Finished wedding piece!

I can finally post a picture of the X-Stitch wedding pattern on my blog since the wedding is over and the gift has been given : )  I usually do not do handwork for anyone other than my children but this piece was for a dear friends daughter who grew up with my children. 
I loved the pattern and when I finished it took it into my local X-Stitch store, Needles and Niceties to have it framed by Bob.  I was very pleased with the frame choice and love it!

Winter Lace Conference Projects 2012!

Here are the lace projects I worked on at Winter Lace Conference 2012 held in Costa Mesa, California!

The first piece is Withoff Lace worked in very fine thread : )  This little piece took me several days and I still didn't finish!  (but it was fun anyway)

My second class was  Hinojosa Lace, sometimes called "Witch Lace"  which comes from Spain.  I started this sampler designed by our teacher with different techniques on the lace.

My third class was actually a Milanese lace class but I worked on a Torchon Fan created by the teacher.  My goal is to eventually make every one of her fans that she has designed!
The fan below is Torchon which is a French lace.  I just started as you can see : )

Finally here is a picture of my completed Milanese Fan!  I am so proud of it : )

Two fans done,  two in progressions, and one to go!!!

Princess Sophie's blessing dress!!!

Well I finally finished it!!!  My first crocheted blessing dress and just in time for little Sophie Anne's blessing day at church : )  Here it is!  (as well as pictures from that special day!)

It turned out perfect and actually fit her : )  I have found a new addiction and just LOVE thread crochet!  Hope to start a Peter Pan type collar soon for my daughter Shannon and then maybe doing the other baby dress in the pattern book : )

Baby presents finally done!

I finished Sophie Annes needlework last weekend!  Below are both the embroidery birth and cross stitch birth announcement : )

I am still working on a crocheted afghan and blessing dress for Sophie but that is a big difference from the countless baby projects I was working on, which are now finished.

I purchased several patterns from 123 stitch (picking them up in Utah) as well as visiting my favorite needlework/quilt store here, Pine Needles (and buying some patterns there too)
 Now I have to decide which one I am going to start : )

Baby Gifts

Here are some of the items I made for baby Sophie.  I had to keep them a surprise until I gave them to Julie as she reads my blogs and facebook : )   The first is a minkie blanket  (nice and soft but horrible to sew on)  Love the owls that Julie chose for the material.

I also made several flannel blankets with decorative top stitching.  Below is a favorite of mine.  Again Julie picked the fabric and it is cute!

I also made two receiving blankets with a serged edge.

Finally, I had lots of fun making these baby burp clothes.  All I did was use cloth diapers and add the chosen fabric with wide grograine ribbon on the sides.  Super easy!

I do have a few more projects for baby Sophie but they have to have finishing touches added before I can present them to Julie (and to my blog)  Hopefully soon I can show them off!

Introducing Tyson's Quilt! (part 2)

I actually already blogged on this on my main blog but realized that it needs to be on my finished

projects blog too.  So here is Tyson showing off his completed bedspread quilt that I

finished : )  It is a simple strip pieced quilt with emphasis put on the quilting, which is adorable toy cars stitched through out.  I am pretty happy with it and it was fun to make. 

Stitching Away

Posted some pictures of my recent Cross Stitch and Needlepoint projects. Since none of them are secret surprise gifts I can show them as they progress : )

The first is a needlepoint and I call it my "Initial Project"  This one, when done, will go on my tote bag.

The next two are Cross Stitch projects.  The first is titled "Home of a Needleworker"  I am stitching it on 32 count white evenweave with Vicki Clayton silk threads.  I am so done with this house and ready to move on with the rest of the pattern : )

"The Little Goat Herder" is a Hummel piece that I bought as a kit.  I usually don't buy kits just patterns but I found it half price at a store and couldn't resist.  It has a companion kit that I also bought of a Hummel girl with chickens so that will be the next to work on.

Progress on my Milanese Fan!

Well I did progress farther on my fan at the lace retreat.  I actually finished 4 and a half petals and you can now the see the almost completed flower  : )   (lace is not for those who enjoy a fast project : )

As it takes a more definite shape and personal look I am loving it more and more.  I wasn't sure if the colors I chose would work but am glad I persisted.  Can't wait to work on it again!

May Projects!

It has been too long since I posted pictures of my latest projects so here are "some" of them. The pivotal word is some since I am working on secret projects that cannot be seen right now : )
(until they are finished and given as gifts)

I am working on this needlepoint project below, my peacock. The actual pattern is supposed to be a glass case when both pieces are finished but I decided to use them for something different. When they are done I plan on making them into two separate frame weights for my larger needlepoint pieces. Thankfully I am seeing the ending in sight!

I am also progressing on my "Home of a Needleworker" Cross Stitch Project. I had not been able to work on it for many months due to my cataracts but now that I have my new eyes I can pick it up again. I hope to be done with the house soon.

I am also working on my lace and have finished several pieces but will post when they have been given to the secret recipients : )

My foray into thread crochet (and other things)

I have been working in fine thread lately and become a doily "queen" of the crochet set. Below is one of my finishes but I have completed three others that are not pictured. I am now feeling comfortable enough to start a baby blessing dress out of size 10 cebelia thread.

Below is the complete cross stitch bookmark that I made for a dear friend.
She loves the psalms especially this one.

Some new finished projects!

My daughter finally sent me a copy of the finished framed overlay pattern that I stitched for her. Hooray! It does look good : )




I also have been working on my Bobbin Lace and have been designing this Milanese Lace Fan. It has been a challenge but I have really enjoyed it.

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.