The Peacock's Feather

April/May Goals

Since it is the last day of the month, it is time to see how I fared with my April goals and set some for next month.

1. Stitch PS-"April" and finish as a pillow Still working on this one!
2. Finish JN-"Winter in the Square" Yay, finished this one finally!
3. Finish the two gifts that need to be mailed out this month Nope
4. Start working on an eight corner pillow for SBEBB exchange (this one doesn't have to be mailed until May!) Yes, I am working on this one.
5. Work on "Queen Bee"!!! -this is the companion piece to "My (unfinished) Beekeeper"-class starts May 9 on this one I fizzled on this one, I wonder if I can possibly get it ready now?
6. Try to work on HoHRH (finish square #2 or anything else!) I did put in a few stitches at least on this one.
7. Stitch at least one hour on Mystery IX (preferably at least one hour a week) This one is relegated to the UFO bin at the moment--a bit of a relief actually.
8. Kit up Merry Cox's "Shaker Spool Holder" and/or "Her Needles Safely Kept" for SAL - YAY Yes, this is ready to go!
9. Start something new (I have mentioned BOAF "Spring" and CHS "Tombstone Angel" or With my Needle's "Petite Carnet d'Ouvrages" - these are the likely candidates) Started Beardie Designs: Elegant Accessories, BOAF: Schoolgirls Wish, and Toile Bourse

Now for April:

1. Start Merry Cox SAL--work on it each week and share progress photos
2. Finish PS: April (pillow) and May (pinkeep?)
3. Finish and mail (by May 15th) eight corner pillow!!
4. Finish and mail gift for Patry and start/finish and mail gift for Juli!!
5. Finish and mail gift for Catherine!!
6. Work on HoHRH (still trying to finish house #2!)
7. Queen Bee (not sure about this one--the online class is 5/9!)
8. Continue working on Elegant Accessories

I think I will primarily be working on gifts this month and my Merry Cox SAL.  I would also love to get caught up again with my Prairie Schooler ornaments!  May is going to be a very busy month!

Elegant Accessory Update

Here is a (slightly crooked--sorry) update of my Beardie Designs "Elegant Accessories" needlcase.  I have most of the back stitched (still need to add the rest of the smyrnas in the border), and am now working on the front.  I am really enjoying stitching this.  I tend to always want to pick this one up, but this weekend I need to concentrate on my exchange project.  I have decided that it is probably best to keep working on what I already started in terms of the biscornu exchange.  I still have a few rows to stitch, so I think it will turn out larger than I think.  It is silly to pull out more supplies and start all over again! 

I found out that there is a small needlework store here in town.  There used to be a store not far from my home (not very large, but they had overdyed floss and some different charts, etc).  Unfortunately she closed (I found out one day as I went to shop there and the place was empty).  I have since discovered that she moved into a store a few storefronts down from her--a mystery bookstore.  Both ladies are friends and stitchers.  Yesterday I called the bookstore to see if what I had heard was true.  As it turns out the lady who owned the needlework store has (very sadly) passed away.  But the bookstore owner is still selling her stock.  I am not entirely sure what this means.  I want to stop by there today, but I am not sure I can fit it in with my other errands.  I would just be happy to find a place I can get small things to put in with gifts.  It gets expensive when I have to keep ordering even small items as it costs to pay postage.  Plus it is nice to look myself and choose colors or charts.  Fingers crossed there will be a nice (even if small) selection!

Always Indecision

I do this every time I sign up for an exchange or decide to stitch a gift for someone:  I choose a design, start stitching, then change my mind.  I start worrying that the recpient will not like what I chose, or that it is too small or too plain, or whatever.  Like clockwork, I am doing exactly the same thing again.  I am in a Biscornu exchange (which I am moderating even!!), and I am half way through with my stitching, and I have decided that it is going to be too small.  It will measure about 3".  So I pulled out my stash bin to see if there was something else that might work better.  More indecision!  If I did choose something else I can use the half finished design as a gift, so it is not a waste of stitching time.  The mailing date is just around the corner, so I better decide!  Ugh.  Why do I do this??!!

Needlework Catalogs!

Since I have no local needlework shop, and can only buy very limited stitching supplies at craft stores, I am always very happy when I get a stitching catalog in the mail!  Of course you can see many things online, but it is nice to have something to browse through and be able to read descriptions of the various designs for sale.  I just received the newest Keepsake Needlearts Summer 2006 catalog.  They have a wide variety of charts and kits.  Although they don't sell any linen or floss (except for some special floss assortments), they do have quite a few different stitching accessories.  This Needlework Garden Thread-Pallet Case particularly caught my eye!  And there were a few other little goodies I will have to add to my wishlist as well.  My other favorite mail order catalogs are from the  Nordic Needle , The Scarlet Letter and The Essamplaire.  I even save most of these catalogs--you never know when you might need to refer back to something or find a design.  Am I missing any other good stitchery catalogs?

Slow Progress

For some reason I cannot motivate myself sufficiently to finish my little "April" bunny!   I think he is very cute, but I usually don't feel like picking him up and working on him, maybe since Easter is over and all my decorations are put away.  There is not much left to stitch (not much to begin with really, which is why these little projects are meant to be easy).  I might be able to complete the stitching by May 1, but I don't think I will get the finishing on it done before then.  I want to find some pretty floral fabric.  I would like to make a little trip to a local quilt shop, which has the lovliest fabrics.  The ladies there are always really helpful in selecting good fabrics.  I also need to pull out a very old (stitched several years ago) Bent Creek Fourth of July Zipper that I want to finish as a pillow as well.  As a matter of fact it might be a good idea to take a peek at my bin with finished (as in finished with the stitching only) projects and see what I can get out of there and displayed.  Am I the only one who also procrastinates on finishing/taking projects to the framer?  Well, tonight I must work on my little bunny.  Hopefully I can share my completed "April" soon!  "May" is a floral basket.  Honestly I think it is not the most exciting design (if you click on the box in my sidebar with the photo of the biscornu cushion there is a photo of the chart--you can see the "May" design).  I will have to think how I can jazz it up--maybe colored fabric or finished in a special way? 

A Birthday Needleeroll

I stitched this Shepherds Bush needleroll (Stitcher's Roll) for a friend's birthday.  Since she has received it, I can share a photo here.  This is what has put me in the needleroll mood as of late.  I have not started a new one (for me) yet, though.  I need to make some progress on other WIPs first.  These are always enjoyable to make and fairly easy to finish, too!  I have several possible designs just waiting in my little projects bin though! 

I was excited to get The Silver Needle's latest email newsletter.  It looks as though they are going to offer an exclusive Just Nan class!  I took at peek at plane and bus fares thinking I might be able to attend, but I think it is not going to fit into my budget (if only they were a tad bit closer).  However, I was pleased to see that they are offering this as a mail order project as well.  There is not yet a photo posted, but the description they gave is:

"Now the project details... The little Queen of The Needle Sampler Case is darling!!! Stitched with solid and overdyed silks on the newest 28ct Rose and Cream Gingham Riviera Linen by Graziano (that hasn't even made it into the US as of this letter's release!) your Sampler Case features the coordinating pink solid linen on the inside. A tri-fold case... it opens to reveal a padded pin cushion, a tiny spot for inspiration (a little photograph, perhaps?), places to park needles and pins, a place for your Sampler Square that helps you measure when beginning projects, and pockets for threaders and scissors! Lots of pretty bluebirds, ladybugs, flowers, and rabbits... all Nan's delightfully charming motifs... this is loaded with special stitches, some bits of pearly beads, and features an original verse by Nan that HAS to bring a smile to any stitcher's face!"

In my little kingdom
of stitches that cross
I am queen of the needle
and boss of the floss!

I think I may have to break down and ask that my name be added to the list.  I have always liked JN designs, and I especially like her little accessories.  Must ponder this one.

Also, the new Sampler and Needlework Quarterly arrived in the mail today.  I need to really sit down with it and take a good look at it.  There are quite a few articles, and a few charts.  I wish they offered a few more charts, but I should just be happy this magazine is available!  I think the design I am most interested in is the "Lacis Pinkeep".  I wonder if I could possibly make something like this?  It looks like there is a fair amount of cutwork, which makes it look like lace.  The original was made by an eleven-year-old girl!  I should be able to do something like that as well, you would think!  First things first--must concentrate on my "Shaker Spool Holder"!!  Whenever I get a new issue of SANQ, I always feel like pulling out all my back issues of this as well as Fine Lines.  I easily manage to find some project that I wouldn't have considered a year ago.  My finishing skills are still pretty simple, but as I go I feel more daring to try new things at least!

This & That

 

I have officially (temporarily?) retired Mystery IX.  I did some shuffling of my WIPs--or at least on paper I did.  I hate to admit--but I have my list of WIPs and various projects all typed out to help me keep track of what is started, what is a UFO, when my exchanges are due--you get the idea.  My paper is much blanker now as I am just concentrating on my WIPs that I am actually stitching on.  I had also previously listed charts that I want to stitch, but I took them off as it was too much of a distraction.  Now that I have put aside MIX, I actually feel a relief.  Every time I would look at it sitting by my bed I would feel guilty!  I know that is silly, but no more guilt!  Instead I am going to concentrate on "Houses of Hawk Run Hollow" (I did manage to put in a few stitches yesterday).  I also have "Sarah Tatum" waiting, but my first priority will be HoHRH.  This is my "official" large project.  Otherwise I will rotate my smaller ones, which at the moment consist of my "Elegant Accessories", "Schoolgirls Wish Sampler", the Toile Bourse kit and my monthly Prarie Schooler ornaments from the "Prairie Year" chart (still working on April).  Perhaps this will make my smaller monthly goals more manageable as well!

Merry Cox SAL

Just a little note that a group of us will be beginning a Merry Cox SAL this weekend/May 1.  Hopefully we will be posting once a week or so with our progress, so you can see how we are coming along.  Most will be working on the "Shaker Spool Holder", but some have chosen to stitch "Her Needles Safely Kept".  SAL-ers are: Ana, Cindy, Joanie, Laurie, Natalie, Nicki, Stef, Thomasina, Tracy and me.  Please let me know if I left anyone out.  Also I emailed (hopefully) everyone, so if there are any problems or questions an email can be sent out to the group. I hope everyone has their materials and is looking forward to this as much as I am!

Large Projects V. Small

The nice thing about small projects is the progress you make, no matter how small, is much more apparent than on something larger.  Lately I am not sure what my problem is, but I cannot seem to make myself pick up my larger projects and work on them.  It had been one of my big goals this year to work on larger projects. 

My one really big project was supposed to be Mystery IX-The King's Vegetable Garden.  I am now so far behind I cannot even hope to catch up.  I am considering just working on the little tryout and finishing that, and tucking away the actual project for later.  I will just print out the charts each month.  I really love Martina's designs, but I am not sure I am entirely in love with this particular design.  No doubt once I see it all stitched up it will be gorgeous, though.  Needless to say, no more mystery designs for me, since I now have several kitted up and not a single one done!  The upfront cost is just too much when I can't seem to keep up with the monthly installments or complete them even after the mystery is long over with!

Perhaps my problem is just that I am just not excited about this particular large project anymore.  Maybe I need to look at my goal list and try some other design from it.  Or is this just me rationalizing so I can start yet another new project?!  The sensible thing would be to get back to "The Houses of Hawk Run Hollow".  I know that I love this design, and there is nothing stopping me working on it.  The other large project that I had planned on stitching this year is "Sarah Tatum", which is also all kitted up.  Some of the other designs on the list were Drawn Thread's "Toccata I", which is really not too terribly large, or one of Just Nan's samplers, or Victoria Sampler's "Heirloom Homecoming" (only the Hardanger that is used on this one does scare me a bit!).  Since I have limited stitching time, I guess I need to choose something that I don't feel is a chore to stitch on. 

Until I decide what I will do, I have my lovely little projects to stitch on.  I have been working a bit this weekend on Beardie Designs "Elegant Accessories".  I am nearly finished with the backside of the needlecase.  The set also has a small fob, a pincushion, and a scissor case.  I plan on stitching everything first and will perhaps take a day off of work to do the finishing all at once.  It is nice to see the small progress I can make on this one in my limited stitching time!

April Stash

Here is my April stash aquisitions that came in the mail today.  Actually I ordered this before I decided to try very hard to not use the credit card, so it is a larger stash haul than I would normally order.  I am trying to keep it to $30 a month, which means really planning and deciding what I really, really have to have!  I went over my alloted amount, so nothing more until May (unless of course I can pay cash for it!).  I finally have my floss for the "Spring" Birds of a Feather chart that I have had for a little while.  Of course I couldn't wait for this floss and I started something different by BOAF ("Schoolgirls Wish Sampler").  I also ordered the new Shepherds Bush sheep kit, "Hunt".  I have been collecting them, but I have only stitched one so far.  Any of these would be excellent things to pull out to work on to stave off any new stash hunger pains!  After seeing Siobhan's wonderful finish, I had to have Blackbird Design's "Strawberry Garden".  Actually I am happy to have ordered this as I heard that it had to be reprinted as the first lot sold out, and when this next batch is gone they won't be printing any more.  I also bought their "Quaker Garden" as well.  It really caught my eye!  Now I will have to think about what I will order in May...perhaps kit up one of the new Blackbird Designs charts?  Or the JCS scissor case that I posted about yesterday--I am not sure if I have any of the supplies as it doesn't call for DMC.  I will put it all in my notebook and decide when the time comes closer.  Until then I still have my new projects, plus some gifts to finish up--plenty to keep me busy and stop any thinking about new stash anyway!

New Books

I know this Jo Packham book, Where Women Create: Inspiring Work Spaces of Extraordinary Women, isn't new to many people now, but I finally broke down and ordered it from a local bookstore.  I had a gift card to use, and I picked it up today after work.  I absolutely love this book!  If you have seen this, can you imagine working/living in such a beautiful environment as any of these women do?  I could be quite happy in these spaces, that is for certain.   I am looking forward to spending more time reading it this weekend.  Maybe there will be small ideas I can incorporate into my stitching area.  Unfortunately none of the ladies in the book is a needleworker, though I think there is one quilter's studio in it.  This is definitely a wonderful book to add to my collection.

The June issue of Just Cross Stitch was also for sale, and I had heard there were some good designs in this issue.  I don't normally buy this magazine anymore, but I do admit there are a couple of impressive designs this time around.  There is an article on Canadian Cathy Jean, whose designs you can see on the Victoria Sampler website.  I have always liked her designs, but I have not stitched any of them.  I am glad to have the design in this issue.   It is a little folk art hummingbird.  I am also really excited to have the "Summer Bow-quet Scissor Case" design by Keepsake Stitches.  Now if they had more designs like this in the magazine I would start subscribing again!  I would love to stitch this and I plan on looking through my stash to see what I have on hand.  The case opens up and folds out to reveal a place to keep a pair of scissors--very ingeniously done.