Smalls

I got so involved in my stitching that I didn't want to stop to blog.  That's my excuse for not posting yesterday.
So I cut the linen up for the smalls of Ebony and Ivory.  Then I serged them.  Then they were staring at me - waiting to be stitched.  So I started stitching the smalls.  First I started the needlebook.  It is hard as it is all over one (on 34 count). And all the background is stitched too.

After a bit I started the scissors sheath.

Then there was the scissors fob, which I totally messed up.  I started in the wrong place.  I should have started in the middle and I may have to redo this as I am way too close the the edge.

Then I went back to the main necessaire thing.  I finished up the needle weaving on the other side of the middle band.

I wanted to get to the edge so I put in the second pulled thread strip and then the herringbone gone wrong stitch, I wanted to see what it looked like.  Then I was at the edge and wanted to try the loop stitch.  It is a bit tedious but will look nice on the edge.

I really like this project.  It looks cool.
I decided it was good to have a break from shell hell for the day.  I will get back to it today.
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Cooler

It is cooler today.  I didn't wear shorts as it was cold.  There is a touch of fall in the air.
I managed to lose a tomato between here and the Farmer's Market.  I don't know what happened to it.  I just know that I can't find it.  Dang.  It was for cutting up on our turkey burgers on Monday.  Oh, well.

I got the needle weaving done on one side of Ebony and Ivory.

I started the other two rows just to see what it is going to look like.  I need to start the needle weaving on the other side of the middle band now.  I want to cut the other pieces of linen and be ready to start some of the smalls.

Then I worked on the hard side of the mermaid's shell.

I made some progress even though it doesn't look like it.  I want to start at an entirely different place today, the bottom of the shell - and see how far I get.
I feel like I need a break from these two projects.  I want to start something new.  I know I shouldn't.  We'll see how long I can resist!

I got my Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue in the mail.

I have always thought that subscribers should get it as soon as (or even before) shops get it in.  I think that is happening now.  That's good.  I looked through the issue and see several things I'd like to make.  I have a soft spot for Pat Thode's santas.  I really like the one in this issue ( it is the one to the right of where is says "all skill levels") although I think I'll leave out the tree.
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Friday

It's Friday.  Every fifteen minutes its breakfast.  That's how fast time seems to be going!
I got the center band of Ebony and Ivory done along with the pulled thread band next to it.  Great progress!

 Now to some of the ebony parts.  I started the thread weaving.  This project is made easier since I have done a fair share of large Shepherd's Bush kits that also use some of these same stitches.

I got a lot done on the hard side of the mermaid's shell.  I know it doesn't look like much and that I didn't make my goal.  So I'm keeping the same goal: get everything above the horizontal basting line done.  It may take me another week.  But once I get that much done, I know I can finish the rest.

I saw a photo of Tricia finishing the inside parts of her casket, probably to show us how to do that in our last lesson of Cabinet of Curiosities.  Just seeing the photo is exciting as the first ordered caskets will be delivered next month.  Am I at the head of the line?  I don't know, but I sure hope so.  We'll have to wait and see.....  I've got my fingers crossed.
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Working Away

Yesterday I was working away on the Mermaid's Treasures shell.  I worked until I got horribly terribly lost.  Then I knew it was time to quit.  For some reason, when I go back to working on this with a fresh perspective, I can solve the problems that made me quit.

My goal today is to get everything above the horizontal center line all done.  I think I can do that.  When I was first working on this, I wasn't sure I could finish it. It was just too hard and too much.  But having done the other side, I know if I keep plugging away, I can do it.  And I will be proud of it when I am done.

Then I wanted to get the center band done on Ebony and Ivory.  I didn't quite get there but I am close.  I got all 34 triangles done and am working on the satin stitch and hem stitching around them.  I think it looks pretty.

My phone died.  It is just dead, it won't recharge or turn on or anything.  So I went shopping and got a new one.  I got a really inexpensive one.  We'll see how long this one lasts.  I need the phone for long distance and when I travel.  In less than three weeks I am going to the Dyeing to Stitch Retreat.  I can't wait!  We will have so much fun!  Can you tell that I am getting excited???
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Shells

I am still having "issues" with blogger.  There is a box that pops up every time that says, "You have logged out from a remote location.  Do you wish to log in again?"  I haven't and I don't.  How do I get rid of that box!?!?
Anyway, I finished the snail shell!!  I didn't think it was going to turn out.  I was not at all happy with my needle weaving Ceylon stitch.  Amy Mitten's looked so much more even and nicer.  But I thought, I'll finish this one and if I can't make it look nice, I'll make another one.  But when I got done and slipped it off the straw it was worked on, it looked better.  Then I was able to tack it down so that the bad parts didn't show.  So, ta-dah!  My snail has a shell.

I like it.
I worked a bit on shell hell.  I want to get some more of the off-white lines in.  I am making progress but very slowly.  I have the latest charts for the mirror surround but I want to finish the shell first.

I have really enjoyed working on Ebony and Ivory.

I want to get the center band all done today. There are 34 of those triangles down the middle.   I tried taking out some of the linen threads for the next band.  The linen threads kind-of shred so it is hard to reweave it back in without it just pulling apart.  You have to be very careful.
Have a great day!
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Problems

I couldn't get Blogger to work yesterday so I couldn't post.  Sorry.  Today I'm tricking it into letting me post.  I've got my fingers crossed that this works.
Okay, so where am I?  I realized that I forgot to do the chain stitch around the inside edge of the

circle thing on the "easy" side of the mermaid shell.  So I went back and did it.  I'm not sure I used the right thread.  The photo looks more just silver.  The vintage silver thread I used has some black in it.  I was wondering about covering up that edge of the circle.  So now I think the "easy" side really is all done.

I started working on the snail tape measure.  His (or her?) head is done in detached buttonhole.  I didn't used to know how to do this.  I've come a long way, baby.  So I have to finish doing the ceylon stitched shell to put on this side and I am done with that part.  I am still working on the hard side of the shell.  A little bit of stitching everyday and this will get done.

I really spent most of yesterday finishing the Just Nan humbug owl.  It's all done!

I'm glad I got it done in time for fall.

Then the mailman was good to me.  He brought me two pre-stitching kits for my classes at The Attic in November.  When I first read them, I thought, wow, this is going to be hard.  I don't even know where to begin.  But then I decided to just dive in.  I started Ebony and Ivory.  It is fun seeing it develop.

I crossed an invisible line yesterday.  I went from obese to overweight according to my BMI.  I've lost 30 pounds.  It's a miracle.  I still have a ways to go to get to my goal.  But I am over half way there!
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Ceylon

I finished the "easy" side of the mermaid shell.  Yeah!  I think it looks good.  It was a lot of work.

Then I wanted to try a new part, the snail shell.  It is stitched using the Ceylon stitch.  So I did a few practice runs and wasted a whole strand of silk pearl cotton.  Then I tried the actual shell.  I keep losing a stitch.  But I have worked a good amount.  This will be wound around to become the snail shell on one side of the tape measure.  It isn't perfect and I am tempted to start over.  But maybe it is good enough?

I also went back to the hard side of the mermaid shell.  I am working it in the recommended way (so far).  I'm putting in all the off white stitches then I will go back and fill in.  This really is the fastest way to do the shell.  I am kind of sick of working with the same color.  But I do see some progress so that is good.  I think I will really be glad to have this part all done.

As a break from this whole mermaid thing, I started working on the Just Nan Humbug.

It is nice to have something easy at hand.
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