My Framed Tribute to Ackworth

I finally had another piece framed. With the birth of my son 4 years ago, I have really cut down on having pieces framed due to cost. Who new a child could be so expensive? Anyway, I do always have my things framed using the non glare conservation glass- this adds greatly to the price. On a whim a couple of years ago I took a small piece that I liked (but wouldn't have been devastated if it was ruined) to Michael's with my 50% coupon in hand. I was very nervous because of all the horror stories out there. It was Garden Angel by La-d-Da and turned out great!! I chose their "Masterpiece" glass. Absolutely wonderful. The framing was nice and straight, and the glass was divine.



So this piece was placed on the wall amid a lot of other pieces with the normal conservation, non-glare glass and just looked "cleaner." I don't know, I thought it was my imagination because it was new. But after two years, it still looks like there is no glass at all- the Materpiece glass is truly wonderful. Unfortunately, they will not cut a piece and sell it, so the only way I can get it is to have something framed completely. Therefore, when it came to framing my Tribute to Ackworth, I held my breath and went back to Michael's. I talked extensively with the lady that framed it about the acid free board, no sticky material at all, no rust pins, etc.... My fabric was a little "wonky" so I was unsure what would happen. It actually turned out great!! The frame is perfect, the Masterpiece glass is exquisite, and with the 60% + $10 off coupon, the cost went from over $300 to $125. I am thrilled with the results!!



Now I have no idea what I will do when "And They Sinned" is ready. I'm still afraid to take it to Michael's, but I am so happy with both pieces they have done. Decisions, decisions....

Window Update

I am very close to another Sticklounge finish. I have two parts to go, but have moved on to RMT/ABC 1900 for now.



I have almost reached the half way point on RMT, and the deadline is March 1. I don't think I can make it, but it's ok because I had the pattern before the Sticklounge Group started stitching it. I still hope to get very close in the next few weeks.

Spot Motif circa 1640

I have managed to get a little more done on my Scarlet Letter piece Spot Motif circa 1640. I started this piece just for Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. I love it! It is completely tent stitched over one on 40 ct and is very bright and colorful. My goal for 2013 is to finish at least 25% of this one. I plan to outline first, then go back and fill in the colors. I couldn't resist stitching the little caterpillar completely because he is so cute!





I hope to devote more time to my SL stitching after March 1st- I have three SALs (RMT, Window, and Ring in the New) that should be done by then, so Rebecca Cullin is highest on my list then!!

My Daily Strand and Window

The Daily Strand is a concept I picked up on the HDF Board a few years ago. The goal is to pick a project and stitch one strand a day until it is done. I actually finished "Eve" using this strategy and made a ton of progress on And They Sinned. I have decided to try it again this year, but to use it with something monochrome to increase the amount I get done. The Mathilde Duforest SAL is the perfect candidate!! This piece is offered as a freebie on Trois Generations Tricotent blog. I am using a custom color from HDF and 38 ct creme Gander over one. So far I have managed a strand every day, sometimes two.


I have been furiously stitching Window from the Sticklounge group. The deadline is February 12, and I have 6 more parts to go. This piece has given me fits due to all the frogging!! Sometimes due to one mis-stitch that can lead to hours of frogging, or just not being happy with my colors. So far there is still some frogging to remove the center yellow and the brighter purple in the center. I have decided to go with Old Maid of the Vineyard for the petals, Primitive Barn Mauve just inside that, and possibly Examplar Pettyfog for the center... that could change tomorrow.



I also need to focus some attention on my RMT and Ring in the New. RMT is huge and so far I have finished 10/24 parts. I am only on the third piece to Ring in the New out of 12. The deadline is March 1st to receive the final parts to both. As soon as March arrives, I will be be able to really work on my Scarlet Letter Year pieces more fully. Right now I can only devote a few hours here and there, but I hope to work on 1640 Spot Motif for a few hours today in order to have an update photo.

Final 2012 WIPocalypse Check In

I am happy to say I made a lot of great progress this year on most of my WIPocalypse pieces. I even had a few finishes. I will list them all here in one post so everyone can see what I have stitched. I am very happy the world did not end since I have a lot more stitching to complete :)

Purple Garden by Angie Designer
36 ct Cobblestone by Sassy's Fabbys


Heart Note Alley by Kathy Bungard
36/40 Buttercream by HDF


Berlin Wool Sampler by Pelin Tezer
32 ct Inkspot- changed to 38 ct Creme Gander over one:




New Start and finished- A Tribute to Ackworth by Luv2stitch2 Designs


New Start and finished- Many Years Ago by Gudi Kolden


New Start and finished- Flower Power by Kirsten Schmitt


New Start Lavender Blue by Angie Designer (almost finished)



New Start Fleurs et Papillons by Angie Designer (almost finished)


New Start Mustertuch von 1783


Coat of Arms- Stickideen von der Wiehenburg (a little bit accomplished)



RMT by Marie-Francoise




Rebecca Cullin by Scarlet Letter (a little bit done)




Anniversariies of the Heart by Blackbird Designs (a little bit done)




Window by Suthern Stitchin'






Midnight Orchard by Ian Daniels/ HAED Goal finished
25 ct lugana over one using HDF


Arab Tent New Start- HAED Goal finished:


Moonlight Serenade by Laurie Prindle/HAED New Start



La Belle Dame Sans Merci HAED GOAL Finished:
28 ct monaco

Three finishes in three days....

I decided to try to finish some of my Sticklounge pieces recently. I need to get those wheedled down so I can start stitching on more BAPs I have started. I was able to finish Tribute to Ackworth on Dec 30, Many Years Ago on Dec 31, and Flower Power this morning.






I have also made my New Year's Day Start on Chloris- my newest HAED project. It is over two on 40 ct HDF Canvas Lite. So far it seems huge- I am so used to over one on 25, 28, 32, and 40 when stitching HAEDs. We'll see how it goes.