Craft-i-leigh

You left a comment asking me about progressing from Aida and no way to email you, lol!
So, here is the email I had composed before realizing that it was going to "noreply-comment@blogger.com"

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I would suggest trying an evenweave such as lugana or Jobelan. An evenweave is like linen in that you would be stitching over two threads, but each thread is the same size and it is much easier to see. Linen threads can vary in size and width making it more difficult to start with. Also, evenweaves are very nice for stitching over one thread, too!

As for count, I would try something the same count as your aida that you had been working with. If you used 14 count aida, then try a 28 count evenweave. If you worked with 16 count, then try a 32 count evenweave.

Let me know how it goes and if I can be of any more assistance =)

Have a great day!

Please, don't faint!

Woohoo! I am finally stitching again! The photo above is the January pin cushion challenge piece from my LNS. Each month we will receive a pattern that is charted with only one symbol. The challenge is to stitch it how we "see" it using whatever threads and fabric we wish. By December we should have them all finished into some sort of pin holding small and there will be a drawing for a prize =) It is a really fun challenge and I am actually keeping up with it so far. I saw a delft pattern in an older issue of JCS magazine and thought it would be neat to stitch my challenge piece like a delft tile.

Here is the February challenge piece. I used a piece of 28 count Daily Grind linen and some threads I had left from the tulip and star pin keep (Blackbird Designs) I made for my friend Kim. I think we get the March pattern this weekend and I can hardly wait to start it!

Here is my very first Mystery SAL. It is "Alla Turca" by Pelin Tezer and you can find the info on it here . I am using Lakeside Linen Chantilly Creme and GAST Simply Shaker Weathered Barn. I am so loving this piece! Any other time I have tried to start a mystery sampler, I have ended up waiting until all the parts are out and then decided it is too big and don't do it. I even started one with my LNS and then stopped working on it before I even finished part one.

I am also working on several other projects which I will try to photograph and post about over the next few days. I signed up for another finishing class which is next month at my LNS. We will make a fob/ornament and learn to do ruched ribbon on the edge, and a tri-fold. I am doing the pre-stitching on those now.

I have updated my beaded creations album, see the link in the side bar.

Those PIF's I owe are in the works too! I will post again once they are mailed. I do still need to hear from Sharon so I can get your address. Please email me if you read this. I tried posting to your blog but haven't heard back from you. I hope everything is okay.

Have a great day!

Resolutions

Okay, I wasn't going to do this but here it is:

I resolve to:

• Buy more craft stuff than I know what to do with, whether I have the money or not.

• To always have at least a dozen projects started and still think to myself, "Hmm, what do I want to work on next?"
  

• Not finish cleaning out the garage, unless for some reason we have to move and then it will get done anyway. Not clean, but moved to another location. But that would make THIS garage clean, right?
  

• Keep my guest room a total mess until the night before someone comes to visit. Then I will relocate as much crap as I can to another location until the guests leave. Then put everything back on the floor, the bed and where ever else I can - right back where it really belongs.
  

• Keep good food in the fridge and still eat out whenever possible.

• Spend too much money on coffee from Starbucks.

• Not give a crap what anybody else thinks about what I say or do.

• Stay up way too late as often as possible and sleep in late like the bum that I am.

• To post on this blog whenever I feel like it and not because I feel like I HAVE to.
  

I figured that this year I may as well make some resolutions I could stick with.

***This list is subject to change at any time due to my mood, personal feelings, lack of sleep, or just cause I darn well feel like it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Quick Post!

Sorry I have not been around much lately. I am so far behind on reading blogs, too! My husband is here until mid December and my son and his girlfriend were here for a week and I have been busy cooking, cleaning and visiting! We made a short trip to visit hubby's mom and time is just flying by too quickly. I have started to update my photo albums a little. One album is just my Fair & Square exchanges, one is all other exchanges and now I have one just for my beaded things. I am still loving the beaded stuff and I think that is what everyone will get for Christmas this year. Yep, even the guys! I found these really cool secret compartment key chains to make for them, and am working on bracelet and earring sets for the ladies. I will post pictures of some of those after hubby leaves. Until then, I have posted the other bracelets I have made in the album so you can look there if you like. Hope everyone is enjoying getting ready for Christmas!
Have a great day!

If you can't make it, buy it!

I really meant to post this much sooner but here it is. I ordered these from Corkycat's Etsy store and received them last week. Aren't they cool? Very nice quality and the price is unbeatable for something hand made. I love my new earrings and the ornament hangers will go nicely with the ornaments I will be giving for Christmas. As much as I love to make things myself, I can't do it all. There are some wonderful crafters out there that make really nice things for a reasonable price. I encourage you to take a look at her store, and others out there to enhance your gift giving this year. Handmade is so much better!

Bead Classes and My Lucky Win!

Here are some of my latest beading pieces. Yes, I know there is only one earring. I am going to make the other one in a few minutes =) Isn't it cool? I also finally finished the candy corn bracelet. Just in time for next year! I have a patriotic one in the works and will show it as soon as it is finished. I took another class yesterday and that is where I made the earring and started another bracelet. It is really neat and I can't wait to get more done on it so I can show a progress photo. I never thought I would end up making jewelry. Really. Heck, I might even start wearing it too! I have so many ideas for things I want to make that I think this phase will probably last a while. We'll see. I am taking an ornament class tonight!!!

Here is my lucky win! Staci had a blog drawing last week and I received my gift on Monday. I could not post sooner because I ended up having to go to the dentist for an emergency visit. I just love surface embroidery and am so pleased to have a piece from Staci. That reminds me, I know I have some patterns for that around here somewhere. Thank you so much Staci!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

Yesterday I received a very special package from my friend Marie. At first, I thought that maybe she had my name for the floss tag exchange on HOE, but then I opened it and saw that she sent me a most awesome belated birthday present. Thank you so very much, Marie. Your thoughtfulness means more to me than you could know. You are such a special friend and I really hope that someday we will get to meet in person.


Okay, Here is what I have been up to lately. It still involves a needle and thread, but I haven't been stitching. I am learning to make jewelry. It all started with wanting to learn how to make beaded fobs. One trip to the bead store and my curiosity was peaked. I kept telling myself, "You don't even wear jewelry so there is no reason to even get started on that! Hmmmm, I could make it for gifts...... Pretty, shiny jewelry....... I could get my ears re-pierced and make earrings...... you have classes? I love to take classes!"..... I have taken three classes this week. The first one is the red and white bracelet. I immediately made the orange and black one as soon as I got home from the class to wear for Halloween. The second class project isn't pictured because it isn't finished yet. It is way more involved and will take another sitting or two to get done. Then yesterday I learned how to make the gold and white one. So pretty! More on this subject coming soon =)
Have a great day!