Face of the Sun

I worked on the face of the sun of Hampton Court.  I didn't do it according to the directions.  On all three pictures of the project the top of the sun's head is not shown.  I think he is bald on top as the outlines don't go all the way around.  But I wanted my sun to have the embellishments go all the way around so I changed it.  I may be sorry later but so far, so good.

There is one more thread, silk wrapped purl, that goes around the sun.
I took a photo of the half doll with what I have done so far.  I think they match up pretty well.

I decided I wanted to make the button box for the Toy Box.  I got a lot done on it.  I have yet to do the over-one sides.  I changed one of the border stitches to long arm cross stitch.  I think it looks good.

My walking is done and the bathrooms are clean.  It is starting to rain but I don't care.  It's great weather for stitching.
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You are My Sunshine

I put in the rays of the sun on Hampton Court.  Next is the sun's face.  I'm always a little iffy when it comes to stitching on metal threads.  But whatever.

I got the front of the Toy Box done finally.  I could still put my initials in the heart.  Just looking at the heart, I wonder if my initials will fit.  We'll see.

I put some stitches in the half doll.  The magazine has three pages of charts for this doll's skirt.  I am close to finishing the first page.  I like the colors.  I should put the doll next to it and see how well it goes with her.

I want to put some stitches in my Summer butterfly today.  He (she?) has eight parts to his/her wings and I am stitching part number three.  We already got more lessons.  So I am way behind.  Time to catch up!
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Fishie!!

Mr. Mailman brought me some spangles yesterday!

 Now my little naked fishie is dressed in sparkly glory.

I love how he turned out.  I love how his tail sticks up.  He wasn't hard to do at all.  Every little step in the project I am afraid I will mess up but so far, so good.  I appreciate how fast Hedgehog Handiworks sent my order from L.A.  Next step on Hampton Court is the sun.  Let's hope I don't mess that up.

I finished up the needlebook front on the Toy Box and started the back.  The back is going slowly since it is almost all over 1.  ARGH.

I put everything down yesterday to get something done that has been hanging over my head and must be done in time for the wedding.  I'm making a ring bearer's pillow for Son#1's wedding.  I stitched this C.A. Wells picture frame a while back.

Yesterday I stitched the names on it using some Krenick #4 silver braid.  Now I need to make it into a pillow using silver lame fabric.

We'll see how that goes.  The lame is very stretchy so I may have to stitch it to some stabilizer (muslin) first.

The Farmer's Market was very busy today.  They still had some tart cherries so I got some while I could.  I hate pitting them but they make the best pies and crisps.
I should work on the front of the Toy Box but we'll see what I feel like.
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Distracted

I didn't make my goal yesterday.  I got distracted.  I picked up the cornflower from the Spring Casket Keepsakes.  I still have a ton of detached buttonhole petals to stitch for it.  I had just started lacing the measuring tape piece when  I noticed that I had a mistake so I took out what I had done and started again.  And again.  And again.  Now it is a challenge.  I will get this done if it kills me.  So I kept on it.  It isn't pretty or perfect but it is very close to being done.  Hopefully when the petals are attached you won't notice the edging.

Then I put a few stitches in the half doll.

Then I decided that I wanted to do the Jacob's ladder needlebook for the Toy Box.  I am almost done with one side.

 So I still need to finish the front.
Back to work
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Colored Pencils

I finished another toy for the Toy Box.  It is the box of colored pencils.  This is a scissors fob.  I was happy with my tassel.  I'm getting better at making them.

The goal for today is to finish the front of the Toy Box.  I think this is the hardest side.  We'll see.

I forgot to update you on the half doll project.  I worked my way up to the top to see if the piece of fabric is big enough.  It is just barely big enough!

I am having trouble finding one of the colors I chose.  I used Gloriana Twilight.  I looked for a skein of it when on the Midwest Summer Tour and couldn't find any.  It seems to be out of stock at the moment.  I was using some Twilight left over  from the Edinburgh Reticule.  I'll have to see how far it goes.
I found a darling fish pin cushion made of beads on Pinterest.  I wish I knew how to make it or how to turn it into cross stitch.

It is a lovely day here.  Oh to be able to bottle a day like this and have it in January!
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No Spangles

I'm better today.  But still a bit twingey.  I walked and I think that it helps to keep moving.  I only got a paltry 2500 steps in yesterday.  One mile.
I worked on my fish for Hampton Court.  I was on a roll.  I got the felt shapes stitched down.  I put on the tail.  I put pearl purl around the edge.  I sewed on his eye.

But then I hit a wall.  I couldn't find the spangles.  Were they ever in the kit?  I don't remember seeing them.  They should have been in the bag labeled "Fish and Pond".  I've went through all the stuff for the kit about six times.  No spangles.  The fish is coated with spangles to look like his scales.  I went looking for the spangles I bought from Thistle Threads.  When I finally found them they were all gold and only about 6 of them were small ones.

 I need gold and silver ones.  Little ones.  No spangles, what do I do?  They probably aren't carried by my LNS as it is mostly a yarn store.  I'll have to order some.  I got the metal thread I needed from Hedgehog Handiworks so maybe they have spangles.  Of course they do, and, yes, they have silver and gilt.  So I ordered some.  This means I can't finish my fish.  I guess I could start on the next part while I wait.

Then I worked a bit on the Toy Box Front.

 I thought maybe I could finish one of the toys, the scissors fob pencil box.  I got it all stitched and cut it out only to realize that I forgot to put the pearl cotton backstitching around the edge.

When I get that done I can start putting it together.  Goal for today:  finish the scissors fob.

It is a lovely day here with low humidity.  I'm appreciating things today.  Things like electricity,  no rain, being able to walk.  I'm remembering that I am lucky.
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Rain

Today it is raining.  My right sacroiliac is out.  So it isn't the best day.  I've been to the chiropractor but I haven't done any walking (yet?!).
Marilyn asked about my Barbara Jackson strawberries.  I went and sorted out all the Barbara Jackson strawberries that I have stitched and I have six.  I bought some on ebay, I've taken classes through my guild and at Celebrations with her.  Here they are:

  I think there are a couple in magazines that I haven't done yet.

I worked on the Toy Box.  This is the front so far.

I need a break so I may apply the felt pieces to Hampton Court.
I think I'll get out the heating pad.  Ice doesn't seem to help.
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