artisticneedle

I don't know that I've ever gone this long without a post, time is flying by. I've been buried in work with a few short breaks in between. My brother came to visit at the end of August giving me time to finally stitch and finish my mom's ornament from last Christmas. So it's a little (okay, a lot) late, what's new?


Shepherd's Bush - Glad Tidings

It looks like we're going to having a very colorful fall, if we actually have fall this year. The temperatures have dropped and it feels more like winter. As much as I'm glad to see the heat and humidity gone, I'm not ready for it to be cold yet.



There are times when I don't leave my house for weeks (sometimes months) on end, especially when I'm busy working. The past month or so has been no exception but I finally got out last week to do some much needed shopping. Groceries, finishing supplies, ATM, printer cartridge, you name it, I needed it. I got no further than my first stop at Joanns when I had a kidney stone attack standing right at the cutting counter. Once I caught my breath after the first knife twisting pain, my brain kicked into bargaining mode - what do I "have" to have today, what can I leave until next time, how long until I can't stand the pain? Does anybody else do this?

In my 20's I would've soldiered on and taken care of everything I needed to. In my 30's I would've taken care of most everything. Now that I'm in my 40's it can all wait. I told myself to quit being stupid and to just get back home (or maybe it was because I was with my mom). To my bed, to my meds, to anything that would make me feel better. I'm still recuperating but feeling much better. All this has left me with a burning question though - am I becoming more of a wuss the older I get or am I just getting smarter?

Needless to say I am behind on email, I'm slowly but surely getting caught up. I'm also getting closer to getting all of my PIF's finished, I hope the wait is worth it.

'Til next time - I hope you all are well and warm....

Labels: Blathering, Finishing, Garden, PIF, Stitching

is due to dear sweet Patti for RAKing me with a Drawn Thread kit from my wishlist. I've lusted wanted this kit for some time but never got around to ordering it. It was an unexpected and very much appreciated surprise.


RAK from Patti
I've been stash shopping again, a little fabric, a few lovely Gloriana silk ribbons and the chenille trim used on a few Blackbird Designs projects.



For those of you who might be interested - the Rhapsody In Red blog is open. There are a very limited number of finishing kits left, information can be found on the blog.

Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Finishing, Gifts, Stash

I had the pleasure of finishing this design from Barbara Bernard last fall. Since then I've received quite a few emails asking for details on where it could be found.

Until last week, my answer has been 'I just don't know'. By pure dumb luck (again!) I was able to contact Barbara and she has graciously decided to make the chart available.

If you are interested in the chart, please email me using the Contact Me link above and include Quaker Motif Scissor Pocket in the subject line for Barbara's email address.

Labels: Barbara Bernard, Finishing, Quaker Motif Scissor Pocket

At long last Rhapsody In Red part 4 is finished. This set marks the end of the smalls so it's on to the casket next. I hope you've enjoyed the journey as much as I have.

The cover photos:



Chatelaine, Needle Book, Thimble Nest & Needle Threader

And a few additional pictures:

Labels: Finishing

After what seems like a 100 pictures, here she is at last, at least this was the best of the lot. I used silk ribbon on both the ruffles and the curly ribbon at the top. Hidden in the folds of the ruffles are tiny crystal pins matching the yellow-ish stripes in the sheep.


Shepherd's Bush - Queen Sheep

I've had a few e-mails asking why I changed the saying over in my profile (how observant some of my readers are!) - seems the insanity one was popular. :) I'm not saying it won't be back but for now, the new one is more appropriate for some things I'm going through.

There's so much nasty weather every where you look right now, please everybody be safe.

As always, thanks for visiting!

Labels: Finishing, Stitching

A couple of weeks ago Diane decided she couldn't keep the final piece of the Rhapsody In Red set a secret any longer. Truthfully, it was no small miracle that she kept it secret as long as she did. :) The pictures below are JUST a rough mock-up made from screen shots of the design, just imagine silk and trim and hardware to get an idea of what the final piece will actually look like. Diane has more information and pictures on her website - Sampler Cove Designs.

What about Rhapsody In Red part 4 you ask? It's coming very soon.





Emily - the Halloween fabric can be found Here.

Labels: Finishing

Late again (to those of you shaking your head and saying what's new about you being late? - quiet please LOL)! This set was scheduled to be released in March but of course I caught the flu, delay #1. The end was finally in sight when my alter ego "Ms. Picky" made an appearance and delayed the release a bit longer. I think Diane and I are still not believing it's really finished. I truly hope it was worth the wait.



Rhapsody In Red Part III - Sampler Cove Designs
Floss Box, Scissor Fob, Tape Measure and Pin Keep

The final set of smalls is supposed to be finished in May, I'll be racing to meet the deadline (please wish me luck - I think I'm going to need some) and then on to the very special final piece in this series.

Thanks for visiting!

Labels: Finishing

My oh my, where did this year go?

I managed a very last minute Christmas stitching present, it's a modified version of a new kit from Shepherd's Bush made into an ornament:


Shepherd's Bush - Come


I can finally reveal one of the reasons this year has been so crazy and why I've been a bit of a flake lately. :)

Diane of Sampler Cove contacted me during the summer wanting to know if I would be interested in finishing an upcoming design. I don't think either of us had an inkling at the time that the project would take on a life of it's own. She's already released the first chart - a gorgeous sampler titled Rhapsody In Red.

The second chart is ready for release shortly, the first of 3 charts of smalls using the same motifs and design elements of the large sampler.




Rhapsody In Red Part II - Sampler Cove Designs
Huswife, Biscornu and Thread Winders

There will be a fifth and final chart with a very special design to hold the smalls.

It's been a challenge working with Diane, time differences between here and Thailand, me being sick forever with a cold/strep/bronchitis, her being very patient while I made it through the Christmas rush, me being too picky, but it's oh so very rewarding to see this first set completely finished and photographed.

With that, I wish you all the very best for the New Year!

Labels: Finishing, Gifts, Stitching

Remember Su's gorgeous finishing on her Shepherd's Bush French Heart Sampler? I was asked if I could do something similar. I don't normally post pictures of my finishing work here but since I've had several comments about this one I thought I'd share my version of Su's wonderful idea:


The mail has brought several packages of fabric since my last post -

didn't I tell you my fabric stash was getting out of control?

Heather (I think) had asked for me to share where I shopped for fabric. Part of my criteria when I'm ordering is that they sell fat quarters. Since I mainly use the fabric for finishing ornaments etc., I don't need any more than that. That said, I've had a wonderful (meaning no muss, no fuss) experience at the following shops:

The Best Kept Secret
Mama's Log House
Quilt Expressions
The Quilted Kitty
Snowy River Quilts

The Fat Quarter Shop - Also stellar service but despite the name - the minimum yardage in most cases is 1/2 yard.

Thanks everybody for the comments on the slipper. No, I didn't think of feet at all while working on it! :) I'm already plotting another in a different color scheme.

Thanks also for the comments on the blog template. I've made some changes that hopefully make it easier to read. I've also tried to use the same template on my webpage but have run into a small problem (the red solid bar that runs across the top), if anybody can help me fix it I would really appreciate it.

Labels: Finishing, Stash