A new/old finish

This week I ornamentified a TW cloisonne ornament that I stitched in 2001. I was having a really hard time trying to figure out just how to finish this one. I had something that I tried and didn't like - so then ripped it out. I finally decided on a 4-sided stitch (is that the actual name of it?) that is almost like a kloster block in that it holds the weave of the fabric together so that you can fringe the outside.

I just finished ornamentifying two ornaments for the exchange. Now to address the envelopes so I can get them in the mail tomorrow.

A visit

Stasha from the TWBB and The Wagon has been in CA for about a week and she's been visiting. I was lucky enough to be between two destinations and she was able to drop by for dinner and a visit. I got to show off a little more of my cross stitch then I usually take to get-togethers. We also talked about her 100 project challenge and she showed me some of her quilting and the projects that she brought to travel with. I was really sorry to see her go. DD was grateful that I had somebody to go crazy over cross stitch with! It was a wonderful visit, including the dinner. Thanks again!

New camera and update

On Tuesday (11/6) I bought myself a new Canon A570IS digital camera. The price was lower than advertised, came with a (free) 1 GB memory card (which will hold over 400 pictures - I have never taken that many pictures at once!) and I also had about $20 worth of coupons (Staples) that I was able to use to buy this camera. I'm VERY happy with this! I can now take up-close ultra clear pictures of my stitching! I also think it's going to have a positive effect on the rest of the pictures I take too. If I remember, tonight I will take a new progress pic of Castle Ridge and Castle Sampler. I still can't post pictures here of the model I'm working on.

And speaking of the Model - I did get an extension of my deadline. I have another month to finish it! I took a look at my work last night and I have completed 1/3 of the project. The second 1/3 is mostly stitched except for some of the border. That shouldn't take long - maybe a week I think. The bottom 1/3 of the project doesn't have any stitching done on it whatsoever. Although I think it should only take about 2 weeks to stitch. If the border on the middle 1/3 doesn't take a whole week then I can get started on the bottom even sooner.

Another finish!

Finally! It's been two months since I've finished anything and I've been feeling it. This one was great though. I started it the Monday before Halloween and finished it on Saturday so it only took 5 days to stitch. (Of course there was no stitching on Halloween, I was having too much fun!) Of course I took a pic of "Frankie" but it's really blurry. No matter how I change the settings on my camera the pics still don't turn out clear! I think tonight I'll put him on the scanner and see if I can get something a little more clear from that.

But I've been so busy working on the model! My deadline is next Friday and I really don't want to miss it. However, I'm hoping that the designer will extend the deadline as I found a pretty large error and I haven't received my new copy of the chart yet. I had lots of time this weekend to stitch and yet had company over so I'm a happy girl.

Stash Haul

From Needle in a Haystack last weekend: (a pic) http://http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2983993240054475653zQATsf

Subversive Cross Stitch book

M Designs letters E & F

The Sweetheart Tree - Celtic Cross

Tokens and Trifles rectangular stitching shapes

3 pieces (small cuts) linen - green, yellow, brown

1 skein wool/silk

4 skeins Weeks Dye Works

1 pair fish scissors

1 pair 100 years anniversary Dovos in the "brushed" finish

I've had a couple of people say they like the designs in the Subversive Cross Stitch book so I may stitch those as gifts. The M Designs letters are for a gift. The Tokens and Trifles shapes are probably going to become bookmarks or Christmas ornaments. I'm not real good with stitching on paper (I pull too hard) but I thought I'd like to try these. The linen is for small designs or Christmas ornaments. I like having small pieces handy. The wool/silk thread was a "just because". Two of the Weeks Dye Works are going into projects already in progress and two were "just because". And I know I didn't "need" two pair of scissors but I wanted to add to my shaped scissors collection. I have storks, chicken, bunny, lion tail, Santa, "Mickey Mouse" (it's a cut-out that just happens to look like the silhouette of Mickey Mouse) and now fish. I understand there are also swans (but they're really tiny) and a butterfly. The Dovos I got because they're a 100 year Anniversary pair and I didn't have a pair in that "color". Besides, Dovos cut so nicely!