March online shop

 Haven't blogged in a while, although I've started several, but felt I must start showing what we will be seeing in the upcoming needlework show.  Today's show is all about Theresa Kogut and she's got quite a few.  If you are interested in any just let Sara know and she'll put you on the list.

Rise and Shine-$10.00

Whimsy Halloween-$10.00

Rejoice Rejoice Snowman-$10.00

Pa. Dutch Farm Series-$10.00

The Heifer

Psalm 91;11-$10,00

Peacemaker-$16.00

Fraktur-$16.00

Come to the Garden-$16.00

Punchneedle

Soul Sisters

Punchneedle

This is the Day

Jackie du Plessis is coming to town!

It's been way too long since I last blogged, or stitched for that matter, but I'm hopeful this new year will bring my stitching mojo back with a vengeance. In the meantime, Sara has started lining up retreats once again..... First .. Jackie du Plessis will be spending the weekend of April 9-12 with us and she'll be teaching 4 days of fabulous stitching with 2 classes.  

Friday & Saturday Class

Ode -  (includes 2 nights lodging, and a boxed lunch for both days-)  This is a take-off of an antique lace display desk Jackie saw many years ago.  She had it scaled down to 7" x 8" and done with a cherry finish.  Jackie was inspired by Jane Austin's words and created her own tapestry of silken stitches as the desk's bottom  $650

The class includes the desk, all stitching and finishing supplies needed to complete the project as seen.  Fibers are silks-Hand dyed and solid and 100/3.   Ribbons are hand-dyed and Mokuba from Japan.   All finishing by hand-only the pinkeep gets a machine guideline for finishing.  Linen is 32 ct.  

The collection of items created to fill the Ode desk consists of

Desk bottom - Regency period wallpaper inspired the circle-shaped border. Jackie added the hand-dyed medley colored flowers to add a bit of nature's beauty. Various bands and motives of nature stitched to mimic a tapestry for the desk base. 

Sewing case - that has two functional ends, the storage case interior features an alphabet, paying homage to Jane and her masterful weaving of these letters into timeless stories.  The two functional ends consist of a pocket for trinkets and the second is a padded mattress pincushion that lifts to reveal a needle storage section.  Two thread holding Hedobo rings embellish the interior.  The outside of this sewing case features a circle pattern that is used to frame the desk bottom and can also be seen on the Pin Keep, Messenger thread storage bag.  This circle pattern was inspired by the regency period wall-paper.   When the case closes it fits perfectly vertically into the desk bottom.

Message bag thread pouch - Jackie wanted to create a special holder for finishing thread that mimic's the message carrier of yesteryear.

Button Pouch - Wanting to capture nature and all the beauty it brings, Jackie stitched a base of green leaves, each of these leaf edges is cupped with tiny Hedobo scallop stitches creating a scallop leaf effect. From these leaves, pretty flower buds sprout as if they hold a promise of things to come. The back of the button-bag features a stitched butterfly.

Pin Keep case - inspired by a watered-silk antique from Jackie's collection of smalls.

Bottle/trinket holder - holds three storage bottles.  The top and bottom of these two panels that are pulled at the sides to snugly hold the bottles in place are cupped with a Hedebo scallop edge.

Sunday and Monday Class

Gardenesque -  (includes 2 nights lodging, boxed lunch for each day)

Spend two enjoyable days stitching a series of needlework accessories to outfit the glorious hand-painted Gardeneque wooden basket. $850

 The basket is approximately 5”x7” in size, with a lid on each side of the handle, with an oval cut-out for a pincushion to be inserted.  The basket has a swing handle and at the bottom a pull-out drawer for more treasures, running the length of the basket.  The basket is made of tiger-wood maple and the lids, handle, and drawer have a hand-painted design of flowers, leaves, and a border. A collection of needlework accessories fit and stow neatly in the glorious workbasket.

The class includes the basket, all stitching and finishing supplies needed to complete the project as seen.  

Another finish.............

In the last post, I talked about Autumn Gathering by Brenda Gervais, as I had the stitching done but the finishing was not.  Well, it's completed now....and it wasn't that hard, amazingly enough.  

I'm really pleased with this finish as a shaped finish is always a little trickier than a square or circle, however, everything was a little easier than I had anticipated.  Brenda supplies a template for the cutout so having that made it easier than doing my own.  I gathered the circular top so it fit with no issues (just as you do when finishing a circular design) and I cut as close to the neck as I could without worrying and while I probably should have cut it a little closer, I was pleased with that as well.  When it came to the twill tape edging, I didn't realize we had the right size in the shop but was thrilled to see that we did so I decided to use it as well.  I loved Sara's reaction when I showed her the Twill and she said "oh, you have to sew it on both sides"...and after I finally stopped laughing I informed her I was gluing it on.  Yes I said glue.  I will glue on cording, etc., if it is not what I consider an heirloom piece, but a piece I enjoyed stitching but know when I go it won't be passed down through the generations.  The only problem I had with this finish is a personal thing.  I want everything I stitch to have a purpose.  I don't know why it's just part of my process.  So after the challenge of finishing it, I asked "What is it for?"  Stasi and Sara both answered it's just a decoration.  Finally, it was decided it should be a bowl filler.  While I have 2 dough bowls which I have filled with rolls, pincushions, ornaments, etc., this is not dimensional it's just flat, so I struggled.  Too late I thought, I could have made it into a needlebook or added a pocket to the back for needles and scissors.  And I suppose I could continue and add a back to it and still do those things, but, you know when you think you are done, often you are really done and don't want to put any more time into it.  That's where I am at this point.  So I put it on the counter in front of another piece and hopefully it will sit there and not fall on the floor.  But I have to say I liked stitching it and didn't mind finishing it.  I stitched on Fawn 36 ct using the fibers indicated.  I started out using 1 thread,  wasn't happy with it so I ended up using 2 strands for stitching.  The only exception to that was the stems of the flowers which I did over one using the stem stitch.  That made a pretty stem I think.  Anyway, moving now to another start and I might just return for a couple of fun days stitching on the SAL Coming to America which I have dearly loved.  I was trying to hold out until closer to the end day, November 6th, as I'm on the final section and really want the  finish to be on day 66. So I'll just stitch a few rows and then put it down again.  It's been exciting to see where everyone is.  It really doesn't matter when we get ours done, so if you aren't as far ahead as you'd like to be, don't worry there are others right where you are.  And it's not really about the end date as much as it is about the journey.  So whatever you are working on, enjoy the stitch.  

Wow...what a fabulous weekend we had.

Since we have canceled every event this year I thought Stitchers Jamboree would be no different...but Sara is not one to give up on an idea, so after Ocean City canceled Sunfest (a big closing party for the resort), Sara advised me she wasn't canceling our event, but she was giving stitchers the option to attend in person or take the classes using Zoom.   I thought no one would do it in person, but Sara had already sent out a note informing everyone it was still going to take place and the stitchers really stood behind the decision.  We had between 35-45 here in person, and the rest took it by Zoom.  Sara worked double time on this as she knew nothing about taking Zoom classes, but she got schooled by others who had done class by Zoom and came to the hotel to show her how to work the equipment, etc.  So she was ready to go Friday for the opening reception.  I had a difficult time wrapping my head around the changes, no opening reception in the lobby (each student showed up in their assigned classroom and there was a mini reception in every classroom, but no food.)  In fact, the classrooms became the stitching rooms when classes were done so there was no mingling in the lobby at all.  No continental breakfast, no Friday night dinner, no food served-Covid rules dictated and we observed the rules.  Sara had Malia, at one of our favorite cafes, do box lunches for Saturday's classes and people were sent the food options prior to the weekend so Malia would be ready and she delivered well-presented box lunches for everyone.  The teachers were fabulous and the projects this year were so special to us as Linda (Erica Michaels) designed a beautiful box project with the hotel theme, Pat and Peggy, (Fern Ridge) did a peyote fob with a white rocker in beads (those are on the front porch of the hotel, and Clara (Stitching Parlour) did the needlebook which shows the boardwalk/hotels, old fashioned bathers and on the third section a carousel horse on the outside.  And all the pieces fit in the box.  Thank you to the fabulous designers.  Kudos and well done!  And a huge thank you to the stitchers who joined us in person, and a huge thank you to all the stitchers who zoomed in.   There were very few glitches and the stitchers were very respectful of all the rules in place due to Covid-19.  Sara had assigned each classroom time in the shop so we never had a social distancing problem there.  Everyone wore their masks everywhere including in the classroom and even Vicki who had a coughing fit due to her allergies went to her room and joined by zoom because she didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable.  Now that's caring about others' feelings.  It had nothing to do with a cold, Covid or the like but she knew some might be concerned so she took herself out of the room. And several of the ladies brought show and tell, so I can tell you now stitching is definitely getting done and done beautifully.  It was so much fun to see it all.   Beautiful work....and finishing done well. So a Big Thank You to teachers and participants of the 2020 Jamboree.  We appreciated your attendance and look forward to seeing you all again.  

If you have read my blog at all during the course of the Pandemic you will know that I have been struggling to get back into stitching.  I have stitched and finished a few projects, but considering my goal has always been at least 1 finished project per week, I have definitely not reached my goal, or even come close.  But I have fallen in love with a project and can't force myself to put it down.  I'm back to stitching until midnight and waking up around 4 a.m. and stitching again and it feels wonderful.  I think you know which project I'm talking about.  Brenda Gervais, "Coming to America."  On September 6th, I put the needle through the linen and it just felt so good.  I decided initially to use the fabric called for, although for my sake I changed the count.  I love the look of the small count but it's a struggle for me at this point and since this is a long piece I wanted to be comfortable with the stitch,  I decided to pick the 28 ct. and with a twist decided to stitch over 1.  So now it's even smaller than if I stitched on 40 ct. over 2...yes love the smaller look.  I started at the top and instantly knew the seagulls in grits would not show up well enough for me so I changed the color to Gentle Arts Chalk.  It helps them show up a little bit more, for me.  I was going to incorporate gray on the head and wings but felt if I made too many changes I may burn out before getting to the finish line.  So I stuck with the Chalk seagulls and it's fine.  Then I got to the sails and couldn't even see the fiber as it really closely matched the fabric.  Then I saw many had stitched theirs and after the outline was put in they showed up, so I just outlined mine as well and that turned out fine.  Then the men boarded the ship and I noticed on line that the full gentlemen's jacket blended in with the ship (an advantage of letting others go ahead of you), so I changed that to Weeks Dye Works Onyx which is a brown/black color and that was fine.  Then I got to the Cape Cod and found that again I had trouble seeing the fish bones against my fabric, but because it is surrounded by a darker color I persevered and it looks fine.   I've had a few missteps and had to rip out and restitch, and sometimes I let the misstep go as it's not as noticeable, but I've truly enjoyed this piece and will really miss it once it's finished.  I had done the math before I started as I was concerned that I might not finish in 66 days due to my current (at the time) lack of stitching daily.  When I first figured out that I only needed to do 6.5 lines a day I figured I could handle that.  In some areas that is easily done, but the sections done border to border is a tad of a struggle for me as I get bored.  At first, I wanted to go over 6.5 lines a day in the event I didn't want to stitch every day.  Well, I'm now into the 24th day of stitching and I haven't stopped at all, so I'm way ahead of schedule. 

Please excuse the fact it hasn't been ironed....but here is my current delight.   Last week I finished the section with the names and the waves with the fish and I put the project down for a week or two so I can make sure I finish on the 66th day.  Truth be told I tried to put it down last weekend to work on a fall project....it didn't go well.   But eventually, after realizing I didn't like it stitched with just 1 strand and changed to 2 strands I was able to complete another Brenda Gervais, Autumn Gathering stitched on 36 ct. PTP Fawn using the stated fibers.  I'm fascinated with the shape of this one, as I know it will challenge me with finishing,  but it's still sitting unfinished on my table...I think I'm afraid I'll fail, but I'm going to try again today to get it done.  And the final piece I got done a few weeks ago is also Brenda Gervais, Coffee First.  which I stitched over 2 on 32 ct. linen.  I was all over the place on finishing this one.  I wanted to make a small pillow using a red ticking fabric in my stash,  but my kitchen is so small that there really isn't room to sit it anywhere so I figured I'd hang it as I still have wall space, but I like to utilize wood pieces for finishing that I can just keep replacing the stitched piece for different seasons.  So I made a fabric covered backboard but was too big for the hornbook, so my finish is much simpler than I would have liked.  But at some point, one must just move on.  So I did.  But "Witches Brew" is out and I'm doing this whole series so perhaps I can do better with it.   

Well, it's back to stitching I go.  Have a great fall, keep wearing the mask as we enter into a possible 2nd round of Covid-19, and stay out of crowds.  Enjoy your stitching and post it to give everyone else inspiration.  

Holly Beads have returned................

 I was thrilled when I got to work and was informed that the Holly beads had come back in as I had two of the Secret Santa ornaments waiting for finishing.  So I got busy and got the next two Santa's done.  Holly Santa and Deer Santa now join the pack of finished Santas.  Two more to go and I'll have caught up.  Can't wait...

I can't seem to get away from the Turkey Work beards, however, Deer Santa's does incorporate grey and I've made the beard longer by not trimming it so much.  I deed pull out the red beads to use on the garland on Deer Santa but then decided to make a Smyrna Stitch with metallic braid on the Holly Santa.  Again I satin stitched a nose on the Deer Santa and I made eyes on the deer using 1 over 1.  After finishing so many of these banner pieces I have to admit I don't dread the finishing like I do most finishing and cording has become easier as well.  On the Hands-on Design website Cathy has a tutorial on finishing for anyone that needs it., that is very helpful.  

 I worked with our Kathy and she was working on the Celebrate Summer tray from Madame Chantilly,

  another favorite designer of mine.  Kathie stitched  Celebrate the 4th of July earlier and it was so cute.  She then mentioned they also had a Halloween tray, a Christmas tray, and an Easter tray.  So. of course,. I've pulled them out and now I want to get at least Halloween and Christmas done before each holiday takes place.  So my stitching lineup changes once again.  I love Halloween stitching, although I'm currently working on Hands-on Design Boo Banner, I'm going to have to start stitching faster because I really want to get this one done as well.  

I've already started Christmas stitching with the Secret Santa banner so I have plenty of time to add this project to my line-up.  I'm still trying to decide on fabric count.  But I have time to mull that over as well.  

And the Easter Celebration will be in the line up for 2021.  This series would be great for displays because you could create a finish where you just flip them out using the same frame.  

 I finally decided I had to make a move on finishing the Blackbird Design out of their Sewing Club booklet called "My Home Scissor Box."  It's been stitched for a couple of weeks, but it was the painting of the box that stopped me from finishing.  Didn't have the paint they listed so I decided to come up with a plan using what I had.  At first, I was going to do the box a blue, but as I surveyed my options in the house I saw a few issues for me, so then I thought about trying to match the color of the urn holding the flowers.  I had a golden color that was too bright but I had a couple of browns, so in the end, I combined the Gold with Khaki and I think it turned out just fine.  Of course, I also considered Black which is usually my go-to because everything pops, but wanted to step out of my usual box and try something different.  Then I needed something to wrap around the design.  I had a Storm Blue Ric  Rac by Lady Dot that matched pretty good, but just in case I also made a blue cording.  While I liked both, the ric rac won my overall vote.  Before I go any further I should add here that in the book, this is done over 1 on 28 ct. Veldt PTP linen.  But when I asked for the box, Sara handed me the box you see here.  This is actually used for the Ripe Pear scissor box in " the same book and it measures 4" x 6 1/2".  The matchbox design calls for a box that measures 4" x 2 1/2".  So while it took me a couple of minutes to realize this wouldn't work for me on 28 ct., even if I did it over 2, I switched to 32 ct. over 2 and used PTP Doubloon, and it fits perfectly. I did have to make a change because the date of 2020 too up more space than 2019 and it came too close to the motifs that were there, so I put my initials in the spaces and moved one of the motifs where the initial was suppose to be.  And now it can hold a whole lot more than just the scissors, like a needlebook, scissor and fob, and a small pin cushion.  That's always a good thing, right?

So now it's back to the Secret Santa Series and the Boo Banner Series.  But I've got plenty more in the lineup so I should be busy for several months.  

I hope you are all well, getting lots of stitching done and I hope to see you soon.

And then there were two!...........

 

Yes,  another Secret Santa is done.  "Naughty or Nice" has now been stitched and finished and I'm moving on to #3 later on today.  I'd say my stitching mojo is back and I couldn't be more thrilled.  It is really aggravating to think of the wasted time when I could have been stitching....but that's all behind me now so I'll move on.  There were a few changes with this Santa...the most noticeable one would have to be the missing packages that should be around Santa's head.  I make a last-minute decision to leave them out as this Santa has a huge presence in my mind and the presents were distracting me.  I also made a couple of color changes, for the gloves...I didn't have the green metallic that Cathy called for and I looked up a variety of Santa's and there were 4 colors used for the gloves, red, white or black, or flesh-colored.  With the beard, you wouldn't notice white gloves, and with his red jacket,,  you wouldn't notice red gloves.   I needed contrast so black ended up the color.  I changed the color of his buckle from WDW Curry simply because in the first Santa Cathy used metallic gold and so I used it.    As with the first Santa, I used a triangle of color a little darker than the face shade, to make a nose and the cheeks.  Because I couldn't use my usual embellishments to enhance this piece I had to go with different stitches to bring dimension to it.  So I Satin Stitched the border of his jacket as well as his  hat band.  I made a mustache which I then attached to his face and used Turkey Work to create the beard.  As I was patting myself on my back after gluing the front to the back I realized I hadn't put a hanger on it nor had I attached the beads...Yikes!  With the glue already dry enough  I didn't want to take a chance on pulling the backing off.  Finally, I came up with a plan and I was able to get the beads on, (thank God I hadn't done the cording yet so that I could hide the red thread) but the red ribbon hanger was just attached to the back which is covered in red scrapbook paper so it's not a glaring mistake, but aggravating.  Lesson learned hopefully.  Now on to the next one.  Happy stitching folks.

Still here and wearing the mask!

I've started this blog several times over the last several weeks, talking about our struggles with the shop and the hotel during this crisis, the I'd revise the blog,  a few days later revised it again and have kept that up about every week and today I finally erased it and I'm starting again.  While we are struggling with very few employees, etc., by cutting our hours to one shift it's helped us keep our sanity in the shops.  Every time Sara would try to figure out how we could run a second shift I said, no.  I'm 72 and while I can manage 1 shift I wasn't going back to doing 2, which ended when I was in my 50's.   Mary keeping the hotel 30% occupied helps since we don't have enough of a crew to clean it when its 100 %,  it so we are only renting what our crew can clean efficiently, so we're open, but it is definitely not our usual summer.  I try not to focus on the money aspic and just focus on what we can do. and tell the girls, "at least we got opened, as this could have been a total disaster if we hadn't opened at all."  I thank God every day for my cup being half full, although sometimes there are a few tears before I pull my big girl pants up and readjust my thinking. Knowing we are not alone also for some reason helps.  At least it wasn't something I did, I guess.  Anyway, we got a sign on all doors that masks are required and you must sanitize your hands upon entering at our sanitizer station.   I'm thrilled to say we have had complete cooperation from 99% of the people coming in.  Of course, a couple of people have come in and whined they don't have a mask, or don't want to wear one because it's not comfortable, and to each, we've said, "Sorry, without the mask you may not come in."  No one has thrown a fit, yes a few choice words about me have come out of their mouth, but I have selective hearing so I choose not to listen and then I tell Sara all about it.  It's provided us with entertainment.  But for those who have been in, we so appreciate your wearing your mask so we don't have to remind you.  It's for all our sakes, in my opinion,, and secondly, what do you have to lose.  Better to wear it and not need it, than getting COVID-19 and wish you had worn it.  So now you are caught up, almost.   I have had a problem finding my stitching muse.  She seems to have left town and I've been struggling to even pick up a needle and frankly have gone weeks without doing stitching.  It has about driven me crazy, but I just can't seem to get my stitch on.  However, I may be turning the corner on that as yesterday with great determination I sat down, turned T.V. on, and got out a project which I had started determined to finish it.  Then today, I decided to do the finishing on the Token of Love by Brenda Gervais, which has been done since June but waiting for me to do something,  and while it wasn't finished as I intended to do it, it's finished.  

Although I wanted to make smalls to put in the drawers,  I haven't done that yet, but that shouldn't take long once I get stitching again since I'm taking a couple of small motifs from the original design and making a fob, needle case and perhaps a pin cushion.  With the wooden chest, I had Vernon paint it black inside and out.   I had problems matching the blue in the pattern to anything to line the drawers and finally found Dove (Weeks Wool) to be close enough.  I covered the bottom of the drawers with no problem, but the sides just looked too bulky, but since I loved the blue on the bottom of the drawers I stopped with that and called it done.  I was going to paint the knobs on the drawers to match as well but finally gave up trying to match that blue with anything I had on hand.  Sometimes you just have to know when it's over!  Then I started the finishing of the Secret Santa by Hands on Design.  I started the series with Merry & Bright for some reason.  Sara picked out PTP Mint which very closely resembles the fabric it is shown on, and I used the fibers suggested.  I usually try to use embellishments to give the piece dimension, but I struggled with that.  In the end, I used satin stitch for his mustache and I used turkey work for his beard.  Oh, and I molded his nose by satin stitching a long triangle instead of a black outline which actually gave his face some dimension and I put in three stitches of red for his mouth between his mustache and his beard.  You can barely see it for the turkey work beard but that was on purpose.  I wanted his mouth to peek out not stand out.  I just realized I didn't put the bell at the end of his hat, apparently, I was going to make that dimensional and forgot.  Oops!  Anyway, to hang the ornament I used a simple 1/16" red ribbon.  And used DMC #5 pearl cotton #504 to make cording.  For the backing, I used scrapbooking Christmas paper.  Makes for an easier finish and I like the way it looks.  

 All in all, I love Cathy's banners and am looking forward to the 2020 Halloween banner.  My problem with this series is I'm a traditionalist and can't get beyond the color of the linen which is "so not Christmas."  So I'm a work in progress on this, I'm now on my 2nd Secret Santa and will be completing the entire series on mint.  By the time I get done I'm sure I'll love it.  And these stitched banners look fabulous when hung.  Well I know you stitchers have been productive because I check every day.  You give me inspiration and have helped move me towards my stitching spot.  So thank you and keep up the good work.  Stay safe, stay home if you can, and always wear the mask when you are out and about or in stores.  Thank you!