One Stitch At A Thyme

WAHOO!! DONE, DONE, DONE!!!!

Name: To Love and Cherish
Type: Counted Cross Stitch
Finished Chart Size:
11" x 14" ( 27.9cm x 35.6cm ) on 28ct. Jubilee by Zweigart [Antique White]
Finished Frame Size: 17" x 19"
Kit #: 023-0139
Designer/Publisher: Sandy Orton/© 2004 Janlynn Corp.
Finished: May 29, 2007

Misc. Info: Started March 19, 2006. Faces have been covered to provide anonymity. The frame is polished aluminum, the mats are Off-White Linen and Very Lt. Antique Violet ( DMC 3743).


Me and digital cameras just don’t seem to get along. Case in point these pictures. If you were to see it in person the Antique Violet matt really makes the (DMC 3743) shadows under the roses and banners really pop giving it a 3-D look. I’m really happy the way the stitching turned out. I would’ve preferred the sepia couple that came with the chart. To tape a photo in the center just seemed wrong to me. But that’s my taste and my sister insisted, and well, it’s going on their living room wall. (click to see larger pic)





Other Stitching News: Well I’m going to be starting up my monthly rotation schedule again. And since there’s only a week left in June I thought I’d put some time in on “Christmas Sampler 2003”. Working on black fabric can really be hard on the eyes. But I need to show some progress on it, so it gets a week and starting next month it’s on to TW’s “Camelot Sampler”.

Today's SBQ was suggested by Kathryn and is:

When you start a new work do you look for something small,
do you look for another huge project, or do you consider your UFOs?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-the-choices-we-make/

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When I start a new project size doesn’t matter, it’s the subject of the design that calls to me or not. That, in a nut shell, can be one big dilemma for me and why I have so many WiPs. I can’t seem to stitch fast enough before I get bored with a project and have the itch to start a new one. Which is why I try to keep to a rotational schedule.

That’s another reason I’m “On The Wagon”. Having 4 file folder drawers chocked full of kits that I’ve collected over the years I will not pull them out and fondle them until the list on my side bar is down to zero.

As I was mulling over the answer to this question it occurred to me that over the last ten years there was always some family member I was doing stitching for. Be it weddings, anniversaries, births, or birthdays, etc. Well no more! Someone else can do it! I’m finally going to stitch just for me!!! Which is why, now that I have all of my obligation stitching done I can finally concentrate on getting my WiPs finished. YEA!!!

Oh, and as for UFO’s - I have no urge to look at them. Thank goodness I only have one.

Today's SBQ was suggested Jennifer and is:

How do you store your WIPs and other projects that you have kitted up?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-storing-stuff/

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I have 3 types of project storage. The first is 2 gallon Ziploc plastic bags. Next I have 2 navy blue DMC heavy-duty travel bags. They have a 3 ring binder that holds stitchbow transparent inserts, my charts, working copies, plus fabric and supplies. The last one is a quilted scroll frame tote bag that I purchased from Nordic Needle.

Once the projects are kitted up in 2 gallon Ziploc plastic bags, they are stored beside my chair in a green file folder box. That way after they become WiPs it's easier to rotate them from the front of the box to the back. When we use to have an LNS I would use the different travel bags to drag my projects to the store for stitch-ins evenings & weekends.

Other News: I finally managed to get to Crafter’s Warehouse today and purchased a double mat (off-white linen/lt. purple), glass, and ordered a silver wood frame for “To Love and Cherish”. The frame order won’t go out until next Monday and the framer assured me that this particular company had a quick turn-around time and I should have the frame by the end of the week. I made sure not to leave my stitchery there, 1) because I don’t want anyone but me touching my work. And 2) they would have charged me a service fee for putting it together. Besides, I was already gagging at the $155.75 (us) I was putting out for just the framing materials; and I’m quite capable of putting the pieces together myself – for FREE!!

Well that's it for this blog blurb...

Today's SBQ was suggested by Ish and is:

What has been your most challenging project and why?

The permalink to this post is:
http://blog.blondelibrarian.net/archives/2007/06/sbq-challenging-projects/

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I think my most challenging needlework project is still ahead of me. I would like to try hardanger and pulled thread work, but I have this innate fear of cutting wholes in evenweave fabric.

As far as projects, I have already done or still working on, each in their own way were a challenge. Though not so much in the difficulty of the chart, as was the fibers or techniques used. Two examples:

My first Teresa Wentzler ( Camelot Sampler ) was a challenge because it was the first time I switched over from working only with aida to 25 count evenweave fabric, using blended threads, and working in stitches over 1.



Pam Kellogg’s ( Autumn Mystery Sampler ) was the first time I used rayon floss and Kreinik gold braid. It was also my first mystery stitch-along project.



Right now my biggest challenge is to clear off all the WiPs I still have showing in my side bar and at least try to keep up with this blog. Even if it’s just answering the SBQ Memes.

I’ve been sick for the last 3 days with a sinus infection, so I haven’t had the chance to take a picture of my finished work. Mind you this is just the needlework half. I still have to get over to my sister’s house and get a copy of their wedding picture to put in the middle. It was officially finished last week, so the date in the corner with my initials says 5 * 2007. I’ll put the exact date and all pertinent information on a sticker on the back of the foam core, after I wash and lace the needlework later today. [click pic for larger image]




It will be closer to the end of the month before I can get a picture of the finished project all matted and framed to post to the blog. In the mean time I need to decide which WiP to get started on next.