time for "what are you stitching"

NOT currently working on Fractal 53. Got page 5 about half done and decided time to do some Xmas ornies.

I've got just a few more stitches on Christmas Wishes, along with all the beads then time to put it together.

Nancy

I haven't been on this list since about 1998. I can't even remember whether my last post was after I moved to Seattle. But I have finally started needlepointing again, picking up my William Morris pillow (don't know which design at the moment) as charted by Beth Russell. I'm about 1/4 done. It was to be a graduation gift and I hope I can finish it before it becomes a retirement gift. I am using a Meetup group to provide scheduling and motivation. Hey DC-MD-VA Tangle, I miss you!

Gretchen (Schmidt) Bishay

I have done three Beth Russell Wm Morris', which are you doing ?

I'm working on Forest of Lights by Kathy Holicky. I've got the bottom two trees done. It's done with #4 metallic braids and working up quickly.

>

that is so pretty! Are you using a dark fabric?

Cheryl

I need to finish my President's Challenge before next Saturday's Guild meeting. The challenge was to design a piece around a needle minder and use 3 threads you haven't used before. I cannot say what mine is till after next week, but it's on white congress cloth and I need to do a fair bit of skip tent stitching before I get to play with DMC's Memory Thread which I haven't used yet.

Donna in Virginia

>>>

Yes, I'm stitching it on black, 18ct. canvas.

Mavia

I haven't decided yet. I JUST finished a Pine Mountain Pillow kit..for a craft fair/ auction we are having here in the fall as a fundraiser. I figure this could go in a house, or an RV..so hopefully everyone would be happy.

you give me your opinion. Do you usually put some iron-in interfacing, pellon or whatever on the back of the stitched area when you make these?.

Maybe tomorrow I will spend an hour, and finish the black backstitching on my Blue Heron from RK Portfolio.

Gill

I wouldn't use iron on stuff on the back of the stitched portion...I'd stitch the whole thing around the outer edge to a piece of plain fabric, like canvas (if you want something weighty/stiff) or muslin (which isn't heavy/stiff). This would reinforce it and help keep the shape...stuff between the muslin/canvas/whatever lining and the back (which I might also line, depending on the weight of the fabric. This just makes it smoother/slightly weightier.

sue

In my rotation is Little House Needlework's "Roadside Traveler", Bent Creek's Kitty Cat & Puppy Dog Row (2 seperate charts, almost done with the Puppy Dog) and a few others that I will have to pull out to see the designers, one of which is "If cats could talk" (they would probably lie)...

SNIP

First - that's cute.

And the next part is an completely unqualified - depends! How stiff is the fabric? on most aida I just finish it. On other fabrics, this is what I've been doing for pin cushions and other smalls. I use a piece of wool batting next to the stitching and then stitching a piece of muslin to make a sandwich. Then add buttons and charms. Put the backing and zipper on last.

Cheryl

To answer the question - ditto. But, I've actually had a small knitting craving, and am 75% done with a pair of cuff/fingerless glove things. There's a "knit in Virginia" promo going on, so I bought a bag, and then you get 15% discount at all these LKS - so I had to do that. Got some gorgeous Watercolors silk/wool yarn in red with violet (hand-painted) and also a set of greens - to do these mits. Free pattern with the yarn, cable on the back

- nice - and about 2 pairs from each skein. So, I did the first pair for myself 'cause whatever errors (plenty) are only on mine. But this is the first pair I've ever done, and the thumb gore and thumb piece came out better than I feared on glove 1. The 2nd, fine. Making gifts for god-daughters. Just nice to see something get done quickly for a change.

Of course I discoverred that I've misplaced (likely when DH was clearing up some things) the tote with the 3/4 finished sweater (my do at rinks sweater) that also had my knitting kit of gadgets in it. Meaning that I dragged DH (we were carpooling last week) into AC Moore to use my 50% off coupon and buy the little clover kit of get started knitting - which was cheaper than buying separate pieces. Because I just had to have markers, and stitch holders - so got some other useful stuff in the kit - and yet another tape measure. Could be worse. I'm happy. I'm doing these on Quick Silver needles - they're so pleasantly cool in hand, and I like the pretty fine points - one of the shop folks told me some people don't like them because they find them too slippery - but I like them. In winter I'll use Brittney wood needles, but in the heat, these or Addi turbos....

Well, you can do some surprise for her. I'm going to work dedicatedly on 4 things with deadlines.

1 - the last few stitches on a piece going to the framer 2 - the last quadrant on the 4 stars piece - a friend who taught the class is sending me 2 yards of the biege Au Ver a Soie that match my dye lot, as I'm getting nervous - and this also must get to the framer in about 3 weeks 3 - finishing my little tray & cushion piece (original) which is at least all designed out (#2-4 are being delivered to ANG exhibit on 8/25) 4- a small canvas beach scene that I'm doing as a texture study for submittal. I've finally done with the sketches, laid out the stitches for each area, and actually have the threads chosen. So....we'll see

Then - not stitching - but writing some small essays, doing a small design/color exercise, and essentially taking an open book exam on needlework for a certification program - which has to all be in the mail along with the #4 completed (but not "finished") piece by Sept 3.

I feel that. Most of our neighbors have put in sprinkler systems. We didn't do it when the group did 'cause we were moving so much of the landscaping. So, now, it's me and the next-door folks dragging sprinklers! We've had a service last summer and this year to do some treatment and reseeding of the lawn. It looks much better. Happily, the new watering theory is to really soak it 2-3 X a week rather than less every day. So, I'm rotating around. And the daylilies which Cheryl sent me are looking amazing. The yellow ones are standing over 4' tall. The yellow/burgundy ones neighbor them at over 3' - all backing our blood-good Japanese maple. Evidently our live-in bunny likes hanging out in these beds.

Ellice

BooHoo - I'm not stitching right now. We just moved and this unpacking thing is for the birds. I swear those boxes are breeding out there in the garage.

Sharon (N.B.)

As long as they are breeding stash; that is an excellent thing! Gill

heck I know they breed - I've been promised "we'll get through some more of those boxes" from my FIL house. I swear there are twice as many boxes in the basement as there were 12 years ago when we closed up his house C

I'm still working on The Carol Singers, a Victoria Sampler one. I'm down to the hardanger part and am not quite half done with that. Found out I needed to order a spool of soie perlee, which I did today from Needle in a Haystack. By the time it gets here, I should have about 3/4 of the hardanger done and will be ready for it. If I'm lucky, I'll finish it before Sept. when my sister, the recipient, will be here. Although it's her Christmas present, I'm going to ask her if I can keep it until the fair next summer.

I've also been working on and off on the last wise man from the nativity set when I don't have the concentration for the hardanger.

Joan

I love that piece! Can't wait for the pix.

sue

Very cool, Mavia. I bet you'll be through in no time at all!

Ellice

Hi Gill,

When I finish these I usually stitch a piece of muslin behind it - around the perimeter just inside what will be the seem allowance. But, that may be awkward - since this is an all-in-one. I've just done one - I wouldn't do the iron on interfacing. But...you could use some iron-on double sided tape to attach a backing piece of muslin - ironing it to attach in the flange of the pillow sham. Honestly, most people don't bother when it's these all in one types - and just stuff the pillow into it and let it be. I just don't like the iron-on stuff attaching to the threads - so I have a roll of the steam-a-seam 2 tape if I'm not going to sew a backing. When I finish pieces as pillows or wall hangings, then I do what I said first - sewing a piece of muslin or similar cotton - behind the linen to act as a stabilizer, and then finish the rest of the piece.

Cute - I'm sure they'll love it. Oh - I just bought an RK Portfolio piece while I was picking up some thread today. Called at the Watering Hole - 3 Zebras drinking - how apt for hockey refs....

Ellice