Treasures & Trash

My husband really pissed me off last night. I don’t know if I will ever forgive him. I still love him but right now forgiveness is not even an option.

Because of what happened, I am selling anything and everything that is mine that I no longer want or use such as books, needle work leaflets and supplies, clothing, and household decorations. I am doing it all through a Facebook group that I am setting up right now called Treasures & Trash.

Of course, nothing I’ll sell will actually be trash but you know ‘One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.’

Anyway, I hope you all stop by and check it out.

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Futurecast (a.k.a.Herald) by Teresa Wentzler

Okay so here is the skinny on this cute little dragon. The design is called Futurecast (a.k.a. Herald) from one of my favorite designers Teresa Wentzler. If you like castles, fairies, mid evil stuff, then she is hands down the one to go to.

Now, the bad news. Her patterns are hard to find, believe me, I started collecting her ten years ago and eBay became the place to shop. I may or may not have have paid $50.00 for one of her patterns at one time or another.

Now, the good news. Wentzler is taking another look at her designs and converting them from hand drawn to computerized. She is also releasing some of the designs through Patterns Online. It’s a long process but according to her blog she is enjoying it. However, Futurecast is a freebie that can be found on her website.

You all know I buy most of my supplies through Embroidery Central. What you don’t know is they have a sense of humor and like to create some fun and challenging projects for their stitch group.  They decide to do an April Fool’s challenge with thread based on your birthday. There was three threads picked from DMC, metallic, and hand dyed. Further, the project had to be a certain size.

My mother bought my colors for me which were Ecru from DMC, PB34 from Rainbow Gallery, and Father’s Day from Weeks Dye Works. I thought what in the world was I going to with these then settled on this particular pattern. Of course, I changed the rest of the colors as well.

Dragon’s Main Color
A  159 DMC
B 161 DMC
C 311 DMC
D No number but it is a dark blue
BS 939 DMC

Secondary Color
1 826 DMC
2 825 DMC

Accent Color
+ ecru DMC
Z 738 DMC

Mettalics
Star Symbol PB34 Rainbow Gallery
Circle Symbol SK23 Rainbow Gallery

Mill Hill Beads
For the dragon 18830 size #8
For the border 03002

BS 550 for the crystal ball and border
BS 202HL #4 Krenik for the claws

Unfortunately, I started stitching him before the start date of the April Fool’s challenge so I kinda disqualified myself from the challenge with this pattern. I am still allowed in the challenge with a different pattern but I also need to get some stitching done for the silent auction at the Idaho Elks Summer Convention in Moscow, Idaho. I guess I will see what happens.

If you have any questions or concerns about stitching this little cutie, just send me a comment either here or you can find me on Facebook.  Happy stitching!

Black Friday Sales

Under the Sea Fabrics

I vowed not to shop anywhere on Black Friday. I hate it, I think it’s stupid, I dislike the fact that some stores open on Thanksgiving to start their Black Friday sales early.

Honestly, all it is is a bunch of people standing in lines, pushing and shoving each other, for junk they don’t need. I can think of a million other things I would rather be doing on Black Friday then Black Friday. Of course, some of these things include a beach, a margarita, and stitching but hey that’s my fantasy.

Until, Under the Sea fabrics mentioned on Facebook that they will be having Black Friday Sales. I took a vow and I will stick to it even if it really sucks right now. But, the rest of you can participate.

Under the Sea Fabrics is owned and operated by Leslie Fetty LaFluer who is completely obsessed with mermaids. She hand dyes or hand paints the fabrics herself. She also does custom orders.

She has a variety of  fabrics to choose from including linen and Aida with an opalescent option on some fabrics. The fabric pictured above is Frozen Margarita opalescent that I bought a year or two ago via Embroidery Central.

And, considering the fact fact that her fabrics are hand dyed or hand painted, they are fairly priced. Happy stitching!

WIP Wednesday: Curiosity by Heaven and Earth and Amy

I know I missed posting for WIP on my blog. However, I did post an update on Facebook so I didn’t totally skip out.  I took a me day and then I watched one of the grand babies while his mommy did some photo editing for a client. I got some stitching done Curiosity both Wednesday and Friday. I also plan on getting some done today as well.

For those of you who don’t know, Heaven and Earth (HEAD) patterns are generally huge. They are usually stitched with one thread such as DMC over 1 fabric thread. The starting point for these designs is supposed to be the top left hand corner. Most people will use a white linen or aida to stitch these designs because most of the time the fabric doesn’t show.

Unless, you are the crazy one in the group who decides to do everything differently just because you can.

I am using a hand dyed fabric from Polstitches Designs called Dusk through Embroidery Central. I can’t remember the thread count but I can find out if you are interested. I am using two DMC threads over 1 fabric thread which is why its a pain in the ass and taking me a little longer to complete. You know, this wasn’t enough of a challenge so I started in the middle which happens to around the dragons nose.

I have the legs of the fairy completed and part of the belly which equals about three pages of a HEAD designs. Three pages out of like 60 pages with so many more to go. The part I stitched this week is the blue right above the needle but only about 2o squares so two inches worth of stitching in about five hours. Yeah me!  Anyway, that’s my update, Happy Stitching!

Freedom….

I have two free days to do some stitching. I’m thinking about working on my Heaven and Earth which has been sadly neglected for a few months. Maybe, we will see what happens.

By the way, I did add some other social media stuff that you could all follow. This way we can stay connected and inspire each other. I have an you add me, I’ll add you policy; unless, you start spamming me then I’ll block you.

Anyway, as soon as I get some stitching done, I’l show off my progress. Happy stitching!

Needlework Galleries

One design from Christmas Tree Lane by Cross N Patch.

Wouldn’t be wonderful if there was a gallery just for needlework. Imagine, nothing but various different forms of needlework hanging on the wall. You wonder around the room, amazed by the different stitches, designs, color, and talent. You find inspiration to finish a project, to start a project, or to change a project.

Of course, the problem with a physical location is the insurance cost would be on the same level as the Smithsonian; if not higher.  Those of who stitch understand exactly what I’m talking about.

Well, what if someone somewhere created an online gallery. It wouldn’t have the same wow factor as a physical location but you could still find some inspiration.  Embroidery Central in Logan, Utah has created just such a gallery, Hand Embroidery & Cross Stitch Galleries,  that is growing on a daily basis.

It first started as a way for the local stitch group to show their finished projects without taping tiny pictures to their wall. It has since grown to include other finished projects as well. Eventually, they hope to include stitchers from around the world. Basically, you would be able to post your picture of your finished project.

They also hoping to cross-reference the finished projects with the product available through their store including any changes that the stitcher made. They have some big plans that are slowly being implemented.

I hope you all check it out and find some inspiration, Happy Stitching!

WIP: Winter Welcome by Country Cottage Needleworks

Image from http://www.pinterest.com

I know it’s Thursday not Wednesday but here is my WIP anyway. If I could stick out my tongue, I would. Sorry, I have been babysitting, doing a convention, and trying to find my lost stitch bug. If you find it, please return it to me. I have tons of projects to stitch but no ambition.

Anyway, I didn’t get to do much stitching this week. I did like ten stitches on this little cutie.

And, there is a story behind this project. I’m broke, I have no money to buy supplies; unless, I save up pennies. A few months ago, I had some extra cash left over from some lunch money. I did what all of us crafters and readers do, I went shopping.

I only had $5.00 and planned to get a book or two so I stopped by Somebody’s Attic.  I found a couple of books but decided to check out their little craft section. Low and behold, this project was in a bag with all of the threads and fabric needed to complete the stitching for $0.75.  The fabric was even in its own bag with a label from Shepherd’s Bush Ogden, Utah.

My point is this, second hand stores often have hidden treasure with in their walls. You just have to take the time to do a little searching.

Finish: Christmas Tags by Fiona Crouch

This pattern is called Christmas Tags designed by Fiona Crouch. They can be found in The Ultimate Christmas Cross Stitch Collection 2014; I honestly don’t know if it is still available or not.  My mother bought two copies because they were on sale at either Micheal’s or Wal-mart. Not sure but she does go to both places. For her, it was an impulse buy and an early b-day present for me.

It has all sorts of stitch goodies, gifts, and pretties of all sorts, shapes, and sizes.  Now, if you’ve been following this blog for at least a year. You know I do a lot of charity stitching. But for those of you who don’t know, I am a member of the B.P.O.E., Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. We do a bunch of stuff all over the United States.

In Idaho and Washington, the Elks created the Betty Heiss organization that raises money specifically for cancer research.  The ladies that run the organization hold a silent suction in June and November at the Idaho Elks Conventions to help raise money. I always try to donate something that is handmade.

This year due to health, i really slacked off. Until, I remembered this particular magazine which had some really quick stitch patterns. This pattern is set of 8 gift tags that took about 2 days to stitch.  The stitching is finished, I just need blank gift tags, double-sided tape, and baker’s twine to finish them.

They will be put on the table Nov. 6th and sold to the highest bidder.  They probably won’t get too high of a bid because they are simple small things but when it comes to cancer research, every dollar counts. Happy Stitching!!

P.S. Are there any stitch or fabric stores that are a must visit while in Idaho Falls?

Finish: Promise Me by Lizzie Kate

From Embroidery Central

Promise Me was a Project of the Month for August 2014 put together by Embroidery Central. However, I didn’t actually stitch until this year. I had other projects going and I kept finding new projects to stitch so this one kinda got put on the back burner for a while.

Until, I lost my job and didn’t have the money to spend on new projects. I dug out my stash and found this one and went, I forgot I had this one.  Of course, I changed it a bit.

My Conversion

First change is I used a hand dyed fabric from Pol Stitches called Spun Gold purchased through Embroidery Central.

Second change was the thread colors:

I used Garnet, Weeks Dye Works, for Antique Rose.

I used Chives, Simply Shaker, for Endive.

I used Almost Auburn, Classic Colorworks, for Woodtrail.

I used Blue Jay, The Gentle Arts, for Blue Heron.

I used Brown Sugar, Classic Colorworks, Cocoa.

I used Bright Leaf, Weeks Dye Works, for Pecan.

I used an unknown yellow that was in my stash for whiskey.

The brown fabric with words I had purchased a year ago on one of our trips to an Elks convention. I wanted to use this fabric for this particular piece and turn it into a pillow for my daughter. Of course, my sewing skills with a machine are zero to none so I asked a friend of mine to put it together.

She found the red fabric with the flowers and then she offered to appliqué a blue bird and some flowers on the fabric. She admitted that she hates appliqué but she thought it would make the pillow stand out more.  I said If you want go ahead.  Now, I just have to stuff it, slip stitch it closed, wrap it, and put it under the tree.

Finish: The Letter J Mermaid by Nora Corbett

Image from Embroidery Central

I promised a couple of months back  that I would post my conversion for this project. Unfortunately, I lost the notebook for the conversion so I was unable to post it as promised; until now. I was watching grandkids this week and one of them lost his sipppy cup. I searched everywhere for it including under the couch. Not only did I find his cup but I also found the notebook with the conversion.  I decided I better post it before it get lost again.

The above image is what the project should look like if you use the recommended fabric and threads. However, the friend I stitched this for was having a girl.  For the nursery colors, she choose teal, coral, and silver. With the help from Embroidery Central’s staff, I  switched the colors to the following:

Now for all the little details. The fabric is 28 count 12 by 14 piece of Aphrodite Opalescent. I can’t remember if the fabric is from Pol Stitches or Under The Sea.  Now the threads:

Bramble Bush from Classic Colorworks stayed the same.

I Used Tangerine from Crescent colors to replace Candy Corn.

I used Blue Topaz, not sure of the brand, to replace Cerise.

Colonial copper stayed the same.

I used 945 from DMC to replace Cobbled Peach.

Crushed Pineapple stayed the same.

Hydrangea stayed the same.

I used Peacock, The Gentle Art, to replace Jelly Roll.

I used Goldfish, Crescent Colors, to replace Lobster Claw.

I used Ocean, not sure of the brand, to replace Ora’s Iris.

Vintage violet stayed the same.

Smoke stayed the same.

i used 014 VFB #4 for Star Mauve Krenik

I used 9294 VFB #4 for Pale Pink Krenik

Now for the beads, which are all Mill Hill:

00275 for 00165

10104 for 02005

42027 for 10002

12187 for 13021

10104 for 18824

13036 for 12243

13051 for 12244

The other treasure is a long tear drop shaped crystal but I can’t seem to find a number for it. I did find it my stash so perhaps it is no longer available.

Anyway, there is my conversion finally. Happy Stitching!