Sleigh Bells Ring

Have you seen the latest Little House Needleworks ornament, "Sleigh Bells"? It's a very nice ornament with a catch-y little tune. Are you listening? This year at the shop, we've been taking the monthly ornaments and changing them up a bit. We choose a different fabric and then switch the cottons to silks. My sister is stitching the model for the shop. When I told her that we use silks for the kit, she was intrigued. When I mentioned that it makes a really affordable way for someone to try stitching with silks, she volunteered to stitch the model! Well, let me tell you, she's a believer! LOL I think she is hooked. Nancy went home tonight and finished stitching the design. The image you see here is what I shot this afternoon. Look how rich the colors are on the deeper colored linen.

I think she did a great job! I will get the kits made up on Tuesday. Call or email if you'd like to get a kit! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Stitching Zenith

Imagine if you will, a world in which the majority stitches, a world in which the majority goes a little crazy with anticipation over the next Loose Feathers release and a world in which everyone understands the stitchy language. There is never an idle remark about "string" or a question of, "what are you knitting?" when in fact you are stitching. Everyone knows how to stitch and it is a favorite pasttime of most adults. Now, for the pinnacle of my little daydream....stitching is such a treasured mind relaxer, that there is one of these on nearly every corner:



Can you imagine? You could walk into any Orts Bar, pull a chair up to the bar and start stitching. There would be no awkward moments because you don't know anyone. Everyone speaks the stitchy language and you could become fast friends with everyone stitching at the bar! You would find out what projects they were working on and they would inquire about yours. You could have stitch-alongs right at the Orts Bar! There are free-flowing lattes, cappuccinos, pepsi, water and whatever else your heart desires. You could come and stitch for an hour, a couple hours, visit once a week or every day! At the end of each shift, the orts would be collected and deposited into the giant tank that sits behind the bar. It would be one massive ort display, and stitcher's would sigh wistfully while gazing at the tank and say, "See that Kreinik #12 braid in the lower left corner? That's mine from two years ago when I was working on Rainforest Crunch by Needle Delights."

Sounds like the Stitching Zenith to me! Don't wake me up.

Finishes and A New Model

I just posted over on the 2012 Year of Smalls Blog about two great shop models I received back from my finisher. I am thrilled with them both!

The first is Poinsettia House by Little House Needleworks. This was the January Small. We changed the fabric to Jobelan 28 count and then stitched this over one thread. I love how the pinks pop on the green fabric.



Next is Small Token by Blackbird Designs. This was the March Small. We stitched this on R&R 35 count Cafe Kona linen with the recommended threads. My finisher did a fab job, added the great Chenille trim and stuffed with walnut shells. I just love it!



I'll be on a hunt for a suitable frame for this beauty. Titled, "Humility Sampler" by Heartstring Samplery. We changed everything on this one. Changed the fabric and converted all the threads to silk. I will have this available as a kit in the shop soon. I have more linen on order and will work up a thread kit for the silks to make the price more reasonable. If you'd like me to send you a kit, just shoot me an email.



Have a fabulous weekend!

Cathy

Five States In Four Days Part II

Last post, I told you about my trip out to Spring Green, WI. Now, from where I left off.......

While Debbie & Pam worked on the box smalls, I set to work on the Morning Star spice box. I'm teaching the class this month at my shop so I needed to get my model done. Here are the "parts" drying after being painted.



And here is the piece laced but just resting on the box lid. I still need to wax the box and glue the needlework to the top. Stay tuned for pics of the class. If you're local and want to join in, there are still a few openings in the March class.



Debbie was on quite a roll that night. She also assembled this sweet piece that had been languishing in her "stitched" pile for many years! I think it took her all of 45 minutes to put it together.










And finally, here's a pic of where it all took place. This is the living room/work area of the 2nd Story. Notice all the different work stations to make this truly a great place to get some serious finishing done. Rotary cutters and cutting mats at the ready, iron & ironing board just begging to be "pressed" into service and all the wonderful tables to spread out and move from project to project.



I do have a few ornaments to show you that were cut and assembled on that weekend, but I need to sew on the cording first. I hope to have those ready to show you soon!

Cathy

Five States In Four Days

I've been doing a bit of traveling lately. Last weekend, two friends and I took a road trip out to Spring Green, WI, to the Country Sampler. Pay close attention to those upper windows because that, my dear readers, is what is referred to as "The 2nd Story."



There is an apartment above the shop which contains three bedrooms with seven beds, a full kitchen, two bathrooms, living room and awesome work space. We planned to stay in the 2nd Story overnight and spend the evening getting some needlework finished. But first, we planned to arrive in time to take a "make-it, take-it" class that was offered at the shop. It was to be a wool heart done in wool applique, a technique I had not done before. We used a book by Maggie Bonanomi called "Buttonwood Farm." My finished heart is pictured here.



I did have to spend some time in The 2nd Story assembling my heart as I didn't get it completed in class. My friends decided not to put their initials on their hearts. The applique is addicting and so fun! I definitely will try it again.



We stopped for lunch here and I can highly recommend this place!



We took a class last year at Celebration of Needlework, NH, and wanted to put together our boxes. Here is Pam hard at work assembling her needle case.



All three of us were able to finish the inside, tufted lid, but I have not yet stitched my needle case, so only Debbie & Pam's boxes are totally complete. Aren't they lovely? The boxes are hand painted by a woman somewhere out East.



Next time I will show you what else we worked on and give you a bird's eye view into the work area. It definitely aided us in getting so much completed in such a short amount of time!

And A Forest Grew!

I have the most talented customers! Look what Pat brought in to show me today!! Unbelievable. This is "And A Forest Grew" designed by Rosewood Manor. It is stitched on 28 count Cashel and stitched over one linen thread. Totally incredible.



She still has a bit more stitching to do (and remove her basting threads), but wowie, this is gorgeous! Look at the fox and the little robins.



How about that deer?



Those trees!



The mama bird feeding her babies in the lower left and then toward the top, the owl in the tree.



The serpent in the tree of life.



Those little bunnies!



I love this design - always have. I love it even more now that I've seen it stitched over one!!! I think there is something to be said for over one stitching. The smallest of details really pop out. Thanks, Pat, for letting me showcase your masterpiece on my blog!

An American Girl Christmas & Customer Finishes

The twins were here right after Christmas and we had action-packed days for their entire stay. My cousins were also in from Kentucky, so we were able to have a traditional Christmas Eve, albeit several days after Christmas. It's always nice to carry on the family traditions. The day after my cousin Robin's arrival, my sister, Robin and I set about to make pierogi, which is a staple of our Christmas Eve feast.

One of the highlights of the twins visit was a trip downtown to the American Girl store. Angie and I had been together last year, but Robin and her daughter (one year older than Angie) had never been. Sometimes it's best not to let little girls know about these stores! We toured the two-story, little girl's dream shop and then headed over to the American Girl Cafe for our luncheon reservation. Here are the girls deciding what to choose for lunch. Take notice that the dolls get to join us for the luncheon!



Both girls selected the Picnic lunch with mini hotdog, mini hamburger, macaroni and cheese and fruit skewer. Yum! It was a very fun afternoon, one I'm sure the girls will not forget anytime soon!



Marilyn stopped by recently to show me some of her Jane Greenoff finishes. Marilyn is a stitching machine! She not only stitches so quickly, she finishes them all herself, too. Here are Butterfly Needleroll on the left and Flowery Mead Band Sampler on the right.









Next up is Silk Flowers Needle Tidy. It's so amazing, with sections inside for your needles, 22, 24, 26, 28 and a beautiful pincushion in the center. Tied up with a drawstring, even the back is magnificent!







Here's a pic of BBD Morning Star that I stitched for a shop model.



No stitching tonight for me but here was my progress on the 40 count Morning Star as of last night.



Hope to make some x's on the French Vanilla tomorrow evening! Wish me luck.