Confessions of a Floss Licker

Friday, November 30, 2007

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!

Friday, November 16, 2007

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.

Monday, November 05, 2007

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.

Thursday, November 01, 2007

Stash Haul

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!