July projects!

I finished my bobbin lace phoenix! We had a weekend of Milanese class instruction and the added hours helped me to complete my 12th Milanese project. Hooray! I took a picture of it before I sent it off to the framers.



Here are recent pictures of my wedding overlay X-Stitch piece. I ran out of the dark chocolate sampler thread when I was in Washington. I stopped at the local X-Stitch store but their thread was way too dark so the contrast would be too different. (Typical for overdyed threads) When I got back to So Cal I went back to my local store here and they still had some of the same dye lot that I had originally used. (thank goodness!) So now I am back to work : )

June finished projects!

I just finished two projects today! The first is an embroidery piece that I will be framing for a friends birthday (and just in time)




The second is a X-Stitch piece (also for a good friend) that I plan on making into a pillow. Her birthday isn't until December so this an early finish. (the kind I really appreciate : ) She is a lace buddy who also does alot of stitching so I think this is an appropriate gift.



I will get some pictures on showing my progress on the overlay Xstitch piece for my daughter soon. I have three of the six letters finished and it is looking good. I also finished another wing on my Milanese phoenix so will get a picture of it posted too.


All of this time relaxing at the river house has helped my stitching progress : )

May Project Updates

Still working on the overlay X-Stitch but am excited because I now get to work on the block letters! Here is the beginning of the B (for Abbott) and my progress as of May 17.


I just started knitting the first Christmas Stocking (of two this year) for Tyson. I will have to put in double duty. As soon as I am done with Tyson's I have to start one for Luke. Two grandchildren in one year means I have to hustle on these.




I have a beginning strip on my pillow for Flanders lace. I will be taking Flanders at the lace convention this summer so wanted to do some practice pieces so I would feel more comfortable
in class.

Mari's tote bag!

Here are some pictures of my grand daughters tote bag. The idea to make a bag to carry her music books to class came to me last January. I was checking out a needlepoint store in Salt Lake City and among the many painted canvases I found a picture of a violin! Just perfect to stitch for Mari who plays the violin. I decided to make the bag and sew it on as a pocket. Here she is showing off her birthday present : )





I have been working on an overlay X-Stitch pattern for my daughter. I think it will look great when it is done. The last name will be stitched over the established 2005.



I finished this bobbin lace mat last month. I love the shades of purple in the thread so have decided to make a scarf out of the same material. It will be a long term project for sure!

March projects

I can finally show pictures of two projects completed for my grandson's birthday (since I just went to the birthday party) The first is a punchneedle picture in the sailing theme for his room. The second is a fleece dinosaur blanket with a variagated crocheted edging.



I finally finished the backstitching on my bobbin lace girl so she is ready to be framed. Also finished was a X-Stitch project for my aunt that I plan on making into a pillow for her birthday.




Finally I am showing two more of my finished drawings that I did in art class.




I am starting three new X-Stitch projects that I will photograph soon. I also am finishing crocheted baby booties and a cap for a layette set.

Acorns and Threads

I had to show pictures of a fantastic X-Stitch store I found in Portland, Oregon called Acorns and Threads. It is a fairly large store filled with all kinds of threads, patterns, accesories, as will as finished projects displayed on the walls. The owner is wonderful and the store is very organized.
So much fabric, threads and patterns! I went crazy but kept my buying to some patterns, Bohin needles, and an Acorns and Threads project bag.


I loved this store! If anyone is ever in the Portland area you need to go see Acorns and Threads!

Now that I am back from the lace conference I am working on my rotation of projects.
The first one is for my Aunt Mimi and since I took this picture I finished the rest of the lettering and am working on the first corner. I hope to have it finished next week.


I started back on my last Christmas sheep and am finally working on the background. It is progressing slowly.

I also worked on two surprise projects that have to remain pictureless until they are done.
That is all for now!

I started a drawing class last week and thought I would post my first attempt here. I found out recently that my mother had done some drawing and watercolor when she was young but quit after my sister and I were born. I also have a very talented father-in-law whose watercolor paintings have always interested my creative spirit. I thought I might give it a try and I did enjoy my first class.



I was able to spend all day Saturday stitching with friends and did get more done with the
"River" X-Stitch. I also worked on a piece for my aunt by JBW designs called "A Tribute"that I plan on making into a pillow when it is done. I am also working on a Hummel "The Goatherder"
and put more stitches into it. If you are wondering what part of this little goatherder I worked on it was his suspenders and shorts : )




I sewed in the ends and made the collar for the baby sweater so it is all done!



A friend from our X-Stitch group asked me if I would make a pillow out of her finished piece and I did finish that this week. I love the pattern (Little House Needlework) so she gave me a copy of it. Thanks, Cristin!