Amazing Grace

Hi Friends!

I know, I am the world's worst blogger! I am so behind in posting that the thought of everything I have to tell you just overwhelms me, so I keep procrastinating. Well, I decided if I break it down, maybe the task wouldn't be quite so daunting. Let's start with Amazing Grace. I released this design in May, so I hope you have seen it before now. The inspiration for this design came from a Bible study that I participated in during Lent. It was an enlightening study of a few of the Parables. We all need a little reminder that it is indeed, "all about Grace." The pamphlet includes charts for the main design and two companion pieces. The main chart is cross stitched over two threads, except for the verse, which is cross stitched over one linen thread. It also features Algerian Eye Stitch, which is a fun little stitch.

I applied my finished pieces to a repurposed wooden box to create a sewing box.

Here is a close-up of the pin cushion. I filled it with polyfill and lead fishing sinkers for weight.

Companion B was applied to the top of an Altoid tin and now holds small sewing implements. All three pieces were stitched on 28 count Cashel linen from Zweigart in Raw Linen with DMC floss. Hope you enjoy this design!

Happy Stitching!!

Beth

How do you stitch?

some of my favorite stitching tools

Hello fellow stitchers!

Today's posting is a bit different. I would love to know how you stitch. We know how to create the actual stitches, but what tools do you use? Do you sit at a table or your easy chair? What stitching hints can you offer for your fellow stitchers. When I am stitching with others, I always like to see how they stitch and I have definitely learned a thing or two. Let me share how I stitch.

My favorite stitching frame is a Q-snap frame. I use the 6 x 6 one. I have tried using the 11 x 11 one for larger projects, but I find it awkward to hold, so I usually just go back to the small one. I have always wrapped my project around the tubes from the top, so that what I am stitching is on top. But, every time I go to end my thread, I have to twist the holders, so that I can get to the stitches to run the thread under them. So, on the last piece I stitched, I wrapped the fabric from the bottom, so I had to stitch down into the frame, but I avoided having to twist the holders and adjust my tension all the time.

I love my little Mighty Bright clip on light. It clips right onto the Q-snap frame. I also have another one that has the magnifier attached. Since I have discovered magnifier glasses, I don't use the one with the magnifier as much. It is heavier and you have to constantly be moving the magnifier around. The glasses work much better for me.

The floss for the project I am working on goes into a small dish, so that I can keep it contained. I put my embroidery scissors in the dish as well. I do wrap my floss onto bobbins and store them numerically.

It depends on what time of the day it is as to where I sit to stitch. During the day, I will sit at my work table in my studio, but in the evenings, I prefer the family room with my comfy recliner. My only problem then is where to put my magnetic chart holder. I lean it up against the cat when he is on my lap, but he sometimes gets annoyed with that. ;)

I hope maybe you learned something from me through this little description and I hope to learn from what you have to say, so please leave comments.

Happy Stitching!!!

Beth

Catching up with Summer House

E. Pluribus Unum Release

E. Pluribus Unum is ready for your stitching pleasure! It will be available starting tomorrow through The Needlework Show. This is an online show, running April 14 - 19, open to wholesale customers only. Contact your favorite shop, brick and mortar or online, as they will have "customer view" pages for your perusal. Here is a link to the show: http://www.needleworkshow.com/. My show special is free shipping to any shop within the US.

Studio Rearrangement

One of my favorite pastimes is rearranging my living spaces. I have had this condition since I was a child. My family has always been very patient and understanding with me. Quite a lot to ask of them, since on any given day, my hubby will come home and the living room will be completely rearranged. Sometimes my kids would wake up in one bedroom and go to sleep in a different one. I can justify it by various explanations such as space usage evolving and the current set-up just doesn't work or the kids need more room to set up a train track. How about we need to wear the carpet evenly. Whatever my line is, moving furniture just plain ol' makes me happy! Sometimes my new configuration doesn't work, but then you get the opportunity to try something else. It is always a win-win situation, for me at least.

This past weekend, my studio was on the agenda. Since moving into this house two years ago, I have had this room in at least three different configurations. (Sometimes I just move a few pieces, so that doesn't really count.) It is a large room, as it is the formal living room of the house, so I share the space with a conversation area and the piano. This is a very important room to me, since I spend a considerable amount of time in it each day. I needed a space where my creative energy can be unleashed, in whatever project I am working on. My problem with my previous arrangement was it was more like an office, instead of a studio. I concluded that I needed a work table, more than I needed a desk. I needed a place where I could throw fabric across to cut for a finishing project or perhaps paint a shelf along with the usual office duties of computer and files. So, take a look at my result. I think the arrangement is much better. (I always say that!!! Just part of the "condition.")

The studio from the left. I use old picnic baskets to organize and store ribbon, linen, drawing tools, etc.

And looking to the right. The closet in the foyer holds fabric and art supplies.

The first project that I created on my new work table was this burlap bulletin board. I covered foamboard with a piece of burlap and framed it in an old frame that I bought years ago. Take note of the push pins. I glued thumbtacks to vintage buttons, so that I have a complete needle art look.

Hope you enjoyed the tour. Have a great day!!

Always my best,

Beth

E. Pluribus Unum Preview

My apologies for being a horrible blogger during the month of March. I have been busy stitching away, mostly on my newest release E. Pluribus Unum. It is an adaptation of the Great Seal, based on an old wool coverlet I saw woven in 1852. I stitched it using Weeks Dye Works over-dyed floss (in Kohl) on 28 count Weeks Dye Works gingham linen. I stitched it over one, just because I wanted the finished image to be small, but the chart can be read as over two just as well. More photos to come, as I get it framed. It will be released at the Online Needlework Show on April 14 - 19 2011, so see your favorite shop, as the show is open to wholesale customers only.

All my Best,

Beth

Homecoming

After a week of schedule changes and delays, we finally welcomed home our oldest son, Shane, from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. He had been stationed there for a year with the Army's 10th Mountain Division. He had a good tour and shared with us some of his experiences of the Afghan culture, the food, village life, etc. As you can well imagine, this mom is very glad to have her son back on American soil. He is pictured here with his girl, Mackenzie.

Gathering of the Guilds, Harrisburg, PA

9th Annual Gathering of Central PA Fiber & Needlework Guilds

The place to be this Saturday, February 26, 2011, is the Swatara Church of God Gym at 4860 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111, from 9am - 4pm. The church is easily accessible from I-283, exit 2. Eighteen Central Pennsylvania guilds will be participating with displays of members' work, demonstrations and make-it/take-it projects available. The guilds include a vast array of handcrafts such as lacemaking, quilting, basket making, polymer clay, sewing, wheat weaving and embroidery. (I am sure I missed something in there!) Admission is a canned good donation for the Central PA Food Bank. Parking is available at the church and also in the WITF parking lot across the street. A shuttle will be running between that parking lot and the church. Soup, sandwiches and baked goods will be offered by the ladies of the Church of God.

I will be displaying my stitched models along with two other area designers, Brenda Kocher (Brenda Kocher Designs) and Mary Fox (A. Fox Originals.) Half Moon Handwerks will also be on hand with supplies for a large array of needlework, including gorgeous Chameleon Threads from South Africa. It should be quite a day!!! I hope if you live within driving distance of Harrisburg, PA you make the trip!!

All my Best,

Beth

Great Stitching News!

I am so excited, I just learned the ornament I submitted to Just Cross Stitch will be included in their 2011 Ornament issue. As a stitcher this has always been one of my favorite publications. If you have never picked up an Ornament issue, it is filled with wonderful ornaments designed by all of the industry favorites along with personal Holiday stories and recipes submitted by those same designers. I have always been able to find a chart for the perfect ornament that I need for a special gift. It will be such an honor to be included in this publication. I will definitely keep you up to date and let you know the publication date and a little preview of my ornament.

Keep Stitching!!

Beth