I'm Back

It is great to be back home.  Especially after airline delays, gate changes, time changes etc.

I leave again next week for The Silver Needle.  More shopping....

I had a great time and thanks to my wonderful BFF I was able to shop at several great stores.

First of all, I got all the letters stitched in my Claire banner.  Now I have to finish them off.  I think they are sweet.

Then I stitched on a a pinball kit I bought on ebay.  I started it a while ago and was glad to have an excuse to get back to it.  I got all the design part on one side done and am filling in the background with a dark gray floss.  I like how this looks.

I got lots of stash at Stitchville.

I ate too much bad stuff and will have to redouble my efforts to lose it - again.  It is great to be back home and on my regular schedule.  I have more stuff to show you tomorrow.
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Progress On the Mermaid

I didn't finish the R in Claire.  I got on a roll working on my mermaid.  I sewed on her tail fin.  I guess we aren't going to do anything with the metal loops.

I sewed on all 15 of her scales.  I made each one of those.

I put in the ruffle around her waist and topped it off with that chain.

I put in her comb.  It wasn't easy.  I ran out of the white thread and had to go looking for some more.  Then the chenille needle from the kit was too large to go through the silver stuff the comb is made of.  I went looking for the smallest diameter needle I could find.  I had one that was sent with the kit to finish the Trevelyon purse that was small enough to go through the silver purl.  But it is impossible to thread without a needle threader.

I cut the wrong silver purl for the waist chain but quickly discovered my error.  So in spite of myself I got a lot done on my mermaid.  There are still some things to attach but the hard stuff is done.  When I look at how much I have done, I am amazed.

I will be gone for the next few days.  I hope to be back posting by the end of the week.
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CLAI

With the holiday, it feels like we had two Saturdays this week.
I got the I done in Claire.

I worked on Needleworker's Pocketbook but got very discouraged when I took out a flower for the third time.  It's time to quit if you've messed things up three times in a row.  I really want to get this done before the finishing directions come.  And I'm so close to finishing it.  So I'm going to work on it some today.

But the best news is the next few of lessons  of Mermaid's Treasures are posted.  I can sew on my scales and tail fin and more.  Yeah!  The mirror back will be just about done when I get these lessons done.

I finally finished the needle holder for the first fan I made in Lady's Collection.

I am kind of making up how I want to finish it as I go along.  I wanted the needle holder to be stiff enough that It wouldn't bend when you insert it into the fan which is a snug fit.  So I used two pieces of manila folder.  One in the lining and one behind the linen.  I am happy with the stiffness.  I also used some stitch witchery strips to adhere the lining to the manila folder paper and the linen to the manila folder paper.  Then it was easy to just whip them together.  So now I need to go on and finish the second fan.  The question remains, do I put a page inside the needle book?  I have to find the directions and see what they say.

I have to pack for our trip on Sunday.  And find some stitching to take along.
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CLA

I stitched the A in Claire and started the I.  This will be done in no time.

I worked a bit on the Needleworker's Pocketbook.  Slowly it is getting done.  I wanted to work my way down to the end and I have all the bands started.  Just have to slog my way through.

Happy Fourth of July!  Turkeyburgers tonight.
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CL

I finished up the C in Claire and stitched the L.  Next up is the A.  I'm going to finish these separately and hang them on a cord to spell Claire.  I like how they are turning out.  They are pretty easy and quick to stitch.

I got distracted yesterday.  I worked on some finishing.  I wanted a piece of manila folder to put in the needle book that fits in the fan of the Lady's Collection.  I looked in my file drawer and had an inspiration.  My file cabinet is filled with stuff from school.  I was ready to clean it out.  So I went through everything in the drawer and pitched all but a few photos.  So now I have an empty drawer that I can use to get stuff off the floor in my sewing room.  Mind you, the cabinet has another drawer that needs cleaning out too.  But I am finally ready to clean out school stuff.  I am holding on to many of my children's books in hopes of passing them on to Claire.  Consequently, nothing got done on Needleworker's Pocketbook.  I want to finish the cartouches today.

I put some of the outer border of the Lady's Collection fan back in - in the correct place.  If I do just a bit everyday, I'll start to see some progress.

I feel thinner today.  It's a great feeling.
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Today is Tuesday

I got a good start on the last bit of Needleworker's Pocketbook.  There is just eyelet row - cartouches row- eyelet row and background stitching for the thread holders.  That's it.

I tried out some different colors for "Claire" and I like the sage greens  much better. (I went stash diving and not to Michael's)  I got a bit of the bird done and I like that too.  I may leave off the part that looks like holly and berries and just put in the bow.  We'll see.

I have to get some stitching ready for taking with me on my trip.  I hope to get to Stitchville too. I've got a list of stuff I want to get.

I took out the sides of the Lady's Collection so I could center the flowers.  This piece is teaching me patience.  It takes so long to do.

I'm all signed up for Shining Needle Society's class by Jackie DuPlessis, Buttons a Bounty.  It starts on the 15th but kits will be send next week.  Fun.

I can't believe it is July already.  Time flies when you are having fun.
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Main Body

The main body of  Needleworker's Pocketbook is done!  Yeah!  Now just the top inside piece is left to do. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I looked to see what comes next in Mermaid Treasures and found out that I am all caught up. It will be fun to work on something else until the next lessons come out.

The bathrooms are clean.  I've done my walking.  Time to goof.

We got our next lesson in Cabinet of Curiosities.  That will be fun to read and look at the photos.

Maybe I can get the Lady's Collection all sorted out today.  I will probably take out the outline and put it back in with the flowers centered.

I picked out floss colors for the new "Claire".  Will I go stash diving or to Michael's?  We'll see just how lazy I am - or not.
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