderland Series) by Michiyo Hayano
7. Baba Yaga and Vasilisa the Brave by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Craft
8. Sleeping Beauty by Mahlon F. Craft and Kinuko Craft
9. Cinderella by Kinuko Craft
10. The Adventures of Tom Thumb by Marianna Mayer and Kinuko Craft
11. The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
12. Child of Faerie: Child of Earth by Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer
13. Cinderella's Dress by Nancy Willard and Jane Dyer
14. Cupid and Psyche by M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft
15. King Midas and the Golden Touch by M. Charlotte Craft and Kinuko Craft
16. Snow Princess by Susan Paradis
17. The Twelve Dancing Princesses by Marianne Mayer and Kinuko Craft
18. The Firebird by DEMI
19. The Emperor's New Clothes by DEMI
20. Sleeping Beauty by Trina Schart Hyman
21. The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche
22. Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
23. Rapunzel by Trina Schart Hyman
24. The Victorian Home by Kathryn Ferry
25. Japanese Schoolgirl Confidential: How Teenage Girls Made a Nation Cool by Brian Ashcraft and Shoko Ueda
26. Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms by Fumiyo Kouno
27. My Girlfriend's a Geek v.1.0 (novel) by Pentabu
28. Swan Lake by Trina Schart Hyman
29. Saint George and the Dragon by Trina Schart Hyman
30. Library Wars: Love and War Volume 2 by Kiiro Yumi
31. Alice in the Country of Hearts Volume 4 by Quinrose and Hoshino Soumei
Stitched:
1. Gather a Harvest by Lizzie Kate
2. Started Rose in the Morning by Little House Needleworks
3. Halloween freebie by Carmela
Finished:
1. Eek pillow by Pine Mountain Designs
Hi, everyone! I hope you had a great month of October and that the weather was perfect for your Fall and Halloween celebrations.
As you can see, I've read more than I've stitched, but let me assure you that a great many of those books are children's literature as my local museum is having a Fairy Tale Art exhibition on children's illustrators and I couldn't resist checking out more of the illustrators' books at the library to look at the range of their work.
Can you believe that it is already November? Not that I'm complaining, I love the fall season, but I didn't think it would go fast. It might due to the fact that we didn't get a feel of Fall weather in the air until October and of course we had a week or two of warmer temps creeping back before returning to the 40s.
I hope to do some holiday stitching this month and maybe finish some older patterns that I stitched up over the last two years.
Until next time ^____^
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
