JCS Publications and New Projects

Good morning, my dear friends,

As you can see, I am trying to get better at posting here: this time, it has only been a month.
My new Just Cross Stitch issue came in the mail Friday - and look what I found there!

JCS August 2018.
Design by Evdokia Nikolaeva

I stitched that (the feeling never seems to get old) and loved it. The picture does not do it justice - I remember how bright and vibrant the colors looked on fabric while I was working on it; it was like looking at the stained glass window in the sun.

A close up picture

While stitching, I could not help thinking of precious stones. When I was a child, one of my favorite books was "The Malachite Box" by Pavel Bazhov - a collection of tales about the Hostess of the Mount and her secret jeweled garden, so intricately carved out of precious stones that any mortal that ever glanced at it would lose interest in anything naturally grown ever again... This bird and her pomegranates might as well have flown out of that garden, I thought while working at it with my needle.

"Peace Angel" by Lesley Teare
JCS February 2018

This gorgeous angel was stitched by me back in... December 2017 (I think?) The whole time I worked on her, I kept calling her "The Autumn Fairy" - the green wings and the flowers suggested it for me... Somehow the doves (the international symbol of peace) did not click in the idea; among all this natural beauty they looked part of the nature set - birds that just happened to be doves.

Close up Picture

Did I like the colors, the flowers, and the butterflies? Definitely. But... look at that armband! It stands out - perfectly. Five French Knots each, two different colors - and it makes everything around it stand out.

The skirt and the doves.

I enjoy looking at the flower detail around the skirt - and the doves, of course. The back stitching gave their wings such detail, I can almost see the feathers.

The waves of the skirt, the curling flower vines, the birds - all these details give the picture the sensation of movement. She is not standing still, she is walking  - or, perhaps, dancing? In all her detailed glory, she is still hard at work - on her way... somewhere.

Recently, I have had more time to stitch for myself. The result is - better late than never - a finished "Twelve Days of Christmas."

"Twelve Days of Christmas"
by Plum Street Samplers

Maybe it's the weather and the season, but when I finished it, I could not stop thinking that it is so... red. Was it, perhaps, too much red? But then I thought - this was meant to be a Christmas sampler, it's not its fault that it has taken me three years to finish it. By next Christmas, when it's framed and displayed on the wall, it will look just the right amount of red.

Finally, I have (bravely) decided to start a new project. It will be "A Year at Hawk Run Hallow" by Carriage House Samplings. How long will it take me to get it done, I am not even going to guess. One thing is for sure, though - I am going to thoroughly enjoy it!

Until next time,

A Bit of Stitching, Reading, and Thinking (Continued).

Hello again, dear friends,

To continue the topic of stitching that had to be interrupted last time in favor of work...

This past year I stitched a few snowmen - to the point of dreaming of them.

"Snowmen Stocking" - Dimensions kit

Perhaps, I started dreaming about these particular snowmen because they wanted to be finished so badly. I have been trying to finish them for about a year... It was about time.

"Snowmen Banner" by Stoney Creek

These three gentlemen, with their bright colors and a sharp Welcome banner, were a joy to work on - plus, I learned and mastered the Turkey Stitch on them. It's what makes the ruffs of their scarves...

Turkey Stitch - can you see it?

Here's another one...

"Happy Holly Craze" by Stoney Creek

After the snowmen galore - here's something a bit different...

"Greatest Gifts" by Stoney Creek

Finally - two small, but powerful bookmarks...

"Paris" by Stoney Creek

Yes, they do!

Speaking of books - I have been reading a lot. Endlessly, I would say. With access to the audio collection from the public library, I have been able to combine two of my favorite pass times - reading and stitching.
I started with Robert Galbraith's trilogy about PI Strike. Then, I read (re-read?) "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," narrated by Stephen Fry. Then, with Halloween approaching - and "It" in the theaters - I "re-discovered" Stephen King for myself. In the past month, I have read (listened to):
"Finders Keepers"
"The Revival"
"Shawshank Redemption"
"Bag of Bones"
"Quitters, Inc." - and other short stories...

Once again, duties call, and I have to go.  To be continued.

Until next time,

Is It That Time Again?

Is it really time for end of year results? Wait, we still have two more weeks, maybe I can squeeze in one more project... or two... or three. Well there is nothing wrong with wishing. I will probably get a few small projects done in the next couple of weeks, but as for big ones - I might as well draw the line and give a report. Here it is -seven in all.

'Love Sampler by Nancy Turner.
Linen. DMC floss. 

I love Nancy's designs - they are colorful, meaningful, and they feel like home. They are ornate and intricate without looking "busy". A perfect balance.
And - here is another one!

"Needle and Thread" by Nancy Turner
Linen, DMC threads

"Heaven and Nature" by Sandy Orton
14 count Aida
DMC floss

Gardening angels - complete with tools! So they are the ones looking after our plants! No wonder mine have been turning brown... I have no green thumb at all, every plant I touch turns to leafless stick almost instantly. So - I stick to stitching.

Best Things in Life
Stamped cross stitch

This one was a stamped cross stitch project, and I remembered a lot of things on it - quite a learning experience, not unlike going back to school for a refresher course.

And here is something different...

"Dessert Fairy" by NeoCraft

This is a Dessert Fairy designed by a Russian artist Valeria Antonova of NeoCraft cross stitch company. The project was done on finer material with specialty threads (which means, basically - it was a kit, and everything came in it, and it was not DMC). The different shades and thickness was obtained by stitching with - in some areas - one thread over two. This is one of the "unusual" projects I stitched this year... Once it is framed, I am sure it will be a conversation piece.

Here is something that looks simple enough, but what an enjoyable piece it was...

Massachusetts Sampler
14 Count Aida, DMC floss

I especially loved stitching all the letters and the bird. There was something about that sampler that made me want to go out and find more of them, for other states. Maybe I will do that some day.

And finally - last, but definitely not least -

"Sugar and Spice" Christmas Stocking
Linen, DMC floss

I do not - forgive me - remember the designer of this beautiful piece. The detail is exquisite! As I was working on it, I kept thinking, "They don't make patterns like that any more..." Wait a minute... does it mean I am actually getting... old???
 These are the seven big projects I stitched this year. Besides that, there were a few minis, a couple of - fairly sizable - embroidery things, but, as far as big and bright and cross-stitch related, these seven definitely are my favorite....
Now on to - a bit more stitching, followed by house cleaning, tree buying - and decorating, ornament making... present buying... and everything else that comes with Christmas!

Have a Happy one!

What Have I Been Up To?

Hello, my dear friends,
It has been a long time since I posted here. Forgive me - I have been so busy... Past few months have been full of.... stitching! Most of that stitching has been for someone else, so, alas, I did not get to keep it, but - there is a definite up side: no unfinished projects! Also, since I have started the stitching service I have finished more large stitching projects than in the past two years! Definitely a motivator.
So... where do I start?

Some time ago, I tried my hand in embroidery.

  This was the first ever project I have taken on that had nothing to do with cross stitch. I was not sure about my abilities at first, but overall, it turned out to be more familiar than I expected. The instructions were very straightforward, and the stitches it used - I already knew them. The fact that I had to stitch the same design multiple times only strengthened my skills.



Then, I had a chance to stitch a lovely project with garden angels in it...

Let Heaven and Nature Sing

I found it a bit humorous that the angels wore aprons and had garden tools in their pockets. The back stitching gave the picture sharpness and depth. The whole project had the late 80-s feel to it, as if it stepped out of the old cross stitch magazine. I have a few of those (magazines) in my stash, picked up at thrift stores.

The final project I want to share today is the Heirloom Christmas Stocking.

"Sugar and Spice" Christmas Stocking, Heirloom Collection

This one has quite a few details and took a few months to complete.

Flowers Cameo

The flowers cameos were done in petite pointe - or "over one" with one strand of floss. It was an interesting process - I felt as if working on a miniature doll house item.

Teddy Bear and Cat Tea Party

The tea set design was a pleasure to work on - as well as the holly berries on the leaves... French Knots A-Plenty. Most of the project required stitching with three threads of floss (except for back stitch and cameos, and some select stitches) - it allows the project to look fuller.

Angel and Window detail

The wings and halo of the angel were stitched with Kreinik and then couched with thinner metallic thread. The couching made the wings look sharper, in a solid line.

These are just three projects out of a whole list that I finished this year. So far, it has definitely been the most productive - in terms of stitching, anyway.

Now, with Christmas fast approaching - although still having a few projects to finish - I am planning to spend some time stitching Christmas ornaments. My hope is to have at least two new ornaments on my tree this year... We'll see what happens!

Happy stitching to all of you, my friends. And Happy Thanksgiving!

Website is Up and Running!

I have been thinking about it and wanting it for a while, - and now it's a reality: my website offering model - and ghost - stitching services is up and running!

Love of Stitching

This site is a natural - progression? - of my stitching bug that just can't keep quiet and keep itself at home, and wants to go out and find work. :)

My DH Joe has been so supportive through time - and not just about this site, but about my every interest. I remember some ten years ago, when we both had full time jobs, I said jokingly how I would love to get paid for my stitching - that way my office would be at home... He answered, "Go for it!" I smirked and said something like, "right, there are so many people out there just dying to pay me for sitting in the chair and making pretty pictures with thread." To which he said, "You'd be surprised!"
So I found Etsy web site and opened my store. Although I do not make a lot from it - definitely not enough to support a family - yet, working on projects for people who appreciate my craft is its own reward. Getting paid for it is an additional thrill. :P.
I do hope that this new venture will be successful and that I will be able to meet more people that share my interests - passions, when it comes to stitching. Keeping my fingers crossed - and, please, you do the same for me... and then go and visit my page and let me know what you think.. and, of course, if you know anyone who may be in need of a ghost stitcher - let them know that I exist and am very happy to help.