Counting on Needlework

Yes, it's been a while since I made a blog post.  I am now retired from my day job.  I plan to share stitching and knitting with you again since I have more time.  I cannot promise eloquent compositions, but there will be at least photos and explanations to enjoy. This is the completed sewing box. The second photo shows the lid removed.  You can see the tray I created so that there are two levels to the interior.  The big button in the center is the "handle" to remove the tray.   The third photo show the tray removed with the pin cushion nestled in the bottom of the sewing box.  That striped edge encircling the bottom is what holds up the tray when it is inserted. Thank you for looking!

I have completed the stitching for Patriotic Shaker Box by The Scarlett House .  Included in the pic above are the fabrics I found at The Sewing Studio .  I love the striped fabric and how it coordinates with the stripes in the flags and the flag-roof of the houses.  And, I love the birds, berries and leaves in the other print and how they work with the same elements of the stitched patterns. A couple of years ago, I snagged a Sudberry Shaker Sisters Sewing Box at Pocket Full of Stitches during a sale.  This is the box: The flowers and flags will go on top.  I chose my count of linen (28 count) so it would better fit the top of my box. The houses will be a pincushion to tuck inside the box and the 1776 star will be a scissors fob.  Some red scissors might be just the thing. I'm also thinking of making a fabric covered, padded bottom to fit inside and a fabric lining for the inside with pockets for small items. I don't know exactly when I'...

As you know, I am a member of the Embroiderer's Guild of America .  One of the opportunities afforded to members is the pursuit of Master Craftsman certification in a number of techniques - beading, canvas, color, counted thread, crewel, design, quilting, silk/metal threads, smocking and surface.  A couple of years ago I began working on the Master Craftsman in Counted Thread Embroidery.  There are several steps - the first being the creation of a family history sampler in counted cross stitch.  Here is my successful piece: The assignment for step two is to create an Assisi embroidery piece.  Assisi embroidery has a void design so that the subject of the piece is done in double running stitch and then the background is filled in solidly, in this instance with cross stitches.  Also, there is typically a decorative border done in double running stitches. I have had more than one idea and nothing has worked out so far.  However, I think my la...

As I mentioned in my initial post, I also knit.  Let me present my Hitchhiker scarf. Pattern:  Hitchhiker by Martina Behm (purchased through Ravelry) Yarn:  A Tree Hugger's Wife Yarns Mega Sock in the Drive In colorway (purchased at Seaside Yarns in Juneau, Alaska in 2014 when on a cruise) While I cannot be called a fan of Douglas Adams's book The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I am a fan of long tapering scarves and this one is just that.  I like the way they swirl around the neck and shoulders.  My scarf has the obligatory 42 points on it.  Fans will know that this number figures big in the book ("...the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything"). I'm looking forward to wearing this one when our weather cools off a bit.

Rudy and I recently went on a vacation.  We visited the southwestern area of South Dakota - The Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, Prairie Homestead, Badlands National Park and downtown Rapid City.  It was a great trip.  The area has had a lot of rain this summer. While at one of the souvenir shops at the Crazy Horse Memorial, I noticed a couple of cross stitch kits for sale and decided to purchase one.  The next day we stopped at Prairie Homestead on our way to the Badlands and found a cross stitch kit in their souvenir shop with a stitched example.  This kit also came home with me. The kits purchased on our vacation are by The Posy Collection.  I have a third one from The Posy Collection in my stash as well.  Rudy purchased it for me when he was visiting the Guadalupe Peak area on a field trip with some grad students. This is from the web site for The Posy Collection : Texas resident ...

This has been by vacation stitching for the last six evenings. This is the right half of this design. Also, this is my first attempt posting from my new Kindle Fire.