Christmas Stitching

Yes, I know it's only July but I am working on my Christmas stitching. I made a needle-tatted ornament for the tree and will probably work on more at Marnie's this weekend. I still need to get some fabric stiffener, but the stitching part is complete. I bought a needle tatting DVD with my coupon at Hobby Lobby when I went with Becky and the girls and I'm glad I did. I'd done needle tatting before but it's been awhile and I had forgotten a few things. Also, the two ladies who teach the process are quite good at explaining so I learned a few things as well.I also finished another SAS goodie, the Celtic Tuffet. It was a bit difficult to assemble but the end result is quite interesting if I do say so myself.

I am still working on my Promise Piece but since it is a large piece I like to work on these smaller projects so I will have things finished each month. I like that feeling that I've accomplished something. When working on a large piece and even getting to stitch on it for a long time, I still don't get that same feeling as I do when something is "finished".

I just got the Feed Bag Buddies back from the framer but don't want to post a photo until I can bring it for Show and Tell next month. It was going to go in Nick's room since I made it for him, but we decided to hang it in the living room for now since it is the only large piece I've finished and framed for the new house. I'm anxious to put it in the show in the fall. I know I don't stand a chance winning anything for it if it's in the same category as Becky's Civil War piece, but I will still enjoy seeing it on display and having it judged.

Well, it's Monday so it is cleaning day. I always have to clean on Monday. I don't like to clean on the weekend when the house is full of "those people"*. Also, because I'd had Alyssa since Wednesday and we had too much fun to clean. I also went to the bible conference at my church all three days and the origami class at the library on Saturday, so that left little time in between as well. So, today is Monday, cleaning day, and here I am "wasting time" on the internet. Well, just leave me alone. I can clean house anytime today. Right now I want to spend some time with my family and friends sharing some small parts of my life. That's important too, you know. It's not like I'm just looking for any reason at all possible to not clean. Really. I promise.

*My family, of course.

Artist Trading Cards

Well, thanks to Cathy Vigor, textile artist from the Pendleton Art Center in Ashland, Ky, I have a new obsession! She was at our Monday meeting and showed us how to make ATCs. She is with a group of ladies that create these beautiful pieces of art on 2.5 x 3.5 pieces of fabric and swap them. I've already been brainstorming with ideas to create my own. I love lighthouses and blackwork so the design I'm working on now is a blackwork lighthouse I will stitch to fabric with lightning bolts in it. I think I'll call the series "Stormy Skies". It's a WIP so we'll see what happens. Me and the stitching girls have a SEP* schedule for tomorrow at Hobby Lobby using our 40% off coupons Becky gave us. I'm looking forward to shopping and spending time with the girls, like I always do, and then dinner after. I think it's interesting that we always have a meal included in our stitching ventures. It's a necessity I guess.

My current stitching sessions involve to pieces that I'm working on simultaneously. They are both done in hand dyed floss so I cut a length of one and stitch on one project. When that thread is ended, I cut a section for the other one and work that thread out. I know it's a bit complicated but I think I'll get them both done sooner if I do this. One of the projects is a kit I found in Nashville called a Celtic Truffet. I have to stitch the same Celtic design four times and then stitch each section together to make a pillow-like piece. It's a bit complicated to explain but when it's finished I'll post the photo. I like trying new things. The other project is a breast cancer ribbon design that I'm working on for Jill. It's very pretty. I hope she will let me use the pattern to stitch one of my own. I'm sure all I have to do is ask.

Most recently I finished the July Monthly Mania. I took it for show and tell at the meeting but hadn't posted a photo yet so here it is for all of you who didn't get to see it yet.

Well, I think that's all for now. We have internet at home but the connection speed is VERY slow so I now take my laptop to the Ashland Library and use their free WIFI to connect. Now, it's back home to reheat the roast I fixed yesterday and watch some shows I recorded while on vacation.

*stash enhancing party