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The Stitching Fairy

PIXIE-ALERT!!!

07.30.04 (7:26 am) [edit]

News Bulletin: Weather Pixie disappeared July 28, 2004, first noticed missing around 1:00 p.m. Central Time: brown hair, 1.5 inches tall, last seen wearing a crop top, capri pants and walking her dog. If anyone has any information relating to the disappearance of Weather Pixie, please notify authorities... A candlelight vigil held in her honor will take place at 9:00 p.m. CDT during a weekly viewing of "What Not to Wear"

BS and Lady Liberty

07.28.04 (7:55 am) [edit]

:D Here I am again w/ another update! My project is coming along nicely, if a bit slower than I would like. It looks nice though which is the main thing. It's definately a fun project to work on! The thing that slowed me down was the letters. Since they are filled in w/ a lot of backstitching, getting them in the right spot was a bit tricky, but in the end they look very nice and I love the color. The colors on this project seem especially vibrant and though at first I wasn't sure if they would go together they are looking great!

Here is my lastest pic:

If you want to have a more up close look at the project you can go to the gallery and click on the latest pic. :D

Greg finished his Never Enough Time and launched right into his next project, Lady Liberty. He's doing this one for a charity auction at his workplace. Isn't that impressive? Someone who just started a couple of months ago and already he's doing charity stitching! I spose I'd be tempted to do some myself if we had such a thing where I work. :wink: Hopefully people will be inspired by this pic and dig deep for their favorite cause. It's a small pic, roughly 3 x 7 but I think it's already starting out great! Of course, Greg is now learning about the "dreaded" fractional stitches, which he's never tackled before on such a small level. He had a bit of confusion over the pattern and what constituted a 1/4 stitch, but in the end he's got it all figured out and it's looking great!

There is no model stitched for this one so here's a pic of the pattern (it's a freebie and his current progress):

A Glorious Finish!

07.26.04 (6:57 am) [edit]

Just as Lance was crossing the finish line to win his 6th Tour de France (on our humble television) last nite, Greg was putting the finishing touches on his Never Enough Time project. It turned out BEAUTIFUL, even if we did have some "artistic" differences relating to decorating the mat. I am so impressed at how great this turned out!! Greg even cut out the mat himself! And for never having done mat cutting before he did a wonderful job!

Everything looks fantastic! We used scrapbooking supplies for the mat decoration and I have to say they look even more impressive in person than they do in the pictures.

Here is a pic of the project before framing:

Here it is after matting (click for a larger version):

I just wish you could see this in person cuz it's wonderful! I kinda wish it wasn't a gift for someone else cuz I'm mega lusting after it. Greg is becoming quite a talented stitcher, it's amazing how some people just take to a hobby and I think he has found his calling. :X :D

Addiction and the Stitching Bloggers QOTW

07.22.04 (12:22 pm) [edit]

Stitching Bloggers QOTW:
Would you consider yourself ‘addicted to stitching’? Why or why not?

It sounds so harsh when you say "addicted", couldn't we say "morally inclined" or "borderline compulsive" :wink: ... I sorta like "morally inclined" it's ambigious enough for people to not get it right away. :twisted:

When asked about your stitching, you respond "I am morally inclined to stitch" See doesn't this sound mysterious and it gives an official air, like it's a calling. :wink:

So in answering the question, I suppose it depends on your definition of addicted. Is it, stitching even when people are talking to you, taking your stitching w/ you for potty breaks, waking up in a cold sweat because you forgot that one skein of DMC 3031 while shopping... Okay maybe these are a bit extreme, but I have heard stitchers say they stitch everywhere and obsess over the most minor aspects. I myself am mildly addicted. I like to stitch, but find I love the preparation to stitch more, buying patterns, fabric and thread and organizing them into neat little packets...Okay, maybe I'm more than mildly addicted... :P

Excuse me while I do an online search for stitchers anonymous...but first I'm gonna check out just one more pattern, what? I'm morally obligated!

A Soggy Update

07.22.04 (6:20 am) [edit]

Today, it's not just raining it's POURING! The kind of rain that soaks you in a matter of seconds. How fun. I'm not in the best of moods today, I can feel that ol' monthly crabbiness creeping up on me. :x It's not the most fun feeling, but one must perservere. :twisted:

I got quite a bit done on the BS (not sure why I'm finding those initials amusing today...) :twisted:

Unfortunately when I was working away last night I realized that I had made a one stitch error in the left part of the moon. Sure I could've worked around it, but who knows what else it would've thrown off, so I frogged out a whole hours worth of work. :( Oh well, at least now I know it's done right. :D

Here's a current pic:

As for Greg, he's making wonderful progress and is nearly complete w/ his project, sadly I didn't snap a pic last night so you will have to use your ever fruitful imaginations. :wink:

Hope y'all are having a relatively non-soggy day out there!

He's Baaackkkkk!

07.20.04 (11:51 am) [edit]

Normally I don't check out the tour stats until I get home today... I peeked. I couldn't stand it I had to see who won this stage and low and behold Lance took the Yellow.

He kinda looks good in yellow. :wink: It looks like he's gonna have some stiff competition from Ivan Basso who finished 1 min 25 sec behind him. If you don't follow the all hallowed life of Lance then you might not know that he's hooked up w/ Sheryl Crowe (yes, that Sheryl Crowe) and that she's following him on the tour as a groupie. This is probably a new experience for her...being someone else's groupie. :twisted: But it is kinda cute to see a pic of her giving her sweetie a kiss after winning the race. (Everybody say "Awwwww")

I think I'm gonna actually be sad when the ol' tour is over on July 25. :cry:

Okay, I'm over it. :D

Competition!

07.19.04 (8:38 am) [edit]

Competitiveness is something that inspires all of us onto greater achievements. A little healthy competition can spur you from mediocrity into superstardom. Watching the Tour de France I am inspired at not only the physical achievements of the riders, but at the way they use the competition to spur themselves onto almost miraculous feats of strength.

Take Thomas Voeckler:

(Isn't he cute? And he's holding my all time favorite flower!)

Here is a young man that is known as a sprinter in the world of bicycle racing and yet in the second stages of the mountains on the tour he manages to dig deep in order to hold onto the coveted Yellow Jersey. Not being a humongous biking fan I only vaguely understand the significance of the Yellow, but in terms of achievement I totally get it. This is a big deal for France, not just for Voeckler. I mean, it's the TOUR de FRANCE. Not the Tour de USA. And a Frenchman hasn't won the tour in 20 years, so for Voeckler to hold onto the coveted Yellow as long as he has in this race it's inspirational. Of course I'm still cheering for Lance, but I'm also cheering for the little guy, the underdog that dug down deep to pull it together and keep the Yellow all these long days of the tour.

In terms of competition as a personal matter, my husband and I both are stitchers. We don't necessarily compete against each other to be better, but on some level I think he inspires me to *do* better...not because he's better than me, but because I want to impress him.
I don't find it annoying that he's doing the same hobby as me, I find it fun and interesting. So what if he becomes better at it than me. I won't stop, I'll just try harder and in all things in life isn't that the most important thing? Trying harder and doing the best we can and finding inspiration in the little things.

Here is an update on our progress:

I have finished the main part of my pumpkin. Hopefully it will get easier from here (not so many color changes).
I love this project, but still am not getting the fall mood. I was actually starting to get sick of orange just as I finished. But it looks great and I can't wait to do more!

Greg spent all day Saturday stitching himself into the ground in order to make a lot of progress on his project. It's a birthday present and he wants it done asap. He did great! Although I think he was pretty exhausted by the end of the day, poor guy, he's just too dedicated. :D

It looks great though! And we even found a kewl frame for it! Can't wait to see it done!!

Tour de Lance

07.15.04 (11:21 am) [edit]

Just a quick update! I have two more progress pics from Blessed Samhain and one for Greg's Never Enough Time.

I have been stitching away while watching the Tour de France this week, Greg is a huge fan of Lance Armstrong and it's kind of fun to watch a pack of good looking guys on bikes. :wink: The press is making a big deal out of Lance winning the tour for a 6th time, but I don't see what the fuss is all about. I mean, do you know ANYBODY that could ride 2500 miles in 3 weeks? I don't, so I think just crossing the finish line is a feat worthy of our awe (c'mon everybody say Ahhhhh)

Cheer for whoever you want, but I think that the US could use the morale boost that Lance's 6th win would bring, because "Yes, Virginia there are still some good guys out there from the good ol' USA."

I'm happy that my project is going relatively fast!! It looks so fun! But it seems weird to be looking at oranges and reds in the middle of Summer...maybe I'm just not ready for Fall.

Greg's project is going well,he started on the letters last night. He is such a great stitcher, very meticulous! The colors in his project are gorgeous, even if he thinks they seem a bit faded. It's Gentle Art Sampler Thread, it's supposed to look that way. :P

Although maybe it is a bit weird to stitch your project pre-faded as opposed to letting it fade naturally over time. :wink:

Are We There Yet?

07.13.04 (6:52 am) [edit]

It's only Tuesday and already I feel exhausted! The weather has been atrocious and as every storm can affect my sinuses it's been pure hell for the last week and a half! Today isn't quite as bad as some but I am getting tired of having a headache!!

Onto better news! I finished Coffee is Magic and framed it this weekend, got a new frame for Give and Take which is much nicer and started on a new project! I decided to go for Witches Stitches Blessed Samhain instead of Pirate Island cuz I didn't want to run out of time before fall was here, so I started on Saturday and here are my progress pics:

As you can see I have made quite a bit of progress since late Saturday, despite all the 1/4 stitches in this one, those are a bugger to keep track of!! Other than that I really like how this is turning out!

Here are my newly framed pieces:

Coffee is Magic

Give and Take

I love the Give and Take frame, Greg got it for me as a gift and it's my absolute favorite! I love the whimsy and colors. I had wanted one of these frames for a long time and couldn't think of one thing to put into it that would justify buying it. Greg suggested Give and Take and it looks fantastic! It really brings out all the colors of the project!

Speaking of Greg, he is making fantastic progress on his Never Enough Time, here is an update pic, although as of this morning he's got the clock face complete and has started filling in the numbers.

This is going to be a beautiful project when completed!

Back again!

07.09.04 (6:38 am) [edit]

Another update! Once I got done w/ the blue moon, the Coffee is Magic project just cruised along. It's a nice feeling to accomplish so much in so little time! :D

Greg is also making quick work on his Never Enough Time! I think he has found a great outlet for his artistic talents! :wink:

I'm still torn over which project to start next! I want to work on the Pirate Island, but w/ fall just around the corner I'm also wanting to do some halloween projects before halloween is right on us. I will probably opt for the fall projects as they are fairly simple and shouldn't take overly long. :) Greg is contemplating making a lady liberty project for a charity auction at his workplace. It's a nifty project that uses Lavendar & Lace Needlepaints and I think it would go over very well, we will see if he is able to get to it in time. As fast as he is getting, I bet he will! :D

More Finishes and stuff

07.07.04 (7:28 am) [edit]

I'm back w/ more framed projects and some updates on Greg's projects. :) First off I have to say thanks to Greg for being so kind in rewarding me w/ a surprise for my recent finish of blue moon. How did I ever get so lucky to have such a nice guy for a husband? (big hugs to him) Here's what he brought me last night:

And here is the framed blue moon, it turned out nicely and I did a fabric mat for this one as the mat that came w/ it was white and I didn't want to cut a mat for it, plus I like this blue fabric it adds a whimisical touch to the picture.

So that's my update, now here's where Greg is! His witch project is finished and framed!

I like the embellishments on the frame, this will be fun for Halloween!

This weekend he was working on this screen door project and here's how far he's gotten:

And lastly, he's been working on an new Hinzeit project "Never Enough Time" here's his progress so far:

Last night was busy w/ all the framing and picture taking, but it was a lot of fun! Now I'm finishing my Coffee is Magic and then onto Oak Island by Lynne Nicoletti!

The Sweetest Thing...

07.06.04 (11:53 am) [edit]

is finishing a demon project! :D I finally did it! I finished the Moon Man! He is done, finished, caput! Thank goodness, now for framing. :wink:
For all the headaches, I think he turned out very well, the colors are great and even though it didn't get lined up evenly on the fabric I think that I will get it framed nicely. I have learned a lot from this project and if I ever do another homemade project it will be w/ a lot more prep time on the pattern.

I also started on the Coffee is Magic pattern and this is what I got done on Saturday night in one sitting. I am quite proud of how quick I was on this, I was beginning to think that every project would take weeks and weeks.
:wink:

Oh Happy Day!

07.02.04 (6:47 am) [edit]

It's Friday!! It's a 3 day weekend!! 8) And to quote Miss Martha "That is a very good thing..." :twisted:

Okay so here's the thing...I have had a strange week wherein I did not do much actual stitching. I got most of my "C" completed, but that's about it. I should be ashamed I know...BUT I'M NOT!!! :P

I thought I would do an update anyhow just to show that I am making some progress. Here is my latest pic, you can see a larger version on my web page.

I also found a different frame for this project. The one I originally intended for it just wasn't going to work and I happened to be out shopping and saw one that will. It's a square shape and it will even allow for a mat that I'm going to do something fun w/.... It's not as grandiose as I had originally intended but it will be fine and I think in the end will look more proportional. And it just so happens that there is another project that Greg wants to work on that will fit fine in the original set up. :)

I also got a bunch of patterns that I ordered!! Yippee! Yes I splurged, but it was worth it!! I got the patterns I have been lusting after and one of them even included a kewl freebie that will go w/ my halloween collectibles! 2 of the patterns were Hinzeit and if you aren't familiar w/ them you should get out there and check them out! They are fun and easy patterns that have an interesting folk artsy feel. 3 patterns are from Lynne Nicoletti. Lynne is a Canadian designer that I just can't rave enough about! Her designs are inspired! She does these picture w/in a picture patterns that are just unbelievable! Plus she only works in whole stitches no tricky 1/2 or 1/4 stitches and if you see her patterns you will wonder how the heck she does it! I am so excited to start work on her Oak Island Pirate pattern and I can't wait to see what she comes out w/ next! I also got some Bent Creek patterns that are just so fun! Most of their stuff is easy to sew and good for when you want something quick and painless. So I'm pretty much set for the next 10 years when it comes to patterns. :lol: But some of these are just too great pass up!!

Okay now for a Greg update! He's doing wonderfully as a stitcher and will probably surpass me in his skill level in the next year. He's a meticulous stitcher and works out the minutia w/ more patience than I'll ever be able to muster up. His current project is nearly done and that is w/ several color changes along the way. It's very sweet, now if I could just figure out what to do w/ it. :wink:

What I'm Stitching