The Peacock's Feather

Surprises in the Mail!

Look what already came in the mail!  I only ordered this on Friday afternoon from Criss Cross Row, and it is already here!  Talk about speedy service!  Thanks, Marsha!!  I am so excited to get this after seeing everyone's lovely finishes.  This is going to the top of my soon to stitch pile!!  The silks look very lovely.  I have yet to pull everything out and really look at them.  I really like it when everything comes in the kit--the fabric, floss and chart.  This even has the little button and a needle--all ready to go!

And this one was a complete surprise.  It is from my Not So Secret Stitcher buddy (the Shakespeare's Peddler program).  It is a Raise the Roof chart called The Sleepy Hollow Sampler.  She even sent the floss to go with it.  I will just need to choose my fabric.  I love Halloween themed charts, so this is really great!  What a nice way to start the work week.  Now I can take my new charts to work to drool over when I am at lunch!

I have been going through my charts to decide on which sampler house I am going to choose for the Legacy exchange.  I keep changing my mind.  I don't want it too big, or too small, or too plain!  I have several picked out, but it might depend on whose name I get.  A couple of the choices have flags in them.  Do you think if I got an international stitcher she would not want an American flag on the design?  Of course I could try and change it to the flag of the recipient, which could be fun.  If it were me I wouldn't mind to get something from another country like that.  Actually I would think it was cool, as it would be more personal.  But everyone has different tastes!  So I may hold off starting.  Anyway, at the rate it is taking me to decide, I won't have started before the names are drawn anyway!

The Next Best Thing to New Stash

...Is old stash!  I have been trying to be good--as I keep saying--about not buying lots of new stuff.  It has been hard lately, as I have been very tempted by new charts.  Finally I did break down and order a couple of things Friday.  At least I will have my Atelier to look forward to getting later this week.  The other kit I don't expect until later next month.  So since I had out my magazines, I also pulled out my box of charts.  I had to look for some charts with house motifs as I have signed up for a Legacy exchange with the theme "Sampler Houses".  I also decided to pull out some other charts that I haven't thought about in a while.  So now I don't need to buy anything new!  Maybe this is what I need to do every time I feel the urge to buy something new.  I have plenty already that I could easily work on.  I pulled out a variety of things--summer charts, Fourth of July charts, accessories, even a Halloween chart!  Maybe I will see what the easiest thing to kit up is and buy some floss for it (I think I might have some fabric for a few of them).  It is sort of like being on a diet, but allowing myself a few chocolate kisses!! 

Sweete Bags Everywhere

I have mentioned before a couple of books that I bought some time back (they are listed on my sidebar towards the bottom), on Elizabethan cross stitch and embroidery.  Yesterday when I pulled out my magazines, these books where in the pile, and I pulled them out as well.  In a past JCS issue, I mentioned that there was a nice sweete bag (though the design wasn't really my style).  Both of these books have sweete bag designs that are great.  This photo comes from the Elizabethan Cross Stitch book.  While I don't use Aida fabric, they could easily be stitched on a different linen.  I really like the designs--especially the one on black.  The little fobs are nice, too!

This Tudor box is also from the same book.  I really like these sorts of designs.  This one reminds me of Liz Turner Diehl.  I have some of her charts, but I have never stitched her.  I think I have a cool pincushion chart, and now I am going to have to look for it.  I have really been into smaller designs lately (not that I finish them any faster than the big ones-LOL!).  This looks like a simple design to stitch.  I know Liz's are filled with specialty stitches, but they are gorgeous!

Isn't this one lovely? I don't know if I am skilled enough to try something like this.  Maybe eventually.  This one is from Embroidered Bags & Purses.  I have to say this is an excellent reference book.  Not only does it give great diagrams for stitches like picots, but it also discusses the assembly of various bags. 

Another gorgeous bag!!  This one even has little berries on the ends of the strings!  Another one I would love to try.  The diagrams are great in terms of stitching and assembly, but I have never worked on plain fabric such as this.  Something to work towards, anyway!

An Overlooked Source

Sometimes I tend to forget what a great source of information and possible projects I have in my magazine stash!  I have a pretty good collection now.  I would like to fill in the missing issues for Fine Lines and Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly especially.  Since I have not been ordering many new things (though I fell off the wagon earlier today...), I was thinking I should look through my old magazines and maybe find some exciting new project there.  There are also loads of ideas and instructions for finishing in the magazines.  As I was flipping through an old JCS, I even found a great way to finish a treat bag.  While the design did not particularly appeal to me, I can always stitch something else and use the finishing instructions. I feel like just sitting back now and looking through the magazines.  The only bad thing--I may or may not have floss and fabric in my stash--so I end up buying something anyway!

As for falling off the wagon...I have now seen several stitchers finished Atelier de Brodeuse projects (by Au Fil des Reves).  I have caved in and ordered a kit from Criss Cross Row.  The nice things is it will have all the supplies and the chart.  It is stitched on 40 count linen, which I really like, so I am greatly looking forward to this.  I also ordered by this same designer a needlebook and fob kit from Attic Needlework.  Once again it is a full kit and even includes the scissors.  It is the companion kit to the Bourse Maison de Brodeuse.  I will start with the needlebook, and maybe later make the bag.  Actually I will be putting the bag on my Christmas list and hope someone in my family will buy it for me.  The only bad thing--Attic Needlework is out of the needlebook kit, but I have ordered it and they will send it when it arrives.  It could take up to a month, but I suppose in the long run at least I won't get my Atelier kit at the same time (and both charges at once!!!).  Now to stitch or browse through a stack of needlework magazines...

Life Interrupts Stitching...Blah

For the second day in a row now my bathroom shower has been disassembled...we were having problems with the water pressure, so my husband has taken it all apart and been replacing various parts.  It has not been terribly pleasant.  I have been a bit of a gopher, and cleaner-upper.  I much rather prefer stitching!  Maybe tomorrow!

Karen over at Stitch One, Knit Too has mentioned the possibility of an ornament exchange a bit later amongst bloggers.  Take a look over there if you are interested!!  She is just seeing if there would be enough interest at this point.  I think it would be fun--a nice way to get to know other stitchers.  By the way, Drema at Needlecraft Corner has posted the cover of the 2005 Just Cross Stitch Christmas Ornament Issue.  Looks good.  September seems ages off, but of course time flies by, so I guess it isn't such a bad idea to think ahead. 

Slowly but Surely...

I am making progress on my This Too Shall Pass scissor case.  The entire border is stitched in smyrnas, which I enjoy stitching.  It is very relaxing to get this out and add to it.  Also the little motifs seem to stitch up fairly quickly.  As always it is just a matter of finding time to work on it.  When I have completed it (and that includes the actual finishing), I have promised myself I can order This Too Shall Pass II!  That is a nice little incentive to get going on it.  Since I have put myself on a budget I feel like I have nothing terribly exciting to share on my blog.  At least I can see all the lovely new purchases other stitchers have been making (watching their blogs!). I am waiting to see pictures of the new releases from the Columbus Market.  It doesn't sound as though there will be a ton of new stuff, but I am sure I will find a chart or two that I want!  Yet more to add to my wish list!

A Little More Progress

I have made a wee bit more progress on my Indigo Rose class.  I have added the long arm cross stitches, and I started on the spider web stitches.  I have done this one before, but it was woven differently.  I wanted to stitch tonight and perhaps get the rest of those stitches in, but the evening has slipped away, so it will have to wait until tomorrow.  We received the next set of instructions. I have only printed them out, but I have not had a chance to look through them.  I have to say that the designer, Catherine, is very nice.  I have had some problems and questions, and she always gets back to me and helps out!  I know that Elegant Stitch is supposed to be adding some more classes, and I will not hesitate to take another one from her!

Today after work I hit the bookstore and picked up the June issue of Just Cross Stitch.  They carry a few different stitching magazines, but none of them really appeal to me like Samplers and Antique Needlework Quarterly, which is my favorite.  I also like Fine Lines, but I am not sure what is happening with that one.  I used to subscribe to JCS, but I usually don't find many things in it that I want to stitch, so I just buy it off the newsstand when it looks appealing.  I had thought I read something about a Quaker design in this magazine, but maybe the next one is already out, and it is the subscribers who have shared that news.  I don't think I saw any Quaker designs in this issue.  I am in the mood to look through my back issues of the needlework magazines I have.  I tend to find "new" things that way.  Alas, it will have to wait until tomorrow--I think it is time to hit the sack!

My Goal List Revisited

Since it is already half way through 2005, I thought now would be a good time to look at my goal list and see what I have accomplished so far.  In terms of finished projects--there isn't much really.  I finished three projects for exchanges (a Valentine's Day mailart, a Valentine's Day cushion, and a Friendship themed cushion), The Little Bunny by Bent Creek, and Peace by BOAF, which was actually a UFO for a very long time!!  Pretty slim pickings for finished work, I'm afraid!

As for my WIPs: 

Historic Stitches: more than half way finished (just have to stitch the house in the middle and the bottom left side motifs)--I plan on finishing this one sooner rather than later.  CHS: Houses of Hawk Run Hollows--I want to stitch at least six of the squares.  That will be half the chart.  I have not stitched on this one for ages, however.  CHS: Dainty Housewren--I should be able to finish this one soon--it is just a matter of getting time to work on it!  Blackbird Designs: Greetings--haven't done anything on this one in ages, but it is a Christmas design, and I have not been in the mood!  Needle's Content: Another one that I have not had time to work on.  I am not sure what I will be able to finish on this one by the end of the year.  I have a feeling I won't finish it, though.  LHN: The Bookshelf--barely started this one, but I hope to work on it more once I finish John Foster.  The other two projects are in my current rotation (as well as John Foster)--This Too Shall Pass, and IR: Catherine's Arm Chair Pincushion.  I want to definitely finish both of these and do all the sewing on them as well! 

I am not sure really that I have made all that much progress.  I have sort of fizzled on some of my earlier projects, but I hope to get a few things completed.  As for my monthly projects I have let my Chatelaine Mystery Sampler I fall by the wayside.  I am still working on May  for my BC Snappers!

At this point I am not sure if I will start anything new.  I have a list of six charts that I had wanted to stitch in addition to all this.  I may only start a new BOAF project at this point.  I do plan on hopefully stitching and finishing a couple more accessories this year, though (JN And Many More needle case, and a needleroll and possibly the Hillside Samplings Strawberry project).  I have some freebies that I have ready to go, waiting for some free time.  And I have a couple more exchanges later in the summer/fall. 

It always amazes me how some stitchers can complete as many projects as they do, and many times these a *large* projects!!  How do they do it?  I guess that instead of being online I should be stitching, eh!!

I will have to take another look at my goal list in a few more months--I hope I will have progressed considerably!! 

Bullions--UGH!

Here is an updated photo of my Indigo Rose pincushion.  All my cross stitches are finished, and I think this part looks lovely.  The overdyed floss in the middle is very nice, I think.  Once it is finished I think it is going to be very pretty indeed.  I think I will try and get some of the specialty stitches finished tonight if I can actually get to stitch a little.

However....bullions--ugh!!  Can you see them at all on the scan?  It is probably better if you can't as most of them are very unattractive.  Give me any other stitch, but not these looped bullions!!  Anyone else taking this class and having a hard time with them??  I practiced for for quite a while last night, which is why I didn't get more stitched.  Catherine said it takes a good three tries to get the tension right.  I think in my case it might be more like 30 tries!!  First I had trouble pulling the thread all the way through.  Now I am not able to get the tension the same for all the loops.  Yes, I know...practice, practice!  Of course maybe she meant it takes three tries to do the entire stitch, which involves eight loops!!  (Then my 30 attempts wouldn't be so far off!!).  Any tips, hints, good ways to vent frustration would be happily accepted!!  :)

Next on the Agenda

I realize I have a full plate when it comes to stitching projects, and the last thing I even need to think about is starting any new project, but  alas I have the next one picked out.  I have made a needleroll before as a gift, but now I want to make one for myself.  I have a few different kits, and several charts, but as the Fourth of July is just around the corner, I decided on this Shepherds Bush needleroll--Long May She Wave.  I have already told myself I absolutely can't start anything new until I have one of my other smaller charts all finished, but there is nothing wrong with planning ahead!  Although I am not overly fond of all SB designs, there are some that I think are gorgeous.  I really like their heart designs, and all the needleroll ones as well.  I should go and get stitching on something, but it has been a really long week and I am bushed.  I am not sure if I can even read for a while before hitting the pillow.  I hope to get in some serious stitching tomorrow ("hoping" being the operative word!).   And has everyone seen that as of late this afternoon the Legacy board seemed to be up and running?  I think all the messages had been lost however!  I hope they are able to restore everything.  It would be a pity to lose all that information!