Sunday Stitching Questions....

I've been goofing off, when I should be stitching (actually just taking a break), and found this site: Memes for Stitchers.

So, here are the questions for today:

Backstitching
Here are a few questions to answer:

1. Do you enjoy backstitching?

2. Do you do it as you go or at the very end?

3. Does the amount of backstitching in a project influence your decision to stitch a pattern?

A-1. It doesn't bother me one way or the other... Sometimes it adds so much to the design. I like seeing how it 'defines' the elements of a design.

A-2. It depends on the design. If it's small, I'll do it at the end. For large projects, I'll do sections, so as not to leave it all to the end.

A-3. Nope. If I like the design, the backstitching is just part of the elements.

Anyone else have any opinions on backstitching?

Thanks for reading and your comments...

Stitching on today: DT Sampler Game Board

SBQ - 05/17/06

Today's SBQ was suggested by Jenna and is:

Lately, it seems that many stitching bloggers have experienced a loss of their stitching mojo. Have you ever lost your stitching mojo? If so, how did you get it back and how long did it take?

I sure have! I think the longest was about three years, but, during the last five years, the longest was about six months. I sometimes go for a month without stitching if I get in the mood to do some reading. To get it back, I either start a new project (small one), or 'force' myself to work on one of my many WIP. Usually within a day or two, I wonder why I put my stitching down. I have so much stash, I feel almost guilty if I don't stitch at least a couple times a week. How will I ever get all these lovely things stitched!

The permalink to this post is: Renee's Blog

Thanks - and older pictures...

Thank you all for your wonderful comments! It's nice to hear from you!

Not much to update, so, I'll share some older stitching pictures. :-)

This is one I stitched way long ago... It's dated on the back 1992, but, I love it! It's from an old Cross Stitch and Country Crafts magazine.


This is my color conversion on Bent Creek's Swirly Sampler. I stitched this for my daughter's room -- yes, her walls are purple!

Edit: for Sharon - I used silver braid for the swirlys, and a lot of silver beads in the 'empty' spots.

And this is another one for her room -- Seka's Watercolour Butterflies -- but, I changed the colors to what she likes. (Aquas and Purples)


This is one my sister, Marie, stitched for me in 1987. Isn't it darling?


That's about it for today. Von... We did get a bit of sunshine this afternoon, but, are back to showers off and on. Next week they are calling for nicer weather. I guess it takes that long to get here from where you are!

Stitching on tonight: CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees

Tuesday... catching up!

So... what has everyone been up to??

For myself... not much! Sunday was a pretty nice day -- DH cooked steaks on the grill. Son came over for dinner. I received some lovely flowers and a gift card from Joann's!


On the stitching front... I didn't get much stitching in on the DT Sampler Game Board. I hope my other SAL members got some stitching in! Anywho... here is an update photo:


Yesterday, I got quite a bit in on CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees. Here is an update on that one:


And... the little Freebie I did from Blue Ribbon Designs (Thanks Lili!) "The Alphabet Tree". I stitched this with one of the beautiful fibers I got from Nancy in the Grab Bag Exchange.


Now a stash report! My sister and BIL stopped over on Saturday, and they brought me some goodies!!

In the package was a punch needle design my BIL had made me... a couple of frames, (he makes those for me too!), a darling cat frame, some books, and the cutest card!

I also got my Online Needlework Show order yesterday!! I caught the 'Mail Lady' just as she was about to fold the envelope to get it in the mailbox! Here's the goodies from that one:

I had ordered: Debbie Draper Designs 'Sampler in Blue' and it comes with the Vickie Clayton silks!; Abbely Lane Designs "Sonata'; Lavender Wings 'Tiny Sprouts'; Designs by Lena Rose 'Wildberry Petals Sampler'; Glory Bee 'Happily Ever After'; and Full Circle Designs 'Flame of Friendship'. The only one I want to do right away is the Glory Bee. The others will be impatiently waiting in the wings!

So... just because it's Tuesday -- here is a picture of my new golf bag and clubs! And the sun is trying to come out!!! I was beginning to think we were never going to see the sun again...


And, my rose bush that is growing out of control -- again!


Have you made it this far?? Here is a new blogger's site: Raggedy Ree (aka: my sister). I got her started, now it's up to her to post! I think she'll like it when she gets more comfortable with the set-up.

If you are getting any sunshine -- enjoy!!! I'm thinking I'll be stitchin' on my exchanges the next little bit. I want them done in plenty of time for mailing! And, I'm thinking of joining Anne and Katrina on the next Needleroll SAL the second weekend in June. I have quite a few needlerolls kittied up, so maybe this will motivate me to stitch them! :-)

Stitching on today: ??? can't tell!!

Coffee!!

Saw this over on Christine's blog, and had to try it! (Low maintenance? DH doesn't think so!)

You are a Black Coffee

At your best, you are: low maintenance, friendly, and adaptable At your worst, you are: cheap and angsty You drink coffee when: you can get your hands on it Your caffeine addiction level: high

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

Rainy days and Thursdays... (and SBQ)

I know that's not how the song goes... but, it would be fitting for today.

Tuesday was a great day for golf! It was my first time out with my new clubs, and I shot a 49. Judy, my golf partner, and I took 18 points! We are off to a great start in this golf league!

No new pictures to post, so, I'll take a page from Sharon, and post a few older ones. She has just started a new blog, and has some great pictures up. Go take a look!

Here is May Flower Cat from Puddin Designs. I finished this into a needleroll. This is fitting for CeeCee today, as he keeps chewing on my artificial tulips!



This is from a Round Robin I did a few years ago. Shadow keeps looking out the window, but, there isn't a lot of activity out there with the rain.



I made up some Potato Soup for supper. I'm thinking it will take the 'chill' off of this rainy day. Then I can stitch the rest of the evening. I spent the morning doing the housework thing, and took a nap this afternoon. Housework is hard work!!

SBQ - May 10, 2006
When you stitch from a kit and use the supplied floss do you have
leftovers? If so, how much and what do you do with them? If not, do
you usually have just enough or do you have to dig into your stash to
finish?

I don't do very many kits, but, the ones I have done seem to have enough floss. I can only think of two that didn't and they were both the overdyed. It might have been the way I stitched, so, I just called the LNS and ordered more. If I tend to have leftovers, I will leave them with the chart, so, if I pass it on, the colors are with it.

The permalink to this post is: http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2006/05/leftovers/

On the stitching front: I finished the Blue Ribbon Designs freebie 'The Alphabet Tree', and am stitching on CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees. I need to get busy on my Quaker Sampler, as I haven't started part 4 yet, and I have two exchanges to stitch up... that all should keep me out of trouble for the rest of the week -- and Sunday is DT Game Board!

Thanks for reading and commenting...

Stitching on today: CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees

Monday, Monday...

Why does it seem like all good intentions get side-tracked? I was planning on spending all afternoon/evening stitching on the DT Game Board SAL. It was out... ready to go... Put a few stitches in. Chuck (DH) decides he should mow the lawn. No problem, but, as I go outside, I see the deck furniture really needs a good wash up. So... yes, I did that. A few more stitches in... Chuck asks if I want to go to the driving range and hit a bucket of balls to get a better feel of my new golf clubs. How could I refuse that offer? Back home -- burgers on the grill -- yummy -- and I'm ready to settle in for stitching! Get a few stitches in, Rick (son) calls... "Mom? I would like to get a new comforter for my bed, and stuff. Will you go with me to the store, and help pick out something nice?" Now, how could I refuse that?! Only thing, my son drives a jeep. It is always a laughing attack for me to get into the thing! He (with my help) picked out a nice black/grey shades patchwork comforter, sheets, shams, dust ruffle thing, and new pillows. (He has a thing for black). Back home -- can I just stitch now??? Becca (daughter) and her friend come home from a church youth function. Friend needs a ride home. :::sigh::: Took friend home, and gosh... now I get to pick up my stitching! It's ten o'clock and I realize I haven't accomplished hardly anything! Therefore -- progress today was practically nil!!! I stitched the 'P & Q' in the top border. Started on the house block twice under the BCD. (had to frog the first time -- miscounted) No picture. Not enough done to show any progress!! I will insist on my stitching time next Sunday!

Today I am goofing off, trying to decide whether to work on CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees, or try out one of the new threads I got from Nancy, with a little freebie from Blue Ribbon Designs. I think the freebie is going to win out!

Have a great Monday! Thanks for reading...

Grab Bag Exchange Received!

OMG!! Yesterday was an awesome mail day! I came home to a beautiful sunny yellow envelope! It was my Grab Bag Exchange from Nancy K.! Inside, wrapped in yellow tissue paper, and tied with a 'real' ribbon, was the following: five 'spring-time' colors of DMC; a package of John James needles; pretty yellow Mill Hill beads; three charms (looks like an angel, cupid, and a fairy); two beautiful over-dyed floss by Sugar Maple; a mini DMC Cyclamen kit; two fat quarters of lovely fabric; two Prairie Schooler Charts: Garden Fairie and Spring Cleaning Fairie; a magazine of 108 quick recipes; and.... a tin of Wintergreen Altoids!!! (How did she know I am addicted to these!?!) Isn't that an amazing package??



And... DD Becca took a new picture of my Flowering Crab Tree. The predicted storm never came, and now it is in full bloom! I can't remember it ever being this pretty!



and... Summer Time Rock & Roll!!
Chuck (DH) and I attend a concert series every summer for seven days. Today they announced the final act... Ted Nugent!!! Here is a link to the festival: Common Ground Festival
Other artists/bands we will be seeing include: Steve Miller Band; Bonnie Raitt; Styx; The Bangles; Ted Nugent!!! (I know... who would have thunk this old cross stitcher was a hippy rocker at heart! LOL)

Have a great weekend, friends...

Thanks for reading and for commenting!

After dinner of Tacos (Happy Cinco de Mayo!) I'll be stitching on: Ladybugs and Bumblebees

SBQ - May 3, 2006

Do you or have you stitched with over-dyed threads? (Weeks Dye Works,The Gentle Art Sampler Threads, Six Strand Sweets, etc.) If so, what is your opinion concerning them? If not, why not?

Yes, I have... usually only if a design calls for over-dyed threads. I am not adventurous enough to substitute on my own. I still use DMC for most of my stitching -- even if a Designer calls for the over-dyed. I do not see any reasoning in stitching two or so stitches in an over-dyed. For that I will use DMC. I do wish more designers would give a conversion to DMC/Anchor. The cost of adding all these over-dyeds to the stash can be expensive, and not readily available to all stitchers. I have been known to 'blend' two colors of DMC to achieve the 'look' of an overdyed, if I did not have the suggested floss in my stash. Some designs do look great when stitched with over-dyed -- and for those I will usually go with the suggested fibers. As for stitching each stitch individually with over-dyed, as they suggest -- that doesn't bother me.


The permalink to this post is:http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2006/05/over-dyed-opinions/

Stitching Update - with pictures

On Sunday, I started the DT Sampler Game Board - a SAL with Cathy, Lelia, and Sabine. :-) I really like the colors in this! I am stitching mine on a 32ct. linen, with DMC. After seeing Lelia's houses on hers... I know this is going to be fun to stitch.


I also made progress on the Lizzie Kate Christmas Blessings, and stitched the 'Charity' square yesterday. My sister has laid claim to these, after I stitch them, so, I want to keep up on the stitching!


Last night... when I should have been playing golf, but, it was raining, I pulled out the CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees and stitched on that. I'll probably stitch on this awhile, as it is holding my interest.


Sorry they are wrinkly... I didn't feel like going upstairs to press them before taking pictures. You all understand. :-)

Thanks for reading, and for your comments.

Stitching on today: CCN Ladybugs and Bumblebees

Pinks and SBQ's

A few pictures of some flowering things.... My flowerering crab tree. (You can also see my dead grass in the yard.)


It was a Mother's Day gift a few years ago. I thought we better get a picture of it before the storms hit.

And, my bleeding hearts plant.


I need to catch up on the SBQ's, so here goes:

SBQ - April 5, 2006

Do you stitch "on the go?" (On the commute to and from work, during
your lunch break, waiting for the kids, etc.) If so, do you have a
specific "travel" project or do you just grab whatever you happen to
be working on and take it with you?

I've been known to take projects with me if I know I will have 'wait' time. Usually it is something on a larger count fabric, as I don't know how good the lighting will be. I have a tabletopper in a tote that I can always grab to take with me. (I did stitch two tabletoppers during my husband's hospital stay.)

SBQ - April 12, 2006

For those of you that stitch while riding in the car or on the train,
how do you cope with the bumps and the motion? Do you have any tips
for others?

I've stitched in the car during trips, but, have not done so in quite awhile. I guess I would say that when I did, it was something simple, and of one color, so as not to have to mess with a lot of changing colors.

SBQ - April 19, 2006

Do you do obligation or deadline-based stitching? Why or why not? If
you do, do you tend to get in over your head and why?

I've done model stitching, and Round Robins, and am just now joining some exchanges. I will probably not do model stitching again -- too much pressure to finish in a certain time frame. I've done my bit with the Round Robins also. I enjoyed the last one I was in, but, I've had a few get lost, so, I'm not joining any more. The time frame on those was not a problem. I tried to start them as soon as received, so I was not pressured by a date to mail, and not having it finished. The few exchanges I have joined, I have already started the stitching, and hope to have them done way ahead of the mail date. I limit the number of obligation/deadline stitching... You just never know when life will jump out and give you something unexpected.

Thanks for reading, and thanks to all who comment! It makes my day!

Stitching on today: Lizzie Kate Christmas Blessings