The Peacock's Feather

More Toccata!

Not a lot more, but a few more motifs on my Toccata!  I had a hard time getting a close up picture, so this will have to do for the time being.  I still need some tips on photographing needlework if anyone has any to offer!  I love seeing close-ups of other's stitching.  I am not sure if my camera is simply not sophisticated enough or the photographer (Me!) isn't!  I had high hopes that I would be able to stitch a motif a night, but it appears it is going to be more along the lines of a few a week--for the time being anyway.  Hopefully I will get a momentum going and not want to set my needle down!  This is definitely not a boring design to stitch, though.  I really like learning new stitches and I think I will be able to try out a variety on this one!  Maybe I can even get in one or two motifs tonight still...

Market Goodies

Market is in just over a week now.  I am hoping that there won't be too many things I can't live without, but if I see a lot of designs like this one (which I spotted at Needlecraft Corner), I am going to be in big trouble.  I have actually not really done a lot of looking for new designs lately--trying to avoid temptation.  I did however decide not to order anything at the moment (though I really want to kit up a few things...), as there are bound to be a some charts that I won't be able to pass up.  I am still interested in this dilly bag, and I see that Carriage House Samplings has started sharing photos of new designs.  I am also particularly interested in what Just Nan and Prairie Schooler comes out with!  There seem to be lots of new designers around these days, too, creating lovely little sets like this bag and chatelaine!  In reality of course I don't need any of this at all.  I am having a hard enough time just working on my stash.  But it is quite difficult not being drawn by these new designs, isn't it! 

Impossible to stitch...

Last night I watched the second half of the new Jane Eyre remake on Masterpiece Theater.  I had my stitching out and ready as I like to stitch while I watch movies, but I'm afraid stitching took a backseat to the movie last night.   It was a bit too rivetting to take my eyes off the screen--I didn't want to miss anythng.  It has been a while since I have read Jane Eyre, but this has prompted me to pull out my copy and give it a reread.  It is more enjoyable the second time around.  I loved the movie adaptation.  I have only seen one other (with Timothy Dalton), which I did not enjoy.   I have a feeling this will be one movie I will happily add to my DVD collection when it becomes available. 

I am going to try a new posting schedule for my stitching blog.  I admit I have been quite haphazard so far this year in posting, as I have been in my stitching.  I am going to try and update here daily during the week and take weekends off.  Last year by this time I had already finished several little projects and so far this year I have nothing much to show for my work.  Perhaps if I limit my weekend computer time I can stitch more. We'll see if I can stick to it. 

Thinking Small

The first of two new small projects--this is Of Female Worth's "Pin Keep Inn", which I started a few weeks ago.  I only have in a very few little stitches.  I love this little design and I love pinkeeps!  The chart says, "Let your pins rest in this cozy keep.  Snuggle them between the blanket stitches used to bind the edge.  Slip your stitching needles under the rhodes stitches."  The kit came with all the necessary supplies.  When finished it should measure about 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".  I love how the needles can be kept under the rhodes stitches that make up some of the bricks on the house.  It should be fairly easy to finish, too.  I really need some smaller projects to work with along with my bigger ones.  I have only finished one small project this year thus far.  I am not feeling like I am accomplishing much at all.  I think last year at this time I had several things already done and finished.   Where has my energy gone?

The second small project--I also dug out this Just Nan design that I started last year.  I didn't get very far--only about a row of stitches.  I didn't buy the frame, so I will have to think about how to finish this.  It also measures 2-3/4" x 2-3/4".  Of course being a Just Nan design there are lots of color changes.  Perhaps working on these will help me feel like I am actually completing something!  To be honest I am really in the mood to stitch a Prarie Schooler design.  I may have to see if there is something small I can work on.  I wouldn't mind making a little fob perhaps.  I wonder how one of those PS strawberry designs would look using Valentine's Day colors?  They are fairly simple and I have always wanted one for myself (I have made two and given them away).  I feel a bit like I am working in slow motion this year!! 

An Emerging Butterfly

Slowly but surely.  I am working on the little butterfly motif now.  Although I am stitching this in little fits and starts, I am really enjoying it.   Even though I am not yet even halfway through the stitching, I am already looking around at my walls considering where it would look best.  This is definitely one I will splurge on to get framed when I finish.   You should see my bin with finished (but not "finished") designs!  Not as big as my UFO bin, but it is getting sort of full. 

I am contemplating finally starting the finishing on my Just Nan, "Miss Kitty's Dragons", which I finished in the summer.  I have the finishing kit, and just need to sit down and make it into a needlecase.  I'm not thinking of those Prairie Schooler ornments.  But I am thinking of what small project to work on.  I need something small to tide me over while I work on my bigger projects!

How to say no?

I take it this is what everyone is talking about right now?  Even me, who doesn't look too  much on the internet (trying to stay away from temptations) at stitching things very often managed to spot this very cool chair.   I didn't see a price on the Cat's Whiskers website.  Dare I ask?  This is a new designer to me.  Where do they come up with such imaginative ideas?   I wonder how difficult the finishing is?

 

I am personally leaning towards this dilly bag a bit more with all these lovely little accessories.  I have been getting itchy fingers to order something new.  I have several charts sitting in a pile waiting for me to kit them up.  Maybe I better hold off until after Nashville and see what other goodies I can't live without!  I am particularly curious about anything new from Carriage House Samplings, Just Nan and Prairie Schooler!  And then I come across something like these....

Skin Tone?

I'm afraid there is not much new to see on "Miss Valentine" though I have managed a bit more stitching on it.  I am mostly unsure of the skin tone.  This is my first Mirabilia design.  I am wondering if the skin is not too pink.  I think this is not exactly the true color (the linen for example is more brown than grey), and the arm on the right side is actually a tad more pink!  Should I keep going?  Or should I substitute a nice DMC flesh tone for this pink?  It calls for Crescent Colors Bella Rosa.  I would look for the lighter lengths on the skein, but it doesn't get much lighter than this!  Has anyone stitched this one yet?  Did you stick with the called for color?  Are all these fairies stitched with the pink-ish floss for skin tone?  Of course the chart photo doesn't look overly pink, but then it is small and probably not true to life, either.  I hate these dilemmas.  Any ideas?

You have to start somewhere...

Toccata #1 is now in my WIP pile!  Since I really want #3, I thought it was finally time to get going on the first one, so I don't feel so guilty about buying yet another Toccata!  I have all of two border motifs done!  My goal is to just stitch one or two each weeknight and perhaps a few extra on the weekends.  This is my not so perfect scan of my work so far.  I am having problems loading photos from my digital camera to my computer.  I'm not sure if anyone knows what my problems is....when I plug the camera into my computer and it brings up the HP software to edit the photos I am getting an error message--something about the script not being right and do I still want to run it.  Whatever I say it will (slowly) load the photos and bring up the editing software.  However when I want to bring up the internet, it will not load.  I usually have to reboot my whole computer and sometimes even my DSL broadband box as well.  It is very frustrating and time consuming.  Until I can figure out how to fix it, I may simply have to rely on my scanner for update photos.  Sorry they are not the best, but you will at least get an idea! 

By the way, I have decided to kit up the Celle 1826 Sampler myself--many thanks for all the input.  Instead of asking for that kit, I plan on asking for Toccata #3 for my birthday.  I thought that really there is no rush to get it as I want to stitch the first two designs first anyway.  I think it will be cheaper for my family and they can order the kit from Elegant Stitch or Needlecraft Corner and I know they both sell the supplies at a fair and sometimes even discounted price.  It is just a matter of being patient and waiting!!  Now I am off to do another motif!

Why I haven't been stitching...

It's been a terrible week for me and stitching.  I have thought about it, but I just haven't done it.    I have spent several days this past week absorbed in Stephenie Meyer's New Moon, which is a sequel to Twilight.  These are young adult novels, but I know quite a few adults who have been drawn into the story.  The novels revolve around a high school student, Bella, who falls for a vampire, Edward.  Of course she doesn't know he is a vampire until it is too late, and has fallen hard.  These are not your typical vampire stories (the only other book I can remember reading is Bram Stoker's Dracula, and perhaps an early Anne Rice book).  Anyway, once you start reading them they are really hard to put down, so what would normally have been my stitching time I spent reading!  One more book is going to be released sometime this fall (I believe it is called Eclipse), so I am sure I will go through this yet again!  However I did finally finish the book, and will hopefully get back to stitching tonight.  I will probably work on "The Quaker Garden", though I should really pull out "Miss Valentine" to work on!!  I am also contemplating starting "Toccata I"!  Decision, decisions!

Should I....

My birthday is next month, and I am contemplating asking for this design--"Celle Sampler 1826.  The Needleworkshoppe is offering the full kit for $99.95.  I am wondering if that is about what it would cost to kit it up otherwise.  It comes with the chart, 32-ct. natural brown undyed linen, and cotton floss.  It measures 21" x 25".  I am not sure how many skeins of floss are included.  I hate to ask for it from my family and have them pay more than is necessary.  Of course the new Nordic Needle paper catalog came yesterday, which I have yet to browse through...maybe something from there? But I really want the Celle Sampler...