The Peacock's Feather

Miscellanea

This was meant to be a Merry Cox post, but unfortunately I can't seem to upload the photo!  Nataliejo has completed stitching on her "Shaker Spool Box"--Brava!!  She only needs to assemble it.  She sent a photo via email, but for some reason Typepad absolutely will no recognize it as a jpeg or gif!  I know it was saved as a jpeg, but I can't get it to load.  Aarrggh.  So please take my word--Nataliejo did an exceptional job stitching it!!  I will try to figure out a way to share a photo of it!  I have not worked on mine, so I can't share any progress photos of it (surprised?!--LOL).  So this post is going to be a bit of a mishmash.

Way back I signed up for  an Elegant Stitch class to round out my Queen Bee projects!  Yes, those projects that all sit half started!  I have another one to add to the pile!  I should not have signed up, I think, but I couldn't resist.  This one is also by Jackie du Plessis (It's Fine-ally Finished).  I am not sure when I am going to fit this one in, but you never know!  First things first--I will have to take a look at the instructions!  Anyone else signed up for this?  Anyone else also behind in stitching these pieces?  Anyone else actually finished stitching the first two sets?

I managed to finish the little fob for my friend, and it and the other little goodies I bought for her are in the mail as I type!!  Yahoo!  I still need to finish the other accessory.  But at least she has everything else and I don't feel like such a naughty person for being so late!

Since I worked on the gift over the weekend, today I pulled out "VoHRH"--yay--and added a few stitches to it.  I may work on it for a few days as a little break!  And now, I am off to walk on the treadmill---I can put it off no longer.  Ugh.  Too hot to walk....but sweating is good for you, right?!

Time for Bees....Maybe

Remember this design?  It was a class offered by Elegant Stitch.  Alas, it has come and gone (last online class this past week), and I am still stitching on it.  To be very honest, I am not stitching on it.  That is the problem.  It is just as well that I didn't know about the Brightneedle class sooner!  I tend to sign up for classes, start them, and then not finish them.  Am I the only person who does this?  I think I would do better in an actual classroom setting rather than attempting these online.  Part of the problem is I think I may not have left enough space at the top, and I am sort of afraid I may have to start over.  I only have stitched the head so far.  I have a long weekend coming up, and now the decision is what I will stitch on.  No new projects (though I have been thinking about starting a needleroll....), I think.  I know I need to finish the gift for my friend, Catherine.  But what else to work on?  I should finish the Prairie Schooler rabbit, but I am so not in the mood for him right now!  I also need to work on the Merry Cox "Spool Holder".  Sometimes there are just too many choices and then I have trouble making a decision!  I guess I feel a little overwhelmed looking at so many possibilities!  LOL.  Whatever I decide to work on, I will share with you tomorrow as I took an extra day off from work!  Anyone else have any exciting plans?  I actually have a "to do" list (which includes things like cleaning--yuck), but we'll see what I accomplish--stitching and otherwise!

The Queen Bee's Head

You learn something new every day...I just discovered the "macro" button on my digital camera.  You would think I would take the time to read the little instruction manual...I'm so excited, I feel like taking close up shots of all my needlework now! 

At least you can see my tiny little start for the Queen Bee class I am signed up for.  It is a little difficult to see as the silk is so similar in color to the linen.  The head and neck are made using the Brick Stitch.  I had to start a few rows down as the top row has compensating stitches and I kept getting messed up.  I also have to circle each arrow, which is what is used on the chart, as I go so I can keep track of where I am.  I also kept losing my place.  I plan on going back and putting in those couple of rows at the top once I get to the bottom of the head.  I was having a difficult time understanding exactly how to start this project.  I am very visual so I do better watching how something is supposed to be done rather than just reading about it.  I figured it might just be better to start stitching and see how it goes.  The body is made up of satin stitches.  There will also be a pocket with--pinwheels!  I am going to be pinwheeled out this year, as I am really hoping to get "My Beekeeper" done sometime as well!  Sorry this is hard to see--it is actually quite small--about the size of a dime so far.  If I work on this a bit every day, I hope to get the body done by the end of the week.    Since I have discovered the macro button I can show you a close-up later on! :)

I am Determined to Stitch Pinwheels!

Yes.  I am determined now to work on My Beekeeper.  I also hope to start Queen Bee soon as well!  I pulled it out of the UFO bin last night and today added another pinwheel on my break at work!  So it may be slow going...but better to add even one pinwheel a day than none at all!  I think it will take me about 10-15 minutes on average for each pinwheel.  What can I say, I am not a fast stitcher.  I have to say the pinwheels do look really lovely on this fabric.  They really do shimmer and catch the light.  Each "leg" of the wheel looks slightly different in shade and tone than the others.  I can't wait until it is all covered in pinwheels!  I am just wondering if it will hurt the satin stitches if I keep my fabric folded?  Any thoughts on this?  If I want to take it to work, I need to fit it in my plastic bag, so it will have to be folded.  I hate to do that, but I have nothing larger at the moment to carry it in.  My goal is to add at least one pinwheel a day, but if possible more (five a day would be wonderful--maybe on the weekends, though).  So now that I have said this, I have to try and do it!!  LOL. 

More Bee Work

I am all signed up for the next Bee class at Elegant Stitch, which is designed by Jackie du Plessis of It's Fine-ally Finished.  I am not sure if I was crazy to to do this since I didn't complete My Beekeeper yet.  But I was afraid that if I didn't take advantage of this class now, I would miss out on getting the companion pieces.  Of course seeing Romy's *gorgeous* finished beekeeper should really be enough impetus for me to get mine out and work on it!  Now the question is whether to go back and work on My Beekeeper and get those pinwheels finished or to just move on and get the pre-stitching for this one finished?  Is anyone else signed up for this?  Since I received my materials yesterday, that was enough to make me not pull out any other new project last night.  Instead I worked on "Winter in the Square".  It is not terribly large, and I really should be able to finish it before starting something new.  I also have pulled out my "Houses of Haw Run Hollows".  Becky mentioned the SAL she is participating in--perhaps I should join them and see what progress I can make.

Here is a little update on "February" by Prairie Schooler.  I really had hoped to complete the stitching on this at least by the end of this weekend.  Really there is not much to stitch, but I just didn't get it done.  There are still a couple of days left this month, and I am sure I will get in a few more stitches.  March is a long month.  February always seems to just fly by!  I need to pull out my linen bin and at least think about what linen to use for March.  I also need to cut my linen for the next exchange I am signed up for and two gifts.  I have two designs chosen, but I am still contemplating what to stitch for a birthday gift I need to have ready by mid-April.  For once I am trying to plan ahead!

Finally...there was another surprise in the mail for me.  I think this is the last gift from my Yahoo group birthday exchange.  This came all the way from Australia from Jackie!  She stitched a lovely heart ornament for me.  I really love heart designs, and maybe I will start a nice collection like KarenV recently showed on her blog! Jackie also sent a lovely chart by Australian designer, The Cat's Whiskers.  It is called Elegant Initials and shows how to make a sewing boxtop and needlecase.  Both are gorgeous.  Many thanks to Jackie!  This was a wonderful birthday--I received so many lovely gifts and happy wishes!  They are most appreciated!

My (Very Unfinished) Beekeeper

Many of you have probably seen Romy's finished My Beekeeper!  Her work is really exquisite.  I am fortunate enough to have two things she stitched in my collection, and her work is so lovely.  She mentions that she is not good in sewing, but I think she is being too humble as her work is really, really lovely!!!  For you Bee Lovers out there, Lois at Elegant Stitch is offering more classes!!  I plan on signing up for the two accessories classes.   I wonder if it is at all possible to finish My Beekeeper before they start??  As you can see I completed a mere four(!!)  pinwheels!  After seeing Romy's finished work, I was inspired to pull mine out of my WIP bin.  I am nearly finished with my John Foster.  I was thinking that rather than start on Toccata I, which was what I had planned, I might work on this.  I usually take John Foster to work and stitch for a half an hour or so before I start.  Once I am finished with him, I could take this. If I work on it every day, I can't imagine it would take too terribly long to get those pinwheels stitched.  I have to think about this one. 

New Little House Needleworks!

Did you see that the Little House Needleworks website was updated yesterday?  I am such a pushover for her designs!  I absolutely love this new little series she is starting--Dear Diary.  I love historical themes, so I think I will have to order these.  Per the website: "First in a series of eight designs depicting young girls is Abigail Winslow.  According to her diary entry (included in the chart pack), Abigail has returned to her home only to find her young siblings rummaging through her personal possessions in search of her diary.  Abigail then hides her diary key (on the sampler) so that her secrets can remain hidden from prying eyes."  Each one comes with the sampler chart and a pillow design as well.  I also love the new Colonial Homes design. 

I have been pretty good lately--not ordering things like crazy, but I think next month is going to be a challenge.  I am already tempted by the new Carriage House Samplings designs (so far she has only give descriptions). If you click on the link, you can also see her class pieces that she will be teaching.  I love those pinballs!  I wonder if she will release them later.  I admit, I already ordered a few of the new Just Nan designs.  I also love those WhimZi frames and designs, so you may be seeing a few of them here in the future!!  I wonder if these are her new designs, or if she will be releasing some things at market as well??  I love her "house" designs (and Silkwood is on my list of things to stitch this year...).  Oh so many things....I must stop thinking about them. The temptation is going to be awful! 

Peaches and Cream

Yesterday I started working on my Peaches and Cream Sampler by Victoria Sampler.  It is an online class that will last over four weekends. I still have lots of eyelets to do, but I did finish the satin stitches in the middle, smyrnas, and mosaic stitches.  There is also some backstitching as well.  You can see what it will look like, if you click on the link.  So far it is mostly ecru floss that I have used, so it is no easy to see.  I did use my Q-snaps to stitch this.  I think it is really a matter of taste and how everyone learned when it comes to using some sort of a frame. Thanks for all the input by the way!  I think I will likely stick with stitching in hand, but it is nice to use a frame for specialty stitches like eyelets.  I also started working on one of my Valentine's Days projects.  I am stitching on 36 count, and some of the design calls for over-one stitching, so I hope it doesn't take me too long to finish.  I won't be able to share these until later, but I think they will be very pretty if I manage to get them done in time!

The new Nordic Needle catalog also came in the mail today.  I have only taken a quick browse though it, but it looks like they have some nice things.  I see they are now selling knitting supplies as well.  I think I will take it to work tomorrow, and really look at it then on my lunch break.  I hope to get a few stitches in tonight on something!

A Cyberclass and Lots of New Goodies!

I have decided that I need to take this Victoria Sampler cyberclass.  Isn't it lovely?  It is called The Peaches and Cream Needlepillow.  I really like the colors, and as you know--I am really into little cushions.  This one measures 5" x 5".  Per the description on the website:

"It is done in soft peach and ivory shades with antique copper accents, this design combines silk ribbons, silk perles, crewel wool, floss, perle cotton and sparkling beads.  You will be guided step by easy step into making and practicing satin stitches, hemstitches, hardanger, diamond eye stitches, beadwork, smyrna crosses, mosaic stitches, rice stitches, three sided eyelets, backstitching, and some easy silk ribbon stitches. After this class, you'll want to do several more in different colours.  A beautiful design for a ring-bearer's pillow, jewelbox-top, or framed piece!"

It starts in January, and it lasts for four weeks.  It will be something bright to stitch on when it is dark and grey outside!

As for the other goodies--I received a new supplement catalog from The Essamplaire in Canada.  I have only taken a quick glance through, but my favorites are the sampler on the cover, Isabella Carter MaClean-1799, and Augusta's Bristol Orphanage Sampler circa 1870, which appears to be stitched all in red (alphabets and other motifs).  It looks like there is also going to be a seminar in Banff, Alberta, Canada on samplers--wouldn't that be fun to attend??  I was also surfing a bit on the web, and I found some new charts that are going to go on my list (and we'll see how long I can last in resisting them!).  There is a new Bent Creek "Littles" chart called Santa (I thought they would go for another animal--a reindeer maybe, but Santa is very cute, too).  Little House Needleworks has a new chart called Season of Rest that is finished on a Trail Creek Farm Pillow. And two new designs from Country Cottage Needleworks --both very cute.  I found a few things on another INS, but I can't share them at the moment, as at least one will be a Christmas gift!!  And in just a few days, Martina will release the "try out" design for Mystery IX!  Oh, so many lovely new things!  Am I the only person drooling over my computer?? 

Weekend Projects!

I have a long weekend coming up--yay! I am taking off Friday from work, and Monday the library is closed for Labor Day.  So the question, of course, is what to stitch!  My main goals are to hemstitch and sew my needleroll for one exchange, and to finish my over one project for another exchange, and hopefully do the finishing on that one as well.  It would also be nice to start stitching on my Halloween project, and work on a sweet bag I have going.  Yes, I have been busy with exchanges, which is why I haven't had many progress pics to share lately!  I have been stitching however!!

It would also be nice to work on something of my own as well.  This may be hoping for too much of course, but I might get more accomplished than I think!  So I was trying to decide on whether to work on my My Beekeeper class project (which I doubt I will get all stitched before the first class--naughty me for procrastinating!) or try and stitch up and finish this little Merry Cox project from a SANQ back issue.  I am so envious of everyone's Merry Cox finishes.  This may be the closest I come anytime soon to working on anything very big by her.  I do, however, have back issues of  SANQ that have several Merry projects, so I can work my way through those if nothing else!  But I should be good and work on those pinwheels, shouldn't I???

Pinwheels, Pinwheels, and More Pinwheels

Here are my first pinwheels.  Sorry the scan is rather bright.  The color is not quite so gold looking.  I am signed up to take the My Bee Keeper class at Elegant Stitch (online).  The class is in the beginning of September, but will be over a few weekends.  I thought I had better get going or I will never get these all stitched.  I have had to pick both of these out at different times, but I hope I am on track now and can just get into a stitching rhythm.  I think they will be enjoyable to stitch, once I really get going on them.  I have discovered that really good lighting is the key.  You can see how the light plays off the silk.  I think it is going to be really lovely once they are all stitched.  And there are lots of them.  I think there will be something like 93 of them all together.  I think on average it will take me about 15 minutes per pinwheel, unless I get really good at them.  So if I counted correctly, it is going to take me about 24 stitching hours to complete this!  Yikes.  If I stitch about 4-5 a day I think I can also finish them in time.  I guess I will have to squeeze them in when I can!  This is designed by Jackie du Plessis at It's Fine-ally Finished.