Take along project

The week in the Outer Banks went flying right by.  Always makes me feel sad as the good Lord is the only one who truly knows when my three kids will be in the same place at the same time.  The trip back to Manassas was horrendous! A trip that took us 4 1/3 hours to get there, took us 7 hours to get back.  Traffic on 64, 295 and 95 would try the patience of Job.

But we made it safe and sound. But since I drove both ways, I was exhausted.  Slept like a rock Sun. night and took a nap on Mon. Feeling much more "with it" today!

While in the Outer Banks my take along project was Ann Pegg 1877 by The Scarlett House. I'm stitching Ann in 36 ct. Vintage Maritime White by Lakeside Linens.  The chart calls for Gentle Arts Threads which I'm using but does have a conversion for DMC.

While I worked on Ann almost every night I find that when I use a smaller linen count it takes me longer to stitch. 

Meanwhile the lovely Isabella was awaiting my return.  While doing laundry from our trip I managed to stitch on her a bit so she doesn't feel totally left out.  If you are wondering about the large gap in letters, it's because the second row is done on satin stitches.  Trying to figure out the best way to make them look really good.  Sort of wished I had used an even weave as linen with its variation in the threads isn't always conducive to smooth satin stitches. 

While on vacation we had our mail held.  I had some wonderful goodies awaiting me upon my return! I ordered a couple DVD's (Center Stage & Band of Brothers).  Being a child of the 50's I so enjoy a good western or war picture. 

I also received some fabric 40 ct. piece for Mexican Schoolgirl practice sampler. And a chart for a Tin Topper by Samplers and Such (Rebecca Dorrie design). All eBay purchases.

When I was packing supples for our vacation I was looking around for something that could hold extra needles, tweezers, needle threader and scissors.  Whala the larger Altoid can is just the perfect size!

Evidently I was behind in figuring this out! Seems Rebecca has a whole series of tin topper charts.  Plus Piinterest has instructions how to finish them.  I'm kicking myself now for all the tins I tossed when empty.

Here is some of the designs for tin toppers.

If you like this idea charts can be purchased as noted below. I was just lucky to find the one I wanted on eBay.

There are lots of designs still available - right now the models are all down at Needleworker's Delight in Colonia, NJ - this is one of 2 frames of my tin models she has.

Guess that's it for this post.  Happy stitching!

Isabella Gray 1838 -week 2

A little late in posting to my blog this week.  It's because I spent 4 1/2 hours in the car making the trek from Manassas to Southern Shores, NC on Sunday.  By Sunday evening I was exhausted and in bed before 11 pm.  

On top of that, the home we rent for the week is awesome.  Has a pool, 2 blocks from the beach.  Close to shopping.  But cell phone service and Internet is not the greatest.  Although cell coverage has improved slightly from last year since they erected a cell phone tower within view of the house.  But it's the weirdest cell phone tower I've ever seen.  Looks like a humongous flag pole.  

Back to Isabella.  Not quite sure what pages in the chart I'm in, since I left her home in Manassas.  She's getting a vacation too.  I did manage to finish all the small letters, and have started on the large.  First row of large letters is all Algerion Eye stitches. The second row of large letters are Satin stitches.  Nice when you get to mix it up a bit. This is a. Picture of where I left off.

This is a picture earlier in the week before I was able to move my scroll rods a bit.

During this week I managed to make a trip to In Stitches in Alexandria, Va.  Was waited on by the lively Patricia Eaton. Of course I couldn't leave empty handed.

In the meantime I have been working on  Ann Pegg by Scarlet House.  Using 36 ct. Lakeside Linen 36 ct. Vintage Maritime White.  Gentle Arts threads.

Sorry for the shadow but the lighting is bad too.  Thankful for my travel Ott light.

I was pleased to be contacted by someone who works for Attic Needleworks in Mesa, Az, requesting permission to use my picture of Rhoda Hastings  sampler in one of their upcoming newsletters.  Attic Needleworks has such a renewed interest in the Rhoda Hastings sampler, that they contacted Rebecca Dorrie and requested she print more copies.  Ms. Dorrie is reproducing 18 additional charts as she only has enough of the needlepoint yarn for 18 more charts. 

Whew this has been a long entry!  When I'm not stitching I will be here with my iPod and a romance novel.  No need to worry bout sharks here!

Until next week Happy Stitching! 

Isabella Gray 1838 - week one

Rhoda Hastings was barely finished when I broke down my floor stand to start another project.

Had to change out lots of parts and pieces to go back to a smaller project since Rhoda was such a large piece.

Here is Isabella Gray 1838 by Samplers Revisited. I'm stitching her on light Exampler linen in 32 ct.  Using DMC threads.

The chart calls for cross stitch, Algerion eye stitches and some satin stitching.  You can tell it's a Scottish Sampler from the style and layout.  Isabella was 10 when she stitched this.  The colors are awesome and I have enjoyed working on her.  Takes me a bit longer when I'm working on a smaller count linen.

I also think I picked out the next 2 or 3 samplers I will be tackling when this one is complete. Trying to stitch charts that I've had in my stash for awhile.

Little hint that someone might find useful.

I keep a note on my note application in my phone titled DMC. If I'm running low on a particular thread color I under it my phone so the next time I'm out and near a store that carries the thread I can pick up some more.

We also keep a white board on our fridge to write down stuff for things we need from the grocery store.  I take a picture of it before I leave the house and can refer to it when I get to the store so I don't forget anything.  Then delete the photo once I've shopped.

Rhoda Hastings 1863 complete!

WhooHoooo!  Just put the final stitches in Rhoda Hastings 1863. Chart by Samplers and Such, Designer Rebecca Dorrie. Sewn on 28 ct. lambswool linen, using DMC

Rhoda Hastings 1863 - week 5

Page 5

Page 6

Pretty amazed at myself that I managed to stitch this much. Last week was just a busy week withcommitments.  Unfortunately, commitments as well as the sometimes necessary afternoon nap 

take away from stitching time.

I think another day or two and I will be completely finished with this sampler.  I will take a few days off before I begin another because I just have to work on the slip covers to cover the floral love seat and couch.  Going to the boys townhouse for college, and the floral print was not their style.

After that, it'll probably be a few small projects to take with me to our annual family vacation in the outer banks.  Then next on the list is Isabella Gray 1838

Had this in my stash for awhile, fabric color and count as well as the designer will follow when I actually start stitching it.

Managed to go to another stash sale by the Woodbridge stitching group.  They meet on Tursdays at the Wegmans.  They are helping liquidate the stash of a member who passed away.  After an hour I managed to purchase 3 pieces of fabric in larger cuts and various cts. and a chart.

This Is MMS 1758 by Sampler Workes. 

Rhoda Hastings 1863 - Week 4

My big goal this week was to finish page 4.  I finally put the last few stitches in a few moments ago.  

It was rather slow going as there was so many motifs. Plus the alphabit in Algerion stitches.  Not my favorite stitch!  They look so pretty when completed but it seems like it takes for ever to do them and see any progress.

The border is quite detailed too.  Zigzags, has cross motifs at each point with a single stitch in the middle.  Followed by more zigzags with leaves with alternating birds and animals and more Algerion stitches. Plus names. Then if that isn't enough a single line of cross stitch along the bottom.

I have been going through DMC like Sherman through Atlanta.  I can not tell you how many times I have been back to Michael's, AC Moore and Walmart to purchase more thread. If you have this in your stash, buy 3 skeins of pretty much everything, especially the greens and golds and blues. It'll save you on multiple trips.

I always feel quilty for wanting to add to my stash.  Be it charts, fabric or thread. To be honest, I do downsize the charts from time to time.  By giving them away or donating them.  I also set a monthly budget for myself of how much I will spend in my hobbi.  Sometimes I'm over and sometime I'm under.  This month I think I spent under $40.  Included a yard of linen I bought on an eBay auction and the extra skeins of DMC.

Being a part of FB I read the stories of stitchers that their stash collections go back for decades.  Then they, or the loved ones are forced to dissemble the collection within a very short period.  It's heart breaking to read the stories because you can hear how overwhelmed they are.  

Just something to think about.  I have had to think about it due to a sudden loss of someone, plus moving my mother's things.  I guess the question to ask is, is my stash organized?  Do I want my family or myself to be overwhelmed by having to rid should it be necessary? If you have things that are older than 10 years you have to ask "am I really going to get to this?"  Just food for thought!

On a bit of a better thought.  I managed to purchase some baskets that attach to the railing that leads to the door of the mud room. My hubby installed them for me.  Picked up a few more posies today and planted them.  I think they'll brighten up that entrance a bit.

Rhoda Hastings 1863 - week 3

Felt like I made a lot of progress this week when I was able to finish pages 2 and 3.  

I received the replacement needlepoint yarn from the designer and was able to rip out the purple and red I had already stitched and replace it with correct color.

So I'm back on track.  Another weird thing I discovered about this chart is the grid lines are off.  Never seen one like this.  When you go from pages 1,2 & 3, the grid lines should be consistent from top to bottom.  When you get to pages 4, 5 and 6, the grid lines across are not where they should be.  Oh well!  Still a beautiful sampler and I ran a few grid lines of my own to make sure I was keeping on count.  Especially since this is a wide sampler.  I'm using 36" scroll rods.

I have already picked out my next project.  Won't be sharing till I finish this one. It's definately a sampler and my guess it's of Scottish origin.

The delemma continues with what I should purchase next.  Is it more fabric, fiber packs for some time charts I already have?  Or do I purchase 3 more sampler charts?  Hmmm what to do? 

Thought I was full up on charts since I have some real beauties in my stash.  But then I saw some by Heart's Ease Exampler.  The Maryland sampler and Norfolk sampler are to die for!  Especially since my hubby's family reside in Md. And my daughter was born in Md.  The Norfolk chart!  I spent many a year's residing in that area while my husband was active duty Navy.  My youngest was born in Portsmouth and my oldest is living in Norfolk right now.

I may have mentioned that I have my 93 year old mom living with us.  She has taken up residence in my office chair which goes to my sewing machine.  Probably because it's close to the TV.  But when she gets a bit bored with watching the Hallmark channel or NCIS reruns I find her spinning the chair in my direction as I stitch away.  She keeps asking me "are you almost done?" 

I don't think she has any idea how long it takes to stitch something and as soon as this project is finished I'll be putting a new piece of fabric on my stand to start another!