Judy Odell, I Love You!

For those of you who may not be familiar with her work, Judy is an amazing finisher who creates gorgeous heirloom pieces that stitchers can make for themselves. A couple of years ago, I signed up for her online class for Mary Wigham's Wardrobe, which looked like this when I finished it:

While I love my wardrobe, I definitely wish my finishing skills had been a bit better. So when I found out that Judy needed someone to stitch her My Treasures Workstation for a revised version that she wanted to publish, I eagerly volunteered. She sent me the chart, I chose the fabric and flosses, stitched it up as fast as my fingers would allow and sent it to her. Here is a part of what it looked like when I mailed it to her:

Here is what I will be receiving in the mail later this week:

I am positively giddy with anticipation! So now you know why I love Judy Odell!!

Two Small Finishes

While I sat and stitched with Tanner for a couple of nights last week, I was able to finish up Just Nan's Pretty Wicked, which was actually on my WIP list! The problem was, I needed something to work on while my mom had cataract surgery on Wednesday, but I had finished all the small, portable WIPs on my list. So, yes, I fell off the wagon again! But only for another little Just Nan Whimzi, Maple Ravens, which I was able to finish up that same night.

I really like these Whimzi designs, as they stitch up quickly and are easily popped into their little frames. I'm already thinking about which one I can work on when my mom has her other eye done next week!

Tanner got part way through the second "N" in his name last week, but didn't work on it all weekend because he was busy playing with friends. Hopefully, he'll get a bit more done this week. :)

A Huge Thank You!

I can't thank all of you wonderful stitchers who have posted encouragement to Tanner, both here and on the 123Stitch MB, enough. The first question out of his mouth when he got home from school yesterday was "Did anyone say anything about my stitching?", and he was absolutely thrilled to find that so many people had taken the time to look at his work and comment on it. As soon as he finished reading all of the comments, he sat down and finished up the "A". During the evening he completed the first "N", and then this morning started on the second "N". I will definitely be posting his finish in the near future!

I hope that Tanner will continue stitching in the future, but even if he ends up stopping I know we will both always remember this time, when so many kind people made one little boy feel so special. Thank you all!

Stitching, the Next Generation

Last night, Tanner, my 10 year-old son, asked if I would teach him how to stitch. So down to my craft room I went, in search of a pattern and supplies that would be appropriate for a beginner. Luckily, some of the patterns I've liked have only come in kit form, so I had some Aida available (as I honestly cannot even remember the last time I used it); grabbed that, some floss, a needle, a small Qsnap and a one-color alphabet chart and off we went.

He caught on really well to how the squares in the chart correlate to the squares in the fabric, and between last night and a bit of stitching before school this morning, he has come up with this:

I'm so proud of my little guy! I need to get the rest of his name charted out, and then I want to find some simple stars to add to it that he can use beads to stitch.

While I sat at the table with Tanner, I pulled out my Just Nan "Pretty Wicked" to work on, as it is nice and small. Here is where I started:

And here is where I am now:

Last night, sitting at the table with my son and my mom (who has been living with us since last fall as she recovers from nearly dying of double pneumonia), was truly a wonderful time; a beautiful memory I will carry with me always.

Ladyslipper HD!

I have just put the last of the beads on her, and for once it's not 2am when I finished! Here is Nora Corbett's Ladyslipper, stitched on SMF Sugared Confections Belfast linen:

I think the wings are my favorite so far, as I love both the colors and the shape. They also have plenty of beads:

Here is a close-up of her pretty hair decorations:

I want to say "thank you" for the encouraging words that have been posted here, and also for letting me share my obsession with you.

Now it is time to get back to the model I've been neglecting, so I can get it done and then chose the next WIP to work on. Hope everyone has a great week, and lots of time to stitch!

Almost done...

...with my Ladyslipper Pixie. I got quite a bit done this past weekend, hunkered down in my stitching room watching two versions of "Jane Eyre" and one of "Sense & Sensibility", plus a few more modern movies as well. Hoping to have a HD within a few days!

Also getting excited to see the new Mirabilia design, which should be released this Wednesday!

Lady A is finally home!

If you read my earlier post, you'll remember that the framer goofed on Lady Alexandra by not leaving enough space between the her left side and the frame, so I had to leave her there to be fixed. Finally, last night, after another two weeks, the gallery called to say that she was done. Here she is:

I think the colors of the frame are perfect, and I loved how the design on it brought out the detailing in the dress. Here is a close-up that shows the frame design better:

Now comes the best part, finiding the perfect spot to display her! I guess I will be doing it right away, as I am unable to wrap her back up in the paper she came in since it is now in use:

It turns out, all the money we spend on pet toys is a waste; all you need is a big piece of paper! ;)

I'm so ashamed!

For all my good intentions, I couldn't even make it a month without a new start! I blame it all on Nora Corbett, who has yet to design something that I don't want to stitch, and who keeps putting out new designs on the 15th of every month!

In January she released two new Pixie designs, "Waterlily" and "Ladyslipper", and of course I loved them both. But of the two, Ladyslipper was the one I liked the best, even though the majority of people who commented on them preferred Waterlily. So you see, I  had to start Ladyslipper, because it didn't sound like anyone else would!

Here is what the chart photo looks like:

I started her on January 27, and here is my progress so far:

Her dress has no Kreinik or beads in it, so it is a bit more plain than some of the Pixies. So to add a bit of visual interest, I chose a fabric that has gradations of color; it is Sugared Confections, from Sugar Maple Fabrics, on Belfast linen.

Unfortunately, SMF closed down several years ago, so these gorgeous fabrics are hard to find anymore. Luckily, my stashoholism was in full force during the years she was open, and I acquired quite a hoard of her fabrics! It reminds me of an episode of "Seinfeld", in which Elaine was stockpiling "the sponge" birth control; she evaluated each man she dated for "spongeworthiness". I evaluate each design I stitch for "SMF-worthiness"! You probably have to be a stitcher to understand. ;)

So I will stitch away (guilt-ridden) on my Ladyslipper; I'm thinking she will probably be finished around the 15th of February, just in time for the release of one of Nora's BIG designs!! But no, I will be climbing back up on the wagon, back to my role as the WIP Slayer!