More progress on the Unicorn sampler

I managed to finish the alphabet band with the date 1660 and signature "MD". The letters are all done in italian cross stitch, and the dividing bands are montenagrin.

I put in all of the needle-woven stitches, so now you can see the acorn and star motifs. The little eyelet looking things are darned wheels.

I also started withdrawing the threads for the second drawn work section. You cut 2 horizontal threads at the center where the basted line is, withdraw them, (pull them out) and then weave them into the border on the back. You skip 2 threads and then cut the next 2, withdraw them and so on. After all of the horizontal threads are removed you do the same with the vertical threads. Then you weave over them to bind each set of 2 threads together to make a grid. The lacy pattern is worked on this grid, using the stitches I have used above to make the unicorn panel-doves eyes, needle weaving and darned wheels. This bottom panel will look like a piece of lace when it is done.

Its really easy-it just takes time. But it is SO worth it when you are done, don't you think?

Stitchy Weekend

I had a lovely stitchy weekend, due to the cancellation of one of DD's basketball games. So I took advantage of some relaxation time to pull the Unicorn Sampler out of my WIP pile.  I actually finished the doves eye stitches in the top cutwork band. There are still some needleweaving stitches that go in to form an acorn and other motifs. Then there is the lower band that I haven't even started yet-but for now I am pleased to have a big chunk of the top one done.

Here you can see the lower alphabet band, all done in italian cross stitch. I am working this one in silk threads on 35ct. cream linen. It seems every stitch in this sampler is time consuming, but it will be a great accomplishment when it is completed.

And here is my progress on AED 1746. I affectionately think of this one as Adam and Eve and the Devil. It has a lot of religious motifs on it, which I love,  and a great  A&E at the bottom center. This is another repro from Scarlet Letter that I started in January during the Crazy 15 Challenge. It is mostly if not all cross stitch, so it will go much faster. I love the 35ct Tea linen I am working it on-such a pretty color. I am stitching it in good ol' DMC.

Hestia Jones Sampler

Here is my progress on Hestia so far. This is the second fabric as the first one was just too dark. This is "earthen" by PTP.

At first I tried stitching this 1 over 2. I didn't like it. I am working this on 28ct. because there are several 1 over 1 motifs. I didn't like the 1 strand coverage, so I went back to 2.

 Then after putting in the entire top floral border I began working the left hand bird, only to discover my entire border was off by 1 stitch! If this was not a model believe me I would have fudged and left it forever, BUT, I cannot do that. So out came the froggie! *sigh*. But now I am back on track and moving on!

Brand New Wares available on the Merc Tonight!

Fancy Peacocks by Stacy Nash

DMC on 32ct. antique white linen hand dyed by me

Check it out at the Merc!

Whats happening in studio beez?

Oh my goodness! I can't believe I haven't posted since Feb. 17th! 

Wow! I won't bore you with all that has been happening around here, but it had something to do with birthdays(not mine) and basketball! But alas, all that is behind me now and I have a new week to look forward to,  full of,  um... basketball.   My dd has like 4 games this week and a try-out for a travel team on Saturday. Whew!

But I HAVE been working! 

Very hard! 

To get something done for the TDIPT Mercantile which will be posted tonight. 

And I have taken more doll orders. 

And I have finally received my new fabric for Hestia Jones, so I will be able to get working on her.  

And I joined a new quilt guild

which has a WOOL QUILT BEE! (which is like a little sub-group of ladies who like to work with wool! Yay!)

So fun and exciting things have been happening here in the midst of all the chaos.

Here is a pic of my new little lady;

Mercy Caldwell

Check out her awesome florentine stitch stomacher! It is still just pinned on in this pic, but I am wokin on it! LOL! It is hand stitched bargello on canvas by little ole me. This lady is dressed in a colonial style costume- be sure to check her out tonight at 9PM standard, so see all of her awesome costume and my other offerings as well.

I will have another punch needle piece and hopefully a little cross stitch cupboard hanger as well. 

OK, its back to work for me if I am going to get all of that ready! 

See ya tonight at the Merc!

Still feeling romantic

 

I am not ready to put away my valentines decorations yet, are you?

The 2 crocheted hearts are vintage-the one in the front was made by my grandmother, who was quite the crochet-er. The one in back I bought at an antique mall. I truly love these old crochet hearts-I wish I could find more. They are so pretty and they make great pincushions! You will recognize my punch needle heart too-didn't it turn out pretty? I can only enjoy it for a time as I will have to sell it on the TDIPT Mercantile this month. I always tell myself I will make another one to keep but I never do! LOL!

And, you may have noticed that my pretty white basket has been "chewed" on the handle by a naughty little puppy named Carmel. 

We will say no more...

A project for my guild

Heart Bookmark

DMC on antique white belfast

LMSG group project

  This year I wanted to get back to some guilds. I have belonged to many different guilds over the years but family obligations and the many church ministries I belong to have always made it hard to attend. But this year I am determined to join and ATTEND some guilds! 

I really enjoy the camaraderie with other stitchers/ needleworkers. So the first one I joined was Lake Michigan Sampler Guild. I have belonged to this guild before and was pleased to see, when I went to the January meeting, that many of the same people are still involved and they are going strong. 

I quickly signed up for 2 classes being taught by Joanne Harvey, of The Examplerary in April. (and I mean, how glamorous is that second one, Elizabeth Taylor, I ask you!)

Betsy Davis

Elizabeth Taylor

The group project for January was this heart bookmark(above)-and the sweetest little kit was handed out to all. It included all of the materials to stitch this simple heart design, and the cutest thing was the little heart magnet that held the needle! 

This month, one of the members will teach us all how to do the hemstitch edging to finish it up. I already know how to do it, but I would like to see how others do it and I always have trouble mitering those corners-so maybe I'll get some pointers.

Next week I am going to go to a quilt guild meeting and see what that is all about. I could really use some motivation to finish the 3 big quilts I have started as well as learn some new techniques.