Fanciful Story

 This is the Fanciful Story project by Rachael Kinnison.  I got the back motif done.  Well, it isn't really done there is a weaving of the ladder rungs with gold thread yet to do. I haven't exactly mastered that technique. I tried it on a couple of rungs and it doesn't look like a pattern. 

I wasn't sure about entirely covering the background with spangles and beads so I'm trying just scattering them to see how that looks.

Next I need to stitch the front.  Hopefully I can improve on how I did the back. This is a challenging project with new stitches and new threads. I'm learning as I go along.

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Small Progress

 I stitched the ruler holder together and lined it with the Morris Strawberry Thief fabric to math the scissors case. I'll have to find a ruler to put in it.

It's hard to see the lining but it's there.

I got another large leaf stitched on David Smyth's Garden. All six of the large leaves have split stitch around them.  I'm working on the third leaf now. 

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Ruler Holder

 The Theresa Baird ruler holder is all stitched! I cut it out after withdrawing threads on all the sides next to the nun stitch.  I put interfacing on the back. So now I have to figure out the lining before I sew the two sides together. Also I have to decide which end to leave open. 

I'll be done-done soon!

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Happy Mail

 I got my order from Jenny Adin-Christie! I saw on her website that she had some lovely colors of mottled wool felt so I ordered one of each color.

Then she is carrying these Oliver Twist threads that are like pearl cotton and comparable to two strands of floss.  I have used some of these threads in her kits and love the colrs and look of them.

Then I got her notebook. Some of the pages are lined and some are just blank. I haven't written anything in it yet.

Fun!

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Leaf

 Here is my long and short stitch leaf from David Smyth's Garden:

I think it turned out pretty well and I am ready to try leaf #2. So much more to go!

Here is my In Flanders Field biscornu all sewn together.  I haven't yet worked up the courage to go looking for buttons - but soon!

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Ruler Holder

 I started the back of the ruler holder from Theresa Baird. I have to do that checkerboard pattern all over the back but it is easy stitching.

I have been lazy and avoiding my more difficult projects so I decided that I am not going to be afraid of doing long and short stitch on David Smyth's Garden.  I started a leaf last night and it is going pretty well. I will show you tomorrow. I've got six large leaves to stitch this way. I'll be proud of myself when they get done.

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In Flanders Field

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

I finished stitching In Flanders Field. Thank you Torrie for all the information about the poem.

Now I am sewing the top and the bottom together. Tedious! I am 3/4 the way around. Then I'll go looking for a couple of buttons for the center.

I like how it turned out.

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New Book

  I'm sorry for not posting yesterday.  I was about halfway done with a post when it was time to go to a doctor's appointment and I never got back to it.  Then when I went to finish the post today I had no juice so had to recharge. 

Anyway, here goes:

I ordered a book that just came out on Friday in Australia.  It is Passion for Needlework III.  

I was going to wait until it was available here but I got antsy. I saw what projects are in it.  I especially love the mirror surround by Susan O'Conner.  And there was a discount on the shipping. 

So many beautiful projects!  I think maybe Santa will get me some of these kits when they come out. I'm not sure about that orange linen with pansies on it.  I think French Lace color linen would be perfect.

Can't wait for the book to get here! As Paula says , "SWOON!"

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Theresa Baird Ruler Holder

 I have been enjoying stitching all the smalls of Theresa Baird'd Beelieve design. I started the ruler holder. I'm almost done with the front. Just one more strawberry and the rest of the border to do. 

The back has more stitching but is easy stitching.

Have a good weekend!

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Inch By Inch

 A little more progress on the mini book cover. 

Once I get the gold done I can see about putting on the sequins and beads. I didn't get much done this week. Oh, well, better than nothing!

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Stash

 Well, I resisted ordering the latest Just Nan mouse and cube. I thought maybe I was on automatic foe these but when they didn't come in the mail I figured that I'm not. 

Then it is always nice ti have the called for linen instead of having to go digging for it.

I liked the saying on this Hands-On design, reflect upon your present blessing. Sometimes I need reminding to be grateful for the good things in my life. Things could be worse.

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Blame Torie

 I have been working on Flanders Field. I am so close to finishing.

 My friend Torie told me about these Ginger scissors that would go perfectly with Flanders Field so I decided to order a pair. They are nice and sharp too. Of course scissors can't travel alone so I bought a couple of other things too I'll show you tomorrow.

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Two Fishies

 We just went for a lovely walk up the street and back. It is a nice day. I finished stitching another little fishie.  These are my two fish so far.  There is one more to stitch.

Have a nice day and take a walk!

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Needlecase Done

 I had an "interesting time" finishing off the Theresa Baird needlecase. I found a perfect fabric for the lining.

I stitched the linings to the back of my stitching pieces and laced them together. But one side was longer than the other side! Did I make a mistake in stitching by leaving out a whole two rows? The question is what do I do about it?  No, I'm not going to stitch it over.  I could say that I meant to do it that way. 

You can barely see it here that the back is higher.

Cording can hides a multitude of messiness. So I made cording and sewed it around the edge.

I was on a roll and also made cording for the loop on top of the strawberry.

I am happy with the results. What's next, you ask. Well, the ruler of course.

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My Bed

 I have been a fan of Salley Mavor for a long time. I have a little fairy of her design that I made many years ago. When I was in Phoenix I was able to see an exhibition of her work in person.  It was fabulous.  I do not have the patience or imagination to do what she does, it's amazing.  I was intrigued when I saw on her blog her latest project called "My Bed".  

She created the illustrations for this chidren's book.  I ordered two copies, one for me and one for the grandkids. I got the signed books yesterday. Wow, the book is great. It is a keepsake.

This is the inside cover.  I love all these small felt animals.  I want to make the fish.

he illustrations are so sweet.  It is fun to just look at each page and notice all of the tiny details.

I can't believe the lovely way she signed my books.

Oh my!

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Happy Mail Part 3

 The last thing I got from the French Needle:

I thought it was a book but it's not. The designer is Christiane Dahlbeck.  I have several of her books.

It is a collection of 5 rose charts, which is fine.

I don't have any plans for it right now but the designs are very nice.

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Happy Mail Part 2

 I always like to see what's new at the French Needle.  I found this blue flowers embroidery kit. I don't know plumbago flowers.  It sounds like an arthritis condition.

The thread colors are very pretty.

The fabric the design is printed on is a twill.

It will be a fun little stitch.

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Happy Mail Part One

 I got happy mail yesterday.  I saw a photo from this book months ago and have been waiting to be able to order it.  It is another book by Yumiko Higuchi. The book is called Season of Stitch and it is in Japanese.

The photo that made me want to buy was of these embroidered pansies.

I just love this whole design: the color of the linen, the shading of the pansies, the shape of the vine.

The patterns are in the back of the book with instructions (in Japanese) and illustrations on the finishing.

Gorgeous!

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