On the First Day of Christmas - First Experience.

I stitched a Christmas ornament - first one this year.

Woodland Wish by Blue Ribbon Designs
Stitched with hand dyed threads
from Nancy Turner collection.

In addition, this was my first experience stitching with hand dyed threads. What can I say - I am very glad I tried. I loved it! Now - on to figuring out how to turn this into an actual ornament.

I got the pattern from the Christmas issue of Just Cross Stitch - and there was something familiar about this particular ornament. Then I remembered...

I stitched one of their designs last year! I could recognize those tree branches anywhere - they are like BRD's signature..

Happy stitching, my friends! 

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!

A Stitcher's Happiness

My dear friends, as you all know, I have been stitching continuously through the summer, with just short breaks to try socializing. With all the work and no play I have been feeling, ever so strongly, the need for encouragement and inspiration.
Yesterday I was feeling a bit down. Then, I heard the door bell ring. I opened the door - and found a post box. Inside, there were all these amazing things.....

The package came from Nancy at Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe. Hand dyed threads, a wonderful piece of linen, trims, buttons of different colors... I am in stitcher's heaven!

This is the first time I have ever seen hand dyed threads. I am amazed how soft the thread is. Also, when I tried "variegated" thread at the store, I was inevitably disappointed of such a wide change of color from dark to light. Nancy's variations are much more subtle and soft, as I imagine they should be, giving the stitching an added feeling of shade and depth.

These are some of the "cranberry" buttons... I was tempted to see if they actually smell like cranberry... no they don't, but they sure do look very cranberry-like.

I imagine I will be using these threads for a long while, stitching a family sampler with them on that very piece of linen... I already have a few ideas about using some of these buttons and the chocolate-brown trim... My Christmas decorations will have some nice additions this year! Thank you, Nancy, for these wonderful things, and most of all - for all the inspiration they provide...

Happy Stitching!

A Finished Project - and a Lot of Stitching

What do you think I have been doing all this time, ever since my last post? That's correct - stitching! Stitching cross stitch projects and embroidery projects, stitching small projects and big projects... Sometimes, in between stitching, I would come up "for air" to talk to my friends and family, or answer emails, or check social media, and then - more stitching! 

Most projects in progress I can't really post pictures of - I am not sure it would be right. But, here is one finished project - design by Nancy Turner of Victorian Sampler Motto Shoppe - that I am pretty certain I can share. In addition, it describes me to the "t." To the tea? I like tea... Especially Lipton and English Breakfast... Some cookies or crumpets or turnovers would not be a bad idea either... Darn, now I am hungry! Where was I again?

Anyway, back from the abyss of my wandering thoughts... It's a finish!

"Needle and Thread"
by Nancy Turner

What can I say about working on this motto? I loved every minute of it. I loved the smell of linen - I keep wondering if it's handwoven or store bought... The more I worked on it, the more it felt like home made fabric. The font reminded me a bit about Harry Potter series, but maybe it's just me. 

Thank you for reading my (short-ish) rambling... and now - guess what? Back to stitching! 

Scissor Fobia

Hello again, my dear friends!
The other day, I lost my favorite scissors. One minute they were there, and the next there was a child sitting right where they were supposed to be, but - no scissors! Right then and there, I decided that no scissors of mine would be lost again, and made a scissor fob....

The pattern and instructions were taken from the February issue of "Just Cross Stitch". Letter "K" looked more like "A" than like itself so I did some tweaking. Hopefully, it does not look like "H" now.
I made the fob two-sided, with my initials - "KT" - on it.

The twisted cord is also handmade - out of the same threads that were used for stitching. The magazine provided instructions for twisting the cord... using the cord making machine. What? I don't have one of these!  So, I found some very good instructions on YouTube. This lady knows her stuff!
Yet, I was frustrated. Making a twisted cord requires a steady non-moving holding point - like a bulletin board, or a wall, or... a husband? I used my husband. I came up to him, gave him the end of the thread and said, "Hold this, stand still and don't move." Then I did my cord twisting as instructed.  It worked!
Now that I am no longer frustrated, I want to mention that my DH is truly a very patient and supportive man. Not just any person can stay calm and pleasant when their spouse wakes them at 2 am and starts giving weird instructions.... Thank you, I am very grateful.

I also want to say that all the materials for this project - including scissors - were gifted to me by a good friend. Over the past couple of years, she has been giving me stitching gifts - threads, scissors, buttons - and I have been putting them away, waiting for the right moment, and - here it is. Thank you, Erika!

The Scissor Fob

All In Stitches

Good morning, my dear friends!
For the past month, I have been stitching non-stop every day and night. I have been working on several projects - in fact, still working on several projects - for my stitching service. Until now, though,  there was not much to show for it in terms of pictures. So, I stayed away from posting, firmly believing that a stitching post has to have images.
So - here is the picture of my first ever official Model Stitching project.

I would call it my "live and learn" project. It was stamped cross stitch, done in three threads, with lots and lots of back stitching. I had to remember how to stitch the stamped work so the back does not look like hieroglyphs - and I recalled the technique that my host mother taught me a long time ago. It takes more thread, but in the end result the back looks like a basket weave and provides support for your work, like a back panel.

Overall, this was a great, valuable, interesting learning experience. One thing that I realized - alas, after the fact - that one has to be careful with back stitching... I have always done straight line back stitching in longer increments on stamped cross stitch - when I looked at the project, in the end it seemed to make no difference between shorter or longer stitches. But, I guess, when it comes to model and photography - everything makes a difference. Now I see (I guess) that the border does look a little ... wavy? It was not visible to the naked eye. Oh well, I did my best. I will keep notes for the new stamped cross stitch project that comes along.
Until next time... happy stitching!

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.