The Peacock's Feather

One Accessory Down...

I was hoping for better lighting when I took this photo, but the sun was already down (I am trying to take my photos outside now with more natural light), so it is a tad on the dark side.  I have completed stitching on the needlecase part of this design.  It looks much nicer than it appears in the photo.  I have started on the little fob, but as I haven't gotten much stitched I just took a photo of the needlecase.  I really like this design.  I also have the chart for the Elegant Pocket, so perhaps when I complete these I will stitch that as well.  I am being awfully optimistic, aren't I?  Planning for when I finish these!  I do have to say, though, I have not gotten bored or frustrated with this design.  As a matter of fact I have spent a few stitching sessions working on this when I should have been working on gifts.  So this weekend is an all out "finish Catherine's gift" weekend!  What is everyone else stitching on?  And are you looking forward to seeing the new market designs as much as I am?

Another Garden Glove

For lack of anything more exciting to share with you today, I am going to cheat and post this photo of a gift I made.  I mailed this out over two weeks ago to a friend in Canada, but as far as I know it has not yet arrived.  The design is from the "Garden Gloves" chart by Prairie Schooler.  I love bees and beehives, so I loved stitching and finishing this!  I have tried to wait to share, but I can't hold off any longer--LOL.  I am not sure if any of the ladies from the Yahoo Group I belong to (where I am part of a birthday exchange) visit my blog, so I will take the chance she won't see it.  I was quite pleased with how this one turned out and I want to stitch it for myself eventually as well!

Another One Saved from the Bin

It was not too hard to convince me, when Patti suggested I pull out my "Dainty Housewren" by Carriage House Samplings to try and finally finish it as she will be working on this soon as well.  Perhaps she can help me stay motivated to actually complete it.  I am very close to being done.  The last time I pulled it out of the UFO bin, I stitched quite a bit of the wording on the bottom, but then I noticed a mistake that had to come out and had to frog quite a bit of my work.  I guess that put me off, so it ended up back in the UFO bin.  It is time to pull her out, though.  I hope to start working on her again very soon.  I am nearly finished stitching my friend, Catherine's, gift.  After that I will have more time to devote to my own projects. 

And what do you think of these Punch Needle designs by Buttermilk Basin?  I love the little sheep and the rug that lays over his back.  I am not sure this is the best place to start for someone who has never attempted this before, but I love these designs.  And this would be a great way to display them.   Looking at her website, it seems like most of her designs are for primitive stitchery (something else I want to try...).  The Silver Needle has this page of punch needle designs and supplies.  I better go study my book to see where to start all this!  And have I mentioned that I am in the mood to work on my penny rugs/wool designs?  Like I always say...if I just had a bit more free time. 

Punchneedle or Emboidery Anyone?

Today I went to the library in search of books on embroidery.  No need to worry--I am not planning on stopping cross stitching.  But I do admit that I have been watching Vero's progress on her "Rose Cottage" project and  am absolutely entranced by her lovely work!  I am not sure I could even do that type of freehand style embroidery (and all those french knots!), but I was hoping to find a book that at least had something similar.  Alas, I found many books on embroidery, but nothing in that class!  All the books seemed quite dated and not at all in the style that I would be interested in attempting.  Does anyone know where you can find books or magazines (or do they sell charts?) that are as elegant as you see on Vero's blog?   I have a feeling that she has gotten her projects from somewhere in France or possibly Australia.  I hope to go to the bookstore this weekend, so I will be able to at least look at magazines.  I know they carry a few foreign needlework ones.

I did come away with this book on punchneedle.  Is there anyone who does punchneedle?  This is something I have thought of attempting on and off for some time now.  Although I don't really care for the designs in this book, it looks like it gives good instructions on how to do it and the materials you need to have.  I know there are several (maybe more than I think) cross stitch designers who are also releasing punchneedle charts, plus there are always patterns in Create and Decorate magazine.  I think I can easily buy the hook (or whatever you call the "needle" that is used) from Nordic Needle.  It is just a matter of pricing out how much it would cost and then choosing one design to try.  I suspect that I will always prefer cross stitch to other types of needlework, but it can be fun to try other techniques as well. 

Happy Alternatives!

As much as I might like the new Just Nan, "Queen of the Needle" (despite not being overly fond of the linen choice), realistically the decision over ordering it or not has been made for me.  It took one look at my credit card statement, and nope, I won't be ordering it.  Also I only felt so-so about it.  Had I really been in love with the design, I would have found the money somehow.  Thanks for the helpful comments, by the way!  So, when faced with a disappointment such as this, what does every stitcher worth her (or his) salt do?  I turned to my stash and found some gorgeous (already paid for and kitted up) designs with would make excellent substitutions.  I have Just Nan's "And Many More" scissor case (which is a companion piece to "Twenty Flowers" that I already stitched) as well as "Octagonal Peacock".  Both designs I have wanted to stitch--especially the peacock design.  I am not sure why I have been waiting (too many other projects started, I guess, and just haven't gotten around to these).  They are both kitted up, and I have the finishing kits, so really there is no need to order anything else new!!

Today in my wanderings I was inspired by Merumo's recent Blackbird Designs projects!  I love this designer and have several of her (or are there two designers?)/their designs.  Of course, once again I have to look at what I have kitted up rather than loose charts.  I could of course pull out my UFO bin as well as my kitted up projects.  I have a Christmas design of a Poinsettia flower started, but honestly I am not much in the mood for Christmas designs.  I took a quick peek at my stash bin and found, "Union Jack" and "Stars and Stripes" all kitted up.  I guess everything else is just the chart and not the supplies as well.  These two are ready to go and they would be just in time for the Fourth of July as well.  I will have to ponder whether or not it is a good idea to start anything else new...

A little update on my current stitching--I have been working on the gift for a friend that I had hoped to already put in the mail.  I am nearly finished with the front.  I will have the back to work on next, but it is not as much stitching.  Actually this is a fairly small project, but I can't seem to stitch it fast for some reason!  It will be finished as a fob--I don't think I will be giving anything away by sharing that.  I also received the linen cut and four floss colors in the mail for the design I am stitching for my friend, Jodi.  Her birthday is just under a month away.  I will be starting that this week as well.  I hope I will eventually have something to share that I have been stitching on for myself.  Somehow I don't think you want to see an additional row of stitches on things, but I will keep you posted!

One last note.  I tried to leave comments on "Blogger" blogs today, but I had some problems.  I ended up just reading/lurking as every time I tried to comment Blogger seemed to eat what I wrote.  I became too frustrated, so I stopped trying.  It must have been having a bad Monday!  I will try again later!  Until then I will content myself with just looking and reading!

Temptations!

Should I, or shouldn't I.  That is the question!  I received Just Nan's newsletter with an announcement for The Silver Needle's upcoming class recently.  I can't quite decide how tempted I am to order this.  I can't make the class, but I think that if you email The Silver Needle they will have kits to sell after the fact (if I read correctly).  I do like the design, but I am not entirely sold on the linen choice.  I have never used this type before, but I suppose the design might not be as cute on a different kind of linen.  This would be a major splurge and I am not sure if I can afford it.  Must think on this one!  Is anyone else giving in to the temptation on this one?

One UFO Finished!

One down.  How many to finish?  Let's not count until the list gets smaller!  I finished the Victoria Sampler freebie "Serena" from her angel series.  I have to say I was sort of disgusted stitching on this at points as I kept making little mistakes.  Some I left as they are and some I corrected.  Of course, now that she is done, I rather like her.  I am still undecided as to how exactly I am going to finish her.  I like the idea of a "stand-up", but I have never attempted that before and I am not sure how they are made.  I thought possibly as a little needleroll, but I think she would be better displayed flat.  She is not too large--only about 2-1/2" x 3-1/2".  I suspect I will finish her as shown on the VS website--as an ornament.  I will have to practice making the rounded top (with a squared off bottom).  I won't get the finishing done on her this weekend, but at least the stitching is done.  On to the next one.  I chose a UFO that was practically finished--they will not all be this quick, but this is a start!

A New Essy!

Today as I was popping into other stitcher's blogs, I was feeling a little jealous of all the new stash others seem to be acquiring lately.  I have actually been pretty good of late and not really bought any new supplies, but I have stayed on Elegant Stitch's automatic program for the Essy's Friends designs.  I figure it is a nice little splurge and the money goes to a good cause.  Also I think it will be impossible to get these little designs otherwise, as they seem to sell out right as they are released.  The June design is by Indigo Rose called "Rose of Hope".  It is finished as a little scissor holder--a very sweet little design.  Of course it goes without saying that I am completely behind in stitching these, but I will get to them all eventually.  So, I received a little surprise in the mail today after I was feeling sorry for myself earlier!

Here is another updated photo of my Beardie Designs "Elegant Accessories".  It is coming along nicely, even if I am going slowly!  I am nearly finished stitching the needlecase.  The fob and pincushion designs will go fairly quickly, I think. Then it will just be the front and back of the scissor case.  Some pieces will be easy to finish, but others will be a challenge.  I may have to post on one of the bulletin boards, unless someone has some really helpful instructions for finishing the needlecase.  Has anyone finished this (or one of her other sets?) already?  I have never made a needlecase, so that is what I am most worried about!  I am very much in the mood to stitch this weekend, as I didn't stitch hardly at all last weekend!  I hope everyone gets in some good stitching hours as well! 

Saved from the UFO bin?

Since I am trying to be very serious about my goal list, I went into my UFO bin and pulled out the ones I thought I might actually be able to either finish or make progress on.  The first to come back out is this Victoria Sampler freebie.  It is one from the angel series called, "Serena".  I don't know why I have not been able to finish the stitching on her.  I just completely lost interest, but really I am so close to completing it.  I think it is all that Bargello satin stitching.  I think I made a mistake somewere, but I plan on leaving it and fudging the last rows.  She was finished as an ornament on the website.  I am not sure how I will display her.  I am afraid of the finishing as the top is shown rounded!  First, though, to finish her!

I have also pulled out one of the older monthly  charts by Shepherds Bush.  It is for the month of June (fitting!).  You would think this would be a fast design to stitch up.  I started it last year and then abondoned it after the summer.  I also have  (though not started) charts for July and February!  I am thinking this would look good as a pillow. 

Finally I am not sure if this can even be considered a UFO, since I have very little even stitched on it.   I thought this Prairie Schooler design, "E for Embroidery" would be a nice change--almost like starting a new design (without actually doing so).  I have lots of projects in my UFO bins like this.  As I said I am always gung ho to begin new projects, but I get easily distracted by new charts!  Hopefully I will get back on track as I have not been even looking at new designs!  There are too many in my stash and UFO bin that I need to concentrate on first!

I hope to show progress photos of these this month!  I think I will try and rotate them along with my  gift/obligation stitching.  And hopefully there will be a couple little finishes in the group this month as well!  Also this month I hope to reorganize my Picturetrail albums as well!  Another busy month!